Daily Devotional

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  08/09/20

For decades, Noah followed God’s command to build the ark. This boat was no small project—it was longer than a football field, was four stories tall, and contained multiple decks. Noah must have been perplexed at the thought of building a large boat in the middle of a land-locked region. For more than one hundred years he experienced scorn and mocking from neighbors who thought he was insane and delusional. Noah must have spent countless hours and resources in building the ark year after year. Yet he continued to follow God’s plan.

Noah had no ship-building experience. He was not a mariner or even a coastland dweller. Noah seemed the least qualified to build the ark; yet God chose Him, not because God was looking for an expert craftsman but because He wanted someone faithful and obedient. The Scripture describes Noah as “a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked faithfully with God” (Genesis 6:9). God was less concerned with skill and more concerned with obedience.

Today, God is still calling those of us who will act in faith and bring glory to His Kingdom, even if we feel unqualified for the job. Whenever God calls us to a task, He will equip us and empower us to complete that task. God did not give Noah the ark project without any aid. Though Noah had no ship-building experience, God gave him the necessary instructions (see Genesis 6:14-16). Many experts consider the ark the most stable ship in all of history.

When God gives us a plan, He will only give us the best plans that lead to the greatest glory for Him. God may be calling you to a task that seems insurmountable. You may feel like Noah—trying to build an ark in the middle of the desert with no ship-building experience and little support from others. If God has directed you toward a certain project or action, you can trust that God will give you everything you need to complete the task.

Prayer: God, I don’t feel qualified for the work to which You have called me, but I am trusting that You will provide everything I need. Help me to have the heart of a willing servant. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  08/08/20

Sometimes God calls us to work that requires us to give up something we hold dear. Other times He asks us to step out of our comfort zones in order to share His Gospel with others, whether one-on-one with a neighbor or by speaking to a large group. It is natural to feel some resistance to the difficult and self-sacrificing tasks that God calls us to, but in the end, we must obey God.

Read Genesis 6 and 7. Can you imagine the concerns and questions that Noah had when God told him to build the ark? Regardless of any misgivings Noah may have felt, Scripture clearly tells us that “Noah did all that the Lord commanded him” (Genesis 7:5).

Genuine faith can only be demonstrated by obedient action. If we truly trust in God and His Word and promises, then we will fully obey Him. Anyone can say they have faith, but the people who actually live by faith will act in obedience to God no matter where God leads them. Noah’s faith led him to obey God—even in a task that seemed overwhelming and perplexing.

Prayer: God, help me to have the kind of faith that Noah had—faith that leads to obedience no matter how overwhelming the task. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith” (Hebrews 11:7).

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  08/07/20

Courage is one of the greatest manifestations of faith. Courageous faith is confident that God cannot and will not make a mistake. Courageous faith knows that God cannot be wrong. Courageous faith is confident that God can never be defeated.

In Hebrews 11:30-40 we are told of several Biblical heroes who demonstrated great courage:

…who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. (Hebrews 11:33-34).

Sometimes courageous faith leads to dangerous situations. The people listed in this passage did not always conquer the enemy without any injuries:

Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated—the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground. (Hebrews 11:36-38).

Even if we experience persecution or hardships because of our faith, we know that God has the ultimate victory. As this passage highlights, God gave His people the victory over the fortified walls of Jericho. He used the least likely people, including a pagan prostitute, to bring about His plans and victories. Gideon was greatly outnumbered, yet he conquered the enemies. Barak trusted in God’s plan, and he vanquished the enemy. Samson accepted God’s call and delivered the Israelites from the Philistines. Jephthah trusted in the power of God, and God gave him the victory. David was able to defeat Goliath because he trusted in the one true God of Israel. Samuel fought the unfaithfulness of God’s children and called a nation to repentance. Prophets like Daniel, who closed the mouths of lions, trusted God and triumphed.

Prayer: Father, help me to have courageous faith. During times of persecution, danger, or hardship, help me to stay committed to You because I know that You have the ultimate victory. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. . . . the world was not worthy of them” (Hebrews 11:36, 38).

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  08/06/20

God’s Word is filled with the stories of His saints suffering greatly for their faith. But far from discouraging believers today, these lives lived out in enduring faith emit a sweetness that draws us to the Lord Jesus each day.

The author of Hebrews wrote:

I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. . . . There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated—the world was not worthy of them. . . . These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect. (Hebrews 11:32-40).

Making a commitment to follow Christ will cost you, but the rewards are eternal. The Old Testament saints followed God in reckless abandon and considered knowing Him far more valuable than anything the world had to offer.

Prayer: Lord, forgive me for the times that I put my desires before Your will and purpose for me. Help me to follow wherever You lead, no matter the cost. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“[Moses] regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward” (Hebrews 11:26).

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  08/05/20

Read 1 Corinthians 16:1-4.

Jesus often taught on the subject of money. In His Sermon on the Mount, He said, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, . . . But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven” (Matthew 6:19-20). Brothers and sisters, what you give to the Lord will always bear dividends—here and now, and ultimately for all eternity.

