So the people of Israel walked through the middle of the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on each side! 

—Exodus 14:22

Scripture:

Exodus 14:22 

There’s a reason that Exodus 14:22 ends with an exclamation point. “So the people of Israel walked through the middle of the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on each side!” (NLT). Imagine how thrilling it must have been for the Israelites to walk through the middle of the Red Sea on dry ground as they followed God’s leading. Maybe they saw fish swimming by in the walls of water on either side of them, like something out of the best aquarium ever.

The people of Israel walked for hours. The journey across the basin of the Red Sea took all night. But the Lord was with them every step of the way. No one who crossed the sea that day could have anticipated just how long their eventual journey would take—or where it would lead them.

Their experience serves as an excellent illustration of the Christian life. It, too, is just a walk with the Lord. And discipleship is what happens along the way when we prioritize that walk.

Often the beginning of the Christian journey is filled with excitement and wonder, as the realization of what God has done for us sinks in. But as was the case with the Israelites during their forty-year journey through the wilderness, the excitement and wonder begin to wane over time. We start to take things for granted. We become apathetic.

That’s what happened with people who came to see Jesus during His earthly ministry. After the initial excitement and newness wore off, people began to drift away. They rejected Jesus and His teachings for a variety of reasons (see Matthew 8:34; Mark 6:3; Luke 4:28–29). They became apathetic toward their walk with Him and began to search elsewhere for something new, something different.

If you struggle with apathy in your walk with Christ, then you need to prioritize, what I call, your “R.P.G.S.”: (1) Read the Bible every day. You never outgrow it and never get beyond it. God’s Word never becomes irrelevant. (2) Pray about things. Bring things up before the Lord. You need to have a prayer life. (3) Go to church. You need to be a regular part of the church. (4) Share your faith with others.

Many believers stop doing these things and then wonder why spiritual apathy is seeping into their lives. It’s because they’re not doing the basics. If you decide not to eat anymore, here’s what will happen: You’ll get lightheaded. You’ll feel almost sick. And if it goes on for a while, you’ll start to die. You can’t live that way. You must eat to survive. In the same way, if you neglect spiritual disciplines, it won’t be long until you start to wither.

Friedrich Nietzsche said, “The essential thing ‘in heaven and in earth’ is that there should be long obedience in the same direction.”

As Christians, our lives are a walk of faith. We need to keep walking that walk.

Reflection Question: How can you avoid apathy in your walk with the Lord?Discuss this with believers like you on Harvest Discipleship!

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

 But Jesus told him, ‘Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.’ 

—Luke 9:62

Scripture:

Luke 9:62 

It took God one night to get Israel out of Egypt. But it took forty years to get Egypt out of Israel. The Israelites were always looking back. After they learned that giants occupied the Promised Land, “Their voices rose in a great chorus of protest against Moses and Aaron. ‘If only we had died in Egypt, or even here in the wilderness!’ they complained. ‘Why is the LORD taking us to this country only to have us die in battle? Our wives and our little ones will be carried off as plunder! Wouldn’t it be better for us to return to Egypt?’ Then they plotted among themselves, ‘Let’s choose a new leader and go back to Egypt!’” (Numbers 14:2–4 NLT).

Some Christians take a similar approach to life. They’re always looking back. They say, “Remember the good old days—you know, before I was a Christian? Man, we would party! We had so much fun!”

Really? Were they in fact the good old days? Were those times really as good as they seem now? Or is the memory of them a little distorted? Have those believers forgotten the emptiness? Have they forgotten the despondency? Have they forgotten the repercussions of the things they did? Have they forgotten that dull ache deep inside? Have they forgotten the havoc their actions brought on their family? They’ve conveniently forgotten about those things and remember only the few good times they had.

That’s what the Israelites were doing. They were always looking back. But before we judge them, let’s realize that we often do the same thing. This is why Jesus said, “Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62 NLT). Discipleship is forward-facing.

The baseball player Satchel Paige once said, “Don’t look back. Something might be gaining on you.” There’s spiritual truth in his words. Sometimes looking back can awaken old fears and anxieties. It can cause you to forget what God has done in your life. It can make you lose focus on what He has in store for you.

Looking back is often a way of retreating to a safer, more familiar place and time. We need to remember, however, that God is our refuge. And the plan He has for us is as certain as anything in our past. God always blesses and rewards spiritual forward progress.

You can’t live in two worlds. You can’t go forward when you’re looking back. And you can’t walk forward spiritually if you’re always looking over your shoulder. Disciples are called to change the world and not be changed by it. World changers see opportunities; those who are changed by this world see obstacles. World changers see bridges; those who are changed by this world see walls. Perspective is everything. Make sure you stay focused on what lies ahead.

Reflection Question: How can you keep your spiritual focus on what’s ahead of you instead of what’s behind you? Discuss this with believers like you on Harvest Discipleship!

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

 Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body. 

—1 Corinthians 6:19–20

Scripture:

1 Corinthians 6:19–20 

Every now and then, it seems that my GPS has a mind of its own. I’ll be driving on the freeway, going to a destination where I’ve never been before, when suddenly my device tells me to turn right at the next off-ramp. It doesn’t make sense, but I turn right. Then it tells me to turn left, so I turn left. Then it takes me back to the freeway. What was that all about? It makes no sense at all.

The Lord gave the Israelites an amazing GPS system: a fire by night and a cloud by day. It was very simple. When the cloud moved, they moved. When the cloud stopped, they stopped. At night, when the fire moved, they moved. When the fire stopped, they stopped.

We might be tempted to think, “I wish I could have that kind of obvious guidance, because a lot of times I don’t know what I should do or where I should go.”

