For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. 

—2 Timothy 4:3

Scripture:

2 Timothy 4:3 

There was a time when we were bombarded by a one-sided view of God as an angry deity, ready to throw people into the open fires of Hell. People complained about too much hellfire-and-brimstone preaching.

But when was the last time anyone has heard a hellfire-and-brimstone message? Sadly, the sermon “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” that Jonathan Edwards preached in 1741 would not be allowed in many churches today.

Many people have gone too far in the other direction, teaching that God is an all-loving, benign, supreme being that doesn’t seem to have any opinions about the way we live. The assumption is that as long as we’re true to ourselves, then it’s okay with Him. He accepts us the way we are.

We like the qualities of God such as love, forgiveness, and compassion and the incredible fringe benefit of eternal life in Heaven. On the other hand, we’re appalled by a God of holiness who desperately loves us yet requires repentance as well as trust, a God who promises to judge those who refuse to come to Him on His terms.

Others look at God as some kind of pagan deity who simply needs to be appeased. They think that if they go through religious rituals, they’ve done their part and they can build up credit for sinning that week. People can follow that god as much as they want. But that is not the God of the Bible.

When we start picking and choosing the things about God that appeal or do not appeal to us, we are not only diminishing our view of who God is but also believing and teaching a false gospel.

Some preachers today offer weak, watered-down proclamations in the name of the gospel. They tell you to believe, but they don’t tell you to repent. They tell you there’s a Heaven, but they don’t tell you there’s a Hell. And they tell you there’s forgiveness, but they don’t tell you there’s repentance.

If we don’t include those things, then it isn’t the gospel. We cannot edit the gospel according to what we like or don’t like. It’s for us to share it as God gave it. Otherwise, we strip the gospel of its power and effectiveness.

We cannot control what happens in the world. But at the same time, we cannot allow the belief system of a secular society to influence the way we believe. The idea is not to conform ourselves to the world’s way of thinking. It is not to bend the Bible to the culture.

When we desperately want to please everyone and not offend anyone, we will fail to make an impact on our culture.

When we start tampering with the essentials of our faith such as the Bible, the gospel, and the nature of God Himself, we are making God into a different image.

The God of the Bible does love us and accept us as we are. But the God of the Bible also wants to change us. He wants to conform us into the image of Jesus Christ.

Reflection Question: What does it practically look like to share the full gospel—both grace and repentance—without compromising truth? Discuss this with believers like you on Harvest Discipleship!

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

 I have followed your commands, which keep me from following cruel and evil people. 

—Psalm 17:4

Scripture:

When the devil wanted to lead the first man and woman into sin, he started by attacking their minds. According to Genesis 3:1, “The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the LORD God had made. One day he asked the woman, ‘Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?’” (NLT). A simple question was enough to plant a seed of doubt. That seed quickly sprouted into full-fledged action. Adam and Eve disobeyed God and ate from the forbidden tree. The devil’s strategy worked so well that he still uses the mind-targeting tactic to this day.

The apostle Paul warned of this when he wrote, “But I fear that somehow your pure and undivided devotion to Christ will be corrupted, just as Eve was deceived by the cunning ways of the serpent” (2 Corinthians 11:3 NLT). The hard truth about spiritual warfare is that the devil attacks our minds incessantly. He knows that our brain, our thoughts, and our imagination are our command center. When you have power over someone’s mind, you can reach into the past through memories, and you can reach into the future through imagination. The devil knows that if he can get us to think about something, to contemplate it, to consider it, then he is halfway to getting us to sin.

Paul also wrote, “We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:4–5 NLT).

It’s been said, “Sow a thought; reap an act. Sow an act; reap a character. Sow a character; reap a destiny.” What starts with a thought can lead to a destiny.

Eve’s mind certainly wasn’t filled with the things of God when the devil approached her. Had it been, she could have effectively resisted his temptations. The psalmist wrote, “I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:11 NLT).

Jesus used God’s Word three times in response to the devil’s temptations in Matthew 4:1–11. The devil had no defense against Scripture. Verse 11 says, “Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus” (NLT).

The devil still has no defense against God’s truth. So, when we hide the Word of God in our hearts, we have everything we need to stand strong against our spiritual enemy and effectively resist his temptation.

In his passage on the armor of God, Paul wrote, “Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:17 NLT). Knowing how to wield that sword will keep our enemy out of our minds.

Reflection Question: How can you fix your mind on God and His Word so that you’re less vulnerable to the devil’s attacks? Discuss this with believers like you on Harvest Discipleship!

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

 Many people say, ‘Who will show us better times?’ Let your face smile on us, LORD. You have given me greater joy than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine. In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O LORD, will keep me safe. 

—Psalm 4:6–8

Scripture:

Dissatisfaction is the last of life’s headwinds that we’ll be talking about this week. It’s also one of the most common. Even those of us who like to think of ourselves as low-maintenance and unassuming harbor certain hopes and expectations for this life. We want meaning and purpose, among other things. When life fails to deliver, we’re left feeling disappointed, dissatisfied, and maybe even a little cheated.

Only humans have a longing for meaning in life. I can assure you that my dog doesn’t sit around pondering the reason for his existence. He won’t be looking back on his life and saying, “You know, I tried it all as a dog. I chased cats. I drank toilet water. I tried bones. But deep inside of me, there was a void.” Dogs don’t think that way. They mainly think, “Food . . . sleep.”

