Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions

“Dear friends, if we don’t feel guilty, we can come to God with bold confidence. And we will receive from him whatever we ask because we obey him and do the things that please him.” (1 John 3:21–22 NLT)   God answers every prayer. That’s important to understand. Some people say, “I’ve been asking God to grant my request for years, but He still hasn’t answered me.” Chances are, He has answered. And His answer is no. No is as much of an answer as yes. It’s just not the answer we want. Here’s something to keep in mind: If the request is wrong, God says, “No.” If the timing is wrong, God says, “Slow.” If we are wrong, God says, “Grow.” But if the request is right, the timing is right, and we are right, God says, “Go.” One of the amazing things you discover as you grow in the Lord is that some of your greatest answered prayers are those to which God said no. With a little spiritual maturity, you realize that what you wanted so desperately was the worst thing that possibly could have happened to you. That raises an obvious question. What can we do to receive yes answers to our prayer requests? Let’s look at what God’s Word says. “And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for” (1 John 5:14–15 NLT). “You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!” (John 14:13–14 NLT). Ask for anything that pleases Him. Ask for anything in His name. Those are the quickest ways to get a yes from God. When Jesus taught His disciples to pray, He gave them these words: “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10 ESV). And when Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane just before His arrest and crucifixion, He said, “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). You can never go wrong when you pray for God’s will to be done. That may seem like legal fine print in a too-good-to-be-true offer: “God will give you anything you ask for! (As long as you ask for what He wants to give you.)” But it’s something much deeper than that. It’s God’s way of making sure that our will and our priorities align with His. If they do, the sky’s the limit where our prayer requests are concerned. If they don’t, we need to make some adjustments. So, all our prayers should contain this spoken or unspoken sentiment: “Lord, here’s the way I see things with my limited understanding. I think You should do this. If I’m asking for something outside Your will, I ask You to overrule my request. You know all things, so I ask for Your will to be done.”   Reflection question: When has God said no 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 PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“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)   We pray because it’s what Jesus instructed us to do. We pray because it’s God’s appointed way for us to obtain things from Him. And, thirdly, we pray because it’s the way by which God helps us overcome our anxiety and worry. Struggles with anxiety have reached a crisis point in our culture. Our media thrive on bad news and dire predictions. So, if you’re paying attention, you can find something to worry about every day concerning your health, your safety, your family, and your finances. The relentless assault of these troubles and pseudo-troubles can take a toll on our physical, emotional, and spiritual health. Someone once said, “If your knees are shaking, kneel on them.” That’s a simplification of the apostle Paul’s words in 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” (NLT). That’s not just good spiritual advice; it’s also good practical advice. Worrying doesn’t help anything. It’s a complete waste of time. In fact, the word worry comes from an old English word that means “to strangle” or “to choke.” That’s what worry does. It chokes you. It cuts the air off. There’s no good in it. Someone once said, “Worry is interest paid on troubles that seldom come due.” One of the things that makes worry and anxiety such formidable foes is that we don’t always know when they’re going to strike. We jolt awake at three in the morning, suddenly panicking over something that had barely registered before. Instead of allowing that panic to build, try saying a quick prayer. “Lord, there’s nothing I can do about this situation right now. So, I’m giving it to you. This is your problem. I’m going back to sleep. I’ll talk to you when I get up.” The apostle Peter wrote, “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you” (1 Peter 5:7 NLT). Yes, God is all-knowing and all-powerful. He can see the perfect solution to every problem, and He has the power to implement any strategy, even if it seems impossible. But what makes Him the perfect Ally against worry and anxiety is that He cares about us. And not just in a general “God loves everyone” sense. He knows everything about us and cares about us individually. He wants the very best for us. So, don’t worry about anything; pray about everything.   Reflection question: What worries or cares do you need to give to God? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it.” (James 4:2 NLT)   Jesus made it clear that prayer is essential to our spiritual growth and well-being. He prioritized prayer during His time on earth, and He expects us to prioritize it as well. That’s the first reason to pray. The second reason is found in James 4:2: “You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it” (NLT). Prayer is God’s appointed way for us to obtain things from Him. “You don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it.” Have you ever considered that there are things God wants to do in your life that haven’t happened simply because you’ve failed to ask Him? Sometimes we make the mistake of viewing prayer as a last resort, the option to consider when nothing else works. If we’re struggling with a physical ailment, we try home remedies, doctors, prescriptions, and specialists. It’s only when the diagnosis turns bleak that we turn to God. Yet the Gospels are filled with stories of people who were healed because they reached out to Jesus. The same goes for financial problems. We exhaust every possible option for loans or guidance before we pray about the crisis. Even though the Bible promises, “And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19 NLT). Whether you’re struggling in your relationship, worrying about a prodigal child, dealing with mental health issues, or looking for answers, God wants to be involved. He wants to be your first call. Give the situation to Him in prayer and let Him guide you. Asking God for what you want is no guarantee that you will get it. And that’s a good thing. God sees the big picture. He understands that what seems like the best solution or course of action in the short term isn’t always best. So, when we ask Him for something, He can help us see the better alternative. Even if He doesn’t reveal His answer right away, you’ll feel a sense of relief and hope simply by involving Him. So, if there’s something you want from God, ask Him. Not just once or twice, but until you get an answer from Him.   