Nothing to Fear | Philippians 1:6 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 us. Are you discouraged today? Afraid of an uncertain future? The Bible tells the story of a time when Jesus’ disciples were not only discouraged but also were in terror for their very lives. Jesus had instructed them to get into a boat and travel to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, and they had obeyed. But when they were a considerable distance from land, a fierce storm arose. The storm must have been especially intense, because even the seasoned fishermen among the disciples were terrified. Jesus, who had been on a mountain praying, went to meet the disciples—by walking on the water. Imagine being one of the disciples in that situation. You’re already terrified from the violent storm that’s threatening to sink your boat when, through the darkness, you see a figure walking toward you on the waves. Thinking it was a ghost, the disciples cried out in fear. Jesus calmed their fears with these words: “Don’t be afraid. . . . Take courage. I am here” (Matthew 14:27 NLT). There are two simple reasons the disciples didn’t have to be afraid: First, Jesus would help them weather the storm. And second, He had told them to go to the other side, which meant they would reach the other side. Where God guides, God provides. Jesus knows where you are at this very moment. As complicated and tangled as your situation might seem to you right now, it’s all perfectly clear to Him. He knows what you’re thinking, feeling, and experiencing. He’s telling you to be courageous because He’s with you, and there’s a brighter tomorrow for you. Even if you’ve failed, even if you’ve made a mistake, it isn’t over. You can still learn from that mistake and get out of the situation in which you find yourself. Keep in mind, too, that some of the best-known characters in Scripture struggled with fear. Abraham was afraid that the Egyptians would kill him and take his wife. Jacob was afraid his brother would kill him. David was afraid Saul would kill him. Elijah was afraid Jezebel would kill him. Peter was afraid of what would happen to him if people knew he was Jesus’ disciple. But God helped them overcome their fears so that He could use them to accomplish amazing things. God has a future for each of us. Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV), one of my all-time favorite verses, says, “For I know the plans I have for you . . . plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” The apostle Paul wrote, “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). God will complete the work He has begun in your life. Take courage!   Reflection question: What would genuine courage look like 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 Partner“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 us. Are you discouraged today? Afraid of an uncertain future? The Bible tells the story of a time when Jesus’ disciples were not only discouraged but also were in terror for their very lives. Jesus had instructed them to get into a boat and travel to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, and they had obeyed. But when they were a considerable distance from land, a fierce storm arose. The storm must have been especially intense, because even the seasoned fishermen among the disciples were terrified. Jesus, who had been on a mountain praying, went to meet the disciples—by walking on the water. Imagine being one of the disciples in that situation. You’re already terrified from the violent storm that’s threatening to sink your boat when, through the darkness, you see a figure walking toward you on the waves. Thinking it was a ghost, the disciples cried out in fear. Jesus calmed their fears with these words: “Don’t be afraid. . . . Take courage. I am here” (Matthew 14:27 NLT). There are two simple reasons the disciples didn’t have to be afraid: First, Jesus would help them weather the storm. And second, He had told them to go to the other side, which meant they would reach the other side. Where God guides, God provides. Jesus knows where you are at this very moment. As complicated and tangled as your situation might seem to you right now, it’s all perfectly clear to Him. He knows what you’re thinking, feeling, and experiencing. He’s telling you to be courageous because He’s with you, and there’s a brighter tomorrow for you. Even if you’ve failed, even if you’ve made a mistake, it isn’t over. You can still learn from that mistake and get out of the situation in which you find yourself. Keep in mind, too, that some of the best-known characters in Scripture struggled with fear. Abraham was afraid that the Egyptians would kill him and take his wife. Jacob was afraid his brother would kill him. David was afraid Saul would kill him. Elijah was afraid Jezebel would kill him. Peter was afraid of what would happen to him if people knew he was Jesus’ disciple. But God helped them overcome their fears so that He could use them to accomplish amazing things. God has a future for each of us. Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV), one of my all-time favorite verses, says, “For I know the plans I have for you . . . plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” The apostle Paul wrote, “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). God will complete the work He has begun in your life. Take courage!   Reflection question: What would genuine courage look like 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 Partner

Failure: The Doorway to Success | John 21:4–5Failure: 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 challenging. And we’re going to start with one of life’s most difficult headwinds: failure. First, because it’s inevitable—everyone fails. Some of us more often than others. And second, because it often feels final. Failure can derail the best-laid plans. It can rob us of our motivation and initiative. And it can change the way we think of ourselves. But only if we look at it from the wrong perspective. In John 21, the disciples had been fishing all night on the Sea of Galilee and hadn’t caught anything. The Lord had risen and had already appeared to some of the disciples. There were no clear marching orders, so they thought they would go back to what they knew how to do: fish. Now it was early in the morning, probably still dark. They saw a figure standing on the shore. He called out, “Fellows, have you caught any fish?” (John 21:5 NLT). Throughout the Bible, God often asked probing questions when He wanted a confession. In the same way, Jesus was asking His disciples, “Did you catch anything? Have you been successful? Have things gone the way you had hoped they would go? Are you satisfied?” Why did Jesus want them to admit their failure? So that He could bring them to the place where they needed to be. When they cast the net on the right side of the boat as Jesus told them to, their net became so heavy with fish that they couldn’t pull it in. The Lord was teaching the disciples an important lesson: Failure often is the doorway to real success. We need to come to that point in our lives as well. We need to say, “Lord, I’m not satisfied with the way my life is going. I’m tired of doing it my way. I want to do it Your way.” If you come to God with that attitude, He will extend His forgiveness to you. Then He will take your life and transform it in ways you couldn’t imagine. I mentioned earlier that some people fail more than others. Those are often the people whom God uses most mightily. The more often you try, the harder you push yourself, the more willing you are to step out of your comfort zone, the more likely it is that you will stumble—at least occasionally, if not frequently. But, as the old saying goes, it’s not how many times you fall, it’s how many times you get up. And if you put your trust in the Lord, every time you get up, you’ll be a little wiser, a little stronger, and a little more resilient. And God can do amazing things with someone with that kind of experience.   Reflection question: How might a past failure be a doorway to future success 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 Partner“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 challenging. And we’re going to start with one of life’s most difficult headwinds: failure. First, because it’s inevitable—everyone fails. Some of us more often than others. And second, because it often feels final. Failure can derail the best-laid plans. It can rob us of our motivation and initiative. And it can change the way we think of ourselves. But only if we look at it from the wrong perspective. In John 21, the disciples had been fishing all night on the Sea of Galilee and hadn’t caught anything. The Lord had risen and had already appeared to some of the disciples. There were no clear marching orders, so they thought they would go back to what they knew how to do: fish. Now it was early in the morning, probably still dark. They saw a figure standing on the shore. He called out, “Fellows, have you caught any fish?” (John 21:5 NLT). Throughout the Bible, God often asked probing questions when He wanted a confession. In the same way, Jesus was asking His disciples, “Did you catch anything? Have you been successful? Have things gone the way you had hoped they would go? Are you satisfied?” Why did Jesus want them to admit their failure? So that He could bring them to the place where they needed to be. When they cast the net on the right side of the boat as Jesus told them to, their net became so heavy with fish that they couldn’t pull it in. The Lord was teaching the disciples an important lesson: Failure often is the doorway to real success. We need to come to that point in our lives as well. We need to say, “Lord, I’m not satisfied with the way my life is going. I’m tired of doing it my way. I want to do it Your way.” If you come to God with that attitude, He will extend His forgiveness to you. Then He will take your life and transform it in ways you couldn’t imagine. I mentioned earlier that some people fail more than others. Those are often the people whom God uses most mightily. The more often you try, the harder you push yourself, the more willing you are to step out of your comfort zone, the more likely it is that you will stumble—at least occasionally, if not frequently. But, as the old saying goes, it’s not how many times you fall, it’s how many times you get up. And if you put your trust in the Lord, every time you get up, you’ll be a little wiser, a little stronger, and a little more resilient. And God can do amazing things with someone with that kind of experience.   Reflection question: How might a past failure be a doorway to future success 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 Partner

Setting Your Sights | Ephesians 2:6Setting 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 explained it this way: “Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory” (Colossians 3:1–4 NLT). On the one hand, believers live in a spiritual dimension, one in which we walk in the Spirit and know God in the Spirit. On the other hand, as human beings, we also live and move in physical bodies here on earth. Our challenge as Christians, then, is to transfer what we have in the spiritual realm into the day-to-day ebb and flow of events in the earthly realm. When I travel to another country and pass through its borders, I still maintain my US citizenship. When I went to Israel several years ago, although my passport identified me as an American, I still had to live within their culture. As a result, there were a few things I needed to adapt to. When I needed currency, for example, I took funds from my bank in the US and converted them into shekels to use in Israel. Of course, I didn’t know what the exchange rate was, so on my first day there, I may have tipped someone fifty dollars to carry my bags to my room. (He was really nice to me the rest of the day.) As Christians, we have riches, treasures, realassetswaiting for us in Heaven. When the Bible speaks of the heavenlies, however, we need to recognize that it is not only talking about something waiting for us in Heaven after we die. It is also talking about the supernatural realm. So, we need to learn about the supernatural resources God has given to us. These are treasures God wants us to access now, not just in the future. They are provisions available to any believer who is walking with God. We need to prioritize the things of God as we embrace the hope that we have. We need to look beyond the daily grind and challenges of this world to the glorious future that awaits us.   Reflection question: What would setting your sights on the realities of Heaven 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 Partner“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 explained it this way: “Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory” (Colossians 3:1–4 NLT). On the one hand, believers live in a spiritual dimension, one in which we walk in the Spirit and know God in the Spirit. On the other hand, as human beings, we also live and move in physical bodies here on earth. Our challenge as Christians, then, is to transfer what we have in the spiritual realm into the day-to-day ebb and flow of events in the earthly realm. When I travel to another country and pass through its borders, I still maintain my US citizenship. When I went to Israel several years ago, although my passport identified me as an American, I still had to live within their culture. As a result, there were a few things I needed to adapt to. When I needed currency, for example, I took funds from my bank in the US and converted them into shekels to use in Israel. Of course, I didn’t know what the exchange rate was, so on my first day there, I may have tipped someone fifty dollars to carry my bags to my room. (He was really nice to me the rest of the day.) As Christians, we have riches, treasures, realassetswaiting for us in Heaven. When the Bible speaks of the heavenlies, however, we need to recognize that it is not only talking about something waiting for us in Heaven after we die. It is also talking about the supernatural realm. So, we need to learn about the supernatural resources God has given to us. These are treasures God wants us to access now, not just in the future. They are provisions available to any believer who is walking with God. We need to prioritize the things of God as we embrace the hope that we have. We need to look beyond the daily grind and challenges of this world to the glorious future that awaits us.   Reflection question: What would setting your sights on the realities of Heaven 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 Partner

Your Own Mission Field | 2 Corinthians 4:7Your 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—lead to theirs. And the responsibility for spreading that gospel falls to us, whether we feel qualified to do so or not. When the apostles Peter and John were brought before the Sanhedrin, it was a source of complete amazement that these untrained laymen could be so well-versed in Scripture, and more importantly, in their understanding of it. They were ordinary fishermen, blue-collar, salt-of-the-earth type people. This doesn’t mean they were illiterate. But they hadn’t attended the rabbinical schools or spent their lives in the study of Scripture. Acts 4:13 tells us that when the religious leaders of Israel “saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus” (NKJV). These simple fishermen appeared to be better equipped than the professionals were. How did this happen? The disciples had been with Jesus. They were boldly sharing their faith. They knew the Scriptures. They were men who prayed. When God called Moses to lead the people of Israel out of slavery in Egypt, Moses offered some compelling reasons as to why he was the wrong person for the job. What they all boiled down to was this: “I am nobody” (see Exodus 3:11). In other words, he was just an ordinary guy. But look what God did with that ordinary guy. This should give hope and encouragement to those who think of themselves as ordinary people. Maybe God hasn’t called you to be a pastor, a missionary, or to some professional ministry position. But God can use you, too. It’s clear that He’s looking for ordinary men and women to bring the gospel message to others. The apostle Paul wrote, “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). God specializes in using broken and imperfect people to accomplish His work and His will. He sees the qualities in us that we cannot see ourselves. He knows exactly what we’re capable of and how to maximize our potential. God can use you where you are, and the opportunities before you are countless. There is a mission field where you work, where you go to school, and in your neighborhood. You are God’s representative, and He is calling you to go into this world and speak up for Him. God isn’t looking so much for ability as He is looking for availability. So, make yourself available to Him and watch what He does.   Reflection question: How can you be bold in sharing the gospel in your personal mission field? 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 Partner“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—lead to theirs. And the responsibility for spreading that gospel falls to us, whether we feel qualified to do so or not. When the apostles Peter and John were brought before the Sanhedrin, it was a source of complete amazement that these untrained laymen could be so well-versed in Scripture, and more importantly, in their understanding of it. They were ordinary fishermen, blue-collar, salt-of-the-earth type people. This doesn’t mean they were illiterate. But they hadn’t attended the rabbinical schools or spent their lives in the study of Scripture. Acts 4:13 tells us that when the religious leaders of Israel “saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus” (NKJV). These simple fishermen appeared to be better equipped than the professionals were. How did this happen? The disciples had been with Jesus. They were boldly sharing their faith. They knew the Scriptures. They were men who prayed. When God called Moses to lead the people of Israel out of slavery in Egypt, Moses offered some compelling reasons as to why he was the wrong person for the job. What they all boiled down to was this: “I am nobody” (see Exodus 3:11). In other words, he was just an ordinary guy. But look what God did with that ordinary guy. This should give hope and encouragement to those who think of themselves as ordinary people. Maybe God hasn’t called you to be a pastor, a missionary, or to some professional ministry position. But God can use you, too. It’s clear that He’s looking for ordinary men and women to bring the gospel message to others. The apostle Paul wrote, “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). God specializes in using broken and imperfect people to accomplish His work and His will. He sees the qualities in us that we cannot see ourselves. He knows exactly what we’re capable of and how to maximize our potential. God can use you where you are, and the opportunities before you are countless. There is a mission field where you work, where you go to school, and in your neighborhood. You are God’s representative, and He is calling you to go into this world and speak up for Him. God isn’t looking so much for ability as He is looking for availability. So, make yourself available to Him and watch what He does.   Reflection question: How can you be bold in sharing the gospel in your personal mission field? 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 Partner

Death Is Not the End | John 11:25–26Death 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 friend Lazarus from the dead. Before Lazarus died, his sisters Mary and Martha sent word to Jesus, letting Him know that Lazarus was gravely ill. Instead of coming right away to heal Lazarus, as Mary and Martha likely hoped, Jesus waited until Lazarus died. When he finally came, “Martha said to Jesus, ‘Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died’” (John 11:21 NLT). “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?’” (verses 25–26 NLT). Jesus was saying to His grieving friend, “Martha, listen to Me. Death is not the end! You’re acting as though it is over with. It is notover with.” At this point, I think He was speaking of something more profound than the resurrection of Lazarus. After all, raising Lazarus from the dead—as exciting and joyful as that may have been—was only a temporary proposition. Lazarus would just die again in a matter of years. I think the bigger message was this: “Death is not the end. This is temporary. One day I will get rid of death altogether, and whoever believes in Me will live forever.” Jesus wept at the death of His friend and at the sorrow of Lazarus’ two grieving sisters. But the death of His friend also brought Him anger. John 11:33 tells us, “When Jesus saw her weeping and saw the other people wailing with her, a deep anger welled up within him, and he was deeply troubled” (NLT). I think Jesus was angry at death itself because this was never God’s plan. God’s plan was to have us live forever. God’s plan was that our bodies would never age or wear out or experience sickness or limitations. So, He was angry over that, and He wept. But these weren’t tears of frustration. God is never frustrated. Jesus was angry and then did something about it that had been planned from eternity past. He gave up His life on a Roman cross, dying for the sins of the world, and then He rose again from the dead. The Bible says He has become the “firstfruits” of those who sleep, which means that He went before us. And because He went before us into death and came out victorious on the other side, those of us who now live and will face death someday can be confident and unafraid. Because we will live forever.   Reflection question: How does the assurance that you will have eternal life impact your daily life in the here and 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 Partner“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 friend Lazarus from the dead. Before Lazarus died, his sisters Mary and Martha sent word to Jesus, letting Him know that Lazarus was gravely ill. Instead of coming right away to heal Lazarus, as Mary and Martha likely hoped, Jesus waited until Lazarus died. When he finally came, “Martha said to Jesus, ‘Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died’” (John 11:21 NLT). “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?’” (verses 25–26 NLT). Jesus was saying to His grieving friend, “Martha, listen to Me. Death is not the end! You’re acting as though it is over with. It is notover with.” At this point, I think He was speaking of something more profound than the resurrection of Lazarus. After all, raising Lazarus from the dead—as exciting and joyful as that may have been—was only a temporary proposition. Lazarus would just die again in a matter of years. I think the bigger message was this: “Death is not the end. This is temporary. One day I will get rid of death altogether, and whoever believes in Me will live forever.” Jesus wept at the death of His friend and at the sorrow of Lazarus’ two grieving sisters. But the death of His friend also brought Him anger. John 11:33 tells us, “When Jesus saw her weeping and saw the other people wailing with her, a deep anger welled up within him, and he was deeply troubled” (NLT). I think Jesus was angry at death itself because this was never God’s plan. God’s plan was to have us live forever. God’s plan was that our bodies would never age or wear out or experience sickness or limitations. So, He was angry over that, and He wept. But these weren’t tears of frustration. God is never frustrated. Jesus was angry and then did something about it that had been planned from eternity past. He gave up His life on a Roman cross, dying for the sins of the world, and then He rose again from the dead. The Bible says He has become the “firstfruits” of those who sleep, which means that He went before us. And because He went before us into death and came out victorious on the other side, those of us who now live and will face death someday can be confident and unafraid. Because we will live forever.   Reflection question: How does the assurance that you will have eternal life impact your daily life in the here and 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 Partner

The Power to Change | Isaiah 61:3–4The 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 generations.” (Isaiah 61:3–4 NLT)   Because Jesus lives, all those who follow Him are no longer slaves to sin. And that means we’re capable of an amazing transformation. I’ve been astounded by the testimonies of certain people who tell me the way they used to be. I’ve looked at them and thought, “There’s no way they used to be that way,”because Jesus Christ has so radically changed them. Isaiah 61:3–4 promises that God “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 generations” (NLT). For those who have made a mess of their life—a pile of ashes, so to speak—God says, “I will bring beauty.” For those who mourn because of the people they’ve wronged and the sins they’ve committed, God says, “I will bring joy out of it.” Only God can take a tangled mess of a life and transform it so completely that you wouldn’t even recognize the person it used to be. The Bible offers several such examples. Think of the demon-possessed man in the region of the Gerasenes who met Jesus when He got out of the boat. Luke 8 says, “For a long time he had been homeless and naked, living in the tombs outside the town. . . . Even when he was placed under guard and put in chains and shackles, he simply broke them and rushed out into the wilderness, completely under the demon’s power” (verses 27, 29 NLT). Moments later, “He was sitting at Jesus’ feet, fully clothed and perfectly sane” (verse 35 NLT). Think of Saul, the zealous defender of the Jewish faith who terrorized the early Christians. After an encounter with the risen Christ, he became the apostle Paul. He was speaking from personal experience when he wrote, “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT). Every such transformation gives hope to others who may still despair over the condition of their lives.If you come to Christ and say, “Lord, here I am, forgive me of my sin,” He can transform you and change you. He can take your mistakes and your sins, turn them around, and even use them for His glory. When you commit your life to Christ, putting the broken, stained, twisted pieces into His hand, He will transform it into a thing of beauty.   Reflection question: What evidence of transformation can you see 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 Partner“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 generations.” (Isaiah 61:3–4 NLT)   Because Jesus lives, all those who follow Him are no longer slaves to sin. And that means we’re capable of an amazing transformation. I’ve been astounded by the testimonies of certain people who tell me the way they used to be. I’ve looked at them and thought, “There’s no way they used to be that way,”because Jesus Christ has so radically changed them. Isaiah 61:3–4 promises that God “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 generations” (NLT). For those who have made a mess of their life—a pile of ashes, so to speak—God says, “I will bring beauty.” For those who mourn because of the people they’ve wronged and the sins they’ve committed, God says, “I will bring joy out of it.” Only God can take a tangled mess of a life and transform it so completely that you wouldn’t even recognize the person it used to be. The Bible offers several such examples. Think of the demon-possessed man in the region of the Gerasenes who met Jesus when He got out of the boat. Luke 8 says, “For a long time he had been homeless and naked, living in the tombs outside the town. . . . Even when he was placed under guard and put in chains and shackles, he simply broke them and rushed out into the wilderness, completely under the demon’s power” (verses 27, 29 NLT). Moments later, “He was sitting at Jesus’ feet, fully clothed and perfectly sane” (verse 35 NLT). Think of Saul, the zealous defender of the Jewish faith who terrorized the early Christians. After an encounter with the risen Christ, he became the apostle Paul. He was speaking from personal experience when he wrote, “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT). Every such transformation gives hope to others who may still despair over the condition of their lives.If you come to Christ and say, “Lord, here I am, forgive me of my sin,” He can transform you and change you. He can take your mistakes and your sins, turn them around, and even use them for His glory. When you commit your life to Christ, putting the broken, stained, twisted pieces into His hand, He will transform it into a thing of beauty.   Reflection question: What evidence of transformation can you see 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 Partner

Forgiven, Accepted, and Loved | Ephesians 1:6–8Forgiven, 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 apostle Paul wrote, “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). That’s important to remember because your spiritual enemy will use guilt to make you question your relationship with the Lord. He will try to convince you that your sin makes you unworthy to be part of God’s family. Remember, though, that everything God has done has been because of His grace, which means “unmerited favor.” You aren’t merely forgiven, justified, and cleansed of your sins; you have been received in love by God Himself. This is because of His deep love for His own Son, Jesus. Because His Son lives in you, you have found His favor. You have the approval of God because of what Jesus has done. Some people have been raised in homes where their father never demonstrated any kind of love toward them. Maybe he was cold and distant. Or maybe, like me, you were raised in a home where there wasn’t a father at all. We can transfer those emotions to God the Father. We can walk around in life feeling as though we don’t have the approval of God. We might think, “If I just did this, God would notice,” or “If I worked a little harder, then God would love me.” But that’s not the kind of Father we’re talking about. The psalmist wrote, “Father to the fatherless, defender of widows—this is God, whose dwelling is holy” (Psalm 68:5 NLT). Paul wrote, “All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ” (Ephesians 1:3 NLT). And James wrote, “Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father” (James 1:17 NLT). God approves of you. You are accepted and loved—not because you read your Bible a little longer, share Christ with more people, or give a little more in the offering. You are still accepted even when you don’t do all of that. You are accepted when you fail, when you slip up, when you give in to a familiar temptation. You are accepted not because of what youhave done, but because of what Jesushas done. In understanding this great truth, you should want to do everything for the Lord’s glory—not to earn His approval, but because you already have it.   Reflection question: What might cause you to question God’s forgiveness, acceptance, and love? 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 Partner“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 apostle Paul wrote, “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). That’s important to remember because your spiritual enemy will use guilt to make you question your relationship with the Lord. He will try to convince you that your sin makes you unworthy to be part of God’s family. Remember, though, that everything God has done has been because of His grace, which means “unmerited favor.” You aren’t merely forgiven, justified, and cleansed of your sins; you have been received in love by God Himself. This is because of His deep love for His own Son, Jesus. Because His Son lives in you, you have found His favor. You have the approval of God because of what Jesus has done. Some people have been raised in homes where their father never demonstrated any kind of love toward them. Maybe he was cold and distant. Or maybe, like me, you were raised in a home where there wasn’t a father at all. We can transfer those emotions to God the Father. We can walk around in life feeling as though we don’t have the approval of God. We might think, “If I just did this, God would notice,” or “If I worked a little harder, then God would love me.” But that’s not the kind of Father we’re talking about. The psalmist wrote, “Father to the fatherless, defender of widows—this is God, whose dwelling is holy” (Psalm 68:5 NLT). Paul wrote, “All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ” (Ephesians 1:3 NLT). And James wrote, “Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father” (James 1:17 NLT). God approves of you. You are accepted and loved—not because you read your Bible a little longer, share Christ with more people, or give a little more in the offering. You are still accepted even when you don’t do all of that. You are accepted when you fail, when you slip up, when you give in to a familiar temptation. You are accepted not because of what youhave done, but because of what Jesushas done. In understanding this great truth, you should want to do everything for the Lord’s glory—not to earn His approval, but because you already have it.   Reflection question: What might cause you to question God’s forgiveness, acceptance, and love? 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 Partner

The Missing Piece | John 3:16The 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: Because Jesus lives, all who believe in Him have fellowship with God. That fellowship was broken when Adam and Eve disobeyed the Lord. Their sin opened a gulf between humanity and the holy God. We were powerless to bridge that gulf. So, God did it for us. Our Creator and Designer so desires a relationship with each one of us that He sent His own Son to earth to die for us and pay our penalty to make that possible. That is the amazing truth of 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” (NLT). Sin also creates an emptiness and longing in the human soul. Have you ever tried to put a puzzle together and gotten to the very end, only to discover that the final piece was missing? I speak from experience when I tell you that it can be incredibly frustrating. Maybe, in a much bigger sense, you’ve tried to put your life together, thinking, “If I put this here and that there, it will work. But where is that other piece?” God holds the missing piece. You won’t find it in your pursuits. The missing piece is a relationship with our heavenly Father through Jesus Christ. Have you found that missing piece? Or do you still have a hole in your heart that you’ve tried to fill with everyone and everything, only to find nothing works? The author of Ecclesiastes put it this way: “Everything is meaningless . . . completely meaningless” (Ecclesiastes 1:2 NLT). I was raised around many of the empty pursuits this world offers. And I pursued enough of them to know that they were meaningless—enough to know that they weren’t the answer to what I was looking for. So, when I first heard about Jesus Christ, the idea of having a relationship with God held great appeal for me. But the Christians I knew were so nice and loving. I thought, “I don’t know if I can become one of these people.”But then God started working in my life. He changed my heart. And if He can do it for me, then He can do it for you. In fact, when I told people I was a Christian, they didn’t believe it. Then, a few years later, when they learned that I was a pastor, they laughed even harder. It was the last thing anyone ever envisioned for me. But God had a different plan for my life. Who knows what kind of plan He has for you? Remember, it all begins with a relationship with Him.   Reflection question: What might God’s plan for your life look like? 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 Partner“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: Because Jesus lives, all who believe in Him have fellowship with God. That fellowship was broken when Adam and Eve disobeyed the Lord. Their sin opened a gulf between humanity and the holy God. We were powerless to bridge that gulf. So, God did it for us. Our Creator and Designer so desires a relationship with each one of us that He sent His own Son to earth to die for us and pay our penalty to make that possible. That is the amazing truth of 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” (NLT). Sin also creates an emptiness and longing in the human soul. Have you ever tried to put a puzzle together and gotten to the very end, only to discover that the final piece was missing? I speak from experience when I tell you that it can be incredibly frustrating. Maybe, in a much bigger sense, you’ve tried to put your life together, thinking, “If I put this here and that there, it will work. But where is that other piece?” God holds the missing piece. You won’t find it in your pursuits. The missing piece is a relationship with our heavenly Father through Jesus Christ. Have you found that missing piece? Or do you still have a hole in your heart that you’ve tried to fill with everyone and everything, only to find nothing works? The author of Ecclesiastes put it this way: “Everything is meaningless . . . completely meaningless” (Ecclesiastes 1:2 NLT). I was raised around many of the empty pursuits this world offers. And I pursued enough of them to know that they were meaningless—enough to know that they weren’t the answer to what I was looking for. So, when I first heard about Jesus Christ, the idea of having a relationship with God held great appeal for me. But the Christians I knew were so nice and loving. I thought, “I don’t know if I can become one of these people.”But then God started working in my life. He changed my heart. And if He can do it for me, then He can do it for you. In fact, when I told people I was a Christian, they didn’t believe it. Then, a few years later, when they learned that I was a pastor, they laughed even harder. It was the last thing anyone ever envisioned for me. But God had a different plan for my life. Who knows what kind of plan He has for you? Remember, it all begins with a relationship with Him.   Reflection question: What might God’s plan for your life look like? 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 Partner

Making Something Out of Nothing | Isaiah 64:4Making 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 arrest Him, “Then Simon Peter drew a sword and slashed off the right ear of Malchus, the high priest’s slave” (NLT). And then, later that same night, when he was recognized as one of Jesus’ followers, Peter denied even knowing Jesus—not once, not twice, but three times. Can you identify with a guy like that? I know that it’s sometimes hard to imagine what God is up to in your life. You see a blank canvas, but God sees a finished painting. You see a piece of coal, but God sees a refined diamond. You see an untalented person, but God sees a mighty man or woman of God. This is also true of those we see in Scripture. We see an impetuous, impulsive Simon, but God sees a strong, decisive apostle named Peter. We see a conniving, manipulative Jacob, but God sees a godly, trusting man named Israel. We see a young, naïve Joseph, but the Lord sees a brilliant, wise world leader. And when it was all said and done, Joseph was able to look back and say to his brothers, “You meant evil against me; but God meant it for good” (Genesis 50:20 NKJV). He recognized that God used what happened to him to mold him into a compassionate, forgiving leader of many. He was clay in the Potter’s hands. He trusted in the Lord. God specializes in making something out of nothing. I wonder what He’s doing with you right now. You’re a work in progress, and He isn’t finished yet. If you’re still alive and reading this, God has more work to do in your life! Most artists don’t like someone looking over their shoulders, trying to second-guess what they’re about to do. “Wait until I’m done,” they’ll say, “and then you’ll see.” So, trust in the Lord during those times when it’s hard to see what He’s doing. Don’t allow the hardships you face to make you a bitter person. It’s time to let go of that. Rather, allow them to make you a better person. Isaiah 64:4 says, “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!” (NLT). That night in Gethsemane was hardly the end of Peter’s story. After Jesus rose from the grave and ascended back to Heaven, Peter became one of the key leaders of the early Christian church, boldly proclaiming the gospel throughout the Roman Empire and beyond. No matter what your past is like, and no matter where you are in your Christian journey, God has something important planned for you.   Reflection question: What evidence do you see in your life of God’s ability to make you a better person? 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 Partner“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 arrest Him, “Then Simon Peter drew a sword and slashed off the right ear of Malchus, the high priest’s slave” (NLT). And then, later that same night, when he was recognized as one of Jesus’ followers, Peter denied even knowing Jesus—not once, not twice, but three times. Can you identify with a guy like that? I know that it’s sometimes hard to imagine what God is up to in your life. You see a blank canvas, but God sees a finished painting. You see a piece of coal, but God sees a refined diamond. You see an untalented person, but God sees a mighty man or woman of God. This is also true of those we see in Scripture. We see an impetuous, impulsive Simon, but God sees a strong, decisive apostle named Peter. We see a conniving, manipulative Jacob, but God sees a godly, trusting man named Israel. We see a young, naïve Joseph, but the Lord sees a brilliant, wise world leader. And when it was all said and done, Joseph was able to look back and say to his brothers, “You meant evil against me; but God meant it for good” (Genesis 50:20 NKJV). He recognized that God used what happened to him to mold him into a compassionate, forgiving leader of many. He was clay in the Potter’s hands. He trusted in the Lord. God specializes in making something out of nothing. I wonder what He’s doing with you right now. You’re a work in progress, and He isn’t finished yet. If you’re still alive and reading this, God has more work to do in your life! Most artists don’t like someone looking over their shoulders, trying to second-guess what they’re about to do. “Wait until I’m done,” they’ll say, “and then you’ll see.” So, trust in the Lord during those times when it’s hard to see what He’s doing. Don’t allow the hardships you face to make you a bitter person. It’s time to let go of that. Rather, allow them to make you a better person. Isaiah 64:4 says, “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!” (NLT). That night in Gethsemane was hardly the end of Peter’s story. After Jesus rose from the grave and ascended back to Heaven, Peter became one of the key leaders of the early Christian church, boldly proclaiming the gospel throughout the Roman Empire and beyond. No matter what your past is like, and no matter where you are in your Christian journey, God has something important planned for you.   Reflection question: What evidence do you see in your life of God’s ability to make you a better person? 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 Partner

Serving God’s Purpose | Luke 22:53Serving 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, “Judas walked over to Jesus to greet him with a kiss” (NLT). The obvious question is “Why?” Judas Iscariot had followed Jesus for three years. He had listened to the Lord’s teachings. He had witnessed miracle after miracle. He had watched Jesus expose the hypocrisy of the very people he conspired with to betray Him. So, why did Judas do it? The closest we get to an answer in Scripture is Luke 22:3, which says, “Then Satan entered into Judas Iscariot” (NLT). But that only leads to another obvious question. Why does God allow Satan to exist? In Job 1:7, Satan says, “I have been patrolling the earth, watching everything that’s going on” (NLT). But he’s not a passive observer. He’s looking for trouble. He’s looking for lives to ruin. He’s looking for saints to stumble. So, why does God allow him to carry on? Why doesn’t the Lord just take him out, as He could in a nanosecond?You might be surprised to learn that Satan, in his own twisted way, serves the purposes ofGod. Consider how he unwittingly played a major role in the cross of Christ. In his enduring hatred for God’s Son, Satan thought it would be a great idea to have Jesus betrayed, arrested, beaten within an inch of His life, and then crucified and put to death on a Roman cross. Everything went according to Satan’s plan. As Jesus told the mob who came to apprehend Him, “But this is your moment, the time when the power of darkness reigns” (Luke 22:53 NLT). The power of darkness did indeed reign that day, and Satan’s plan succeeded. But so did the plan of God. What the evil one didn’t realize was that it was God’s plan all along that the Messiah would die for the sins of the world. In the prophecy of Isaiah, we’re told, “It was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer” (Isaiah 53:10 NIV). Unaware that he was making the biggest blunder since his rebellion against God, Satan played into the plan and purpose of God when, in his rage and hatred, he prompted Judas Iscariot to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver (see Zechariah 11:12–13). Satan’s “best shot” against God and the people of God was the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. And in that act, he not only unwittingly sealed his own doom, but he also opened the door for Jesus to offer redemption and salvation to the whole world. Remember, then, if you hold on to God and trust Him through the dark times, Satan’s best shots against you also will end up working for your good—and God’s glory.   Reflection question: What is an example from your life when God used Satan’s attacks against you for your good and His glory? 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 Partner“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, “Judas walked over to Jesus to greet him with a kiss” (NLT). The obvious question is “Why?” Judas Iscariot had followed Jesus for three years. He had listened to the Lord’s teachings. He had witnessed miracle after miracle. He had watched Jesus expose the hypocrisy of the very people he conspired with to betray Him. So, why did Judas do it? The closest we get to an answer in Scripture is Luke 22:3, which says, “Then Satan entered into Judas Iscariot” (NLT). But that only leads to another obvious question. Why does God allow Satan to exist? In Job 1:7, Satan says, “I have been patrolling the earth, watching everything that’s going on” (NLT). But he’s not a passive observer. He’s looking for trouble. He’s looking for lives to ruin. He’s looking for saints to stumble. So, why does God allow him to carry on? Why doesn’t the Lord just take him out, as He could in a nanosecond?You might be surprised to learn that Satan, in his own twisted way, serves the purposes ofGod. Consider how he unwittingly played a major role in the cross of Christ. In his enduring hatred for God’s Son, Satan thought it would be a great idea to have Jesus betrayed, arrested, beaten within an inch of His life, and then crucified and put to death on a Roman cross. Everything went according to Satan’s plan. As Jesus told the mob who came to apprehend Him, “But this is your moment, the time when the power of darkness reigns” (Luke 22:53 NLT). The power of darkness did indeed reign that day, and Satan’s plan succeeded. But so did the plan of God. What the evil one didn’t realize was that it was God’s plan all along that the Messiah would die for the sins of the world. In the prophecy of Isaiah, we’re told, “It was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer” (Isaiah 53:10 NIV). Unaware that he was making the biggest blunder since his rebellion against God, Satan played into the plan and purpose of God when, in his rage and hatred, he prompted Judas Iscariot to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver (see Zechariah 11:12–13). Satan’s “best shot” against God and the people of God was the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. And in that act, he not only unwittingly sealed his own doom, but he also opened the door for Jesus to offer redemption and salvation to the whole world. Remember, then, if you hold on to God and trust Him through the dark times, Satan’s best shots against you also will end up working for your good—and God’s glory.   Reflection question: What is an example from your life when God used Satan’s attacks against you for your good and His glory? 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 Partner

Your Will Be Done | Matthew 26:39Your 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 conversation with His Father. That conversation, as recorded in the Gospels, is unlike any other in Scripture. First, there’s the matter of what Jesus asked God to do. “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me” (Matthew 26:39 NLT). In essence, He was asking His heavenly Father if there was any other way for the work of salvation to be accomplished. His request points to the enormous suffering involved in Jesus’ sacrifice. Jesus knew what was coming: physical, emotional, and spiritual agony beyond measure. And He wanted to make sure that it was absolutely necessary. With that in mind, however, we must understand that the first part of Jesus’ prayer cannot be separated from the second part. The reality is that God said no to His Son’s request because there was no other way for the work of salvation to be accomplished. A perfect sacrifice was required. If Jesus’ prayer had been only that God remove the cup of suffering from Him, the events that followed would have been cast in a different light. Jesus would have been a reluctant participant in the crucifixion, trapped by God’s refusal to excuse Him from becoming a sacrifice. But that’s not what happened because Jesus’ request was followed by these words: “Yet I want your will to be done, not mine” (Matthew 26:39 NLT). And those same ten words (or some variation of them) must accompany every sincere prayer that believers offer. It isn’t just a matter of saying, “If You want to do it Your way, go ahead.” It’s a heartfelt acknowledgment that nothing else is more perfect than God’s will. Nothing else can surpass its wisdom. Nothing else can bring ultimate fulfillment and good. Praying these words is a way of embracing the truth that God’s will is more important than our preferences, our comfort, or even our well-being. The Bible’s promises regarding prayer are exciting. But we should never mistake them for a wish list or an opportunity to get our way. When we embrace and actively seek God’s will, we get a front-row seat to His work in the world. Maybe you’re at a crisis point in your life right now—a personal Gethsemane, if you will. You have your will; you know what youwant. Yet you can sense that God’s will is different. Would you let the Lord choose for you? Would you be willing to say, “Lord, I am submitting my will to Yours. Not my will, but Yours be done”? You will never, never regret making that decision.   Reflection question: How might praying for God’s will change your perspective on a situation 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 Partner“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 conversation with His Father. That conversation, as recorded in the Gospels, is unlike any other in Scripture. First, there’s the matter of what Jesus asked God to do. “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me” (Matthew 26:39 NLT). In essence, He was asking His heavenly Father if there was any other way for the work of salvation to be accomplished. His request points to the enormous suffering involved in Jesus’ sacrifice. Jesus knew what was coming: physical, emotional, and spiritual agony beyond measure. And He wanted to make sure that it was absolutely necessary. With that in mind, however, we must understand that the first part of Jesus’ prayer cannot be separated from the second part. The reality is that God said no to His Son’s request because there was no other way for the work of salvation to be accomplished. A perfect sacrifice was required. If Jesus’ prayer had been only that God remove the cup of suffering from Him, the events that followed would have been cast in a different light. Jesus would have been a reluctant participant in the crucifixion, trapped by God’s refusal to excuse Him from becoming a sacrifice. But that’s not what happened because Jesus’ request was followed by these words: “Yet I want your will to be done, not mine” (Matthew 26:39 NLT). And those same ten words (or some variation of them) must accompany every sincere prayer that believers offer. It isn’t just a matter of saying, “If You want to do it Your way, go ahead.” It’s a heartfelt acknowledgment that nothing else is more perfect than God’s will. Nothing else can surpass its wisdom. Nothing else can bring ultimate fulfillment and good. Praying these words is a way of embracing the truth that God’s will is more important than our preferences, our comfort, or even our well-being. The Bible’s promises regarding prayer are exciting. But we should never mistake them for a wish list or an opportunity to get our way. When we embrace and actively seek God’s will, we get a front-row seat to His work in the world. Maybe you’re at a crisis point in your life right now—a personal Gethsemane, if you will. You have your will; you know what youwant. Yet you can sense that God’s will is different. Would you let the Lord choose for you? Would you be willing to say, “Lord, I am submitting my will to Yours. Not my will, but Yours be done”? You will never, never regret making that decision.   Reflection question: How might praying for God’s will change your perspective on a situation 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 Partner

Stay Awake | Matthew 26:37–38Stay 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 things that other people enjoy, including companionship. He surrounded Himself with disciples not just so that He could teach and prepare them for ministry, but also because He enjoyed their companionship. He found comfort and pleasure in interacting with them. When Jesus retreated to the Garden of Gethsemane before He was arrested, He brought along His closest friends. And He made a simple request of them. “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me” (Matthew 26:38 NLT). Actually, it was more of an opportunity than a request. Jesus was giving them a chance to play a role in God’s plan. Maybe if His companions had recognized the opportunity embedded in the request, they would have been more diligent in carrying out Jesus’ instructions. Instead, they gave in to their physical desire and fell asleep. It wasn’t the first time. Matthew 17:1–13 records the story of the Transfiguration, in which Jesus led Peter, James, and John up a mountain so that they could see Him in His glory. On the mountain, Moses and Elijah appeared to them. “As Moses and Elijah were starting to leave, Peter, not even knowing what he was saying, blurted out, ‘Master, it’s wonderful for us to be here! Let’s make three shelters as memorials—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah’” (Luke 9:33 NLT). The previous verse explains why he suddenly spouted such nonsense. “Peter and the others had fallen asleep” (Luke 9:32 NLT). Imagine what else Peter might have witnessed had he been fully awake and watchful at the Transfiguration and in the Garden of Gethsemane. It makes me wonder how much we miss out on because of our spiritual slumber. How often are we spiritually slumbering when God wants to speak to us through His Word? How often are we spiritually slumbering instead of opening our hearts to a message at church? How often are we spiritually slumbering when the Lord would want us to speak up for Him? Staying awake, spiritually speaking, means directing our gaze toward the things of God—the things that matter. Look at the words of the psalmist in Psalm 119:37: “Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through your word” (NLT). Like the disciples, we, too, can miss out on what God wants to do in and through us. So, we need to be awake, alert, and paying attention. Good things happen to those who keep their spiritual eyes open.   Reflection question: What would spiritual slumber 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 Partner“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 things that other people enjoy, including companionship. He surrounded Himself with disciples not just so that He could teach and prepare them for ministry, but also because He enjoyed their companionship. He found comfort and pleasure in interacting with them. When Jesus retreated to the Garden of Gethsemane before He was arrested, He brought along His closest friends. And He made a simple request of them. “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me” (Matthew 26:38 NLT). Actually, it was more of an opportunity than a request. Jesus was giving them a chance to play a role in God’s plan. Maybe if His companions had recognized the opportunity embedded in the request, they would have been more diligent in carrying out Jesus’ instructions. Instead, they gave in to their physical desire and fell asleep. It wasn’t the first time. Matthew 17:1–13 records the story of the Transfiguration, in which Jesus led Peter, James, and John up a mountain so that they could see Him in His glory. On the mountain, Moses and Elijah appeared to them. “As Moses and Elijah were starting to leave, Peter, not even knowing what he was saying, blurted out, ‘Master, it’s wonderful for us to be here! Let’s make three shelters as memorials—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah’” (Luke 9:33 NLT). The previous verse explains why he suddenly spouted such nonsense. “Peter and the others had fallen asleep” (Luke 9:32 NLT). Imagine what else Peter might have witnessed had he been fully awake and watchful at the Transfiguration and in the Garden of Gethsemane. It makes me wonder how much we miss out on because of our spiritual slumber. How often are we spiritually slumbering when God wants to speak to us through His Word? How often are we spiritually slumbering instead of opening our hearts to a message at church? How often are we spiritually slumbering when the Lord would want us to speak up for Him? Staying awake, spiritually speaking, means directing our gaze toward the things of God—the things that matter. Look at the words of the psalmist in Psalm 119:37: “Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through your word” (NLT). Like the disciples, we, too, can miss out on what God wants to do in and through us. So, we need to be awake, alert, and paying attention. Good things happen to those who keep their spiritual eyes open.   Reflection question: What would spiritual slumber 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 Partner

The Power of Prayer | James 5:13–15The 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.” (James 5:13–15 NLT)    Jesus retreated to the Garden of Gethsemane for one reason. It wasn’t to hide from His enemies. It wasn’t to spend quality time with His disciples. Jesus went there to pray. Knowing that, in a matter of hours, He would submit to unimaginable physical, emotional, and spiritual agony, Jesus wanted to spend His remaining hours of freedom in the presence of His Father.  The circumstances were unique, but the discipline wasn’t. The Gospels record several instances in which Jesus set aside time for prayer. Mark 1:35 says, “Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray” (NLT).  Luke 5:15–16 says, “But despite Jesus’ instructions, the report of his power spread even faster, and vast crowds came to hear him preach and to be healed of their diseases.But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer” (NLT).  Jesus understood the power of prayer, and He wants us to understand it as well. When we find ourselves in trying circumstances, often the temptation is to strike out at those we hold responsible. Or to get mad at God for allowing those circumstances to disrupt our lives. Or to wallow in self-pity.  But those are things the devil wants us to do because he knows how counterproductive they are. When we’re afflicted, when we’re suffering, or when we’re in trouble, prayer should be our first response, just as it was for Jesus. Why? Well, for one thing, God may answer our prayer and remove the problem from our life. He may directly intervene in our circumstances. The Bible is filled with stories in which He did just that.  Even if He doesn’t intervene immediately, He still works in and through us when we take our needs to Him. Prayer affirms our dependence on Him. It puts us in a right relationship with Him. It also allows us to place our burdens in His hands. When we turn our requests over to God, we can breathe a sigh of relief, knowing that He will be doing the heavy lifting. Through prayer we also receive the grace we need to endure trouble and grow closer to God.  James 5:13–15 says, “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” (NLT). The word suffering could be translated “in trouble” or “in distress.” Is anyone among you in trouble? Are you distressed? Then you should pray.  When the bottom drops out, when you feel as though you’re hanging by a thread, when circumstances seem to grow worse by the minute, pray. Pray when you’re afflicted. Pray when you’re sick. Pray when you need forgiveness. Pray when specific needs occur. Pray for God’s will to be done.  Just like Jesus did in Gethsemane.    Reflection question: How can you make prayer a more integral part of your daily 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 Partner“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.” (James 5:13–15 NLT)    Jesus retreated to the Garden of Gethsemane for one reason. It wasn’t to hide from His enemies. It wasn’t to spend quality time with His disciples. Jesus went there to pray. Knowing that, in a matter of hours, He would submit to unimaginable physical, emotional, and spiritual agony, Jesus wanted to spend His remaining hours of freedom in the presence of His Father.  The circumstances were unique, but the discipline wasn’t. The Gospels record several instances in which Jesus set aside time for prayer. Mark 1:35 says, “Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray” (NLT).  Luke 5:15–16 says, “But despite Jesus’ instructions, the report of his power spread even faster, and vast crowds came to hear him preach and to be healed of their diseases.But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer” (NLT).  Jesus understood the power of prayer, and He wants us to understand it as well. When we find ourselves in trying circumstances, often the temptation is to strike out at those we hold responsible. Or to get mad at God for allowing those circumstances to disrupt our lives. Or to wallow in self-pity.  But those are things the devil wants us to do because he knows how counterproductive they are. When we’re afflicted, when we’re suffering, or when we’re in trouble, prayer should be our first response, just as it was for Jesus. Why? Well, for one thing, God may answer our prayer and remove the problem from our life. He may directly intervene in our circumstances. The Bible is filled with stories in which He did just that.  Even if He doesn’t intervene immediately, He still works in and through us when we take our needs to Him. Prayer affirms our dependence on Him. It puts us in a right relationship with Him. It also allows us to place our burdens in His hands. When we turn our requests over to God, we can breathe a sigh of relief, knowing that He will be doing the heavy lifting. Through prayer we also receive the grace we need to endure trouble and grow closer to God.  James 5:13–15 says, “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” (NLT). The word suffering could be translated “in trouble” or “in distress.” Is anyone among you in trouble? Are you distressed? Then you should pray.  When the bottom drops out, when you feel as though you’re hanging by a thread, when circumstances seem to grow worse by the minute, pray. Pray when you’re afflicted. Pray when you’re sick. Pray when you need forgiveness. Pray when specific needs occur. Pray for God’s will to be done.  Just like Jesus did in Gethsemane.    Reflection question: How can you make prayer a more integral part of your daily 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 Partner

