📖 Faithful Friday — Stay Close

Sometimes we approach spiritual growth like a self-improvement project.

I need to pray more.

I need to do better.

I need to be stronger.

I just need to try harder.

But in John 15, Jesus gives us a different picture.

He doesn't tell the branch to try harder to produce fruit.

He says: “

Abide in Me.”

Stay close.

Stay connected.

Let His life work in you.

Prayer matters. God's Word matters. Worship and obedience matter. But none of those are ways we manufacture spiritual life for ourselves. They continually draw us back to the One who IS our life.

💭 Today's Truth

Becoming more like Jesus isn't about trying harder. It's about staying closer to Him.

And today's Five More Minutes has a little something special at the end. Noah and Owen joined me to share “Abide,” and I can't think of a more fitting way to close this week than worshiping together around the very truth Jesus gives us in John 15.

🙏 Today's Prayer

Lord, please forgive me for the times I've tried to live faithfully in my own strength. Teach me to abide in You. Draw me closer through Your Word, through prayer, through worship, and through obedience. Produce in me what I cannot produce on my own. Let Your life shape my attitudes, my words, my choices, and my relationships. Make me more like You as I learn to stay close to You. In Jesus Name, Amen.

If these words express your heart, pray them with me today. Or find your own words and spend a few moments talking honestly with the Lord.

As you head into the weekend, don't simply ask: “How can I try harder?”

Ask: “How can I stay closer to Jesus?”

Let's walk with Him today.

🎙️ Five More Minutes is also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and other major podcast platforms.

📖 Thankful Thursday

Grace That Leads to Gratitude

It's easy to be thankful when life is going well.

But what happens when it isn't?

In Luke 7, Jesus points us to a gratitude that isn't built on circumstances—it is built on grace.

A woman known for her sinful past came to Jesus with tears, worship, and a heart overflowing with love.

Why?

Because she knew she had been forgiven.

Jesus wasn't impressed by a religious performance.

He was moved by a heart that had been transformed by His mercy.

The more we remember what Christ has done for us...

The more gratitude fills our hearts.

When we forget His grace, gratitude fades.

When we remember His grace, worship begins.

The heart that remembers grace never runs out of reasons to worship.

🙏 Today's Prayer

Lord, thank You for the grace You have poured into my life. Forgive me for the times I become so focused on today's burdens that I forget the mercy You have already shown me. Help me never lose the wonder of being forgiven. Fill my heart with gratitude that overflows into worship and into the way I love and serve others. Thank You for doing for me what I could never do for myself. In YOUR name I pray! Amen

If these words express your heart today, make them your prayer. And if not, find your own words—but don't leave without spending a few moments talking with the Lord.

🎙️ Today's **Five More Minutes** devotion is now available on Facebook, YouTube, and wherever you listen to podcasts.

📖 Wisdom Wednesday

Jesus Notices Quiet Faithfulness

Most of life isn't lived on a stage.

It's lived in ordinary moments.

A quiet prayer before work.

Choosing integrity when no one is watching.

Serving your family.

Giving generously.

Offering encouragement.

Doing the right thing simply because it's the right thing.

In Mark 12, everyone noticed the large gifts.

Jesus noticed the widow.

Not because she gave the most...

But because she trusted God with all she had.

The world celebrates what is impressive.

Jesus celebrates what is faithful.

That means your quiet obedience is never wasted.

Your unseen faithfulness is never overlooked.

Your Savior sees every act of love offered for His glory.

The world notices what is impressive. Jesus notices what is faithful.

🙏 Today's Prayer

Father, thank You for seeing what others cannot see. Thank You that You notice the quiet acts of faithfulness that often go unnoticed by the world. Help me to live for Your approval rather than the applause of people. Give me a heart that is faithful in the ordinary moments of life, knowing that every act of obedience matters to You. May my life bring You glory, whether anyone else notices or not. Amen.

If these words express your heart today, make them your prayer. And if not, find your own words—but don't leave without spending a few moments talking with the Lord.

If you have any questions, share them in the comments!

🎙️ Today's Five More Minutes devotion is now available on Facebook, YouTube, and wherever you listen to podcasts.

Truth Tuesday - The One Who Knows You Best

Before Nathanael ever met Jesus...

Jesus already knew him.

That's what makes John 1 so beautiful.

Jesus didn't discover Nathanael and decide to love him.

He already knew his heart.

His questions.

His struggles.

And He still called him to come.

The same is true for us.

God didn't begin loving you after you came to Him.

As Romans 5:8 reminds us, "God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

He knows every fear.

Every failure.

Every hidden struggle.

Nothing about your life has ever surprised Him.

