Daily Devotional

The Only Peace Worthy of the Name

12/01/23 – 12/04/23

Peace in Praising God

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  12/03/23

Read Luke 1:46-56.

When young Mary learned from the angel Gabriel that she would soon be pregnant with the Son of God, she could have focused on all the hardship her pregnancy would surely bring her way. But Mary didn’t panic, of course. She asked one simple question of the angel: “How will this be, . . . since I am a virgin?” (Luke 1:34). It was an honest question, not an expression of doubt or disobedience. And once Gabriel told Mary that her pregnancy would be supernatural—the work of the Holy Spirit—she replied, “I am the Lord’s servant” (v. 38).

It was a beautiful, humble response, fitting for the woman God chose to be the mother of His Son. But Mary had another response as well, one that echoes down through the centuries and is known today as the Magnificat. In this song, Mary gives us an example to follow, one that will lead us back to peace.

The song begins, “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, . . .” (vv. 46-47). Why mention both her soul and her spirit? Because Mary wants everyone to know that she praises the Lord with her entire being and with her whole life. No matter what she is facing, no matter her circumstances—she is the Lord’s, totally and truly.

Mary’s song also points to the mercy and grace of God. Ultimately, it’s not about Mary or her calling; it’s about God and His goodness. The Son that would be born to Mary was God’s remedy for the problems of sin, death, and evil.

Finally, Mary highlighted the faithfulness of God in her song: “He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors” (Luke 1:54-55). She was thinking about the Scriptures, all the stories of her people she had heard over the years, and she recognized that all of God’s promises were about to be fulfilled in the Savior growing in her womb.

I don’t know what you are walking through this Christmas season, but I want you to know that God is faithful. He never goes back on His promises. Whatever your circumstances, His lovingkindness and faithfulness will lift you up as you trust Him. So, spend time magnifying His name above all others, point to His mercy and grace in your life, and rest in His faithfulness.

Prayer: Father, I praise You for Your faithfulness. I know that as I focus on You—Your majesty and wondrous lovingkindness toward sinners—You will lift me above my struggles and bring peace and joy to my heart. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name” (Luke 1:48-49).

The Only Peace Worthy of the Name

12/01/23 – 12/04/23

Peace from a Humble Spirit

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  12/02/23

Read Luke 1:26-38.

Mary’s deep, abiding relationship with God is truly a model for all of us, young or old, to emulate.

By all accounts Mary didn’t have an easy life. She was a young girl in a society where only men seemed to matter. She was poor and lived in Nazareth, a village that had a reputation for being unremarkable, so she was likewise unremarkable from a worldly perspective. Add to this the fact that when she became supernaturally pregnant by the power of the Holy Spirit, Mary was not yet married—only betrothed—so she knew her pregnancy would create a terrible scandal that could leave her abandoned, ostracized, or worse—stoned to death.

Yet, because she had a self-image grounded in the God’s Word, she was able to hold her head high—not faking it but trusting in the Lord for her peace. Mary knew the promises God had made to His people in the Old Testament. These were her ancestors, and she shared their hope. So, when the angel Gabriel appeared to her and told her God had chosen her to be the mother of His Son, she humbled herself and accepted God’s will for her life.

In our celebrity-crazed culture, people adore the so-called “important people.” But God uses the humble and unknown. He seeks out and calls those with a contrite heart. There are some who try to emulate the immoral, worldly lifestyles of Hollywood celebrities, but God blesses those who are pure in spirit. People may admire the ruthless and arrogant, but God despises such attitudes; He lifts up the humble.

For centuries, artists have attempted to capture Mary’s beauty in paintings and in sculptures. But the focus of Scripture is on the beauty of Mary’s holiness. She was striking not because of her physical features or any adornments she may have worn but because of the way she surrendered her life fully and completely to God.

