Daily Devotional

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).

Living Our Faith

01/29/24 – 02/06/24

Conquering Hidden Fears

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  02/02/24

How do you conquer hidden fears? First, you identify what is causing you to feel fearful. Is your sense of fear based on Truth or an irrational belief? Most of what we fear never happens. While fearful feelings may be warning signs, they also can be very misleading. For some people, worry and fear are simply habitual. They have no solid basis for what they are feeling.

The second step to conquering fear is prayer. Many believers look for some sort of formula to make their prayers more effective. When it comes to prayer, there is no secret method. Simply pray about what frightens you. Tell the Lord what is worrying you, and ask Him to show you if your sense of fear is valid. God hears you when you cry out to Him. You can tell Him when you feel afraid, scared, or hurt. He also listens as you express your feelings of frustration and anger.

James reminds us that many times our fears are not silenced because we do not take time to pray, “You do not have because you do not ask God” (4:2).

Fear is a very strong emotion. It can paralyze us, but it also can be an indicator of what is going on in a person’s life. God knows our hearts and our deepest secrets. He knows what fears we have. As hidden areas of fear and dread come to light, God will reveal His plan to eliminate each one.

In times of fear, ask God to reveal what is true about your situation. Be strong in your faith. The apostles did not hesitate to ask God to increase their faith, and neither should you (see Luke 17:5). He will help you overcome fear.

Prayer: God, I pray that You would shine Your light on my situation, revealing the Truth so that I will not be afraid. Help me to be able to identify what is causing my fear and to come to You when I am feeling afraid. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“For you have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life” (Psalm 56:13).

Living Our Faith

01/29/24 – 02/06/24

Freedom Through Submission

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  02/01/24

William F. Buckley, conservative author and founder of National Review magazine, once said in an interview, “The most important intellectual enterprise is the distinction between right and wrong.” Often our thoughts about right and wrong get blurred. We allow the world’s view of sin to change our perspective of God’s Truth. One moment’s worth of compromise can dull our senses to God’s Truth.

Our emotions are notoriously undependable. If you rely solely on your feelings, you will find yourself becoming both miserable and confused. This is true for every relationship, but it is especially true of husbands and wives. In intimate relationships, we need to be sure that we live life from a perspective of what is true and right according to God.

We also need to make sure that we willingly submit to one another. This means we value one another as God values each of us. For example, we listen in kindness to the views of our spouse or our friends because we love them and not because we are forced to be in their presence. James writes:

What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. (James 4:1-3),

Genuine happiness does not come from getting your own way or by avoiding God’s plan. Happiness comes from obeying His Word and His will. It comes from obedience and submission.

Obedience is not meant to be a chore or a duty. When God is involved, submission and surrender are both liberating and fulfilling. In fact, when your life is submitted to Jesus, you will experience His lasting freedom and joy each day.

Prayer: Lord, thank You that You do not change like shifting shadows (James 1:17) or like my emotions. Help me to seek what is right in Your eyes, including loving my family and friends and showing that love in humility and kindness—the very example of Christ. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts. I will speak of your statutes before kings and will not be put to shame, for I delight in your commands because I love them” (Psalm 119:45-47).

Living Our Faith

01/29/24 – 02/06/24

Wisdom from Heaven

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  01/31/24

Although knowledge and wisdom are closely related, they are two very different things. Knowledge is the storing up of information, and wisdom is the application of the right information in a given situation. From a worldly perspective, knowledge helps you make a living, but wisdom makes a life. Our world is overflowing with knowledge, but we are bankrupt of wisdom.

There is a vast difference between natural wisdom, worldly wisdom, and God’s wisdom. Natural wisdom is comprised of our intellectual capacity and experience and is the fruit of earthly reasoning and logic. Natural wisdom offers man’s best answer to a question or problem.

Worldly wisdom is what deceived Adam and Eve in the garden. This type of wisdom rationalizes sin and separates us from God. James describes this wisdom clearly: “But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such ‘wisdom’ does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic” (James 3:14-15).