Reflection question: What are some things in your life that might fall into the category of “you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for 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 PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up.” (Luke 18:1 NLT)   We’ve talked about the how and when of prayer, but what about the why? Why should we pray?  The short answer is that Jesus told us to. In Luke 18:1, He shows His followers that “they should always pray and never give up” (NLT). Is there any better reason than that? Doctors recommend certain things for our health. We may not always understand why they’re beneficial—only that they are. The same thing goes for Jesus’ instruction to pray. We may not know why or how, but good things happen when we pray. It’s important to note, too, that Jesus wasn’t a do-as-I-say-and-not-as-I-do type of guy. Though He was God in human form, He maintained a very active prayer life. Before He fed thousands of people with five loaves of bread and two fish, “Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks to God, and distributed them to the people” (John 6:11 NLT). Matthew 19:13 says, “One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could lay his hands on them and pray for them” (NLT). Before He raised Lazarus from the dead, “Jesus looked up to heaven and said, ‘Father, thank you for hearing me. You always hear me, but I said it out loud for the sake of all these people standing here, so that they will believe you sent me’” (John 11:41–42 NLT). When His arrest was at hand, Jesus retreated to the Garden of Gethsemane. “He walked away, about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, ‘Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine’” (Luke 22:41–42 NLT). On the cross, Jesus prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34 NLT); “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” (Matthew 27:46 NLT); and “Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!” (Luke 23:46 NLT). Luke 5:16 says, “But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer” (NLT). He was refreshed and reenergized by the time He spent in fellowship and conversation with God. If Jesus felt the need to pray, we should, too. We could point out that praying is not a difficult task. Jesus said, “For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light” (Matthew 11:30 NLT). We could point out that Jesus gave us the instructions we need to establish and maintain an active, vital prayer life when He taught His disciples to pray in Luke 11:1–13. We could point out that He modeled prayer for us throughout the Gospels. But all we need to know is that Jesus instructed us to pray. “Jesus replied, ‘All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them. Anyone who doesn’t love me will not obey me. And remember, my words are not my own. What I am telling you is from the Father who sent me’” (John 14:23–24 NLT). That’s all the reason we need to pray.   Reflection question: When do you feel the need to 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 PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.” (Ephesians 6:18 NLT)   When should we pray? According to the apostle Paul, “at all times and on every occasion” (Ephesians 6:18 NLT). That pretty much covers everything. You pray in the morning. You pray in the afternoon. You pray in the evening. The idea here isn’t a nonstop monologue morning, noon, and night. The idea is to keep an open line to God, calling on Him frequently throughout the day. When the beauty of nature fills your senses while you’re taking a walk, praise God for His creation. When you read breaking news about a natural disaster, ask God to ease the suffering. When your kids greet you after work, thank God for your family—and then ask Him for the wisdom and patience to settle the dispute that’s been brewing since lunchtime. Any time is a good time to pray; no time is a bad time to pray. The prophet Daniel perfectly illustrated this point. Daniel was a trusted advisor to King Darius. The king’s other advisors grew jealous of Daniel and schemed to bring him down. The problem was, Daniel was squeaky clean. He had no skeletons in his closet. The only thing he was guilty of was being faithful to God. Three times a day, Daniel went to his house, opened all the windows, got down on his knees, and prayed. Daniel’s enemies convinced the king to sign a decree that outlawed praying to any god but the king. Anyone who disobeyed the decree would be thrown to the lions. If ever there was a bad time to pray, this was it. Daniel knew all about the king’s decree. And he had several options. He could have taken a sabbatical from prayer until the decree expired. He could have found a more private place to pray. He could have journaled his prayers instead of saying them aloud. But his prayer routine meant too much to him. Daniel 6:10 says, “He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God” (NLT). He didn’t pray for a miraculous escape from the death penalty. He didn’t pray for revenge against his enemies. He gave thanks to God. Daniel understood that when we see God for who He is, we see our challenges, problems, and needs for what they are. This was a man who knew how to pray. So was Nehemiah. Nehemiah was a cupbearer for King Artaxerxes when the people of Israel lived in exile in Persia. Nehemiah used his influence to make the king aware of the plight of the Jewish exiles who had returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. The king asked Nehemiah, “Well, how can I help you?” (Nehemiah 2:4 NLT). Look at the words that follow: “With a prayer to the God of heaven, I replied …” (Nehemiah 2:4–5 NLT). During perhaps the most consequential conversation of his life, Nehemiah saw a good time to pray. And if we keep our prayer line open, we will recognize equally good times to pray—whether it’s for the strength to endure one of life’s storms or the words to present the gospel to an unbeliever. Any time is a good time to pray; no time is a bad time to pray.   Reflection question: When were some good times to pray in your life? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Daily Devotions from Greg Laurie" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“When you pray, don’t babble on and on as the Gentiles do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him!” (Matthew 6:7–8 NLT)   We’re going to look at prayer over the next few days. To be a growing Christian, you must have an active prayer life. You must communicate with and listen to God regularly. Some church traditions suggest that there are proper and improper ways to pray. That God prefers us to be formal, dignified, and reverent, and to use precise and proper words in a precise and proper cadence. But that’s not necessarily so. Prayer is a conversation. Like other conversations, it can be formal or informal. Certainly, we can’t help but be reverent when we find ourselves in God’s presence, but that doesn’t mean we have to be formal, dignified, proper, or precise. It’s not like one prayer method or posture is more legitimate than another. You can pray in any position at any time in any place. Sometimes we may feel as though the Lord will respond to our prayers more quickly if we pray in a church sanctuary. But that’s not true at all. Daniel prayed in a lion’s den. David prayed in a field. Peter prayed while he walked on water—and then a few moments later when he was underwater. Jonah prayed from even greater depths from the belly of a large fish. God will hear your prayers wherever you are. Your prayers can and should fit your circumstances. You can pray publicly. You can pray privately. You can pray verbally. You can pray silently. You can pray while kneeling, standing, sitting, lying down, or even driving. You can lift your eyes to Heaven and pray. You can close your eyes and pray—as long as you’re not driving. Your prayers don’t have to impress anyone. They don’t have to inspire “Amens” from the congregation. They don’t have to show off your biblical knowledge or vocabulary. In addition to His warning in Matthew 6:7–8 against praying as the Gentiles do, Jesus also said, “When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get” (Matthew 6:5 NLT). Your goal should be to create prayer habits that work for you—ones that deepen your unique relationship with your heavenly Father. If you prefer to be active, pray while you walk. If you prefer not to be distracted, pray in a private place. If you don’t like long conversations, pray in short bursts throughout the day. Incorporate the words of the psalmists or the lyrics of your favorite worship songs into your prayers. Create a dynamic prayer routine that challenges you, opens your heart to God’s leading, and works for your personality and your circumstances. Discover how prayer can change your life.   Reflection question: How would you describe your prayer habits? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Daily Devotions from Greg Laurie" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.” (Romans 15:4 NLT)   You will not find the hope that you need in people or things. You will not find it in a politician or political cause, no matter which side of the aisle you’re on. You will not find it in technology or science or in a relationship or in an accomplishment. Job 8:13–15 says, “The hopes of the godless evaporate. Their confidence hangs by a thread. They are leaning on a spider’s web. They cling to their home for security, but it won’t last. They try to hold it tight, but it will not endure” (NLT). In contrast, Psalm 42:5 says, “Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God!” (NLT). This is the hope that gives us the strength to go on in life. This hope is not wishful thinking or blind optimism. It is quiet confidence. It is a supernatural certainty. We find this hope in the pages of Scripture. True and lasting hope comes from God and His Word. The apostle Paul wrote, “Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled” (Romans 15:4 NLT). Psalm 119:114 says, “You are my refuge and my shield; your word is my source of hope” (NLT). So, if hope seems in short supply in your life, you can replenish it by spending time in God’s Word. There will be times when you need to replenish because things don’t always work out well in this life. Not all marriages survive. Not all prodigal children return. Not all medical tests have benign results. Not all crises end happily. That’s when you need to embrace the reality that whatever happens in this life, be it wonderful or painful, is only temporary. We make so much of this life because it’s the only one we’ve known. But it comes and goes rather quickly. First Chronicles 29:15 says, “We are here for only a moment, visitors and strangers in the land as our ancestors were before us. Our days on earth are like a passing shadow, gone so soon without a trace” (NLT). Heaven—our ultimate hope—is forever. In Heaven, God will right all wrongs. He will answer all questions. He will ease all pain. He will replace our tears with laughter and joy. In Heaven, our losses will be more than compensated for. That’s why Paul wrote, “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” (Colossians 3:1–2 NLT). Heaven is where our ultimate hope is found, so Heaven is where our thoughts should be when we struggle here on earth.   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 "Daily Devotions from Greg Laurie" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“I could have no greater joy than to hear that my children are following the truth.” (3 John 1:4 NLT)   When I was young, I had a parakeet named Popcorn. He was a fantastic bird. I would stand a few feet away from his cage, open the little door, and call his name, and he would fly and land on my shoulder. I would walk around the house with him on my shoulder. One day on Balboa Island, I saw a guy walking around with a parrot on his shoulder. So, I went home, put Popcorn on my shoulder, and walked outside. Popcorn flew off, and I never saw him again. It’s one thing to lose a parakeet, but it’s quite another to lose a child. When my son Jonathan was about five years old, he got in a hotel elevator before I could get to it. I almost had a heart attack as the doors closed between us. I waited for what seemed like hours for the next elevator. I started at the lobby and searched every floor until I found him. Parenting is an awesome responsibility. And one of the greatest joys of Christian parents is seeing our kids walk with the Lord. The apostle John wrote, “I could have no greater joy than to hear that my children are following the truth” (3 John 1:4 NLT). When kids are young, they’re receptive to our leading. They’re compliant and, for the most part, obedient. As they get older, especially when they enter their teenage years, they start to push back and think for themselves. Sometimes they start to question their faith. If that’s happened in your family, don’t panic. Solomon wrote, “Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him” (Psalm 127:3 NLT). Children are a gift. We don’t own them. They belong to God. They are not ours to mold but to unfold. To nurture and to raise in the way of the Lord. The apostle Paul offers some direction in Ephesians 6:4: “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord” (NLT). One way to provoke children is to show favoritism. Another is to withhold affirmation and compliments. We bring them up by choosing the right path for ourselves—by walking the walk. We do it by spending a lot of time with them, helping them understand the things of God in our daily interactions. We do it by instilling in them a Christian worldview that will serve them in the world outside your door. Proverbs 22:6 says, “Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it” (NLT). In other words, create a thirst for spiritual things in your child. If your children follow that path for their entire lives, you can thank God for it. If they don’t, however, that doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re a failure as a parent. The parable of the prodigal son teaches us that a seemingly worst-case scenario can result in a child making a deeper commitment to the Lord. As parents, we must stay true to our beliefs. And we must never give up on our kids. We can’t see their spiritual journey. Only God can do that. But we can be ready when that journey leads them back to us.   