Daily Devotional

Rising Above Life’s Trail Through Christ

02/18/24 – 03/08/24

Daily Living Faith

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  02/27/24

When Jesus rebuked the disciples in Matthew 8 for having “little faith,” Jesus wasn’t talking about saving faith but rather daily living faith (see Matthew 8:23-27). Our saving faith remains constant, but our daily living faith rises and falls according to the strength of our relationship with God. When we are not in constant intimacy with God, the first storm that hits will create fear and panic. When we give God the crumbs of our time and attention, our faith and understanding in Him will weaken.

Fear-conquering faith requires an absolute trust in God. It is the kind of faith that has an open heart to whatever God provides for us. It is a faith that is manifested as an utter dependence on the sovereignty of God. When we live by faith, we can trust that God is working out His purposes for us—even when the storm is at its worst.

How often do we trust God with our eternal souls yet not our daily needs? When Jesus rebuked the disciples for their lack of faith, He was referring to their failure to trust Him in this practical situation. God wants us to trust Him not only with our salvation but also with our relationships, our resources, and our futures. He wants to see our professed faith in action. He wants us to put our complete trust in Him for every detail of our lives.

When we walk close with God and trust Him daily, our faith will conquer our fears. When we put our focus on God, fear will fade into the background. At the first sign of fear, our plan of action should be to seek God in prayer

Prayer: God, I trust You with my salvation, but sometimes I struggle with trusting You with the details of my life. Strengthen my daily living faith so that my trust in You is greater than my fears. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?” (Matthew 6:30).

Rising Above Life’s Trail Through Christ

02/18/24 – 03/08/24

In the Hand of God

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  02/26/24

Charles Spurgeon once told a story about how, during a sudden storm, a woman on a ship became terrified. She was so distraught that she went to her husband, the captain of the ship, and cried, “I don’t understand how you can be so calm while I am utterly unnerved!”

Her husband calmly walked across his quarters and picked up his sword. He took it and aimed it at the center of her chest, but she only laughed. Then he asked, “Why aren’t you afraid of this sword? It could slay you in less than a minute.”

His wife replied, “I am not afraid of a sword that is wielded by the hand of my husband.”

“Neither am I afraid of a storm in the hand of my heavenly Father,” the captain professed.

In 2 Timothy, Paul writes, “[F]or God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control” (2 Timothy 1:7, ESV). This is the same Paul who was stoned and left for dead, who was beaten to the point of death, and who was rejected and imprisoned. Yet, he wrote:

For when we came into Macedonia, we had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn—conflicts on the outside, fears within. But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, and not only by his coming but also by the comfort you had given him. (2 Corinthians 7:5-7).

The security of God’s close presence, the warmth of His words to us, and the visitation of and care from friends are like a cup of cool fresh water in the heat of a fierce battle. God’s love brings hope to our heart.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I need Your words of encouragement today. The world is pressing in on me, but I know You are in total control. I thank You that Your perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18). Help me to be a comfort to others. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“The LORD upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down” (Psalm 145:14).

Rising Above Life’s Trail Through Christ

02/18/24 – 03/08/24

Turning Oppression into Opportunity

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  02/25/24

Every heartache, every frustration, every disappointment, and every failure is used by God to draw us closer to Him. We may not understand why we have to face opposition at home, on our jobs, or even in our service to Christ, but God knows and understands.

As we trust God in difficult situations, we must ask ourselves, “How can I turn this oppressive situation into an opportunity for God?” Here are some ways to exercise faith in times of trouble.

Realize that God is with you at all times. God never leaves you to face the frustrations of this world alone. If it seems that you cannot hear His voice, be patient, be still, and be committed to trusting Him before you make a single move. Faithfulness, obedience, and willingness to wait on the Lord’s timing speak volumes to God.

Keep a positive mindset. Sometimes this can be difficult, but it is absolutely necessary. Maintaining a positive mindset does not mean denying the seriousness of our circumstances or the hurt that we may be feeling. However, it does mean that we willingly keep our eyes set on Christ, knowing that He will fulfill His purpose in our lives.

See the hand of God. Andrew Murray wrote that the storms of life are the advent of God’s coming—”the evidence of His presence” surrounding us. We are His beloved children, and when we hurt, He hurts with us. When we face heartache, He comes to our aid. When we are mistreated, He is grieved and goes to work on our behalf.

Do not lose heart. As you face difficult situations in life, know that God will provide the strength, wisdom, courage, and comfort to help you continue. Take His hand and step forward knowing that whenever life seems impossible, He will give you the strength and the faith to continue moving forward.

Prayer: God, it’s difficult for me to understand why I am going through the struggles that I am, but I know that You can use them to draw me closer to You. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“[W]e also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us” (Romans 5:3-5).

Rising Above Life’s Trail Through Christ

02/18/24 – 03/08/24

The Safest Deposit of All

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  02/24/24

When a difficult situation arises, do you turn to others for help? Do you attempt to resolve the situation alone? Or do you ask God to give you wisdom and guidance?

The moment we give our lives to the Lord, we must break the habit of relying on our clever minds to carry us through life. No matter how intelligent we are, there will be times when only God’s wisdom can lead us to the perfect solution. Of course, God has given us our minds to use for good in this world, but we must humble ourselves before the one who created our very minds. We must remember it is God who is all-knowing and all-powerful. We may not recognize it, especially if we feel trapped by our circumstances, but no problem we ever have is too great for God.

