Promise for Today - Growing

Anyone who wants to serve me must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me.

John 12:26 (NLT)

Jesus talked a lot about being a “disciple.” If you’re a believer, that’s probably a word you hear a lot too.

But what did Jesus mean when he used the word disciple? To be a disciple, you must spend time with Jesus. In any relationship, the more time you invest, the more you’re going to get out of it. It’s true in your relationship with Jesus too. You can’t be a part-time disciple; it’s a full-time responsibility.

Jesus said, “Anyone who wants to serve me must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me” (John 12:26 NLT).

This verse teaches three things about spiritual growth.

First, spiritual growth is a choice. 

The verse starts off, “Anyone who wants to serve me. . .” God won’t force growth on you, and it won’t come automatically. You have to want and choose to serve him—to be his disciple.

If you feel distant from God, it’s not because he’s moved away. He’s always right there, inviting you to draw near to him. You have the choice to draw closer to him or to move away.

Second, spiritual growth is a commitment. 

Jesus said that his disciples “must follow” him. After you’ve made the choice to grow, you “must” follow through with commitment! You grow by making commitments. Getting married is a commitment that makes you grow up. So is having kids, or taking on a new job, or pursuing an education. Anytime you make a commitment, you grow. That includes when you commit to being Jesus’ disciple.

Third, spiritual growth is a relationship. 

Jesus said, “My servants must be where I am.” It’s not about rules. It’s not about rituals. It’s not about a formula. It’s not about a bunch of expectations. It’s about being with Jesus.

Obviously, Jesus isn’t here physically today. So how can you be with him? A great way is by having an ongoing conversation with him. Those can be quick prayers as you’re talking to someone at work, cleaning your house, or driving a car. As you do this over time, you will hear God speaking back to you, by filling your mind with truth and putting impressions in your heart.

Are you ready to start growing as a disciple of Jesus? It’s simple to get started: Just spend time with him.

Talk It Over

What usually comes to mind when you hear the word disciple? How has today’s devotional changed that?

When have you grown by making a new commitment?

What one change can you make to start spending more time with Jesus this week?

- by Pastor Rick

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Prayer:

Father,

          Help us to be wholly and steadfastly committed to You, so that our hearts, minds, and actions are always aligned with Your will and love. Help us to grow in the awareness that You are our sustenance and our only true source of strength. Give us the grace to rest in Your strength, to rely on Your wisdom, and to yield to Your instructions at all times. Remove anything that keeps us from You, and strengthen our resolve to stay faithful, even when life is hard or distractions arise. Let our commitment to You be unwavering, our trust in You deeper, and our love for You greater each day. We will not turn back from the path of righteousness. Help us to press on in obedience and devotion until the end. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - Skilled Empathy

We must bear the ‘burden’ of being considerate of the doubts and fears of others.

Romans 15:2 (TLB)

Listening is probably the most important skill in building friendships and relationships. You can’t love people without listening to them.

But sometimes people run into trouble in their relationships when they think hearing and listening are the same thing. The truth is that there’s a big difference between hearing someone and listening to them.

You can hear something and not really be listening. I can’t tell you how many arguments I’ve had with my kids or my wife because I was hearing the words but not really listening to the emotions. Sometimes the words don’t even matter. Someone can say to you, “I’m fine,” but the way they say it tells you that they’re not fine. Listening means you also hear what the person isn’t saying.

When you listen that way, you’re showing empathy. Empathy means to put yourself in the other person’s shoes and learn their point of view. You ask yourself, “How would I feel if I were in that situation?”

Listening with empathy means you listen without interruption and you listen for what’s not being said—the feelings and fears behind the words. And you don’t need to try to fix the situation. In fact, sometimes healing comes just from someone listening!

Romans 15:2 says, “We must bear the ‘burden’ of being considerate of the doubts and fears of others” (TLB).

What does it mean to be considerate or to bear the burden of someone else’s doubts? It means that, when people are in so much pain that they don’t even know what they believe, they need the devotion of a loyal friend. They need someone who will be present and listen with empathy.

Will you be that friend today?

Talk It Over

How can you show someone through your body language that you are really listening?

What is the benefit of asking, “How would I feel if I were in that situation?”

What are some ways you can limit interruptions and distractions when you are trying to listen to someone?

- by Pastor Rick

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Prayer:

Father,

          In the noise of daily life, we come before You seeking the gift of an open heart. Quiet the chatter within us, and open the gates of our soul to truly listen to those who cross our path.  Grant us the serenity to set aside judgment and preconceptions, so we may be fully present. Help us to hear the words, the emotions, and the unspoken needs of others, and to respond with compassion and empathy.
Let our friendship be a sanctuary where people feel safe to share their stories. Thank You for the opportunity to connect deeply through listening. Help us to be better at it. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - Pride Kills Relationships

Be humble and give more honor to others than to yourselves.

