Daily Devotional

The Importance of Praise

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  11/25/21

In Psalm 100, the psalmist instructs us: “Shout for joy to the LORD, . . . Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. . . . Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations” (v.1-2, 4-5).

What is it about praise and thanksgiving that brings the Lord and the believer so close together? Praise melts our hearts so that we are no longer hardened by sin or disappointment. The Bible teaches that God is near to those who praise Him (see Psalm 145:18-19). He knows the deepest concerns of our hearts (see Psalm 139). And while He never requires our praise, He certainly desires it because He knows that praise places us in a position to receive His blessings.

Praise reveals the true spiritual condition of our hearts and molds us into people who are thankful.

Prayer: Father, help me to be a person who praises You all the time, for You are truly worthy of all praise! I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name” (Hebrews 13:15).

A Zest for Life

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  11/23/21

Every person has a thirst for life. We want to live our lives to the fullest. Things that clog or impede our lives become objects of our hate, discomfort, and dislike. We abhor sickness, impediments, or whatever diminishes or destroys life.

God created us with a zest for life. Sin in the Garden of Eden brought about the curse of disease and death. No matter how long we may live, we all must face the prospect of death.

Most people live their lives either fearing death or denying that they will have to face it. The Truth is that physical life will fail, but it is Jesus and trust in Him that brings us the assurance of eternal life. In Him, we receive a new spirit and are daily invigorated and renewed.

The more time you spend with Christ, the more energy and vigor you will receive. The more you cling to His Word, the more vitality you will experience. The more you seek Him, the more victory you will have because your focus will be on God and on what is eternal.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for life. Thank You for eternal life in Christ. May I seek You all my days. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I have set my heart on your laws” (Psalm 119:30).

A Cure for Depression

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  11/22/21

The writer of Psalm 42 is disheartened. Maybe he is dealing with a problem that has continued for some time. Then he hits on a Truth that changes his feelings of depression into thoughts of hope. He writes, “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God” (Psalm 42:5-6, 11).

Emotional depression can result from anger, disappointment, or discouragement. If we dwell on these feelings, they will consume us. If we fail to look to God in the midst of our difficulty, then we will be overwhelmed and defeated.

When you are tired and discouraged, do you find yourself thirsty for God’s wisdom, guidance, and protection? If so, pray: “Lord, show me Your face. Help me to understand what I need to know about this situation and how to handle it.”

If we seek God, then we will find Him (see Matthew 7:8). Despair, hatred, malice, envy, and feelings of bitterness will fade. Is there something in your life that fills you with misery? Ask for God’s light to come upon you and for His Truth to guide you.

Prayer: Lord, help me to understand my feelings of anxiety and concern. Help me to focus on You and not on my anger, disappointment, or distress. Shine Your light on my life as I thirst for You. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Send me your light and your faithful care, let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell” (Psalm 43:3).

A Meaningful Life

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  11/21/21

Much of our worldly pursuits in life will bring us nothing but emptiness, misery, and disappointment. A life without God’s leading is a life without purpose and meaning.

But, thanks be to God, there is a better way! A life lived in fellowship with God, a life lived under the authority of the Word of God, a life lived by the principles given to us in His Word—that life will be meaningful.

That sort of life will be purposeful. That life will be joyful and fulfilling. That life will be a blessing to you and to others. Most importantly, that life will be a blessing to God.

The good news is that those who are experiencing a personal relationship with the Son of God will not only find contentment in this life. They will know with all assurance that the day is coming when they will have perfect knowledge, perfect bodies, perfect memories, and perfect stamina. And the reason that they can have this full life is that they know who they are and to whom they belong. They know their purpose for living, and they know their ultimate destination.

Only God, His Truths, His purpose, and His Word can give your life the meaning you have always wanted.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for offering me a life of purpose, joy, and fulfillment through Christ. I pray that my life would be a blessing to You and to others as I seek to serve You alone. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33).

Cleansing Your Soul

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  11/20/21

When a young boy came running into the house after playing outside, his mother stopped him, asking, “What is on your right hand?”

“Oh, just a little mud,” he replied.

“Are you planning to get it off your hand?” she asked.

