📖 Faithful Friday — He Goes Ahead

We were in John 10 just last week, but I came back to the passage and noticed another little phrase I had walked right past.

Jesus says of the shepherd:

“…he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice.”

— John 10:4

Don't miss those words:

“He goes ahead of them.”

The Shepherd doesn't stand behind the sheep shouting directions.

He leads from the front.

And maybe you need that reminder today.

You may not know what next month holds.

You may not understand where the road you're walking is going.

You may be asking God to show you how everything is going to work out.

Psalm 23 reminds us:

“He guides me in the paths of righteousness…”

And even when that path goes through the valley, 

David's confidence is NOT: I understand this road.

It's: “You are with me.”

I love this picture:

The sheep doesn't get a map.

The sheep gets a Shepherd.

💭 Today's Truth

You don't have to know where the road leads when you know the Shepherd who leads you.

Proverbs 3:5–6 tells us:

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart

And do not lean on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge Him,

And He will make your paths straight.”

Following Jesus doesn't mean we never make plans.

It means our plans remain surrendered to the Shepherd.

We plan.

We pray.

We use wisdom.

But underneath it all is a simple posture:

“Jesus, You lead. I'll follow.”

🙏 Today's Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for being my Shepherd. Thank You that I don't have to know everything that lies ahead because You are leading me. Forgive me for the times I have trusted my own understanding more than I have trusted You. Help me listen to Your voice through Your Word, stay close to You, and faithfully follow the next step You place before me. When the road is uncertain, remind me that You are with me. Jesus, You lead. I'll follow. In Your name, Amen.

Maybe today the question isn't:

“Lord, will You show me the whole road?”

Maybe it's simply:

“Am I staying close to the Shepherd?”

You don't need the whole map.

Stay close. Follow Him.

🎙️ Today's Five More Minutes is also available wherever you listen to podcasts.

📖 Thankful Thursday — Rest a While

Sometimes you're tired because you've made poor choices.

But sometimes...

you're tired because you've been faithfully doing a lot of good things.

In Mark 6, the disciples returned to Jesus after He had sent them out to minister. They had been serving, helping people, and doing exactly what Jesus had called them to do.

And in verse 31, Jesus looked at these tired disciples and said:

“Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while.”

Jesus noticed their weariness.

And I'm thankful for what that shows us about His heart:

💭 Today's Truth

Jesus doesn't confuse our limitations with unfaithfulness.

Maybe you're tired today too.

Maybe it's work.

Family.

School.

Caring for someone you love.

Serving others.

Or maybe life has simply required a lot from you lately.

Here's something I'm having to learn myself:

Rest isn't the opposite of faithfulness. Sometimes rest is part of faithfulness.

And sometimes following Jesus even means saying no to good things.

Every need doesn't automatically become my assignment.

Every opportunity doesn't require my yes.

Sometimes Jesus says, “Go.”

Sometimes He says, “Serve.”

And sometimes He says:

“Come away...and rest a while.”

Jesus gives us another beautiful invitation in Matthew 11:28: “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.”

Notice where true rest leads:

“Come to ME.”

🙏 Today's Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for knowing my limitations and noticing when I am weary. Give me wisdom to know what You are asking me to carry and what I need to release. Help me say yes faithfully when You call me to serve and give me the courage to say no—even to good things—when they are not my assignment. Teach me to rest without guilt and to remember that true rest is found by drawing near to You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

If you're tired today, maybe the question isn't, “How can I keep doing everything?”

Maybe it's simply:

“Jesus, what would ‘rest a while’ look like for me today?”

You don't have to hide your weariness from Him.

Come to Him.

Rest a while.

🎙️ Today's Five More Minutes is also available wherever you listen to podcasts.

📖 Wisdom Wednesday — Tell What Jesus Has Done

Have you ever thought:

“I'd talk about Jesus more if I just knew more?”

In Mark 5, Jesus completely transforms the life of a man who had been living among the tombs under terrible demonic oppression.

By verse 15, the man who had been tormented is:

“sitting down, clothed and in his right mind.”

Jesus had changed everything.

But here's what amazes me.

This man hadn't studied theology.

He hadn't spent years following Jesus.

He had known Jesus for...well, maybe Five More Minutes!  :-)

And when he asks to go with Jesus, Jesus gives him another assignment:

“Go home to your people and report to them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He had mercy on you.” — Mark 5:19

Jesus didn't tell him to go explain everything.

He told him to go tell what God had done for him.

💭 Today's Truth

You don't have to know everything about Jesus to tell somebody what Jesus has done for you.

And that's incredibly freeing.

What if somebody asks you a question you can't answer?

It's okay to say: “I don't know the answer to that. But I can tell you what Jesus has done for me.”

Psalm 66:16 says:

“Come and hear, all who fear God,

And I will tell of what He has done for my soul.”

