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“I said to the Lord, ‘You are my God!’ Listen, O Lord, to my cries for mercy! O Sovereign Lord, the strong one who rescued me, you protected me on the day of battle.” (Psalm 140:6–7 NLT) Few people in Scripture had a better understanding of God than David did. David knew what it was like to be favored by God. In 1 Samuel 13:14, he is referred to as a man after God’s own heart. He also knew what it was like to be on the business end of God’s discipline after his affair with Bathsheba. But more importantly for the purposes of this devotion, David knew what it was like to be protected by God and to have his burdens lifted by the Lord. Look at his words in Psalm 140:6–7: “I said to the Lord, ‘You are my God!’ Listen, O Lord, to my cries for mercy! O Sovereign Lord, the strong one who rescued me, you protected me on the day of battle” (NLT). Such confidence can only come from experience. If you’ve ever wondered how David rose to the occasion time and time again when other people might have crumbled, look at his words to Goliath in 1 Samuel 17:46: “This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands” (NIV). He didn’t boast about his speed, agility, or prowess with a sling. Instead, he invoked the name of the Lord, the One who had seen him through other dangers and carried his burdens in the past. David so completely trusted God to protect him again that he walked onto a battlefield against a heavily armored giant in his shepherd’s clothes. In 1 Samuel 17:46 and Psalm 140:6–7, David’s message was the same: “Lord, I place it all on you.” Have you reached the point in your relationship with God where you can say the same thing? You probably don’t have to think hard to recall times when He answered an urgent prayer request or saw you through a difficult situation. Let those memories serve as confidence builders. Replay them again and again in your mind. Give thanks and praise to the Lord daily for His work in your life. Keep track of it in your prayer journal. Tell others about His goodness to you. Memorize Scripture passages that testify to His goodness, strength, and protection. For example, in Isaiah 41:10, God says, “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand” (NLT). And in Philippians 4:19, the apostle Paul writes, “And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus” (NLT). Are you burdened today? Is something troubling you? Do you have anxiety over some situation? Maybe it’s a problem at work or an issue with a loved one. Whatever your burden may be, David has given you the example. Cast it on the Lord. He will sustain you. Psalm 55:22 says, “Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall” (NLT). God’s done it before, and He’ll do it again. Armed with that confidence, you can face any circumstance. Reflection question: What burden do you need to give to God? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“O Lord, rescue me from evil people. Protect me from those who are violent, those who plot evil in their hearts and stir up trouble all day long.” (Psalm 140:1–2 NLT) There’s an old saying that goes, “The more things change, the more they stay the same.” David’s words in Psalm 140 offer compelling evidence of that. David begins the psalm with these words: “O Lord, rescue me from evil people. Protect me from those who are violent, those who plot evil in their hearts and stir up trouble all day long” (verses 1–2 NLT). “Stirring up trouble all day long” is practically a job description for the influencers, trolls, and others who crowd onto modern social media platforms. No gossip is too salacious, no accusation is too offensive for them to reframe for their own purposes, comment on, and spread to others. Like David, we are living in a wicked, vicious time. People today have an unhealthy appetite for gossip and slander—anything that makes others look bad. Once upon a time, this was known as a “tabloid mentality.” But the kind of stuff that once could be found only in supermarket tabloids has spread throughout the ranks of journalism and broadcast media. Hard news has been replaced by attacking partisan commentary. Everyone wants the dirt, especially on those they oppose. Social media has accelerated the decline in journalistic and personal integrity. Civility, courtesy, and empathy seem to be nearing extinction. Take away the technology, and you have a culture that would have been recognizable to David. The “evil people” he referred to in Psalm 140:1 had initiated a carefully planned campaign of slander and lies against him, and it was proving to be effective. You’ve heard the expression, “Good news travels fast.” I suggest to you that bad news travels even faster. It’s been said that a lie is halfway around the world while truth is still putting on its shoes. There’s something about a falsehood that causes it to spread like a wildfire. James knew what he was talking about when he wrote, “And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself” (James 3:6 NLT). David understood what our response should be to the trouble that people stir up. In Psalm 25:4–5, he wrote, “Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you” (NLT). As believers, we must reject the lies of the world and learn everything we can about God’s truth. We must ask God to lead us, to help us resist the temptation to fight fire with fire when people stir up trouble. We need never concern ourselves about people’s reactions when we’re walking in God’s truth. Reflection question: What would focusing on God’s truth look like in your life? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many times, God does not give us detailed instructions for every decision or tell us exactly what to do next. Instead, He gives us abilities, resources, opportunities, wisdom, and responsibility, and expects us to use them to figure out how to move forward. God wants us to think, create, make decisions, take initiative, and produce results with what He has entrusted to us. Rather than continually waiting for God to tell us exactly what to do, there are times when God is waiting for us to act. Part of spiritual maturity is learning how to faithfully use what God has already given us to make wise decisions. __________ Genesis 2:19 NLT, Matthew 25:14-27 NLT __________ Partner with Us: https://churchforentrepreneurs.com/partner Connect with Us: https://churchforentrepreneurs.com __________    

“I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there. If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me.” (Psalm 139:7–10 NLT) One of God’s perfections is His omnipresence. He is present everywhere all the time. The psalmist captured the essence and implications of God’s omnipresence when he wrote, “I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there. If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me” (Psalm 139:7–10 NLT). If we extend that line of reasoning, it’s not hard to see that the omnipresence of God can be comforting or frightening, depending on your perspective. If you’re not right with God and you’re trying to get away from Him, His omnipresence creates a huge obstacle. The Old Testament prophet Jonah could testify to that. God gave Jonah an assignment that Jonah found distasteful. The Lord wanted Jonah to warn the Ninevites that His judgment was coming if they didn’t repent. Jonah balked at the mission because the Ninevites were the enemies of Israel. He didn’t want them to repent. He was rooting for God’s judgment on them. So, he went down to Joppa and boarded a ship headed for Tarshish, away from Nineveh and presumably away from God. But you know how the story ends. Jonah recognized the error of his ways and repented in the belly of a giant fish. Because God was there, too. There’s an obvious lesson in there for anyone who’s trying to run from God. That is, you’re wasting your time and energy. It can’t be done. No matter where you go, God will be waiting for you. You can’t escape His presence. On the other hand, if you’re walking with God, you’ll find great comfort in the knowledge that you’re never alone. When you face fiery trials, when you go through times of difficulty, when you have to weather life’s storms, God is with you every step of the way. David memorably celebrated God’s presence in Psalm 23: “The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me” (verses 1–4 NLT). You never need feel lost, scared, abandoned, or alone. If you’re walking with God, He will never leave you. Reflection question: When do you most appreciate God’s presence? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The world constantly shapes how we think about success, identity, career, and what we should pursue, which can make it difficult to recognize what God has created us to do. As we intentionally allow the Holy Spirit and the Word of God to transform our thinking, we become increasingly able to discern God's will for our lives. Purpose is already planted deep within us, but it takes spiritual maturity and intentional effort to draw it out. The more our thinking aligns with God's thinking, the clearer His purpose for our lives becomes. __________ Romans 12:2 NLT, Proverbs 20:5 KJV __________ Partner with Us: https://churchforentrepreneurs.com/partner Connect with Us: https://churchforentrepreneurs.com __________    

“This is how I spend my life: obeying your commandments.” (Psalm 119:56 NLT) What makes you happy? What brings you peace? Where do you find meaning, purpose, and a sense of fulfillment in your life? One of the biggest tragedies of our modern culture is that many people can’t answer these questions. They may find moments of excitement or distraction. They may have fun. But those moments are fleeting and surfacy. There’s nothing deep or lasting about them. Philosopher Eric Hoffer wrote, “The search for happiness is one of the chief sources of unhappiness.” Someone else once said, “There are two sources of unhappiness in life. One is not getting what you want and the other is getting it.” So, for many people today who are searching for happiness, the cold hard truth is that they will never find it. The news stories we see about celebrities seem to confirm it. For all their accomplishments, fame, and money, many of them lead miserable and empty lives. And that’s because they’re searching for happiness in the wrong way. The psalmist revealed the key to the search when he wrote, “This is how I spend my life: obeying your commandments” (Psalm 119:56 NLT). Genuine happiness is always a byproduct of holiness. Get your life right with God and happiness will soon follow. Several other passages in Scripture confirm this: “You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever” (Psalm 16:11 NLT). “Joyful is the person who finds wisdom, the one who gains understanding. For wisdom is more profitable than silver, and her wages are better than gold. Wisdom is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. She offers you long life in her right hand, and riches and honor in her left. She will guide you down delightful paths; all her ways are satisfying. Wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her; happy are those who hold her tightly” (Proverbs 3:13–18 NLT). “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires” (Psalm 37:4 NLT). “Those who listen to instruction will prosper; those who trust the Lord will be joyful” (Proverbs 16:20 NLT). “So I decided there is nothing better than to enjoy food and drink and to find satisfaction in work. Then I realized that these pleasures are from the hand of God. For who can eat or enjoy anything apart from him?” (Ecclesiastes 2:24–25 NLT). Unfortunately, unbelievers will never know true happiness. Instead, they will pursue the devil’s cheap counterfeits, facsimiles that seem to offer what they desire. They won’t recognize until it’s too late that the counterfeits are shallow, because they possess no deep well from which to draw. The world’s concept of happiness is dependent on good things happening. The Christian concept of happiness depends on a good God. Choose God’s way. Reflection question: How can you help unbelievers in your life recognize where genuine happiness can be found? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is there anyone in your life you consider to be a foolish person? I imagine you can think of someone. It's important for us to recognize foolish behavior and respond to it correctly. Let’s look at how the Bible defines a person who is foolish: Quick-Tempered Fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult (Proverbs12:16). It is foolish behavior to lose your temper. A foolish person will say and do all kinds of foolish things because of his/her temper. Their temper is often notorious. Acts Impetuously and Without Regard for Consequences Wise people think before they act; fools don't and even brag about it! (Proverbs 13:16). A wise man fears the Lord and shuns evil, but a fool is hotheaded and reckless (Proverbs 14:16). Do you know someone who does or says whatever pops into their head, without any regard for how it affects their future, other people, their pocketbook, etc.? Foolish people have little regard for consequences; they live totally for the pleasure of the moment. And they brag about it! Talks endlessly, brags, spouts off frequently The wise person makes learning a joy; fools spout only foolishness (Proverbs 15:2 NLT). A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions (Proverbs 18:2). Proverbs 10:19 reminds us: When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise. Jesus warned us that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken (Matthew 12:36). Foolish people have an opinion on anything and everything. Even though they may have very little knowledge, they always have an opinion. And of course, they are very vocal about their opinion with little regard for anyone else's opinion. Refuses Advice, Accountability and/or Discipline A fool spurns a parent's discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence (Proverbs 15:5). A fool never accepts advice or correction of any kind. They are unteachable. And they refuse needed disciplines in their lives like being on time, fulfilling their promises, being accountable for their actions, being dependable, following through and following up. These are not very complimentary descriptions, are they? If you have some foolish people in your life, ask God to help you respond appropriately.