“Sure, Mom, I’ll just wipe it off with my other hand.”

There was only one problem with the boy’s plan. One dirty hand and one clean hand equal two dirty hands.

Many people are like this little boy. Deep down they are conscious of their sin and rebellion and of their need of cleansing, but they think they can clean themselves by doing some good deeds or charity work.

Just as the mother had to put her son’s hands under running water to clean them, so you must put your life under the blood of Jesus Christ. Only the resurrected Christ can cleanse you from sin. Only the resurrected Christ can transform your destination from hell to heaven.

There is a need in each of us to do things for ourselves—to be self-reliant. If we have a problem, we want to fix it. If we want something, we try to get it. This need to be independent carries over into our relationship with Christ. But we soon discover that we cannot redeem ourselves from our sinful nature. We cannot work our way into God’s favor. We must come to Him in complete surrender and obedience, seeking His forgiveness for our sins.

Without Christ, our lives are meaningless and empty. Peter reminds us, “In [God’s] great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3).

Prayer: Lord, thank You for the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ that, though my sins were as scarlet, has made me white as snow. Today I rest in Your salvation by grace, that I may be free and able to share this Good News with others. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation” (Psalm 13:5).

Love Never Fails

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  11/19/21

In the book First and Last Things, American historian H.G. Wells wrote how Jesus Christ repelled him: “. . . this image of virtue, this terrible and incomprehensible Galilean.” Wells is not the first or the last to be repelled by the Lord.

The government of Christ’s day turned its back on Him. The Jews repudiated Him. Those who gathered for His crucifixion jeered at Him, and many of His friends, who had been with Him for three years of ministry, abandoned Him, going into hiding after His arrest.

It is not surprising that Satan is still at work in our world, seeking to deceive and to draw men and women away from the only one who can provide the hope they so desperately need.

The rejection of God’s Son can be subtle. The “good” person may say, “I am a Christian because I was raised in a Christian family, but I just don’t want to get too serious about church or the Bible.” Another person may mistakenly believe he can live any way he chooses and God will still save his soul. God is not the one who condemns us. Jesus told His followers that His goal was to seek and save those who are lost. We are the ones who condemn ourselves when we reject God’s love and gift of salvation.

However, even when we are faithless, Jesus remains faithful. When we yield to temptation, He continues to love us, and when we seek His forgiveness, He becomes our strong advocate of mercy and grace before the throne of God

He is your dearest friend, the one who will never abandon you. At the cross, He died for you, knowing that He alone could save you and give you eternal life.

Prayer: Lord, I confess that I don’t understand the depth of love You displayed for me. I am forever indebted to You for Your selfless gift of love. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Love never fails” (1 Corinthians 13:8).

Abraham: A Life of Obedience

11/09/21 – 11/18/21

Not Limiting God

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  11/18/21

It’s natural to look out for number one. But this focus on self takes us off course in our walk of faith. We may profess devotion and obedience to God, yet we seldom are willing to give up anything for Him. In Genesis 22, we see that Abraham was told to give up not just a little something—he was told to give up his long-awaited and treasured son, Isaac.

“Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, ‘Abraham!’ ‘Here I am,’ he replied. Then God said, ‘Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you'” (Genesis 22:1-2).

Can you imagine the pain of hearing those words? After years of waiting for his promised son, God then calls Abraham to sacrifice him. Most of us would claim that we had misheard God. We would try to bargain with Him or to run and hide our beloved treasure from Him. Yet, the Bible gives no indication that Abraham put up a fight.

How could he go along with such a plan? Abraham’s faith was bigger than his fear of losing his son forever. After a lifetime of lessons in his walk of faith, Abraham had finally learned not to limit God with human thinking. Hebrews 11:17-19 gives us a glimpse of Abraham’s faith in God’s faithfulness:

By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had embraced the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.” Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead, and so in a manner of speaking he did receive Isaac back from death.

Prayer: God, help me surrender totally to You and Your plan for my life. Help me to not put human limits on You, for You are far greater than I can even imagine. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Who has prescribed his ways for him, or said to him, ‘You have done wrong’?” (Job 36:23).