And yet...

He still invites you to come.

The One who knows you best is the One inviting you to come closer.

🙏 Today's Prayer

Father, thank You for knowing me completely and loving me perfectly. Nothing about my life is hidden from You, yet You have never turned away from me. Thank You for loving me long before I ever understood how much I needed You. Help me stop pretending and simply come to You with an honest heart. And may my life become an invitation to others to "come and see" the Savior who knows us fully and loves us completely. Heavenly Father, please help us be surrendered to you today as we walk with you! In Jesus Name! Amen

If these words express your heart today, make them your prayer. And if not, find your own words—but don't leave without spending a few moments talking with the Lord.

🎙️ Today's Five More Minutes devotion is now available on Facebook, YouTube, and wherever you listen to podcasts.

Blessings Friends!

📖 Today's Scripture: Mark 2:13–17; Luke 5:27–32; Matthew 9:9–13

Jesus walked past a tax booth that everyone else wanted to avoid.

Most people saw a traitor.

A sinner.

A man whose life was too far gone.

But Jesus saw something entirely different.

He saw a man worth calling.

He saw what His grace could make of him.

And with two simple words, everything changed:

"Follow Me."

The same Jesus who called Levi still sees beyond our failures, our reputation, and our past. He sees the people we overlook. And He sees more in us than we often see in ourselves.

💭 Today's Truth

Everyone else saw what Levi had become. Jesus saw what His grace could make of him.

🙏 Today's Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for seeing more in me than my failures, my reputation, or my past. Thank You for meeting me with grace and calling me to follow You. Help me leave behind whatever keeps me seated in my old life. Teach me to see other people through Your eyes, believing that no one is beyond the reach of Your grace. And use my life to help others come to know the Savior who welcomed me. In Jesus Name, Amen.

If this prayer reflects your heart today, I encourage you to pray through it sometime today and make it your own.

🎙️ Today's Five More Minutes is also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and other major podcast platforms if you'd like to listen on the go.

May we see people today the way Jesus sees them.

Let's walk with Him today.

📖 Today's Scripture

Galatians 6:9–10

💭 Today's Truth

Have you ever felt like your quiet faithfulness wasn't making much difference?

The Apostle Paul understood that feeling. That's why he encouraged believers, "Let us not lose heart in doing good..."

God sees every unseen act of obedience. Every prayer, every kind word, every faithful step taken for His glory matters to Him.

As Hebrews 6:10 reminds us, "For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name..." (NASB)

God never overlooks faithful obedience, even when others do.

🙏 Today's Prayer

Lord, when I grow weary, remind me that You see every act of faithfulness. Help me to keep following You WITH JOY, trusting that You are working even when I cannot yet see the results! Amen.

If this prayer expresses your heart today, I'd encourage you to pray it sometime today and make it your own.

🎙️ Podcast

Take today's devotion with you wherever your day leads. Five More Minutes is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and most other podcast platforms.

Let's walk with Him today.

📖 Today's Scripture
Luke 17:11–19

💭 Today's Truth

Ten men were healed, but only one returned to thank Jesus.

The difference wasn't simply good manners—it was worship.

How easy it is to rejoice in God's blessings while slowly forgetting the One who gave them. This passage reminds us that genuine gratitude always brings us back to the feet of Jesus.

A grateful heart never loses sight of the Giver...even while enjoying His gifts.

🙏 Today's Prayer

Lord, don't let me become so familiar with Your blessings that I forget to worship You. Keep my eyes on You. Let gratitude draw me closer to the Giver, not just the gifts You've given. Amen.

🎙️ Podcast

Take today's devotion with you wherever your day leads. Five More Minutes is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and most other podcast platforms.

Let's walk with Him today.

🌿 Wisdom Wednesday

Some days feel ordinary.

You go to work...

care for your family...

keep your commitments...

and wonder if anything significant is happening.

Ruth probably felt that way too.

She simply got up and faithfully did what was in front of her that day.

What she couldn't see...

was that God was already writing the next chapter of her story.

📖 Today's Scripture

Ruth 2:1–23 (NASB 1995)

💭 Today's Truth

While you're faithfully living today...God is already preparing tomorrow.

🙏 Today's Prayer

Lord, help me be faithful with today's responsibilities and trust You with tomorrow's results. Give me the grace to obey You today, even when I can't yet see what You're preparing. Amen.

🎙️ Now Available on Podcast

If these daily walks through God's Word have been an encouragement, Five More Minutes is now available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and wherever you enjoy podcasts. I'd love for you to take these conversations with you wherever your day leads.

Let's walk with Him today.

#WisdomWednesday #FiveMoreMinutes #Ruth2