Philippians 2:3 (NCV)

Pride destroys relationships. It shows up in a lot of different forms, like criticism, competition, stubbornness, and superficiality.

The problem with pride is that it’s self-deceiving. When you have too much pride, you don’t see it in your life—but everyone else does!  Proverbs 16:18 says, “Pride leads to destruction; a proud attitude brings ruin” (NCV). I love that same verse in The Message paraphrase: “First pride, then the crash—the bigger the ego, the harder the fall.”

While pride destroys relationships, humility serves as its antidote, and relationships are built instead. Our verse for today, Philippians 2:3 tells you how to combat pride by choosing humility: “Be humble and give more honor to others than to yourselves” (NCV). 1 Peter 3:8 gives more details: “Everyone must live in harmony, be sympathetic, love each other, have compassion, and be humble” (GW).

How do you grow in humility? You let Jesus Christ begin to control your thoughts, heart, attitude, and reactions. Ephesians 4:23-24 says, “Let the Spirit change your way of thinking and make you into a new person” (CEV).

The basic law of relationships is this: You tend to become like the people you spend time with. If you spend time with grumpy people, you get grumpier. If you spend time with happy people, you get happier. If you want to become a new, humbler person, you need to spend time with Jesus Christ, because he is humble. By building a relationship with him through prayer and reading his Word, you’ll get to know him and become more like him.

Philippians 2:5-6 says it like this: “You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to” (NLT).

Jesus is the ultimate example of humility. He came from heaven to earth to become a man, live for you, give his life for you, and be resurrected for you. When you spend time with him, it makes you humble. That humility, in turn, builds your relationships.

Talk It Over

What characteristics and habits do the humble people in your life display?

What does it look like to give more honor to others than to yourself (as Philippians 2:3 teaches)?

In what ways do you think God’s Spirit needs to change the way you think to make you more like Jesus?

- by Pastor Rick

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Prayer by Faith&Forward

Introduction: Prayers to Overcome Pride and Walk in Humility is a powerful collection of targeted prayers designed to help you approach God's throne with confidence and faith. These prayer points are rooted in Scripture and crafted to address specific areas of need in your spiritual journey.

Prayer is our direct line of communication with the Father, and when we pray according to His will, we can be confident that He hears us. Use these prayer points as a guide, but also allow the Holy Spirit to lead you into deeper intercession as you pray.

Prayer Points:

Father, I thank You for Your faithfulness and loving-kindness.

Lord, let Your will be done in this situation as it is in heaven.

I surrender every concern to You and trust in Your perfect plan.

Father, give me the grace to walk in obedience to Your word.

Lord, let Your favor go before me and make my path straight.

I receive Your peace that surpasses all understanding.

Lord, let Your glory be revealed through this situation.

Father, I give You all the praise and honor for what You are doing.

I stand on Your word and believe for complete victory.

Lord, help me to be a blessing to others through this testimony.

Father, let Your kingdom come and Your will be done.

I reject every lie of the enemy and embrace Your truth.

Lord, fill me fresh with Your Holy Spirit today.

Father, order my steps and lead me in Your righteousness.

I claim every promise You have spoken over my life.

Lord, let my life bring glory to Your name.

Father, give me a heart of gratitude in every circumstance.

I decree that goodness and mercy shall follow me.

Lord, connect me with the right people at the right time.

Lord, I ask for Your divine wisdom and guidance in every decision.

Father, strengthen my faith and help me trust You completely.

Father, let this prayer produce lasting fruit in my life.

I declare that Your promises over my life shall come to pass.

Lord, remove every hindrance in me and let Your purpose be fulfilled.

Father, thank You for hearing and answering my prayers.

Closing Declaration: Father, I thank You for hearing my prayers today. I believe that even as I have prayed, You are already at work on my behalf. I receive Your answers by faith and declare that nothing is impossible for You. Let Your Name be glorified in my life as these prayers come to pass. In Jesus' Name, we pray, Amen.

Promise for Today - Five Minutes

Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NLT)

When you’re going through a season of great change and stress, how do you maintain joy? You do it by developing the habit of thanking God for all that’s good, despite all that’s bad.

This principle is found in 1 Thessalonians 5:18: “Be thankful IN all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus” (NLT). This means that we should develop an attitude of gratitude in every situation. It doesn't mean that we have to be thankful for everything that happens to us, especially the bad things like cancer or car accidents. We don’t have to be thankful for all the evil in the world.

But every time you take a minute to express gratitude to God about anything—it could be your favorite music, a spot in nature, or Scripture—it helps refill your empty emotional tank so you can move forward in life. Choosing to be thankful is for your own good; it keeps you from becoming bitter and helps you to finish strong.

