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Pivot Driven Devotions
By Arnie Cole & W. Terry Whalin
Bible Selections to Move You Closer to Jesus
PIVOTS
Take a tiny step in a different direction...
When was the last time you changed direction to follow the Holy Spirit’s lead? This is a prime example of a “pivot”—those tiny changes we can easily make for our spiritual life and the needs of others.
Maybe it’s the effort of going an additional step—to take notice, to listen or to open up—that create tremendous opportunities to bring Jesus to those who need Him.
Pivots are intentionally small so they’re not overwhelming to begin or add to along the way. Nor will all pivots will bear immediate fruit. They are intended as actions done today that change our course to produce future results. They make up a process of planting seeds, watering them and watching them grow just like 1 Corinthians 3:6-9.
Bookmark this page and come back regularly. These blog articles will help you keep learning and challenging yourself. You’ll also stay up-to-date about what the social scientists at the Center for Spiritual Fitness are discovering.
The Purpose in Your Pain: Moving Beyond Misconceptions of Romans 8:28
Discover the true, comforting depth of Romans 8:28. Learn how God weaves every difficult trial into a beautiful pattern to make you more like Jesus.
Pastor Braden Pedersen
4 hours ago
Self Control In Words and Actions - June 4
Every word we say and action we take will send a message to those around us--and not always the message we want. And while it may sound like an impossible task to be mindful of everything we say or do, Laura found some advice in the Bible that she would like to share with you.
Back to the Bible
5 hours ago
Give Us Strength - June 4
What are you facing today that you'll need strength for? Mark leads us in prayer today asking God for His strength in meeting the day's challenges.
Back to the Bible
5 hours ago
YOUR DAILY SPIRITUAL WORKOUT - Four Steps to Spiritual Fitness
Physical fitness doesn’t happen by accident. It requires showing up every day and doing the work. Spiritual fitness works the same way, and this simple, four-step daily framework gives you a repeatable rhythm for engaging God’s Word and letting it shape who you're becoming.
Back to the Bible
5 hours ago
Know Your Bible - Acts - Day 2 - June 4
Jesus promised His disciples that even after He returned to heaven, they would not be alone. Jesus would send the Helper, the Holy Spirit to guide and teach believers in this new age. In Acts chapter 2 we see the dramatic entrance of the Holy Spirit. And we'll consider what this amazing gift means for us today.
Back to the Bible
5 hours ago
Your Daily Spiritual Work Out - June 4
SPIRITUALLY FIT | TODAY In this episode of Spiritually Fit Today, Arnie Cole welcomes Gary Dunker, who shares how purpose doesn’t retire at 75. Gary discusses his journey from pastoring to writing Christian-themed Western novels, drawing on his love of history and faith. Together, they explore Philippians 1:6 and challenge the idea that your best years are behind you, encouraging listeners to keep pursuing their calling at any age. BACK TO THE BIBLE DAILY In this episode of B
Back to the Bible
5 hours ago
Self-Control Is a Gift from God - June 4
Self-control is a valuable gift, so don’t let it sit around gathering dust! Coach Kate Dreesen shares real-life examples and wise words from the Bible to give you plenty of reasons and ways to live a life of self-control. As you encounter problems and sudden unexpected changes to plans, remember 1 Timothy 1:7: 7 God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. Self-control is a gift from God, and you can use it today!
