Daily Archives: May 20, 2026

Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread – Joy in Jesus

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Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 1 Corinthians 13:12

Today’s Scripture

1 Corinthians 13:8-13

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Today’s Devotion

Do you ever long for something you see glimpses of but can’t quite grasp? C. S. Lewis longed for joy. He wrote, “Our longing to be reunited with something in the universe from which we now feel cut off, to be on the inside of some door which we have always seen from the outside, is . . . the truest index of our real situation. And to be at last summoned inside would be . . . the healing of that old ache. . . . The whole man is to drink joy from the fountain of joy.”

Lewis writes of the joy we’ll experience in full when we see Jesus face-to-face. As believers in Jesus, we have the joy of Christ through our relationship with Him and the work of His Spirit inside us. But sadly our joy is hampered by sin and death, the forces of evil, and the world’s brokenness. Paul writes, “Now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known” (1 Corinthians 13:12). In verse 10, Paul talks of the coming “completeness.” This is when we’ll know and experience joy fully because we’re with Jesus.

Although we wait expectantly for that day, He gives us a small foretaste now of the overflowing, unhindered joy of heaven!

Reflect & Pray

What do you think it will be like to see Jesus? What do you most look forward to in heaven?

Heavenly Father, thank You for the moments of joy I experience here on earth. I’m anticipating the day when I can know it in full.

Today’s Insights

As 1 Corinthians 13:12 reminds us, one day we’ll see clearly when we see Jesus “face to face.” Grand and glorious realities await us at death and with the return of Christ, but even now some of those good things are ours to experience. Through the encouragement of Scripture, the life we share with believers in Jesus, and the ministry of the Holy Spirit in our hearts, we get “sneak previews” and a “foretaste” of things to come. Such things are particularly meaningful to those undergoing trials. The apostle Peter’s words included the following encouragement: “Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls” (1 Peter 1:8-9). Today, we can look for glimpses of joy around us as a reminder of the fullness of joy that’s yet to come.

Learn more about longing for home.

 

http://www.odb.org

Denison Forum

Denison Forum – Why are Americans turning against AI?

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What happened: While the world continues to grow increasingly reliant upon artificial technology, many are becoming disillusioned with the society it’s creating at an even faster pace. Between concerns about the job market, to massive data centers and beyond, AI is quickly becoming an appealing target for the frustrations of those who are starting to feel left behind.

Why it matters: Even though sentiment is quickly turning against AI, most do not feel like they can afford to avoid it. As such, there’s a sense of impotent acceptance that’s becoming the norm among many, despite their concerns. However, the difference between people accepting AI and embracing AI could have a profound impact on the ways in which the technology is integrated into our society going forward.

Continue reading Denison Forum – Why are Americans turning against AI? →

Greg Laurie

Harvest Ministries; Greg Laurie – The Only Foundation

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 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ. 

—1 Corinthians 3:11

Scripture:

1 Corinthians 3:11 

The apostle Paul worked with and mentored some incredible people of faith, including Barnabas, Silas, Timothy, the Gospel writers Mark and Luke, Priscilla and Aquila, Titus, and Lydia. Talk about an all-star discipleship team! But as we saw in an earlier devotion, there was an outlier among Paul’s in-crowd. His name was Demas.

In Philemon 1:23–24, Paul name-checks Demas, identifying him as a trusted coworker. In 2 Timothy 4:10, however, Paul breaks this bad news: “Demas has deserted me because he loves the things of this life and has gone to Thessalonica” (NLT).

It seems almost unimaginable, doesn’t it? How could someone appear to be radically converted and passionate about the Christian faith and then, without warning, suddenly give it up and walk away?

I’ve seen similar things happen. I’ve met people who were emotional about Jesus and fired up about their faith, only to later fall into gross sin. What happened? I believe they never were rooted in Christ. Some people are just impulsive by nature. They’re always into the latest fad. Whatever grabs their attention is what they want to be into—until something else grabs their attention.

Think of it in terms of exercise equipment. If you walk through a neighborhood on a Saturday afternoon when people have their garage doors open, you’re likely to see more than a few exercise machines. What you’re unlikely to see is people working out on them. Instead, you’ll find that many of the machines serve as nothing more than expensive clothes hangers. Their presence tells the story of people who decided that they were going to get into shape, but whose enthusiasm didn’t stand the test of time.

A similar thing happens to some people who make a commitment to Christ. They get very excited about their faith in the beginning, but their excitement and commitment don’t stand the test of time. One possible explanation is that they built their faith on the wrong foundation.

Maybe they decided to follow Christ because their friends did. Or maybe they put their faith in a certain church, and then found out that it wasn’t perfect, that it was filled with flawed people like them. Perhaps some pastor didn’t measure up to their expectations. Whatever the problem was, they didn’t build their foundation on Christ. The Bible tells us, “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:11 NLT).

Jesus Himself said, “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock” (Matthew 7:24–25 NLT).

He is the only foundation that will sustain us as Christians—not another person, not an experience, not a program, not a church, but Jesus Christ. He is our bedrock.

Reflection question: How can you make sure that your commitment to Christ remains firm? Discuss this with believers like you on Harvest Discipleship!