God never designed us to receive all of our spiritual teaching and development from one minister. Throughout our lives, God will use different pastors, teachers, and ministers to contribute to our spiritual growth. One person may plant a truth in our hearts, while another helps us understand and grow in that truth. Each minister has a different assignment and gift, but it is ultimately God who causes us to grow. As believers, we should be open to receiving from the different ministers God places in our lives while making sure everything we receive is built upon the foundation of Jesus Christ and His Word. __________ 1 Corinthians 3:5-15 NLT, Ephesians 4:11-12 NLT __________ Partner with Us: https://churchforentrepreneurs.com/partner Connect with Us: https://churchforentrepreneurs.com __________    

“I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” (Psalm 119:11 NLT) You’ve probably heard the old saying that a Bible that’s falling apart is usually the sign of a life that isn’t. I must admit that I like to see beat-up, marked-up Bibles that are coming apart, because it tells me that they’ve seen heavy use. Their pages are well-worn. Favorite passages can be located immediately because of familiar breaks in the spine. Every scribbled note, every underlined passage tells a story. I’ve often said that there should be a Bible produced especially for preachers. In fact, I’ve mentioned the idea to people who actually publish Bibles. I told them, “Make a preacher’s Bible. Give it a steel binding.” After all, preachers really use their Bibles. As we’re speaking, we do things like shake it, hold it up, and point to it. Why we do that, I don’t really know. Of course, as believers, we shouldn’t simply shake our Bibles or hold them up or point to them. We need to read God’s Word. We need to memorize it. We need to follow the example of the psalmist who said, “I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:11 NLT). A purse or a briefcase may serve as a handy carrier for God’s Word, but our heart is an even better one. Jesus kept God’s Word in His heart. When the devil tempted Him in the wilderness, Jesus quoted Scripture to counter him. Three times the devil did his worst. And three times he was rebuffed by the Word of God. Matthew 4:11 says simply, “Then the devil went away” (NLT). He was no match for God’s Word. Scripture can serve a similar purpose in our lives. We have no way of knowing when and how the devil is going to tempt us. But we do know that God’s Word will thwart his plans. So, it’s important that we carry it with us wherever we go. That way, we can deploy it when we need to. Hiding God’s Word in our hearts also helps us fulfill the Great Commission. The apostle Paul wrote of unbelievers, “But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, ‘How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!’” (Romans 10:14–15 NLT). The more quickly and effectively we can access the Good News, the more powerful our witness will be. Being able to draw from what’s stored in our heart is a tremendous advantage. God’s Word is a powerful tool, and a powerful weapon against our enemy, whether we hold it in our hands or in our heart. Reflection question: What would hiding God’s Word in your heart look like in your life? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord.” (Psalm 119:1 NLT) The psalmist wrote, “Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord” (Psalm 119:1 NLT). That may come as quite a surprise to people who fail to see the connection between following instructions and joy. Many unbelievers—and believers—have a hard time getting past the “Thou shalt nots” of God’s commandments. They see God as a cosmic killjoy whose primary interaction with humankind is to legislate through His Word the complete elimination of fun and excitement. This isn’t just an accidental misunderstanding of our heavenly Father; it’s the result of a calculated strategy. Look at the serpent’s first words to Eve in the Garden of Eden: “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?” (Genesis 3:1 NLT). He played on her FOMO—fear of missing out—before she was even aware that she had such a fear. The serpent caused her to see God’s command, His only command, as something ponderous and restrictive. And the stigma remains. So, we need to make this clear: People who see the Bible and the Christian life as little more than a list of rules and regulations have not carefully examined Scripture. Yes, God tells us what to avoid. Yes, He warns us of things that are perilous to our spiritual health. At the same time, however, God tells us what to engage in. He reveals to us what will push the buttons of joy, fulfillment, and satisfaction that He installed in us. For example, in 2 Timothy 2:22, the apostle Paul writes, “Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts” (NLT). But then he follows it up with this: “Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts” (NLT). What an appealing invitation! What potential for life-changing growth, joy, and fulfillment! Believers who merely try to avoid what is evil are missing the point. Loving God isn’t just about what not to do. It’s also about what to do. If you want to be a truly joyful and holy person, you not only should avoid what is wrong, but you should embrace and actively engage in what is right. That’s what walking with the Lord is about. It involves progression, moving forward, rather than sitting still. In Paul’s first letter to the believers in Corinth, he writes, “Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love” (1 Corinthians 16:13–14 NLT). Each one of those things represents forward progress. Paul gives clear commands, and we apply them faithfully in the particular situations God places before us. If we focus only on the “Thou shalt not” commandments of Scripture, we’ll miss those opportunities. Reflection question: Which positive instructions in Scripture will you prioritize this week? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many believers are shocked when a pastor has a moral failure, and sometimes that shock can cause them to question their faith. But we must recognize that every pastor, like every human being, has hypocritical tendencies. None of us perfectly lives out everything we profess to believe. This doesn't excuse bad behavior. It simply acknowledges that we're all works in progress, fighting against sin and striving to walk in the ways of Jesus. When we understand this, our faith can remain grounded in the Word, not in people. __________ Galatians 2:11-14 NLT, Acts 16:1-3 NLT __________ Partner with Us: https://churchforentrepreneurs.com/partner Connect with Us: https://churchforentrepreneurs.com __________    

“What can I offer the Lord for all he has done for me?” (Psalm 116:12 NLT) A farmer who was known for his frugality owned a cow that gave birth to two calves. He said to his wife, “I’m going to dedicate one of these calves to the Lord.” Knowing his miserly ways, she was very surprised and asked which one he was planning to give to the Lord. “I haven’t decided yet, but I’ll let you know,” he said. A few days went by, and again she asked which calf he was giving to the Lord. “I’m still thinking about it,” he told her. Then one day, one of the calves got sick. It grew worse and worse until one night the farmer walked up onto the porch with the calf draped over his arms. He said to his wife, “Honey, I have bad news. The Lord’s calf just died.” Similarly, many of us tend to give God that which we don’t really want ourselves. Think about a typical day. What place do we give to the things of God? Maybe we utter a quick prayer as we roll out of bed or offer some hurried words of thanks over breakfast. Then we rush off to our responsibilities. At the end of the day, we say, “Oh, right. I’ll give God these last four minutes as I’m dozing off.” If God is important, then why do we give Him our leftovers? God certainly doesn’t want our leftovers. He makes that quite clear in Scripture. God said to Israel, “Cursed is the cheat who promises to give a fine ram from his flock but then sacrifices a defective one to the Lord. For I am a great king . . . and my name is feared among the nations!” (Malachi 1:14 NLT). In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need” (Matthew 6:33 NLT). One of the most important steps of spiritual growth is making sure that our priorities are in order. In the busyness of daily life, it’s easy to convince ourselves that pressing work responsibilities or family commitments should take precedence over our time with the Lord. But that kind of focus makes us lose sight of the interconnectedness of our responsibilities. God rewards time spent with Him. When we give Him the choicest part of our day, He blesses the remainder. When we quiet ourselves before Him, pour out our praise, thanksgiving, and requests in prayer, and spend quality time in His Word, we are better prepared to face the challenges and responsibilities of the day. The psalmist asked, “What can I offer the Lord for all he has done for me?” (Psalm 116:12 NLT). If we let that question guide our thoughts, actions, and priorities, we will discover what it means to serve God—and to be abundantly blessed by Him in return. God gave us His best. Let’s give Him ours. Reflection question: How can you ensure that God gets the best from you? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You were called to lead, friend. So why does it feel like you're still waiting for permission? If you've ever wondered what a woman from the Old Testament has to do with your online business, this episode is going to surprise you. If you're searching for what the story of Deborah teaches us about faith, leadership, and building a God-led business, you're in the right place. In this episode, I'm unpacking the story of Deborah, judge, prophet, and military commander, and what her "palm tree" model reveals about building a business as a woman who feels called but keeps waiting for the right conditions. We look at how Deborah led without waiting for conditions (Judges 4:4-6, NLT), how she moved even when the general Barak hesitated (Judges 4:8-9, NLT), and how she gave God the credit the moment the battle was won (Judges 5:2-3, NLT). I  share with you the DEBORAH Decision, my 3-Step Lead Anyway Plan, and 3 things her business model teaches us: niching down and staying put, partnering without shrinking, and acting on the word instead of the feeling. Obedience, even in the small things, is still obedience. Deborah didn't need a bigger platform. She needed a calling and the courage to use it. I pray this blesses you, friend!   Ready to Make Consistent Income From a Podcast? Join my 5-Day Profitable Podcast Bootcamp! I'll show you how to create a podcast that makes steady income on autopilot, without relying on social media.

