DATE POSTED
Thursday, August 6, 2026, and I was blessed to be at Mariposa Apartment Homes, San Marcos, TX when God inspired me to prepare this devotional. My Footnote will tell you how to find and read any and all episodes that I have shared over the years.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
I would love for you to read today’s Scripture in your own personal Bible!

¹³ I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, that I planned many times to visit you, but I was prevented until now. I want to work among you and see spiritual fruit, just as I have seen among other Gentiles. ¹⁴ For I have a great sense of obligation to people in both the civilized world and the rest of the world, to the educated and uneducated alike. ¹⁵ So I am eager to come to you in Rome, too, to preach the Good News.

APPLICATION – as inspired by the Holy Spirit
I hope you’ve taken a moment to read the verses referenced above, as they’ll help you better grasp the context of this devotional.

A few years ago, my church presented an opportunity for short-term missions to Mexico. Although I felt a strong nudge, it seemed like a monumental commitment. Obstacles quickly stacked up: finances beyond what I could see possible, a language barrier, taking time off work, and being away from my family. Satan loves to use these hurdles to freeze us in place. Yet, after much prayer, God gave me peace and assured me that I should go.

Because of that experience, I can certainly relate to Paul’s words when he said he had planned many times to visit Rome but had been prevented until then. We are not told exactly what delayed Paul, but we know that God’s timing is always perfect. Sometimes He asks us to wait before He opens the door He has prepared.

Many of us hesitate when God calls us to serve because we already feel overwhelmed by the demands of everyday life. We wonder what we could possibly offer someone else – especially people in another culture or another country. But let’s remember what Paul wrote in verse 12, which we looked at yesterday: “When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours.”

I have found this to be true in my own life. There have been times when I dreaded visiting someone who was seriously ill because I didn’t know what to say. Yet almost every time, I left that visit far more encouraged than when I arrived. God has a wonderful way of blessing those who are willing to minister to others.

Paul also reminds us that he felt obligated to share the Gospel with everyone—the educated and uneducated, the influential and the overlooked. God’s love is not limited by race, education, social status, or financial position, and neither should ours be. John 3:16 reminds us that “whoever believes in Him” may receive eternal life. God offers salvation freely to all who place their faith in Jesus Christ.

As followers of Christ, we should also be willing to take the Good News wherever God sends us. For some, that may mean serving across the world. For others, it may simply mean crossing the street to speak with a neighbor. Regardless of where God leads, He calls us to love people without prejudice or favoritism.

Like Paul, we should be eager to share the Good News. You may say, “I’m not a preacher.” But every believer has a testimony. No one can argue with what Jesus has done in your life. Tell others how He saved you, forgave you, strengthened you, and faithfully walked with you through life’s challenges. Your testimony often opens hearts because people can relate to your story. Then point them to the Gospel itself—the good news that Jesus died, was buried, and rose again to provide salvation for all who believe. God is the One who changes lives. We simply have the privilege of telling others about Him.

---

TODAY’S CHALLENGE Be open to God’s call on your life to be on mission this year! Everyone needs the Lord, and everyone deserves to hear the Good News. But how will they know if we don’t tell them? Pray today for open eyes and a willing heart and be ready to step out when He calls.

PRAYER
Heavenly Father, Thank You for allowing me to be part of Your work in reaching people with the Good News of Jesus Christ. Forgive me for the times I have allowed fear, busyness, or feelings of inadequacy to keep me from sharing my faith. Help me remember that You are the One who changes hearts, and You simply ask me to be faithful.

Give me a willing heart to go wherever You lead—whether across the street or across the world. Remove any prejudice or favoritism from my heart so that I will see people as You see them. Help me to boldly share what You have done in my life and always point others to the saving grace found in Jesus Christ.

Use my life to bear spiritual fruit that brings glory to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

FOOTNOTE
If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please take advantage of the information provided on my page ‘To Know Jesus’. Alternatively, consider speaking with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. I pray that one of God’s servants will pray with you and offer help and encouragement as you begin, or continue, your walk with Jesus. If you would like to read more of my devotionals, please visit NuggetsFromGodsWord.org, or if you choose, subscribe to receive a daily email containing each new devotional, as you will also find that option on this page. Friends, I encourage you to find a Bible teaching church home near your residence and attend as frequently as possible. Get to know God and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk while you invite God to work through you to bless them. God is at work among His people! Please consider being a part of that while also growing in your faith as you worship with fellow believers!

DATE POSTED
Wednesday, August 5, 2026, and I was blessed to be at Mariposa Apartment Homes, San Marcos, TX when God inspired me to prepare this devotional. My Footnote will tell you how to find and read any and all episodes that I have shared over the years.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
I would love for you to read today’s Scripture in your own personal Bible!

 ⁷ I am writing to all of you in Rome who are loved by God and are called to be his own holy people. May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.

⁸ Let me say first that I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith in him is being talked about all over the world. ⁹ God knows how often I pray for you. Day and night I bring you and your needs in prayer to God, whom I serve with all my heart by spreading the Good News about his Son.

¹⁰ One of the things I always pray for is the opportunity, God willing, to come at last to see you. ¹¹ For I long to visit you so I can bring you some spiritual gift that will help you grow strong in the Lord. ¹² When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours.