Reflection question: What encouragement would you offer to the parent of a prodigal child? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Daily Devotions from Greg Laurie" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!” (2 Corinthians 4:17 NLT)   It’s a day like any other. You get out of bed. You take a shower. You brush your teeth. You eat breakfast. You read your Bible and pray. You commit your day to the Lord. And then it happens. A visit from a police officer who tells you there’s been an accident. A call from a doctor who informs you that you need to come in immediately because of something he found in your test. A note from your spouse who says they’re done with your marriage. A pain in your body that you’ve never felt before. Crisis hits hard and fast. Job’s world came crashing down in one day. An impulsive act by his brothers changed the course of Joseph’s life. When crisis hits, the natural tendency is to look inward and ask, “How am I going to get through this? Is there any hope for me?” But a better—and, admittedly, much more difficult—option is to look for opportunity in the midst of crisis. God allows adversity and crisis in our lives for important reasons. If we focus on those reasons, we can grow spiritually, even in the worst of circumstances. One reason God allows adversity is to keep us humble. Prosperity and success tend to make people proud and self-sufficient. We lose sight of our need for God. Adversity and crisis remind us just how much we need Him. God allows adversity to teach us eternal truths that we would not otherwise learn. The faith that cannot be tested is a faith that cannot be trusted. God wants us to toughen up and mature as believers. Adversity helps accomplish that. Adversity gives us a new compassion for others who are in pain. Paul wrote, “He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us” (2 Corinthians 1:4 NLT). When you endure adversity, you’re positioned to help others endure it. You can help them navigate the difficult terrain. You can offer specific encouragement. You can say, “I’ve been through this. Here’s what I did. Let me pray for you.” It’s essential that we keep our adversity in perspective. Paul wrote, “For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!” (2 Corinthians 4:17 NLT). Instead of focusing on the troubles we see now, we must focus on the joys to come that will last forever. God’s people are better off eternally because they suffer temporarily. Adversity ultimately brings us closer to God. Psalm 46:1–3 says, “God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!” (NLT). No matter what shape our adversity takes, God will walk with us through it.   Reflection question: When have you experienced God’s presence in the midst of a crisis? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Daily Devotions from Greg Laurie" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Then Jesus wept.” (John 11:35 NLT)   Jesus arrived at the home of Martha and Mary four days after their brother Lazarus died. The mourners were consumed by grief. Jesus’ plan all along was to raise Lazarus from the dead—to demonstrate His power and give His followers hope in the resurrection. So, His reaction in John 11:35—the shortest verse in the Bible—is telling: “Then Jesus wept” (NLT). Jesus weeps with us in our time of pain. Jesus was God with all His power and glory. But He was also a man—a man who felt our pain and sorrows. Isaiah 53:3 says, “He was despised and rejected—a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief” (NLT). Hebrews 2:17–18 explains why. “Therefore, it was necessary for him to be made in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God. Then he could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people. Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested” (NLT). If something breaks your heart, it breaks His heart as well. But sadness wasn’t the only emotion He experienced. John 11:33 says, “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). He wasn’t angry at the mourners; He was angry at death. Death and suffering are aberrations. They were not part of God’s original plan. They were part of the curse after mankind’s Fall. That’s what Jesus was angry about. Jesus demonstrated His power over death by bringing Lazarus back to life. And God was glorified. The obvious takeaway is that God is glorified when an affliction is removed. So, if you’re healed from an illness or declared cancer-free, praise Him for it. Celebrate the fact that He is ultimately in control. Sometimes, though, the surgery doesn’t go as hoped. Sometimes the illness isn’t healed. Sometimes the problem isn’t taken away. And here’s the not-so-obvious takeaway: God can be glorified through the enduring of an affliction as well. The apostle Paul wrote, “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment” (Romans 5:3–5 NLT). Hope comes through hardship. When a Christian suffers and still glorifies God, it reassures others that there will never be a valley so deep that God will not get us through it. It also reminds us that physical death is not the end; it’s just a change in the state of existence. The tomb is the entrance to life. Heaven is the earthly life of the believer, glorified and perfected. When believers die, they go into God’s presence. That is the ultimate hope. Put your hope in God. He will never let you down.   Reflection question: When have you seen God glorified by the endurance of an affliction? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Daily Devotions from Greg Laurie" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“The people who were standing nearby said, ‘See how much he loved him!’” (John 11:36 NLT)   Mary, Martha, and Lazarus were siblings and friends of Jesus. When Lazarus got deathly ill, Mary and Martha sent a message to Jesus: “Lord, your dear friend is very sick” (John 11:3 NLT). Theirs is a story of hope, although that’s not immediately apparent in the biblical narrative. In our last devotion, we saw that the first takeaway from the story is that life involves pain, sorrow, and death. The second takeaway is spelled out by Lazarus’ mourners in verse 36: “See how much he loved him!” (NLT). The Lord loves us. God describes His love in Jeremiah 31:3: “I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself” (NLT). Whatever God does or allows to happen in our lives is motivated by His everlasting love for us. Mary and Martha knew that Jesus loved them—and that He loved Lazarus. That’s why they sent for Him. They reacted perfectly when crisis hit. They took their troubles to Jesus. Look at the basis for their appeal. They didn’t say, “Lord, You owe us. We fed You. You and Your friends crashed at our house.” They didn’t base their appeal on their love for Him; they based it on His love for them: “Lord, your dear friend is very sick.” Our love is fickle; it fluctuates. The Lord’s love for us never changes. John 11:5–­6 reveals Jesus’ response to Mary and Martha’s message. “So although Jesus loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, he stayed where he was for the next two days” (NLT). When Jesus finally arrived, things were bleak. Lazarus was no longer sick; he was dead—and had been for four days. His body was decomposing. Not only did Jesus not heal His friend, but He also missed the funeral. If that seems like a less-than-loving response, it’s because we can’t grasp the depth of the Lord’s love. Jesus wanted Mary and Martha to see the bigger picture. He wanted them to understand that because they trusted in Him, death was no longer their enemy. He wanted them to embrace the hope of resurrection. Neither Martha nor Mary could see the big picture at first, so they focused on the smaller picture—on what seemed like Jesus’ callous disregard. Both sisters confronted Jesus with the words, “Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died” (verses 21, 32 NLT). Again, they took their problems to Jesus. And that’s what you need to do when suffering and trials come your way. Some people say, “Don’t ever ask God why.” I say ask God “why” as much as you want. Just don’t always expect an answer. Be honest with Him when you pray. Say, “God, I’m not happy right now. I don’t understand this. I’m hurting. This doesn’t make sense. Why did You let this happen?” Jesus Himself said from the cross, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” (Matthew 27:46 NLT). In the end, though, we live on promises, not explanations. Along with asking “why,” we should ask “what”—as in, what am I supposed to do? The answer is, turn to the Lord with your pain and grief because He loves you.   Reflection question: When do you need to be reminded of God’s love for you? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Daily Devotions from Greg Laurie" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“So the two sisters sent a message to Jesus telling him, ‘Lord, your dear friend is very sick.’” (John 11:3 NLT)   In our next series of devotions, we’re going to talk about hope for people in difficult circumstances. And we’re going to start with hope for people who have lost loved ones. What I’m going to share doesn’t come from an ivory tower of theory. It comes from the valley of the shadow of death, where I’ve personally found the hope promised to us in Scripture. Psalm 119:114 says, “You are my refuge and my shield; your word is my source of hope” (NLT). Romans 15:4 says, “Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled” (NLT). It’s been said that man can live forty days without food, three days without water, eight minutes without air, and about one second without hope. We all need hope in life to get through. To have hope doesn’t mean that you have a smile permanently plastered on your face. Nor does it mean that you’ve had some kind of spiritual lobotomy so that you don’t feel what other people feel. Nor does it mean that you have a naive expectation that things will get better. The grim reality is that things can get worse. Our hope is not in circumstances but in God. 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). In other words, there will be an outcome, a completion in your life. God will tie up the loose ends—if not in this world, then in the next. John 11 tells the story of people who had lost hope after the death of a loved one. Mary, Martha, and Lazarus were siblings and friends of Jesus. When Lazarus got deathly ill, Mary and Martha sent a message to Jesus: “Lord, your dear friend is very sick” (John 11:3 NLT). We’ll be looking at lessons from this story in the next few devotions, but I want to start with the obvious one. Life involves pain, sorrow, and death. Some people try to convince themselves that they’re going to make it through life unscathed, without experiencing a major devastation or illness and without losing a loved one. The Bible suggests otherwise. The apostle Peter wrote, “Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you” (1 Peter 4:12 NLT). Don’t be surprised. It happens to everyone, and it’s going to happen to you. Jesus said, “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows” (John 16:33 NLT). Mortality will rear its head. It may start with the death of your grandparents. And then your parents. And so on. Through it all, though, you have hope—if your hope is in God. He promises Heaven, where there are no trials or sorrows.   Reflection question: What does hope in God look like in your life? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Daily Devotions from Greg Laurie" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed amazing miracles and signs among the people.” (Acts 6:8 NLT)   The Bible gives us several different examples of well-lived lives. One is found in Acts 6, in the story of Stephen, the first known Christian martyr. Though he did not live long, Stephen demonstrated several qualities that are necessary for a well-lived life—qualities that allowed him to be used powerfully by God. First, he had a good reputation. Acts 6:3 says that Stephen was selected to lead a ministry because he was “well respected.” He had personal integrity. He fit the apostle Paul’s description in 1 Timothy 3:6–7: “A church leader must not be a new believer, because he might become proud, and the devil would cause him to fall. Also, people outside the church must speak well of him so that he will not be disgraced and fall into the devil’s trap” (NLT). A well-lived life is marked by a good reputation. Second, he was “full of faith and the Holy Spirit” (Acts 6:5 NLT). Stephen lived a Spirit-controlled life. He yielded to the working of the Holy Spirit every day. A well-lived life is one that faithfully follows the Holy Spirit’s leading. Third, he