This is Follow Jesus Radio encouraging you to have faith in Jesus Christ and follow him daily. The title of this devotional thought is: He Brought Us Forth.
James 1:18 says that “of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth.” That is such a comforting reminder for every follower of Jesus: our new life in Christ did not begin with our effort, our goodness, or our ability to get everything right. It began with God.
He brought us forth.
He is the initiator. He is the giver of life. He is the One who causes dead hearts to live. That means if you belong to Jesus, your salvation is not a self-improvement project—it is a miracle of grace.
And how did He do it? James says it was “by the word of truth.” God used the gospel—the good news of Jesus Christ—to awaken us. Through the truth of Christ’s sinless life, sacrificial death, and victorious resurrection, God gave us new birth. We were not merely nudged in a better direction; we were made new.
That changes how we live. A follower of Jesus does not wake up each day trying to earn life from God. We wake up because we have life from God. We live from grace, not for grace. We obey not to become loved, but because in Christ we already are.
So when you feel weak, discouraged, or painfully aware of your failures, remember this: He brought you forth. The same Savior who gave you life is the One who will sustain you. Your story begins with God’s will, God’s word, and God’s Son.
Rest in that today—and live like someone made alive by Jesus.
Richard Templin Hancock
Encouraging you to have faith in Jesus Christ and follow Him daily.
Christian - forgiven - grateful
Welcome. My name is Richard Templin Hancock and I’m here to encourage you to have faith in Jesus Christ and follow Him daily. I'm glad you're here—let's walk this path together.
God Is Not Out to Get You but to Bless You
This is Follow Jesus Radio encouraging you to have faith in Jesus Christ and follow him daily. The title of this devotional thought is: God Is Not Out to Get You but to Bless You.
Sometimes in hard seasons, it is easy to think God is against us. But Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us that the Lord’s purposes for His people are not evil. Even when life is painful, God is not out to destroy His people, but to keep, refine, and lead them.
This promise was given during exile, so it was never about easy circumstances. It was about God’s faithfulness in the middle of hardship.
For believers, that hope is found in Jesus alone. Our blessing is not in comfort, success, or getting everything we want. Our blessing is in trusting Jesus, belonging to Jesus, and following Jesus.
Sometimes following Jesus means waiting. Sometimes it means suffering. Sometimes it means surrender. But the path of discipleship is never wasted, because Christ uses every trial to shape His people and draw them closer to Himself.
So when life is hard, do not assume God has turned against you. If you are in Christ, He is working for your good, teaching you to follow faithfully, and leading you toward the hope that is found in Him alone.
Sometimes in hard seasons, it is easy to think God is against us. But Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us that the Lord’s purposes for His people are not evil. Even when life is painful, God is not out to destroy His people, but to keep, refine, and lead them.
This promise was given during exile, so it was never about easy circumstances. It was about God’s faithfulness in the middle of hardship.
For believers, that hope is found in Jesus alone. Our blessing is not in comfort, success, or getting everything we want. Our blessing is in trusting Jesus, belonging to Jesus, and following Jesus.
Sometimes following Jesus means waiting. Sometimes it means suffering. Sometimes it means surrender. But the path of discipleship is never wasted, because Christ uses every trial to shape His people and draw them closer to Himself.
So when life is hard, do not assume God has turned against you. If you are in Christ, He is working for your good, teaching you to follow faithfully, and leading you toward the hope that is found in Him alone.
That's it for this podcast.Remember, Jesus loves you and is just a prayer away.
Stay Alert
This is Follow Jesus Radio encouraging you to have faith in Jesus Christ and follow him daily. The title of this devotional thought is: Stay Alert.
Matthew 25:13 (BSB) "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour."
Life has a way of lulling us into a spiritual sleep. We get caught up in the routine of our work, the distractions of our phones, and the endless list of chores that fill our days. It’s easy to live as if today is all there is, forgetting that we are part of a much larger story—a story that points toward the return of our King, Jesus Christ.
When Jesus tells us to "keep watch," He isn’t telling us to live in a state of anxiety or fear. He is inviting us to live with intentionality. To keep watch means to live with your eyes wide open to the reality of God’s presence and His promises. It means making sure that the "lamp" of your faith is fueled and burning bright.
Jesus makes it clear: we do not know the day or the hour of His return. This uncertainty isn't meant to frustrate us; it’s meant to motivate us. If we knew exactly when He was coming back, we might be tempted to live selfishly until the very last moment. But because the time is unknown, every moment becomes an opportunity to be found faithful.
Following Jesus means living in a state of "ready expectation." It means that whether He returns today or years from now, He would find us doing His work—loving our neighbors, sharing the Gospel, and resting in His grace. Keeping watch is about the posture of our hearts. Is your heart occupied with the things of this world, or is it anchored in the hope of Christ?
Today, let’s shake off the spiritual drowsiness. Let’s live with the joy and the urgency of those who know their Savior is near.
