2 Minute Disciple | Daily Faith Journey for Spiritual Growth

Matthew Chapter 28

Article  |  May 6th, 2022
By Nick Oyler | Host of the Daily Bible Devotional Podcast “2 Minute Disciple”
audio bible, daily bible, daily devotional, discipleship, personal development, self care, spiritual journey, spirituality

There are two things that stick out to me in this chapter. First of all, worship, the women who first saw Jesus alive fell down in worship and the disciples when they saw him on the mountain worshipped him. Second was that out of worship came a charge to go. I find it fascinating that worship came in response to the miracle of the resurrection, but Jesus didn’t want them to stay in worship, rather he charges them to go and tell. I find the connection between worship and being sent out fascinating. This is another of those right side up ways of living, we worship God for who He is and what He has done for the purpose of going out to spread the message of the kingdom and teaching people how to live right side up.

Matthew Chapter 27

Article  |  May 5th, 2022
By Nick Oyler | Host of the Daily Bible Devotional Podcast “2 Minute Disciple”
audio bible, daily bible, daily devotional, jesus christ, personal development, self care, spiritual journey, spirituality

We are continuing in the story of Jesus’s agony on the cross. What I am struck by is how this story drives home the point that Jesus is showing us how to live right side up through his humiliation on the cross and his exaltation in rising from the dead. In our upside down way of seeing things, we want the exaltation without the humiliation. We want the glory without the suffering, but the right side up way is to humble yourself before God and he will exalt you. That is what Jesus says and does.
I chose to follow Jesus about 40 years ago, and I didn’t take the time to get to know him by hanging out in the Gospels for the first 25 years or so. However, the more that I get to know him and the more that we dive into his life and teaching, the more I am convinced that Jesus’ way is the best way. I am glad that you are on this journey with me, so that you can discover who Jesus is and decide for yourself if you agree with me. If not, no pressure, just keep searching and hanging out with Him.

Matthew Chapter 26

Article  |  May 4th, 2022
By Nick Oyler | Host of the Daily Bible Devotional Podcast “2 Minute Disciple”
audio bible, daily bible, daily devotional, discipleship, personal development, self care, spiritual formation, spiritual journey, spirituality

We are now turning the corner to face the climax of Jesus story, his death. This chapter leads us squarely into Jesus’ last day and we can see his focus narrow and in his teaching, we see him trying to get his disciples to understand what was about to happen, but they really didn’t get it. Jesus did everything he could to prepare them but when he needed them the most, they all cut and ran. However, Jesus faced it with great poise in spite of being all alone. He knew that the cross was coming, and yet he did not waver and he fulfilled God’s plan. He hoped in the resurrection that would take place on the third day.
As we read today, try to put yourself in the shoes of the Jesus and feel the anxiety and fear balanced by the peace of mind that comes from knowing that you are doing exactly what God had planned. Savor the bread and wine and remember that his suffering brought us peace and that his stripes healed us. Experience this story through the eyes of the Jesus.

Matthew Chapter 25

Article  |  May 3rd, 2022
By Nick Oyler | Host of the Daily Bible Devotional Podcast “2 Minute Disciple”
audio bible, daily bible, daily devotional, discipleship, jesus christ, personal development, self care, spiritual formation, spirituality

Don’t you love guilt trips. I can’t tell you how many things that I have done because I was guilted into it. Most of the time it worked out ok, but a few of those things were a little adventurous to say the least. Whenever I would read Matthew 25, I would read it through the guilt lens, don’t be one of those foolish girls, be a better planner and be organized. Be a good money manager unlike that last guy, you don’t want to be that guy, so use your money wisely with a “budget” approved by Dave. The last one was an ice cream Sunday with 3 giant scoops of guilt, don’t be a slacker, do more and achieve more for God or your a goat and you are BAD! So, I would try harder to be a “good” Christian, fail, try even harder and on and on the cycle would go.
But I think that it misses the point, it’s not about beating yourself up for not measuring up, but being ready by living for Jesus each day. It’s about looking for opportunities to grow in your skills for God’s glory and to not be afraid of being stretched. It’s about taking those skills and serving others not out of guilt or fear of not measuring up, but living each day for Jesus as his witness to God’s new government.
That new perspective is so freeing! I am so motivated to serve and love because I want to be more like Jesus each day. This subtle shift fits in with what we have learned about Jesus in the Gospels and I wish that I would have figured this truth out earlier in life, but that’s what this journey is for, discovering who Jesus is and how we can follow him. We can take these daily discoveries and change our trajectory and that’s success.