Our challenge as believers is taking this Truth to heart. Sometimes, we give our hearts to God only to take them back when surrender to Him becomes inconvenient.

But when you put your life into God’s hands, you must resolve to leave it there. Just as no money market account matures with excessive withdrawals, you will struggle to grow when you continually seize control of your life after depositing it into His hands.

It is never easy to relinquish total control. We feel helpless as we sit by and watch. Yet God wants us to surrender so He can do His greatest work in us, the work of completely transforming our hearts and minds as He molds us into the image of Christ. While we may have an idea of what God wants to do with our lives, we do not know the fullness of what He desires to do; therefore, we must allow Him to have total control.

As you give God control of your life, He will shape you into the person He intends for you to be. Remember: There is no one you can trust more than the Son of God.

Prayer: Lord, I want You to be in control of my life today, leading me through Your Holy Spirit. Help me to submit to You daily. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Rising Above Life’s Trail Through Christ

02/18/24 – 03/08/24

Determined Despite Disappointment

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  02/23/24

The playwright George Bernard Shaw captured the agony of what Joan of Arc must have felt when on trial for her life in his play Saint Joan. She feels deeply abandoned—even by her own family. In the midst of her trial, she cries out, “It is better to be alone with God!”

Have you ever felt abandoned? The apostle Paul did. If there was one thing that caused Paul sorrow, it was the lack of courage of some of his closest friends.

This doesn’t mean that all his friends and colleagues abandoned him. Luke was with him, but many of the others were scattered throughout Asia Minor. Near the end of his life, he expressed his feelings of loneliness when he recalled his former companion and colleague in the ministry Demas. Paul wrote, “Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me” (2 Timothy 4:10).

Few things break the heart of a servant of God more than to witness people who have every reason to succeed in their Christian faith choose to take another road. It causes despair for a parent to watch his child walk away from God. It is heart-wrenching for a godly man or woman to watch as a spouse lives in spiritual rebellion.

The next time someone hurts you, remember what Phillips Brooks said: “Ministry means deeper depths of sorrow and higher heights of joy, and they often come together.”

Is there a Demas in your life who is breaking your heart? Are you experiencing the hard, cool hand of rejection from someone you love? Paul experienced the same thing. If you are feeling dejected because of another’s rejection, consider Paul’s life and words. He did not give up or lose faith. He trusted God and, in His strength, continued with the work God had given him to do, remaining faithful regardless of his personal disappointments. You can, too.

Prayer: Lord, thank You that You will never leave me nor forsake me. May I draw near to You in sorrow and find new heights of joy. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7).

Rising Above Life’s Trail Through Christ

02/18/24 – 03/08/24

Motivated by the Vision

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  02/22/24

Doesn’t it seem that our greatest battles occur while trying to accomplish something great for God? Do not be discouraged—no one has ever accomplished God’s vision for his or her life without facing discouragement, hindrances, and difficulties. But if it is truly God’s vision for your life—and not your own personal ambitions or dreams—then God will give you whatever you need to work through those obstacles.

God had a vision for the apostle Paul’s life, and He communicated this vision through a man named Ananias: “But the Lord said to Ananias, ‘Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel'” (Acts 9:15).

But Paul didn’t go straight from the road to Damascus to the palaces of kings. It wasn’t until Acts 26 that Paul’s life-vision was completely fulfilled as he stood before King Agrippa. And in between those many years, he faced more obstacles and discouragements than most of us will ever face in a lifetime. Paul experienced imprisonment, beatings, starvation, insults, and hardships—all for the sake of Christ (see 2 Corinthians 11:22-28).

What motivated Paul when everything around him seemed to be against him? The power of his God-given vision. Having God’s vision for our lives will keep us moving forward, but without it, we easily lose hope and give up.

We may never share the Gospel with kings, but God has a vision for our lives, just as He did for Paul. When you feel too insignificant to make a difference, remember that you are a child of the King.

Prayer: God, help me not to be discouraged when I am faced with obstacles to the vision You have given me. Help me to remember that it is Your vision and that You will give me everything I need to fulfill it. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9).

Rising Above Life’s Trail Through Christ

02/18/24 – 03/08/24

Whatever the Circumstance

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  02/21/24

Sometimes we shy away from growing spiritually because we know that growth is often accompanied by pain. We want to run from our troubles rather than press forward. But the Bible tells us, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:2-4).

Joy does not mean that we will not experience pain, sadness, or frustration when everything seems to go wrong. But unlike worldly happiness, joy can be found in the midst of suffering.

Paul was no stranger to experiencing hardships. He endured harsh criticism, prison, and near-death situations. He was not always happy, but he found the secret to maintaining his joy: He remained focused on Christ instead of his circumstances. After speaking in Jerusalem and causing so much chaos that the Roman commander had to house him in the barracks for his protection, the Lord personally came and stood by Paul and said to him, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome” (Acts 23:11).

If you’re going through a hard time, if you are tempted to give up on God, if you are wondering if your rope is about to break, if you are questioning whether God has forgotten you, remember that God’s words to Paul are meant for you, too.

Even when it seems God is silent, He is yet working things out for your good and His glory. God is the master of your circumstances, and He’s using all of them to weave His purpose in your life, even now.