But as believers under the New Covenant, we have something better than a cloud or a fire. We have Christ Himself living in our hearts. Every one of us who believes in Jesus Christ has God residing within us. We don’t need a fire in the sky. We have the fire of the Holy Spirit in our life, giving us the power to do what God has called us to do.

As believers, we are not masters of our fate. We do not control our spiritual journey. The apostle Paul wrote, “Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body” (1 Corinthians 6:19–20 NLT).

The Lord will lead us in the way that He wants us to go. Sometimes His will won’t make sense to us. Sometimes it may seem as though God is trying to ruin all our fun. But in time we will realize that God knew what He was doing all along.

Unlike the GPS maps on our devices, we can’t plug in our destination coordinates for this life. That’s because we have no idea where it will take us. That doesn’t stop us from trying, of course. We may try to plug in where we would like to end up. Or where we’re planning to end up. But as the old Yiddish expression goes, “Man plans, and God laughs.” Proverbs 19:21 (NIV) puts it this way: “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.”

GPS devices aren’t always right, but God is. God’s way is always the right way.

Reflection Question: How can you trust God’s way even when it doesn’t make sense to you? Discuss this with believers like you on Harvest Discipleship!

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

 Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples. 

—John 13:35

Scripture:

John 13:35 

Before I became a believer, one of the things that attracted me to the Christian faith was the way Christians loved each other.

I was raised in the 1960s, when the hippie and drug culture was coming on strong. We wore peace symbols and used words like groovy. We talked incessantly about love and peace. But it was a sham. There was no love or peace—at least, not as we envisioned it. It didn’t take me long to recognize the hypocrisy at the heart of the counterculture.

Having been raised in a broken home, I wanted love and peace, and I thought maybe the movements of the 1960s were where I needed to look. I tried to buy into their philosophies for a time, not because I was looking for a buzz or excitement, but because I was looking for meaning in life.

But nothing really resonated with me until I started meeting Christians. They had the love and peace I was searching for. They would get together for Bible studies on my high school campus, and I would watch them hug each other and say, “God bless you.”

I thought, “This can’t be real. They can’t really care about each other. There’s no way.” But as I kept watching them, it started bugging me. And then I thought, “What if they’re right and I’m wrong? What if the love is real and not an act? What if God really is living inside them? What if they have the truth? If that’s true, then I don’t have it, and I don’t have the answers. That means I need to hear what they have to say.”

Jesus understood that need and longing for genuine love. That’s why He told His followers, “Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples” (John 13:35 NLT).

That love for one another doesn’t always come naturally. Nor should it. Nothing worthwhile is easy. They say politics makes strange bedfellows but so does the Christian faith. Jesus urged His followers to “go and make disciples of all the nations” (Matthew 28:19 NLT). That involves bringing people together from all walks of life—people who are culturally, politically, socioeconomically, and temperamentally different from one another. In other words, people with little in common.

The apostle Paul wrote, “There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28 NLT). Yet the prejudices and misunderstandings that exist between these disparate groups don’t magically disappear when people come to Christ. Believers must work to change their thinking, to reach out to people who are different from them, to tear down walls and build bridges. To show love.

Can people see that kind of love in your life? When people of different ages, backgrounds, and cultures set aside differences and come together to worship in the name of Jesus Christ, it serves as a powerful testimony to a world that is more divided than ever.

Reflection Question: What does love for other believers look like in your life? Discuss this with believers like you on Harvest Discipleship!

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

 Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions. 

—Matthew 7:20

Scripture:

Matthew 7:20 

Are you a disciple of Jesus Christ? Not every Christian necessarily is. Some people go no further than making a decision to accept Christ as Savior. They treat their Christian faith as an eternal life insurance policy or a “Get out of Hell free” card. They will take a few steps in their walk with Christ, but only if the path is smooth or the route is pleasant.

In their reluctance to commit wholeheartedly, however, they don’t get to experience the transformative power of discipleship. When you submit to becoming a disciple of Christ—to live as He lived, to love as He loved, and to prioritize what He prioritized—you will see things happen in your life that are unimaginable otherwise. And you won’t be the only one who sees those things happening in your life.

A disciple of Jesus Christ will bring forth spiritual fruit. Jesus said, “When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father” (John 15:8 NLT). He also said, “Just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions” (Matthew 7:20 NLT). If you’re a disciple of Jesus Christ, people will be able to tell based on the spiritual fruit they see in your life.

In the parable of the sower, Jesus talks about seeds falling on different kinds of ground. Each type of ground represents a different reaction to the gospel. The final type represents people who bring forth fruit after hearing the gospel. “And the seed that fell on good soil represents those who hear and accept God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!” (Mark 4:20 NLT). Those who last as disciples spiritually embrace this truth and produce spiritual fruit.

Spiritual fruit makes itself known in a variety of ways. The author of Hebrews says, “Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name” (13:15 NIV). Praising God is a way of producing spiritual fruit.

What we say is also evidence of the spiritual fruit in our lives. Jesus said, “A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart” (Luke 6:45 NLT).

Our change in conduct and character is also a type of spiritual fruit. Galatians 5:22–23 tells us, “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!” (NLT).

Can people see these traits in your life? A Christian’s life should be characterized by these things. Are you bringing forth spiritual fruit?

Reflection Question: What spiritual fruit do you want people to see in your life? Discuss this with believers like you on Harvest Discipleship!

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

 If you want to be my disciple, you must, by comparison, hate everyone else—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple. 

