Your Nightly Scripture

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  Trusting God's Care for My Life When I Don't Feel Like It (Luke 12) 12.08.2026 13min

  Evening Scripture Luke, Chapter 12Meanwhile, when a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling on one another, Jesus began to speak first to his disciples, saying: “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs.“I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him. Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.“I tell you, whoever publicly acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God. But whoever disowns me before others will be disowned before the angels of God. And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. “When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.”Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?” Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’“Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’“But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’“This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.” Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? “Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. “Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the middle of the night or toward daybreak. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” Peter asked, “Lord, are you telling this parable to us, or to everyone?”The Lord answered, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns. Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. But suppose the servant says to himself, ‘My master is taking a long time in coming,’ and he then begins to beat the other servants, both men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk. The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers. “The servant who knows the master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows. But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked. “I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to undergo, and what constraint I am under until it is completed! Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.” He said to the crowd: “When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, ‘It’s going to rain,’ and it does. And when the south wind blows, you say, ‘It’s going to be hot,’ and it is. Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky. How is it that you don’t know how to interpret this present time? “Why don’t you judge for yourselves what is right? As you are going with your adversary to the magistrate, try hard to be reconciled on the way, or your adversary may drag you off to the judge, and the judge turn you over to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison. I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.” Evening Reflection It is easy for someone to tell us not to worry about something when it is not their problem or when they do not understand what we're going through. In fact, responding to someone this way might even seem to belittle what they are going through. However, if someone actually understands our problem, goes through it with us, and actively helps us through it, telling us not to worry feels very different! Some wonderful news for us who are Christians is that Jesus understands what we are going through; he is going through it with us and actively helping us. As the writer of Hebrews wrote, we have a high priest who is able to “sympathize with our weaknesses” (Hebrews 4:15, ESV). Because of that we can find comfort in Jesus's words when he said to all of his followers, "do not be anxious about your life" in Luke 12:22. Jesus even demonstrates his ability and desire to care for us by saying that he feeds the birds (even though they do not plant their own food), and he "clothes" the flowers in the field even though they do not “toil” or “spin.” And cares about us and works for us much more! Even when we do not see it, God takes care of us.  So may we take heart that the Lord of All sees us, knows what we're going through, and will take care of us. Not because he has to, but because it brings him great pleasure. All we have to do is to seek him and his kingdom first Evening Prayer Heavenly Father,Thank you for always taking care of me, even when I can't see it. Thank you for all the times that you have answered my prayers and met my needs, just as you do with all of your children whom you love. Thank you for noticing and making time for me in the midst of the entire universe that you have to sustain. Help me to let go of my anxiety and worry because it never helps or adds to my life. Help me trust that you, who are going through the fires of life with me, understand full well what I'm going through in the midst of my problems. Not only that, thank you for actually helping. Thank you for being my provider, my protector, and my sustainer.In Jesus' name,Amen. Want More? 🎉 This week, we're excited to introduce The Good Word, a new way to receive weekly biblical wisdom and encouragement right in your inbox. Join our community today: https://www.lifeaudio.com/thegoodword/  Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
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  Living in Victory Over Death (1 Corinthians 15) 11.08.2026 12min

  Evening Scripture 1 Corinthians 15 Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born. For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. Whether, then, it is I or they, this is what we preach, and this is what you believed. But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. For he “has put everything under his feet.” Now when it says that “everything” has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ. When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all. Now if there is no resurrection, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized for them? And as for us, why do we endanger ourselves every hour? I face death every day—yes, just as surely as I boast about you in Christ Jesus our Lord. If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus with no more than human hopes, what have I gained? If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God—I say this to your shame. But someone will ask, “How are the dead raised? With what kind of body will they come?” How foolish! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. When you sow, you do not plant the body that will be, but just a seed, perhaps of wheat or of something else. But God gives it a body as he has determined, and to each kind of seed he gives its own body. Not all flesh is the same: People have one kind of flesh, animals have another, birds another and fish another. There are also heavenly bodies and there are earthly bodies; but the splendor of the heavenly bodies is one kind, and the splendor of the earthly bodies is another. The sun has one kind of splendor, the moon another and the stars another; and star differs from star in splendor. So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. So it is written: “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit. The spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual. The first man was of the dust of the earth; the second man is of heaven. As was the earthly man, so are those who are of the earth; and as is the heavenly man, so also are those who are of heaven. And just as we have borne the image of the earthly man, so shall we bear the image of the heavenly man. I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. Evening Reflection Death is inevitable for all of us. Whether we realize it or not, it's something that comes at the end of our days. The paradox of the Christian faith, however, is that this death is just the beginning of eternity. For those who believe, we will receive new bodies, and the death we endure here on earth will lead to new life in Heaven. 1 Corinthians 15 reminds us of this truth. Because though death might seem powerful, Jesus is greater. Death never gets the final word for those who put their hope in Christ.  The foundation of Christian hope isn't just positive thinking or ignorance as bliss; it's the resurrection of Jesus that changes everything. Paul reminds us in these few verses that death is real, but it's not ultimate. When Jesus died and rose from the grave, He defeated sin, death, and Satan himself. And because He lives, we have the promise of eternal life. Resurrection isn't just a cool story. It means: Death isn't the end Suffering is temporary Eternity in Christ is secure Our hope is rooted in a living Savior Having this victory doesn't mean we won't grieve. Again, death is a natural part of life that we will all face. Jesus wept. So did His mother and disciples. Grief isn't weakness, and loss still hurts because death was never part of God's original design. Though we grieve, we're not hopeless. Victory means we can mourn and hold hope.  Today, this resurrection story gives us purpose and hope. That's why Paul ends chapter 15 with these words: "Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain" (vs.58). Because Jesus defeated death, our lives now also matter. So we don't live aimlessly, but we keep going through the power the resurrection gives us. Evening Prayer Dear Jesus,Thank you for defeating death through your resurrection. When I feel scared or overwhelmed, remind me that my hope is in you. Help me to live with bold faith and trust that even in loss, something greater is in store. You swallowed death in victory, and now I'm thankful to share in that victory with you. I love you, Jesus.Amen. Want More? If tonight’s episode blessed you, be sure to follow the show so your next nightly scripture is ready when you are. Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
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  Holding Tight to the God Who Never Changes (Psalm 102) 10.08.2026 8min

