Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions
Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions offers a daily verse and commentary from Pastor Greg Laurie, blending biblical insight with humor, personal stories, and cultural commentary. The podcast aims to help listeners fill their minds with God's Word for success in the Christian life. The audio production uses Generative AI technology, while all devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.
Episodes
Good Isn’t Good Enough | Romans 3:23
“For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.” (Romans 3:23 NLT) Years ago, I was a guest on a morning television show. The host and I were having a nice chat when, near the end of the program, he dropped a bombshell. He said, “Greg, I have a question for you. You believe that most of the world is non-Christian and that because of that, they
A Spiritual Awakening | 2 Chronicles 7:14
“Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14 NLT) I think we can all agree that the United States needs a spiritual awakening. Over the years, God has done a powerful work through the Harvest Crusade&mda
The Last Thing God Wants | Matthew 25:41
“Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons.’” (Matthew 25:41 NLT) One of the most insidious lies in our spiritually contentious culture is that God is a vengeful Judge who gets a perverse pleasure from sending people to Hell. But it takes a very selective reading
Certainties | Psalm 90:10
“Seventy years are given to us! Some even live to eighty. But even the best years are filled with pain and trouble; soon they disappear, and we fly away.” (Psalm 90:10 NLT) Benjamin Franklin wrote, “In this world, nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” Many people have devised strategies to avoid the second. No one has yet devised a strategy for
Messengers Approved by God | 1 Thessalonians 2:4
“For we speak as messengers approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News. Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts.” (1 Thessalonians 2:4 NLT) As believers, we have the sacred trust of the gospel message. Jesus has given us our command: “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. Anyone who believes a
Making the Most of Adversity | Deuteronomy 6:10–12
“The LORD your God will soon bring you into the land he swore to give you when he made a vow to your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It is a land with large, prosperous cities that you did not build. The houses will be richly stocked with goods you did not produce. You will draw water from cisterns you did not dig, and you will eat from vineyards and olive trees you did n
The Problem of Pain | Romans 5:3–5
“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.” (Roma
Gaining an Enemy | 1 Peter 5:8–9
“Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.” (1 Peter 5:8–9 NLT) In our next set of devotions, we’re going to look
The Worst Possible Choice | Matthew 7:13–14
“You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.” (Matthew 7:13–14 NLT) In our us-versus-them culture, the concept of Hell is reserved almost exclusively for “them.&rdq
Starting with the Right Foundation | Matthew 7:24–25
“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock.” (Matthew 7:24–25 NLT) While spending time at the beach, I’ve watched people construct some very elabor
A Heart Undivided | Matthew 5:8
“God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God.” (Matthew 5:8 NLT) The apostle Paul wrote, “I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it,&nbs
Poor in Spirit, Rich in Blessings | Matthew 5:3
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3 NKJV) Jesus began His Sermon on the Mount with these words: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3 NKJV). The word translated as poor comes from a verb that means “to shrink, cower, or cringe.” It describes a
Salt and Light | Matthew 5:13–16
“You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the hou
Murder by Hate | Matthew 5:21–22
“You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’ But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell.” (Matthew 5:21&n
Persecuted and Blessed | Matthew 5:10
“God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.” (Matthew 5:10 NLT) The great preacher John Wesley was riding his horse one day when he realized that three days had passed since he’d been persecuted in any way. In that time, not a single brick had been thrown in his direction. He’d not been hit by even a single egg. He stop
Taking the Gospel Where We May Not Want to Go | Matthew 5:44
“But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!” (Matthew 5:44 NLT) In this week’s devotions, we’re going to focus on one of the most beloved and most challenging passages in all of Scripture: Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. Specifically, we’re going to look at some of the people Jesus singled out. And we’re going to start with enemies.