—Luke 14:26

Scripture:

Luke 14:26 

Many people choose not to follow Jesus because they’re afraid of what others will think. They choose not to commit their lives to Christ because they’re worried about the opinion of someone else. Maybe it’s a boyfriend or girlfriend, or maybe it’s a husband or a wife. Maybe it’s a close buddy or a group of friends they hang around with. Maybe it’s their parents.

They recognize that if they were to fully give their lives to Christ, they would lose a bunch of so-called friends. Or it would mean the end of a relationship. Or it would cause friction in their home. So, they allow the potential consequences to hold them back.

But Jesus said, “If you want to be my disciple, you must, by comparison, hate everyone else—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:26 NLT).

His declaration may seem shocking, especially because it includes the word hate. But as we balance this statement with other passages of Scripture, we discover that Jesus clearly wasn’t advocating for hatred. Certainly, the Bible doesn’t teach people to hate others. Why would Jesus tell us to honor our father and mother and then also demand that we hate them? Or why would Paul tell husbands to “love [their] wives, just as Christ loved the church” (Ephesians 5:25 NLT)?

In context, Jesus wasn’t saying that His followers should hate people. Essentially, He was saying that we should love God so much more than anyone or anything else that our love for those people or things would seem like hatred in comparison.

Jesus was talking about priorities. If you ask people to list the top priorities in their life, you’ll probably get a lot of heartwarming, inspiring answers. Near the top of people’s lists will be things like a relationship with Christ, family, nonprofit volunteer work, personal well-being, and career.

But real priorities aren’t spoken or listed; they’re lived. The things in your life that get the majority of your time, focus, and interest—whether they are video games, social media, streaming services, significant others, habits/addictions, or other things—are your actual top priorities, whether you care to admit it or not.

In Luke 14:26, Jesus is saying, “If you claim to follow Me, I should be in that top spot. What’s more, I should be so far ahead of number two on your priority list that there’s no comparison.”

That makes perfect sense when you think about it. If you want to live your Christian life to the fullest, then love Jesus more than anything else. Do you love Him that way?

Discussion Question: How can you make sure that Jesus is your top priority? Discuss this with believers like you on Harvest Discipleship!

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

 But the Jews who were not persuaded, becoming envious, took some of the evil men from the marketplace, and gathering a mob, set all the city in an uproar and attacked the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people. But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some brethren to the rulers of the city, crying out, ‘These who have turned the world upside down have come here too.’ 

—Acts 17:5–6

Scripture:

Acts 17:5–6 

They intended those words as a criticism of Christians—as a warning to others about them. But their description revealed the seismic impact Jesus’ followers had on the world around them. It’s also quite possible that the Jewish leaders inadvertently aided Christians in their evangelism efforts. Who wouldn’t be intrigued by the possibility of turning the world upside down?

Yet for many believers today, those sights have been lowered considerably. People are content to live quiet, unobtrusive Christian lives. They don’t want to kick up too much dust in their walk with Christ.

Especially in the United States, many believers are surviving on a watered-down, anemic version of Christianity. They don’t seem to be living at the same standard of Christian faith as the first-century Christians lived. You might say they have a “faith-light.” They seem to want to do only what is absolutely necessary.

To put it another way, Jesus has a lot of fair-weather followers today. They will be Christians when it’s convenient, when it’s easy, or when it’s the popular thing to do. But the moment things get difficult, the moment hardship hits, the moment persecution rears its head, they retreat. They abandon their faith. They prove themselves to be less than true followers, less than real disciples.

That certainly would explain why they’re not turning the world upside down. It also would explain why, far too often, the world seems to be turning the church upside down.

Believers today need to get back to Christianity the way it is given to us in the Bible, the way that Jesus proclaimed it, the way the early church lived it—not the watered-down version of today but authentic, New Testament Christianity. In short, we need to become disciples of the Lord.

Are you a disciple of Jesus Christ? Jesus asks His people to step out from the multitude, from the fair-weather followers, from the fickle people, to be His true disciples. Yet He never asks more from us than we can give. Not only will He reward our genuine discipleship, but He will also guide and direct us every step of the way.

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

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

 So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don’t need to start again with the fundamental importance of repenting from evil deeds and placing our faith in God. 

—Hebrews 6:1

Scripture:

Hebrews 6:1 

As a father and a grandfather, I know from personal experience that babies are a lot of work. For instance, it takes a great deal of effort to teach a baby how to eat. You start with baby food, which presents its own unique set of challenges. And then comes solid food, which must be cut into baby-sized bites. Of course, a baby doesn’t always want to eat, so you must think of creative ways to get the baby to take the food. Children need to learn how to eat their food, cut up their food, and ultimately prepare their food. That’s all part of growing up.

The author of Hebrews reframes this idea of growing up in spiritual terms. Many people have never grown up spiritually. They made an initial commitment to Christ but have never really understood what it means to be a totally committed follower of Jesus. In short, they have not responded to what the Bible calls discipleship.

This isn’t just a matter of ignoring biblical exhortations such as “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18 NLT). It’s also a matter of missing vital opportunities and life experiences. Think of all the culinary delights you’ve enjoyed since you progressed from baby food to solids. Think of how your palate has changed and matured. Think of all the different tastes you’ve experienced. Think of the many ways you’ve been nourished.

The same principle applies to Christian growth. Progressing from spiritual milk to spiritual meat, as described in Hebrews 5:11–14, requires effort and a willingness to stretch, to step outside your comfort zone. But the rewards are more than worth the effort.

The Christian life is more than simply saying a prayer of commitment to Christ. It involves following Jesus not only as your Savior but also as your Lord. If your only source of spiritual intake is hearing other people preach sermons, then you will be in a relatively weakened state spiritually. There is a place for teaching and preaching, but you must learn how to cut your own food, so to speak. You must learn how to feed yourself spiritually.

