Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. (Psalm 91:1 NLT)

—

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)
—
<a href="https://link.chtbl.com/A1PWfZ8W">Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast</a>
<a href="https://harvest.org/harvest-partner/">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. 

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 <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.

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

Daily Devotions From Greg Laurie

Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. (Psalm 91:1 NLT)

No Substitutions | Psalm 91:1

Praise the Lord, you angels, you mighty ones who carry out his plans, listening for each of his commands. (Psalm 103:20 NLT)

We live in the natural world, but we coexist with the supernatural world. Our realm is visible, but there’s another realm that’s invisible. And it’s just as real as ours. We have physical bodies, but there are other beings who have spiritual bodies. The Bible refers to them as angels. In fact, it mentions angels more than three hundred times. Angels are real. They move back and forth between Heaven and Earth. They do vital work. And they’re actively involved in the lives of the followers of Jesus Christ.

Angels appear frequently in popular culture, which has led to some misconceptions about their nature and work. Here are a few things we need to understand about these important servants of God.

Some people believe that when you die, you become an angel. They comfort grieving loved ones by saying things like, “God needed another angel in Heaven” or “Now you have an angel looking over your family.” And while that may sound comforting, it’s not true. People do not become angels when they die.

Angels are created beings, completely separate from humans. Colossians 1:15–16 says, “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” (NLT). Other passages of Scripture suggest that angels are eternal; they never die. Angels are divided into different categories, including the cherubim and the seraphim. But none of them are former humans.

Angels appear as men in Scripture. When I told that to my granddaughters, they weren’t happy. They said, “That’s not fair, Papa.” We often think of angels as feminine. We say, “She’s as pretty as an angel.” We don’t often say, “He’s as handsome as an angel.” But the reality is that when angels show up in the Bible, they appear as men.

When some female followers of Jesus went to Jesus’ tomb after His resurrection, “two men suddenly appeared to them, clothed in dazzling robes” (Luke 24:4 NLT)—these “men” were angels. And after Jesus’ disciples saw Jesus ascending to Heaven, “two white-robed men suddenly stood among them” (Acts 1:10 NLT). These angels told Jesus’ disciples that Jesus had been taken to Heaven but that He would return.

Angels fulfill specific God-given responsibilities. They “carry out his plans” (Psalm 103:20 NLT). They could be described as God’s secret agents. Or His SEAL Team 6. They do their job, but they don’t draw attention to themselves.

We probably would be amazed to discover how many times angels have stopped us from doing something we’d regret, gotten us out of tight situations, protected us from harm, or spoken directly to us. Hebrews 1:14 sums up their role this way: “Angels are only servants—spirits sent to care for people who will inherit salvation” (NLT).

—

Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast

Become a Harvest Partner

Praise the Lord, you angels, you mighty ones who carry out his plans, listening for each of his commands. (Psalm 103:20 NLT)
We live in the natural world, but we coexist with the supernatural world. Our realm is visible, but there’s another realm that’s invisible. And it’s just as real as ours. We have physical bodies, but there are other beings who have spiritual bodies. The Bible refers to them as angels. In fact, it mentions angels more than three hundred times. Angels are real. They move back and forth between Heaven and Earth. They do vital work. And they’re actively involved in the lives of the followers of Jesus Christ.
Angels appear frequently in popular culture, which has led to some misconceptions about their nature and work. Here are a few things we need to understand about these important servants of God.
Some people believe that when you die, you become an angel. They comfort grieving loved ones by saying things like, “God needed another angel in Heaven” or “Now you have an angel looking over your family.” And while that may sound comforting, it’s not true. People do not become angels when they die.
Angels are created beings, completely separate from humans. Colossians 1:15–16 says, “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” (NLT). Other passages of Scripture suggest that angels are eternal; they never die. Angels are divided into different categories, including the cherubim and the seraphim. But none of them are former humans.
Angels appear as men in Scripture. When I told that to my granddaughters, they weren’t happy. They said, “That’s not fair, Papa.” We often think of angels as feminine. We say, “She’s as pretty as an angel.” We don’t often say, “He’s as handsome as an angel.” But the reality is that when angels show up in the Bible, they appear as men.
When some female followers of Jesus went to Jesus’ tomb after His resurrection, “two men suddenly appeared to them, clothed in dazzling robes” (Luke 24:4 NLT)—these “men” were angels. And after Jesus’ disciples saw Jesus ascending to Heaven, “two white-robed men suddenly stood among them” (Acts 1:10 NLT). These angels told Jesus’ disciples that Jesus had been taken to Heaven but that He would return.
Angels fulfill specific God-given responsibilities. They “carry out his plans” (Psalm 103:20 NLT). They could be described as God’s secret agents. Or His SEAL Team 6. They do their job, but they don’t draw attention to themselves.
We probably would be amazed to discover how many times angels have stopped us from doing something we’d regret, gotten us out of tight situations, protected us from harm, or spoken directly to us. Hebrews 1:14 sums up their role this way: “Angels are only servants—spirits sent to care for people who will inherit salvation” (NLT).
—
<a href="https://link.chtbl.com/A1PWfZ8W">Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast</a>
<a href="https://harvest.org/harvest-partner/">Become a Harvest Partner</a>

Angels fulfill specific God-given responsibilities.