APPLICATION – as inspired by the Holy Spirit
I hope you’ve taken a moment to read the verses referenced above, as they’ll help you better grasp the context of this devotional.

Unlike many of Paul’s other New Testament letters, Romans was written to a church he did not establish. Yet from the very beginning of this letter, we see his deep love and concern for these believers. Although Paul had never visited them, he recognized the evidence of God’s work among them.

In these few verses, we discover several characteristics of a healthy church. It is made up of people who know they are loved by God and called to live holy lives. It is known for a faith that others can see. It is strengthened through faithful prayer, and its members desire to grow spiritually while encouraging one another.

Those same qualities should be evident in our churches today.

As children of the King, we are deeply loved by the God of this universe—far more than we can fully comprehend. Through His Word, He teaches us the ways of Christ and calls us to live lives that reflect His holiness. Every day we have the opportunity to become more like Jesus in our words, attitudes, and actions.

One truth that especially stands out in this passage is Paul’s attitude toward the church. Instead of looking for reasons to criticize believers, he thanked God for them. He prayed faithfully for them. He longed to encourage them, while also acknowledging that he would be encouraged by their faith. Even the great Apostle Paul understood that every believer needs the encouragement of fellow Christians.

How different our churches might be if we spent less time criticizing and more time praying, encouraging, and supporting one another. God’s Word reminds us in 1 Thessalonians 5:11, “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”

Our pastors, elders, teachers, and ministry leaders are not perfect people—they are servants seeking to follow Christ. They need our prayers, our encouragement, and our support. As we faithfully lift them up before the Lord, we help strengthen the church’s witness and advance the work of God’s kingdom.

---

TODAY’S CHALLENGE Take time today to pray intentionally for your local church and its leaders. Ask God to give your pastors wisdom, protection, and joy in their ministry. Reach out to a church leader or fellow believer with a simple message of gratitude. As we await the return of Jesus for His bride, the church, may He find us faithful to His calling, and contributing to the health of the church through our prayers, gifts and constantly encouraging one another.

PRAYER
Heavenly Father, Thank You for placing us in the family of God and giving us the privilege of serving alongside other believers. Help us to love our church as You love Your church. Forgive us for the times we have been quicker to criticize than to encourage.

Teach us to faithfully pray for and encourage our pastors, teachers, ministry leaders, and fellow believers. May our words strengthen rather than discourage, and may our lives reflect the love and holiness of Jesus Christ.

Help us to use the gifts You have given us to build up Your church until the day Christ returns for His bride. May You find us faithful, serving with joyful hearts and bringing glory to Your name. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

FOOTNOTE
If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please take advantage of the information provided on my page ‘To Know Jesus’. Alternatively, consider speaking with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. I pray that one of God’s servants will pray with you and offer help and encouragement as you begin, or continue, your walk with Jesus. If you would like to read more of my devotionals, please visit NuggetsFromGodsWord.org, or if you choose, subscribe to receive a daily email containing each new devotional, as you will also find that option on this page. Friends, I encourage you to find a Bible teaching church home near your residence and attend as frequently as possible. Get to know God and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk while you invite God to work through you to bless them. God is at work among His people! Please consider being a part of that while also growing in your faith as you worship with fellow believers!

DATE POSTED
Tuesday, August 4, 2026, and I was blessed to be at Mariposa Apartment Homes, San Marcos, TX when God inspired me to prepare this devotional. My Footnote will tell you how to find and read any and all episodes that I have shared over the years.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
I would love for you to read today’s Scripture in your own personal Bible!

⁵ Through Christ, God has given us the privilege and authority as apostles to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, bringing glory to his name. ⁶ And you are included among those Gentiles who have been called to belong to Jesus Christ.

APPLICATION – as inspired by the Holy Spirit
I hope you’ve taken a moment to read the verses referenced above, as they’ll help you better grasp the context of this devotional.

Paul reminds us that the Lord gave him both the privilege and the responsibility of taking the gospel to the Gentiles. Though many Jews looked down on the Gentiles, God did not. Through faith in Jesus Christ, they too could receive forgiveness, become heirs of God, and belong to His family. Paul’s ministry reminds us that the gospel has never been intended for a select few—it is God’s invitation to everyone who will believe.

The story of Queen Esther teaches a similar lesson. When Esther hesitated to approach the king, Mordecai reminded her that perhaps she had come to the kingdom “for such a time as this.” God had intentionally placed her where He could use her to save His people. Paul also understood that God had placed him exactly where he needed to be so the Gentiles could hear about Jesus.

Paul’s message isn’t just history; it is a direct pattern for us today. The doors of our churches open every week, but the invitation to salvation is not restricted to those who happen to walk through our doors. As John 3:16 reminds us, God’s invitation extends to everyone who believes.

As believers, we are often placed in specific workplaces, waiting rooms, or neighborhoods we never expected. When we ask why we are there, we must remember that God places us deliberately. Could it be that He has positioned you right where you are to encourage a neighbor, stand up for biblical truth, or point a seeking heart toward the Christ we love, serve and adore?