Back to the Bible
5 hours ago
Get Ready To Garden - June 4
Read John 4:35-38 “Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, then comes the harvest’? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest. Already the one who reaps is receiving wages and gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together. For here the saying holds true, ‘One sows and another reaps.’ I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor. Others have labored, and you have entered into their labor.” Re
Back to the Bible
5 hours ago
Matthew - Getting Started
Getting Started… From the opening genealogy, Matthew right away cements Jesus’ place within history. As the Son of David, Jesus’ ministry to Israel is on full display in these chapters. Whether healing the sick, or confronting the religious establishment, get to know Jesus like never before. In this verse-by-verse study, we’ll follow Jesus’ journey from birth, to death, to resurrection to ascension. As we follow Jesus’ ministry, we’ll see the calling of the first disci
Harold Berry
20 hours ago
Matthew - Week 1
Descendant of David READ Matthew 1:1 1 This is a record of the ancestors of Jesus the Messiah, a descendant of David and of Abraham. As the New Testament begins it gives the genealogy, or human ancestry, of Jesus the Messiah. The words “Messiah” and “Christ” are interchangeable. He was the “anointed one,” which is what the word “Christ” means. Jesus was God, the second person of the Trinity. But God could not die for sinful mankind so Jesus took upon Himself the limi
Harold Berry
20 hours ago
Matthew - Week 2
Before the Exile READ Matthew 1:9-11 9 Uzziah was the father of Jotham. Jotham was the father of Ahaz. Ahaz was the father of Hezekiah. 10 Hezekiah was the father of Manasseh. Manasseh was the father of Amon. Amon was the father of Josiah. 11 Josiah was the father of Jehoiachin and his brothers (born at the time of the exile to Babylon). Matthew 1:6-11 are the verses that record Jesus’ earthly genealogy from David to the Babylonian exile in 586 B.C. This passage also
Harold Berry
20 hours ago
Matthew - Week 3
An Unexpected Pregnancy READ Matthew 1:18 18 This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. Modern translations say Joseph and Mary were “engaged,” but it was a more serious thing than in the western world today. It was legally binding and was called a “betrothal.” Although considered husband and wi
Harold Berry
20 hours ago
Matthew - Week 4
The Star of Bethlehem READ Matthew 2:1-2 1 Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, 2 “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.” This passage tells of the specific place and time of Jesus’s birth. Jesus has always existed but this was the time when He took on the form of humanity and was born of the virg
Harold Berry
20 hours ago
Matthew - Week 5
Warned in a Dream READ Matthew 2:12 12 When it was time to leave, they returned to their own country by another route, for God had warned them in a dream not to return to Herod. After the wise men presented their gifts to Jesus and worshiped Him, they left by another road to their country. God had directed them not to return to Herod. They likely did not know the reason for this warning, but they obeyed God. What a lesson this is! One needs to obey God’s instructions
Harold Berry
20 hours ago
Matthew - Week 6
Nazareth in Galilee READ Matthew 2:21-23 21 So Joseph got up and returned to the land of Israel with Jesus and his mother. 22 But when he learned that the new ruler of Judea was Herod’s son Archelaus, he was afraid to go there. Then, after being warned in a dream, he left for the region of Galilee. 23 So the family went and lived in a town called Nazareth. This fulfilled what the prophets had said: “He will be called a Nazarene.” Joseph continued to be directed by dre
Harold Berry
20 hours ago
Matthew - Week 7
Fruitless Lives READ Matthew 3:9-10 9 “Don’t just say to each other, ‘We’re safe, for we are descendants of Abraham.’ That means nothing, for I tell you, God can create children of Abraham from these very stones. 10 Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.” John the Baptist rebuked the Pharisees and Sadducees who came to him to be
Harold Berry
20 hours ago
Matthew - Week 8
Into the Wilderness READ Matthew 4:1-2 1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. 2 For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry. The “wilderness” was an uninhabited place, and could either be a wooded or desert area. Jesus’ experience took place in a desert area. For 40 days and 40 nights he fasted and became “very hungry.” This caused the devil to think this was an opportunity to test Jesus at His tim
Harold Berry
20 hours ago
Matthew - Week 9
Arrested READ Matthew 4:12-13 12 When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he left Judea and returned to Galilee. 13 He went first to Nazareth, then left there and moved to Capernaum, beside the Sea of Galilee, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali. John the Baptist had been arrested, so persecution was intensifying. Matthew does not tell at this point what happened to John in prison, but he does later. Matthew is not writing a strict chronology of events, he is p
