Excel Still More

Reach Out: Please include your email and I will get back to you. Thanks!

BRAND NEW BOOK - The Daily Bible Devotional Volume 2 (Acts - Ephesians) is now available on Amazon. We hope this becomes a great daily tool in engaging with the New Testament, one chapter at a time. 

Amazon - (paperback, hardcover, and Kindle)

Sponsors: 
Jon Cunningham, Owner, Cunningham Financial Group
Website:  www.cunninghamfinancialgroup.com   
Phone:  205-326-7364

Tyler Cain, Senior Loan Officer, Statewide Mortgage
Websites: https://statewidemortgage.com/
https://tylercain.floify.com/
Phone: 813-380-8487

Reach Out: Please include your email and I will get back to you. Thanks!

Good morning! Thank you for taking a few minutes to listen. If you are interested in the Daily Bible Devotional, you can find it at the links below:
Amazon - (paperback, hardcover, and Kindle)
Spiritbuilding.com - (premium quality paperback)
Youtube Video Introducing the Content
Feel free to reach out with any questions: [email protected]

John 18

Jesus takes His Apostles into a garden, where Judas and Roman officers come to arrest Him. Peter cuts off a soldier’s ear, but Jesus replaces it and goes with the soldiers peacefully. Peter and John follow closely behind as Jesus is taken before Annas, and then Caiaphas, the high priest that year. Peter is then questioned concerning Jesus, and he denies Him three times. The Jewish priests lead Jesus to Pilate since they need Roman approval to put Him to death. Pilate asks Jesus if He is the King of the Jews. Jesus responds by stating that His kingdom is not of this world. Ultimately, Pilate sees no guilt in Jesus. He asks the Jews if he should release Him, but they demand that a convicted robber be released instead. 

There is an incredible calmness in Jesus as the time of His death approaches. When Peter injures a soldier, Jesus heals the man. When soldiers seek to arrest Him, Jesus simply asks that His followers be left alone. When questioned by the Jewish leaders, He answers by stating that He has kept no secrets in His ministry. As Pilate berates Him with questions, He answers with peaceable, spiritual, truthful answers. Meanwhile, Peter denies Him, and most of the Apostles are nowhere to be found. Our Savior is at peace with His purpose and with the sacrifice He would offer for the world. Peter and the Apostles became much more like Jesus after the resurrection. This should be our goal as well. 

Gracious Lord, thank You for Jesus. His confidence and calmness establish Him as a King we are privileged to follow. Even in the fires of persecution, He was focused and holy. He answered even His most vicious accusers with dignity. Lord, teach us how to be more like Your Son. We all falter at times, resembling Peter’s fear and doubt. Father, we plead for Your mercy and ask You to humble us and make us more devoted students of Jesus. His resolve to accomplish Your work has brought blessings to us all. Lead us to be more like our Savior.  

Thought Questions:

-       Why did Peter lash out at the soldier? Can outbursts and quick reactions be a symptom of a faith that needs some work?

-       What are situations in your life where you need to have calm, confident responses like Jesus did throughout this chapter?

-       Pilate asks a fateful question: “What is truth?” Is Jesus the answer to that question for you, and what does He mean in your life?

Reach Out: Please include your email and I will get back to you. Thanks!

Good morning! Thank you for taking a few minutes to listen. If you are interested in the Daily Bible Devotional, you can find it at the links below:
Amazon - (paperback, hardcover, and Kindle)
Spiritbuilding.com - (premium quality paperback)
Youtube Video Introducing the Content
Feel free to reach out with any questions: [email protected]

John 17

This is one of the most beautiful chapters in all of scripture. It documents a prayer offered by Jesus while He is with His Apostles. Jesus speaks of all things leading back to the Father. Whatever glory and authority Jesus has, He uses it to turn all attention to the Father and His gift of eternal life. Jesus committed his life to accomplishing the will of the Father. Jesus is soon to depart, and He prays that God will keep the disciples in the faith and unified with one another. Jesus asks for God to keep them from the evil one and to sanctify them in the truth. Jesus then prays for all believers that they may be one, perfected in unity, striving together in the love of God. 