Living for God means we may not participate in everything our culture or neighbors engage in. However, when we decline invitations or choose a different path, we must be honest, gracious, and ready to testify to the truth of God’s Word. Making untruthful excuses or staying completely silent can cause others to see us as hypocrites or insincere in our beliefs vs our actions. Instead, use every interaction to further God’s Kingdom while loving people as Jesus loved us. It was love—not indifference, arguments, or self-righteousness—that brought us to the foot of the Cross.

In verse 6, Paul assures the Roman believers that they are included among those called to belong to Jesus just as surely as any Jewish believer. May we never allow prejudice, personal preferences, or outward appearances to determine who deserves to hear the gospel. Every person we meet has been created by God and needs the same Savior we have found. Let us love people as Jesus loves them and faithfully share His invitation to all.

---

TODAY’S CHALLENGE:

Ask God today to embolden you to see others through His eyes. Be mindful to dismantle any personal filters that keep you from ministering to people who look, act, or think differently than you. God’s ways are higher than ours—let us honor Him and look for opportunities today to show His love and point someone toward Jesus.

PRAYER
Heavenly Father, thank You for including me in Your promise of grace and calling me to belong to Jesus Christ. Forgive me for the times I have let my own filters, comfort zones, or biases dictate who I share Your love with. Give me the boldness of Paul and the courage of Esther to recognize that You have placed me right where I am for a purpose. Help me to love my neighbors honestly, live courageously for Your truth, and shine as a welcoming light to everyone around me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

FOOTNOTE
If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please take advantage of the information provided on my page ‘To Know Jesus’. Alternatively, consider speaking with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. I pray that one of God’s servants will pray with you and offer help and encouragement as you begin, or continue, your walk with Jesus. If you would like to read more of my devotionals, please visit NuggetsFromGodsWord.org, or if you choose, subscribe to receive a daily email containing each new devotional, as you will also find that option on this page. Friends, I encourage you to find a Bible teaching church home near your residence and attend as frequently as possible. Get to know God and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk while you invite God to work through you to bless them. God is at work among His people! Please consider being a part of that while also growing in your faith as you worship with fellow believers!

DATE POSTED
Monday, August 3, 2026, and I was blessed to be at Mariposa Apartment Homes, San Marcos, TX when God inspired me to prepare this devotional. My Footnote will tell you how to find and read any and all episodes that I have shared over the years.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
I would love for you to read today’s Scripture in your own personal Bible!

² God promised this Good News long ago through His prophets in the holy Scriptures. ³ The Good News is about His Son. In His earthly life He was born into King David’s family line, ⁴ and He was shown to be the Son of God when He was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit. He is Jesus Christ our Lord.

APPLICATION – as inspired by the Holy Spirit
I hope you’ve taken a moment to read the verses referenced above, as they’ll help you better grasp the context of this devotional.

In yesterday’s devotional we ended with Paul’s declaration that he had been called by God to proclaim the Good News. In today’s verses, Paul begins to explain exactly what that Good News is.

We live in a society that expects everything instantly. Meals are prepared in minutes, information arrives in seconds, and travel that once took months now takes only hours. Yet God often works differently. Although He has the power to accomplish anything immediately, He chose to reveal His plan little by little throughout history so that when Jesus came, people could recognize Him as the promised Messiah.

Paul reminds us that the Good News is all about God’s Son. Jesus was born into the family line of King David, fulfilling God’s promises to Israel. Then, through His resurrection from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit, God declared for all to see that Jesus truly is the Son of God. The resurrection is God’s unmistakable testimony that every promise Jesus made is true and that He alone is Lord and Savior.

This is why the whole Bible is so important. Recently, in our study of Genesis 25, we saw how God’s promises continued through Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—the very family line through which the Messiah would eventually come. What begins in Genesis finds its fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Old Testament points forward to the Savior; the New Testament reveals that He has come. The Bible is one continuous story of God’s redeeming love.

Since we have received this Good News, we also share the privilege and responsibility of making it known. Jesus commanded His followers in Matthew 28:19 to “go and make disciples of all the nations.” This command was not given only to pastors or missionaries. Every believer has been entrusted with the wonderful privilege of pointing others to Christ. Whether at work, at home, in our neighborhood, or wherever God places us, He desires that we faithfully share the hope we have found in Jesus.

---

TODAY’S CHALLENGE

The Good News isn’t just ours to enjoy – it’s ours to share. Romans 1:2-4 reminds us that God’s plan of salvation has been unfolding since the beginning. Read today’s devotional again and ask yourself: Who has God placed in my life that needs to hear about Jesus? If we knew a natural disaster was headed straight for our town, we would act immediately to warn those in danger. Yet how often do we remain silent when eternal souls are at stake? May God forgive us when we take our calling lightly, and may He give us the courage and love needed to share the Savior with a world in desperate need of His grace.

PRAYER
Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your incredible plan of salvation, written long ago and fulfilled through Your Son, Jesus Christ. We marvel at Your faithfulness across generations and praise You for the power of the resurrection. Lord, forgive us for the times we have stayed silent or taken our mission for granted. Open our eyes to the people around us today—in our homes, workplaces, and daily routines. Give us compassionate hearts, bold spirits, and the right words to share Your Good News. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

FOOTNOTE
If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please take advantage of the information provided on my page ‘To Know Jesus’. Alternatively, consider speaking with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. I pray that one of God’s servants will pray with you and offer help and encouragement as you begin, or continue, your walk with Jesus. If you would like to read more of my devotionals, please visit NuggetsFromGodsWord.org, or if you choose, subscribe to receive a daily email containing each new devotional, as you will also find that option on this page. Friends, I encourage you to find a Bible teaching church home near your residence and attend as frequently as possible. Get to know God and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk while you invite God to work through you to bless them. God is at work among His people! Please consider being a part of that while also growing in your faith as you worship with fellow believers!