James then proceeds to contrast this worldly wisdom with eight characteristics of true, godly wisdom: “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere” (James 3:17). God’s wisdom is pure in motive, gentle, and merciful. It is not arrogant, boastful, harsh, or unforgiving. It does not create strife or division; it produces good fruit and blesses us. Worldly wisdom is self-centered; godly wisdom is God-centered. True wisdom brings glory to God.

Believers should seek God’s wisdom in all things: finding a spouse, bringing up children, settling conflicts, and starting new ventures. This wisdom is the ability to apply the Word of God accurately and correctly, not only in the believer’s life but in the lives of others.

Is it time you took authority over worldly wisdom by growing and maturing in God’s wisdom?

Prayer: Father, I pray that You would increase my godly wisdom as You’ve promised in Your Word. Protect me from relying on any kind of wisdom but Yours. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom” (James 3:13).

Living Our Faith

01/29/24 – 02/06/24

Power to Build and to Destroy

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  01/30/24

Despite all the things we are now able to control through modern science and technology, there is still one thing we have not yet mastered—and that’s the power of our tongue.

James uses a few fitting metaphors to illustrate the power of the tongue: “Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, [ships] are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark” (James 3:4-5).

Perhaps the most common forms of sin in the church today are the sins of the tongue. Our words have the power to wound feelings, devastate reputations, shatter self-esteem, and destroy relationships. One simple act of gossip can ruin a witness for Christ—and yet so often we cannot resist the temptation!

Jesus said that the things we speak are actually the overflow of what’s in our hearts (see Matthew 12:34). Is your heart filled with pride, sarcasm, accusation, or bitterness? Or is it filled with Christ’s love, encouragement, wisdom, and power?

The Truth is we can’t put an end to the gossip, lying, and blaming that create division in our families and our churches—but God can. With His Spirit at work within us, we can learn how to use our words to empower greatly, correct gently, and lead humbly.

Prayer: Lord, forgive me for the times I have used my words to bring destruction instead of encouragement. May my words be vessels of Your love and Truth. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be” (James 3:9-10).

Living Our Faith

01/29/24 – 02/06/24

When Your Faith Is Tested

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  01/29/24

Today’s me-centered culture has created a comfortable brand of Christianity that is becoming a hindrance for so many believers in the race of faith. This kind of faith is producing Christians with weak faith—believers who are shallowly supported inside the walls of the church building, only to wilt under the heat of tests, trials, and persecution once they leave their protective environments.

The New Testament epistle James says, “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” (James 1:2-3). How is spiritual endurance cultivated? Through the testing of our faith! In order to truly flourish, we must face, rather than avoid, the spiritual challenges that come before us. Instead of allowing trials to turn us away from the Lord, trials can teach us to run to Him.

In a world where we would much rather hear a soft, affirming message than a sermon on suffering or sacrifice, the Word of God challenges us to respond to tests and trials with joy. This kind of joy is not some sort of mask we wear, but a resilient hope we choose to find in Christ no matter the situation. As we fix our eyes on Jesus, choosing to focus on Him rather than our circumstances, we will find that He is strengthening us to face every spiritual battle.

The Bible says that when you are rooted in Christ, it doesn’t matter where you are planted. Like Joseph, you may be planted in Pharaoh’s prison, but you can rise and become the prime minister of Egypt. Like Daniel, you may be planted in the lion’s den, but you can rise and become the advisor to the king of Persia. And like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, you may be planted in the fiery furnace, but you can rise and witness to kings because God is with you.

How do you respond to circumstances that test your faith? Do you immediately give up, or do you fix your eyes on Jesus? Don’t let trials turn you away from faith in God. Don’t let the tests make your heart grow cold. Call upon the Lord for help and rely on His strength. Remember the reward that awaits you in Christ Jesus

Prayer: Lord, thank You that no matter where I am planted, I can flourish because of Your power working in me. When the next trial comes, help me to respond with utter joy, knowing that You will use the situation to shape and strengthen me. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all” (2 Corinthians 4:17).

