“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” (Ephesians 2:10 NLT)

Have you ever had one of those seemingly perfect moments in life when everything just came together? That stunning sunset. Or that beautiful star-filled night. That special moment with someone you love, when you thought to yourself, I always want it to be this way. Of course, it isn’t always that way. Those seemingly perfect moments pass just as quickly as they occur, leaving you wanting more.

Along those same lines, maybe you believed that when you reached certain goals in your life, you’d be happy. Maybe when you were single you thought, If only I had a boyfriend or a girlfriend, I’d be happy. So you got yourself a boyfriend or a girlfriend. And then you thought, If only we were engaged, I’d be happy. So you got engaged. And then you thought, If only we were married, I’d be happy. So you got married. And then you thought, If only we had kids, I’d be happy. So you had kids. While there can be happiness in every phase of life, no matter what our circumstances are, fulfillment—genuine, lasting fulfillment—always seems to be a little beyond our reach.

Why is that? Because from the day each of us was born, we’ve been on a quest. We were created in the image of God, so we’re aware that there’s more to life than mere existence. There’s purpose. There’s meaning. But they’re not always apparent, so we search for them in moments big and small.

The apostle Paul gives us valuable insight into these ideas of purpose, meaning, and fulfillment in Ephesians 2:10. “We are God’s masterpiece” (NLT). We have a very high ceiling—the potential to accomplish some amazing things and experience soul-deep fulfillment.

Finding our meaning and purpose begins with the decision to accept Jesus as Savior and Lord. When we do that, God creates “us anew in Christ Jesus” (NLT). He unlocks our potential to “do the good things he planned for us long ago” (NLT). He unleashes us to be change agents in a world desperate for them.

Some people try to find purpose in doing good deeds to earn God’s favor. But that’s a dead end. In the two verses that precede Ephesians 2:10, Paul says, “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it” (NLT). It’s only when we acknowledge that we can never do enough to earn God’s favor that we start to find purpose.

The Holy Spirit is our guide. He opens our eyes to the opportunities we have to do good things in gratitude for the matchless gift of salvation that God has given us.

The more closely we align our daily lives with what God created us to be, the more we’ll experience the sense of adventure, purpose, fulfillment, and joy that comes from our walk with Christ.

Reflection Question: What gives you a sense of purpose and meaning? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!

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“And now I make one more appeal, my dear brothers and sisters. Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from them. Such people are not serving Christ our Lord; they are serving their own personal interests. By smooth talk and glowing words they deceive innocent people.” (Romans 16:17–18 NLT)

For years now, we’ve been living in an era focused on sensationalism. I’ve never seen a culture and society so obsessed with gossip, innuendo, and rumors. Just look to social media, and you’ll find all kinds of posts that probe into the personal lives of others.

This mentality has saturated the news media, too, where reporters hunt for any juicy piece of gossip they can find. And if someone is charged with a crime today, we often try them in the media before they can enter a court of law where evidence is presented and where they face their accusers.

That same skeptical, rush-to-judgment tendency works its way into our personal interactions, too. How many people are struggling with feelings of bitterness or sadness because they’ve been dealt an unjust reputation? How many people feel misunderstood and helpless to do anything about it because others have chosen to believe the worst about them? How many people have had to learn to live with being known for something they didn’t do?

Proverbs 6:16–19 tells us that two of the things the Lord hates are “a false witness who pours out lies” and “a person who sows discord in a family” (NLT). People who gossip, spread rumors and innuendo, and slander others fall into these categories. That is, the categories of things the Lord hates. The apostle Paul warned about such people in the passage from Romans 16 above. It comes down to this: The Lord has a better plan for His people.

Jesus said, “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:31 NLT). He wasn’t talking about having a general loving attitude toward others. He was talking about performing tangible acts of love for the people around us. Showing care, concern, and generosity to others in ways that make a difference in their lives.

One of the ways we can do that is by refusing to believe the worst about others. The apostle Paul wrote, “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things” (1 Corinthians 13:7 ESV). That certainly includes believing the best about other people.

One of the most meaningful gifts we can offer another person is the benefit of the doubt. That’s not to say we should be naïve or overlook the obvious. But when we lead with a spirit of kindness and optimism, we open the door to deeper, more meaningful interactions.