God wants the best for us; however, if we continue to live unholy lives, at some point He will remove His covering from us. When His covering is gone, we experience the consequences of our sins. His goal is not to destroy us with consequences but to allow the consequences to lead us to repentance and back to Him. __________ 1 Corinthians 5:1-7 NLT,  2 Corinthians 2:4-7 NLT __________ Partner with Us: https://churchforentrepreneurs.com/partner Connect with Us: https://churchforentrepreneurs.com __________    

“Let them praise the Lord for his great love and for the wonderful things he has done for them.” (Psalm 107:8 NLT) In the Old Testament we find an interesting story of how King Jehoshaphat took an uncommon approach when his enemies waged war against him. “After consulting the people, the king appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, singing to the Lord and praising him for his holy splendor. This is what they sang: ‘Give thanks to the Lord; his faithful love endures forever!’” (2 Chronicles 20:21 NLT). Imagine the scene: “All right, guys, here’s the plan today. The enemy soldiers are out there, armed to the teeth. So, our first wave of attack will be musical. We’re sending out the choir.” If I’d been one of those choir members, I might have wondered whether the king liked our music. But God had directed Jehoshaphat in this unusual battle tactic. The result was nothing short of amazing. “At the very moment they began to sing and give praise, the Lord caused the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir to start fighting among themselves. The armies of Moab and Ammon turned against their allies from Mount Seir and killed every one of them. After they had destroyed the army of Seir, they began attacking each other. So when the army of Judah arrived at the lookout point in the wilderness, all they saw were dead bodies lying on the ground as far as they could see. Not a single one of the enemy had escaped” (verses 22–24 NLT). Good things happen when God’s people prioritize thanking and praising the Lord. It’s a simple lesson, but one that’s shockingly easy to forget. Luke 17:11–19 tells the story of Jesus’ encounter with ten men who had leprosy. When the men saw Jesus approaching their village, they cried out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” (verse 13 NLT). And with a single instruction from Him, the men were healed. Their leprosy disappeared. Their lives were changed forever. Verse 15 says, “One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, ‘Praise God!’” (NLT). One out of ten thanked Jesus. That percentage surprised even the Lord Himself. “Jesus asked, ‘Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?’” (verses 17–18 NLT). It’s not so much that Jesus was offended by the inconsiderate reactions of the other nine; it was more of a concern that they were going to miss out on the blessings that come when people express their thanks to God. Of course, few of us would dare shake our heads at the lack of response from the inconsiderate nine. If we could do an inventory of the number of times God has answered our prayers and then compare that to the number of times we’ve thanked Him, we probably would cringe at the results. The psalmist wrote, “Let them praise the Lord for his great love and for the wonderful things he has done for them” (Psalm 107:8 NLT). Let that be our daily priority. Reflection question: How can you be more proactive in giving thanks to God for His blessings in your life? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is your life part of a greater purpose, or can it sometimes feel like a collection of random circumstances? In this devotional, Megan J. Conner explores what Romans 8:28-30 teaches about God’s purpose, His sovereignty, and His ability to work through every part of our lives. Your story is not an accident, and your circumstances are not beyond God’s reach. From creation to the way God knows and loves each of us personally, Scripture points to a God who has been present throughout our entire story. Even when we cannot understand what He is doing, we can trust that He is working all things together for good and drawing us closer to Him. Highlights Why it’s natural to wonder whether your life has a purpose What Romans 8:28-30 reveals about God’s plan and purpose How creation points to the intentional design of our Creator Why your life is not simply a random collection of circumstances How God can use every part of your story to draw you closer to Him The importance of seeking biblical discernment when considering life's bigger questions How gratitude can help us recognize where God has already been working Want more encouragement throughout your week? Subscribe to The Good Word, LifeAudio’s free weekly newsletter. Sign up at LifeAudio.com/thegoodword Do you want to listen ad-free? When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts! Sign Up Today! Full Transcript Below: Working All Things for GoodBy Megan J. Conner Bible Reading:“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory.” - Rom. 8:28-30 (NLT) Have you ever wondered if God has a plan and a purpose for you? Or does it seem like your life has aimlessly evolved over time? Do you believe the circumstances you are in now are the result of fate or predestination? Or do you think your journey on this earth has simply been happenstance, a completely random assortment of events with no rhyme or reason behind each occurrence? These are tough questions that many of us tend to wrestle with internally. Whether we share these musings with others or not, many of us ponder whether our lives really have a purpose, and, if so, who or what is behind it. The world offers boundless explanations for humanity’s origin and design. From pointless existence to eternal destiny, it seems there are ideologies ready to appease any appetite or preference. However, an abundance of theories can cause chaos and confusion rather than promote confident assurance. This is why we must carefully consider and ask for God’s help with discernment as we contemplate the deeper meaning of each of our lives, so that we… “won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth,” (Eph. 4:14, NLT). As you seek to understand your reason for being, the answers might be much closer than you think. You do not need to travel the world or climb the highest mountain peak in search of purpose. You don’t need to exhaustively study to ascertain the origin of wisdom. You simply need to look up and look out. The answers you seek are evident right in front of your very eyes through creation. Nature, in all of its glory, demonstrates the divine. Majestic, intelligent design causes the sun to rise and set, the earth to orbit through the universe, and each individual heart to beat without conscious thought or effort. John 1:3 states, “God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him,” (NLT). Our Maker separated the sky from the waters, established all manner of life from the smallest seed to the giant sequoias, and formed you personally, individually, uniquely in your mother’s womb (Ps. 139:13). He knew you before you spoke your first word. He treasured you before you were even aware of his existence. So great is God’s love for you that he chose to proactively cover your sin and separation from God through the sacrifice of his only Son (John 3:16, Rom. 5:8). Even further, he has caused all things to work together for your good. Your life is not an accident. It is not the result of an arbitrary series of events. He has known you and chosen you. His eye has been upon every moment of your life. He has predestined your steps so that you would be drawn closer to him and share in his glory. Intersecting Faith & Life: Do you feel that your life has meaning and purpose? Or do you wrestle with a lack of fulfillment and clarity? Have you wondered if your journey through life has been a haphazard assortment of random events? Or do you believe God has had a plan and a purpose behind every step? Regardless of which side you find yourself on, may I encourage you to take some time to reflect on today’s truths? If you read these words with confidence and assurance that God has been at work in your life, take some time to thank him for his good work. Think through specific circumstances where you know God was a lamp unto your feet and a light unto your path (Ps. 119:05) and offer a prayer of gratitude. If today’s message was unfamiliar and challenged you to consider God’s presence in the design of your life, may I encourage you to recite this simple prayer below? As you pray, ask the Lord to give you eyes to clearly see how he has been at work in and through your life. Lord, I come to you today unsure of your plans and purpose in my life. Would you help me to visibly see how you have been present and at work in my journey thus far? Even though I am still a bit unsure, I choose to believe that you see me and know me. Help me to fully comprehend your love for me. Amen. Further Reading:Rom. 5:5-11John 3:16 Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

For many believers, when we see an open door of opportunity, we quickly say that God has opened that door for us. For example, you may be offered a job making $500K per year and it appears to be an answer to your prayers. However, just because a door of opportunity is in front of you, that doesn't mean it's from God. We are led by the spirit of God, not doors of opportunity.  __________ Romans 8:14 NLT, 1 Samuel 24:4–7 NLT, 1 Samuel 26:8–11 NLT __________ Partner with Us: https://churchforentrepreneurs.com/partner Connect with Us: https://churchforentrepreneurs.com __________    

“So he gave them what they asked for, but he sent a plague along with it.” (Psalm 106:15 NLT) The psalmist’s words in Psalm 106:15 remind us that prayer isn’t something to be taken lightly. Referring to God’s response to the complaints and cravings of the Israelites, who were freed from slavery in Egypt but then proved unfaithful in their trek to the Promised Land, the psalmist writes, “So he gave them what they asked for, but he sent a plague along with it” (Psalm 106:15 NLT). Having a direct line of communication with the Creator of the universe is not a privilege to be taken for granted. God’s Word has much to say about prayer, and it all begins with the right attitude. I sometimes hear people say, “I’ve been wrestling with God in prayer.” My first thought always is “I hope you lost.” If you’re trying to bend God your way with your prayers, you might as well save your breath. That’s not how prayer works. Prayer gives us the opportunity to bend God’s way. That’s a lesson that’s probably been driven home to you time and time again if you keep a prayer journal. If you look back on some of your prayer requests, perhaps when you were a new Christian, you probably see some efforts to get God to come around to your way of thinking. To get Him to substitute your will for His will. And chances are, you cringe when you see them and rejoice that God had a better plan. I’m certainly glad that God didn’t say yes to every prayer I ever prayed. When I look back on some things I’ve prayed for, I realize that if the Lord would have allowed them, they could have destroyed me. They were not the right things or the right situations. So, God graciously and lovingly said no. Maturing as a believer includes learning how to pray—and especially, what to pray for. In John 15:7, Jesus gives an incredible promise regarding answered prayer. He says, “But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!” (NLT). From the original language, this verse could be understood as, “If you maintain a living communion with Me, and My Word is at home with you, I command you to ask at once for yourself whatever your heart desires, and it will be yours.” When I read a promise like that, I gravitate immediately toward the part that says I can ask whatever my heart desires and it will be mine. But before that, Jesus said, “If you maintain a living communion with Me, and My word is at home with you. . . .” If this is happening in your life, then you’re going to want what God wants. If you’re maintaining a living communion with God and His words are at home in your heart, then your outlook, desires—and in time, your prayers—will change. And when you unleash the full power of prayer in your life, it will never be the same. Reflection question: What would a living communion with God look like in your life? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many people are frustrated because they are doing the right things but they're not immediately seeing the results they expect. In 1 Samuel 24 and 26, we are going to see an example of this. David did the right thing but did not receive immediate victory from his situation. The insight we are going to process is that we should do the right thing in spite of the immediate results. __________ Proverbs 13:12 NLT, Matthew 5:10 NLT, 1 Samuel 24:4–7 NLT, 1 Samuel 26:1–2 NLT, 1 Samuel 26:8–11 NLT __________ Partner with Us: https://churchforentrepreneurs.com/partner Connect with Us: https://churchforentrepreneurs.com __________    