Abraham: A Life of Obedience

11/09/21 – 11/18/21

Consequences of Disobedience

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  11/17/21

Abraham continued to face consequences for circumventing God’s plan regarding his descendants. Ishmael, the child he fathered through his wife’s servant Hagar, became a resentful and jealous son following the birth of Isaac. “Sarah saw that the son whom Hagar the Egyptian had borne to Abraham was mocking, and she said to Abraham, ‘Get rid of that slave woman and her son, for that woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with my son Isaac.’ The matter distressed Abraham greatly because it concerned his son” (Genesis 21:9-11).

Abraham learned the hard way that deviating from God’s path leads to misery. He knew that God’s promises were true and sure, but, more than once, he allowed himself to become trapped by Satan’s lies and faltered in his faith. Jesus told us, “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32). Jesus was not talking about mere knowledge of the Truth, but our submission to it. He was talking about the Truth of the Gospel message: We need a Savior, and God has met our deep need through the atoning sacrifice of Christ by grace. It isn’t up to us. And that Truth brings freedom and transforms us into Christ like people as we trust and follow Him.

Rejoice that no matter how you falter along your journey of faith, God will be there to pick you up and redirect your steps toward His Truth—the Gospel of grace.

Prayer: God, I know that I must face the consequences of my disobedience, but I know You will never forsake me. Help me grow in faith. Thank You for picking me up when I fall. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“[T]hough he may stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand” (Psalm 37:24).

Abraham: A Life of Obedience

11/09/21 – 11/18/21

The Blessing of Waiting on God

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  11/16/21

In fervently seeking God’s will for our lives, there are moments when we clearly hear God’s voice. And there are moments when we do not wait around to let Him finish His sentence. We may hear what God is saying, but we do not listen to every part of His direction for us. Following God completely means there must be a total commitment to obedience—no matter how long it takes.

Hailed as a hero in the realm of faith, Abraham had his moments of weakness, which proved to be costly. Even though he heard God’s promise that his offspring would be innumerable, Abraham struggled to wait, mistakenly supposing that maybe God meant his offspring would come through his maidservant Hagar and thus bringing strife to his household.

Still, God fulfilled His promise to Abraham: Sarah had a child. Even when we make mistakes, God sticks by His Word—He never fails us. However, we must be ever diligent to prove faithful to what God calls us to do in our lives. Our impatience in God usually delays the timing of His best for our lives. God does not choose to make us wait because He enjoys making us suffer; we wait because His timing brings blessing to us and glory to His name and transforms us into His likeness if we set our hearts on Him.

Waiting on God’s best for our lives proves we believe Him. It demonstrates our faith in who He is and what He says about our lives. Learning to wait on His perfect timing results in greater joy when His promises are fully realized in our lives.

Prayer: Lord, teach me to have patience as I wait for Your purposes to be fulfilled in my life. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Those who know your name trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you” (Psalm 9:10).

Abraham: A Life of Obedience

11/09/21 – 11/18/21

God Will Act

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  11/15/21

Disobedience disrupts our walk of faith. Even though God had promised Abraham many descendants, he and his wife Sarah had yet to bear any children. After years of frustration, Sarah began to blame God for her barrenness. She even said to Abraham, “The LORD has kept me from having children” (Genesis 16:2).

This is an easy trap to fall into. When things go wrong or don’t make sense, we blame God. Like Sarah, we are tempted to short-circuit God’s plan. Even if we disobey God out of good intentions, the result is still heartache. But God always keeps His promises, even if they do not follow our preferred timeline. God will act; He is faithful, and this shouldn’t surprise us.

When Sarah heard the news that she would finally bear a son, she laughed and thought, “After I am worn out and my lord is old, will I now have this pleasure?” Sarah had become bitter and wounded—she was faithless. “Then the LORD said to Abraham, ‘Why did Sarah laugh and say, “Will I really have a child, now that I am old?” Is anything too hard for the LORD? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son'” (Genesis 18:12-14).

There is nothing too difficult for the Lord! But when we allow our doubts and disbeliefs to taint our faith, we miss out on the joy of watching God’s plan unfold in our lives. When we begin to doubt God’s wisdom and providence, we backtrack in our journey of faith. As we have learned from Abraham, only when we remain in God’s will can we receive His promised blessings. When we try to force our own plans, we cause ourselves misery.