The One Who Understands | Mark 14:34The 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 called Gethsemane. There He agonized, pleaded, and prayed. Though He brought along His closest companions, He was utterly alone. According to Mark 14:34, “He told them, ‘My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me’” (NLT). No one else could begin to fathom the suffering and separation that lay ahead for Him.  In the coming week, we’re going to look at the events that unfolded during those hours in the Garden of Gethsemane, when the Perfect Sacrifice submitted Himself to God’s plan of salvation. And we’re going to start with the very real, and very relatable, emotions that sent Jesus to the garden in the first place.  Hundreds of years before Jesus was born, the Old Testament prophet Isaiah offered this description of Him: “He was despised and rejected—a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care” (Isaiah 53:3 NLT). Jesus felt every bit of that sorrow, that grief, that rejection, that sense of being despised and uncared for during His time in Gethsemane.  Have you ever felt lonely? Have you ever felt as though your friends and family had abandoned you? Have you ever felt misunderstood? Have you ever had a hard time understanding or submitting to the will of God for your life? If so, then you have an idea of what the Lord Jesus went through when He agonized at Gethsemane.  But that understanding is a two-way street. And there’s the takeaway from today’s devotion. Our experiences allow us to empathize, even if it’s only to a small degree, with what Jesus went through. Likewise, His experiences allow Him to empathize with what we go through.  Jesus came to earth as fully God and fully human. He felt joy, pain, hunger, thirst, rejection, betrayal, and grief. He asked God if there was any other way for the plan of salvation to be accomplished—one that didn’t involve His suffering. He can relate to us on the deepest levels. That makes Him the perfect Source to turn to in any and every situation.  The author of Hebrews explained it this way: “So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most” (Hebrews 4:14–16 NLT).  No matter what situation we face, we can approach the Lord with confidence, knowing that He will provide the comfort, wisdom, direction, or healing we need.    Reflection question: How can Jesus empathize and help you with a situation you’re facing 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 Partner“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 called Gethsemane. There He agonized, pleaded, and prayed. Though He brought along His closest companions, He was utterly alone. According to Mark 14:34, “He told them, ‘My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me’” (NLT). No one else could begin to fathom the suffering and separation that lay ahead for Him.  In the coming week, we’re going to look at the events that unfolded during those hours in the Garden of Gethsemane, when the Perfect Sacrifice submitted Himself to God’s plan of salvation. And we’re going to start with the very real, and very relatable, emotions that sent Jesus to the garden in the first place.  Hundreds of years before Jesus was born, the Old Testament prophet Isaiah offered this description of Him: “He was despised and rejected—a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care” (Isaiah 53:3 NLT). Jesus felt every bit of that sorrow, that grief, that rejection, that sense of being despised and uncared for during His time in Gethsemane.  Have you ever felt lonely? Have you ever felt as though your friends and family had abandoned you? Have you ever felt misunderstood? Have you ever had a hard time understanding or submitting to the will of God for your life? If so, then you have an idea of what the Lord Jesus went through when He agonized at Gethsemane.  But that understanding is a two-way street. And there’s the takeaway from today’s devotion. Our experiences allow us to empathize, even if it’s only to a small degree, with what Jesus went through. Likewise, His experiences allow Him to empathize with what we go through.  Jesus came to earth as fully God and fully human. He felt joy, pain, hunger, thirst, rejection, betrayal, and grief. He asked God if there was any other way for the plan of salvation to be accomplished—one that didn’t involve His suffering. He can relate to us on the deepest levels. That makes Him the perfect Source to turn to in any and every situation.  The author of Hebrews explained it this way: “So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most” (Hebrews 4:14–16 NLT).  No matter what situation we face, we can approach the Lord with confidence, knowing that He will provide the comfort, wisdom, direction, or healing we need.    Reflection question: How can Jesus empathize and help you with a situation you’re facing 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 Partner

The Hard Truth About Eternity | Matthew 28:19–20The 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 bedside. To his two sons who were believers, he said, “Goodbye, my sons. I will see you in the morning.” Turning to his third son, he simply and sadly said, “Goodbye, my son.” The young man was deeply disturbed. He said, “Father, why is it you said to my brothers, ‘I will see you in the morning,’ and you only said to me, ‘Goodbye, my son’? Why didn’t you say you would see me in the morning, too?” His father replied, “Son, you have never asked Jesus Christ into your heart to be your Savior and Lord. And that is what breaks my heart the most. I will never see you again.” That son began to ask his father how he could be saved, how he could see his father again. His father told him how. The son prayed and received Christ into his life. Then his father said, “Now our family will be together in eternity.” That can happen for everyone who has put their faith in Christ. It will be a great reunion one day in the future. But what does the unbeliever have to look forward to? Judgment after death and a miserable, empty life on earth. There might be some fun in sin—for a while. But payday comes. The hard truth about eternal life is found in the apostle Paul’s words in Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death” (NLT). That’s why believers are called to share the gospel far and wide, as the Christian father in the story did with his son. In what’s known as the Great Commission, Jesus gave His followers these instructions: “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). Eternal life is the hope believers cling to when the things of this life start to overwhelm us. There’s a reason that John 3:16 is perhaps the best-known passage in all of Scripture. Jesus’ words to Nicodemus still resonate powerfully today: “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” (NLT). If you do not commit your life to Christ, ultimately you will look back on your life and realize that you wasted it. But don’t wait until the end of your life to figure that out. Figure it out now.   Reflection question: Who in your life needs to hear the hard truth about eternity? 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 Partner“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 bedside. To his two sons who were believers, he said, “Goodbye, my sons. I will see you in the morning.” Turning to his third son, he simply and sadly said, “Goodbye, my son.” The young man was deeply disturbed. He said, “Father, why is it you said to my brothers, ‘I will see you in the morning,’ and you only said to me, ‘Goodbye, my son’? Why didn’t you say you would see me in the morning, too?” His father replied, “Son, you have never asked Jesus Christ into your heart to be your Savior and Lord. And that is what breaks my heart the most. I will never see you again.” That son began to ask his father how he could be saved, how he could see his father again. His father told him how. The son prayed and received Christ into his life. Then his father said, “Now our family will be together in eternity.” That can happen for everyone who has put their faith in Christ. It will be a great reunion one day in the future. But what does the unbeliever have to look forward to? Judgment after death and a miserable, empty life on earth. There might be some fun in sin—for a while. But payday comes. The hard truth about eternal life is found in the apostle Paul’s words in Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death” (NLT). That’s why believers are called to share the gospel far and wide, as the Christian father in the story did with his son. In what’s known as the Great Commission, Jesus gave His followers these instructions: “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). Eternal life is the hope believers cling to when the things of this life start to overwhelm us. There’s a reason that John 3:16 is perhaps the best-known passage in all of Scripture. Jesus’ words to Nicodemus still resonate powerfully today: “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” (NLT). If you do not commit your life to Christ, ultimately you will look back on your life and realize that you wasted it. But don’t wait until the end of your life to figure that out. Figure it out now.   Reflection question: Who in your life needs to hear the hard truth about eternity? 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 Partner

The Hard Truth About the Cross | 1 Corinthians 1:18The 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’s what many people want today: a cross without Jesus. They want a cross without any offense—one that will look cool with their outfits. But the hard truth is that if we could travel back in time and see the cross in its original context, we would realize that it was a bloody and vile symbol. It would have been the worst picture imaginable to see someone hanging on a cross. The Romans chose crucifixion because it was meant to be a slow, torturous way to die. It was designed to humiliate a person. The crucifixions outside Roman cities served as warnings to anyone who would dare oppose the rule of Rome. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me” (John 14:6 NLT). In other words, salvation and eternal life can be found only through Him. Many people today object to His words. They see John 14:6 as a statement of exclusivity and narrow-mindedness. But Jesus was simply explaining God’s plan of salvation. Humankind’s decision to disobey God and pursue sin created an existential crisis with only one solution. To satisfy God’s perfect justice and wrath, a perfect sacrifice had to be offered in our place. Someone who had never sinned had to die in the place of everyone else who had. Only Jesus lived a sinless life. Only He had the power to conquer death. So, only He could save us. If there had been any other way, do you think that God would have allowed His Son to suffer like that? If there had been any other way that we could have been forgiven, then God surely would have found it. Jesus Himself prayed, “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). He was talking about the cross and the unimaginable suffering that lay ahead. But God did not take it away from Him because there was no other way. If living a good, moral life could get us to Heaven, then Jesus never would have died for us. But He did die. He had to pay the price for our sin. At the cross, Jesus purchased the salvation of the world. If you ever were tempted to doubt God’s love for you, even for a moment, then take a long, hard look at the cross. Nails did not hold Jesus to that cross; His love did.   Reflection question: How would you explain Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross and God’s plan of salvation to an unbeliever? 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 Partner“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’s what many people want today: a cross without Jesus. They want a cross without any offense—one that will look cool with their outfits. But the hard truth is that if we could travel back in time and see the cross in its original context, we would realize that it was a bloody and vile symbol. It would have been the worst picture imaginable to see someone hanging on a cross. The Romans chose crucifixion because it was meant to be a slow, torturous way to die. It was designed to humiliate a person. The crucifixions outside Roman cities served as warnings to anyone who would dare oppose the rule of Rome. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me” (John 14:6 NLT). In other words, salvation and eternal life can be found only through Him. Many people today object to His words. They see John 14:6 as a statement of exclusivity and narrow-mindedness. But Jesus was simply explaining God’s plan of salvation. Humankind’s decision to disobey God and pursue sin created an existential crisis with only one solution. To satisfy God’s perfect justice and wrath, a perfect sacrifice had to be offered in our place. Someone who had never sinned had to die in the place of everyone else who had. Only Jesus lived a sinless life. Only He had the power to conquer death. So, only He could save us. If there had been any other way, do you think that God would have allowed His Son to suffer like that? If there had been any other way that we could have been forgiven, then God surely would have found it. Jesus Himself prayed, “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). He was talking about the cross and the unimaginable suffering that lay ahead. But God did not take it away from Him because there was no other way. If living a good, moral life could get us to Heaven, then Jesus never would have died for us. But He did die. He had to pay the price for our sin. At the cross, Jesus purchased the salvation of the world. If you ever were tempted to doubt God’s love for you, even for a moment, then take a long, hard look at the cross. Nails did not hold Jesus to that cross; His love did.   Reflection question: How would you explain Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross and God’s plan of salvation to an unbeliever? 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 Partner

The Hard Truth About Thankfulness | 1 Thessalonians 5:18The 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 plagued by fleas. Fleas were everywhere—in their hair and on their bodies. One day Betsie told Corrie they needed to give thanks for the fleas. Corrie thought Betsie had gone too far. She couldn’t imagine thanking God for fleas. But Betsie insisted, reminding her sister that 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, “Be thankful in all circumstances” (NLT). Still, Corrie didn’t want to thank God for the fleas. But as it turned out, Corrie and Betsie were trying to reach the other women in their barracks with the message of the gospel, and they had been holding Bible studies. They found out later that because of the fleas, the guards would not go into those barracks, and therefore, the women were able to have their Bible studies. As a result, they had the freedom to minister to numerous women. So, God can use even fleas. If the Bible said, “Be thankful in some circumstances,” I would say, “No problem there!” But it says, “Be thankful in all circumstances.” And that’s not an easy thing to do. Yet it’s necessary because “this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” It’s also beneficial. Our attitude does, in fact, impact our circumstances. Being thankful won’t change events that have occurred, and it won’t prevent trials and suffering from coming our way. But when we lead with a spirit of thankfulness and joy, we change our relationship to our circumstances. We see them in a different light. We see them in the context of the big picture of God’s faithfulness. This isn’t simply a matter of choosing to be a “glass half full” person or to “always look on the bright side of life.” It’s a matter of choosing to see God at work in our lives, no matter how bad our circumstances get. It’s a matter of wrapping ourselves in His presence when life threatens to overwhelm us. It’s a matter of staying in constant contact with Him during trials and never losing sight of the awesome privilege of being able to do so. Maintaining a spirit of thankfulness will not only impact our lives, but it will also impact the lives of others in our orbit. Nothing speaks louder about the life-changing potential of the Christian faith than a believer who remains faithful and thankful when things go bad. First Thessalonians 5:18 doesn’t say we should be thankful for all circumstances, but rather in all circumstances. There are many things that happen that I’m not glad about. But I am glad that, despite the tragedies, God is still on the throne, and He is still in control of all circumstances that surround my life.   Reflection question: What would being thankful in all circumstances 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 Partner“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 plagued by fleas. Fleas were everywhere—in their hair and on their bodies. One day Betsie told Corrie they needed to give thanks for the fleas. Corrie thought Betsie had gone too far. She couldn’t imagine thanking God for fleas. But Betsie insisted, reminding her sister that 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, “Be thankful in all circumstances” (NLT). Still, Corrie didn’t want to thank God for the fleas. But as it turned out, Corrie and Betsie were trying to reach the other women in their barracks with the message of the gospel, and they had been holding Bible studies. They found out later that because of the fleas, the guards would not go into those barracks, and therefore, the women were able to have their Bible studies. As a result, they had the freedom to minister to numerous women. So, God can use even fleas. If the Bible said, “Be thankful in some circumstances,” I would say, “No problem there!” But it says, “Be thankful in all circumstances.” And that’s not an easy thing to do. Yet it’s necessary because “this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” It’s also beneficial. Our attitude does, in fact, impact our circumstances. Being thankful won’t change events that have occurred, and it won’t prevent trials and suffering from coming our way. But when we lead with a spirit of thankfulness and joy, we change our relationship to our circumstances. We see them in a different light. We see them in the context of the big picture of God’s faithfulness. This isn’t simply a matter of choosing to be a “glass half full” person or to “always look on the bright side of life.” It’s a matter of choosing to see God at work in our lives, no matter how bad our circumstances get. It’s a matter of wrapping ourselves in His presence when life threatens to overwhelm us. It’s a matter of staying in constant contact with Him during trials and never losing sight of the awesome privilege of being able to do so. Maintaining a spirit of thankfulness will not only impact our lives, but it will also impact the lives of others in our orbit. Nothing speaks louder about the life-changing potential of the Christian faith than a believer who remains faithful and thankful when things go bad. First Thessalonians 5:18 doesn’t say we should be thankful for all circumstances, but rather in all circumstances. There are many things that happen that I’m not glad about. But I am glad that, despite the tragedies, God is still on the throne, and He is still in control of all circumstances that surround my life.   Reflection question: What would being thankful in all circumstances 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 Partner

The Hard Truth About Discipleship | Luke 14:33The 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 been content and fulfilled. He had great influence and affluence. Yet despite all his accomplishments, there was something missing in his life. He asked, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” (verse 16 NLT). “‘Why ask me about what is good?’ Jesus replied. ‘There is only One who is good. But to answer your question—if you want to receive eternal life, keep the commandments’” (verse 17 NLT). Jesus was not implying that by keeping the Ten Commandments, a person would be saved. Rather, Jesus held the Ten Commandments up as a mirror to show this man his sin. “‘I’ve obeyed all these commandments,’ the young man replied. ‘What else must I do?’” (verse 20 nlt). I think Jesus probably smiled at this. He saw what this man was really all about. So, He took it up a notch and said, “If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me” (verse 21 NLT). Verse 22 says, “But when the young man heard this, he went away sad, for he had many possessions” (NLT). Jesus knew the problem with this young man was that possessions had possessed his soul. But Jesus just as easily could have said something completely different to someone else. What is really holding someone back from Christ and from further spiritual progress can vary from person to person. Jesus revealed the hard truth about discipleship in Luke 14:33: “So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own” (NLT). Nothing should be more valuable, more precious, or more important to us than our relationship with Christ. Jesus drives this point home further in Luke 14:26–27. “If you want to be my disciple, you must, by comparison, hate everyone else—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple. And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple” (NLT). Nothing should ever be more important to us than our walk with Christ. That’s why it’s a good idea to regularly come before Jesus and ask, “Lord, is there anything in my life that is getting in the way of my relationship with You?” We must be willing to do what the rich young man would not and sacrifice anything that gets in the way of our spiritual growth.   Reflection question: What do you think Jesus would say if you asked Him to show you anything that was getting in the way of your relationship with Him? 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 Partner“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 been content and fulfilled. He had great influence and affluence. Yet despite all his accomplishments, there was something missing in his life. He asked, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” (verse 16 NLT). “‘Why ask me about what is good?’ Jesus replied. ‘There is only One who is good. But to answer your question—if you want to receive eternal life, keep the commandments’” (verse 17 NLT). Jesus was not implying that by keeping the Ten Commandments, a person would be saved. Rather, Jesus held the Ten Commandments up as a mirror to show this man his sin. “‘I’ve obeyed all these commandments,’ the young man replied. ‘What else must I do?’” (verse 20 nlt). I think Jesus probably smiled at this. He saw what this man was really all about. So, He took it up a notch and said, “If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me” (verse 21 NLT). Verse 22 says, “But when the young man heard this, he went away sad, for he had many possessions” (NLT). Jesus knew the problem with this young man was that possessions had possessed his soul. But Jesus just as easily could have said something completely different to someone else. What is really holding someone back from Christ and from further spiritual progress can vary from person to person. Jesus revealed the hard truth about discipleship in Luke 14:33: “So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own” (NLT). Nothing should be more valuable, more precious, or more important to us than our relationship with Christ. Jesus drives this point home further in Luke 14:26–27. “If you want to be my disciple, you must, by comparison, hate everyone else—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple. And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple” (NLT). Nothing should ever be more important to us than our walk with Christ. That’s why it’s a good idea to regularly come before Jesus and ask, “Lord, is there anything in my life that is getting in the way of my relationship with You?” We must be willing to do what the rich young man would not and sacrifice anything that gets in the way of our spiritual growth.   Reflection question: What do you think Jesus would say if you asked Him to show you anything that was getting in the way of your relationship with Him? 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 Partner

The Hard Truth About Jesus’ Sacrifice | Mark 14:34The Hard Truth About Jesus’ Sacrifice | 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)   Have you ever felt lonely? Have you ever felt as though your friends and family had abandoned you? Have you ever felt like you were misunderstood? Have you ever had a hard time understanding or submitting to the will of God for your life? If so, then you have an idea of what the Lord Jesus went through when He agonized at Gethsemane. The book of Hebrews tells us, “This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most” (4:15–16 NLT). The book of Isaiah tells us that Jesus was “a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief” (53:3 NLT). But the sorrow He experienced in Gethsemane on the night before His crucifixion seemed to be the culmination of all the sorrow He had ever known and would accelerate to a climax the following day. The ultimate triumph that was to take place at Calvary was first accomplished beneath the gnarled, old olive trees of Gethsemane. Jesus shared His agony with His disciples. “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). It’s interesting that the very word Gethsemane means “olive press.” Olives were pressed there to make oil, and truly, Jesus was being pressed from all sides that He might bring life to us. I don’t think we can even begin to fathom what He was going through. Isaiah 53:5 says, “But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed” (NLT). That’s the hard truth of our salvation: Jesus had to suffer and die in our place. He had to endure the punishment that we deserved. He was crushed and beaten for our sake. He could have walked away, but He submitted to His Father’s will so that the plan of salvation could be accomplished. His crushing and beating brought about your salvation and mine. Because of what Jesus went through at Gethsemane and ultimately at the cross, we can call on His name. Though His suffering and death were unfathomably excruciating, they were necessary for God’s ultimate goal. Maybe you’re at a crisis point in your life right now—a personal Gethsemane, if you will. You know what you want, yet you can sense that God’s will is different. Would you let the Lord choose for you? Would you be willing to say, “Lord, I am submitting my will to Yours. Not my will, but Yours be done”? You will never regret making that decision.   Reflection question: How would you explain the hard truth about Jesus’ sacrifice to an unbeliever? 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 Partner“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)   Have you ever felt lonely? Have you ever felt as though your friends and family had abandoned you? Have you ever felt like you were misunderstood? Have you ever had a hard time understanding or submitting to the will of God for your life? If so, then you have an idea of what the Lord Jesus went through when He agonized at Gethsemane. The book of Hebrews tells us, “This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most” (4:15–16 NLT). The book of Isaiah tells us that Jesus was “a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief” (53:3 NLT). But the sorrow He experienced in Gethsemane on the night before His crucifixion seemed to be the culmination of all the sorrow He had ever known and would accelerate to a climax the following day. The ultimate triumph that was to take place at Calvary was first accomplished beneath the gnarled, old olive trees of Gethsemane. Jesus shared His agony with His disciples. “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). It’s interesting that the very word Gethsemane means “olive press.” Olives were pressed there to make oil, and truly, Jesus was being pressed from all sides that He might bring life to us. I don’t think we can even begin to fathom what He was going through. Isaiah 53:5 says, “But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed” (NLT). That’s the hard truth of our salvation: Jesus had to suffer and die in our place. He had to endure the punishment that we deserved. He was crushed and beaten for our sake. He could have walked away, but He submitted to His Father’s will so that the plan of salvation could be accomplished. His crushing and beating brought about your salvation and mine. Because of what Jesus went through at Gethsemane and ultimately at the cross, we can call on His name. Though His suffering and death were unfathomably excruciating, they were necessary for God’s ultimate goal. Maybe you’re at a crisis point in your life right now—a personal Gethsemane, if you will. You know what you want, yet you can sense that God’s will is different. Would you let the Lord choose for you? Would you be willing to say, “Lord, I am submitting my will to Yours. Not my will, but Yours be done”? You will never regret making that decision.   Reflection question: How would you explain the hard truth about Jesus’ sacrifice to an unbeliever? 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 Partner

The Hard Truth About Sharing Your Faith | Acts 24:24–25The Hard Truth About Sharing Your Faith | Acts 24:24–25“A few days later Felix came back with his wife, Drusilla, who was Jewish. Sending for Paul, they listened as he told them about faith in Christ Jesus. As he reasoned with them about righteousness and self-control and the coming day of judgment, Felix became frightened. ‘Go away for now,’ he replied. ‘When it is more convenient, I’ll call for you again.’” (Acts 24:24–25 NLT)   Jesus said, “Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light” (Matthew 11:29–30 NLT). But He wasn’t suggesting that the Christian walk would be easy—or anything less than challenging, for that matter. The beliefs that Christians embrace often defy worldly wisdom. They expose the emptiness of platitudes and shallow philosophies. The “hard truths” of the Christian faith often put believers in the crosshairs of those who oppose us. But that doesn’t change the fact that those hard truths must be taken to heart and shared with others. Over the next several days, we’re going to look at some of these hard truths. And we’re going to start with the one that plays out in Acts 24:24–25. When the apostle Paul stood before the Roman governor Felix and his wife, “he reasoned with them about righteousness and self-control and the coming day of judgment” (Acts 24:25 NLT). In other words, Paul shared his faith with Felix. The governor, however, was frightened by what he heard and told Paul, “Go away for now… When it is more convenient, I’ll call for you again” (verse 25 NLT). That’s how a lot of people face spiritual issues in their lives: “I don’t want to talk about it. I don’t want to deal with this now.” That was my mother’s response every time the topic turned to spiritual things. She would cut the conversation short and say, “I don’t want to talk about it.” Whenever we discussed the meaning of life or the afterlife, she would say, “I don’t want to talk about it.” I didn’t want to have a confrontation every time I saw her. But one morning I felt especially convicted that I needed to visit my mother and raise the subject once again. When I arrived, I told her, “I want to talk to you about eternity.” “I don’t want to talk about it,” she said. But I wasn’t backing down. Not on that day! I said, “Mom, today we are going to talk about it.” She didn’t like it. But we had the conversation, and it ultimately resulted in her recommitting her life to the Lord. I’m so glad that we spoke about spiritual things that day because it wasn’t long afterward that she died unexpectedly. If you know someone right now—your mom, dad, grandfather, grandmother, or someone who’s approaching the end of their life—and you’re feeling convicted by the Holy Spirit to have that conversation, then go have it. What if it’s awkward? Then let it be awkward. It just may result in their making a commitment to Christ.   Reflection question: How can you overcome the obstacles that might keep you from sharing your faith? 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 Partner“A few days later Felix came back with his wife, Drusilla, who was Jewish. Sending for Paul, they listened as he told them about faith in Christ Jesus. As he reasoned with them about righteousness and self-control and the coming day of judgment, Felix became frightened. ‘Go away for now,’ he replied. ‘When it is more convenient, I’ll call for you again.’” (Acts 24:24–25 NLT)   Jesus said, “Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light” (Matthew 11:29–30 NLT). But He wasn’t suggesting that the Christian walk would be easy—or anything less than challenging, for that matter. The beliefs that Christians embrace often defy worldly wisdom. They expose the emptiness of platitudes and shallow philosophies. The “hard truths” of the Christian faith often put believers in the crosshairs of those who oppose us. But that doesn’t change the fact that those hard truths must be taken to heart and shared with others. Over the next several days, we’re going to look at some of these hard truths. And we’re going to start with the one that plays out in Acts 24:24–25. When the apostle Paul stood before the Roman governor Felix and his wife, “he reasoned with them about righteousness and self-control and the coming day of judgment” (Acts 24:25 NLT). In other words, Paul shared his faith with Felix. The governor, however, was frightened by what he heard and told Paul, “Go away for now… When it is more convenient, I’ll call for you again” (verse 25 NLT). That’s how a lot of people face spiritual issues in their lives: “I don’t want to talk about it. I don’t want to deal with this now.” That was my mother’s response every time the topic turned to spiritual things. She would cut the conversation short and say, “I don’t want to talk about it.” Whenever we discussed the meaning of life or the afterlife, she would say, “I don’t want to talk about it.” I didn’t want to have a confrontation every time I saw her. But one morning I felt especially convicted that I needed to visit my mother and raise the subject once again. When I arrived, I told her, “I want to talk to you about eternity.” “I don’t want to talk about it,” she said. But I wasn’t backing down. Not on that day! I said, “Mom, today we are going to talk about it.” She didn’t like it. But we had the conversation, and it ultimately resulted in her recommitting her life to the Lord. I’m so glad that we spoke about spiritual things that day because it wasn’t long afterward that she died unexpectedly. If you know someone right now—your mom, dad, grandfather, grandmother, or someone who’s approaching the end of their life—and you’re feeling convicted by the Holy Spirit to have that conversation, then go have it. What if it’s awkward? Then let it be awkward. It just may result in their making a commitment to Christ.   Reflection question: How can you overcome the obstacles that might keep you from sharing your faith? 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 Partner

Live, Dwell, Remain, Abide | Psalm 91:1Live, Dwell, Remain, Abide | Psalm 91:1“Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” (Psalm 91:1 NLT)   Psalm 91 is one of the most uplifting passages in all of Scripture, filled with promises like the one found in its first verse. “Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty” (NLT). But it’s worth noting that the blessings promised in Psalm 91 aren’t for just anyone. They are specifically given to believers, and not just to believers in general. These benefits are targeted toward believers who specifically meet the requirements found within the psalm. Psalm 91 is full of what we call conditional promises. In other words, God promises to do certain things for us, hinging on our doing certain things that are required. Let’s look at the words of verse 1 again: “Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty” (NLT). The word live, which also may be translated as dwell, means “quiet and resting, enduring and remaining with consistency.” It is very similar to the words remain and abide, which we see often in the New Testament. Jesus said, “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5 NLT). That word remain means “to stay in a given place, to maintain unbroken fellowship and communion with another.” Here’s what God is saying: “If you want to experience the promises of Psalm 91—My protection, My provision, and My blessing—you must dwell in the shelter of the Most High. You must remain in constant fellowship with Me. You must not allow the things of this world to put distance between us.” Believers have a relationship with God because we’ve put our faith in Jesus Christ and have turned from our sin. But are we living in constant fellowship with God? Many believers aren’t. And they’re missing out on countless blessings as a consequence. Psalm 91 also includes these promises: “He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection” (verse 4 NLT). “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them. I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation” (verses 14–16 NLT). And that’s still only scratching the surface. God is interested in a relationship with you—not just on Sundays but throughout the week. He wants you to dwell in the shelter of the Most High. He wants you to experience the blessings that come from an intimate relationship with Him.   Reflection question: What would constant fellowship 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 Partner“Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” (Psalm 91:1 NLT)   Psalm 91 is one of the most uplifting passages in all of Scripture, filled with promises like the one found in its first verse. “Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty” (NLT). But it’s worth noting that the blessings promised in Psalm 91 aren’t for just anyone. They are specifically given to believers, and not just to believers in general. These benefits are targeted toward believers who specifically meet the requirements found within the psalm. Psalm 91 is full of what we call conditional promises. In other words, God promises to do certain things for us, hinging on our doing certain things that are required. Let’s look at the words of verse 1 again: “Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty” (NLT). The word live, which also may be translated as dwell, means “quiet and resting, enduring and remaining with consistency.” It is very similar to the words remain and abide, which we see often in the New Testament. Jesus said, “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5 NLT). That word remain means “to stay in a given place, to maintain unbroken fellowship and communion with another.” Here’s what God is saying: “If you want to experience the promises of Psalm 91—My protection, My provision, and My blessing—you must dwell in the shelter of the Most High. You must remain in constant fellowship with Me. You must not allow the things of this world to put distance between us.” Believers have a relationship with God because we’ve put our faith in Jesus Christ and have turned from our sin. But are we living in constant fellowship with God? Many believers aren’t. And they’re missing out on countless blessings as a consequence. Psalm 91 also includes these promises: “He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection” (verse 4 NLT). “I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them. I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation” (verses 14–16 NLT). And that’s still only scratching the surface. God is interested in a relationship with you—not just on Sundays but throughout the week. He wants you to dwell in the shelter of the Most High. He wants you to experience the blessings that come from an intimate relationship with Him.   Reflection question: What would constant fellowship 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 Partner

God First | Matthew 6:33God First | Matthew 6:33“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” (Matthew 6:33 NLT)   A man was out driving in the country during a heavy rainstorm when he came across an old farmer who was surveying the ruins of his barn. The man pulled over and asked the farmer what happened. “Roof fell in,” the farmer replied. “What happened with it? Why did it fall in?” asked the stranger. “It leaked so long, it just finally rotted through,” the farmer said. “Why in the world didn’t you fix it before it rotted through?” “Well, sir,” said the farmer, “I just never got around to it. When the weather was good, there wasn’t a need for it. And when it rained, it was just too wet to work on.” Isn’t it amazing that when you want to do something, you somehow manage to find the time, no matter how busy you are? But when someone asks you to do something you don’t want to do, suddenly, there is just no room in the schedule. This can happen when it comes to the Christian life as well. If we are serving God only when it’s convenient, then we’re settling for second best. Not only that, but we’re also keeping God at arm’s length. We’re settling for a less-than-best relationship with Him. If we make time for the things of God only until something better comes along, then we’re missing out on what God wants to do in our lives. How much better it is to make time for the things of God—to put them above everything else. How much better it is to get your priorities right. Instead of making excuses, make time for the Lord. It’s not only the simple way to live, but it’s also the best way. 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). That’s an amazing promise. And it shows just how much God desires a personal relationship with us. When we drift away from God, it’s because we start to believe that we need certain other things in our lives. Those things may include earthly success, wealth, possessions, hobbies, or habits. So, we pursue them with a passion. We convince ourselves that they will bring us joy, give us a sense of accomplishment or fulfillment, or fill whatever emptiness we have inside us. And, like the farmer, we neglect the things that truly matter. And, also like the farmer, we run the risk of rot—spiritual rot. God, in His mercy, says, “If you will prioritize your relationship with Me, if you will close the distance between us by putting Me first, I will help you see what you truly need. I’ll help you remove the rot and strengthen you inside.” What an amazing offer! And it all begins with a priority shift.   Reflection question: What would seeking the Kingdom of God above all else 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 Partner“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” (Matthew 6:33 NLT)   A man was out driving in the country during a heavy rainstorm when he came across an old farmer who was surveying the ruins of his barn. The man pulled over and asked the farmer what happened. “Roof fell in,” the farmer replied. “What happened with it? Why did it fall in?” asked the stranger. “It leaked so long, it just finally rotted through,” the farmer said. “Why in the world didn’t you fix it before it rotted through?” “Well, sir,” said the farmer, “I just never got around to it. When the weather was good, there wasn’t a need for it. And when it rained, it was just too wet to work on.” Isn’t it amazing that when you want to do something, you somehow manage to find the time, no matter how busy you are? But when someone asks you to do something you don’t want to do, suddenly, there is just no room in the schedule. This can happen when it comes to the Christian life as well. If we are serving God only when it’s convenient, then we’re settling for second best. Not only that, but we’re also keeping God at arm’s length. We’re settling for a less-than-best relationship with Him. If we make time for the things of God only until something better comes along, then we’re missing out on what God wants to do in our lives. How much better it is to make time for the things of God—to put them above everything else. How much better it is to get your priorities right. Instead of making excuses, make time for the Lord. It’s not only the simple way to live, but it’s also the best way. 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). That’s an amazing promise. And it shows just how much God desires a personal relationship with us. When we drift away from God, it’s because we start to believe that we need certain other things in our lives. Those things may include earthly success, wealth, possessions, hobbies, or habits. So, we pursue them with a passion. We convince ourselves that they will bring us joy, give us a sense of accomplishment or fulfillment, or fill whatever emptiness we have inside us. And, like the farmer, we neglect the things that truly matter. And, also like the farmer, we run the risk of rot—spiritual rot. God, in His mercy, says, “If you will prioritize your relationship with Me, if you will close the distance between us by putting Me first, I will help you see what you truly need. I’ll help you remove the rot and strengthen you inside.” What an amazing offer! And it all begins with a priority shift.   Reflection question: What would seeking the Kingdom of God above all else 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 Partner

Growing a Choke-Proof Faith | Luke 8:14Growing a Choke-Proof Faith | Luke 8:14“The seeds that fell among the thorns represent those who hear the message, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares and riches and pleasures of this life. And so they never grow into maturity.” (Luke 8:14 NLT)   I’ve always been amazed by weeds. You can take a little flower, plant it in the perfect location, water it, and make sure that there are no pests to threaten it. You can do everything possible for that flower, and it will slowly grow. But then, in the same amount of time, a weed can spring up and choke out the flower. The weed doesn’t suddenly burst out of the ground, grab the flower, and start shaking it. The process is gradual. First, the weed appears in the vicinity of the flower. The next day, the weed grows a little closer. And on it goes until the weed starts to wrap itself around the flower and choke out its growth. That is what Jesus was describing in the parable of the sower when He said, “The seeds that fell among the thorns represent those who hear the message, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares and riches and pleasures of this life. And so they never grow into maturity” (Luke 8:14 NLT). The “cares and riches and pleasures of this life” are the weeds that choke our spiritual growth. As with the weeds in nature, the process doesn’t happen overnight; it happens over time. Also, as with weeds in nature, the “cares and riches and pleasures of life” aren’t always immediately identifiable as weeds. In fact, the things that prevent the seed of God’s Word from maturing and producing fruit in our lives aren’t necessarily bad things in and of themselves. Some are good things that become the most important things and choke out the spiritual things. They also create distance between us and God. The picture that Jesus paints in His parable is not one of someone who says they don’t want to pray, read the Bible, or go to church. Rather, it’s someone who thinks those are good things to do. But over time, they start losing interest, and the things of this world become more important to them than the things of the next world. That’s what chokes them out spiritually and causes them to feel distant from God. It’s essential, then, that we examine our priorities frequently. Not our idealized priorities, the things we say are important to us, but our actual priorities, the things that get the lion’s share of our time, energy, and interest. Jesus said, “Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be” (Luke 12:34 NLT). God wants you to treasure the things that are truly important. The things that will last for eternity. The things that bring genuine joy, satisfaction, and fulfillment. God wants your heart. If you give Him that, He will give more than you can possibly imagine in return.   Reflection question: How can you make sure that the things of this world don’t choke out 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 Partner“The seeds that fell among the thorns represent those who hear the message, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares and riches and pleasures of this life. And so they never grow into maturity.” (Luke 8:14 NLT)   I’ve always been amazed by weeds. You can take a little flower, plant it in the perfect location, water it, and make sure that there are no pests to threaten it. You can do everything possible for that flower, and it will slowly grow. But then, in the same amount of time, a weed can spring up and choke out the flower. The weed doesn’t suddenly burst out of the ground, grab the flower, and start shaking it. The process is gradual. First, the weed appears in the vicinity of the flower. The next day, the weed grows a little closer. And on it goes until the weed starts to wrap itself around the flower and choke out its growth. That is what Jesus was describing in the parable of the sower when He said, “The seeds that fell among the thorns represent those who hear the message, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares and riches and pleasures of this life. And so they never grow into maturity” (Luke 8:14 NLT). The “cares and riches and pleasures of this life” are the weeds that choke our spiritual growth. As with the weeds in nature, the process doesn’t happen overnight; it happens over time. Also, as with weeds in nature, the “cares and riches and pleasures of life” aren’t always immediately identifiable as weeds. In fact, the things that prevent the seed of God’s Word from maturing and producing fruit in our lives aren’t necessarily bad things in and of themselves. Some are good things that become the most important things and choke out the spiritual things. They also create distance between us and God. The picture that Jesus paints in His parable is not one of someone who says they don’t want to pray, read the Bible, or go to church. Rather, it’s someone who thinks those are good things to do. But over time, they start losing interest, and the things of this world become more important to them than the things of the next world. That’s what chokes them out spiritually and causes them to feel distant from God. It’s essential, then, that we examine our priorities frequently. Not our idealized priorities, the things we say are important to us, but our actual priorities, the things that get the lion’s share of our time, energy, and interest. Jesus said, “Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be” (Luke 12:34 NLT). God wants you to treasure the things that are truly important. The things that will last for eternity. The things that bring genuine joy, satisfaction, and fulfillment. God wants your heart. If you give Him that, He will give more than you can possibly imagine in return.   Reflection question: How can you make sure that the things of this world don’t choke out 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 Partner

The Problem with Sheep | 1 Peter 2:25The Problem with Sheep | 1 Peter 2:25“Once you were like sheep who wandered away. But now you have turned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls.” (1 Peter 2:25 NLT)   On more than one occasion, the Bible compares Christians to sheep. I don’t know if I’m really happy about that because sheep aren’t the most intelligent animals on earth. It would have been nice if God had compared us to dolphins. Now, there’s an intelligent animal. I once had the opportunity to talk to a man who trained dolphins. I asked him, “Are dolphins really as intelligent as they seem?” He said, “In some ways, yes, and in some ways, no. They are very intelligent in many ways because a dolphin can read a symbol and understand what it means.” That is amazing to me. But Jesus didn’t compare us to dolphins. He compared us to sheep. And sheep are some of the stupidest animals around. They are vulnerable, easily spooked, can’t run very fast, and lack any means of defending themselves. What’s more, they are in constant need of care and attention. Sheep are known to follow each other even to their own death. It has been documented that if one sheep walks off a cliff, others will follow. The Bible says, “All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own” (Isaiah 53:6 NLT). And, you have to admit, that description hits pretty close to home. Think about how many people have bought into the same lies, generation after generation. They fall into the same junk, the same addictions, and the same traps again and again. If we’re honest with ourselves, we must admit that we are strayers. We put distance between ourselves and God. Of course, our Shepherd will not stand idly by while we get lost following our own path. Jesus makes that clear in His parable of the lost sheep. “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders. When he arrives, he will call together his friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep’” (Luke 15:4–6  NLT). Psalm 23, one of the best-known passages in all of Scripture, reminds us that there are advantages to being sheep. “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” (verses 1–3 NLT). We are like sheep. There’s no getting around that. The question is, are you going to be a smart sheep or a dumb one? Smart sheep stay close to the Shepherd. And that’s where we all need to be.   Reflection question: What might cause you to stray from Jesus? 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 Partner“Once you were like sheep who wandered away. But now you have turned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls.” (1 Peter 2:25 NLT)   On more than one occasion, the Bible compares Christians to sheep. I don’t know if I’m really happy about that because sheep aren’t the most intelligent animals on earth. It would have been nice if God had compared us to dolphins. Now, there’s an intelligent animal. I once had the opportunity to talk to a man who trained dolphins. I asked him, “Are dolphins really as intelligent as they seem?” He said, “In some ways, yes, and in some ways, no. They are very intelligent in many ways because a dolphin can read a symbol and understand what it means.” That is amazing to me. But Jesus didn’t compare us to dolphins. He compared us to sheep. And sheep are some of the stupidest animals around. They are vulnerable, easily spooked, can’t run very fast, and lack any means of defending themselves. What’s more, they are in constant need of care and attention. Sheep are known to follow each other even to their own death. It has been documented that if one sheep walks off a cliff, others will follow. The Bible says, “All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own” (Isaiah 53:6 NLT). And, you have to admit, that description hits pretty close to home. Think about how many people have bought into the same lies, generation after generation. They fall into the same junk, the same addictions, and the same traps again and again. If we’re honest with ourselves, we must admit that we are strayers. We put distance between ourselves and God. Of course, our Shepherd will not stand idly by while we get lost following our own path. Jesus makes that clear in His parable of the lost sheep. “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders. When he arrives, he will call together his friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep’” (Luke 15:4–6  NLT). Psalm 23, one of the best-known passages in all of Scripture, reminds us that there are advantages to being sheep. “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” (verses 1–3 NLT). We are like sheep. There’s no getting around that. The question is, are you going to be a smart sheep or a dumb one? Smart sheep stay close to the Shepherd. And that’s where we all need to be.   Reflection question: What might cause you to stray from Jesus? 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 Partner

A Foundation in the Word | Matthew 24:35A Foundation in the Word | Matthew 24:35“Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.” (Matthew 24:35 NLT)   One reason believers may start to feel shaky in their relationship with God is that they haven’t built a solid foundation for their lives. So, when circumstances threaten their well-being, they don’t always know where to turn. And that leaves them feeling distant from the Lord. Where will you turn in a time of crisis? When tragedy hits? When disaster strikes? Will it be your favorite website? The morning newspaper? The evening news? You’ll need something to give you strength and direction in your time of despair. Here’s a tip: You won’t find a better resource than the Word of God. As one pastor said, “One gem from that ocean is worth all the pebbles of earthly streams.” Just a single gem from the ocean of God’s Word can make all the difference when tragedy or hardship strikes. How many people in their affliction have found comfort from Scripture? Trusting in what God has said in His Word can sustain us and give us direction, hope, and comfort when we need them most. Inspirational platitudes or clever sayings won’t help—at least, not for very long—but the Word of God always will. It’s been said that those who reject the Bible have nothing to live by. Neither do they have anything to die by. Ideas and philosophies go in and out of style with the passing of years, but the Word of God never goes out of style. It never goes out of date, unlike this morning’s news. The Word of God will always be relevant. That’s why C. S. Lewis said, “All that is not eternal is eternally out of date.” And it’s why Jesus Himself said, “Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear” (Matthew 24:35 NLT). Jesus emphasized the importance of having a solid foundation grounded in God’s truth in His parable of the wise and foolish builders in Matthew 7:24–27. The wise man built his house on the rock. When the rains came, when the storms of life threatened his well-being, it did not fall. The structure may have been shaken to its core, but it withstood everything that was thrown at it. Because it had a strong foundation. The foolish man, on the other hand, built his house on sand. He didn’t prioritize a strong foundation. When the rains came, his house collapsed with a great crash. I urge you to get a good foundation in God’s Word because it’s only a matter of time until the storms of life rain down on you and hardship strikes. It happens in every life, without exception. But if you have a good foundation in the Word of God, then you’ll be ready for difficulty when it comes. Don’t wait until then to try to catch up. Get that foundation now.   Reflection question: What are some of the biblical truths, promises, priorities, and commands that make up a solid foundation for 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 Partner“Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.” (Matthew 24:35 NLT)   One reason believers may start to feel shaky in their relationship with God is that they haven’t built a solid foundation for their lives. So, when circumstances threaten their well-being, they don’t always know where to turn. And that leaves them feeling distant from the Lord. Where will you turn in a time of crisis? When tragedy hits? When disaster strikes? Will it be your favorite website? The morning newspaper? The evening news? You’ll need something to give you strength and direction in your time of despair. Here’s a tip: You won’t find a better resource than the Word of God. As one pastor said, “One gem from that ocean is worth all the pebbles of earthly streams.” Just a single gem from the ocean of God’s Word can make all the difference when tragedy or hardship strikes. How many people in their affliction have found comfort from Scripture? Trusting in what God has said in His Word can sustain us and give us direction, hope, and comfort when we need them most. Inspirational platitudes or clever sayings won’t help—at least, not for very long—but the Word of God always will. It’s been said that those who reject the Bible have nothing to live by. Neither do they have anything to die by. Ideas and philosophies go in and out of style with the passing of years, but the Word of God never goes out of style. It never goes out of date, unlike this morning’s news. The Word of God will always be relevant. That’s why C. S. Lewis said, “All that is not eternal is eternally out of date.” And it’s why Jesus Himself said, “Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear” (Matthew 24:35 NLT). Jesus emphasized the importance of having a solid foundation grounded in God’s truth in His parable of the wise and foolish builders in Matthew 7:24–27. The wise man built his house on the rock. When the rains came, when the storms of life threatened his well-being, it did not fall. The structure may have been shaken to its core, but it withstood everything that was thrown at it. Because it had a strong foundation. The foolish man, on the other hand, built his house on sand. He didn’t prioritize a strong foundation. When the rains came, his house collapsed with a great crash. I urge you to get a good foundation in God’s Word because it’s only a matter of time until the storms of life rain down on you and hardship strikes. It happens in every life, without exception. But if you have a good foundation in the Word of God, then you’ll be ready for difficulty when it comes. Don’t wait until then to try to catch up. Get that foundation now.   Reflection question: What are some of the biblical truths, promises, priorities, and commands that make up a solid foundation for 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 Partner

Losing Weight | Hebrews 12:1Losing Weight | Hebrews 12:1“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.” (Hebrews 12:1 NLT)   Feeling distant from God is not a unique experience. At some point in their lives, all believers—including the heroes of the faith in the Bible—experience it. Jesus Himself cried, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” (Matthew 27:46 NLT). In this week’s devotions, we’re going to look at ways to close the distance between us and God. We’re going to start by looking at the personal baggage that keeps us from reaching our God-given potential and experiencing the kind of relationship with God that He desires. I’m the kind of person who likes to drag a lot of stuff with me when I travel. It isn’t that I’m a rookie traveler. Not at all! I’ve traveled all over the world for many years. Yet I still overpack. You’d think that I would have learned my lesson by now. But no, I still want to drag along almost everything I own—even though I know that excess baggage makes traveling more hassled, complicated, and expensive. In the same way, when we’re running the race of life, we need to travel light. Sometimes we tend to drag along a lot of excess weight. The author of Hebrews wrote, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us” (Hebrews 12:1 NLT). Sin is sin, and it will always trip us up and cause us to fall. But there might also be other weights in our lives—weights that aren’t necessarily sins, but nevertheless trouble us, slow us down, and impede our spiritual progress. These weights might include such things as certain habits, misplaced priorities, or seemingly harmless distractions. Often, they weigh us down without our realizing it. That’s why I periodically take stock of my life as a Christian and look at the things I’m doing with my time. I ask myself questions such as, “Is it a wing or a weight? Is it speeding me on my way spiritually, or is it slowing me down? Is it increasing my spiritual appetite, or is it dulling it?” Often, we allow ourselves to become busy doing a lot of things that aren’t really all that important. They just seem important at the time. We must ask ourselves if we need to do those things. Are they slowing us down? Are they keeping us from running the race God has given us? Lay aside the weight and the sin that hinder your progress, and see how the Christian life changes for you.   Reflection question: What are some things that might slow you down, spiritually speaking? 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 Partner“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.” (Hebrews 12:1 NLT)   Feeling distant from God is not a unique experience. At some point in their lives, all believers—including the heroes of the faith in the Bible—experience it. Jesus Himself cried, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” (Matthew 27:46 NLT). In this week’s devotions, we’re going to look at ways to close the distance between us and God. We’re going to start by looking at the personal baggage that keeps us from reaching our God-given potential and experiencing the kind of relationship with God that He desires. I’m the kind of person who likes to drag a lot of stuff with me when I travel. It isn’t that I’m a rookie traveler. Not at all! I’ve traveled all over the world for many years. Yet I still overpack. You’d think that I would have learned my lesson by now. But no, I still want to drag along almost everything I own—even though I know that excess baggage makes traveling more hassled, complicated, and expensive. In the same way, when we’re running the race of life, we need to travel light. Sometimes we tend to drag along a lot of excess weight. The author of Hebrews wrote, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us” (Hebrews 12:1 NLT). Sin is sin, and it will always trip us up and cause us to fall. But there might also be other weights in our lives—weights that aren’t necessarily sins, but nevertheless trouble us, slow us down, and impede our spiritual progress. These weights might include such things as certain habits, misplaced priorities, or seemingly harmless distractions. Often, they weigh us down without our realizing it. That’s why I periodically take stock of my life as a Christian and look at the things I’m doing with my time. I ask myself questions such as, “Is it a wing or a weight? Is it speeding me on my way spiritually, or is it slowing me down? Is it increasing my spiritual appetite, or is it dulling it?” Often, we allow ourselves to become busy doing a lot of things that aren’t really all that important. They just seem important at the time. We must ask ourselves if we need to do those things. Are they slowing us down? Are they keeping us from running the race God has given us? Lay aside the weight and the sin that hinder your progress, and see how the Christian life changes for you.   Reflection question: What are some things that might slow you down, spiritually speaking? 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 Partner