  Evening Scripture Psalm 102A prayer of an afflicted person who has grown weak and pours out a lament before the Lord.Hear my prayer, Lord; let my cry for help come to you. Do not hide your face from me when I am in distress. Turn your ear to me; when I call, answer me quickly. For my days vanish like smoke; my bones burn like glowing embers. My heart is blighted and withered like grass; I forget to eat my food. In my distress I groan aloud and am reduced to skin and bones. I am like a desert owl, like an owl among the ruins. I lie awake; I have become like a bird alone on a roof.  All day long my enemies taunt me; those who rail against me use my name as a curse. For I eat ashes as my food and mingle my drink with tears because of your great wrath, for you have taken me up and thrown me aside. My days are like the evening shadow; I wither away like grass. But you, Lord, sit enthroned forever; your renown endures through all generations. You will arise and have compassion on Zion, for it is time to show favor to her; the appointed time has come. For her stones are dear to your servants; her very dust moves them to pity. The nations will fear the name of the Lord, all the kings of the earth will revere your glory.For the Lord will rebuild Zion and appear in his glory. He will respond to the prayer of the destitute; he will not despise their plea. Let this be written for a future generation, that a people not yet created may praise the Lord: “The Lord looked down from his sanctuary on high, from heaven he viewed the earth, to hear the groans of the prisoners and release those condemned to death.” So the name of the Lord will be declared in Zion and his praise in Jerusalem when the peoples and the kingdoms assemble to worship the Lord. In the course of my life he broke my strength; he cut short my days. So I said: “Do not take me away, my God, in the midst of my days; your years go on through all generations. In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing you will change them and they will be discarded. But you remain the same, and your years will never end. The children of your servants will live in your presence; their descendants will be established before you.” Evening Reflection Each of us faces storms in this life. Often, we are either in a storm, coming out of a storm, or heading into one! As Christians we are not immune to life’s troubles, actually Jesus promises we will face challenges. In John 16:33, Jesus says, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” God does offer us some assurances for life’s storms. He tells us that he is always with us and never changing. In Psalm 102, we read that while all other things perish, God remains. He is a constant force that we can rely on when things around us feel chaotic.  God is always worthy of our praise. When we face trouble, it’s natural to lament. Sadness is a real and valid human emotion. God does not expect us to gloss over our more complex feelings in order to be a Christian. The Psalms are full of true cries of grief, help, and despair! But even as we cry out, we also come back around and are reminded through the scriptures that God is worthy of our praise, no matter our circumstances. We hold tight to his promises and give thanks that we have a God who loves us as we walk through the valley.  God promises that the best is yet to come. At the end of Psalm 102, we read that your children will live in your presence and their descendants will be established before you! We are promised access to God now in the land of the living, but we also know that one day we will spend eternity in Heaven with Jesus. Life’s storms are passing products of the brokenness that exists in this world. One day, every tear will be wiped away, and these hard moments will be a passing memory. We can always hold onto hope because we know that the best is ahead of us.  Don’t give up. Hold tight to Jesus, who never changes. He carries us through the storms. He never wastes our pain, as he promises to work all things for the good of those who love him (Romans 8:28).  Evening Prayer Father,I thank you that you are never changing! I can trust you. Stay near me as I am moving through life’s ups and downs. I thank you that you are eternal, and you promise me eternity spent with you. Show me how you are using this trial to grow my faith and draw me closer to you. Help me to walk by faith and not by sight. When I doubt, help my unbelief. Carry me through this season. I love you, Lord.Amen. Want More? If tonight’s episode blessed you, be sure to follow the show so your next nightly scripture is ready when you are. Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
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  Trusting Jesus When the Storm Surrounds Me (Mark 4) 09.08.2026 10min

  Evening Scripture Mark, Chapter 4Again Jesus began to teach by the lake. The crowd that gathered around him was so large that he got into a boat and sat in it out on the lake, while all the people were along the shore at the water’s edge. He taught them many things by parables, and in his teaching said: “Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain. Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, some multiplying thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times.” Then Jesus said, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”When he was alone, the Twelve and the others around him asked him about the parables. He told them, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables so that, “‘they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!’” Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t you understand this parable? How then will you understand any parable? The farmer sows the word. Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them. Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—some thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times what was sown.” He said to them, “Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed? Instead, don’t you put it on its stand? For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open. If anyone has ears to hear, let them hear.”“Consider carefully what you hear,” he continued. “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and even more. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.”He also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.” Again he said, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade.”With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand. He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything.That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” Evening Reflection Living through multiple hurricanes in Florida, both on the Gulf of America side and the Eastern shoreline, we’ve experienced what it means to trust Jesus when the storms surround us. During times when we realize we are not in control of our surroundings, we begin to learn how to truly trust Jesus and let our faith take deep root within us, so that the storms in our lives don’t uproot us. Whether is actual weather storms we encounter such as hurricanes, tsunamis, tornados, or other natural disasters; or personal storms striking our lives through struggles, sadness, or difficulties with a husband or wife, children, parents, neighbors, co-workers, church members or a pastor, Jesus assures us of His presence, of being with us, calming the raging waters and winds that surround us. Although the disciples in Mark 4 didn’t understand that they could trust Jesus in the storm, He still came through for them, as He does for us in each and every storm we may encounter in life. It’s a lesson our family has learned, especially while living in South Florida, where we experienced numerous hurricanes. During one such storm, my husband was required to be in-house at the hospice where he served as chaplain. As our family joined him, sheltering in the hurricane-safe building, the irony of our situation struck me. In a place where individuals were dying, caught in the middle of their very real personal storms, we were trusting God to keep us safe from the physical storm surrounding us. While the eye passed over us, surrounding and engulfing us in the storm, the Lord brought the words of Psalm 139:5 to my mind: “You hem me in behind and before, and You lay your hand upon me.” No matter what type of storm surrounds us, whether personal or physical, and regardless of our status or location during it, the Lord is with us and we can trust Him. Evening Prayer God,I’m asking You tonight to plant Your seed of faith firmly within me, so that when the storms in life come as they sometimes do, both personal and physical, they don’t cause my faith to drift or fall away from You. Shelter me from the onslaught of storms whenever they surround me, I ask, and assure me of Your presence in the midst of them. Strengthen Your word within me. Send others to water it, so that Your truth grows within me and brings forth fruit that lasts for Your glory.Amen. Want More? If tonight’s episode blessed you, be sure to follow the show so your next nightly scripture is ready when you are. Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. Want More? If tonight’s episode blessed you, be sure to follow the show so your next nightly scripture is ready when you are. Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
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  Trusting God's Plan When Life Feels Out of Control and Unfair (Psalm 73) 08.08.2026 8min

  Evening Scripture Psalm 73Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong. They are free from common human burdens; they are not plagued by human ills. Therefore pride is their necklace; they clothe themselves with violence. From their callous hearts comes iniquity; their evil imaginations have no limits. They scoff, and speak with malice; with arrogance they threaten oppression. Their mouths lay claim to heaven, and their tongues take possession of the earth. Therefore their people turn to them and drink up waters in abundance. They say, “How would God know? Does the Most High know anything?” This is what the wicked are like— always free of care, they go on amassing wealth.Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure and have washed my hands in innocence. All day long I have been afflicted, and every morning brings new punishments.If I had spoken out like that, I would have betrayed your children. When I tried to understand all this, it troubled me deeply till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny.Surely you place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin. How suddenly are they destroyed, completely swept away by terrors! They are like a dream when one awakes; when you arise, Lord, you will despise them as fantasies. When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you.Yet I am always with you;  you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you. But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds. Evening Reflection I worked for a company for 13 years and performed well in my role. There were never any performance issues, and if you asked colleagues or clients, they would tell you my work was stellar. Yet after 13 years of working, I was laid off from my job. Honestly, it did not make sense to me, but when it happened, the first thing the Holy Spirit whispered to my heart was, " Trust me. Over the next several months, God would reveal what he was doing and where he was leading. What initially seemed confusing or uncertain became clear as he unfolded his plan for my life. This season of life has taught me two invaluable lessons. The first is that God can be trusted with your whole life. That sounds simple, but how many times have you been like Asaph in Psalm 73, wondering what is going on and why this is working for everyone else but not for me? This is not a lack of faith, but a legitimate question because we see life through a small lens. However, God sees the entire picture, and he knows not only what is best for you, but how to get you to the place he wants you to be. For that reason alone, you can trust him fully. The second lesson I learned is that we often don’t truly trust God until we run out of options. It is easy to say you trust when the path forward is clear. However, when the way is cloudy, and your next steps are uncertain, that is when you have no choice but to trust. As scary as that can feel sometimes, you are in the right place, because all other options are gone, and all that is left is to trust God. It may not feel like it in the moment, but that is the best place to be in life. When you feel a little uncertain or shaky, then do what Asaph did. "When I tried to understand all this, it troubled me deeply  till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny." - Psalm 73:16-17 When you enter God’s sanctuary, your perspective shifts. Instead of your eyes focusing on what is happening around you, they focus on who is walking with you. It is there that you can remind yourself of God’s faithfulness in your life, which is displayed time and time again. It is that track record that gives you the confidence to know if he did it before, he will do it again. As you think through your day, begin to identify all the ways God showed up in your life. I strongly believe your heart will be drawn to thanksgiving and praise, which is the way we enter his sanctuary. When you get there, it will give you the confidence to remember you serve a God who can be trusted. Your trust is not based on the confusion that life can bring. Your trust is based on the certainty of a God who has promised he will be with you until the end. Evening Prayer Lord,As I look back on the day, it's easy to focus on all the things that went wrong. However, in doing so, I might miss how your faithfulness shows up daily. Help me to end each day thinking of your love, your goodness, your kindness, and your faithfulness. Allow me to look for your hand in everything and help me to trust what you are doing in my life, even when I can’t see it, and my life doesn’t make sense. In those moments, draw me to the peace of your presence and the confidence that comes from resting in your arms. Renew my hope and trust, knowing that no matter what I see, you are still in control.I pray all this in Jesus’ name.Amen. Want More? If tonight’s episode blessed you, be sure to follow the show so your next nightly scripture is ready when you are. Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
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  Resting in the God Who Is with Me (Hebrews 13) 07.08.2026 9min