When Paul trusted the sovereign hand of God, he learned to be content in the ups and downs, in the abundance and the lack, in sickness and in health, in the courts of kings and in the dungeons and prisons. Whatever God called Paul to do—whether speaking with the powerful or the poor—Paul knew that God would equip him for his tasks. And his Christ-centered focus brought joy and contentment to his life.

What hardship are you enduring right now? Look up; the God of all creation loves you and is working all things for your good and His glory. Let the joy of that knowledge fill your heart with praise and peace.

Prayer: Lord, may I find comfort in You and Your sovereignty as You place me in situations that test and grow my faith. By Your Spirit, lift my eyes to You, the source of all joy. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:12-13).

Rising Above Life’s Trail Through Christ

02/18/24 – 03/08/24

One of Those Days

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  02/20/24

We all have days when it seems like everything is working against us. Your son missed the school bus; your daughter left her lunchbox at home; you had one meeting after another at work; you stood in line for 20 minutes at the grocery store; and you fought rush-hour traffic on the way home. Days like that can be frustrating, and in those moments, it’s easy to lose patience with situations and the people around us.

We may seek to be patient, but we cannot generate a long-suffering spirit apart from the Spirit of God. It is not within our own capacity to be this patient. It is when the Spirit of God is pouring patience into our hearts that it becomes a defining characteristic of our souls rather than simply something we futilely strive to practice in our own strength.

Christian patience is based upon the absolute, unshakeable belief that God is sovereign and that He is at work in the lives of His children. Christian patience stems from the knowledge that you will not be forgotten nor forsaken by God no matter the circumstances.

Prayer: God, thank You that no matter what comes my way, You have not forgotten or forsaken me. Help my life to exhibit Christian patience even in the most trying circumstances. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love” (Ephesians 4:2).

Rising Above Life’s Trail Through Christ

02/18/24 – 03/08/24

Receiving Divine Peace

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  02/19/24

In 1970, I worked for the telephone company in Sydney, Australia. I had only been in the country for a few months, and I had arrived with only one hundred dollars of borrowed money in my pocket. My boss at the phone company knew my impoverished state. One day, he came to me and said, “Michael, may I ask you a personal question? Tell me—why do you seem so peaceful and contented? You have almost nothing. You’re just scraping by. Yet, you never complain; you never seem worried; you seem to be at peace.”

“I am at peace,” I said. “I know that God is in charge of all the circumstances of my life. When I received Jesus as Lord of my life, I surrendered everything to Him—my plans and goals, my finances, my circumstances, even my worries and anxiety. I surrendered it all to Him, and in exchange for that, He has given me peace.”

My boss thought for a moment, then he said something that saddens me to this day: “I couldn’t do that, Michael. I could never surrender my will to anyone.” I had a number of talks with this man while I worked at the phone company. I found out that he knew the Christian Gospel and occasionally went to church—but he had never surrendered his life to the Lord. He was unwilling to put God in charge of his life.

He saw with his own eyes that surrendering to Christ had brought peace to my life—a peace that passes understanding, a peace that he himself could not understand. Though he wanted that peace, he refused to pay the price of surrendering himself to God.

Only Jesus can give you that peace, and it’s free—you can’t earn it or buy it. But to obtain this free gift, you have to surrender. You have to give up and let Jesus take over control of your life. You have to surrender your weapons.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I know the only way to divine peace is to surrender to You, the God of peace. Help me to never resist Your call to give everything to You. Thank You for the free gift of Your peace. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you” (Isaiah 26:3).

Rising Above Life’s Trail Through Christ

02/18/24 – 03/08/24

Responding to Fear

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  02/18/24

How do you respond to fear? Do you run and hide, withdrawing into yourself? Do you try to distract yourself from fear with activities? The correct response to fear is not to surrender to it or to ignore it but to overcome it with faith in God and absolute obedience to His Word. Scripture tells us, “But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit” (Jeremiah 17:7-8).

Many people trace their fears back to a loss of control. We experience fear when the stock market fluctuates. We experience fear when we cannot fix our relationships, health, or careers. So what do we do? We try harder to control the situation. We work long hours to accumulate wealth, in search of financial security. We develop unhealthy jealousy in our relationships. We try every new health fad in search of the fountain of youth. Yet none of these methods brings us contentment or peace.

When we realize that the God who created and redeemed us is still actively working in our lives today, we can find rest in Him, no matter what storm is raging. Jesus told us, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27).

When we comprehend that God is in control of our lives and surrender our circumstances to Him, we will find security. “So this is what the Sovereign LORD says: ‘See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic'” (Isaiah 28:16).

Prayer: God, help me to respond to fear with faith in You and obedience to Your Word. Help me to remember that I can rest in You because You are in control. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety” (Psalm 4:8).

Fostering a Fulfilling Marriage

02/14/24 – 02/17/24

The Third Key to a Fulfilling Marriage: Conversation

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  02/17/24

Read Ephesians 5:21-33. You don’t have to look far to find a marriage that appears to be healthy on the surface. It can be easy to develop a routine with your spouse; we just want to get things done—get through the day. And things may look fine and feel fine, but what has really happened is that this married couple has ceased to converse, and worse still, they are content with that. They don’t realize the tremendous blessing of marital love and intimacy that they are forgoing.

There are several factors that contribute to the demise of conversational intimacy within a marriage. In my experience, there are three common weak points where the enemy applies pressure: our calendars, our children, and our conflicts.