DATE POSTED
Sunday, August 1, 2026, and I was blessed to be at Mariposa Apartment Homes, San Marcos, TX when God inspired me to prepare this devotional. My Footnote will tell you how to find and read any and all episodes that I have shared over the years.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
I would love for you to read today’s Scripture in your own personal Bible!

Romans 1:1 (NLT) This letter is from Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, chosen by God to be an apostle and sent out to preach his Good News.

APPLICATION – as inspired by the Holy Spirit
I hope you’ve taken a moment to read the verses referenced above, as they’ll help you better grasp the context of this devotional.

Before encountering Christ, Paul was known as Saul of Tarsus—a devout pharisee who actively persecuted the early Church. We can read the dramatic story of his life and conversion in the book of Acts (chapters 8–28).

Just as most of us would rather not be defined by our past mistakes, bad attitudes, or former lives before Christ, Paul knew it was vital to establish his new identity in this letter to the Romans right from the start. He was setting forth his “credentials”—not in his own human effort, but in who he had become through Jesus.

This is no different for pastors, evangelists, or any believer today. Through God’s salvation, our past is behind us. When we place our faith in Jesus, we become new creations. God forgives our sins, removes them as far as the east is from the west, and no longer holds them against us. What an amazing reminder of His mercy and grace!

There’s a beautiful song titled “What Sin?” that echoes this truth: when others point to our past, God looks at us through the blood of Jesus and asks, “What sin?” Paul was a brand-new man, fueled by God’s amazing grace and sustained by His tender mercies.

Because Paul was so completely sold out to God, he introduced himself as a slave (or bondservant) of Jesus Christ. By establishing this relationship, Paul made it clear that his teachings were not driven by his past or his own ego, but by his new Master, Jesus Christ.

In today’s world, how would you, being a sold-out believer in Jesus Christ, feel about introducing yourself as a servant of Jesus Christ? We often hope people will simply “see” Christ in our lives, but sometimes people need to hear a clear testimony.

Paul was not ashamed to identify himself as Christ’s servant. What if we were bold enough to say, “I am here representing my Master, Jesus Christ, and I want my words and actions to reflect Him”?

TODAY’S CHALLENGE
When people listen to you, do they hear only your opinions, or do they recognize that your life is guided by Jesus Christ and His Word? Like Paul, let us never be ashamed to identify ourselves as servants of Christ. As we speak words of encouragement, correction, or wisdom, may it always be clear that our desire is not to promote ourselves, but to point others to our Savior.

Our confidence is never found in our own understanding, but in Christ alone. As the old hymn reminds us:
“On Christ the solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.“

PRAYER
Heavenly Father, thank You for saving me and giving me a new life in Christ. Thank You that my past has been forgiven and that You no longer hold my sins against me. Help me, like Paul, to live as Your willing servant and to never be ashamed of the Gospel. May my words, attitudes, and actions always point others to Jesus and be guided by Your Holy Spirit. Keep me humble, faithful, and obedient as I represent You each day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

FOOTNOTE
If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please take advantage of the information provided on my page ‘To Know Jesus’. Alternatively, consider speaking with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. I pray that one of God’s servants will pray with you and offer help and encouragement as you begin, or continue, your walk with Jesus. If you would like to read more of my devotionals, please visit NuggetsFromGodsWord.org, or if you choose, subscribe to receive a daily email containing each new devotional, as you will also find that option on this page. Friends, I encourage you to find a Bible teaching church home near your residence and attend as frequently as possible. Get to know God and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk while you invite God to work through you to bless them. God is at work among His people! Please consider being a part of that while also growing in your faith as you worship with fellow believers!

DATE POSTED
Thursday, July 30, 2026, and I was blessed to be at Mariposa Apartment Homes, San Marcos, TX when God inspired me to prepare this devotional. My Footnote will tell you how to find and read any and all episodes that I have shared over the years.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
I would love for you to read today’s Scripture in your own personal Bible!

1 Corinthians 13:6 ~ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. (NIV)

1 Thessalonians 5:18 ~ In every situation [no matter what the circumstances] be thankful and continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. (AMP)

APPLICATION – as inspired by the Holy Spirit
I hope you’ve taken a moment to read the verses referenced above, as they’ll help you better grasp the context of this devotional.

For those who can identify with me, our growing-up years may have felt like some of the most challenging times of our lives. It wasn’t because we went hungry, had abusive parents, or lacked love, but because our parents seemed so strict on us—or at least, that’s how we felt at the time! While our friends gathered outside to play, we were often stuck indoors doing chores or helping our parents work hard to make ends meet. To our younger selves, it felt like plain misery!

It wasn’t until we reached adulthood and became parents ourselves that we looked back with gratitude. We realized we were being lovingly guided into responsible, successful lives by parents who faced immense pressure to protect us from the wrong influences. That early guidance taught us an invaluable lesson: to look at the bigger picture and focus on the good rather than the temporary hardships.

