DATE POSTED
Monday, August 31, 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 3:27-31 (NLT): ²⁷ Can we boast, then, that we have done anything to be accepted by God? No, because our acquittal is not based on obeying the law. It is based on faith. ²⁸ So we are made right with God through faith and not by obeying the law. ²⁹ After all, is God the God of the Jews only? Isn’t he also the God of the Gentiles? Of course he is. ³⁰ There is only one God, and he makes people right with himself only by faith, whether they are Jews or Gentiles. ³¹ Well then, if we emphasize faith, does this mean that we can forget about the law? Of course not! In fact, only when we have faith do we truly fulfill the law.

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 played one of those ice‑breaker games where you’re not allowed to use words like “I,” “me,” or “my” for the first few minutes? It sounds simple—until you try it. Most of us slip up quickly because talking about ourselves comes naturally. We like to be seen, heard, and appreciated. And if we’re honest, we often look for opportunities to highlight what we have done.

Yes, we naturally crave recognition and praise for what we do, but if we aren’t careful, this mindset can bleed into how we talk about our faith. We can subtly begin to portray our salvation as something we accomplished or earned. From early childhood, we are praised for our obedience. At work, we receive promotions and raises for following orders, showing up on time, and serving customers well—all of which are requirements of the job! Because we are so conditioned to earn credit, standing aside to give total glory to the Holy Spirit for our salvation can feel almost unnatural to our flesh.

Yet scripture reminds us that even when an unsaved person begins asking questions about God, it is evidence of the Holy Spirit at work. Left to our own devices, we wouldn’t seek Him on our own. This is precisely why the apostle Paul cautions us in Romans 3 that we have no grounds for boasting. Salvation is not something we initiated or earned; it was purchased entirely through the grace of our Savior—the One who was falsely accused, brutally punished, and died on a cross for crimes He did not commit, only to rise again to save sinners.

Paul wanted his readers—Jew and Gentile alike—to understand that no one has grounds for boasting. The Jews could not claim superiority because of the law, and the Gentiles could not claim superiority because of their freedom from it. There is one God, and He saves one way: by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

And what a Savior He is. The One who was falsely accused, brutally beaten, and crucified for sins He never committed—He rose again and continues His Father’s mission of rescuing sinners. This grace is beyond human imagination, yet it is God’s perfect design.

So where do you stand today, my friend? If your conversation about faith tends to highlight yourself more than your Savior, perhaps it’s time for a quiet visit with the Father. But if others are seeing Jesus in your words, your conduct, and your testimony, then praise God—He is shining through you.

I once had a pastor who kept a simple reminder taped to his pulpit: “Oh, that they will see Jesus.” May that be our desire as well.

✦ Today’s Challenge

Honor Jesus intentionally today:

• Speak His Name: Mention the name of Jesus intentionally in your conversations today.
• Redirect the Praise: Boast in Jesus’ accomplishments rather than your own.
• Share Your Story: Tell someone how Jesus saved you by grace.
• Anchor Your Hope: Keep your heart focused on, and try to mention, your eternal home in Heaven.

PRAYER
Heavenly Father, forgive me for the moments when I subtly seek praise or try to take credit for the work only Your Holy Spirit can accomplish. Thank You for the gift of grace—unearned, undeserved, and freely given through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Quiet my pride and strip away my self-reliance today. Let my words, actions, and testimony point directly to the cross, so that when others look at my life, they see less of me and more of Jesus. In the holy and precious name of Jesus, 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!