And consider this: Your willingness to believe the best about someone may inspire that person to live up to your expectations. That’s why the writer of Hebrews said, “Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works” (Hebrews 10:24 NLT).

Reflection Question: What would believing the best about someone look like in your life? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!

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The audio production of the podcast "Daily Devotions from Greg Laurie" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."

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“Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.” (Galatians 6:1 NLT)

After observing the behavior of some believers, you’d think that they have a verse in their Bibles that says, “Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, go and tell as many people as possible. And then set about trying to drive that person away from the faith.” But that’s not what Scripture tells us to do.

Jesus addressed the topic in Matthew 18:15–20. If a fellow believer appears to have fallen into sin, our first responsibility is to approach the person in a spirit of love and say, “I heard that you __________. Is that true?” If the person confesses and repents, the matter is settled.

Unfortunately, that’s not what usually happens. Instead of confronting the person directly, people whisper behind the person’s back. They spread rumors. And many times, they end up slandering an innocent person. If you’ve ever had that happen to you, you know how painful and destructive it can be. But that’s not the end of the damage.

The apostle Paul warned in Galatians 5:9 that a little yeast spreads through a whole batch of dough. In the context of a person suspected of falling into sin, the point is that the fallout from mishandling the situation doesn’t stay isolated between the two people involved. Instead, it works its way through the entire body of believers as people take sides.

So dealing in gossip and slander isn’t just cruel, it’s also self-defeating. In 1 Corinthians 12:12, the apostle Paul wrote, “The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ” (NLT). And in verse 26, he reminded believers what this means: “If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad” (NLT).

We have a vested interest in the spiritual and emotional well-being of our fellow believers. If one person is damaged by innuendo, gossip, or slander, everyone suffers.

If you’re faced with confronting someone suspected of falling into sin, there are a few things to keep in mind. The spirit in which you approach the person is key. In Galatians 6:1, Paul emphasizes the importance of gentleness and humility. “Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself” (NLT).

And instead of getting caught up in sordid details, keep your eye on what’s really happening. Remember that the devil wants to turn believers against each other. He’ll attack us from the outside, but many times, when that doesn’t work, he’ll try to infiltrate our ranks and divide us.

Jesus said, “Love one another” (John 13:34 NIV). With that love comes responsibility. And sometimes that means stepping out of your comfort zone. But if you love someone enough to seek the truth and confront, when necessary, you will strengthen not only the bond between the two of you, but also the entire body of Christ.

Reflection Question: What are some important dos and don’ts for helping someone who has stumbled spiritually? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship!

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The audio production of the podcast "Daily Devotions from Greg Laurie" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known."

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“But if anyone loves God, he is known by God.” (1 Corinthians 8:3 ESV)

Did you know that God is vitally aware of what’s happening in the life of every individual? He is interested in every detail of our lives. Proverbs 15:3 says, “The Lord is watching everywhere, keeping his eye on both the evil and the good” (NLT). It makes sense when you stop to think about it. How could He reward and punish otherwise?

God is omniscient. He is always aware of everything that is happening. There is not one single thing that happens on this earth that escapes the attention of God. Proverbs 5:21 says, “For the Lord sees clearly what a man does, examining every path he takes” (NLT).

Coming to grips with the realization that God knows everything about everyone—including you—can be either frightening or encouraging. It all depends on your relationship with Him. If your life is not right with Him, if you’re living in sin, then God’s complete knowledge could be rather terrifying. It might be unsettling to think that nothing about your life escapes His attention.

But if your life is right with God, then knowing that He’s aware of what’s going on in it, every minute of every day, is a comforting thought. It’s comforting because we know God won’t forget us. We know that we’re not just another face in this massive human sea of some eight billion people. If you’re a Christian who’s walking with God, His complete knowledge guarantees that He’s watching over and taking care of you.

His awareness of us is much more personal and meaningful than a 24/7 tracking device. He created us. He wired us. He knows what will give us soul-deep joy and fulfillment. And He directs us to the choices and opportunities that will bring us genuine satisfaction. That’s what the apostle Paul was talking about when he wrote, “But if anyone loves God, he is known by God.” (1 Corinthians 8:3 ESV).