Dogs, you see, aren’t made in the image of God. You and I are. We are living souls, designed to know God and to experience something more than a mundane, directionless existence.

From the time of our birth, we’ve been on a quest to discover that “something more.” And we keep searching until we discover that the answer to all our questions is found in a relationship with our Creator. God can give us a sense of joy and fulfillment that far surpasses the puny, fleeting pleasures this world offers. Even better, there’s no hangover in the morning. There’s no guilt or shame that accompanies it.

The psalmists understood this. Psalm 4:6–8 says, “Many people say, ‘Who will show us better times?’ Let your face smile on us, LORD. You have given me greater joy than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine. In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O LORD, will keep me safe” (NLT).

And Psalm 16:11 says, “You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever” (NLT). There’s pleasure in knowing God, not in chasing after happiness.

In fact, we’ll never find happiness by chasing it. But what we will find is that as we chase God—as we pursue and walk with Him—then one day we will realize that we’ve become happy people. Happiness doesn’t come through actively seeking it but by getting our lives into proper balance, by aligning ourselves with God and His will for our lives. Happiness and joy are the byproducts of that balance and alignment.

Jesus said, “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need” (Matthew 6:33 NLT). In other words, if you seek God and His plan first, everything else in life, including happiness and peace, will fall into place.

Reflection Question: What would seeking God and His plan first look like in your life? Discuss this with believers like you on Harvest Discipleship!

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

 For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death. 

—2 Corinthians 7:10

Scripture:

2 Corinthians 7:10 

Another of life’s difficult headwinds is guilt. The head of a mental institution in London once said, “I could release half of my patients if I could find a way to relieve them of their sense of guilt.”

Almost all people have a sense of guilt. Some may try to mask it with alcohol or drugs. Some try to work through it with mental health professionals. But the reality is that people must deal with their guilt over the things they’ve done wrong.

There are three things we need to understand about guilt. First, we are all guilty. The apostle Paul wrote, “As the Scriptures say, ‘No one is righteous—not even one.’ . . . For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard” (Romans 3:10, 23 NLT).

Adam and Eve recognized their guilt in the Garden of Eden. Genesis 3:7 says, “At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves” (NLT).

Recognizing our guilt—the fact that we have sinned and fallen short of God’s standard—is what compels us to confess our sin, ask for forgiveness, and receive Christ as Savior and Lord.

Second, for those who receive Christ as Savior and Lord, guilt becomes part of the work of the Holy Spirit. He dwells inside all believers and stirs our conscience from within when there are things we need to confess that get in the way of our relationship with God. That’s what Paul was talking about when he wrote, “For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow” (2 Corinthians 7:10 NLT).

And that leads us to the third thing about guilt that we need to understand. Satan uses false guilt to neutralize believers and keep us from growing in our faith. That’s why Paul warned, “But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death” (2 Corinthians 7:10 NLT).

If we allow false guilt to get a foothold in our life, we are, in essence, doubting Jesus’ ability to wipe away our sin. We are also dimming Christ’s light in our lives—the light that should be shining before others (see Matthew 5:16). If unbelievers see a believer who struggles with guilt, they will likely (and understandably) question Jesus’ ability to change lives.

The words of 1 John 1:9 are definitive: “But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness” (NLT). So, if we’ve been forgiven and cleansed, we must stay alert to the Holy Spirit’s promptings. We must allow our constructive guilt to accomplish its purposes and confess our sins as needed. And then we must embrace and celebrate our righteous standing before God so that others will be drawn to what we have.

Reflection Question: What role does guilt play in your daily life? Discuss this with believers like you on Harvest Discipleship!

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

 He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever. 

—Revelation 21:4

Scripture:

Revelation 21:4 

One of the most unpredictable headwinds we face in this life is grief. Grief can be expected in the aftermath of a loss. But it isn’t confined to a specific period of mourning. There’s no way to anticipate how long it will last or when it will come roaring back without warning.

Though we may not fully understand grief, we have a Savior who does. Isaiah 53:3–4 says, “He was despised and rejected—a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care. Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins!” (NLT).

Not only did He carry our sin, but He also carried our sorrows. He was acquainted with our grief. He has a deep and abiding concern for our emotional well-being. The psalmist wrote, “You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book” (Psalm 56:8 NLT).

On a tour of Israel several years ago, I was exploring the old city of Jerusalem with my sons, Christopher and Jonathan. At one point in our ramblings, we stopped at an antiquities store, and I noticed a number of little bottles in various sizes and shapes. I asked the shopkeeper, “Sir, what are these bottles for?”

“Oh,” he said, “those are Roman tear bottles.”

“What were they used for?” I asked.

“Well,” he replied, “the Romans believed that when a loved one dies, you need to keep your tears in a bottle. So, they would store their tears in these little containers.”

I have a tear bottle now. But it isn’t on earth; it’s in Heaven. And I’m not the one who has to collect my tears because God said He would do that.

Why does God keep our tears in a bottle? Because He sees and cares about every one of them. He takes note of our every tear. He hears our every sigh.

Revelation 21:4 says, “He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever” (NLT). We can look forward to that day, knowing that grief will have no place in our eternal life with God.

In the meantime, we can take our feelings of sorrow and loss to the One who designed us, who understands us, and who knows how to comfort and heal us. Psalm 147:3 says, “He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds” (NLT).