These days it is tremendously easy to fill our calendars with good activities—work, school, church events, service projects, extracurriculars for the kids—but leave out essential time to converse with our spouse. Many couples never schedule time for themselves—to converse, to exchange their thoughts and feelings, to react to one another. Every couple needs time outside of the chaos of everyday life for conversation.

Small children, though they are a blessing from the Lord, can be one of the biggest hindrances to intimacy and conversation in marriage. Many people make the mistake of thinking children must come first in a marriage. But children draw security from seeing that Daddy is Mommy’s number-one priority and that Mommy is Daddy’s number-one priority. So it is healthy for the entire family when parents love one another well, following the example of Christ.

Lastly, there’s conflict. It is a great fallacy to say that a good marriage does not have any conflict. The Truth is that the only way to avoid conflict in marriage is to stop conversing, thereby stifling intimacy. But if you make conflict your ally, handling it wisely, you and your spouse will grow in leaps and bounds.

Implementing these three practical principles will certainly improve your conversation in your marriage. But before you put them into practice, if you haven’t already learned to pray together, hold hands and start praying! Pray for God to reveal to you your own inadequacies, weaknesses, and failures. Pray for the love of God to be poured into your heart toward your spouse. And see what new life He brings to your marriage.

Prayer: Father, forgive me for becoming complacent toward my spouse, for just getting through the day. Help me to prioritize with my spouse our calendars, children, and conversation according to what will strengthen our relationship and glorify Your name. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit” (Proverbs 18:21).

Fostering a Fulfilling Marriage

02/14/24 – 02/17/24

The Second Key to a Fulfilling Marriage: Forgiveness

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  02/16/24

In Matthew 18:21-22, when Jesus told Peter that he should forgive “seventy-seven times,” His intention was not that we should keep track of how many times someone sins against us. Rather, just as Abraham would have lost count staring up into the Middle Eastern sky to count the stars, Jesus is saying we should keep forgiving until we lose count, too. And nowhere is this more important than in marriage.

Many secular people today talk about forgiveness. But only those who have experienced the forgiveness of God, who know they have been forgiven much, can forgive others much. How can Christians intentionally develop this type of radical forgiveness in marriage?

First, it is important that we attack the insignificant. This is counterintuitive, and you may be thinking, “Doesn’t it make more sense to focus on the major issues rather than the small things?” Normally it does, but to forgive in all things we have to start by learning to forgive the small things. When you train yourself by the power of the Holy Spirit to forgive your spouse the small offenses, you will be prepared for the hurricanes as well.

Next, we must arrest the incompatible, meaning that once we forgive and let go of the hurt, we need to imitate 2 Corinthians 10:5 when it says, “[W]e take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” You see, even after we have decided on forgiveness, we will still be tempted to hold a grudge. This is just what the enemy wants so he can lead us into sin. That’s why whenever even a thought of unforgiveness enters your mind, you must arrest it, right then and there. Don’t let it get a foothold in your soul.

Finally, we must hold fast to our true identity. We have offended a holy God; we have wounded the heart of Jesus. And yet, every time we come to Him in confession and repentance, He extends forgiveness to us. This same power to forgive is available to all God’s children through the working of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Thus, husbands are able to freely forgive their wives, and wives, their husbands, as they remember their true identity.

It is not easy to forgive with this kind of freedom. But whenever feelings of unforgiveness come to mind, we can look to Christ and choose to “[f]orgive as the Lord forgave you” (Colossians 3:13).

Prayer: Father, help me to grasp the depth of Your love and grace for me. May I understand the dire state I was in before I received, through Christ, forgiveness and redemption. Then, by Your Spirit, I will forgive much in my relationships, just as I have been forgiven much. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you” (Colossians 3:13).

Fostering a Fulfilling Marriage

02/14/24 – 02/17/24

The First Key to a Fulfilling Marriage: Selflessness

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  02/15/24

Read Philippians 2:3-4. In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve were naked and without shame. This nakedness was of the physical sort, of course, but it was also a spiritual nakedness. You see, they had transparency with each other and with God. No secrets. No lies. No hidden shame. Nothing but openness and honesty. But when selfishness entered the hearts of our first parents, everything fell apart. Sin came in and blew everything up.

I am convinced that selfishness is Satan’s number-one tool to destroy a marriage. The beautiful relationship that the first couple enjoyed—the kind of marriage that was only possible because of their selflessness and transparency—was dismantled by Satan in an instant. Now, every fight between married couples, from the time of Adam and Eve down to today, stems from self-centeredness.

You may be saying to yourself, “If this problem has been going on for this long, is there any hope for me? For my marriage?” With Jesus, there is always hope. When you live in the power of the Holy Spirit, you’ll be able to live out the apostle Paul’s command to “value others above yourselves” and become a Christlike spouse who is mature, magnanimous, and malleable (Philippians 2:3).

Mature Christians ask, “How can I sacrifice for my spouse’s comfort?” not, “How can I get my spouse to do more for my comfort?” Mature Christians reflect, “How can I be more patient with my spouse? How can I respond gently when I am irritated?” This kind of maturity flows from God’s Spirit at work in you.

Magnanimity is generosity and benevolence—core characteristics of selflessness. To bless their marriage, magnanimous Christians seek to understand their spouse’s thought patterns, feelings, and needs.

