“Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!” (Deuteronomy 30:19 NLT)

 

When I first became a Christian, I decided that I would somehow find a way to live in two different worlds. I was planning to hang out with my old friends and still be a Christian. For a time, I felt as though I were in a state of suspended animation. I wasn’t comfortable with my old buddies, but I wasn’t quite comfortable with the Christians, either. So, I decided to be Mr. Solo Christian. I even said to my friends, “Don’t worry about me. You’re thinking that I’ll become a fanatic and carry a Bible and say, ‘Praise the Lord.’ It will never happen. I’m going to be cool about this. I won’t embarrass you, but I’m going to believe in God now.”

However, as God became more real to me and I began to follow Him more closely, He changed my life and my outlook. As a result, my priorities began to change.

On your Christian journey, you’ll find that there are people who will discourage you from growing spiritually. They’ll say things like, “I think it’s good that you’re a Christian. I go to church too—at Christmas and Easter and for weddings. But you’re getting a little too fanatical. You brought a Bible to work the other day. That’s going a little too far. We were so embarrassed. You’re no fun anymore. We’re glad you’ve made changes in your life, but we’re afraid that you’re going to become too extreme.”

When you’re faced with people like this, you have the choice either to do what God wants you to do or to go with the flow. You’ll find that there are consequences for each option.

Deuteronomy 30:19 says, “Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!” (NLT). Choosing life includes choosing people who encourage you to live the life God offers.

The apostle Paul’s instructions in 1 Thessalonians 5:11 are clear: “So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing” (NLT). The believers who take those instructions to heart are the ones we should be surrounding ourselves with. The Christian life is a challenge. The people who recognize that and offer words of comfort, wisdom, and encouragement along the way are extremely valuable resources. They counteract the negativity and discouragement that others throw our way.

Are you going to let people hold you back? Are you going to let people discourage you from wholehearted commitment to Jesus Christ?

 

Reflection question: Where can you find encouragement and support in your walk with Christ? 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.

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&ldquo;Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!&rdquo; (Deuteronomy 30:19 NLT)
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When I first became a Christian, I decided that I would somehow find a way to live in two different worlds. I was planning to hang out with my old friends and still be a Christian. For a time, I felt as though I were in a state of suspended animation. I wasn&rsquo;t comfortable with my old buddies, but I wasn&rsquo;t quite comfortable with the Christians, either. So, I decided to be Mr. Solo Christian. I even said to my friends, &ldquo;Don&rsquo;t worry about me. You&rsquo;re thinking that I&rsquo;ll become a fanatic and carry a Bible and say, &lsquo;Praise the Lord.&rsquo; It will never happen. I&rsquo;m going to be cool about this. I won&rsquo;t embarrass you, but I&rsquo;m going to believe in God now.&rdquo;
However, as God became more real to me and I began to follow Him more closely, He changed my life and my outlook. As a result, my priorities began to change.
On your Christian journey, you&rsquo;ll find that there are people who will discourage you from growing spiritually. They&rsquo;ll say things like, &ldquo;I think it&rsquo;s good that you&rsquo;re a Christian. I go to church too&mdash;at Christmas and Easter and for weddings. But you&rsquo;re getting a little too fanatical. You brought a Bible to work the other day. That&rsquo;s going a little too far. We were so embarrassed. You&rsquo;re no fun anymore. We&rsquo;re glad you&rsquo;ve made changes in your life, but we&rsquo;re afraid that you&rsquo;re going to become too extreme.&rdquo;
When you&rsquo;re faced with people like this, you have the choice either to do what God wants you to do or to go with the flow. You&rsquo;ll find that there are consequences for each option.
Deuteronomy 30:19 says, &ldquo;Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!&rdquo; (NLT). Choosing life includes choosing people who encourage you to live the life God offers.
The apostle Paul&rsquo;s instructions in 1 Thessalonians 5:11 are clear: &ldquo;So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing&rdquo; (NLT). The believers who take those instructions to heart are the ones we should be surrounding ourselves with. The Christian life is a challenge. The people who recognize that and offer words of comfort, wisdom, and encouragement along the way are extremely valuable resources. They counteract the negativity and discouragement that others throw our way.
Are you going to let people hold you back? Are you going to let people discourage you from wholehearted commitment to Jesus Christ?
&nbsp;
Reflection question: Where can you find encouragement and support in your walk with Christ?&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

Surround yourself with people who encourage you spiritually.

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