  Evening Scripture Hebrews, Chapter 13 Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral. Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”So we say with confidence,“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace, not by eating ceremonial foods, which is of no benefit to those who do so. We have an altar from which those who minister at the tabernacle have no right to eat.The high priest carries the blood of animals into the Most Holy Place as a sin offering, but the bodies are burned outside the camp. And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood. Let us, then, go to him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore. For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come. Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way. I particularly urge you to pray so that I may be restored to you soon. Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.Brothers and sisters, I urge you to bear with my word of exhortation, for in fact I have written to you quite briefly.I want you to know that our brother Timothy has been released. If he arrives soon, I will come with him to see you. Greet all your leaders and all the Lord’s people. Those from Italy send you their greetings.Grace be with you all. Evening Reflection Millions of followers of various religions are called upon to make spiritual pilgrimages, offer sacrifices, bring gifts to fulfill certain requirements, and gain favor with the gods they worship. Yet, as Christians, God is the one who made the pilgrimage from Heaven to earth and provided the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Because He did, we don’t ever have to travel far distances to find Him, or give gifts to gain His favor, or plead for Him to notice or be with us. As Hebrews 13 assures us, He will never leave us or forsake us. Our most loving and gracious Heavenly Father sent His one and only beloved, perfect Son, Jesus, Emmanuel--God with us, to be with us on earth.  And, after He died, rose from the dead, and ascended to Heaven, God sent His Holy Spirit to come and live within us, so that we aren’t alone and may find rest in the God who is with us. We don’t have to call out to God from afar because He is right with us, comforting, leading, teaching, and helping us in ways we may not even realize. As the Spirit of Truth, we can rely on His guidance all the days of our lives to help us know what is true and right. Because God is with us, we don’t ever have to be afraid or feel alone. He is our constant companion, ever present, so that wherever we go, live, find ourselves, or even drift for a time, He is with us. Evening Prayer God,Thank you for sending Jesus, Your perfect Son, who never changes but is the same yesterday, today, and forever. As well, my heart is grateful to you for sending Your Holy Spirit to live inside me here on earth. Because of you, I am never alone or have to feel lonely. In times when I may forget this, Lord, feeling sorry for myself, please nudge me with Your Spirit, so that I remember you are here with me. Fill my heart and lips with a sacrifice of praise to You, to remember that you are present with me all the days of my life.Amen. Want More? If tonight’s episode blessed you, be sure to follow the show so your next nightly scripture is ready when you are. Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
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  Receiving the Blessing of Walking Humbly (Proverbs 30) 06.08.2026 9min

  Evening Scripture Proverbs 30The sayings of Agur son of Jakeh—an inspired utterance. This man’s utterance to Ithiel: “I am weary, God, but I can prevail. Surely I am only a brute, not a man; I do not have human understanding. I have not learned wisdom, nor have I attained to the knowledge of the Holy One. Who has gone up to heaven and come down? Whose hands have gathered up the wind? Who has wrapped up the waters in a cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is the name of his son? Surely you know! “Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar. “Two things I ask of you, Lord; do not refuse me before I die:  Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God. “Do not slander a servant to their master, or they will curse you, and you will pay for it. “There are those who curse their fathers and do not bless their mothers; those who are pure in their own eyes and yet are not cleansed of their filth; those whose eyes are ever so haughty, whose glances are so disdainful; those whose teeth are swords and whose jaws are set with knives to devour the poor from the earth and the needy from among mankind. “The leech has two daughters.‘Give! Give!’ they cry.“There are three things that are never satisfied, four that never say, ‘Enough!’: the grave, the barren womb, land, which is never satisfied with water, and fire, which never says, ‘Enough!’“The eye that mocks a father, that scorns an aged mother, will be pecked out by the ravens of the valley, will be eaten by the vultures.“There are three things that are too amazing for me, four that I do not understand: the way of an eagle in the sky, the way of a snake on a rock, the way of a ship on the high seas, and the way of a man with a young woman.“This is the way of an adulterous woman: She eats and wipes her mouth and says, ‘I’ve done nothing wrong.’“Under three things the earth trembles, under four it cannot bear up: a servant who becomes king, a godless fool who gets plenty to eat, a contemptible woman who gets married, and a servant who displaces her mistress.“Four things on earth are small, yet they are extremely wise: Ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in the summer;  hyraxes are creatures of little power, yet they make their home in the crags; locusts have no king, yet they advance together in ranks; a lizard can be caught with the hand, yet it is found in kings’ palaces.“There are three things that are stately in their stride, four that move with stately bearing: a lion, mighty among beasts, who retreats before nothing; a strutting rooster, a he-goat, and a king secure against revolt.“If you play the fool and exalt yourself, or if you plan evil, clap your hand over your mouth! For as churning cream produces butter, and as twisting the nose produces blood, so stirring up anger produces strife.”  Evening Reflection What do you do when you don't know the answer to a question? Do you lie, stumble over your words, or admit that you aren't quite sure and will get back to them? We live in a world that loves confidence, opinions, and having all the "right answers." But spiritually, wisdom comes from humility, not being a "know-it-all." Because those who are willing to become wise are the ones willing to say, "I'm not sure, but God, grant me the knowledge to learn." And that's where tonight's verse comes in. Proverbs 30:2-3 says, "Surely I am only a brute, not a man; I do not have human understanding. I have not learned wisdom, nor have I attained to the knowledge of the Holy One." Proverbs 30:5 says it this way: "Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him." What we notice in these few verses is that our author doesn't start by bragging about his knowledge, but rather admitting his limitations. Humility isn't hating yourself or pretending to be stupid; it's recognizing God is God and you're not. It's acknowledging that, as smart or wise as we may be, we all still need God's discipline, knowledge, truth, and guidance. Pride can easily sneak into our lives. It sounds like:  "I already know this." "I'm fine on my own." But wisdom says, "Lord, teach me." "I need you." And even Solomon, one of the wisest men the scriptures knew this. Because a teachable spirit always matters more than appearing intelligent. It's the humble who draw near to God and grow. It's the prideful who close their ears and grow standoffish. Are you humble to the Lord's correction, or have you become resistant to growth? Are you more concerned with looking wise or becoming wise? When was the last time you asked God to teach you? Reflect openly and honestly on these questions with Him now.  Evening Prayer Dear God,Your Word reminds me that I don't need to know everything to grow in wisdom. Today, my heart cries out for you. Teach me to receive wisdom with humility, and to lay down pride, defensiveness, or the need to "have it all together." Give me a teachable heart that listens to your instruction and trusts your Word over my own. Help me walk in your ways.Amen. Want More? If tonight’s episode blessed you, be sure to follow the show so your next nightly scripture is ready when you are. Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
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  Walking in the Light of Christ (John 8) 05.08.2026 12min

