Hey everybody, welcome to the podcast, I’m Nick and it’s an honor to be here with you today.
Today is September 21.
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, increase my faith.”
As you exhale, pray: “I will exercise my faith muscle.”
Do this three times, then rest in His presence.

Read

“When a servant comes in from plowing or taking care of sheep, does his master say, ‘Come in and eat with me’? No, he says, ‘Prepare my meal, put on your apron, and serve me while I eat. Then you can eat later.’ And does the master thank the servant for doing what he was told to do? Of course not. In the same way, when you obey me you should say, ‘We are unworthy servants who have simply done our duty.’ ”
(Luke 17:7–10, 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

Hear these words again — and notice what Jesus is saying to you.

Meditate

This passage addresses something subtle and dangerous: spiritual pride masquerading as faithfulness.
Jesus paints a picture of a servant who comes in from a full day of work—plowing, caring for sheep. The servant is exhausted. And the master doesn't say, "Come in and eat with me. You've worked hard. Let's celebrate together."
No. The master says, "Prepare my meal. Put on your apron. Serve me while I eat. Then you can eat later."
And here's the kicker: "Does the master thank the servant for doing what he was told to do? Of course not."
Why? Because the servant did what was expected. The servant did his duty. There's no extra credit for doing what you're supposed to do.
This hits hard because we live in a culture of recognition. We expect acknowledgment. We want credit. We perform good deeds and wait for applause. We serve and expect gratitude.
But Jesus is saying: Obedience is expected. It's not optional. It's not something you do to earn favor. It's the baseline.
Jesus invites believers into a relationship where obedience flows from gratitude for grace already received, not from expectation of future payment. Obedience becomes a privilege, not an obligation. A response to love, not a path to earning it.
The question isn't: What do I get for obeying? The question is: How could I not obey after what Jesus has done for me?
You've been forgiven. You've been loved. You've been saved. And now you obey—not to earn anything, but because you're grateful for everything you've already been given.
That's the servant's posture: "We are unworthy servants who have simply done our duty."
Take a few moments to sit with this question:
What would it look like to obey simply because it's expected—and to be content with that?

Respond

Jesus, I want to obey because I'm grateful, not because I'm trying to earn something. Help me release the need for recognition. Help me do my duty with joy, knowing that obedience itself is the privilege. Help me be an unworthy servant who simply does what's expected—and finds that to be enough.

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: Obey Without Expecting
Today's habit is an act of humble obedience.
Jesus said obedience is expected. So today, you're going to identify one area where you've been obeying while secretly expecting something in return—and you're going to let that expectation go.
Spend 15–20 minutes on this exercise:
Part 1: Where Are You Keeping Score? Identify one specific area where you've been obeying—serving, giving, helping—while secretly expecting recognition, gratitude, or reward.
Write it down. Be honest.
Part 2: Release the Expectation: Now ask yourself: Why am I keeping score? What am I really looking for? What would it feel like to let that go?
Part 3: Obey From Gratitude: Finally, commit to continuing that obedience—but from a different posture. Not to earn. Not to get recognition. But because you're grateful for grace already received.
Before you do, pray: "Jesus, I've been obeying while expecting something in return. But You've already given me everything through grace. I'm releasing my expectation. I'm choosing to obey simply because it's expected—and because I'm grateful. Help me find joy in the duty itself, not in the reward I think I deserve."

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.