Understanding Angels | Psalm 103:20 

“I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you.” (Job 42:2 NLT)

Sovereignty is a tough concept to wrap our heads around, especially in today’s highly influenceable culture. Everyone answers to someone. Public figures change their stances based on the feedback they get. Politicians are swayed by donors. Corporations react to boycotts. In contrast to the famous sign on Harry Truman’s desk, the buck doesn’t seem to stop anywhere. There is no ultimate authority, no sovereignty.

Except with God.

Job scratched the surface of God’s sovereignty when he said to God, “I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you” (Job 42:2 NLT). In fact, God will do what He pleases with whomever He chooses whenever He wishes. That’s absolute power. God answers to no one. He is not swayed by public opinion or conventional wisdom. He doesn’t have to ask anyone’s permission or worry about anyone’s reaction. He doesn’t seek approval, likes, or popularity. God can’t be second-guessed because everything He does is perfect. His ways are right—always and without fail.

Psalm 115:3 says, “Our God is in the heavens, and he does as he wishes” (nlt). Some people challenge His sovereignty by asking, “What about the bad things that happen in life? Are they part of what He wishes?” And the answer is yes. Evil, suffering, and tragedy aren’t arguments against a sovereign God. They are all firmly under His control. Whatever happens in this life, good or bad, is either caused by God or allowed by God. I know that’s hard for some of us to digest. But that’s because we’re limited in our present circumstances.

Someday, we will better understand the wisdom and purpose of God’s plan. In the meantime, we take the word of the psalmist who wrote this about God: “Your faithfulness extends to every generation, as enduring as the earth you created. Your regulations remain true to this day, for everything serves your plans” (Psalm 119:90–91 NLT). Everything serves God’s plans.

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). Everything is part of God’s good plan.

In Paul’s words, we find the most amazing truth about God’s sovereignty. The English historian Lord Acton wrote that absolute power corrupts absolutely. But he was referring to human authorities, none of whom ever possessed “absolute power.” The amazing truth is that God, who does possess absolute power, uses His power to accomplish genuinely good things in the lives of His people. God’s sovereignty can’t be separated from His love.

That means we can trust Him to care for us. We may not always understand what that care looks like or why certain things happen, but we can be confident that God will work all things for our good. No one and nothing can thwart His will. We can rest assured in His sovereignty.

—

Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast

Become a Harvest Partner

“I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you.” (Job 42:2 NLT)
Sovereignty is a tough concept to wrap our heads around, especially in today’s highly influenceable culture. Everyone answers to someone. Public figures change their stances based on the feedback they get. Politicians are swayed by donors. Corporations react to boycotts. In contrast to the famous sign on Harry Truman’s desk, the buck doesn’t seem to stop anywhere. There is no ultimate authority, no sovereignty.
Except with God.
Job scratched the surface of God’s sovereignty when he said to God, “I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you” (Job 42:2 NLT). In fact, God will do what He pleases with whomever He chooses whenever He wishes. That’s absolute power. God answers to no one. He is not swayed by public opinion or conventional wisdom. He doesn’t have to ask anyone’s permission or worry about anyone’s reaction. He doesn’t seek approval, likes, or popularity. God can’t be second-guessed because everything He does is perfect. His ways are right—always and without fail.
Psalm 115:3 says, “Our God is in the heavens, and he does as he wishes” (nlt). Some people challenge His sovereignty by asking, “What about the bad things that happen in life? Are they part of what He wishes?” And the answer is yes. Evil, suffering, and tragedy aren’t arguments against a sovereign God. They are all firmly under His control. Whatever happens in this life, good or bad, is either caused by God or allowed by God. I know that’s hard for some of us to digest. But that’s because we’re limited in our present circumstances.
Someday, we will better understand the wisdom and purpose of God’s plan. In the meantime, we take the word of the psalmist who wrote this about God: “Your faithfulness extends to every generation, as enduring as the earth you created. Your regulations remain true to this day, for everything serves your plans” (Psalm 119:90–91 NLT). Everything serves God’s plans.
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). Everything is part of God’s good plan.
In Paul’s words, we find the most amazing truth about God’s sovereignty. The English historian Lord Acton wrote that absolute power corrupts absolutely. But he was referring to human authorities, none of whom ever possessed “absolute power.” The amazing truth is that God, who does possess absolute power, uses His power to accomplish genuinely good things in the lives of His people. God’s sovereignty can’t be separated from His love.
That means we can trust Him to care for us. We may not always understand what that care looks like or why certain things happen, but we can be confident that God will work all things for our good. No one and nothing can thwart His will. We can rest assured in His sovereignty.
—
<a href="https://link.chtbl.com/A1PWfZ8W">Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast</a>
<a href="https://harvest.org/harvest-partner/">Become a Harvest Partner</a>

We can be confident that God will work all things for our good.

