Hey everybody, welcome to the podcast, I’m Nick and it’s fantastic to be here with you today.
Today is September 18.
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, You were raised from the dead.”
As you exhale, pray: “I am persuaded.”
Do this three times, then rest in His presence.

Read

Jesus said, “There was a certain rich man who was splendidly clothed in purple and fine linen and who lived each day in luxury. At his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus who was covered with sores. As Lazarus lay there longing for scraps from the rich man’s table, the dogs would come and lick his open sores. “Finally, the poor man died and was carried by the angels to sit beside Abraham at the heavenly banquet. The rich man also died and was buried, and he went to the place of the dead. There, in torment, he saw Abraham in the far distance with Lazarus at his side. “The rich man shouted, ‘Father Abraham, have some pity! Send Lazarus over here to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. I am in anguish in these flames.’ “But Abraham said to him, ‘Son, remember that during your lifetime you had everything you wanted, and Lazarus had nothing. So now he is here being comforted, and you are in anguish. And besides, there is a great chasm separating us. No one can cross over to you from here, and no one can cross over to us from there.’ “Then the rich man said, ‘Please, Father Abraham, at least send him to my father’s home. For I have five brothers, and I want him to warn them so they don’t end up in this place of torment.’ “But Abraham said, ‘Moses and the prophets have warned them. Your brothers can read what they wrote.’ “The rich man replied, ‘No, Father Abraham! But if someone is sent to them from the dead, then they will repent of their sins and turn to God.’ “But Abraham said, ‘If they won’t listen to Moses and the prophets, they won’t be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.’ ”
(Luke 16:19–31, NLT)

Notice

What stands out to you in this passage?
Is there a phrase that surprises or challenges you?
Hold it in your heart for a moment.

Reread

Listen to this story again — and notice what Jesus says to you.

Meditate

This parable presents a stark reversal of fortune between two men whose lives never intersect during their earthly existence.
The rich man enjoys luxury. Purple and fine linen. Splendid clothing. Living each day in comfort. Meanwhile, Lazarus lies at his gate, covered with sores, desperate for scraps from the table. The rich man sees him every day. And does nothing.
After death, their positions flip completely. Lazarus is carried by angels to sit beside Abraham at the heavenly banquet. He's comforted. He's welcomed. He's at peace.
The rich man? He goes to the place of the dead, in torment, in anguish, in flames.
The core message is devastating: the rich man wasn't condemned for his wealth itself. He was condemned for his complete lack of compassion. His sin wasn't what he did—it was what he didn't do. He saw Lazarus suffering and did nothing. He had the power to help and chose not to.
True children of Abraham are those who obey Moses and the prophets and share their wealth with the poor. They're the ones who see suffering and respond. Who have compassion and act on it.
But here's what should really stop you: at the end of the parable, the rich man begs Abraham to send Lazarus to warn his five brothers. He wants someone to rise from the dead to convince them to repent.
And Abraham's response is chilling: "If they won't listen to Moses and the prophets, they won't be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead."
Jesus is saying this. Jesus, who is about to rise from the dead. Jesus is saying: If people won't listen to Scripture, if they won't respond to the Word of God, then even My resurrection won't persuade them.
Take a few moments to sit with this question:
Am I persuaded by Scripture? By the resurrection? Enough to actually change how I live?

Respond

Jesus, I believe You rose from the dead. I'm persuaded. Help me live like I mean it. Help me see the Lazaruses in my life and respond with compassion. Help me use what I have to help those who have nothing. Make my life a reflection of my faith.

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: See and Respond
Today's habit is an act of intentional compassion.
Jesus is asking: What are you seeing that you're choosing to ignore?
Spend 20–30 minutes on this exercise:
Part 1: Open Your Eyes: Identify one person or situation in your life where there is suffering or need that you've been aware of but haven't responded to. Someone at your gate. Someone you see regularly but pass by.
Write their name or describe the situation.
Part 2: Understand the Need: Now ask yourself: What do they actually need? What burden could I lift? What door could I open? What would it look like for me to respond?
Be specific. Don't generalize.
Part 3: Take One Action: Finally, commit to one concrete action today—not someday, but today.
It might be:

• A financial gift or assistance
• Your time and presence
• A meal or practical help
• A conversation or prayer
• Connecting them with resources Before you act, pray: "Jesus, I see _________________. I'm choosing to respond. Not because I have to, but because I believe You rose from the dead and that changes everything. Help me represent You well. Help me be the hands and heart of Jesus to them."

I have two asks of you before you go, could you please share this podcast with one person today and check out the review of this podcast on Elevate Society?
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.