was filled with wisdom, according to verse 3. We see his wisdom on display in Acts 7 as he quotes from Scripture in presenting the gospel to the Jewish Sanhedrin, the Jewish high council. Keep in mind that it’s possible to have knowledge and not wisdom. There are many very learned people who lack wisdom. They are unable to translate their knowledge into God-honoring application. A well-lived life is one that prioritizes wisdom. Fourth, he was faithful in the little things. He diligently performed the tasks that were set before him without considering whether the jobs were “beneath him.” He was willing to humble himself and do whatever was necessary to accomplish God’s work. You can never be too small for God to use. Only too big. If you say, “I’m willing to do whatever you want me to do, Lord, and I will be faithful in that,” you’ll be amazed at what God will accomplish through you. A well-lived life starts at the bottom, from a human perspective. Fifth, he looked for opportunities and seized them. Stephen was arrested and brought before the Sanhedrin. He was accused of blasphemy, but his real crime was serving the Lord faithfully. He surely understood that his life hung in the balance. But Stephen saw an opportunity to speak the gospel truth to people who needed to hear it. So, he seized the moment and delivered one of the most powerful sermons recorded in Scripture. The consequences didn’t matter to him; what mattered was the opportunity to serve Christ and share His message. A well-lived life is one in which opportunities are recognized and seized upon. Luke, the author of Acts, described Stephen as being “full of God’s grace and power” (Acts 6:8 NLT). That is also the ideal description of a well-lived life.   Reflection question: Which quality of Stephen do you most want to strengthen in your life? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Daily Devotions from Greg Laurie" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Even Gentiles, who do not have God’s written law, show that they know his law when they instinctively obey it, even without having heard it. They demonstrate that God’s law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right.” (Romans 2:14–15 NLT)   A well-lived life is one that is guided by a Spirit-controlled conscience. Someone once said, “Conscience is that inner voice that warns us somebody may be looking.” Someone else said, “Conscience is what hurts when everything else feels so good.” And someone else said, “Conscience doesn’t always keep you from doing wrong, but it does keep you from enjoying it.” Apparently, the idea of a conscience triggers the cynical instincts of certain people. Everyone has a conscience. The apostle Paul wrote, “Even Gentiles, who do not have God’s written law, show that they know his law when they instinctively obey it, even without having heard it. They demonstrate that God’s law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right” (Romans 2:14–15 NLT). The conscience acts as an alarm. And like a car alarm or a smoke alarm, it can be disabled—or at least quieted. If you ignore your conscience long enough, its “chirping” will become less and less noticeable to you. In time, it will fade into background noise, something you pay no attention to. The Bible warns us against allowing this to happen. The apostle Paul wrote, “Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons. These people are hypocrites and liars, and their consciences are dead” (1 Timothy 4:1–2 NLT). A deactivated or dead conscience makes us susceptible to all kinds of evil. To live well, spiritually speaking, you must keep your conscience functioning at a high level. Keep in mind that your conscience is not infallible. Sometimes it will try to condemn you for something that’s not actually wrong. The apostle John wrote, “Even if we feel guilty, God is greater than our feelings, and he knows everything” (1 John 3:20 NLT). Similarly, there will be times when your conscience refuses to condemn you after you do something wrong. It will try to justify your actions or downplay their seriousness. So, it’s important to teach your conscience how to function properly. You do that by placing it under the control of the Holy Spirit. Spend time in God’s Word, learning everything you can about how God wants you to live. Then pay attention to the Holy Spirit’s prompts so that you’ll know when to make changes in your life. Martin Luther said, “My conscience is captive to the Word of God.” If you effectively educate your conscience to do what it’s supposed to do as designed by the Lord, you will have the foundation in place for a well-lived life.   Reflection question: What does a Spirit-controlled conscience look like in your life? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Daily Devotions from Greg Laurie" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“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 42:5–6 NLT)   The Christian life is full of difficult questions. Many of them begin with “Why, Lord?” or some variation thereof. The Old Testament prophet Habakkuk asked, “How long, O Lord, must I call for help? But you do not listen! ‘Violence is everywhere!’ I cry, but you do not come to save. Must I forever see these evil deeds? Why must I watch all this misery? Wherever I look, I see destruction and violence. I am surrounded by people who love to argue and fight” (Habakkuk 1:2–3 NLT). The psalmist Asaph asked, “Has the Lord rejected me forever? Will he never again be kind to me? Is his unfailing love gone forever? Have his promises permanently failed? Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he slammed the door on his compassion?” (Psalm 77:7–9 NLT). I have my questions for God that I’ve asked many times. I’m sure that you have yours, too. But we must see these questions for what they are: temporary sources of pain, discouragement, or confusion. The apostle Paul wrote, “Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely” (1 Corinthians 13:12 NLT). Our earthly perspective and understanding are limited. All our questions will be answered someday. God answered Habakkuk. “Look around at the nations; look and be amazed! For I am doing something in your own day, something you wouldn’t believe even if someone told you about it” (Habakkuk 1:5 NLT). And passages such as Ecclesiastes 3 give us context for our questions. “For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. . . . A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance” (verses 1, 4 NLT). A well-lived life is one in which we keep our questions in proper perspective. One in which we refuse to allow them to cause bitterness or resentment toward God—or to live “out of season,” in the context of Ecclesiastes 3. In 2 Corinthians 12, Paul recounts praying for God to remove a “thorn” in his flesh—some kind of affliction that caused him difficulties. God chose not to. Paul didn’t understand why, but he didn’t let it slow him down. A well-lived life is one that embraces the challenge of faith—that is, trusting God without having all the answers. A well-lived life is one in which we cling to the words of the psalmist in Psalm 42:5–6: “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!” (NLT).   