An Acquired Taste | 2 Corinthians 2:14–16
“But thank God! He has made us his captives and continues to lead us along in Christ’s triumphal procession. Now he uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume. Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing. To those who are perishin
A Self-Chosen Destination | Psalm 19:9
“Reverence for the LORD is pure, lasting forever. The laws of the LORD are true; each one is fair.” (Psalm 19:9 NLT) Our customization culture tells us that we can have just about anything, exactly as we want it, as long as we’re willing to shell out the necessary dough. Unfortunately, many people try to carry that sense of privilege into their spiritua
No-Excuse Evangelism | Jonah 3:1–2
“Then the LORD spoke to Jonah a second time: ‘Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh, and deliver the message I have given you.’” (Jonah 3:1–2 NLT) Most believers have reasons not to evangelize. Some of these reasons might even seem compelling or legitimate. “I don’t want to make the friendship weird or awkward.” “I&rs
Your Choice | Romans 5:1–2
“Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.” (Romans 5:1–2 NLT) The arithmetic
The Unavoidable Subject | Hebrews 9:27–28
“And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment, so also Christ was offered once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him.” (Hebrews 9:27–28 NLT) One of the biggest obstacles many people face when it comes to e
Reactions to the Gospel | 1 Corinthians 1:18–21
“The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God. As the Scriptures say, ‘I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and discard the intelligence of the intelligent.’ So where does this leave the philosophers, the scholars, and the world’s brilliant debaters? God has made the wisdom of
A Spiritual Badge of Honor | 2 Corinthians 11:23–27
“I have worked harder, been put in prison more often, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again. Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea. I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced
Absent from the Body, Present with the Lord | 2 Corinthians 5:6–9
“So we are always confident, even though we know that as long as we live in these bodies we are not at home with the Lord. For we live by believing and not by seeing. Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord. So whether we are here in this body or away from this body, our goal is to please him.” (2 Cor
The Cheerful Giver | 2 Corinthians 9:6–7
“Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. ‘For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.’” (2 Corinthians 9:6–7 NLT) If you ask people to list the top p
Our Heavenly Father | 2 Corinthians 1:3–5
“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ.” (2 Corinthians 1:3&nda
The Importance of Hardship | 2 Corinthians 12:8–10
“Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, ‘My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.’ So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when
Heaven Is Real | 2 Corinthians 12:2–4
“I was caught up to the third heaven fourteen years ago. Whether I was in my body or out of my body, I don’t know—only God knows. Yes, only God knows whether I was in my body or outside my body. But I do know that I was caught up to paradise and heard things so astounding that they cannot be expressed in words, things no human is allowed to tell.” (2 Corinthians 12:2–
Not So Giant | 1 Corinthians 10:12–13
“If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall. The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.” (1 Corinthians 10:12–13 NLT) Years ago, I had a close encounter with a giant.
A Place of Pure Bliss | 1 Corinthians 15:24–26
“After that the end will come, when he will turn the Kingdom over to God the Father, having destroyed every ruler and authority and power. For Christ must reign until he humbles all his enemies beneath his feet. And the last enemy to be destroyed is death.” (1 Corinthians 15:24–26 NLT) When we lose a loved one, there’s a time and place for mourning. The depth of our
Common Ground | 1 Corinthians 9:22–23
“When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings.” (1 Corinthians 9:22–23 NLT) Our world today is full of religious people, but many of them shy away from using that w
The Only Foundation | 1 Corinthians 3:11
“For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 3:11 NLT) The apostle Paul worked with and mentored some incredible people of faith, including Barnabas, Silas, Timothy, the Gospel writers Mark and Luke, Priscilla and Aquila, Titus, and Lydia. Talk about an all-star discipleship team! But as we saw in an earlier devotion,
By Any Means Available | 1 Corinthians 3:7–9
“It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow. The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work. For we are both God’s workers. And you are God’s field. You are God’s building.” (1 Corinthians 3:7–9 N
The Wrong Kind of Oneness | 1 Corinthians 6:15–16