But it doesn’t stop there. The apostle Paul wrote, “He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us” (2 Corinthians 1:4 NLT).

No one is better equipped to help someone through their grief journey than someone who has traveled the road themselves.

Reflection Question: What has been your experience with grief? Discuss this with believers like you on Harvest Discipleship!

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

 Martha said to Jesus, ‘Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died.’ 

—John 11:21

Scripture:

John 11:21 

One of the most pervasive headwinds that believers face in daily life is doubt. Our faith seems strong until certain situations or circumstances arise that make us question or rethink certain aspects of it. If Scripture shows us anything, it’s that such doubts are not unusual among God’s people.

As we saw in a devotion last week, Martha, the sister of Mary and Lazarus, was not one to hold her tongue. People always knew where they stood with her. According to John 11:21, after Lazarus died, “Martha said to Jesus, ‘Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died’” (NLT). To put it another way: “Where were You anyway, Jesus?”

Maybe you’ve said something similar during or after some crisis in your life. “Lord, where were You when my parents divorced? Lord, where were You when we got that diagnosis of cancer? Lord, where were You when our marriage fell apart? Lord, where were You when I lost my job? Lord, where were You when my child got into trouble? Lord, where were You when my loved one died?”

Please notice that Jesus didn’t reprove Martha for what she said. It isn’t wrong to tell the Lord exactly how you feel. I think we sometimes get the idea that it’s irreverent or sinful to express our real fears or the doubts of our heart, even to God. But when we read the book of Psalms, we learn that there were many times when David and the other psalmists really “let their hair down” with God. They cried out to Him and emptied the contents of their hearts in His presence.

I’ve done it many times. In my pain, I’ll cry out to God. Sometimes the reality that my son is gone hits my heart like a sledgehammer, and I say, “Oh, God. I can’t believe this! I can’t handle this pain!” But then I’ll preach to myself and say, “Now, Greg, listen to me. Your son is alive—more alive than he ever was before. He’s in the presence of the Lord, and you are going to see him again.” And I’ll remind myself of the promises of God.

My prayers, however, are wide open and honest. I pour out my heart before God, describing my pain to Him. I put my doubts into words. I talk to Him about the things I don’t understand—the circumstances that don’t make sense, the situations, losses, and diagnoses that don’t seem fair. But I also remind myself of God’s truth. And that’s what prayer is.

God wants us to cry out to Him. He invites us to pour out our hearts before Him. David writes, “Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge” (Psalm 62:8 NIV). That’s an invitation you want to accept.

Reflection Question: What do you do when you struggle with doubt? Discuss this with believers like you on Harvest Discipleship!

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

 And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. 

—Philippians 1:6

Scripture:

Philippians 1:6 

One of the most common headwinds that make life challenging is fear—real or imagined scenarios that rob us of our courage and confidence and keep us from experiencing all that God has in store for us.

Are you discouraged today? Afraid of an uncertain future? The Bible tells the story of a time when Jesus’ disciples were not only discouraged but also were in terror for their very lives.

Jesus had instructed them to get into a boat and travel to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, and they had obeyed. But when they were a considerable distance from land, a fierce storm arose. The storm must have been especially intense, because even the seasoned fishermen among the disciples were terrified.

Jesus, who had been on a mountain praying, went to meet the disciples—by walking on the water. Imagine being one of the disciples in that situation. You’re already terrified from the violent storm that’s threatening to sink your boat when, through the darkness, you see a figure walking toward you on the waves.

Thinking it was a ghost, the disciples cried out in fear. Jesus calmed their fears with these words: “Don’t be afraid. . . . Take courage. I am here” (Matthew 14:27 NLT).

There are two simple reasons the disciples didn’t have to be afraid: First, Jesus would help them weather the storm. And second, He had told them to go to the other side, which meant they would reach the other side. Where God guides, God provides.

Jesus knows where you are at this very moment. As complicated and tangled as your situation might seem to you right now, it’s all perfectly clear to Him. He knows what you’re thinking, feeling, and experiencing. He’s telling you to be courageous because He’s with you, and there’s a brighter tomorrow for you. Even if you’ve failed, even if you’ve made a mistake, it isn’t over. You can still learn from that mistake and get out of the situation in which you find yourself.

Keep in mind, too, that some of the best-known characters in Scripture struggled with fear. Abraham was afraid that the Egyptians would kill him and take his wife. Jacob was afraid his brother would kill him. David was afraid Saul would kill him. Elijah was afraid Jezebel would kill him. Peter was afraid of what would happen to him if people knew he was Jesus’ disciple. But God helped them overcome their fears so that He could use them to accomplish amazing things.

God has a future for each of us. Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV), one of my all-time favorite verses, says, “For I know the plans I have for you . . . plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

The apostle Paul wrote, “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns” (Philippians 1:6 NLT).

God will complete the work He has begun in your life. Take courage!

Reflection Question: What would genuine courage look like in your life right now? Discuss this with believers like you on Harvest Discipleship!

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

 At dawn Jesus was standing on the beach, but the disciples couldn’t see who he was. He called out, ‘Fellows, have you caught any fish?’ ‘No,’ they replied. 