At the end of his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul addresses the subject of giving. At first this seems a strange place to bring it up. He moves immediately from the triumph of the resurrection in 1 Corinthians 15 to the triumph of the collection plate in 1 Corinthians 16. But when we understand that our giving is an extension of our faith in Christ, this placement begins to make sense. Because we believe Christ was raised from the dead, we also believe that one day we will be raised, too. And because we believe we will spend eternity with our Lord, we ought to deposit our treasure in heaven today. We do this by giving to the Lord and His work in our world.

Paul gave the Corinthians three timeless principles to guide them in their giving, which are helpful to us today as well. First, he said that our giving should be regular—not haphazard or when we feel like it but right on time, right on schedule, according to a plan. Second, he said giving should be done with a sense of personal responsibility. No one in Corinth was exempt. Rather, Paul said, “each one” should give (see 1 Corinthians 16:2). Paul didn’t want anyone to miss out on the blessing of giving—storing up treasure in heaven. Finally, he instructed that giving should be proportional to our income. Since everything we earn, everything we are given, comes from God, it’s only right that our giving be in keeping with our blessing.

Martin Luther once said, “There are three conversions necessary: the conversion of the heart, the conversion of the mind, and the conversion of the purse.” In view of God’s amazing grace, let’s cheerfully give all that we can, led by the love of Christ. For we know that He who has provided us with such a hope and a future will also meet our needs today as we faithfully give.

Prayer: Father, thank You for Your daily provision in my life. You are faithful and full of grace. Help me to cheerfully give in this life, remembering where my true treasure lies and longing to see more come to know the wonders of Your love. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, . . .” (1 Corinthians 16:2).

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  08/04/20

Read 1 Corinthians 15:1-28.

When the first crop of the season ripens, it’s an exciting day for a farmer. The farmer has diligently prepared the fields, sown the seeds, and tended the seedlings. If the firstfruits are good, then the farmer can have confidence that the rest of the harvest will be good as well.

On Easter morning, Jesus became the firstfruits of a much greater harvest. His body had been sown like a seed, but it was then raised new, glorious, and indestructible. What is true of the firstfruits will be true of all who trust in the name of Jesus: One day, all the dead in Christ will be raised to new life in Him.

The Corinthian Christians believed that Jesus had been raised from the dead, but they weren’t so sure about their own future resurrection. So, Paul reminds them that there are plenty of witnesses who saw Jesus with their own eyes (see vv. 3-8)—and they can therefore find confidence in the promise of their own resurrection (see vv. 20-23).

Brothers and sisters, if you know Jesus, you will be raised to new and glorious life, just like our Lord. Because of this hope, we can live without crippling fear of death and instead walk in freedom because we know death is not the end. And because we know death is not the end, we know our love in this life is not in vain—it is preparing us for our future home in heaven. Indeed, love will be the culture of Christ’s heavenly city. In the meantime, our works of love in this life serve to bless others and, Lord willing, usher them into Christ’s Kingdom.

With the promise of our own resurrection, we can see that today is the beginning of the life for which we have always longed. Because we know this life is the dress rehearsal for the one to come, we can let love and joy reign in our hearts, for with each passing day, we are one day closer to glory with Christ.

Prayer: Jesus, thank You for Your sacrifice that has bought me a place with You in heaven for eternity. May I live confidently in this life because I know my hope is sure. In this freedom, may I love others well. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58).

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  08/03/20

Read 1 Corinthians 14:6-40.

The believers in Corinth were followers of Jesus. They had received the Gospel with joy and were learning to live in community as brothers and sisters in Christ. But old habits die hard, and they continued to struggle with selfishness, envy, and pride. They began to covet certain spiritual gifts in order to feel special and important. But Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 14 teach us that whenever self dominates the church, the Gospel is diminished, and our gifts will be ineffective for Christ.

The Corinthians were abusing the gifts of the Holy Spirit because they were more concerned with themselves—their personal experience and worship—than they were with building up the church. But using any gift—spiritual or natural—in a way that takes the spotlight off of Jesus and onto yourself is wrong. And the Corinthians were reaping what they had sown: They had lost all order in their worship; their meetings had become chaotic. Paul reminded them, “God is not a God of disorder but of peace” (1 Corinthians 14:33).

The Lord gives us spiritual gifts, not to bless ourselves, but to bless others—to build up the entire church in spiritual maturity and hope. The Corinthians had lost sight of this important Truth, letting their selfishness dominate. They gave very little thought to how their fellow believers, or even visiting nonbelievers, felt. In this chaos and disorder, lost souls could not hear the Gospel that could lead them to repent and receive Christ. Instead, they could only leave these chaotic worship services assuming that the Christians in Corinth were out of their minds (see 1 Corinthians 14:23).