Prayer: Father, help me trust You, even when it may seem like things are not going the way they should. Help me remember that nothing is too difficult for You and that Your plans are always better than mine! I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off” (Proverbs 23:18).

Abraham: A Life of Obedience

11/09/21 – 11/18/21

Disobedience: The Trail to Spiritual Stagnation

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  11/14/21

There are times when we confuse our happiness with God’s will. When everything is running smoothly and we are as happy as can be, we presume that we are in the center of God’s will. However, when things take a turn for the worse, we presume just the opposite: We are not in God’s will.

Our initial reaction to friction in our lives is to change something. If everything looks unsettled, then we must be doing something wrong. Yet, if the unsettling is taking place around us and not in our spirit, God wants us to turn to Him and hold on.

As Abraham dealt with what he viewed as a delay in receiving God’s promise for his life, he tried to change his circumstances on his own. If God was not going to open Sarah’s womb, Abraham sought an alternative way to fulfill God’s promise for his life.

God desires to fulfill His promises for us. He never intends for us to hear His promises and then go and try to make them happen ourselves. Even when our lives seem stuck, we must be obedient at all costs. Disobedience delays God’s promises for our lives.

Anyone can obey God when life is easy. When obeying God means helping someone with minimal effort on our part, we joyfully oblige. But when obeying God means there is sacrifice or waiting involved, we must submit and persevere by remembering who is the Lord.

God may ask you to go through some difficult things during your life. But, when you follow His lead, all that you endure will be for your best and for His glory.

Prayer: Lord, help me obey You today, no matter how simple or difficult the task seems. 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).

Abraham: A Life of Obedience

11/09/21 – 11/18/21

Fearlessness: Walking with the Shield of Faith

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  11/13/21

Sometimes life can give us more than we can handle. There are moments when our burdens topple the smooth plans we have made for our lives. Our natural tendency is to hold on to what we have, clutching tighter than before. But God says we should do something different.

To walk truly fearlessly in the face of life’s threatening storms, we must fully place our trust in God. He wants us to see if we really believe what He says in His Word. And it begins with surrendering our lives into His hands.

When your life’s boat begins to rock upon the waves, God wants you to focus on Him more than ever. To walk fearlessly, upholding faith as your banner and shield, you must know who you are following. God does not lead us down dark alleys to abandon us. But He does take us through the tumultuous storms of life, holding our hand every step of the way.

After hearing about the kidnapping of Lot and his family, Abraham rounded up 318 men and went on a rescue mission. Abraham was fearless—not because he had 318 men to back him up, but because he was walking under the shield of faith. He trusted God and desired to obey Him no matter what.

Walking fearlessly with our heavenly Father means that we have come to a place of complete dependency upon Him, a place where we know He has His best in mind for us no matter what. The challenges that come our way can be conquered when we place our faith in Him. As our trust in God grows, we realize that, while He will not shield us from life’s challenges, He will shield us from defeat.

Prayer: Lord, I place my trust fully in You. Because of Your power and love displayed on the cross, I can rest in You and remember that You are my fortress. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you” (Psalm 56:3).

Abraham: A Life of Obedience

11/09/21 – 11/18/21

Greed Breeds Sorrow

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  11/12/21

There is a children’s story about a dog with a big, juicy bone crossing over a small footbridge. He stops long enough to gaze down into the pool of water beneath the bridge and sees what he believes is another dog with an even bigger bone!

Instead of being happy with what he has been given, he drops his bone and lunges forward to take the other dog’s bone. But there was no other dog and no other bone. What he saw was his own reflection in the water below. His entanglement with greed and deception caused him to lose what was precious to him.

Many people live their lives in this way. They look at what others have and want more than what they have been given. They allow themselves to be consumed with discontentment and jealousy, disastrous attitudes.