Matthew Chapter 24

Article  |  May 2nd, 2022
By Nick Oyler | Host of the Daily Bible Devotional Podcast “2 Minute Disciple”
audio bible, daily bible, daily devotional, discipleship, jesus, personal development, self-care, spiritual formation, spiritual journey, spirituality

That is the theme of this chapter. However, the conspiracy theorist in me wants to figure out the details of the end of time, who, what where, and especially WHEN? But Jesus just gives us a you’ll know it when you see it answer and tells us to keep going and keep spreading the kingdom message. Keep going even when you just don’t feel like it. It’s that locker room pep talk when you’re down by 50 at half time, keep chipping away and we will win in the end, it’s going to be ugly, but stick with it. It’s the kind of speech that we all need even though we want to figure out if there is a rapture, who’s in and who’s out, and who is the big baddy antichrist, but Jesus tells us to keep going and keep looking and I’ll take care of the rest.
So, we keep going and keep spreading the message of God’s kingdom until the end.

Matthew Chapter 23

Article  |  April 29th, 2022
By Nick Oyler | Host of the Daily Bible Devotional Podcast “2 Minute Disciple”
audio bible, best self, daily bible, life change, personal development, self care, spiritual formation, spiritual health, spiritual journey, spirituality

What I love about this journey of discovery that we are on, is that it forces us to look into our hearts and see that what Jesus is talking about is not just for THOSE people, but for ME! Many times when I have read this chapter, I want to cheer Jesus on, YES! Get those mean Pharisees! But when I look at what he is saying, “They talk a good line, but they don’t live it. They don’t take it into their hearts and live it out in their behavior. It’s all spit-and-polish veneer.” All that I can say is OUCH! I try not to live like that, I do try to take his words into my heart, but if I’m honest with myself, I do this less than I care to admit. It’s like a default setting in my brain, the ‘look good on the outside no matter how ugly the inside is’ setting. Taking time to let Jesus’ words sink in begins that process of rewiring my brain so that my default is the let ‘Jesus change my heart and behavior’ setting. It is a daily process and that is exactly why I created this podcast, so that we can take Jesus seriously and allow his words to change our hearts. We are spending time with Jesus so that he can rub off on us and we can be different. No matter where you are on your journey with Jesus, a little tweak each day will add up to a major life change later. We are all in this together, so what spoke to you?

Matthew Chapter 22

Article  |  April 28th, 2022
By Nick Oyler | Host of the Daily Bible Devotional Podcast “2 Minute Disciple”
audio bible, daily bible, daily devotional, love, personal development, self care, spiritual growth, spiritual journey, spirituality

This chapter reminded me of a tennis match between an all-time great and a lesser opponent who is trying to stick with them. The religious leaders are giving Jesus their best shots but continue to have Jesus send it screaming past them. He is a master at debate and is excellent at staying out of a verbal trap. What I am learning here is that following Jesus takes everything that you’ve got, your heart, soul, mind and strength. Jesus used it all to live his life to the glory of God and we can too. Let’s pray… What are you learning from Jesus? Make sure you share in the comments.

Matthew Chapter 21

Article  |  April 27th, 2022
By Nick Oyler | Host of the Daily Bible Devotional Podcast “2 Minute Disciple”
audio bible, daily bible, daily devotion, healing, personal development, self care, spiritual growth, spiritual health, spirituality, worship

There are two things in the first part of this chapter that I have totally missed over the years of reading and studying this passage. First of all, Jesus kicked out the money changers and the those selling animals in order to make room for what should really happen in the temple, healing and worship. I never caught the fact that his actions freed up space for the lame and blind to come in and get healed by Jesus. I have always gotten caught up in the audacity of Jesus to go in and turn over tables and his red faced anger that I missed the point of it, healing and worship. I also never caught the fact that the children who were shouting Hosanna in the streets followed him in worship into the temple. They were running (and we all no that you can’t run in church) and praising God. I’m sure that the lame that had just been healed were also running around. This just blows me away and it says something to me, we put up roadblocks to healing and worship unintentionally. We need Jesus to come in and break them down in order to make room for true healing and worship. What are the roadblocks in your life that Jesus needs to knock over?