We will fail in our mission to share Christ with the world if we use our gifts for self-promotion. We will stifle the transformative power of Christ in us and in our churches if we do not honor one another above ourselves (see Romans 12:10). So let’s be zealous, by all means! Let’s use our spiritual gifts—but let’s give thanks for the wise and generous way God has bestowed them on each of us and use them to love His church. Then we will be effective witnesses for Christ as we worship Him, knowing that we are not missing out on a thing—for Christ is our all in all.

Prayer: Father, forgive me for seeking praise from man for the gifts You have given me. By Your Spirit, help me to give You all the glory and to be a tool for the building up of Your Kingdom. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church” (1 Corinthians 14:12).

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  08/02/20

Read 1 Corinthians 13:1-13.

While 1 Corinthians 13—the passage about love—is well-known, the chapter can only be properly understood when we read the love chapter in light of what came before it and what comes after it. Both chapters 12 and 14 deal with the proper role and use of spiritual gifts, and the chapter between them reminds us of the big picture: Love is the point! The spiritual gifts God gives to Christians are to be exercised in love, so Paul shows us what that love actually looks like.

Love is patient and kind, neither envying nor boasting. It is not self-seeking but self-denying. Biblical love requires something of us. Actually, it demands our all—for true love is the way of the cross (see John 15:12-13). Dying to self means that we keep no record of wrongs; it means that we forgive until we lose count, for this is how Jesus deals with us. We are recipients of an astounding love, and it is God Himself who empowers us to then pour out this love to others as we submit to the leading of His Holy Spirit.

It’s easy to tell someone that you love them, but love is only truly expressed when you die to yourself. Can you die to your opinions? Can you die to your possessions? Can you die to your feelings? That determines true love for another.

Finally, love also has no expiration date. Men and women who love Jesus will love one another for eternity. Paul wrote, “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 13:13). Why is love the greatest? Because in God’s presence, there will be no need for faith; we will see our Savior face to face. Likewise, there will be no need of hope, for all our hopes will have been realized. But love—love will echo on into eternity. Love will be given and received, and it will grow for ages and ages to come. God has given us the local church so we can start practicing this eternal pastime right here and now. So let’s eagerly desire this greatest gift as Paul exhorts us (see 1 Corinthians 12:31). And let’s ask the Lord to work in our hearts to bring this precious fruit to bear so that it is the underlying motivation for everything we do.

Prayer: Jesus, I see that love truly is the greatest gift. Work this gift in me by Your Holy Spirit that I may obey Your will, bless others, and be blessed myself with the joy and peace that love brings. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 13:13).

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  08/01/20

Read 1 Corinthians 12:12-26.

All the parts of the human body were designed by our Creator to work together. Thus, when one part fails to function as it was designed, the whole body is affected. Every part matters to the whole—and the same is true for us, the body of Christ.

The Bible compares the local church to a body to demonstrate that every member of that body is essential. You see, God has given every believer at least one spiritual gift, and these gifts are what determine a person’s function in the body of Christ. Every gift is incredibly important to the healthy functioning of the whole.

In Paul’s day, the Christians in Corinth were confused about spiritual gifts. Some envied the more attention-getting gifts, like miraculous powers and speaking in tongues. Others thought they were too good for the gifts they had received, the quieter gifts such as wisdom and helping. As a result, many gifts went unused or, worse, were twisted into sources of pride. But this kind of behavior is an affront to the wisdom and love of God. The proper response to our King’s gracious gifts is humble gratitude and joy in using these gifts to serve Christ and His church.

As God’s church, we are one body but many parts. We will not all have the same jobs to accomplish (see 1 Corinthians 12:17). God has given the church a variety of people with differing spiritual gifts for both our individual and corporate blessing. The gifts you’ve been given were chosen for you by God, and God knows what He is doing. So if we are to see our local church thrive, we must discover what our gifts are and exercise them with diligence and humility.

When it comes to the body of believers, we need each other—every part—in order to be healthy and strong. We must support and protect each other. No part of the church can function properly on its own. And often the people you never see up front at church are among the most critical members of the body of Christ. Though they serve quietly in the background with administration, faith, giving, knowledge, and more, they are seen by our Father in heaven. So when it comes to spiritual gifts, let’s use them not for self-promotion but for humble, loving service to the body of Christ.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for the gifts You’ve given me. May I humbly use them to serve You and Your church for Your purposes. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be” (1 Corinthians 12:18).

In 1 Peter 5:8-11, God gives us the condition necessary for remaining victorious over Satan and his schemes: Be sober, be vigilant—don’t let Satan deceive you. To heed this command, we must spend time with our Father. Spending time with the Lord and His Word is the only way to equip ourselves in the knowledge of God’s love, Christ’s victory, and our identity in Him.

Do not take lightly Satan’s desire to destroy you. Do not be flippant about your time with the Lord and His Word. The Scriptures are filled with examples of great men and women who failed to see the traps set for them.

The apostle Peter knew personally what it meant to be ambushed by our enemy, and he didn’t want us to make the same mistake. The Lord had told him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times” (see Matthew 26:34), but Peter failed to heed Christ’s warning—and he found himself ambushed.