The most striking aspect of this prayer is the incredible humility of Jesus. He defers all glory to His Father, addressing Him as holy and righteous. All that Jesus has been gifted to do is used to turn the world toward the Father. This is a lesson that should live on in us. We are agents for God, and all the glory and authority we have is to direct people back to Him. Jesus then prays fervently concerning His disciples. He prays for their unity, and their strength, and that they live in sanctity and love. If we are genuinely interested in honoring the Father in this life, we must invest ourselves in the strength and unity of fellow believers. 

Holy and righteous Father, You are worthy of all praise and glory. Even Jesus, the Savior of the world, gives honor to You. Great God, demand of us the service and loyalty that You deserve. In You is eternal life, and we devote our lives to service and gratitude for this incredible gift. Father, Your Son has taught us to love one another. Unity among Christians was the Savior’s prayer, and we make it ours as well. Please help us overcome the issues and attitudes that divide us. Sanctify us together in truth and keep us from the evil one.  

Thought Questions:

-       Jesus knew His death was coming, and He welcomed it to honor God. How will you be like Him when difficult times come? 

-       Jesus prayed that God would protect His friends from Satan. Who will you ask God to protect from the enemy today?

-       Why do you think there is so much division among God’s people? How can Jesus’ prayer for unity help us all? 

Reach Out: Please include your email and I will get back to you. Thanks!

Good morning! Thank you for taking a few minutes to listen. If you are interested in the Daily Bible Devotional, you can find it at the links below:
Amazon - (paperback, hardcover, and Kindle)
Spiritbuilding.com - (premium quality paperback)
Youtube Video Introducing the Content
Feel free to reach out with any questions: [email protected]

John 16

Jesus continues to prepare His Apostles for the difficult times that are approaching. After Jesus ascends, religious people will seek to kill these men, falsely believing that such attacks honor God! Fortunately, the Holy Spirit is coming to guide the Apostles into all truth and disclose what is coming. Jesus must ascend into heaven so that He can send the Holy Spirit to them. But that process will be painful; Jesus will first have to be arrested, beaten, and killed. While this will be a time of great sadness, Jesus assures them He will rise again and appear to them. The disciples will be scattered when Jesus is arrested, but He will rally them to Him after He is raised. Peace will prevail because Jesus will overcome the world!

The days of Christ’s arrest and death are the darkest in human history. But they were necessary to bring about God’s plan for our redemption. Jesus’ victory over death overcomes the world in that sin and death no longer have power of His followers. His death also brought about the new covenant that God intended from the beginning of time. The Holy Spirit has come to earth as the result of Jesus ascending to glory. Jesus has sent Him to teach us concerning sin, righteousness, and the judgment to come. We are immensely blessed by Jesus’ death, burial, resurrection, and ascension into heaven. Though times of sadness and tribulation may come, we live with abiding peace in the victory of Jesus. 

Kind Father, we praise You and thank You for the revelation of scripture. You have disclosed to us the life and victory of Jesus, as well as the teachings of the Holy Spirit. You have warned us of the world’s response to truth, preparing us to stand firm in faith and to avoid stumbling in confusion and doubt. Father, help us develop the discipline to study the words of Jesus and to read the Spirit’s revelation concerning sin, righteousness, and the judgment to come. Teach us how to live by faith in Christ, the One who has overcome the world.  

Thought Questions:

-       What has Jesus revealed in the gospels that keeps you from stumbling? What gives you the courage to be strong in faith?

-       What has the Spirit taught you in scripture about sin? What has He shown you about righteousness? What about the judgment to come?

-       A woman birthing a child goes from pain and weeping to great joy. How does the resurrection of Jesus move you from sorrow to joy?

Reach Out: Please include your email and I will get back to you. Thanks!

Good morning! Thank you for taking a few minutes to listen. If you are interested in the Daily Bible Devotional, you can find it at the links below:
Amazon - (paperback, hardcover, and Kindle)
Spiritbuilding.com - (premium quality paperback)
Youtube Video Introducing the Content
Feel free to reach out with any questions: [email protected]

John 15

Jesus continues His discourse with the Apostles. Jesus identifies Himself as “the true vine.” His followers are like branches that draw nutrients from Him. To “abide in Him” is to be connected to Jesus, to hear His words, and to gain strength from His power. This must result in good fruit born by the branches. To bear the fruit of good works is to prove to be His disciple. Love binds the Vine to the branches. Jesus has shown His love by laying down His life for His friends. His friends show love in return by keeping His commandments and loving one another. The world hates Jesus and His followers, but love will define His people. Jesus again promises the Apostles that the Holy Spirit will help them in their work. 

