"'We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent us. The night is coming, and then no one can work'" (John 9:4 NLT).

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"'We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent us. The night is coming, and then no one can work'" (John 9:4 NLT).
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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

"'We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent us. The night is coming, and then no one can work'"

While We Can | John 9:4

“I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith.” (Philippians 3:7–9 NLT)

 

In testimonies, Christians often talk about what they gave up to follow Jesus Christ. But what do we really give up? Some people give up addiction to drugs or alcohol. For most people, they give up a sense of guilt, emptiness, loneliness, and the ever-present fear of death. So it would be pretty easy for them to agree with the apostle Paul’s words in Philippians 3.

Paul is saying, “The things I have given up are nothing compared to what God has given to me.” This teaching of Paul’s is a very important principle to learn as we become more mature in our faith. We find happiness in God.

The Bible says, “Blessed are those whose ways are blameless” (Psalm 119:1 NIV). The word blessed that is used here and throughout the psalms can be translated as “happy.” A more literal rendering of the word blessed—and I really like this one—would be “happy, happy.” So if someone had asked the psalmist, “How are you feeling today?” he might have replied, “Happy, happy.” But in this psalm and in other places in Scripture, we find that happiness is connected to holiness (or being “blameless”). We also find that happiness is not something that we should seek outright. Happiness should be the result of seeking holiness. Despite what our Declaration of Independence says, the pursuit of happiness in and of itself is generally a futile search.

The apostle Peter wrote, “So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then. But now, you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. For the Scriptures say, ‘You must be holy because I am holy’” (1 Peter 1:14–16 NLT).

God didn’t create us to be happy in the shallow sense of the word. He created us to be holy, to live as Christ lived, to prioritize the commands of Scripture, and to share our faith with others. And He stands ready to help us whenever that pursuit seems too difficult. When we pursue holiness, we experience a soul-deep sense of satisfaction, joy, hope, purpose, and fulfillment. We discover true happiness.

If you desire happiness, then seek the holiness of God. Only then will you be “happy, happy.”

 

Reflection Question: What does pursuing holiness look like in your life?

Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!

—

Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast

Become a Harvest Partner

&ldquo;I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God&rsquo;s way of making us right with himself depends on faith.&rdquo; (Philippians 3:7&ndash;9 NLT)
&nbsp;
In testimonies, Christians often talk about what they gave up to follow Jesus Christ. But what do we really give up? Some people give up addiction to drugs or alcohol. For most people, they give up a sense of guilt, emptiness, loneliness, and the ever-present fear of death. So it would be pretty easy for them to agree with the apostle Paul&rsquo;s words in Philippians 3.
Paul is saying, &ldquo;The things I have given up are nothing compared to what God has given to me.&rdquo; This teaching of Paul&rsquo;s is a very important principle to learn as we become more mature in our faith. We find happiness in God.
The Bible says, &ldquo;Blessed are those whose ways are blameless&rdquo; (Psalm 119:1 NIV). The word blessed that is used here and throughout the psalms can be translated as &ldquo;happy.&rdquo; A more literal rendering of the word blessed&mdash;and I really like this one&mdash;would be &ldquo;happy, happy.&rdquo; So if someone had asked the psalmist, &ldquo;How are you feeling today?&rdquo; he might have replied, &ldquo;Happy, happy.&rdquo; But in this psalm and in other places in Scripture, we find that happiness is connected to holiness (or being &ldquo;blameless&rdquo;). We also find that happiness is not something that we should seek outright. Happiness should be the result of seeking holiness. Despite what our Declaration of Independence says, the pursuit of happiness in and of itself is generally a futile search.
The apostle Peter wrote, &ldquo;So you must live as God&rsquo;s obedient children. Don&rsquo;t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn&rsquo;t know any better then. But now, you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. For the Scriptures say, &lsquo;You must be holy because I am holy&rsquo;&rdquo; (1 Peter 1:14&ndash;16 NLT).
God didn&rsquo;t create us to be happy in the shallow sense of the word. He created us to be holy, to live as Christ lived, to prioritize the commands of Scripture, and to share our faith with others. And He stands ready to help us whenever that pursuit seems too difficult. When we pursue holiness, we experience a soul-deep sense of satisfaction, joy, hope, purpose, and fulfillment. We discover true happiness.
If you desire happiness, then seek the holiness of God. Only then will you be &ldquo;happy, happy.&rdquo;
&nbsp;
Reflection Question: What does pursuing holiness look like in your life?
<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;
<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 truly happy, pursue holiness.