“He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.” (Psalm 103:12 NLT) Often, people’s reputations precede them. Sometimes that’s a good thing. Sports heroes and other celebrities are welcomed and celebrated in most places. Sometimes, however, it’s not such a good thing. If you’ve ever been in a social setting in which everyone suddenly got quiet when a certain person walked in, you know what I’m talking about. Some people are doomed to be remembered for the lowest point in their lives or for the worst decision they ever made or for the time they didn’t come through for someone else. That can be a tough pill to swallow. What makes it even tougher is when the person doing the remembering is the person whose reputation was ruined. The reality is that many people find it hard to forgive themselves. But that attitude runs counter to the message of Scripture, where forgiveness is found in abundance. The story of the paralyzed man whose friends brought him to Jesus for healing is well-known as an illustration of friendship, determination, and faith. When the friends couldn’t get to Jesus because of the crowd, they cut a hole in the roof and lowered the paralyzed man to Him. Jesus did indeed heal the man’s physical paralysis. But first He did something more amazing and more profoundly important. “Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the man, ‘Young man, your sins are forgiven’” (Luke 5:20 NLT). The word forgiven, in this context, has the basic meaning of sending or driving something away. “Your sins are driven away from you” is what Jesus essentially said. Genuine confession involves more than simply saying, “Oops, my bad”; it also involves repentance, a turning away from the sin. Likewise, genuine forgiveness involves more than simply saying, “No problem”; it also involves a cleansing, a removal of the sin from our lives. King David wrote, “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us” (Psalm 103:12 AMPC). You can’t get much farther apart than that. As we saw in an earlier devotion, David had very personal reasons to celebrate God’s complete removal of sin. In Hebrews 8:12, God says, “And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins” (NLT). If God wipes our sins from His memory, who are we to hold on to guilt and shame over our wrongdoing? There’s no reason for us to have a longer memory than God when it comes to our failings. If you’re guilty of sin, confess it and repent of it. Turn away from your wrongdoing and ask God to forgive you. Then embrace His gracious forgiveness. Release any grudge you may be holding against yourself. Ask God to help you see yourself as He sees you—covered by the righteousness of Christ, spotless before Him. Reflection question: Where do you need to be reminded that you’ve been forgiven? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You don't have a readiness problem, friend. You have an obedience problem. And in this episode, I'm walking through why God has never once called a ready person, He calls available ones, and why waiting for the "right" conditions might actually be fear wearing a responsible outfit. We look at Moses, who gave God every logical reason he was the wrong man for the job (Exodus 4:10-12, NLT), and Joshua, who was commanded to be strong and courageous BEFORE he felt it (Joshua 1:9, NLT). We also sit with the parable of the buried talent (Matthew 25:25-27, NLT), because the "safe" choice to wait isn't always the wise one. I'm giving you 3 signs you're waiting for ready when God is actually asking you to move, and walking you through my AVAILABLE Framework, a simple 4-step plan to take your first obedient step today, even with zero clarity and zero confidence. God is so faithful to meet us exactly where we're standing, even when where we're standing is scared and unsure. He's not asking for readiness. He's asking for availability.   Ready to Make Consistent Income From a Podcast? Join my 5-Day Profitable Podcast Bootcamp! I'll show you how to create a podcast that makes steady income on autopilot, without relying on social media.

“He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day.” (Psalm 91:4–5 NLT) I read a story about a farmer who watched in dismay as his farm burned to the ground. After the fire, he walked around the charred rubble of his farm and found the body of a hen that had been burned in the fire. Frustrated, the farmer gave the hen a kick with his boot, and it turned over dead. But underneath was a little chick, who was still alive. When the fire ignited, the mother hen scurried over to her chick and wrapped her wings around him to protect him. She lost her life in the process, but her chick lived. The psalmist uses similar imagery to describe the safety and refuge that God’s people find in the Lord: “He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day” (Psalm 91:4–5 NLT). The picture of a mother bird hovering around her young may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you consider your relationship with the Lord. But it’s a valid description—and a comforting one. God’s people can take refuge in the Almighty. He will put His wings around us. He will protect us. That means we can have courage, even when the world around us seems hostile and frightening. That courage comes not because of who we are, but because God is with us. His truth is our shield. He is always present to guide and protect us. Psalm 91:5 says, “Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day” (NLT). God will be with us day and night, come hell or high water, through thick and thin. Take special note of the psalmist’s use of the word arrow. The apostle Paul also uses it in Ephesians 6:16, where he warns us of “the fiery arrows of the devil” (nlt). In biblical times, arrows played a significant role in battle. Soldiers often would light their arrows and barrage their opponents with them. They would fire hundreds, even thousands, of flaming arrows. If you wanted to live, you had to protect yourself from those fiery missiles. Spiritually speaking, the devil fires flaming arrows at us as well. Some might be flaming arrows of fear. Others might be flaming arrows of impure thoughts or flaming arrows of hatred. Whatever the case, God promises to protect us from all of them. We will still suffer difficulties in life, of course. But God promises that He will be with us no matter what we go through. He will shield us, so we have no reason to fear. Reflection question: What kind of arrows does the devil fire at you? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Following Jesus does not mean we will never fall; it means we do not remain down. Proverbs 24:16 NLT says, “The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again.” We may be knocked down, but through Christ, we are never knocked out!In this message, you'll be encouraged with five ways you can get back up and keep walking with Him: wait on the Lord instead of fretting, shift to a heavenly perspective, put on the new person you are in Christ, acknowledge every good thing He has placed within you, and boldly declare who you are and what you have in Christ. Get back up, agree with God, and keep walking with Him!Restore Church | Yorkville, ILSunday Mornings | 10 AMJordan & Melissa Gash, Pastorshttps://www.restorechurchyorkville.com

“Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him.” (Psalm 91:1–2 NLT) In the first two verses of Psalm 91, the psalmist provides some great insights into the person of God by using four different titles for the Almighty. In verse 1, the psalmist refers to “Those who live in the shelter of the Most High” (NLT). The name “Most High” comes from the Hebrew phrase El Elyon, which describes God as the One who owns and possesses everything. We can lay claim to nothing. Our possessions, our skills and abilities, even our very lives all belong to God. Embracing that truth creates within us a spirit of humility, which is the ideal posture before God. Also in verse 1, the psalmist refers to “the shadow of the Almighty” (NLT). The name “Almighty” comes from the Hebrew word Shaddai, which emphasizes God’s power and sufficiency. Not only is the Lord the living God, but He is also the giving God. He possesses everything and wants to give us everything we need to thrive in our relationship with Him. He invites us to ask for anything, anytime and anywhere. Then verse 2 begins with the phrase “This I declare about the Lord” (NLT). The term “Lord” comes from the Hebrew word Yahweh. This is the personal name God gave to Moses when He appeared to him from the burning bush. “God replied to Moses, ‘I am who i am. Say this to the people of Israel: I am has sent me to you.’ God also said to Moses, ‘Say this to the people of Israel: Yahweh, the God of your ancestors—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you. This is my eternal name, my name to remember for all generations’” (Exodus 3:14–15 NLT). Yahweh is derived from the ancient Hebrew root word for “to be” and often translated “I will be who I will be.” Yahweh is God’s personal testimony that no one and nothing else defines who He is but Himself. Therefore, we know God by reading Scripture’s account of what He says about Himself. Psalm 91:2 concludes with these words: “He is my God, and I trust him” (NLT). This word “God” comes from the Hebrew word Elohim, which is in the plural form. This is to say not that there are multiple gods but rather that there are three Persons of the Trinity: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. In these two compact verses, the psalmist tells us that the all-knowing, all-powerful God, who possesses Heaven and earth and is in a special covenant with us, wants to protect us and provide for our needs. This gives us great confidence in the God whom we worship and serve. We can call on His name anytime, and He will answer. Reflection question: Which names and titles for God resonate most powerfully with you right now? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“My heart is confident in you, O God; my heart is confident. No wonder I can sing your praises!” (Psalm 57:7 NLT) He came from the humblest of beginnings and rose to become the greatest king in Israel’s history. In battle, he was fearless. As a ruler, he was without peer. God once referred to him as a man after His own heart. I’m speaking, of course, of David: shepherd, psalmist, musician, protector, warrior, giant-killer, and monarch. David’s story is one of the most familiar in all of Scripture, and for good reason. David is someone most people can relate to. He was an underdog, someone who was overlooked by others. He was bullied and found himself in situations that were beyond his control. He tried to do what was right but wasn’t above making some really bad decisions. Yet God used him to accomplish some incredible things. And as we look at David’s story, we can get some clues as to the type of people God uses. First, God uses ordinary people. The Lord prefers to work in and through ordinary people to do extraordinary things. That way, the people who witness those extraordinary things won’t be confused about who accomplished them. God wants to make sure that people give credit to Him rather than to human beings. The apostle Paul suffered from an affliction that he called “a thorn in my flesh” (2 Corinthians 12:7 NLT). Three times he asked God to take it away. “Each time [God] said, ‘My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.’ So now [Paul was] glad to boast about [his] weaknesses, so that the power of Christ [could] work through [him]” (verse 9 NLT). Paul’s affliction made him ordinary, which allowed the extraordinary work of God to be magnified through him. Just as surely as God used Paul’s ordinary affliction and plucked David, an ordinary shepherd boy, from obscurity, He is looking for people today through whom He can show His strength. Second, God uses spiritually focused people. David wrote, “My heart is confident in you, O God; my heart is confident. No wonder I can sing your praises!” (Psalm 57:7 NLT). His confidence came from keeping his eyes on God rather than on his circumstances, and he experienced the blessings that come from that kind of faith. God may not give you everything you hope for in life, or He may give you far more than you ever imagined. Either way, your responsibility is to trust Him, leave the results in His hands, and put Him first. That’s exactly what David did. Third, God uses people who are content in Him. As a young boy, David’s primary responsibility was to ensure the safety of sheep. David figured that if watching sheep was what God wanted him to do, then he would do the best job he could. Did he dream of one day doing great things for God? We can’t know for sure, but we do know that David was content in whatever God called him to do. Like David, we are all ordinary people. There’s no shame in that. As long as we’re willing to be faithful in what God has set before us and willing to be content in whatever God asks from us, God will use us. And sometimes He’ll do it in extraordinary ways. Reflection question: How can you make yourself available for God to use? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10 NLT) Love is not always a pretty or pleasant thing, especially in its earliest form. No matter how long you’ve been married, you probably still remember the first stirrings of love and passion that you felt for your spouse-to-be. You remember the feelings of butterflies in your stomach that sometimes felt like fighter jets. You remember the loss of appetite. You remember the nervousness and the overwhelming desire to make the best impression possible. For better or worse, those feelings don’t last—at least, not in the intensity of their original form. Passion’s fire cools to smoldering embers that can still be ignited, but they don’t burn as intensely or as continuously as they once did. If given the chance, the wild, unpredictable stirrings of first love can settle into something more substantial, more profound, and more permanent. The problem is that many people don’t understand that. They allow their feelings to dictate their actions. They convince themselves that when the emotional excitement isn’t there on a daily basis, they’ve fallen out of love, and the relationship isn’t working out. “We have irreconcilable differences,” they conclude, “so let’s just end things now.” Then they move on to another relationship because they don’t have a clue as to what real love is. The same thing can happen in our relationship with the Lord. The excitement of first coming to faith—of having our sins forgiven, of being aware of God’s boundless love and mercy, of knowing where we will go when we die—can be overwhelming, in the best possible sense. The feelings can be intense. Over time, however, those feelings subside. And when they do, we may start to question our relationship with the Lord. Instead of drifting apart from Him, we need to double down on our commitment. We need to deepen our relationship with God instead of being guided by our feelings. We need to set a workable pace for our walk with the Lord, to be content to grow gradually every day instead of expecting mountaintop experience after mountaintop experience. The psalmist wrote, “Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10 NLT). Loyalty is the key—being true to the Lord regardless of your feelings. Certainly, there will be times of revival when the embers of your love for God are reignited, and the passion burns intensely again. And we should embrace those moments for the gifts they are. But we must never lose sight of the fact that ours is more than just a journey of feeling; it’s also a journey of faith. So, we must continue to deepen our love for God through daily prayer, Bible study, and other habits that help us draw near to Him. We must remember that we are in it for the long haul. We are running a marathon, not a sprint. And we want to finish the race well. Reflection question: How can you build a relationship with the Lord based on loyalty instead of emotions? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many of today's cultural issues, such as abortion, are not directly discussed by Jesus. However, in the limited pages of a book, Jesus could not have addressed everything we would encounter in life. Therefore, God left us with 10 guiding principles in Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5. __________ Exodus 20:1-17 NLT, Mark 2:27 NLT __________ Partner with Us: https://churchforentrepreneurs.com/partner Connect with Us: https://churchforentrepreneurs.com __________    

“Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again—my Savior and my God!” (Psalm 42:11 NLT) It’s not unusual for sincere believers to have days of doubt, discouragement, and despair. Even the heroes of the faith struggled in these areas. Moses was handpicked by God to lead the Israelites out of slavery and to deliver the Ten Commandments. Yet, on at least one occasion, he was so overwhelmed by the consistent complaining of the Israelites that he said to the Lord, “I can’t carry all these people by myself! The load is far too heavy! If this is how you intend to treat me, just go ahead and kill me. Do me a favor and spare me this misery!” (Numbers 11:14–15 NLT). Elijah, after his contest with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, heard that Queen Jezebel had put a contract out on his life. He was so overwhelmed by his circumstances, so discouraged, so uncertain, and so filled with doubt that he said to God, “I have had enough, Lord. . . . Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died” (1 Kings 19:4 NLT). The prophet Jeremiah struggled as well. He was ridiculed and harassed for communicating the Word of God. Because he was tired of the pressure he was facing, it made him want to stop communicating God’s Word altogether. He said, “When I speak, the words burst out. ‘Violence and destruction!’ I shout. So these messages from the Lord have made me a household joke” (Jeremiah 20:8 NLT). Even the apostle Paul had moments when he was discouraged. He wrote to the church at Corinth, “We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it” (2 Corinthians 1:8 NLT). So, if we ever feel overwhelmed, the first thing we need to understand is that we’re in good company. Wrestling with doubt or uncertainty or being perplexed as to why God didn’t work in a certain way doesn’t set us apart from other believers. The second thing we need to understand is that fear and faith are separated by a very thin line, one that often gets blurred during our walk with Christ. One moment we say, “Everything will be fine—no problem.” Then the next moment we can look at the same circumstances and find ourselves in absolute despair. So, what’s the answer? We must recognize that we’re human, just like the great people of Scripture. We must cast our burdens on God and pray for the strength to place our problems in their proper perspective. The psalmist had that perspective when he wrote, “Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again—my Savior and my God!” (Psalm 42:11 NLT). We can’t see the big picture of God’s work in this world. And our limited perspective is bound to cause some heightened emotions. That’s why we must place our trust in the One who can see everything and is working it all for good. Reflection question: How can you keep a proper perspective when you struggle with doubt, discouragement, or despair? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Thanks to a question sent in by a loyal listener, we jump back into our series on What You Talking Bout Jesus and look at 1 Corinthians 13:13. It's an extremely common and often quoted verse, but what does it really mean? Why is the NLT version wrong? Great conversation, enjoy! www.theologyinthedirt.comtheologyinthedirt@gmail.com

“Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ's body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.” ‭‭- Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭4‬-‭5‬ ‭NLT

Movies are filled with cars, buildings, and cities blowing up—we love explosions! Does the Bible have any explosions? Kaitlyn and Noah, her fiancé, ask what counts as an explosion and elect one "explosion" the best.   0:00 - Theme Song   1:26 - What's the Biggest Explosion in the Bible?   3:10 - Was Creation an Explosion?   5:20 - Sodom and Gomorrah   8:17 - The Walls of Jericho   13:50 - Sponsor - Blissy - Pure mulberry silk pillow cases—hypoallergenic, naturally cooling, and recommended by dermatologists! Go to https://www.blissy.com/KAITLYN and use code KAITLYN to get 30% off!   14:46 - Sponsor - With and For - With & For: Psychology and Spirituality for Thriving Podcast. Check it out now! https://pod.link/1712333330   15:50 - Sponsor - Tyndale - To celebrate the NLT's 30th anniversary, Use code CURIOUS30 to receive 30% off any NLT Bible! https://tyndale.com   16:49 - Explosive Showdown: God vs Baal   26:36 - So—what's the biggest?   35:57 - End Credits

“How precious is your unfailing love, O God! All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of your wings.” (Psalm 36:7 NLT) First Kings 18 tells the story of the prophet Elijah’s epic showdown with the prophets of Baal and Asherah. But before that decisive contest occurs in the chapter, we find a brief encounter between two of God’s servants that illustrates what real, difference-making servanthood looks like. The chapter begins with these words: “Later on, in the third year of the drought, the Lord said to Elijah, ‘Go and present yourself to King Ahab. Tell him that I will soon send rain!’ So Elijah went to appear before Ahab” (1 Kings 18:1–2 NLT). Ahab and his wife Jezebel were two of the evilest characters in Israel’s history. Not only did they oppose the God of Israel, but they also ordered the execution of His prophets. And Elijah was at the top of their hit list. Even so, when God told Elijah to confront Ahab, the prophet didn’t hesitate to obey. On his way to find Ahab, Elijah encountered Obadiah, “a devoted follower of the Lord” (verse 3 NLT), who was also in charge of Ahab’s palace. Obadiah had remained faithful to God in a difficult and dangerous environment. In fact, when Jezebel sought to kill the Lord’s prophets, Obadiah hid one hundred of them in caves and supplied them with food and water (see verses 3–4). His actions required courage and helped preserve the lives of God’s servants. Yet Obadiah and Elijah represent two different ways of serving God during a time of spiritual crisis. Obadiah faithfully served the Lord from within Ahab’s administration, while Elijah openly confronted the king and called the nation back to God. Both men were devoted to the Lord, but Elijah's assignment required a public stand. As believers, there are times when our faith is expressed through quiet faithfulness and courageous service behind the scenes. But there are also moments when God calls us to speak openly and stand firmly for what is right. If we remain silent when He calls us to speak, others may mistake our silence for approval. Look again at how Elijah instantly obeyed and firmly declared God's will. We need the courage of Elijah, who stood openly and boldly for the Lord. It is possible to believe quietly, as Obadiah did, but there are moments when God calls His people to speak and stand without compromise. Elijah realized that he stood in the presence of the most powerful King of all: God Himself. Elijah understood what David, the writer of Psalm 36, meant when he wrote, “How precious is your unfailing love, O God! All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of your wings” (verse 7 NLT). Have you ever tried to stand in someone’s shadow? You must stay very close to the person. If they move, you must mirror their actions. Elijah stood in the shadow of God no matter where he was. Sometimes we forget that. We think that when we leave church, we somehow leave God’s presence. The truth is, wherever we go, God is with us. When we stand in the presence of God, we will not bow before any person. Proverbs 28:1 says, “The godly are as bold as lions” (NLT). There is no room for spiritual compromise in the lives of God’s people. Reflection question: What would a refusal to compromise, spiritually speaking, look like in your life? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