Mary knew the miracle of God’s favor—His grace, mercy, and love—and it humbled her so that she delighted to obey. Are you taking this miracle for granted? Don’t lose your passion for the miracle of salvation—the miracle that through Christ, you are favored by God. This Truth will both humble your heart and give you peace as you trust your Lord to sustain you through every circumstance.

Prayer: Lord, I am in awe of Your matchless love. Thank You for making me a new creation in Christ. I praise You for Your grace and mercy toward me. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“The angel went to her and said, ‘Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you'” (Luke 1:28).

The Only Peace Worthy of the Name

12/01/23 – 12/04/23

Peace Born of a Promise

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  12/01/23

Read Luke 2:25-35.

The Holy Spirit had revealed to Simeon that the long-awaited Messiah would come during his lifetime. In fact, the Spirit told Simeon’s expectations were not fixed on the movers and the shakers of his time. Instead, his expectations rested on the promises of God..

Luke’s Gospel tells us just three things about Simeon, the three things God cherished about the man. Simeon was righteous; he was devout; and he was waiting for the consolation of Israel. We know that to be righteous and devout means a person walks in step with God’s commands. But what does it mean that Simeon was “waiting for the consolation of Israel” (Luke 2:25)? It means he was on duty, standing guard, waiting for God to fulfill the promises He had made from Genesis to Malachi.

As Simeon held the baby Jesus in his arms that day in the temple, he could look back on Israel’s history—all the way back to God’s promise to Adam and Eve in the garden (see Genesis 3:15)—and say, “Like my ancestors, I have set my expectations firmly and squarely on the promises of God, and now my eyes have seen the fulfillment of God’s promises. I have seen the fulfillment of the hopes and dreams of all previous generations.”

Simeon had stood guard and seen the Savior. He could now say, “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation” (v. 29-30). He could now die as he lived—in peace.

We live on the other side of Christmas, so we can look to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus and know that our account has been settled. Our sins have been paid for. There is no need to strive or prove ourselves somehow worthy of eternal life. Jesus has already done everything required. He has met every expectation for righteousness on our behalf and has secured our every hope and expectation about the future, for He has gone to prepare a place for us. And so we have a powerful assurance that establishes and sustains our supernatural peace today and every day into eternity.

Prayer: Father, thank You for the gift of Your Son, the consolation of Israel. You have grafted me in and adopted me as Your child. I am made new and rejoice in my eternal citizenship that is both now and yet to come. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him” (Luke 2:25).

Dying to Self. Living for Christ.

11/24/23 – 11/30/23

Financial Status and Faith

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  11/30/23

How has your financial status, whether strong or weak, affected your faith? In Matthew 19:16-30, we’re told the story of a wealthy and powerful man who approached Jesus. He was religious, yet he had not experienced the inner peace that comes from knowing Christ. He was restless. He was discontented. So, the man asks Jesus, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?” (Matthew 19:16).

With that question the man was hoping to be able to find out how to earn or buy his way into heaven. What he was really asking was, “How much will it cost me?” He wanted to know if there was some secret formula to eternal life. Jesus responded, “Why do you ask me about what is good? . . . There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments” (Matthew 19:17). The man claimed he had followed all the required commandments.

Then he asked Jesus, “What do I still lack?” (Matthew 19:20). This time, the man received an answer he could not follow. “Jesus answered, ‘If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.’ When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth” (Matthew 19:21-22). Even though the man had convinced himself he was perfect, he was a sinner.

This man thought he was living a life for God, but in reality it was his money that he worshiped. Jesus warned, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God” (Matthew 19:23-24). Jesus was not saying money itself prohibits us from entering heaven. He was cautioning that money can so easily become our god that we never really truly follow Christ.

Prayer: God, help me to be careful that money does not become my god. Forgive me for the times I become consumed with the pursuit of more money, and help me to instead be consumed with following You. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money” (Matthew 6:24).

Dying to Self. Living for Christ.