Hebrews 6:1 says, “So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don’t need to start again with the fundamental importance of repenting from evil deeds and placing our faith in God” (NLT).

We need to mature as believers and refuse to be spiritual babies forever. We need to grow up to be men and women of God.

Reflection Question: In what areas do you need to grow spiritually? Discuss this with believers like you on Harvest Discipleship!

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

 Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men. And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven you.’ 

—Mark 2:3–5

Scripture:

Mark 2:3–5 

The Gospel writers give us very little insight into why Jesus chose the people He did to serve as His disciples. We can get a sense of the personalities of Simon Peter, John—and Judas Iscariot—because they are featured prominently in certain stories. But for the rest of the Twelve, we must rely on quick glimpses. We must look beyond the words to the circumstances in which they’re mentioned to see just a little of what Jesus saw in them.

Case in point: Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter. We find the origin story of Andrew’s discipleship in John 1. Andrew was first a disciple of John the Baptist. One day, as Jesus walked past, John the Baptist pointed at Him and said, “Behold the Lamb of God!” (verse 36 NKJV).

That was all Andrew needed to hear. He immediately started following Jesus. But that’s not all he did. “He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ (which is translated, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus” (verses 41–42 NKJV).

The thing about Andrew is that once he was convinced, he was convinced. He saw for himself. He believed. And he immediately went out to tell his brother Simon.

How we need more Andrews today. If we had more Andrews, we would have more Simon Peters. One person bringing another person to Jesus—it’s so simple. It’s so effective. And it’s so neglected.

Mark 2 gives an account of four men who brought their paralyzed friend to Christ. As Jesus was teaching inside a house overflowing with people, these four persistent men climbed up to the roof and lowered their friend inside. Jesus was so impressed with their demonstration of faith that He forgave the paralyzed man of his sins and healed him (see Mark 2:3–5).

This story serves as an inspiration and a reminder that sometimes a number of Christians working together can bring a person to Christ more effectively than one person working alone. As Paul said, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase” (1 Corinthians 3:6 NKJV). We all have a part in God’s plan.

Andrew was brand-new in the faith, and often the newest converts are the most zealous evangelists. That’s probably because they are so cognizant of the fact that they have just been saved from a miserable lifestyle. That was Andrew. Maybe we, too, need to remind ourselves time and time again of what God has done for us.

Reflection Question: Who can you bring to Jesus? Discuss this with believers like you on Harvest Discipleship!

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

 When Jesus heard it, He said to them, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.’ 

—Mark 2:17

Scripture:

Mark 2:17 

Jesus interacted with a remarkably diverse group of people during His public ministry. The Gospels record His encounters with Pharisees, tax collectors, Roman officials, fishermen, a Samaritan woman, and a host of others.

One of the extraordinary things about these encounters is the personalized attention He gave each person, whether He was offering encouragement, rebuke, or healing. He recognized that every man, every woman, and every child is different. And though they have many of the same problems and the same basic needs, He realized that there were unique things about them that required individual ministry. He saw people for exactly who they were. He understood exactly what they needed. And He provided it.

It’s no wonder people refer to Him as the Great Physician. Jesus Himself said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance” (Mark 2:17 NKJV).

Like a physician, Jesus usually saw people at their worst. I’ve always thought that one of the hardest things about being a doctor is that you only see people when they’re sick or in need of medical assistance. Most physicians don’t get a lot of patients stopping by their office to say, “Hey, Doc, I’m feeling great! I just wanted to let you know. Want to go to lunch?” You don’t usually call your doctor when you’re feeling good. You call when you’re feeling sick. And your doctor will have you come in, examine you, and apply the necessary treatment to the area of need.

Doctors, of course, are limited in their areas of expertise. Cardiologists specialize in heart health. Dermatologists specialize in matters of the skin. Gastroenterologists specialize in digestive system health. Hematologists specialize in blood disorders. Oncologists specialize in cancer treatment. The list goes on and on.

Jesus, on the other hand, can treat the whole person. He caused the blind to see, the deaf to hear, the disabled to walk, and the dead to live. He removed the spiritual torment of the demon-possessed. He eased the emotional struggles of the frightened and grieving. He didn’t just improve people’s quality of life; He gave them a life they never knew was possible. That’s what He meant when He said, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10 NKJV).

Jesus still provides personalized care for His people. He knows what you need. In fact, He knows better than you do what you need. And He can and will provide it. Reach out to Him. Open yourself to His loving ministry. Let Him guide you into the life He has planned for you. Enjoy all the benefits of having a personal Physician.

Reflection Question: How has Jesus impacted your life in a personal way? Discuss this with believers like you on Harvest Discipleship!

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. 

—Mark 14:38

Scripture:

Mark 14:38 

Have you ever been caught doing something you weren’t supposed to do? One day I found my son playing a game on the computer, something he wasn’t allowed to do until he finished his schoolwork. With a guilty expression on his face, he looked at me and said, “I couldn’t resist myself.”

That’s a correct view of temptation. When we give in to temptation, we like to blame others. Think of when Adam was caught in the act in the Garden of Eden. The Lord asked, “Did you eat of that tree?” And Adam replied, “It’s the woman You gave me, Lord. She made me do it” (see Genesis 3:8–12).

And then there’s Aaron, who offered a classic example of a bad excuse for giving in to temptation. When Moses went up the mountain to receive God’s commandments, he entrusted the people to his brother Aaron. When Moses returned, he saw the people dancing naked around a golden calf. Aaron explained it this way: “We just threw the gold into the fire, and this calf came out.” The truth was that Aaron told the people to bring their gold jewelry. He molded it into a calf. And then he encouraged them to worship it (see Exodus 32:22–24).

