MY Devotional: Daily Biblical Encouragement & Prayer from Leading The Way

How do we know if we are following Biblical wisdom? In chapter 3 of his epistle, James sets the standard with eight qualities of godly wisdom:

 

First, godly wisdom is pure. False wisdom is characterized by bitter envy and selfish ambition; godly wisdom is characterized by purity of motive.

 

Second, it is peace-loving. Selfish ambition can start a war, but God’s wisdom can bring Truth and clarity where there is chaos.

 

Third, it is considerate. Though you have strength and power, you control yourself so that when you have the opportunity to hurt somebody, you won’t do it.

 

Fourth, it is submissive. Being submissive means being willing to listen and willing to learn. To be submissive is to be humble and teachable, not a doormat to be walked over but meek, so that your strength is guided and submitted to God, making you gentle and kind.

 

Fifth, it is full of mercy. The word used here actually has a double meaning: forgiving those who wrong us and then being willing in our hearts to help them.

 

Sixth, it is full of good fruit. You cannot manufacture the fruit of the Spirit. True spiritual maturity happens from the inside out for those who are indwelt by the Spirit of God and are seeking His wisdom moment by moment.

 

Seventh, it is impartial. Those who live by worldly wisdom cannot be impartial because they are always trying to please someone, but those who live by God’s wisdom are consistent, single-minded, and authentic.

 

Eighth, it’s sincere. A sincere person is genuine, without hypocrisy, and wears no mask.

 

Godly wisdom is the kind of wisdom that comes from the very heart of God. As you read and pray through God’s Word continually, you will find that your life is producing purity, peace, gentleness, willingness, mercy, good fruit, impartiality, and sincerity—and that’s how you’ll know the Word of God is taking root.

Join me in prayer. 

Precious Lord, thank You for answering my prayers for wisdom by giving it to me generously. As I spend time studying Your Word and listening to Your voice, I know these things will begin to take root in me. Help me to prioritize that time with You. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

The voice you hear on the MY Devotional podcast is digitally generated with Dr. Youssef's permission. If today’s devotional stirred a question, burden, or need for prayer, you don’t have to walk through it alone.
🙏 Pastoral Care & Prayer Teams
Our trained prayer partners and pastoral care team are available to pray with you and offer Biblical support.
https://ltw.org/care
💬 Receive personal answers to your faith questions—anytime, day or night—at:
https://myfaithassistant.com
If you’ve been blessed by this podcast, please consider a tax-deductible donation to help extend this ministry—so another person can be encouraged, prayed for, and pointed to Christ.
❤️ Support Leading The Way:
https://www.ltw.org/donate

Our world is overflowing with knowledge, yet starving for wisdom. In today’s episode of the MY Devotional Podcast, Dr. Michael Youssef explains the difference between knowledge and wisdom: knowledge gathers information, but wisdom applies the right Truth in the right situation.

There is natural wisdom, which relies on human reasoning and experience. There is worldly wisdom, which rationalizes sin, fuels selfish ambition, and separates us from God. James describes this kind of “wisdom” as earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. It is the same kind of deception that led Adam and Eve away from obedience in the garden.

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is altogether different. It is pure, peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere. Godly wisdom is not arrogant, harsh, boastful, divisive, or unforgiving. It does not seek self-glory; it brings glory to God.

Dr. Youssef reminds believers to seek God’s wisdom in every area of life—from marriage and parenting to conflict, decisions, and new ventures. True wisdom is the ability to apply the Word of God accurately and faithfully in our own lives and in the lives of others. The question is: are you growing in the wisdom that comes from heaven?

Pray with me. 

Father God, I pray that You would increase my godly wisdom as You’ve promised in Your Word. Protect me from relying on any kind of wisdom but Yours. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

The voice you hear on the MY Devotional podcast is digitally generated with Dr. Youssef's permission. If today’s devotional stirred a question, burden, or need for prayer, you don’t have to walk through it alone.
🙏 Pastoral Care & Prayer Teams
Our trained prayer partners and pastoral care team are available to pray with you and offer Biblical support.
https://ltw.org/care
💬 Receive personal answers to your faith questions—anytime, day or night—at:
https://myfaithassistant.com
If you’ve been blessed by this podcast, please consider a tax-deductible donation to help extend this ministry—so another person can be encouraged, prayed for, and pointed to Christ.
❤️ Support Leading The Way:
https://www.ltw.org/donate

Modern science and technology have given humanity control over many things—but not the tongue. In today’s episode of the MY Devotional Podcast, Dr. Michael Youssef turns to James 3 to show why our words matter so deeply in the life of the believer and the witness of the Church.

James compares the tongue to a small rudder that steers a great ship and a tiny spark that can set an entire forest ablaze. Though small, the tongue can wound feelings, devastate reputations, shatter self-esteem, divide families, and destroy relationships. Proverbs warns that the tongue carries the power of life and death—and rash words lead to ruin.