Holiness and Happiness | Philippians 3:7–9

“Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.” (Ephesians 3:20 NLT)

 

When my oldest son was a little boy, I would take him to Toys R Us. We would look around. I would tell him to pick out something for himself. He would look at the Star Wars figures. I would look at the X-Wing Fighter with the remote control, thinking that I would like to get it for him. The truth is that I wanted to play with it, too. He would pick out his little figure. Then I would say, “I was thinking of getting you something better than that.” He always went along with my idea.

After a while, he started to learn something about Dad, which was that Dad liked to get presents for his kids. He came to realize that it was better to say, “I don’t know what to get, Dad. You choose it for me.” He came to realize that my choices were often better than what he chose for himself.

Paul sends a similar message about our heavenly Father in Ephesians 3:20. The difference is that God’s generosity is perfect because God is perfect. He isn’t limited by resources. He isn’t swayed by moods, feelings, or impulses. He doesn’t have to guess at what might be meaningful or right for us. He designed us. He knows our code. He knows us better than we know ourselves.

Sometimes that can be hard for us to accept. We don’t always recognize God’s perfect generosity because we allow misconceptions to warp our view of who He is and what He does. We fall for the lie that He’s a cosmic killjoy, always on the lookout for things that bring us joy so that He can put an end to them.

And we compound the problem by being dazzled by temporary thrills—opportunities that have surface appeal but no real depth. Things that have no lasting value, that bring no sense of meaning, purpose, or fulfillment. Or, like my son, we’re content to settle for something small, something that pales in comparison to what we might have.

Our enemy knows our tendencies and weaknesses and does everything in his power to exploit them. Look at his temptation of Jesus in the wilderness. He appealed to Jesus’ immediate physical needs. He offered fame and power. He wanted Jesus to settle for something less than the grand, glorious plan of God to redeem the world. And he does the same to us. He emphasizes flash over substance. He urges us to choose immediate gratification over long-term fulfillment.

One of the many reasons God’s Word encourages us to become mature in our faith is so that we will recognize His generosity and respond with a spirit of gratitude. A mature faith understands that even though we have done nothing to earn God’s favor, He wants only what is ultimately best for us.

 

Reflection Question: When have you experienced God’s generosity in your life?

Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!

—

Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast

Become a Harvest Partner

&ldquo;Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.&rdquo; (Ephesians 3:20 NLT)
&nbsp;
When my oldest son was a little boy, I would take him to Toys R Us. We would look around. I would tell him to pick out something for himself. He would look at the Star Wars figures. I would look at the X-Wing Fighter with the remote control, thinking that I would like to get it for him. The truth is that I wanted to play with it, too. He would pick out his little figure. Then I would say, &ldquo;I was thinking of getting you something better than that.&rdquo; He always went along with my idea.
After a while, he started to learn something about Dad, which was that Dad liked to get presents for his kids. He came to realize that it was better to say, &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know what to get, Dad. You choose it for me.&rdquo; He came to realize that my choices were often better than what he chose for himself.
Paul sends a similar message about our heavenly Father in Ephesians 3:20. The difference is that God&rsquo;s generosity is perfect because God is perfect. He isn&rsquo;t limited by resources. He isn&rsquo;t swayed by moods, feelings, or impulses. He doesn&rsquo;t have to guess at what might be meaningful or right for us. He designed us. He knows our code. He knows us better than we know ourselves.
Sometimes that can be hard for us to accept. We don&rsquo;t always recognize God&rsquo;s perfect generosity because we allow misconceptions to warp our view of who He is and what He does. We fall for the lie that He&rsquo;s a cosmic killjoy, always on the lookout for things that bring us joy so that He can put an end to them.
And we compound the problem by being dazzled by temporary thrills&mdash;opportunities that have surface appeal but no real depth. Things that have no lasting value, that bring no sense of meaning, purpose, or fulfillment. Or, like my son, we&rsquo;re content to settle for something small, something that pales in comparison to what we might have.
Our enemy knows our tendencies and weaknesses and does everything in his power to exploit them. Look at his temptation of Jesus in the wilderness. He appealed to Jesus&rsquo; immediate physical needs. He offered fame and power. He wanted Jesus to settle for something less than the grand, glorious plan of God to redeem the world. And he does the same to us. He emphasizes flash over substance. He urges us to choose immediate gratification over long-term fulfillment.
One of the many reasons God&rsquo;s Word encourages us to become mature in our faith is so that we will recognize His generosity and respond with a spirit of gratitude. A mature faith understands that even though we have done nothing to earn God&rsquo;s favor, He wants only what is ultimately best for us.
&nbsp;
Reflection Question: When have you experienced God&rsquo;s generosity in your life?
<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;
<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>

God’s gifts are infinitely better than anything we might choose for ourselves.