A Crowd of Witnesses | Hebrews 12:1–2A Crowd of Witnesses | Hebrews 12:1–2“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.” (Hebrews 12:1–2 NLT)   Over the past two weeks, we’ve looked at several Old Testament characters. In Hebrews 12:1–2, the significance of their lives, their experiences, their struggles, their victories, and their testimonies is brought home to us. One chapter earlier, the author of Hebrews recapped many of their stories in what’s often called the “Faith Hall of Fame.” The placement of the exhortation in Hebrews 12:1–2 seems to suggest that these “hall of famers,” these heroes of the faith—Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Rahab, Gideon, David, Daniel, and others—take a rooting interest in our spiritual race. “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne” (NLT). These people of faith who went before us gave us models to follow so that we might live and exercise our faith as they did. Reading about the lives of these men and women who walked with God and trusted Christ and stood strong in the face of trials and persecutions can add steel to our souls. But they didn’t just give us templates to follow. They are also observing us and taking note of our progress in the faith. This “crowd of witnesses” is watching us and cheering us on, if you will. That’s just one interpretation of the passage, of course. We don’t know for certain that there are heavenly grandstands where people monitor the progress of loved ones living out their lives on earth. But it wouldn’t surprise me if that were true. I do, however, know this much: We are in the race of our lives on earth, and none of us knows how long it will last. So, we must make the most of it. We must live our lives to please not the bystanders but the Lord Himself. We must make decisions and interact with others in ways that honor and pique curiosity about Him. We must leave a legacy that inspires other believers—the ones we will cheer on when we join the crowd of witnesses.   Reflection question: How does knowing that you have a crowd of witnesses impact your Christian race? 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 Partner“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.” (Hebrews 12:1–2 NLT)   Over the past two weeks, we’ve looked at several Old Testament characters. In Hebrews 12:1–2, the significance of their lives, their experiences, their struggles, their victories, and their testimonies is brought home to us. One chapter earlier, the author of Hebrews recapped many of their stories in what’s often called the “Faith Hall of Fame.” The placement of the exhortation in Hebrews 12:1–2 seems to suggest that these “hall of famers,” these heroes of the faith—Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Rahab, Gideon, David, Daniel, and others—take a rooting interest in our spiritual race. “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne” (NLT). These people of faith who went before us gave us models to follow so that we might live and exercise our faith as they did. Reading about the lives of these men and women who walked with God and trusted Christ and stood strong in the face of trials and persecutions can add steel to our souls. But they didn’t just give us templates to follow. They are also observing us and taking note of our progress in the faith. This “crowd of witnesses” is watching us and cheering us on, if you will. That’s just one interpretation of the passage, of course. We don’t know for certain that there are heavenly grandstands where people monitor the progress of loved ones living out their lives on earth. But it wouldn’t surprise me if that were true. I do, however, know this much: We are in the race of our lives on earth, and none of us knows how long it will last. So, we must make the most of it. We must live our lives to please not the bystanders but the Lord Himself. We must make decisions and interact with others in ways that honor and pique curiosity about Him. We must leave a legacy that inspires other believers—the ones we will cheer on when we join the crowd of witnesses.   Reflection question: How does knowing that you have a crowd of witnesses impact your Christian race? 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 Partner

Days of Doubt | Psalm 42:11Days of Doubt | Psalm 42:11“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 even the most spiritual people to have days of doubt. Moses, on one occasion at least, was overwhelmed by his circumstances. After he had listened to the constant complaining of the children of Israel, 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 Jezebel had put a contract out on his life. He was overwhelmed by his circumstances, discouraged, uncertain, and filled with doubt. First Kings 19:3–4 says, “Elijah was afraid and fled for his life. He went to Beersheba, a town in Judah, and he left his servant there. Then he went on alone into the wilderness, traveling all day. He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die. ‘I have had enough, Lord,’ he said. ‘Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died’” (NLT). The Old Testament prophet Jeremiah struggled occasionally, too. He was ridiculed and harassed for sharing the Word of God—so much so that he wanted to stop. He prayed, “O Lord, you misled me, and I allowed myself to be misled. You are stronger than I am, and you overpowered me. Now I am mocked every day; everyone laughs at me.When I speak, the words burst out. ‘Violence and destruction!’ I shout. So these messages from the Lord have made me a household joke. But if I say I’ll never mention the Lord or speak in his name, his word burns in my heart like a fire. It’s like a fire in my bones! I am worn out trying to hold it in! I can’t do it!” (Jeremiah 20:7–9 NLT). Even the great apostle Paul had moments when he was discouraged. He wrote to the church at Corinth, “We think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. 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 you struggle with doubt, uncertainty, anxiety, or depression, you’re in good company. And, like the heroes of the faith, you need to be reminded that we can’t always see the big picture of God’s plan. But we can echo the words of the psalmist who said, “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). Remember: We can always trust God’s heart, even when we can’t trace His path.   Reflection question: How will you respond when doubt, anxiety, or depression threaten to overwhelm 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 Partner“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 even the most spiritual people to have days of doubt. Moses, on one occasion at least, was overwhelmed by his circumstances. After he had listened to the constant complaining of the children of Israel, 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 Jezebel had put a contract out on his life. He was overwhelmed by his circumstances, discouraged, uncertain, and filled with doubt. First Kings 19:3–4 says, “Elijah was afraid and fled for his life. He went to Beersheba, a town in Judah, and he left his servant there. Then he went on alone into the wilderness, traveling all day. He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die. ‘I have had enough, Lord,’ he said. ‘Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died’” (NLT). The Old Testament prophet Jeremiah struggled occasionally, too. He was ridiculed and harassed for sharing the Word of God—so much so that he wanted to stop. He prayed, “O Lord, you misled me, and I allowed myself to be misled. You are stronger than I am, and you overpowered me. Now I am mocked every day; everyone laughs at me.When I speak, the words burst out. ‘Violence and destruction!’ I shout. So these messages from the Lord have made me a household joke. But if I say I’ll never mention the Lord or speak in his name, his word burns in my heart like a fire. It’s like a fire in my bones! I am worn out trying to hold it in! I can’t do it!” (Jeremiah 20:7–9 NLT). Even the great apostle Paul had moments when he was discouraged. He wrote to the church at Corinth, “We think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. 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 you struggle with doubt, uncertainty, anxiety, or depression, you’re in good company. And, like the heroes of the faith, you need to be reminded that we can’t always see the big picture of God’s plan. But we can echo the words of the psalmist who said, “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). Remember: We can always trust God’s heart, even when we can’t trace His path.   Reflection question: How will you respond when doubt, anxiety, or depression threaten to overwhelm 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 Partner

The Importance of Getting Up | Romans 4:1–3The Importance of Getting Up | Romans 4:1–3“Abraham was, humanly speaking, the founder of our Jewish nation. What did he discover about being made right with God? If his good deeds had made him acceptable to God, he would have had something to boast about. But that was not God’s way. For the Scriptures tell us, ‘Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.’” (Romans 4:1–3 NLT)   The Bible doesn’t teach that if you’re a Christian, you’ll never stumble or periodically fall short. But it does teach that if you’re a true believer, when you’ve had a lapse or a stumble, you will always get up and move forward. That’s the way to determine whether a person is really a believer or not. When God came to Abraham in Ur and told him to break away from his family, Abraham basically refused and didn’t go for years. Even after he left, he only partially obeyed God by dragging his nephew Lot along. This only resulted in more friction down the road, when he and Lot eventually parted company. Abraham told his beautiful wife, Sarah, to say that she was his sister because he was afraid someone would kill him if they realized he was indeed her husband. He did that on two occasions. After God promised him a son—an heir to continue his lineage—Abraham tried to force the Lord’s hand by fathering a child with Sarah’s handmaiden, Hagar. That decision resulted in immeasurable heartache and strife. These were just a few of the lapses of faith and acts of disobedience that marked Abraham’s life. It’s important to note, however, that although Abraham deviated from God’s path on occasion, he always came back. He never drifted too far from the One who made a covenant with him. That’s why the apostle Paul wrote, “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith” (Romans 4:3 NLT). No stumble is too great, no fall is too steep, to recover from. First John 1:9 says, “But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness” (NLT). Acts 3:19 says, “Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away” (NLT). When you turn to God and away from the sin that caused you to stumble, you regain your forward momentum on the right path, just as Abraham did time and time again. If a person says he or she is a believer and falls away and never comes back, then that person is not a believer. The apostle John put it this way: “When they left, it proved that they did not belong with us” (1 John 2:19 NLT). But if a person is a true believer, then he or she will be miserable in sin and eventually will beat a quick path back to the cross of Calvary.   Reflection question: What does moving forward after a spiritual fall 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 Partner“Abraham was, humanly speaking, the founder of our Jewish nation. What did he discover about being made right with God? If his good deeds had made him acceptable to God, he would have had something to boast about. But that was not God’s way. For the Scriptures tell us, ‘Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.’” (Romans 4:1–3 NLT)   The Bible doesn’t teach that if you’re a Christian, you’ll never stumble or periodically fall short. But it does teach that if you’re a true believer, when you’ve had a lapse or a stumble, you will always get up and move forward. That’s the way to determine whether a person is really a believer or not. When God came to Abraham in Ur and told him to break away from his family, Abraham basically refused and didn’t go for years. Even after he left, he only partially obeyed God by dragging his nephew Lot along. This only resulted in more friction down the road, when he and Lot eventually parted company. Abraham told his beautiful wife, Sarah, to say that she was his sister because he was afraid someone would kill him if they realized he was indeed her husband. He did that on two occasions. After God promised him a son—an heir to continue his lineage—Abraham tried to force the Lord’s hand by fathering a child with Sarah’s handmaiden, Hagar. That decision resulted in immeasurable heartache and strife. These were just a few of the lapses of faith and acts of disobedience that marked Abraham’s life. It’s important to note, however, that although Abraham deviated from God’s path on occasion, he always came back. He never drifted too far from the One who made a covenant with him. That’s why the apostle Paul wrote, “Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith” (Romans 4:3 NLT). No stumble is too great, no fall is too steep, to recover from. First John 1:9 says, “But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness” (NLT). Acts 3:19 says, “Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away” (NLT). When you turn to God and away from the sin that caused you to stumble, you regain your forward momentum on the right path, just as Abraham did time and time again. If a person says he or she is a believer and falls away and never comes back, then that person is not a believer. The apostle John put it this way: “When they left, it proved that they did not belong with us” (1 John 2:19 NLT). But if a person is a true believer, then he or she will be miserable in sin and eventually will beat a quick path back to the cross of Calvary.   Reflection question: What does moving forward after a spiritual fall 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 Partner

Dropped but Not Forgotten | 2 Samuel 9:1Dropped but Not Forgotten | 2 Samuel 9:1“One day David asked, ‘Is anyone in Saul’s family still alive—anyone to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?’” (2 Samuel 9:1 NLT)   Mephibosheth was only five years old when his father, Jonathan, and his grandfather, Saul, were killed on the battlefield. Imagine, if you will, life as he had known it up to that point. The privilege and potential of his pampered life as a prince could not have prepared him for the hard life he would face in the future. Mephibosheth enjoyed life in the palace as a young prince, with people waiting on him hand and foot. He enjoyed the further blessing of being raised by his godly father, Jonathan. Life was good for this young boy. But there were dark clouds gathering in his world. In one moment, through no fault of his own, his entire life would change forever. His father, Jonathan, anticipated that things were going to change. That’s why he persuaded David to make an agreement to look out for his descendants after he was gone. He made David promise to show kindness to his family forever. David willingly made that promise, and he kept it. When news hit the palace that Saul and Jonathan had been killed on the battlefield, the nurse who was caring for Mephibosheth, in her frenzied state, dropped the little boy on the ground. As a result, he was crippled for life. Perhaps you’ve gone through hardships in your childhood. Maybe something traumatic has happened to you. Maybe you’ve been dropped in life, so to speak. Maybe you wonder if anything good can come out of your life. The answer is a resounding yes—thanks to God’s love, compassion, and mercy. Mephibosheth was dropped in life, but God intervened. In fact, God specializes in taking people who have been dropped and picking them up again. God prompted David to ask, “Is anyone in Saul’s family still alive—anyone to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” (2 Samuel 9:1 NLT). And when David learned of Mephibosheth’s plight, he showed extraordinary kindness to the man who had suffered so much. Not only did David make sure that Mephibosheth was cared for and provided for, but he also made sure that his life had purpose and meaning. He gave Mephibosheth the land and servants of his grandfather. He invited Mephibosheth to dine at his table. Through David, God picked up the one who had been dropped. And if you’ve been dropped, God will do the same for you. This story from 2 Samuel 9 offers comfort to those in need. But it also presents a challenge and opportunity to God’s people. Though we aren’t bound by a promise as David was, we have a responsibility to reach out to people in need. We have the opportunity to be instruments of God’s love and compassion to lift those who have been dropped.   Reflection question: What would caring for someone who’s been “dropped” 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 Partner“One day David asked, ‘Is anyone in Saul’s family still alive—anyone to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?’” (2 Samuel 9:1 NLT)   Mephibosheth was only five years old when his father, Jonathan, and his grandfather, Saul, were killed on the battlefield. Imagine, if you will, life as he had known it up to that point. The privilege and potential of his pampered life as a prince could not have prepared him for the hard life he would face in the future. Mephibosheth enjoyed life in the palace as a young prince, with people waiting on him hand and foot. He enjoyed the further blessing of being raised by his godly father, Jonathan. Life was good for this young boy. But there were dark clouds gathering in his world. In one moment, through no fault of his own, his entire life would change forever. His father, Jonathan, anticipated that things were going to change. That’s why he persuaded David to make an agreement to look out for his descendants after he was gone. He made David promise to show kindness to his family forever. David willingly made that promise, and he kept it. When news hit the palace that Saul and Jonathan had been killed on the battlefield, the nurse who was caring for Mephibosheth, in her frenzied state, dropped the little boy on the ground. As a result, he was crippled for life. Perhaps you’ve gone through hardships in your childhood. Maybe something traumatic has happened to you. Maybe you’ve been dropped in life, so to speak. Maybe you wonder if anything good can come out of your life. The answer is a resounding yes—thanks to God’s love, compassion, and mercy. Mephibosheth was dropped in life, but God intervened. In fact, God specializes in taking people who have been dropped and picking them up again. God prompted David to ask, “Is anyone in Saul’s family still alive—anyone to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” (2 Samuel 9:1 NLT). And when David learned of Mephibosheth’s plight, he showed extraordinary kindness to the man who had suffered so much. Not only did David make sure that Mephibosheth was cared for and provided for, but he also made sure that his life had purpose and meaning. He gave Mephibosheth the land and servants of his grandfather. He invited Mephibosheth to dine at his table. Through David, God picked up the one who had been dropped. And if you’ve been dropped, God will do the same for you. This story from 2 Samuel 9 offers comfort to those in need. But it also presents a challenge and opportunity to God’s people. Though we aren’t bound by a promise as David was, we have a responsibility to reach out to people in need. We have the opportunity to be instruments of God’s love and compassion to lift those who have been dropped.   Reflection question: What would caring for someone who’s been “dropped” 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 Partner

Life After Death | Job 14:14Life After Death | Job 14:14“Can the dead live again? If so, this would give me hope through all my years of struggle, and I would eagerly await the release of death.” (Job 14:14 NLT)   The book of Job tells the story of a righteous, faithful man who suffers terribly because Satan wants to prove that his righteousness and faithfulness will last only as long as God’s obvious blessings in his life. With God’s permission, Satan takes away Job’s beloved children, his wealth and possessions, and his good health. Job remains righteous and faithful through his suffering, even when his wife and friends turn on him. Yet he has no idea why any of these tragedies are befalling him. So, he begins a frank dialogue with God. And from the depths of his misery, he says, “Can the dead live again? If so, this would give me hope through all my years of struggle, and I would eagerly await the release of death” (Job 14:14 NLT). Can the dead live again? Few questions are more important—or more consequential. In fact, everyone should ask it (or some variation of it). “What’s going to happen to me when I die? What is there beyond this place called earth?” Before I became a Christian, I thought about death on a semiregular basis. It isn’t that I was obsessed with the subject or that I wanted to die. My belief at the time was that once people stopped living, they simply ceased to exist. I wasn’t certain that there was a place called Heaven. And I hoped that there wasn’t a place called Hell. My conclusion was that when you’re gone, you’re gone. It’s all over with. Needless to say, I’ve never been so glad to be wrong about something in my life. We all know that death is coming, but that is far from the end of the story. Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life” (John 5:24 NLT). Because of what Jesus Christ did on the cross, and because He rose from the dead three days later, we as Christians have the hope that when we die, we will go immediately into the presence of God and into a wonderful place called Heaven. That’s why the resurrection of Jesus from the dead is one of the most important biblical truths there is. The resurrection of Christ from the dead, next to the crucifixion itself, is the most significant event in church history. It isn’t a peripheral issue; it’s foundational. It’s bedrock. It’s the bottom line. If you’ve placed your faith in Christ, you can rejoice and look forward to what awaits you beyond this life. But you also have a responsibility to share the Good News with others. Everyone who calls on Jesus will receive eternal life. But, as the apostle Paul wrote, “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?” (Romans 10:14 NLT).   Reflection question: Who in your life needs to hear about the eternal life that Jesus offers? 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 Partner“Can the dead live again? If so, this would give me hope through all my years of struggle, and I would eagerly await the release of death.” (Job 14:14 NLT)   The book of Job tells the story of a righteous, faithful man who suffers terribly because Satan wants to prove that his righteousness and faithfulness will last only as long as God’s obvious blessings in his life. With God’s permission, Satan takes away Job’s beloved children, his wealth and possessions, and his good health. Job remains righteous and faithful through his suffering, even when his wife and friends turn on him. Yet he has no idea why any of these tragedies are befalling him. So, he begins a frank dialogue with God. And from the depths of his misery, he says, “Can the dead live again? If so, this would give me hope through all my years of struggle, and I would eagerly await the release of death” (Job 14:14 NLT). Can the dead live again? Few questions are more important—or more consequential. In fact, everyone should ask it (or some variation of it). “What’s going to happen to me when I die? What is there beyond this place called earth?” Before I became a Christian, I thought about death on a semiregular basis. It isn’t that I was obsessed with the subject or that I wanted to die. My belief at the time was that once people stopped living, they simply ceased to exist. I wasn’t certain that there was a place called Heaven. And I hoped that there wasn’t a place called Hell. My conclusion was that when you’re gone, you’re gone. It’s all over with. Needless to say, I’ve never been so glad to be wrong about something in my life. We all know that death is coming, but that is far from the end of the story. Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life” (John 5:24 NLT). Because of what Jesus Christ did on the cross, and because He rose from the dead three days later, we as Christians have the hope that when we die, we will go immediately into the presence of God and into a wonderful place called Heaven. That’s why the resurrection of Jesus from the dead is one of the most important biblical truths there is. The resurrection of Christ from the dead, next to the crucifixion itself, is the most significant event in church history. It isn’t a peripheral issue; it’s foundational. It’s bedrock. It’s the bottom line. If you’ve placed your faith in Christ, you can rejoice and look forward to what awaits you beyond this life. But you also have a responsibility to share the Good News with others. Everyone who calls on Jesus will receive eternal life. But, as the apostle Paul wrote, “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?” (Romans 10:14 NLT).   Reflection question: Who in your life needs to hear about the eternal life that Jesus offers? 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 Partner

Set Your Affairs in Order | 2 Kings 20:1Set Your Affairs in Order | 2 Kings 20:1“About that time Hezekiah became deathly ill, and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to visit him. He gave the king this message: ‘This is what the Lord says: Set your affairs in order, for you are going to die. You will not recover from this illness.’” (2 Kings 20:1 NLT)   Over the years, I’ve done a lot of funerals and memorial services. I’ve also visited people who were at death’s door. I can tell you that when life comes to an end, there are three things that really matter: faith, family, and friends. Of number one importance is your faith, your relationship with God. I’ve heard countless people say with deep regret, “I wish I’d spent more time walking closely with God. I wish I’d made more time for spiritual things.” They recognize that they will have to stand before God Almighty and answer for the choices they made and the things they prioritized. How sad it is when people realize that they have squandered their lives. The second-most important priority is your family. It’s a hard thing to get to the end of your life and say, “I wish I’d been a better father” or “I wish I’d been a better mother.” You won’t be concerned about how much money you made or how many possessions you ended up with. You won’t care whether you spent enough time at the office or whether you got enough promotions. Neither your financial portfolio nor your résumé will transfer to Heaven. What matters is the people you leave behind—your spouse, kids, siblings. What matters is whether you fulfilled your God-given responsibilities to them. Whether you gave them the choicest morsels of your time and attention. Whether you live in a way that will inspire, encourage, and guide them when you’re gone. The third-most important priority is friends. Hebrews 10:24 says, “Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works” (NLT). The Lord surrounds us with people not just so they can keep us company. Every relationship gives us an opportunity to lift someone up, to be a source of motivation and encouragement, to help that person reach their God-given potential. Realizing at the end of life that we squandered such a precious opportunity is a bitter pill to swallow. When King Hezekiah was close to death, the prophet Isaiah told him, “Set your affairs in order” (2 Kings 20:1 NLT). In other words, prioritize the things that are truly important. His words should resonate with all of God’s people. The reality is that none of us knows for sure how much longer we have to live. But we know what our priorities must be. And as long as we draw breath, we have the opportunity to live those priorities, to pour ourselves into our faith, family, and friends. To make a genuine difference in those areas so that we have no regrets when we find ourselves in King Hezekiah’s position. Are your affairs in order today?   Reflection question: What would setting your affairs in order 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 Partner“About that time Hezekiah became deathly ill, and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz went to visit him. He gave the king this message: ‘This is what the Lord says: Set your affairs in order, for you are going to die. You will not recover from this illness.’” (2 Kings 20:1 NLT)   Over the years, I’ve done a lot of funerals and memorial services. I’ve also visited people who were at death’s door. I can tell you that when life comes to an end, there are three things that really matter: faith, family, and friends. Of number one importance is your faith, your relationship with God. I’ve heard countless people say with deep regret, “I wish I’d spent more time walking closely with God. I wish I’d made more time for spiritual things.” They recognize that they will have to stand before God Almighty and answer for the choices they made and the things they prioritized. How sad it is when people realize that they have squandered their lives. The second-most important priority is your family. It’s a hard thing to get to the end of your life and say, “I wish I’d been a better father” or “I wish I’d been a better mother.” You won’t be concerned about how much money you made or how many possessions you ended up with. You won’t care whether you spent enough time at the office or whether you got enough promotions. Neither your financial portfolio nor your résumé will transfer to Heaven. What matters is the people you leave behind—your spouse, kids, siblings. What matters is whether you fulfilled your God-given responsibilities to them. Whether you gave them the choicest morsels of your time and attention. Whether you live in a way that will inspire, encourage, and guide them when you’re gone. The third-most important priority is friends. Hebrews 10:24 says, “Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works” (NLT). The Lord surrounds us with people not just so they can keep us company. Every relationship gives us an opportunity to lift someone up, to be a source of motivation and encouragement, to help that person reach their God-given potential. Realizing at the end of life that we squandered such a precious opportunity is a bitter pill to swallow. When King Hezekiah was close to death, the prophet Isaiah told him, “Set your affairs in order” (2 Kings 20:1 NLT). In other words, prioritize the things that are truly important. His words should resonate with all of God’s people. The reality is that none of us knows for sure how much longer we have to live. But we know what our priorities must be. And as long as we draw breath, we have the opportunity to live those priorities, to pour ourselves into our faith, family, and friends. To make a genuine difference in those areas so that we have no regrets when we find ourselves in King Hezekiah’s position. Are your affairs in order today?   Reflection question: What would setting your affairs in order 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 Partner

Circumstantially Speaking | Judges 6:36–37Circumstantially Speaking | Judges 6:36–37“Then Gideon said to God, ‘If you are truly going to use me to rescue Israel as you promised, prove it to me in this way. I will put a wool fleece on the threshing floor tonight. If the fleece is wet with dew in the morning but the ground is dry, then I will know that you are going to help me rescue Israel as you promised.’” (Judges 6:36–37 NLT)   God is multilingual. He can speak to us in any number of ways. He speaks to us through His Word, certainly. He speaks to us through prayer. He speaks to us through our conscience. The Bible records several instances in which God spoke to people through dreams and visions. But God also speaks through circumstances. Although I’m not one to base major life decisions on circumstances alone, there have been times when I’ve sensed that something was the will of God and then had my sense confirmed when things fell into place circumstantially. At other times, circumstances have made it obvious that God was saying no to a particular path or request. A classic example of God’s speaking through circumstances can be found in His calling of Gideon to rescue the people of Israel. Gideon was an extremely humble man, almost to a fault. He didn’t see himself as a rescuer, and he had a hard time wrapping his head around the notion that God saw him in such a light. So, he humbly put God to the test. “Then Gideon said to God, ‘If you are truly going to use me to rescue Israel as you promised, prove it to me in this way. I will put a wool fleece on the threshing floor tonight. If the fleece is wet with dew in the morning but the ground is dry, then I will know that you are going to help me rescue Israel as you promised’” (Judges 6:36–37 NLT). God graciously did as Gideon asked. He intervened ever so slightly in the process of condensation to confirm Gideon’s calling. He spoke through circumstances. In the story of Jonah, God spoke to His prophet through circumstances that involved, among other things, a storm at sea (see Jonah 1:4), a giant fish (see 1:17), a leafy plant (see 4:6), and a hungry worm (see 4:7). God still speaks to us through circumstances today. Often, those circumstances involve other people. There have been times when I was listening to someone preach or talking with a friend and suddenly realized that what the person was saying addressed a situation that I was going through—even though the person was completely unaware of my circumstances. It made me realize that God Himself was speaking to me through those individuals. Maybe God has spoken to you through a pastor or a Christian friend. Or perhaps He has been speaking to you through other circumstances. Listen carefully and remember that God will never contradict His Word.   Reflection question: How might God be speaking to you through circumstances 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 Partner“Then Gideon said to God, ‘If you are truly going to use me to rescue Israel as you promised, prove it to me in this way. I will put a wool fleece on the threshing floor tonight. If the fleece is wet with dew in the morning but the ground is dry, then I will know that you are going to help me rescue Israel as you promised.’” (Judges 6:36–37 NLT)   God is multilingual. He can speak to us in any number of ways. He speaks to us through His Word, certainly. He speaks to us through prayer. He speaks to us through our conscience. The Bible records several instances in which God spoke to people through dreams and visions. But God also speaks through circumstances. Although I’m not one to base major life decisions on circumstances alone, there have been times when I’ve sensed that something was the will of God and then had my sense confirmed when things fell into place circumstantially. At other times, circumstances have made it obvious that God was saying no to a particular path or request. A classic example of God’s speaking through circumstances can be found in His calling of Gideon to rescue the people of Israel. Gideon was an extremely humble man, almost to a fault. He didn’t see himself as a rescuer, and he had a hard time wrapping his head around the notion that God saw him in such a light. So, he humbly put God to the test. “Then Gideon said to God, ‘If you are truly going to use me to rescue Israel as you promised, prove it to me in this way. I will put a wool fleece on the threshing floor tonight. If the fleece is wet with dew in the morning but the ground is dry, then I will know that you are going to help me rescue Israel as you promised’” (Judges 6:36–37 NLT). God graciously did as Gideon asked. He intervened ever so slightly in the process of condensation to confirm Gideon’s calling. He spoke through circumstances. In the story of Jonah, God spoke to His prophet through circumstances that involved, among other things, a storm at sea (see Jonah 1:4), a giant fish (see 1:17), a leafy plant (see 4:6), and a hungry worm (see 4:7). God still speaks to us through circumstances today. Often, those circumstances involve other people. There have been times when I was listening to someone preach or talking with a friend and suddenly realized that what the person was saying addressed a situation that I was going through—even though the person was completely unaware of my circumstances. It made me realize that God Himself was speaking to me through those individuals. Maybe God has spoken to you through a pastor or a Christian friend. Or perhaps He has been speaking to you through other circumstances. Listen carefully and remember that God will never contradict His Word.   Reflection question: How might God be speaking to you through circumstances 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 Partner

Do Not Be Afraid or Discouraged | 2 Chronicles 20:2–4Do Not Be Afraid or Discouraged | 2 Chronicles 20:2–4“Messengers came and told Jehoshaphat, ‘A vast army from Edom is marching against you from beyond the Dead Sea. They are already at Hazazon-tamar.’ (This was another name for En-gedi.) Jehoshaphat was terrified by this news and begged the Lord for guidance. He also ordered everyone in Judah to begin fasting. So people from all the towns of Judah came to Jerusalem to seek the Lord’s help.” (2 Chronicles 20:2–4 NLT)   Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, faced a desperate dilemma. His enemies greatly outnumbered him. To make matters worse, his enemies had joined forces with other enemies of Israel and were coming to destroy him. This was a worst-case scenario—a seemingly hopeless situation. There was no earthly way that Jehoshaphat could challenge this approaching army with the forces he had. He was far too outnumbered. So, what did Jehoshaphat do? The Bible says that he “begged the Lord for guidance” (2 Chronicles 20:3 NLT). He prayed, “O our God, won’t you stop them? We are powerless against this mighty army that is about to attack us. We do not know what to do, but we are looking to you for help” (verse 12 NLT). The Lord told Jehoshaphat, “Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. . . . Take your positions; then stand still and watch the Lord’s victory. He is with you, O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out against them tomorrow, for the Lord is with you!” (verses 15, 17 NLT). Jehoshaphat and his army went out to meet their enemies, but they put their worship team out front. The Bible says that when they began to sing and praise the Lord, the enemy started fighting among themselves and destroyed each other. There are more than a few takeaways from this story. One is that God stands ready to help His people survive and ultimately thrive in even the worst circumstances. Maybe you’re facing what seems like an impossible situation right now. You may not be able to see a way out. But God can. Call on Him. Then stand still and see what He will do. A second takeaway is that Jehoshaphat enjoyed an advantage that we don’t always have. He knew what was coming his way. And even though it appeared to be an absolute worst-case scenario, he knew how to pray. We don’t always know what the future holds. We don’t know if something potentially devastating is heading our way. But God does. And He knows how to prepare us for it. That’s why it’s essential that we stay in constant contact with Him. That we yield ourselves to His will. That we follow His leading. Psalm 145:18 says, “The Lord is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth” (NLT). Call on Him.   Reflection question: What does seeking God’s strength and guidance 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 Partner“Messengers came and told Jehoshaphat, ‘A vast army from Edom is marching against you from beyond the Dead Sea. They are already at Hazazon-tamar.’ (This was another name for En-gedi.) Jehoshaphat was terrified by this news and begged the Lord for guidance. He also ordered everyone in Judah to begin fasting. So people from all the towns of Judah came to Jerusalem to seek the Lord’s help.” (2 Chronicles 20:2–4 NLT)   Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, faced a desperate dilemma. His enemies greatly outnumbered him. To make matters worse, his enemies had joined forces with other enemies of Israel and were coming to destroy him. This was a worst-case scenario—a seemingly hopeless situation. There was no earthly way that Jehoshaphat could challenge this approaching army with the forces he had. He was far too outnumbered. So, what did Jehoshaphat do? The Bible says that he “begged the Lord for guidance” (2 Chronicles 20:3 NLT). He prayed, “O our God, won’t you stop them? We are powerless against this mighty army that is about to attack us. We do not know what to do, but we are looking to you for help” (verse 12 NLT). The Lord told Jehoshaphat, “Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. . . . Take your positions; then stand still and watch the Lord’s victory. He is with you, O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out against them tomorrow, for the Lord is with you!” (verses 15, 17 NLT). Jehoshaphat and his army went out to meet their enemies, but they put their worship team out front. The Bible says that when they began to sing and praise the Lord, the enemy started fighting among themselves and destroyed each other. There are more than a few takeaways from this story. One is that God stands ready to help His people survive and ultimately thrive in even the worst circumstances. Maybe you’re facing what seems like an impossible situation right now. You may not be able to see a way out. But God can. Call on Him. Then stand still and see what He will do. A second takeaway is that Jehoshaphat enjoyed an advantage that we don’t always have. He knew what was coming his way. And even though it appeared to be an absolute worst-case scenario, he knew how to pray. We don’t always know what the future holds. We don’t know if something potentially devastating is heading our way. But God does. And He knows how to prepare us for it. That’s why it’s essential that we stay in constant contact with Him. That we yield ourselves to His will. That we follow His leading. Psalm 145:18 says, “The Lord is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth” (NLT). Call on Him.   Reflection question: What does seeking God’s strength and guidance 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 Partner

For Just Such a Time | Esther 4:13–14For Just Such a Time | Esther 4:13–14“Mordecai sent this reply to Esther: ‘Don’t think for a moment that because you’re in the palace you will escape when all other Jews are killed. If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?’” (Esther 4:13–14 NLT)   The book of Esther contains a wonderfully dramatic story of a young Jewish girl named Esther who became queen of Persia after essentially winning a beauty contest. She was taken into the palace of the king, where she enjoyed the finest food, wore the most beautiful clothing, and was given numerous servants to do her bidding. She lived in the lap of luxury. Hers might have been the ultimate feel-good, rags-to-riches story, but for one significant detail. There was a wicked man named Haman who worked for the king. Haman hated the Jewish people. (He didn’t know about Queen Esther’s background.) He hated them so much, in fact, that he devised a plan to exterminate all Jews living in the kingdom. Esther had an uncle named Mordecai, who became aware of Haman’s genocidal plan. Mordecai turned to the only person he knew who was in a position to counter Haman’s influence with the king: his niece, Esther. At first, Esther was understandably afraid to intervene. She had no idea how much clout she actually had. If she miscalculated, she would be putting her own life at risk. So, Mordecai sent this message to Esther: “Don’t think for a moment that because you’re in the palace you will escape when all other Jews are killed. If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?” (Esther 4:13–14 NLT). His words moved Esther, who intervened with the king and foiled Haman’s plot. The courageous young woman saved her people because she recognized that God had put her in a specific place for a specific reason. Her story serves as an inspiration to all believers. It’s unlikely that any of us will be called by the Lord to avert genocide. But that doesn’t change the fact that we all play key roles in God’s plan—even if we may not fully understand what those roles are. Who’s to say God hasn’t put you where you are right now for such a time as this? In whatever situation you find yourself, seize the moment. Do what you can. That’s what Esther boldly did. God says in Joshua 1:9, “This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (NLT). If you are fearlessly faithful to God in the circumstances you find yourself in, He will accomplish amazing things in and through you.   Reflection question: Why might God have placed you in your present circumstances? 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 Partner“Mordecai sent this reply to Esther: ‘Don’t think for a moment that because you’re in the palace you will escape when all other Jews are killed. If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?’” (Esther 4:13–14 NLT)   The book of Esther contains a wonderfully dramatic story of a young Jewish girl named Esther who became queen of Persia after essentially winning a beauty contest. She was taken into the palace of the king, where she enjoyed the finest food, wore the most beautiful clothing, and was given numerous servants to do her bidding. She lived in the lap of luxury. Hers might have been the ultimate feel-good, rags-to-riches story, but for one significant detail. There was a wicked man named Haman who worked for the king. Haman hated the Jewish people. (He didn’t know about Queen Esther’s background.) He hated them so much, in fact, that he devised a plan to exterminate all Jews living in the kingdom. Esther had an uncle named Mordecai, who became aware of Haman’s genocidal plan. Mordecai turned to the only person he knew who was in a position to counter Haman’s influence with the king: his niece, Esther. At first, Esther was understandably afraid to intervene. She had no idea how much clout she actually had. If she miscalculated, she would be putting her own life at risk. So, Mordecai sent this message to Esther: “Don’t think for a moment that because you’re in the palace you will escape when all other Jews are killed. If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?” (Esther 4:13–14 NLT). His words moved Esther, who intervened with the king and foiled Haman’s plot. The courageous young woman saved her people because she recognized that God had put her in a specific place for a specific reason. Her story serves as an inspiration to all believers. It’s unlikely that any of us will be called by the Lord to avert genocide. But that doesn’t change the fact that we all play key roles in God’s plan—even if we may not fully understand what those roles are. Who’s to say God hasn’t put you where you are right now for such a time as this? In whatever situation you find yourself, seize the moment. Do what you can. That’s what Esther boldly did. God says in Joshua 1:9, “This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (NLT). If you are fearlessly faithful to God in the circumstances you find yourself in, He will accomplish amazing things in and through you.   Reflection question: Why might God have placed you in your present circumstances? 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 Partner

Your Request Has Been Heard | Daniel 10:12–13Your Request Has Been Heard | Daniel 10:12–13“Then he said, ‘Don’t be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer. But for twenty-one days the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia blocked my way. Then Michael, one of the archangels, came to help me, and I left him there with the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia.’” (Daniel 10:12–13 NLT)   An interesting story in the Old Testament book of Daniel offers us a rare, behind-the-scenes look at what happens when we pray. It seems only fitting that the story comes from the book of Daniel because Daniel was one of the great pray-ers in the Bible. He built his daily schedule around his prayer time. He prayed even at the risk of his own life. In Daniel 10:12–13, Daniel receives a message confirming that his prayer reached Heaven. God heard Daniel’s prayer and dispatched an angel with a special message for Daniel. But the angel who was sent from Heaven was held up for twenty-one days because he was engaged in spiritual warfare with a powerful demon spirit. As a result, God dispatched Michael the archangel. (You might say that Michael is a head honcho among angels.) Michael overruled the demon power, and the answer eventually was brought to Daniel. But it took twenty-one days for the answer to get there. That doesn’t necessarily mean that every prayer runs into the same delays. Remember, Daniel was a key figure during a very important time in the history of God’s people. He was a leading light not just among the Jewish people in exile but also among the rulers of Babylon. The devil recognized Daniel’s spiritual potential and did everything in his power—including interfering with Daniel’s prayers—to thwart it. That’s important to remember when our prayers seem to go unanswered. It may be that certain prayers have the potential to cause real damage to our spiritual enemy. He may be working overtime to thwart them. He won’t succeed, of course. But recognizing this possibility may help us be more patient when it comes to prayer. Sometimes when God doesn’t answer our prayers as quickly as we would like Him to, we think that He’s letting us down. We need to understand that delays aren’t necessarily denials. When we pray and don’t see an answer as quickly as we would like, it may be a result of circumstances that we can’t see. Maybe you’ve been praying for someone to come to know the Lord. Maybe you’ve been asking God to heal you. Maybe you’ve been asking the Lord to open doors of opportunity for you to serve Him. Don’t give up. Don’t be discouraged. Keep praying. Jesus said to keep asking, keep seeking, keep knocking, and the door would be opened. So be persistent. And watch what God will do.   Reflection question: What do you do when a prayer seems to go unanswered? 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 Partner“Then he said, ‘Don’t be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer. But for twenty-one days the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia blocked my way. Then Michael, one of the archangels, came to help me, and I left him there with the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia.’” (Daniel 10:12–13 NLT)   An interesting story in the Old Testament book of Daniel offers us a rare, behind-the-scenes look at what happens when we pray. It seems only fitting that the story comes from the book of Daniel because Daniel was one of the great pray-ers in the Bible. He built his daily schedule around his prayer time. He prayed even at the risk of his own life. In Daniel 10:12–13, Daniel receives a message confirming that his prayer reached Heaven. God heard Daniel’s prayer and dispatched an angel with a special message for Daniel. But the angel who was sent from Heaven was held up for twenty-one days because he was engaged in spiritual warfare with a powerful demon spirit. As a result, God dispatched Michael the archangel. (You might say that Michael is a head honcho among angels.) Michael overruled the demon power, and the answer eventually was brought to Daniel. But it took twenty-one days for the answer to get there. That doesn’t necessarily mean that every prayer runs into the same delays. Remember, Daniel was a key figure during a very important time in the history of God’s people. He was a leading light not just among the Jewish people in exile but also among the rulers of Babylon. The devil recognized Daniel’s spiritual potential and did everything in his power—including interfering with Daniel’s prayers—to thwart it. That’s important to remember when our prayers seem to go unanswered. It may be that certain prayers have the potential to cause real damage to our spiritual enemy. He may be working overtime to thwart them. He won’t succeed, of course. But recognizing this possibility may help us be more patient when it comes to prayer. Sometimes when God doesn’t answer our prayers as quickly as we would like Him to, we think that He’s letting us down. We need to understand that delays aren’t necessarily denials. When we pray and don’t see an answer as quickly as we would like, it may be a result of circumstances that we can’t see. Maybe you’ve been praying for someone to come to know the Lord. Maybe you’ve been asking God to heal you. Maybe you’ve been asking the Lord to open doors of opportunity for you to serve Him. Don’t give up. Don’t be discouraged. Keep praying. Jesus said to keep asking, keep seeking, keep knocking, and the door would be opened. So be persistent. And watch what God will do.   Reflection question: What do you do when a prayer seems to go unanswered? 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 Partner

A Time to Prepare | 1 Kings 17:5–7A Time to Prepare | 1 Kings 17:5–7“So Elijah did as the Lord told him and camped beside Kerith Brook, east of the Jordan. The ravens brought him bread and meat each morning and evening, and he drank from the brook. But after a while the brook dried up, for there was no rainfall anywhere in the land.” (1 Kings 17:5–7 NLT)   God said to the prophet Elijah, “Go to the east and hide by Kerith Brook, near where it enters the Jordan River. Drink from the brook and eat what the ravens bring you, for I have commanded them to bring you food” (1 Kings 17:3–4 NLT). At first glance, it might seem as though God was giving Elijah a vacation—some downtime for services rendered. But this was no leisurely camping trip. The ravens didn’t take Elijah’s order, fly to the local fast-food restaurant, and then deliver his meal. Ravens are scavengers. They brought little bits of meat and bread to Elijah. What’s more, the water in the brook from which he drank would have been somewhat polluted. This wasn’t an easy situation by any stretch of the imagination. Even if it had been, Elijah likely would have tired of it pretty quickly. Based on his biblical profile, Elijah was a man of action—confronting, challenging, moving, doing the Lord’s work. How easily he could have said, “Lord, I don’t want to be in this crummy little place, drinking river water. I like being in front of people. I like the limelight.” But Elijah seems to have understood that the Lord was preparing him for something big, something profoundly impactful. Something that would push him to his physical, emotional, and spiritual limits. Not long after his brookside sojourn, Elijah would be standing on Mount Carmel, singlehandedly challenging hundreds of false prophets to a winner-takes-all showdown (see 1 Kings 18:20–40). His raven-assisted stay by the brook wasn’t downtime. It was preparation time. God gave Elijah the time and space he needed to prepare himself for the battle ahead. Sometimes we don’t like where God has put us. We say, “Lord, I don’t like this situation. I want to do something great for You. I want to make a difference in my world.” But that may be because we’re misreading our situation. We may mistake preparation time for downtime. Or may not recognize the opportunities that surround us. Maybe the Lord wants you to be effective right where you are. Maybe He wants you to take advantage of the opportunities in front of you and be faithful in the little things. Who knows what God has in store for you? If God has you by some muddy little brook, so to speak, just hang in there. Be faithful, do what He has already told you, and wait on Him and His timing. God will do something wonderful for you or with you. Just be available and open to do what He would have you do.   Reflection question: How can you prepare spiritually for what lies ahead? 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 Partner“So Elijah did as the Lord told him and camped beside Kerith Brook, east of the Jordan. The ravens brought him bread and meat each morning and evening, and he drank from the brook. But after a while the brook dried up, for there was no rainfall anywhere in the land.” (1 Kings 17:5–7 NLT)   God said to the prophet Elijah, “Go to the east and hide by Kerith Brook, near where it enters the Jordan River. Drink from the brook and eat what the ravens bring you, for I have commanded them to bring you food” (1 Kings 17:3–4 NLT). At first glance, it might seem as though God was giving Elijah a vacation—some downtime for services rendered. But this was no leisurely camping trip. The ravens didn’t take Elijah’s order, fly to the local fast-food restaurant, and then deliver his meal. Ravens are scavengers. They brought little bits of meat and bread to Elijah. What’s more, the water in the brook from which he drank would have been somewhat polluted. This wasn’t an easy situation by any stretch of the imagination. Even if it had been, Elijah likely would have tired of it pretty quickly. Based on his biblical profile, Elijah was a man of action—confronting, challenging, moving, doing the Lord’s work. How easily he could have said, “Lord, I don’t want to be in this crummy little place, drinking river water. I like being in front of people. I like the limelight.” But Elijah seems to have understood that the Lord was preparing him for something big, something profoundly impactful. Something that would push him to his physical, emotional, and spiritual limits. Not long after his brookside sojourn, Elijah would be standing on Mount Carmel, singlehandedly challenging hundreds of false prophets to a winner-takes-all showdown (see 1 Kings 18:20–40). His raven-assisted stay by the brook wasn’t downtime. It was preparation time. God gave Elijah the time and space he needed to prepare himself for the battle ahead. Sometimes we don’t like where God has put us. We say, “Lord, I don’t like this situation. I want to do something great for You. I want to make a difference in my world.” But that may be because we’re misreading our situation. We may mistake preparation time for downtime. Or may not recognize the opportunities that surround us. Maybe the Lord wants you to be effective right where you are. Maybe He wants you to take advantage of the opportunities in front of you and be faithful in the little things. Who knows what God has in store for you? If God has you by some muddy little brook, so to speak, just hang in there. Be faithful, do what He has already told you, and wait on Him and His timing. God will do something wonderful for you or with you. Just be available and open to do what He would have you do.   Reflection question: How can you prepare spiritually for what lies ahead? 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 Partner

An Appointment to Keep | Genesis 3:9An Appointment to Keep | Genesis 3:9“Then the Lord God called to the man, ‘Where are you?’” (Genesis 3:9 NLT)   Over the next two weeks, we’re going to look at the lives of several Old Testament characters. And we’re going to discover that their experiences are still relevant and applicable to us today. We’re going to start at the beginning with Adam and Eve. Adam and Eve enjoyed a unique relationship with God. Only they could say they knew Him before. That is, before they sinned and altered the course of human history. Before their wrongdoing created a gulf between God and humanity that could be bridged only by the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Before their fall, however, Adam and Eve enjoyed a remarkable closeness with God. In fact, they had a standing appointment with Him. Genesis 3:8 says, “When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the Lord God walking about in the garden” (NLT). God strolled through the paradise He created. He visited with Adam and Eve. Imagine their excitement and anticipation as they waited for God’s arrival in the evening. One day Adam and Eve missed that appointment. They had disobeyed Him and eaten from the forbidden tree in the garden. Their shame and guilt kept them from their time with the Lord. So, God called out, “Where are you?” (Genesis 3:9 NLT). I wonder if the Lord would say something similar to people today. “Where are you? I’ve been looking for you. I want to speak to you. I want you to walk with Me, and I want to walk with you.” The Christian life is often referred to as a walk—and for good reason. Amos 3:3 says, “Can two people walk together without agreeing on the direction?” (NLT). The idea is that when two people walk together, they share a common purpose, a connection, a commitment to one another. You must keep an appointment to walk with someone. So, when God walks with us, He’s keeping an appointment. He wants to meet with us on a regular basis. The question is: How often do we keep that appointment? How many times each day does God make Himself available to speak to us, only to be shut out of our appointment book? Imagine Him saying, “I’ve wanted to talk to you for a long time, but you’re too busy. You won’t make time for Me. You won’t open the Word. You rarely pray. And when you do, it’s one-sided. You won’t listen to Me. You have an appointment with Me. Why don’t you keep it?” Obviously, there is no “good” answer to that question. Whatever feeble excuses we may try to offer pale in comparison to the opportunity to spend one-on-one time with the all-knowing, all-powerful Creator of the universe who loves us, wants only the best for us, and knows exactly how we might experience that best. Is there any appointment worth keeping more than the one with Him?   Reflection question: How can you keep a regular appointment with 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 Partner“Then the Lord God called to the man, ‘Where are you?’” (Genesis 3:9 NLT)   Over the next two weeks, we’re going to look at the lives of several Old Testament characters. And we’re going to discover that their experiences are still relevant and applicable to us today. We’re going to start at the beginning with Adam and Eve. Adam and Eve enjoyed a unique relationship with God. Only they could say they knew Him before. That is, before they sinned and altered the course of human history. Before their wrongdoing created a gulf between God and humanity that could be bridged only by the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Before their fall, however, Adam and Eve enjoyed a remarkable closeness with God. In fact, they had a standing appointment with Him. Genesis 3:8 says, “When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the Lord God walking about in the garden” (NLT). God strolled through the paradise He created. He visited with Adam and Eve. Imagine their excitement and anticipation as they waited for God’s arrival in the evening. One day Adam and Eve missed that appointment. They had disobeyed Him and eaten from the forbidden tree in the garden. Their shame and guilt kept them from their time with the Lord. So, God called out, “Where are you?” (Genesis 3:9 NLT). I wonder if the Lord would say something similar to people today. “Where are you? I’ve been looking for you. I want to speak to you. I want you to walk with Me, and I want to walk with you.” The Christian life is often referred to as a walk—and for good reason. Amos 3:3 says, “Can two people walk together without agreeing on the direction?” (NLT). The idea is that when two people walk together, they share a common purpose, a connection, a commitment to one another. You must keep an appointment to walk with someone. So, when God walks with us, He’s keeping an appointment. He wants to meet with us on a regular basis. The question is: How often do we keep that appointment? How many times each day does God make Himself available to speak to us, only to be shut out of our appointment book? Imagine Him saying, “I’ve wanted to talk to you for a long time, but you’re too busy. You won’t make time for Me. You won’t open the Word. You rarely pray. And when you do, it’s one-sided. You won’t listen to Me. You have an appointment with Me. Why don’t you keep it?” Obviously, there is no “good” answer to that question. Whatever feeble excuses we may try to offer pale in comparison to the opportunity to spend one-on-one time with the all-knowing, all-powerful Creator of the universe who loves us, wants only the best for us, and knows exactly how we might experience that best. Is there any appointment worth keeping more than the one with Him?   Reflection question: How can you keep a regular appointment with 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 Partner