11/24/23 – 11/30/23

A Living Sacrifice

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  11/29/23

Everywhere you look, people are in search of personal fulfillment. Even genuine Christians are bouncing around looking for emotional and spiritual fulfillment apart from Christ.

In Romans 12:1-2, Paul said that the key to personal fulfillment is to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice to Christ, avoiding conformity with the world and renewing our minds by His Truth.

While Scripture tells us that God does discipline His children when they stray, the motive for surrendering our all to God should not come from fear of discipline but from a heart of gratitude that says: “God, take everything. Everything belongs to You.”

Romans 12:1 says, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” God longs for us to be able to rest utterly in Him so that we can say, “Lord, I am Yours. Use me as You will, as a living sacrifice for Your purpose.”

As we do, we find freedom from all our striving because we know we are loved beyond measure and adopted into the very Kingdom of God as heirs (see Romans 8:17). This is our worth and greatest purpose: to glorify and worship God as we are transformed into His image with ever-increasing glory (see 2 Corinthians 3:18).

As you reflect on the tremendous blessings of God, may His love and holiness compel you to be a living sacrifice, ready and willing to give your all

Prayer: Father, I confess that I often look for fulfillment apart from You. Help me to remember that I will only be fulfilled when I offer myself as a living sacrifice to You. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship” (Romans 12:1).

Dying to Self. Living for Christ.

11/24/23 – 11/30/23

Goodness and Sacrifice

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  11/28/23

Early in the nineteenth century, King Frederick William III of Prussia found himself in a difficult situation. His country was involved in a very expensive war. At the same time, he was seeking to transform his country into a great nation. However, the country was financially crippled.

The thought of surrendering to the enemy was unthinkable. Therefore, the king came up with a plan to replenish the country’s financial wealth. He approached the women of Prussia and asked them if they would be willing to donate their gold and silver jewelry.

He explained that for each piece of jewelry they gave, he would give them an ornament of bronze or iron in return as a token of his gratitude. The inscription imprinted into these ornaments read, “I gave gold and silver for iron, 1813.”

To the king’s amazement, the response was overwhelming. The women prized his tokens of gratitude more highly than their former jewelry. The reason: the emblems were the mark of true sacrifice. It even became unfashionable for women to wear jewelry.

Generosity and sacrifice for king and country became the mark of true citizenship in Prussia. Goodness and sacrifice became the badge of honor for all Prussians.

In Galatians 5:22-23, the apostle Paul lists the fruit of the Spirit—those characteristics that are most like Christ in us. Goodness is one of those listed—goodness without thought given to personal sacrifice.

On the cross, God displayed His eternal goodness to each one of us. This is the same goodness we are to have for one another. “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others” (Philippians 2:3-4).

Prayer: God, refresh my mind with new understanding of the fruits of Your Spirit. Weave them into the fabric of my heart so that my life may reflect and honor You. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience” (Colossians 3:12).

Dying to Self. Living for Christ.

11/24/23 – 11/30/23

Transformed

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  11/27/23

God wants to see our whole being involved in sacrificing for Him. “To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices” (Mark 12:33). Sometimes we think half-heartedly donating our money or time will “appease” God, but God would rather have our genuine love than empty offerings. When we wholeheartedly love God, we will joyfully desire to give back to Him.

But first we must be fully transformed. We can easily fall into the trappings of this world and give in to the desire to fit in and to be accepted by others, building a large social network rather than developing intimacy with God. Or we may fear being different to the point that we compromise our beliefs. But we must stop conforming to this world—and start transforming our minds for we are new creatures in Christ.

How do we know when we’ve been transformed? When we see our coworkers lie and cheat to get ahead, we maintain integrity—even if it costs us promotions. When our friends depend on alcohol to help them relax and to cope with life, we are filled with the Spirit of God. When our nation struggles with anxiety, worry, and fear, we experience the joy of the Lord. When the world is pressed with wars and disasters, we have peace that the multitudes cannot understand.