1 John 3:1-2 NLTSee how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don't recognize that we are God's children because they don't know him. Dear friends, we are already God's children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is..One of the primary and consistent names for God throughout the Bible is Father. From the prophets in the Old Testament to the New Testament with Jesus and the disciples who took the Gospel to the world, He is called Father. And of course, only someone with children can be known as Father.In today's passage, John describes a loving Father who loves His kids. We are His children and we will come to look like Him and eventually be with Him face to face.You are a child of your own parents and perhaps you are a parent of your own kids, but accepting … receiving the fact that God is your Father who deeply loves you is a fact you have to believe and embrace for yourself.Imagine the depth of your love for your child. Now accept the love your Father has for you. The way He thinks about you all the time. The way He fiercely protects you. The way He would give anything to have closeness with you. Sit in the awareness that you are always on the mind of the creator of the universe. Your Father.Read once again, this time as His child, as we personalize the passage as intended - for you:See how very much [Your] Father loves [you], for he calls [you] his child, and that is what [you] are! But the people who belong to this world don't recognize that [you] are God's child because they don't know him. Dear friend, [you] are already God's child, but he has not yet shown [you] what [you] will be like when Christ appears. But [you] do know that [you] will be like him, for [you] will see him as he really is.  (1 John 3:1-2 NLT).Embracing the fact that you are a deeply loved child of God will powerfully impact your life, because that mindset and viewpoint will be passed down to your children and those around you. God's love alive in you will reinforce God's love through you to others. His parenting of you will become a powerful part of how you parent.Declare this: “Father God, I know I am your child and I know that You love me.”Let's pray: “Father, thank You that I am a parent because you were a parent first. I can love my kids because You loved me first. Thank You that You know me and call me Your child and thank You that You know my children and call them your own too. As above, so below.” Amen

JUL. 29, 2026God is working on your behalf."We know that in everything God works for the good of those who love him." Ro 8:28 NCVThe Bible begins with these words: "In the beginning God created the sky and the earth. The earth was empty and had no form. Darkness covered the ocean, and God's Spirit was moving over the water.Then God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light. God saw that the light was good" (Ge 1:1-4 NCV). Even when your life seems like a jumbled mess, you can trust the God who brought order out of chaos and light out of darkness to help your life make sense. When you believe that "All things work together for good" (Ro 8:28 NKJV), it redefines the bad things that happen. The worst day of your life can turn into the best day. There's a silver lining to every cloud, and every downside has a potential upside.When you interpret life through this prism, it gives you confidence that everything is going to be alright. It reassures you that the best is yet to come because God said, "For I know the plans I have for you...they are plans for good" (See Jer 29:11 NLT). But sometimes you have a part to play. God is setting up divine appointments, but you must keep them. God is a gift-giver, but you must fan your gift into flame. God is calling, but you must answer (See Isa 6:8). God is ordering your footsteps, but you must keep in step with the Spirit. If you faithfully do your part, you can count on God to do His part—which is to work on your behalf.God is working on your behalf A silver lining in every cloudShare This DevotionalSend us Fan MailSupport the showChanging Lives | Building Strong Family | Impacting Our Community For Jesus Christ!

JUL. 23, 2026Always do a good job."The Lord God put the man in the garden of Eden to care for it and work it." Ge 2:15 NCVThe first thing God did when He made Adam was put him to work. That's because work gives us a sense of purpose, meaning, and dignity. "God put the man in the garden...to... work it." So Adam was a gardener. But whether you count cash in a bank, trade futures on Wall Street, flip burgers in a beach-side stand, whip up pasta specials at a five-star restaurant, fell giant timber in the forest or split and deliver firewood, coach a team, pastor a congregation, publish bestselling books, deliver newspapers in the early morning hours, star in your own television show, farm a large acreage, mow and edge neighborhood lawns, go out on the road as a salesman for computers, drive a truck loaded with machinery, build homes, clean swimming pools, argue cases before a judge, or settle family disputes as a counselor, always do a good job. A wise man once said: "Every job is a self-portrait of the person who does it. Autograph your work with excellence." The biblical character Daniel did that. And like cream, he rose to the top in Babylon. "Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him" (Da 6:3 KJV).There are no small jobs, only people who perceive them as small and become small in doing them. The Bible says: "Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper" (Pr 13:4 NLT). So always do a good job.Always do a good job Purpose, meaning, and dignityShare This DevotionalSend us Fan MailSupport the showChanging Lives | Building Strong Family | Impacting Our Community For Jesus Christ!

“Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!” (Psalm 34:8 NLT) We need to remember that God’s will is good. It may not seem like it at times, but it is. His plan for us is good. However, He usually doesn’t give us a detailed blueprint. Usually, God reveals His will to us in bits and pieces. He sees the big picture, while we see just a little at a time. If you had been the father of Joseph, surely, like all parents, you would have prayed for the welfare of your child. But when Joseph was sold into slavery by his own brothers, you could have easily said, “God, what are You doing? Why did You allow this?” Yet if God had not allowed it to happen, Joseph never would have been put into the position of influence that enabled him to save the country and his own family. If you had been the mother of Moses, how your heart would have broken when you saw your child being taken into Pharaoh’s court! Yet it was all part of God’s plan to mold Moses into the person who would lead Israel out of Egypt and its bondage. If you had been the mother of Jesus and watched your own Son hanging on the cross, how easily you could have said, “Lord, why did You let this happen?” But if Jesus had not died on that cross and taken our sins upon Himself, we could not know Him today. The problem for us is that we have a limited perspective. We are confined by time and space. We can see only the things that are happening in the present and only things that occur in our vicinity. The future is obscured to us. And so is the big picture of God’s work. The apostle Paul put it this way: “Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely” (1 Corinthians 13:12 NLT). In the meantime, we can look to the past for reassurance. God has an unmatched track record for coming through for His people—not just in Scripture, but probably in your life as well. Think about those instances. Remember how He brought good from situations that seemed anything but good. God’s history is why the psalmist was able to say with confidence, “Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!” (Psalm 34:8 NLT). When you look at the will of God in progress, it may not always make sense. But you must believe that God knows what He’s doing. His will is good. Trust Him to finish what He has begun. Reflection question: What unseen good might God be accomplishing in your life right now? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the Christian walk, the way in which we get to our destination matters. As we continue our "The Way" sermon season, Pastor Jon Chasteen reminds us that before we can follow the way of Christ, we must first give up our own ways. This powerful message teaches us what it really means — and what it costs — to truly deny ourselves. If you want to make your life look like Jesus' disciples in Scripture, you want to check out this message! Key Scriptures: Luke 9:23-25 (NLT) Matthew 28:18-20 (NLT) 2 Timothy 3:1-5 (NLT) Connect With Us: To learn more about Victory Church and to get connected, visit us at https://victory.church/ Worship Gathering Times: To see locations & worship gathering times, visit https://victory.church/locations/ Prayer: We believe in praying big prayers to a big God and expecting big results. If you're in need of prayer, our team would be honored to pray with you. You can reach us for prayer at https://victory.church/prayer Giving: At Victory, we steward God's resources well and with radical generosity. If you'd like to give toward the mission of Victory Church, visit https://victory.church/give/ Follow Us: OKC Campus: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/victorychurchokc/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/victorychurchok Edmond Campus: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/victoryedmond/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/victory.churchEDM Grapevine (Texas) Campus: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/victorychurchgrapevine/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089341962919

Guard Your Marriage Proverbs 4:23 Above all else, GUARD your heart (NIV) 1 Corinthians 16:13 Be on your GUARD; stand firm in the faith; (NIV) Proverbs 13:3 Whoever GUARDS his mouth preserves his life; (ESV) Luke 12:15 15 Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your GUARD against all kinds of greed; (NIV)  1 Timothy 6:20 Timothy, GUARD what has been entrusted to your care. (NIV) Malachi 2:15–16 Has not the one God made you? You belong to him in body and spirit. And what does the one God seek? Godly offspring. So be on your GUARD, and do not be unfaithful to the wife of your youth. 16 “The man who hates and divorces his wife,” says the Lord, the God of Israel, “does violence to the one he should protect,” says the Lord Almighty. So be on your GUARD, and do not be unfaithful. (NIV) GUARD YOUR MARRIAGE FROM PETTINESS  Song of Solomon 2:15 Catch all the foxes, those LITTLE FOXES, before they ruin the vineyard of love (NLT) 2. GUARD YOUR MARRIAGE FROM PRIORITY DRIFT  Philippians 4:9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into PRACTICE. (NIV) 1 Timothy 4:15 PRACTICE these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. (ESV) Hebrews 5:14 But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by CONSTANT PRACTICE to distinguish good from evil. (ESV) 2 Peter 1:10 10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you PRACTICE these qualities you will NEVER FALL (ESV)  3. GUARD YOUR MARRIAGE FROM PERSONAL STAGNATION 4. GUARD YOUR MARRIAGE IN PAINFUL SEASONS  Malachi 2:15–16 15 Has not the one God made you? You belong to him in body and spirit. And WHAT DOES THE ONE GOD SEEK? GODLY OFFSPRING. So be on your GUARD, and do not be unfaithful to the wife of your youth. (NIV)

Daniel 1:1-16 (NLT)

“Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight!” (Psalm 32:1 NLT) Without a doubt, one of the greatest blessings of the Christian life is that our God gives second chances. The apostle Paul wrote, “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard” (Romans 3:23 NLT). But even if we’ve failed miserably, God gives us the opportunity to put it behind us. He can dramatically turn things around on our behalf. He can forgive us. We have a choice in the course our lives take. We can either confess our sin and turn from it and know the happiness of being forgiven, or we can try to conceal our sin and then reap what we’ve sown. The Bible tells us that God will not bless people who try to hide their sin. Isaiah 3:9 says of such people, “They are doomed! They have brought destruction upon themselves” (NLT). On the other hand, Psalm 32:1 says, “Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight!” (NLT). Doesn’t that sound better? David, the writer of the psalm, understood this well. David’s story is a classic rags-to-riches tale. David was a shepherd and a musician. He was overlooked even in his own family. When his brothers went off to war, David was given the role of delivery boy. When Samuel the prophet told Jesse, David’s father, that God had sent him to anoint one of Jesse’s sons as the next king of Israel, Jesse didn’t even include David in the lineup. Yet David thrived in the role of underdog. He killed the giant Goliath. He succeeded Saul as the king of Israel. God gave David the chance of a lifetime, and David rose to the occasion. Gradually, though, his attention wandered. His priorities shifted. According to 2 Samuel 11:1, King David sent his men to battle the Ammonites while he “stayed behind in Jerusalem” (NLT). While he was idling in Jerusalem, he saw a woman named Bathsheba taking a bath. David sent for her and slept with her, even though she was the wife of Uriah, one of his most faithful soldiers. When he learned that Bathsheba was pregnant, David called Uriah back from battle, hoping that he would sleep with his wife. That way, people would assume that he was the father of her child. But Uriah refused to enjoy the comforts of home while his fellow soldiers were still camped on the battlefield. In desperation, David arranged for Uriah to be killed in battle so that he could marry the widow Bathsheba in time to make the baby’s birth seem legitimate. David failed God spectacularly. He committed adultery and murder. And after he was confronted by the prophet Nathan, he felt the weight of his sin. He wrote, “Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins. Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin” (Psalm 51:1–2 NLT). God heard his prayer, forgave his sins, and gave him a second chance. And God will do the same for you, no matter what you’ve done, if you repent and ask for forgiveness. Reflection question: How does knowing that God offers forgiveness and second chances change the way you respond when you fail? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“The one thing I ask of the Lord—the thing I seek most—is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord’s perfections and meditating in his Temple.” (Psalm 27:4 NLT) It’s been said that the greatest danger in life is to permit the urgent things to crowd out the important things. You see, the rabbit holes in life can cause us to lose sight of the one thing that matters: Jesus Christ. It’s interesting to follow the phrase one thing through the pages of Scripture. Each time a biblical author uses this phrase, we find insights into the importance of making time for the Lord. For example, remember when Martha became agitated at her sister, Mary, for sitting at Jesus’ feet while Martha did all the work? How did Jesus reply? He said, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:41–42 NLT, emphasis mine). Jesus was essentially saying, “Listen, Martha, I appreciate your desire to work. But there is a time to work and there is a time to sit at My feet. Mary has figured out that one thing is needful.” Are Martha’s actions a good description of your life right now? Are you so busy with work and life’s nonessentials that you’ve forgotten the one thing? Unless we have a sense of priority, we can find ourselves distracted and quickly forget our purpose: to dwell with the Lord. We must make the time to sit at the Lord’s feet. If we don’t make time for God’s Word, prayer, and church in our daily lives, we will fall apart spiritually. One thing is needful; pray for the strength and diligence to make time for it. David had a real insight into who God is and set his heart to follow Him. In Psalm 57:7, he wrote, “My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is steadfast and confident!” (AMPC). David’s heart was totally focused on who God was. He was locked into what was right. Paul made a similar statement in the book of Philippians: “I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us” (3:13–14 NLT). Everybody is living for something. The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing—that is, to live by a clear set of priorities. What’s the one thing for you? What’s your clear focus in life? God may not give you everything you hope for in life. Then again, He may give you more. You just leave that up to Him and put Him first. Reflection question: How can you prioritize the things of God in your life? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Reverence for the Lord is pure, lasting forever. The laws of the Lord are true; each one is fair. They are more desirable than gold, even the finest gold. They are sweeter than honey, even honey dripping from the comb. They are a warning to your servant, a great reward for those who obey them.” (Psalm 19:9–11 NLT) Solomon “had it all”—or so it seemed. When he succeeded his father David as king of Israel, the Lord appeared to him in a dream and offered to give him anything he asked for. Solomon asked for wisdom, an understanding heart, so that he could govern God’s people well. The Lord was so pleased by Solomon’s request that He gave the young monarch not just an abundance of wisdom but also fame and fortune beyond measure. And all was well, until Solomon began to ignore his God-given wisdom and rebel against the truth he had learned from the Lord. Solomon shifted his focus from governing God’s people well to sampling just about everything the world had to offer. With virtually unlimited resources at his disposal, he went on a sinful binge. Afterward, he said that it was all vanity, like chasing after the wind. The book of Ecclesiastes records his analysis for us: “That’s the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty” (Ecclesiastes 12:13 NLT). In other words, “Don’t fight against the laws of God. They were given to us for a reason.” God, in His commandments, has given us the blueprint for a fulfilled life, a blueprint for happiness, if you will. As Psalm 1 says, “Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do” (verses 1–3 NLT). In contrast, the psalm continues, “But not the wicked! They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind” (verse 4 NLT). In Psalm 19, you’ll find these words: “Reverence for the Lord is pure, lasting forever. The laws of the Lord are true; each one is fair. They are more desirable than gold, even the finest gold. They are sweeter than honey, even honey dripping from the comb. They are a warning to your servant, a great reward for those who obey them” (verses 9–11 NLT). Those words should have been familiar to Solomon. They were written by his father David. And their truth remains unchanged. You can either find meaning, joy, and fulfillment by avoiding the things that will drag you down and embracing the truth and commandments of God—or you can chase after the wind, as Solomon once tried to do. The choice is yours. Choose wisely. Reflection question: Why does the freedom of God’s commandments often seem like a restriction? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“To the faithful you show yourself faithful; to those with integrity you show integrity. To the pure you show yourself pure, but to the crooked you show yourself shrewd.” (Psalm 18:25–26 NLT) Some of the most exciting passages of Scripture involve theophanies, occurrences when God made Himself known in observable and tangible form. What’s especially fascinating about these encounters is how God appeared to different people in the Bible. To Abraham, He came as a traveler. According to Genesis 18, Abraham was sitting outside his tent one day when three messengers arrived. Two of the messengers were angels; the other was God Himself. Centuries later, Jesus commented on the encounter. “Your father Abraham rejoiced as he looked forward to my coming. He saw it and was glad” (John 8:56 NLT). Why did the Lord come to Abraham as a traveler? Because that’s what Abraham was: a traveler. According to Joshua 5:13–15, on the night before the Israelites began their siege of Jericho, God appeared to Joshua as the commander of the Lord’s army. Why? Because Joshua was the commander of Israel’s army. According to Genesis 32:22–32, when God appeared to Jacob, He came as a wrestler. Verse 24 says that God “wrestled with him until the dawn began to break” (nlt). Why did God choose that guise? Because Jacob was always fighting, conniving, resisting, and wrestling to get what he wanted. Maybe you can relate to Jacob. Maybe there’s something you want from God, perhaps even a good thing, such as the salvation of a loved one. Maybe you’re tired of being single and want to get married. Or maybe you want to serve God in a ministry. Don’t resort to conniving, because you may get what you want, but at a great cost. Jacob got what he wanted and paid dearly for it. I believe that if he had waited on God, he would have received what he needed and what God had promised. And perhaps God would have appeared to him in a different form. These three biblical accounts reveal an amazing truth about our heavenly Father. He meets us where we are. That’s not to say you can expect a theophany in your life. You don’t need one. If you’re a believer, you have something better. God’s Holy Spirit dwells within you. That’s what Jesus was talking about when He told His disciples, “But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you” (John 16:7 NLT). God communicates to us from within, through His Spirit. And He does it in ways that resonate powerfully with us, just as He did with Abraham, Joshua, and Jacob. The bottom line is this: God wants to do His will in your life in His way and in His time. If you need something from God, be patient and wait on Him. God will meet you wherever you are to lift you to where He wants you to be. Reflection question: When has God met you where you were? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“For the righteous Lord loves justice. The virtuous will see his face.” (Psalm 11:7 NLT) God reveals Himself to us in His Word. We know that God is holy because in Isaiah’s vision of Him, heavenly creatures declare, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Heaven’s Armies” (Isaiah 6:3 NLT). We know that God is righteous and just because Psalm 11:7 says, “The righteous Lord loves justice” (NLT). Holiness describes God’s character; righteousness and justice describe how He deals with humankind. These perfections that we find in Scripture aren’t just the result of God’s people seeing what they want to see in Him. Even the enemies of the Lord recognized His perfect attributes. In the book of Exodus, we read about Pharaoh, who hardened his heart by holding on to the children of Israel after the Lord had instructed him to release them. When the Lord sent a series of plagues to Egypt, “Pharaoh quickly summoned Moses and Aaron. ‘This time I have sinned,’ he confessed. ‘The Lord is the righteous one, and my people and I are wrong’” (Exodus 9:27 NLT). From the very first verse of the Bible, we see that God is omnipotent, all-powerful. If He were all-powerful without being righteous, He would be just a celestial tyrant doing whatever He wanted wherever He wanted to do it. If He were righteous without being powerful, He would be unable to execute justice on this earth. But the good news is that God is all-powerful—and He is righteous. He can do whatever He wants, but He does the right thing in every situation. That includes the exercise of His justice. Unlike human justice, God’s justice is perfect. He doesn’t show favoritism. He doesn’t look the other way at certain offenses. He demands that wrongdoing and wrongdoers be punished. Scripture certainly bears that out. In Isaiah 51:4–5, God says, “Listen to me, my people. Hear me, Israel, for my law will be proclaimed, and my justice will become a light to the nations. My mercy and justice are coming soon. My salvation is on the way. My strong arm will bring justice to the nations. All distant lands will look to me and wait in hope for my powerful arm” (NLT). Deuteronomy 32:4 says, “He is the Rock; his deeds are perfect. Everything he does is just and fair. He is a faithful God who does no wrong; how just and upright he is!” (NLT). And in Psalm 140:12, David confidently proclaims, “But I know the Lord will help those they persecute; he will give justice to the poor” (NLT). God’s justice leaves no room for appeal because He is righteous. Everything He determines is, by its very nature, perfectly just. Only our perfect heavenly Father can judge perfectly. And He wants His people to prize justice as well. Proverbs 21:3 says, “The Lord is more pleased when we do what is right and just than when we offer him sacrifices” (NLT). And Isaiah 1:17 instructs, “Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows” (NLT). Justice matters to the Lord, and it must matter to us. Reflection question: What would seeking justice look like in your life? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.” (Psalm 1:1–3 NLT) Many years ago, a young man named Billy Sunday placed his faith in Jesus Christ. An older believer then gave Billy some advice that he never forgot. The man said, “Billy, there are three simple rules I wish you would practice in life as a Christian. If you do, no one will ever write the word backslider after your name. Billy, take fifteen minutes each day to let God talk to you. Take fifteen minutes a day to talk to Him. And then spend fifteen minutes a day telling others about the Savior.” Billy Sunday followed this advice and became one of the most powerful evangelists in the history of the church. Billy Sunday recognized the value of moving forward. That’s the central message of Psalm 1: Move forward. “Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do” (verses 1–3 NLT). You’ll notice that the people described in these first few verses aren’t passive or stationary. They understand that making a difference for the Lord involves more than not doing bad things. It also involves moving forward in the right things. That’s why “they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night” (verse 2 NLT). They don’t simply “do their duty” when it comes to God’s Word. They don’t opt for the “hunt and peck” method of reading a little here and a little there with no genuine concern for context. They don’t return to it sporadically and then wonder why it’s not having much of an impact on them. Instead, they delight in Scripture. They meditate on it. They find joy, meaning, purpose, and direction in it. They recognize its wisdom and actively look for ways to apply it to their lives. They ask key questions about the passages they read, questions such as “Is there any sin here for me to avoid?” “Is there any promise for me to claim?” “Is there any victory to gain?” “Is there any blessing to enjoy?” Reading Scripture in this way creates a real sense of anticipation. Instead of treating Bible study like a classroom assignment, we approach it like the treasure hunt that it is. We embrace the awe-inspiring reality that we have access to the words of God Himself—and that those words have the power to change our lives. Reflection question: What would delighting in and meditating on God’s Word look like in your life? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