Yet, Peter also knew what it meant to be restored. Have you ever been blindsided by temptation? Take heart! “[T]he God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, . . . will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast” (1 Peter 5:10). The Lord can restore to you what the enemy has stolen.

Satan wants us to be so numb with activity that we have no time for anything else. Therefore, we must resist him and call on the Lord. We must be sober-minded and vigilant.

God, in His grace, is ready to give you the victory—empowering you to overcome Satan’s schemes to devour your faith. And His Word is one of your greatest weapons. Therefore, meditate on what He has done and how He has transformed your identity—and be encouraged. Spiritual warfare may be our reality as long as we live in this world, but Christ has already won the ultimate victory on the cross.

Prayer: Father, forgive me for neglecting to spend time with You and in Your Word. Give me the strength to seek Your face, that I may stand firm against Satan, remembering I am a child of the victorious King. 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. Resist him, standing firm in the faith” (1 Peter 5:8-9).

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  07/30/20

As God’s people, our conduct must be consistent with our transformed identity.

Read 1 Peter 4:7-11. Peter begins this passage by reminding us that a true believer’s conduct is motivated by the fact that the Lord is near. We are motivated to live godly lives by Christ’s presence now, with deep gratitude for His saving work (see Romans 12:1)—and by the promise of His imminent return, joyfully anticipating the hope of glory (see Galatians 5:5). Peter then identifies four ways that a believer’s conduct is transformed by the love and hope of Christ.

First, as we pursue godliness, we find that prayer is a delight, not a duty. As you focus on the Gospel and the promise of heaven, you will want to express gratitude and thanksgiving to God—He has literally snatched you out of the jaws of death! Prayer will become time spent with the one you love most and whose purpose you trust and obey.

Second, as we grow in Christlikeness, love is second nature, not a chore. Jesus said, “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you” (John 15:12). Just as we receive forgiveness from God when we confess, we must also forgive those who wrong us.

Third, when we follow Christ, hospitality is a joy, not a job. Hospitality is one of the highest expressions of Christian love. It is the attitude of unselfishness. As Christ sacrificed His life for us, we are called to sacrifice for others without grumbling or complaining.

Fourth, when you keep in step with the Spirit, using your spiritual gift is natural, not forced. When you first came to Christ, the Holy Spirit gave you a gift. It could be the gift of teaching, the gift of faith, or perhaps the gift of giving. Whatever it is, the Holy Spirit has given it to you so that you might glorify God.

If you are not living in light of what Christ has done for you, then perhaps you have not fully grasped your transformed identity in Him. Today, ask for the Holy Spirit to fill you so you can lift Christ high and glorify Him with your life.

Prayer: Jesus, thank You for what You have done, are doing, and will do for me. May my life proclaim the magnificence of Your grace. I want to glorify You with my conduct by the power of Your Spirit. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8).

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  07/29/20

Psalm 27:4 says, “One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.” And the Lord Jesus said to Martha as she busied herself with preparations that she was “worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one” (Luke 10:41-42).

Read 1 Peter 4:1-6. If we have been transformed by Christ, we are meant to live for Christ—to glorify Him forever. When this is our ultimate aim, three things occur: We become mentally prepared, spiritually powerful, and ultimately approved.

First, if your purpose in life is to glorify God, you will be mentally prepared for any circumstance—including suffering. The agony of the cross could not deter Jesus from accomplishing His purpose. “For the joy set before him he endured the cross” (Hebrews 12:2). In the same way, when we fix our eyes on eternity, we will be ready to submit to the will of God regardless of the cost.

Second, armed with Christ’s attitude, you will be spiritually empowered to resist temptation. When you set your mind on pleasing God alone, you will not be caught off guard so easily by sin. Instead, you will rest in His mercy and grace, overcoming past and present sins, so that you can say with Paul: “[O]ne thing I do: . . . I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14).

Finally, when your life is defined by glorifying, praising, and pleasing Jesus, you will be ultimately approved by the Lord on the day of accountability. When Jesus returns, those of us in Christ will escape His judgment. However, we still must answer for the way we lived our lives. On that day, we will be held accountable for whether we lived for ourselves or lived for Him who died for us (see Matthew 12:36).

Are you living a life that is glorifying God? It is never too late to seek after His purpose for your life. Ask for God’s help today to live for Him—for He is the one thing you need most.

Prayer: Jesus, I know You are the one thing I need above all else. I long to live for You. Give me the strength and wisdom to live a life that honors You. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God” (1 Peter 4:2).

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  07/28/20

In 1 Peter 2:19-25, the apostle Peter shows us what Christlikeness truly is. He says that when it comes to true heroism, we need look no further than Jesus. And if we are to be followers of Christ, Peter gives us three areas in which we must emulate Him.

Following Jesus means that we do not repay evil for evil, even when we feel justified doing so. In the context of an utter dictatorship where Christians had no recourse when they suffered injustice, Peter called fellow believers to imitate Christ, who “did not retaliate; . . . [and] made no threats” (1 Peter 2:23).

