Excel Still More

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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

Dale Carnegie: How to win friends and influence people

SIX WAYS TO MAKE PEOPLE LIKE YOU (and make requests)

- Become genuinely interested in other people.

- Smile.

- Remember their name and use it often.

- Encourage them to talk about themselves and listen well.

- Talk in terms of the other person's interests.

- Make them feel important - and do it sincerely. 

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]

Luke 17

Jesus instructs His disciples: do not cause others to stumble, rebuke a brother in sin in order to help him, forgive those who repent, and keep laboring in this way throughout your life. Rest from these efforts comes in heaven. Jesus later heals ten lepers, but only one, a Samaritan, comes back to thank Him. Gratitude is a crucial element of faith and ongoing faithfulness. Pharisees then ask Jesus about the kingdom, and He explains that it is already in their midst. They are looking for a major political upheaval. One was coming, but not as they expected. It would be the destruction of Jerusalem as judgment for rejecting the Son of God. Jesus gives a deep description of what that will be like and how devastating it will be. 

Jesus is protective of His brothers and sisters. We must see that and reflect that same love in the way we support our Christian family. There will be sin, and correction will be needed. But the goal is always repentance and fellowship. Sometimes this means our own repentance. This is not easy, but we are unworthy slaves of our King and must tirelessly pursue His ways. Gratitude will help. We, like the lepers, have been cured of a deadly disease. To come to Him and express thanks at His feet humbles us and helps us approach people with the right heart. Like the Jews did in 70 A.D., everyone will answer for their faith. Commit to deepening your trust in Him.  

“Increase our faith!” We proclaim these same words the apostles uttered to Christ so many years ago. Deepen our trust, renovate our hearts, and make us more like Him in every part of our lives. We pray for more gratitude so that we can be much more open to extending grace to others. Your Son has healed us. He has saved us from the judgment to come. We acknowledge our responsibility in connection with that. We know this means being mindful of Jesus and doing everything we can to help reconcile others to You. Gracious Lord, please increase our faith!

-       How are you at forgiving others, or even the willingness to do so? Is this something worth praying about, and how will that help?

-       What has Christ done for you that makes you grateful today? How can that attitude fuel your thinking and words all day long?

-       Jerusalem was destroyed and only a few were prepared and survived. How do you stay ready and alert for the day of final judgment?

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]

Luke 16

Jesus shares a parable about a manager who squanders a rich man’s possessions. Before being fired, he goes out and reduces debt for people who owe the rich man, in hopes that they will care for him after he is punished. The rich man praises the manager for his shrewdness! The point is we should use what we have now for righteous acts so we can be taken care of in heaven later. Otherwise, if we are unwise now, we will end up with nothing. This parable is told because the Pharisees love money. Jesus then shares the story of the rich man and Lazarus. Lazarus has nothing in this life but enjoys comfort in heaven. The rich man has much, shares little and ends up begging for mercy in torment.

The love of money is the root of all sorts of evil. Many are foolish and selfish with it and create many problems in their lives. We should think of money as a tool used to joyfully serve God and others now, ensuring a heavenly reward later. In the final parable, Lazarus rests in Abraham’s bosom because, though physically poor, he was rich in faith. The rich man, in torment, would give every cent he had to be right with God, but he had nothing left to give. During his life, he knew God’s law of mercy, but he was too busy enjoying his money. This story emphasizes a fundamental teaching of Jesus: we cannot serve God and wealth. 

Benevolent God, to know You and be saved by You is the greatest treasure of our lives. All carnal things pale in comparison. Father, help this belief shape our daily lives and priorities. Show us how to be generous to others and use our blessings to be righteous and kind. We believe in eternal heaven and hell. But we sometimes forget that today’s choices pave the way to our eternal home. Forgive our short-sightedness and open our eyes to Your Son’s law of charity and mercy. Free us from the love of money and fill us with love for others. 

-       How does your relationship with money change when it is seen as simply an asset to show faith to God and lay up eternal treasures?

-       There is a verse in this chapter on divorce and remarriage (18). How do greed and selfishness often factor into failed marriages?