Your testimony doesn't have to be dramatic.

It doesn't have to impress anybody.

Because you're not the hero of your testimony. Jesus is.

If He has saved you, forgiven you, carried you, given you hope, shown you mercy...

you have something to tell.

🙏 Today's Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for what You have done in my life. Thank You for Your mercy, Your grace, and the salvation You have given me. Help me never believe that I need to know everything before I can tell someone about You. Give me an opportunity to share what You have done for me, and help me keep the focus of my story on You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

So here's today's question:

What has Jesus done for me that I could tell somebody else?

Ask God for an opportunity!  And tell YOUR story of Jesus!

🎙️ Today's Five More Minutes is also available wherever you listen to podcasts.

 📖 Truth Tuesday — But First...

Have you ever noticed how easy it is to intend to obey God...

later?

In Luke 9, Jesus encounters three people who talk about following Him.

One says:

“I will follow You, Lord; but first...” — Luke 9:61

Those two words are worth noticing:

“But first...”

None of these people simply says, “No, I won't follow.”

The problem is that following Jesus keeps getting pushed behind something else.

And we can do the same thing.

I'll forgive...later.

I'll deal with that sin...later.

I'll have that conversation...later.

I'll get serious about spending time with God when life slows down.

Sometimes “later” sounds a lot more spiritual than “no.”

But James 4:17 gives us a direct reminder:

“Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin.”

The issue isn't always that we don't know what God wants us to do.

Sometimes...

we know. We just haven't done it.

💭 Today's Truth

Delayed obedience has a way of becoming disobedience.

Maybe you're waiting for God to show you the next ten steps when He's already made today's step clear.

You don't need tomorrow's instructions to obey today's.

So here's the question:

What have I been postponing that Jesus has already made clear?

🙏 Today's Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for Your patience with me. Show me where I have been postponing something You have already made clear. Forgive me for the times I have postponed to later when I really needed to obey in the moment. Give me courage to take the step of faithfulness that is in front of me today. Help me follow You without waiting for perfect circumstances or complete understanding. In Jesus' name, Amen.

If that prayer expresses your heart, pray it with me—or find your own words and spend some time honestly talking with Jesus today.

If He brings something to mind...

don't promise Him someday.

Follow Him today.

🎙️ Today's Five More Minutes is also available wherever you listen to podcasts.

 📖 Motivation Monday — Open Hands

The rich young ruler ran to Jesus.

He knelt before Jesus.

He asked Jesus about eternal life.

And then Mark gives us a detail I don't want us to miss:

“Looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him...” — Mark 10:21

Jesus loved him.

And because Jesus loved him, He challenged the very thing that had captured his heart.

💭 Today's Truth

Jesus loves us too much to leave unchallenged the things that keep us from following Him wholeheartedly.

For this man, it was his possessions.

For us, it could be money, control, comfort, approval, a relationship, a dream—or simply our plans for how we think life should go.

The question isn't just, “What do I have?”

It's:

“What am I holding so tightly that I would struggle if Jesus asked me to open my hand?”

Because anything I cannot surrender to Jesus has begun competing with Jesus.

And don't miss what Jesus offered this man:

“Come, follow Me.”

Jesus wasn't merely asking him to give something up.

Jesus was offering him Himself.

Sadly, verse 22 tells us the man walked away grieving. Scripture never tells us that he returned.

He wanted what Jesus offered—but he wasn't willing to release what Jesus exposed.

🙏 Today's Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for loving me enough to tell me the truth about my heart. Show me ANYTHING I am holding more tightly than I am holding onto You. Give me the faith to surrender whatever competes for my heart and to trust that nothing I could hold onto is worth more than knowing and following You. Help me live today with open hands. In Jesus' name, Amen.

If that prayer expresses your heart, pray it with me—or find your own words and spend some time honestly talking with Jesus today.

Remember:

The One asking you to open your hand is the One who loves you.

Open your hands.

And follow Him.

🎙️ Today's Five More Minutes is also available wherever you listen to podcasts.

📖 Faithful Friday — Stay Close

Have you ever been perfectly content with the life God has given you...

until you started looking at somebody else’s?

Peter did something remarkably similar.

In John 21, Jesus has restored Peter after his failure. He gives Peter his assignment and says:

“Follow Me!”

And almost immediately Peter looks at John and asks:

“Lord, and what about this man?”

Peter! Really???

Jesus’ answer is wonderfully direct:

“If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow Me!” — John 21:22

💭 Today’s Truth

Faithfulness isn’t keeping up with someone else. It’s following Jesus where He leads you.

Comparison can quietly steal our joy.

And social media certainly doesn’t make that any easier.

In a few minutes we can see somebody else’s vacation, house, family, marriage, children, ministry, success or opportunities...

and suddenly: Comparison can make you dissatisfied with a life you were thankful for five minutes ago.