Dr. Youssef reminds us that Jesus connected our speech to the condition of our hearts. Words filled with pride, sarcasm, accusation, bitterness, gossip, lying, or blame reveal a heart in need of renewal. But words filled with Christ’s love, encouragement, wisdom, and power reveal the Holy Spirit’s transforming work within us.

We cannot tame the tongue in our own strength—but God can. Through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, He teaches us to use our words to empower greatly, correct gently, and lead humbly for the glory of Christ.

The voice you hear on the MY Devotional podcast is digitally generated with Dr. Youssef's permission. If today’s devotional stirred a question, burden, or need for prayer, you don’t have to walk through it alone.
🙏 Pastoral Care & Prayer Teams
Our trained prayer partners and pastoral care team are available to pray with you and offer Biblical support.
https://ltw.org/care
💬 Receive personal answers to your faith questions—anytime, day or night—at:
https://myfaithassistant.com
If you’ve been blessed by this podcast, please consider a tax-deductible donation to help extend this ministry—so another person can be encouraged, prayed for, and pointed to Christ.
❤️ Support Leading The Way:
https://www.ltw.org/donate

Today’s culture often promotes a comfortable version of Christianity—one that avoids suffering, sacrifice, and spiritual testing. But in today’s episode of the MY Devotional Podcast, Dr. Michael Youssef warns that easy-believism produces shallow faith: faith that may seem supported inside the church building but wilts when tests, trials, and persecution come.

James tells believers to consider trials pure joy because the testing of faith produces perseverance. Spiritual endurance is not cultivated by avoiding challenges, but by facing them with Christ. Trials can either turn us away from the Lord or teach us to run to Him—and Scripture calls us to choose resilient hope in every circumstance.

Dr. Youssef reminds us that when believers are rooted in Christ, it does not matter where they are planted. Joseph was planted in Pharaoh’s prison, yet God raised him to become prime minister of Egypt. Daniel was planted in the lions’ den, yet God lifted him to serve kings. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were planted in the fiery furnace, yet God used them to bear witness before rulers.

When your faith is tested, do not give up. Fix your eyes on Jesus, call upon the Lord for help, rely on His strength, and remember the eternal reward that awaits you in Christ.

Pray with me. 

Precious Lord, when the next trial comes, help me to respond with utter joy, knowing that You will use the situation to shape and strengthen me. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

The voice you hear on the MY Devotional podcast is digitally generated with Dr. Youssef's permission. If today’s devotional stirred a question, burden, or need for prayer, you don’t have to walk through it alone.
🙏 Pastoral Care & Prayer Teams
Our trained prayer partners and pastoral care team are available to pray with you and offer Biblical support.
https://ltw.org/care
💬 Receive personal answers to your faith questions—anytime, day or night—at:
https://myfaithassistant.com
If you’ve been blessed by this podcast, please consider a tax-deductible donation to help extend this ministry—so another person can be encouraged, prayed for, and pointed to Christ.
❤️ Support Leading The Way:
https://www.ltw.org/donate

In Luke 7:31–35, Jesus compared the people of His generation to children in the marketplace who refused to join the game—whether it was a wedding dance or a funeral dirge. Nothing satisfied them. In today’s episode of the MY Devotional Podcast, Dr. Michael Youssef explains that Jesus’ analogy exposes a dangerous spiritual condition: apathy that makes people resistant to the Gospel and unwilling to participate in the family of God.

John the Baptist came with a message of repentance, and people complained that he was too severe. Jesus came with the same message while eating with sinners and attending dinners and weddings, and people complained that He was too approachable. Their problem was not the messenger’s style—it was their self-focused, critical hearts.

Dr. Youssef warns that this same attitude still keeps many away from meaningful involvement in the local church. Instead of worshiping the one true God, people nitpick the delivery, criticize the congregation, and remain on the sidelines. But Jesus says wisdom is proved right by those who look beyond themselves and respond to God’s Truth.

When we lift our eyes from ourselves to our Savior—the only sure foundation—the Gospel moves us from selfishness and purposelessness into abundant joy, unexplainable peace, and brotherly love.

Pray with me. 

Precious Lord, may I dwell on Your matchless character and love for me so that I think of myself less and find complete joy in You. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

The voice you hear on the MY Devotional podcast is digitally generated with Dr. Youssef's permission. If today’s devotional stirred a question, burden, or need for prayer, you don’t have to walk through it alone.
🙏 Pastoral Care & Prayer Teams
Our trained prayer partners and pastoral care team are available to pray with you and offer Biblical support.
https://ltw.org/care
💬 Receive personal answers to your faith questions—anytime, day or night—at:
https://myfaithassistant.com
If you’ve been blessed by this podcast, please consider a tax-deductible donation to help extend this ministry—so another person can be encouraged, prayed for, and pointed to Christ.
❤️ Support Leading The Way:
https://www.ltw.org/donate