When One Door Closes | 1 Kings 17:5–7When One Door Closes | 1 Kings 17:5–7“So Elijah did as the Lord told him and camped beside Kerith Brook, east of the Jordan. The ravens brought him bread and meat each morning and evening, and he drank from the brook. But after a while the brook dried up, for there was no rainfall anywhere in the land.” (1 Kings 17:5–7 NLT)   Elijah proclaimed to King Ahab that a drought would strike the land and would continue for years until he, Elijah, called an end to it—at the Lord’s direction, of course. After Elijah made his proclamation, the Lord gave him these instructions: “Go to the east and hide by Kerith Brook, near where it enters the Jordan River. Drink from the brook and eat what the ravens bring you, for I have commanded them to bring you food” (1 Kings 17:3–4 NLT). That was quite a turnaround. One day Elijah was boldly issuing a proclamation to a king; the next day he was hiding out by a brook. Elijah “did as the Lord told him” (verse 5 NLT), but he must have been a little bewildered. Elijah made do for a while. “The ravens brought him bread and meat each morning and evening, and he drank from the brook. But after a while the brook dried up, for there was no rainfall anywhere in the land” (verses 6–7 NLT). The brook dried up. Those are ominous words for someone whose survival seemed to depend on the brook. Elijah is certainly not the only Bible character to face such a defining—and potentially defeating—moment. Abraham and Sarah’s “brook dried up” when they found themselves childless in old age. Joseph’s “brook dried up” when he was sold into slavery by his brothers. Moses’ “brook dried up” when he killed an Egyptian official and became a fugitive. The apostle Peter’s “brook dried up” when he denied knowing Jesus three times. The disciples’ “brook dried up” when Jesus cried out, “It is finished,” and gave up His life on the cross. Maybe you’ve had a brook dry up in your life as well. Maybe one day your partner said, “I’m leaving. I don’t want to be with you anymore.” And just like that, your relationship was over. Maybe you got a call from the place you’ve worked for twenty years: “Sorry, we’re downsizing.” And just like that, you’re unemployed. Your brook dried up. But what seems like the end of the world may, in fact, be a new beginning. When God closes one door, He opens another. Elijah was about to discover this fact. God was getting him ready, step by step, challenge by challenge. Big things were coming. The next phase was about to start. It’s the same with you. If you’ve been told to head for the hills and be fed by birds, so to speak, if your brook has dried up, if a door has closed in your life, don’t think God is done with you. Just trust Him. He may be getting you ready for phase two. He may be whipping you into shape for something beyond your wildest dreams. As the apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 2:9, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him” (NLT).   Reflection question: How can you keep a proper perspective when a door closes 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 Partner“So Elijah did as the Lord told him and camped beside Kerith Brook, east of the Jordan. The ravens brought him bread and meat each morning and evening, and he drank from the brook. But after a while the brook dried up, for there was no rainfall anywhere in the land.” (1 Kings 17:5–7 NLT)   Elijah proclaimed to King Ahab that a drought would strike the land and would continue for years until he, Elijah, called an end to it—at the Lord’s direction, of course. After Elijah made his proclamation, the Lord gave him these instructions: “Go to the east and hide by Kerith Brook, near where it enters the Jordan River. Drink from the brook and eat what the ravens bring you, for I have commanded them to bring you food” (1 Kings 17:3–4 NLT). That was quite a turnaround. One day Elijah was boldly issuing a proclamation to a king; the next day he was hiding out by a brook. Elijah “did as the Lord told him” (verse 5 NLT), but he must have been a little bewildered. Elijah made do for a while. “The ravens brought him bread and meat each morning and evening, and he drank from the brook. But after a while the brook dried up, for there was no rainfall anywhere in the land” (verses 6–7 NLT). The brook dried up. Those are ominous words for someone whose survival seemed to depend on the brook. Elijah is certainly not the only Bible character to face such a defining—and potentially defeating—moment. Abraham and Sarah’s “brook dried up” when they found themselves childless in old age. Joseph’s “brook dried up” when he was sold into slavery by his brothers. Moses’ “brook dried up” when he killed an Egyptian official and became a fugitive. The apostle Peter’s “brook dried up” when he denied knowing Jesus three times. The disciples’ “brook dried up” when Jesus cried out, “It is finished,” and gave up His life on the cross. Maybe you’ve had a brook dry up in your life as well. Maybe one day your partner said, “I’m leaving. I don’t want to be with you anymore.” And just like that, your relationship was over. Maybe you got a call from the place you’ve worked for twenty years: “Sorry, we’re downsizing.” And just like that, you’re unemployed. Your brook dried up. But what seems like the end of the world may, in fact, be a new beginning. When God closes one door, He opens another. Elijah was about to discover this fact. God was getting him ready, step by step, challenge by challenge. Big things were coming. The next phase was about to start. It’s the same with you. If you’ve been told to head for the hills and be fed by birds, so to speak, if your brook has dried up, if a door has closed in your life, don’t think God is done with you. Just trust Him. He may be getting you ready for phase two. He may be whipping you into shape for something beyond your wildest dreams. As the apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 2:9, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him” (NLT).   Reflection question: How can you keep a proper perspective when a door closes 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 Partner

Aligning with the Right Person | 1 Kings 3:1Aligning with the Right Person | 1 Kings 3:1“Solomon made an alliance with Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, and married one of his daughters. He brought her to live in the City of David until he could finish building his palace and the Temple of the Lord and the wall around the city.” (1 Kings 3:1 NLT)   Solomon’s fall and disillusionment began with a series of compromises, one of which involved marrying the daughter of Pharaoh. Solomon did this because he wanted to establish a political alliance with Egypt. It was a strategic move. For all practical purposes, Solomon “yoked” himself unequally with a nonbeliever—something God had forbidden. God had told the Jewish people not to intermarry with other nations. This was not a racial issue; it was a spiritual issue. God didn’t want the Israelites aligning themselves with people who worshipped false gods. He knew how powerful the temptation of idolatry was. He knew that the Israelites’ hearts would turn away from Him if they established relationships with nonbelievers. God’s warning should resonate with His people today as well. We have an enemy who will use anything—including other people—to disrupt our relationship with God. And when those other unbelieving people inspire a romantic attraction in us, their negative impact is magnified. That’s how the devil took down Samson, perhaps the strongest man who ever lived. Samson had a natural attraction to Philistine women, even though they were not only idol worshippers but also enemies of Israel. The devil fanned the flames of attraction until Samson turned his back on his spiritual responsibilities to pursue ill-considered relationships. The race that is set before us as God’s people is difficult. A wise strategy is to run it with a partner who loves the Lord as much as you do. If you are a single person, you should pray for and wait on the godly man or woman that the Lord will bring into your life. You can be sure He would not want you romantically involved with a person who does not believe. The struggles, temptations, and negative influences are simply too great to be ignored. The Bible tells us, “Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever?” (2 Corinthians 6:14–15 NLT). In the race of life, you want to run with someone who is going in the same direction that you are. And if you are Christians, both you and your mate will be running toward the Lord and His plan and purpose for your lives. Solomon did not live by that principle. He teamed up with people who did not share his faith or his God. Be wiser than the wisest man who ever lived. Don’t become a partner with an unbeliever.   Reflection question: How can you determine whether someone is going in the same direction as you, spiritually speaking? 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 Partner“Solomon made an alliance with Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, and married one of his daughters. He brought her to live in the City of David until he could finish building his palace and the Temple of the Lord and the wall around the city.” (1 Kings 3:1 NLT)   Solomon’s fall and disillusionment began with a series of compromises, one of which involved marrying the daughter of Pharaoh. Solomon did this because he wanted to establish a political alliance with Egypt. It was a strategic move. For all practical purposes, Solomon “yoked” himself unequally with a nonbeliever—something God had forbidden. God had told the Jewish people not to intermarry with other nations. This was not a racial issue; it was a spiritual issue. God didn’t want the Israelites aligning themselves with people who worshipped false gods. He knew how powerful the temptation of idolatry was. He knew that the Israelites’ hearts would turn away from Him if they established relationships with nonbelievers. God’s warning should resonate with His people today as well. We have an enemy who will use anything—including other people—to disrupt our relationship with God. And when those other unbelieving people inspire a romantic attraction in us, their negative impact is magnified. That’s how the devil took down Samson, perhaps the strongest man who ever lived. Samson had a natural attraction to Philistine women, even though they were not only idol worshippers but also enemies of Israel. The devil fanned the flames of attraction until Samson turned his back on his spiritual responsibilities to pursue ill-considered relationships. The race that is set before us as God’s people is difficult. A wise strategy is to run it with a partner who loves the Lord as much as you do. If you are a single person, you should pray for and wait on the godly man or woman that the Lord will bring into your life. You can be sure He would not want you romantically involved with a person who does not believe. The struggles, temptations, and negative influences are simply too great to be ignored. The Bible tells us, “Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever?” (2 Corinthians 6:14–15 NLT). In the race of life, you want to run with someone who is going in the same direction that you are. And if you are Christians, both you and your mate will be running toward the Lord and His plan and purpose for your lives. Solomon did not live by that principle. He teamed up with people who did not share his faith or his God. Be wiser than the wisest man who ever lived. Don’t become a partner with an unbeliever.   Reflection question: How can you determine whether someone is going in the same direction as you, spiritually speaking? 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 Partner

Through Jesus Alone | Romans 5:6Through Jesus Alone | Romans 5:6“When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.” (Romans 5:6 NLT)   In the 1800s in London, a little boy wanted to hear the great American evangelist D. L. Moody, who had come to town to preach. This little street urchin made his way across the entire city of London, risking his very life, with no food or proper shoes. After a long journey, he finally came to the great church where Moody was scheduled to speak. As he made his way up to the door, an old usher scowled at him and asked, “What are you doing, young man?” The boy said, “I am going to go hear the great evangelist D. L. Moody.” “Not looking like that! You are filthy. Go away!” The little boy was crushed. He was sitting on the steps, crying, when a black carriage pulled up in front of the church. Out of it stepped a large man. He saw the sad little boy on the steps and asked, “Young man, what is wrong?” The boy answered, “I came here to hear the great preacher D. L. Moody, but they won’t let me in the church.” “Is that so?” the big man said. “You just put your hand in my hand, and I will see what I can do to help you.” The little boy put his dirty little hand into the man’s big, clean hand. The man led him right down the middle aisle, past the usher who wouldn’t let him in, to the front row. The big guy sat him in a front-row seat. Then the man stepped up to the pulpit. That man was, of course, D. L. Moody. That young boy couldn’t get in on his own, but when he held Moody’s hand, he walked through the front door. So it is with us, because of Jesus. We are filthy in sin. In Psalm 51:5, David wrote, “For I was born a sinner—yes, from the moment my mother conceived me” (NLT). Isaiah 53:6 says, “All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all” (NLT). The apostle Paul wrote, “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard” (Romans 3:23 NLT). Because of our sinfulness, we have no hope of entering Heaven on our own. Our only hope is Jesus, who takes our dirty hand in His clean one and leads us to a front-row seat in God’s presence. As Paul puts it in the next two verses of Romans 3: “Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood” (verses 24–25 NLT). The frustrating reality for many people trying to establish themselves today is also the glorious reality of salvation: It all depends on who you know.   Reflection question: How can you lead someone into Jesus’ 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 Partner“When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.” (Romans 5:6 NLT)   In the 1800s in London, a little boy wanted to hear the great American evangelist D. L. Moody, who had come to town to preach. This little street urchin made his way across the entire city of London, risking his very life, with no food or proper shoes. After a long journey, he finally came to the great church where Moody was scheduled to speak. As he made his way up to the door, an old usher scowled at him and asked, “What are you doing, young man?” The boy said, “I am going to go hear the great evangelist D. L. Moody.” “Not looking like that! You are filthy. Go away!” The little boy was crushed. He was sitting on the steps, crying, when a black carriage pulled up in front of the church. Out of it stepped a large man. He saw the sad little boy on the steps and asked, “Young man, what is wrong?” The boy answered, “I came here to hear the great preacher D. L. Moody, but they won’t let me in the church.” “Is that so?” the big man said. “You just put your hand in my hand, and I will see what I can do to help you.” The little boy put his dirty little hand into the man’s big, clean hand. The man led him right down the middle aisle, past the usher who wouldn’t let him in, to the front row. The big guy sat him in a front-row seat. Then the man stepped up to the pulpit. That man was, of course, D. L. Moody. That young boy couldn’t get in on his own, but when he held Moody’s hand, he walked through the front door. So it is with us, because of Jesus. We are filthy in sin. In Psalm 51:5, David wrote, “For I was born a sinner—yes, from the moment my mother conceived me” (NLT). Isaiah 53:6 says, “All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all” (NLT). The apostle Paul wrote, “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard” (Romans 3:23 NLT). Because of our sinfulness, we have no hope of entering Heaven on our own. Our only hope is Jesus, who takes our dirty hand in His clean one and leads us to a front-row seat in God’s presence. As Paul puts it in the next two verses of Romans 3: “Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood” (verses 24–25 NLT). The frustrating reality for many people trying to establish themselves today is also the glorious reality of salvation: It all depends on who you know.   Reflection question: How can you lead someone into Jesus’ 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 Partner

For or Against? | 1 John 4:18–19For or Against? | 1 John 4:18–19“Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. We love each other because he loved us first.” (1 John 4:18–19 NLT)   I heard a story about a thief who broke into a house. He was looking around in the dark with his flashlight when he heard a voice say, “Jesus is watching you!” The thief nearly jumped out of his skin. He wondered, “Where did that voice come from?” Again, he heard it. “Jesus is watching you!” Now the thief was terrified. He followed the sound of the voice with his flashlight and heaved a sigh of relief when he saw a parrot on a perch, who once again said, “Jesus is watching you!” The thief laughed. Then he looked down, and at the foot of the parrot’s perch was a very large Doberman pinscher, baring his teeth. The parrot looked down at the Doberman and said, “Sic ’em, Jesus.” That’s a joke, of course. But there are people who believe that the Lord is out to get them or, at the very least, that He is against them. It’s a lie, a common strategy of our spiritual enemy. Jesus said, “For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44 NLT). The suggestion that God is against us is an especially brazen lie—one intended to persuade people to keep their distance from the Lord. It’s brazen because it contradicts one of the most important truths of Scripture. “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). “But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners” (Romans 5:8 NLT). “This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins” (1 John 4:10 NLT). “Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. We love each other because he loved us first” (1 John 4:18–19 NLT). Why would the Lord show such love and sacrifice so much if He were against us? Many Christians refer to their conversion as “the day I found the Lord.” But that’s not quite accurate. The truth is, He wasn’t lost—we were. Certainly, one day we discovered a God who loved us. But God found us before we found Him. He chose us before we chose Him. Jesus sought us out as a shepherd looks for a lost sheep. The truth is, no one is more for us than the Lord.   Reflection question: How can you keep from believing that God is against 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 Partner“Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. We love each other because he loved us first.” (1 John 4:18–19 NLT)   I heard a story about a thief who broke into a house. He was looking around in the dark with his flashlight when he heard a voice say, “Jesus is watching you!” The thief nearly jumped out of his skin. He wondered, “Where did that voice come from?” Again, he heard it. “Jesus is watching you!” Now the thief was terrified. He followed the sound of the voice with his flashlight and heaved a sigh of relief when he saw a parrot on a perch, who once again said, “Jesus is watching you!” The thief laughed. Then he looked down, and at the foot of the parrot’s perch was a very large Doberman pinscher, baring his teeth. The parrot looked down at the Doberman and said, “Sic ’em, Jesus.” That’s a joke, of course. But there are people who believe that the Lord is out to get them or, at the very least, that He is against them. It’s a lie, a common strategy of our spiritual enemy. Jesus said, “For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44 NLT). The suggestion that God is against us is an especially brazen lie—one intended to persuade people to keep their distance from the Lord. It’s brazen because it contradicts one of the most important truths of Scripture. “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). “But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners” (Romans 5:8 NLT). “This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins” (1 John 4:10 NLT). “Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. We love each other because he loved us first” (1 John 4:18–19 NLT). Why would the Lord show such love and sacrifice so much if He were against us? Many Christians refer to their conversion as “the day I found the Lord.” But that’s not quite accurate. The truth is, He wasn’t lost—we were. Certainly, one day we discovered a God who loved us. But God found us before we found Him. He chose us before we chose Him. Jesus sought us out as a shepherd looks for a lost sheep. The truth is, no one is more for us than the Lord.   Reflection question: How can you keep from believing that God is against 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 Partner

Don’t Play with Fire | Proverbs 6:27–28Don’t Play with Fire | Proverbs 6:27–28“Can a man scoop a flame into his lap and not have his clothes catch on fire? Can he walk on hot coals and not blister his feet?” (Proverbs 6:27–28 NLT)   When I was a kid, I was fascinated by fire. This fascination prompted me to do some stupid things, like taking little green army men and lighting their plastic rifles on fire so that I could watch them melt into little green puddles. Once, however, I was doing this on a piece of newspaper, which also caught on fire. So, I grabbed the newspaper with the burning green army men and threw it all into a wastebasket. The wastebasket, unfortunately, was made of bamboo, and it, too, was set ablaze. Thankfully, I was able to put out the fire. That is how sin works. It starts small, and then it grows out of control. That’s what the author of Proverbs 6 was talking about when he wrote, “Can a man scoop a flame into his lap and not have his clothes catch on fire? Can he walk on hot coals and not blister his feet?” (verses 27–28 NLT). Samson learned that lesson the hard way. He thought he could handle sin. He thought he could keep playing the game. But the devil knows how to package his wares. He knows how to sell his stuff. The devil sized up Samson and figured out that he was a he-man with a she weakness. He couldn’t bring Samson down on the battlefield, so he brought him down in the bedroom. And he found a willing accomplice in Samson, who thought he could handle it. Temptation comes in attractive packages, but for temptation to succeed, we must be willing participants. For temptation to work, there must be desire on our part. James 1:14–15 says, “Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death” (NLT). For the devil to succeed, we must listen to him, yield to him, and desire what he is offering. The devil can throw anything at us. He offers different kinds of bait. But it isn’t the bait that constitutes sin. It’s the bite. That’s why Jesus warned, “Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!” (Matthew 26:41 NLT). It’s why Paul wrote, “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). It’s why James advised, “So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7 NLT). Temptation can get the better of us only if we choose to play with spiritual fire.   Reflection question: How can you thwart temptation 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 Partner“Can a man scoop a flame into his lap and not have his clothes catch on fire? Can he walk on hot coals and not blister his feet?” (Proverbs 6:27–28 NLT)   When I was a kid, I was fascinated by fire. This fascination prompted me to do some stupid things, like taking little green army men and lighting their plastic rifles on fire so that I could watch them melt into little green puddles. Once, however, I was doing this on a piece of newspaper, which also caught on fire. So, I grabbed the newspaper with the burning green army men and threw it all into a wastebasket. The wastebasket, unfortunately, was made of bamboo, and it, too, was set ablaze. Thankfully, I was able to put out the fire. That is how sin works. It starts small, and then it grows out of control. That’s what the author of Proverbs 6 was talking about when he wrote, “Can a man scoop a flame into his lap and not have his clothes catch on fire? Can he walk on hot coals and not blister his feet?” (verses 27–28 NLT). Samson learned that lesson the hard way. He thought he could handle sin. He thought he could keep playing the game. But the devil knows how to package his wares. He knows how to sell his stuff. The devil sized up Samson and figured out that he was a he-man with a she weakness. He couldn’t bring Samson down on the battlefield, so he brought him down in the bedroom. And he found a willing accomplice in Samson, who thought he could handle it. Temptation comes in attractive packages, but for temptation to succeed, we must be willing participants. For temptation to work, there must be desire on our part. James 1:14–15 says, “Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death” (NLT). For the devil to succeed, we must listen to him, yield to him, and desire what he is offering. The devil can throw anything at us. He offers different kinds of bait. But it isn’t the bait that constitutes sin. It’s the bite. That’s why Jesus warned, “Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!” (Matthew 26:41 NLT). It’s why Paul wrote, “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). It’s why James advised, “So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7 NLT). Temptation can get the better of us only if we choose to play with spiritual fire.   Reflection question: How can you thwart temptation 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 Partner

Finish Well | Ecclesiastes 7:8Finish Well | Ecclesiastes 7:8“The end of a thing is better than its beginning; the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.” (Ecclesiastes 7:8 NKJV)   The poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow said, “Great is the art of beginning, but greater is the art of ending.”And Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, wrote, “The end of a thing is better than its beginning” (Ecclesiastes 7:8 NKJV). Starting strong is overrated. Take sports, for example. Few baseball statisticians keep track of which team was ahead after the first inning. What matters is the final score. Likewise, starting strong is overrated in our spiritual journey. The Bible gives us examples of people who started strong in their service to the Lord, only to falter later. Scripture doesn’t celebrate these early successes; instead, it uses the people’s experiences as cautionary tales for other believers. One of the most memorable of these cautionary tales is that of Samson. Samson had a great beginning. He was blessed with superhuman qualities. Physically, there was no one stronger. We get a sense of his power in Judges 14:5–6: “As Samson and his parents were going down to Timnah, a young lion suddenly attacked Samson near the vineyards of Timnah. At that moment the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon him, and he ripped the lion’s jaws apart with his bare hands. He did it as easily as if it were a young goat” (NLT). Samson was a one-man army, a judge chosen by God to make a difference on behalf of His people. On one occasion Samson killed thirty Philistines—the enemies of the Israelites—to settle a bet. On another occasion he killed 1,000 Philistine warriors on the battlefield with a bone that he picked up from the ground. He wasn’t a fictitious superhero; he was the real deal. For a time, Samson was a mighty man of God. And for a time, he was even a true world changer. Eventually, however, the world began to change him. Samson turned his back on God. He had an amazing beginning but a tragic ending. One day your life will be summed up in a paragraph or two on a bulletin that will be handed out at your memorial service. No one will care about how much money you made or how much stuff you owned. No one will care how high you climbed in your profession. Instead, they’ll talk about what kind of person you were. We don’t decide the day of our death any more than we decided the day of our birth. But we do determine the spiritual state we’ll be in when we die. God wants us to be close to Him. God wants us in friendship and fellowship and intimacy with Him. But it’s our choice whether to have a relationship with the Lord or not to have a relationship with Him. We must choose wisely so that we finish well.   Reflection question: How do you want to finish your walk with the Lord? 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 Partner“The end of a thing is better than its beginning; the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.” (Ecclesiastes 7:8 NKJV)   The poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow said, “Great is the art of beginning, but greater is the art of ending.”And Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, wrote, “The end of a thing is better than its beginning” (Ecclesiastes 7:8 NKJV). Starting strong is overrated. Take sports, for example. Few baseball statisticians keep track of which team was ahead after the first inning. What matters is the final score. Likewise, starting strong is overrated in our spiritual journey. The Bible gives us examples of people who started strong in their service to the Lord, only to falter later. Scripture doesn’t celebrate these early successes; instead, it uses the people’s experiences as cautionary tales for other believers. One of the most memorable of these cautionary tales is that of Samson. Samson had a great beginning. He was blessed with superhuman qualities. Physically, there was no one stronger. We get a sense of his power in Judges 14:5–6: “As Samson and his parents were going down to Timnah, a young lion suddenly attacked Samson near the vineyards of Timnah. At that moment the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon him, and he ripped the lion’s jaws apart with his bare hands. He did it as easily as if it were a young goat” (NLT). Samson was a one-man army, a judge chosen by God to make a difference on behalf of His people. On one occasion Samson killed thirty Philistines—the enemies of the Israelites—to settle a bet. On another occasion he killed 1,000 Philistine warriors on the battlefield with a bone that he picked up from the ground. He wasn’t a fictitious superhero; he was the real deal. For a time, Samson was a mighty man of God. And for a time, he was even a true world changer. Eventually, however, the world began to change him. Samson turned his back on God. He had an amazing beginning but a tragic ending. One day your life will be summed up in a paragraph or two on a bulletin that will be handed out at your memorial service. No one will care about how much money you made or how much stuff you owned. No one will care how high you climbed in your profession. Instead, they’ll talk about what kind of person you were. We don’t decide the day of our death any more than we decided the day of our birth. But we do determine the spiritual state we’ll be in when we die. God wants us to be close to Him. God wants us in friendship and fellowship and intimacy with Him. But it’s our choice whether to have a relationship with the Lord or not to have a relationship with Him. We must choose wisely so that we finish well.   Reflection question: How do you want to finish your walk with the Lord? 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 Partner

The Source of Our Strength | 1 Samuel 9:1–2 The Source of Our Strength | 1 Samuel 9:1–2“There was a wealthy, influential man named Kish from the tribe of Benjamin. He was the son of Abiel, son of Zeror, son of Becorath, son of Aphiah, of the tribe of Benjamin. His son Saul was the most handsome man in Israel—head and shoulders taller than anyone else in the land.” (1 Samuel 9:1–2 NLT)   David was in many ways the opposite of King Saul. Saul came from a family that loved him; David came from a family that neglected him. Saul was the most handsome man in all Israel; David was a handsome enough guy, but relatively ordinary. Saul was attractive on the outside, but on the inside, he was vain, shallow, and devoid of true integrity. In contrast, David had a deep spiritual life and an intense devotion to God. If you want to know about David’s spirituality profile, just read some of the psalms he wrote. They are like windows into his soul. For example, in Psalm 23:1–3, he says, “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” (NLT). David was perfectly content in his relationship with the Lord. And in Psalm 139 he says, “O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. . . . Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand!” (verses 1, 6 nlt). David was in awe of God’s limitless wisdom and knowledge. He felt blessed to be known by the Almighty. And when he sinned against the Lord, David experienced deep guilt and shame. Look at his words in Psalm 51:2–3: “Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin. For I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and night” (NLT). Saul’s problem was that he was full of himself. So, the Lord rejected him. David was full of the Lord. So, God accepted him. As we saw in an earlier devotion this week, the Lord seems to go out of His way to use ordinary people to do extraordinary things. That way, people are more likely to recognize the Lord’s hand at work and give credit to Him rather than to human beings. Just as surely as God plucked David from obscurity, He is looking for men and women whom He can use in these critical days in which we are living. God is looking for people to touch this generation. He is looking for people to change this world. Second Chronicles 16:9 says, “The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. What a fool you have been! From now on you will be at war” (NLT). What kind of person does He look for? Someone strong? No. He looks for someone He can show His strength through—someone whose heart is turned toward Him. Does that describe you? Is your heart totally turned toward God? If so, He can and will accomplish great things through you.   Reflection question: How can you help people see God’s strength 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 Partner“There was a wealthy, influential man named Kish from the tribe of Benjamin. He was the son of Abiel, son of Zeror, son of Becorath, son of Aphiah, of the tribe of Benjamin. His son Saul was the most handsome man in Israel—head and shoulders taller than anyone else in the land.” (1 Samuel 9:1–2 NLT)   David was in many ways the opposite of King Saul. Saul came from a family that loved him; David came from a family that neglected him. Saul was the most handsome man in all Israel; David was a handsome enough guy, but relatively ordinary. Saul was attractive on the outside, but on the inside, he was vain, shallow, and devoid of true integrity. In contrast, David had a deep spiritual life and an intense devotion to God. If you want to know about David’s spirituality profile, just read some of the psalms he wrote. They are like windows into his soul. For example, in Psalm 23:1–3, he says, “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” (NLT). David was perfectly content in his relationship with the Lord. And in Psalm 139 he says, “O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. . . . Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand!” (verses 1, 6 nlt). David was in awe of God’s limitless wisdom and knowledge. He felt blessed to be known by the Almighty. And when he sinned against the Lord, David experienced deep guilt and shame. Look at his words in Psalm 51:2–3: “Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin. For I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and night” (NLT). Saul’s problem was that he was full of himself. So, the Lord rejected him. David was full of the Lord. So, God accepted him. As we saw in an earlier devotion this week, the Lord seems to go out of His way to use ordinary people to do extraordinary things. That way, people are more likely to recognize the Lord’s hand at work and give credit to Him rather than to human beings. Just as surely as God plucked David from obscurity, He is looking for men and women whom He can use in these critical days in which we are living. God is looking for people to touch this generation. He is looking for people to change this world. Second Chronicles 16:9 says, “The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. What a fool you have been! From now on you will be at war” (NLT). What kind of person does He look for? Someone strong? No. He looks for someone He can show His strength through—someone whose heart is turned toward Him. Does that describe you? Is your heart totally turned toward God? If so, He can and will accomplish great things through you.   Reflection question: How can you help people see God’s strength 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 Partner

The Right Way to Run | 1 Samuel 13:13–14The Right Way to Run | 1 Samuel 13:13–14“‘How foolish!’ Samuel exclaimed. ‘You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you. Had you kept it, the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. But now your kingdom must end, for the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart. The Lord has already appointed him to be the leader of his people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command.’” (1 Samuel 13:13–14 NLT)   The moment we put our faith in Jesus Christ, we are enrolled in a spiritual race. One of the mandates of any competition is that we play by the rules. Otherwise, we will be disqualified. This is true in every race, but perhaps especially in the spiritual one. The book of 1 Samuel gives us the story of King Saul, a man who did not play by the rules. He began his reign in victory and ended in humiliating defeat. The words of the prophet Samuel, who revealed the extent of Saul’s failure, are among the most devastating in all the Old Testament: “‘How foolish!’ Samuel exclaimed. ‘You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you. Had you kept it, the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. But now your kingdom must end, for the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart. The Lord has already appointed him to be the leader of his people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command’” (1 Samuel 13:13–14 NLT). Saul lost his character, power, crown, and in the end, his very life. Based on Saul’s life, let me share a few principles on how not to win the spiritual race. First, ignore the little things. Saul’s failure was not immediate, but gradual. He cut a corner here, shaded the truth there. His pride turned into envy. He ignored what God had plainly told him to do. Likewise, it is not for us to pick and choose what parts of the Bible we like and don’t like. We are to obey God even in the smallest matters, because “small” sins turn into big sins. They certainly did for Saul. Second, never take responsibility for your actions. More than once Saul blamed others for his own bad choices (see 1 Samuel 13:11–12). Saul just wanted to save face. He forgot that no matter what, God always knows the truth. Third, don’t get mad, get even. Saul’s animosity ultimately destroyed him. He became jealous when God anointed and began using David, the young shepherd boy. We need to understand that God chooses whom He will choose. We must not let hatred or envy destroy us. As He did with Saul, God has given each of us potential. He has given us certain talents and gifts to use in the race that is set before us. It is up to us to run the race well and play by the rules. Don’t be disqualified. Don’t be prideful. Don’t play the fool. Don’t crash and burn. Don’t waste your life as Saul did.   Reflection question: What impulses or tendencies might disrupt your spiritual race? 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 Partner“‘How foolish!’ Samuel exclaimed. ‘You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you. Had you kept it, the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. But now your kingdom must end, for the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart. The Lord has already appointed him to be the leader of his people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command.’” (1 Samuel 13:13–14 NLT)   The moment we put our faith in Jesus Christ, we are enrolled in a spiritual race. One of the mandates of any competition is that we play by the rules. Otherwise, we will be disqualified. This is true in every race, but perhaps especially in the spiritual one. The book of 1 Samuel gives us the story of King Saul, a man who did not play by the rules. He began his reign in victory and ended in humiliating defeat. The words of the prophet Samuel, who revealed the extent of Saul’s failure, are among the most devastating in all the Old Testament: “‘How foolish!’ Samuel exclaimed. ‘You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you. Had you kept it, the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. But now your kingdom must end, for the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart. The Lord has already appointed him to be the leader of his people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command’” (1 Samuel 13:13–14 NLT). Saul lost his character, power, crown, and in the end, his very life. Based on Saul’s life, let me share a few principles on how not to win the spiritual race. First, ignore the little things. Saul’s failure was not immediate, but gradual. He cut a corner here, shaded the truth there. His pride turned into envy. He ignored what God had plainly told him to do. Likewise, it is not for us to pick and choose what parts of the Bible we like and don’t like. We are to obey God even in the smallest matters, because “small” sins turn into big sins. They certainly did for Saul. Second, never take responsibility for your actions. More than once Saul blamed others for his own bad choices (see 1 Samuel 13:11–12). Saul just wanted to save face. He forgot that no matter what, God always knows the truth. Third, don’t get mad, get even. Saul’s animosity ultimately destroyed him. He became jealous when God anointed and began using David, the young shepherd boy. We need to understand that God chooses whom He will choose. We must not let hatred or envy destroy us. As He did with Saul, God has given each of us potential. He has given us certain talents and gifts to use in the race that is set before us. It is up to us to run the race well and play by the rules. Don’t be disqualified. Don’t be prideful. Don’t play the fool. Don’t crash and burn. Don’t waste your life as Saul did.   Reflection question: What impulses or tendencies might disrupt your spiritual race? 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 Partner

You Serve | 1 Samuel 30:24You Serve | 1 Samuel 30:24“Who will listen when you talk like this? We share and share alike—those who go to battle and those who guard the equipment.” (1 Samuel 30:24 NLT)   In 1 Samuel 30, we find the story of David leading his men to victory in battle against Amalekite raiders who had plundered and burned the town of Ziklag. As David and the four hundred soldiers who had fought with him were returning home, those who had stayed behind to guard the camp and the supplies met them. Some of the troublemakers who had fought in the battle didn’t want to give any of the spoils of the battle to those who stayed by the camp. David said to the troublemakers, “Who will listen when you talk like this? We share and share alike—those who go to battle and those who guard the equipment” (1 Samuel 30:24 NLT). Those who fought in the battle assumed that their role in God’s plan was more important than those who didn’t fight. David didn’t see it that way—and neither did God. And that principle still applies today to people who answer God’s call. Whether God has called you to serve Him in such a way that people see you or whether He has called you to serve Him by supporting others who are seen, God will bless you and reward you for your service. Maybe you feel as though your life isn’t really making a difference or that what you have to offer God doesn’t mean all that much. If so, you’ll be in for some surprises in Heaven, because what may not seem very valuable on earth will be of great value in Heaven. God’s Word leaves little doubt as to our worth in God’s eyes. The apostle Peter wrote, “But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light” (1 Peter 2:9 NLT). We also have immeasurable value because we are God’s creation. The apostle Paul wrote, “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago” (Ephesians 2:10 NLT). I read a story about a man who found an old, blue-and-white vase while he was cleaning his attic. He took it to an auction to sell it, thinking he would probably get twenty or thirty dollars from it, maybe one hundred dollars if he was lucky. To his utter amazement, the vase turned out to be an original fifteenth-century work of art from the Ming Dynasty. It sold for $324,000. What may not seem especially valuable now will prove to be extremely valuable later. Until then, we need to be faithful with what God has given us to do.   Reflection question: What value does God see in your acts of faithfulness and service? 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 Partner“Who will listen when you talk like this? We share and share alike—those who go to battle and those who guard the equipment.” (1 Samuel 30:24 NLT)   In 1 Samuel 30, we find the story of David leading his men to victory in battle against Amalekite raiders who had plundered and burned the town of Ziklag. As David and the four hundred soldiers who had fought with him were returning home, those who had stayed behind to guard the camp and the supplies met them. Some of the troublemakers who had fought in the battle didn’t want to give any of the spoils of the battle to those who stayed by the camp. David said to the troublemakers, “Who will listen when you talk like this? We share and share alike—those who go to battle and those who guard the equipment” (1 Samuel 30:24 NLT). Those who fought in the battle assumed that their role in God’s plan was more important than those who didn’t fight. David didn’t see it that way—and neither did God. And that principle still applies today to people who answer God’s call. Whether God has called you to serve Him in such a way that people see you or whether He has called you to serve Him by supporting others who are seen, God will bless you and reward you for your service. Maybe you feel as though your life isn’t really making a difference or that what you have to offer God doesn’t mean all that much. If so, you’ll be in for some surprises in Heaven, because what may not seem very valuable on earth will be of great value in Heaven. God’s Word leaves little doubt as to our worth in God’s eyes. The apostle Peter wrote, “But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light” (1 Peter 2:9 NLT). We also have immeasurable value because we are God’s creation. The apostle Paul wrote, “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago” (Ephesians 2:10 NLT). I read a story about a man who found an old, blue-and-white vase while he was cleaning his attic. He took it to an auction to sell it, thinking he would probably get twenty or thirty dollars from it, maybe one hundred dollars if he was lucky. To his utter amazement, the vase turned out to be an original fifteenth-century work of art from the Ming Dynasty. It sold for $324,000. What may not seem especially valuable now will prove to be extremely valuable later. Until then, we need to be faithful with what God has given us to do.   Reflection question: What value does God see in your acts of faithfulness and service? 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 Partner

It’s Not Your Battle | 1 Samuel 17:47It’s Not Your Battle | 1 Samuel 17:47“And everyone assembled here will know that the Lord rescues his people, but not with sword and spear. This is the Lord’s battle, and he will give you to us!” (1 Samuel 17:47 NLT)   The encounter between David and Goliath is one of the best-known stories in all of Scripture. In fact, it’s so well-known that it’s become a cliché. Today, any contest that involves an underdog is invariably referred to as a “David versus Goliath battle.” The irony is that, strictly speaking, there’s no such thing as a David versus Goliath battle. No such fight ever occurred. David himself said so when he went out to meet the giant on the battlefield. “And everyone assembled here will know that the Lord rescues his people, but not with sword and spear. This is the Lord’s battle, and he will give you to us!” (1 Samuel 17:47 NLT). It wasn’t David’s battle; it was the Lord’s battle. David didn’t defeat Goliath; the Lord did. One reason David was chosen to represent God on the battlefield is that he was humble enough to recognize and acknowledge that truth. He was also wise enough not to rely on his own strength and skills when faced with a ridiculously powerful opponent. That’s an important takeaway from this story because we are living in a critical time right now. I think all of us can agree that the devil is working overtime. He knows his days are numbered. He knows his judgment is certain. So, he is doing everything he can to wreak havoc until the day he faces his judgment. That means we, as the targets of his attacks, must stay battle-ready. Not to fight him using our own strength and tactics, but to stay close to the Lord so that we can call on His power and wisdom. The apostle Paul wrote, “The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living. Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see” (Romans 13:12–13 NLT). Before we put on our spiritual armor, we need to cast off the works of darkness. We need to be done with the compromising life. We need to be done with trying to live in two different worlds. We need to get busy living as Christian soldiers. No matter how much the devil tries to trip us up, our Commander-in-Chief will lead us to victory if we stay close to Him. Remember, “The battle is the Lord’s.” You will never get in over your head if you let God fight your spiritual battles. The battle cry, the cry of victory, went forth from the cross as Jesus hung suspended between Heaven and earth, with nails in His hands and feet. In triumph, He cried out, “It is finished!” Those three words reverberated through Heaven and Hell. Every demon likely heard them. So, now we can stand in the victorious strength of Jesus. We can fight for Him as He works through us, marching on, taking ground for the kingdom. I promise you—your life will never be boring as a spiritual soldier for the Lord!   Reflection question: How can you resist the urge to fight your spiritual battles alone? 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 Partner“And everyone assembled here will know that the Lord rescues his people, but not with sword and spear. This is the Lord’s battle, and he will give you to us!” (1 Samuel 17:47 NLT)   The encounter between David and Goliath is one of the best-known stories in all of Scripture. In fact, it’s so well-known that it’s become a cliché. Today, any contest that involves an underdog is invariably referred to as a “David versus Goliath battle.” The irony is that, strictly speaking, there’s no such thing as a David versus Goliath battle. No such fight ever occurred. David himself said so when he went out to meet the giant on the battlefield. “And everyone assembled here will know that the Lord rescues his people, but not with sword and spear. This is the Lord’s battle, and he will give you to us!” (1 Samuel 17:47 NLT). It wasn’t David’s battle; it was the Lord’s battle. David didn’t defeat Goliath; the Lord did. One reason David was chosen to represent God on the battlefield is that he was humble enough to recognize and acknowledge that truth. He was also wise enough not to rely on his own strength and skills when faced with a ridiculously powerful opponent. That’s an important takeaway from this story because we are living in a critical time right now. I think all of us can agree that the devil is working overtime. He knows his days are numbered. He knows his judgment is certain. So, he is doing everything he can to wreak havoc until the day he faces his judgment. That means we, as the targets of his attacks, must stay battle-ready. Not to fight him using our own strength and tactics, but to stay close to the Lord so that we can call on His power and wisdom. The apostle Paul wrote, “The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living. Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see” (Romans 13:12–13 NLT). Before we put on our spiritual armor, we need to cast off the works of darkness. We need to be done with the compromising life. We need to be done with trying to live in two different worlds. We need to get busy living as Christian soldiers. No matter how much the devil tries to trip us up, our Commander-in-Chief will lead us to victory if we stay close to Him. Remember, “The battle is the Lord’s.” You will never get in over your head if you let God fight your spiritual battles. The battle cry, the cry of victory, went forth from the cross as Jesus hung suspended between Heaven and earth, with nails in His hands and feet. In triumph, He cried out, “It is finished!” Those three words reverberated through Heaven and Hell. Every demon likely heard them. So, now we can stand in the victorious strength of Jesus. We can fight for Him as He works through us, marching on, taking ground for the kingdom. I promise you—your life will never be boring as a spiritual soldier for the Lord!   Reflection question: How can you resist the urge to fight your spiritual battles alone? 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 Partner

Do You Have the Heart? | 1 Samuel 16:7 Do You Have the Heart? | 1 Samuel 16:7 “But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.’” (1 Samuel 16:7 NLT)   In our last devotion, we saw how God used Samuel because Samuel made himself available. Today, we’re going to look at another factor as we try to determine why God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things. Part of our human nature is to prefer heroes and leaders who come from central casting. People who look the part: tall, solidly built, and good-looking, with a chiseled jawline and a thick head of hair. God prefers a different criterion. Time and time again in Scripture, He defies conventional wisdom in choosing people to accomplish His will. When God sent Samuel to anoint the son of Jesse as the king of Israel, Jesse paraded every son but one in front of the prophet. He didn’t bother sending for David because he believed there was no way God would choose a lowly shepherd to lead His people. He was wrong. God revealed His criterion to Samuel in 1 Samuel 16:7: “Don’t judge by his appearance or height. . . . The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (NLT). A chapter later, when David traveled to the battlefield where the Israelites were squaring off with the Philistines, it wasn’t to fight the giant Goliath. It was to take food to his brothers on the front line. Fighting the Philistine champion was a job for King Saul or one of the battle-hardened soldiers in Saul’s army. But that’s not who God had in mind for the task. He sent the shepherd boy who was offended by Goliath’s taunts and who recognized that the giant was no match for God. He sent the only person who wasn’t paralyzed by fear. He sent the person for whom a weapon was an afterthought. He sent the person who would make sure that God would get the credit for the victory. God saw David’s heart. He sees our hearts as well—and He uses us accordingly. If you want to be used mightily by God, work on your heart. Hide God’s Word in it. Pour it out to Him in prayer. Love your neighbor, your enemies, and your fellow believers with all of it. If you have faith in God, if you believe that He can use you, if you are willing to take a step of faith here and there, then God can and will do incredible things through you. One thing I’ve said many times over the years is that God is not looking for ability but availability. He can give you ability in time. But God is looking for someone to say, “I would like to make a difference where I am. Lord, I am available.” If you do, just watch what God will do.   Reflection question: What do you want God to see in your heart? 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 Partner“But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.’” (1 Samuel 16:7 NLT)   In our last devotion, we saw how God used Samuel because Samuel made himself available. Today, we’re going to look at another factor as we try to determine why God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things. Part of our human nature is to prefer heroes and leaders who come from central casting. People who look the part: tall, solidly built, and good-looking, with a chiseled jawline and a thick head of hair. God prefers a different criterion. Time and time again in Scripture, He defies conventional wisdom in choosing people to accomplish His will. When God sent Samuel to anoint the son of Jesse as the king of Israel, Jesse paraded every son but one in front of the prophet. He didn’t bother sending for David because he believed there was no way God would choose a lowly shepherd to lead His people. He was wrong. God revealed His criterion to Samuel in 1 Samuel 16:7: “Don’t judge by his appearance or height. . . . The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (NLT). A chapter later, when David traveled to the battlefield where the Israelites were squaring off with the Philistines, it wasn’t to fight the giant Goliath. It was to take food to his brothers on the front line. Fighting the Philistine champion was a job for King Saul or one of the battle-hardened soldiers in Saul’s army. But that’s not who God had in mind for the task. He sent the shepherd boy who was offended by Goliath’s taunts and who recognized that the giant was no match for God. He sent the only person who wasn’t paralyzed by fear. He sent the person for whom a weapon was an afterthought. He sent the person who would make sure that God would get the credit for the victory. God saw David’s heart. He sees our hearts as well—and He uses us accordingly. If you want to be used mightily by God, work on your heart. Hide God’s Word in it. Pour it out to Him in prayer. Love your neighbor, your enemies, and your fellow believers with all of it. If you have faith in God, if you believe that He can use you, if you are willing to take a step of faith here and there, then God can and will do incredible things through you. One thing I’ve said many times over the years is that God is not looking for ability but availability. He can give you ability in time. But God is looking for someone to say, “I would like to make a difference where I am. Lord, I am available.” If you do, just watch what God will do.   Reflection question: What do you want God to see in your heart? 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 Partner

The Lord Was with Him | 1 Samuel 3:19The Lord Was with Him | 1 Samuel 3:19“As Samuel grew up, the Lord was with him, and everything Samuel said proved to be reliable.” (1 Samuel 3:19 NLT)   First Samuel 3:19 contains two extraordinary accolades regarding the prophet Samuel: “The Lord was with him” and “Everything Samuel said proved to be reliable” (nlt). But those accolades raise some important questions: Why Samuel? Why did the Lord choose to be with him? Why did the Lord make sure that everything he said proved to be reliable? The Bible doesn’t answer those questions directly, but it does offer some clues. Earlier in the chapter, we learn that, as a boy, Samuel served the Lord by assisting the priest Eli in the tabernacle. One night, while Samuel was sleeping, he heard someone call his name. Assuming that it was Eli, Samuel rushed to the priest to see how he could be of service. But it wasn’t Eli who had called him. Three times Samuel heard the voice. And three times he rushed to Eli. The fourth time Samuel heard his name called, he simply and humbly said, “Speak, your servant is listening” (1 Samuel 3:10 NLT). Why did God use Samuel in such a powerful way? Probably because he was available—not just during business hours, but in the middle of the night, out of a dead slumber. He was eager to serve every time his name was called. Believers today can learn a lot from Samuel. We should always be available to be used by God. Our prayer should be, “Lord, You can use me anytime, anywhere, for any purpose—whether it’s my day off or not. I may be out surfing or on the golf course or out snowboarding, but I want You to call on me. I am always available to represent You. Please call on me.” Every Christian must be available and ready to echo the words of Samuel: “Speak, your servant is listening.” God is not looking for ability as much as He is looking for availability. You may think, “God only uses the really talented people. He will never use me. There’s not much I can offer Him.” But God is looking for someone simply to be available and to let Him be strong on their behalf. God isn’t looking for strong people. He is looking for weak people through whom He can be strong. That means every person is qualified to be used by God. That means God can use you. There is no telling how God will use you. But there are ways to make yourself available to Him. One is by putting yourself in the right place at the right time as much as possible. You can’t share your faith with others if you don’t interact or spend time with them. Another way to make yourself available to Him is to stay alert to the opportunities He sends your way. Are you available to be used by God? If not, why don’t you let the Lord know that you would like Him to call upon you? If Samuel’s story teaches us anything, it’s that God may call upon you before the night is over.     Reflection question: How can you prepare yourself for when God’s plan puts you in the right place at the right time? 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 Partner“As Samuel grew up, the Lord was with him, and everything Samuel said proved to be reliable.” (1 Samuel 3:19 NLT)   First Samuel 3:19 contains two extraordinary accolades regarding the prophet Samuel: “The Lord was with him” and “Everything Samuel said proved to be reliable” (nlt). But those accolades raise some important questions: Why Samuel? Why did the Lord choose to be with him? Why did the Lord make sure that everything he said proved to be reliable? The Bible doesn’t answer those questions directly, but it does offer some clues. Earlier in the chapter, we learn that, as a boy, Samuel served the Lord by assisting the priest Eli in the tabernacle. One night, while Samuel was sleeping, he heard someone call his name. Assuming that it was Eli, Samuel rushed to the priest to see how he could be of service. But it wasn’t Eli who had called him. Three times Samuel heard the voice. And three times he rushed to Eli. The fourth time Samuel heard his name called, he simply and humbly said, “Speak, your servant is listening” (1 Samuel 3:10 NLT). Why did God use Samuel in such a powerful way? Probably because he was available—not just during business hours, but in the middle of the night, out of a dead slumber. He was eager to serve every time his name was called. Believers today can learn a lot from Samuel. We should always be available to be used by God. Our prayer should be, “Lord, You can use me anytime, anywhere, for any purpose—whether it’s my day off or not. I may be out surfing or on the golf course or out snowboarding, but I want You to call on me. I am always available to represent You. Please call on me.” Every Christian must be available and ready to echo the words of Samuel: “Speak, your servant is listening.” God is not looking for ability as much as He is looking for availability. You may think, “God only uses the really talented people. He will never use me. There’s not much I can offer Him.” But God is looking for someone simply to be available and to let Him be strong on their behalf. God isn’t looking for strong people. He is looking for weak people through whom He can be strong. That means every person is qualified to be used by God. That means God can use you. There is no telling how God will use you. But there are ways to make yourself available to Him. One is by putting yourself in the right place at the right time as much as possible. You can’t share your faith with others if you don’t interact or spend time with them. Another way to make yourself available to Him is to stay alert to the opportunities He sends your way. Are you available to be used by God? If not, why don’t you let the Lord know that you would like Him to call upon you? If Samuel’s story teaches us anything, it’s that God may call upon you before the night is over.     Reflection question: How can you prepare yourself for when God’s plan puts you in the right place at the right time? 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 Partner