—John 21:4–5

Scripture:

John 21:4–5 

This week we’re going to look at some of the “headwinds” of life—the situations, emotions, and struggles that make daily living challenging. And we’re going to start with one of life’s most difficult headwinds: failure. First, because it’s inevitable—everyone fails. Some of us more often than others. And second, because it often feels final. Failure can derail the best-laid plans. It can rob us of our motivation and initiative. And it can change the way we think of ourselves.

But only if we look at it from the wrong perspective.

In John 21, the disciples had been fishing all night on the Sea of Galilee and hadn’t caught anything. The Lord had risen and had already appeared to some of the disciples. There were no clear marching orders, so they thought they would go back to what they knew how to do: fish.

Now it was early in the morning, probably still dark. They saw a figure standing on the shore. He called out, “Fellows, have you caught any fish?” (John 21:5 NLT).

Throughout the Bible, God often asked probing questions when He wanted a confession. In the same way, Jesus was asking His disciples, “Did you catch anything? Have you been successful? Have things gone the way you had hoped they would go? Are you satisfied?”

Why did Jesus want them to admit their failure? So that He could bring them to the place where they needed to be.

When they cast the net on the right side of the boat as Jesus told them to, their net became so heavy with fish that they couldn’t pull it in. The Lord was teaching the disciples an important lesson: Failure often is the doorway to real success.

We need to come to that point in our lives as well. We need to say, “Lord, I’m not satisfied with the way my life is going. I’m tired of doing it my way. I want to do it Your way.” If you come to God with that attitude, He will extend His forgiveness to you. Then He will take your life and transform it in ways you couldn’t imagine.

I mentioned earlier that some people fail more than others. Those are often the people whom God uses most mightily. The more often you try, the harder you push yourself, the more willing you are to step out of your comfort zone, the more likely it is that you will stumble—at least occasionally, if not frequently.

But, as the old saying goes, it’s not how many times you fall, it’s how many times you get up. And if you put your trust in the Lord, every time you get up, you’ll be a little wiser, a little stronger, and a little more resilient. And God can do amazing things with someone with that kind of experience.

Reflection Question: How might a past failure be a doorway to future success in your life? Discuss this with believers like you on Harvest Discipleship!

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

 For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. 

—Ephesians 2:6

Scripture:

Ephesians 2:6 

Because Jesus lives, all who believe in Him have hope that extends beyond this life. So, we must set our sights on the things that lie beyond this world.

A Christian is someone who lives in two dimensions. The apostle Paul explained it this way: “Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory” (Colossians 3:1–4 NLT).

On the one hand, believers live in a spiritual dimension, one in which we walk in the Spirit and know God in the Spirit. On the other hand, as human beings, we also live and move in physical bodies here on earth. Our challenge as Christians, then, is to transfer what we have in the spiritual realm into the day-to-day ebb and flow of events in the earthly realm.

When I travel to another country and pass through its borders, I still maintain my US citizenship. When I went to Israel several years ago, although my passport identified me as an American, I still had to live within their culture. As a result, there were a few things I needed to adapt to. When I needed currency, for example, I took funds from my bank in the US and converted them into shekels to use in Israel. Of course, I didn’t know what the exchange rate was, so on my first day there, I may have tipped someone fifty dollars to carry my bags to my room. (He was really nice to me the rest of the day.)

As Christians, we have riches, treasures, real assets waiting for us in Heaven. When the Bible speaks of the heavenlies, however, we need to recognize that it is not only talking about something waiting for us in Heaven after we die. It is also talking about the supernatural realm. So, we need to learn about the supernatural resources God has given to us. These are treasures God wants us to access now, not just in the future. They are provisions available to any believer who is walking with God.

We need to prioritize the things of God as we embrace the hope that we have. We need to look beyond the daily grind and challenges of this world to the glorious future that awaits us.

Reflection Question: What would setting your sights on the realities of Heaven look like in your life? Discuss this with believers like you on Harvest Discipleship!

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

 We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. 

—2 Corinthians 4:7

Scripture:

2 Corinthians 4:7 

The same gospel that led to our salvation can—and must—lead to theirs. And the responsibility for spreading that gospel falls to us, whether we feel qualified to do so or not.

When the apostles Peter and John were brought before the Sanhedrin, it was a source of complete amazement that these untrained laymen could be so well-versed in Scripture, and more importantly, in their understanding of it. They were ordinary fishermen, blue-collar, salt-of-the-earth type people. This doesn’t mean they were illiterate. But they hadn’t attended the rabbinical schools or spent their lives in the study of Scripture.

Acts 4:13 tells us that when the religious leaders of Israel “saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus” (NKJV). These simple fishermen appeared to be better equipped than the professionals were. How did this happen? The disciples had been with Jesus. They were boldly sharing their faith. They knew the Scriptures. They were men who prayed.

When God called Moses to lead the people of Israel out of slavery in Egypt, Moses offered some compelling reasons as to why he was the wrong person for the job. What they all boiled down to was this: “I am nobody” (see Exodus 3:11). In other words, he was just an ordinary guy. But look what God did with that ordinary guy.

This should give hope and encouragement to those who think of themselves as ordinary people. Maybe God hasn’t called you to be a pastor, a missionary, or to some professional ministry position. But God can use you, too. It’s clear that He’s looking for ordinary men and women to bring the gospel message to others.

The apostle Paul wrote, “We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves” (2 Corinthians 4:7 NLT). God specializes in using broken and imperfect people to accomplish His work and His will. He sees the qualities in us that we cannot see ourselves. He knows exactly what we’re capable of and how to maximize our potential.