It’s Never Too Late to Live for Christ

01/19/24 – 01/28/24

Speed His Coming

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  01/28/24

Jesus has called us to faithfully share the Gospel until He returns. As we do, we can be encouraged that we are speeding His coming.

Read 2 Peter 3:10-18. At the day of the Lord, “the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare” (2 Peter 3:10). Christ’s return and final judgment are more certain than tomorrow. So what kind of lives should we be living today?

First, Peter tells us that we are to live holy lives—set apart for God’s use. Second, Peter says that we are to live expectantly—looking forward to that day. A righteous life lived in joyful anticipation of Christ’s return will “speed its coming” (2 Peter 3:12).

The statement “speed its coming” is staggering. Far from fearing Christ’s impending judgment, we must seek to hasten the day when we will be with Christ for all eternity. God’s Word promises that as you pray and faithfully proclaim the hope of Christ, you hasten His return.

Just listen to Jesus’ words: “[T]his gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14). Every nation must hear the hope of the Gospel. So with our eyes fixed on that day, let us work diligently to proclaim the Good News, bearing in mind that “our Lord’s patience means salvation” (2 Peter 3:15). As long as Christ’s return is yet to come, there is still time for us to proclaim to the nations, “It’s not too late!”

Prayer: Jesus, I pray for Your work in the world—may many come to a saving knowledge of Your Gospel. Give Your people strength, perseverance, and great love to fulfill Your Great Commission. Use me to proclaim Your Truth today. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming” (2 Peter 3:11-12).

It’s Never Too Late to Live for Christ

01/19/24 – 01/28/24

A Sure Coming

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  01/27/24

Satan tries to distract us from living with hope in Christ’s return. He knows that we are the most dangerous to him when we are living for that great day.

Read 2 Peter 3:1-10. When believers live their lives in light of Christ’s return, they will live faithfully, work diligently, and pray zealously. They will be lifted high above their circumstances, purified by the hope of eternity.

You don’t need a seminary degree to know that Satan does not want us to live this way. He will do everything he can to keep us from believing that Christ is coming. In 2 Peter 3:1-10, Peter sets the record straight: Christ’s second coming—and His future judgment—are certain.

Peter encourages us to keep Christ’s return at the forefront of our minds. We must allow the fact that we will one day stand before Christ and give an account of our lives influence our decisions now.

When Jesus returns, He’s not going to find me in a white robe up on a mountain. He’s going to find me hard at work. He’s going to find me serving, ministering, and sacrificing. For I am living to hear Him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” (Matthew 25:23). I am living for my audience of one!

Have life’s concerns distracted you from eternity? It’s never too late to begin living intentionally for the Lord. Christ is coming, in the fullness of time, right on schedule. Plan on it.

Prayer: Jesus, thank You for the promise of Your return. I am looking forward to that day when all will be made new and I will see You face to face. May the hope of eternity with You refresh and invigorate me for service to Your Kingdom today. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare” (2 Peter 3:10).

It’s Never Too Late to Live for Christ

01/19/24 – 01/28/24

True Freedom

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  01/26/24

Satan will entice you to use your freedom to sin. But true freedom means we are free from sin—free to serve Christ and live holy lives.

Read 2 Peter 2:17-22. One of Satan’s cleverest tactics is to entice us into slavery by giving it a new name: freedom. Schooled in the art of seduction, he will keep at it until he overpowers the voice of the Holy Spirit—if we let him.

In verse 19, Peter warns us that false teachers will promote a false, unbiblical ‘freedom’ that actually gives us license to sin. They will twist the Truth, saying we are free to sin because God’s grace will cover it.

If Christian freedom is not properly understood, it can be easy for us to fall into this trap. But here is the Truth: When the Bible speaks about our freedom in Christ, it is referring to freedom from sin—and freedom to serve Christ. Before Christ came into our lives, we were slaves to sin, but since Christ has saved us, we are free from that merciless slave master (see Romans 6:15-23). By the Spirit, we now have power to say no to our lusts and joyfully serve our Lord Jesus.