Similarly, Lot was jealous of Abraham. When the men decided to part ways, Lot insisted on settling in the cities of the plain near Jordan. The men could see from where they stood how rich and fertile the land was (see Genesis 13:10-11). Abraham humbly accepted the physically challenging land of Canaan. Lot’s choice was one motivated by his greedy, self-centered desires, while Abraham was motivated by a sincere desire to follow God and live in peace. He believed God’s promises to bless him and make him into a great nation, and so he continued to worship the Lord in his new land (see Genesis 13:14-18).

Jealous for the best land, Lot settled near Sodom and suffered (see Genesis 14, 19:1-29). Selfishness, envy, and greed only lead to sorrow and defeat. If you have allowed envy to set up shop in your life, ask God to tear down this stronghold and forgive you for your faithlessness. He has a marvelous plan for your life; you do not need to envy the life of another.

Prayer: Lord, cleanse me from all thoughts of envy and greed. Teach me to be satisfied with Your blessings in my life and to pursue Your will and wisdom. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“The greedy stir up conflict, but those who trust in the LORD will prosper” (Proverbs 28:25).

Abraham: A Life of Obedience

11/09/21 – 11/18/21

Faith Tested

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  11/11/21

As we read yesterday, Abraham did finally obey God and make it to Canaan. But Abraham’s obedience did not mean that his life would suddenly become easy. When he arrived in the land God showed him, he found the Canaanites there. After such a long journey, Abraham’s faith was about to be tested.

We can become easily discouraged when our obedient choices lead to difficulties and adversities. God never promised an easy life. When we obey Him, we will experience His blessings and peace, but that does not mean an easy road.

Abraham may not have understood the fullness of God’s plan; still, he worshiped God by building an altar. In our walk of faith, we may face trials that baffle us. We may question unexpected events. But in the middle of it all, God wants our obedience and praise. The last thing God wants us to do is to give up when things don’t make sense to our human understanding.

Have you given up on God’s plan because you’re facing difficulties in the midst of it? Remember His faithfulness and love and trust Him again today.

Prayer: God, I sometimes become discouraged when my faith is tested and things don’t go the way I expect. Thank You for the example of Abraham, who worshiped You in the midst of difficulties. Help me persevere through trials. 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).

Abraham: A Life of Obedience

11/09/21 – 11/18/21

Complete Obedience

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  11/10/21

If we are truly trusting in God’s plan and providence, then we will live in obedience to His will for our lives. Our trust in God is not meant to sit on a shelf. We will face trials constantly, along with temptations and struggles that will put our faith in God to work.

Before God would use him, Abraham had to take the first step of obedience and leave his pagan hometown, Ur (see Acts 7:2-3). But on the way to Canaan, Abraham and his family settled in Harran, another pagan town (see Genesis 11:31). Abraham’s obedience was incomplete.

God does not want us to start out on His path and then stagnate. Obedience involves commitment and follow-through. How many times do we settle for something short of the Lord’s perfect plan for our lives? How many times do we set out in obedience, only to stop at the halfway mark?

God did not give up on Abraham. His call did not waver. “The Lord had said to Abram, ‘Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you'” (Genesis 12:1). Finally, Abraham continued his journey and did not stop until he reached Canaan.

Prayer: Father, help me follow through in obedience to You. Show me if I am settling for something short of Your perfect plan. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham while he was still in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Harran. ‘Leave your country and your people,’ God said, ‘and go to the land I will show you'” (Acts 7:2-3).

Abraham: A Life of Obedience

11/09/21 – 11/18/21

A Life of Obedience

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  11/09/21

Abraham’s life was one of obedience. While he was not perfect, he certainly was a man who wanted to obey God. He went from worshiping many gods to worshiping only one—the LORD.

Genesis 12:1 records that God had commanded Abraham: “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.” Immediately, Abraham answered God’s call. His love for the Lord was so great that he responded by packing up his family and setting out for a new home—one known only to God! Most of us would never consider a move like this. We usually want God to lay out every detail before we make a decision.

We pray that He will reveal His will to us, and then we ask Him to provide the evidence we need in order to step forward. We never read, however, that Abraham did this. In fact, his faith was so strong that, when God said go, he went.

There will be times when God will require us to do things that, from our perspective, do not make sense. We may struggle with our decision and long for God to repeatedly make His will known to us. However, if the Lord calls us, we must go. If He instructs us to take a certain route, make a certain decision, or work toward a certain goal, we had better get busy doing it.