The Old Testament prophet Jonah proved that there’s no hiding from God. Remember him? God instructed him to warn Nineveh that judgment was coming. But Jonah hated the Ninevites and was afraid that they would repent and escape judgment. So he hopped on a ship that was sailing away from Nineveh. He tried to escape God.

It didn’t work, of course. A storm battered the ship, so Jonah had himself tossed overboard. But even the depths of the sea couldn’t hide him. A fish swallowed him and then vomited him back onshore three days later. Jonah may have turned his back on God, but at no point was Jonah ever out of God’s sight.

The better option for anyone who loves God is to embrace His constant vigilance and awareness. We do that by making decisions and conducting ourselves in ways that please Him. That is, to make sure that, when He watches us, He’s pleased with what He sees.

When we make the decision to honor and obey Him in the way we live, we can pray, with all sincerity, “Lord, I know You see me always. Please direct me in the paths You would have me go. Thank You for never letting me out of Your sight and for always wanting what’s best for me.”

Reflection question: What does God know about you that no one else does?

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“That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, ‘No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.’” (1 Corinthians 2:9 NLT)

The difference between the way God understands the future and the way we understand the future is much like the difference between an artist’s understanding of a blank canvas and our understanding of a blank canvas. The artist looks at the canvas, takes out a pencil, draws a couple of broad strokes, and then looks at it again.

We walk up and ask, “What is that?” When the artist tells us, we say, “Well, it doesn’t look like that to us.”

But the artist confidently remarks, “It’s coming along. It’s a work in progress. I have a vision, a plan.” The artist is thinking about the end result, even though he’s drawn only a couple of seemingly meaningless strokes.

Often, we look at our unfinished lives in the same way we might look at that canvas. Things may not be going as expected. Life may not be progressing according to our schedule. So we say, “The Lord must have forgotten about me. The Lord has abandoned me. It’s over.”

But we’re not forgotten or abandoned. And it’s not over. The Lord has a vision for your life. He has a plan. You’re a work in progress. You’re under construction. God isn’t finished with you yet.

We see merely the beginning. God sees the end from the beginning. We see a blank canvas. God sees a masterpiece in progress. Take heart.

The apostle Paul was quoting Isaiah 64:4 when he wrote, “That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, ‘No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him’” (1 Corinthians 2:9 NLT). We don’t have the tools to see in ourselves what God sees in us. So we must put our faith in Him.

That’s what Paul was doing when he wrote in Philippians 1:6, “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns” (NLT).

We look at the broad strokes of God’s work in our lives and see only randomness. We can’t fathom how they might be connected or built on to create something more substantial. We convince ourselves that there’s no way a work of art, let alone a masterpiece, can come from them.

But look at Paul’s words in Romans 8:28: “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them” (nlt). You may not see how everything in your life can work together for good, but God does.

So the wisest course of action is to follow the advice of Proverbs 3:5: “Trust in the lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding” (NLT).

Don’t fret if you can’t make sense of the work in progress in your life. Trust the Artist.

Reflection question: What evidence do you see of God’s work in your life?

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“Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15 NLT)

If you’ve ever felt scrutinized, as though people were just waiting for you to fail, you’re in good company. King David once wrote of his enemies, “The proud have set a trap to catch me; they have stretched out a net; they have placed traps all along the way” (Psalm 140:5 NLT). But they weren’t about to break his stride. In the very next verse, he wrote, “I said to the Lord, ‘You are my God!’ Listen, O Lord, to my cries for mercy!” (Psalm 140:6 NLT). Instead of worrying about his enemies, David focused on his Lord. He left his worries in the hands of God.

As Christians, we should strive to be godly—and not to appear godly to other people. There’s a big difference between the two. The apostle Paul offered a glimpse of what it means to live a godly life in Romans 12:1–2: “And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect” (NLT).

Living a godly life starts inside, in the way we think. The transformation Paul was talking about shifts our priorities. It changes the way we see others, the way we approach conflict and hardship, and the things we choose to do.

And to his protégé Timothy, Paul wrote, “Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15 NLT). You’ll notice that God’s approval, and not other people’s approval, is what we should be striving for.

Of course, when we fall short in our responsibility to others—and we will—we should admit it. When someone points out our mistakes, we should confess, “You’re right. My actions were not consistent with my beliefs. I apologize for that. And I hope I have not changed your opinion of the God whom I follow, because I make mistakes. But God is always true.” As Christians, we must be honest enough to admit when we fail.