Before long, Peter’s question becomes ours:

Lord, what about them?

Why did they get that opportunity?

Why does their life seem easier?

Why did their prayer get answered differently?

And Jesus lovingly brings our attention back:

“What is that to you? You follow Me.”

Somebody else’s story isn’t the measuring stick for your faithfulness.

And don’t miss who receives that invitation.

Peter had failed.

Peter had denied Jesus.

But Jesus restored him and said again:

“Follow Me.”

Maybe you’ve stumbled too.

Receive His grace.

Put your eyes back on Jesus.

And keep following.

🙏 Today’s Prayer

Lord Jesus, forgive me for the times I look sideways and compare my life with someone else’s. Thank You for the path You have given me and for Your grace when I stumble along the way. Help me celebrate what You are doing in others without allowing comparison to steal my joy. Keep my eyes fixed on You, and give me the faithfulness to follow wherever You lead. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If that prayer expresses your heart, pray it with me—or find your own words and spend some time honestly talking with Jesus today.

Hear His words again:

“What is that to you? You follow Me.”

🎙️ Today’s Five More Minutes is also available wherever you listen to podcasts.

📖 Thankful Thursday — He Knows His Own

There is something wonderfully comforting in the words of Jesus:

“I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me.”— John 10:14

“I know My own.”

Maybe it’s because I’ve watched Finding Nemo too many times, but I couldn’t help thinking about those seagulls: “Mine! Mine! Mine!” 😂

Obviously, that’s not quite the picture Jesus had in mind!

But there really is something precious about those words:

“My own.”

If you belong to Jesus, you aren't just another face in the crowd.

The Good Shepherd knows you.

He knows your name.

He knows what makes you afraid.

He knows where you're tired.

He knows the questions you haven't said out loud.

He knows your weaknesses.

He even knows your failures.

And He calls you His own.

💭 Today's Truth

The Shepherd who knows everything about you still calls you His own.

We've spent a lot of time lately talking about knowing God's heart.

But today, turn that around:

While you're learning His heart, He already knows yours.

And Jesus doesn't merely say that He knows His sheep. He tells us how deeply He loves them:

“I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.” — John 10:11

The Shepherd who knows you completely...

gave His life for you.

That's the cross.

You are fully known—and in Christ, deeply loved.

So maybe on this Thankful Thursday, we don't need to make it complicated.

Just spend a few moments saying:

Jesus, thank You for knowing me.

Thank You for knowing what I'm carrying.

Thank You for knowing where I'm weak.

Thank You for knowing what I need.

Thank You for knowing my failures and still loving me.

Thank You for calling me Your own.

🙏 Today's Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You that You know me completely. You know my fears, my questions, my weaknesses, my failures, and everything I carry today. Thank You that I don't have to hide from You or perfectly explain myself to You. Thank You for calling me Your own and for loving me enough to lay down Your life for me. Help me listen to Your voice, follow where You lead, and grow to know Your heart more each day. In Jesus' name, Amen.

If that prayer expresses your heart, pray it with me—or find your own words and spend some time with the Good Shepherd today.

I'm learning His heart... and I'm thankful that He already knows mine.

🎙️ Today's Five More Minutes is also available wherever you listen to podcasts.

📖 Wisdom Wednesday — Whatever He Says

Sometimes we make following Jesus more complicated than it needs to be.

We want to know:

What’s the whole plan?

Where is this going?

What happens after this?

How is God going to work everything out?

But at the wedding in Cana, Mary gives the servants remarkably simple instructions:

“Whatever He says to you, do it.” — John 2:5

There was a problem.

The wine had run out.

Mary brought the need to Jesus...

and left the solution with Jesus.

Then Jesus told the servants to fill six large waterpots.

And I love the little detail John gives us:

“So they filled them up to the brim.”

Jesus said fill them.

They filled them to the brim.

Then Jesus told them to draw some out and take it to the headwaiter.

They didn't know how that was going to solve the problem.

They didn't get an explanation.

They simply obeyed.

💭 Today’s Truth

You don’t have to understand everything Jesus is doing to obey what Jesus has said.

Maybe today you're asking God to show you the next ten steps... when He's already made the next act of obedience clear.

Maybe you need to forgive.

Apologize.

Tell the truth.

Stop compromising.

Serve.

Pray.

Love someone difficult.

Sometimes we're asking God for more information when what we really need is obedience to the truth we already have.

And here's one of my favorite details in the story.

When the headwaiter tasted the wine, John tells us he didn't know where it had come from...

“but the servants who had drawn the water knew.” — John 2:9

They had walked obediently with Jesus along the way.

The miracle ultimately wasn't about wine. John calls it a sign—something that revealed the glory of Jesus and caused His disciples to believe in Him.