Before Christ, however, many of us carried that lingering sense of childhood burden into adulthood. Reaching independence, we promised ourselves we would never be governed or restricted like that again. We acted like birds released from a cage, doing our utmost to chase every freedom adulthood had to offer. “Self” became number one, and the world was ours to conquer. Overlooking others seemed like a small price to pay for personal freedom—even if it meant ignoring their feelings, needs, or struggles. We had little time or interest in supporting others, let alone celebrating their accomplishments.

But praise God, along the way, something changed. We began noticing people in our circle who lived entirely differently. They weren’t living selfishly; in fact, they were often the first to cheer for the happiness and success of others. It was a strange and fascinating phenomenon to us. What made them operate this way?

In time, the answer became clear: they had experienced something far greater than anything we had known. They had found, accepted, and trusted Jesus as Lord of their lives. He transformed them from the inside out. Witnessing that genuine transformation caused me to listen more closely to the gentle voice of God as He drew me to Himself in early 1976.

After Christ, everything changed. Jesus taught me what genuine love looks like because He first loved me. He showed me that true joy is not rooted in favorable circumstances but in a growing relationship with Him. As His love fills our hearts, we learn to rejoice in His truth, to celebrate His work in the lives of others, and to give thanks in every circumstance. This is the kind of rejoicing that pleases God because it flows from confidence in His faithfulness rather than confidence in our circumstances.

As 1 Thessalonians 5:18 teaches us, this is a joy rooted in gratitude—a joy that pleases God because it flows from knowing Him personally. Through Christ, we can rejoice not just when things go smoothly, but in every circumstance, knowing He is always present to love, guide, and protect every step we take on our journey home.

---

TODAY’S CHALLENGE:

Perhaps one of the greatest challenges in life is finding peace and a reason to rejoice when circumstances go against our desires. Yet, because God is sovereign and works all things together for our good, true faith empowers us to trust Him—even through the painful loss of a loved one, the heartbreak of a wayward child, or the heaviest trials of life.

We can rest assured that God is fully aware of our heartache. He keeps our minds anchored on the central truth of our salvation: Jesus endured the cross for us so that, despite the heartbreaks of this world, we have a glorious eternity ahead with Him. Why fret over the things outside our control when we know who holds our hand each day? Let’s keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who loves us unconditionally and guides us toward our heavenly home—where we will worship at His feet forever!

PRAYER
Heavenly Father, thank You for the joy that can only be found through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Forgive me for the times I have allowed my circumstances to steal my joy or keep me from rejoicing in the blessings of others. Help me to trust You in every season of life and to give thanks, knowing that You are always faithful. Fill my heart with Your love so that I may rejoice in Your truth and reflect the joy of Christ to those around me. Keep my eyes fixed on Jesus until the day I see Him face to face. In His precious name I pray, Amen.

FOOTNOTE
If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please take advantage of the information provided on my page ‘To Know Jesus’. Alternatively, consider speaking with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. I pray that one of God’s servants will pray with you and offer help and encouragement as you begin, or continue, your walk with Jesus. If you would like to read more of my devotionals, please visit NuggetsFromGodsWord.org, or if you choose, subscribe to receive a daily email containing each new devotional, as you will also find that option on this page. Friends, I encourage you to find a Bible teaching church home near your residence and attend as frequently as possible. Get to know God and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk while you invite God to work through you to bless them. God is at work among His people! Please consider being a part of that while also growing in your faith as you worship with fellow believers!

DATE POSTED
Wednesday, July 29, 2026, and I was blessed to be at Mariposa Apartment Homes, San Marcos, TX when God inspired me to prepare this devotional. My Footnote will tell you how to find and read any and all episodes that I have shared over the years.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
I would love for you to read today’s Scripture in your own personal Bible!

Matthew 12:36 ~ But I tell you, on the day of judgment people will have to give an accounting for every careless or useless word they speak. (AMP)

Proverbs 21:23 ~ Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut, and you will stay out of trouble. (NLT)

APPLICATION – as inspired by the Holy Spirit
I hope you’ve taken a moment to read the verses referenced above, as they’ll help you better grasp the context of this devotional.

Have you ever walked away from a conversation, reflected on what was said, and wondered, “Where in the world did that come from?”

Depending on our mood or attitude at the time, our words might have been sparked by anger, envy, or revenge—or, on better days, by love and goodwill. Jesus reminds us that our words reveal what is happening inside our hearts.

Before Christ, it was easy to be careless and uncontrolled with our words. When someone hurt us, we often fought back with our tongues. Without understanding that vengeance belongs to God, we felt compelled to get even through sharp retorts, lying, mocking, or spreading gossip. We either didn’t know the warning in Matthew 12:36 about accounting for every idle word, or we simply ignored it because settling a personal vendetta felt more important. In those moments, it was easy to see the truth in my mom’s old saying: “It’s easy to see there’s a devil in that person!”

But praise God – that is not where the story ends.