Matthew Chapter 20

Article  |  April 26th, 2022
By Nick Oyler | Host of the Daily Bible Devotional Podcast “2 Minute Disciple”
audio bible, daily bible, daily devotional, personal development, self care, spiritual growth, spiritual journey, spirituality

I want my eyes open and I want to see. As my eyes open, I see this great reversal, the first are last, and real power comes from being a servant. Jesus cup is a cup of suffering service on the cross and I can see it all more clearly. Jesus touched my eyes and now I can see clearly that in order to live the resurrection life, I have to die to myself. I’m hard to kill, but I know that I’m better off dead to myself so that I can live fully to him. This is a hard truth to come to, but now that my eyes are open, I can see it clearly. What are you seeing from Jesus? Join the conversation in the comment section of the website.

Matthew Chapter 19

Article  |  April 25th, 2022
By Nick Oyler | Host of the Daily Bible Devotional Podcast “2 Minute Disciple”
audio bible, daily bible, daily devotion, personal development, self care, spiritual journey, spirituality

Jesus shows us again what living right side up looks like, the ones who we think are the top of the heap are really at the bottom. The rich are not automatically in God’s kingdom because they are rich and children are to be seen and heard. Nice guys don’t always finish last in God’s kingdom. When we give up things now, we will get even more than that in God’s kingdom. These words of Jesus today give me a boost, they are words that I need to hear and to realize that in God’s kingdom I have a place and I belong. I can breathe easier and hold my head up a little higher knowing that I belong in God’s kingdom. What are you learning from Jesus today? Leave a comment below and join the conversation.

Matthew Chapter 18

Article  |  April 23rd, 2022
By Nick Oyler | Host of the Daily Bible Devotional Podcast “2 Minute Disciple”
audio bible, daily bible, daily devotional, forgiveness, self care, self development, spiritual journey, spirituality

I saw this tweet from Bob Goff today and I thought it fit with today’s reading. “Next to grace, I bet God thinks making us need each other was one of His best ideas.” That is exactly what this chapter is about, relational health. God made us for community and Jesus gives us the road map to having healthy and thriving relationships. Everyone can benefit from the lessons that Jesus teaches here. This is where I want you to join the conversation and tell me what you learned from Jesus in this chapter. Either go to the show notes page and scroll to the bottom and type your response or if you are using a podcast platform, click on the podcast episode website link and you will see it at the bottom of the page. Please join me in conversation.

Matthew Chapter 17

Article  |  April 22nd, 2022
By Nick Oyler | Host of the Daily Bible Devotional Podcast “2 Minute Disciple”
audio bible, daily bible, daily devotional, spiritual journey, spirituality

I try to put myself in the shoes of Peter in this story. I would be in shock to see Jesus in all of his glory, my chin would be on the ground like in a cartoon and I would have fallen over. I’m not sure that I could have spoken to get the words that Peter babbles out, but I know that I would have been stumbling and bumbling through that moment. I would have missed the point too until the resurrection, which would make everything click.
I am just pondering the sight of Jesus in all of his glory standing before me and as I close my eyes I can see him shining. I just want to soak it in and be reminded that Jesus is God with me and that he promised to be with me through thick and thin. I can trust him with my life and daily decisions.