  Evening Scripture John, Chapter 8But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him. But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”“No one, sir,” she said.“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."The Pharisees challenged him, “Here you are, appearing as your own witness; your testimony is not valid.”Jesus answered, “Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid, for I know where I came from and where I am going. But you have no idea where I come from or where I am going. You judge by human standards; I pass judgment on no one. But if I do judge, my decisions are true, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father, who sent me. In your own Law it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is true. I am one who testifies for myself; my other witness is the Father, who sent me.”Then they asked him, “Where is your father?”“You do not know me or my Father,” Jesus replied. “If you knew me, you would know my Father also.” He spoke these words while teaching in the temple courts near the place where the offerings were put. Yet no one seized him, because his hour had not yet come. Once more Jesus said to them, “I am going away, and you will look for me, and you will die in your sin. Where I go, you cannot come.”This made the Jews ask, “Will he kill himself? Is that why he says, ‘Where I go, you cannot come’?”But he continued, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am he, you will indeed die in your sins.”“Who are you?” they asked.“Just what I have been telling you from the beginning,” Jesus replied. “I have much to say in judgment of you. But he who sent me is trustworthy, and what I have heard from him I tell the world.” They did not understand that he was telling them about his Father. So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.” Even as he spoke, many believed in him.To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?” Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. I know that you are Abraham’s descendants. Yet you are looking for a way to kill me, because you have no room for my word. I am telling you what I have seen in the Father’s presence, and you are doing what you have heard from your father.”“Abraham is our father,” they answered.“If you were Abraham’s children,” said Jesus, “then you would do what Abraham did. As it is, you are looking for a way to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham did not do such things. You are doing the works of your own father.”“We are not illegitimate children,” they protested. “The only Father we have is God himself.” Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on my own; God sent me. Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me! Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me? Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.” The Jews answered him, “Aren’t we right in saying that you are a Samaritan and demon-possessed?”“I am not possessed by a demon,” said Jesus, “but I honor my Father and you dishonor me. I am not seeking glory for myself; but there is one who seeks it, and he is the judge. Very truly I tell you, whoever obeys my word will never see death.”At this they exclaimed, “Now we know that you are demon-possessed! Abraham died and so did the prophets, yet you say that whoever obeys your word will never taste death. Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?” Jesus replied, “If I glorify myself, my glory means nothing. My Father, whom you claim as your God, is the one who glorifies me. Though you do not know him, I know him. If I said I did not, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and obey his word. Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing my day; he saw it and was glad.”“You are not yet fifty years old,” they said to him, “and you have seen Abraham!”“Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!” At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds. Evening Reflection One of the most profound aspects of the creation story in Genesis is that God brought light into existence by speaking it into existence. And when he did, God called this light "good" and then separated it from the darkness (Genesis 1:2-4). Think about that: God not only created something out of nothing, but what he created was literally light itself! This means at least two things. First, it means that in order for God to produce light, he must consist of it. Darkness has never produced light. Secondly, this means that before God "turned on the switch," the earth was completely dark. This second truth also applies to our souls. Until our hearts are illuminated with the truth and love of Jesus Christ, we "sit in darkness and in the shadow of death" as Zechariah stated (quoting the prophet Isaiah) in Luke 1:79. Light and darkness cannot occupy the same space (which is good news for us who have the Light of Christ). The darkness of sin is obvious and prevalent in the lost world in which we live. The only cure for this darkness is the same cure for darkness before God created light in Genesis 1: light. But not only that, darkness can even be seen in the lives of Christians when we try to live our days without seeking God's will and without following God's Word. So as Jesus (the true "Light of the World") declared in John 8:12, if we follow him, we "will not walk in darkness, but have the light of life." Evening Prayer Heavenly Father,Thank you for providing the light in the darkest spaces of this world and for lighting up the darkness that once was in my soul. If not for you, I would be hopeless and helpless. Apart from your miraculous grace applied to my life, I would be lost and blind. And since the day you saved me, you have been lighting the path in front of me and keeping my feet from stumbling as I read your Word. Thank you for caring so much for me that you did not leave me in my darkness. Help me to open up any areas in my life that have been kept in the shadows so truth and love can shine in. And help me to reflect your light to the people around me so they can see the Way, the Truth, and the Life, too.In Jesus's name,Amen. Want More? If tonight’s episode blessed you, be sure to follow the show so your next nightly scripture is ready when you are. Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
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  Holding onto Hope Together (Romans 15) 04.08.2026 11min

  Evening Scripture Romans, Chapter 15 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.” For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope. May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God’s truth, so that the promises made to the patriarchs might be confirmed and, moreover, that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written: “Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles; I will sing the praises of your name.” Again, it says, “Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people." And again, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles; let all the peoples extol him.” And again, Isaiah says, “The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; in him the Gentiles will hope.” May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.I myself am convinced, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with knowledge and competent to instruct one another. Yet I have written you quite boldly on some points to remind you of them again, because of the grace God gave me to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles. He gave me the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. Therefore I glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God. I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done— by the power of signs and wonders, through the power of the Spirit of God. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ. It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation. Rather, as it is written: “Those who were not told about him will see, and those who have not heard will understand.” This is why I have often been hindered from coming to you.But now that there is no more place for me to work in these regions, and since I have been longing for many years to visit you, I plan to do so when I go to Spain. I hope to see you while passing through and to have you assist me on my journey there, after I have enjoyed your company for a while. Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem in the service of the Lord’s people there. For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the Lord’s people in Jerusalem. They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews’ spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings. So after I have completed this task and have made sure that they have received this contribution, I will go to Spain and visit you on the way. I know that when I come to you, I will come in the full measure of the blessing of Christ. I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me. Pray that I may be kept safe from the unbelievers in Judea and that the contribution I take to Jerusalem may be favorably received by the Lord’s people there, so that I may come to you with joy, by God’s will, and in your company be refreshed. The God of peace be with you all. Amen. Evening Reflection Our Scripture comes tonight from the book of Romans, a letter to the churches of Rome written by Paul. Paul’s heart throughout the text was to help unify the greater Church. At the time, there was a great divide between Jewish and Gentile believers, with deep confusion over what practices still held merit and which ones were unnecessary to continue as a believer in Jesus. Paul addressed customs over food, days of observation, and festivals, and most importantly, how to treat one another. Paul’s vision for the Church was that both Jew and Gentile would eat at the same table, serve their community together, and worship Christ together as Christ preached. Paul wrote, “May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 15:5-6). Christ desired his Church to have one mind and one voice to glorify God. Tonight, as we reflect upon our passage, where can you have the same attitude Christ had with the heart for one mind and one voice? Where in your life do you need endurance and encouragement? Paul knew the answer didn’t rest on doing more charitable acts, going to the “right” church, or keeping cultural customs. Paul urged the believer to receive the mind and heart of Christ: to love one another and expand the kingdom. It wasn’t about the believer filling themselves up with knowledge, rules, or religion. Instead, it was a filling from the Holy Spirit that empowered the believer to see, with wisdom and discernment, the heart of Christ. Paul said, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13). Who doesn’t want more joy and peace?! How can you position yourself tonight to receive His filling? Tonight, my heart is to encourage you to continue to trust in Him so you naturally overflow with hope, telling all who need to hear the good news of Jesus Christ. As we close the day, I want to repeat John’s words to you: “I myself am convinced, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with knowledge and competent to instruct one another.” Dear reader, you are full of goddess energy and knowledge, and you are able to lead and teach others. Can you trust a good God to lead you into the right conversations? To be bold in your faith and testimony? May your love for Him and His people carry you closer to your calling and deepen your faith! Evening Prayer Father,I want to receive a filling of your love, truth, and hope tonight. I empty myself of the things that take my mind off of you. Forgive me for the disagreements I’ve had that haven’t honored you. Forgive me for trying to take control of the details of my life that you’ve called me to surrender. I pray for your peace and joy tonight as I rest and renew my mind and spirit. My heart is to please you and to have the same mind and heart as Christ. Draw me closer, Lord. I am so grateful for your pursuit of me. Thank you, God. I love you and pray this in the name of Jesus.Amen. Want More? If tonight’s episode blessed you, be sure to follow the show so your next nightly scripture is ready when you are. Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
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  The Power of a Thankful Heart at Nighttime (Psalm 100) 03.08.2026 5min