Reflection question: What will you do with your unanswered questions for God? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Daily Devotions from Greg Laurie" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“When they breathe their last, they return to the earth, and all their plans die with them.” (Psalm 146:4 NLT)   A well-lived life is one in which we keep death in perspective. Death is a reality because of our sin. The apostle Paul wrote, “When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned” (Romans 5:12 NLT). Death is a ticking clock. We know that our time on earth is limited. James 4:14 says, “How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone” (NLT). Psalm 146:4 says, “When they breathe their last, they return to the earth, and all their plans die with them” (NLT). The time of our death is known to God, as is everything. Our death will come at the appointed time—not a moment before, not a moment after. And there’s nothing we can do to prolong our life beyond the time God has allotted for us. I’m sorry, but all that wheat germ and tofu isn’t going to extend your life. It may give you a better quality of life. (Then again, it may not.) But it certainly will not prolong it. You have no guarantee that you’ll live a long life, only that you’ll live the life God has given to you. As believers, we have no reason to fear death. Jesus made our eternal life possible. We have no reason to fear the specter of death. David wrote, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4 ESV). But the reality of death—that is, of the limited time we have on this earth—adds urgency to our work as Christ’s disciples. We have only so much time to share the gospel with people for whom death is an enemy. We have only so much time to plant spiritual seeds in the lives of others. We may never see those seeds cultivated. We may never see the fruit that grows from them. But we can plant the seeds and trust God to bring them to fruition. The reality of death also adds an immediacy to our relationships. Paul wrote, “Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil” (Ephesians 4:26–27 NLT). He urged believers to resolve conflicts and forgive one another quickly. The time is too short to do otherwise. 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). In other words, drop what you’re doing in order to be reconciled because there’s no guarantee that you’ll get another chance. The reality of death adds urgency to our Christian service and gives us the necessary perspective for a well-lived life.   Reflection question: What does keeping death in perspective look like in your life? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Daily Devotions from Greg Laurie" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6 NKJV)   A well-lived life is a project to start early. The younger you start, the more of an advantage you’ll have. We can see this principle at work in Solomon’s advice to parents in Proverbs 22:6 (NKJV): “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” When you’re young, you make decisions that will impact the rest of your life. Decisions about your career. Decisions about marriage. Decisions about how you interact with family and friends. Decisions about how you spend your time. Decisions about what you embrace and what you reject. Decisions about how you deal with temptation. When you’re young, you also establish habits and patterns that will shape your life for years to come. So, it’s vital that you make the right decisions as early in life as possible. As you get older, you get set in your ways. You start to prefer routines. You listen to the same stations on the radio—usually oldies or talk. You go to the same restaurant, sit in the same booth, and order the same meal again and again and again. You guide your day by your routines. That’s not necessarily a bad thing—as long as your routine is beneficial. That’s especially important in your spiritual life. If you have youth on your side, you can develop the discipline to study the Bible every day. You can develop the discipline to pray and listen to God every day. You can develop the discipline to faithfully offer your finances to support the Lord’s work. You can develop the discipline to share your faith with others. The apostle Paul wrote, “Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly. ‘Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come’” (1 Timothy 4:7–8 NLT). The apostle Peter wrote, “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” (2 Peter 1:5–8 NLT). The earlier you begin prioritizing these things, the more deeply they will become ingrained in your life. But starting early on a well-lived life isn’t always possible. Jesus’ disciples were well into adulthood when they started. So was the apostle Paul. No matter what stage of life you’re in, it’s never too late to begin pursuing a well-lived life.   Reflection question: What would a well-lived life look like for you? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Daily Devotions from Greg Laurie" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.” (Ephesians 5:15–17 NLT)   Over the next few days, we’re going to talk about a life well-lived. James 4:14 says, “What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes” (ESV). We may not have much say in when our life starts or when it stops, but we have a whole lot of say in what happens in between. Are you living your life well? That’s an important question because you never know when your life will end. Of course, for Christians, life will never end. We will live forever in the Lord’s presence. Even so, the life we live in this world is connected to the life we will live in the next. God will reward us for faithful service—for lives well-lived. So, we need to put a lot of thought into how we live our lives. That starts with establishing guiding principles. If we know the principles we want to live by, we can shape our decision-making, our interactions with others, our priorities, and our daily routines to fit those principles. As believers, principles such as godliness, obedience, integrity, and faithfulness should be at the top of our list. We embrace godliness by staying close to the Lord through prayer and Bible study, working to understand His ways and His will. We embrace obedience by following His commands, especially when it’s difficult to do. We embrace integrity by living by godly principles—when people are watching and when they aren’t. We