Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions

Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions

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Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions episodes

  • Factoring God into Your Plans | James 4:15–16

    “What you ought to say is, ‘If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.’ Otherwise you are boasting about your own pretentious plans, and all such boasting is evil.” (James 4:15–16 NLT)

    James is talking to successful Christian business leaders. These are people who worked hard to reach the top of their field. You’ll notice that he doesn’t rebuke them for their success or their efforts to be the best.

    No matter what you do for a living, if you’re a follower of Christ, you should strive to be the best at what you do. You should work harder than anybody else. You should arrive early to your job. You should leave a little later than others do. You should work cheerfully. And you should do everything for the glory of God, wherever you are.

    God hasn’t called everyone into so-called ministry. He hasn’t called everyone to be a preacher. But He has called us all to minister and to serve Him and to bring honor and glory to Him, whatever our profession is. If you’re a doctor, attend to your patients for the glory of God. If I need surgery, I don’t want a preacher. I want a godly surgeon who knows what he’s doing. I may need a Christian attorney. I may need someone else in another field—in construction, in music, in art, in politics. We need strong believers in all fields to represent us well.

    But in your striving to be the best, you need to maintain your focus and priorities. That’s what James is saying. He offers you a valuable reminder. He gives you the key to maximize your success.

    The people James was talking to had lost their focus. They were believers, but they were living like atheists. They weren’t factoring God into their plans. So James reminded them to keep God’s will at the forefront of their lives.

    Ultimately, every plan anybody ever makes is dependent on “if the Lord wants us to.” If you humbly acknowledge that and plan accordingly, God will bless your plans. That’s why Paul told the believers in Ephesus, “I will come back later, God willing” (Acts 18:21 NLT). And it’s why he wrote to the believers in Corinth, “I will come—and soon—if the Lord lets me” (1 Corinthians 4:19 NLT).

    God’s will covers a lot of ground—everything you do, in fact. If you’re going to give it the consideration it deserves, it must be one of the first things you think about in the morning and one of the last things you think about at night. It needs to be a frequent topic of conversation with your spouse or loved ones. It needs to be the main focus of every prayer, every business meeting, and every decision-making process.

    No matter what field you’re in, keeping God’s will at the forefront means thinking about what you’re sacrificing, thinking about what you’re prioritizing, thinking about how you’re using your resources—including your time, finances, and people—and making sure that they align with God and His will.

    You can glorify God wherever you are and in whatever you do. Just remember to factor in His will.

    Reflection question: How do you factor God’s will into your workday?

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    4 min
  • As Human as We Are | James 5:17

    “Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years!” (James 5:17 NLT)

    The showdown between Elijah and the prophets of Baal in 1 Kings 18 is one of the most triumphant scenes in the Old Testament. One man of God versus 450 false prophets in a winner-take-all contest to determine whose God was the true God of Israel.

    The rules were simple. Elijah built one altar and placed his sacrifice of a bull on it. The false prophets built another altar and placed their sacrifice of a bull on it. The god who sent fire to burn his sacrifice would be declared the true God.

    The false prophets went first. They prayed for hours, begging their god to respond. They worked themselves into a frenzy. They cut themselves, hoping their blood would get Baal’s attention. But nothing happened.

    When Elijah’s turn came, he instructed people to pour water on his altar until it and the ground around it were flooded. He wanted to make it impossible, in human terms, for his altar to ignite. And then he prayed. And God sent fire from Heaven that consumed Elijah’s sacrifice and altar, as well as the ground around it.

    The Lord left no doubt as to who the true God of Israel was. Yet Jezebel, the queen of Israel, stubbornly refused to acknowledge Him. When she heard what had happened, she sent word to Elijah that he would be killed the next day.

    Like that would scare a prophet of the one true God. A man who’d just played a role in God’s miraculous display of power. A guy who literally had just come down from a mountaintop experience. A man brimming with confidence and courage, knowing that he enjoyed the protection and blessing of God.

    First Kings 19:3–4 describes Elijah’s memorable response this way: “Elijah was afraid and fled for his life. . . . He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die” (NLT).