A Time to Move | Exodus 14:15–16A Time to Move | Exodus 14:15–16“Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to get moving! Pick up your staff and raise your hand over the sea. Divide the water so the Israelites can walk through the middle of the sea on dry ground.’” (Exodus 14:15–16 NLT)   Ecclesiastes 3 identifies various seasons of life: “A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest. A time to kill and a time to heal. A time to tear down and a time to build up. A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance” (verses 2–4 NLT), to name just a few. In Exodus 14:15–16, we find two more: a time to wait and a time to move. When the Israelites found themselves between Pharaoh’s army and the Red Sea, Moses seems to have misread that particular season of life. He believed it was a time to wait. He continued to cry out to the Lord. God helped him understand that it was a time to move. “Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to get moving! Pick up your staff and raise your hand over the sea. Divide the water so the Israelites can walk through the middle of the sea on dry ground’” (Exodus 14:15–16 NLT). Knowing when to wait and when to move is one of the key aspects of discipleship. Waiting is essential. Waiting involves praying. And the apostle Paul wrote, “Never stop praying” (1 Thessalonians 5:17 NLT). But there comes a point when we don’t need to pray about something anymore. There comes a time when we need to act—that is, in the way that God would have us move. Let’s say a couple is having trouble in their marriage. The husband is praying for his wife to change. But maybe he should change his prayer instead. Maybe he should say, “Lord, help me to be the godly person you want me to be. Help me to do my part.” His wife, of course, needs to pray the same thing. Maybe someone has wronged you or offended you. Maybe they’ve wounded you or insulted you. You want to forgive them. You’ve prayed about it. Now it’s time to do it. It doesn’t matter whether you’re feeling it. Just do it. The emotions most likely will follow when you take that step of obedience. Maybe you’ve been praying for the salvation of a friend or a loved one. You’ve prayed for them for years and years. But have you shared the gospel with them? Maybe it’s their moment to come to Christ. Keep praying but do your part. God was saying to Moses, “Stop crying to me. Stop praying about it. Get moving. The miracle is coming.” When you’re led by the Lord, make your move. There’s a time to pray, and there’s a time to move.   Reflection question: What would “making your move” look like 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 Partner“Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to get moving! Pick up your staff and raise your hand over the sea. Divide the water so the Israelites can walk through the middle of the sea on dry ground.’” (Exodus 14:15–16 NLT)   Ecclesiastes 3 identifies various seasons of life: “A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest. A time to kill and a time to heal. A time to tear down and a time to build up. A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance” (verses 2–4 NLT), to name just a few. In Exodus 14:15–16, we find two more: a time to wait and a time to move. When the Israelites found themselves between Pharaoh’s army and the Red Sea, Moses seems to have misread that particular season of life. He believed it was a time to wait. He continued to cry out to the Lord. God helped him understand that it was a time to move. “Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to get moving! Pick up your staff and raise your hand over the sea. Divide the water so the Israelites can walk through the middle of the sea on dry ground’” (Exodus 14:15–16 NLT). Knowing when to wait and when to move is one of the key aspects of discipleship. Waiting is essential. Waiting involves praying. And the apostle Paul wrote, “Never stop praying” (1 Thessalonians 5:17 NLT). But there comes a point when we don’t need to pray about something anymore. There comes a time when we need to act—that is, in the way that God would have us move. Let’s say a couple is having trouble in their marriage. The husband is praying for his wife to change. But maybe he should change his prayer instead. Maybe he should say, “Lord, help me to be the godly person you want me to be. Help me to do my part.” His wife, of course, needs to pray the same thing. Maybe someone has wronged you or offended you. Maybe they’ve wounded you or insulted you. You want to forgive them. You’ve prayed about it. Now it’s time to do it. It doesn’t matter whether you’re feeling it. Just do it. The emotions most likely will follow when you take that step of obedience. Maybe you’ve been praying for the salvation of a friend or a loved one. You’ve prayed for them for years and years. But have you shared the gospel with them? Maybe it’s their moment to come to Christ. Keep praying but do your part. God was saying to Moses, “Stop crying to me. Stop praying about it. Get moving. The miracle is coming.” When you’re led by the Lord, make your move. There’s a time to pray, and there’s a time to move.   Reflection question: What would “making your move” look like 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 Partner

The Victory Is Won | 1 John 4:4The Victory Is Won | 1 John 4:4“But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.” (1 John 4:4 NLT)   The apparent dead-end at the Red Sea must have seemed especially cruel to the people of Israel. Moses had led them out of slavery in Egypt, according to God’s instructions. They had tasted freedom, and they were on their way to the land God had promised their ancestors. But for a moment it looked as though they would get no further than the water’s edge. The Red Sea blocked their forward progress, and the pursuing Egyptian army blocked any hope of retreat. Fighting their way out was out of the question. Pharaoh’s army was the mightiest military on the face of the earth. Imagine the terror and devastation the Israelites must have experienced when they saw that mighty force—with its chariots, horses, shields, swords, and spears—bearing down on them in the distance. The Israelites thought they were dead. “But Moses told the people, ‘Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm’” (Exodus 14:13–14 NLT). Just stay calm. That’s a mighty tall order to cram into three small words. But the wisdom served the people of Israel well. God parted the waters of the Red Sea so that they could walk across on dry land. And when Pharaoh and his army tried to pursue, God closed the waters and drowned them. Just stay calm. Those words will also serve us well as disciples of Christ. Like the people of Israel, we are being pursued by our enemy after being set free. When the devil senses that he has us in a vulnerable position, he will come at us with everything he has, including temptations and deception. And they can be intimidating. We may start to question whether we can withstand his barrage. Spoiler alert: We can. The apostle John wrote, “But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world” (1 John 4:4 NLT). If you are a believer, the Spirit of God lives in you. You belong to the Lord. Yes, the devil can tempt you. He can hassle you. But he cannot overcome you, because you are under God’s protection. In Ephesians 6, the apostle Paul talks about the believer’s spiritual armor: the helmet of salvation, the breastplate of righteousness, the sword of the Spirit, and so forth. But before he describes the armor, he writes, “A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power” (Ephesians 6:10 NLT). In other words, just stay calm. Stand still and watch the Lord rescue you.   Reflection question: How can you stay calm when troubles come? 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 Partner“But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.” (1 John 4:4 NLT)   The apparent dead-end at the Red Sea must have seemed especially cruel to the people of Israel. Moses had led them out of slavery in Egypt, according to God’s instructions. They had tasted freedom, and they were on their way to the land God had promised their ancestors. But for a moment it looked as though they would get no further than the water’s edge. The Red Sea blocked their forward progress, and the pursuing Egyptian army blocked any hope of retreat. Fighting their way out was out of the question. Pharaoh’s army was the mightiest military on the face of the earth. Imagine the terror and devastation the Israelites must have experienced when they saw that mighty force—with its chariots, horses, shields, swords, and spears—bearing down on them in the distance. The Israelites thought they were dead. “But Moses told the people, ‘Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm’” (Exodus 14:13–14 NLT). Just stay calm. That’s a mighty tall order to cram into three small words. But the wisdom served the people of Israel well. God parted the waters of the Red Sea so that they could walk across on dry land. And when Pharaoh and his army tried to pursue, God closed the waters and drowned them. Just stay calm. Those words will also serve us well as disciples of Christ. Like the people of Israel, we are being pursued by our enemy after being set free. When the devil senses that he has us in a vulnerable position, he will come at us with everything he has, including temptations and deception. And they can be intimidating. We may start to question whether we can withstand his barrage. Spoiler alert: We can. The apostle John wrote, “But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world” (1 John 4:4 NLT). If you are a believer, the Spirit of God lives in you. You belong to the Lord. Yes, the devil can tempt you. He can hassle you. But he cannot overcome you, because you are under God’s protection. In Ephesians 6, the apostle Paul talks about the believer’s spiritual armor: the helmet of salvation, the breastplate of righteousness, the sword of the Spirit, and so forth. But before he describes the armor, he writes, “A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power” (Ephesians 6:10 NLT). In other words, just stay calm. Stand still and watch the Lord rescue you.   Reflection question: How can you stay calm when troubles come? 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 Partner

Faith vs. Worry | Philippians 4:6–7Faith vs. Worry | Philippians 4:6–7“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6–7 NLT)   Some people can sleep through anything. I’m not one of them. If I hear one little noise, I’m awake. If a bird chirps, I’m awake. I’m a light sleeper. Apparently, Jesus was a heavy sleeper. Luke’s Gospel tells us that as the disciples battled a violent storm on the Sea of Galilee, Jesus was sound asleep. Water made its way into the boat as it pitched back and forth. Sinking seemed like a very real possibility. The terrified disciples woke up Jesus, crying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” (Luke 8:24 NLT). On the one hand, they panicked. And they can be faulted for that. On the other hand, they channeled their anxiety in the right direction. They cried out to the Lord. In a sense, they prayed. When we are in trouble, we need to follow their example. We need to pray. We need to give our worries to the Lord and trust Him. We need to place our faith in Him. Faith and worry cannot coexist. One chases out the other. Do you know people who don’t get along? Maybe you want to invite one of them to your house, but you’re hesitant to invite the other because there’s always conflict between the two of them. Faith and worry have the same type of relationship. Where there is worry, there is no place for faith. Faith is driven out by worry, and worry is driven out by faith. The apostle Paul wrote, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6–7 NLT). The New Testament in the modern English PHILLIPS Bible puts it this way: “Don’t worry over anything whatever; tell God every detail of your needs in earnest and thankful prayer, and the peace of God which transcends human understanding, will keep constant guard over your hearts and minds as they rest in Christ Jesus.” It has been said that if your knees start shaking, you should kneel on them. In other words, when things get scary, pray. Cry out to God. Prayer is essential to discipleship. The sooner new believers learn to give their fears, doubts, concerns, and problems to God as those issues arise, the quicker they will grow in their faith. The disciples in the boat that day were left in awe by Jesus’ ability to answer their prayers. Their faith was bolstered beyond measure. The same thing happens when Jesus’ followers pray today.   Reflection question: How can you prioritize prayer 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 Partner“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6–7 NLT)   Some people can sleep through anything. I’m not one of them. If I hear one little noise, I’m awake. If a bird chirps, I’m awake. I’m a light sleeper. Apparently, Jesus was a heavy sleeper. Luke’s Gospel tells us that as the disciples battled a violent storm on the Sea of Galilee, Jesus was sound asleep. Water made its way into the boat as it pitched back and forth. Sinking seemed like a very real possibility. The terrified disciples woke up Jesus, crying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” (Luke 8:24 NLT). On the one hand, they panicked. And they can be faulted for that. On the other hand, they channeled their anxiety in the right direction. They cried out to the Lord. In a sense, they prayed. When we are in trouble, we need to follow their example. We need to pray. We need to give our worries to the Lord and trust Him. We need to place our faith in Him. Faith and worry cannot coexist. One chases out the other. Do you know people who don’t get along? Maybe you want to invite one of them to your house, but you’re hesitant to invite the other because there’s always conflict between the two of them. Faith and worry have the same type of relationship. Where there is worry, there is no place for faith. Faith is driven out by worry, and worry is driven out by faith. The apostle Paul wrote, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6–7 NLT). The New Testament in the modern English PHILLIPS Bible puts it this way: “Don’t worry over anything whatever; tell God every detail of your needs in earnest and thankful prayer, and the peace of God which transcends human understanding, will keep constant guard over your hearts and minds as they rest in Christ Jesus.” It has been said that if your knees start shaking, you should kneel on them. In other words, when things get scary, pray. Cry out to God. Prayer is essential to discipleship. The sooner new believers learn to give their fears, doubts, concerns, and problems to God as those issues arise, the quicker they will grow in their faith. The disciples in the boat that day were left in awe by Jesus’ ability to answer their prayers. Their faith was bolstered beyond measure. The same thing happens when Jesus’ followers pray today.   Reflection question: How can you prioritize prayer 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 Partner

The Long Walk of Faith | Exodus 14:22The Long Walk of Faith | Exodus 14:22“So the people of Israel walked through the middle of the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on each side!” (Exodus 14:22 NLT)   There’s a reason that Exodus 14:22 ends with an exclamation point. “So the people of Israel walked through the middle of the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on each side!” (NLT). Imagine how thrilling it must have been for the Israelites to walk through the middle of the Red Sea on dry ground as they followed God’s leading. Maybe they saw fish swimming by in the walls of water on either side of them, like something out of the best aquarium ever. The people of Israel walked for hours. The journey across the basin of the Red Sea took all night. But the Lord was with them every step of the way. No one who crossed the sea that day could have anticipated just how long their eventual journey would take—or where it would lead them. Their experience serves as an excellent illustration of the Christian life. It, too, is just a walk with the Lord. And discipleship is what happens along the way when we prioritize that walk. Often the beginning of the Christian journey is filled with excitement and wonder, as the realization of what God has done for us sinks in. But as was the case with the Israelites during their forty-year journey through the wilderness, the excitement and wonder begin to wane over time. We start to take things for granted. We become apathetic. That’s what happened with people who came to see Jesus during His earthly ministry. After the initial excitement and newness wore off, people began to drift away. They rejected Jesus and His teachings for a variety of reasons (see Matthew 8:34; Mark 6:3; Luke 4:28–29). They became apathetic toward their walk with Him and began to search elsewhere for something new, something different. If you struggle with apathy in your walk with Christ, then you need to prioritize, what I call, your “R.P.G.S.”: (1) Read the Bible every day. You never outgrow it and never get beyond it. God’s Word never becomes irrelevant. (2) Pray about things. Bring things up before the Lord. You need to have a prayer life. (3) Go to church. You need to be a regular part of the church. (4) Share your faith with others. Many believers stop doing these things and then wonder why spiritual apathy is seeping into their lives. It’s because they’re not doing the basics. If you decide not to eat anymore, here’s what will happen: You’ll get lightheaded. You’ll feel almost sick. And if it goes on for a while, you’ll start to die. You can’t live that way. You must eat to survive. In the same way, if you neglect spiritual disciplines, it won’t be long until you start to wither. Friedrich Nietzsche said, “The essential thing ‘in heaven and in earth’ is that there should be long obediencein the same direction.” As Christians, our lives are a walk of faith. We need to keep walking that walk.   Reflection question: How can you avoid apathy in your walk with the Lord? 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 Partner“So the people of Israel walked through the middle of the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on each side!” (Exodus 14:22 NLT)   There’s a reason that Exodus 14:22 ends with an exclamation point. “So the people of Israel walked through the middle of the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on each side!” (NLT). Imagine how thrilling it must have been for the Israelites to walk through the middle of the Red Sea on dry ground as they followed God’s leading. Maybe they saw fish swimming by in the walls of water on either side of them, like something out of the best aquarium ever. The people of Israel walked for hours. The journey across the basin of the Red Sea took all night. But the Lord was with them every step of the way. No one who crossed the sea that day could have anticipated just how long their eventual journey would take—or where it would lead them. Their experience serves as an excellent illustration of the Christian life. It, too, is just a walk with the Lord. And discipleship is what happens along the way when we prioritize that walk. Often the beginning of the Christian journey is filled with excitement and wonder, as the realization of what God has done for us sinks in. But as was the case with the Israelites during their forty-year journey through the wilderness, the excitement and wonder begin to wane over time. We start to take things for granted. We become apathetic. That’s what happened with people who came to see Jesus during His earthly ministry. After the initial excitement and newness wore off, people began to drift away. They rejected Jesus and His teachings for a variety of reasons (see Matthew 8:34; Mark 6:3; Luke 4:28–29). They became apathetic toward their walk with Him and began to search elsewhere for something new, something different. If you struggle with apathy in your walk with Christ, then you need to prioritize, what I call, your “R.P.G.S.”: (1) Read the Bible every day. You never outgrow it and never get beyond it. God’s Word never becomes irrelevant. (2) Pray about things. Bring things up before the Lord. You need to have a prayer life. (3) Go to church. You need to be a regular part of the church. (4) Share your faith with others. Many believers stop doing these things and then wonder why spiritual apathy is seeping into their lives. It’s because they’re not doing the basics. If you decide not to eat anymore, here’s what will happen: You’ll get lightheaded. You’ll feel almost sick. And if it goes on for a while, you’ll start to die. You can’t live that way. You must eat to survive. In the same way, if you neglect spiritual disciplines, it won’t be long until you start to wither. Friedrich Nietzsche said, “The essential thing ‘in heaven and in earth’ is that there should be long obediencein the same direction.” As Christians, our lives are a walk of faith. We need to keep walking that walk.   Reflection question: How can you avoid apathy in your walk with the Lord? 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 Partner

Don’t Look Back | Luke 9:62Don’t Look Back | Luke 9:62“But Jesus told him, ‘Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.’” (Luke 9:62 NLT)   It took God one night to get Israel out of Egypt. But it took forty years to get Egypt out of Israel. The Israelites were always looking back. After they learned that giants occupied the Promised Land, “Their voices rose in a great chorus of protest against Moses and Aaron. ‘If only we had died in Egypt, or even here in the wilderness!’ they complained. ‘Why is the Lord taking us to this country only to have us die in battle? Our wives and our little ones will be carried off as plunder! Wouldn’t it be better for us to return to Egypt?’ Then they plotted among themselves, ‘Let’s choose a new leader and go back to Egypt!’” (Numbers 14:2–4 NLT). Some Christians take a similar approach to life. They’re always looking back. They say, “Remember the good old days—you know, before I was a Christian? Man, we would party! We had so much fun!” Really? Were they in fact the good old days? Were those times really as good as they seem now? Or is the memory of them a little distorted? Have those believers forgotten the emptiness? Have they forgotten the despondency? Have they forgotten the repercussions of the things they did? Have they forgotten that dull ache deep inside? Have they forgotten the havoc their actions brought on their family? They’ve conveniently forgotten about those things and remember only the few good times they had. That’s what the Israelites were doing. They were always looking back. But before we judge them, let’s realize that we often do the same thing. This is why Jesus said, “Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62 NLT). Discipleship is forward-facing. The baseball player Satchel Paige once said, “Don’t look back. Something might be gaining on you.” There’s spiritual truth in his words. Sometimes looking back can awaken old fears and anxieties. It can cause you to forget what God has done in your life. It can make you lose focus on what He has in store for you. Looking back is often a way of retreating to a safer, more familiar place and time. We need to remember, however, that God is our refuge. And the plan He has for us is as certain as anything in our past. God always blesses and rewards spiritual forward progress. You can’t live in two worlds. You can’t go forward when you’re looking back. And you can’t walk forward spiritually if you’re always looking over your shoulder. Disciples are called to change the world and not be changed by it. World changers see opportunities; those who are changed by this world see obstacles. World changers see bridges; those who are changed by this world see walls. Perspective is everything. Make sure you stay focused on what lies ahead.   Reflection question: How can you keep your spiritual focus on what’s ahead of you instead of what’s behind 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 Partner“But Jesus told him, ‘Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.’” (Luke 9:62 NLT)   It took God one night to get Israel out of Egypt. But it took forty years to get Egypt out of Israel. The Israelites were always looking back. After they learned that giants occupied the Promised Land, “Their voices rose in a great chorus of protest against Moses and Aaron. ‘If only we had died in Egypt, or even here in the wilderness!’ they complained. ‘Why is the Lord taking us to this country only to have us die in battle? Our wives and our little ones will be carried off as plunder! Wouldn’t it be better for us to return to Egypt?’ Then they plotted among themselves, ‘Let’s choose a new leader and go back to Egypt!’” (Numbers 14:2–4 NLT). Some Christians take a similar approach to life. They’re always looking back. They say, “Remember the good old days—you know, before I was a Christian? Man, we would party! We had so much fun!” Really? Were they in fact the good old days? Were those times really as good as they seem now? Or is the memory of them a little distorted? Have those believers forgotten the emptiness? Have they forgotten the despondency? Have they forgotten the repercussions of the things they did? Have they forgotten that dull ache deep inside? Have they forgotten the havoc their actions brought on their family? They’ve conveniently forgotten about those things and remember only the few good times they had. That’s what the Israelites were doing. They were always looking back. But before we judge them, let’s realize that we often do the same thing. This is why Jesus said, “Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62 NLT). Discipleship is forward-facing. The baseball player Satchel Paige once said, “Don’t look back. Something might be gaining on you.” There’s spiritual truth in his words. Sometimes looking back can awaken old fears and anxieties. It can cause you to forget what God has done in your life. It can make you lose focus on what He has in store for you. Looking back is often a way of retreating to a safer, more familiar place and time. We need to remember, however, that God is our refuge. And the plan He has for us is as certain as anything in our past. God always blesses and rewards spiritual forward progress. You can’t live in two worlds. You can’t go forward when you’re looking back. And you can’t walk forward spiritually if you’re always looking over your shoulder. Disciples are called to change the world and not be changed by it. World changers see opportunities; those who are changed by this world see obstacles. World changers see bridges; those who are changed by this world see walls. Perspective is everything. Make sure you stay focused on what lies ahead.   Reflection question: How can you keep your spiritual focus on what’s ahead of you instead of what’s behind 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 Partner

Going the Right Way | 1 Corinthians 6:19–20Going the Right Way | 1 Corinthians 6:19–20“Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:19–20 NLT)   Every now and then, it seems that my GPS has a mind of its own. I’ll be driving on the freeway, going to a destination where I’ve never been before, when suddenly my device tells me to turn right at the next off-ramp. It doesn’t make sense, but I turn right. Then it tells me to turn left, so I turn left. Then it takes me back to the freeway. What was that all about? It makes no sense at all. The Lord gave the Israelites an amazing GPS system: a fire by night and a cloud by day. It was very simple. When the cloud moved, they moved. When the cloud stopped, they stopped. At night, when the fire moved, they moved. When the fire stopped, they stopped. We might be tempted to think, “I wish I could have that kind of obvious guidance, because a lot of times I don’t know what I should do or where I should go.” But as believers under the New Covenant, we have something better than a cloud or a fire. We have Christ Himself living in our hearts. Every one of us who believes in Jesus Christ has God residing within us. We don’t need a fire in the sky. We have the fire of the Holy Spirit in our life, giving us the power to do what God has called us to do. As believers, we are not masters of our fate. We do not control our spiritual journey. The apostle Paul wrote, “Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body” (1 Corinthians 6:19–20 NLT). The Lord will lead us in the way that He wants us to go. Sometimes His will won’t make sense to us. Sometimes it may seem as though God is trying to ruin all our fun. But in time we will realize that God knew what He was doing all along. Unlike the GPS maps on our devices, we can’t plug in our destination coordinates for this life. That’s because we have no idea where it will take us. That doesn’t stop us from trying, of course. We may try to plug in where we would like to end up. Or where we’re planning to end up. But as the old Yiddish expression goes, “Man plans, and God laughs.” Proverbs 19:21 (NIV) puts it this way: “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” GPS devices aren’t always right, but God is. God’s way is always the right way.   Reflection question: How can you trust God’s way even when it doesn’t make sense to 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 Partner“Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:19–20 NLT)   Every now and then, it seems that my GPS has a mind of its own. I’ll be driving on the freeway, going to a destination where I’ve never been before, when suddenly my device tells me to turn right at the next off-ramp. It doesn’t make sense, but I turn right. Then it tells me to turn left, so I turn left. Then it takes me back to the freeway. What was that all about? It makes no sense at all. The Lord gave the Israelites an amazing GPS system: a fire by night and a cloud by day. It was very simple. When the cloud moved, they moved. When the cloud stopped, they stopped. At night, when the fire moved, they moved. When the fire stopped, they stopped. We might be tempted to think, “I wish I could have that kind of obvious guidance, because a lot of times I don’t know what I should do or where I should go.” But as believers under the New Covenant, we have something better than a cloud or a fire. We have Christ Himself living in our hearts. Every one of us who believes in Jesus Christ has God residing within us. We don’t need a fire in the sky. We have the fire of the Holy Spirit in our life, giving us the power to do what God has called us to do. As believers, we are not masters of our fate. We do not control our spiritual journey. The apostle Paul wrote, “Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body” (1 Corinthians 6:19–20 NLT). The Lord will lead us in the way that He wants us to go. Sometimes His will won’t make sense to us. Sometimes it may seem as though God is trying to ruin all our fun. But in time we will realize that God knew what He was doing all along. Unlike the GPS maps on our devices, we can’t plug in our destination coordinates for this life. That’s because we have no idea where it will take us. That doesn’t stop us from trying, of course. We may try to plug in where we would like to end up. Or where we’re planning to end up. But as the old Yiddish expression goes, “Man plans, and God laughs.” Proverbs 19:21 (NIV) puts it this way: “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” GPS devices aren’t always right, but God is. God’s way is always the right way.   Reflection question: How can you trust God’s way even when it doesn’t make sense to 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 Partner

Taking the Next Step | Matthew 28:19–20 Taking the Next Step | 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)   As Christians, we need to not only seek to win people to Jesus Christ, but also help them get on their feet spiritually so that they can move on in their relationship with Him. We are called not just to convert but also to make disciples. Jesus said, “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). Somewhere along the line, we have separated evangelism from discipleship. But God wants us to not only lead people to Christ but also to help them get on their feet spiritually. I am so thankful that God brought a person like this to me. Shortly after my commitment to Christ, I didn’t know a lot of Christians. I wasn’t acclimating very well. I was in that awkward stage where I didn’t feel totally comfortable with Christians, but I didn’t want to hang out with my old friends either. Then one day a guy named Mark came up to me and introduced himself. He brought me to church and introduced me to other Christians. He told me what to read and what it meant. I had so many questions, and he patiently explained things to me. He helped me make that transition. He made a difference in my life. Every Christian can fill a similar role in the life of a new believer. That prospect may seem daunting to some people because they don’t feel equipped to disciple others. They convince themselves that it’s a job for “experts,” little realizing that they are the experts whom God has equipped to fulfill that responsibility. Transparency is the key. You can introduce a new believer to the realities of the Christian life, as opposed to certain idealized (and unrealistic) portrayals of it. You can show a new believer the struggles, setbacks, and victories—big and small—that come from spending time in God’s Word, engaging in regular prayer, sharing your faith with others, and making daily choices that honor God. Maybe God hasn’t called you to be a preacher or to lead worship, but you can be a friend to someone who has recently made a commitment to Christ. You can hang out with them. You can show them what a real Christian is like in the real world.   Reflection question: How can you help a new believer understand what it means to live for Christ? 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 Partner“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)   As Christians, we need to not only seek to win people to Jesus Christ, but also help them get on their feet spiritually so that they can move on in their relationship with Him. We are called not just to convert but also to make disciples. Jesus said, “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). Somewhere along the line, we have separated evangelism from discipleship. But God wants us to not only lead people to Christ but also to help them get on their feet spiritually. I am so thankful that God brought a person like this to me. Shortly after my commitment to Christ, I didn’t know a lot of Christians. I wasn’t acclimating very well. I was in that awkward stage where I didn’t feel totally comfortable with Christians, but I didn’t want to hang out with my old friends either. Then one day a guy named Mark came up to me and introduced himself. He brought me to church and introduced me to other Christians. He told me what to read and what it meant. I had so many questions, and he patiently explained things to me. He helped me make that transition. He made a difference in my life. Every Christian can fill a similar role in the life of a new believer. That prospect may seem daunting to some people because they don’t feel equipped to disciple others. They convince themselves that it’s a job for “experts,” little realizing that they are the experts whom God has equipped to fulfill that responsibility. Transparency is the key. You can introduce a new believer to the realities of the Christian life, as opposed to certain idealized (and unrealistic) portrayals of it. You can show a new believer the struggles, setbacks, and victories—big and small—that come from spending time in God’s Word, engaging in regular prayer, sharing your faith with others, and making daily choices that honor God. Maybe God hasn’t called you to be a preacher or to lead worship, but you can be a friend to someone who has recently made a commitment to Christ. You can hang out with them. You can show them what a real Christian is like in the real world.   Reflection question: How can you help a new believer understand what it means to live for Christ? 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 Partner

The Proof Is in the Love | John 13:35The Proof Is in the Love | John 13:35“Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” (John 13:35 NLT)   Before I became a believer, one of the things that attracted me to the Christian faith was the way Christians loved each other. I was raised in the 1960s, when the hippie and drug culture was coming on strong. We wore peace symbols and used words like groovy. We talked incessantly about love and peace. But it was a sham. There was no love or peace—at least, not as we envisioned it. It didn’t take me long to recognize the hypocrisy at the heart of the counterculture. Having been raised in a broken home, I wanted love and peace, and I thought maybe the movements of the 1960s were where I needed to look. I tried to buy into their philosophies for a time, not because I was looking for a buzz or excitement, but because I was looking for meaning in life. But nothing really resonated with me until I started meeting Christians. They had the love and peace I was searching for. They would get together for Bible studies on my high school campus, and I would watch them hug each other and say, “God bless you.” I thought, “This can’t be real. They can’t really care about each other. There’s no way.” But as I kept watching them, it started bugging me. And then I thought, “What if they’re right and I’m wrong? What if the love is real and not an act? What if God really is living inside them? What if they have the truth? If that’s true, then I don’t have it, and I don’t have the answers. That means I need to hear what they have to say.” Jesus understood that need and longing for genuine love. That’s why He told His followers, “Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples” (John 13:35 NLT). That love for one another doesn’t always come naturally. Nor should it. Nothing worthwhile is easy. They say politics makes strange bedfellows but so does the Christian faith. Jesus urged His followers to “go and make disciples of all the nations” (Matthew 28:19 NLT). That involves bringing people together from all walks of life—people who are culturally, politically, socioeconomically, and temperamentally different from one another. In other words, people with little in common. The apostle Paul wrote, “There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28 NLT). Yet the prejudices and misunderstandings that exist between these disparate groups don’t magically disappear when people come to Christ. Believers must work to change their thinking, to reach out to people who are different from them, to tear down walls and build bridges. To show love. Can people see that kind of love in your life? When people of different ages, backgrounds, and cultures set aside differences and come together to worship in the name of Jesus Christ, it serves as a powerful testimony to a world that is more divided than ever.   Reflection question: What does love for other believers 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 Partner“Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” (John 13:35 NLT)   Before I became a believer, one of the things that attracted me to the Christian faith was the way Christians loved each other. I was raised in the 1960s, when the hippie and drug culture was coming on strong. We wore peace symbols and used words like groovy. We talked incessantly about love and peace. But it was a sham. There was no love or peace—at least, not as we envisioned it. It didn’t take me long to recognize the hypocrisy at the heart of the counterculture. Having been raised in a broken home, I wanted love and peace, and I thought maybe the movements of the 1960s were where I needed to look. I tried to buy into their philosophies for a time, not because I was looking for a buzz or excitement, but because I was looking for meaning in life. But nothing really resonated with me until I started meeting Christians. They had the love and peace I was searching for. They would get together for Bible studies on my high school campus, and I would watch them hug each other and say, “God bless you.” I thought, “This can’t be real. They can’t really care about each other. There’s no way.” But as I kept watching them, it started bugging me. And then I thought, “What if they’re right and I’m wrong? What if the love is real and not an act? What if God really is living inside them? What if they have the truth? If that’s true, then I don’t have it, and I don’t have the answers. That means I need to hear what they have to say.” Jesus understood that need and longing for genuine love. That’s why He told His followers, “Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples” (John 13:35 NLT). That love for one another doesn’t always come naturally. Nor should it. Nothing worthwhile is easy. They say politics makes strange bedfellows but so does the Christian faith. Jesus urged His followers to “go and make disciples of all the nations” (Matthew 28:19 NLT). That involves bringing people together from all walks of life—people who are culturally, politically, socioeconomically, and temperamentally different from one another. In other words, people with little in common. The apostle Paul wrote, “There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28 NLT). Yet the prejudices and misunderstandings that exist between these disparate groups don’t magically disappear when people come to Christ. Believers must work to change their thinking, to reach out to people who are different from them, to tear down walls and build bridges. To show love. Can people see that kind of love in your life? When people of different ages, backgrounds, and cultures set aside differences and come together to worship in the name of Jesus Christ, it serves as a powerful testimony to a world that is more divided than ever.   Reflection question: What does love for other believers 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 Partner

A Harvest of Fruit | Matthew 7:20A Harvest of Fruit | Matthew 7:20“Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.” (Matthew 7:20 NLT)   Are you a disciple of Jesus Christ? Not every Christian necessarily is. Some people go no further than making a decision to accept Christ as Savior. They treat their Christian faith as an eternal life insurance policy or a “Get out of Hell free” card. They will take a few steps in their walk with Christ, but only if the path is smooth or the route is pleasant. In their reluctance to commit wholeheartedly, however, they don’t get to experience the transformative power of discipleship. When you submit to becoming a disciple of Christ—to live as He lived, to love as He loved, and to prioritize what He prioritized—you will see things happen in your life that are unimaginable otherwise. And you won’t be the only one who sees those things happening in your life. A disciple of Jesus Christ will bring forth spiritual fruit. Jesus said, “When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father” (John 15:8 NLT). He also said, “Just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions” (Matthew 7:20 NLT). If you’re a disciple of Jesus Christ, people will be able to tell based on the spiritual fruit they see in your life. In the parable of the sower, Jesus talks about seeds falling on different kinds of ground. Each type of ground represents a different reaction to the gospel. The final type represents people who bring forth fruit after hearing the gospel. “And the seed that fell on good soil represents those who hear and accept God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!” (Mark 4:20 NLT). Those who last as disciples spiritually embrace this truth and produce spiritual fruit. Spiritual fruit makes itself known in a variety of ways. The author of Hebrews says, “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name” (13:15 NIV). Praising God is a way of producing spiritual fruit. What we say is also evidence of the spiritual fruit in our lives. Jesus said, “A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart” (Luke 6:45 NLT). Our change in conduct and character is also a type of spiritual fruit. Galatians 5:22–23 tells us, “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!” (NLT). Can people see these traits in your life? A Christian’s life should be characterized by these things. Are you bringing forth spiritual fruit?   Reflection question: What spiritual fruit do you want people to see 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 Partner“Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.” (Matthew 7:20 NLT)   Are you a disciple of Jesus Christ? Not every Christian necessarily is. Some people go no further than making a decision to accept Christ as Savior. They treat their Christian faith as an eternal life insurance policy or a “Get out of Hell free” card. They will take a few steps in their walk with Christ, but only if the path is smooth or the route is pleasant. In their reluctance to commit wholeheartedly, however, they don’t get to experience the transformative power of discipleship. When you submit to becoming a disciple of Christ—to live as He lived, to love as He loved, and to prioritize what He prioritized—you will see things happen in your life that are unimaginable otherwise. And you won’t be the only one who sees those things happening in your life. A disciple of Jesus Christ will bring forth spiritual fruit. Jesus said, “When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father” (John 15:8 NLT). He also said, “Just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions” (Matthew 7:20 NLT). If you’re a disciple of Jesus Christ, people will be able to tell based on the spiritual fruit they see in your life. In the parable of the sower, Jesus talks about seeds falling on different kinds of ground. Each type of ground represents a different reaction to the gospel. The final type represents people who bring forth fruit after hearing the gospel. “And the seed that fell on good soil represents those who hear and accept God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!” (Mark 4:20 NLT). Those who last as disciples spiritually embrace this truth and produce spiritual fruit. Spiritual fruit makes itself known in a variety of ways. The author of Hebrews says, “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name” (13:15 NIV). Praising God is a way of producing spiritual fruit. What we say is also evidence of the spiritual fruit in our lives. Jesus said, “A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart” (Luke 6:45 NLT). Our change in conduct and character is also a type of spiritual fruit. Galatians 5:22–23 tells us, “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!” (NLT). Can people see these traits in your life? A Christian’s life should be characterized by these things. Are you bringing forth spiritual fruit?   Reflection question: What spiritual fruit do you want people to see 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 Partner

A Surpassing Love | Luke 14:26A Surpassing Love | Luke 14:26“If you want to be my disciple, you must, by comparison, hate everyone else—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:26 NLT)   Many people choose not to follow Jesus because they’re afraid of what others will think. They choose not to commit their lives to Christ because they’re worried about the opinion of someone else. Maybe it’s a boyfriend or girlfriend, or maybe it’s a husband or a wife. Maybe it’s a close buddy or a group of friends they hang around with. Maybe it’s their parents. They recognize that if they were to fully give their lives to Christ, they would lose a bunch of so-called friends. Or it would mean the end of a relationship. Or it would cause friction in their home. So, they allow the potential consequences to hold them back. But Jesus said, “If you want to be my disciple, you must, by comparison, hate everyone else—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:26 NLT). His declaration may seem shocking, especially because it includes the word hate. But as we balance this statement with other passages of Scripture, we discover that Jesus clearly wasn’t advocating for hatred. Certainly, the Bible doesn’t teach people to hate others. Why would Jesus tell us to honor our father and mother and then also demand that we hate them? Or why would Paul tell husbands to “love [their] wives, just as Christ loved the church” (Ephesians 5:25 NLT)? In context, Jesus wasn’t saying that His followers should hate people. Essentially, He was saying that we should love God so much more than anyone or anything else that our love for those people or things would seem like hatred in comparison. Jesus was talking about priorities. If you ask people to list the top priorities in their life, you’ll probably get a lot of heartwarming, inspiring answers. Near the top of people’s lists will be things like a relationship with Christ, family, nonprofit volunteer work, personal well-being, and career. But real priorities aren’t spoken or listed; they’re lived. The things in your life that get the majority of your time, focus, and interest—whether they are video games, social media, streaming services, significant others, habits/addictions, or other things—are your actual top priorities, whether you care to admit it or not. In Luke 14:26, Jesus is saying, “If you claim to follow Me, I should be in that top spot. What’s more, I should be so far ahead of number two on your priority list that there’s no comparison.” That makes perfect sense when you think about it. If you want to live your Christian life to the fullest, then love Jesus more than anything else. Do you love Him that way?   Reflection question: How can you make sure that Jesus is your top priority? 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 Partner“If you want to be my disciple, you must, by comparison, hate everyone else—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:26 NLT)   Many people choose not to follow Jesus because they’re afraid of what others will think. They choose not to commit their lives to Christ because they’re worried about the opinion of someone else. Maybe it’s a boyfriend or girlfriend, or maybe it’s a husband or a wife. Maybe it’s a close buddy or a group of friends they hang around with. Maybe it’s their parents. They recognize that if they were to fully give their lives to Christ, they would lose a bunch of so-called friends. Or it would mean the end of a relationship. Or it would cause friction in their home. So, they allow the potential consequences to hold them back. But Jesus said, “If you want to be my disciple, you must, by comparison, hate everyone else—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:26 NLT). His declaration may seem shocking, especially because it includes the word hate. But as we balance this statement with other passages of Scripture, we discover that Jesus clearly wasn’t advocating for hatred. Certainly, the Bible doesn’t teach people to hate others. Why would Jesus tell us to honor our father and mother and then also demand that we hate them? Or why would Paul tell husbands to “love [their] wives, just as Christ loved the church” (Ephesians 5:25 NLT)? In context, Jesus wasn’t saying that His followers should hate people. Essentially, He was saying that we should love God so much more than anyone or anything else that our love for those people or things would seem like hatred in comparison. Jesus was talking about priorities. If you ask people to list the top priorities in their life, you’ll probably get a lot of heartwarming, inspiring answers. Near the top of people’s lists will be things like a relationship with Christ, family, nonprofit volunteer work, personal well-being, and career. But real priorities aren’t spoken or listed; they’re lived. The things in your life that get the majority of your time, focus, and interest—whether they are video games, social media, streaming services, significant others, habits/addictions, or other things—are your actual top priorities, whether you care to admit it or not. In Luke 14:26, Jesus is saying, “If you claim to follow Me, I should be in that top spot. What’s more, I should be so far ahead of number two on your priority list that there’s no comparison.” That makes perfect sense when you think about it. If you want to live your Christian life to the fullest, then love Jesus more than anything else. Do you love Him that way?   Reflection question: How can you make sure that Jesus is your top priority? 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 Partner

Unfair-Weather Followers | Acts 17:5–6Unfair-Weather Followers | Acts 17:5–6“But the Jews who were not persuaded, becoming envious, took some of the evil men from the marketplace, and gathering a mob, set all the city in an uproar and attacked the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people. But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some brethren to the rulers of the city, crying out, ‘These who have turned the world upside down have come here too.’” (Acts 17:5–6 NKJV)   Why is it that first-century believers so radically impacted their world? After all, they didn’t have the cool technology we have today. They didn’t have well-known Christian authors and performers. They didn’t have megachurches. They didn’t have printing presses. Yet a relatively small group of men and women turned their first-century world on its ear, or “upside down,” as the Jewish leaders put it in Acts 17. They intended those words as a criticism of Christians—as a warning to others about them. But their description revealed the seismic impact Jesus’ followers had on the world around them. It’s also quite possible that the Jewish leaders inadvertently aided Christians in their evangelism efforts. Who wouldn’t be intrigued by the possibility of turning the world upside down? Yet for many believers today, those sights have been lowered considerably. People are content to live quiet, unobtrusive Christian lives. They don’t want to kick up too much dust in their walk with Christ. Especially in the United States, many believers are surviving on a watered-down, anemic version of Christianity. They don’t seem to be living at the same standard of Christian faith as the first-century Christians lived. You might say they have a “faith-light.” They seem to want to do only what is absolutely necessary. To put it another way, Jesus has a lot of fair-weather followers today. They will be Christians when it’s convenient, when it’s easy, or when it’s the popular thing to do. But the moment things get difficult, the moment hardship hits, the moment persecution rears its head, they retreat. They abandon their faith. They prove themselves to be less than true followers, less than real disciples. That certainly would explain why they’re not turning the world upside down. It also would explain why, far too often, the world seems to be turning the church upside down. Believers today need to get back to Christianity the way it is given to us in the Bible, the way that Jesus proclaimed it, the way the early church lived it—not the watered-down version of today but authentic, New Testament Christianity. In short, we need to become disciples of the Lord. Are you a disciple of Jesus Christ? Jesus asks His people to step out from the multitude, from the fair-weather followers, from the fickle people, to be His true disciples. Yet He never asks more from us than we can give. Not only will He reward our genuine discipleship, but He will also guide and direct us every step of the way.   Reflection question: What would bold discipleship 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 Partner“But the Jews who were not persuaded, becoming envious, took some of the evil men from the marketplace, and gathering a mob, set all the city in an uproar and attacked the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people. But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some brethren to the rulers of the city, crying out, ‘These who have turned the world upside down have come here too.’” (Acts 17:5–6 NKJV)   Why is it that first-century believers so radically impacted their world? After all, they didn’t have the cool technology we have today. They didn’t have well-known Christian authors and performers. They didn’t have megachurches. They didn’t have printing presses. Yet a relatively small group of men and women turned their first-century world on its ear, or “upside down,” as the Jewish leaders put it in Acts 17. They intended those words as a criticism of Christians—as a warning to others about them. But their description revealed the seismic impact Jesus’ followers had on the world around them. It’s also quite possible that the Jewish leaders inadvertently aided Christians in their evangelism efforts. Who wouldn’t be intrigued by the possibility of turning the world upside down? Yet for many believers today, those sights have been lowered considerably. People are content to live quiet, unobtrusive Christian lives. They don’t want to kick up too much dust in their walk with Christ. Especially in the United States, many believers are surviving on a watered-down, anemic version of Christianity. They don’t seem to be living at the same standard of Christian faith as the first-century Christians lived. You might say they have a “faith-light.” They seem to want to do only what is absolutely necessary. To put it another way, Jesus has a lot of fair-weather followers today. They will be Christians when it’s convenient, when it’s easy, or when it’s the popular thing to do. But the moment things get difficult, the moment hardship hits, the moment persecution rears its head, they retreat. They abandon their faith. They prove themselves to be less than true followers, less than real disciples. That certainly would explain why they’re not turning the world upside down. It also would explain why, far too often, the world seems to be turning the church upside down. Believers today need to get back to Christianity the way it is given to us in the Bible, the way that Jesus proclaimed it, the way the early church lived it—not the watered-down version of today but authentic, New Testament Christianity. In short, we need to become disciples of the Lord. Are you a disciple of Jesus Christ? Jesus asks His people to step out from the multitude, from the fair-weather followers, from the fickle people, to be His true disciples. Yet He never asks more from us than we can give. Not only will He reward our genuine discipleship, but He will also guide and direct us every step of the way.   Reflection question: What would bold discipleship 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 Partner

Grow Up | Hebrews 6:1Grow Up | Hebrews 6:1“So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don’t need to start again with the fundamental importance of repenting from evil deeds and placing our faith in God.” (Hebrews 6:1 NLT)   As a father and a grandfather, I know from personal experience that babies are a lot of work. For instance, it takes a great deal of effort to teach a baby how to eat. You start with baby food, which presents its own unique set of challenges. And then comes solid food, which must be cut into baby-sized bites. Of course, a baby doesn’t always want to eat, so you must think of creative ways to get the baby to take the food. Children need to learn how to eat their food, cut up their food, and ultimately prepare their food. That’s all part of growing up. The author of Hebrews reframes this idea of growing up in spiritual terms. Many people have never grown up spiritually. They made an initial commitment to Christ but have never really understood what it means to be a totally committed follower of Jesus. In short, they have not responded to what the Bible calls discipleship. This isn’t just a matter of ignoring biblical exhortations such as “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18 NLT). It’s also a matter of missing vital opportunities and life experiences. Think of all the culinary delights you’ve enjoyed since you progressed from baby food to solids. Think of how your palate has changed and matured. Think of all the different tastes you’ve experienced. Think of the many ways you’ve been nourished. The same principle applies to Christian growth. Progressing from spiritual milk to spiritual meat, as described in Hebrews 5:11–14, requires effort and a willingness to stretch, to step outside your comfort zone. But the rewards are more than worth the effort. The Christian life is more than simply saying a prayer of commitment to Christ. It involves following Jesus not only as your Savior but also as your Lord. If your only source of spiritual intake is hearing other people preach sermons, then you will be in a relatively weakened state spiritually. There is a place for teaching and preaching, but you must learn how to cut your own food, so to speak. You must learn how to feed yourself spiritually. Hebrews 6:1 says, “So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don’t need to start again with the fundamental importance of repenting from evil deeds and placing our faith in God” (NLT). We need to mature as believers and refuse to be spiritual babies forever. We need to grow up to be men and women of God.   Reflection question: In what areas do you need to grow spiritually? 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 Partner“So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don’t need to start again with the fundamental importance of repenting from evil deeds and placing our faith in God.” (Hebrews 6:1 NLT)   As a father and a grandfather, I know from personal experience that babies are a lot of work. For instance, it takes a great deal of effort to teach a baby how to eat. You start with baby food, which presents its own unique set of challenges. And then comes solid food, which must be cut into baby-sized bites. Of course, a baby doesn’t always want to eat, so you must think of creative ways to get the baby to take the food. Children need to learn how to eat their food, cut up their food, and ultimately prepare their food. That’s all part of growing up. The author of Hebrews reframes this idea of growing up in spiritual terms. Many people have never grown up spiritually. They made an initial commitment to Christ but have never really understood what it means to be a totally committed follower of Jesus. In short, they have not responded to what the Bible calls discipleship. This isn’t just a matter of ignoring biblical exhortations such as “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18 NLT). It’s also a matter of missing vital opportunities and life experiences. Think of all the culinary delights you’ve enjoyed since you progressed from baby food to solids. Think of how your palate has changed and matured. Think of all the different tastes you’ve experienced. Think of the many ways you’ve been nourished. The same principle applies to Christian growth. Progressing from spiritual milk to spiritual meat, as described in Hebrews 5:11–14, requires effort and a willingness to stretch, to step outside your comfort zone. But the rewards are more than worth the effort. The Christian life is more than simply saying a prayer of commitment to Christ. It involves following Jesus not only as your Savior but also as your Lord. If your only source of spiritual intake is hearing other people preach sermons, then you will be in a relatively weakened state spiritually. There is a place for teaching and preaching, but you must learn how to cut your own food, so to speak. You must learn how to feed yourself spiritually. Hebrews 6:1 says, “So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don’t need to start again with the fundamental importance of repenting from evil deeds and placing our faith in God” (NLT). We need to mature as believers and refuse to be spiritual babies forever. We need to grow up to be men and women of God.   Reflection question: In what areas do you need to grow spiritually? 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 Partner