The transformation process is not easy—it demands daily study of God’s Word and time spent in prayer. We must hide His Word in our hearts and constantly draw on the power of the Holy Spirit.

Prayer: Father, help me to be transformed so that I can genuinely and completely give myself to You. Help me to spend time in Your Word and in prayer. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure” (1 John 3:2-3).

Dying to Self. Living for Christ.

11/24/23 – 11/30/23

Total Surrender

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  11/26/23

The object of giving our all is to please the Lord. How do I offer my body as a living sacrifice that is pleasing to the Lord? I don’t offer it in a temple court like they did in the Old Testament, but I offer it everywhere I go.

Surrender is a total job. There is no such thing as a part-time Christian. Surrender is giving God all that you have. Surrender that is pleasing to God is not partial; it is not tokenism, and it is not just in words. It is a total surrender in the most practical terms.

When we give our all, we will know God’s will and conform to His will. In Romans 12:2, Paul says: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Everybody wants to conform; everybody wants to copy others, and the apostle Paul knew that this desire to keep up with the Joneses is done out of fear of being different. This verse is saying: Dare to be different. You don’t have to do something because somebody else does it. The transforming of your mind is going to help you discern. It is going to seep down and strengthen your will.

Do you want to please the Lord, who saved you, who gave you joy in your heart, who gave you purpose and life, or would you rather please yourself and others first?

Prayer: Father, show me if there are areas of my life that I have not completely surrendered to You. Help me to live to please You alone. Thank You for all that You’ve done for me. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ” (Galatians 1:10).

Dying to Self. Living for Christ.

11/24/23 – 11/30/23

He Laid down His Life Because He Loved

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  11/25/23

At Calvary, the cross of Christ became an eternal emblem of love. Jesus never lost sight of God’s purpose for His life. Everything He learned from the Father was in preparation for this moment.

As Scripture tells us, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13). Jesus not only laid down His life for those who loved Him, He laid it down for all men and women, even those who choose to reject Him. He didn’t die just for those closest to Him. He died for all of us; no one is left out. But we must make a choice either to accept Him as our Savior or to turn away from Him and face the judgment of a tormenting death.

The Jews rejected Jesus. However, we know that Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea made a different choice. After His death, they asked for the Savior’s body to be given to them. Pilate granted their request.

No Jew of their social position could come in contact with the dead and remain spiritually clean. Yet, these men lovingly accepted the role they played in our Lord’s burial. It is doubtful that after this event they were allowed to continue as leaders in the Jewish community. More than likely, they became followers of Jesus Christ. Love leads to love, and it is Christ’s unconditional love that drew Nicodemus and Joseph to Himself. It is that same love that draws us today.

When you find yourself being drawn away by the world’s passions and temptations, remember the cross, where Christ gave His life as atonement for your sin. There is no greater love than God’s love for you.

Prayer: Lord, it is hard to imagine the depth of Your love for me. Thank You for dying for me. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha). There they crucified him, . . .” (John 19:17-18).

Dying to Self. Living for Christ.

11/24/23 – 11/30/23

Dying to Self

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  11/24/23

In a collection of letters entitled Let Go, seventeenth-century French theologian Francois Fenelon wrote:

Whatever spiritual knowledge or feelings we may have, they are all a delusion if they do not lead us to the real and constant practice of dying to self. And it is true that we do not die without suffering. Nor is it possible to be considered truly dead while there is any part of us which is yet alive.

This spiritual death (which is really a blessing in disguise) is undeniably painful. It cuts swift and deep into our innermost thoughts and desires with all their parts, exposing us for what we really are. The Great Physician, who sees in us what we cannot see, knows exactly where to place the knife. He cuts away that which we are most reluctant to give up. And how it hurts!

He wants you to live abundantly, but this can only be accomplished by allowing Him to cut into that fleshly part of you which is still stubbornly clinging to life. Should you resist? Certainly not! You must learn to suffer all things! The death of self must be voluntary, and it can only be accomplished as far as you allow.