    Wait . . . what? Why? The simple answer can be found in the passage from James 5 above: “Elijah was as human as we are.”

    People tend to put spiritual leaders—teachers, preachers, evangelists, podcasters, influencers—on pedestals. Oh, they’re so spiritual. They never get down. They never struggle with depression or anxiety like I do. Every day is great for them. Not true. Every spiritual leader you admire is just as human as you are and struggles with vulnerabilities and weak moments, just as you do.

    The devil knows that the most vulnerable time for many Christians—leaders and laypeople alike—is right after a spiritual victory. Maybe you’ve experienced that. Maybe you took a bold step of faith to do something for God’s glory, and it went well. But immediately afterward you faced a spiritual attack. Maybe your marriage foundered. Or your kids turned from Christ instead of to Him. I’ve experienced these attacks. Waves of depression have hit me after great spiritual victories, such as any crusade we’ve ever done.

    Don’t focus on your emotions. Focus on God. Remember, you’re not as good or as bad as people think you are. You’re God’s servant. Just do your job. Give Him the glory and keep moving, whether you’re a leader or a layperson.

    If you’re married, you and your spouse can work together to keep one another on an even spiritual keel. You can lift up one another or gently keep one another grounded, as necessary.

    Understanding that leaders are as human as you are helps you resist the urge to put them on pedestals. It helps you be more realistic about your expectations for them. It helps you empathize with their responsibilities.

    Perhaps most importantly, though, it encourages you to pray for them. The best thing you can do for the spiritual leaders in your life is to ask God to give them the strength, compassion, wisdom, discernment, and patience they need to accomplish God’s work.

    Reflection question: What prayer requests will you take to God on behalf of the spiritual leaders in your life?

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    5 min
  • A Gift for You | James 4:17

    “Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.” (James 4:17 NLT)

    Name a reason you might not use a gift that someone gave you. (You can imagine that you’re playing Family Feud, if it helps you think better.)

    Maybe the gift isn’t practical—you have no use for it. Maybe it’s not your style or size. Maybe you think you don’t deserve it. Maybe you don’t have a good relationship with the gift giver.

    Now name a reason you might not use a gift that God gave you. That’s a harder one, isn’t it? It’s not a theoretical exercise. God has given you a gift. The apostle Peter wrote, “God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another” (1 Peter 4:10 NLT).

    Since God is the One who gave it, your gift is perfectly practical. And since He created and knows everything about you, it’s exactly your size and style. It’s true you don’t deserve it—but then again, none of us deserves any good thing from God. He gives because He’s merciful and gracious. And if you want to enjoy a healthy relationship with your Gift Giver, you’ll learn how to maximize your gift.

    If that’s not motivation enough, there’s always James’ words in James 4:17: “Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.”

    There are countless people who will benefit from your putting your spiritual gift to work. If you choose to ignore your gift, you’re choosing to ignore them. You wouldn’t dream of neglecting your spouse or your family members or the people closest to you. And you should carry that same attitude toward the people in your church.

    Romans 12:4–5 says, “Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other” (NLT). Christianity is not an individual pursuit. Everyone who trusts Christ becomes a member of His body. Biology teaches us that each part of the human body plays an important role. Your eyes, ears, fingers, toes, and internal organs all perform vital functions.

    God’s Word teaches us that each member of Christ’s body plays an important role. Your role is determined by the spiritual gift God has given you. In 1 Corinthians 12:18, the apostle Paul says, “But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it” (NLT). One verse earlier, he asks, “If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything?” (NLT).

    His point is that God has a plan for His people to use their individual gifts to benefit the church, the body of Christ. He helps mesh believers’ different gifts so that they work together as one.

    The takeaway is that we all have a part to play in the body of Christ. God has seen to that. If God has given you a gift, it’s irresponsible to not use it. Look at the words of James 4:17 again. And then ask God to show you what your supernatural gift is so that you can begin to use it.

    Reflection question: How can you use the gift God has given you in your church community?

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    4 min
  • Taming the Tongue | James 3:7–9

    “People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God.” (James 3:7–9 NLT)

    If you’ve ever ridden a horse, you know the awesome (and occasionally uneasy) feeling of having its power and strength in your hands. The reins you hold and the bit in the horse’s mouth allow you to control the movement of this incredible animal. Experienced riders can control a whole team of horses that way. Years ago, at the Rose Parade, I saw a man riding a buffalo. He was able to control it with a bit in the animal’s mouth as well.

    Human beings have managed to tame many different creatures. Lions and tigers and bears. Killer whales and crocodiles and cockatoos. Name an animal, any animal. Chances are good that someone, somewhere, has tamed one—and probably taught it to do a goofy trick.

    The one thing in this world that we haven’t been able to tame, as James points out in the passage above, is the tongue. And that failure rocks us to our core. Because what we say reveals who we are. Socrates once said to a young student, “Speak, so that I may see you.”

    The idea of “being seen” by our words applies even more so to believers. The tongue is a barometer of Christian maturity. If your life is really transformed by Jesus Christ, your words will be transformed as well. Your faith will impact you in what you say and what you don’t say.

    Jesus said, “A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart” (Luke 6:45 NLT).

    As Christians, we may take pride in the fact that we don’t do certain sinful things anymore—and that’s certainly a sign of spiritual maturity. But if we don’t also rein in our words, there’s no gain. We would never think of having someone we don’t like assassinated, but we would assassinate their character over Sunday brunch. We would never think of pulling out a knife and stabbing someone, but we would think nothing of plunging the blade of slander into someone’s back.

    People who tame wild animals command respect. Crowds breathlessly cheer lion tamers at the circus. People who tame their tongue command the respect of others, too. Others will notice when you refuse to join a gossip session. Or when you talk about people’s good qualities behind their back instead of slandering them. Or when you offer sincere words of praise or encouragement. Because they’ll see that it’s coming from your heart—a heart that’s been transformed by Christ.

    The people closest to you—your spouse, your family members, your friends—will be the first to notice. Especially if you’ve never given much thought to taming your tongue in the past. It may take a while to convince them that you’re serious. But in time, they will respond to your transformation.

    Taming your tongue is the big battle. If you fight it valiantly, you open the door to other victories. James 3:2 says, “Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way” (NLT).

    Reflection question: Based on your words in the past week or so, what’s in your heart?

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    4 min
  • Making Plans | James 4:13–14

    “Look here, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.’ How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow?” (James 4:13–14 NLT)

    The Scottish poet Robert Burns wrote, “The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry.” If you’ve ever tried to, say, stick to an itinerary on a family vacation, you likely know what he’s talking about.

    An old Yiddish expression brings this idea into the spiritual realm: “Man plans, and God laughs.” Or, to put it another way, “If you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans.”

    That’s not strictly true, of course. It’s not unspiritual to plan. In fact, it’s very spiritual. Proverbs 6:6–8 says, “Take a lesson from the ants, you lazybones. Learn from their ways and become wise! Though they have no prince or governor or ruler to make them work, they labor hard all summer, gathering food for the winter” (NLT). Check out the ants before you step on them. They work hard. They’re always busy. Little ants moving big stuff around, getting ready for the future.

    Our nation was built by planners who worked hard, following the example of the ants, to make their plans a reality. We must continue that legacy of forward thinking and hard work. That’s what makes our country strong and prosperous. The apostle Paul warns in Romans 12:11, “Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically” (NLT).

    And include Him in your plans.

    That’s the unspoken part of the old Yiddish saying. God doesn’t laugh at all plans—just the ones that don’t factor in Him and His will.

    In James 4, James is talking to Christians who had done quite well in business. He commends them for their success but reminds them to keep God at the forefront of their lives. He wants to make sure that they never lose sight of the truth that everything they accomplished was due to God.

    And that advice goes for us, too. When we make plans, we must make sure that God is at the center of them. We must figure His will into everything we do. We start by studying His Word. We familiarize ourselves with God’s will—and what it looked like in the lives of Bible characters. We look at how God figured into their daily lives. We examine how the heroes of the faith reacted when their plans suddenly changed. We include our spouse and family in the process and seek their input and wisdom.

    And then we make sure that our planning process begins, continues, and ends with prayer. We talk to God about our plans. We ask Him for wisdom and strength to carry them out. We pay attention to the prompting and guidance of the Holy Spirit inside us.

    And finally, we acknowledge the possibility that success—at least, as we picture it—may not be God’s plan at a given moment. He may very well allow us to experience a season of struggle. We need to prepare ourselves for challenges and setbacks. We need to stay close to Him so that our faith doesn’t waver. We need to remind ourselves that in the big picture of things, trials can be just as valuable to us as success. Remember, God’s ultimate plan for us is not that we become wealthy or successful. It’s that we become humble servants who bring glory to Him.

    Reflection question: How does God’s will figure into your personal plans for the future?

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    4 min
  • From Temptation to Desire to Sin | James 1:14–15

    “Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.” (James 1:14–15 NLT)

    In our fractured, isolated culture, there’s still one experience common to everyone: the temptation to do wrong. No one is immune from it.

    But where does temptation come from? The default answer for many people is the devil. And there’s truth in that. But he’s not the only source. As James points out, temptation comes from us, too. We play a key role in our own temptation. Where there’s no desire on our part, there’s no temptation.

    You see, temptation is a process. It’s not a sin to be tempted; it’s an invitation to sin. In other words, it’s not the bait, it’s the bite. If you don’t take the bait when you’re tempted, you haven’t sinned. Having a bad thought come to your mind doesn’t mean you’re evil; it just means you’re being tempted by evil. Just like everyone else.

    The question is, how interested are you in the temptation? How does it align with your desires? Do you have the urge to sample it?

    At a farmers’ market, a man offered me a free sample of soup. My first response was to say no. Soup to me is like salad—it’s what I eat to warm up for real food. But the man persisted. So I took a little sip from his tiny little cup. Next thing I know, I’m carrying home a bag of frozen soup that I purchased. And it started with a free sample.

    The devil uses a similar strategy. He says, “I know you would never do this because you’re such a godly person, but just take this thought for a spin. Or just take a little nibble. It’ll be fun. You don’t have to act on it.” That’s how temptation works. It starts in your mind. And then, as James says, “our own desires . . . entice us and drag us away.”

    “And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.” Sometimes when you act on an evil thought, you get a momentary pleasure. Almost immediately, however, if your conscience is working, guilt kicks in. You feel regret, remorse, and a spiritual deadness because you’re separated from God.

    Your first reaction may be to blame the devil or someone who led you astray. But you’re the one who’s responsible for your actions. Once you accept that truth, you can claim the promise of 1 John 1:9: “But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness” (NLT).

    And don’t lose sight of one other truth from God’s Word: “God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him” (James 1:12 NLT).

    They will also set a shining example for their family. Seeing you patiently endure testing and temptation may inspire your family members to patiently endure their own testing and temptation.

    God always provides a way out for us when we’re tempted. He stands ready to help us—and then to reward us when we resist. How amazing is that?

    Reflection question: How can you involve God immediately the next time you feel tempted?

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    4 min
  • Being Wise and Humble | James 3:13

    “If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom.” (James 3:13 NLT)

    “People have a lot to say about lives they’ve never lived.”

    “Unless your name is Google, stop acting like you know everything.”

    “Those who think they know it all have no way of finding out they don’t.”

    “Since you know it all, you should also know when to shut up.”

    These quotes could serve as commentary on James 3:13. Let’s be clear: It’s no small accomplishment to be wise and understand God’s ways. You can only do that by studying God’s Word, staying close to Him through prayer and meditation, and learning through experience what it means to honor Him and seek His will in everything you do.

    Gaining wisdom and understanding God’s ways is a lifelong pursuit. And it’s natural to want to pass on what you’ve learned to others—especially to your family, the people whose lives are intertwined with yours. But you need to realize that acquiring the knowledge and experience that results in wisdom is only the first step. Knowing how and when to share your wisdom is the second—and often the most challenging—step.

    That’s the point James is making. Wisdom is known by its actions. If you claim to have wisdom, and you know Scripture, show it by living a godly life—and doing it with humility. Humility is what keeps you from coming off as a know-it-all. It’s what keeps you from pontificating on all that you’ve learned while your family members roll their eyes. This can be especially challenging for older folks, because we’ve lived long lives, we love to tell stories, and we love to share what we’ve learned.

    The problem is, many young people don’t respond well to “in my day” speeches. Neither do many older people, come to think of it. Those know-it-all quotes went viral for a reason.

    So if you’re going to pass on your wisdom, as God wants you to, you must first humble your heart. One way to do that is to listen—to give others your full attention. When you listen, you learn. You learn about people’s communication patterns. You learn about the experiences that have brought them to that point in their lives. You learn about the personal barriers they’ve put up. You learn about the triggers that cause them to shut down. You learn about them. No matter how well you think you know others, even your family, there’s always more to learn.

    When you adopt a humble attitude, when you listen, when you put the focus on others, it affects the way you respond. Instead of talking to hear yourself speak or to impress others with your wisdom, you’ll look for ways to make genuine connections between what you’ve experienced and what others are experiencing.

    If you ask God to help you keep a spirit of humility, He will help you recognize the right moments to share a life lesson or an insight from Scripture. He will help you connect what you have to offer with what others need to hear.

    Reflection Question: Who could benefit from your godly wisdom and experience?

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    4 min
  • Words Will Never Hurt Me | James 3:5

    “In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire.” (James 3:5 nlt)

     

    Have you ever seen a roast? I’m talking about the comedy performance, not the cut of beef. A roast is when several comedians and celebrities “pay tribute” to a featured guest. The way they pay tribute is through insults.

    The tradition started over a century ago at the Friars Club in New York City. In the 1970s, Dean Martin hosted several celebrity hosts as part of his television show. In recent years, however, celebrity roasts have gained notoriety for their anything-goes atmosphere.

    It seems that nothing is sacred anymore, not when there’s roasting to be done. No topic is off-limits. No insult is too vile. The further you push the envelope, the more memorable you are as a roaster. Some comedians have become famous because of their vicious roasting routines.

    It makes you wonder why someone would volunteer to be roasted. Those who do are praised as good sports and being able to take a joke. Because, after all, it’s all in good fun. Everything is said in jest. So there’s no reason for anyone to get offended or take things personally.

    But, of course, that’s not reality. And in recent years, roast participants have talked about how they couldn’t really laugh off some of the things that were said about them. How a single comment wrecked their self-confidence and even their mental health.

    Their experiences highlight the truth of what James says in James 3:5: “In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire” (nlt).

    People say, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” But that’s not true. You can probably remember words that hurt you deeply. Maybe someone told you that you’d never amount to anything. Or that there’s something wrong with your appearance. Those things are hard to forget.

    The good news is, so are heartfelt compliments and words of encouragement. Think of some of the beautiful things your spouse—or your family members or other loved ones—said that still resonate with you today. That’s the point Proverbs 18:21 makes: “The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences” (nlt). The choice is yours.

    Proverbs 25:11says, “The right word at the right time is like precious gold set in silver” (cev). Saying the right thing at the right time is a gift whose value will increase over time. Your words have the potential to change lives. Ask God for the wisdom to use them to their best advantage.

    Your tongue can leave a path of destruction in its wake—or it can leave a legacy of encouragement, healing, confidence-building, and love.

    Reflection Question: In what area do you most need God’s help in controlling your tongue or using it for good?

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    4 min
  • Waiting Patiently for the Lord’s Return | James 5:7­–11

    “Dear brothers and sisters, be patient as you wait for the Lord’s return. Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen. You, too, must be patient. Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near. Don’t grumble about each other, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. For look—the Judge is standing at the door! For examples of patience in suffering, dear brothers and sisters, look at the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. We give great honor to those who endure under suffering. For instance, you know about Job, a man of great endurance. You can see how the Lord was kind to him at the end, for the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy.” (James 5:7­–11 NLT)

    Being patient is a lost art. Once upon a time, we used to get music on something called an album. We would wait for the album to arrive in our favorite record store. When we got it home, we would lay it on what was called a turntable. We would put a needle into the grooves of the album and listen to it while we pored over the lyrics that were printed inside the album cover. Getting and listening to music was an experience that required some patience.

    Then new technology came along in the form of the eight-track machine. You could have one in your car and listen to music on the go. Next came cassette players and then compact disc players. Listening to music became more convenient and required less patience.

    Today you can just download everything and get it immediately. You don’t even have to get a whole album. You can get just the song you actually like. And that’s the way most things work today. If you want to get something, you don’t have to go to the store and search for it. You can use Amazon Prime and get same-day delivery. You don’t have to go out to get your food; you just call Uber Eats. Everything comes quickly. So when we read James’ instruction to “be patient,” it’s almost an alien concept.

    But it’s the way God wants us to approach the reality of Jesus’ return.

    That can be a challenge sometimes. Living in this world as believers can be difficult. We get tired and frustrated as we see our culture trending in ways that defy God’s will. So we look to the Lord’s return with anticipation, because it means our work here will be done and our eternal reward will begin.

    James encourages us to maintain our eager anticipation—like a farmer eagerly anticipates rain or a kid eagerly anticipates Christmas morning. But more importantly, he encourages us to remember that God’s timetable is perfect. The longer Christ’s return is delayed, the more opportunities unbelievers will have to hear His Good News and give their lives to Him. That’s good news for us, too, especially if we have family members or other loved ones who haven’t yet accepted Christ as Savior. Our patient work in their lives must continue while we eagerly anticipate the Lord’s return.

    Reflection Question: When it comes to the Lord’s return, how can you keep a healthy balance between eagerly anticipating it and waiting patiently for it?

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    4 min
  • A Well-Lived Life | James 4:14

    “How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone.” (James 4:14 NLT)

    It’s been said that inside every old person is a young person wondering what in the world just happened. Life is a fast-moving ride. And if you’re not aware of just how quickly it moves, there’s a lot you might miss.

    The Bible makes the same point in much more eloquent terms. In Job 9:25–26, Job says, “My life passes more swiftly than a runner. It flees away without a glimpse of happiness. It disappears like a swift papyrus boat, like an eagle swooping down on its prey” (NLT).

    And David says in Psalm 39:4–7, “Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered—how fleeting my life is. You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand. My entire lifetime is just a moment to you; at best, each of us is but a breath. We are merely moving shadows, and all our busy rushing ends in nothing. We heap up wealth, not knowing who will spend it. And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you” (NLT).

    We’re all rushing headlong to what lies beyond this life. And that’s a scary thought to some. Actor William Shatner, of Star Trek fame, once said, “I’m so not ready to die. It petrifies me. I go alone. I go to a place I don’t know. It might be painful. It might be the end. My thought is that it’s the end. I become nameless, and I spent a lifetime being known.” Someone needs to tell William Shatner that there’s a God in Heaven who loves him, and that he can know where he’s going after he dies. He can go to Heaven if he puts his faith in Jesus Christ, and he can live long and prosper.

    In the meantime, we must make the most of our brief stay in this world. In the passage above, James asks, “How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow?” What he’s really asking is, “What kind of life are you living? What are you doing with this precious gift called life right now?”

    If you want to get more specific, you could change the question to “What are you doing with the precious gift of your marriage?” Or with your family or other loved ones. Time is passing quickly for them, too.

    One of the best strategies for living life well is found in Proverbs 3:6: “Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” God knows every possible path that’s laid out before you. He knows where each decision will take you. He knows the routes that will lead to fulfillment, joy, growth, and maturity. And He knows the dead-ends.

    If you trust in Him and ask Him to guide you according to His will, He will help you make the most of your brief time in this world.

    Life is short. Live it well.

    Reflection Question: What would living life well look like for you?

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About Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions

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If you want to be successful in the Christian life, you must have a mind full of God’s Word. Refresh your mind with it daily, right here. Each day, you'll receive a verse and commentary from Pastor Greg Laurie, who offers biblical insight through humor, personal stories, and cultural commentary. Start listening and hear what God has to say to you. 

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