Finally, selfless Christians are malleable or flexible, meaning that, in marriage, both husband and wife submit their personal desires to the other out of respect for Jesus. That’s why you do it—out of reverence for Christ. As each person sacrifices for the other, we see the clearest picture of Christ’s relationship with His Church.

As you and your spouse together die to self, your marriage will reflect the power of the resurrection to bring new life and abundant joy.

Prayer: Lord, help me to see the ways that I act and think selfishly in my relationships. Give me the strength to submit to Your Spirit so that I can become mature, magnanimous, and malleable toward my spouse. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others” (Philippians 2:3-4).

Fostering a Fulfilling Marriage

02/14/24 – 02/17/24

Marriage: It Was God’s Idea

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  02/14/24

I think God must love weddings. Consider this: Jesus performed His first miracle at a wedding by turning water into wine (see John 2:1-11). At the beginning of history, the first man wed the first woman when God presented Eve to Adam (see Genesis 2:21-24). And at the end of history, there will be the wedding feast of the Lamb when Christ and His bride, the Church, are joined together forever (see Revelation 19:6¬-9).

Read Genesis 2:21-24. If God loves weddings, just imagine His feelings toward marriage. For a wedding is only a beginning, but the marriage that follows lasts a lifetime. God instituted marriage before there was sin in the world. It was part of His good and perfect plan for humanity, meant to reflect His relationship to His Church (see Ephesians 5:32).

A creative force, marriage produces families, homes, and ultimately whole societies. If you want to see where a culture is heading, just look to its marital relationships. Are husbands and wives committed to their relationship? Or is divorce all too common? Is there an effort to redefine marriage? Is God’s original design for families being twisted and destroyed? A culture that treats marriage like this cannot last.

Ultimately, marriage is one of the means at God’s disposal to make us more like Him. It is God’s intention that husbands and wives grow more like Christ as they grow closer to one another. Of course, this isn’t easy; there are challenges in every marriage. That’s why our wedding vows talk about richer and poorer, sickness and health. Add to the mix our own sinfulness, and you’ll understand why I say that my marriage has only lasted because of the grace of God—and the grace of my wife.

I believe there are three foundational stones to a fulfilling relationship: selflessness, forgiveness, and conversation. You’ll find that in any marriage, any problem—or any potential problem—has at its source a lack of one of these three things.

In the following days, we’ll take a look at each of these to reveal how to have a marriage crafted according to God’s design—a masterpiece that brings beauty and strength to the world and glory to God.

Prayer: Father, thank You for the beauty of marriage. As I consider the foundational stones to a fulfilling relationship, empower me to put them into practice for the good of my family and community. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Marriage should be honored by all” (Hebrews 13:4).

God Most High

02/10/24 – 02/13/24

God Is Love

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  02/13/24

Read Ephesians 3:14-19.

Deceptive ideas about God and His love as benign, spineless, insipid, and universally neutral are gaining momentum in the West like an avalanche. In reality, the love of God is active, even fierce. His love cost Him a colossal and incalculable price. The love of God displayed in the gift of Jesus Christ is astonishing and priceless. To equate it with the warm, fuzzy, and indifferent feelings of the “Love is love” mantra is a gross misunderstanding, a perversion, and, frankly, insulting.

When it comes to the disciples of Jesus, we must spend our lives attempting to comprehend the incomprehensible love of God and sharing its Truth. This is why Paul prayed that the Christians in Ephesus “may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ” (Ephesians 3:18).

Right now, in this life, no matter how much we try to comprehend the love of God, we will only touch the surface. God’s love goes deeper still. In heaven, we will spend all eternity fully comprehending how wide, how long, how high, and how deep the love of God is.

Here and now, however, I want you to recognize three things about God’s love for us in Christ. First, His love is costly. The perfect Son of God, who never committed a sin, whose life was infinitely more valuable than all humanity put together, died for sinners. God gave Himself; there is nothing of greater value.

Second, His love was lavished on those who could never deserve it. If a spouse or a son or a daughter needed you, you would give them the breath in your lungs, wouldn’t you? But would you willingly lay down your life for someone who cursed and reviled you? The Bible says, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

Finally, God’s love culminates in immeasurable blessing. The apostle John wrote, “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!” (1 John 3:1). God doesn’t stop at merely saving sinners—He brings us into His family to make us co-heirs with His Son (see Romans 8:17). Then, He actually changes our nature so that we begin to bear a striking family resemblance (see 1 John 3:9): He makes us just like Jesus!

Prayer: Lord, thank You for Your astounding love. I pray that Your Spirit would empower me to understand it more and more each day and that I would be transformed by the joy and peace it brings. May I bless those around me with Your Truth delivered through an out-of-this-world love. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, . . .” (Ephesians 3:17-18).

God Most High

02/10/24 – 02/13/24

God Is Our Guide

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  02/12/24

Read Psalm 25:8-11.

Perhaps there’s no question more frequently asked by believers than “Lord, what is Your will for my life?” We all want to know God’s plans for our days and our years, to understand His purposes.

When we go through seasons of uncertainty or significant transition, the question only grows in intensity. We have all wanted to know what we should do in matters of relationships, work, and ministry. And then some even go through life feeling that they have missed out on God’s best for them—His perfect will for their life.

