Daily Archives: October 15, 2026

Turning Point

Turning Point; David Jeremiah – Choose the Holy Spirit

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For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.
Romans 8:5

Recommended Reading: Galatians 5:19-25

Believers sometimes find themselves doing things they don’t want to do and not doing things they do want to do. The apostle Paul confessed that was his experience as well (Romans 7:7-25). So how can that happen to a born-again Christian?

Paul explains in Romans 7–8 that the sinful fleshly nature is still present in us. When we set our minds on things of the flesh, we find ourselves doing those things that are contrary to life in Christ. But if we set our minds on living according to the Holy Spirit, we find ourselves living a life pleasing to God. We cannot have our minds set on both flesh and Spirit at the same time. It is up to us to choose to live according to the Spirit and not the flesh.

Pray today for the filling of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18). Set your mind on following His leading that you may manifest the fruit of His presence (Galatians 5:22-23).

Anticipate your battles, fight them on Your knees before temptation comes, and you will always have the victory.
R. A. Torrey

 

 

 

https://www.davidjeremiah.org

Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread – Searching for Hope

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May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him. Romans 15:13

Today’s Scripture

Romans 15:5-13

Listen to Today’s Devotion

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Today’s Devotion

For many years, hope has been one of the most searched terms on the internet. Surprisingly, it surpasses searches for political crises and even making money online. People are seeking more profound meaning. Recent years haven’t fostered optimism; instead, they’ve felt like an ongoing, slow-motion crisis: Environmental fears, economic instability, and digital anxiety dominate our headlines and hearts. Yet, through all these struggles, millions type hope into their browsers, as if throwing a lifeline to something beyond the chaos.

Paul understood that God is the Someone beyond the chaos. When the apostle wrote of “the God of hope” (Romans 15:13), he wanted Roman believers in Jesus to understand that God was both the source and object of their hope. Paul reminds us that true hope isn’t merely wishful thinking or fleeting optimism; it’s anchored in God’s character and faithfulness. And He instills confidence in us through His promises. He’s also the one who provides “endurance and encouragement” (v. 5) through the power of His Holy Spirit. This hope endures despite circumstances, filling us with joy and peace as we recognize God has accepted us in Christ (v. 7).

If you’re searching for hope, direct your heart toward God. As you trust in His promises and embrace His faithfulness, you can have eternal hope found in Him alone.

Reflect & Pray

What keeps your hope in God alive when you face adversity? What can you do to remain confident in Him?

God of truth, please fill me with Your hope and joy. For further study, read Hope: Discovering the One True Source at odbm.org.

Today’s Insights

In Romans 15, Paul says the foundation for the unity of believers in Jesus is to have “the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had” (vv. 5-6). Unity is found in following His example of self-giving love, not in having identical beliefs, backgrounds, or preferences. The goal of this unity is worship “so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” (v. 6). In fact, unity itself is a form of worship: “Accept one another . . . in order to bring praise to God” (v. 7). Romans is especially focused on Jewish and gentile unity. The apostle emphasizes that Jews and gentiles worshiping God together fulfills God’s promises (vv. 8-12). Today, we can join together with other believers and worship “the God of hope” who fills us “with all joy and peace” (v. 13).

For further study, feel free to browse through our resources at the store: Reclaim Today Guide – Ecclesiastes

 

 

http://www.odb.org

Denison Forum

Denison Forum – Pope Leo diagnosed with lung cancer following surgery

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Pope Leo XIV spent a peaceful night at the Gemelli Hospital in Rome after undergoing surgery for lung cancer, the Vatican said this morning. The seventy-one-year-old pontiff was diagnosed Tuesday with adenocarcinoma after doctors removed the lower lobe of his right lung.

The Vatican has not disclosed the size of the tumor or whether the disease had spread. The pope is expected to remain in the hospital for about a week; his public engagements have been cancelled until October 20.

Leo is known for an active and healthy lifestyle that includes swimming and tennis. He has never smoked. The New York Times quotes one of his biographers: “Leo has the profile of someone who takes care of himself. So that has added to the shock.”

Continue reading Denison Forum – Pope Leo diagnosed with lung cancer following surgery →

Greg Laurie

Harvest Ministries; Greg Laurie – A Purposeful Approach

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 When he arrived and saw this evidence of God’s blessing, he was filled with joy, and he encouraged the believers to stay true to the Lord. Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and strong in faith. And many people were brought to the Lord. 