Being grateful is easy when your emotional tank is full and things are going great. It’s much harder to find something to be thankful for when you're facing a crisis or prolonged chronic stress. But that’s when you need to express gratitude the most.

The story of Job is a great example of gratitude during hard times. He was a wealthy and successful man, but he lost everything in a single day. He didn't know why it all happened to him, and he had every reason to be angry and bitter. Despite this, he continued to trust God. Even in his darkest moment, he fell to the ground and worshiped God, saying, “May the name of the LORD be praised” (Job 1:21 NIV).

One of the most practical yet powerful habits you can develop is to make a daily gratitude list. Just sit down for five minutes each day and ask yourself, "What am I grateful for?” It’s a habit that will strengthen your soul and keep you going when you feel like giving up.

Even in our darkest moments, we can follow Job's example and gratefully worship God, knowing that his will for us is to give thanks in all circumstances.

Talk It Over

What does having a grateful attitude reveal about your belief in a good God?

What are some things you have taken for granted that you can start thanking God for today?

When has an attitude of gratitude given you the strength to get through a hard time?

- by Pastor Rick

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Prayer:

Father,

           We come before You with hearts full of gratitude for Your unending goodness and mercy. Thank You for the gift of life, for the breath in our lungs, the strength in our body, and the clarity in our minds.  Thank You for the light of day, the shelter of home, the love of family, and the countless small and great blessings that surround us.
       Even in moments of challenge, we choose to see Your hand at work, trusting that You are good, faithful, and present. Thank You for Your patience, Your compassion, and Your constant presence. Forgive us for times when we have been slow to thank You, and renew our hearts to focus on You alone. Lord, help us to live each moment with a thankful spirit, to reflect Your love in our words and actions, and to find joy in Your presence. May our gratitude be a constant prayer, not just on special days, but in all circumstances. We give You praise and thanks, for You alone are worthy. In Jesus’ Name we pray, Amen

Promise for Today - Changing My Want To...

Note: Sorry for missing 2 days - lawn guy cut the Internet connection. :(

You are my friends if you do what I command.

John 15:14 (NLT)

You can’t say you love Jesus and then go live like the devil. You can’t say you’re a Christian and then keep living a self-centered life. You can’t say you’re a follower of Jesus and then pick and choose the verses that you want to listen to and ignore the ones you don’t. Jesus says you’re his friend if you obey him and his commandments.

Why do Christians obey God? Nonbelievers get this wrong all the time. They say, “I don’t want to be a Christian, because I don’t want to obey God. You believers obey him out of guilt or fear or obligation, and I don’t want that for my life.”

But why do we really obey God? The Truth is because he loves us! He wants the best for us. He loves you like nobody else will ever love you.

The Bible says the only reason there’s love in the world is because God is love. We don’t obey God out of fear or guilt or obligation. We obey God out of love—because he loved us and saved us.

When I was a kid in high school, a guy came up to me and said, “You’re restricted.” I said, “What do you mean?” He said, “Because you’re a Christian. You can’t do any of the fun stuff the rest of us do.”

I looked him in the eye and said, “I could take all the drugs I want to take. I could get stoned all I want to get stoned. I could drink all I want to drink. I could go to all the parties I want to go to. I could be in as many relationships as I want. But here’s the difference: Jesus changed my want to.”

I didn’t want to do those things then. I don’t want to do those things now. They are cheap, phony thrills that give a temporary kick to life, but then they kick back. They may look like freedom, but they don’t last. They lead to despair, not dignity; they end in depression, not delight.

Jesus said, “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. . . . When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!” (John 15:9-11 NLT).

God doesn’t want you to obey him because you’re afraid of him. He doesn’t want you to obey him because you’re scared of punishment. God wants you to obey him because of love. It’s his love that leads to true joy.

Talk It Over

When have you obeyed someone (perhaps a parent, teacher, or boss) out of fear? When have you obeyed out of love? What were the differences in those relationships?

As you’ve grown in your love for God, how has he changed your desires?

How have you experienced joy through loving obedience to God?

- by Pastor Rick

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Prayer:

Father,

         We humbly ask for hearts that are willing to follow Your will. Remove every trace of stubbornness and resistance within us. Soften our spirit to embrace Your Word, even when it’s difficult. Help us to surrender fully, that our desires may align with Yours. Change our hearts, Lord, and make us open to Your instructions. Let obedience become our joy and not a burden. Mold us into the person You desire us to be. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Promise for Today - He Will Tell You

The Holy Spirit, God's gift, does not want you to be afraid of people, but to be wise and strong, and to love them and enjoy being with them. If you will stir up this inner power, you will never be afraid to tell others about our Lord.

2 Timothy 1:7-8 (TLB)

You can be confident in sharing your faith when you remember you don’t have to know all the answers. Why? Because Jesus does!