Friends, let us not be allured by Satan’s arguments of cheap grace. Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commands” (John 14:15). Train yourself each day to reject unrighteousness and experience true freedom in Christ. It’s never too late to serve Him with your whole heart today.

Prayer: Lord, I rejoice in the freedom You have secured for me in Christ—freedom to live in the peace and joy of holiness. Show me how I can serve You today. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity—for ‘people are slaves to whatever has mastered them'” (2 Peter 2:19).

It’s Never Too Late to Live for Christ

01/19/24 – 01/28/24

Surrendering Our Pride

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  01/25/24

Many false teachers start out with good intentions but then fall victim to pride. We must be sure not to make the same mistake.

Read 2 Peter 2:10-16. Many false teachers do not start out as false teachers; rather, they are simply people who have lost their way by thinking of themselves more highly than they should. Slowly, they exchange the Truth of God’s Word for their own feelings, opinions, and interpretations—despising God’s authority in the process (see 2 Peter 2:10).

Pride is at the very core of this blasphemous exchange. When our pride is not surrendered to the Holy Spirit, we become bold and arrogant, thinking that we know better than God. This is the problem with so many false teachers. They critique Scripture, saying, “This is right; this is wrong. This happened; this did not happen.” They judge God’s Word instead of allowing it to judge them.

True believers come to Jesus in a posture of brokenness and humility, not arrogance and self-will. But even genuine believers have the potential to become blind to pride, for it is a subtle foe. That is why every one of us needs faithful friends to hold us accountable.

Friend, God is patient, but He will not be mocked. Whether you are at the beginning of your Christian walk or have been following Christ for years, ask God today to reveal if there is any hidden sin in your heart. He alone can save us from being ambushed by our pride.

Prayer: Lord, I surrender to You. You alone are all-wise, all-knowing, all-powerful. Thank You for Your patience and for the gift of Your Spirit, who leads me to repentance. By Your grace, may I grow in righteousness and humility for Your glory. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom” (Proverbs 11:2).

It’s Never Too Late to Live for Christ

01/19/24 – 01/28/24

Beware of False Teachers

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  01/24/24

There is nothing more offensive to God than the distortion of His Word. We must call out false teachers and, above all, pray that they would repent.

Read 2 Peter 2:1-9.  When a fellow Christian compromises God’s Word on major issues, how do you respond? In this passage, Peter passionately denounces false teaching, and we are to do the same.

False teachers will never directly tell you, “I don’t believe the Bible.” They are far too subtle for that. Instead, they introduce destructive heresies—preaching half-truths cleverly blended with error so that the undiscerning believer might be deceived and manipulated. As these false teachers modify God’s Word to accommodate our worldly culture, wittingly or unwittingly, they promote Satan’s lies.

In every generation, the battle before us is to keep God’s Truth free from Satan’s deception and to allow it to free people for eternity through the blood of Christ—even false teachers who promise freedom but are themselves “slaves of depravity” (2 Peter 2:19).

One of my most fervent prayers is that I will never compromise the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I pray also that those who do compromise it will understand what a grave sin they are committing against the Lord. God is patient and longsuffering, and He may give false teachers an opportunity to repent. Let this drive us to pray for and witness to everyone, even false teachers, while we still can.

Prayer: Lord, help me to stand firm in faith and boldly proclaim Your Truth in love. May those who have lost their way repent and find mercy in You. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you” (2 Peter 2:1).

It’s Never Too Late to Live for Christ

01/19/24 – 01/28/24

Hold Fast to Truth

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  01/23/24

All Scripture is given by God and is therefore completely trustworthy. We must hold fast to every single word.

Read 2 Peter 1:16-21.  Today, it is very popular to say the virgin birth, the Noahic flood, and Jonah’s three days in the belly of a whale are just fables—and furthermore, that the universe wasn’t created in seven days and that Christ’s resurrection is just metaphorical. But Peter cautions us to hold fast to all Scripture.