But God does not want us floundering in the turmoil of uncertainty and doubt. He does not want us paralyzed by fear; instead, He wants us to know His peace. And His peace will overwhelm your heart as you remember that our God is the God who overrules. When you think you have made a mistake, I pray that you will understand that the sovereign God can take even your mistakes and, in His economy, bring you to His perfect will—with just one requirement. To have peace as you seek to discern the Lord’s will for your life decisions, all you need to offer God is your willing obedience. He will take care of the rest.

Perhaps things aren’t turning out the way you imagined when you honestly sought to live in alignment with God’s will. When you develop willing obedience, you will not waste a second doubting God’s guidance or worrying about the next step. Here’s a Youssef translation of a powerful promise: “If anyone is willing to obey God’s will, that person will have discernment” (see John 7:17). As you seek to obey the Lord, He will be with you, leading, guiding, and shaping you. You can trust that He will honor your faith in His provision, love, and sovereignty.

I believe the Lord wants every one of His disciples to trust Him even when they don’t understand what’s going on. You can’t learn this kind of trust from a book or sermon. You can’t learn it from asking others, “What is God’s will for my life?” You can only learn ever deepening trust in God by practicing willing obedience and growing in understanding of His sovereignty, holiness, and pattern of guidance. For, He uses our circumstances to make us more aware of His love and presence in our lives and to strengthen and prepare us for what comes next. Remember: God is sovereign, so nothing happens that has not already passed through His gracious hands.

Prayer: Father, thank You for Your guidance and grace. I want to follow You and humbly ask for Your wisdom and peace as I make decisions sincerely seeking Your will, which is that I be sanctified (1 Thessalonians 4:3). I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way” (Psalm 25:9).

God Most High

02/10/24 – 02/13/24

God Is Holy

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  02/11/24

Read 1 Samuel 2:1-10.

Holiness is not the perfection of human goodness. When God says He is holy, He means He is different. God’s holy difference is one of His highest attributes; His holy difference from humanity is what distinguishes Him from all the gods of this world. As Isaiah 40:25 declares, “‘To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?’ says the Holy One.” Truly, there is no one like our God. He alone is God, and this is why holiness is good.

The people of this world don’t want a God who is holy though; they want a god who is just like them. They want a god who approves of their lifestyle, who winks at their sin, whom they can manipulate. A holy God troubles their conscience because He condemns sin and requires repentance, for His way is the only way. His holy way is altogether different but altogether good—if only we would humble ourselves and embrace it. You see, our God loves to welcome repentant sinners. He sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross to atone for our sin once and for all—Jesus became sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God (see 2 Corinthians 5:21).

The Lord will not look the other way when it comes to our sin. Jesus calls every would-be disciple to pick up their cross and follow Him. He calls them to embrace the Truth, the narrow way of righteous living. God will not set aside His holiness but rather calls us to set aside our sin and be holy as He is holy—to be washed in the blood of His Son and walk by His Spirit. He invites us into a new life.

You see, whenever anyone encounters the holiness of God, far from accepting sin, whether in our lives or the lives of others, far from blessing or tolerating sin, far from feeling self-righteous, we are undone in our sense of unworthiness. The holy, sovereign God’s will for you is that you be set apart and sanctified (see 1 Thessalonians 4:3). An encounter with a totally different, holy God will transform you into the image of Christ—making you different.

Though this world would have us believe that holiness is worthy of scorn, it is really the best of things. By walking in holiness, we become more like our heavenly Father, and with our very lives we reveal His wondrous difference—His faithful lovingkindness, justice, mercy, grace, and more—to the world around us.

Prayer: Lord, I long to be holy as You are holy. Give me wisdom to apply Your Word rightly in my life. I want to walk in Your ways and grow in Christlikeness, clinging to Your grace and trusting that You are at work in my heart. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“There is no one holy like the LORD; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God” (1 Samuel 2:2).

God Most High

02/10/24 – 02/13/24

God Is Sovereign

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  02/10/24

Read Ephesians 1:11-14.

The disciple of Jesus must go directly to the Lord Himself in the pages of Scripture to discover the Truth of who He is. And the most foundational Truth about God is that He is sovereign. God accomplishes all things according to the counsel of His will—nothing can thwart His purposes (see Ephesians 1:11; Psalm 135:5-6; Isaiah 14:27; Job 42:2). God’s knowledge, authority, power, and dominion extend to the smallest thing in the whole universe. And this absolute rule is the axle around which all God’s other attributes revolve.

People tend to have one of two responses to the idea of God’s sovereignty in the midst of this broken world: Either they don’t believe the Lord is in perfect control of the universe, or they don’t believe He is perfectly good. As we look around our world and see evil, pain, and suffering, it can be easy to conclude that God is not really in control or that He must not be all that good.

You see, in our sin we want to make God like us. We want to bring Him down to our level because we want to understand how everything works, we want to be in control. However, God has declared, “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:9). Brothers and sisters, it’s okay to be baffled by God. His ways are not our ways.

At the same time, God has revealed to us quite a bit about His will. He wants us to know He loves to save repentant sinners and that He spent many centuries preparing the world for the coming of His Son. He wants us to know that His Son, by dying on the cross and carrying the penalty due our sin, satisfied the justice of the Father. And He wants all humanity to know the salvation available through Jesus Christ, even commissioning His disciples as ambassadors of His Good News.