God can use you where you are, and the opportunities before you are countless. There is a mission field where you work, where you go to school, and in your neighborhood. You are God’s representative, and He is calling you to go into this world and speak up for Him. God isn’t looking so much for ability as He is looking for availability. So, make yourself available to Him and watch what He does.

Reflection Question: How can you be bold in sharing the gospel in your personal mission field? Discuss this with believers like you on Harvest Discipleship!

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

 Jesus told her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this, Martha?’ 

—John 11:25–26

Scripture:

John 11:25-26 

Because Jesus lives, everyone who believes in Him will have eternal life.

Jesus demonstrated His power over death when He raised His friend Lazarus from the dead. Before Lazarus died, his sisters Mary and Martha sent word to Jesus, letting Him know that Lazarus was gravely ill. Instead of coming right away to heal Lazarus, as Mary and Martha likely hoped, Jesus waited until Lazarus died.

When he finally came, “Martha said to Jesus, ‘Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died’” (John 11:21 NLT).

“Jesus told her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this, Martha?’” (verses 25–26 NLT).

Jesus was saying to His grieving friend, “Martha, listen to Me. Death is not the end! You’re acting as though it is over with. It is not over with.” At this point, I think He was speaking of something more profound than the resurrection of Lazarus. After all, raising Lazarus from the dead—as exciting and joyful as that may have been—was only a temporary proposition. Lazarus would just die again in a matter of years.

I think the bigger message was this: “Death is not the end. This is temporary. One day I will get rid of death altogether, and whoever believes in Me will live forever.”

Jesus wept at the death of His friend and at the sorrow of Lazarus’ two grieving sisters. But the death of His friend also brought Him anger.

John 11:33 tells us, “When Jesus saw her weeping and saw the other people wailing with her, a deep anger welled up within him, and he was deeply troubled” (NLT).

I think Jesus was angry at death itself because this was never God’s plan. God’s plan was to have us live forever. God’s plan was that our bodies would never age or wear out or experience sickness or limitations.

So, He was angry over that, and He wept. But these weren’t tears of frustration. God is never frustrated. Jesus was angry and then did something about it that had been planned from eternity past. He gave up His life on a Roman cross, dying for the sins of the world, and then He rose again from the dead. The Bible says He has become the “firstfruits” of those who sleep, which means that He went before us.

And because He went before us into death and came out victorious on the other side, those of us who now live and will face death someday can be confident and unafraid. Because we will live forever.

Reflection Question: How does the assurance that you will have eternal life impact your daily life in the here and now? Discuss this with believers like you on Harvest Discipleship!

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

 To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the LORD has planted for his own glory. They will rebuild the ancient ruins, repairing cities destroyed long ago. They will revive them, though they have been deserted for many generations. 

—Isaiah 61:3–4

Scripture:

Isaiah 61:3–4 

I’ve been astounded by the testimonies of certain people who tell me the way they used to be. I’ve looked at them and thought, “There’s no way they used to be that way,” because Jesus Christ has so radically changed them.

Isaiah 61:3–4 promises that God “will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the LORD has planted for his own glory. They will rebuild the ancient ruins, repairing cities destroyed long ago. They will revive them, though they have been deserted for many generations” (NLT).

For those who have made a mess of their life—a pile of ashes, so to speak—God says, “I will bring beauty.” For those who mourn because of the people they’ve wronged and the sins they’ve committed, God says, “I will bring joy out of it.”

Only God can take a tangled mess of a life and transform it so completely that you wouldn’t even recognize the person it used to be. The Bible offers several such examples.

Think of the demon-possessed man in the region of the Gerasenes who met Jesus when He got out of the boat. Luke 8 says, “For a long time he had been homeless and naked, living in the tombs outside the town. . . . Even when he was placed under guard and put in chains and shackles, he simply broke them and rushed out into the wilderness, completely under the demon’s power” (verses 27, 29 NLT). Moments later, “He was sitting at Jesus’ feet, fully clothed and perfectly sane” (verse 35 NLT).

Think of Saul, the zealous defender of the Jewish faith who terrorized the early Christians. After an encounter with the risen Christ, he became the apostle Paul. He was speaking from personal experience when he wrote, “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT).

Every such transformation gives hope to others who may still despair over the condition of their lives. If you come to Christ and say, “Lord, here I am, forgive me of my sin,” He can transform you and change you. He can take your mistakes and your sins, turn them around, and even use them for His glory. When you commit your life to Christ, putting the broken, stained, twisted pieces into His hand, He will transform it into a thing of beauty.

Reflection Question: What evidence of transformation can you see in your life? Discuss this with believers like you on Harvest Discipleship!

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

 For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 

—John 3:16

Scripture:

John 3:16 

We celebrated Easter yesterday, which marks Jesus’ victory over death. This week, we’re going to look at different implications of Jesus’ resurrection. And we’re going to start with this one: Because Jesus lives, all who believe in Him have fellowship with God.

That fellowship was broken when Adam and Eve disobeyed the Lord. Their sin opened a gulf between humanity and the holy God. We were powerless to bridge that gulf. So, God did it for us. Our Creator and Designer so desires a relationship with each one of us that He sent His own Son to earth to die for us and pay our penalty to make that possible. That is the amazing truth of John 3:16: “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life” (NLT).