The apostle James wrote, “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results” (James 5:16 NLT).

Life is too short to worry about other people’s opinions. Instead, work hard to present yourself as a living and holy sacrifice so that you might receive God’s approval. You’ll never regret it.

Reflection question: What does godliness look like in your daily life?

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“Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.” (2 Timothy 2:22 NLT)

Several years ago, there was a story in the news about a man who had a tree fall on his leg. With no one around to come to his rescue, he took out a pocketknife and proceeded to amputate his leg. Then he made his way up the road until someone picked him up and raced him to help. Amazingly, this man who had a severed leg still had enough presence of mind to tell the driver of the vehicle not to go too fast. He said, “I didn’t come this far to die on the road. Take it easy.”

I remember reading that story and thinking, “He did what? How could this guy cut off his leg? I would have laid under the tree and just waited for help.” But the doctors who treated him later said that if he hadn’t taken such a drastic measure, he would have died. He did it to save his life.

Sometimes we must take radical, drastic steps to remove ourselves from whatever it is that is hurting us spiritually. That may mean immediate change. It may mean physically getting up and saying, “I’m out of here.”

One of God’s greatest gifts to us is the Holy Spirit, who dwells inside every believer. Jesus said the Holy Spirit “will convict the world of its sin” (John 16:8 NLT). The Holy Spirit warns us when we’re in situations that threaten our spiritual well-being. What we do with His warnings is up to us. Ignoring His prompts is like ignoring a fire alarm or a beeping carbon monoxide detector or the check engine light in your car.

You might be at that party. Watching that movie. In that relationship. In that group of people. In that setting. Wherever it is, you realize you shouldn’t be there. The Holy Spirit is convicting you. He is saying, “What are you doing here?” Don’t be foolish. Just get up and go. You can make your explanations later, if necessary. The important thing is to remove yourself from the situation immediately.

The apostle Paul wrote, “Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11 NLT). The best place to stand firm is a distance away from the devil’s traps and temptations. In other words, maintain the high ground and stay out of the trenches.

First Corinthians 10:13 says, “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure” (NLT). No matter what you’re facing, God has an escape plan, a way out. Do the wise thing and take it.

Reflection question: What are some scenarios, situations, and places that you need to run from?

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“They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!” (2 Timothy 3:5 NLT)

As an evangelist, I constantly observe how two people who hear the same message will react in two completely different ways. One person will be profoundly moved, while the other will become harder in their sin.

We see the very same thing in the story of Cain and Abel. Both men were sons of Adam and Eve. Both were raised in the same home and exposed to the same spiritual message. When we first read their story in Genesis 4, it seems as though they were both believers. But time revealed that Cain was so jealous and embittered that he murdered his brother Abel.

The story of Cain and Abel ought to remind us that there are people just going through the motions, spiritually speaking. They give the appearance of being believers, but they have no real relationship with God. Or, as the apostle Paul put it in 2 Timothy 3:15: “They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly” (NLT). That’s the life story of too many people. They are all show and no go. Their faith in God is nothing more than a mere game or act.

Paul followed his description with a warning: “Stay away from people like that!” (NLT). Believers, especially young believers, can be led astray by people with an insincere faith.

Consider this. You can offer like Cain. You can weep like Esau. You can serve like Gehazi. You can be a disciple like Judas. You can recite long prayers like the Pharisees. You can be a seeking soul like the rich young ruler. You can have lamps like the five foolish bridesmaids. You can do all these things and still be lost.

Jesus was referring to God’s words recorded in Isaiah 29:13 when He said, “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me” (Matthew 15:8 NLT). And while spiritual acts may fool many people, they can never fool the Lord. Remember: “The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7 NLT).

That’s why it’s such a short-sighted mistake to take a surface-deep approach to the Christian faith. One day, we will all have to answer for the choices we make in this life. And Jesus warned in Matthew 7:21: “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter” (NLT).

Jesus offers not just eternal life in heaven but also “a rich and satisfying life” (John 10:10 NLT) in this world. But you can’t experience it if your only concern is looking like a Christian. Jesus demands your whole heart.

Reflection question: How can you tell the difference between a sincere and insincere faith?

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