James 1:14 leaves little room for bad excuses. “But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed” (NKJV). Every person plays the key role when they give in to temptation. The devil may tempt you. Someone may try to trap you. But they will not succeed unless you give in.

The Bible makes it clear that no temptation is irresistible. “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure” (1 Corinthians 10:13 NLT).

“So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7 NLT).

Despite those assurances, temptation is shockingly easy to give in to. But you probably don’t need to be told that. Perhaps there’s a sin in your life that’s caught up with you. Perhaps you’re contemplating getting involved in a sinful relationship. Perhaps because of your sin, you’ve been overcome with guilt. If so, there’s something you need to know: God gives second chances.

First John 1:9 says, “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).

And David, who knew a thing or two about giving in to temptation and seeking God’s forgiveness, wrote, “He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve. For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. The LORD is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him. For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust” (Psalm 103:10–14 NLT).

Reflection Question: What is your most effective strategy for avoiding or resisting temptation? Discuss this with believers like you on Harvest Discipleship!

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

 Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. 

—Mark 13:33

Scripture:

Mark 13:33 

Prayer is one of the most powerful and misunderstood tools available to God’s people. Many people confuse it with normal conversation or the daily interactions they have with other people. So, they ask skeptical questions like these: If God knows what we need before we ask Him, why should we even bother to ask? If God is going to do what He wants to do, and He already knows what He’s going to do, what difference does prayer make?

The Bible offers several compelling reasons for God’s people to pray. Let’s look at four of them.

First, we should pray because Jesus told us to. Do we need a better reason than that? Jesus said, “Men always ought to pray and not lose heart” (Luke 18:1 NKJV). Not to mention the blessings of watching our prayers get answered, whether that involves the salvation of a loved one, a divine healing, or a wonderful provision. If Jesus says we should do it, then let’s do it.

Jesus led by example in this area. He prayed frequently. A significant percentage of the red letters in the Bible are words of prayer. Jesus’ prayerful connection with His heavenly Father was essential to His earthly ministry.

Second, we should pray because it’s God’s appointed way for us to obtain things. God works in our lives through prayer. James 4:2 tells us, “You do not have because you do not ask” (NKJV). This means there may be things God wants to give to us that are not yet ours because we haven’t specifically asked.

That’s not to suggest that God is a cosmic genie, waiting to grant our every wish. The key to praying effectively is to discover what God’s will is and then prioritize it in your life. When your desires align with God’s will, amazing things will result from your prayers.

Third, we should pray because through prayer, we overcome our anxiety and worry. The Bible says, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6 NKJV). When we are tempted to worry, we should pray instead.

Prayer isn’t a mantra or a string of empty words to repeat to distract our attention from the things that cause us anxiety or worry. Prayer is the act of staring down those things, acknowledging them and their impact on us, and then handing them off to God, who is powerful and loving enough to take care of them for us.

Fourth, prayer is one of the ways we make ourselves ready for Christ’s return. Jesus said, “Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is” (Mark 13:33 NKJV).

For many believers, Jesus’ return is a source of anxiety. The apocalyptic descriptions in Scripture paint a stark picture. For others, Jesus’ return is a source of impatience. They can’t wait. Prayer addresses both issues. It helps believers get in the proper mindset regarding Jesus’ return.

These aren’t the only reasons to pray. But they are compelling reasons to pray. Why not put them into practice today?

Reflection Question: Why do you pray? Discuss this with believers like you on Harvest Discipleship!

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many. 

—Mark 10:45

Scripture:

Mark 10:45 

We’re a month removed from the Christmas season, although you wouldn’t know it from the number of people who still have their decorations up. Christmas is when we celebrate Jesus’ coming. But amidst the traditional readings, carols, and pageants of the season, one question that often gets overlooked is the most basic one of all: Why did Jesus come?

Let’s look quickly at five different reasons. First, Jesus came to proclaim Good News to the spiritually hurting. Jesus said, “The Spirit of the LORD is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor” (Luke 4:18 NLT). Not only did He proclaim the Good News, He was the Good News. He was the Messiah, the Savior the world had been waiting for.

Second, Jesus came to heal the brokenhearted. Medical technology has made stunning advances in pain management, but there is still no cure for a broken heart. People struggle with all kinds of heartbreaking challenges—physical, relational, emotional, mental, and spiritual. Jesus understands. He lived as one of us. He experienced pain and betrayal and grief. He knows what we feel. The psalmist wrote of the Lord, “He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds” (Psalm 147:3 NLT).

Third, Jesus came to set people free who are bound by sin. He came to open our spiritual eyes to our spiritual need. One of the greatest tricks the devil ever pulled was convincing people who are slaves to sin that they are free. The apostle Paul wrote, “So Christ has truly set us free” (Galatians 5:1 NLT). Jesus exposed the devil’s lie and shone a spotlight on people’s sin. He then provided a means for their sins to be forgiven forever.

Fourth, Jesus came to lift up those who are crushed by life. Jesus said, “My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life” (John 10:10 NLT). He came to give us abundant life. Jesus came to show us that there is more to life than this. He came to give us hope.

Fifth, Jesus came to give His life for us. Jesus said, “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45 NLT). God is holy and just. He demands punishment for sin. That punishment is death. Only a perfect sacrifice offered in our place could save us from death. Jesus was that perfect sacrifice. He willingly took our punishment for sin. He allowed Himself to be killed so that we might live.

Jesus Christ came to this earth to seek and save those of us who are lost, just as a shepherd seeks a lost sheep. Those who trust in Him will enjoy eternal life with Him.