Sin also creates an emptiness and longing in the human soul. Have you ever tried to put a puzzle together and gotten to the very end, only to discover that the final piece was missing? I speak from experience when I tell you that it can be incredibly frustrating.

Maybe, in a much bigger sense, you’ve tried to put your life together, thinking, “If I put this here and that there, it will work. But where is that other piece?”

God holds the missing piece. You won’t find it in your pursuits. The missing piece is a relationship with our heavenly Father through Jesus Christ. Have you found that missing piece? Or do you still have a hole in your heart that you’ve tried to fill with everyone and everything, only to find nothing works?

The author of Ecclesiastes put it this way: “Everything is meaningless . . . completely meaningless” (Ecclesiastes 1:2 NLT).

I was raised around many of the empty pursuits this world offers. And I pursued enough of them to know that they were meaningless—enough to know that they weren’t the answer to what I was looking for. So, when I first heard about Jesus Christ, the idea of having a relationship with God held great appeal for me. But the Christians I knew were so nice and loving. I thought, “I don’t know if I can become one of these people.” But then God started working in my life. He changed my heart. And if He can do it for me, then He can do it for you. In fact, when I told people I was a Christian, they didn’t believe it. Then, a few years later, when they learned that I was a pastor, they laughed even harder. It was the last thing anyone ever envisioned for me. But God had a different plan for my life.

Who knows what kind of plan He has for you? Remember, it all begins with a relationship with Him.

Reflection Question: What might God’s plan for your life look like? Discuss this with believers like you on Harvest Discipleship!

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

 For since the world began, no ear has heard and no eye has seen a God like you, who works for those who wait for him! 

—Isaiah 64:4

Scripture:

Isaiah 64:4 

Jesus’ retreat to the Garden of Gethsemane began a bad stretch of time for the apostle Peter. First, he fell asleep on his watch after Jesus asked him to stay alert. Second, according to John 18:10, when Jesus’ enemies came to arrest Him, “Then Simon Peter drew a sword and slashed off the right ear of Malchus, the high priest’s slave” (NLT). And then, later that same night, when he was recognized as one of Jesus’ followers, Peter denied even knowing Jesus—not once, not twice, but three times.

Can you identify with a guy like that? I know that it’s sometimes hard to imagine what God is up to in your life. You see a blank canvas, but God sees a finished painting. You see a piece of coal, but God sees a refined diamond. You see an untalented person, but God sees a mighty man or woman of God.

This is also true of those we see in Scripture. We see an impetuous, impulsive Simon, but God sees a strong, decisive apostle named Peter. We see a conniving, manipulative Jacob, but God sees a godly, trusting man named Israel. We see a young, naïve Joseph, but the Lord sees a brilliant, wise world leader. And when it was all said and done, Joseph was able to look back and say to his brothers, “You meant evil against me; but God meant it for good” (Genesis 50:20 NKJV). He recognized that God used what happened to him to mold him into a compassionate, forgiving leader of many. He was clay in the Potter’s hands. He trusted in the Lord.

God specializes in making something out of nothing. I wonder what He’s doing with you right now. You’re a work in progress, and He isn’t finished yet. If you’re still alive and reading this, God has more work to do in your life! Most artists don’t like someone looking over their shoulders, trying to second-guess what they’re about to do. “Wait until I’m done,” they’ll say, “and then you’ll see.”

So, trust in the Lord during those times when it’s hard to see what He’s doing. Don’t allow the hardships you face to make you a bitter person. It’s time to let go of that. Rather, allow them to make you a better person.

Isaiah 64:4 says, “For since the world began, no ear has heard and no eye has seen a God like you, who works for those who wait for him!” (NLT).

That night in Gethsemane was hardly the end of Peter’s story. After Jesus rose from the grave and ascended back to Heaven, Peter became one of the key leaders of the early Christian church, boldly proclaiming the gospel throughout the Roman Empire and beyond.

No matter what your past is like, and no matter where you are in your Christian journey, God has something important planned for you.

Reflection Question: What evidence do you see in your life of God’s ability to make you a better person? Discuss this with believers like you on Harvest Discipleship!

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

 Why didn’t you arrest me in the Temple? I was there every day. But this is your moment, the time when the power of darkness reigns. 

—Luke 22:53

Scripture:

Luke 22:53 

One of the most maddening moments in the Garden of Gethsemane came when Jesus’ enemies finally arrived to arrest Him. Leading the way was Judas Iscariot, the disciple who betrayed the Lord. According to Luke 22:47, “Judas walked over to Jesus to greet him with a kiss” (NLT).

The obvious question is “Why?” Judas Iscariot had followed Jesus for three years. He had listened to the Lord’s teachings. He had witnessed miracle after miracle. He had watched Jesus expose the hypocrisy of the very people he conspired with to betray Him.

So, why did Judas do it? The closest we get to an answer in Scripture is Luke 22:3, which says, “Then Satan entered into Judas Iscariot” (NLT).

But that only leads to another obvious question. Why does God allow Satan to exist? In Job 1:7, Satan says, “I have been patrolling the earth, watching everything that’s going on” (NLT). But he’s not a passive observer. He’s looking for trouble. He’s looking for lives to ruin. He’s looking for saints to stumble.