—Acts 11:23–24

Scripture:

Acts 11:23–24 

Hats and T-shirts often give us a window into people’s personalities. If you walk through a large crowd, you’ll find that many people are eager to share, via their apparel, what they were born to do, whether it’s “Born to Surf,” “Born to Ride” (usually horses or motorcycles), “Born to Shop,” or “Born to Cross-Stitch.” While these messages are lighthearted and fun, they point to a deeper concern: finding one’s purpose in life.

If someone asked you what your purpose in life is, what would you say? If you’re a conscientious Christian, you might quickly respond with “To honor God” or some other biblically sound statement. But keep in mind that your life’s purpose isn’t revealed in what you say, but in what you do.

To put it another way, what do you prioritize? Where do you channel most of your energy? What do you think about most often? What do you long for? What fuels you and gives you purpose? What is the most significant thing in your life?

Given those parameters, some people, if they answered honestly, would say, “My purpose in life is to have fun.” Others might say, “My purpose in life is to experience pleasure.” Others might say, “My purpose in life is to be successful.” Others might say, “My purpose in life is to make money.”

The book of Acts introduces us to a Christian worker and traveling companion of the apostle Paul named Barnabas. Acts 11:23–24 recounts Barnabas’ arrival in Antioch. “When he arrived and saw this evidence of God’s blessing, he was filled with joy, and he encouraged the believers to stay true to the Lord. Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and strong in faith. And many people were brought to the Lord” (NLT). Barnabas found purpose in life by furthering God’s kingdom and encouraging his fellow believers. With his purpose firmly fixed in his mind, Barnabas seized every opportunity to fulfill it. He led with encouragement—purposefully—in his interactions with others.

Paul himself said, “[For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly]” (Philippians 3:10 AMPC).

In other words, “My purpose in life is to know the Lord. Yes, there are other things that I do, but my primary purpose is to continually deepen my relationship with God.” With his purpose firmly fixed in his mind, Paul could allot his time accordingly to prayer, Bible study, and sharing the gospel—the things that would bring him closer to God.

Do you know your purpose in life?

Reflection question: How is your purpose in life reflected in the way you live? Discuss this with believers like you on Harvest Discipleship!

 

 

 

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

Days of Praise

Days of Praise – Never Alone

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by Henry M. Morris, Ph.D.

“When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up.” (Psalm 27:10)

There may be more people alive today than ever before, but there are also more lonely people today than ever before— divorced spouses, homeless people, many elderly parents and, perhaps saddest of all, orphaned or abandoned children. These and many others are still alone, even in a crowded world.

No one, though, was ever so alone as the Lord Jesus on the cross. “Behold, the hour cometh,” He had said, “yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me” (John 16:32). Then, only a few hours later, as He hung on the cross, even His heavenly Father had to leave Him. He cried, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46). He died alone, bearing the burden of all the sin of all the world on His soul.

But because He suffered alone, no one else need ever be alone again. “Be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5). The apostle Paul, suffering alone in a Roman dungeon shortly before his execution, could still say, “Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me” (2 Timothy 4:17). John the beloved, old and imprisoned alone on the tiny isle of Patmos, nevertheless “was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day” and then saw the Lord in all His glory (Revelation 1:10). So it has always been with those who know the Lord, for He is there, even when all others have forsaken them, and He understands. He has already been there ahead of us, “in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:15–16). HMM

 

 

 

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

Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer – True Love

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So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

1 Corinthians 13:13 (ESV)

Human beings crave love. When a woman’s soul has been wounded, that craving for love often takes one of two forms. Some women develop hard or harsh personalities so other people will not want to get close to them. If the wounds in their souls are related to men, they may make firm decisions not to trust men or not to build relationships with men at all. Other women may be excessive in their desires to have a man in their life, to the point that they are willing to enter into a relationship with any man who pays attention to them. Perhaps you know women like this, women who seem to go from one unhealthy relationship to another. Maybe you have even done it yourself. You keep thinking the next man in your life will finally be the “right” one, only to find yourself disappointed.

When a woman has a string of relationships that never satisfy her, two things are usually true. One, she has not yet found her fulfillment in God alone; and two, she has not yet learned what real love is. In order to stop the cycle of craving love, seeking it from a man, and being disappointed, a woman’s soul needs to be healed. Part of that healing involves first receiving God’s unconditional love and then understanding what it really means to love and be loved by another person.