Once again, it brings us back to who Jesus is.

🙏 Today’s Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You that I don't have to understand everything You are doing in order to trust You. Show me where You have already made Your will clear but I have hesitated to obey. Give me the faith to take the next step without demanding to see the whole plan. Help me bring my needs to You, trust You with the solution, and faithfully do what You have said. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If that prayer expresses your heart, pray it with me—or find your own words and spend some time with Jesus today.

Understanding can wait. Obedience doesn't have to.

And when He's made it clear...

“Whatever He says to you, do it.”

🎙️ Today’s Five More Minutes is also available wherever you listen to podcasts.

 📖 Truth Tuesday — When You Have Questions

Can you genuinely believe in Jesus...

and still have questions?

John the Baptist did.

This is the man who pointed to Jesus and declared:

“Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”— John 1:29

But in Matthew 11, John is sitting in prison.

He had faithfully obeyed God.

He had boldly spoken the truth.

And now, while hearing about the incredible things Jesus was doing for others, John sends this question: “Are You the Expected One, or shall we look for someone else?” — Matthew 11:3

I love what John does.

He takes his question to Jesus.

And Jesus doesn't shame him for asking.

Instead, He points John back to what God had already revealed in His Word.

💭 Today's Truth

When circumstances make you question what you know, go back to what God has said.

Jesus doesn't explain John's prison.

He doesn't promise John that he's getting out.

He gives John something stronger than an explanation: Truth sturdy enough to stand on when the explanation doesn't come.

Maybe you're carrying a question today.

Bring the real question to Jesus.

Faith isn't never having questions. Faith knows where to take them.

And then return to what God has already revealed.

God is good.

God is faithful.

God is compassionate.

Jesus is Lord.

Jesus died for our sins.

Jesus rose from the grave.

Jesus is coming again.

Your circumstances may be confusing. God's truth hasn't changed.

And there's one more beautiful detail.

After John's messengers leave, Jesus tells the crowd: "...among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist!”— Matthew 11:11

His questions didn't erase his faithfulness.

Jesus wasn't ashamed of John for bringing Him a difficult question.

Jesus can handle the questions you bring Him from dark places.

🙏 Today's Prayer

Lord, thank You that I don't have to hide my questions from You. When circumstances confuse me or Your ways don't match what I expected, help me bring my questions to You rather than allowing them to pull me away from You. When explanations don't come, anchor my heart in what You have already revealed in Your Word. Help me trust what I know to be true about You even when I don't understand what I see. In Jesus' name, Amen.

If that prayer expresses your heart, pray it with me—or find your own words and bring Jesus the question you're really carrying today.

🎙️ Today's **Five More Minutes** is also available wherever you listen to podcasts.

📖 Motivation Monday — When God Seems Late

Have you ever prayed about something and wondered...

Why hasn't God done something yet?

Not because you doubt that He can.

Sometimes that's what makes the waiting so difficult.

You know He can.

In John 11, Mary and Martha send word to Jesus that their brother Lazarus is sick.

And then John tells us something remarkable:

Jesus loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus...

so He stayed where He was two more days.

He loved them.

And He waited.

That challenges the way we sometimes interpret God's heart through His timing.

💭 Today's Truth

A delay you don't understand is not evidence that Jesus has stopped loving you.

By the time Jesus arrives in Bethany, Lazarus has been dead four days.

Martha tells Him:

“Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.”— John 11:21

In other words:

Jesus, I know what You could have done.

I just don't understand why You didn't do it.

But instead of explaining everything He was doing, Jesus pointed Martha back to who He is:

“I am the resurrection and the life...” — John 11:25

And then comes one of the most beautiful moments in the story.

Jesus already knew Lazarus was dead.

He knew why He had waited.

He knew exactly what He was about to do.

And still...

“Jesus wept.” — John 11:35

Think about that: Jesus wept at a grave He knew He was about to empty.

Knowing the end of the story didn't make Jesus indifferent to the pain in the middle of it.

The One who knows what comes next still cares about what hurts right now.

🙏 Today's Prayer

Lord, sometimes I struggle when Your timing doesn't make sense to me. Help me not to interpret Your heart through what You haven't done yet. Thank You that Your love does not change while I wait and that You are not distant from my pain. When I cannot understand what You are doing, help me anchor my heart in who You are. Thank You that Jesus is the resurrection and the life, and that even in difficult circumstances I can have hope. In Jesus' name, Amen.

If that prayer expresses your heart, pray it with me—or find your own words and talk honestly with God today.

Maybe there's a place in your life where you've been wondering:

“Lord, why haven't You done something?”

Bring Him that question.

Bring Him the tears too.

And remember:

Don't interpret God's heart by His timing. Interpret His timing through what you know about His heart.

🎙️ Today's Five More Minutes is also available wherever you listen to podcasts.