Following Jesus means that we wait patiently for God’s justice. No sin escapes God’s notice. His Word assures us again and again that Jesus will return as the supreme judge. Not as the one who was insulted and slapped in the face, but as the God of power and might. Not as the one who helplessly hung on a cross, but as the Lion of Judah who is going to make His enemies His footstool. He will bring complete and final justice.

Following Jesus means that we must never compromise Biblical Truth, regardless of the cost. God provides only one way for sin to be dealt with: through confession and repentance. Only Christ’s stripes can mend our brokenness. Only His death can raise us to new life. No matter what suffering comes our way, this Truth remains. So let us stand firm in it.

Christian, you have been called to emulate Christ. Are you following in His footsteps? He has called you out of darkness and into His marvelous light; is it not glorious? Do not be burdened with the injustices of this world. But by the power of the Holy Spirit, love your enemies, pray for those who persecute you, and trust God even when you face trials and suffering. Remember the care of your Father who did not spare even His own Son, and look forward to the day when He will wipe away every tear.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are worthy of all praise. Your love is astounding; Your hope is glorious. Help me to trust in You, looking to the cross for my strength, peace, and joy. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly” (1 Peter 2:23).

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  07/2720

Do you ever find yourself absorbed in the activities of life and wonder how you became so busy? Many people overextend themselves to the point of exhaustion. When asked why they are rushing here and there, they answer that they are just keeping up with the normal details of life.

As amazing as it may seem, it is not unusual to find people doing all kinds of unnecessary “work” in the church. Maybe they are trying to reach a level of acceptance in God’s eyes or seeking to please another person.

Striving to gain the approval of others is stressful at best. Trying to gain God’s approval is useless. This is because God has already placed His stamp of approval on your life and nothing you do can cause Him to love you more than He does right now. When you accept Jesus Christ as your Savior, you gain everything there is to gain of God’s love. Even before you were created in your mother’s womb, God loved you fully and completely.

This world has nothing of lasting value to offer us. All of our striving and rushing to gain approval results in only one thing: emptiness of heart and soul. Satan tries to make us believe that through our good works or our smart appearance someone will love us more. Nothing could be further from the Truth.

Don’t allow the enemy to entice you into believing you are unacceptable. God accepts you just the way you are. All He longs for you to do is to love Him with a whole heart. When you truly understand your acceptance in Christ and experience the everlasting love of God, you will obey the Lord as an expression of your love.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for loving me even when I act unlovable. Forgive me for the times when I turn away from You. I surrender my life to You. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness” (Jeremiah 31:3).

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  07/26/20

If you have been raised with Christ, the Lord wants to begin to change the source of your security and confidence. He wants to change your focus from the natural to the supernatural. For your life is hidden with God in Christ, and you must no longer find your identity in earthly things.

Jesus loves us so much that He died on the cross for us. He knows that if we find our identity in anything other than Him, our identity can be shaken. So He uses all possible means to transform our identity, and He is in the process of giving us an identity far more glorious than any other. Whatever He removes from you, He will replace with something far greater than you could ever hope for or imagine. And when you place your whole identity in Him, what was once shaken will stand strong and secure through life’s tests and trials.

As we walk with Jesus, He reveals who we really are through His Word, which is why it is so vital for us to be in His Word every day. There will be times of struggle—but take heart. The Lord has unending grace and compassion; He will lead you every step of the way.

Are you willing to let go of all the worldly things that define you? Only then can you rest fully in your identity as a child of God. Only then will the storms of life cease to shake you when you fall short—a misstep at work, a financial hit, a crisis in the home. As we mature in faith, God lovingly strips us of our idols—those fragile and fickle identities—so that we might find our worth and refuge in Him alone. He does for us what it is impossible for us to do ourselves: to trust and depend only upon Him, which is the work of the Spirit in our lives (see Ephesians 2:8).

Take some time to pray and ask God where your sense of security lies. Whatever it may be, may the grace of God lead you to exchange your earthly source of identity for true acceptance in Him, complete confidence in Him, and the glorious riches of His inheritance.

Prayer: Father, show me the worldly things in which I try to find my worth. I repent of my pride in these things and thank You for the new identity You have given me in Christ. May I boast only in my Savior. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3).

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  07/25/20

One of the clearest pictures of identity transformation in the Bible is found in the life of the apostle Peter. Before Christ, Peter found his sense of security in his own competence and self-reliance. His occupation as an expert fisherman of the Sea of Galilee and his courage were the sources of his confidence—his very identity. So Jesus made sure to sanctify Peter in these two areas of his life.

Read Luke 5:1-11. In this passage, Jesus humbled Peter with a miraculous catch that demonstrated His lordship, obliterating any boast Peter might have had in his expertise as a fisherman. Jesus’ actions were not malicious; rather, He was preparing Peter, as He is preparing you, to do great and mighty things for Him. He humbled Peter on the Sea of Galilee—the source of his false security—in order that he would find his eternal security as a child of the King.