Here’s something else you need to remember: When you share the hope you have in Christ with others, you’re not doing it alone. God is with you! And his Spirit is working in the other person's heart as you're sharing with them.

The Bible says, “The Holy Spirit, God's gift, does not want you to be afraid of people, but to be wise and strong, and to love them and enjoy being with them. If you will stir up this inner power, you will never be afraid to tell others about our Lord” (2 Timothy 1:7-8 TLB).

When you realize the Holy Spirit's power and God's truth are in you, you never have to be afraid to tell others about Jesus. That should give you a lot of confidence!

Luke 21:13-15 also gives encouragement for sharing your faith: “This will be your chance to tell about your faith. Don’t worry about what you will say to defend yourselves. I will give you the wisdom to know what to say” (CEV).

It’s common to be fearful about sharing your faith with someone. You might think, “I don't know what to say to that person at the office, on the soccer field, or in my neighborhood.” But God essentially says to you, “I will tell you what to say when you need it.”

What an amazing promise! You may not feel ready or equipped to share the gospel, but the truth is, you have everything you need because of God’s presence and power in you.

Talk It Over

Describe a time when you felt God’s power at work within you while sharing God’s love with someone.

Who in your life do you look up to as someone who isn’t afraid to share their faith?

How would this next week look different if you were constantly aware of the Holy Spirit’s presence in your life?

- by Pastor Rick

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Prayer:

Father, 

       We want to honor You and fulfill the calling to share the good news of Jesus Christ. Lord, fill us with courage to proclaim Your gospel boldly, without fear or hesitation, and let our love for You and for others be greater than our fear of rejection. Empower us by Your Spirit to be faithful witnesses, trusting that You will work through us for Your glory. Father, forgive us for the times we were silent when we should have spoken, allowing fear, doubt, or hesitation to hold us back. Forgive us for relying on our own strength instead of trusting in Your Spirit. Remove any timidness from our hearts and give us the boldness to open our mouths, speaking words that bring hope and salvation to those who need You.
Lord, guide us to the people You want us to reach. Soften their hearts and help us to share Your truth with compassion and clarity. Give us wisdom to know when to speak and when to listen, and let our actions reflect Your love and grace. 

      Father, we rely on Your Spirit to empower us, not our own abilities. Strengthen us to persevere in sharing Your Word, even if the harvest is slow, and remind us that we are Your co-workers in spreading Your message. May the boldness You give us lead others to repentance and salvation, and may You be glorified in all we do. Tell us, Father, so that we are able to tell others. In Jesus’ Name we pray, Amen

Promise for Today - In Your Spare Time

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.

Philippians 3:8 (NLT)

You’re never going to become a friend of God in your spare time. To become his friend, you have to make knowing him your number one priority. So let me ask you: Are you doing that? Are you seeking God with all your heart each day?

Remember: You are as close to God as you choose to be. Becoming a friend of God starts when you decide that’s what you want.

If you feel far from God, think about who moved. It wasn’t God. And you can’t blame anyone else, not your spouse, your parents, or your kids. It’s simply that you didn’t make him your number one priority.

Knowing and loving God is humanity’s greatest privilege. And being known and being loved by God is our greatest pleasure.

I’ve noticed that you can tell what’s important to people by what they brag about. If their kids are most important, they brag about their kids. If their job is the most important thing in their life, they brag about their job. If travel and having experiences are most important, that’s what they talk about. If partying or buying new clothes is what you talk about most, guess what you value most? You brag about what you value most.

God says in Jeremiah 9:23-24 NLT, “Thus says the Lord: Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, Let not the mighty man glory in his might, Nor let the rich man glory in his riches; But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness,  judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,” says the Lord.” 

Knowing God is what matters most—it’s what life is all about. The God of the universe loves you and wants to have a relationship with you. And getting close to him will give you peace and perspective. That’s good news!

Talk It Over

How do you need to re-prioritize your life so that getting to know God better is your number one priority?

Based on what you talk about most, what would people say is most important to you?

What you brag about is what’s most important to you. How can you boast about your relationship with God in your everyday conversations?

- by Pastor Rick

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Prayer:

Father,

          We seek to place You at the forefront of our lives. Align our hearts with Your will, and guide our decisions so that every action reflects Your love and grace. Strengthen our faith, that we may honor You in all we do.
     In every choice we face, guide our thoughts and actions to seek Your wisdom. Help us begin each day with prayer and reflection, inviting Your presence into every challenge. Teach us to prioritize Your kingdom and righteousness above all else, trusting that all other needs will be provided according to Your plan. May our lives be a testament to Your love and purpose. 
     We ask for Your help to organize our priorities and focus on what truly matters. Remove distractions, strengthen our self-discipline, and help us dedicate our time and energy to serving You first. Let our work, relationships, and daily tasks reflect Your glory, and guide us to make choices that honor Your will. In Jesus' Name we pray,  Amen