Oh, Brother | Mark 6:4Oh, Brother | Mark 6:4“But Jesus said to them, ‘A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house.’” (Mark 6:4 NKJV)   Imagine being the half brother of Jesus. You could never blame Him for anything. Think about it. Who were Mary and Joseph going to believe—you or the only sinless human being who ever lived? Imagine trying to compete for your parents’ attention with the long-awaited Messiah, the Son of God, the Savior of your people. That was the lot in life for James, the author of the New Testament book that bears his name. It’s noteworthy that neither James nor any of Jesus’ other half brothers believed in Jesus prior to His resurrection. In fact, at one point, Jesus’ family came to take Him home, thinking that He had taken leave of His senses. John 7:5 states plainly, “For even His brothers did not believe in Him” (NKJV). Yet James starts his epistle by identifying himself as “a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ” (James 1:1 NKJV). He doesn’t identify himself as “James, the brother of the Lord” or even “James, the half brother of Jesus.” Instead, he writes, “James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.” Still, it seems hard to believe that James came to recognize the truth about Jesus so relatively late in life. After all, Jesus lived a flawless life. He never lied or stole or lost His temper. He never even sinned inwardly. Yet as Jesus Himself said, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house” (Mark 6:4 NKJV). That just goes to show that even living a perfect life is not necessarily enough to convince someone of the truth about Jesus. And, for believers who are trying to share that truth, it becomes even more difficult because all of us have fallen short at times in living out the witness we ought to live. The hardest people for many Christians to reach are those who are closest to us, especially in our own families. Many of us were raised in non-Christian homes. We know how difficult and hostile an environment that can be. It took the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead to finally reach His brothers. That’s when they all believed. It took the power of the gospel. Reaching family with the gospel message is still a challenge. But it’s a challenge we must rise to. The questions that the apostle Paul poses in Romans 10:14–15 still apply. “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!’” (NKJV).   Reflection question: How can you help the people who are closest to you understand the Good News of Christ? 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 Partner“But Jesus said to them, ‘A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house.’” (Mark 6:4 NKJV)   Imagine being the half brother of Jesus. You could never blame Him for anything. Think about it. Who were Mary and Joseph going to believe—you or the only sinless human being who ever lived? Imagine trying to compete for your parents’ attention with the long-awaited Messiah, the Son of God, the Savior of your people. That was the lot in life for James, the author of the New Testament book that bears his name. It’s noteworthy that neither James nor any of Jesus’ other half brothers believed in Jesus prior to His resurrection. In fact, at one point, Jesus’ family came to take Him home, thinking that He had taken leave of His senses. John 7:5 states plainly, “For even His brothers did not believe in Him” (NKJV). Yet James starts his epistle by identifying himself as “a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ” (James 1:1 NKJV). He doesn’t identify himself as “James, the brother of the Lord” or even “James, the half brother of Jesus.” Instead, he writes, “James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.” Still, it seems hard to believe that James came to recognize the truth about Jesus so relatively late in life. After all, Jesus lived a flawless life. He never lied or stole or lost His temper. He never even sinned inwardly. Yet as Jesus Himself said, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house” (Mark 6:4 NKJV). That just goes to show that even living a perfect life is not necessarily enough to convince someone of the truth about Jesus. And, for believers who are trying to share that truth, it becomes even more difficult because all of us have fallen short at times in living out the witness we ought to live. The hardest people for many Christians to reach are those who are closest to us, especially in our own families. Many of us were raised in non-Christian homes. We know how difficult and hostile an environment that can be. It took the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead to finally reach His brothers. That’s when they all believed. It took the power of the gospel. Reaching family with the gospel message is still a challenge. But it’s a challenge we must rise to. The questions that the apostle Paul poses in Romans 10:14–15 still apply. “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!’” (NKJV).   Reflection question: How can you help the people who are closest to you understand the Good News of Christ? 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 Partner

More Andrews | Mark 2:3–5More Andrews | Mark 2:3–5“Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men. And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven you.’” (Mark 2:3–5 NKJV)   The Gospel writers give us very little insight into why Jesus chose the people He did to serve as His disciples. We can get a sense of the personalities of Simon Peter, John—and Judas Iscariot—because they are featured prominently in certain stories. But for the rest of the Twelve, we must rely on quick glimpses. We must look beyond the words to the circumstances in which they’re mentioned to see just a little of what Jesus saw in them. Case in point: Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter. We find the origin story of Andrew’s discipleship in John 1. Andrew was first a disciple of John the Baptist. One day, as Jesus walked past, John the Baptist pointed at Him and said, “Behold the Lamb of God!” (verse 36 NKJV). That was all Andrew needed to hear. He immediately started following Jesus. But that’s not all he did. “He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ (which is translated, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus” (verses 41–42 NKJV). The thing about Andrew is that once he was convinced, he was convinced. He saw for himself. He believed. And he immediately went out to tell his brother Simon. How we need more Andrews today. If we had more Andrews, we would have more Simon Peters. One person bringing another person to Jesus—it’s so simple. It’s so effective. And it’s so neglected. Mark 2 gives an account of four men who brought their paralyzed friend to Christ. As Jesus was teaching inside a house overflowing with people, these four persistent men climbed up to the roof and lowered their friend inside. Jesus was so impressed with their demonstration of faith that He forgave the paralyzed man of his sins and healed him (see Mark 2:3–5). This story serves as an inspiration and a reminder that sometimes a number of Christians working together can bring a person to Christ more effectively than one person working alone. As Paul said, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase” (1 Corinthians 3:6 NKJV). We all have a part in God’s plan. Andrew was brand-new in the faith, and often the newest converts are the most zealous evangelists. That’s probably because they are so cognizant of the fact that they have just been saved from a miserable lifestyle. That was Andrew. Maybe we, too, need to remind ourselves time and time again of what God has done for us.   Reflection question: Who can you bring to Jesus? 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 Partner“Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men. And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven you.’” (Mark 2:3–5 NKJV)   The Gospel writers give us very little insight into why Jesus chose the people He did to serve as His disciples. We can get a sense of the personalities of Simon Peter, John—and Judas Iscariot—because they are featured prominently in certain stories. But for the rest of the Twelve, we must rely on quick glimpses. We must look beyond the words to the circumstances in which they’re mentioned to see just a little of what Jesus saw in them. Case in point: Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter. We find the origin story of Andrew’s discipleship in John 1. Andrew was first a disciple of John the Baptist. One day, as Jesus walked past, John the Baptist pointed at Him and said, “Behold the Lamb of God!” (verse 36 NKJV). That was all Andrew needed to hear. He immediately started following Jesus. But that’s not all he did. “He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ (which is translated, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus” (verses 41–42 NKJV). The thing about Andrew is that once he was convinced, he was convinced. He saw for himself. He believed. And he immediately went out to tell his brother Simon. How we need more Andrews today. If we had more Andrews, we would have more Simon Peters. One person bringing another person to Jesus—it’s so simple. It’s so effective. And it’s so neglected. Mark 2 gives an account of four men who brought their paralyzed friend to Christ. As Jesus was teaching inside a house overflowing with people, these four persistent men climbed up to the roof and lowered their friend inside. Jesus was so impressed with their demonstration of faith that He forgave the paralyzed man of his sins and healed him (see Mark 2:3–5). This story serves as an inspiration and a reminder that sometimes a number of Christians working together can bring a person to Christ more effectively than one person working alone. As Paul said, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase” (1 Corinthians 3:6 NKJV). We all have a part in God’s plan. Andrew was brand-new in the faith, and often the newest converts are the most zealous evangelists. That’s probably because they are so cognizant of the fact that they have just been saved from a miserable lifestyle. That was Andrew. Maybe we, too, need to remind ourselves time and time again of what God has done for us.   Reflection question: Who can you bring to Jesus? 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 Partner

Personalized Care | Mark 2:17Personalized Care | Mark 2:17“When Jesus heard it, He said to them, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.’” (Mark 2:17 NKJV)   Jesus interacted with a remarkably diverse group of people during His public ministry. The Gospels record His encounters with Pharisees, tax collectors, Roman officials, fishermen, a Samaritan woman, and a host of others. One of the extraordinary things about these encounters is the personalized attention He gave each person, whether He was offering encouragement, rebuke, or healing. He recognized that every man, every woman, and every child is different. And though they have many of the same problems and the same basic needs, He realized that there were unique things about them that required individual ministry. He saw people for exactly who they were. He understood exactly what they needed. And He provided it. It’s no wonder people refer to Him as the Great Physician. Jesus Himself said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance” (Mark 2:17 NKJV). Like a physician, Jesus usually saw people at their worst. I’ve always thought that one of the hardest things about being a doctor is that you only see people when they’re sick or in need of medical assistance. Most physicians don’t get a lot of patients stopping by their office to say, “Hey, Doc, I’m feeling great! I just wanted to let you know. Want to go to lunch?” You don’t usually call your doctor when you’re feeling good. You call when you’re feeling sick. And your doctor will have you come in, examine you, and apply the necessary treatment to the area of need. Doctors, of course, are limited in their areas of expertise. Cardiologists specialize in heart health. Dermatologists specialize in matters of the skin. Gastroenterologists specialize in digestive system health. Hematologists specialize in blood disorders. Oncologists specialize in cancer treatment. The list goes on and on. Jesus, on the other hand, can treat the whole person. He caused the blind to see, the deaf to hear, the disabled to walk, and the dead to live. He removed the spiritual torment of the demon-possessed. He eased the emotional struggles of the frightened and grieving. He didn’t just improve people’s quality of life; He gave them a life they never knew was possible. That’s what He meant when He said, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10 NKJV). Jesus still provides personalized care for His people. He knows what you need. In fact, He knows better than you do what you need. And He can and will provide it. Reach out to Him. Open yourself to His loving ministry. Let Him guide you into the life He has planned for you. Enjoy all the benefits of having a personal Physician.   Reflection question: How has Jesus impacted your life in a personal way? 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 Partner“When Jesus heard it, He said to them, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.’” (Mark 2:17 NKJV)   Jesus interacted with a remarkably diverse group of people during His public ministry. The Gospels record His encounters with Pharisees, tax collectors, Roman officials, fishermen, a Samaritan woman, and a host of others. One of the extraordinary things about these encounters is the personalized attention He gave each person, whether He was offering encouragement, rebuke, or healing. He recognized that every man, every woman, and every child is different. And though they have many of the same problems and the same basic needs, He realized that there were unique things about them that required individual ministry. He saw people for exactly who they were. He understood exactly what they needed. And He provided it. It’s no wonder people refer to Him as the Great Physician. Jesus Himself said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance” (Mark 2:17 NKJV). Like a physician, Jesus usually saw people at their worst. I’ve always thought that one of the hardest things about being a doctor is that you only see people when they’re sick or in need of medical assistance. Most physicians don’t get a lot of patients stopping by their office to say, “Hey, Doc, I’m feeling great! I just wanted to let you know. Want to go to lunch?” You don’t usually call your doctor when you’re feeling good. You call when you’re feeling sick. And your doctor will have you come in, examine you, and apply the necessary treatment to the area of need. Doctors, of course, are limited in their areas of expertise. Cardiologists specialize in heart health. Dermatologists specialize in matters of the skin. Gastroenterologists specialize in digestive system health. Hematologists specialize in blood disorders. Oncologists specialize in cancer treatment. The list goes on and on. Jesus, on the other hand, can treat the whole person. He caused the blind to see, the deaf to hear, the disabled to walk, and the dead to live. He removed the spiritual torment of the demon-possessed. He eased the emotional struggles of the frightened and grieving. He didn’t just improve people’s quality of life; He gave them a life they never knew was possible. That’s what He meant when He said, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10 NKJV). Jesus still provides personalized care for His people. He knows what you need. In fact, He knows better than you do what you need. And He can and will provide it. Reach out to Him. Open yourself to His loving ministry. Let Him guide you into the life He has planned for you. Enjoy all the benefits of having a personal Physician.   Reflection question: How has Jesus impacted your life in a personal way? 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 Partner

Willing Spirit, Weak Flesh | Mark 14:38Willing Spirit, Weak Flesh | Mark 14:38“Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Mark 14:38 NKJV)   Have you ever been caught doing something you weren’t supposed to do? One day I found my son playing a game on the computer, something he wasn’t allowed to do until he finished his schoolwork. With a guilty expression on his face, he looked at me and said, “I couldn’t resist myself.” That’s a correct view of temptation. When we give in to temptation, we like to blame others. Think of when Adam was caught in the act in the Garden of Eden. The Lord asked, “Did you eat of that tree?” And Adam replied, “It’s the woman You gave me, Lord. She made me do it” (see Genesis 3:8–12). And then there’s Aaron, who offered a classic example of a bad excuse for giving in to temptation. When Moses went up the mountain to receive God’s commandments, he entrusted the people to his brother Aaron. When Moses returned, he saw the people dancing naked around a golden calf. Aaron explained it this way: “We just threw the gold into the fire, and this calf came out.” The truth was that Aaron told the people to bring their gold jewelry. He molded it into a calf. And then he encouraged them to worship it (see Exodus 32:22–24). James 1:14 leaves little room for bad excuses. “But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed” (NKJV). Every person plays the key role when they give in to temptation. The devil may tempt you. Someone may try to trap you. But they will not succeed unless you give in. The Bible makes it clear that no temptation is irresistible. “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 10:13 NLT). “So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7 NLT). Despite those assurances, temptation is shockingly easy to give in to. But you probably don’t need to be told that. Perhaps there’s a sin in your life that’s caught up with you. Perhaps you’re contemplating getting involved in a sinful relationship. Perhaps because of your sin, you’ve been overcome with guilt. If so, there’s something you need to know: God gives second chances. First John 1:9 says, “But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness” (NLT). And David, who knew a thing or two about giving in to temptation and seeking God’s forgiveness, wrote, “He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve. For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him. For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust” (Psalm 103:10–14 NLT).   Reflection question: What is your most effective strategy for avoiding or resisting temptation? 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 Partner“Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Mark 14:38 NKJV)   Have you ever been caught doing something you weren’t supposed to do? One day I found my son playing a game on the computer, something he wasn’t allowed to do until he finished his schoolwork. With a guilty expression on his face, he looked at me and said, “I couldn’t resist myself.” That’s a correct view of temptation. When we give in to temptation, we like to blame others. Think of when Adam was caught in the act in the Garden of Eden. The Lord asked, “Did you eat of that tree?” And Adam replied, “It’s the woman You gave me, Lord. She made me do it” (see Genesis 3:8–12). And then there’s Aaron, who offered a classic example of a bad excuse for giving in to temptation. When Moses went up the mountain to receive God’s commandments, he entrusted the people to his brother Aaron. When Moses returned, he saw the people dancing naked around a golden calf. Aaron explained it this way: “We just threw the gold into the fire, and this calf came out.” The truth was that Aaron told the people to bring their gold jewelry. He molded it into a calf. And then he encouraged them to worship it (see Exodus 32:22–24). James 1:14 leaves little room for bad excuses. “But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed” (NKJV). Every person plays the key role when they give in to temptation. The devil may tempt you. Someone may try to trap you. But they will not succeed unless you give in. The Bible makes it clear that no temptation is irresistible. “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 10:13 NLT). “So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7 NLT). Despite those assurances, temptation is shockingly easy to give in to. But you probably don’t need to be told that. Perhaps there’s a sin in your life that’s caught up with you. Perhaps you’re contemplating getting involved in a sinful relationship. Perhaps because of your sin, you’ve been overcome with guilt. If so, there’s something you need to know: God gives second chances. First John 1:9 says, “But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness” (NLT). And David, who knew a thing or two about giving in to temptation and seeking God’s forgiveness, wrote, “He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve. For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him. For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust” (Psalm 103:10–14 NLT).   Reflection question: What is your most effective strategy for avoiding or resisting temptation? 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 Partner

Four Good Reasons to Pray | Mark 13:33Four Good Reasons to Pray | Mark 13:33“Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is.” (Mark 13:33 NKJV)   Prayer is one of the most powerful and misunderstood tools available to God’s people. Many people confuse it with normal conversation or the daily interactions they have with other people. So, they ask skeptical questions like these: If God knows what we need before we ask Him, why should we even bother to ask? If God is going to do what He wants to do, and He already knows what He’s going to do, what difference does prayer make? The Bible offers several compelling reasons for God’s people to pray. Let’s look at four of them. First, we should pray because Jesus told us to. Do we need a better reason than that? Jesus said, “Men always ought to pray and not lose heart” (Luke 18:1 NKJV). Not to mention the blessings of watching our prayers get answered, whether that involves the salvation of a loved one, a divine healing, or a wonderful provision. If Jesus says we should do it, then let’s do it. Jesus led by example in this area. He prayed frequently. A significant percentage of the red letters in the Bible are words of prayer. Jesus’ prayerful connection with His heavenly Father was essential to His earthly ministry. Second, we should pray because it’s God’s appointed way for us to obtain things. God works in our lives through prayer. James 4:2 tells us, “You do not have because you do not ask” (NKJV). This means there may be things God wants to give to us that are not yet ours because we haven’t specifically asked. That’s not to suggest that God is a cosmic genie, waiting to grant our every wish. The key to praying effectively is to discover what God’s will is and then prioritize it in your life. When your desires align with God’s will, amazing things will result from your prayers. Third, we should pray because through prayer, we overcome our anxiety and worry. The Bible says, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6 NKJV). When we are tempted to worry, we should pray instead. Prayer isn’t a mantra or a string of empty words to repeat to distract our attention from the things that cause us anxiety or worry. Prayer is the act of staring down those things, acknowledging them and their impact on us, and then handing them off to God, who is powerful and loving enough to take care of them for us. Fourth, prayer is one of the ways we make ourselves ready for Christ’s return. Jesus said, “Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is” (Mark 13:33 NKJV). For many believers, Jesus’ return is a source of anxiety. The apocalyptic descriptions in Scripture paint a stark picture. For others, Jesus’ return is a source of impatience. They can’t wait. Prayer addresses both issues. It helps believers get in the proper mindset regarding Jesus’ return. These aren’t the only reasons to pray. But they are compelling reasons to pray. Why not put them into practice today?   Reflection question: Why do you pray? 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 Partner“Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is.” (Mark 13:33 NKJV)   Prayer is one of the most powerful and misunderstood tools available to God’s people. Many people confuse it with normal conversation or the daily interactions they have with other people. So, they ask skeptical questions like these: If God knows what we need before we ask Him, why should we even bother to ask? If God is going to do what He wants to do, and He already knows what He’s going to do, what difference does prayer make? The Bible offers several compelling reasons for God’s people to pray. Let’s look at four of them. First, we should pray because Jesus told us to. Do we need a better reason than that? Jesus said, “Men always ought to pray and not lose heart” (Luke 18:1 NKJV). Not to mention the blessings of watching our prayers get answered, whether that involves the salvation of a loved one, a divine healing, or a wonderful provision. If Jesus says we should do it, then let’s do it. Jesus led by example in this area. He prayed frequently. A significant percentage of the red letters in the Bible are words of prayer. Jesus’ prayerful connection with His heavenly Father was essential to His earthly ministry. Second, we should pray because it’s God’s appointed way for us to obtain things. God works in our lives through prayer. James 4:2 tells us, “You do not have because you do not ask” (NKJV). This means there may be things God wants to give to us that are not yet ours because we haven’t specifically asked. That’s not to suggest that God is a cosmic genie, waiting to grant our every wish. The key to praying effectively is to discover what God’s will is and then prioritize it in your life. When your desires align with God’s will, amazing things will result from your prayers. Third, we should pray because through prayer, we overcome our anxiety and worry. The Bible says, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6 NKJV). When we are tempted to worry, we should pray instead. Prayer isn’t a mantra or a string of empty words to repeat to distract our attention from the things that cause us anxiety or worry. Prayer is the act of staring down those things, acknowledging them and their impact on us, and then handing them off to God, who is powerful and loving enough to take care of them for us. Fourth, prayer is one of the ways we make ourselves ready for Christ’s return. Jesus said, “Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is” (Mark 13:33 NKJV). For many believers, Jesus’ return is a source of anxiety. The apocalyptic descriptions in Scripture paint a stark picture. For others, Jesus’ return is a source of impatience. They can’t wait. Prayer addresses both issues. It helps believers get in the proper mindset regarding Jesus’ return. These aren’t the only reasons to pray. But they are compelling reasons to pray. Why not put them into practice today?   Reflection question: Why do you pray? 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 Partner

The Worth of Your Soul | Mark 8:36–37The Worth of Your Soul | Mark 8:36–37“And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?” (Mark 8:36–37 NLT)   Years ago, I ran into a guy I used to hang out with in school. I hadn’t seen him in twenty-five years. He called to say that he was coming to hear me speak, so we arranged to meet beforehand. As we talked, he told me that he had been married twice and was presently divorced from his second wife. Then he said, “I basically drank my marriages away.” He went on to explain that he had gotten into the partying lifestyle and had never stopped. He said it had ruined his life. I said, “You know, in the Bible, God says, ‘You will seek Me and find Me—’” “You can quote your book, and I’ll quote mine,” he interrupted. “I’m in fellowship, too. I’m in a 12-step program.” Once upon a time, our lives probably looked pretty similar. We enjoyed the same pleasures and chased the same vices. The difference was that I stopped chasing at the age of seventeen. And for him, the chase never ended. As I thought about the course his life had taken and the course my life had taken, it was clear to me who had given up the most. There may be times when you look at unbelievers and think, “I don’t know, maybe they are having a better time than I am. Maybe I’m denying myself things for no good reason.”That’s when you need to remind yourself that looks can be deceiving. What looks like fun and freedom from a distance may turn out to be misery and addiction upon closer inspection. Make no mistake, there’s always a price to pay for sin. We all reap what we sow. Jesus put it this way: “And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?” (Mark 8:36–37 NLT). The problem is that most people don’t realize that they are losing their souls. There is no “Check Soul” indicator light on the dash to warn us. There is a famous quote that goes, “Life is what happens when you are busy making other plans.” In that same vein, losing your soul is what happens when you are busy living life on your own terms. It’s what happens when you pursue success as you understand it or as society defines it. If you live for Christ, if you determine to do things God’s way, you won’t regret it. Because you won’t find happiness or fulfillment through sex, drugs, or drinking. You won’t find it through relationships, success, possessions, or accomplishments either. You will find the happiness and fulfillment you’re looking for in life only through a relationship with Jesus Christ. Don’t risk losing your soul. Gaining the whole world is a poor substitute.   Reflection question: What do happiness and fulfillment 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 Partner“And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?” (Mark 8:36–37 NLT)   Years ago, I ran into a guy I used to hang out with in school. I hadn’t seen him in twenty-five years. He called to say that he was coming to hear me speak, so we arranged to meet beforehand. As we talked, he told me that he had been married twice and was presently divorced from his second wife. Then he said, “I basically drank my marriages away.” He went on to explain that he had gotten into the partying lifestyle and had never stopped. He said it had ruined his life. I said, “You know, in the Bible, God says, ‘You will seek Me and find Me—’” “You can quote your book, and I’ll quote mine,” he interrupted. “I’m in fellowship, too. I’m in a 12-step program.” Once upon a time, our lives probably looked pretty similar. We enjoyed the same pleasures and chased the same vices. The difference was that I stopped chasing at the age of seventeen. And for him, the chase never ended. As I thought about the course his life had taken and the course my life had taken, it was clear to me who had given up the most. There may be times when you look at unbelievers and think, “I don’t know, maybe they are having a better time than I am. Maybe I’m denying myself things for no good reason.”That’s when you need to remind yourself that looks can be deceiving. What looks like fun and freedom from a distance may turn out to be misery and addiction upon closer inspection. Make no mistake, there’s always a price to pay for sin. We all reap what we sow. Jesus put it this way: “And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?” (Mark 8:36–37 NLT). The problem is that most people don’t realize that they are losing their souls. There is no “Check Soul” indicator light on the dash to warn us. There is a famous quote that goes, “Life is what happens when you are busy making other plans.” In that same vein, losing your soul is what happens when you are busy living life on your own terms. It’s what happens when you pursue success as you understand it or as society defines it. If you live for Christ, if you determine to do things God’s way, you won’t regret it. Because you won’t find happiness or fulfillment through sex, drugs, or drinking. You won’t find it through relationships, success, possessions, or accomplishments either. You will find the happiness and fulfillment you’re looking for in life only through a relationship with Jesus Christ. Don’t risk losing your soul. Gaining the whole world is a poor substitute.   Reflection question: What do happiness and fulfillment 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 Partner

Where the People Are | Mark 1:38Where the People Are | Mark 1:38“But Jesus replied, ‘We must go on to other towns as well, and I will preach to them, too. That is why I came.’” (Mark 1:38 NLT)   In John 4, Jesus visits a Samaritan village, meets a woman at a well, and talks to her. A simple story, right? No miracles, no healings, no drama. Perhaps, but this seemingly simple story is loaded with profound significance. For one thing, in Jesus’ day, most Jewish people did not travel to Samaria. In fact, they often went well out of their way to avoid it. For another thing, most Jewish people didn’t talk to Samaritans. They considered Samaritans second-class citizens. (That’s why Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan was so shocking to His Jewish listeners.) And for another thing, most Jewish men did not talk to women, not even their wives, in public. So, why did Jesus do all three of these things? In answering that question, we unlock two very important principles of the Christian life—principles that should guide our efforts to share the Good News of Christ with others. First, we must go to where the people are. Jesus went to a Samaritan village because there was a Samaritan woman who needed to hear His words. That mentality fuels the servant heart. Jesus didn’t say that the whole world should go to church; He said that the church should go into the whole world. Mark 16:15 records one of Jesus’ last interactions with His disciples. “And then he told them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone’” (NLT). That was the message He left them with. And that’s the assignment His followers today are given. When Harvest Ministries was doing an outreach in Disneyland several years ago, I was asked, “Why are you doing this in a place like Disneyland? Why would you hold an event in a place like this?” I said, “Because Jesus said, ‘Go into all the world,’ and He did not exempt Disneyland. There are people here. And we want to reach people.” The glorious thing is that many people came into God’s kingdom through that outreach. We need to go to where the people are. Second, we must care about the people we speak to. Jesus needed to go to Samaria because He cared about this woman (see John 4:10). When the apostle Paul was in Athens, he saw that the city was given over to idolatry, and his spirit was “deeply troubled” within him (see Acts 17:16–17 NLT). He felt righteous indignation as he saw so many people turning to false gods. In the same way, any effective sharing of the gospel must always begin with a God-given burden. We must care. Jesus cared. Do you? Do you want to reach out to perishing people? We must go to where the people are. We must care about them and reach out to them.   Reflection question: Where are the people with whom you need to share the Good News of Christ? 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 Partner“But Jesus replied, ‘We must go on to other towns as well, and I will preach to them, too. That is why I came.’” (Mark 1:38 NLT)   In John 4, Jesus visits a Samaritan village, meets a woman at a well, and talks to her. A simple story, right? No miracles, no healings, no drama. Perhaps, but this seemingly simple story is loaded with profound significance. For one thing, in Jesus’ day, most Jewish people did not travel to Samaria. In fact, they often went well out of their way to avoid it. For another thing, most Jewish people didn’t talk to Samaritans. They considered Samaritans second-class citizens. (That’s why Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan was so shocking to His Jewish listeners.) And for another thing, most Jewish men did not talk to women, not even their wives, in public. So, why did Jesus do all three of these things? In answering that question, we unlock two very important principles of the Christian life—principles that should guide our efforts to share the Good News of Christ with others. First, we must go to where the people are. Jesus went to a Samaritan village because there was a Samaritan woman who needed to hear His words. That mentality fuels the servant heart. Jesus didn’t say that the whole world should go to church; He said that the church should go into the whole world. Mark 16:15 records one of Jesus’ last interactions with His disciples. “And then he told them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone’” (NLT). That was the message He left them with. And that’s the assignment His followers today are given. When Harvest Ministries was doing an outreach in Disneyland several years ago, I was asked, “Why are you doing this in a place like Disneyland? Why would you hold an event in a place like this?” I said, “Because Jesus said, ‘Go into all the world,’ and He did not exempt Disneyland. There are people here. And we want to reach people.” The glorious thing is that many people came into God’s kingdom through that outreach. We need to go to where the people are. Second, we must care about the people we speak to. Jesus needed to go to Samaria because He cared about this woman (see John 4:10). When the apostle Paul was in Athens, he saw that the city was given over to idolatry, and his spirit was “deeply troubled” within him (see Acts 17:16–17 NLT). He felt righteous indignation as he saw so many people turning to false gods. In the same way, any effective sharing of the gospel must always begin with a God-given burden. We must care. Jesus cared. Do you? Do you want to reach out to perishing people? We must go to where the people are. We must care about them and reach out to them.   Reflection question: Where are the people with whom you need to share the Good News of Christ? 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 Partner

Why Did Jesus Come? | Mark 10:45Why Did Jesus Come? | Mark 10:45“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45 NLT)   We’re a month removed from the Christmas season, although you wouldn’t know it from the number of people who still have their decorations up. Christmas is when we celebrate Jesus’ coming. But amidst the traditional readings, carols, and pageants of the season, one question that often gets overlooked is the most basic one of all: Why did Jesus come? Let’s look quickly at five different reasons. First, Jesus came to proclaim Good News to the spiritually hurting. Jesus said, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor” (Luke 4:18 NLT). Not only did He proclaim the Good News, He was the Good News. He was the Messiah, the Savior the world had been waiting for. Second, Jesus came to heal the brokenhearted. Medical technology has made stunning advances in pain management, but there is still no cure for a broken heart. People struggle with all kinds of heartbreaking challenges—physical, relational, emotional, mental, and spiritual. Jesus understands. He lived as one of us. He experienced pain and betrayal and grief. He knows what we feel. The psalmist wrote of the Lord, “He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds” (Psalm 147:3 NLT). Third, Jesus came to set people free who are bound by sin. He came to open our spiritual eyes to our spiritual need. One of the greatest tricks the devil ever pulled was convincing people who are slaves to sin that they are free. The apostle Paul wrote, “So Christ has truly set us free” (Galatians 5:1 NLT). Jesus exposed the devil’s lie and shone a spotlight on people’s sin. He then provided a means for their sins to be forgiven forever. Fourth, Jesus came to lift up those who are crushed by life. Jesus said, “My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life” (John 10:10 NLT). He came to give us abundant life. Jesus came to show us that there is more to life than this. He came to give us hope. Fifth, Jesus came to give His life for us. Jesus said, “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45 NLT). God is holy and just. He demands punishment for sin. That punishment is death. Only a perfect sacrifice offered in our place could save us from death. Jesus was that perfect sacrifice. He willingly took our punishment for sin. He allowed Himself to be killed so that we might live. Jesus Christ came to this earth to seek and save those of us who are lost, just as a shepherd seeks a lost sheep. Those who trust in Him will enjoy eternal life with Him.   Reflection question: Which of these reasons for Jesus’ coming would resonate most powerfully with someone you know? 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 Partner“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45 NLT)   We’re a month removed from the Christmas season, although you wouldn’t know it from the number of people who still have their decorations up. Christmas is when we celebrate Jesus’ coming. But amidst the traditional readings, carols, and pageants of the season, one question that often gets overlooked is the most basic one of all: Why did Jesus come? Let’s look quickly at five different reasons. First, Jesus came to proclaim Good News to the spiritually hurting. Jesus said, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor” (Luke 4:18 NLT). Not only did He proclaim the Good News, He was the Good News. He was the Messiah, the Savior the world had been waiting for. Second, Jesus came to heal the brokenhearted. Medical technology has made stunning advances in pain management, but there is still no cure for a broken heart. People struggle with all kinds of heartbreaking challenges—physical, relational, emotional, mental, and spiritual. Jesus understands. He lived as one of us. He experienced pain and betrayal and grief. He knows what we feel. The psalmist wrote of the Lord, “He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds” (Psalm 147:3 NLT). Third, Jesus came to set people free who are bound by sin. He came to open our spiritual eyes to our spiritual need. One of the greatest tricks the devil ever pulled was convincing people who are slaves to sin that they are free. The apostle Paul wrote, “So Christ has truly set us free” (Galatians 5:1 NLT). Jesus exposed the devil’s lie and shone a spotlight on people’s sin. He then provided a means for their sins to be forgiven forever. Fourth, Jesus came to lift up those who are crushed by life. Jesus said, “My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life” (John 10:10 NLT). He came to give us abundant life. Jesus came to show us that there is more to life than this. He came to give us hope. Fifth, Jesus came to give His life for us. Jesus said, “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45 NLT). God is holy and just. He demands punishment for sin. That punishment is death. Only a perfect sacrifice offered in our place could save us from death. Jesus was that perfect sacrifice. He willingly took our punishment for sin. He allowed Himself to be killed so that we might live. Jesus Christ came to this earth to seek and save those of us who are lost, just as a shepherd seeks a lost sheep. Those who trust in Him will enjoy eternal life with Him.   Reflection question: Which of these reasons for Jesus’ coming would resonate most powerfully with someone you know? 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 Partner

A Time to Be Quiet | Mark 9:5–6A Time to Be Quiet | Mark 9:5–6“Peter exclaimed, ‘Rabbi, it’s wonderful for us to be here! Let’s make three shelters as memorials—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’ He said this because he didn’t really know what else to say, for they were all terrified.” (Mark 9:5–6 NLT)   Sometimes the words just hang in the air for a moment. That awful moment when you realize too late that you should have kept quiet. That moment when you and the people listening to you silently ask the same question: Why did you just say that? When was the last time you said something that you wish you hadn’t said? Something that may have sounded perfect in your head as the words were formulating, but somehow turned unbelievably lame as they left your mouth? It happens to the best of us. It happened to Peter. At just about the worst time imaginable. Jesus had led Peter, James, and John, the disciples in his inner circle, up a mountain for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The event is known as the Transfiguration. God briefly allowed Jesus’ disciples to see Jesus in His glory. Jesus’ face and clothes suddenly shone like the sun. Moses and Elijah, two of the most revered figures in Jewish history, appeared and spoke with Him. It would be hard to imagine a more profound, life-changing experience. It would be hard to imagine a scene more fitting for respectful, awestruck silence. It would be hard to imagine a situation less suited for Peter. Unable to contain himself, Peter interrupted the conversation—once again, involving Jesus, Moses, and Elijah—to blurt out, “Rabbi, it’s wonderful for us to be here! Let’s make three shelters as memorials—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah” (Mark 9:5 NLT). Mark adds this interesting commentary: “He said this because he didn’t really know what else to say, for they were all terrified” (verse 6 NLT). I wonder if Moses turned to Jesus and asked, “Who is that guy?” Or if Jesus rolled His eyes a little and replied, “Oh, that’s Rock. Never mind.” How easily thoughts can jump into our minds and then out of our mouths before we fully process them. How much better would it be if we could just hit a momentary delay button and ask ourselves, “Is this the right thing to say? Would this be an appropriate statement to make? Would this glorify the Lord?” As the old proverb says, “Better to be silent and be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.” The author of Ecclesiastes wrote, “For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. . . . A time to be quiet and a time to speak” (Ecclesiastes 3:1, 7). If you don’t know how to “tell the time” where your tongue is concerned, ask God to help you. James 1:5 says, “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you” (NLT).   Reflection question: When is it appropriate for you to be quiet? 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 Partner“Peter exclaimed, ‘Rabbi, it’s wonderful for us to be here! Let’s make three shelters as memorials—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’ He said this because he didn’t really know what else to say, for they were all terrified.” (Mark 9:5–6 NLT)   Sometimes the words just hang in the air for a moment. That awful moment when you realize too late that you should have kept quiet. That moment when you and the people listening to you silently ask the same question: Why did you just say that? When was the last time you said something that you wish you hadn’t said? Something that may have sounded perfect in your head as the words were formulating, but somehow turned unbelievably lame as they left your mouth? It happens to the best of us. It happened to Peter. At just about the worst time imaginable. Jesus had led Peter, James, and John, the disciples in his inner circle, up a mountain for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The event is known as the Transfiguration. God briefly allowed Jesus’ disciples to see Jesus in His glory. Jesus’ face and clothes suddenly shone like the sun. Moses and Elijah, two of the most revered figures in Jewish history, appeared and spoke with Him. It would be hard to imagine a more profound, life-changing experience. It would be hard to imagine a scene more fitting for respectful, awestruck silence. It would be hard to imagine a situation less suited for Peter. Unable to contain himself, Peter interrupted the conversation—once again, involving Jesus, Moses, and Elijah—to blurt out, “Rabbi, it’s wonderful for us to be here! Let’s make three shelters as memorials—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah” (Mark 9:5 NLT). Mark adds this interesting commentary: “He said this because he didn’t really know what else to say, for they were all terrified” (verse 6 NLT). I wonder if Moses turned to Jesus and asked, “Who is that guy?” Or if Jesus rolled His eyes a little and replied, “Oh, that’s Rock. Never mind.” How easily thoughts can jump into our minds and then out of our mouths before we fully process them. How much better would it be if we could just hit a momentary delay button and ask ourselves, “Is this the right thing to say? Would this be an appropriate statement to make? Would this glorify the Lord?” As the old proverb says, “Better to be silent and be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.” The author of Ecclesiastes wrote, “For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. . . . A time to be quiet and a time to speak” (Ecclesiastes 3:1, 7). If you don’t know how to “tell the time” where your tongue is concerned, ask God to help you. James 1:5 says, “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you” (NLT).   Reflection question: When is it appropriate for you to be quiet? 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 Partner

Go Away? | Mark 5:15–17Go Away? | Mark 5:15–17“A crowd soon gathered around Jesus, and they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons. He was sitting there fully clothed and perfectly sane, and they were all afraid. Then those who had seen what happened told the others about the demon-possessed man and the pigs. And the crowd began pleading with Jesus to go away and leave them alone.” (Mark 5:15–17 NLT)   In our previous two devotions, we looked at the story in Mark 5 of Jesus’ encounter with a demon-possessed man in the region of the Gerasenes. The man terrified the people in the region until Jesus drove the demons out of him and into a nearby herd of pigs. The demon-possessed pigs, around two thousand in all, rushed down a steep bank into the sea, where they drowned. The Gospels record several different reactions to Jesus’ miraculous acts of healing and unmistakable displays of power. But the reaction of the Gerasenes stands apart. When the people saw the formerly demon-possessed man, “sitting there fully clothed and perfectly sane . . . they were all afraid” (Mark 5:15 NLT). So, not much had really changed for them. Instead of being afraid of the demon-possessed man, they were now afraid of the One who had healed him. So afraid, in fact, that they began pleading with Jesus to go away and leave them alone (see verse 17). Mark doesn’t explain why the people reacted as they did. It may be that witnessing such supernatural power unnerved them. It may be that they were upset about the financial losses tied to the drowned pigs. Or it may be that Jesus’ presence made them realize that they preferred darkness to His light. Whatever the case, their reasons for wanting to be rid of Jesus two thousand years ago are not nearly as relevant as the motives of people today who want nothing to do with Him. The reality is that anyone who doesn’t say, “Jesus, I want to be close to You,” is saying, “Jesus, go away. I don’t want You in my life.” Some might protest and say, “Now, wait a second. I admit that I haven’t yet made a commitment to Christ. I’m simply saying I haven’t decided yet.” But if you don’t say yes to Jesus, you are essentially telling Him to go away. Jesus Himself said, “Anyone who isn’t with me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me” (Luke 11:23 NLT). Either you have faith and trust in Christ, or you have unbelief. There is no other option. Though you may not have spoken the words, “Jesus, go away,” there’s a chance that you’ve communicated them indirectly. Maybe you’ve resisted God’s work in your heart. Maybe you don’t want to give up some things in your life that you know are wrong. Or maybe you’re just too busy—you have time for everything but Jesus. It really boils down to this: What have you done with Jesus? Are you going to say, “Go away”? Or are you going to ask Him to become a part of your life?   Reflection question: What can you do to welcome Jesus into 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 Partner“A crowd soon gathered around Jesus, and they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons. He was sitting there fully clothed and perfectly sane, and they were all afraid. Then those who had seen what happened told the others about the demon-possessed man and the pigs. And the crowd began pleading with Jesus to go away and leave them alone.” (Mark 5:15–17 NLT)   In our previous two devotions, we looked at the story in Mark 5 of Jesus’ encounter with a demon-possessed man in the region of the Gerasenes. The man terrified the people in the region until Jesus drove the demons out of him and into a nearby herd of pigs. The demon-possessed pigs, around two thousand in all, rushed down a steep bank into the sea, where they drowned. The Gospels record several different reactions to Jesus’ miraculous acts of healing and unmistakable displays of power. But the reaction of the Gerasenes stands apart. When the people saw the formerly demon-possessed man, “sitting there fully clothed and perfectly sane . . . they were all afraid” (Mark 5:15 NLT). So, not much had really changed for them. Instead of being afraid of the demon-possessed man, they were now afraid of the One who had healed him. So afraid, in fact, that they began pleading with Jesus to go away and leave them alone (see verse 17). Mark doesn’t explain why the people reacted as they did. It may be that witnessing such supernatural power unnerved them. It may be that they were upset about the financial losses tied to the drowned pigs. Or it may be that Jesus’ presence made them realize that they preferred darkness to His light. Whatever the case, their reasons for wanting to be rid of Jesus two thousand years ago are not nearly as relevant as the motives of people today who want nothing to do with Him. The reality is that anyone who doesn’t say, “Jesus, I want to be close to You,” is saying, “Jesus, go away. I don’t want You in my life.” Some might protest and say, “Now, wait a second. I admit that I haven’t yet made a commitment to Christ. I’m simply saying I haven’t decided yet.” But if you don’t say yes to Jesus, you are essentially telling Him to go away. Jesus Himself said, “Anyone who isn’t with me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me” (Luke 11:23 NLT). Either you have faith and trust in Christ, or you have unbelief. There is no other option. Though you may not have spoken the words, “Jesus, go away,” there’s a chance that you’ve communicated them indirectly. Maybe you’ve resisted God’s work in your heart. Maybe you don’t want to give up some things in your life that you know are wrong. Or maybe you’re just too busy—you have time for everything but Jesus. It really boils down to this: What have you done with Jesus? Are you going to say, “Go away”? Or are you going to ask Him to become a part of your life?   Reflection question: What can you do to welcome Jesus into 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 Partner

Only So Much We Can Do | Mark 5:3–4Only So Much We Can Do | Mark 5:3–4“This man lived in the burial caves and could no longer be restrained, even with a chain. Whenever he was put into chains and shackles—as he often was—he snapped the chains from his wrists and smashed the shackles. No one was strong enough to subdue him.” (Mark 5:3–4 NLT)   Mark 5 tells the story of Jesus’ encounter with a demon-possessed man in the region of the Gerasenes. In our last devotion, we looked at the spirit of fear the man inspired. Today we’re going to talk about the problem he presented and, specifically, what to do when a problem is bigger than our ability to solve. Obviously, the demon-possessed man was a pressing problem for the people in the region of the Gerasenes. He was society’s problem back in the day. And if you read between the lines of Mark 5:3–4, you get a glimpse of how society handled the problem. “He was put into chains and shackles” (verse 4 NLT). Society’s solution was to limit his freedom, to incapacitate him so that he wouldn’t be a menace to others. The snapped chains and smashed shackles tell us how well society’s solution worked. Obviously, community intervention can be a valuable resource for people who are struggling. But in this case, the man’s struggle was spiritual. The community could do nothing to help him because the problem exceeded their resources. Isn’t it interesting that with all our wonderful achievements today, society still cannot deal with problems caused by Satan and sin? We cannot overcome Satan in our own power. We don’t know what to do. Society doesn’t have the answers. Like the demon-possessed man, we need a Savior to help us. Look at what happened when the Savior came into the man’s life. Jesus went to the spooky little graveyard where the man lived. Jesus looked past the man’s horrific physical appearance and saw the hurting, tortured soul within. And Jesus offered what was His exclusively to give: hope. What society could not do to release the man from Satan and sin, Jesus did with one simple command. “Come out of the man, you evil spirit” (Mark 5:8 NLT). Immediately, the demons came out of the man, as commanded. Jesus transformed the man’s life by setting him free. That’s what He does. In John 8:36, He says, “So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free” (NLT). Jesus does what no one else can. He reaches those no one else can. If this story of the demon-possessed man teaches us anything, it’s that no one is ever too far gone for the Lord. No one is ever a lost cause. There is always reason for hope. Jesus Christ can transform your life and make you free, too. God’s people know that’s true, because He has already done it for us. Come to Him; let Him make you free. Let Him be your Savior.   Reflection question: What does it mean to you that no one is ever too far gone, as far as the Lord is concerned? 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 Partner“This man lived in the burial caves and could no longer be restrained, even with a chain. Whenever he was put into chains and shackles—as he often was—he snapped the chains from his wrists and smashed the shackles. No one was strong enough to subdue him.” (Mark 5:3–4 NLT)   Mark 5 tells the story of Jesus’ encounter with a demon-possessed man in the region of the Gerasenes. In our last devotion, we looked at the spirit of fear the man inspired. Today we’re going to talk about the problem he presented and, specifically, what to do when a problem is bigger than our ability to solve. Obviously, the demon-possessed man was a pressing problem for the people in the region of the Gerasenes. He was society’s problem back in the day. And if you read between the lines of Mark 5:3–4, you get a glimpse of how society handled the problem. “He was put into chains and shackles” (verse 4 NLT). Society’s solution was to limit his freedom, to incapacitate him so that he wouldn’t be a menace to others. The snapped chains and smashed shackles tell us how well society’s solution worked. Obviously, community intervention can be a valuable resource for people who are struggling. But in this case, the man’s struggle was spiritual. The community could do nothing to help him because the problem exceeded their resources. Isn’t it interesting that with all our wonderful achievements today, society still cannot deal with problems caused by Satan and sin? We cannot overcome Satan in our own power. We don’t know what to do. Society doesn’t have the answers. Like the demon-possessed man, we need a Savior to help us. Look at what happened when the Savior came into the man’s life. Jesus went to the spooky little graveyard where the man lived. Jesus looked past the man’s horrific physical appearance and saw the hurting, tortured soul within. And Jesus offered what was His exclusively to give: hope. What society could not do to release the man from Satan and sin, Jesus did with one simple command. “Come out of the man, you evil spirit” (Mark 5:8 NLT). Immediately, the demons came out of the man, as commanded. Jesus transformed the man’s life by setting him free. That’s what He does. In John 8:36, He says, “So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free” (NLT). Jesus does what no one else can. He reaches those no one else can. If this story of the demon-possessed man teaches us anything, it’s that no one is ever too far gone for the Lord. No one is ever a lost cause. There is always reason for hope. Jesus Christ can transform your life and make you free, too. God’s people know that’s true, because He has already done it for us. Come to Him; let Him make you free. Let Him be your Savior.   Reflection question: What does it mean to you that no one is ever too far gone, as far as the Lord is concerned? 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 Partner

Nothing to Fear | Mark 5:2Nothing to Fear | Mark 5:2“When Jesus climbed out of the boat, a man possessed by an evil spirit came out from the tombs to meet him.” (Mark 5:2 NLT)   One of the most memorable stories in the Gospel of Mark is Jesus’ encounter with a demon-possessed man in the region of the Gerasenes. Over the next few days, we’re going to look at this encounter from different perspectives. Today, we’re going to focus on the fear the man inspired. The description of the man in Mark 5 reads like something out of a horror novel. “This man lived in the burial caves and could no longer be restrained, even with a chain. Whenever he was put into chains and shackles—as he often was—he snapped the chains from his wrists and smashed the shackles. No one was strong enough to subdue him. Day and night he wandered among the burial caves and in the hills, howling and cutting himself with sharp stones” (verses 3–5 NLT). The people of the region were understandably frightened of the man. Jesus, on the other hand, was not. Jesus could see that, underneath the horrendous exterior, lay a tortured soul. He could see Satan at work in the man’s life, trying to destroy him. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope’” (NLT). God has a wonderful plan for people because He loves us. The devil, on the other hand, has horrible plans for people’s lives because he hates us. In John 12:31, Jesus refers to Satan as “the ruler of this world” (NLT). But he’s a lame duck. He’s already been defeated. His judgment is certain. And his reign will end when Jesus returns. Until that time, though, he will do everything in his power to interfere with God’s plans for His people. Because he hates us. And one of the tactics he uses is fear. The people of the region of the Gerasenes were limited in what they could do about—and for—the demon-possessed man because they were afraid of him. Jesus, because He had no fear of the man, could see the situation from a clear-eyed perspective. The apostle Paul wrote, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline” (2 Timothy 1:7 NLT). David wrote, “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” (Psalm 23:4 NLT). Fear need not be an obstacle for God’s people. Whether the potential frightener is a person, a diagnosis, job insecurity, a financial hardship, a relationship problem, or some other circumstance beyond our control, believers can claim God’s power and remove fear from the equation. Just as Jesus approached the demon-possessed man, we can approach the havoc our enemy creates in our lives from a godly, clear-eyed perspective.   Reflection question: How can you remove the spirit of fear from a situation you’re facing 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 Partner“When Jesus climbed out of the boat, a man possessed by an evil spirit came out from the tombs to meet him.” (Mark 5:2 NLT)   One of the most memorable stories in the Gospel of Mark is Jesus’ encounter with a demon-possessed man in the region of the Gerasenes. Over the next few days, we’re going to look at this encounter from different perspectives. Today, we’re going to focus on the fear the man inspired. The description of the man in Mark 5 reads like something out of a horror novel. “This man lived in the burial caves and could no longer be restrained, even with a chain. Whenever he was put into chains and shackles—as he often was—he snapped the chains from his wrists and smashed the shackles. No one was strong enough to subdue him. Day and night he wandered among the burial caves and in the hills, howling and cutting himself with sharp stones” (verses 3–5 NLT). The people of the region were understandably frightened of the man. Jesus, on the other hand, was not. Jesus could see that, underneath the horrendous exterior, lay a tortured soul. He could see Satan at work in the man’s life, trying to destroy him. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope’” (NLT). God has a wonderful plan for people because He loves us. The devil, on the other hand, has horrible plans for people’s lives because he hates us. In John 12:31, Jesus refers to Satan as “the ruler of this world” (NLT). But he’s a lame duck. He’s already been defeated. His judgment is certain. And his reign will end when Jesus returns. Until that time, though, he will do everything in his power to interfere with God’s plans for His people. Because he hates us. And one of the tactics he uses is fear. The people of the region of the Gerasenes were limited in what they could do about—and for—the demon-possessed man because they were afraid of him. Jesus, because He had no fear of the man, could see the situation from a clear-eyed perspective. The apostle Paul wrote, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline” (2 Timothy 1:7 NLT). David wrote, “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” (Psalm 23:4 NLT). Fear need not be an obstacle for God’s people. Whether the potential frightener is a person, a diagnosis, job insecurity, a financial hardship, a relationship problem, or some other circumstance beyond our control, believers can claim God’s power and remove fear from the equation. Just as Jesus approached the demon-possessed man, we can approach the havoc our enemy creates in our lives from a godly, clear-eyed perspective.   Reflection question: How can you remove the spirit of fear from a situation you’re facing 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 Partner