God Is Sovereign | Job 42:2 

“And in the future, your children will ask you, ‘What does all this mean?’ Then you will tell them, ‘With the power of his mighty hand, the Lord brought us out of Egypt, the place of our slavery.’” (Exodus 13:14 NLT)

Have you ever been in a situation where the only way out was God? In other words, if God didn’t come through for you, you were dead in the water. Maybe it was a report from a doctor who said, “I’m sorry. There’s nothing more we can do for you.” Maybe it was a financial catastrophe that had you on the brink of collapse. Maybe it was the death of a loved one when you thought, I cannot survive this. That’s the type of situation the Israelites faced in Exodus 13.

God had delivered them from Egypt and was leading them to the Promised Land. The problem was they were being chased by the powerful Egyptian army, and their escape route was blocked by the Red Sea. They found themselves in a seemingly impossible situation, trapped between an unconquerable army and an impassable sea.

The good news? God was leading them. “For with God nothing will be impossible” (Luke 1:37 NKJV). God parted the sea, and the Israelites escaped.

Have you ever looked up the phrase “But God” in the Bible? We see it in Noah’s story. The Lord told Noah to build an ark. Noah boarded it with his family, and they bobbed around in the water for forty days and forty nights. By the thirty-eighth day, Noah must have been thinking, This is impossible! I’m so tired of hanging out with a bunch of stinking animals. Will we ever find dry land? And then Genesis 8:1 says, “But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and livestock with him in the boat. He sent a wind to blow across the earth, and the floodwaters began to recede” (NLT). But God.

We see it in the story of Joseph. Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers. He was falsely accused of a terrible crime by Potiphar’s wife and sent to prison. Talk about an impossible situation! But in prison, Joseph used his gift from God for interpreting dreams to help Pharaoh’s cupbearer. The cupbearer was released and went back to work for Pharaoh. When Pharaoh had a dream he couldn’t understand, the cupbearer recommended Joseph. Joseph interpreted Pharaoh’s dream and became the second most powerful man in Egypt. A famine struck the land, and Joseph was put in charge of the food supply. And guess who came to Egypt to buy food? Joseph’s brothers, the ones who had sold him into slavery. Joseph said to them, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people” (Genesis 50:20 NLT). But God.

Not even death has the final word. Death seems so permanent, so hopeless. But we read in Psalm 49:15, “But God will redeem me from the realm of the dead; he will surely take me to himself” (NIV). But God.

How big is your problem? How big is your obstacle? How big is what you’re facing?

The good news for you is that God is bigger and more powerful than anything you’re facing.

—

Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast

Become a Harvest Partner

“And in the future, your children will ask you, ‘What does all this mean?’ Then you will tell them, ‘With the power of his mighty hand, the Lord brought us out of Egypt, the place of our slavery.’” (Exodus 13:14 NLT)
Have you ever been in a situation where the only way out was God? In other words, if God didn’t come through for you, you were dead in the water. Maybe it was a report from a doctor who said, “I’m sorry. There’s nothing more we can do for you.” Maybe it was a financial catastrophe that had you on the brink of collapse. Maybe it was the death of a loved one when you thought, I cannot survive this. That’s the type of situation the Israelites faced in Exodus 13.
God had delivered them from Egypt and was leading them to the Promised Land. The problem was they were being chased by the powerful Egyptian army, and their escape route was blocked by the Red Sea. They found themselves in a seemingly impossible situation, trapped between an unconquerable army and an impassable sea.
The good news? God was leading them. “For with God nothing will be impossible” (Luke 1:37 NKJV). God parted the sea, and the Israelites escaped.
Have you ever looked up the phrase “But God” in the Bible? We see it in Noah’s story. The Lord told Noah to build an ark. Noah boarded it with his family, and they bobbed around in the water for forty days and forty nights. By the thirty-eighth day, Noah must have been thinking, This is impossible! I’m so tired of hanging out with a bunch of stinking animals. Will we ever find dry land? And then Genesis 8:1 says, “But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and livestock with him in the boat. He sent a wind to blow across the earth, and the floodwaters began to recede” (NLT). But God.
We see it in the story of Joseph. Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers. He was falsely accused of a terrible crime by Potiphar’s wife and sent to prison. Talk about an impossible situation! But in prison, Joseph used his gift from God for interpreting dreams to help Pharaoh’s cupbearer. The cupbearer was released and went back to work for Pharaoh. When Pharaoh had a dream he couldn’t understand, the cupbearer recommended Joseph. Joseph interpreted Pharaoh’s dream and became the second most powerful man in Egypt. A famine struck the land, and Joseph was put in charge of the food supply. And guess who came to Egypt to buy food? Joseph’s brothers, the ones who had sold him into slavery. Joseph said to them, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people” (Genesis 50:20 NLT). But God.
Not even death has the final word. Death seems so permanent, so hopeless. But we read in Psalm 49:15, “But God will redeem me from the realm of the dead; he will surely take me to himself” (NIV). But God.
How big is your problem? How big is your obstacle? How big is what you’re facing?
The good news for you is that God is bigger and more powerful than anything you’re facing.
—
<a href="https://link.chtbl.com/A1PWfZ8W">Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast</a>
<a href="https://harvest.org/harvest-partner/">Become a Harvest Partner</a>

No Substitutions | Psalm 91:1

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