embrace faithfulness by seeking to grow every day in our relationship with the Lord. A life well-lived is one in which we recognize and welcome God’s chosen path for us. After Jesus’ resurrection, He appeared to the apostle Peter to restore Peter after the disciple had denied knowing Him. During their conversation, Jesus revealed to Peter that he would die for his faith. Peter pointed to the apostle John and asked, “What about him, Lord?” (John 21:21 NLT). Jesus replied, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? As for you, follow me” (verse 22 NLT). In other words, don’t worry about what God has planned for someone else; focus on what He has planned for you. Celebrate the resources God has blessed you with. Use the spiritual gifts He’s given you. Blaze the trails He’s laid out for you. Make a difference in the lives of people in your orbit. Grow in your relationship with Him, in your own way and at your own pace. Prioritize the things that matter; let go of the things that don’t. Understand your weaknesses so that you can resist the temptations that are aimed at them. Make the most of your strengths. That’s what a well-lived life looks like.   Reflection question: How can you better live your life? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Daily Devotions from Greg Laurie" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Jesus replied, ‘I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.’” (John 3:3 NLT)   Heaven is a prepared place for prepared people. If you’re going to take a trip, you must book a flight. You must secure a ticket. You can’t just walk into an airport and board a plane. In the same way, if you want to go to Heaven, you must secure a ticket. You may ask, “How much will it cost?” The answer is, you couldn’t afford it. But the good news is that Jesus Christ came to this earth, died on a cross for your sin, and rose again from the dead. In doing so, He, in effect, purchased your ticket for eternal life. There are no other flights or means of transportation that can get you there. 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). He also said, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God” (John 3:3 NLT). Some people claim that all spiritual paths lead to God and Heaven—or at least some version of Heaven. They argue that what you believe isn’t necessarily important, as long as you’re sincere in your beliefs. But that thinking is dangerously wrong. God sent His Son for the express purpose of providing the only path to eternal life. No other beliefs will take you to Heaven. If you want to receive the ticket for eternal life that Jesus purchased for you, here’s what you need to do. Say, “Lord, I accept the gift that You have offered to me. I turn from my sin, and I put my faith in You.” Have you done that? Some people see it as an end-of-life matter. They reason that they can live their lives however they want and then, as the end approaches, settle their spiritual accounts and make the necessary decisions. There are several problems with that strategy, but the most problematic is that none of us knows when life is going to end. James 4:14 says, “Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes” (ESV). This is a decision to be made sooner rather than later. If the Lord gives you many years of life, you’ll live them for His glory and enjoy His blessings. If He doesn’t give you many years of life, you’ll experience His glory up close and personal. The point is, either way you’re ready. This is not a decision to put off. If you’ve already accepted Christ as Savior and Lord and know that you’re going to Heaven, help others understand the urgency of making the same decision. Give your friends, loved ones, coworkers, neighbors, and acquaintances the chance to know that they, too, will go to Heaven when they die.   Reflection question: How do you know that you will go to Heaven when you die? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Daily Devotions from Greg Laurie" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, ‘No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.’” (1 Corinthians 2:9 NLT)   If you get your theology from popular culture, you might imagine Heaven as a place where people sit on clouds and strum harps for eternity. But the truth is much more exciting. The Bible offers a glimpse of a few of the things we’ll do in Heaven. The first is worship. In describing his vision of Heaven, the apostle John wrote, “I saw before me what seemed to be a glass sea mixed with fire. And on it stood all the people who had been victorious over the beast and his statue and the number representing his name. They were all holding harps that God had given them. And they were singing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb: ‘Great and marvelous are your works, O Lord God, the Almighty. Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations’” (Revelation 15:2–3 NLT). We’ll be doing much more than singing a hymn. We’ll be fulfilling the purpose for which we were created: to bring honor and glory to God. We’ll be doing it in His presence, with countless other believers, all filled with joy and awe at the privilege. We’ll sing in perfect harmony—a sound of unimaginable beauty. We also will be busy doing our Father’s business in Heaven. The Bible doesn’t offer a lot of details, but John wrote of those he saw in Heaven, “They stand in front of God’s throne and serve him day and night in his Temple” (Revelation 7:15 NLT). Is it possible that in Heaven we’ll finish tasks that were left uncompleted on earth? Or fulfill dreams that were shattered on earth? Who’s to say that God won’t allow us to accomplish our meaningful earthly goals in Heaven? After all, death for the believer is not the end of life but a continuation of it in another place. We’ll also eat in Heaven. John wrote, “Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb” (Revelation 19:9 NLT). Imagine the food that’s served in Heaven. And then imagine enjoying it for eternity. But the main event of Heaven will be the Lord Himself. Jesus said, “When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am” (John 14:3 NLT). The apostle Paul said, “I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me” (Philippians 1:23 NLT). D. L. Moody wrote, “It will not be the jasper walls and the pearly gates that will make heaven attractive. It is our being with God.” But these are just glimpses. There’s no way our finite minds can conceive of all that we will do in Heaven. As Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 2:9, “That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, ‘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: What do you look forward to doing in Heaven? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Daily Devotions from Greg Laurie" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.