Daily Archives: June 14, 2026

Today in the Word

Today in the Word – Moody Bible Institute – Faithful Suffering

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Read 1 Peter 3:13–22

One of the courses I teach for Moody Theological Seminary is on Hebrew grammar. At the beginning of the semester, I try to give students the right expectations. I warn them that it will require hundreds and hundreds of hours of focused study. There will be times when they feel like giving up. But the work will be worth it!

In today’s reading, Peter gets to the heart of his message. He says believers should expect suffering for their commitment to Christ. Peter gives five guidelines on how to handle suffering. First, we are to “revere Christ as Lord” (v. 15). We should not fear authorities or public shame regarding our faith. Instead, we should honor and fear Jesus.

Second, we are to embody hope in such a powerful way that it serves as a witness to the world. “Always be prepared to give an answer…for the hope that you have” (v. 15). Third, our answer should be given in the right way. Tone matters. We should respond “with gentleness and respect” (v. 15). This is true even if others “speak maliciously” (v. 16). Our witness is not just what words we say, but how we say them. We are to embody the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22).

Fourth, when we suffer unjustly, we are in good company. Our suffering for the sake of the gospel helps us to more closely identify with Jesus (v. 18). Finally, we need to remember the hope we have. Jesus not only suffered, but He was also vindicated. After His crucifixion, He proclaimed victory over sin and death to the fallen angels from the time of the Flood (v. 19, cf. Gen. 6:1–8). Because of Jesus, we also will be saved, as symbolized in our baptism (v. 21). Any suffering we experience for the sake of the gospel will be worth it!

Go Deeper

What warning does Peter give in this passage? What encouragement comes along with it?

Pray with Us

Father God, Peter reminds us that no matter what hardships we endure for the gospel, it is worth it. When things become challenging, help us persevere in our faith.

Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.1 Peter 3:18

 

 

https://www.moodybible.org/

Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread – Serving Side by Side

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“Let us start rebuilding.” So they began this good work. Nehemiah 2:18

Today’s Scripture

Nehemiah 2:17-18; 3:6-12

Listen to Today’s Devotion

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Today’s Devotion

Serendipity Bookstore, a popular spot in Chelsea, Michigan, needed to expand. The owner found a building twice the size just a block away. She wanted to make the move quickly instead of closing the store for days and boxing up all the books. So she requested help from the community. More than three hundred people showed up! They stood shoulder to shoulder, forming a human conveyor belt, and passed the books from one person to the next, moving 9,100 books in just under two hours. The owner said, “[The bookstore] is really a part of the community, and [the people] have ownership.” They all enthusiastically worked side by side.

When Nehemiah, a Jew who was the trusted cupbearer to the Persian king, learned that the wall surrounding Jerusalem lay in shambles, he cried out for God’s guidance (Nehemiah 1:3-11). The Babylonians had destroyed the walls in 587 bc. After investigating, Nehemiah recruited help from the community. He said to the Jewish leaders, “You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins . . . . Come, let us rebuild the wall” (2:17). Chapter 3 describes how leaders and citizens alike willingly repaired the section of the wall that was right in front of each one. They worked side by side.

We too can impact our community by serving together under God’s direction and in His strength.

Reflect & Pray

What are your God-given abilities? How might He be calling you to work side by side with others?

Please open my eyes, dear God, to those around me so I might serve You in ways that help my community.

Today’s Insights

Cooperation is on display in Nehemiah 3 as people with various gifts, talents, and callings stacked their hands to accomplish one good work. Among them were priests (vv. 1, 22, 28) and Levites (v. 17); goldsmiths, perfumers, and merchants (vv. 8, 31-32); rulers (vv. 12-19), and others. The wall-building project, like other worthwhile community endeavors, required good leadership, and Nehemiah provided that. A survey of his qualities reveals that he was a man of prayer (1:4; 2:4), vision (2:5, 11-16), good communication skills (2:7-8, 17-18), and courage (vv. 19-20). Today, we can also serve others by working together with God’s strength.

Learn more about the gifts of the spirit.

 

http://www.odb.org

Denison Forum

Denison Forum – Brendan Sorsby and the value of facing consequences

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Why accountability and integrity still matter

Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby is at the center of a whirlwind this week in what may turn out to be one of the most pivotal gambling storylines in American sports history. In an extreme infraction of NCAA rules, Sorsby made thousands of bets worth upwards of $90,000, many of which were placed on his own team in his two years with the Indiana University football team.

However, unlike the mythologized events of Shoeless Joe Jackson and the 1919 White Sox, or the blacklisting of Pete Rose from the Hall of Fame, Sorsby’s football career may continue on without a hitch.

On Monday, Lubbock County Judge Ken Curry granted Sorsby a temporary injunction against the NCAA, pending his trial, allowing him to continue practicing and competing with Texas Tech. His trial is set for February 8, 2027, roughly two weeks after the 2027 National Championship game. Should the injunction stand, Sorsby will miss just the first two games of the season.

Continue reading Denison Forum – Brendan Sorsby and the value of facing consequences →

Greg Laurie

Days of Praise – Others’ Things

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by Henry M. Morris III, D.Min.

“Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.” (Philippians 2:4)

Our responsibility is to think like the Lord Jesus, part of which requires looking (marking, identifying) at matters beyond our own concerns.

Part of that responsibility is caution. “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark [same Greek word for ‘look’] them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them” (Romans 16:17). Another part is being aware of godly examples. “Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample” (Philippians 3:17).

Surely that responsibility also includes that “we then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves” (Romans 15:1). And in cases of necessary discipline, “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted” (Galatians 6:1). Also consider these:

  • “Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth” (1 Corinthians 10:24).
  • “Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved” (10:33).
  • “But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak” (8:9).

Finally, Paul wrote this gentle summary statement recorded for the struggling Corinthian assembly: “Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed” (2 Corinthians 6:3). HMM III

 

 

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

Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer – God Is Listening

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Then those who feared the Lord talked often one to another; and the Lord listened and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him of those who reverenced and worshipfully feared the Lord and who thought on His name.

Malachi 3:16 (AMPC)

Today’s verse says God likes conversations in which we talk about how good He is. When He hears them, He gets out His book of remembrance and records them. He does not record our murmuring, grumbling, or complaining, but He records the words we speak when praise is on our lips.

Just think about how you would feel if you overheard your children saying, “Our mom is awesome. We have the greatest mother in the world. Don’t we have the most incredible mom and dad? They’re the best parents around!” I am sure that if you witnessed such a conversation between your children, you could hardly wait to bless them. But, on the other hand, what if you walked into a room and your children were saying, “I’m so sick and tired of Mom and Dad. They never do anything for us. They’ve got all these rules. They don’t want us to have any fun. Mom always nags us and makes us do our homework. If our parents really loved us, they would give us what we want, not what they think is best.” Our lives with God are no different than the two scenarios I have described above. We are God’s children! He hears everything we say and He knows what is in our hearts even when we don’t say it. What does He want to hear us talking about? How great He is! How awesome He is! The wonderful things He’s done, can do, and will do! Speak well of God, from your heart, and you create an atmosphere for God to speak to you.

Prayer of the Day: Lord, help me speak words that honor You. Fill my heart with gratitude and teach me to praise You in every situation. Let my words reflect Your goodness, amen.

 

http://www.joycemeyer.org