One of the greatest miracles of salvation is the transformation that takes place within a person’s heart. I never cease to be amazed at how the Holy Spirit can soften even the hardest heart. Those we might think are beyond hope suddenly becomes interested in the things of God. They begin asking questions about Jesus, reading His Word, and responding to His love. Whenever I see that happening, I rejoice because it is evidence that God is at work.

After Christ, everything begins to change. The same mouth that once spoke hurtful, careless, and destructive words now has the opportunity to encourage, forgive, comfort, and glorify God. This change is not simply the result of trying harder – it is the work of the Holy Spirit transforming the heart. As Paul reminds us, “the old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”

As believers, we should celebrate what God has done in the lives of others instead of questioning whether their transformation is genuine. If their faith is real, they are our brothers and sisters in Christ. If someone is being deceptive, God is fully capable of exposing the truth. He has already said, “Vengeance is Mine.” We do not need to fight our battles with careless words. We can trust the Lord to accomplish His perfect will while we speak with grace and love.

Letting God take control of our hearts means letting Him take control of our words. When our hearts are filled with His love, our speech will naturally reflect His peace.

TODAY’S CHALLENGE:

Let’s follow the example Jesus set when He stood before Pilate. By remaining quiet in the face of accusation, Jesus showed great restraint and complete trust in the Father. This week, when temptation or provocation comes your way, choose to hold your tongue and let the peace of God rule in your heart. Remember, Jesus has already won the battle—you don’t have to fight it with careless words. Let go and let God!

PRAYER
Lord Jesus, Thank You for transforming my heart and putting me on a new path. Forgive me for the times I have used careless, idle, or hurtful words when provoked. Today, I surrender my speech to the guidance of Your Holy Spirit. Guard my mouth, Father, and bridle my tongue when I am tempted to react in anger, envy, or self-defense. May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing in Your sight. Help me to extend the same grace to others that You have so generously given to me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

FOOTNOTE
If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please take advantage of the information provided on my page ‘To Know Jesus’. Alternatively, consider speaking with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. I pray that one of God’s servants will pray with you and offer help and encouragement as you begin, or continue, your walk with Jesus. If you would like to read more of my devotionals, please visit NuggetsFromGodsWord.org, or if you choose, subscribe to receive a daily email containing each new devotional, as you will also find that option on this page. Friends, I encourage you to find a Bible teaching church home near your residence and attend as frequently as possible. Get to know God and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk while you invite God to work through you to bless them. God is at work among His people! Please consider being a part of that while also growing in your faith as you worship with fellow believers!

DATE POSTED
Monday, July 27, 2026, and I was blessed to be at Mariposa Apartment Homes, San Marcos, TX when God inspired me to prepare this devotional. My Footnote will tell you how to find and read any and all episodes that I have shared over the years.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
I would love for you to read today’s Scripture in your own personal Bible!

Matthew 5:21-22 ~ ²¹ “Under the laws of Moses the rule was, ‘If you murder, you must die.’ ²² But I have added to that rule and tell you that if you are only angry, even in your own home, you are in danger of judgment! If you call your friend an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse him, you are in danger of the fires of hell. (TLB)

1 Corinthians 13:3 ~ ³ If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing. (NLT)

APPLICATION – as inspired by the Holy Spirit
I hope you’ve taken a moment to read the verses referenced above, as they’ll help you better grasp the context of this devotional.

There is a strong temptation to live the way the world lives—following the crowd, doing whatever feels good in the moment, and speaking without filter. It is easy to go along just to get along, keeping up appearances so we don’t seem strange or distant. But God does not leave us there. In His mercy, the Holy Spirit interrupts our routine, prompting us to examine our hearts and consider where our paths are truly leading.

Many of us were blessed to grow up with parents, guardians, or mentors who wanted the very best for us. They encouraged us never to settle for following the crowd, but to strive for what truly matters.

Before Christ, many of us simply followed the pattern of the world. We often measured people by how they treated us. We loved those who loved us and found it difficult to forgive those who hurt us. Although we may not have considered ourselves hateful people, we often fell short of the kind of love God desires.

Many of us were blessed to have parents, grandparents, or godly mentors who demonstrated something very different. They spoke often of God’s goodness and lived with a peace that came from knowing Jesus Christ personally. They treated others with kindness, even when kindness was not returned. Their love seemed unusual because it reflected the love of Christ rather than the attitudes of the world. Their example pointed us toward the Savior who had changed their lives.

After Christ— everything changes.

When we surrender our lives to Jesus, we discover a love unlike anything this world can produce. Jesus willingly laid down His life for us on the cross. While suffering unimaginable pain, He prayed for those who crucified Him. He promised eternal life to the repentant thief hanging beside Him. He lovingly entrusted the care of His mother to John. He also wept with Mary and Martha over the death of Lazarus before demonstrating His power by raising him from the dead.

Everywhere Jesus went, His love was evident.

His words in John 15:13 summarize that love perfectly:

“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

Jesus demonstrated that kind of selfless, sacrificial love for every one of us. That is why Paul could write in 1 Corinthians 13:3 that even the greatest acts of generosity amount to nothing if they are not motivated by love.

In our first focal verse – Matthew 5:21, Jesus shows where hatred begins; Later in the same chapter Vs 43-48 shows where Christ intends His disciples to end—with a supernatural love that even extends to their enemies. This kind of love is not natural—it is the evidence of a heart transformed by Christ.