-       Lazarus had nothing on earth, and he is now in eternal comfort. Can his story be a comfort to you or someone who is struggling in 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]

Luke 15

Jesus is dining with tax collectors and sinners. The Pharisees and scribes grumble about this. They completely miss that Christ has come to seek and save the lost. To educate them on His mission, Jesus tells three parables. The first is a man who loses one of his one hundred sheep. He searches for the one, carries him back, and throws a party to celebrate. The second is a woman who loses one of her ten coins. She sweeps the house until she finds it, and then rejoices with her friends. The third is about a son who takes his inheritance and wastes it. He finally comes home, and the father throws a feast. His older brother is angry about this and must be taught about mercy by his father.  

The point of all three parables is the same: our Father in heaven rejoices when even one soul repents of sin and returns to Him. We might not care about one sheep out of a hundred, but the Shepherd does. We might have lived with one lost coin, but the woman could not. We would certainly be crushed at losing a son, and we would throw a great feast if he returned home. This is why Jesus ate with sinners. He knew that every soul matters and the Father loves them all. The older brother in the Prodigal Son story struggles to have mercy on his brother. To be like our Father, we must be humble and welcome all who repent.    

Patient Father, thank You for loving us and desiring our salvation. We know Your greatest joy is seeing a soul restored to Your care. Great God, if we need to repent and return to You, please show us the way. If we are lost sheep, please send Jesus to carry us back home. But Father, we also need to help others turn to You. Please cleanse our hearts of any pride that would look at others the way the older brother did, the way the Pharisees did. Send us someone today who we can lead back to You.  

-       Jesus spending time with sinners was a shock to the Pharisees. Is it off-putting behavior to you? Should you be doing this also?

-       All three stories show how important repentance is to God. How should God’s loving response to repentance affect all your decisions?

-       The older brother was self-centered and unmerciful. Does this ever happen today? Should Christians ever feel this way about others?

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]

Luke 14

Jesus dines with a leading Pharisee and sees a lame man there. Jesus heals him on the Sabbath, instructing the Pharisees to be humble and merciful. To help them, Jesus tells the story of a man who takes the best seat at a wedding feast and is asked to move down. Yet, the one at the foot of the table is moved up. Humility will be exalted. Jesus tells His host he should be inviting the poor and lame to his table. Such will be repaid in the resurrection. Jesus tells another story about people making excuses not to come to dinner, prompting the master to reject them. Christ’s kingdom demands selflessness, service, love, and extreme cost. Jesus challenges them to calculate that cost, lest they fall short of His kingdom. 

The Pharisees were watching Jesus closely in hopes of finding fault in Him. They failed to see His love and compassion for the hurting. They failed to see the value of taking the lower seat and serving others. Therefore, they did not invite the poor and lame to their tables. They, and others, made endless excuses and asked for endless signs instead of submitting to Jesus as their King. The Kingdom demands all of a person, their heart, mind, and soul. It means loving Christ and the ministry more than anything and anyone. We need to hear this clearly and calculate the cost. Many fall away because they were never totally committed. Discipleship to Christ is all or nothing. 

Merciful God, please help us grow in compassion for others. Place people in our paths who are poor or lame or hurting. Lead us to develop selfless spirits that will be more like Jesus and help people who are in need. We will open our hearts, lives, and homes to be of service to others. Father, discipleship is a life-long challenge. Please forgive our failings and help us grow. May we never make excuses and always be willing to do better. Father, we have calculated the cost; we choose Jesus over all others, and we give our lives to You. 

-       Has pride ever affected the way you see Jesus and His teachings? How do you reestablish humility and selfless love for others?

-       Why is it more Christ-like to invite the poor and hurting to your home over people with means or people who can also serve you?