Over time, Peter began to trust in Christ’s sufficiency instead of his own. When Jesus called Peter out of the boat and onto the water, Peter believed that if the Lord had commanded him, he could do it. Even though he lost his focus on Christ and began to sink, this moment demonstrated how much Peter’s faith and confidence in Jesus had already grown.

Jesus knew that Peter’s courage would fail a final time. He knew, so He told Peter, “[T]his very night, . . . you will deny me three times” (Matthew 26:34). But even after this betrayal, Jesus restored Peter. Sitting by the very Sea of Galilee in which Peter had once found his identity, Jesus asked him, “Peter, do you truly love Me?” The old Peter would have said, “Oh Lord, I love You. I will die for You!” But the new, transformed Peter humbly replied, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you” (John 21:17, emphasis added).

Jesus will strip us of our earthly identity so that He can replace it with something greater. Many of us may be in the middle of our own stories of transformation. Be encouraged! By the end of his story, Peter had exchanged independence for dependence, false courage for trust, and self-confidence for reliance on Christ. And on the Day of Pentecost, it was a transformed Peter that preached to the multitudes and saw 3,000 people give their lives to Christ.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for Your patient work of transformation in my life. Help me overcome my unbelief that prevents me from trusting in You completely. Make my life a testimony to Your love as I build my life on Your faithful promises. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“And we all, . . . are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:18).

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  07/24/20

Peter’s denial of Christ was a horrendous failure. Only hours before, he had confessed that Jesus was the Son of God. Then he claimed that he did not even know the Lord.

At some point, each of us has fallen into temptation. This is exactly what happened to Peter. Pridefully, he had said, “Even if all fall away, I will not” (Mark 14:29). Peter’s intentions were honorable. After all, Jesus had changed Peter’s name for a purpose—he became Petra, meaning “the rock.”

Jesus was direct with Peter: “[T]oday—yes, tonight—before the rooster crows twice you yourself will disown me three times” (Mark 14:30). Peter, however, persisted to tell Jesus that he never would leave His side. Later that evening, he ran from the Lord out of fear of arrest.

Peter was not the only one that night to make this promise. Mark writes, “And all the others said the same” (Mark 14:31). We often associate the denial of Christ only with Peter, but the Truth is that each of us would have been tempted to do the same.

Later, Peter wrote a letter to other believers who were facing tremendous trials, temptations, and sorrows. He told them:

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, . . . And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. (1 Peter 5:8-10).

In humility, make it your goal to live a holy life. Ask God to protect you and to give you the strength and wisdom you need to honor God and stand against Satan’s attacks.

Prayer: Lord, my desire is to live a holy life. Please protect me from the enemy and grant me the strength and wisdom to stand against temptation. When I fail, help me not to give up but to let Your love carry me through. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God” (2 Corinthians 7:1).

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  07/23/20

When we cry out to God, He will listen to us. God loves to hear the cries of His children who seek to grow in faith. The psalmist declared, “I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears” (Psalm 34:4). When we realize our own inadequacies and our total dependence on God, we take a first step in overcoming our fears. We can be confident that a prayer for faith is one that will be answered.

God will help us when we acknowledge our fears in prayer. He wants us to share with Him the cause of our concerns. Even when we don’t know the source of our anxiety, the Holy Spirit will work on our behalf when we seek His help. We may fool the people around us with a brave face, but our masks never fool God. He knows what is in our hearts, and He wants us to confess those fears to Him.

Once you have confessed your fears out, begin praying faith in. Turn to the Word of God and incorporate His promises into your prayers. Draw strength from God’s promises as Abraham did: “Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised” (Romans 4:20-21).

Pray for God’s power in your life. Part of the reason for Jesus’ time here on earth was to demonstrate His power. He showed us that God’s Messiah has power to redeem us from our sins, to heal diseases, and to still whatever storms we face in life. God wants to show us that power today. He waits until we run out of human solutions before manifesting His power to His children. When we try to draw on our own strength, peace, and sufficiency instead of God’s, we end up in stormy waters. Only the power of God, which sustains the universe, can sustain us in every circumstance we face.

Prayer: God, I know that I need Your help in overcoming my fears. Thank You for making Your power available to me. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1).

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  07/22/20

Fear comes in many forms, including panic, dread, and worry. Ultimately, fear is a lack of trust in God. Anxiety is a preoccupation with unimportant things and a false reasoning that if those things are resolved, life will be great. You may find yourself falling into this trap when you say things such as, “If only I had ‘x’ number of dollars, I would finally have peace.”

Spiritually, fear can drive you away from God. And anxiety may cause you to do one of two things: You may either spin your wheels, trying to achieve what you feel is lacking, or begin doubting God’s love for you.

Ironically, sometimes our fear actually brings about the thing we fear the most. We fear rejection, so we avoid taking the risk of reaching out to others. We then become isolated, which causes us to appear arrogant, so that others begin to avoid us. Thus our fear brings about the rejection that we feared in the beginning.