Harold Berry
20 hours ago
Matthew - Week 10
The Good News About the Kingdom READ Matthew 4:23-24 23 Jesus traveled throughout the region of Galilee, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. 24 News about him spread as far as Syria, and people soon began bringing to him all who were sick. And whatever their sickness or disease, or if they were demon possessed or epileptic or paralyzed—he healed them all. Jesus announced “the Good
Harold Berry
20 hours ago
Matthew - Week 11
Peacekeepers READ Matthew 5:9-10 9 “God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God. 10 God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.” Those who work to produce peace are the happy or fortunate ones because it shows they are children of God. Others are usually angry with themselves and with others. Some are persecuted for doing right while others call good evil and evil good. Those persecu
Harold Berry
20 hours ago
Matthew - Week 12
Least and the Greatest READ Matthew 5:19 19 “So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.” People today are not under the Old Testament law although the moral law is true for any age. Some today think Church-age believers should be under the Old Testament law, but that law never provided salva
Harold Berry
20 hours ago
Matthew - Week 13
Purpose for Purity READ Matthew 5:27-28 27 “You have heard the commandment that says, ‘You must not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” God is not opposed to sex; He is the one who created it. He approves the sexual relationship in marriage between a man and a woman (see Hebrews 13:4). God wants purity in thought and life, however, so these are warnings about bad thoughts tha
Harold Berry
20 hours ago
Matthew - Week 14
The Other Cheek READ Matthew 5:38-39 38 “You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also.” Jesus continued to contrast the letter of the Old Testament law with a higher level of life He wanted His followers to have in His kingdom. On the one hand He set the limits of punishment; on the othe
Harold Berry
20 hours ago
Matthew - Week 15
Good Deeds READ Matthew 6:1-2 1 “Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. 2 When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get.” Jesus continued to tell what His followers should be like—not doing things fo
Harold Berry
20 hours ago
Matthew - Week 16
Forgiveness READ Matthew 6:14-15 14 “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. 15 But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.” Some are thankful for God’s forgiveness of them but are unforgiving of others. This does not please God. The more believers in Jesus are sensitive to how much they have been forgiven, the more forgiving they will be of others. These statements from the Lord Jesus should be
Harold Berry
20 hours ago
Matthew - Week 17
All Your Worries READ Matthew 6:25-27 25 “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? 27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?” Jesus continued to co
Harold Berry
20 hours ago
Matthew - Week 18
Specks and Logs READ Matthew 7:3-5 3 “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? 4 How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? 5 Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.” It is easy to judge someone else, even a Christian brother or sister. Som
Harold Berry
20 hours ago
Matthew - Week 19
The Narrow Gate READ Matthew 7:13-14 13 “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. 14 But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.” Think of a funnel: wide at the top with a narrow tube at the end. Consider that those who enter God’s kingdom enter the narrow end with all kinds of blessings and liberties that follow. Rel
Harold Berry
20 hours ago
Matthew - Week 20
Built on Sand READ Matthew 7:26-27 26 “But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. 27 When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.” Jesus said this after having said the wise person builds his house on bedrock. He warned that all those who do not obey His teaching would be like those building their houses on sand. He warned that those houses wo
Harold Berry
20 hours ago
Matthew - Week 21
The Nature of Authority READ Matthew 8:8-9 8 But the officer said, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come into my home. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed. 9 I know this because I am under the authority of my superior officers, and I have authority over my soldiers. I only need to say, ‘Go,’ and they go, or ‘Come,’ and they come. And if I say to my slaves, ‘Do this,’ they do it.” Jesus said He would come heal the officer’s young soldi
Harold Berry
20 hours ago
Matthew - Week 22