“Listen to me,” Peter pleads, “I am an eyewitness to the life of Jesus Christ. I followed Him for more than three years, and I heard Him affirm the historicity of these very events. I experienced the majestic power of Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration. I was there.”

Peter boldly testifies to the trustworthiness of the Gospel proclaimed by the apostles. He reminds us that all Scripture has been given to us through the direction of the Holy Spirit—not just the sections that our culture finds believable.

So confident was Peter in Christ and His fulfillment of Scripture that, when it came time to die for his faith, he asked to be crucified upside-down, considering himself unworthy to die in the same manner as Jesus. Let me tell you something: No one has ever asked to be crucified upside-down for mere fables.

Prayer: Lord, help me hold fast to Biblical Truth with the same assurance that Peter displayed. I long to submit to You and honor Your Word. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things” (2 Peter 1:20).

It’s Never Too Late to Live for Christ

01/19/24 – 01/28/24

Peter’s Burden

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  01/22/24

The greatest challenge the church faces today is falling victim to false teaching. This was Peter’s deepest concern.

Read 2 Peter 1:12-15.  Now, more than any other period in my lifetime, I am seeing mass confusion and chaos. People are no longer able to distinguish between Truth and fiction. But the tragedy of all tragedies is that fake news is preached from many a pulpit across America today.

My friend the late Dr. Adrian Rogers once said, “It is better to be hated for telling the truth than to be loved for telling a lie.” And this is precisely Peter’s passion in 2 Peter 1:12-15. He determined never to stop proclaiming the Truth, unto his dying breath. His deepest concern was that the church would be firmly established on the Truth of the Scriptures. For this reason, he made every effort to ensure believers are not misled by false gospels.

This is just as relevant for us today. Peter’s burden was not that the church be financially affluent or politically correct, but that we would remember and hold fast to the true Gospel. Every day, our culture tries to influence our thinking. But it’s never too late for us to take a stand. Today, don’t let worldly thinking lead you to believe false gospels, which are no gospel at all. Refresh your memory. Remember the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

Prayer: Jesus, there is no gospel like Your Gospel. Only Your Gospel answers God’s just wrath, for Your loving sacrifice on the cross has atoned for our sin and has secured our salvation forever. May I, like Peter, proclaim this Good News unto my dying breath. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things” (2 Peter 1:15).

It’s Never Too Late to Live for Christ

01/19/24 – 01/28/24

A Firm Foundation

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  01/21/24

To build lives that glorify God, we must build on the immovable, eternal, and sure foundation He has provided: Jesus Christ.

Read 2 Peter 1:5-11. Any decent architect knows that a strong building must have an immovable foundation. In 2 Peter 1:5, Peter tells us that our faith, if it is to be strong, must be built on the righteousness of Christ—our only hope for eternal salvation.

In verse 5, Peter begins with the words, “For this very reason.” Since we have already been saved by Christ’s righteousness and given everything we need to live a godly life, we are equipped to build our lives as monuments to God’s glory. We can pursue spiritual maturity each day.

In this passage, Peter clearly gives us the blueprint for building godly lives: To faith we add goodness, then knowledge, then self-control, then perseverance, then godliness, then mutual affection, and then love (see 2 Peter 1:5-7).

Peter knew from experience that these wonderful qualities are the fruit of the Holy Spirit working in us. So he exhorts us to make every effort to walk by the Spirit and thus confirm our calling and election—our identity as sons and daughters of the living God (see 2 Peter 1:10).

It’s never too late to build productive and effective lives for Christ. When we begin on the rock of Christ’s righteousness, we can build with confidence, knowing that “he who began a good work in [us] will carry it on to completion” (Philippians 1:6). Amen belongs here!

Prayer: Lord, thank You for freeing me from the bondage of sin to build a life of beauty and righteousness with Christ as my foundation. Use me for Your glory. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love” (2 Peter 1:5-7).

