“As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.’ So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed). But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water.” (Mark 4:35–37 NLT)

In Mark 5, we find an interesting story in which Jesus invites the disciples, some of whom were seasoned fishermen, to join Him on a little boat trip across the Sea of Galilee. On the way across, they encounter a violent storm. Bad timing, some might say. On the contrary, it was perfect timing.

The circumstances of the story beg the question: Did Jesus know that a storm was coming when He said, “Let’s cross to the other side of the lake” (Mark 4:35 NLT)? The answer is undoubtedly yes.

The apostle Paul wrote, “Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see—such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him” (Colossians 1:15–16 NLT). The One who is supreme over all creation doesn’t need a forecast to know when a storm is coming.

In fact, it’s likely Jesus planned the outing because of the storm. You might even say it was part of His curriculum that day. Jesus was teaching His disciples to believe what they claimed to believe.

We don’t want to make light of what the disciples were experiencing, because this was a very severe storm. Several on board had experienced storms on the Sea of Galilee before. The fact that they were gripped by fear says something about the storm’s ferocity. Mark 4:37 says that high waves were breaking into the boat. Sinking seemed to be a very real possibility.

The disciples were afraid, but they didn’t have to be. Jesus had made a significant statement—one that apparently the disciples had missed: “Let’s cross to the other side” (NLT). When God says, “Let’s cross to the other side,” it means you’ll get to the other side. He didn’t say it would be smooth sailing. He didn’t say it would be an easy trip. But He did say, “Let’s cross to the other side.”

God’s people become gripped by fear and cease to think logically when we forget His promises to us. That’s exactly what happened to the disciples. But Jesus was on board with them. He was there to see them through. And He’s there to see us through, too.

The Lord still wants to take His followers to the other side. Outside their comfort zone. Away from those who would hold them back. Beyond their limited perception of who they are and what they’re capable of.

The journey involves risk. It will be scary at times. But the Lord is greater than the obstacles and challenges in the way.

Reflection question: How has the Lord helped you navigate a storm in your life? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!

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“Afterward he appeared in a different form to two of his followers who were walking from Jerusalem into the country. They rushed back to tell the others, but no one believed them.” (Mark 16:12–13 NLT)

One of the great mysteries of the Bible is why Jesus chose to appear to certain people and not others after His resurrection. There is no record of His appearing to the Jewish religious leaders who opposed Him during His earthly ministry. Or to the high priest Caiaphas, who orchestrated His crucifixion. Or to the Roman Emperor Caesar. Imagine the drama if He had appeared to Pilate: “Yo, Pilate! Remember me? Can’t keep a good man down, can you?”

Instead, we find post-resurrection accounts like the one in Mark 16. Jesus appeared to two disciples on the road to Emmaus and joined them on their journey to the country. We don’t know who the disciples were, and they are not mentioned again in the Bible.

Verse 12 tells us that Jesus “appeared in a different form” (NLT) to the pair. In other words, He went incognito. The two travelers had no idea that they were walking with Jesus. Later, when they told others about their encounter, “no one believed them” (verse 13 NLT). Maybe it’s because their story lacked drama and spectacle. The idea of the Lord walking incognito lacks punch.

But it’s revealing as to how the Lord works. It’s a reminder to believers that Jesus walks with us always, even when we’re not aware of Him. In Isaiah 43:2, the Lord promises, “When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you” (NLT). Sometimes God’s people don’t realize He’s there until the rivers, flames, and other obstacles are in our rearview mirror.

In 1 Kings 19:11–13, the prophet Elijah experienced God’s presence not in a windstorm, not in an earthquake, not in a fire, but in “the sound of a gentle whisper” (verse 12 NLT). Just as people must pay close attention to hear a gentle whisper, they must also pay close attention to experience God’s presence.

Feeling close to the Lord isn’t something that happens only in church. Wherever you go, you can know that Jesus is with you there, too. When you’re going through hard times, even when you cannot feel Him, Jesus is there.

That’s great news for believers—news that should be celebrated. One of the best ways to respond to the Lord’s quiet presence in your life is with a spirit of gratitude. Thank God that you never have to wonder where He is when things get tough.

Another great way to respond is with silence of your own. Commit to a regular quiet time—a time when you intentionally block out the noise and distractions of the day so that you can be aware of God’s presence.

Reflection question: How does God make Himself known to you? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!

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“If anyone is ashamed of me and my message in these adulterous and sinful days, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” (Mark 8:38 NLT)

Today’s social media encourages people to stand up and be counted—to unapologetically announce and promote an agenda that they want to be associated with. Exactly what it is they stand for seems to be of secondary importance. I’m often amazed at the perverse, even horrendous, things people are willing to promote and defend.

In contrast, many Christians seem to be embarrassed by the biblical truths that make them Christian. The followers of Christ have been entrusted with a life-changing—and world-changing—message. Yet many are ashamed by the gospel. They’re reluctant to share the words Jesus wants them to say.

But the time has come for believers to speak boldly, regardless of the consequences. To stand up and be counted as Christ’s disciples—for the world’s sake and for their own. Jesus said, “If anyone is ashamed of me and my message in these adulterous and sinful days, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in the glory of his Father with the holy angels” (Mark 8:38 NLT).

In the first century AD, the idea of Jesus dying on the cross was scandalous to Jewish people. The Greeks, who prided themselves on their cultural and intellectual attainments, thought the story of Jesus’ crucifixion was ridiculous. Yet the apostle Paul wrote, “So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended and the Gentiles say it’s all nonsense. But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God” (1 Corinthians 1:23–24 NLT).

In today’s culture, many Christians struggle with Jesus’ words in John 14:6: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me” (NLT). The idea of Jesus being the only path to God bothers them. More to the point, the idea of telling others that Jesus is the only way to the Father—and the means for eternal life—bothers them. It’s safer to be inclusive and affirm the truth of all beliefs. But Jesus doesn’t give His followers that option.

Are you ashamed of the simple message of the gospel? I hope not, because God’s righteousness is revealed in it. And that’s important. We all have our own sense of righteousness—our own opinions about right and wrong. But God’s righteousness is different from ours. It’s perfect. And it’s impossible to fulfill His righteousness apart from Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. So, it’s through the gospel, the Good News of Jesus, that the righteousness of God is revealed.

Jesus’ followers have been entrusted with that Good News. And no amount of discomfort or embarrassment should keep us from sharing it.

Reflection question: How do you handle your discomfort concerning certain difficult biblical truths—whether it’s in embracing them or sharing them with others? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!

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“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45 NLT)

Can you think of a movie that was ruined by its ending? Maybe the final scenes were too heartbreaking. Or too happy. Or too unbelievable. Or too predictable. Or too confusing. Or too abrupt.

When I was young, I had similar feelings about the story of Jesus. Ever since childhood, I’ve always had a great admiration for the historical person known as Jesus. I had seen all His movies. I thought very highly of Him.

As a boy, I lived with my grandmother for a few years. I would thumb through her big family Bible and look at the illustrations of Jesus. She also had a picture of Jesus hanging on the wall. I would stare at it and think, “I wish I could have known that man, Jesus.”

The one thing I didn’t like about the life of Jesus was how the story ended. I thought it should have been rewritten with a happier ending. The part about His being crucified wrecked everything for me. After all, He was on a great roll, healing people, teaching people, changing lives. But then it all suddenly came to an end. Why did they have to put Him on a cross and kill Him?

It wasn’t until after I became a Christian that I realized that the crucifixion of Jesus was the specific reason He came to earth in the first place. What Jesus accomplished in thirty-three years is almost beyond comprehension. The apostle John ended his Gospel with these words: “Jesus also did many other things. If they were all written down, I suppose the whole world could not contain the books that would be written” (John 21:25 NLT).

But make no mistake: Jesus came to die. He spoke of His death frequently and in great detail with His followers. His arrest and crucifixion didn’t take Him by surprise. Jesus summed it up well when He told His disciples, “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45 NLT).

We must also remember that Jesus’ story doesn’t end with the crucifixion. He rose again on the third day. If Jesus hadn’t died, He wouldn’t have risen. If He hadn’t risen, there would be no reason for this devotion. Or for Harvest Christian Fellowship, for that matter.

The apostle Paul wrote, “And if Christ has not been raised, then all our preaching is useless, and your faith is useless” (1 Corinthians 15:14 NLT).

Jesus was born to die so that we might live. Have you accepted the gift of eternal life that Jesus purchased with His death? If not, you can accept that gift today.

If you have, are you telling other people about it? As Paul wrote to the believers in Rome, “But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?” (Romans 10:14 NLT).

Reflection question: How can you share the Good News of Jesus with someone who needs to hear it? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!

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The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."

All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.

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“Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, ‘If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.’” (Mark 8:34 NLT)

The cross isn’t something to take lightly, even in casual conversation. Sometimes people say, “We all have our crosses to bear,” or “My cross is my supervisor at work,” or “My cross is this health problem,” or “My cross is this relative.” They mistake the cross and what it represents for a minor annoyance or a pet peeve. And in doing so, they lose the meaning of the cross.

If you were living in first-century Jerusalem and saw someone surrounded by Roman guards and carrying a cross through the streets, you would know exactly what was happening. You would know that person was on his way to be crucified. Someone carrying a cross was about to die.

So, when Jesus said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me” (Mark 8:34 NLT), His disciples would have understood exactly what He meant.

Taking up the cross speaks of dying to ourselves and wanting God’s will more than our own. It does not mean that your life is ruined when you decide to walk with God. Far from it. Jesus said, “My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life” (John 10:10 NLT). But that’s on His terms, not ours.

He didn’t mean, “My purpose is to fulfill their every wish.” The reality is that, apart from Jesus, no one knows what a rich and satisfying life is. Those who try to pursue it usually end up following their selfish instincts. And that never results in lasting richness or satisfaction.

What Jesus meant was, “My purpose is to help them experience a life they didn’t know was available to them.” And the way to experience that life is to desire God’s will more than you desire your own. Jesus said, “If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it” (Mark 8:35 NLT).

That means adjusting your expectations. Recognizing your limited perspective on what life can be. Reprioritizing what’s important to you. Embracing the life Jesus offers, even when you don’t know where it will lead or what it will require of you. Taking up your cross means giving up your ideas of what a rich and satisfying life is.

Taking up your cross ultimately requires a giant leap out of your comfort zone. Are you taking up your cross and following Jesus? If so, you’ll find that it impacts and influences every aspect of your life. The result will be life as it was meant to be lived: in the perfect will of God.

Reflection question: What would taking up your cross look like in your life? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!

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The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."

All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.

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“But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.” (Mark 11:25 NLT)

Every so often in the news cycle, we get stories of huge problems that can be traced back to small, seemingly minor causes. For example, a computer glitch that delays flights at a single airport can lead to a national travel emergency.

In Mark 11:25, Jesus traces a significant spiritual issue—unanswered prayer—back to a seemingly unrelated problem. “But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too” (NLT). If you sense that your prayers are not being answered, it may be due to a spirit of unforgiveness in your heart.

The Bible makes it clear that unresolved conflict with others can get in the way of our relationship with God. In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, “So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God” (Matthew 5:23–24 NLT).

Unresolved conflict gets in the way of prayer—and the blessings that come from it— because it reveals a heart that isn’t aligned with God’s.

The apostle Paul wrote, “Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:31–32 NLT).

God has forgiven Christians an incredible debt. He has wiped all our sins away. For us to harbor unforgiveness toward someone else is an offense against Him. Because we understand just how much forgiveness we’ve received, we should be the most forgiving people on the face of the earth.

Instead, many of us actively look for things to be offended by. Things to hold grudges for. We need an “other.” Someone to blame. Someone to look down on. Someone to judge. Someone to hold responsible for our unhappiness.

Is there someone you hate right now? Is there someone you’re bitter toward? Is there someone who causes you to seethe every time you see them? Is there someone you can’t stand to be around? Is there someone you’ve been plotting revenge against? Is there someone you gossip about?

If so, now is the time to deal with your spirit of unforgiveness. Depending on the circumstances, that might involve apologizing to someone you wronged—or someone who thinks you wronged them. It might mean reaching out to someone you’ve drifted apart from. It might mean starting a difficult but healing conversation with a friend or loved one.

The more sincerely you reconcile with the estranged, angry, and hurting people in your life, the more effective your prayers will become.

Reflection question: What would an attitude of forgiveness and reconciliation look like in your life? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!

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The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."

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“Jesus replied, ‘The most important commandment is this: “Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.” The second is equally important: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” No other commandment is greater than these.’” (Mark 12:29–31 NLT)

In this month’s devotions, we’re going to look at the Gospel of Mark. And we’re going to start with one of the key passages of the New Testament. According to Mark 12:28, “One of the teachers of religious law” asked Jesus, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” (NLT).

He was testing Jesus. At that time, Jewish religious leaders recognized over 600 different laws. And they spent a lot of time ranking them according to importance. The questioner wanted Jesus to say something controversial so that Jesus’ enemies could use it against Him.

Instead, Jesus gave him the wisdom of the ages. “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these” (Mark 12:29–31 NLT).

With those words, Jesus highlighted the connection between loving God and living in a way that pleases Him. He established the template of the Christian life.

If you really love God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, then you will not want to break the other commandments. If you really love God as you ought to, then you will not take His name in vain, have other gods before Him, or make images that you bow down before. And if you really love your neighbor as yourself, you will not steal from him. You will not covet what belongs to him. And certainly, you will not kill him. So, if we master the basics of loving God and loving others as we ought to, then obeying other commandments will come naturally.

In daily life, this looks like resisting temptation instead of choosing what feels good in the moment. In fact, it looks like making daily choices that keep you away from tempting situations. It looks like studying God’s Word purposefully to become acquainted with what pleases Him. It looks like keeping open a line of communication with Him—a daily prayer routine through which you receive guidance, direction, and encouragement.

Augustine said, “Love, and do what you will.” It’s a provocative statement, but it makes sense. If you really love God as you ought to—with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength—then you will naturally do what He wants you to do.

Reflection question: How do you know when you’re loving God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!

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The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."

All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.

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“I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” (Philippians 3:14 NLT)

New Year’s resolutions are funny things. We dream up grand lifestyle changes and tell ourselves “Ok, everything will be different on January 1st!” But the truth is, many of us adjust our New Year’s resolutions as time passes because we’re unable to keep them. Year after year, we get frustrated and discouraged by our lack of willpower, discipline, and commitment. But there’s a lesson in there that we must not miss. We don’t need a New Year’s resolution. We need a spiritual solution.

The spiritual solution we need is found in Philippians 3:14: “I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us” (NLT). In this passage, the apostle Paul helps us understand what our priorities should be.

On more than one occasion, Paul used athletic metaphors to describe the Christian life. In this passage, he compares it to running a race. But we need to understand that the race is not a one-hundred-meter sprint. It’s a long-distance run. That’s why we must pace ourselves.

In a long-distance race, there’s little significance in leading the field for, say, nine out of ten laps. What matters is the tenth lap. Whoever crosses the finish line first is the winner.

Spiritually speaking, finishing strong involves being consistent. There are times in our relationship with Christ when everything seems to click—when our prayer life, Bible study, evangelism, and personal discipline are firing on all cylinders. With the wind at our back, we start to feel unbeatable. So, we alter our pace. We let pride dictate our strategy.

And then we hit the wall, metaphorically speaking. We struggle to maintain any kind of pace. On top of that, we have a spiritual enemy who delights in turning our race into a hurdles event by throwing obstacles in our way.

The good news is that the headwind, like the wind at our back, is temporary. We don’t have to face it long. The obstacles our enemy throws in our path need not affect us because we’re powered by the Holy Spirit. He gives us the stamina we need to stay the course. Our job is to stay focused on the race—to keep our eyes on the prize. We need to strive for spiritual consistency. If we want to win in the race of life, then we need to learn to pace ourselves.

Reflection question: How can you pace yourself in your walk with Christ? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!

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The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."

All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie.

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