DATE POSTED
Thursday, August 13, 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 2:1-3 (NLT) – ¹ You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things. ² And we know that God, in his justice, will punish anyone who does such things. ³ Since you judge others for doing these things, why do you think you can avoid God’s judgment when you do the same things?

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.

To help keep everything in context, remember where we left off in Chapter 1. Paul laid out a heavy description of the blatant wickedness and rebellion running rampant in the world. If a message like that were preached in a local church today, Paul would probably hear a lot of enthusiastic “Amens!” It is always easy for us to nod along when the culture’s sins are put on display.

Sensing that his readers were probably feeling a bit smug, Paul—guided by the Holy Spirit—abruptly turns the mirror around in Chapter 2. He delivers a wake-up call, urging believers to examine their own hearts before pointing a finger at anyone else. It is an unforgettable reminder that applies to us every single day.

This directly echoes what Jesus taught in Matthew 7:1–2 during the Sermon on the Mount: “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged…”

When we harbor a critical, judgmental attitude toward others, we forget that God evaluates us by the very standards of truth and grace we extend to those around us. This simple truth about how God measures our hearts runs throughout Scripture—whether in how we judge, how we forgive, or how we give. What we measure out to others matters deeply to God.

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TODAY’S CHALLENGE

It is part of our fallen human nature to be headstrong. We often try so hard to fix our own problems or manage our spiritual lives in our own strength, stubbornly refusing to ask for help!

Gratefully, God knows how He made us. He provided a spiritual “Book of Instruction”—the Holy Bible—so we can align our lives with His perfect will. Our daily challenge is to set aside our self-righteousness, stop pointing fingers at the flaws of others, and humbly open the pages of Scripture.

When we ask the Holy Spirit to speak to us, He faithful supplies a timely Word to guide our steps and shape us into the image of Jesus Christ. Working on our own hearts is a full-time job—so let’s lay down the urge to judge others today and focus on our own walk, trusting God to be our helper.

PRAYER
Heavenly Father, forgive me for the times I have been quick to judge others while ignoring the flaws in my own heart. Help me to put down the finger of blame and instead pick up Your Word with a humble, teachable spirit. Search my heart today, Lord. Expose any self-righteousness in me, and give me the grace to love others as You have loved me. Holy Spirit, guide my thoughts, words, and actions so that my life reflects the holiness and mercy of Jesus Christ. In His 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, August 12, 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 1:24-32 (NLT) – ²⁴ So God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other’s bodies. ²⁵ They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen. ²⁶ That is why God abandoned them to their shameful desires. Even the women turned against the natural way to have sex and instead indulged in sex with each other. ²⁷ And the men, instead of having normal sexual relations with women, burned with lust for each other. Men did shameful things with other men, and as a result of this sin, they suffered within themselves the penalty they deserved.

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.

If you have ever been in love, you probably know the painful truth implied in verse 24: you cannot force someone to love you. Those who are selfless and emotionally mature may have experienced the sacrifice of stepping back – releasing someone they care for so that person can pursue what they believe will make them happy.

In a solemn parallel, verse 24 shows us what happens when humanity persistently turns away from God. God honors human free choice. When people continually reject Him, He eventually steps back, handing them over to the fruit of their own self-centered desires.

For those who have experienced the goodness and unconditional love of God, there is no place colder or darker than a life lived apart from His presence. We can imagine the profound emptiness a grieving spouse feels after losing their mate; how much heavier is the spiritual void when a person lives completely disconnected from the Creator of the universe? I can hardly imagine having no relationship with the God who created you, no dependence upon Him, no desire to hear from Him, and no concern for what His Word says.

Paul goes on in verses 26 through 32 to describe just how far people can go when they continually reject God and His truth. Their rejection of God affected their thinking, their desires, their relationships, and ultimately their entire way of living. Sin does not remain isolated in one area of our lives. When we continually reject God’s direction, it can gradually influence every part of who we are.

And we should be careful not to read this passage as though Paul is only talking about “those people.” As we continue through Romans, Paul will make it very clear that all of us have sinned and all of us need the grace of God. The issue is not whether we have sinned, but whether we will acknowledge our sin and turn to the One who can save us from it.

Remember, sin occurs whenever we disobey the commands of our Heavenly Father as they are given to us through His precious Word, the Bible. God did not give us His Word to take away our happiness. He gave it to show us how to live – the way He designed us to live.

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TODAY’S CHALLENGE

Let us be reminded that God created every one of us in His image. He loves His creation and has given us His Word to teach us how to live lives that honor Him. From the beginning, mankind has failed to live according to God’s perfect plan. But God did not leave us without hope.

Through Jesus Christ and the indwelling Holy Spirit, God has given us forgiveness, guidance, strength, and another opportunity to pursue the holiness and righteousness He desires for our lives.

So, how are you doing with this directive?