Only Jesus can produce that kind of love within us. As we yield ourselves to Him each day, His Holy Spirit changes our hearts so that we begin to love others as He first loved us.

---

TODAY’S CHALLENGE:

Each Friday morning at our Nuggets Bible Study at Mariposa Apartments, we regularly ask God to place someone in our path who needs to experience His love. We pray for opportunities to share the Gospel and introduce others to Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

Today, I encourage you to pray that same prayer.

If you have never personally trusted Jesus Christ as your Savior, there is no greater decision you will ever make. Romans 10:9-10 reminds us that salvation comes through believing in Him and confessing Him as Lord. Dear friend, settle that decision today. Receive the love that only Christ can give and allow Him to transform your heart. As His love fills your life, your love for others will naturally begin to reflect His.

PRAYER
Heavenly Father, Thank You for loving me with a love far greater than I deserve. Thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus Christ, to willingly lay down His life so that I might have forgiveness and eternal life.

Lord, search my heart today. Reveal any anger, bitterness, resentment, or unforgiveness that keeps me from loving others as You have loved me. Replace those attitudes with the compassion, patience, kindness, and grace that come only through Your Holy Spirit.

Help me to see every person I meet today through Your eyes. Give me opportunities to share Your love with someone who needs encouragement or who has never accepted You as Savior. May my words, my actions, and my attitudes point others to Jesus.

Thank You for continually changing me into the likeness of Your Son. May my life be known more for love than anything else.

In the precious name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

FOOTNOTE
If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please take advantage of the information provided on my page ‘To Know Jesus’. Alternatively, consider speaking with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. I pray that one of God’s servants will pray with you and offer help and encouragement as you begin, or continue, your walk with Jesus. If you would like to read more of my devotionals, please visit NuggetsFromGodsWord.org, or if you choose, subscribe to receive a daily email containing each new devotional, as you will also find that option on this page. Friends, I encourage you to find a Bible teaching church home near your residence and attend as frequently as possible. Get to know God and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk while you invite God to work through you to bless them. God is at work among His people! Please consider being a part of that while also growing in your faith as you worship with fellow believers!

DATE POSTED
Saturday, July 25, 2026, and I was blessed to be at Mariposa Apartment Homes, San Marcos, TX when God inspired me to prepare this devotional. My Footnote will tell you how to find and read any and all episodes that I have shared over the years.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
I would love for you to read today’s Scripture in your own personal Bible!

James 1:19-20 ~ ¹⁹ Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. ²⁰ Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. (NLT)

Proverbs 15:1 ~ A soft and gentle and thoughtful answer turns away wrath, but harsh and painful and careless words stir up anger. (AMP)

APPLICATION – as inspired by the Holy Spirit
I hope you’ve taken a moment to read the verses referenced above, as they’ll help you better grasp the context of this devotional.

The challenge with reviewing today’s Scripture is that every single one of us—no matter how long we have walked with the Lord—still faces the temptation of anger. It is a universal struggle. But as believers, we are called to handle these moments differently than the world does. When old patterns of irritation and wrath pop up, it is a warning sign that the world’s mindset is trying to sneak back into our daily walk. A vibrant, daily relationship with Jesus reminds us of His deep love and provides the constant guidance we need to stay faithful to His commands.

To truly understand James’ teaching, we have to remember what life was like Before Christ. Back then, we simply didn’t know better. Our reactions were often driven by personal gain, pride, and self-preservation. As long as we felt we were winning the argument or looking out for “Number One,” we felt justified. It was a selfish cycle where self-gratification ruled the day.

Then came the miracle: God broke through our stubborn, prideful hearts. He drew us to Himself, opened our eyes, and showed us the beauty of surrender. Through His grace, He transformed us, turning our hearts of stone into soft ground where His Spirit could dwell. We now belong to the King of kings, the One who gave His only Son so that our sins could be forgiven and our eternity secured.

Now, After Christ, we are new creations. As we grow in our relationship with Christ, we begin to understand His heart. We learn to follow His example, obey His Word, and listen to the gentle prompting of the Holy Spirit. Yes, there are still moments when we become angry, but we no longer have to remain there. The Holy Spirit reminds us of Scriptures like James 1:19-20 and Proverbs 15:1, encouraging us to pause, listen carefully, speak gently, and respond in a way that honors God.

Human anger cannot produce the righteous life God desires. Instead, He calls the believer to display His love, His patience, and His peace. When we fail, we can immediately confess our sin, receive His forgiveness, and ask Him to help us respond differently the next time. As we surrender our hearts to Him each day, He continues His transforming work, replacing harshness with gentleness, impatience with grace, and anger with His perfect peace.

What a wonderful testimony it becomes when others see not merely our ability to control our temper, but the evidence that Christ truly lives within us.

TODAY’S CHALLENGE: The next time you feel anger beginning to rise within you, pause before you speak. Ask the Holy Spirit to guard your heart, your thoughts, and your words. Today, let’s invite Him to move the mountains of frustration, impatience, and pride in our hearts. Let’s ask Jesus to cultivate in us a fresh desire to obey His leading, allowing His peace to guard our words and our actions so that we might reflect His character to those around us.