When we let our fears and anxieties dominate our emotions and behaviors, peace will seem out of reach. This will remain true as long as we seek peace in our own strength. Psalm 29:11 says, “The LORD gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.”

Where do you seek peace? In striving for perfect, conflict-free relationships? In knowing you have more money than you could possibly need? In feeling accepted by those around you? Peace can only come from God’s righteousness working within us, for He alone is constant and unchanging. He will never fail to do what He has promised. So, no person can have peace apart from a daily filling of the Spirit of God, who gives us eyes to see and believe these Truths.

Prayer: God, forgive me for being afraid of life circumstances as a result of not trusting You. I pray that Your Spirit will fill me with peace today and that I would not allow fear and anxiety to dominate my life. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” (Matthew 6:27).

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  07/21/20

During the time of the prophet Isaiah, the people of God were going through a difficult time of upheaval, insecurity, and loss. But God’s promise to them 2,700 years ago remains a promise for us today: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned” (Isaiah 43:1-2).

Over and over in Scripture, God assures His people to fear not. In the heat of battle and in moments of deep disappointment, God assures us that we have no reason to allow fear to intimidate, confuse, or defeat us.

Read Matthew 10:24-31. As Jesus was preparing the disciples for ministry, He provided three pivotal fear nots that we can cling to in our own moments of doubt:

Fear not, for the Truth will ultimately triumph. In verse 26, Jesus said: “So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known.” Jesus encouraged the disciples that even amidst persecution, they did not need to be afraid. Why? Because God has promised to vindicate His faithful children. God has promised to ultimately exalt righteousness and judge sin.
Fear not because heaven is your destination. In verse 28, Jesus told the disciples, “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.” Standing firm for the Gospel can be costly. But as children of the living God, we have nothing to fear on this earth because our eternal destination is secure in Christ.

Fear not because God has everything under control. In verses 29 and 30, Jesus said, “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.” If God sustains the smallest of birds and takes interest in the smallest details of our lives, how much more does He take interest in providing for our needs?

When you find yourself in deep waters, remember that God will not let you drown. Trust in Him, and you will experience His presence in ways you could never have experienced in ten storm-less lifetimes.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for Your promises! Help me to obey Your command to fear not and to trust in Your faithfulness and power—even when it seems that all hope is lost. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust and am not afraid” (Psalm 56:3-4).

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  07/20/20

When we look at the relationship Jesus had with His disciples, we see that one of His primary concerns was for them to grow in faith. What does it mean to mature in faith? It means learning absolute obedience to His Word. It means stepping out in faith, following His plan, and possessing peace in the midst of the storm, even if the circumstances do not make sense.

Read Matthew 8:23-27. Fear struck the disciples’ hearts as a furious storm emerged, heaping wave after wave upon their boat. Panicking, they ran to Jesus, who was asleep. “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” was Jesus’ reply before rebuking the winds and the waves (v. 26).

The disciples would have probably loved for Jesus to stop the storm first and then teach them a lesson. Instead, Jesus chose to demonstrate His power in a moment when they had absolutely no control. He wanted to teach them that faith always conquers fear and nothing is impossible for Him.

Often what we fear is a loss of control—yet it is only in our loss of control and total trust in Christ that we begin to truly grow in our faith. And that is what God is most interested in: the growth of our faith.

Many people are afraid of flying in an airplane despite the overwhelming evidence that plane travel is far safer than traveling by car. Standing on solid ground, we feel in control—but 35,000 feet in the air, we have no control. Our loss of control leads to irrational fear.

Many believers have a difficult time surrendering control to the Lord. Their sense of security is wrapped up in the illusion that they are in control. To compensate, they put their trust in tangible things—their wealth, relationships, or their own abilities—rather than surrendering control to the Lord.

In order to get past the fear of losing control and thus gain an everyday faith, we must treat faith like a muscle, and in order for that muscle to grow, it must be used. Faith must be exercised and acted upon.

Truth will not become operative in our lives until we appropriate it. There is no use in only saying, “I believe it.” Have you acted upon it? Have you taken a step of faith? Have you taken a risk of faith? Confess your trust in the Lord; then, think of a way to demonstrate your trust in Him today.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You that You are in control in every circumstance. Teach me to step out in obedience even when doing so is uncomfortable or inconvenient. Let my faith be evidenced by my actions, not just my words. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God” (Psalm 20:7).

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  07/19/20

Typically, when we hear the word sin, our minds rush to thoughts of transgressions that to us seem huge: murder, adultery, stealing, homosexuality, and more. While some of these sins do have far-reaching consequences, none of them put people beyond the reach of God. No one is beyond His ability to forgive and to restore.

The Truth is that many Christians have different categories for varying sins. They have a category for “really big” sins and one for “not so big” sins. They believe the “really big” sins are the ones that receive the most punishment, while the “not so big” sins are the ones everyone commits. These also are the ones we mistakenly believe God overlooks.

But this is not how God operates. There are sins that are horrendous and that can impact our lives with great force and sorrow. However, the sins we view as being “smaller” and therefore easily dismiss can also have devastating effects on our lives.

