Hey everybody, welcome to to the podcast, I’m Nick and I am honored to be here today. Today is January 27.
Each day, we follow a simple rhythm: Slow Down, Read, Notice, Reread, Meditate, Respond, and Exercise.
Let’s begin.
Slow Down
Jesus is glad you are here.
He longs to spend time with you.
He wants to be in your presence.
He loves you.
Close your eyes. Take a deep breath in, then slowly release it.
As you inhale, whisper in your heart: “Oh my soul.”
As you exhale, pray: “Praise the Lord.”
Do this three times, then sit in silence for a few moments.
Read
Everyone spoke well of him and was amazed by the gracious words that came from his lips. “How can this be?” they asked. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?”
Then he said, “You will undoubtedly quote me this proverb: ‘Physician, heal yourself’—meaning, ‘Do miracles here in your hometown like those you did in Capernaum.’ But I tell you the truth, no prophet is accepted in his own hometown.
“Certainly there were many needy widows in Israel in Elijah’s time, when the heavens were closed for three and a half years, and a severe famine devastated the land. Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them. He was sent instead to a foreigner—a widow of Zarephath in the land of Sidon. And many in Israel had leprosy in the time of the prophet Elisha, but the only one healed was Naaman, a Syrian.”
When they heard this, the people in the synagogue were furious. Jumping up, they mobbed him and forced him to the edge of the hill on which the town was built. They intended to push him over the cliff, but he passed right through the crowd and went on his way. (Luke 4:22–30, NLT)
Notice
What stands out to you in this passage?
Is there a word or phrase that catches your attention?
Hold it in your heart for a moment.
Reread
Now hear the passage again slowly, being mindful of what God is wanting you to hear from Him.
Meditate
I once had a cavity filled that needed extra Novocain because I could feel the drill. The dentist struck a nerve — and wow, that hurt.
Jesus struck a nerve in His hometown.
They could not hear the truth of who He was because they were blinded by anger and familiarity.
The truth is, when God’s Word strikes a nerve, it’s not to harm us — it’s to heal us.
Just like a skilled surgeon works on a tender spot to remove what’s damaging the body, God uses His Word to cut away lies, pride, and sin so that we can live in freedom.
Take a few moments to reflect on this question:
When God’s Word strikes a nerve, how do I respond?
Respond
God, help me to respond with repentance instead of anger when Your Word hits a nerve.
Exercise
The rush of life will meet you again when you leave this sacred place—but you can carry this moment into your day by forming new habits.
Habit: Remember God is Here
When Jesus’ words struck a nerve in His hometown, the crowd reacted with anger instead of reflection. One way to guard against that kind of reaction in our own lives is to cultivate a deep awareness of God’s presence throughout the day.
Today, set aside at least one intentional pause — maybe mid-morning or mid-afternoon — to take 30 seconds, breathe deeply, and remember that God is with you.
You can do this anywhere:
At your desk between tasks
In the car before heading into a meeting
Standing in line at the store
As you pause, whisper a short prayer like, “Lord, I know You are here. Help me listen and respond to You with humility.”
This habit keeps your heart soft and receptive so that when God’s Word challenges you, you’re ready to respond with repentance and trust rather than defensiveness.
The goal is to weave these moments of awareness into your day until remembering God’s presence becomes second nature.
That’s your two minutes with Jesus for today.
Now, take what you’ve heard… and live it.
Until next time, keep slowing down, keep listening, and keep walking with Jesus.