  Evening Scripture Psalm 100A psalm. For giving grateful praise.Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. Evening Reflection  We open locked doors with keys. I need the fob in my pocket to start the car. These days, a website requires more than a password; it sends me a special code. God often feels far away. Elusive. Yet Psalm 100 gives us the key, the fob, the password, and the code. All to enter his presence. Praise and thanks. Gratitude allows us entry to his presence in the heavenly places, symbolized here by courts and gates. The psalmist likely wrote this about worshipping in Solomon’s Temple, complete with gates and courts (inner, outer). Revelation gives us a vision of God’s throne room, surrounded by praising angels (4:8). To reach God, we must pass through those magnificent beings, lifting up his name. There’s no other way.  Psalm 100 gives us reasons to praise. He made us; we didn’t make ourselves. We are the sheep of his pasture. The Lord is good, and his mercy is everlasting. All these eternal things exist beyond our current, temporary situation. God is worthy to be praised simply because of who he is and who he’s made us. Even when we don’t feel like it, he alone is worthy of thanks and praise.  As we long to enter his presence, the place of blessing and life, let us lift up his name and experience his love.  Evening Prayer Heavenly Father,I come to you with praise and thanksgiving, the key you have given us to enter your presence. I lift up your name above my feelings and circumstances. You made me. I belong to you. You paid for me with your living blood to redeem me. We are the sheep of your pasture. You are good, and your mercy endures forever.Open my heart to see beyond what is temporary and fix my eyes on your eternal truth. Teach me to walk through your gates with gratitude and stand in your courts with joy. Let my praise join in with the angels in heaven, declaring you are holy.Father, I draw near to you with worship, even when you feel distant. Draw near to me. I choose to thank you, worship you, and rest in your presence today.In Jesus’ name,Amen. Want More? If tonight’s episode blessed you, be sure to follow the show so your next nightly scripture is ready when you are. Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
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  When You Struggle to Choose Peace Instead of Worry (Philippians 4) 02.08.2026 7min

  Evening Scripture Philippians, Chapter 4Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends!I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life. Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need. Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.Greet all God’s people in Christ Jesus. The brothers and sisters who are with me send greetings. All God’s people here send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar’s household.The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. Evening Reflection If you’ve come across this tonight, it’s because the Lord wants you to know that worry is not from Him; however, He understands, in our frailty, that worry is part of the human condition. We see throughout the Bible that God meets worry with the confirmation that He is in control. He sees the circumstances and situations. He is not surprised by where you find yourself, even though you may be. He isn’t wrestling with how He’s going to make a way forward for you. He knows the way forward. He knows what you need and when you will need it. We read in Philippians 4 a letter of encouragement, exhortation, and prayer. We see God speaking clearly through Paul's writing, reminding believers not to be anxious but to be faithful in prayer. Knowing that we can bring all our requests to the Lord, we do not need to feel shame but should be overcome with gratitude and thanksgiving that we have a Savior to whom we can bring our anxieties. Within the prayers of our burdens and thanksgiving, we will find peace. Real peace. The fullness of God’s guardianship over our hearts and minds. He will give us what we need to bring us through the valley. He will prompt us to meditate on the things that are lovely, pure, honorable, and excellent. Reminding us that what God has put into motion in creation and us as His created image bearers will be taken care of. Evening Prayer Father,As evening comes and the world seems to shut down, my racing thoughts do not. Please, help me find peace in your presence. Remind me that you are a God of listening. You hear the cries of our hearts, and you lead us to what is true. I pray for rest and a release of the anxieties I carry. You ask me to carry nothing but your light, rid me of the load I’m carrying that you’ve not asked me to bear.In Jesus’ name,Amen. Want More? If tonight’s episode blessed you, be sure to follow the show so your next nightly scripture is ready when you are. Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
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  Sleeping and Waking with a Heart Filled with Courage and Faith (Joshua 1) 01.08.2026 9min

  Evening Scripture Joshua, Chapter 1After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Mediterranean Sea in the west. No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them. “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” So Joshua ordered the officers of the people: “Go through the camp and tell the people, ‘Get your provisions ready. Three days from now you will cross the Jordan here to go in and take possession of the land the Lord your God is giving you for your own.’” But to the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joshua said, “Remember the command that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you after he said, ‘The Lord your God will give you rest by giving you this land.’ Your wives, your children and your livestock may stay in the land that Moses gave you east of the Jordan, but all your fighting men, ready for battle, must cross over ahead of your fellow Israelites. You are to help them until the Lord gives them rest, as he has done for you, and until they too have taken possession of the land the Lord your God is giving them. After that, you may go back and occupy your own land, which Moses the servant of the Lord gave you east of the Jordan toward the sunrise.” Then they answered Joshua, “Whatever you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. Just as we fully obeyed Moses, so we will obey you. Only may the Lord your God be with you as he was with Moses. Whoever rebels against your word and does not obey it, whatever you may command them, will be put to death. Only be strong and courageous!” Evening Reflection Moses would be a tough act to follow. We can certainly understand Joshua’s hesitation and lack of confidence here. Not only was he trying to muster up the courage to obey God in a very difficult calling, but comparison would be impossible to resist given his circumstances. God tells Joshua to be strong and courageous several times. Repetition in Scripture is never coincidental and always important. Here, God is telling Joshua what to proclaim over himself …instructing him to adjust his perspective and choose to see himself the way God sees him. The following portions of tonight’s text are worth repeating, and marinating in … “No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.” – Joshua 1:5-6 “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:7 “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:8-9 When we remember who God is, and what He’s done …both in our own lives, personally, and historically throughout the pages of Scripture, we are able to see differently through a godly perspective that allows us to be strong and courageous in obedience to God. So much of this depends on meditating on God’s Word, as He commanded Joshua, “day and night.” Evening Prayer Father God,Thank you for the instructions you provide through Scripture. Your Word, as the Psalm says, “is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” It illuminates the direction of your will for every single day of my life, and I could not survive without it. Help me to remember your truth and see through your perspective as I walk through my days, God. May the strength and wisdom of the Holy Spirit dwell in my through Christ Jesus, give me courage and strength to accomplish your purposes for my life and bring glory to your name,In Jesus’ Name,Amen. Want More? If tonight’s episode blessed you, be sure to follow the show so your next nightly scripture is ready when you are. Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
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  Rooted and Established in Christ (Colossians 2) 31.07.2026 9min