-       What is the cost of discipleship in your life? What sacrifices are being made? Who must take a backseat so you can honor 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]

Luke 13

Jesus uses two tragic stories of death to present His universal point: unless you repent of your sins, you too will likewise perish. Jesus tells a parable of a fig tree that would only remain if it began to bear fruit. Repentance is a turn from fruitlessness to bring about produce for the Lord. Shortly after, Jesus heals a woman, and the Pharisees complain because He did so on the Sabbath. They still are not ready to repent and turn to Him. But their attacks would not stop Christ’s kingdom. It would start small and grow like a mustard seed or like leaven in flour. As Jesus heads to Jerusalem for the last time, He notes that few will be saved in His kingdom, though He desires to save everyone. 

To repent is to be sorrowful for sin, to turn away from sin, and to run to God in trust and obedience. This is a fundamental attribute of kingdom citizens. God does not demand perfection, but His mercy is tied to our repentance. The kingdom, which started small, has grown all over the world as people turn from pride and self-reliance and to live for God. So many will be lost in the final judgment, living for themselves, and failing to prepare. But we must keep humble hearts until the end. Jesus faced death courageously because He believed in sharing the kingdom’s message. We must praise Him for His sacrifice and share His message of repentance with all who will listen. 

Loving Father, thank You for revealing Your plan to save us in the kingdom of Your beloved Son. Help us to see what is required of us in that plan: to believe and repent of our sins and live obedient lives. Give us the wisdom to do this faithfully. Show us how to live this faith sincerely, always ready for Your Son’s return, and direct us to not be distracted with arguments and bitterness, as seen with the Pharisees. Eternal death awaits those who are unprepared. Keep us among Your people and help us reconcile others to You.   

-       What does repentance look like in your life? Is it found in your prayers? Does it often produce change that is seen by others?

-       The kingdom grew as the Pharisee’s influence diminished. Why is that? Why will genuine love and faith always prevail over hypocrisy?

-       Jesus wanted to save everyone but had to pronounce righteous judgment. Is there a time when we must do so with others for their good?

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Don't look past the Ruler to get to the rules.  If we don't find Jesus, we haven't found anything. Once we find Him, and see Him, and know and love and understand Him, we are equipped to learn the facts and figures of Scripture. At times, bible study can be about finding what we always find, seeing what we always see, and focusing mostly on DO's and DON'Ts - and there is room for that. But first, find Him. He desires a relationship with you. He is your Elder Brother, and that is a special designation in a special family: the family of God. 

If you are interested in the Daily Bible Devotional, you can find it at the link below:
 Amazon - (paperback, hardcover, and Kindle)
Feel free to reach out with any questions: [email protected]

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]

Luke 12

As the Pharisees become more aggressive, Jesus openly warns others about them. While some fear them, Jesus teaches that the only One worthy of fear is God, and they must show this by speaking up for Jesus in the face of opposition. Disciples must also defend the Holy Spirit’s integrity against all who blaspheme. As Jesus is speaking, a man interrupts and asks for part of his family’s inheritance. This displeases Jesus and leads Him to adjust His sermon topic. He addresses the sin of monetary greed. He speaks of putting trust in God and even selling possessions to help others. The most important thing is to be ready for Christ’s return. These truths must be settled in their hearts because times of great persecution and temptation are coming. 

Religious movements and groups can have a heavy hand of influence on believers. The only one we fear and answer to is God, and we must defend the Father, Son, and Spirit, no matter who speaks against them. This demands a sense of spiritual priority. It is so easy to get caught up in greed, too much focus on money, and a sense of dependency on things that are not of God. So many will not be ready when Jesus returns. We need to trust God, use our goods to help others, and always be ready to answer to our Lord. In the meantime, true faith can be divisive, and great trials may be in the near future. Get prepared today.  

Powerful God, we fear You and offer worship and praise to You alone. Please help us to carry that same boldness into every conversation and every part of our lives. We get so distracted with worry and money and the judgment of others. Great God, help us to lean fully upon You, and to find rest in Your Son’s kingdom. Please present us with opportunities to be givers and servants. All that matters is to be faithful to You at Your Son’s return. Please help us keep that fresh in our minds as we face unbelievers and temptations in this life. 

-       The Pharisees were wrong, and their hypocrisy was dangerous. How does fearing God sometimes mean opposing religious people?

-       Greed is also very dangerous. How do you guard against it? What keeps you charitable and spiritual in this material world?

