A boxer calls it getting up off the mat. In basketball, it’s rebounding from a tough loss. In baseball, a struggling hitter climbs out of a slump.

Even for the pros, defeat has a way of sapping their courage. They’re human. And just like them, we cower instead of conquer. We shake instead of shine.

How can we have courage when we feel defeated? Let's look at a Bible great, Elijah. God showed up for him when he needed him most.

KEY PASSAGE:

1 Kings 19:11-12 NIV

A great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.

RESOURCES:

Take the Free PERSONAL SELF-ASSESSMENT. It only takes 3 minutes. Download it at www.retreatingwithgod.org.

Visit FRESH FAITH 24/7, a place where you can retreat with God and get to know him more deeply: www.freshfaith247.com. 

Connect with Jon at [email protected]  

Jesus turned over the money-changers’ tables in the temple. He was outraged. Broken. Intensely angry. His very Father’s house was being used illegitimately. A disgrace to God.

Sometimes we need to stand up for what is right. We recognize an injustice and do something about it. We don’t need to turn tables over, but we might need to turn things upside down. In today's audio devotional, I share my passion about something close to my heart--and God's

KEY PASSAGE:

Ephesians 2:1-10 (NIV)

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh  and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

RESOURCES:

Take the Free PERSONAL SELF-ASSESSMENT. It only takes 3 minutes. Download it at www.retreatingwithgod.org.

Visit FRESH FAITH 24/7, a place where you can retreat with God and get to know him more deeply: www.freshfaith247.com. 

Connect with Jon at [email protected]  

The more I know Jesus, the more I want to know him. I discover that he is the Good Shepherd and I get lost in that aspect of my relationship with him. What is it like to have the Good Shepherd lead me into life, like he says he will in John 10:4 and 10:10? “He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. I have come that they may have life.” (NIV)

This life that Jesus gives me is full, abundant, meaningful. I want it. I want more of it. It comes as a byproduct of knowing him. There is nothing more rich than knowing Jesus, the Lord of the Universe, the giver of life, the sacrificial Savior. Need I go on with the superlatives describing this amazing Jesus?

Let's dive in deeper in today's audio devotional.

KEY PASSAGE:

John 10:7-14 NIV

Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.  They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.

“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep."

RESOURCES:

Take the Free PERSONAL SELF-ASSESSMENT. It only takes 3 minutes. Download it at www.retreatingwithgod.org.

Visit FRESH FAITH 24/7, a place where you can retreat with God and get to know him more deeply: www.freshfaith247.com. 

Connect with Jon at [email protected]  

Have you ever had one of those days where you felt out of step? Things just weren’t quite right. You were a little “off,” reacting instead of taking the initiative on things. Overall, you were “blah.” Today, we're going to look at getting back in step.

KEY PASSAGE:

Luke 6:47-49 (NIV)

As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.

RESOURCES:

Take the Free PERSONAL SELF-ASSESSMENT. It only takes 3 minutes. Download it at www.retreatingwithgod.org.

Visit FRESH FAITH 24/7, a place where you can retreat with God and get to know him more deeply: www.freshfaith247.com. 

Connect with Jon at [email protected]  

Our salvation should have a radical impact on our generosity. If the reality of Christ's generous sacrifice makes an imprint on our heart, we will respond with extreme generosity. Today, we'll meet a man who experienced this transformation.

I’m referring to Zacchaeus, the short tax collector who was transformed by Jesus. The Bible tells us in Luke 19 this man was very wealthy. Happily going about his highly profitable business, Zacchaeus enjoyed the luxuries of his two-chariot garage, slave service, country club membership and his luxury box at Gladiator Stadium. Life was good.

But not good enough. 

KEY PASSAGE:

2 Corinthians 9:11-13 NIV

You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.

RESOURCES:

Take the Free PERSONAL SELF-ASSESSMENT. It only takes 3 minutes. Download it at www.retreatingwithgod.org.

Visit FRESH FAITH 24/7, a place where you can retreat with God and get to know him more deeply: www.freshfaith247.com. 

Connect with Jon at [email protected]  

Everywhere I turn, all sorts of things shout at me, beckoning me to invite them into my life. I didn’t think I needed a second home in the North Carolina Blue Ridge Mountains until a full-color brochure landed in my mailbox yesterday. The price was right. The views were beautiful. They said the climate was perfect. I have to admit that I was starting to take the bait.

You get the same invitations, I’m sure. Cars, homes, vacation deals in exotic places. How are we to handle these temptations? We'll explore it together in today's audio devotional.

KEY PASSAGE:

I John 2:15-17 NIV

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.

RESOURCES:

Take the Free PERSONAL SELF-ASSESSMENT. It only takes 3 minutes. Download it at www.retreatingwithgod.org.

Visit FRESH FAITH 24/7, a place where you can retreat with God and get to know him more deeply: www.freshfaith247.com. 

Connect with Jon at [email protected]  

Have you ever said this? “When I’m wealthy, I’m going to give away a lot of money to God.”

Generosity doesn’t have to wait until you’re wealthy. In fact, the Bible speaks out against that. The Apostle Paul wrote that a gift “is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have” (2 Corinthians 8:12 ESV). Generosity starts now, as Paul said, according to what you have.

We're going to camp on that concept today in our devotional time today.

KEY PASSAGE:

2 Corinthians 8:9-12 (NIV)

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.

And here is my judgment about what is best for you in this matter. Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.

RESOURCES:

Take the Free PERSONAL SELF-ASSESSMENT. It only takes 3 minutes. Download it at www.retreatingwithgod.org.

Visit FRESH FAITH 24/7, a place where you can retreat with God and get to know him more deeply: www.freshfaith247.com. 

Connect with Jon at [email protected]  

God's plans are often far different than ours. The disciples planned on Jesus to be king. When he was crucified, those plans were dashed. But God had a better plan.

You might feel your plans are dashed. Have you considered that God may have a better plan? Let discuss that today in our audio devotional.

KEY PASSAGE:

Psalm 46:1-3, 8-10 (ESV)

God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble at its swelling.

Come, behold the works of the Lord,
how he has brought desolations on the earth.
He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the chariots with fire.

“Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!”

RESOURCES:

Take the Free PERSONAL SELF-ASSESSMENT. It only takes 3 minutes. Download it at www.retreatingwithgod.org.

Visit FRESH FAITH 24/7, a place where you can retreat with God and get to know him more deeply: www.freshfaith247.com. 

Connect with Jon at [email protected]  

How do you treat the ones closest to you? Are you patient with them or do you constantly fire orders their way? We’re called to treat others with respect. Remember, Jesus died for them. They are God’s masterpiece whom he loves dearly.

Jesus shows us how to be patient with those we have every reason to put down. We'll explore this touchy topic in our time together today.

KEY PASSAGE:

Luke 7:44-50 NIV

And turning to the woman, He said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? When I entered your house, you did not give Me water for My feet, but she wet My feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not greet Me with a kiss, but she has not stopped kissing My feet since I arrived. You did not anoint My head with oil, but she has anointed My feet with perfume. Therefore I tell you, because her many sins have been forgiven, she has loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little." And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?” And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” 

RESOURCES:

Take the Free PERSONAL SELF-ASSESSMENT. It only takes 3 minutes. Download it at www.retreatingwithgod.org.

Visit FRESH FAITH 24/7, a place where you can retreat with God and get to know him more deeply: www.freshfaith247.com. 

Connect with Jon at [email protected]  

I sat and listened as one person after another spoke words that made me squirm. The more they talked, the more uncomfortable I felt. I was troubled. Each one said things that infringed on my rights. The tension in my soul began to strangle me. By the end of the day, after listening to such distressing words, I slumped exhausted into my car and drove home.

Think of a time you’ve felt crushed by the words of others. Whether you were personally attacked or overwhelmed by opposing viewpoints, words easily penetrate your soul. They can bring you down.

How does this relate to patience? We'll dig into that today.

KEY PASSAGE:

John 15:5-11 ESV

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

RESOURCES:

Take the Free PERSONAL SELF-ASSESSMENT. It only takes 3 minutes. Download it at www.retreatingwithgod.org.

Visit FRESH FAITH 24/7, a place where you can retreat with God and get to know him more deeply: www.freshfaith247.com. 

Connect with Jon at [email protected]