Obedience is the doorway to blessing. Abraham became the father of a great nation. God fulfilled every promise He made to His servant, and He will do the same for you. Before He does, He may require a step of faith on your part. Are you willing to step forward into His blessing?

Prayer: Father, thank You for Your great promises and for the blessed assurance of salvation through Christ’s death and resurrection. May the Gospel bolster my faith daily so I walk in obedience to You. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. Lord Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in you” (Psalm 84:11-12).

How to Be Happy

A Study of the Beatitudes

11/01/21 – 11/08/21

Those Who Are Persecuted Because of Righteousness

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  11/08/21

As you read the Gospels, you’ll discover that Jesus was persecuted because of His blazing righteousness. He would not conform to the expectations of the religious authorities. Rather, He spoke the Truth, lived the Truth, and died for the Truth.

So Jesus finishes the beatitudes with the promise that those persecuted for righteousness will receive the Kingdom of heaven. Now, there is a difference between being persecuted for righteousness and the offense of the cross and being persecuted for being offensive in our attitude and character. But those who seek a deeper walk with Christ and follow Him no matter the cost will receive this special blessing promised to Christ’s persecuted—those who have dispensed with shallow spiritual experiences and seek the glory of Jesus above everything else in life. Believers who live like this will put His righteousness on display—and the righteousness of God is always in conflict with the wickedness of this world.

Brothers and sisters, when you are persecuted, know this: The hatred you experience is really being directed toward the Lord, not you. Don’t ever take the insults personally. When you are slandered for your Biblical convictions, Jesus says to you, “Count on Me. Look up to Me. Leave it with Me.” Remember that our victory comes from trusting God, from imitating our Savior (see 1 Peter 2:21-25). We don’t retaliate; we respond with love. We bless and do not curse (see Romans 12:14). Like Jesus, we endure for the joy set before us (see Hebrews 12:2). The reward of heaven is waiting.

Prayer: Jesus, thank You that You are always with me. Help me to withstand the persecution that I may endure for Your name. May I look to You for peace and strength. May I bless and not curse, praying for those who persecute me—who persecute You—that they might be saved. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:10).

How to Be Happy

A Study of the Beatitudes

11/01/21 – 11/08/21

The Peacemakers

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  11/07/21

Even though our sins and trespasses were paid for on the cross, our sin still grieves the Holy Spirit, which is why we must continually remember our poverty of spirit and mourn our sin. We must seek to remain pure in heart and wholly devoted to the Lord so that we can be peacemakers (see Matthew 5:9). Jesus’ order of these two beatitudes is significant. Peace will not come until there is purity. Why? Because God’s way of permanent peace is through purity, not compromise. Conflict cannot be truly resolved without the Truth exposing sin and leading us to righteousness. Only then can we have peace that lasts.

And oh, what a peace! Godly peace transcends understanding; it’s abundant and overflowing so that we are able to pour it into the lives of others. That’s what being a peacemaker is all about—being able to give away the peace we have already received.

At one time, we were all enemies of God, in rebellion against our Creator and His perfect, holy, and good will. But Jesus reconciled us to God through His blood shed on the cross. It is only by that blood that we have peace with God and the peace of God. When we enjoy a restored relationship with God and impart His peace to those around us—when we are peacemakers—we reflect our heavenly Father and show ourselves to be His children, the apple of His eye.

Prayer: Father, as I pursue purity and righteousness, may I bring true peace to those You put in my path. Help me to lead others to restored relationships with You and with other people. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9).

How to Be Happy

A Study of the Beatitudes

11/01/21 – 11/08/21

The Pure in Heart

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  11/06/21

It’s tempting to equate “pure in heart” with being sinless, but that would be an impossible standard for us this side of heaven. Thankfully, that’s not what Jesus meant when He said, “Blessed are the pure in heart.” The Bible treats the heart as the command center of your life—the totality of your being: soul, spirit, mind, and body. So when we are “pure in heart,” then our emotions, intellect, and will are fully given to God. This is a cleansing, a purification, that only Jesus can give us.