“Don’t you realize that your bodies are actually parts of Christ? Should a man take his body, which is part of Christ, and join it to a prostitute? Never! And don’t you realize that if a man joins himself to a prostitute, he becomes one body with her? For the Scriptures say, ‘The two are united into one.’” (1 Corinthians 6:15–16 NLT) In this week&rs
Your Wisest Investment | Matthew 6:19–21
“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.” (Matthew 6:19–21 NLT) “Heaven on earth” is a well-w
Indestructible As Long As Necessary | Isaiah 54:17
“But in that coming day no weapon turned against you will succeed. You will silence every voice raised up to accuse you. These benefits are enjoyed by the servants of the Lord; their vindication will come from me. I, the Lord, have spoken!” (Isaiah 54:17 NLT) In Mark’s Gospel, Jesus makes a fascinating statement that some have misunderstood. Speaking of believers, He says,
A Matter of Perspective | Acts 14:21–22
“They preached the gospel in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. ‘We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,’ they said.” (Acts 14:21–22 NIV) I believe that when we get to Heaven, we&
The Things of This Life | Philemon 1:23–24
“Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings. So do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my co-workers.” (Philemon 1:23–24 NLT) It’s been said that everyone will be famous for fifteen minutes. For a select few people, however, those fifteen minutes of fame stretched into centuries and millennia. Such is the case with the people mentioned in o
The Proof Is in the Love | 1 Timothy 1:12–13
“I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength to do his work. He considered me trustworthy and appointed me to serve him, even though I used to blaspheme the name of Christ. In my insolence, I persecuted his people. But God had mercy on me because I did it in ignorance and unbelief.” (1 Timothy 1:12–13 NLT) Saul of Tarsus, who later became the apostle Paul, had
Everything You Need to Be a Witness | Acts 8:35
“So beginning with this same Scripture, Philip told him the Good News about Jesus.” (Acts 8:35 NLT) Every now and again, stories appear in the news about people who pose as physicians even though they’re not licensed to practice medicine. In some cases, the actions of these faux physicians prove to be destructive or even fatal for the people they’re “treating.&
A Matter of Quality, Not Quantity | Ecclesiastes 3:1–2
“For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1–2 NLT) Reflecting on the passing of human life, ethicist Michael Josephson wrote, “Ready or not, someday it will all come to an end. There will be no more sunrises, no minutes, hours or days. .
The Dash Between the Dates | John 15:8
“When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.” (John 15:8 NLT) A headstone serves as a marker for a person’s grave. But it also serves as an extremely brief summary of the person’s life. A typical headstone might read: John Doe, May 29, 1946–October 15, 2025, beloved son, husband, and father. What’s interes
Behind the Scenes | 2 Kings 5:2–3
“At this time Aramean raiders had invaded the land of Israel, and among their captives was a young girl who had been given to Naaman’s wife as a maid. One day the girl said to her mistress, ‘I wish my master would go to see the prophet in Samaria. He would heal him of his leprosy.’” (2 Kings 5:2–3 NLT) Often the most profound and far-reaching spiritual op
Be Faithful—and Tactful | Acts 8:30–31
“Philip ran over and heard the man reading from the prophet Isaiah. Philip asked, ‘Do you understand what you are reading?’ The man replied, ‘How can I, unless someone instructs me?’ And he urged Philip to come up into the carriage and sit with him.” (Acts 8:30–31 NLT) Philip, a leader in the early church, was given a remarkable opportunity to share
The Faithful Sower | Ecclesiastes 11:6
“Plant your seed in the morning and keep busy all afternoon, for you don’t know if profit will come from one activity or another—or maybe both.” (Ecclesiastes 11:6 NLT) Here’s something amazing to think about. Saul, who would later become the apostle Paul, was doing the work of God’s kingdom before he was even in it. Remember, Saul was one of the early en
Everyone Is Reachable | Acts 26:9–11
“I used to believe that I ought to do everything I could to oppose the very name of Jesus the Nazarene. Indeed, I did just that in Jerusalem. Authorized by the leading priests, I caused many believers there to be sent to prison. And I cast my vote against them when they were condemned to death. Many times I had them punished in the synagogues to get them to curse Jesus. I was so violent
Step Right | 1 John 2:6
“Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.” (1 John 2:6 NLT) I have a problem when I walk with my wife. I always walk a little faster than she does. Every time we go out together, I find myself walking ahead of her. I have to stop and wait for her to catch up. I make a conscious effort to walk more slowly—at least for a while. But the next thing
What All True Believers Have in Common | 1 John 2:19
“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.” (1 John 2:19 NLT) In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus delivered some sobering words to the people who followed Him: “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom o