No Place to Lay His Head READ Matthew 8:18-20 18 When Jesus saw the crowd around him, he instructed his disciples to cross to the other side of the lake. 19 Then one of the teachers of religious law said to him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” 20 But Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head.” Capernaum was on the west side of the Sea of Galilee. Jesus instructed His disciples t
Harold Berry
20 hours ago
Matthew - Week 23
Confronting Jesus READ Matthew 8:29 29 They began screaming at him, “Why are you interfering with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torture us before God’s appointed time?” The two demon-possessed men who had come out of the tombs yelled this at Jesus. Notice they knew He was the Son of God. They also knew they had an appointed time when they would be tortured. This reveals how much the devil and his demons know, but their knowledge only condemns them. REFLECT
Harold Berry
20 hours ago
Matthew - Week 24
That's Blasphemy READ Matthew 9:3 3 But some of the teachers of religious law said to themselves, “That’s blasphemy! Does he think he’s God?” After Jesus told the paralyzed man his sins were forgiven, this is the reaction of the onlookers. They realized only God could forgive sins, but they didn’t believe Jesus was God. There are also those today—some standing behind pulpits—who think Jesus was only a good example but not God. REFLECT Do you attend a church that te
Harold Berry
20 hours ago
Matthew - Week 25
Mercy Not Sacrifices READ Matthew 9:12-13 12 When Jesus heard this, he said, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do.” 13 Then he added, “Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’ For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.” The Pharisees were indignant when they saw Jesus associating with tax collectors. Jesus’ remarks were directed at the Phari
Harold Berry
20 hours ago
Matthew - Week 26
Back to Life READ Matthew 9:23-26 23 When Jesus arrived at the official’s home, he saw the noisy crowd and heard the funeral music. 24 “Get out!” he told them. “The girl isn’t dead; she’s only asleep.” But the crowd laughed at him. 25 After the crowd was put outside, however, Jesus went in and took the girl by the hand, and she stood up! 26 The report of this miracle swept through the entire countryside. The leader of a synagogue had asked Jesus to come to his house b
Harold Berry
21 hours ago
Matthew - Week 27
The Twelve READ Matthew 10:1-4 1 Jesus called his twelve disciples together and gave them authority to cast out evil spirits and to heal every kind of disease and illness. 2 Here are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (also called Peter), then Andrew (Peter’s brother), James (son of Zebedee), John (James’s brother), 3 Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew (the tax collector), James (son of Alphaeus), Thaddaeus, 4 Simon (the zealot), Judas Iscariot (who later
Harold Berry
21 hours ago
Matthew - Week 28
Enduring Hatred READ Matthew 10:21-23 21 “A brother will betray his brother to death, a father will betray his own child, and children will rebel against their parents and cause them to be killed. 22 And all nations will hate you because you are my followers. But everyone who endures to the end will be saved. 23 When you are persecuted in one town, flee to the next. I tell you the truth, the Son of Man will return before you have reached all the towns of Israel.” Jesu
Harold Berry
21 hours ago
Matthew - Week 29
A Sword READ Matthew 10:34-36 34 “Don’t imagine that I came to bring peace to the earth! I came not to bring peace, but a sword. 35 ‘I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. 36 Your enemies will be right in your own household!’” Some people believe Jesus came only to bring peace. That is not what He said. He refers to Micah 7:6 as He mentioned divisions within families. Many families a
Harold Berry
21 hours ago
Matthew - Week 30
Report What You Have Seen READ Matthew 11:4-6 4 Jesus told them, “Go back to John and tell him what you have heard and seen—5 the blind see, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor.” 6 And he added, “God blesses those who do not fall away because of me.” John the Baptist was in prison and having doubts about whether Jesus was really the Messiah. He sent some disciples to a
Harold Berry
21 hours ago
Matthew - Week 31
Comparisons READ Matthew 11:16-17 16 “To what can I compare this generation? It is like children playing a game in the public square. They complain to their friends, 17 ‘We played wedding songs, and you didn’t dance, so we played funeral songs, and you didn’t mourn.’” God had sent John the Baptist as the forerunner of Jesus who was the promised Messiah-King. His many miracles showed Him to be qualified as this Messiah. The nation of Israel rejected Him, however, and o
Harold Berry
21 hours ago
Matthew - Week 32