PRAYER
Lord Jesus, thank You for rescuing me from my old way of living and making me a new creation through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Forgive me for the times I still allow anger to control my thoughts, words, and actions. Help me to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. Please, fill me with Your Holy Spirit so that my responses will reflect Your love, patience, gentleness, and peace. May others see Christ living in me through the way I respond, even in difficult situations. Continue shaping me into the person You created me to be, bringing glory to Your holy name. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

FOOTNOTE
If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please take advantage of the information provided on my page ‘To Know Jesus’. Alternatively, consider speaking with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. I pray that one of God’s servants will pray with you and offer help and encouragement as you begin, or continue, your walk with Jesus. If you would like to read more of my devotionals, please visit NuggetsFromGodsWord.org, or if you choose, subscribe to receive a daily email containing each new devotional, as you will also find that option on this page. Friends, I encourage you to find a Bible teaching church home near your residence and attend as frequently as possible. Get to know God and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk while you invite God to work through you to bless them. God is at work among His people! Please consider being a part of that while also growing in your faith as you worship with fellow believers!

DATE POSTED
Thursday, July 23, 2026, and I was blessed to be at Mariposa Apartment Homes, San Marcos, TX when God inspired me to prepare this devotional. My Footnote will tell you how to find and read any and all episodes that I have shared over the years.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
I would love for you to read today’s Scripture in your own personal Bible!

Philippians 2:21 ~ ²⁰ I have no one else like Timothy, who genuinely cares about your welfare. ²¹ All the others care only for themselves and not for what matters to Jesus Christ. (NLT)

Luke 9:23 ~ ²³ And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to follow Me [as My disciple], he must deny himself [set aside selfish interests] and take up his cross daily [expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] and follow Me [believing in Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me]. (AMP)

APPLICATION – as inspired by the Holy Spirit
I hope you’ve taken a moment to read the verses referenced above, as they’ll help you better grasp the context of this devotional.

I believe each devotional in this series has brought its own unique challenge. They gently remind us that Before Christ, we gave ourselves free rein to live as we pleased – to go where we wanted, do what we wanted, and pursue whatever made us happy. But as we often discovered, living life our own way led to disappointment, regret, and heartache. How refreshing it is to remember that After Christ, we willingly surrendered the rule of our lives to Him. By allowing Him to lead us, He not only changes our present lives but also prepares us for eternity with Him in Heaven.

Today’s comparison is no exception. From the time we were infants, we selfishly cried for attention regardless of what our parents were going through. As adults, that same self-centered tendency often tries to control us. Life becomes all about me, me, me. Before Christ, it seemed like we had only one person to please, one person to enrich, and one person to champion in life: ourselves.

We see this surface as one of the biggest hurdles in marriage, where it takes intentional effort to value a spouse above oneself. We see it in the workplace, where thoughts of fair treatment can easily slide into resentment. Even the Apostle Paul encountered this same problem while looking for faithful ministry partners. Speaking of Timothy, Paul wrote:

“All the others care only for themselves and not for what matters to Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 2:21)

Paul found in Timothy something that had become increasingly rare—a servant whose primary concern was not himself, but Christ and the spiritual well-being of others. Timothy possessed the heart of God for God’s people.

Selfishness is one of the very first areas where God begins His transforming work in every believer because selfishness comes naturally to us. Jesus addressed this very issue when He said:

“If anyone wishes to follow Me… he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” (Luke 9:23)

Dear ones, the contrast is simple yet profound: Before Christ, we lived to satisfy ourselves. After Christ, we surrender self to Him. With the Holy Spirit’s help, our greatest desire becomes pleasing God rather than pleasing ourselves.

Self-denial is not about losing who we are. It is about surrendering our will so that Christ may live His life through us. As we become more like Him, others begin to see less of us and more of Jesus.

---

TODAY’S CHALLENGE

As children of God, our highest desire should be to please Him in everything we think, say, and do. In fact, our heart’s prayer should be that when people interact with us, they catch a glimpse of Jesus Himself.

With God as your helper, will you make ‘putting Him and others first’ your primary focus today?

PRAYER
Heavenly Father, Thank You for loving me even when my life revolved around myself. Thank You for sending Jesus to save me and to transform my heart. Forgive me for the times I still place my own desires above Your will and above the needs of others.

Teach me to deny myself daily, take up my cross, and faithfully follow You. Help me to seek what matters most to Christ instead of what merely satisfies my flesh. Fill me with the humility, compassion, and servant’s heart that were so beautifully demonstrated in the life of Jesus.

May my words, attitudes, and actions point others to You. Let people see less of me and more of Christ living within me. By Your Holy Spirit, make me more like Jesus today than I was yesterday.

In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

FOOTNOTE
If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please take advantage of the information provided on my page ‘To Know Jesus’. Alternatively, consider speaking with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. I pray that one of God’s servants will pray with you and offer help and encouragement as you begin, or continue, your walk with Jesus. If you would like to read more of my devotionals, please visit NuggetsFromGodsWord.org, or if you choose, subscribe to receive a daily email containing each new devotional, as you will also find that option on this page. Friends, I encourage you to find a Bible teaching church home near your residence and attend as frequently as possible. Get to know God and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk while you invite God to work through you to bless them. God is at work among His people! Please consider being a part of that while also growing in your faith as you worship with fellow believers!