Are you allowing God’s Word to guide your decisions, your relationships, your thoughts, and your desires? Or are you sometimes choosing what your heart wants while ignoring what God has already told you is right?

God loves us—His creation—so much that He has opened the door of salvation to everyone who believes in Jesus Christ. What an incredible gift!

My prayer is that each of us will choose God rather than the desires of our own hearts, follow His Word rather than the ways of the world, and remain faithful to Him until the day He calls us home. I hope you will be joining me at the throne of God when that glorious day comes, God being our Helper!

PRAYER
Heavenly Father, Thank You for creating us, loving us, and giving us Your Word to show us how You desire us to live. Forgive us for the times we have allowed our own desires to become more important to us than Your truth.

Lord, help us never to exchange Your truth for a lie. Give us the wisdom to recognize when the ways of this world are drawing us away from You. Help us to guard our hearts and minds and to listen carefully to the guidance of Your Holy Spirit.

Thank You that even though we have all fallen short of Your perfect plan, You have not left us without hope. Thank You for Jesus Christ, through whom we can receive forgiveness and salvation.

Help us today to choose Your ways over our own, Your truth over the world’s lies, and Your will over our desires.

May our lives honor You in all that we think, say, and do. 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
Tuesday, August 11, 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 1:21-23 (NLT)

²¹ Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. ²² Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools. ²³ And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people and birds and animals and reptiles.

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.

“Until the Whole World Knows” has long been a rallying slogan for global missions. Yet, as Paul reminded us in verse 20, creation itself has already rendered God’s power obvious. Every sunrise displays a miracle of creation. It’s a divine masterpiece and it’s on time every day for our benefit! But considering its size and heat intensity, there is no earthly generator that could power the large light and heat of the sun. But the same God who created the plants that need light for their very existence and mankind who needs light and heat to maintain life here on earth, He created, maintains and provides a daily schedule for the sun each day. There is no other explanation for this masterpiece – the sun, other than a practical tool designed and operated by God!

I believe that Paul was right on target in challenging the whole world to worship this God who created all things. Yes, some may not know about Jesus and the miraculous new life that is offered in knowing Him as Lord, unless they have access to, and can read, the Bible, but if we all know of Him, why would so many choose not to worship and thank Him each new day? When we reject gratitude, our thinking becomes foolish and our spiritual vision dims. Paul shared with the church that mankind chose to place something physical in God’s place, something they could see and possibly worship, carving out physical idols to worship instead.

But since the Bible is for all people, we must use our God-given minds to examine our current day practice of worship and thanksgiving. From a very early age we are all taught to give thanks for every part of our lives where we are blessed to receive physical, emotional or sustaining gifts to aid in our survival. Yet, even in adulthood we allow days, weeks and months to pass while we seem to assume that the world around us simply exists and maintains itself. Paul attributed this missing quality in our lives as a time that our minds become dark, where we just don’t want to see the good things around us, and we allow ourselves to become confused by what the world teaches vs the straight-up goodness of God – the God who provides everything for the benefit of those He created. This is like a time of refusing to see God or believe in His miraculous works and provisions. Satan influences the world to this pattern of life every day, and unfortunately, many accept that over the amazing works of God.

I am reminded of a time I offered my RV to visiting relatives. As we drove toward the resort, a young teenage family member innocently asked how much she and her parents owed me for using it. Perhaps a funny story, but her sweet question reflected a natural heart impulse: when you receive a gift, gratitude and acknowledgment should follow.

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TODAY’S CHALLENGE

If a child naturally understands the need to express gratitude for a temporary place to stay, what is our excuse before the God who provides our very breath? Gratitude cannot be reserved only for Sunday mornings. When daily worship and thankfulness fill our hearts throughout the week, gathering with our church family becomes an overflowing joy rather than a routine obligation. From the abundance of the heart, you will respond. Do you feel that you are doing your part in thanking God every day? Are you actively thanking God every day, or have His daily miracles simply become something you expect and often goes unnoticed?

PRAYER
Heavenly Father, forgive me for the days I walk through Your creation without noticing Your hand. Thank You for the gift of life, for the rising sun, and for the countless blessings I so easily take for granted. Guard my heart against the distraction and spiritual darkness that comes from an unthankful spirit. Help me to worship You as the true Source of all good things, not just on Sunday, but in every moment of my daily life. 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 10, 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!

¹⁸ But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness. ¹⁹ They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. ²⁰ For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.

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.

Most of us know what it feels like to love someone so deeply that the last thing we ever want to do is disappoint them. As children, we often look up to our parents with immense gratitude, wanting to honor them and make them proud. When we mess up, our instinct is often to hide our failures because we dread hurting the ones who love us. The same carries over into marriage and close friendships. When we come to understand the depth of Jesus’ love for us, our hearts naturally respond the same way—we want to live lives that bring Him joy, not pain or disappointment.

