Hey everybody, welcome to the podcast, I’m Nick and it’s amazing to be here with you today.
Today is July 28.
Each day, we follow a simple rhythm: Slow Down, Read, Notice, Reread, Meditate, Respond, and Exercise.
Let’s begin.

Slow Down

We carry so much around every day — financial worries, relational stress, anxiety about the future, and the pressure to succeed.
Now is the time to set those things down for a few minutes and enjoy some time with Jesus.
Close your eyes. Take a deep breath in, then slowly release it.
As you inhale, whisper: "Jesus, I obey your teaching.”
As you exhale, pray: “Be glorified in my life.”
Do this three times, then rest in His presence.

Read

The people retorted, “You Samaritan devil! Didn’t we say all along that you were possessed by a demon?”
“No,” Jesus said, “I have no demon in me. For I honor my Father—and you dishonor me. And though I have no wish to glorify myself, God is going to glorify me. He is the true judge. I tell you the truth, anyone who obeys my teaching will never die!”
The people said, “Now we know you are possessed by a demon. Even Abraham and the prophets died, but you say, ‘Anyone who obeys my teaching will never die!’ Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?”
Jesus answered, “If I want glory for myself, it doesn’t count. But it is my Father who will glorify me. You say, ‘He is our God,’ but you don’t even know him. I know him. If I said otherwise, I would be as great a liar as you! But I do know him and obey him. Your father Abraham rejoiced as he looked forward to my coming. He saw it and was glad.”
The people said, “You aren’t even fifty years old. How can you say you have seen Abraham?”
Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, before Abraham was even born, I AM!” At that point they picked up stones to throw at him. But Jesus was hidden from them and left the Temple.
(John 8:48–59, NLT)

Notice

What jumps off the page to you in this passage?
Is there a word or phrase that stops you in your tracks?
Hold it before the Lord for a moment.

Reread

Hear this story again — and notice the tension building as Jesus reveals who He truly is.

Meditate

Before Abraham was even born — I AM.
The crowd is furious. They've been arguing with Jesus for chapters now. And then He says something that ends the conversation entirely: "Before Abraham was even born, I AM."
They pick up stones.
Why? Because they understand exactly what He's saying. "I AM" is the name God gave Himself to Moses at the burning bush. It's the name that belongs to God alone. And Jesus is claiming it for Himself.
He's not saying, "I existed before Abraham." He's saying something far more radical: I AM. Present tense. Eternal. Uncreated. The same God who spoke to Moses, who called Abraham, who has been at work in the world since before time began.
And here's what's breathtaking: Abraham saw it. Jesus says, "Your father Abraham rejoiced as he looked forward to my coming. He saw it and was glad." The whole story of Scripture has been pointing toward this moment. Every sacrifice, every promise, every covenant — all of it pointing to Jesus.
He has always been there. He has always been God. He is the I AM.
Take a few moments to sit with this question:
How does it change everything to know that Jesus is not just a good teacher or a prophet — but the eternal I AM, the God of Abraham, the One the whole story has been about?

Respond

Jesus, You are the I AM. You were there before Abraham. You are the one the whole story points to. I don't always see You clearly — but I want to. Touch my eyes. Help me to see You as You truly are. And help me to live in light of who You really are.

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: Sitting With I AM
Today's habit is a contemplative practice: set three reminders on your phone today — morning, midday, and afternoon — with a simple prompt: I AM.
When each reminder goes off, stop for sixty seconds. Don't scroll. Don't rush. Just whisper the name: "I AM." Let it land. Let its weight settle over you.
In the morning, whisper it as a declaration: "Jesus, You are the I AM. You are eternal. You are God. You were before all things and You hold all things together. I begin this day in Your presence."
At midday, whisper it as an anchor: "Jesus, You are the I AM — right here, right now, in the middle of this ordinary moment. Whatever I'm facing today, You are already there. You are not distant. You are present."
In the afternoon, whisper it as a surrender: "Jesus, You are the I AM — and I am not. I don't have to carry this day on my own. I don't have to figure everything out. You are God. I am not. And that is the best news I've heard all day."
The crowd heard Jesus say "I AM" and picked up stones. They couldn't bear the weight of who He was claiming to be.
But you can sit with it. You can let it change you. You can let the eternal I AM be the foundation your day is built on.
Whisper His name today. And let it be enough.

I have one ask of you before you go, would you please consider supporting this podcast? Click the support the podcast link and give a simple gift.
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