882 He Told Me Everything I Did, A Guided Christian Meditation on John 4:27-30 with the Recenter With Christ app The purpose of this podcast is to help you find more peace in  and connect with the true source of peace, Jesus Christ.  Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization.  You can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tense or unrelaxing.  If you feel comfortable doing so, I invite you to close your eyes.   Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation:   Breathe and direct your thoughts to connecting with God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate,  deflate. Scripture for Meditation John 4 NIV 27 Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. But no one asked, "What do you want?" or "Why are you talking with her?" 28 Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, 29 "Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?" 30 They came out of the town and made their way toward him. NLT 27 Just then his disciples came back. They were shocked to find him talking to a woman, but none of them had the nerve to ask, "What do you want with her?" or "Why are you talking to her?" 28 The woman left her water jar beside the well and ran back to the village, telling everyone, 29 "Come and see a man who told me everything I ever did! Could he possibly be the Messiah?" 30 So the people came streaming from the village to see him. Reflection on Scripture: This woman did not know about the cross or resurrection. She had an almost nonexistent Christology. She did not know exactly what the Messiah would do. It is pretty clear she didn't know Jesus was even the Savior, as that wasn't a common Jewish understanding of Messiah. The thing that makes this story so meaningful to me is what she does with the information she has. In John 9 Jesus tells the Pharisees would not be guilty if they were truly blind but they claimed to see. This woman was still blind in very important ways of understanding what Jesus would do for her, yet her approach to the truth, to Jesus as the way, was phenomenal. She believed and trusted Jesus. It can be valuable to look for the lessons in the scriptures that are for us also. Each one of us has more information than this woman. We have the advantage of having the full account of Jesus and his saving effort. We get to see stories of him in so many situations teaching. We hear his full message of love to many different situations. We have the stories of His miracles. We see the impact of the cross and the resurrection. And what do we do with that information? This woman had such limited information about Jesus, yet she invested herself in that message. The believed Jesus and attempted to share that. How blessed we are that we get to live in a time where Jesus is known across the globe. Certainly not be every person, but to billions of people. Sometimes I have thought that it would be amazing to live in the time of Jesus to get to see him, yet I think we are so blessed now to have a much deeper understanding of Jesus. The question that remains, what do we do with that knowledge? The most important knowledge of all? Many times we see  Meditation of Prayer: Pray as directed by the Spirit. Dedicate these moments to the patient waiting, when you feel ready ask God for understanding you desire from Him. Meditation of God and His Glory / Hesychasm: I invite you to sit in silence feeling patient for your own faults and trials. Summarize what insights you have gained during this meditation and meditate and visualize positive change in your life: This is a listener funded podcast at patreon.com/christianmeditationpodcast Final Question: If you consider the invitation and command to persevere in the faith, what change in your life does that bring to your mind?  FIND ME ON: Download my free app: Recenter with Christ Website - ChristianMeditationPodcast.com Voicemail - (602) 888-3795 Email: jared@christianmeditationpodcast.com Apple Podcasts - Christian Meditation Podcast Facebook.com/christianmeditationpodcast Youtube.com/christianmeditaitonpodcast Twitter - @ChristianMedPod

We think if we had a nicer car, or a bigger house, or a larger salary, or a new face, or new body, then we’d be content. But Max Lucado says: “The good life begins not when circumstances change but when our attitude toward them does.” And writing to the Christians in Philippi, the apostle Paul said, “Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.” (Philippians 4:11–12 NLT). Paul was in difficult circumstances when he wrote these words. He wasn’t spouting theories from an ivory tower. He was under house arrest, writing from the school of hard knocks. Yet Paul found contentment because he rejoiced in the Lord. Earlier in Philippians 4, he wrote, "Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!" (verse 4 NKJV). He didn’t say that we should rejoice in circumstances. Sometimes that’s hard to do. But Paul did say that we should rejoice in the Lord. Listen in to this episode now for more encouragement! — Become a Harvest Partner today and join us in knowing God and making Him known through media and large-scale evangelism, our mission of over 30 years. Explore more resources from Pastor Greg Laurie, including daily devotionals and blogs, designed to answer your spiritual questions and equip you to walk closely with Christ.Support the show: https://bit.ly/anbsupportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We think if we had a nicer car, or a bigger house, or a larger salary, or a new face, or new body, then we’d be content. But Max Lucado says: “The good life begins not when circumstances change but when our attitude toward them does.” And writing to the Christians in Philippi, the apostle Paul said, “Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.” (Philippians 4:11–12 NLT). Paul was in difficult circumstances when he wrote these words. He wasn’t spouting theories from an ivory tower. He was under house arrest, writing from the school of hard knocks. Yet Paul found contentment because he rejoiced in the Lord. Earlier in Philippians 4, he wrote, "Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!" (verse 4 NKJV). He didn’t say that we should rejoice in circumstances. Sometimes that’s hard to do. But Paul did say that we should rejoice in the Lord. Listen in to this episode now for more encouragement! — Become a Harvest Partner today and join us in knowing God and making Him known through media and large-scale evangelism, our mission of over 30 years. Explore more resources from Pastor Greg Laurie, including daily devotionals and blogs, designed to answer your spiritual questions and equip you to walk closely with Christ.Support the show: https://bit.ly/anbsupportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why do some believers grow deep roots while others fade out fast? Jesus answered that question 2,000 years ago in the Parable of the Sower. Turns out, spiritual growth isn’t one big decision—it’s thousands of small, daily choices. Bible or phone? Church or no church? Those choices add up, and they shape who you become. Pastor Greg Laurie walks us through the four kinds of hearts Jesus describes: Hardened, shallow, crowded, and fruitful. And he shares the real “golden key” to lasting spiritual growth. Notes: Luke 8 The Christian life is more than praying a prayer and getting “fire insurance.” It's following Jesus as your Savior and as your Lord. Life is one long string of choices. By not choosing spiritual growth, we choose spiritual decline. Deuteronomy 30:19 (NKJV)"I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life.” If you want to go forward as a Christian, you will. God has given us everything we need for spiritual growth and progress.2 Peter 1:3 Read Luke 8:11–15 (NLT) Which of these four soils represents you best?Only one out of four makes it. The job of the Sower is to throw the seed out far and wide. This type of sowing seed was known as “broadcasting.” Our job is to sow the seed of the word of God. God does the work of conversion. The Apostle Paul shows us how we each have a role to play.1 Corinthians 3:6–7 The only way to tell if someone is really a Christian is through the test of time. 1 John 2:19 (NLT)These people left our churches, but they never really belonged with us; otherwise they would have stayed with us. When they left, it proved that they did not belong with us. Prodigals come to faith, fall away, and return later. Some people have a weak beginning but a strong finish.That is better than a strong beginning and no finish. The Hardened HeartLuke 8:12 Mark 4:15 (NLT)“Only to have Satan come at once and take it away.” Whenever you share the gospel with people, expect satanic opposition. Every time you hear the gospel, your heart can get softer or harder. Shallow HeartsLuke 8:13 These are the hearers who seem to be converted but never get grounded in the faith. They are living on an emotional high and a state of spiritual euphoria. Perhaps they have experienced a supernatural touch from God. Faith that cannot be tested is faith that cannot be trusted. Christianity is Christ! “Christianity has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult and left untried.”—G.K. Chesterton Some people are simply impulsive by nature.Some people fall away because they have built their faith on the wrong foundation. Some people fall away because of persecution. Mark 4:17 (NLT)But since they don't have deep roots, they don't last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God's word. 2 Timothy 3:12 (NKJV)Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. Some people fall away because unbelief set in, causing them to doubt God at the first emotional low. Infested HeartsLuke 8:14 Second best is often the worst enemy of the best. Excessive worry can crowd out spiritual growth.Mark 4:19 We live in a time when people are obsessed with extending their lives. God determines the length of our lives.Job 14:5 Fruitful HearersLuke 8:15 The golden key to spiritual growth is how you hear and respond to God’s word. Mark 4:20 (NLT)“Those who hear and accept God's word.” The difference isn’t exposure to the word.It’s what the heart does once it lands. The Bible is everywhere, but it’s not in our hearts. The issue is not access. It’s appetite. Luke 12:48 (NIV)From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked. The hardest thing about studying the Bible is sitting down and opening it. Standing the test of time, finishing the spiritual life well, is not a mystery.It is maintaining a close and vibrant relationship with Christ. Read the Bible daily.Pray about things.Go to church regularly.Share your faith. — Become a Harvest Partner today and join us in knowing God and making Him known through media and large-scale evangelism, our mission of over 30 years. Explore more resources from Pastor Greg Laurie, including daily devotionals and blogs, designed to answer your spiritual questions and equip you to walk closely with Christ.Support the show: https://bit.ly/anbsupportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.