First, Jesus imparts to us His righteousness so that we are declared guiltless before God; this is our positional purity (see Romans 4:25; 1 John 1:7). And then, Jesus provides us with His Holy Spirit that we might seek daily purity out of reverence to God and thankfulness for His gift of salvation (see 2 Corinthians 7:1; 1 Peter 1:14). With these two kinds of purity, we will be happy because we will see God.

We’ll see Him in His magnificent creation and in our circumstances because we know He is working all things for our good (see Psalm 19:1; Romans 8:28). We’ll see God in His Word, in the person of Jesus Christ, and one day face to face (see Colossians 1:15; 1 Corinthians 13:12). What a gift to know personally the one, true God! Ask Him today to give you an undivided heart that you might have eyes to see Him more clearly day by day.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for purifying me through the blood of Christ and the inner working of Your Holy Spirit. I rejoice because I know You are transforming me from one point of glory to another as I walk in Your ways by Your strength. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God” (Matthew 5:8).

How to Be Happy

A Study of the Beatitudes

11/01/21 – 11/08/21

The Merciful

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  11/05/21

s He delivered the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus was intentional about the order of what we call the beatitudes. He was leading us through the way of the Christian life, guiding us from that first step of knowing our need for Christ to this fifth one—the greatest way to imitate our heavenly Father—exercising mercy.

Our world doesn’t always see mercy as a virtue, however. One Roman philosopher called mercy “the disease of the soul.” Sadly, Roman men treated women and children the way our society treats the unborn today: with no mercy. Even among the Jewish people, the Pharisees taught that it is only necessary to show mercy to someone when they have shown mercy to you.

However, Jesus’ teaching on mercy turned that worldly wisdom upside-down. He said that when we show mercy to others, our hearts will be in such a condition to receive more and more of God’s mercy so that we may be able to give more mercy. The more mercy we pour out, the more His mercy will pour into us. You see, God is looking for people to be conduits of His mercy—to be people who resemble and represent the Lord Jesus Christ. For love generates mercy, and mercy provides forgiveness. That’s a message the world needs to hear and a hope the lost need to experience: the love of God displayed in His mercy toward sinners.

Prayer: Father, I know mercy is beautiful because it is a part of Your character. I experience Your mercy every day as You forgive my sins and extend to me a love deeper than I can fathom. May I be a conduit of that incredible mercy to those around me. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy” (Matthew 5:7).

How to Be Happy

A Study of the Beatitudes

11/01/21 – 11/08/21

Those Who Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  11/04/21

As a Westerner, it’s not likely you’ve ever been so hungry or thirsty that you were in danger of dying. But the people listening to Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount had likely experienced severe hunger and true thirst at some point in their lives, so their ears must have perked up as Jesus said happy are the hungry and thirsty.

But Jesus wasn’t talking about natural hunger and thirst; He was talking about spiritual hunger and thirst—a hunger and thirst that everyone experiences, but not everyone fills with what will eternally satisfy. The lost consume the wrong things in the hopes of finding happiness: wealth, status, pleasure, power. They are like the prodigal son who filled his stomach with pig slop when his father was ready to welcome him home with a feast—if only he would admit his need and return to his daddy.

You see, when the poor in spirit continually mourn their sin, the Holy Spirit grows them in meekness—in submission to and trust of God. And as their relationship with the Lord deepens, they hunger and thirst for more righteousness, more of God and less of themselves. It is not a pretentious longing for righteousness—it is an internal longing that flows from an understanding of one’s utter unworthiness of God’s grace. It is this kind of longing that God promises to satisfy. And with such a promise, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness are surely happy, for they will be filled.

Prayer: Lord, forgive me for chasing after things that do not satisfy. I know only You can fill me with joy and purpose. I long for more of You. May Christ increase in me as I decrease, and may I draw the lost to You with the transformation You work in my heart. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled” (Matthew 5:6).

How to Be Happy

A Study of the Beatitudes

11/01/21 – 11/08/21

The Meek

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  11/03/21

In our society, it’s the wealthy and assertive people who get their way—the CEO who doesn’t take no for an answer, the social media influencer who has all the right connections. Their me-centric attitude is lauded, valued, and even expected in our culture. “That’s how to get ahead—how to be happy,” says society, “Use power to take what you want in life.” But Jesus says this earth belongs to the meek.