A New Body | 1 John 3:2
“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.” (1 John 3:2 NLT) Human ingenuity has devised countless ways to transform the human body. From plastic surgery to weight-loss drugs. From tattoos to piercings. From hair dye to colo
The Safety Net | 1 John 1:8
“If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth.” (1 John 1:8 NLT) Visitors to San Francisco can’t help but be amazed at the architectural marvel that is the Golden Gate Bridge. But its beauty and innovation came at a tremendous cost. During the initial phases of construction, several workers lost their balance and plunged to their de
Real Love | 1 John 4:20–21
“If someone says, ‘I love God,’ but hates a fellow believer, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see? And he has given us this command: Those who love God must also love their fellow believers.” (1 John 4:20–21 NLT) One of the first things I remember taking place when I committed my life
In Good Company | 1 John 3:13
“So don’t be surprised, dear brothers and sisters, if the world hates you.” (1 John 3:13 NLT) This week we’re going to focus on passages from the first epistle of John. And we’re going to start with one that addresses the topic of Christian persecution. I heard a story about some fish suppliers who were having problems shipping cod from the East Coast. By the t
Choose to Forgive | Genesis 50:19–21
“But Joseph replied, ‘Don’t be afraid of me. Am I God, that I can punish you? You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. No, don’t be afraid. I will continue to take care of you and your children.’ So he reassured them by speaking kindly to them.” (Genesis 50:19–2
A Question of Why | Job 23:10
“But he knows where I am going. And when he tests me, I will come out as pure as gold.” (Job 23:10 NLT) “Why?” is a very popular question among God’s people. King David asked why his son rebelled against him and why the people of Israel stopped supporting him. Elijah asked why he was the only remaining prophet to stand for God. Jeremiah asked why he was sufferi
The Problem with Envy | Matthew 23:12
“But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Matthew 23:12 NLT) A woman strolling on a beach noticed a man catching crabs. Every time he caught one, he placed it in an open bucket. “Don’t you need a lid on that bucket?” the woman asked. “No,” the man replied, “they can’t get out.&rdq
Watch Out | Genesis 4:7
“You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master.” (Genesis 4:7 NLT) Years ago, my son Christopher was lying out in the sun at our house when he woke up to find a huge gopher snake, coiled up and hissing at him, poised to strike. It mu
No Compromise | 2 Timothy 4:3
"For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear." (2 Timothy 4:3 NLT) There was a time when we were bombarded by a one-sided view of God as an angry deity, ready to throw people into the open fires of Hell. People complained about too mu
The Hard Truth About Spiritual Warfare | Psalm 17:4
“I have followed your commands, which keep me from following cruel and evil people.” (Psalm 17:4 NLT) When the devil wanted to lead the first man and woman into sin, he started by attacking their minds. According to Genesis 3:1, “The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the Lord God had made. One day he asked the woman, ‘Did God really say you must not e
The Pursuit of Happiness | Psalm 4:6–8
“Many people say, ‘Who will show us better times?’ Let your face smile on us, Lord. You have given me greater joy than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine. In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe.” (Psalm 4:6–8 NLT) Dissatisfaction is the last of life’s headwinds that we’ll be talking about thi
The Burden of Guilt | 2 Corinthians 7:10
“For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death.” (2 Corinthians 7:10 NLT) Another of life’s difficult headwinds is guilt. The head of a mental institution in London once said, “I could release hal
No More Tears | Revelation 21:4
“He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” (Revelation 21:4 NLT) One of the most unpredictable headwinds we face in this life is grief. Grief can be expected in the aftermath of a loss. But it isn’t confined to a specific period of mourning. There’s no way to anticipate ho
No Doubt | John 11:21
“Martha said to Jesus, ‘Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died.’” (John 11:21 NLT) One of the most pervasive headwinds that believers face in daily life is doubt. Our faith seems strong until certain situations or circumstances arise that make us question or rethink certain aspects of it. If Scripture shows us anything, it’s that such d
Nothing to Fear | Philippians 1:6
“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” (Philippians 1:6 NLT) One of the most common headwinds that make life challenging is fear—real or imagined scenarios that rob us of our courage and confidence and keep us from experiencing all that God has in store for u
Failure: The Doorway to Success | John 21:4–5