Few people view worry and anxiety as sin, but they are. They stem from a lack of faith in God. Worry and doubt have at their root fear—a lack of trust in our sovereign, loving Lord—which is a favorite tool used by the enemy to set up strongholds in the life of the believer.

Therefore, instead of becoming anxious or fearful, we need to turn to the Lord and seek His provision for our lives on a daily basis. Be determined to trust Him to lead you through every difficulty, knowing that wherever He guides you, you will find blessing and hope. Put your faith in God, and you will know the joy of a victorious life.

Prayer: Lord, forgive me for my worry and anxiety. Thank You for Your love and care for me. May I rest in You. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I” (Psalm 61:1-2).

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  07/18/20

For now, our minds are earthbound. We do not have the ability to imagine fully what heaven will be like. If we could, it would drastically change the way we live each day.

In heaven, we will not be concerned about the gold beneath our feet because our hearts and minds will be completely set on the one who has perfectly provided for our every need. We will be devoted solely to Him and His desires and not our own selfish ambitions.

Whether we know it or not, God is in the process of preparing us to live with Him for eternity. He is getting us ready for the day when we will inhabit His city. The trials and disappointments we face here are being used by Him to shape our character so that we reflect more of Him and less of ourselves.

The joys and the victories we experience on earth also teach us more about God’s faithfulness. When we celebrate His goodness, we are doing what we will do on an even grander scale in heaven.

You may love your city home. Perhaps you live on the socially positioned “right” side of town. Or you may despise where you live, feeling as though the poverty of your area confines and prevents you from reaching your goals and dreams.

God has a word for both situations: “Get ready—I am coming again. I have prepared a place—a city—where you will be with Me for eternity.”

You can get ready for His return by letting go of the things that bind your heart with a sense of pride or ideas that prevent you from seeing His future provision.

Prayer: Lord, right now I cannot imagine what it will be like to see You face to face. But I know it will be the greatest blessing—beyond anything this world has seen. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you” (Psalm 73:25).

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  07//17/20

Read 1 Corinthians 11:17-34.

Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper as a means of helping us remember together how, with His own blood, He secured our salvation. The Lord’s Supper is supposed to be a time of true spiritual enrichment. But the Corinthians had turned it into a time of shame for the poorer members of their congregation. In Corinth, the Lord’s Supper was more than a piece of bread and a sip of wine; it was a full meal. The wealthy were getting together first, eating and drinking and having their fill, and when the poor arrived, they were left hungry and thirsty.

The Corinthians were missing the wonder of this sacrament. The joy of the Lord’s table is for all who believe in Jesus Christ—absolutely anyone, regardless of socio-economic background or ethnicity. Anyone can come to the table because it is by grace we have been saved. It’s not the church’s table; it’s Jesus’ table. All whom Jesus has called belong at His table as heirs of the promise—there is no difference between them (see Galatians 3:28-29). When He told His disciples, “Do this in remembrance of Me,” He wanted them to celebrate together what He had so richly bestowed (see Romans 10:12-13).

Today is no different. As God’s chosen people, let’s remember that, at the cross, Christ reconciled us to God. Though undeserving sinners all, we belong to God by the blood of Christ. So let’s look to our Lord, eat together, and give thanks.

Prayer: Father, thank You for the Lord’s Supper, for this sacrament to share with my brothers and sisters in the faith. Help us rejoice together in our salvation and proclaim Your Gospel to ourselves and one another as we take the bread and the cup. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup” (1 Corinthians 11:28).

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  07/16/20

Read 1 Corinthians 11:17-22.

The Christians at Corinth couldn’t agree on much. They loved divisiveness in the church. As a friend of mine used to say, “It’s likely that if you put four of them in a room, you’d get five opinions.” These Corinthians were in love with their own opinions; they preferred their own way. Instead of serving each other, they looked for opportunities to stir up dissension. Instead of loving one another, each was looking out for their own interests.

The Corinthian church was missing the blessing of Christian community. They were not using their disagreements as opportunities to practice the love of Christ; they were not humbling themselves so that they might grow in godliness by the power of the Holy Spirit. We must learn from their mistake and recognize that God has given us a community of believers with innumerable personalities and ideas for our spiritual growth.

Some people will get under our skin, just as we will get on the nerves of others. God uses our experiences together as fallen sinners saved by grace to sanctify us. Our interactions and disagreements can become a refining fire in our lives if we together seek God’s will and love one another deeply—even when we don’t want to. Remember: To be purified, gold must pass through the fire. So, let’s give thanks for the body of believers, especially those with whom we struggle to get along. God uses our Christian brothers and sisters to refine us into His likeness.

Prayer: Lord, help me to remember that the body of believers is a source of sanctification as I look to Your Word to guide my relationships. Give me a deep love for my fellow believers even when we butt heads. May I extend grace, remembering the grace I daily receive from Your hands. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“In the first place, I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you, and to some extent I believe it” (1 Corinthians 11:18).