Many of God’s saints had to make a choice concerning self-sacrifice. Abraham, David, the prophets, the disciples, and the apostle Paul came to a point where they willingly laid down their lives—their personal desires, goals, and dreams—for the love of God.

Jesus willingly sacrificed His life for you so that you would have the opportunity to know Him personally. He did not avoid the cross. Because He was willing to die for you, you can live eternally. Will you not die to self, crucified with Christ, to gain life more abundant than you can imagine?

Prayer: Lord, I know you are the Great Physician. Thank You for loving me enough to sanctify me completely and forever. Help me to look to Your promises when the way of dying to self is painful. I know the result is more glorious than I can even hope or imagine. 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).

The Secret to Peace

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  11/23/23

Though circumstances may tempt us to doubt God’s care, Scripture assures us: “[W]e know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). God is at work for our good and His glory.

Biblical thanksgiving does not focus on our circumstances, but on the character of God. Circumstances change; God does not. In Psalm 73, David was perplexed at the prosperity of the wicked, while the godly faced difficulties and trials. However, he reminded himself that God alone was his provision, counsel, strength, desire, and portion. He knew from God’s Word the fate of those who are far from God, and he remembered that it was good and right for him to be near God, his refuge—offering thanksgiving for all God had done.

Those who have the salvation of God through faith in Jesus Christ know the secret to peace is found in thanksgiving. The apostle Paul, writing to the Philippians, said, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).

By submitting our requests to God with a thankful heart, we receive peace that transcends all understanding. Thanksgiving is integral to a right relationship with God. It is the hallmark of a true follower of Jesus Christ because thanksgiving honors God, bringing glory to His name and blessings beyond measure.

Prayer: Father God, I thank You for Your faithfulness. I thank You that I can come to You with my burdens. Thank You for the peace You bring as I lay my burdens at Your feet. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful” (Colossians 3:15).

The Importance of Praise

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  11/22/23

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

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

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

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

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

Living a Life of Thanksgiving

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  11/21/23

Read Luke 17:11-19. How can we live a life that is truly thankful?

First, we must consider the depth of our greatest blessing. The leper’s story of miraculous healing in Luke 17 is remarkable—to see such a disease immediately eradicated in someone’s life is nothing short of awesome. Yet when we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior, we are healed even more completely! We were eternally separated from God by our sins, but Jesus has made forgiveness possible through His obedient sacrifice on the cross.

Second, we need to make thanksgiving a priority. The leper didn’t wait to return to Jesus when it was convenient or after he had visited the priests. He went immediately to Jesus. The priests had not healed the leper, and he knew it. He returned to the only one worthy of his worship and thanksgiving.

Third, thanksgiving should be offered from the outpouring of our hearts. There was intensity in the leper’s worship because he was aware of his inability to secure for himself the healing he needed. How much more wonderful is the eternal healing for those who follow Christ? Let our thanksgiving be an enthusiastic celebration of Christ, who healed our direst disease when we could not.

Finally, we must be consistent in our thanksgiving. The more intentional we are about offering thanks to God, the easier it becomes to see His blessings in our lives. That is why we are repeatedly commanded in the Bible to be thankful in all things. No one can bless us like our heavenly Father. Let us be diligent in thanking Him for His grace and goodness.

Prayer: God, the greatest blessing I have ever and will ever receive is Your forgiveness. Thank You, Jesus. Help me to always give You the praise You are due. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” (2 Corinthians 9:15).

The Marks of a Giver
By Michael Youssef, Ph D. 11/20/23

Believers with the Holy Spirit gift of giving have learned that money is meant to be a servant and not a master. Gifted givers look at their money and seek ways to put that money to work to advance God’s Kingdom. They recognize that all their assets are God’s, not just the 10 percent given as the tithe. They understand that God is concerned with how we manage 100 percent of our resources.