  Evening Scripture Colossians, Chapter 2  I want you to know how hard I am contending for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how disciplined you are and how firm your faith in Christ is. So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ. For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority. In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh was put off when you were circumcised by Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead. When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you. Such a person also goes into great detail about what they have seen; they are puffed up with idle notions by their unspiritual mind. They have lost connection with the head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow. Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules: “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings. Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence. Evening Reflection Our Scripture tonight encourages believers to know the truth and stand firm on what they have been taught. Paul, the author of Colossians, employs Christ-followers to be rooted in Christ. He writes, “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness” (Colossians 2:6-7). When I think about being rooted, I am reminded of the Mesquite tree. These specific trees thrive in harsh desert environments, and it is their root systems that set them apart. Their taproots can grow down over 100 feet to find water! The root system of the Mesquite is essential for its survival. The roots have to find living water to both grow and flourish. How can we make sure our roots are growing deep in Christ? First, we can start by being taught about Him. Psalm 92:12-13 writes, “The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God.” If you want your roots to grow, get plugged into a Bible-believing church! Next, we see Paul encourage us to “overflow with thankfulness.” First, we must remember the ways He has blessed us. Isaiah 46:9 declares, “Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me.” When we recall God’s faithfulness and authority in our lives, gratitude naturally flows. A heart of gratitude is a humble heart, rooted deeply in Him.  Finally, we must continue to die to the flesh and keep our eyes focused on Christ (Colossians 2:20). The ways of the world, selfish ambition, greed, lust, contentment, pride (the list goes on!) will only kill the root system of your faith. But pursuing the way of Christ, His kingdom, righteousness, and love for Him and others, will cause your roots to go deep and wide. When the drought comes, the dark night, or the storm approaches, you will be unshakable. Stay deeply rooted in Him! Evening Prayer Father,This is my desire: to know you and grow in you deeper tonight. Root me in Christ! If there is anything in the way of my faith growing deep like roots in you, show me. Reveal to me any hindrances that are causing me to stumble. Forgive my sins and renew my faith. Lead me to eternal water, and may I grow into a living testimony of your love, grace, and strength in my life. In the mighty name of Jesus,Amen. Want More? If tonight’s episode blessed you, be sure to follow the show so your next nightly scripture is ready when you are. Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
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  Holding Hope for What God Will Make New (Isaiah 65) 30.07.2026 9min

  Evening Scripture Isaiah, Chapter 65  “I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me; I was found by those who did not seek me.To a nation that did not call on my name, I said, ‘Here am I, here am I.’ All day long I have held out my hands to an obstinate people, who walk in ways not good, pursuing their own imaginations—a people who continually provoke me to my very face, offering sacrifices in gardens and burning incense on altars of brick; who sit among the graves and spend their nights keeping secret vigil; who eat the flesh of pigs, and whose pots hold broth of impure meat; who say, ‘Keep away; don’t come near me,  for I am too sacred for you!’ Such people are smoke in my nostrils, a fire that keeps burning all day. “See, it stands written before me: I will not keep silent but will pay back in full; I will pay it back into their laps— both your sins and the sins of your ancestors,” says the Lord. “Because they burned sacrifices on the mountains and defied me on the hills, I will measure into their laps the full payment for their former deeds.” This is what the Lord says:“As when juice is still found in a cluster of grapes and people say,‘Don’t destroy it, there is still a blessing in it,’ so will I do in behalf of my servants; I will not destroy them all.I will bring forth descendants from Jacob, and from Judah those who will possess my mountains; my chosen people will inherit them, and there will my servants live.Sharon will become a pasture for flocks, and the Valley of Achor a resting place for herds, for my people who seek me. “But as for you who forsake the Lord and forget my holy mountain, who spread a table for Fortune and fill bowls of mixed wine for Destiny, I will destine you for the sword, and all of you will fall in the slaughter; for I called but you did not answer, I spoke but you did not listen.You did evil in my sight and chose what displeases me.” Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says:“My servants will eat, but you will go hungry; my servants will drink, but you will go thirsty; my servants will rejoice, but you will be put to shame.My servants will sing out of the joy of their hearts, but you will cry out from anguish of heart and wail in brokenness of spirit.You will leave your name for my chosen ones to use in their curses; the Sovereign Lord will put you to death, but to his servants he will give another name.Whoever invokes a blessing in the land will do so by the one true God; whoever takes an oath in the land will swear by the one true God.For the past troubles will be forgotten and hidden from my eyes. “See, I will create new heavens and a new earth.The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind.But be glad and rejoice forever in what I will create, for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight and its people a joy.I will rejoice over Jerusalem and take delight in my people; the sound of weeping and of crying will be heard in it no more. “Never again will there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not live out his years; the one who dies at a hundred will be thought a mere child; the one who fails to reach a hundred will be considered accursed.They will build houses and dwell in them; they will plant vineyards and eat their fruit.No longer will they build houses and others live in them, or plant and others eat.For as the days of a tree, so will be the days of my people; my chosen ones will long enjoy the work of their hands.They will not labor in vain, nor will they bear children doomed to misfortune; for they will be a people blessed by the Lord, they and their descendants with them.Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear.The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox, and dust will be the serpent’s food.They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain,” says the Lord. Evening Reflection We often carry into the night the weight of the day’s worries, regrets, and painful “former things.” Nighttime can easily become a breeding ground for amplifying our problems and for dredging up the memories we’d rather forget. However, Isaiah 65, particularly verses 17-19, invites us to think in a completely new way. As we read Isaiah 65, the promise of new heavens and a new earth appears to speak only of future events. But, this newness of life is available to us for today, rather than being an out-of-reach tomorrow. Three times this passage in Isaiah uses the word “create.” God is the Creator of the earth and the heavens, acting not just at the beginning of time but as the Giver of life today. God is making all things new—physically, emotionally, socially, and spiritually. As believers in Christ, we participate in God’s creative work here and now. We are becoming new creations. Each morning His steadfast faithfulness allows us to be restored by His compassion and His mercies. Each day, we are moving closer towards the promise of a glorious future where the pains of the past will finally be forgotten.  Reflect on the newness that God has brought to your life today. Think of just one thing for which you can be glad and rejoice. The Creator, your heavenly Father, holds the world, the heavens, and your life in His creative hands. Your glorious future has already begun. Evening Prayer Lord God,As I lay down to sleep tonight, I want to release the day’s worries and the “former things” of the past that so often plague my night. Guard my mind as I rest and quiet the anxious thoughts that keep me awake. Instead, I choose to focus my thoughts on Your abundant mercies, and all that You are currently making new in my life. Thank You for being the Creator who never stops making all things new. I surrender this day into Your hands, knowing that You are working even while I sleep. I place my hope and trust in You, believing that beautiful and joyful newness will rise out of what seems hopeless and regretful. Renew my soul tonight. In Jesus’ name.Amen. Want More? If tonight’s episode blessed you, be sure to follow the show so your next nightly scripture is ready when you are. Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
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  Learning to Pray With Trust (Luke 11) 29.07.2026 13min