-       Are you ready for the Lord to return? How does the way you handle difficult people and temptation today help answer that question?

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]

Luke 11

Jesus gives beautiful instructions on prayer. He teaches how to approach God, the importance of being persistent in prayer, and the crucial need for faith that God will answer. He proclaims that God sends His Spirit and that His answers are always good. Jesus follows this by casting a demon out of a mute man. At this point, the Pharisees come on the scene accusing Jesus of working with the devil! They ask Jesus for more signs to prove His relationship with God. Jesus strongly rebukes them and speaks of how Nineveh repented at the call of Jonah, and Israel does not repent at the call of God’s Son! Following more accusations against Him, Jesus strongly condemns the Pharisees as hypocrites and as people guilty of leading others away from God.  

Jesus demonstrates the most committed and accomplished prayer life of all time. When He speaks of how to address God, or how often to address God, or with what confidence we should address God, we would do well to listen. There will always be accusers like the Pharisees, and hypocrisy around us, but our connection with God is the power we must have to stand against them. This requires consistent, spiritual, and hopeful prayer. Sadly, unbelievers may never see enough to follow Jesus, and they may attack all they are shown. This manifests darkness, selfish pride, and brokenness in their hearts. Like Jesus, we must keep shining, patiently teaching, and warning others of the consequences of hardness toward God and others. 

Precious Lord, we are grateful to be able to come to You in prayer. Thank You for hearing us, for desiring this time with us, and for Your promise to respond according to Your divine will. We pray in Jesus’ name. His authority and presence in prayer give us great courage. So many reject His Lordship. Some accuse Him, some question Him, while others will see His majesty and believe. Father, help us to always have believing, hopeful hearts. Please give us the wisdom to speak His name into the lives of those who are lost and confused.  

-       How will Christ’s teaching on prayer affect the way you talk to God today? Will You follow His direction, be frequent, and believe?

-       The Father gives the Holy Spirit to those who seek guidance (vs. 13). What does that mean to you, and how are you comforted by this?

-       Hypocrisy is ugly. Jesus always sees right through it. Is there some area of hypocrisy in your life where you need to be honest with Him?

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]

Luke 10

Jesus selects seventy disciples and sends them out to work miracles and proclaim the kingdom of God. He instructs them to bless those who listen and move on from those who do not. Judgment is reserved for those who refuse to repent. As joyous as their works are, the greater blessing is having their names recorded in heaven. A lawyer then tests Jesus by asking Him what he must do to be saved. Jesus answers by quoting Moses concerning loving God and loving your neighbor. To illustrate, Jesus tells the story of the good Samaritan, who serves someone in need, even at a significant personal cost. The chapter concludes with Martha being busy and worried about so many things, while Mary chooses the better part: to sit and listen to Jesus. 

Jesus often does His work through His people. We are His disciples, and sharing His love and power is our primary work. It can be discouraging when people do not listen. But that is not our focus. We, like the seventy, seek to teach all and pray the gospel falls on soft hearts. Success in ministry is exciting, but our work is never as great as our names being recorded in heaven! Our primary objective is to love God fully and to always love our neighbor. Like the good Samaritan, we show Christ in how we love those who may not love us. To help develop this service, we need as much time at Jesus’ feet as we can get. 

Benevolent Father, thank You for initiating a kingdom and a mission that invites us to participate. We praise You for sending Jesus to show us the way. And we praise You for calling us to be like Him. Give us opportunities to share the gospel. Keep us encouraged along the way. Help us deepen our love for you and others and demonstrate that in worshiping you and serving anyone in need. Father, like Martha, we can get distracted. While that may not be evil, it is dangerous. Show us how to fix our eyes on Jesus and listen to Him. 

-       If Jesus called you with 69 others and sent you out to work on His behalf, would you go? How can you demonstrate that now?

-       Why is it so easy to pass people by who are in need? Is there a risk of becoming like the priest and the Levite who walked right by?

-       Martha was a faithful servant. But she lost sight of what mattered most. Do you ever get that way, and how do you regain your focus on Jesus?