It’s Never Too Late to Live for Christ

01/19/24 – 01/28/24

Everything We Need

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  01/20/24

Power for Christian living does not lie in hard-to-attain experiences. It comes from realizing God has already given us everything we need.

Read 2 Peter 1:3-4.  Have you ever been frustrated trying to chase the next spiritual experience? Or felt that something was missing in your life with God? If so, you are not alone. Many of us have been there. Truthfully, our problem is not that we lack what we need—it is that we have not fully appropriated all that He has already given us.

When we first receive Christ, we receive everything we need to live a godly life (see 2 Peter 1:3). We are filled with the Holy Spirit and become recipients of every covenantal promise of God—promises like:

• “[T]hose who hope in the LORD will renew their strength” (Isaiah 40:31).
• “[W]hoever believes in [Christ] shall not perish” (John 3:16).
• “[I]n all things God works for the good of those who love him” (Romans 8:28).

Today, before you search for the next mountaintop experience, remember the promises of God. Before you give in to depression and despair, remember the promises of God. And long before you say, “It’s too late for me,” remember the promises of God. As you allow these precious promises to permeate your mind, you will “participate in the divine nature,” living in the abundance of all that Christ has given you (2 Peter 1:4). He has already given you everything you need; don’t let anything hold you back from living fully for Him.

Prayer: Father, I know Your promises are sure and unchanging. Thank You that my experience of Your presence has no bearing on the Truth that You are with me. Thank You for empowering me with Your Spirit so that I can live abundantly with joy, holiness, and hope. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness” (2 Peter 1:3).

It’s Never Too Late to Live for Christ

01/19/24 – 01/28/24

There Is Still Time

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  01/19/24

If you are alive and in Christ, there is still time for you to be used mightily by God. You are needed and your faith is precious.

Read 2 Peter 1:1-2.  I think every one of us can testify to the fact that there have been points in our lives—maybe even now—when we have felt defeated, discouraged, and despondent. In these moments, it can be easy to say to ourselves, “It’s too late for me. My situation is hopeless. It’s too late for forgiveness, restoration, and healing. It’s too late to be used mightily by God and make a difference in this world.”

Friend, I am here to tell you that these statements are all authored by Satan’s publishing company. I have news for you: God specializes in using the repentant sinner. Just consider the life of the apostle Peter, the author of the very epistle we are studying.

When the chips were down, Peter denied His Lord three times. But afterwards he believed in a forgiving God, throwing himself on His grace and mercy, and God used him to build His church. If you are a servant of Christ, with faith in His righteousness and breath in your lungs, it is not too late for you to make an impact.

You are desperately needed in the spiritual battle raging today. The church needs people like you and me to take a stand for Christ. And 2 Peter was written to show us how.

Prayer: Father, thank You for 2 Peter and its message to both encourage and exhort me to stand firm on Your Truth. I know nothing is impossible for You, so use me—though I am a broken vessel—for Your glory. I know that, as You do, You will transform me and bring healing. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours: Grace and peace be yours in abundance” (2 Peter 1:1-2).

Effective Prayers

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  01/18/24

In these uncertain times, prayer is essential. It is our greatest form of communication with a holy God who has provided a way for us to not only worship Him but know Him personally. Through prayer, we discover the depths of God’s mercy and love for us. It is also where we confess our sin and receive His forgiveness.

Still, many avoid prayer. Rather than becoming an opportunity to be cleansed and to fellowship with God, prayer becomes a joyless duty. Perhaps this is because some have never learned the secret of powerful and effective prayers. So, how do we pray effective prayers?

The Bible tells us, “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective” (James 5:16). If being a righteous man or woman is the key to powerful and effective prayer, what are the characteristics of a righteous person?

A righteous person is a person who is in right standing with God. A righteous person has a personal relationship with Jesus as his or her personal Savior. A righteous person seeks to obey God and yield to the direction of the Holy Spirit. Righteousness is manifested in a person who wants what is right according to the Word of God—he or she wants to see God’s will and Truth established on this earth.