When you think of a meek person, you might think of someone who’s quiet and reserved, a pushover even. But Biblically speaking, meekness is not weakness—and it’s not limited to people with a certain kind of personality. Rather, a meek person is one who has his power under control. The meek are so submitted to the Spirit of God that even when they are maligned, they choose to die to self. When reviled, they revile not in return. There is no greater example of meekness than Jesus Christ. It took more power for Jesus to surrender to the soldiers who came to arrest Him in Gethsemane than it did for Peter to pull out his sword and chop the ear off the high priest’s servant (see John 18:1-14).

The meek are happy because they trust in the Lord’s deliverance and justice. They wait patiently for the Lord, who says, “Vengeance is mine.” The meek know there is no need to struggle and fight their way to the so-called “good life”; they already have it because they have Jesus.

Prayer: Father, I long to be meek, following the way of my Savior. Help me to be humble in heart so that when I have power, I wield it for the good of others above myself. I will trust You for justice; I know my reward is coming. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5).

How to Be Happy

A Study of the Beatitudes

11/01/21 – 11/08/21

Those Who Mourn

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  11/02/21

If you were to name the antithesis of happiness, mourning might be a good choice. When we think of mourning, we think of loss—the loss of dreams, opportunities, or loved ones. But Jesus says, “Blessed are those who mourn” (Matthew 5:4). But it’s not just any mourning He’s talking about; it’s mourning over our sin. It’s the natural response to the discovery of our brokenness. That’s why mourning follows poverty of spirit in Jesus’ superstructure of the beatitudes. When we realize our desperate need for God and see the sin in our lives that has kept us from Him, we will mourn.

But why does mourning over our sin make us happy or blessed? Because when we mourn our sin, we can experience the comfort, joy, and strength of God’s forgiveness. When we confess and mourn over our failures and shortcomings, the comfort that Jesus gives is sweeter than words can describe.

It sounds strange, but it’s true: Jesus tells us the way to happiness is sadness, and the road to rejoicing is mourning. This is foolishness to the world. Until you come to the cross, you can’t see it; you can’t comprehend it. The apostle John put it this way, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9)—and that is all the reason in the world to be happy.

Prayer: God, help me to see my sin and to mourn it. As I humble myself, I know You will lift me up in Your lovingkindness. Thank You that you promise to forgive me and purify me as I confess my sins to You in humble repentance. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted” (Matthew 5:4).

How to Be Happy

A Study of the Beatitudes

11/01/21 – 11/08/21

The Poor in Spirit

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  11/01/21

Poverty and happiness don’t usually go together. No one says, “If only I were homeless, then I’d be happy!” But Jesus says poverty and happiness actually go hand in hand. Of course, the poverty Jesus is talking about in the first beatitude is poverty of spirit. Being poor in spirit means we are conscious of our emptiness apart from God and our true sinful nature. Poverty of spirit comes when the Holy Spirit awakens our spirits to see that only Jesus’ death on the cross can atone for our sins and secure our eternal salvation.

Without poverty of spirit we cannot discover salvation and a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. We must first realize we need saving before we can reach out and cling to our Savior. But being poor in spirit is not just an entry requirement for salvation. While it may be the first step in the structure that Jesus is building with the beatitudes, it is also foundational—all the others rest on this one.

The brokenness we experience when we first come to know Christ stays with us. In fact, as we grow more mature in the faith, we discover new depths to our spiritual poverty—new reasons to hold tightly to Jesus, new reasons to be thankful for His grace and mercy. And as we live our lives in the knowledge that He is our only hope and the source of our every blessing, we can’t help but brim with true joy and happiness.

Prayer: Jesus, I know I am nothing apart from You. Thank You for giving me Your righteousness, for washing me white as snow. Help me to grow in spiritual maturity as I reflect on my spiritual poverty apart from Your grace and Your Holy Spirit renewing me day by day. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3).

How to Stand Against the Devil’s Schemes

10/28/21 – 10/31/21

Our Focus in Life

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  10/31/21

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).