Reflection Question: Which of these reasons for Jesus’ coming would resonate most powerfully with someone you know? Discuss this with believers like you on Harvest Discipleship!

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many. 

—Mark 10:45

Scripture:

Mark 10:45 

We’re a month removed from the Christmas season, although you wouldn’t know it from the number of people who still have their decorations up. Christmas is when we celebrate Jesus’ coming. But amidst the traditional readings, carols, and pageants of the season, one question that often gets overlooked is the most basic one of all: Why did Jesus come?

Let’s look quickly at five different reasons. First, Jesus came to proclaim Good News to the spiritually hurting. Jesus said, “The Spirit of the LORD is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor” (Luke 4:18 NLT). Not only did He proclaim the Good News, He was the Good News. He was the Messiah, the Savior the world had been waiting for.

Second, Jesus came to heal the brokenhearted. Medical technology has made stunning advances in pain management, but there is still no cure for a broken heart. People struggle with all kinds of heartbreaking challenges—physical, relational, emotional, mental, and spiritual. Jesus understands. He lived as one of us. He experienced pain and betrayal and grief. He knows what we feel. The psalmist wrote of the Lord, “He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds” (Psalm 147:3 NLT).

Third, Jesus came to set people free who are bound by sin. He came to open our spiritual eyes to our spiritual need. One of the greatest tricks the devil ever pulled was convincing people who are slaves to sin that they are free. The apostle Paul wrote, “So Christ has truly set us free” (Galatians 5:1 NLT). Jesus exposed the devil’s lie and shone a spotlight on people’s sin. He then provided a means for their sins to be forgiven forever.

Fourth, Jesus came to lift up those who are crushed by life. Jesus said, “My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life” (John 10:10 NLT). He came to give us abundant life. Jesus came to show us that there is more to life than this. He came to give us hope.

Fifth, Jesus came to give His life for us. Jesus said, “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45 NLT). God is holy and just. He demands punishment for sin. That punishment is death. Only a perfect sacrifice offered in our place could save us from death. Jesus was that perfect sacrifice. He willingly took our punishment for sin. He allowed Himself to be killed so that we might live.

Jesus Christ came to this earth to seek and save those of us who are lost, just as a shepherd seeks a lost sheep. Those who trust in Him will enjoy eternal life with Him.

Reflection Question: Which of these reasons for Jesus’ coming would resonate most powerfully with someone you know? Discuss this with believers like you on Harvest Discipleship!

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

 Peter exclaimed, ‘Rabbi, 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.’ He said this because he didn’t really know what else to say, for they were all terrified. 

—Mark 9:5–6

Scripture:

Mark 9:5-6 

Sometimes the words just hang in the air for a moment. That awful moment when you realize too late that you should have kept quiet. That moment when you and the people listening to you silently ask the same question: Why did you just say that?

When was the last time you said something that you wish you hadn’t said? Something that may have sounded perfect in your head as the words were formulating, but somehow turned unbelievably lame as they left your mouth?

It happens to the best of us. It happened to Peter. At just about the worst time imaginable.

Jesus had led Peter, James, and John, the disciples in his inner circle, up a mountain for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The event is known as the Transfiguration. God briefly allowed Jesus’ disciples to see Jesus in His glory. Jesus’ face and clothes suddenly shone like the sun. Moses and Elijah, two of the most revered figures in Jewish history, appeared and spoke with Him.

It would be hard to imagine a more profound, life-changing experience. It would be hard to imagine a scene more fitting for respectful, awestruck silence. It would be hard to imagine a situation less suited for Peter.

Unable to contain himself, Peter interrupted the conversation—once again, involving Jesus, Moses, and Elijah—to blurt out, “Rabbi, 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” (Mark 9:5 NLT). Mark adds this interesting commentary: “He said this because he didn’t really know what else to say, for they were all terrified” (verse 6 NLT).

I wonder if Moses turned to Jesus and asked, “Who is that guy?”

Or if Jesus rolled His eyes a little and replied, “Oh, that’s Rock. Never mind.”

How easily thoughts can jump into our minds and then out of our mouths before we fully process them. How much better would it be if we could just hit a momentary delay button and ask ourselves, “Is this the right thing to say? Would this be an appropriate statement to make? Would this glorify the Lord?”

As the old proverb says, “Better to be silent and be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.”

The author of Ecclesiastes wrote, “For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. . . . A time to be quiet and a time to speak” (Ecclesiastes 3:1, 7). If you don’t know how to “tell the time” where your tongue is concerned, ask God to help you. James 1:5 says, “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you” (NLT).

Reflection Question: When is it appropriate for you to be quiet? Discuss this with believers like you on Harvest Discipleship!

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

 A crowd soon gathered around Jesus, and they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons. He was sitting there fully clothed and perfectly sane, and they were all afraid. Then those who had seen what happened told the others about the demon-possessed man and the pigs. And the crowd began pleading with Jesus to go away and leave them alone. 

—Mark 5:15–17

Scripture:

Mark 5:15–17 

In our previous two devotions, we looked at the story in Mark 5 of Jesus’ encounter with a demon-possessed man in the region of the Gerasenes. The man terrified the people in the region until Jesus drove the demons out of him and into a nearby herd of pigs. The demon-possessed pigs, around two thousand in all, rushed down a steep bank into the sea, where they drowned.

The Gospels record several different reactions to Jesus’ miraculous acts of healing and unmistakable displays of power. But the reaction of the Gerasenes stands apart. When the people saw the formerly demon-possessed man, “sitting there fully clothed and perfectly sane . . . they were all afraid” (Mark 5:15 NLT). So, not much had really changed for them. Instead of being afraid of the demon-possessed man, they were now afraid of the One who had healed him. So afraid, in fact, that they began pleading with Jesus to go away and leave them alone (see verse 17).