As noted in the previous chapter, some of this content is unique to the Apostles. The Holy Spirit would testify through the Apostles in miraculous ways. The Holy Spirit is also at work for us; He teaches us through the scripture. Many other elements of this chapter apply to us all. Jesus is the vine, and we are the branches. We must remain connected to Him and bear fruit, lest we be cut away by the Father. Specifically, Jesus demands that we keep His commandments and love our fellow believers. We will be maligned by the world for serving Jesus because people of the world reject His Lordship. But fellow Christians should always be a source of love and support.  

Creator God, we know that You have made us to bring honor to You. And that means living obedient lives and loving others the way You love us. Will You help us see how desperately we need Jesus to do these things? Show us how to connect to Jesus and how to draw our strength and direction from Him. We are committed to bearing the good fruit of obedience and love in a world of disobedience and hate. Show us how to love Christians in an enduring way, and please help us through the presence and teachings of Your Holy Spirit.

Thought Questions:

-       Are you abiding in Christ and bearing fruit through His strength? What examples in your life demonstrate this process to others?

-       The Lord has commanded us to love one another. Can your faith be a saving faith if you do not actively love and serve Christians?

-       The worldly have no excuse for living in sin and disregarding the King. How can you help them see their need for Jesus?

Reach Out: Please include your email and I will get back to you. Thanks!

Good morning! Thank you for taking a few minutes to listen. If you are interested in the Daily Bible Devotional, you can find it at the links below:
Amazon - (paperback, hardcover, and Kindle)
Spiritbuilding.com - (premium quality paperback)
Youtube Video Introducing the Content
Feel free to reach out with any questions: [email protected]

John 14

Jesus says twice to His Apostles: “Do not let your heart be troubled.” Jesus first tells them not to worry because He will go to heaven to prepare a place for them, and then He will return to take them home. They did not understand where Jesus was going, but He goes to the Father and is in perfect unity with the Father. Jesus explains that His disciples must honor Him by keeping His commandments. All who love Jesus must obey Him. Jesus assures the Apostles He will send a Helper, the Holy Spirit, to teach them how to establish His church. A second time, He tells them not to be troubled because the Spirit’s presence will help them live with peace so that they can accomplish His work without fear.  

This chapter takes place during the Passover meal Jesus engages in with His Apostles. Some of what is included is specific to those men, like the promise of the Holy Spirit to give them special knowledge. However, much of His teachings apply to all believers. Jesus has gone to heaven, and He will return to take home all who love Him and obey His commandments. In the meantime, we can live in peace because God loves us, and the Holy Spirit is active in helping us develop fearlessness in this life. The “ruler of the world” is among us and seeks to undermine our faith. But we believe that Jesus is with the Father and rules in victory over the adversary. 

Wonderful Father, we call upon You to help us develop peace deep within our hearts. “Do not let your heart be troubled.” We hear the words of Jesus and seek to live this joy and assurance deep within us. Will you please help us to find this strength? We know the strength is in the resurrected and ruling Christ. And we know the Holy Spirit’s help is readily available in the scripture. Please help us to remember to fill our lives with prayer and Bible study. We love and obey You, and we know that You love and protect us. 

Thought Questions:

-       What causes your heart to be troubled? And what do you know about the Father, Son, and Spirit that restores your peace?

-       Jesus is the only way to be close to the Father. How are you pursuing a closer relationship with the Father through Jesus?

-       The Holy Spirit helped the Apostles in incredible ways. How does the Holy Spirit help you in your walk and work for Christ?

Reach Out: Please include your email and I will get back to you. Thanks!