However, in Romans 1:18, Paul brings us face-to-face with a sober reality: God’s righteous anger against sin. It is comforting to remember that when a believer stumbles in weakness, God responds with mercy and restoration. But the “anger from heaven” Paul writes about here is directed toward a deliberate, persistent heart attitude—one that actively suppresses or pushes back on the truth. When someone intentionally chooses a lifestyle of sin, ignoring what God says and unconcerned with how it affects others, they step onto a dangerous path where only God’s sovereign grace can reach and soften the heart.

In verse 19, Paul explains why God takes this so seriously: because God hasn’t hidden Himself from us. He has made the truth about His existence, His availability and His character abundantly clear.

Verse 20 shows us how: look all around you outside! Ever since creation, the grandeur of the earth and sky has been declaring who God is. Through the beauty, order, and majesty of the natural world, His invisible attributes—His eternal power and divine nature—are clearly displayed. God’s “signature” is written across all of creation so plainly that no one can honestly say, “I didn’t know.”

TODAY’S CHALLENGE

If you already walk with Jesus, let creation remind you today of His power and goodness, and let that love motivate you to live in a way that honors Him. And if you have been holding God at distance, take a moment to look at the world around you. He made it all, He made you, and He invites you to turn back to Him today.

To know that God exists and yet refuse to let Him guide your life is a risky path to walk. Today, ask yourself: Is there any area of my life where I am pushing down God’s truth instead of walking in it? May our Creator and Savior be our constant guide, and may the Holy Spirit inspire us daily toward righteousness, obedience, and deep peace with God.

PRAYER
Heavenly Father, thank You for making Your love and power so clear to us—not only through Your Word, but through the very beauty of the world You created. Forgive us for the times we take Your grace for granted or allow sin to creep into our hearts. Help us never to push away Your truth, but to walk in humble obedience before You. Give us a sincere desire to honor You in our daily lives, and let the Holy Spirit guide our thoughts, words, and actions today. In Jesus’ loving 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 8, 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 ¹⁶ For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes – the Jew first and also the Gentile. ¹⁷ This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.”

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.

Two questions came to mind as I prepared this devotional: “What Is the Good News?” and “What Purpose Does the Good News Serve?”. I would like to answer each question to help you clearly understand what Paul tried to achieve with his Gentile audience:

• What is the Good News? — Christ is the Savior, and the Gospel is God’s power to save everyone who believes.
• What is its purpose? — Through faith, God makes sinners right in His sight.

Now, please allow me time to expand on these thoughts.

What is the Good News?

In our culture today, believers often feel pressure to apologize just for mentioning the name of Jesus in a public setting. The believers in ancient Rome likely faced that exact same dynamic. That is why Paul boldly declared that he had no reason to be ashamed of the Good News about Jesus Christ. He was essentially saying, “Prepare yourselves – I will talk freely about my Lord, without apology, regardless of who is in my audience.”

What a powerful stance for us to take today! We shouldn’t feel the need to review our audience or edit our testimony before speaking about the love and character of Jesus. No one can take away your personal story of what Christ has done in your life. Paul reminds us that the Gospel is the active power of God saving everyone who believes. That means no one reading this – and no one you meet – is beyond the grace and reach of Jesus. The Good News shows us how to move from being lost and without hope to becoming a saved, beloved child of God with an eternal home in Heaven.

What Purpose Does The Good News serve?

Because sin separates us from God, the Good News explains how we can be made right in His sight. To human eyes, living a truly righteous life seems impossible. But consider Paul’s own background: before his conversion, he was known as Saul, a man who actively persecuted the church. By human standards, he seemed like the last person who could ever be saved.

Yet Jesus didn’t see Saul as a lost cause. God saw a man who desperately needed a Savior, and a bold man determined to accomplish his personal goals, regardless of the obstacles. God intervened, Saul responded in faith, and his life was completely transformed. Whether someone has been a notorious sinner or has sat in a church pew their entire life, the path to God is the exact same. As we are reminded in Romans 1:17, being “made right” with God doesn’t mean that we become morally perfect. It means that God declares the believing sinner righteous on the basis of what Christ has done for us. We all need a personal encounter with God through faith in His Son.

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TODAY’S CHALLENGE

Paul laid out the truth plainly, and the choice remains the same for us today. God invites each of us to turn away from sin, place our complete trust in Jesus, and receive His gift of eternal life. If you have never taken that step, or if you need to renew your commitment to share His message boldly, consider His invitation today. God is ready to guide and help you every step of the way.

PRAYER
Lord God, thank You for the life-changing power of the Good News. Forgive us for the times we have hesitated or felt hesitant to speak the name of Jesus publicly. Fill our hearts with the same bold confidence Paul had, knowing that Your grace is available to everyone who believes. Transform our lives, draw us closer to You, and give us the courage to share Your love with someone who needs it today. 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, 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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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!