Let us pray. Lord Jesus, we thank You for the promise that You are coming again. Forgive us for the times we’ve fallen asleep to the things of Your Kingdom. Help us to keep watch today, living with a faith that is active and a hope that is bright. May we be found ready whenever You call. In Your holy name, Amen.
That's it for this podcast. Follow Jesus Radio is here 24 hours a day to encourage you to have faith in Jesus Christ and follow Him daily. Remember, Jesus loves you and is just a prayer away.
Matthew 25:13 (BSB) "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour."
Life has a way of lulling us into a spiritual sleep. We get caught up in the routine of our work, the distractions of our phones, and the endless list of chores that fill our days. It’s easy to live as if today is all there is, forgetting that we are part of a much larger story—a story that points toward the return of our King, Jesus Christ.
When Jesus tells us to "keep watch," He isn’t telling us to live in a state of anxiety or fear. He is inviting us to live with intentionality. To keep watch means to live with your eyes wide open to the reality of God’s presence and His promises. It means making sure that the "lamp" of your faith is fueled and burning bright.
Jesus makes it clear: we do not know the day or the hour of His return. This uncertainty isn't meant to frustrate us; it’s meant to motivate us. If we knew exactly when He was coming back, we might be tempted to live selfishly until the very last moment. But because the time is unknown, every moment becomes an opportunity to be found faithful.
Following Jesus means living in a state of "ready expectation." It means that whether He returns today or years from now, He would find us doing His work—loving our neighbors, sharing the Gospel, and resting in His grace. Keeping watch is about the posture of our hearts. Is your heart occupied with the things of this world, or is it anchored in the hope of Christ?
Today, let’s shake off the spiritual drowsiness. Let’s live with the joy and the urgency of those who know their Savior is near.
Let us pray. Lord Jesus, we thank You for the promise that You are coming again. Forgive us for the times we’ve fallen asleep to the things of Your Kingdom. Help us to keep watch today, living with a faith that is active and a hope that is bright. May we be found ready whenever You call. In Your holy name, Amen.
That's it for this podcast. Follow Jesus Radio is here 24 hours a day to encourage you to have faith in Jesus Christ and follow Him daily. Remember, Jesus loves you and is just a prayer away.
A Love That Heals
This is Follow Jesus Radio encouraging you to have faith in Jesus Christ and follow him daily. The title of this devotional thought is: A Love That Heals.
"In him we have also received an inheritance, because we were predestined according to the plan of the one who works out everything in agreement with the purpose of his will,"
— Ephesians 1:11 (CSB)
What does it mean that God works out everything according to the purpose of His will? We often think of this on a massive scale—like nations, weather, or global events. But God's sovereign will is incredibly personal. It reaches down into the deepest, messiest corners of our daily lives.
When we are confronted with our own sin, failures, or spiritual drift, we often expect anger or rejection. We worry we have completely derailed God's plan. But because you are "in Christ," God’s sovereign purpose for you is always restoration.
When the Holy Spirit gently points out a sin in your life, it is never to condemn you. It is God actively working out His perfect will to heal you. He is loving you to healing. He exposes the hidden wounds of our hearts only so He can cleanse them, bind them up, and make us whole again.
You can rest today knowing that the One who rules the universe is using His ultimate power and authority to lovingly shape you, restore you, and guide your steps.
Let’s pray: Lord Jesus, thank You that Your sovereign plan is filled with perfect love. When I am confronted with my own sins and failures today, help me not to run away from You, but to run to You. Thank You for loving me to healing. Work out Your beautiful will in my heart. Amen.
That's it for this podcast. Follow Jesus Radio is here 24 hours a day to encourage you to have faith in Jesus Christ and follow Him daily. Remember, Jesus loves you and is just a prayer away.
"In him we have also received an inheritance, because we were predestined according to the plan of the one who works out everything in agreement with the purpose of his will,"
— Ephesians 1:11 (CSB)
What does it mean that God works out everything according to the purpose of His will? We often think of this on a massive scale—like nations, weather, or global events. But God's sovereign will is incredibly personal. It reaches down into the deepest, messiest corners of our daily lives.
When we are confronted with our own sin, failures, or spiritual drift, we often expect anger or rejection. We worry we have completely derailed God's plan. But because you are "in Christ," God’s sovereign purpose for you is always restoration.
When the Holy Spirit gently points out a sin in your life, it is never to condemn you. It is God actively working out His perfect will to heal you. He is loving you to healing. He exposes the hidden wounds of our hearts only so He can cleanse them, bind them up, and make us whole again.
You can rest today knowing that the One who rules the universe is using His ultimate power and authority to lovingly shape you, restore you, and guide your steps.
Let’s pray: Lord Jesus, thank You that Your sovereign plan is filled with perfect love. When I am confronted with my own sins and failures today, help me not to run away from You, but to run to You. Thank You for loving me to healing. Work out Your beautiful will in my heart. Amen.
That's it for this podcast. Follow Jesus Radio is here 24 hours a day to encourage you to have faith in Jesus Christ and follow Him daily. Remember, Jesus loves you and is just a prayer away.
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