Special thanks to Larry Greenlee for his lesson recently titled: "Breaking the Cycle." His three ideas can absolutely change your life, and quickly: Remove, Replace, Refine. It is a pleasure to explore these with you today, particularly the first one. Plants can't grow until the weeds are removed. New things cannot exist where there is no place for them. Everything good, along with things that break down old cycles, starts with removing necessary obstacles. Today we explore six areas where you can make those cuts:

1) Technology and Entertainment

2) Mental Clutter

3) Toxic Relationships

4) Excess Commitments

5) Financial Waste

6) Unhealthy Habits

Can you pick one thing from each of these categories to cut out of your life, at least for a time? To add to this exercise, what would you like to add? What would you like more of in your daily routine? Exchange one thing for another. 

BRAND NEW BOOK - The Daily Bible Devotional Volume 2 (Acts - Ephesians) is now available on Amazon. We hope this becomes a great daily tool in engaging with the New Testament, one chapter at a time. 

Amazon - (paperback, hardcover, and Kindle)

Sponsors: 
Jon Cunningham, Owner, Cunningham Financial Group
Website:  www.cunninghamfinancialgroup.com   
Phone:  205-326-7364

Tyler Cain, Senior Loan Officer, Statewide Mortgage
Websites: https://statewidemortgage.com/
https://tylercain.floify.com/
Phone: 813-380-8487

Reach Out: Please include your email and I will get back to you. Thanks!

Good morning! Thank you for taking a few minutes to listen. If you are interested in the Daily Bible Devotional, you can find it at the links below:
Amazon - (paperback, hardcover, and Kindle)
Spiritbuilding.com - (premium quality paperback)
Youtube Video Introducing the Content
Feel free to reach out with any questions: [email protected]

John 13

Jesus gathers with His twelve Apostles for a Passover meal just hours before He is arrested. He begins by washing the feet of each of the men. Peter is reluctant to allow this, but Jesus insists. Jesus teaches them that the service of others is at the center of His kingdom. Jesus then tells them that one of His own will betray Him. No one knows that He is referring to Judas Iscariot. Satan fills Judas’ heart, and he flees. Jesus then explains that His time of departure and glorification has come. He tells them the most important thing they can do is to love each other. Peter insists on going with Jesus, but he is told that He is not ready and that he will deny Jesus that very night. 

This is the night in which Jesus would be betrayed and arrested, and yet His focus is on teaching His disciples to care for one another. By washing their feet and later teaching them about the crucial need for love, He is demonstrating what makes His kingdom strong in the face of any trial. In our shared walk, there will be betrayers who give in to this world. There will be ignorance, like the Apostles who had no idea who would betray Jesus. There will be disappointment, like Peter’s predicted denial of Jesus. God’s people can remain united and strong if we sacrificially serve, deeply love, and tirelessly support one another. That is the kingdom of believers Jesus died to establish.  

Great Father, we praise Your glorified Son, and we lament that He was subjected to betrayal, suffering, and death on our behalf. We know He now rules in glory because of His incredible sacrifice. It endears us to Him to see Him washing feet and teaching love in the moments before His arrest. Help us to have a spirit like His. Teach us how to serve one another so that the world may know us by our love. Like Peter, we often fall short due to a lack of understanding and pride. Forgive us and help us to grow together.   

Thought Questions:

-       Jesus said disciples “ought to wash one another’s feet.” What should that look like in your life and relationship with Christians? 

-       Judas was so crafty that no one, except Jesus, knew of his sins.  If only Jesus knows of your sins, is that enough reason to repent?

-       Peter wanted to die with Jesus, but he was not yet ready. How are you developing the kind of faith that would give your life for Jesus?   

Reach Out: Please include your email and I will get back to you. Thanks!

Good morning! Thank you for taking a few minutes to listen. If you are interested in the Daily Bible Devotional, you can find it at the links below:
Amazon - (paperback, hardcover, and Kindle)
Spiritbuilding.com - (premium quality paperback)
Youtube Video Introducing the Content
Feel free to reach out with any questions: [email protected]

John 12

Jesus and His disciples come to Bethany to dine with Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. Mary anoints His feet with costly perfume. Judas Iscariot grumbles about this because he is a thief and hopes to plunder money from the sale of the perfume. A large crowd gathers to see Jesus and the resurrected Lazarus. This infuriates the Jewish leaders, who plan to kill Lazarus. Jesus then enters Jerusalem, and His followers worship Him as King. Many come to Jesus, including Greeks who had come to Jerusalem for the Passover feast. Jesus teaches them that personal sacrifice is needed to be in His kingdom. The people then hear God, from heaven, proclaim Jesus and His glory! Some follow Him, while others who believe are silenced by their fear of the Jews. 