  Evening Scripture Luke, Chapter 11One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” He said to them, “When you pray, say: “‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come.Give us each day our daily bread.Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.And lead us not into temptation.’” Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.’ And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need. “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute. When the demon left, the man who had been mute spoke, and the crowd was amazed. But some of them said, “By Beelzebul, the prince of demons, he is driving out demons.” Others tested him by asking for a sign from heaven. Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them: “Any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fall. If Satan is divided against himself, how can his kingdom stand? I say this because you claim that I drive out demons by Beelzebul. Now if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your followers drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. “When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are safe. But when someone stronger attacks and overpowers him, he takes away the armor in which the man trusted and divides up his plunder. “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. “When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and takes seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first.” As Jesus was saying these things, a woman in the crowd called out, “Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you.” He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” As the crowds increased, Jesus said, “This is a wicked generation. It asks for a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah. For as Jonah was a sign to the Ninevites, so also will the Son of Man be to this generation. The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with the people of this generation and condemn them, for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon’s wisdom; and now something greater than Solomon is here. The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and now something greater than Jonah is here. “No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light. Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are healthy, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are unhealthy, your body also is full of darkness. See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness. Therefore, if your whole body is full of light, and no part of it dark, it will be just as full of light as when a lamp shines its light on you.” When Jesus had finished speaking, a Pharisee invited him to eat with him; so he went in and reclined at the table. But the Pharisee was surprised when he noticed that Jesus did not first wash before the meal. Then the Lord said to him, “Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. You foolish people! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also? But now as for what is inside you—be generous to the poor, and everything will be clean for you. “Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone. “Woe to you Pharisees, because you love the most important seats in the synagogues and respectful greetings in the marketplaces. “Woe to you, because you are like unmarked graves, which people walk over without knowing it.” One of the experts in the law answered him, “Teacher, when you say these things, you insult us also.” Jesus replied, “And you experts in the law, woe to you, because you load people down with burdens they can hardly carry, and you yourselves will not lift one finger to help them. “Woe to you, because you build tombs for the prophets, and it was your ancestors who killed them. So you testify that you approve of what your ancestors did; they killed the prophets, and you build their tombs. Because of this, God in his wisdom said, ‘I will send them prophets and apostles, some of whom they will kill and others they will persecute.’ Therefore this generation will be held responsible for the blood of all the prophets that has been shed since the beginning of the world, from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who was killed between the altar and the sanctuary. Yes, I tell you, this generation will be held responsible for it all. “Woe to you experts in the law, because you have taken away the key to knowledge. You yourselves have not entered, and you have hindered those who were entering.” When Jesus went outside, the Pharisees and the teachers of the law began to oppose him fiercely and to besiege him with questions, waiting to catch him in something he might say. Evening Reflection Have you ever prayed for something, only to be surprised when it happened? Or, maybe you’ve prayed for something, but didn’t really believe it could be true? Maybe it was praying to get an “A” on a test you didn’t study for long enough. Or maybe it was something you prayed for for so long that you gave up believing things could ever look any different. I know I did. We don’t mean to, but over time, pain and life experiences can taint our view of healing. They can also taint our view of what it means to pray and trust the Lord. For nearly a decade, I suffered from excruciating periods. When doctors told me I was “normal,” I shook my head in disbelief. I felt like the woman in the Bible who bled for 12 years and spent all she had just to end up worse than before. But then, after two surgeries, my pain significantly lessened. I was in awe. I’d prayed not to be in pain for so long that pain itself became my home. Let me be clear: I still have pain and chronic pain. Endometriosis, just one of many conditions I possess, is no joke. But the pain has gotten better. And that is what I think this passage in Luke 11:1-13 reminds us of: not to give up on hope through prayer. In Luke 11, we see Jesus teaching His Disciples how to pray. This is less about the exact words and more about the condition of our hearts. It’s about asking God to provide for our daily needs (notice it doesn’t say weekly) and learning to trust Him continually. We must continue seeking and knocking, but the healing, the answer to prayer, and the solution we’ve been asking for are ours for the taking. But we must continue to trust. Today, I wonder how many of us trust in this way. Do we keep asking, seeking, knocking, and finding, or have we given up? Do we pray for our daily bread, or try to cram Jesus in when we have time and think 5 minutes will be enough to feed us for an entire week? As you prepare for rest, ask yourself these questions honestly. Then, share your findings with the Lord. Remember, you and I can learn to pray with trust, but we also need to believe when we do. Evening Prayer Dear Jesus,Learning to pray with trust is a daily practice. Help me to do this well and to grow in my relationship with you as I do. When I struggle, I redirect my gaze to you. I love, praise, and thank you, Lord.Amen. Want More? If tonight’s episode blessed you, be sure to follow the show so your next nightly scripture is ready when you are. Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
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  Walking Forward in the New Life Jesus Gives (Romans 6) 28.07.2026 8min

  Evening Scripture Romans 6What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— because anyone who has died has been set free from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace. What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? By no means! Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness. I am using an example from everyday life because of your human limitations. Just as you used to offer yourselves as slaves to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer yourselves as slaves to righteousness leading to holiness. When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Evening Reflection  It doesn’t happen all at once. It isn’t as if we are suddenly changed. Don’t we wish. We know those weaknesses we hate are still there – buried deep. Don’t they surprise us sometimes? Our words or even our thoughts? Temper? Gosh, we wish we hadn’t gossiped. And that grudge we’re holding onto? Here is the thing – it should be a bit of a relief that Paul had those very same issues. (Romans 7:15-16) Sometimes he just didn’t understand why he felt a certain way or did the things he did. Argghhh! You know you shouldn’t. You know it’s wrong, and God expects more of you…right? Oh, wait, maybe God doesn’t. God knew exactly who and what you were when you were saved – and He still claimed you. He still gave you new life in Him.  The simple fact that you know what is wrong and what is right means you are walking in a new life. It is a new you – and yeah, you’re gonna have to get a bit used to it, aren’t you? You are saved now, and it didn’t have a darned thing to do with anything you did or do – but because of what Christ did for you. And yes, you are special now – not because of what you do or don’t do, but because you belong to Him. And Jesus promised that no one can snatch you from His hands – and that no one will snatch you from His Father’s hands. (John 10:28-29) The promise we see in Romans 6 is that your old self was crucified with Christ. Sure, parts still hang around for now – but because you have died with Him, you have been freed from sin. You are dead to sin, but alive in Christ Jesus. Sin is no longer your master – regardless of the temptations or even occasional missteps -  you are no longer under the law. You have a new life in Christ! You are under His grace! Evening Prayer Lord,I know that without you, I cannot be the person you want me to be. I cannot live the life you want me to live. But I know with the help of your Spirit, I can grow in this new life and become the person I want to be in Christ. Lord, I surrender everything to you. Help me to step aside and let your Spirit teach me and guide me.Amen. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
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  Resting in the God Who Reigns (Psalm 96) 27.07.2026 6min

  Evening Scripture  Psalm 96Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth.Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day.Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples. For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods.For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the Lord made the heavens.Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and glory are in his sanctuary. Ascribe to the Lord, all you families of nations, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering and come into his courts.Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness; tremble before him, all the earth.Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns.”The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity. Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it.Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy.Let all creation rejoice before the Lord, for he comes, he comes to judge the earth.He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in his faithfulness. Evening Reflection  Every day we wake up to a new set of unknowns. A day can start off like any other, but then change in an instant. The unpredictability can cause worry and stress to rule the day. But as children of God, we have confidence in the One who truly reigns. It’s hard to understand why some days are easier than others. I wish every day could bring smiles instead of tears, laughter instead of mourning. But if we look at each day in light of who God is in our lives, we will find reason to praise, no matter what today looked like. Psalm 96 is a song about God’s sovereignty—reminding us that God is in control, no matter what the circumstances are. So as nighttime approaches, let’s refresh our thoughts with three reminders from this passage of Scripture. Sing to the Lord.Whatever difficulties we face in our waking hours, we can choose to end each day with a song of praise in our hearts. Recognize the Lord.God forever remains on his throne—he is the Alpha and Omega. He ruled in the beginning, and his reign will never end. The Lord is coming!We can rejoice in the truth that God did not leave us without hope. His son Jesus is coming again one day. There is no better reason to be glad. We are not promised a predictable life. Jesus himself told us we would have trouble, yet he also declared, “Take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) Tonight’s Scripture assures us that whatever happened today, we can find rest because God still reigns over all. Evening Prayer Dear God,Some days are harder than others. I want to rest in the truth of who you are in my life instead of being at the mercy of unpredictable days. Put a new song in my heart, Lord. Give me the strength to lift my voice in praise, no matter what today looks like. I am encouraged when I remind myself that you are sovereign. Knowing you are in control relieves me of the worry and stress I carry from things I can’t control. You are my Provider, Healer, and Miracle Worker. Praise your name!Amen. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
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  Coming to Jesus When I'm Weary (Matthew 11) 26.07.2026 10min