In contrast, there are those who only want to give of their time or of themselves and want to hold onto their money. But it is by tangibly giving that we acknowledge that God owns everything and is the source of all provision. Givers know that gifts given to God are statements of praise for how God has provided in the past and a demonstration of unwavering faith that God will provide in the future. The psalmist declares, “I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread” (Psalm 37:25).

Givers also give in gratitude and thanksgiving for the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross to ransom us and provide us with eternal life, the Holy Spirit, and righteousness. They desire to bless God just as they have been blessed by Him.

All Christians are called to give, so let us give cheerfully, trusting the Lord and seeking His will when making giving decisions. And if you are blessed with the spiritual gift of giving, remember that the Lord is pleased and glorified when you exercise this gift for His name.

Prayer: Father, I pray that I would always be a cheerful giver. I know that You own everything and are the source of all that I need. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7).

Led By Love

11/15/23 – 11/19/23

Loving Through Giving

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  11/19/23

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).

Led By Love

11/15/23 – 11/19/23

Our Love Is Not in Vain

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  11/18/23

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.

When He rose from the dead, 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).

Led By Love

11/15/23 – 11/19/23

For the Sake of Others

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  11/17/23

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).

Led By Love

11/15/23 – 11/19/23

What Love Is and Is Not

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  11/16/23

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).

Led By Love

11/15/23 – 11/19/23

One Body, Many Gifts, One Goal

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  11/15/23

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).

Considering Our Future with Christ

11/05/23 – 11/14/23

At Last!

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  11/14/23

When we are united with the Lord in heaven, we will see Him face to face. Can you imagine the emotions of that moment? Can you imagine what it will feel like to see your beloved Lord for the first time?

William Montague Dyke, the son of a prominent member of the British Parliament, was engaged to a beautiful young lady, but young William had never seen the face of his bride. Though he was deeply in love with her, he had no idea what she looked like. When he was young, William had been injured in an accident that resulted in blindness. He fell in love with his beloved bride-to-be because of her voice, her touch, and the kindness of her heart.

After they announced their engagement, one of England’s most prominent eye surgeons approached William and said, “There’s an experimental procedure I have performed a number of times with some success. William, I believe I can help you see again.” William agreed to undergo the surgery, and he asked the doctor to attend the wedding and remove the bandages at the altar because he wanted his first sight to be the vision of his bride coming down the aisle to become his wife.

On the appointed day, William stood at the altar, waiting for his bride, and the surgeon removed his bandages. William looked—and he saw. “At last,” he said as he gazed upon the beautiful, shining face of his beloved for the very first time. “At last!”

When we get to heaven, it will not be the bride but the Bridegroom we will see for the very first time. We have been blind all our lives, seeing through a glass darkly, unable to see the face of our Lord and Savior—but on that day, we will see Him face to face. And John tells us that “we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2). Our own faces will shine with joy as we say, “At last, at last!”

Are you ready for that day? Jesus said, “Yes, I am coming soon” (Revelation 22:20). For those who love Him, who eagerly look forward to His appearing, those words are a blessed promise. For those who have not received Him, those words are a warning—and an invitation.

Don’t wait. Don’t put it off. Receive Him into your life—and He will receive you into heaven. There is no time to lose. He is coming soon.

Prayer: Jesus, what a hope I have in You. You are my very great reward, and I can’t wait to see You face to face. May my love for You ever deepen as I understand the magnitude of my sin and the overwhelming redemptive power of Your love. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready” (Revelation 19:7).

Considering Our Future with Christ

11/05/23 – 11/14/23

Heaven Is for Real—and Hell Is, Too

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  11/13/23

The Bible teaches that every soul was formed in the womb to live for eternity. Every soul is immortal, but not every immortal soul will live forever in heaven. In The Problem of Pain, C. S. Lewis lays out the logic of hell. I will paraphrase Lewis’ words to give you the gist of his thinking.