I want to share some things I hope will help you in your love relationships with other people. Only God can love us perfectly, but 1 Corinthians 13, which is called “the love chapter” of the Bible, helps us understand what real love is. If someone says, “I love you,” but isn’t demonstrating the attributes of love in this chapter, you might want to think twice before believing that person and going very far in a relationship.

Love is something that can be seen and felt. It is displayed in a variety of ways. When you are trying to decide whether someone loves you, and whether you love that person, you can use the qualities mentioned in 1 Corinthians 13 as a guide. It says that love is patient, kind, not envious, not boastful, and not arrogant or rude. It also does not demand its own way and is not irritable. It does not harbor resentment. Love does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things (1 Corinthians 13:6-7, ESV). Love helps others; it gives and it is quick to forgive. This requires intentionality and saying no to self regularly.

The basic qualities of love in 1 Corinthians 13 give us plenty to think about when we consider whether we love someone else and whether they love us. Remember, only God can love you perfectly. Other human beings will let us down, but when we know what true love looks like, we can be wise in our relationships.

Prayer of the Day: Father, thank You for loving me perfectly and unconditionally. Please heal any wounds in my heart, and teach me what real love looks like so I can love wisely and unconditionally.

 

 

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Max Lucado

Max Lucado – Give Christ What You Have 

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Play

Do you face 15,000 problems? Before you count yourself out, turn and look at the One standing next to you. Christ can help you do the impossible. You simply need to give him what you have and watch him work.

John 6:11 says, “Jesus took the loaves.” This is the story of the day that Jesus fed the 5,000 men plus women and children. He didn’t have to use the loaves. He made manna fall for the Israelites. Instead, he chose to use the single basket of the small boy.

What’s in your basket? All you have is a wimpy prayer, give it. All you have is a meager skill, use it. All you have is the strength for one step, take it. God used three nails and a crude cross to redeem humanity. If God can turn a basket into a buffet, don’t you think he can do something with your five loaves and two fishes of faith? Remember, you are never alone.

 

 

 

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Today in the Word

Today in the Word – Moody Bible Institute – Parable of the Soils

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Read Matthew 13:1–23

If you visit Moody Bible Institute’s Chicago campus, be sure to check out the entrance lobby in Crowell Hall. There you will find a beautiful stained-glass window called “The Sower.” It pictures the farmer in Matthew 13. With a bag slung over his shoulder, the sower strides through a field, one hand scattering seeds.

We read this parable in two parts. First, the story itself (vv. 1–9). The scattered seeds come to four ends: (1) The birds eat the seeds that fell on the hard surface of the path. (2) Seeds that landed in rocky places sprang up quickly but then withered because they had no root. (3) Seeds that landed among thorns were choked. (4) Finally, seeds that landed in good soil yielded an incredibly fruitful crop.

The second part is Jesus’ explanation, requested by His disciples (vv. 18–23). The seeds represent the message of the kingdom, that is, the gospel. In the reception of this message, there are four results seen in the story: (1) Some people don’t understand, and Satan snatches it away. (2) Some receive it with joy, but they fall away when trouble or persecution comes. (3) Some hear it, but “the worries of this life and the deceitfulness [or ‘seductiveness’] of wealth” choke or suffocate the response. Luke’s version adds “pleasures.” (4) Others hear, understand, and respond in faith and obedience, as seen in their fruitfulness. Only this fourth type is truly saved.

The sower or farmer is not directly identified but is ultimately God, because the gospel of redemption is His plan. He uses angels and human beings in that plan, so it’s not inaccurate to picture pastors, missionaries, and indeed all followers of Christ as scattering the seeds. We’re responsible to sow but reaping or outcomes are up to the Lord.

Go Deeper

Are we being obedient about scattering the seeds? What does that look like in your life? Why is it so important to trust God with the results?

Watch this video as we talk about the Parable of the Sower with devotional author, Dr. Bradley Baurain!

Pray with Us

Jesus, who do You want us to be scattering seeds to? Please give us courage, patience, and discernment to share Your truth well. Thank You for letting us be part of Your plan!

The seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it.Matthew 13:23

 

 

 

https://www.moodybible.org/