Hey everybody, welcome to the podcast, I’m Nick and it’s an honor to be here with you today.
Today is July 17.
Each day, we follow a simple rhythm: Slow Down, Read, Notice, Reread, Meditate, Respond, and Exercise.
Let’s begin.

Slow Down

Jesus is here. He’s sitting in your favorite spot, waiting for you to join Him.
You may have a million things on your mind, but for these few moments, set them aside. Relax. Calm your body.
Close your eyes. Take a deep breath in, then slowly release it.
As you inhale, whisper: “Jesus, give me courage.”
As you exhale, pray: “Help me speak Your truth.”
Do this three times, then rest in His presence.

Read

The Jewish leaders tried to find him at the festival and kept asking if anyone had seen him. There was a lot of grumbling about him among the crowds. Some argued, “He’s a good man,” but others said, “He’s nothing but a fraud who deceives the people.” But no one had the courage to speak favorably about him in public, for they were afraid of getting in trouble with the Jewish leaders.
Then, midway through the festival, Jesus went up to the Temple and began to teach. The people were surprised when they heard him. “How does he know so much when he hasn’t been trained?” they asked.
So Jesus told them, “My message is not my own; it comes from God who sent me. Anyone who wants to do the will of God will know whether my teaching is from God or is merely my own. Those who speak for themselves want glory only for themselves, but a person who seeks to honor the one who sent him speaks truth, not lies. Moses gave you the law, but none of you obeys it! In fact, you are trying to kill me.”
(John 7:11–19, NLT)

Notice

What hits you most?
Is there a phrase that jumps out to you?
Hold that phrase gently before the Lord.

Reread

Hear this passage again and pay attention to the contrast between the crowd's fear and Jesus's boldness.

Meditate

Speaking God's message requires more courage than speaking your own.
Notice the fear in this passage. The crowds are grumbling about Jesus. Some think He's good. Others think He's a fraud. But no one—absolutely no one—has the courage to speak favorably about Him in public. Why? Because they're afraid of the Jewish leaders. They're afraid of getting in trouble. They're afraid of losing their standing.
Fear silences truth.
But then Jesus shows up. Midway through the festival, He goes to the Temple and begins to teach. And He speaks boldly. Not apologetically. Not carefully. Not with one eye on the crowd's reaction. He speaks truth.
And here's the key: He explains why He can speak so boldly. "My message is not my own; it comes from God who sent me." Jesus isn't speaking to build His own reputation. He's not trying to win approval. He's speaking to honor God and to do God's will.
Then He makes a crucial distinction: "Those who speak for themselves want glory only for themselves, but a person who seeks to honor the one who sent him speaks truth, not lies."
This is the difference between speaking your own message and speaking God's message. When you speak your own message, you're protecting yourself. You're managing how people perceive you. You're afraid of the consequences. But when you speak God's message, you're free. You're not trying to win approval. You're trying to honor God.
The crowd is silent because they're afraid. Jesus speaks because He's not afraid—not because He's fearless, but because He's focused on something bigger than the crowd's approval.
Take a few moments to reflect on this question:
What truth are you silencing because you're afraid? What message from God are you too afraid to speak?

Respond

Jesus, give me the courage to speak Your truth even when it's unpopular. Free me from the fear of what others think. Help me to remember that Your approval is worth infinitely more than the crowd's.

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: Speaking Truth
Today's habit is an act of courageous speech: identify one truth you've been afraid to speak—one message from God that you've silenced because you're afraid of the consequences.
Write it down.
Then ask yourself: What am I afraid of? Losing approval? Losing a relationship? Losing my job? Losing my standing? Be honest about the fear.
Now, ask: Is this fear bigger than my commitment to God's truth? Is protecting my reputation more important than honoring God?
Then, find one person today—one trusted person—and speak the truth. Not harshly. Not in a way designed to hurt. But honestly. Courageously. In a way that honors God.
Before you speak, pray: "Jesus, I'm about to speak a truth that scares me. I don't know how this person will react. But I'm speaking because this is what You've called me to say. Give me courage. Give me wisdom. Give me the right words. And help me to remember that Your approval is what matters."
Speak today. And watch what happens when you honor God instead of the crowd.

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That’s your two minutes with Jesus for today.
Now, take what you’ve heard…share it and live it.
Until next time, keep slowing down, keep listening, and keep walking with Jesus.