Hey everybody, welcome to the podcast, I’m Nick and it’s awesome to be here with you today.
Today is March 15.
Each day, we follow a simple rhythm: Slow Down, Read, Notice, Reread, Meditate, Respond, and Exercise.
Let’s begin.

Slow Down

You are stepping into a sacred space with the intent of meeting Jesus.
He wants to meet with you and spend time with you.
Take this moment to slow down, quiet your mind, and prepare your heart to connect with Him.
Close your eyes. Take a deep breath in, then slowly release it.
As you inhale, whisper: “Lord, search my motives.”
As you exhale, pray: “I want Your approval”
Do this three times, then rest in His presence.

Read

“Your approval means nothing to me, because I know you don’t have God’s love within you. For I have come to you in my Father’s name, and you have rejected me. Yet if others come in their own name, you gladly welcome them. No wonder you can’t believe! For you gladly honor each other, but you don’t care about the honor that comes from the one who alone is God.
“Yet it isn’t I who will accuse you before the Father. Moses will accuse you! Yes, Moses, in whom you put your hopes. If you really believed Moses, you would believe me, because he wrote about me. But since you don’t believe what he wrote, how will you believe what I say?”  (John 5:41–47, NLT)

Notice

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

Reread

Hear the passage again slowly.
Be mindful of what God may be speaking to your heart right now.
 

Meditate

Jesus says He isn’t driven by human approval. He knows His listeners lack God’s love within them. They reject Him, yet welcome others who come “in their own name.”
He explains why belief is hard for them: they’re busy honoring each other, but they don’t care about the honor that comes from God. Their hearts are tuned to human applause.
Jesus even says that Moses—the one they claim to trust—actually wrote about Him. The problem isn’t lack of Scripture, but lack of openness to what Scripture really points to.
Take a few moments to reflect on this question:
Whose approval am I secretly chasing—and how might that be making it harder for me to fully trust and follow Jesus?

Respond

Jesus, You were not ruled by human praise.
Forgive me for the ways I’ve craved the approval of others more than the honor that comes from God.
Fill my heart with Your love so I can live for Your smile above all..

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: Pray After Conversation
Today, after at least one conversation—especially one where you feel tempted to worry about how you came across—pause and pray:
“Father, I entrust this person and this conversation to You. Help me care more about Your honor than about their approval.”

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.