Jesus Christ is the only One who can truly transform the human heart and enable us to love others across every difference. Yet in Luke 12, Jesus also warns that His coming would bring division—not through violence or coercion, but through the unavoidable choice every person must make concerning Him.

In today’s episode of the MY Devotional Podcast, Dr. Michael Youssef explores Jesus’ startling words: “I have come to bring fire on the earth.” Like fire, the Gospel reveals what is genuine. It consumes what cannot endure and refines what is precious, exposing the heart’s response to the Truth of Christ.

At the cross, Jesus Himself bore the judgment sinners deserved. That is the Good News: all who repent and trust in Him can receive forgiveness, freedom, and eternal life because Christ paid the price on their behalf. But rejecting Jesus leaves a person facing judgment apart from Him.

Dr. Youssef also reminds believers that identifying openly with Christ can be costly. Jesus prepared His disciples for rejection, hostility, and persecution because allegiance to Him would sometimes divide families, communities, and cultures.

Yet the peace Jesus gives is greater than anything this world can take away. Stand firm in the Gospel, remain faithful to Christ, and remember that whatever the cost of following Him, the freedom and eternal hope found in Jesus are far greater.

Pray with me.

Jesus, may I stand firm on Your Truth whatever challenges I face, calling the lost to taste and see that You are good. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

The voice you hear on the MY Devotional podcast is digitally generated with Dr. Youssef's permission. If today’s devotional stirred a question, burden, or need for prayer, you don’t have to walk through it alone.

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Does suffering mean someone has sinned more than others? In Jesus’ day, many believed exactly that. But when His disciples encountered a man born blind, Jesus corrected their assumptions and revealed that suffering cannot always be reduced to a simple equation of sin and punishment.

In today’s episode of the MY Devotional Podcast, Dr. Michael Youssef explores several ways God uses suffering for the good of His children. Trials can purify our faith, draw us closer to God, equip us to comfort others, and produce a testimony that points people toward the eternal hope found in Christ.

Jesus reinforced this Truth when people brought Him news of devastating tragedies. Rather than affirming that the victims must have been worse sinners, Jesus turned the question back on His listeners: unless you repent, you too will perish. His message was a wake-up call against spiritual pride and false security.

God’s patience toward sinners is an expression of His astounding mercy. Every day is another opportunity to respond to His invitation, turn from sin, and receive salvation through Jesus Christ.

Whatever suffering you are walking through today, do not assume God has abandoned you. Allow Him to use your affliction to refine your faith, deepen your dependence on Him, and polish your testimony. And remember: our greatest need is not an explanation for every tragedy, but reconciliation with God through His Son.

Join me in prayer.

Father, help me to see seasons of suffering as opportunities to draw near to You and point others to the hope of glory through Jesus Christ. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

The voice you hear on the MY Devotional podcast is digitally generated with Dr. Youssef's permission. If today’s devotional stirred a question, burden, or need for prayer, you don’t have to walk through it alone.

🙏 Pastoral Care & Prayer Teams
Our trained prayer partners and pastoral care team are available to pray with you and offer Biblical support.
https://ltw.org/care

💬 Receive personal answers to your faith questions—anytime, day or night—at:
https://myfaithassistant.com

If you’ve been blessed by this podcast, please consider a tax-deductible donation to help extend this ministry—so another person can be encouraged, prayed for, and pointed to Christ.

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The Christians in Thessalonica endured intense persecution, yet instead of collapsing under pressure, their faith grew stronger and their love for one another increased.

In today’s episode of the MY Devotional Podcast, Dr. Michael Youssef contrasts their response with our tendency to become discouraged by relatively small hardships. The Thessalonians learned to see suffering not as evidence that God had abandoned them, but as an opportunity to trust Him more deeply.

Their example raises an important question: if greater testing comes, will our faith grow under pressure too? The time to deepen our trust in Christ, strengthen our character, and cultivate love for fellow believers is now.

Prayer: Father, thank You for the persevering faith of the Thessalonians. May their example embolden and inspire me to pursue deeper faith as I take on the humble attitude of Christ. Prepare me by Your Spirit for the testing to come. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing” (2 Thessalonians 1:3).

*Excerpt adapted from Fearless Living in Troubled Times by Michael A. Youssef © 2017. Published by Harvest House Publishers, Eugene, OR. Used by permission.

Learn more in Dr. Michael A. Youssef’s sermon series End of History and You: LISTEN NOW

The voice you hear on the MY Devotional podcast is digitally generated with Dr. Youssef's permission. If today’s devotional stirred a question, burden, or need for prayer, you don’t have to walk through it alone.

🙏 Pastoral Care & Prayer Teams
Our trained prayer partners and pastoral care team are available to pray with you and offer Biblical support.
https://ltw.org/care

💬 Receive personal answers to your faith questions—anytime, day or night—at:
https://myfaithassistant.com

If you’ve been blessed by this podcast, please consider a tax-deductible donation to help extend this ministry—so another person can be encouraged, prayed for, and pointed to Christ.

❤️ Support Leading The Way:
https://www.ltw.org/donate