God wants us to know that because He is sovereign, all things work together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (see Romans 8:28). He wants us to know that He is conforming us to the image of His Son, Jesus (see v. 29). He wants us to know we can live this life without fearing the future because it is in His hands—and He loves us.

Prayer: Lord, You are the one, true God, sovereign alone over all. May I live according to this Truth and enjoy the peace of knowing Your love through my Savior, Jesus. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, . . .” (Ephesians 1:11).

Learn more in Dr. Michael Youssef’s sermon Discipleship 101, Part 1: WATCH NOW

Praise in Spiritual Battles

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  02/09/24

We are in constant spiritual warfare against Satan. He tries to enslave our bodies with addictions and excesses, our minds with heresies and paralyzing doubts, our spirits with guilt and shame. He seeks to take away our joy, rip apart our families, and wreck our relationships with Jesus Christ and His church. When you face trying times and temptations, those are the moments when you need to praise God the most.

Praising God empowers us to defeat the devil. When we praise God, we proclaim the Truth about God, which the devil cannot stand to hear. The great strength of our praise in spiritual warfare is that in praise we exercise faith in God’s love and His victory over Satan. God loves and God wins. Period.

So how do you praise God during spiritual struggles? You can praise God for sending Jesus to win the eternal war for your soul. Praise Him for using the Holy Spirit to convict you of your sins and convince you of your need for a Savior. Praise Him for His guidance and strength in overcoming obstacles. Praise Him for His overwhelming love for you, even when you struggle with temptations and stumble.

You can spend hours praising God for your salvation, and you will not even have scratched the surface of how much God is worthy to be praised. We defeat the forces that would seek to destroy us, undermine our faith, diminish our influence, and demolish our integrity in our praise of the one, true King.

Prayer: God, thank You for Your love and for sending Your Son to die for me. Thank You that, in the midst of spiritual battles, I can rise above my circumstances in victory as I praise Your holy name. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD” (Psalm 117:2).

Ambush Warnings

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  02/08/24

Yesterday we were reminded that in order for God’s power to work in us, we must rely on His strength alone and we must be prepared for traps that the enemy sets for us.

So what are some of the ambushes we need to be aware of? One tactic Satan uses is convincing us that God’s principles do not work in a fallen world and therefore we need to depend upon our own ingenuity to survive. He lures us into the trap of worldly power by calling it practical and realistic. Instead, we need to exercise faith in the living God, the one who will carry us through until the end.

We are ambushed when we expect that seeking the Holy Spirit will make our lives supernaturally easy and smooth. However, the Bible does not teach that we will live a pain-free life in the Holy Spirit but rather that He will equip us to face difficult times with a peace that surpasses understanding (see Philippians 4:7).

A third ambush is the temptation to indulge our feelings of inadequacy and failure, which leads to focusing more on ourselves than on God. The Holy Spirit wants to empower us, but we need to surrender our shortcomings to Him instead of holding on to them. As Paul admonishes the Galatians: “Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? . . . After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh? . . . It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery” (Galatians 3:2-3, 5:1).

Are you keeping your path clear for the Holy Spirit, or are you getting sidetracked by the devil’s ambushes?

Prayer: Father, thank You for the reminder today that there are many ways the devil tries to ambush us, but You always know his schemes and just how to strengthen me to stand firm. Help me to remain strong and steadfast by the power of Your Spirit. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8).

Our Focus in Life

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  02/07/24

When we understand that the enemy is sly and that he attacks us from many different angles, we will be able to fend him off much better.

Maybe your marriage has become rocky or you are facing financial problems. Maybe you have stopped going to church because you were hurt by someone there. Maybe you have experienced the pain of losing a loved one who died unexpectedly.

If we hold on to the hand of God through life’s most difficult trials, we have not escaped sin’s assault on our soul just yet. In an attempt to quench our passion for God and slowly steal away our intimacy with the Lord, the enemy will try to lure our focus and attention elsewhere. He may tempt you to think of things that are not overtly sinful but that distract you from your hope and stay—the Lord. When we take our eyes off God, our strength, we can lose our way and stumble down a destructive path.

We must be diligent to rid our lives of things that divert our eyes from Christ. Is desiring to have a better life sinful? No, it is not. However, when our goal in life becomes an upgraded lifestyle, shifting us away from God, it does become sinful.

Throughout life, we are faced with numerous decisions, many of which are costly by the world’s standards if the right decision is made. Yet, nothing in life will ever be as satisfying as following the Lord.

No matter how many good things we obtain in life, no matter how many promotions we get or fame and popularity we achieve, these things pale in comparison to the hope and joy we experience in relationship with Christ.

Prayer: Lord, help me to keep my focus on You and You alone. Thank You for Your hope and joy. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent” (John 17:3).

Living Our Faith

01/29/24 – 02/06/24

Wait on God

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  02/06/24

For the believer, patience is built upon the absolute, unshakable belief that God is sovereign. We can be patient because we know we are neither forgotten nor forsaken by our heavenly Father. Patience is the result of knowing that God has every detail of our lives under control. Nothing escapes His eternal care.

One day your loving Savior is coming back for you. Remember, your ultimate destination is heaven. Therefore, don’t get hooked by Satan’s bait and begin treating this world as your real home. If you do, you will find that you are becoming more impatient with the aggravations of life.