Lewis says, in effect, “I would give anything to be able to truthfully say, ‘Everyone will be saved.’ But my reason replies, ‘Should God save people against their will?’ The doctrine of hell says that God is so loving and merciful that He actually became a man and submitted Himself to death by torture to save us from eternal ruin—yet, when we refuse to accept the gift of salvation, God permits us to choose hell of our own free will, and He won’t lift a finger to stop us from destroying ourselves.”

In his original quotation, Lewis concludes: “Here is the real problem: so much mercy, yet still there is hell.” Lewis is absolutely right. The real question is not whether the doctrine of hell is detestable. Of course, it’s detestable. The notion of hell chills us to the marrow. Yet we still must answer the question “Is it true?”

The Bible is clear: The wages of sin is death—eternal death (see Romans 6:23). So what is eternal death? It is separation from God in hell forever and ever. That’s bad news—but there is good news, the greatest news in the history of the human race. While every one of us deserves hell, God in His mercy offers us eternal life as a free gift.

It may be elementary to you, but there are many false teachers who are denying these simple Truths—and many believers are falling for it. So I want to make sure you know that not only is heaven for real but hell is for real as well. God is holy and just. And God is love. If you reject His love, demonstrated on the cross, then you will be judged by God’s holiness—and you will receive God’s judgment.

Jesus tells us in Revelation that those who reject His offer of salvation will suffer “the second death” (21:8). But this warning of hell is coupled with an invitation to heaven and everlasting life: “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children” (Revelation 21:6-7).

Prayer: God, thank You for Your incredible sacrifice. I am in awe of Your grace and justice. Thank You for saving me from hell and to heaven. I pray that You would grant me compassion and courage to share Your gift of salvation with those around me. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand” (John 10:27-28).

Considering Our Future with Christ

11/05/23 – 11/14/23

Like a Thief

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  11/12/23

There is a significant intermission between the sixth and sev¬enth bowls of God’s judgment in Revelation 16. There, the Lord inserts a parenthetical statement—and it’s a powerful one. He says, “Look, I come like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake and remains clothed, so as not to go naked and be shamefully exposed” (Revelation 16:15).

I have heard this verse quoted as a warning to be ready for the Lord’s return. But I think the Lord gave it to us as a message of encouragement. This verse always blesses me. It tells me that even though the world is plunging headlong into depravity, we can trust God. Don’t lose heart; don’t lose faith. The Lord will come like a thief when the world least expects Him.

If the words “I come like a thief” sound familiar, it’s because Jesus made a similar statement to His disciples:

Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. (Matthew 24:42–44).

The apostle Paul used that same metaphor: “[Y]ou know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night” (1 Thessalonians 5:2). And the apostle Peter used it as well: “[T]he 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). We should heed every word God tells us—but when He makes the same state¬ment four times in His Word, we really need to take notice.

The Day of the Lord will come like a thief to those who are spiritually asleep, but we who are alert and watchful know it’s going to be a great day.

Prayer: Lord, when I am overwhelmed by the brokenness of this world and the thought of enduring suffering and persecution, give me an eternal vision of Your love and purpose. Help me to trust in You and find peace in Your saving grace and coming Kingdom. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come” (Matthew 24:42).

Considering Our Future with Christ

11/05/23 – 11/14/23

Listening to the Spirit

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  11/11/23

In Revelation 11, God has John measure the temple and place boundaries around the temple. I believe this is not talking about walking around a physical temple with a tape measure but about God placing protective measures around the people of God, who are His temple. Here God is assuring all of His children that Satan and his demons cannot touch us because we are sealed by the Holy Spirit of God.

Even our enemies who persecute us cannot touch us; they may destroy our bodies, but they can never touch our souls. They may destroy the outer temple, our bodies, but they can never destroy the inner sanctum, our souls. We are safe in God’s sanctuary. We are safe in His protective boundaries.

However, we must be vigilant against the enemy still. One of Satan’s cruelest strategies is to masquerade as the Holy Spirit and accuse us in our thoughts. Because he is a counterfeiter, we must learn to distinguish between the conviction of the Holy Spirit and the accusation of Satan. If you want to live in victory, you must be able to make the distinction.

The Holy Spirit urges you to repent and turn to God; Satan beats you down and tries to keep you away from God, saying, “Well, you’ve sinned. You might as well stay in sin.” When you hear the voice of Satan, change the channel. Begin to praise God for His salvation. Begin to praise God for His redemption and grace. Go to God in prayer. Ask the Holy Spirit to send Satan scurrying, and He will.

Prayer: Father, thank You for protecting me and sealing me with Your Holy Spirit. Help me to discern Your voice and to turn to You and repent. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence: If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything” (1 John 3:19-20).

Considering Our Future with Christ

11/05/23 – 11/14/23

Awesome

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  11/10/23

When John walked and talked with Jesus as one of the twelve disciples, he couldn’t fully understand whom he was dealing with. But in Revelation 1, John sees Jesus glorified, magnified, transfigured—and that’s how we need to see Jesus today.

When John saw the glorified Lord Jesus, he didn’t embrace Him or lean his head on the Lord’s shoulder as he had in the upper room. When John saw the glorified Jesus, he was stricken with awe and dread. He realized his own sinfulness and inadequacy in the presence of Jesus. John wrote, “When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead” (Revelation 1:17).

John demonstrated the awe and reverence with which we should approach Jesus. I have heard many Christians pray as if Jesus was their pal, their roommate, a guy from the neighborhood. And I’ve heard people abuse and misuse this word awe, or its adjec¬tive form, awesome. I’ve heard people say, “This pizza is awesome!” But when you experience true awe and reverence for Jesus, your legs turn to Jell-O, and you fall on your face as though dead. Have you ever had a pizza that made you do that?

Nothing and no one is worthy of our awe but God—God the Father, God the Spirit, and God the Son. Only the glorified Lord is truly awesome. Nothing else comes close.

Prayer: Father, You alone are awesome. The wonders of Your love are astounding. I cannot comprehend Your greatness. Help me to honor You as You deserve, and have mercy on me, Lord. Thank You for Your grace. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Jesus, . . . asked them, ‘Who is it you want?’ ‘Jesus of Nazareth,’ they replied. ‘I am he,’ Jesus said. . . . When Jesus said, ‘I am he,’ they drew back and fell to the ground” (John 18:4-6).

Considering Our Future with Christ

11/05/23 – 11/14/23

Fellowship with the Spirit

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  11/09/23

When Emperor Domitian came to rule in 81 AD, he demanded that everyone worship him as god. He required everyone to burn incense in front of his statue in every town in the Roman Empire and declare him their god.

John, then in his early 90s, was the pastor of the church of Ephesus, and he led the church in Truth. He continued to preach that Jesus alone was to be worshiped as the only way to salvation amidst the idolatry of the surrounding polytheistic culture. Because John did not compromise, he suffered exile to the island of Patmos.

Emperor Domitian thought he could silence John by exiling him, but John would not be defeated. Exile may have separated him from Christian fellowship, but it never separated him from the Lord Jesus Christ. The emperor thought that he could break John’s spirit, but John was filled with the Holy Spirit, and he would not be broken.

The enemies of God thought they could banish John and silence the message of the Gospel, but God turned it into the most powerful vision of eternity we’ve ever been given—the book of Revelation. Because John yielded to the Holy Spirit and not to his circumstances, God transformed his punishment into praise, his pain into gain, and his stagnation into revelation.

When you are in your Patmos, go to God and let Him remind you of His promises so that by His Spirit He will grow your faith and lift you up.

Prayer: God, give me a vision of eternity with You so that I can bear up under pressure. Holy Spirit, help me to be more like Christ. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

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