  EVENING SCRIPTURE Matthew 11After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee. When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.” As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written: “‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’ Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence, and violent people have been raiding it. For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. Whoever has ears, let them hear. “To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others: “‘We played the pipe for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’ For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved right by her deeds.” Then Jesus began to denounce the towns in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted to the heavens? No, you will go down to Hades. For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.” At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do. “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” EVENING REFLECTION This passage is popular and well known; it speaks a word of a blessed word of invitation: “Come to me, if you are weary and heavy burdened, and I will give you rest.” Do you need rest this night? Eugene Peterson’s paraphrase called “The Message” puts the invitation this way:  “Are you tired? Worn out?: “burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me, and you will recover your life; I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me, watch how I do. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.” This is an experience that Jesus brings into all our lives.   There are often many weights that we carry, burdens that lie on our shoulders. In the ancient world, this was called a yoke. A yoke was a large wooden bar that would be placed across the shoulders of oxen as they plowed a field. It was large, heavy, and kind of burdensome.  This became an apt image of the spiritual burdens that people so often carried.  These spiritual burdens weary our souls – and when we are wearied, there is only one place to go. We go to Jesus. Jesus says come to ME, learn from Me! Hear ME tell you the truth of grace. Jesus positions himself as the spiritual authority in our lives, and his authority is rooted in your life, a truth grounded in grace, mercy, and love, not in duty or obligation.  To learn from Jesus, we need to open our hearts to his voice. Jesus’ words can bring us comfort when we feel in a state of discomfort; peace when we feel that life is spinning out of control; and, in those times when we feel lost or alone, Jesus' gentle words can settle us, calm us, and restore us.   As you end the day, take a few uninterrupted minutes to spend time with Jesus. Dare to believe that he is with you. Hand him whatever struggles or stresses that you carry in the moment and open your life to his word of truth.  The more you let his words sink into us, the more you will find spiritual fulfillment and blessed rest. EVENING PRAYER Gracious Lord Jesus,Weariness comes in many guises. I can easily be anxious about what I cannot control; I can find myself worried about the tasks and demands that fill my life; And then there are the times where I spend so much energy trying to earn your grace that I am too tired or preoccupied to receive it.And so, in this moment, Lord, I stop all my strivings. And I put down all my worries. I quiet myself in your presence, and I release to you all that I carry. Lord, I place my life before you, and I take up your invitation simply to come, as I am. I dare to believe that as you invite me, so you receive me. Help me hear your life-giving word. As I rest my body, may my soul be at rest in your love. I pray all this in your holy name.Amen. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
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  Finding Peace When Life Feels Out of Control (Psalm 46) 25.07.2026 6min

  Evening Scripture Psalm 46God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells.God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts. The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Come and see what the Lord has done, the desolations he has brought on the earth.He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth.He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire.He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Evening Reflection No matter what kind of craziness is going on in the world around us, even when it seems like it’s spinning out of control and crumbling before our eyes, we can find peace in the midst of it. For those who don’t know the Lord, it doesn’t seem possible, but to those who know the Prince of Peace, we’ve experienced it over and over again.  We’ve learned and come to know that God truly is our refuge and strength in ever-present trouble, even more and especially so when we can’t control what’s happening around us. When it seems like there is no place to run or turn, or a lifesaving buoy to grab onto, or a bomb shelter to run to, there is God; ever present, strong, and faithful, offering us peace when it doesn’t look possible, quieting our hearts and minds while chaos spins around us. Whether it’s a world that feels spinning out of control with wars, rumors of wars, natural and man-made disasters happening around us; or personal life turmoil tangled up in anxiety, stress, disappointment, and more occurring deep within us; or when it seems like our relationships, careers, and possessions are all falling apart in front of us, still, we can find peace because God is here for us. With God, we find a peace that prepares us, sustains us during the most difficult of times, and leads us in victory to overcome the world. Jesus tells us in John 16:33, “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Evening Prayer God,My heart takes comfort in knowing that whatever is going on around me, within me, and on the earth, whether personal or in the world in general, I can come to You and find peace; the kind of peace that is more than my mind can comprehend and goes beyond my own understanding. Because Your peace is real and available to me, no matter what trouble is surrounding me or inside of me, I can come to You and find peace.Amen Want More? If tonight’s episode blessed you, be sure to follow the show so your next nightly scripture is ready when you are. Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
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  Remaining Faithful to the End (Revelation 3) 24.07.2026 8min

  Evening Scripture  Revelation, Chapter 3“To the angel of the church in Sardis write: These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God. Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you. Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. The one who is victorious will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. “To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth. I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them my new name. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” Evening Reflection It’s an honor and a burden to recognize that Christ opens doors for us that no man can shut. Such a gift requires an intentional, black-and-white decision. We are left with little room but to obey or disobey, to step into our calling or to shy away from it in the name of comfort or social appearance. But obedience doesn’t require our strength. In fact, Revelation 3:8 reveals that God rejoices over us even in our weak obedience, in giving Him our hearts and allowing Him to do the spiritual heavy lifting. After all, His ability to be the good, sovereign, and almighty God that He is has never rested on our capacity to stay spiritually strengthened at all times.  I recognize this reality most when it’s time to go to bed, when my brain knows it needs to unwind and disconnect from the day, but my soul has a list of failures that, in my opinion, need more than honest confession. They need me to feel miserable, guilty, and ashamed. They need me to carry my inadequacies on my sleeve to keep pride at bay. I guess I fall victim to this performance-based hamster wheel because I’ve always been fearful of being the lukewarm Christian we see in this evening’s passage, in verses 15-16. I don’t want my life to be an intolerable, nose-scrunching distaste in God’s mouth.  It’s easy to believe that the Christian who is on fire for the Lord is the one making the fewest mistakes, but it’s actually the one who refuses to be indifferent (v 19), who gives faith feet, even if they are weak, wobbly, afraid, and tired from the fight. Keep walking, friend. Remain faithful to the end. Your good, good God sustains you.  Evening Prayer Jesus,Thank you that you are not only compassionate in my weakness, but you use my shortcomings to declare your Kingdom and bring heaven to earth. Your faithfulness to my redemption remains until the end. As a sinner, I recognize that I don’t deserve to take part in your glorious plan in such a way, yet I won’t deny your grace. I won’t shy away from the freedom you offer my forgiven heart. Rather, I will unwrap this gift with gratitude and obey your calling no matter how I feel or what I believe I can or can’t offer.Lord, put my fears to rest as I trust that your salvation isn’t something I can earn. Help me remember that it’s a gift free to all who respond in faith, even when their faith isn’t steady and sure.Thank you for your work on the cross and your victory over the tomb. May we rest in your kind, sustaining, powerful resurrection today.In your holy name, Lord God,Amen. Want More? If tonight’s episode blessed you, be sure to follow the show so your next nightly scripture is ready when you are. Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.