Our Generous Father | Ephesians 3:20

“I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.” (Ephesians 3:16–17 NLT)

 

Can you imagine going home tonight and getting ready to go to bed when, all of a sudden, you see someone walking up to your front door and knocking? Lo and behold, it is Jesus. How would you react?

Of course, you know this isn’t going to happen. The Lord isn’t going to come bodily to your home and knock on the front door. But let your imagination run wild for a moment and pretend that He is. Jesus Himself is knocking at your door. Would you open it up and gladly welcome Him in? Or would you feel a little apprehensive?

The fact is, you should be living your life in such a way that Jesus could walk into your home at any moment and be welcomed without embarrassment. Look at the apostle Paul’s words in Ephesians 3:16–17: “I pray that . . . Christ will make his home in your hearts” (NLT). He’s not talking about Christ simply living in your heart. The reality is that Christ lives in the heart of every believer. Paul’s point is that Christ should feel at home in your heart.

This isn’t a temporary arrangement, the kind where you hide your mess until your company leaves. This is a permanent residency. Making Him feel welcome requires you to transform your life completely. But you don’t have to guess at how to do that. The Bible tells you how to live in a way that honors Christ—a way that makes Him feel at home in your heart.

“I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return” (Philippians 1:9–10 NLT).

“Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ” (Philippians 1:27 NLT).

“Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable” (Philippians 4:8 NLT).

If we were talking about a human guest, these extensive preparations might seem like an inconvenience. But notice in Ephesians 3 what Paul says results from making Christ feel at home in your heart.

“From his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit” (verse 16 NLT).

“Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong” (verse 17 NLT).

“You will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God” (verse 19 NLT).

Jesus doesn’t want to feel at home in your heart because He’s a fussy guest. When you prepare your heart for Christ, you make yourself useful to God. You find fulfillment, challenge, motivation, strength, peace, and joy. And you experience what Jesus meant when he said, “My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life” (John 10:10 NLT).

 

Reflection Question: How can you make Jesus feel more at home in your heart?

Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!

—

Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast

Become a Harvest Partner

&ldquo;I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God&rsquo;s love and keep you strong.&rdquo; (Ephesians 3:16&ndash;17 NLT)
&nbsp;
Can you imagine going home tonight and getting ready to go to bed when, all of a sudden, you see someone walking up to your front door and knocking? Lo and behold, it is Jesus. How would you react?
Of course, you know this isn&rsquo;t going to happen. The Lord isn&rsquo;t going to come bodily to your home and knock on the front door. But let your imagination run wild for a moment and pretend that He is. Jesus Himself is knocking at your door. Would you open it up and gladly welcome Him in? Or would you feel a little apprehensive?
The fact is, you should be living your life in such a way that Jesus could walk into your home at any moment and be welcomed without embarrassment. Look at the apostle Paul&rsquo;s words in Ephesians 3:16&ndash;17: &ldquo;I pray that . . . Christ will make his home in your hearts&rdquo; (NLT). He&rsquo;s not talking about Christ simply living in your heart. The reality is that Christ lives in the heart of every believer. Paul&rsquo;s point is that Christ should feel at home in your heart.
This isn&rsquo;t a temporary arrangement, the kind where you hide your mess until your company leaves. This is a permanent residency. Making Him feel welcome requires you to transform your life completely. But you don&rsquo;t have to guess at how to do that. The Bible tells you how to live in a way that honors Christ&mdash;a way that makes Him feel at home in your heart.
&ldquo;I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ&rsquo;s return&rdquo; (Philippians 1:9&ndash;10 NLT).
&ldquo;Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ&rdquo; (Philippians 1:27 NLT).
&ldquo;Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable&rdquo; (Philippians 4:8 NLT).
If we were talking about a human guest, these extensive preparations might seem like an inconvenience. But notice in Ephesians 3 what Paul says results from making Christ feel at home in your heart.
&ldquo;From his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit&rdquo; (verse 16 NLT).
&ldquo;Your roots will grow down into God&rsquo;s love and keep you strong&rdquo; (verse 17 NLT).
&ldquo;You will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God&rdquo; (verse 19 NLT).
Jesus doesn&rsquo;t want to feel at home in your heart because He&rsquo;s a fussy guest. When you prepare your heart for Christ, you make yourself useful to God. You find fulfillment, challenge, motivation, strength, peace, and joy. And you experience what Jesus meant when he said, &ldquo;My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life&rdquo; (John 10:10 NLT).
&nbsp;
Reflection Question: How can you make Jesus feel more at home in your heart?
<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;
<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>

 Good things happen when Jesus feels at home in your heart.

While We Can | John 9:4

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