Mark doesn’t explain why the people reacted as they did. It may be that witnessing such supernatural power unnerved them. It may be that they were upset about the financial losses tied to the drowned pigs. Or it may be that Jesus’ presence made them realize that they preferred darkness to His light.

Whatever the case, their reasons for wanting to be rid of Jesus two thousand years ago are not nearly as relevant as the motives of people today who want nothing to do with Him. The reality is that anyone who doesn’t say, “Jesus, I want to be close to You,” is saying, “Jesus, go away. I don’t want You in my life.”

Some might protest and say, “Now, wait a second. I admit that I haven’t yet made a commitment to Christ. I’m simply saying I haven’t decided yet.” But if you don’t say yes to Jesus, you are essentially telling Him to go away. Jesus Himself said, “Anyone who isn’t with me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me” (Luke 11:23 NLT). Either you have faith and trust in Christ, or you have unbelief. There is no other option.

Though you may not have spoken the words, “Jesus, go away,” there’s a chance that you’ve communicated them indirectly. Maybe you’ve resisted God’s work in your heart. Maybe you don’t want to give up some things in your life that you know are wrong. Or maybe you’re just too busy—you have time for everything but Jesus.

It really boils down to this: What have you done with Jesus? Are you going to say, “Go away”? Or are you going to ask Him to become a part of your life?

Reflection Question: What can you do to welcome Jesus into your life?Discuss this with believers like you on Harvest Discipleship!

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

 This man lived in the burial caves and could no longer be restrained, even with a chain. Whenever he was put into chains and shackles—as he often was—he snapped the chains from his wrists and smashed the shackles. No one was strong enough to subdue him. 

—Mark 5:3–4

Scripture:

Mark 5:3–4 

Mark 5 tells the story of Jesus’ encounter with a demon-possessed man in the region of the Gerasenes. In our last devotion, we looked at the spirit of fear the man inspired. Today we’re going to talk about the problem he presented and, specifically, what to do when a problem is bigger than our ability to solve.

Obviously, the demon-possessed man was a pressing problem for the people in the region of the Gerasenes. He was society’s problem back in the day. And if you read between the lines of Mark 5:3–4, you get a glimpse of how society handled the problem. “He was put into chains and shackles” (verse 4 NLT). Society’s solution was to limit his freedom, to incapacitate him so that he wouldn’t be a menace to others. The snapped chains and smashed shackles tell us how well society’s solution worked.

Obviously, community intervention can be a valuable resource for people who are struggling. But in this case, the man’s struggle was spiritual. The community could do nothing to help him because the problem exceeded their resources.

Isn’t it interesting that with all our wonderful achievements today, society still cannot deal with problems caused by Satan and sin? We cannot overcome Satan in our own power. We don’t know what to do. Society doesn’t have the answers. Like the demon-possessed man, we need a Savior to help us.

Look at what happened when the Savior came into the man’s life. Jesus went to the spooky little graveyard where the man lived. Jesus looked past the man’s horrific physical appearance and saw the hurting, tortured soul within. And Jesus offered what was His exclusively to give: hope.

What society could not do to release the man from Satan and sin, Jesus did with one simple command. “Come out of the man, you evil spirit” (Mark 5:8 NLT). Immediately, the demons came out of the man, as commanded. Jesus transformed the man’s life by setting him free. That’s what He does. In John 8:36, He says, “So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free” (NLT).

Jesus does what no one else can. He reaches those no one else can. If this story of the demon-possessed man teaches us anything, it’s that no one is ever too far gone for the Lord. No one is ever a lost cause. There is always reason for hope.

Jesus Christ can transform your life and make you free, too. God’s people know that’s true, because He has already done it for us. Come to Him; let Him make you free. Let Him be your Savior.

Reflection Question: What does it mean to you that no one is ever too far gone, as far as the Lord is concerned? Discuss this with believers like you on Harvest Discipleship!

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

 When Jesus climbed out of the boat, a man possessed by an evil spirit came out from the tombs to meet him. 

—Mark 5:2

Scripture:

Mark 5:2 

One of the most memorable stories in the Gospel of Mark is Jesus’ encounter with a demon-possessed man in the region of the Gerasenes. Over the next few days, we’re going to look at this encounter from different perspectives. Today, we’re going to focus on the fear the man inspired.

The description of the man in Mark 5 reads like something out of a horror novel. “This man lived in the burial caves and could no longer be restrained, even with a chain. Whenever he was put into chains and shackles—as he often was—he snapped the chains from his wrists and smashed the shackles. No one was strong enough to subdue him. Day and night he wandered among the burial caves and in the hills, howling and cutting himself with sharp stones” (verses 3–5 NLT).

The people of the region were understandably frightened of the man. Jesus, on the other hand, was not. Jesus could see that, underneath the horrendous exterior, lay a tortured soul. He could see Satan at work in the man’s life, trying to destroy him.

Jeremiah 29:11 says, “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the LORD. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope’” (NLT). God has a wonderful plan for people because He loves us.

The devil, on the other hand, has horrible plans for people’s lives because he hates us. In John 12:31, Jesus refers to Satan as “the ruler of this world” (NLT). But he’s a lame duck. He’s already been defeated. His judgment is certain. And his reign will end when Jesus returns. Until that time, though, he will do everything in his power to interfere with God’s plans for His people. Because he hates us.