“At dawn Jesus was standing on the beach, but the disciples couldn’t see who he was. He called out, ‘Fellows, have you caught any fish?’ ‘No,’ they replied.” (John 21:4–5 NLT) This week we’re going to look at some of the “headwinds” of life—the situations, emotions, and struggles that make daily living ch
Setting Your Sights | Ephesians 2:6
“For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2:6 NLT) Because Jesus lives, all who believe in Him have hope that extends beyond this life. So, we must set our sights on the things that lie beyond this world. A Christian is someone who lives in two dimensions. The apostle Paul
Your Own Mission Field | 2 Corinthians 4:7
“We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.” (2 Corinthians 4:7 NLT) Because Jesus lives, everyone who believes in Him has amazing news to share with others. The same gospel that led to our salvation can—and must—lea
Death Is Not the End | John 11:25–26
“Jesus told her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this, Martha?’” (John 11:25–26 NLT) Because Jesus lives, everyone who believes in Him will have eternal life. Jesus demonstrated His power over death when He raised His frien
The Power to Change | Isaiah 61:3–4
“To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory. They will rebuild the ancient ruins, repairing cities destroyed long ago. They will revive them, though they have been deserted for many
Forgiven, Accepted, and Loved | Ephesians 1:6–8
“So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.” (Ephesians 1:6–8 NLT) Because Jesus lives, you can be forgiven of your sins. The
The Missing Piece | John 3:16
“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 NLT) We celebrated Easter yesterday, which marks Jesus’ victory over death. This week, we’re going to look at different implications of Jesus’ resurrection. And we’re going to start with this one: Beca
Making Something Out of Nothing | Isaiah 64:4
“For since the world began, no ear has heard and no eye has seen a God like you, who works for those who wait for him!” (Isaiah 64:4 NLT) Jesus’ retreat to the Garden of Gethsemane began a bad stretch of time for the apostle Peter. First, he fell asleep on his watch after Jesus asked him to stay alert. Second, according to John 18:10, when Jesus’ enemies came to arre
Serving God’s Purpose | Luke 22:53
“Why didn’t you arrest me in the Temple? I was there every day. But this is your moment, the time when the power of darkness reigns.” (Luke 22:53 NLT) One of the most maddening moments in the Garden of Gethsemane came when Jesus’ enemies finally arrived to arrest Him. Leading the way was Judas Iscariot, the disciple who betrayed the Lord. According to Luke 22:47, &ld
Your Will Be Done | Matthew 26:39
“He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, ‘My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.’” (Matthew 26:39 NLT) Just before He was arrested, put on trial, and crucified, Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. He chose to spend the time He had left in
Stay Awake | Matthew 26:37–38
“He took Peter and Zebedee’s two sons, James and John, and he became anguished and distressed. He told them, ‘My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.’” (Matthew 26:37–38 NLT) Jesus was fully God and fully human. Because He was fully human, He had the same needs that other people have. He enjoyed the same thin
The Power of Prayer | James 5:13–15
“Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises. Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven.” (Ja
The One Who Understands | Mark 14:34
“He told them, ‘My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.’” (Mark 14:34 NLT) As the hour of Jesus’ crucifixion approached, the enormity of what He was about to do—of what He was about to endure—weighed heavily on the Lord. He retreated to an olive grove at the foot of the Mount of Olives, a place c
The Hard Truth About Eternity | Matthew 28:19–20
“Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19–20 NLT) A Christian father who was terminally ill called his three sons to his be
The Hard Truth About the Cross | 1 Corinthians 1:18
“The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18 NLT) I heard a story about a couple who visited a jewelry store. As the jeweler showed them various crosses, the woman commented, “I like these, but do you have any without this little man on them?” That&rsquo
The Hard Truth About Thankfulness | 1 Thessalonians 5:18
“Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NLT) In her remarkable book The Hiding Place, Corrie ten Boom relates an amazing story about the importance of being thankful. Corrie and her sister Betsie were held in a concentration camp known as Ravensbrück, where they lived in barracks that were pl
The Hard Truth About Discipleship | Luke 14:33
“So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own.” (Luke 14:33 NLT) It has been said, “There are only two tragedies in life: one is not getting what one wants, and the other is getting it.” This statement reminds me of the account in Matthew 19 of the rich young man who came to Jesus seeking answers. Here was a man who, of all men, should have b
