Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions

“Martha said to Jesus, ‘Lord, if only you had been here, my brother would not have died.’” (John 11:21 NLT)   One of the most pervasive headwinds that believers face in daily life is doubt. Our faith seems strong until certain situations or circumstances arise that make us question or rethink certain aspects of it. If Scripture shows us anything, it’s that such d...

“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” (Philippians 1:6 NLT)   One of the most common headwinds that make life challenging is fear—real or imagined scenarios that rob us of our courage and confidence and keep us from experiencing all that God has in store for u...

“At dawn Jesus was standing on the beach, but the disciples couldn’t see who he was.   He called out, ‘Fellows, have you caught any fish?’ ‘No,’ they replied.” (John 21:4–5 NLT)   This week we’re going to look at some of the “headwinds” of life—the situations, emotions, and struggles that make daily living...

“For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2:6 NLT)   Because Jesus lives, all who believe in Him have hope that extends beyond this life. So, we must set our sights on the things that lie beyond this world. A Christian is someone who lives in two dimensions. The apostle Paul...

“We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.” (2 Corinthians 4:7 NLT)   Because Jesus lives, everyone who believes in Him has amazing news to share with others. The same gospel that led to our salvation can—and must—lea...

“Jesus told her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this, Martha?’” (John 11:25–26 NLT)   Because Jesus lives, everyone who believes in Him will have eternal life. Jesus demonstrated His power over death when He raised His frien...

“To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory.   They will rebuild the ancient ruins, repairing cities destroyed long ago. They will revive them, though they have been deserted for ma...

“So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son.   He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.   He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.” (Ephesians 1:6–8 NLT)   Because Jesus lives, you can be forgiven of your sins....

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 NLT)   We celebrated Easter yesterday, which marks Jesus’ victory over death. This week, we’re going to look at different implications of Jesus’ resurrection. And we’re going to start with this one: Beca...

“For since the world began, no ear has heard and no eye has seen a God like you, who works for those who wait for him!” (Isaiah 64:4 NLT)   Jesus’ retreat to the Garden of Gethsemane began a bad stretch of time for the apostle Peter. First, he fell asleep on his watch after Jesus asked him to stay alert. Second, according to John 18:10, when Jesus’ enemies came to arre...

“Why didn’t you arrest me in the Temple? I was there every day. But this is your moment, the time when the power of darkness reigns.” (Luke 22:53 NLT)   One of the most maddening moments in the Garden of Gethsemane came when Jesus’ enemies finally arrived to arrest Him. Leading the way was Judas Iscariot, the disciple who betrayed the Lord. According to Luke 22:47, &ld...

“He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, ‘My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.’” (Matthew 26:39 NLT)   Just before He was arrested, put on trial, and crucified, Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. He chose to spend the time He had left in...

“He took Peter and Zebedee’s two sons, James and John, and he became anguished and distressed. He told them, ‘My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.’” (Matthew 26:37–38 NLT)   Jesus was fully God and fully human. Because He was fully human, He had the same needs that other people have. He enjoyed the same thin...

“Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises. Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord.   Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven.” (...

  “He told them, ‘My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.’” (Mark 14:34 NLT)    As the hour of Jesus’ crucifixion approached, the enormity of what He was about to do—of what He was about to endure—weighed heavily on the Lord. He retreated to an olive grove at the foot of the Mount of Olives, a place...

“Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.   Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19–20 NLT)   A Christian father who was terminally ill called his three sons to his...

“The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18 NLT)   I heard a story about a couple who visited a jewelry store. As the jeweler showed them various crosses, the woman commented, “I like these, but do you have any without this little man on them?” That&rsquo...

“Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NLT)   In her remarkable book The Hiding Place, Corrie ten Boom relates an amazing story about the importance of being thankful. Corrie and her sister Betsie were held in a concentration camp known as Ravensbrück, where they lived in barracks that were pl...

“So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own.” (Luke 14:33 NLT)   It has been said, “There are only two tragedies in life: one is not getting what one wants, and the other is getting it.” This statement reminds me of the account in Matthew 19 of the rich young man who came to Jesus seeking answers. Here was a man who, of all men, should have b...

“He told them, ‘My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.’” (Mark 14:34 NLT)   Have you ever felt lonely? Have you ever felt as though your friends and family had abandoned you? Have you ever felt like you were misunderstood? Have you ever had a hard time understanding or submitting to the will of God for your life? If so, t...

“A few days later Felix came back with his wife, Drusilla, who was Jewish. Sending for Paul, they listened as he told them about faith in Christ Jesus. As he reasoned with them about righteousness and self-control and the coming day of judgment, Felix became frightened. ‘Go away for now,’ he replied. ‘When it is more convenient, I’ll call for you again.’”...

“Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” (Psalm 91:1 NLT)   Psalm 91 is one of the most uplifting passages in all of Scripture, filled with promises like the one found in its first verse. “Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty” (NLT). But it’s worth noting...

“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” (Matthew 6:33 NLT)   A man was out driving in the country during a heavy rainstorm when he came across an old farmer who was surveying the ruins of his barn. The man pulled over and asked the farmer what happened. “Roof fell in,” the farmer replied. “What hap...

“The seeds that fell among the thorns represent those who hear the message, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares and riches and pleasures of this life. And so they never grow into maturity.” (Luke 8:14 NLT)   I’ve always been amazed by weeds. You can take a little flower, plant it in the perfect location, water it, and make sure that there are no pests...

“Once you were like sheep who wandered away. But now you have turned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls.” (1 Peter 2:25 NLT)   On more than one occasion, the Bible compares Christians to sheep. I don’t know if I’m really happy about that because sheep aren’t the most intelligent animals on earth. It would have been nice if God had compared us to dolphin...