And one of the tactics he uses is fear. The people of the region of the Gerasenes were limited in what they could do about—and for—the demon-possessed man because they were afraid of him. Jesus, because He had no fear of the man, could see the situation from a clear-eyed perspective.

The apostle Paul wrote, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline” (2 Timothy 1:7 NLT). David wrote, “Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me” (Psalm 23:4 NLT). Fear need not be an obstacle for God’s people.

Whether the potential frightener is a person, a diagnosis, job insecurity, a financial hardship, a relationship problem, or some other circumstance beyond our control, believers can claim God’s power and remove fear from the equation. Just as Jesus approached the demon-possessed man, we can approach the havoc our enemy creates in our lives from a godly, clear-eyed perspective.

Reflection Question: How can you remove the spirit of fear from a situation you’re facing right now? Discuss this with believers like you on Harvest Discipleship!

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

 Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seed. As he scattered it across his field, some of the seed fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate it. 

—Mark 4:3–4

Scripture:

Mark 4:3-4 

“Pick on someone your own size.” It’s a noble thought, but saying it usually doesn’t work. Bullies don’t become bullies by picking on someone their own size. They target the small, the weak, the vulnerable. They go after the people on whom they can inflict the most damage.

The devil is a spiritual bully, as Jesus suggests in His parable of the sower. “As he scattered it across his field, some of the seed fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate it” (Mark 4:4 NLT). Several verses later, Jesus explains this part of the parable. “The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message, only to have Satan come at once and take it away” (verse 15 NLT).

Without question, the devil focuses his attacks on people who are young in the faith. He snatches God’s message away from them before it has a chance to take root in their lives.

You probably remember that when you first put your faith in Christ, the enemy was there to attack you. Maybe the day after you made your commitment to Christ, you started thinking, “Am I really forgiven by God? Has something really happened to me? Maybe I just psyched myself into this.” Or maybe you remember some very strong temptations that came your way right after you became a Christian. He appealed to your sinful nature with something you find extremely attractive just to remind you of what you’re leaving behind.

That’s just one way the devil takes away the seed of God’s message. Another is to confuse or overwhelm new believers with “have to’s.” Those are the voices—from within or without—that say, “If you’re a Christian, you have to do this and this and this. Otherwise, your faith isn’t genuine.”

This is why it’s important for mature Christians to pray for new believers. To come alongside them. To offer perspective, support, and encouragement. To let them know that they’re not alone and that what they’re experiencing isn’t unique to them. We need to shine a light on the enemy’s tactics and help the believers see how he’s trying to rob them of what God has done in their lives.

While we’re doing that, however, mature believers must never lose sight of the fact that the devil does indeed go after bigger targets, too. He’s an equal-opportunity bully. He will attack with a vengeance those who are making a difference in the kingdom, those who are seeking to walk with God, and those who are trying to reach others with the gospel.

When believers step up and say, “Use me, Lord. I want my life to make a difference,” they should brace themselves. The enemy will not take that sitting down. So, they should expect and prepare for opposition. They should also remind themselves that “The Spirit who lives in [them] is greater than the spirit who lives in the world” (1 John 4:4 NLT).

Reflection Question: How can you support and encourage a new believer? Discuss this with believers like you on Harvest Discipleship!

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

 Then a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, ‘This is my dearly loved Son. Listen to him.’ 

—Mark 9:7

Scripture:

Mark 9:7 

Two thousand years ago, Jesus put this question to the Pharisees: “What do you think about the Messiah? Whose son is He?” (Matthew 22:42 NLT). Some of history’s greatest minds have grappled with that question ever since. The confusion, doubt, and skepticism started early. It’s worth noting that during Jesus’ earthly ministry, many people were perplexed about who He really was.

Jesus never became God, nor did Jesus ever cease to be God. His deity, which means His divine lordship—the fact that He is God—was pre-human, pre-earthly, and pre-Bethlehem. In the Incarnation, that moment when Jesus came to earth and was born of the Virgin Mary, He didn’t lay aside His deity. He was God before He was born, and He remained God after He became a man.

We are given a glimpse of Jesus’ divine nature in the story of His transfiguration, as recorded in Mark 9:2–13. “Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up a high mountain to be alone. As the men watched, Jesus’ appearance was transformed, and his clothes became dazzling white, far whiter than any earthly bleach could ever make them. Then Elijah and Moses appeared and began talking with Jesus” (verses 2–4 NLT).

According to Matthew’s description of the event, Jesus’ “face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as light” (Matthew 17:2 NLT). For most of His time on earth, Jesus veiled His glory. But for one brief shining moment, God allowed Jesus’ disciples to see who He really is.

God punctuated the moment with a verbal acknowledgment and a pointed instruction: “This is my dearly loved Son. Listen to him” (Mark 9:7 NLT).

Jesus’ identity validates His words. Attention must be paid to His teachings because they come from the Son of God and God Himself. Ignoring them is not only short-sighted but also spiritually dangerous.

In Matthew 16:13–20, we find a profound interaction between Jesus and His disciples that begins with a question from Jesus: “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” (verse 13 NLT).

“‘Well,’ they replied, ‘some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets’” (verse 14 NLT).

And then Jesus makes it personal. “But who do you say I am?” (verse 15 NLT, emphasis added).

“Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God’” (verse 16 NLT). This may have been Peter’s finest moment.

“Who do you say I am?”

It’s a question everyone must answer—and a question everyone does answer, whether they realize it or not. You can’t very well say, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God,” and leave it at that. If Jesus is who He says He is, you must receive Him as Savior and Lord. You must obey His commands, follow His teachings, and seek His will for your life.

Reflection Question: Who do you believe Jesus is? Discuss this with believers like you on Harvest Discipleship!

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie