This is a world of instant results. However, some things are better with time. Take oatmeal, for example. There’s nothing like slow-cooked, creamy oatmeal. I don’t care for the instant variety. It tastes a little like sand.

Our faith is like that. We want the satisfaction of an unshakable faith without the ingredient of time. Slow-cooked faith is the kind that becomes strong.

Look at the great men and women of faith in the Bible. The famous Hall of Faith in Hebrews 11 speaks of Abraham, Noah, Sarah and other well-known Bible heroes. We'll take a closer look today in our audio devotional.

KEY PASSAGE:

James 1:2-3 (ESV)

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.

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 jon@freshfaith247.com

God commands us to love the Lord with all our heart, soul and strength. You know what? He has given his heart, soul and strength for us.

Picture Jesus on the cross. He’s giving his heart and soul for us. He’s giving all his strength for us. He’s giving himself 100% for us. That’s a picture of what He is continually doing today. I doubt I’ll be asked to love God to the extent that He loved me on the cross . . . and unconditionally loves me today with all his heart, soul and strength.

That’s a God I can put my faith in. Let's explore this some more in our audio devotional.

KEY PASSAGE:

Romans 8:1-4

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

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 jon@freshfaith247.com

What’s chipping away at your faith these days? Sure, we can often lean into God when major trials and hardships meet us, but how about when the little things wear us down?

I often ask myself why I can be a super-spiritual man when it comes to trusting God for the big things, but I’m a wimp in the little things? It comes down to perspective. I can easily lose my eternal perspective when I am riddled by the small stones that chip away at my life. In today's audio devotional, we'll take a look at the solution.

KEY PASSAGE:

Matthew 6:25-34 NIV

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

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 jon@freshfaith247.com

The world’s view of death, which is centered on loss, can dominate our thinking. “Her time was too soon,” or “He was taken from us too early” are common statements. No doubt, we feel that way when we lose a young person, a child, or someone who has been in our lives for a short time. There’s no denying our feelings.

However, we can be encouraged when we consider what Jesus has to say about death for the believer: “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die” (John 11:23 NIV). That’s a powerful, clear statement. Yes, we die on earth but live eternally in heaven.

Let's consider this in today's audio devotional.

KEY PASSAGE:

Philippians 1:20-25 NIV

I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith.

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 jon@freshfaith247.com

When our heart is broken, there’s only one Person who can comfort our soul. God. Knowing that and experiencing it are two different things. Travelling through Scripture, we find powerful verses on comfort. Read them slowly and let them sink in.

For example: “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds” (Psalm 147:3 NIV). We'll reflect on this and others in our time together today.

KEY PASSAGE:

Romans 8:26-28 NIV

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who i have been called according to his purpose.

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 jon@freshfaith247.com

We need to celebrate the next generation and the generation after that. Imparting our presence with godly values rubs off on them. We are the reflection of Jesus to them. Let’s look for ways to love them.

Our hearts are softened when we read this Bible passage about Jesus and children, “’Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.’ And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed the.” (Mark 10:14-16 NIV).

Let's see today how we can be challenged to extend Christ to the next generation.

KEY PASSAGE:

Matthew 28:16-20 NIV

Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

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 jon@freshfaith247.com

You’ve undoubtedly faced conflict because your Christian values are opposed to culture. It makes you afraid to speak up, doesn’t it? You don’t want to be ridiculed, mocked or seen as intolerant.

This is the world in which we live. And it’s the world Paul lived in 2,000 years ago. His day was morally destitute, far more than our day. Being a Christian and sharing his faith were dangerous.

How did Paul handle it? There’s a great passage in Acts that gives us excellent instruction for our day. Join me as we explore together.

KEY PASSAGE:

1 Peter 3:15-18 NIV

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.

RESOURCES:

Download the 21-DAY FRESH FAITH EXPERIENCE 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 jon@freshfaith247.com

I’ve never heard anyone say they thrive on conflict. Unfortunately, life greets us with this unwanted visitor all the time. It takes a well-conditioned courage muscle to face interpersonal conflict and handle it right.

To psyche myself up and prepare to deal with a present conflict in my life, I decided to scour the Scriptures for help. Could I find one powerful example to follow? Join me today in my search.

KEY PASSAGE:

1 Peter 2:23-25 NIV

When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

RESOURCES:

Download the 21-DAY FRESH FAITH EXPERIENCE 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 jon@freshfaith247.com