 

 

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

Days of Praise

Days of Praise – Growing in Faith

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by Randy J. Guliuzza, P.E., M.D.

“These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them.” (Hebrews 11:13)

All believers should hold fast the profession of their faith without wavering. A believer faces many challenges, but two seem particularly difficult to handle. First, our eternal destination cannot be seen with our physical eyes. Without something material to see or hold, our human nature is not satisfied and on occasion raises questions in our mind: “Is heaven really there?” “Am I missing out on something here on Earth?” The writer to the Hebrew Christians was aware that questions could lead to doubt and discouragement and even cause some to “draw back” (Hebrews 10:38–39).

Though we cannot literally see heaven, we can “see [it] afar off” by faith. This is only done by implicitly believing the Word of the Lord. Paul said there is a special power in God’s Word enabling believers to grow “from faith to faith” (Romans 1:17). The fact that faith itself is the fuel to energize even greater faith is illustrated in our text verse. Noah, Abraham, and others had “seen” the promises by faith, which led them to even stronger belief until they were deeply “persuaded of them.” The promises eventually were so real to these saints that they “embraced them” like a fellow companion in their daily walk with the Lord. Only by faith do His promises become an integral part of our lives, able to guide our daily activities and long-range plans.

The second challenge we face is fear of the world’s reprisal, directed to anyone daring to not conform to its practices. This fear has stopped many believers from confessing their faith and is why the final step to “dying in faith” may be so difficult. Like nothing else can, being willing to publicly proclaim your belief in God’s Word builds faith and truly honors Him. RJG

 

 

https://www.icr.org/articles/type/6

Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer – Say Yes When the World Says No

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And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake, but he who perseveres and endures to the end will be saved.

Matthew 10:22 (AMPC)

As a young boy in school, Henry Ward Beecher learned a lesson in self-confidence that he never forgot. He was called upon to recite in front of the class. He had hardly begun when the teacher interrupted with an emphatic, “No!” He started over and again the teacher thundered, “No!” Humiliated, Henry sat down.

The next boy rose to recite and had just begun when the teacher shouted, “No!” This student, however, kept on with the recitation until he completed it. As he sat down, the teacher responded, “Very good!”

Henry was irritated. “I recited just as he did,” he complained to the teacher. But the instructor replied, “It is not enough to know your lesson; you must be sure. When you allowed me to stop you, it meant that you were uncertain. If the entire world says, ‘No!’ it is your business to say, ‘Yes!’ and prove it.”

The world says “No!” in a thousand ways. And each “No!” you hear has the potential to erode your confidence bit by bit until you quit altogether. You just need to be bold enough to say “Yes!” when the world says “No!” God is for you, and with Him on your side you absolutely cannot lose.

Prayer of the Day: Lord, I’m glad You’re here at my side. Because You are for me, I have the confidence to say “Yes,” knowing that I can’t lose, amen.

 

 

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Max Lucado

Max Lucado – Others are Watching 

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A vibrant, shining face is the mark of one who has stood in God’s presence. After speaking to God, Moses had to cover his face with a veil. But not only does God change the face of those who worship; he changes those who watch us worship.

Paul told the Corinthian church to worship in such a way that if an unbeliever entered, “he would find…the secrets of his heart revealed; and…would fall down on his face and worship God…” (1 Corinthians 14:25 NKJV)

Seekers may not understand all that happens in a house of worship. They may not understand the meaning of a song or the significance of communion. But they know joy when they see it.  And when they see your face changed, they may want to see God’s face. People, including your family, are watching. Believe me. They are watching.

 

 

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Today in the Word

Today in the Word – Moody Bible Institute – Look and Live

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Read Numbers 21

Most hospital emergency rooms store antivenom in a medical refrigerator, ready to save lives. When someone is bitten by a venomous snake, they immediately administer the antidote—often derived from the very venom that’s killing the patient. This life-saving principle of using poison against poison finds its most profound expression in the book of Numbers.

The Israelites were once again complaining against God and Moses: “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no bread! There is no water! And we detest this miserable food!” (v. 5). Their ingratitude after God’s faithful provision provoked divine judgment. “Then the LORD sent venomous snakes among them; they bit the people and many Israelites died” (v. 6).

Terror gripped the camp as people began dying from snakebites. The Israelites quickly recognized their sin and begged Moses for help: “We sinned when we spoke against the LORD and against you. Pray that the LORD will take the snakes away from us” (v. 7). But God’s solution was unexpected. Rather than removing the snakes, His remedy required faith. “The LORD said to Moses, ‘Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live’” (v. 8). Moses crafted a bronze serpent and raised it high. The cure was simple: “When anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, they lived” (v. 9).

This bronze serpent was a powerful symbol of God’s redemptive plan. The very thing that brought death—the serpent—became the instrument of salvation when looked upon in faith. Jesus referenced this moment, saying, “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him” (John 3:14–15).

Go Deeper

How did the people sin? What was the remedy? How does this passage foreshadow the future death of Jesus as payment for our sin?

Pray with Us

We can picture it, Lord, a bronze serpent lifted high to heal everyone who looked at it. We pray today, Lord for our unsaved friends and family, to lift their eyes and see You, for their salvation.

Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up.John 3:14

 

 

https://www.moodybible.org/