James gives us examples that spur us on to patience. First, we must understand some of the basic rules of farming (see James 5:7). A farmer does not continually dig up the seed he has planted in order to check its growth—if he did so, he would never have a harvest. Likewise, we must trust God’s timing in our lives.

Just as the farmer waits for his crop, we must wait on God to complete His work in our lives. This takes patience! James goes on to tell us that even Job had to endure a fierce trial. However, he knew that God had a wonderful plan for his life, and he refused to deny the Lord.

There will be times when we feel like we are in a holding pattern in our lives. We long to move away from our difficulties, but God wants us to wait and to learn how to be patient. If you find yourself feeling impatient with your circumstances, look up into the glorious face of the Savior who loves you and has a great reward for you.

Prayer: Father, You are sovereign. As I wait on Your work in my life, I pray You would bring to mind opportunities and ways that I might serve You with honor. I desire to show my faithfulness in this time of waiting. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming” (James 5:7).

Living Our Faith

01/29/24 – 02/06/24

The Day I Died to Self

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  02/05/24

George Müller, an esteemed evangelist and prayer warrior of the nineteenth century, was once asked, “What is the secret of your victorious life?”

His answer was simple. “It was the day I died, utterly died.”

As he spoke, Müller bent down until he reached the floor and then continued: “. . . Died to George Müller—his opinions, preferences, tastes, and will. Died to the world—its approval or censure. Died to approval or blame—even of my brethren and friends. Since then I have studied only to show myself approved unto God.”

Until you learn to die to self, you will live your Christian life in defeat. Until you learn to die to sin, you will live in bondage. Until you learn to die to pride, you will live in slavery and servitude.

If any believer feels defeated, it is because he has bought into the lie of believing that Satan has invincible power over him. As a child of God, you do not need to be in bondage. James 4:7 says, “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

When James says, “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you,” it does not mean that you are standing in the battle arena and being beaten. Rather, it is a picture of a general who has defeated his enemy and calls out to his officers to clean house.

Your commanding general rose from the dead, ascended into heaven, and is at the Father’s right hand “with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him” (1 Peter 3:22).

When you are joined with Christ, you have the same authority. You can break out of bondage. You can give up a sinful habit. You can be freed from any addiction—by the power of Christ.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for the freedom that comes when I die to myself and live only for You. When Satan attacks me with lies, help me to dwell on Your Truth, that I might walk more fully in the victory You have given me in Christ. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).

Living Our Faith

01/29/24 – 02/06/24

Fighting the Devil

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  02/04/24

How do we fight the devil when he is trying to manipulate a situation involving another person? We must pray specifically for blessings on that other person. Jesus commands us, “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, . . .” (Matthew 5:44).

Even if our flesh is demanding vengeance, we need to pray for that person. We can find victory and forgiveness in praying for our enemies. When we look past our daily grievances and annoyances, and stay heaven-focused, our outlook on life will change. Our lives won’t become easier, but we will have the proper perspective in facing our battles.

When temptations and spiritual attacks overwhelm us, where do we turn? If we are trying to face them with our own strength instead of God’s, we will weaken quickly. If we try to use our own intellect instead of the Holy Spirit’s guidance, we will fail. We must keep our relationship with God our top priority, so we will easily remember where to go for help.

Prayer: Father, help me to pray for blessings for others, specifically for those who are difficult for me to love. I need Your help and guidance so that I will not fall for the devil’s schemes. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“In my distress I called to the LORD; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears” (Psalm 18:6).

Living Our Faith

01/29/24 – 02/06/24

Resist the Devil

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  02/03/24

Our Lord calls us to stand in the power of the Holy Spirit, from whom we receive all that we need to reject Satan and our old ways (see Ephesians 1:17-23).

In James 4:4-10, James calls us to “[r]esist the devil,” promising that, when we do, “he will flee from [us]” (v. 7). Therefore, we must be led by the Holy Spirit as we fight the fight of faith against our flesh and the devil (see Ephesians 2:1-10; 1 Timothy 6:12).

Read James 4:7 once more: “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” The connection of these two thoughts is no accident, for successful resistance flows from successful submission. A life that is totally submitted to God in every area is ironclad, completely impenetrable to Satan’s attacks, because it is fortified with godliness.

We cannot afford to be passive when Satan or our flesh attempts to draw us away from obedience to Christ. In spiritual terms, we must learn to battle Satan and our flesh by trusting in the promises of God, such as His promises to give us more grace and show favor to the humble (see James 4:6). When we live by such promises, we properly wield “the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God” (Ephesians 6:17).

So, if Satan comes to you, whispering, “You’ve done so many miserable things in the past; your sins are too big for God to forgive,” it is time to draw your sword. Pull out 1 John 1:9 and counter the attack with Truth: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

Disarmed by the Word of God in this way, the devil can do nothing to you. It’s as if he has broken into your house and found you standing there, armed to the hilt. Not only is he helpless, he’s scared. When you resist him, he recognizes the presence of Jesus in you—the same Jesus who defeated him in the desert, condemned him at the cross, and will one day return to carry out perfect justice by casting him to his eternal ruin—the same Jesus in whom “all the promises of God find their Yes” (2 Corinthians 1:20, ESV).

Prayer: God, thank You for Your Word that is my sword to fight against Satan, my flesh, and the darkness of the world. May I surrender to Your will in Your Word and serve as a light to the lost as I trust in You. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you” (James 4:7-8a).