The approval of men, and fear of others, are serious tests of faith. To believe in Jesus is to follow His teachings, leaving darkness for light, no matter what anyone thinks. The world, in so many ways, tries to weaken and silence believers. Judas was weakened by greed, and he betrayed the Lord. The Pharisees were blinded by jealousy and selfishness. Though God from heaven pronounced Jesus as worthy, others feared the actions of men and would not confess Jesus as King. In all of this, there are servants like Mary, who poured her expensive oil on Jesus’ feet with no concern for what anyone thought about it. Only those who believe like Mary will be saved on the last day. 

Holy God, we love You and desire to grow in our service to You and Your Son. Help us to see how that must resemble Mary pouring oil on Jesus’ feet. Help us to see ourselves bowed down to worship Jesus as He rides in on a colt. This world and its darkness seek to overwhelm us and make us ashamed of Jesus. Give us the strength to fight against greed and jealousy. Help us develop the courage to live out a sacrificial faith in Christ, regardless of what anyone says or does. We know “that His commandment is eternal life.”

Thought Questions:

-       We cannot replicate Mary pouring expensive oil on Jesus’ feet. But what does it look like for you to be more like her?

-       Jewish leaders rejected Jesus, while Greeks sought to speak with Him. What does that say about where faith might be found?

-       Jesus had to “be lifted up” in death to save us from our sins. Might you also have to face public ridicule in following Jesus?

Reach Out: Please include your email and I will get back to you. Thanks!

Good morning! Thank you for taking a few minutes to listen. If you are interested in the Daily Bible Devotional, you can find it at the links below:
Amazon - (paperback, hardcover, and Kindle)
Spiritbuilding.com - (premium quality paperback)
Youtube Video Introducing the Content
Feel free to reach out with any questions: [email protected]

John 11

Lazarus is a friend of Jesus and the brother of Mary and Martha. Jesus hears that Lazarus is sick and informs His disciples that this illness will bring glory to God. Jesus delays His trip to Bethany, knowing that Lazarus will die and then be raised from the dead. As He approaches the village, Jesus tells Martha her brother will rise again. Jesus follows this by announcing Himself as “the resurrection and the life.” He then calls for Mary and weeps as he sees her despair over her brother’s death. Jesus then raises Lazarus from the tomb. This results in more people believing in Jesus. The Jewish leaders, however, are confounded on how to handle Jesus. By the prophecy of high priest Caiaphas, they plan to put Him to death. 

John’s Gospel includes seven miracles from Jesus’ ministry. No miracle of Jesus is greater than raising Lazarus from the dead. This proves His power over life and death. His death and resurrection would also confirm this power. We can live by faith, without fear of death, knowing that Christ will revive us again and give us eternal life. Even though death has no power over Him, Jesus still weeps at the sorrow of people who mourn their loss. Our Savior’s miraculous might does not diminish His compassion for His people. Sadly, the Jewish leaders would not believe in the saving power of Jesus, as they wanted lives free of His influence. We must never give in to such a devastating decision.   

Benevolent Father, You always provide what we need and bless us with Your mercy. We trust You in life, but Father, we pray to also do so in the face of death. We thank You for the ministry of Jesus and the scope of His power. Of all that He has done, we treasure most His victory over death. Since He raised Lazarus from the grave, we know that death is not the end for us. Help us to take comfort in this during our lives, but also that we keep the faith through to the end, knowing eternity is coming. 

Thought Questions:

-       Jesus loved Lazarus and his family. And yet, Jesus allowed him to die. Why? And how can that bring comfort to us in times of loss?

-       Do you have faith that a believer “will live even if he dies”? How does eternal life in Christ shape the way you make daily decisions?

-       Jewish leaders wanted to kill Jesus because they feared Rome’s involvement. How is faith impossible if you fear worldly forces?