Hey everybody, welcome to the podcast, I’m Nick and it’s magnificent to be here with you today.
Today is July 5.
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: “Jesus, You are here.”
As you exhale, pray: “I am glad to be with you.”
Do this three times, then rest in His presence.

Read

“If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses. If the person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. Then if he or she won’t accept the church’s decision, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector.
“I tell you the truth, whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven.
“I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.”
(Matthew 18:15–20, 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 the progression—from private conversation to community involvement to final accountability.

Meditate

Work it out.
In our culture, we've been taught to avoid conflict at all costs. If someone wrongs us, we ghost them. We talk about them behind their back. We cut them off. We post passive-aggressive things on social media. We do everything except the one thing Jesus is calling us to do: go to them directly and work it out.
But here's what Jesus knows that we often forget: avoidance doesn't heal relationships. It destroys them. When we refuse to address sin, it festers. It grows. It spreads to others. It creates distance where there could be reconciliation.
So Jesus gives us a process—and it's brilliant because it's designed with love at every step.
First: Go privately. Not to embarrass them. Not to gather evidence. Not to build a case against them. Go with the goal of restoration. "If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back." Notice that language: you've won them back. This is about relationship, not judgment.
Second: If they don't listen, bring witnesses. Not to gang up on them, but to ensure clarity and fairness. Two or three witnesses confirm the truth. This protects everyone.
Third: Take it to the church. The community of believers is meant to help us navigate these hard places. We're not meant to handle serious conflict alone.
And notice the promise that bookends this teaching: "If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them." Jesus is saying: When you come together—even just two or three of you—I am there. I am with you in the work of reconciliation.
Confrontation is hard. It requires courage. It requires humility. It requires the willingness to be wrong yourself. But it's also an act of profound love. You're saying to someone: "Your sin matters. Your restoration matters. Our relationship matters. I'm willing to have this difficult conversation because I care about you."
Take a few moments to reflect on this question:
Who do I need to have a difficult conversation with? And am I willing to go to them with the goal of restoration rather than judgment?

Respond

Jesus, give me the courage to confront sin with love. Help me to seek restoration, not judgment. And help me to trust that You are with me in the hard conversations.

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: The Conversation
Today's habit is to prepare for and have a difficult conversation—one where you need to address sin or hurt with someone you care about.
Before you go, take a few minutes to prepare your heart:
First, check yourself. Ask: "Am I coming to this conversation with humility? Am I willing to listen to their perspective? Am I open to the possibility that I'm wrong about something too?"
Second, clarify your goal. You're not going to win an argument. You're not going to prove you're right. You're going to seek restoration. You're going to try to win that person back.
Third, choose your words carefully. Be specific about what hurt you or what you observed. Avoid generalizations like "You always..." or "You never..." Instead: "When you said/did [specific thing], it hurt me because..."
Then, pray this prayer: "Jesus, I'm about to have a conversation that scares me. I don't know how they'll respond. But I'm doing this because I care about them and because I care about our relationship. Be with me. Give me the right words. Help me to listen. Help me to be humble. And help us to find our way back to each other."
Go have the conversation. You might be surprised at what happens when you approach someone with honesty and love instead of avoidance and fear.
Remember: You can't control their response. But you can control your willingness to show up, to be honest, and to seek restoration. That's all Jesus is asking.

I have one ask of you before you go, could you please share this podcast with one person today? One person at a time will grow this podcast to help more people walk with Jesus.
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.