DATE POSTED
Wednesday, July 01, 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
Feel free to read the following scriptures in your own personal Bible.

Matthew 7:5: ~ You hypocrite (play-actor, pretender), first get the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye. (AMP)

1 Thessalonians 2:3-4 ~ So you can see that we were not preaching with any false motives or evil purposes in mind; we were perfectly straightforward and sincere. For we speak as messengers from God, trusted by him to tell the truth; we change his message not one bit to suit the taste of those who hear it; for we serve God alone, who examines our hearts’ deepest thoughts. (TLB)

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.

Looking back, we can remember how hard we often tried to impress a boyfriend, girlfriend, employer, or someone whose approval we desperately wanted. While this could certainly be accomplished through honesty, integrity, and hard work, the world often taught us something very different. It taught us that if we truly wanted to gain someone’s approval, we should do whatever it took—even if that meant putting someone else down in order to make ourselves look better. Sadly, this often led us to become less than honest and less than faithful to our friends as we pursued our own goals

Isn’t it interesting how, Before Christ, it was so easy to spot hypocrisy in our friends, neighbors and coworkers, while completely overlooking it in ourselves? It was easy to declare someone “guilty” before ever asking for an explanation or hearing the whole story. Jesus saw this exact flaw in human nature when He challenged us in Matthew 7:5. He essentially tells us to clear the deceit and evil out of our own lives before we dare point out the wrongs in others. Otherwise, we ourselves are hypocrites in every sense of the word.

But you may ask: How does someone actually make such a massive change in their life?

As we’ve discussed in previous devotionals, unbelievers have no ultimate authority to answer to. However, After Christ, we not only have a Master who loves us immeasurably, but He has also given us His Word to read, understand, and live by.

Because God knew how challenging this journey would be for us, He gave us an incredible gift: the Holy Spirit. The Spirit takes up residence inside of us to guide, encourage, uplift, remind, and coach us along the road to righteousness (being right with God).

Even more amazing is the love God demonstrated through His one and only Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus willingly endured rejection, false accusations, hatred, ridicule, and ultimately death on the cross for sinners like you and me. Through His sacrifice, we have forgiveness of sin and the opportunity to live lives that honor Him. Because of this, our joy is complete! We can be excited knowing that we are being transformed day by day, and that we will be with Him for all eternity.

A Challenge for Today

As I close today’s devotional, I want to challenge you to honestly examine your own heart. Ask God to show you where you stand in light of eternity. This is not a decision to postpone until next month or next year after you’ve made a few improvements in your life. In Luke 12, God told the rich fool, “Tonight your soul is required of you.” None of us knows what today may hold. Those words could apply to me—or perhaps to you.

May I ask you a personal question? Will we meet one day at the feet of Jesus? Is your life ready to meet Him?

If you are uncertain, I encourage you not to wait. Speak with your Bible-teaching pastor or with a believer whose life clearly reflects the living Christ. Allow them to open God’s Word with you and show you the hope, forgiveness, and eternal life that are found only in Jesus Christ.

Jesus loves you. His arms are open wide, and He is waiting to receive all who will come to Him by faith.

PRAYER
Heavenly Father, Forgive me for the times I have looked at the flaws in others while ignoring the areas in my own heart that need Your cleansing touch. Help me to stop seeking the temporary approval of the world and instead live to please You alone. Thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit, who guides and coaches me every single day. I ask that You put my life in perfect order, so that whenever my time comes, I am ready to meet you face-to-face. I ask these things in the loving and precious name of Jesus, my Lord and Savior. 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!