Matthew Chapter 16

Article  |  April 21st, 2022
By Nick Oyler | Host of the Daily Bible Devotional Podcast “2 Minute Disciple”
audio bible, daily bible, daily devotion, discipleship, personal growth, self care, spiritual growth, spiritual journey, spirituality

Who is Jesus? That is still the question that needs to be answered by followers of Jesus. This question is the heart of the 2 Minute Disciple Podcast, to discover who Jesus is so that we can follow him better. This podcast is for seasoned Jesus followers who desire to spend more time in the Gospels to get to know Jesus better. It is also for serious seekers desiring to discover who Jesus is for themselves and gain wisdom that will help them on their spiritual journey.
What is the answer to this sincere question, who is Jesus? He is the one that God had been promising that would come to rescue his people, usher in His kingdom and put things to rights. He is the one who heals the sick, raises the dead, casts out demons and sends out his followers to do the same. He is God in the flesh, not a distant God with his arms crossed waiting to zap us, but a God who walks among us as one of us. He has been the plan from the beginning and he is here. Do you believe it?

Matthew Chapter 15

Article  |  April 20th, 2022
By Nick Oyler | Host of the Daily Bible Devotional Podcast “2 Minute Disciple”
audio bible, daily bible, daily devotion, discipleship, personal development, self care, spiritual development, spirituality

In this chapter, I observed that persistence impresses Jesus. The Canaanite woman came to Jesus asking him to heal her daughter, but he first ignored her and she persisted asking the disciples and with Jesus until he healed her daughter. She would not take no for an answer and Jesus rewarded her persistence that was driven by her faith in Jesus. This makes me pause and consider my own prayers, am I persistent in asking or do I give up easily. If I’m honest with myself, I do give up too easily and back off when my prayers aren’t answered in as timely manner as I would like. My faith is not big enough at times and I’m not as persistent as I should be. This woman would probably be labeled a ‘Karen’ today and most of us don’t want to be perceived that way, so we back down easily in all areas of life. In my prayer life, I see that I need to risk being a Karen to grow my faith and see God work. That is a stretch for me, but if I am to become a better follower of Jesus, I need to stretch my faith muscles and be persistent in my prayers.
What did you observe in today’s reading?

Matthew Chapter 14

Article  |  April 19th, 2022
By Nick Oyler | Host of the Daily Bible Devotional Podcast “2 Minute Disciple”
audio bible, daily bible, daily devotion, personal development, self care, spiritual journey, spirituality

My biggest takeaway from this chapter is Jesus’ flexibility and ability to adapt to changing circumstances. After hearing of the death of John, Jesus planed for some solitude and silence, however, word got out about where he was going and there was a crowd of people who needed him. Instead of getting mad and sending everyone away, he has compassion on them and heals them. When supper time come, he feeds the crowds with a small meal that stretches to feed 5000+ people. He then sends his ride away with the disciples and finally gets the alone time he craves. Then he adapts by walking to his ride on the water. He calls Peter out to him and Peter is doing it and realizes it and the anxiety creeps back up, so he sinks. Jesus pulls him up and they get into the boat. Jesus did not fold under the crush of the people or the circumstances. The way that he handled these different situations inspires me to respond this way. I am reminded that I am also equipped by the Holy Spirit to be able to respond like Jesus. We saw this same way of ministry by Paul and he was able to do it like Jesus because of the Holy Spirit working in him.
I have been doing ministry all wrong for years, I tried hard to be like Jesus without tapping in to the power that I have been given, the power of the Holy Spirit. Doing ministry without the power of the Spirit only gets you anxiety and high blood pressure. This week, I want to allow the Holy Spirit to power me through and guide me just like Jesus.

Matthew Chapter 13

Article  |  April 18th, 2022
By Nick Oyler | Host of the Daily Bible Devotional Podcast “2 Minute Disciple”
active listening, audio bible, daily bible, daily devotion, spiritual journey, spirituality

What is the Kingdom of God like? Jesus has been teaching that God’s new government is here and has been showing it’s power through his miracles of healing and casting out demons. He has also sent out his apprentices and empowered them to usher in the kingdom. Now we find him telling stories that answer the question of what is God’s kingdom like? The stories that he uses to describe it in this chapter are all about seeds that grow. It brings to my mind gardening, I love to garden each summer and I make all kinds of things from the vegetables and herbs that I grow. God’s kingdom is growing and it produces wonderful fruit from small seeds. The thing that stuck out to me was this question, “Are you listening, really listening?” That is such a crucial question, because of all the noise around us, we get used to tuning things out, but for the seeds to grow in our live, we need to really listen to Jesus’ words. Are we listening?