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!