Prayer: God, I pray that I would live righteously before You. Reveal anything in my life that might be a hindrance to my relationship with You. Thank You for the promise that the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective” (James 5:16).

Defeating Your Three Enemies

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  01/17/24

Every Christian must wage a spiritual war against three foes that seek to enslave us: the flesh, the world, and the devil.

The flesh is the sinful nature all are born with. When Christ becomes your Lord and Savior, you are given a new nature through the power of the Holy Spirit. The old nature and the new nature are incompatible, and the only way you can live in victory is to yield to the power of God’s Holy Spirit.

The world refers to the aspects of our culture that stand at odds with God and His Word and can distract us from our eternal reward in Christ. James says that “anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God” because we cannot serve two masters who are opposed to one another (James 4:4). We can choose to live as products of our culture or as citizens of heaven.

The devil is not just a symbolic figure. Satan’s fall from heaven was the result of his pride—and pride is the chief weapon he uses against believers. God’s goal is for us to become Christlike and humble; Satan’s goal is to erase Christ’s image from our lives and feed our pride.

How do we defeat these three enemies? James 4:7-10 gives us the answer.

First, submit yourself to God. Submission is not a welcome word in modern society, but the Truth is that submission to Christ always brings us freedom. When you feel the pull of the world, submit that area of your life to Christ, and God’s Spirit will enable you to overcome it.

Second, draw near to God. Drawing near to God is an act of intimacy. Drawing near means we are talking with God and listening for His voice through the Holy Spirit and the Word of God—not simply going to church. Drawing near means we are turning from everything that has distracted us from His presence.

Third, humble yourself before God. God loves humility and can do much with a contrite heart. Confess your sins before Him and ask for His forgiveness and cleansing power. Exchange your selfish desires for His desires.

The overarching strategy for defeating these three enemies is submission. The more we are yielded to God’s Spirit, the less we will be moved by the forces of darkness.

Prayer: Lord, I cannot win this battle alone. Help me rely on Your Spirit each moment. I draw near to You today, knowing that in You I have the strength to overcome. 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 4:7-8).

Becoming Doers of the Word

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  01/16/24

It’s difficult to comprehend the power of the Word of God. God’s very word set the world in motion; Jesus is the Word who became flesh; and it is the Word of God that speaks to our spirits at salvation, bringing us from death to life.

Unfortunately, many Christians acknowledge the fact that they are supernaturally born again by the Spirit of God but then live the rest of their lives in the natural. We are born again through the living, enduring Word of God, and we should continue to live that way.

Are you growing in the Word of God every day? Do you allow it to penetrate your heart and your life? Do you allow it to rebuke and encourage you—maturing you in Christ? Do you feed upon it? Do you meditate upon it? Do you exercise the power therein?

James warned us of an age-old trap we can easily fall into: “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says” (James 1:22). The key to truly making the most of our Bible reading is to apply what we have learned. Seeking out Truths takes work, but the work will be in vain if we don’t allow these Truths to transform our lives.

Try following these steps to seek to do God’s will as He has shown us in His Word.

1. Choose a passage of Scripture to study today.
2. As you read, take notes on what the Holy Spirit is saying to you. Ask yourself what the passage was saying to the original reader and what the passage means.
3. Then ask yourself how you can apply this Truth in your own life today.
4. Review your notes often to remind yourself of what you have learned. Make a plan to incorporate these Truths into your life.

As you dig deep into Scripture and actively apply it, you will find that God is using His Word to produce righteousness in your life. When we are open to the Holy Spirit’s promptings, He will give us encouragement when we are struggling, rebuke us when we are rebelling, challenge us when we need to step forward in faith, and warn us when we are about to head down the wrong path. Whatever situation we are going through, God will use His Word to give us the knowledge and wisdom to handle it.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for the reminder today of the power of Your Word. Help me to spend more time feeding and meditating on Your Word and exercising its power. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says” (James 1:22).