So, why does God allow him to carry on? Why doesn’t the Lord just take him out, as He could in a nanosecond? You might be surprised to learn that Satan, in his own twisted way, serves the purposes of God.

Consider how he unwittingly played a major role in the cross of Christ. In his enduring hatred for God’s Son, Satan thought it would be a great idea to have Jesus betrayed, arrested, beaten within an inch of His life, and then crucified and put to death on a Roman cross.

Everything went according to Satan’s plan. As Jesus told the mob who came to apprehend Him, “But this is your moment, the time when the power of darkness reigns” (Luke 22:53 NLT).

The power of darkness did indeed reign that day, and Satan’s plan succeeded. But so did the plan of God. What the evil one didn’t realize was that it was God’s plan all along that the Messiah would die for the sins of the world. In the prophecy of Isaiah, we’re told, “It was the LORD’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer” (Isaiah 53:10 NIV).

Unaware that he was making the biggest blunder since his rebellion against God, Satan played into the plan and purpose of God when, in his rage and hatred, he prompted Judas Iscariot to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver (see Zechariah 11:12–13).

Satan’s “best shot” against God and the people of God was the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. And in that act, he not only unwittingly sealed his own doom, but he also opened the door for Jesus to offer redemption and salvation to the whole world.

Remember, then, if you hold on to God and trust Him through the dark times, Satan’s best shots against you also will end up working for your good—and God’s glory.

Reflection Question: What is an example from your life when God used Satan’s attacks against you for your good and His glory? Discuss this with believers like you on Harvest Discipleship!

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

 He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, ‘My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.’ 

—Matthew 26:39

Scripture:

Matthew 26:39 

Just before He was arrested, put on trial, and crucified, Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. He chose to spend the time He had left in conversation with His Father. That conversation, as recorded in the Gospels, is unlike any other in Scripture.

First, there’s the matter of what Jesus asked God to do. “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me” (Matthew 26:39 NLT). In essence, He was asking His heavenly Father if there was any other way for the work of salvation to be accomplished. His request points to the enormous suffering involved in Jesus’ sacrifice. Jesus knew what was coming: physical, emotional, and spiritual agony beyond measure. And He wanted to make sure that it was absolutely necessary.

With that in mind, however, we must understand that the first part of Jesus’ prayer cannot be separated from the second part. The reality is that God said no to His Son’s request because there was no other way for the work of salvation to be accomplished. A perfect sacrifice was required.

If Jesus’ prayer had been only that God remove the cup of suffering from Him, the events that followed would have been cast in a different light. Jesus would have been a reluctant participant in the crucifixion, trapped by God’s refusal to excuse Him from becoming a sacrifice.

But that’s not what happened because Jesus’ request was followed by these words: “Yet I want your will to be done, not mine” (Matthew 26:39 NLT). And those same ten words (or some variation of them) must accompany every sincere prayer that believers offer.

It isn’t just a matter of saying, “If You want to do it Your way, go ahead.” It’s a heartfelt acknowledgment that nothing else is more perfect than God’s will. Nothing else can surpass its wisdom. Nothing else can bring ultimate fulfillment and good. Praying these words is a way of embracing the truth that God’s will is more important than our preferences, our comfort, or even our well-being.

The Bible’s promises regarding prayer are exciting. But we should never mistake them for a wish list or an opportunity to get our way. When we embrace and actively seek God’s will, we get a front-row seat to His work in the world.

Maybe you’re at a crisis point in your life right now—a personal Gethsemane, if you will. You have your will; you know what you want. Yet you can sense that God’s will is different. Would you let the Lord choose for you? Would you be willing to say, “Lord, I am submitting my will to Yours. Not my will, but Yours be done”? You will never, never regret making that decision.

Reflection Question: How might praying for God’s will change your perspective on a situation in your life right now? Discuss this with believers like you on Harvest Discipleship!

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

 He took Peter and Zebedee’s two sons, James and John, and he became anguished and distressed. He told them, ‘My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.’ 

—Matthew 26:37–38

Scripture:

Matthew 26:37-38 

Jesus was fully God and fully human. Because He was fully human, He had the same needs that other people have. He enjoyed the same things that other people enjoy, including companionship. He surrounded Himself with disciples not just so that He could teach and prepare them for ministry, but also because He enjoyed their companionship. He found comfort and pleasure in interacting with them.

When Jesus retreated to the Garden of Gethsemane before He was arrested, He brought along His closest friends. And He made a simple request of them. “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me” (Matthew 26:38 NLT). Actually, it was more of an opportunity than a request. Jesus was giving them a chance to play a role in God’s plan.

Maybe if His companions had recognized the opportunity embedded in the request, they would have been more diligent in carrying out Jesus’ instructions. Instead, they gave in to their physical desire and fell asleep. It wasn’t the first time.

Matthew 17:1–13 records the story of the Transfiguration, in which Jesus led Peter, James, and John up a mountain so that they could see Him in His glory. On the mountain, Moses and Elijah appeared to them.

“As Moses and Elijah were starting to leave, Peter, not even knowing what he was saying, blurted out, ‘Master, it’s wonderful for us to be here! Let’s make three shelters as memorials—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah’” (Luke 9:33 NLT).

The previous verse explains why he suddenly spouted such nonsense. “Peter and the others had fallen asleep” (Luke 9:32 NLT). Imagine what else Peter might have witnessed had he been fully awake and watchful at the Transfiguration and in the Garden of Gethsemane.