An Unlikely Choice | Mark 16:9–11An Unlikely Choice | Mark 16:9–11“After Jesus rose from the dead early on Sunday morning, the first person who saw him was Mary Magdalene, the woman from whom he had cast out seven demons. She went to the disciples, who were grieving and weeping, and told them what had happened. But when she told them that Jesus was alive and she had seen him, they didn’t believe her.” (Mark 16:9–11 NLT)   Of all the people Jesus could have appeared to first after His resurrection, He appeared to Mary Magdalene. Mary was yet another in a long line of unlikely people entrusted by the Lord with important responsibilities. Think about it. Jacob was an opportunist who tricked both his brother and his father to get what he wanted (see Genesis 27:1–40). Moses was a murderer who had no confidence in his ability to speak, let alone lead an entire nation out of enslavement (see Exodus 3:1–4:17). Rahab was a prostitute living in enemy territory (see Joshua 2:1–24). Gideon responded to God’s call with these words: “How can I rescue Israel? My clan is the weakest in the whole tribe of Manasseh, and I am the least in my entire family!” (Judges 6:15 NLT). David was such an unlikely candidate to be anointed king that his own father dismissed the possibility (see 1 Samuel 16:1–13). Esther was a young Jewish girl who became the queen of Persia after winning a beauty contest (see Esther 2:1–20). The “faith hall of fame” in Hebrews 11 is filled with inductees who probably wouldn’t have made the ballot if their peers had been on the selection committee. But, as God explained to Samuel, “The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7 NLT). The Lord will not overlook anyone whose heart is attuned to Him. The women who followed Jesus and supported His ministry certainly recognized that. It would be an understatement to say that women were not held in high regard in first-century Israel. Many rabbis taught that it was better for the words of the Law to be burned than to be delivered by a woman. Yet Jesus chose a woman to be the first herald of His resurrection. It’s also worth noting that women were the last people at the cross and the first people at the tomb. Mary Magdalene had courage that many men lacked when Jesus was crucified. She stood by Him through it all. In fact, the Bible tells us that after He was crucified, Mary “saw where Jesus’ body was laid” (Mark 15:47 NLT). She watched as they took His body from the cross, wrapped it, and placed it in a tomb that belonged to Joseph of Arimathea. And Mary, along with other women, arrived at the tomb very early on Sunday morning to anoint Jesus’ body with spices (see Mark 16:1–2). Mary’s faithfulness was rewarded with a key role in history. The Lord says, “If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me” (Jeremiah 29:13 NLT). God rewards the diligent. He will reveal His truths to those who set aside time in their day to seek the Lord, who prioritize His Word, and wait upon Him.   Reflection question: What does spiritual diligence 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 Partner“After Jesus rose from the dead early on Sunday morning, the first person who saw him was Mary Magdalene, the woman from whom he had cast out seven demons. She went to the disciples, who were grieving and weeping, and told them what had happened. But when she told them that Jesus was alive and she had seen him, they didn’t believe her.” (Mark 16:9–11 NLT)   Of all the people Jesus could have appeared to first after His resurrection, He appeared to Mary Magdalene. Mary was yet another in a long line of unlikely people entrusted by the Lord with important responsibilities. Think about it. Jacob was an opportunist who tricked both his brother and his father to get what he wanted (see Genesis 27:1–40). Moses was a murderer who had no confidence in his ability to speak, let alone lead an entire nation out of enslavement (see Exodus 3:1–4:17). Rahab was a prostitute living in enemy territory (see Joshua 2:1–24). Gideon responded to God’s call with these words: “How can I rescue Israel? My clan is the weakest in the whole tribe of Manasseh, and I am the least in my entire family!” (Judges 6:15 NLT). David was such an unlikely candidate to be anointed king that his own father dismissed the possibility (see 1 Samuel 16:1–13). Esther was a young Jewish girl who became the queen of Persia after winning a beauty contest (see Esther 2:1–20). The “faith hall of fame” in Hebrews 11 is filled with inductees who probably wouldn’t have made the ballot if their peers had been on the selection committee. But, as God explained to Samuel, “The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7 NLT). The Lord will not overlook anyone whose heart is attuned to Him. The women who followed Jesus and supported His ministry certainly recognized that. It would be an understatement to say that women were not held in high regard in first-century Israel. Many rabbis taught that it was better for the words of the Law to be burned than to be delivered by a woman. Yet Jesus chose a woman to be the first herald of His resurrection. It’s also worth noting that women were the last people at the cross and the first people at the tomb. Mary Magdalene had courage that many men lacked when Jesus was crucified. She stood by Him through it all. In fact, the Bible tells us that after He was crucified, Mary “saw where Jesus’ body was laid” (Mark 15:47 NLT). She watched as they took His body from the cross, wrapped it, and placed it in a tomb that belonged to Joseph of Arimathea. And Mary, along with other women, arrived at the tomb very early on Sunday morning to anoint Jesus’ body with spices (see Mark 16:1–2). Mary’s faithfulness was rewarded with a key role in history. The Lord says, “If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me” (Jeremiah 29:13 NLT). God rewards the diligent. He will reveal His truths to those who set aside time in their day to seek the Lord, who prioritize His Word, and wait upon Him.   Reflection question: What does spiritual diligence 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 Partner

Preparing for Attack | Mark 4:3–4Preparing for Attack | Mark 4:3–4“Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seed. As he scattered it across his field, some of the seed fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate it.” (Mark 4:3–4 NLT)   “Pick on someone your own size.” It’s a noble thought, but saying it usually doesn’t work. Bullies don’t become bullies by picking on someone their own size. They target the small, the weak, the vulnerable. They go after the people on whom they can inflict the most damage. The devil is a spiritual bully, as Jesus suggests in His parable of the sower. “As he scattered it across his field, some of the seed fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate it” (Mark 4:4 NLT). Several verses later, Jesus explains this part of the parable. “The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message, only to have Satan come at once and take it away” (verse 15 NLT). Without question, the devil focuses his attacks on people who are young in the faith. He snatches God’s message away from them before it has a chance to take root in their lives. You probably remember that when you first put your faith in Christ, the enemy was there to attack you. Maybe the day after you made your commitment to Christ, you started thinking, “Am I really forgiven by God? Has something really happened to me? Maybe I just psyched myself into this.” Or maybe you remember some very strong temptations that came your way right after you became a Christian. He appealed to your sinful nature with something you find extremely attractive just to remind you of what you’re leaving behind. That’s just one way the devil takes away the seed of God’s message. Another is to confuse or overwhelm new believers with “have to’s.” Those are the voices—from within or without—that say, “If you’re a Christian, you have to do this and this and this. Otherwise, your faith isn’t genuine.” This is why it’s important for mature Christians to pray for new believers. To come alongside them. To offer perspective, support, and encouragement. To let them know that they’re not alone and that what they’re experiencing isn’t unique to them. We need to shine a light on the enemy’s tactics and help the believers see how he’s trying to rob them of what God has done in their lives. While we’re doing that, however, mature believers must never lose sight of the fact that the devil does indeed go after bigger targets, too. He’s an equal-opportunity bully. He will attack with a vengeance those who are making a difference in the kingdom, those who are seeking to walk with God, and those who are trying to reach others with the gospel. When believers step up and say, “Use me, Lord. I want my life to make a difference,” they should brace themselves. The enemy will not take that sitting down. So, they should expect and prepare for opposition. They should also remind themselves that “The Spirit who lives in [them] is greater than the spirit who lives in the world” (1 John 4:4 NLT).   Reflection question: How can you support and encourage a new believer? 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 Partner“Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seed. As he scattered it across his field, some of the seed fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate it.” (Mark 4:3–4 NLT)   “Pick on someone your own size.” It’s a noble thought, but saying it usually doesn’t work. Bullies don’t become bullies by picking on someone their own size. They target the small, the weak, the vulnerable. They go after the people on whom they can inflict the most damage. The devil is a spiritual bully, as Jesus suggests in His parable of the sower. “As he scattered it across his field, some of the seed fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate it” (Mark 4:4 NLT). Several verses later, Jesus explains this part of the parable. “The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message, only to have Satan come at once and take it away” (verse 15 NLT). Without question, the devil focuses his attacks on people who are young in the faith. He snatches God’s message away from them before it has a chance to take root in their lives. You probably remember that when you first put your faith in Christ, the enemy was there to attack you. Maybe the day after you made your commitment to Christ, you started thinking, “Am I really forgiven by God? Has something really happened to me? Maybe I just psyched myself into this.” Or maybe you remember some very strong temptations that came your way right after you became a Christian. He appealed to your sinful nature with something you find extremely attractive just to remind you of what you’re leaving behind. That’s just one way the devil takes away the seed of God’s message. Another is to confuse or overwhelm new believers with “have to’s.” Those are the voices—from within or without—that say, “If you’re a Christian, you have to do this and this and this. Otherwise, your faith isn’t genuine.” This is why it’s important for mature Christians to pray for new believers. To come alongside them. To offer perspective, support, and encouragement. To let them know that they’re not alone and that what they’re experiencing isn’t unique to them. We need to shine a light on the enemy’s tactics and help the believers see how he’s trying to rob them of what God has done in their lives. While we’re doing that, however, mature believers must never lose sight of the fact that the devil does indeed go after bigger targets, too. He’s an equal-opportunity bully. He will attack with a vengeance those who are making a difference in the kingdom, those who are seeking to walk with God, and those who are trying to reach others with the gospel. When believers step up and say, “Use me, Lord. I want my life to make a difference,” they should brace themselves. The enemy will not take that sitting down. So, they should expect and prepare for opposition. They should also remind themselves that “The Spirit who lives in [them] is greater than the spirit who lives in the world” (1 John 4:4 NLT).   Reflection question: How can you support and encourage a new believer? 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 Partner

Who Is He? | Mark 9:7Who Is He? | Mark 9:7“Then a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, ‘This is my dearly loved Son. Listen to him.’” (Mark 9:7 NLT)   Two thousand years ago, Jesus put this question to the Pharisees: “What do you think about the Messiah? Whose son is He?” (Matthew 22:42 NLT). Some of history’s greatest minds have grappled with that question ever since. The confusion, doubt, and skepticism started early. It’s worth noting that during Jesus’ earthly ministry, many people were perplexed about who He really was. Jesus never became God, nor did Jesus ever cease to be God. His deity, which means His divine lordship—the fact that He is God—was pre-human, pre-earthly, and pre-Bethlehem. In the Incarnation, that moment when Jesus came to earth and was born of the Virgin Mary, He didn’t lay aside His deity. He was God before He was born, and He remained God after He became a man. We are given a glimpse of Jesus’ divine nature in the story of His transfiguration, as recorded in Mark 9:2–13. “Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up a high mountain to be alone. As the men watched, Jesus’ appearance was transformed, and his clothes became dazzling white, far whiter than any earthly bleach could ever make them. Then Elijah and Moses appeared and began talking with Jesus” (verses 2–4 NLT). According to Matthew’s description of the event, Jesus’ “face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as light” (Matthew 17:2 NLT). For most of His time on earth, Jesus veiled His glory. But for one brief shining moment, God allowed Jesus’ disciples to see who He really is. God punctuated the moment with a verbal acknowledgment and a pointed instruction: “This is my dearly loved Son. Listen to him” (Mark 9:7 NLT). Jesus’ identity validates His words. Attention must be paid to His teachings because they come from the Son of God and God Himself. Ignoring them is not only short-sighted but also spiritually dangerous. In Matthew 16:13–20, we find a profound interaction between Jesus and His disciples that begins with a question from Jesus: “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” (verse 13 NLT). “‘Well,’ they replied, ‘some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets’” (verse 14 NLT). And then Jesus makes it personal. “But who do you say I am?” (verse 15 NLT, emphasis added). “Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God’” (verse 16 NLT). This may have been Peter’s finest moment. “Who do you say I am?” It’s a question everyone must answer—and a question everyone does answer, whether they realize it or not. You can’t very well say, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God,” and leave it at that. If Jesus is who He says He is, you must receive Him as Savior and Lord. You must obey His commands, follow His teachings, and seek His will for your life.   Reflection question: Who do you believe Jesus is? 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 Partner“Then a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, ‘This is my dearly loved Son. Listen to him.’” (Mark 9:7 NLT)   Two thousand years ago, Jesus put this question to the Pharisees: “What do you think about the Messiah? Whose son is He?” (Matthew 22:42 NLT). Some of history’s greatest minds have grappled with that question ever since. The confusion, doubt, and skepticism started early. It’s worth noting that during Jesus’ earthly ministry, many people were perplexed about who He really was. Jesus never became God, nor did Jesus ever cease to be God. His deity, which means His divine lordship—the fact that He is God—was pre-human, pre-earthly, and pre-Bethlehem. In the Incarnation, that moment when Jesus came to earth and was born of the Virgin Mary, He didn’t lay aside His deity. He was God before He was born, and He remained God after He became a man. We are given a glimpse of Jesus’ divine nature in the story of His transfiguration, as recorded in Mark 9:2–13. “Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up a high mountain to be alone. As the men watched, Jesus’ appearance was transformed, and his clothes became dazzling white, far whiter than any earthly bleach could ever make them. Then Elijah and Moses appeared and began talking with Jesus” (verses 2–4 NLT). According to Matthew’s description of the event, Jesus’ “face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as light” (Matthew 17:2 NLT). For most of His time on earth, Jesus veiled His glory. But for one brief shining moment, God allowed Jesus’ disciples to see who He really is. God punctuated the moment with a verbal acknowledgment and a pointed instruction: “This is my dearly loved Son. Listen to him” (Mark 9:7 NLT). Jesus’ identity validates His words. Attention must be paid to His teachings because they come from the Son of God and God Himself. Ignoring them is not only short-sighted but also spiritually dangerous. In Matthew 16:13–20, we find a profound interaction between Jesus and His disciples that begins with a question from Jesus: “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” (verse 13 NLT). “‘Well,’ they replied, ‘some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets’” (verse 14 NLT). And then Jesus makes it personal. “But who do you say I am?” (verse 15 NLT, emphasis added). “Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God’” (verse 16 NLT). This may have been Peter’s finest moment. “Who do you say I am?” It’s a question everyone must answer—and a question everyone does answer, whether they realize it or not. You can’t very well say, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God,” and leave it at that. If Jesus is who He says He is, you must receive Him as Savior and Lord. You must obey His commands, follow His teachings, and seek His will for your life.   Reflection question: Who do you believe Jesus is? 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 Partner

Another Chance | Mark 16:7Another Chance | Mark 16:7“Now go and tell his disciples, including Peter, that Jesus is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there, just as he told you before he died.” (Mark 16:7 NLT)   Except for Judas Iscariot, no one failed harder during the events of Jesus’ crucifixion than Simon Peter, one of Jesus’ closest companions. His failure likely came as a surprise not just to himself but also to his fellow disciples. Of the twelve, Peter certainly seemed to have the most bravado. In the account of the Last Supper in Matthew 26, Jesus announces to His disciples, “Tonight all of you will desert me” (verse 31 NLT). Peter boldly replies, “Even if everyone else deserts you, I will never desert you” (verse 33 NLT). And then Jesus breaks the news that must have broken Peter’s mind: “I tell you the truth, Peter—this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me” (verse 34 NLT). Sure enough, a few hours later, while Peter was waiting outside the high priest’s residence for news of Jesus’ trial, he was spotted—and called out as one of Jesus’ disciples. Not once, not twice, but three times. And when people turned their attention to him, when he had a chance to make good on his promise and stand boldly with Jesus, Peter lied. He denied being a disciple. He denied even knowing Jesus. Not once, not twice, but three times. And what started with bravado ended with bitter tears of regret, failure, and shame (see Matthew 26:69–75). That’s why the announcement of Jesus’ resurrection in Mark 16 is so notable. Poor Peter was devastated by his own unfaithfulness and by the fact that he never had a chance to tell the Lord that he was sorry. He really needed encouragement. With that in mind, look at the words again: “Now go and tell his disciples, including Peter, that Jesus is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there, just as he told you before he died” (emphasis added, NLT). Isn’t that amazing? Here is the Lord directly responding to the doubts, fears, and regrets of one of His followers. More than the rest of the disciples, Peter needed reassurance. His risen Lord knew that—and knew how to restore his faith. The story of Jesus restoring Peter to service can be found in John 21:15–25. But let’s consider the takeaway from Mark 16. What can we learn from Jesus reassuring Peter? We can learn that failure gets the final word only if we let it. We can learn that what may look like the end of someone’s story is only the end of an early chapter of the person’s life. There’s still much to be written. And we can learn that not only will Jesus forgive us when we fail Him, but He will seek us out to give us a chance to make things right. That’s how much He loves us.   Reflection question: How can you keep failure from getting the final word 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 Partner“Now go and tell his disciples, including Peter, that Jesus is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there, just as he told you before he died.” (Mark 16:7 NLT)   Except for Judas Iscariot, no one failed harder during the events of Jesus’ crucifixion than Simon Peter, one of Jesus’ closest companions. His failure likely came as a surprise not just to himself but also to his fellow disciples. Of the twelve, Peter certainly seemed to have the most bravado. In the account of the Last Supper in Matthew 26, Jesus announces to His disciples, “Tonight all of you will desert me” (verse 31 NLT). Peter boldly replies, “Even if everyone else deserts you, I will never desert you” (verse 33 NLT). And then Jesus breaks the news that must have broken Peter’s mind: “I tell you the truth, Peter—this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me” (verse 34 NLT). Sure enough, a few hours later, while Peter was waiting outside the high priest’s residence for news of Jesus’ trial, he was spotted—and called out as one of Jesus’ disciples. Not once, not twice, but three times. And when people turned their attention to him, when he had a chance to make good on his promise and stand boldly with Jesus, Peter lied. He denied being a disciple. He denied even knowing Jesus. Not once, not twice, but three times. And what started with bravado ended with bitter tears of regret, failure, and shame (see Matthew 26:69–75). That’s why the announcement of Jesus’ resurrection in Mark 16 is so notable. Poor Peter was devastated by his own unfaithfulness and by the fact that he never had a chance to tell the Lord that he was sorry. He really needed encouragement. With that in mind, look at the words again: “Now go and tell his disciples, including Peter, that Jesus is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there, just as he told you before he died” (emphasis added, NLT). Isn’t that amazing? Here is the Lord directly responding to the doubts, fears, and regrets of one of His followers. More than the rest of the disciples, Peter needed reassurance. His risen Lord knew that—and knew how to restore his faith. The story of Jesus restoring Peter to service can be found in John 21:15–25. But let’s consider the takeaway from Mark 16. What can we learn from Jesus reassuring Peter? We can learn that failure gets the final word only if we let it. We can learn that what may look like the end of someone’s story is only the end of an early chapter of the person’s life. There’s still much to be written. And we can learn that not only will Jesus forgive us when we fail Him, but He will seek us out to give us a chance to make things right. That’s how much He loves us.   Reflection question: How can you keep failure from getting the final word 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 Partner

Your Will Be Done | Mark 14:36Your Will Be Done | Mark 14:36“‘Abba, Father,’ he cried out, ‘everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.’” (Mark 14:36 NLT)   Mark 14 describes what may be the darkest night of the soul in human history. Jesus was “deeply troubled and distressed” (verse 33 NLT) because He knew the “awful hour” (verse 35 NLT) of His suffering was approaching. Jesus knew that in a very short time He would be denied by one of His closest friends. He knew that He would be the object of Peter’s shame and the cause of his cursing. He knew that He would be rejected by the people of Israel whom He came to save. He knew that His disciple Judas would betray Him with a kiss. He knew that the rest of His disciples would scatter in fear. He knew that He would be tried in a kangaroo court, falsely accused, and convicted. He understood the sheer torture of what He was about to do—that is, to take all the impurity, sin, and wickedness of humanity upon Himself. He who was righteous, holy, and pure was about to take upon Himself all that was unrighteous, unholy, and impure. For eternity Jesus had enjoyed unbroken communion with His Father. But He knew that in a short time, when the sin of the world was poured upon Him, God would momentarily turn His face from Him. He would be forsaken. That’s what He was recoiling from in the Garden of Gethsemane. That’s what He was dreading: the horrible moment when He would take all the sin of the world upon Himself. The only one who could understand what He was about to experience was His Father. “‘Abba, Father,’ he cried out, ‘everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine’” (Mark 4:36 NLT). Abba is a term of intimate affection used by children for their father. It’s similar to the terms “Daddy” or “Papa.” Jesus the Son was crying out to God the Father in His moment of difficulty. As He struggled with what lay ahead, Jesus asked His Father for one final reassurance that this was the only way to satisfy God’s justice and holiness—that this was the only way to make salvation and eternal life possible. Through it all, Jesus had one overarching goal, and it wasn’t to spare Himself pain and suffering. Look at His resolute words again: “I want your will to be done, not mine” (NLT). In offering this prayer, Jesus gave us an example to follow. None of us will ever be able to fathom the agony Jesus experienced that night. But we will experience our own consequences for pursuing God’s will.We may not always know what the will of God is in every situation. And when we do know it, we may not always like it. But we follow One who prioritized God’s will above everything else. And we must never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.   Reflection question: What would embracing God’s will 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 Partner“‘Abba, Father,’ he cried out, ‘everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.’” (Mark 14:36 NLT)   Mark 14 describes what may be the darkest night of the soul in human history. Jesus was “deeply troubled and distressed” (verse 33 NLT) because He knew the “awful hour” (verse 35 NLT) of His suffering was approaching. Jesus knew that in a very short time He would be denied by one of His closest friends. He knew that He would be the object of Peter’s shame and the cause of his cursing. He knew that He would be rejected by the people of Israel whom He came to save. He knew that His disciple Judas would betray Him with a kiss. He knew that the rest of His disciples would scatter in fear. He knew that He would be tried in a kangaroo court, falsely accused, and convicted. He understood the sheer torture of what He was about to do—that is, to take all the impurity, sin, and wickedness of humanity upon Himself. He who was righteous, holy, and pure was about to take upon Himself all that was unrighteous, unholy, and impure. For eternity Jesus had enjoyed unbroken communion with His Father. But He knew that in a short time, when the sin of the world was poured upon Him, God would momentarily turn His face from Him. He would be forsaken. That’s what He was recoiling from in the Garden of Gethsemane. That’s what He was dreading: the horrible moment when He would take all the sin of the world upon Himself. The only one who could understand what He was about to experience was His Father. “‘Abba, Father,’ he cried out, ‘everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine’” (Mark 4:36 NLT). Abba is a term of intimate affection used by children for their father. It’s similar to the terms “Daddy” or “Papa.” Jesus the Son was crying out to God the Father in His moment of difficulty. As He struggled with what lay ahead, Jesus asked His Father for one final reassurance that this was the only way to satisfy God’s justice and holiness—that this was the only way to make salvation and eternal life possible. Through it all, Jesus had one overarching goal, and it wasn’t to spare Himself pain and suffering. Look at His resolute words again: “I want your will to be done, not mine” (NLT). In offering this prayer, Jesus gave us an example to follow. None of us will ever be able to fathom the agony Jesus experienced that night. But we will experience our own consequences for pursuing God’s will.We may not always know what the will of God is in every situation. And when we do know it, we may not always like it. But we follow One who prioritized God’s will above everything else. And we must never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.   Reflection question: What would embracing God’s will 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 Partner

The Soil of the Heart | Mark 4:8The Soil of the Heart | Mark 4:8“Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they sprouted, grew, and produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted!” (Mark 4:8 NLT)   The Bible has a lot to say about the human heart. Jeremiah 17:9 says it’s “the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked” (NLT). Mark 12:30 says the heart is part of the whole self with which people must love God. Proverbs 27:19 says “the heart reflects the real person” (NLT). In Mark 4, Jesus compares the heart to soil and says it’s the key to nurturing the seed of God’s Word in our lives. In the parable of the sower, Jesus describes seeds falling on four different types of soil that represent four different types of hearers’ hearts—that is, four different reactions to the Word of God: the hard heart, the shallow heart, the crowded heart, and the fruitful heart. First, there is the hard heart, the seed that falls along the roadside. This represents people who hear the Word of God but never really believe. They may reject it outright because they think it asks too much of them or because it doesn’t align with the way they want to live. They may be too distracted to pay attention to its message. Or they may prefer a different belief system. Then there is the shallow heart. That is the seed that falls on stony ground. This signifies the people who hear the Word of God and receive it with joy, but because there is no root to sustain them, they wither. Maybe they’re just looking for an emotional experience—something to make them feel good for a while. Or maybe they’re just using Scripture as a resource to prove a point. Next, there is the crowded heart. That is the seed that falls on ground where weeds choke out its growth. Slowly and surely, these people, busy with the cares and riches of the world, just lose interest in the things of God. That’s an easy trap to fall into with the constant distractions of the 24/7 news cycle, the never-ending scrolling on social media, and the binging of movies or TV shows. Finally, there is the fruitful heart that receives the Word. The seed falls on good ground, and the plants produce a rich harvest. These are the people who see God’s Word for what it is and allow it to change them—forever and for the better. We are the ones who determine what kind of soil our hearts will be. We decide whether we will have a hard heart, a shallow heart, a crowded heart, or a receptive heart. This is exactly what James meant when he said, “Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls” (James 1:21 NKJV). The Word of God cannot work in our lives unless we have receptive hearts.   Reflection question: How do you prepare your heart to receive God’s Word? 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 Partner“Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they sprouted, grew, and produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted!” (Mark 4:8 NLT)   The Bible has a lot to say about the human heart. Jeremiah 17:9 says it’s “the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked” (NLT). Mark 12:30 says the heart is part of the whole self with which people must love God. Proverbs 27:19 says “the heart reflects the real person” (NLT). In Mark 4, Jesus compares the heart to soil and says it’s the key to nurturing the seed of God’s Word in our lives. In the parable of the sower, Jesus describes seeds falling on four different types of soil that represent four different types of hearers’ hearts—that is, four different reactions to the Word of God: the hard heart, the shallow heart, the crowded heart, and the fruitful heart. First, there is the hard heart, the seed that falls along the roadside. This represents people who hear the Word of God but never really believe. They may reject it outright because they think it asks too much of them or because it doesn’t align with the way they want to live. They may be too distracted to pay attention to its message. Or they may prefer a different belief system. Then there is the shallow heart. That is the seed that falls on stony ground. This signifies the people who hear the Word of God and receive it with joy, but because there is no root to sustain them, they wither. Maybe they’re just looking for an emotional experience—something to make them feel good for a while. Or maybe they’re just using Scripture as a resource to prove a point. Next, there is the crowded heart. That is the seed that falls on ground where weeds choke out its growth. Slowly and surely, these people, busy with the cares and riches of the world, just lose interest in the things of God. That’s an easy trap to fall into with the constant distractions of the 24/7 news cycle, the never-ending scrolling on social media, and the binging of movies or TV shows. Finally, there is the fruitful heart that receives the Word. The seed falls on good ground, and the plants produce a rich harvest. These are the people who see God’s Word for what it is and allow it to change them—forever and for the better. We are the ones who determine what kind of soil our hearts will be. We decide whether we will have a hard heart, a shallow heart, a crowded heart, or a receptive heart. This is exactly what James meant when he said, “Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls” (James 1:21 NKJV). The Word of God cannot work in our lives unless we have receptive hearts.   Reflection question: How do you prepare your heart to receive God’s Word? 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 Partner

Dead, Then Alive | Mark 16:10–11Dead, Then Alive | Mark 16:10–11“She went to the disciples, who were grieving and weeping, and told them what had happened. But when she told them that Jesus was alive and she had seen him, they didn’t believe her.” (Mark 16:10–11 NLT)   Satan was powerless to thwart God’s plan of salvation. Throughout Scripture, we see his efforts to sidetrack God’s plan by attacking His people. He tried to tempt Jesus in the wilderness, just after Jesus’ baptism and just before the start of His public ministry. He failed spectacularly. Three times he tried to get Jesus to go against His Father’s will. And three times Jesus countered his temptation by quoting God’s Word. Satan had no defense against Scripture, so he had no choice but to flee. So, the work of salvation unfolded according to God’s plan. Jesus lived a sinless life, something no one else has ever done. In doing so, He destroyed the power of sin once and for all. He gave His life as the perfect sacrifice. He who had never sinned took God’s wrath and punishment for the sins of the world. He gave His life on the cross to bridge the gap that sin created between God and humanity. And then, on the third day, he rose from the grave. And His resurrection destroyed the power of sin once and for all. Satan could do nothing to stop Jesus’ resurrection two thousand years ago. So, part of his strategy now is to make people doubt that Jesus really rose from the grave. He promotes lies, often cloaked in pseudoscience, to plant seeds of skepticism regarding the resurrection. One such lie is the mass hallucination theory. This theory proposes that everyone who claimed to see the risen Lord was hallucinating—a bodily response to an extreme desire to see Jesus alive again. The fact of the matter is that hallucinations typically occur with people who, in one way or another, are expecting them. But biblical evidence reveals that when Jesus was crucified, His disciples were devastated and destroyed. Their faith was, to a large degree, shattered. They had absolutely no hopes of ever seeing Jesus alive again (see Mark 16:10–11). Another thing to consider is that hallucinations, once started, are continual. The disciples saw Jesus only for a very limited time. Then they ceased to see Him again. There was nothing continual about their experience. Scripture records that Jesus not only appeared to His disciples on several occasions but also that He appeared to more than five hundred people at one time (see 1 Corinthians 15:6). What are the chances that five hundred people all hallucinated the same thing at the same time? If this evidence against the resurrection were ever brought forth in a court of law, it certainly would not hold water. Satan’s lies about the resurrection will never hold up because Jesus is alive. He fulfilled the Scriptures by rising again, conquering sin and death. He appeared over and over again to a multitude of eyewitnesses. And each appearance of Christ is a tender demonstration of His meeting the needs and easing the hurts of His children. As believers, we must spread the Good News of Jesus’ resurrection and what it means for the world.   Reflection question: How can you explain the truth about Jesus’ resurrection to someone who needs to hear it? 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 Partner“She went to the disciples, who were grieving and weeping, and told them what had happened. But when she told them that Jesus was alive and she had seen him, they didn’t believe her.” (Mark 16:10–11 NLT)   Satan was powerless to thwart God’s plan of salvation. Throughout Scripture, we see his efforts to sidetrack God’s plan by attacking His people. He tried to tempt Jesus in the wilderness, just after Jesus’ baptism and just before the start of His public ministry. He failed spectacularly. Three times he tried to get Jesus to go against His Father’s will. And three times Jesus countered his temptation by quoting God’s Word. Satan had no defense against Scripture, so he had no choice but to flee. So, the work of salvation unfolded according to God’s plan. Jesus lived a sinless life, something no one else has ever done. In doing so, He destroyed the power of sin once and for all. He gave His life as the perfect sacrifice. He who had never sinned took God’s wrath and punishment for the sins of the world. He gave His life on the cross to bridge the gap that sin created between God and humanity. And then, on the third day, he rose from the grave. And His resurrection destroyed the power of sin once and for all. Satan could do nothing to stop Jesus’ resurrection two thousand years ago. So, part of his strategy now is to make people doubt that Jesus really rose from the grave. He promotes lies, often cloaked in pseudoscience, to plant seeds of skepticism regarding the resurrection. One such lie is the mass hallucination theory. This theory proposes that everyone who claimed to see the risen Lord was hallucinating—a bodily response to an extreme desire to see Jesus alive again. The fact of the matter is that hallucinations typically occur with people who, in one way or another, are expecting them. But biblical evidence reveals that when Jesus was crucified, His disciples were devastated and destroyed. Their faith was, to a large degree, shattered. They had absolutely no hopes of ever seeing Jesus alive again (see Mark 16:10–11). Another thing to consider is that hallucinations, once started, are continual. The disciples saw Jesus only for a very limited time. Then they ceased to see Him again. There was nothing continual about their experience. Scripture records that Jesus not only appeared to His disciples on several occasions but also that He appeared to more than five hundred people at one time (see 1 Corinthians 15:6). What are the chances that five hundred people all hallucinated the same thing at the same time? If this evidence against the resurrection were ever brought forth in a court of law, it certainly would not hold water. Satan’s lies about the resurrection will never hold up because Jesus is alive. He fulfilled the Scriptures by rising again, conquering sin and death. He appeared over and over again to a multitude of eyewitnesses. And each appearance of Christ is a tender demonstration of His meeting the needs and easing the hurts of His children. As believers, we must spread the Good News of Jesus’ resurrection and what it means for the world.   Reflection question: How can you explain the truth about Jesus’ resurrection to someone who needs to hear it? 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 Partner

Service Above and Beyond | Mark 14:4–5 Service Above and Beyond | Mark 14:4–5 “Some of those at the table were indignant. ‘Why waste such expensive perfume?’ they asked. ‘It could have been sold for a year’s wages and the money given to the poor!’ So they scolded her harshly.” (Mark 14:4–5 NLT)   As you read the New Testament, you can’t help but notice how little it says about the major events of world history. You might think Scripture would mention Rome and all its mighty conquests. But it doesn’t. Instead, the events of the Roman Empire are mere backdrops for more personal events in history, ones that God chose to spotlight. Ones that still resonate two thousand years later. God focuses on teachings and personal stories that transcend mere dates and accomplishments. In Mark 12:41–44, Jesus tells the story of a woman who gave everything she had, just two small coins, to the Temple collection box. In contrast to her, the Roman emperor and certain citizens possessed wealth beyond measure. But that didn’t matter to the Lord. Theirs was meaningless wealth—the use of riches that God saw no reason to celebrate in His Word. And in Mark 14:3–9, we find the story of a woman who made an incredible sacrifice for Jesus. While Jesus was visiting the home of a man named Simon, an unnamed woman poured out a jar of expensive perfume to anoint Jesus. Her actions are memorable because she seemed to recognize that Jesus needed to be anointed for His upcoming burial (see verse 8). So, with complete abandon, she gave Him everything she had. The perfume cost over three hundred denarii. In those days, three hundred denarii equaled a year’s wages. But it wasn’t the cost of the gift that mattered. It was the heart that made her want to give. It was her motives that touched Jesus, because He knew she had sacrificed nearly everything for Him. Mark 10:17–31 tells the story of a man who asked Jesus, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” (NLT). The man was confident in his spiritual standing because he had obeyed all the commandments since he was young. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor,” Jesus said (verse 21 NLT). That was something the man couldn’t do because he had many possessions. So, he went away sad. Those who follow Jesus must keep a light grasp on their riches and possessions. We must be willing to sacrifice anything and everything for Him. Are you willing to sacrifice anything and everything? Are you doing all that you can for the Lord? Some people, like many of the dutiful Pharisees, will give only what is required. They will try to get by with the bare minimum. It’s a tempting approach, but one that you will always regret. Today, won’t you commit to serving the Lord above and beyond what is required—like the women in Jesus’s stories did?   Reflection question: What would an act of service above and beyond the bare minimum 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 Partner“Some of those at the table were indignant. ‘Why waste such expensive perfume?’ they asked. ‘It could have been sold for a year’s wages and the money given to the poor!’ So they scolded her harshly.” (Mark 14:4–5 NLT)   As you read the New Testament, you can’t help but notice how little it says about the major events of world history. You might think Scripture would mention Rome and all its mighty conquests. But it doesn’t. Instead, the events of the Roman Empire are mere backdrops for more personal events in history, ones that God chose to spotlight. Ones that still resonate two thousand years later. God focuses on teachings and personal stories that transcend mere dates and accomplishments. In Mark 12:41–44, Jesus tells the story of a woman who gave everything she had, just two small coins, to the Temple collection box. In contrast to her, the Roman emperor and certain citizens possessed wealth beyond measure. But that didn’t matter to the Lord. Theirs was meaningless wealth—the use of riches that God saw no reason to celebrate in His Word. And in Mark 14:3–9, we find the story of a woman who made an incredible sacrifice for Jesus. While Jesus was visiting the home of a man named Simon, an unnamed woman poured out a jar of expensive perfume to anoint Jesus. Her actions are memorable because she seemed to recognize that Jesus needed to be anointed for His upcoming burial (see verse 8). So, with complete abandon, she gave Him everything she had. The perfume cost over three hundred denarii. In those days, three hundred denarii equaled a year’s wages. But it wasn’t the cost of the gift that mattered. It was the heart that made her want to give. It was her motives that touched Jesus, because He knew she had sacrificed nearly everything for Him. Mark 10:17–31 tells the story of a man who asked Jesus, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” (NLT). The man was confident in his spiritual standing because he had obeyed all the commandments since he was young. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor,” Jesus said (verse 21 NLT). That was something the man couldn’t do because he had many possessions. So, he went away sad. Those who follow Jesus must keep a light grasp on their riches and possessions. We must be willing to sacrifice anything and everything for Him. Are you willing to sacrifice anything and everything? Are you doing all that you can for the Lord? Some people, like many of the dutiful Pharisees, will give only what is required. They will try to get by with the bare minimum. It’s a tempting approach, but one that you will always regret. Today, won’t you commit to serving the Lord above and beyond what is required—like the women in Jesus’s stories did?   Reflection question: What would an act of service above and beyond the bare minimum 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 Partner

Into the Storm | Mark 4:35–37Into the Storm | Mark 4:35–37“As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.’ So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed). But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water.” (Mark 4:35–37 NLT)   In Mark 5, we find an interesting story in which Jesus invites the disciples, some of whom were seasoned fishermen, to join Him on a little boat trip across the Sea of Galilee. On the way across, they encounter a violent storm. Bad timing, some might say. On the contrary, it was perfect timing. The circumstances of the story beg the question: Did Jesus know that a storm was coming when He said, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake” (Mark 4:35 NLT)? The answer is undoubtedly yes. The apostle Paul wrote, “Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see—such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him” (Colossians 1:15–16 NLT). The One who is supreme over all creation doesn’t need a forecast to know when a storm is coming. In fact, it’s likely Jesus planned the outing because of the storm. You might even say it was part of His curriculum that day. Jesus was teaching His disciples to believe what they claimed to believe. We don’t want to make light of what the disciples were experiencing, because this was a very severe storm. Several on board had experienced storms on the Sea of Galilee before. The fact that they were gripped by fear says something about the storm’s ferocity. Mark 4:37 says that high waves were breaking into the boat. Sinking seemed to be a very real possibility. The disciples were afraid, but they didn’t have to be. Jesus had made a significant statement—one that apparently the disciples had missed: “Let’s cross to the other side” (NLT). When God says, “Let’s cross to the other side,” it means you’ll get to the other side. He didn’t say it would be smooth sailing. He didn’t say it would be an easy trip. But He did say, “Let’s cross to the other side.” God’s people become gripped by fear and cease to think logically when we forget His promises to us. That’s exactly what happened to the disciples. But Jesus was on board with them. He was there to see them through. And He’s there to see us through, too. The Lord still wants to take His followers to the other side. Outside their comfort zone. Away from those who would hold them back. Beyond their limited perception of who they are and what they’re capable of. The journey involves risk. It will be scary at times. But the Lord is greater than the obstacles and challenges in the way.   Reflection question: How has the Lord helped you navigate a storm 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 Partner“As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.’ So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed). But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water.” (Mark 4:35–37 NLT)   In Mark 5, we find an interesting story in which Jesus invites the disciples, some of whom were seasoned fishermen, to join Him on a little boat trip across the Sea of Galilee. On the way across, they encounter a violent storm. Bad timing, some might say. On the contrary, it was perfect timing. The circumstances of the story beg the question: Did Jesus know that a storm was coming when He said, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake” (Mark 4:35 NLT)? The answer is undoubtedly yes. The apostle Paul wrote, “Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see—such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him” (Colossians 1:15–16 NLT). The One who is supreme over all creation doesn’t need a forecast to know when a storm is coming. In fact, it’s likely Jesus planned the outing because of the storm. You might even say it was part of His curriculum that day. Jesus was teaching His disciples to believe what they claimed to believe. We don’t want to make light of what the disciples were experiencing, because this was a very severe storm. Several on board had experienced storms on the Sea of Galilee before. The fact that they were gripped by fear says something about the storm’s ferocity. Mark 4:37 says that high waves were breaking into the boat. Sinking seemed to be a very real possibility. The disciples were afraid, but they didn’t have to be. Jesus had made a significant statement—one that apparently the disciples had missed: “Let’s cross to the other side” (NLT). When God says, “Let’s cross to the other side,” it means you’ll get to the other side. He didn’t say it would be smooth sailing. He didn’t say it would be an easy trip. But He did say, “Let’s cross to the other side.” God’s people become gripped by fear and cease to think logically when we forget His promises to us. That’s exactly what happened to the disciples. But Jesus was on board with them. He was there to see them through. And He’s there to see us through, too. The Lord still wants to take His followers to the other side. Outside their comfort zone. Away from those who would hold them back. Beyond their limited perception of who they are and what they’re capable of. The journey involves risk. It will be scary at times. But the Lord is greater than the obstacles and challenges in the way.   Reflection question: How has the Lord helped you navigate a storm 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 Partner

Close to Him | Mark 16:12–13Close to Him | Mark 16:12–13“Afterward he appeared in a different form to two of his followers who were walking from Jerusalem into the country. They rushed back to tell the others, but no one believed them.” (Mark 16:12–13 NLT)   One of the great mysteries of the Bible is why Jesus chose to appear to certain people and not others after His resurrection. There is no record of His appearing to the Jewish religious leaders who opposed Him during His earthly ministry. Or to the high priest Caiaphas, who orchestrated His crucifixion. Or to the Roman Emperor Caesar. Imagine the drama if He had appeared to Pilate: “Yo, Pilate! Remember me? Can’t keep a good man down, can you?” Instead, we find post-resurrection accounts like the one in Mark 16. Jesus appeared to two disciples on the road to Emmaus and joined them on their journey to the country. We don’t know who the disciples were, and they are not mentioned again in the Bible. Verse 12 tells us that Jesus “appeared in a different form” (NLT) to the pair. In other words, He went incognito. The two travelers had no idea that they were walking with Jesus. Later, when they told others about their encounter, “no one believed them” (verse 13 NLT). Maybe it’s because their story lacked drama and spectacle. The idea of the Lord walking incognito lacks punch. But it’s revealing as to how the Lord works. It’s a reminder to believers that Jesus walks with us always, even when we’re not aware of Him. In Isaiah 43:2, the Lord promises, “When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you” (NLT). Sometimes God’s people don’t realize He’s there until the rivers, flames, and other obstacles are in our rearview mirror. In 1 Kings 19:11–13, the prophet Elijah experienced God’s presence not in a windstorm, not in an earthquake, not in a fire, but in “the sound of a gentle whisper” (verse 12 NLT). Just as people must pay close attention to hear a gentle whisper, they must also pay close attention to experience God’s presence. Feeling close to the Lord isn’t something that happens only in church. Wherever you go, you can know that Jesus is with you there, too. When you’re going through hard times, even when you cannot feel Him, Jesus is there. That’s great news for believers—news that should be celebrated. One of the best ways to respond to the Lord’s quiet presence in your life is with a spirit of gratitude. Thank God that you never have to wonder where He is when things get tough. Another great way to respond is with silence of your own. Commit to a regular quiet time—a time when you intentionally block out the noise and distractions of the day so that you can be aware of God’s presence.   Reflection question: How does God make Himself known to 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 Partner“Afterward he appeared in a different form to two of his followers who were walking from Jerusalem into the country. They rushed back to tell the others, but no one believed them.” (Mark 16:12–13 NLT)   One of the great mysteries of the Bible is why Jesus chose to appear to certain people and not others after His resurrection. There is no record of His appearing to the Jewish religious leaders who opposed Him during His earthly ministry. Or to the high priest Caiaphas, who orchestrated His crucifixion. Or to the Roman Emperor Caesar. Imagine the drama if He had appeared to Pilate: “Yo, Pilate! Remember me? Can’t keep a good man down, can you?” Instead, we find post-resurrection accounts like the one in Mark 16. Jesus appeared to two disciples on the road to Emmaus and joined them on their journey to the country. We don’t know who the disciples were, and they are not mentioned again in the Bible. Verse 12 tells us that Jesus “appeared in a different form” (NLT) to the pair. In other words, He went incognito. The two travelers had no idea that they were walking with Jesus. Later, when they told others about their encounter, “no one believed them” (verse 13 NLT). Maybe it’s because their story lacked drama and spectacle. The idea of the Lord walking incognito lacks punch. But it’s revealing as to how the Lord works. It’s a reminder to believers that Jesus walks with us always, even when we’re not aware of Him. In Isaiah 43:2, the Lord promises, “When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you” (NLT). Sometimes God’s people don’t realize He’s there until the rivers, flames, and other obstacles are in our rearview mirror. In 1 Kings 19:11–13, the prophet Elijah experienced God’s presence not in a windstorm, not in an earthquake, not in a fire, but in “the sound of a gentle whisper” (verse 12 NLT). Just as people must pay close attention to hear a gentle whisper, they must also pay close attention to experience God’s presence. Feeling close to the Lord isn’t something that happens only in church. Wherever you go, you can know that Jesus is with you there, too. When you’re going through hard times, even when you cannot feel Him, Jesus is there. That’s great news for believers—news that should be celebrated. One of the best ways to respond to the Lord’s quiet presence in your life is with a spirit of gratitude. Thank God that you never have to wonder where He is when things get tough. Another great way to respond is with silence of your own. Commit to a regular quiet time—a time when you intentionally block out the noise and distractions of the day so that you can be aware of God’s presence.   Reflection question: How does God make Himself known to 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 Partner

Not Ashamed | Mark 8:38Not Ashamed | Mark 8:38“If anyone is ashamed of me and my message in these adulterous and sinful days, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” (Mark 8:38 NLT)   Today’s social media encourages people to stand up and be counted—to unapologetically announce and promote an agenda that they want to be associated with. Exactly what it is they stand for seems to be of secondary importance. I’m often amazed at the perverse, even horrendous, things people are willing to promote and defend. In contrast, many Christians seem to be embarrassed by the biblical truths that make them Christian. The followers of Christ have been entrusted with a life-changing—and world-changing—message. Yet many are ashamed by the gospel. They’re reluctant to share the words Jesus wants them to say. But the time has come for believers to speak boldly, regardless of the consequences. To stand up and be counted as Christ’s disciples—for the world’s sake and for their own. Jesus said, “If anyone is ashamed of me and my message in these adulterous and sinful days, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in the glory of his Father with the holy angels” (Mark 8:38 NLT). In the first century AD, the idea of Jesus dying on the cross was scandalous to Jewish people. The Greeks, who prided themselves on their cultural and intellectual attainments, thought the story of Jesus’ crucifixion was ridiculous. Yet the apostle Paul wrote, “So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended and the Gentiles say it’s all nonsense. But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God” (1 Corinthians 1:23–24 NLT). In today’s culture, many Christians struggle with Jesus’ words in John 14:6: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me” (NLT). The idea of Jesus being the only path to God bothers them. More to the point, the idea of telling others that Jesus is the only way to the Father—and the means for eternal life—bothers them. It’s safer to be inclusive and affirm the truth of all beliefs. But Jesus doesn’t give His followers that option. Are you ashamed of the simple message of the gospel? I hope not, because God’s righteousness is revealed in it. And that’s important. We all have our own sense of righteousness—our own opinions about right and wrong. But God’s righteousness is different from ours. It’s perfect. And it’s impossible to fulfill His righteousness apart from Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. So, it’s through the gospel, the Good News of Jesus, that the righteousness of God is revealed. Jesus’ followers have been entrusted with that Good News. And no amount of discomfort or embarrassment should keep us from sharing it.   Reflection question: How do you handle your discomfort concerning certain difficult biblical truths—whether it’s in embracing them or sharing them with others? 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 Partner“If anyone is ashamed of me and my message in these adulterous and sinful days, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” (Mark 8:38 NLT)   Today’s social media encourages people to stand up and be counted—to unapologetically announce and promote an agenda that they want to be associated with. Exactly what it is they stand for seems to be of secondary importance. I’m often amazed at the perverse, even horrendous, things people are willing to promote and defend. In contrast, many Christians seem to be embarrassed by the biblical truths that make them Christian. The followers of Christ have been entrusted with a life-changing—and world-changing—message. Yet many are ashamed by the gospel. They’re reluctant to share the words Jesus wants them to say. But the time has come for believers to speak boldly, regardless of the consequences. To stand up and be counted as Christ’s disciples—for the world’s sake and for their own. Jesus said, “If anyone is ashamed of me and my message in these adulterous and sinful days, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in the glory of his Father with the holy angels” (Mark 8:38 NLT). In the first century AD, the idea of Jesus dying on the cross was scandalous to Jewish people. The Greeks, who prided themselves on their cultural and intellectual attainments, thought the story of Jesus’ crucifixion was ridiculous. Yet the apostle Paul wrote, “So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended and the Gentiles say it’s all nonsense. But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God” (1 Corinthians 1:23–24 NLT). In today’s culture, many Christians struggle with Jesus’ words in John 14:6: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me” (NLT). The idea of Jesus being the only path to God bothers them. More to the point, the idea of telling others that Jesus is the only way to the Father—and the means for eternal life—bothers them. It’s safer to be inclusive and affirm the truth of all beliefs. But Jesus doesn’t give His followers that option. Are you ashamed of the simple message of the gospel? I hope not, because God’s righteousness is revealed in it. And that’s important. We all have our own sense of righteousness—our own opinions about right and wrong. But God’s righteousness is different from ours. It’s perfect. And it’s impossible to fulfill His righteousness apart from Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. So, it’s through the gospel, the Good News of Jesus, that the righteousness of God is revealed. Jesus’ followers have been entrusted with that Good News. And no amount of discomfort or embarrassment should keep us from sharing it.   Reflection question: How do you handle your discomfort concerning certain difficult biblical truths—whether it’s in embracing them or sharing them with others? 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 Partner

What an Ending | Mark 10:45What an Ending | Mark 10:45“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45 NLT)   Can you think of a movie that was ruined by its ending? Maybe the final scenes were too heartbreaking. Or too happy. Or too unbelievable. Or too predictable. Or too confusing. Or too abrupt. When I was young, I had similar feelings about the story of Jesus. Ever since childhood, I’ve always had a great admiration for the historical person known as Jesus. I had seen all His movies. I thought very highly of Him. As a boy, I lived with my grandmother for a few years. I would thumb through her big family Bible and look at the illustrations of Jesus. She also had a picture of Jesus hanging on the wall. I would stare at it and think, “I wish I could have known that man, Jesus.” The one thing I didn’t like about the life of Jesus was how the story ended. I thought it should have been rewritten with a happier ending. The part about His being crucified wrecked everything for me. After all, He was on a great roll, healing people, teaching people, changing lives. But then it all suddenly came to an end. Why did they have to put Him on a cross and kill Him? It wasn’t until after I became a Christian that I realized that the crucifixion of Jesus was the specific reason He came to earth in the first place. What Jesus accomplished in thirty-three years is almost beyond comprehension. The apostle John ended his Gospel with these words: “Jesus also did many other things. If they were all written down, I suppose the whole world could not contain the books that would be written” (John 21:25 NLT). But make no mistake: Jesus came to die. He spoke of His death frequently and in great detail with His followers. His arrest and crucifixion didn’t take Him by surprise. Jesus summed it up well when He told His disciples, “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45 NLT). We must also remember that Jesus’ story doesn’t end with the crucifixion. He rose again on the third day. If Jesus hadn’t died, He wouldn’t have risen. If He hadn’t risen, there would be no reason for this devotion. Or for Harvest Christian Fellowship, for that matter. The apostle Paul wrote, “And if Christ has not been raised, then all our preaching is useless, and your faith is useless” (1 Corinthians 15:14 NLT). Jesus was born to die so that we might live. Have you accepted the gift of eternal life that Jesus purchased with His death? If not, you can accept that gift today. If you have, are you telling other people about it? As Paul wrote to the believers in Rome, “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?” (Romans 10:14 NLT).   Reflection question: How can you share the Good News of Jesus with someone who needs to hear it? 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 Partner“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45 NLT)   Can you think of a movie that was ruined by its ending? Maybe the final scenes were too heartbreaking. Or too happy. Or too unbelievable. Or too predictable. Or too confusing. Or too abrupt. When I was young, I had similar feelings about the story of Jesus. Ever since childhood, I’ve always had a great admiration for the historical person known as Jesus. I had seen all His movies. I thought very highly of Him. As a boy, I lived with my grandmother for a few years. I would thumb through her big family Bible and look at the illustrations of Jesus. She also had a picture of Jesus hanging on the wall. I would stare at it and think, “I wish I could have known that man, Jesus.” The one thing I didn’t like about the life of Jesus was how the story ended. I thought it should have been rewritten with a happier ending. The part about His being crucified wrecked everything for me. After all, He was on a great roll, healing people, teaching people, changing lives. But then it all suddenly came to an end. Why did they have to put Him on a cross and kill Him? It wasn’t until after I became a Christian that I realized that the crucifixion of Jesus was the specific reason He came to earth in the first place. What Jesus accomplished in thirty-three years is almost beyond comprehension. The apostle John ended his Gospel with these words: “Jesus also did many other things. If they were all written down, I suppose the whole world could not contain the books that would be written” (John 21:25 NLT). But make no mistake: Jesus came to die. He spoke of His death frequently and in great detail with His followers. His arrest and crucifixion didn’t take Him by surprise. Jesus summed it up well when He told His disciples, “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45 NLT). We must also remember that Jesus’ story doesn’t end with the crucifixion. He rose again on the third day. If Jesus hadn’t died, He wouldn’t have risen. If He hadn’t risen, there would be no reason for this devotion. Or for Harvest Christian Fellowship, for that matter. The apostle Paul wrote, “And if Christ has not been raised, then all our preaching is useless, and your faith is useless” (1 Corinthians 15:14 NLT). Jesus was born to die so that we might live. Have you accepted the gift of eternal life that Jesus purchased with His death? If not, you can accept that gift today. If you have, are you telling other people about it? As Paul wrote to the believers in Rome, “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?” (Romans 10:14 NLT).   Reflection question: How can you share the Good News of Jesus with someone who needs to hear it? 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 Partner

Cross Purposes | Mark 8:34Cross Purposes | Mark 8:34“Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, ‘If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.’” (Mark 8:34 NLT)   The cross isn’t something to take lightly, even in casual conversation. Sometimes people say, “We all have our crosses to bear,” or “My cross is my supervisor at work,” or “My cross is this health problem,” or “My cross is this relative.” They mistake the cross and what it represents for a minor annoyance or a pet peeve. And in doing so, they lose the meaning of the cross. If you were living in first-century Jerusalem and saw someone surrounded by Roman guards and carrying a cross through the streets, you would know exactly what was happening. You would know that person was on his way to be crucified. Someone carrying a cross was about to die. So, when Jesus said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me” (Mark 8:34 NLT), His disciples would have understood exactly what He meant. Taking up the cross speaks of dying to ourselves and wanting God’s will more than our own. It does not mean that your life is ruined when you decide to walk with God. Far from it. Jesus said, “My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life” (John 10:10 NLT). But that’s on His terms, not ours. He didn’t mean, “My purpose is to fulfill their every wish.” The reality is that, apart from Jesus, no one knows what a rich and satisfying life is. Those who try to pursue it usually end up following their selfish instincts. And that never results in lasting richness or satisfaction. What Jesus meant was, “My purpose is to help them experience a life they didn’t know was available to them.” And the way to experience that life is to desire God’s will more than you desire your own. Jesus said, “If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it” (Mark 8:35 NLT). That means adjusting your expectations. Recognizing your limited perspective on what life can be. Reprioritizing what’s important to you. Embracing the life Jesus offers, even when you don’t know where it will lead or what it will require of you. Taking up your cross means giving up your ideas of what a rich and satisfying life is. Taking up your cross ultimately requires a giant leap out of your comfort zone. Are you taking up your cross and following Jesus? If so, you’ll find that it impacts and influences every aspect of your life. The result will be life as it was meant to be lived: in the perfect will of God.   Reflection question: What would taking up your cross 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 Partner“Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, ‘If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.’” (Mark 8:34 NLT)   The cross isn’t something to take lightly, even in casual conversation. Sometimes people say, “We all have our crosses to bear,” or “My cross is my supervisor at work,” or “My cross is this health problem,” or “My cross is this relative.” They mistake the cross and what it represents for a minor annoyance or a pet peeve. And in doing so, they lose the meaning of the cross. If you were living in first-century Jerusalem and saw someone surrounded by Roman guards and carrying a cross through the streets, you would know exactly what was happening. You would know that person was on his way to be crucified. Someone carrying a cross was about to die. So, when Jesus said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me” (Mark 8:34 NLT), His disciples would have understood exactly what He meant. Taking up the cross speaks of dying to ourselves and wanting God’s will more than our own. It does not mean that your life is ruined when you decide to walk with God. Far from it. Jesus said, “My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life” (John 10:10 NLT). But that’s on His terms, not ours. He didn’t mean, “My purpose is to fulfill their every wish.” The reality is that, apart from Jesus, no one knows what a rich and satisfying life is. Those who try to pursue it usually end up following their selfish instincts. And that never results in lasting richness or satisfaction. What Jesus meant was, “My purpose is to help them experience a life they didn’t know was available to them.” And the way to experience that life is to desire God’s will more than you desire your own. Jesus said, “If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it” (Mark 8:35 NLT). That means adjusting your expectations. Recognizing your limited perspective on what life can be. Reprioritizing what’s important to you. Embracing the life Jesus offers, even when you don’t know where it will lead or what it will require of you. Taking up your cross means giving up your ideas of what a rich and satisfying life is. Taking up your cross ultimately requires a giant leap out of your comfort zone. Are you taking up your cross and following Jesus? If so, you’ll find that it impacts and influences every aspect of your life. The result will be life as it was meant to be lived: in the perfect will of God.   Reflection question: What would taking up your cross 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 Partner

An Unexpected Obstacle to Prayer | Mark 11:25An Unexpected Obstacle to Prayer | Mark 11:25“But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.” (Mark 11:25 NLT)   Every so often in the news cycle, we get stories of huge problems that can be traced back to small, seemingly minor causes. For example, a computer glitch that delays flights at a single airport can lead to a national travel emergency. In Mark 11:25, Jesus traces a significant spiritual issue—unanswered prayer—back to a seemingly unrelated problem. “But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too” (NLT). If you sense that your prayers are not being answered, it may be due to a spirit of unforgiveness in your heart. The Bible makes it clear that unresolved conflict with others can get in the way of our relationship with God. In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, “So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God” (Matthew 5:23–24 NLT). Unresolved conflict gets in the way of prayer—and the blessings that come from it— because it reveals a heart that isn’t aligned with God’s. The apostle Paul wrote, “Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:31–32 NLT). God has forgiven Christians an incredible debt. He has wiped all our sins away. For us to harbor unforgiveness toward someone else is an offense against Him. Because we understand just how much forgiveness we’ve received, we should be the most forgiving people on the face of the earth. Instead, many of us actively look for things to be offended by. Things to hold grudges for. We need an “other.” Someone to blame. Someone to look down on. Someone to judge. Someone to hold responsible for our unhappiness. Is there someone you hate right now? Is there someone you’re bitter toward? Is there someone who causes you to seethe every time you see them? Is there someone you can’t stand to be around? Is there someone you’ve been plotting revenge against? Is there someone you gossip about? If so, now is the time to deal with your spirit of unforgiveness. Depending on the circumstances, that might involve apologizing to someone you wronged—or someone who thinks you wronged them. It might mean reaching out to someone you’ve drifted apart from. It might mean starting a difficult but healing conversation with a friend or loved one. The more sincerely you reconcile with the estranged, angry, and hurting people in your life, the more effective your prayers will become.   Reflection question: What would an attitude of forgiveness and reconciliation 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 Partner“But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.” (Mark 11:25 NLT)   Every so often in the news cycle, we get stories of huge problems that can be traced back to small, seemingly minor causes. For example, a computer glitch that delays flights at a single airport can lead to a national travel emergency. In Mark 11:25, Jesus traces a significant spiritual issue—unanswered prayer—back to a seemingly unrelated problem. “But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too” (NLT). If you sense that your prayers are not being answered, it may be due to a spirit of unforgiveness in your heart. The Bible makes it clear that unresolved conflict with others can get in the way of our relationship with God. In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, “So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God” (Matthew 5:23–24 NLT). Unresolved conflict gets in the way of prayer—and the blessings that come from it— because it reveals a heart that isn’t aligned with God’s. The apostle Paul wrote, “Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:31–32 NLT). God has forgiven Christians an incredible debt. He has wiped all our sins away. For us to harbor unforgiveness toward someone else is an offense against Him. Because we understand just how much forgiveness we’ve received, we should be the most forgiving people on the face of the earth. Instead, many of us actively look for things to be offended by. Things to hold grudges for. We need an “other.” Someone to blame. Someone to look down on. Someone to judge. Someone to hold responsible for our unhappiness. Is there someone you hate right now? Is there someone you’re bitter toward? Is there someone who causes you to seethe every time you see them? Is there someone you can’t stand to be around? Is there someone you’ve been plotting revenge against? Is there someone you gossip about? If so, now is the time to deal with your spirit of unforgiveness. Depending on the circumstances, that might involve apologizing to someone you wronged—or someone who thinks you wronged them. It might mean reaching out to someone you’ve drifted apart from. It might mean starting a difficult but healing conversation with a friend or loved one. The more sincerely you reconcile with the estranged, angry, and hurting people in your life, the more effective your prayers will become.   Reflection question: What would an attitude of forgiveness and reconciliation 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 Partner

First Things First | Mark 12:29–31First Things First | Mark 12:29–31“Jesus replied, ‘The most important commandment is this: “Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.” The second is equally important: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” No other commandment is greater than these.’” (Mark 12:29–31 NLT)   In this month’s devotions, we’re going to look at the Gospel of Mark. And we’re going to start with one of the key passages of the New Testament. According to Mark 12:28, “One of the teachers of religious law” asked Jesus, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” (NLT). He was testing Jesus. At that time, Jewish religious leaders recognized over 600 different laws. And they spent a lot of time ranking them according to importance. The questioner wanted Jesus to say something controversial so that Jesus’ enemies could use it against Him. Instead, Jesus gave him the wisdom of the ages. “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these” (Mark 12:29–31 NLT). With those words, Jesus highlighted the connection between loving God and living in a way that pleases Him. He established the template of the Christian life. If you really love God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, then you will not want to break the other commandments. If you really love God as you ought to, then you will not take His name in vain, have other gods before Him, or make images that you bow down before. And if you really love your neighbor as yourself, you will not steal from him. You will not covet what belongs to him. And certainly, you will not kill him. So, if we master the basics of loving God and loving others as we ought to, then obeying other commandments will come naturally. In daily life, this looks like resisting temptation instead of choosing what feels good in the moment. In fact, it looks like making daily choices that keep you away from tempting situations. It looks like studying God’s Word purposefully to become acquainted with what pleases Him. It looks like keeping open a line of communication with Him—a daily prayer routine through which you receive guidance, direction, and encouragement. Augustine said, “Love, and do what you will.” It’s a provocative statement, but it makes sense. If you really love God as you ought to—with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength—then you will naturally do what He wants you to do.   Reflection question: How do you know when you’re loving God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength? 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 Partner“Jesus replied, ‘The most important commandment is this: “Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.” The second is equally important: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” No other commandment is greater than these.’” (Mark 12:29–31 NLT)   In this month’s devotions, we’re going to look at the Gospel of Mark. And we’re going to start with one of the key passages of the New Testament. According to Mark 12:28, “One of the teachers of religious law” asked Jesus, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” (NLT). He was testing Jesus. At that time, Jewish religious leaders recognized over 600 different laws. And they spent a lot of time ranking them according to importance. The questioner wanted Jesus to say something controversial so that Jesus’ enemies could use it against Him. Instead, Jesus gave him the wisdom of the ages. “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these” (Mark 12:29–31 NLT). With those words, Jesus highlighted the connection between loving God and living in a way that pleases Him. He established the template of the Christian life. If you really love God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, then you will not want to break the other commandments. If you really love God as you ought to, then you will not take His name in vain, have other gods before Him, or make images that you bow down before. And if you really love your neighbor as yourself, you will not steal from him. You will not covet what belongs to him. And certainly, you will not kill him. So, if we master the basics of loving God and loving others as we ought to, then obeying other commandments will come naturally. In daily life, this looks like resisting temptation instead of choosing what feels good in the moment. In fact, it looks like making daily choices that keep you away from tempting situations. It looks like studying God’s Word purposefully to become acquainted with what pleases Him. It looks like keeping open a line of communication with Him—a daily prayer routine through which you receive guidance, direction, and encouragement. Augustine said, “Love, and do what you will.” It’s a provocative statement, but it makes sense. If you really love God as you ought to—with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength—then you will naturally do what He wants you to do.   Reflection question: How do you know when you’re loving God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength? 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 Partner

Go the Distance | Philippians 3:14Go the Distance | Philippians 3:14“I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” (Philippians 3:14 NLT)   New Year’s resolutions are funny things. We dream up grand lifestyle changes and tell ourselves “Ok, everything will be different on January 1st!” But the truth is, many of us adjust our New Year’s resolutions as time passes because we’re unable to keep them. Year after year, we get frustrated and discouraged by our lack of willpower, discipline, and commitment. But there’s a lesson in there that we must not miss. We don’t need a New Year’s resolution. We need a spiritual solution. The spiritual solution we need is found in Philippians 3:14: “I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us” (NLT). In this passage, the apostle Paul helps us understand what our priorities should be. On more than one occasion, Paul used athletic metaphors to describe the Christian life. In this passage, he compares it to running a race. But we need to understand that the race is not a one-hundred-meter sprint. It’s a long-distance run. That’s why we must pace ourselves. In a long-distance race, there’s little significance in leading the field for, say, nine out of ten laps. What matters is the tenth lap. Whoever crosses the finish line first is the winner. Spiritually speaking, finishing strong involves being consistent. There are times in our relationship with Christ when everything seems to click—when our prayer life, Bible study, evangelism, and personal discipline are firing on all cylinders. With the wind at our back, we start to feel unbeatable. So, we alter our pace. We let pride dictate our strategy. And then we hit the wall, metaphorically speaking. We struggle to maintain any kind of pace. On top of that, we have a spiritual enemy who delights in turning our race into a hurdles event by throwing obstacles in our way. The good news is that the headwind, like the wind at our back, is temporary. We don’t have to face it long. The obstacles our enemy throws in our path need not affect us because we’re powered by the Holy Spirit. He gives us the stamina we need to stay the course. Our job is to stay focused on the race—to keep our eyes on the prize. We need to strive for spiritual consistency. If we want to win in the race of life, then we need to learn to pace ourselves.   Reflection question: How can you pace yourself in your walk with Christ? 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 Partner“I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” (Philippians 3:14 NLT)   New Year’s resolutions are funny things. We dream up grand lifestyle changes and tell ourselves “Ok, everything will be different on January 1st!” But the truth is, many of us adjust our New Year’s resolutions as time passes because we’re unable to keep them. Year after year, we get frustrated and discouraged by our lack of willpower, discipline, and commitment. But there’s a lesson in there that we must not miss. We don’t need a New Year’s resolution. We need a spiritual solution. The spiritual solution we need is found in Philippians 3:14: “I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us” (NLT). In this passage, the apostle Paul helps us understand what our priorities should be. On more than one occasion, Paul used athletic metaphors to describe the Christian life. In this passage, he compares it to running a race. But we need to understand that the race is not a one-hundred-meter sprint. It’s a long-distance run. That’s why we must pace ourselves. In a long-distance race, there’s little significance in leading the field for, say, nine out of ten laps. What matters is the tenth lap. Whoever crosses the finish line first is the winner. Spiritually speaking, finishing strong involves being consistent. There are times in our relationship with Christ when everything seems to click—when our prayer life, Bible study, evangelism, and personal discipline are firing on all cylinders. With the wind at our back, we start to feel unbeatable. So, we alter our pace. We let pride dictate our strategy. And then we hit the wall, metaphorically speaking. We struggle to maintain any kind of pace. On top of that, we have a spiritual enemy who delights in turning our race into a hurdles event by throwing obstacles in our way. The good news is that the headwind, like the wind at our back, is temporary. We don’t have to face it long. The obstacles our enemy throws in our path need not affect us because we’re powered by the Holy Spirit. He gives us the stamina we need to stay the course. Our job is to stay focused on the race—to keep our eyes on the prize. We need to strive for spiritual consistency. If we want to win in the race of life, then we need to learn to pace ourselves.   Reflection question: How can you pace yourself in your walk with Christ? 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 Partner

Making Every Effort in 2026 | 2 Peter 1:5–9Making Every Effort in 2026 | 2 Peter 1:5–9“In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone. The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins.” (2 Peter 1:5–9 NLT)   Many people make resolutions this time of the year. Some are going to swear off alcohol or smoking or social media or unhealthy eating. Others are going to try to change destructive habits like gossip or worry or losing their temper. Many people will try to start new habits like exercising. Health clubs love the beginning of the year because people love to commit to going to the gym and working out three to five times a week. The problem is, most people never follow through on their resolutions because they weren’t serious in the first place. There are other, more important, resolutions for you to focus on as we begin 2026. There are godly habits to develop and ungodly habits to break. Horace Mann once said, “Habit is a cable; we weave a thread each day, and at last we cannot break it.” That can be a good thing or a bad thing, depending on the habit. This New Year, make a concerted effort to develop godly habits—habits that cannot be broken and that will build others up in their love for the Lord. The words of the apostle Peter in 2 Peter 1:5–9 offer a good starting point. “In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone. The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins” (NLT). Peter emphasizes that difference-making spiritual growth is a process. It doesn’t involve reaching certain plateaus according to a specific timetable. The important thing is that we prioritize spiritual growth in our life, that we make consistent progress as we grow in our relationship with Christ. That’s the kind of habit we should pursue. That’s the kind of resolution we should strive for.   Reflection question: How can you apply the words of 2 Peter 1:5–9 as you work to develop godly habits—or break ungodly habits—in 2026? 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 Partner“In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone. The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins.” (2 Peter 1:5–9 NLT)   Many people make resolutions this time of the year. Some are going to swear off alcohol or smoking or social media or unhealthy eating. Others are going to try to change destructive habits like gossip or worry or losing their temper. Many people will try to start new habits like exercising. Health clubs love the beginning of the year because people love to commit to going to the gym and working out three to five times a week. The problem is, most people never follow through on their resolutions because they weren’t serious in the first place. There are other, more important, resolutions for you to focus on as we begin 2026. There are godly habits to develop and ungodly habits to break. Horace Mann once said, “Habit is a cable; we weave a thread each day, and at last we cannot break it.” That can be a good thing or a bad thing, depending on the habit. This New Year, make a concerted effort to develop godly habits—habits that cannot be broken and that will build others up in their love for the Lord. The words of the apostle Peter in 2 Peter 1:5–9 offer a good starting point. “In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone. The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins” (NLT). Peter emphasizes that difference-making spiritual growth is a process. It doesn’t involve reaching certain plateaus according to a specific timetable. The important thing is that we prioritize spiritual growth in our life, that we make consistent progress as we grow in our relationship with Christ. That’s the kind of habit we should pursue. That’s the kind of resolution we should strive for.   Reflection question: How can you apply the words of 2 Peter 1:5–9 as you work to develop godly habits—or break ungodly habits—in 2026? 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 Partner

An Unknown Future | Jeremiah 29:11An Unknown Future | Jeremiah 29:11“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.’” (Jeremiah 29:11 NLT)   We don’t know what the new year will bring. We don’t know what problems we will encounter or what changes will come our way. We don’t even know what blessings the Lord has in store for us. God knows, of course. “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope’” (Jeremiah 29:11 NLT). Wherever His plans take us, one thing is guaranteed. We have no reason to be afraid. No matter what the new year brings our way, Jesus Christ will be with us and for us. Corrie ten Boom, a wonderful woman of God, said, “Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.” She was speaking from experience. As a Holocaust survivor, she faced uncertainties about her future that few of us will ever experience. Yet she refused to give in to fear or despair because she knew God. She had read about how He provided for His people in Scripture. She was aware of His potential to work miracles. She had experienced His love and protection in some of the most horrific conditions imaginable. The psalmist wrote, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him” (Psalm 24:1 NLT). Nothing is beyond the Creator’s power. Proverbs 19:21 says, “You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail” (NLT). The apostle Paul wrote, “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” (Romans 8:28 NLT). And in Isaiah 41:10, God Himself 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). There’s a sense of relief in acknowledging that God is in control of our future. We don’t have to take on the burden of control ourselves. Instead, we can focus on following His direction, obeying His instructions, and prioritizing His will. God stands ready to bless us in this coming year. But we must be ready to walk with Him, worship Him, and obey Him. We can’t expect the Lord to bless someone who is in opposition to His law and His love. As we wrap up the year, it’s only natural that we do a little reflection. As you look back on 2025, was it a year in which you progressed spiritually? Was it a year in which you found yourself becoming more like Jesus Christ? Or was there some kind of spiritual breakdown? If so, now is a good time to make a change. Now is the time to resolve to grow closer to Jesus Christ.   Reflection question: What would trusting God with your future look like in 2026? 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 Partner“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.’” (Jeremiah 29:11 NLT)   We don’t know what the new year will bring. We don’t know what problems we will encounter or what changes will come our way. We don’t even know what blessings the Lord has in store for us. God knows, of course. “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope’” (Jeremiah 29:11 NLT). Wherever His plans take us, one thing is guaranteed. We have no reason to be afraid. No matter what the new year brings our way, Jesus Christ will be with us and for us. Corrie ten Boom, a wonderful woman of God, said, “Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.” She was speaking from experience. As a Holocaust survivor, she faced uncertainties about her future that few of us will ever experience. Yet she refused to give in to fear or despair because she knew God. She had read about how He provided for His people in Scripture. She was aware of His potential to work miracles. She had experienced His love and protection in some of the most horrific conditions imaginable. The psalmist wrote, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him” (Psalm 24:1 NLT). Nothing is beyond the Creator’s power. Proverbs 19:21 says, “You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail” (NLT). The apostle Paul wrote, “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” (Romans 8:28 NLT). And in Isaiah 41:10, God Himself 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). There’s a sense of relief in acknowledging that God is in control of our future. We don’t have to take on the burden of control ourselves. Instead, we can focus on following His direction, obeying His instructions, and prioritizing His will. God stands ready to bless us in this coming year. But we must be ready to walk with Him, worship Him, and obey Him. We can’t expect the Lord to bless someone who is in opposition to His law and His love. As we wrap up the year, it’s only natural that we do a little reflection. As you look back on 2025, was it a year in which you progressed spiritually? Was it a year in which you found yourself becoming more like Jesus Christ? Or was there some kind of spiritual breakdown? If so, now is a good time to make a change. Now is the time to resolve to grow closer to Jesus Christ.   Reflection question: What would trusting God with your future look like in 2026? 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 Partner

Merry Christmas to All? | Matthew 5:43–48Merry Christmas to All? | Matthew 5:43–48“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. . . . If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.” (Matthew 5:43–48 NLT)   Who was on your Christmas gift list this year? Usually, we give gifts to family and friends. We want to buy gifts for people we love and people we care about. We tend to give gifts to those who treat us well, people who are kind and considerate to us. And often we will give gifts in return for gifts that we have received. Some of us will even buy gifts for our pets. However, we generally don’t buy gifts for our enemies, do we? We don’t give a gift to the person who has slandered us in the past year. We don’t give a gift to the irate neighbor who never has a kind word to say. We don’t give a gift to someone who has tried to run us out of business. Nor do we send a gift to the thief who broke into our car last month. Yet that’s the standard to which the Lord calls us. In Matthew 5:43–48, Jesus said, “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. . . . If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect” (NLT). How can the Lord hold us to such high expectations? “We love each other because he loved us first” (1 John 4:19 NLT). When God sent Jesus Christ, His Son, and gave us the ultimate gift, He gave it to us while we were still His enemies. The Bible tells us, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8 NKJV). We did nothing whatsoever to merit or deserve this gift. In fact, what we really deserve is judgment, because we all have sinned against God. We all have deliberately crossed that line. The amazing truth of Christmas is that, despite our sins, God sent His Son to save us. In that tiny manger in Bethlehem, He gave us a gift that we don’t deserve—but that we can be thankful for every day of our lives.   Reflection question: This Christmas season, how can you show love to someone you don’t get along with? 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 Partner“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. . . . If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.” (Matthew 5:43–48 NLT)   Who was on your Christmas gift list this year? Usually, we give gifts to family and friends. We want to buy gifts for people we love and people we care about. We tend to give gifts to those who treat us well, people who are kind and considerate to us. And often we will give gifts in return for gifts that we have received. Some of us will even buy gifts for our pets. However, we generally don’t buy gifts for our enemies, do we? We don’t give a gift to the person who has slandered us in the past year. We don’t give a gift to the irate neighbor who never has a kind word to say. We don’t give a gift to someone who has tried to run us out of business. Nor do we send a gift to the thief who broke into our car last month. Yet that’s the standard to which the Lord calls us. In Matthew 5:43–48, Jesus said, “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. . . . If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect” (NLT). How can the Lord hold us to such high expectations? “We love each other because he loved us first” (1 John 4:19 NLT). When God sent Jesus Christ, His Son, and gave us the ultimate gift, He gave it to us while we were still His enemies. The Bible tells us, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8 NKJV). We did nothing whatsoever to merit or deserve this gift. In fact, what we really deserve is judgment, because we all have sinned against God. We all have deliberately crossed that line. The amazing truth of Christmas is that, despite our sins, God sent His Son to save us. In that tiny manger in Bethlehem, He gave us a gift that we don’t deserve—but that we can be thankful for every day of our lives.   Reflection question: This Christmas season, how can you show love to someone you don’t get along with? 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 Partner

Peace on Earth | Luke 12:51Peace on Earth | Luke 12:51“Do you think I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I have come to divide people against each other!” (Luke 12:51 NLT)   This may come as a shock to you, but the real Christmas story is not about love, peace, harmony, and gathering with family around a crackling fire. The real Christmas story is about conflict. It always has been, and it always will be. In Luke 12:51, Jesus said, “Do you think I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I have come to divide people against each other!” (NLT). One of the most surprising passages in Scripture that deals with the subject of Christmas is Revelation 12. There we find the apostle John’s account of a woman being pursued by a powerful dragon who seeks her death. As she is preparing to give birth to a child, the dragon hovers over her, wanting to destroy the baby. The woman is a picture of Israel, the child is a picture of Jesus Christ, and the dragon is a picture of the devil. That’s Christmas from a heavenly perspective. John’s imagery in Revelation 12 gives us the big picture of what was really happening when God sent His Son into the world. The devil opposed God’s plan and wanted to stop Jesus’ birth. It’s not hard to see how that story is still playing out today, especially at this time of year. The season of giving often turns into a season of giving those who celebrate Christmas a hard time. Hostility toward Christmas seems to escalate a little more every year. More nativity scenes are being removed from public places. Christmas carols are being prohibited in more places. Podcasters and influencers who attack the Christian faith are becoming more and more popular. Many people still object to the use of the word Christmas. All these things are individual battles in the great spiritual conflict of Christmas. We can rejoice in that. Jesus said, “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way” (Matthew 5:11–12 NLT). Jesus did not come to bring an empty, feel-good peace on earth devoid of truth. Look again at the angel’s message to the shepherds on the night Christ was born. “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased” (Luke 2:14 NLT). The peace that Jesus offers is conditional. It’s hard-earned. It requires sacrifice and purposeful choices on our part. It encourages us to live as He lived, to prioritize God’s will, and to spread His message to others. We will have peace on earth only when we’re pleasing to God.   Reflection question: What do you think God is pleased with 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 Partner“Do you think I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I have come to divide people against each other!” (Luke 12:51 NLT)   This may come as a shock to you, but the real Christmas story is not about love, peace, harmony, and gathering with family around a crackling fire. The real Christmas story is about conflict. It always has been, and it always will be. In Luke 12:51, Jesus said, “Do you think I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I have come to divide people against each other!” (NLT). One of the most surprising passages in Scripture that deals with the subject of Christmas is Revelation 12. There we find the apostle John’s account of a woman being pursued by a powerful dragon who seeks her death. As she is preparing to give birth to a child, the dragon hovers over her, wanting to destroy the baby. The woman is a picture of Israel, the child is a picture of Jesus Christ, and the dragon is a picture of the devil. That’s Christmas from a heavenly perspective. John’s imagery in Revelation 12 gives us the big picture of what was really happening when God sent His Son into the world. The devil opposed God’s plan and wanted to stop Jesus’ birth. It’s not hard to see how that story is still playing out today, especially at this time of year. The season of giving often turns into a season of giving those who celebrate Christmas a hard time. Hostility toward Christmas seems to escalate a little more every year. More nativity scenes are being removed from public places. Christmas carols are being prohibited in more places. Podcasters and influencers who attack the Christian faith are becoming more and more popular. Many people still object to the use of the word Christmas. All these things are individual battles in the great spiritual conflict of Christmas. We can rejoice in that. Jesus said, “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way” (Matthew 5:11–12 NLT). Jesus did not come to bring an empty, feel-good peace on earth devoid of truth. Look again at the angel’s message to the shepherds on the night Christ was born. “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased” (Luke 2:14 NLT). The peace that Jesus offers is conditional. It’s hard-earned. It requires sacrifice and purposeful choices on our part. It encourages us to live as He lived, to prioritize God’s will, and to spread His message to others. We will have peace on earth only when we’re pleasing to God.   Reflection question: What do you think God is pleased with 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 Partner

Before the World Was Made | Revelation 13:8Before the World Was Made | Revelation 13:8“And all the people who belong to this world worshiped the beast. They are the ones whose names were not written in the Book of Life that belongs to the Lamb who was slaughtered before the world was made.” (Revelation 13:8 NLT)   We celebrate Christmas to rejoice over God’s most precious gift to us. The birth of Jesus Christ is a gift from God that came in simple wrapping, as well as a gift that we don’t deserve. But the gift of Christ also explains God’s purpose for humankind. The gift of Christ was no afterthought. Long before there was a stable in Bethlehem, before Adam and Eve ever set eyes on each other, and even before there existed a garden called Eden, God decided to send His Son Jesus Christ to die on the cross for our sins. From the beginning, God knew humankind would fall short of His glory. That’s why the apostle John wrote, “They are the ones whose names were not written in the Book of Life that belongs to the Lamb who was slaughtered before the world was made” (Revelation 13:8 NLT). God decided from the very beginning that Christ would come to this earth to live and die and rise again from the dead. God’s gift to us proves His purpose to redeem us. To fully appreciate that, we must understand what God did for us. He created humankind. He placed us in a literal paradise. He walked with us in the garden. We enjoyed face-to-face fellowship with Him. He gave us responsibilities that fulfilled us and brought us joy. He set one restriction—just one. But that proved to be too much for us. So, we rejected Him and His perfect plan. We destroyed paradise. We drifted far from Him. God sent prophets and judgments to warn us of the penalties for rejecting Him, of the eternal suffering that was to come. He urged us to repent and turn back to Him. Still, we refused. So, He sent His Son to do what we could not. To live a sinless life and destroy the power of sin. To die in our place as the perfect sacrifice. To take the punishment we deserve. To rise from the grave and destroy the power of death. To make eternal life possible. The gift of Jesus Christ is what Christmas is all about. Jesus came near to us so that we could come near to Him. Christmas is not about tinsel or shopping or gifts under a tree. Christmas is about the gift God gave on the tree where Christ died for our sins. Christmas is about the gift of eternal life. That’s what Jesus accomplished. That’s the gift He extends. And if you receive it, you’ll experience the merriest Christmas of all. That’s the message God wants us to carry to the world this Christmas season.   Reflection question: How can you show your gratitude to God for the gift of His Son? 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 Partner“And all the people who belong to this world worshiped the beast. They are the ones whose names were not written in the Book of Life that belongs to the Lamb who was slaughtered before the world was made.” (Revelation 13:8 NLT)   We celebrate Christmas to rejoice over God’s most precious gift to us. The birth of Jesus Christ is a gift from God that came in simple wrapping, as well as a gift that we don’t deserve. But the gift of Christ also explains God’s purpose for humankind. The gift of Christ was no afterthought. Long before there was a stable in Bethlehem, before Adam and Eve ever set eyes on each other, and even before there existed a garden called Eden, God decided to send His Son Jesus Christ to die on the cross for our sins. From the beginning, God knew humankind would fall short of His glory. That’s why the apostle John wrote, “They are the ones whose names were not written in the Book of Life that belongs to the Lamb who was slaughtered before the world was made” (Revelation 13:8 NLT). God decided from the very beginning that Christ would come to this earth to live and die and rise again from the dead. God’s gift to us proves His purpose to redeem us. To fully appreciate that, we must understand what God did for us. He created humankind. He placed us in a literal paradise. He walked with us in the garden. We enjoyed face-to-face fellowship with Him. He gave us responsibilities that fulfilled us and brought us joy. He set one restriction—just one. But that proved to be too much for us. So, we rejected Him and His perfect plan. We destroyed paradise. We drifted far from Him. God sent prophets and judgments to warn us of the penalties for rejecting Him, of the eternal suffering that was to come. He urged us to repent and turn back to Him. Still, we refused. So, He sent His Son to do what we could not. To live a sinless life and destroy the power of sin. To die in our place as the perfect sacrifice. To take the punishment we deserve. To rise from the grave and destroy the power of death. To make eternal life possible. The gift of Jesus Christ is what Christmas is all about. Jesus came near to us so that we could come near to Him. Christmas is not about tinsel or shopping or gifts under a tree. Christmas is about the gift God gave on the tree where Christ died for our sins. Christmas is about the gift of eternal life. That’s what Jesus accomplished. That’s the gift He extends. And if you receive it, you’ll experience the merriest Christmas of all. That’s the message God wants us to carry to the world this Christmas season.   Reflection question: How can you show your gratitude to God for the gift of His Son? 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 Partner

The Greatest Gift in the Plainest of Wrapping | Romans 5:8The Greatest Gift in the Plainest of Wrapping | Romans 5:8“But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” (Romans 5:8 NLT)   When you’re a child, Christmas is all about receiving gifts. In December, your head is swimming with nothing but images of your favorite toys. But the true message of Christmas is not the presents we give to one another. The true meaning is the gift that God gave to us, His Son Jesus Christ. One of the most remarkable aspects of God’s perfect gift to us is that it came in simple wrapping. Some people will go to great lengths to wrap presents beautifully. But God’sgift came to us not in beautiful, ornate wrapping, but in a dirty manger found in a cold cave in a little-known town called Bethlehem. That’s the beauty of the Christmas event. Jesus took His place in a manger so that we might have a home in Heaven. The Savior was not wrapped in satin sheets, but in common rags. There in a manger rested the greatest gift in the plainest of wrapping. Isaiah 53:2–3 says, “My servant grew up in the Lord’s presence like a tender green shoot, like a root in dry ground. There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him. He was despised and rejected—a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care” (NLT). The New Testament reveals much about Jesus. But the one thing it doesn’t tell us is what He looked like. Luke 2:52 says, “Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people” (nlt). But that’s about all we know. All indications suggest that Jesus’ appearance was plain and unremarkable. His words and actions, on the other hand, changed the world. An even more remarkable aspect of God’s gift to us is that we don’t deserve it. Consider this: God gave us the ultimate gift of His Son Jesus Christ while we were still sinning against Him. The apostle Paul put it this way: “But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners” (Romans 5:8 NLT). We did nothing whatsoever to merit or deserve His gift. That’s the amazing truth of Christmas. Despite who we are and what we’ve done, God sent His Son so “that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16 NKJV). Christmas is one day away. Prepare your heart for the celebration of the birth of our Savior. He came in an unremarkable form. And He came even though we don’t deserve Him. So, today let’s meditate on the fact that Jesus was born to die so that we might live.   Reflection question: How can you show God your gratitude for a gift you don’t deserve? 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 Partner“But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” (Romans 5:8 NLT)   When you’re a child, Christmas is all about receiving gifts. In December, your head is swimming with nothing but images of your favorite toys. But the true message of Christmas is not the presents we give to one another. The true meaning is the gift that God gave to us, His Son Jesus Christ. One of the most remarkable aspects of God’s perfect gift to us is that it came in simple wrapping. Some people will go to great lengths to wrap presents beautifully. But God’sgift came to us not in beautiful, ornate wrapping, but in a dirty manger found in a cold cave in a little-known town called Bethlehem. That’s the beauty of the Christmas event. Jesus took His place in a manger so that we might have a home in Heaven. The Savior was not wrapped in satin sheets, but in common rags. There in a manger rested the greatest gift in the plainest of wrapping. Isaiah 53:2–3 says, “My servant grew up in the Lord’s presence like a tender green shoot, like a root in dry ground. There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him. He was despised and rejected—a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care” (NLT). The New Testament reveals much about Jesus. But the one thing it doesn’t tell us is what He looked like. Luke 2:52 says, “Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people” (nlt). But that’s about all we know. All indications suggest that Jesus’ appearance was plain and unremarkable. His words and actions, on the other hand, changed the world. An even more remarkable aspect of God’s gift to us is that we don’t deserve it. Consider this: God gave us the ultimate gift of His Son Jesus Christ while we were still sinning against Him. The apostle Paul put it this way: “But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners” (Romans 5:8 NLT). We did nothing whatsoever to merit or deserve His gift. That’s the amazing truth of Christmas. Despite who we are and what we’ve done, God sent His Son so “that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16 NKJV). Christmas is one day away. Prepare your heart for the celebration of the birth of our Savior. He came in an unremarkable form. And He came even though we don’t deserve Him. So, today let’s meditate on the fact that Jesus was born to die so that we might live.   Reflection question: How can you show God your gratitude for a gift you don’t deserve? 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 Partner

Born of a Virgin | Matthew 1:23Born of a Virgin | Matthew 1:23“Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’” (Matthew 1:23 NLT)   As Christmas approaches, we have the opportunity to carefully consider the wonder of the Incarnation—that mysterious moment when God became a man. Of course, there’s no way for us to fully appreciate the sacrifice involved. But that shouldn’t stop us from trying. Jesus Christ—God the Son—set aside His glory, power, and majesty. He stepped out of eternity and into our temporal world. He submitted Himself to the restrictions, pain, and suffering of physical existence. He took His place on the lowest rungs of the socioeconomic ladder. He was born in a manger. He left the throne of Heaven for a feeding trough. He left the presence of angels to enter a cave filled with animals. He who is larger than the universe became an embryo. He who sustains the world with a word chose to be dependent upon the nourishment of a young virgin. And that’s a key aspect of the Incarnation. Some people have a hard time believing in the Virgin Birth. If you believe the Bible, you need to believe in the Virgin Birth. The Bible teaches that God Almighty was supernaturally conceived in the womb of a virgin. Matthew 1:23 says, “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us’” (NLT). This makes sense if you think about it. If God had chosen to, He could have sent Jesus to earth as a fully grown, yet sinless human being. Jesus could have descended from Heaven in a shaft of light. But if He had come to us in that way, He would have been more like an alien visitor than like one of us. How would it be possible for us to relate to Him as a person, as a part of humanity? God also could have had Jesus come into the world through the natural reproductive process of two ordinary human beings—but still given Jesus a divine nature. But then most of us would have doubted His divinity. That’s why the Incarnation makes sense. The Incarnation is the reason for the Christmas season. Christmas is the opportunity to worship God, to bow down and pay homage to Him for humbling Himself and appearing in human form. The apostle Paul wrote of Jesus, “Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross” (Philippians 2:6–8 NLT). That stands as the true mystery of the Incarnation—and the reason we celebrate Christmas.   Reflection question: How does Jesus’ Virgin Birth underscore God’s perfect plan of salvation? 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 Partner“Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’” (Matthew 1:23 NLT)   As Christmas approaches, we have the opportunity to carefully consider the wonder of the Incarnation—that mysterious moment when God became a man. Of course, there’s no way for us to fully appreciate the sacrifice involved. But that shouldn’t stop us from trying. Jesus Christ—God the Son—set aside His glory, power, and majesty. He stepped out of eternity and into our temporal world. He submitted Himself to the restrictions, pain, and suffering of physical existence. He took His place on the lowest rungs of the socioeconomic ladder. He was born in a manger. He left the throne of Heaven for a feeding trough. He left the presence of angels to enter a cave filled with animals. He who is larger than the universe became an embryo. He who sustains the world with a word chose to be dependent upon the nourishment of a young virgin. And that’s a key aspect of the Incarnation. Some people have a hard time believing in the Virgin Birth. If you believe the Bible, you need to believe in the Virgin Birth. The Bible teaches that God Almighty was supernaturally conceived in the womb of a virgin. Matthew 1:23 says, “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us’” (NLT). This makes sense if you think about it. If God had chosen to, He could have sent Jesus to earth as a fully grown, yet sinless human being. Jesus could have descended from Heaven in a shaft of light. But if He had come to us in that way, He would have been more like an alien visitor than like one of us. How would it be possible for us to relate to Him as a person, as a part of humanity? God also could have had Jesus come into the world through the natural reproductive process of two ordinary human beings—but still given Jesus a divine nature. But then most of us would have doubted His divinity. That’s why the Incarnation makes sense. The Incarnation is the reason for the Christmas season. Christmas is the opportunity to worship God, to bow down and pay homage to Him for humbling Himself and appearing in human form. The apostle Paul wrote of Jesus, “Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross” (Philippians 2:6–8 NLT). That stands as the true mystery of the Incarnation—and the reason we celebrate Christmas.   Reflection question: How does Jesus’ Virgin Birth underscore God’s perfect plan of salvation? 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 Partner

The Greatest Gift You Can Give | Matthew 2:2The Greatest Gift You Can Give | Matthew 2:2“Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.” (Matthew 2:2 NLT)   Christmas is a time of giving, and I’ve found it to be true that it’s more blessed to give than to receive. If you’re like me, you can’t wait to give your gifts. When you get something for someone, you want to see the joy they have in receiving it. Matthew 2:11 tells us that the wise men “entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh” (NLT). Gold, frankincense, and myrrh—what kind of gifts were those for a child? Myrrh, after all, is an embalming element. Why give an embalming element to a baby? I believe that these wise men had insight into who Jesus was. They gave Him gold because they recognized it was a proper gift for a King. They gave him frankincense because that’s what a high priest used when he went into the temple to represent the people before God. They gave Him myrrh because they recognized that this King would die for the world. That begs the question, what can we give God during this holiday season? What can we give to God, who has everything? What does He want from us? The answer is our lives. He wants our lives. The apostle Paul wrote, “And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect” (Romans 12:1–2 NLT). Paul also wrote, “My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20 NLT). These passages make it clear that God is pleased when we turn over to Him that which is most personal to us. The greatest gift you can give God this year is yourself. The most meaningful thing you can do is enter into a brand-new year of opportunities and say, “Lord, I give You my life. I give You my talents. I give You my abilities. I give You my dreams. I give You my future. I give You my weaknesses. I offer myself to You. Here is my gift to You.” Be like the wise men who worshipped the Lord and give Him something meaningful. You’ll be glad you did because you can never outgive God.   Reflection question: What would it look like for you to give your life to God in the coming year? 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 Partner“Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.” (Matthew 2:2 NLT)   Christmas is a time of giving, and I’ve found it to be true that it’s more blessed to give than to receive. If you’re like me, you can’t wait to give your gifts. When you get something for someone, you want to see the joy they have in receiving it. Matthew 2:11 tells us that the wise men “entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh” (NLT). Gold, frankincense, and myrrh—what kind of gifts were those for a child? Myrrh, after all, is an embalming element. Why give an embalming element to a baby? I believe that these wise men had insight into who Jesus was. They gave Him gold because they recognized it was a proper gift for a King. They gave him frankincense because that’s what a high priest used when he went into the temple to represent the people before God. They gave Him myrrh because they recognized that this King would die for the world. That begs the question, what can we give God during this holiday season? What can we give to God, who has everything? What does He want from us? The answer is our lives. He wants our lives. The apostle Paul wrote, “And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect” (Romans 12:1–2 NLT). Paul also wrote, “My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20 NLT). These passages make it clear that God is pleased when we turn over to Him that which is most personal to us. The greatest gift you can give God this year is yourself. The most meaningful thing you can do is enter into a brand-new year of opportunities and say, “Lord, I give You my life. I give You my talents. I give You my abilities. I give You my dreams. I give You my future. I give You my weaknesses. I offer myself to You. Here is my gift to You.” Be like the wise men who worshipped the Lord and give Him something meaningful. You’ll be glad you did because you can never outgive God.   Reflection question: What would it look like for you to give your life to God in the coming year? 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 Partner