“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!

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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

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&ldquo;So be careful how you live. Don&rsquo;t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don&rsquo;t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.&rdquo; (Ephesians 5:15&ndash;17 NLT)
&nbsp;
Over the next few days, we&rsquo;re going to talk about a life well-lived. James 4:14 says, &ldquo;What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes&rdquo; (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&rsquo;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&rsquo;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&mdash;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&rsquo;s difficult to do. We embrace integrity by living by godly principles&mdash;when people are watching and when they aren&rsquo;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&rsquo;s chosen path for us. After Jesus&rsquo; 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, &ldquo;What about him, Lord?&rdquo; (John 21:21 NLT).
Jesus replied, &ldquo;If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? As for you, follow me&rdquo; (verse 22 NLT). In other words, don&rsquo;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&rsquo;s given you. Blaze the trails He&rsquo;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&rsquo;t. Understand your weaknesses so that you can resist the temptations that are aimed at them. Make the most of your strengths. That&rsquo;s what a well-lived life looks like.
&nbsp;
Reflection question: How can you better live your life?&nbsp;<a href="https://disciple.harvest.org/spaces/17592429/feed?utm_source=DD&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_campaign=HarvestDiscipleship">Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!</a>
&mdash;
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.
<a href="https://go.pddr.app/glpodcast">Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast</a>
<a href="https://harvest.org/harvest-partner/?utm_source=DD&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_campaign=HarvestPartners">Become a Harvest Partner</a>

If you want to be successful in the Christian life, you must have a mind full of God’s Word. Refresh your mind with it daily, right here. Each day, you'll receive a verse and commentary from Pastor Greg Laurie, who offers biblical insight through humor, personal stories, and cultural commentary. Start listening and hear what God has to say to you. 

*The audio production of this podcast 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.

If you want to be successful in the Christian life, you must have a mind full of God&rsquo;s Word. Refresh your mind with it daily, right here. Each day, you'll receive a verse and commentary from&nbsp;<a href="https://harvest.org/about-greg-laurie/">Pastor Greg Laurie</a>, who offers biblical insight through humor, personal stories, and cultural commentary. Start listening and hear what God has to say to you.&nbsp;
*The audio production of this podcast utilizes Generative AI technology.&nbsp;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.

Greg Laurie provides commentary on the day's Bible verse.

Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions

Living well matters not just in this world but in the next as well.