The Father and Son READ Matthew 11:27 27 “My Father has entrusted everything to me. No one truly knows the Son except the Father, and no one truly knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.” Jesus told who truly knows Him—only the heavenly Father. He also told who truly knows the heavenly Father—only those to whom He chooses to reveal Him. This verse shows no one can completely understand God and all His workings. One would have t
Harold Berry
21 hours ago
Matthew - Week 33
Greater Than the Temple READ Matthew 12:5-6 5 “And haven’t you read in the law of Moses that the priests on duty in the Temple may work on the Sabbath? 6 I tell you, there is one here who is even greater than the Temple!” Jesus continued telling the Pharisees what they should have known from their Scriptures. Even the priests were allowed to work on the Sabbath. The Israelites were fixated on the Temple, which was the center of worship for them. As Jesus stood in fron
Harold Berry
21 hours ago
Matthew - Week 34
Many People Followed READ Matthew 12:15-16 15 But Jesus knew what they were planning. So he left that area, and many people followed him. He healed all the sick among them, 16 but he warned them not to reveal who he was. Jesus left the area because the religious leaders wanted to kill Him for healing a man’s hand on the Sabbath. Note that even though the religious leaders rejected Him, “many people followed him.” He healed the sick among them but didn’t want them to t
Harold Berry
21 hours ago
Matthew - Week 35
Divided Then Conquered READ Matthew 12:25-26 25 Jesus knew their thoughts and replied, “Any kingdom divided by civil war is doomed. A town or family splintered by feuding will fall apart. 26 And if Satan is casting out Satan, he is divided and fighting against himself. His own kingdom will not survive.” The Pharisees accused Jesus of being able to cast out demons by the power of Satan, the prince of demons. Jesus pointed out how illogical it was to think what the Phar
Harold Berry
21 hours ago
Matthew - Week 36
A Tree and its Fruit READ Matthew 12:33-34 33 “A tree is identified by its fruit. If a tree is good, its fruit will be good. If a tree is bad, its fruit will be bad. 34 You brood of snakes! How could evil men like you speak what is good and right? For whatever is in your heart determines what you say.” Jesus rebuked the self-righteous Pharisees. Their words were bad and their actions were worse. Their words revealed what was in their hearts. Jesus said they were like
Harold Berry
21 hours ago
Matthew - Week 37
Greater than Solomon READ Matthew 12:42 42 “The queen of Sheba will also stand up against this generation on judgment day and condemn it, for she came from a distant land to hear the wisdom of Solomon. Now someone greater than Solomon is here—but you refuse to listen.” Jesus continued to rebuke the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees for their lack of faith. He had mentioned Jonah; here He referred to the queen of Sheba and Solomon. The queen had come a long w
Harold Berry
21 hours ago
Matthew - Week 38
Of Seeds and Soil READ Matthew 13:3-5 3 He told many stories in the form of parables, such as this one: “Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seeds. 4 As he scattered them across his field, some seeds fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate them. 5 Other seeds fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The seeds sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow.” A “parable” is a short story to illustrate a point. The word literally means “alongside,” so it acco
Harold Berry
21 hours ago
Matthew - Week 39
The Purpose of Parables READ Matthew 13:13-14 13 “That is why I use these parables, for they look, but they don’t really see. They hear, but they don’t really listen or understand. 14 This fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah that says, ‘When you hear what I say, you will not understand. When you see what I do, you will not comprehend.’” Jesus explained to the disciples why He used parables. It was to hide truth from those who had willfully rejected hearing it. He quoted f
Harold Berry
21 hours ago
Matthew - Week 40
Thorny Problems READ Matthew 13:22 22 “The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced.” Jesus continued to explain the parable of the sower that He had told. Some hear God’s word but the message gets crowded out by worries and love of wealth. As a result no fruit is produced. Notice the desire Jesus had was to see fruit
Harold Berry
21 hours ago
Matthew - Week 41
A Mustard Seed READ Matthew 13:31-32 31 Here is another illustration Jesus used: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed planted in a field. 32 It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of garden plants; it grows into a tree, and birds come and make nests in its branches.” Some debate about whether modern science knows of a smaller seed. Jesus said it “is the smallest of all seeds.” It was, however, the smallest known in the East at that time.
Harold Berry
21 hours ago
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