It makes me wonder how much we miss out on because of our spiritual slumber. How often are we spiritually slumbering when God wants to speak to us through His Word? How often are we spiritually slumbering instead of opening our hearts to a message at church? How often are we spiritually slumbering when the Lord would want us to speak up for Him?

Staying awake, spiritually speaking, means directing our gaze toward the things of God—the things that matter. Look at the words of the psalmist in Psalm 119:37: “Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through your word” (NLT).

Like the disciples, we, too, can miss out on what God wants to do in and through us. So, we need to be awake, alert, and paying attention. Good things happen to those who keep their spiritual eyes open.

Reflection Question: What would spiritual slumber look like in your life? Discuss this with believers like you on Harvest Discipleship!

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

 Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises. Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven. 

—James 5:13–15

Scripture:

James 5:13–15 

Jesus retreated to the Garden of Gethsemane for one reason. It wasn’t to hide from His enemies. It wasn’t to spend quality time with His disciples. Jesus went there to pray. Knowing that, in a matter of hours, He would submit to unimaginable physical, emotional, and spiritual agony, Jesus wanted to spend His remaining hours of freedom in the presence of His Father.

The circumstances were unique, but the discipline wasn’t. The Gospels record several instances in which Jesus set aside time for prayer. Mark 1:35 says, “Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray” (NLT).

Luke 5:15–16 says, “But despite Jesus’ instructions, the report of his power spread even faster, and vast crowds came to hear him preach and to be healed of their diseases. But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer” (NLT).

Jesus understood the power of prayer, and He wants us to understand it as well. When we find ourselves in trying circumstances, often the temptation is to strike out at those we hold responsible. Or to get mad at God for allowing those circumstances to disrupt our lives. Or to wallow in self-pity.

But those are things the devil wants us to do because he knows how counterproductive they are. When we’re afflicted, when we’re suffering, or when we’re in trouble, prayer should be our first response, just as it was for Jesus. Why? Well, for one thing, God may answer our prayer and remove the problem from our life. He may directly intervene in our circumstances. The Bible is filled with stories in which He did just that.

Even if He doesn’t intervene immediately, He still works in and through us when we take our needs to Him. Prayer affirms our dependence on Him. It puts us in a right relationship with Him. It also allows us to place our burdens in His hands. When we turn our requests over to God, we can breathe a sigh of relief, knowing that He will be doing the heavy lifting. Through prayer we also receive the grace we need to endure trouble and grow closer to God.

James 5:13–15 says, “Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises. Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven” (NLT). The word suffering could be translated “in trouble” or “in distress.” Is anyone among you in trouble? Are you distressed? Then you should pray.

When the bottom drops out, when you feel as though you’re hanging by a thread, when circumstances seem to grow worse by the minute, pray. Pray when you’re afflicted. Pray when you’re sick. Pray when you need forgiveness. Pray when specific needs occur. Pray for God’s will to be done.

Just like Jesus did in Gethsemane.

Reflection Question: How can you make prayer a more integral part of your daily life? Discuss this with believers like you on Harvest Discipleship!

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

 He told them, ‘My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.’ 

—Mark 14:34

Scripture:

Mark 14:34 

As the hour of Jesus’ crucifixion approached, the enormity of what He was about to do—of what He was about to endure—weighed heavily on the Lord. He retreated to an olive grove at the foot of the Mount of Olives, a place called Gethsemane. There He agonized, pleaded, and prayed. Though He brought along His closest companions, He was utterly alone. According to Mark 14:34, “He told them, ‘My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me’” (NLT). No one else could begin to fathom the suffering and separation that lay ahead for Him.

In the coming week, we’re going to look at the events that unfolded during those hours in the Garden of Gethsemane, when the Perfect Sacrifice submitted Himself to God’s plan of salvation. And we’re going to start with the very real, and very relatable, emotions that sent Jesus to the garden in the first place.

Hundreds of years before Jesus was born, the Old Testament prophet Isaiah offered this description of Him: “He was despised and rejected—a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care” (Isaiah 53:3 NLT). Jesus felt every bit of that sorrow, that grief, that rejection, that sense of being despised and uncared for during His time in Gethsemane.

Have you ever felt lonely? Have you ever felt as though your friends and family had abandoned you? Have you ever felt misunderstood? Have you ever had a hard time understanding or submitting to the will of God for your life? If so, then you have an idea of what the Lord Jesus went through when He agonized at Gethsemane.

But that understanding is a two-way street. And there’s the takeaway from today’s devotion. Our experiences allow us to empathize, even if it’s only to a small degree, with what Jesus went through. Likewise, His experiences allow Him to empathize with what we go through.

Jesus came to earth as fully God and fully human. He felt joy, pain, hunger, thirst, rejection, betrayal, and grief. He asked God if there was any other way for the plan of salvation to be accomplished—one that didn’t involve His suffering. He can relate to us on the deepest levels. That makes Him the perfect Source to turn to in any and every situation.

The author of Hebrews explained it this way: “So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most” (Hebrews 4:14–16 NLT).

No matter what situation we face, we can approach the Lord with confidence, knowing that He will provide the comfort, wisdom, direction, or healing we need.

Reflection Question: How can Jesus empathize and help you with a situation you’re facing now? Discuss this with believers like you on Harvest Discipleshi

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie