Daily Archives: June 26, 2026

Turning Point

Turning Point; David Jeremiah – God’s Will

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Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Recommended Reading: Romans 15:30-33

The subject of God’s will for the individual Christian always promotes lively debate. How are we to know what God’s will is for us? While the discussion continues, we can know for certain at least three things that are God’s will for every Christian: to rejoice always, to be persistent in prayer, and to live with an attitude of gratitude in all things.

When Paul wrote that “this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you,” he was likely referring to all three of the disciplines he had just mentioned—not just to the last one about giving thanks. And it is not incidental that his very next words were a warning about quenching the Holy Spirit’s fire (1 Thessalonians 5:19). When the Holy Spirit is given free range in the Church, Christians will manifest joy, will be consistent in prayer, and will be grateful (along with other manifestations—Galatians 5:22-23). Joy, prayer, and gratitude are three “barometers” which can reveal the presence of the Holy Spirit and how yielded Christians are to His filling and leading.

Based on these three measures, are you walking in God’s will today?

The essence of Christian ethics is gratitude.
R. C. Sproul

 

 

 

https://www.davidjeremiah.org

Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread – Who’s My Neighbor?

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“Who is my neighbor?” Luke 10:29

Today’s Scripture

Luke 10:30-37

Listen to Today’s Devotion

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Today’s Devotion

An elderly woman became unconscious on a hot sidewalk after a terrible fall. Several people stopped to help. One called 911. Another gently placed a coat under her head. Others put towels under her arms, and still another held an umbrella over her head until paramedics arrived. The person who posted the video wrote that it was an especially heartwarming scene because those who stopped included people of different ages and ethnicities—all working together to help someone in distress.

When an expert in God’s law asked Jesus who his neighbor was (Luke 10:29)—that is, who he was obligated to show love to—Jesus told a story of a man badly beaten by robbers, lying near death by the side of the road (vv. 30-31). A priest and then a Levite approached, but both passed by on the other side. Finally, a Samaritan stopped to help. What made this so unusual was that Jews and Samaritans had a bitter history of scorn for each other. Yet it was the Samaritan who stopped and “took pity” on the man (v. 33).

After telling this parable, Jesus asked which was a neighbor to the fallen man. The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him” (v. 37). Jesus told him, and us, “Go and do likewise.”

May God help us see that everyone we meet is our neighbor, another human created by Him and deserving of our aid.

Reflect & Pray

To whom do you find it difficult to be a good neighbor? How does Jesus show what it means to be a loving neighbor to others?

Dear God, please help me to love others—regardless of differences—as my neighbor.

Today’s Insights

When a law expert asked, “Who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10:29), Jesus didn’t answer directly. Instead, He told a story lifting up a Samaritan as a role model (vv. 30-35), part of a population many Jewish people despised and saw as heretics. This challenged the law expert’s likely self-centered and self-righteous perspective, forcing him to confront his own prejudice. He was called not only to extend his love to all, even his enemies, but to learn from the compassion of someone he’d looked down on. When Christ asked him who’d been “a neighbor” in this story (v. 36), the law expert couldn’t even bring himself to say “Samaritan,” instead replying, “the one who . . .” (v. 37).

Instead of trying to define the limits of who to love, we’re called to question our prejudices and focus on being a good neighbor to all.

Join the Discover the Word team as they discuss the story of the Good Samaritan and what it means to love your neighbor.

 

 

 

http://www.odb.org

Denison Forum

Denison Forum – Soccer players glorify Jesus on the biggest stage in sports

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After America’s World Cup victory over Australia last Friday, Christian Pulisic shared a photo on Instagram showing several US players gathered in a circle on the field, their heads bowed in prayer. His teammate Mark McKenzie responded by referencing Ecclesiastes 4:9–12 and its reminder that “a threefold cord is not quickly broken” (v. 12).

The American players are by no means unique in demonstrating their faith. After Germany defeated Curaçao recently, players from both teams gathered together to pray on the field. German midfielder Felix Nmecha later explained: “Overall, we all believe that Jesus is glorified through the game. During the game, we are opponents facing one another, but after the match, we are all Christians, and we are like brothers.”

Camp Mystic files for bankruptcy

However, such faith is no guarantee that Christians will not suffer and struggle as do others. Natural disasters such as the two earthquakes that struck Venezuela yesterday, likely killing thousands, affect believers and nonbelievers alike.

Continue reading Denison Forum – Soccer players glorify Jesus on the biggest stage in sports →

Greg Laurie

Harvest Ministries; Greg Laurie – Everyone Needs Jesus

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 When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. Because of his grace he made us right in his sight and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life. 

—Titus 3:4–7

Scripture:

Self-righteous people don’t think they need forgiveness. Self-righteous people don’t think they need Jesus. A self-righteous person will say, “You go preach that gospel in the prisons and on the streets and to the criminals. But don’t bother with me. I’m an educated and intelligent person. I’m a moral person. I don’t need it.”

The Bible takes a different stance on the matter. The apostle Paul wrote,

 

“When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. Because of his grace he made us right in his sight and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.” (Titus 3:4–7 NLT)

 

Self-righteous people are different from what I would call garden-variety sinners. Self-righteous people are kind people. They are considerate people. They volunteer and help wherever they’re needed. They do benevolent things. We all know people like this. In fact, I’ve met some non-Christians who are nicer than some Christians I know.

It isn’t wrong to say that there are some relatively “good” people from a worldly perspective, because there are. The Bible acknowledges that, in a human sense, some people appear more moral than others. But the Bible does say that no one is good enough to get to Heaven. We don’t get to Heaven based on niceness. Heaven is not a place for near-perfect people; it’s a place for forgiven people.

We see classic examples of this in John’s Gospel. In John 3, we’re introduced to Nicodemus, who was an upstanding, respected, religious, moral guy. In John 4, we’re introduced to a Samaritan woman, an immoral person who was living in sin. What do these two have in common? They both encountered Jesus. And they both were confronted with their need for Him.

Their encounters remind us that everyone needs Jesus—both the moral and the immoral, both the down-and-outer and the up-and-outer. That message is at the center of our Harvest Crusades. It’s why we do what we do.

Look around at the people in your life. Every one of them who hasn’t received Christ as Savior and Lord needs Him, whether they realize it or not. Your mission is to help them recognize that need and then lead them to the One who can fulfill it.

Will you accept that mission?

 

Reflection question: How can you convince an unbeliever of their need for Jesus? Discuss this with believers like you on Harvest Discipleship!

 

 

 

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

Days of Praise

Days of Praise – The Meek of the Earth

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by Henry M. Morris, Ph.D.

“Seek ye the LORD all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD’s anger.” (Zephaniah 2:3)

This phrase, “the meek of the earth,” occurs three times in the Bible (see also Psalm 76:9, which promises their salvation; and Isaiah 11:4, which assures them justice). Our text promises deliverance from God’s wrath.

“Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth,” said Jesus (Matthew 5:5), referring to the promise of Psalm 37:11: “But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.”

There are many other similar promises: “The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way” (Psalm 25:9). “He will beautify the meek with salvation” (Psalm 149:4), so we need to put on “the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price” (1 Peter 3:4).

That meekness is not weakness is made clear from the first use of the word in the Bible. “Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth” (Numbers 12:3). Moses was strong and courageous but also deeply humble and self-sacrificing—a man of prayer and trust in the Word of God, willing to defend it at all costs. The Lord Jesus defined meekness in terms of His own human character: “Learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart” (Matthew 11:29).

A meek spirit enables a Christian to maintain composure in the face of opposition, to accept adversity without complaint, promotion without arrogance, demotion without resentment. It produces a peace that no trouble can disturb and that no prosperity can puff up. Therefore, as our text commands, “Seek meekness!” HMM

 

 

 

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

Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer – Let Disappointments Go

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. But he who keeps (treasures) His Word [who bears in mind His precepts, who observes His message in its entirety], truly in him has the love of and for God been perfected (completed, reached maturity).

1 John 2:5 (AMPC)

It can be disappointing when people who are close to us don’t do what we would like for them to do. But if we really love them, we should encourage them to follow the Holy Spirit rather than try to keep us happy all the time.

Help others grow spiritually by encouraging them to listen for God’s voice. Remind them that God will help them through mistakes and lead them to a good life. Soon they will be making Spirit-led, rather than people-led, decisions. It is tremendously gratifying to see loved ones mature spiritually in Christ.

Prayer of the Day: Lord, help me love others without controlling them. Give me patience and wisdom to encourage their growth and trust You to guide their lives, amen.

 

 

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Max Lucado

Max Lucado – Assembly Required 

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Play

Do you want to see a father’s face go ashen as he discovers three words on the box of a just-bought toy: some assembly required. What follows are hours of squeezing A into B, bolting D into F, sliding R over Z, and hoping no one notices if steps four, five, and six were skipped altogether. I’m convinced the devil indwells the details of toy assembly. Somewhere in perdition is a warehouse of stolen toy parts.

“Some assembly required.” Not the most welcome sentence but an honest one. Life is a gift, albeit unassembled. The pieces don’t fit. When they don’t, take your problem to Jesus. He says, “Bring your problems to me.” In prayer, state them simply. Present them faithfully, and trust him reverently.

 

 

 

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Today in the Word

Today in the Word – Moody Bible Institute – Recognizing False Teachers

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Read 2 Peter 2:10b–22

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus explained how to recognize false prophets. He admitted they may be hard to detect. Outwardly, they look like harmless sheep, but inwardly, “they are ferocious wolves” (Matt. 7:15). Jesus recommends the fruit test, “by their fruit you will recognize them” (Matt. 7:20). Look at their lives and the results of their teaching. Do they exemplify the fruit of the Spirit?

Peter uses a similar strategy in today’s reading. At length, he describes the fruit of the false prophets’ ministry, and it’s not pretty. They are “bold and arrogant” (v. 10). To illustrate this, Peter uses an obscure analogy. Commentators are divided on exactly what he is referring to with his reference to “celestial beings” (v. 10). But his overall point is clear; that is, these false prophets do not hesitate to “blaspheme in matters they do not understand” (v. 12). They speak without any real knowledge.

These false teachers are like unreasoning animals, motivated by instinctive pleasure and greed (v. 12). They have “eyes full of adultery,” “seduce the unstable,” and are “experts in greed” (v. 14). They are modern-day Balaams (v. 15). The Moabites hired Balaam to use his prophetic gift to curse the Israelites (Num. 22). When that did not work, Balaam advised the Moabites to send seductive women into the camp to lead Israel into immorality and adultery (Num. 31:15–16).

False teachers claim to bring freedom, but they are selling slavery to sin (v. 19). I may be free to eat and drink the wrong things. There is no law against it. But as a result I may have significant health problems or worse. In the same way, sin has consequences. Since we have been freed in Christ, why would we want to go back to our old way of living (v. 22)?

Go Deeper

Peter warns about those who know the truth and then turn their backs on it (v. 21). What lesson can we take away from this in our own faith journey?

Pray with Us

Thank You for the freedom You have given us through Your death and resurrection, Jesus! Help us use this freedom as a testimony for You. We want to be holy as You are holy.

These people are springs without water and mists driven by a storm.2 Peter 2:17

 

 

 

https://www.moodybible.org/