Today on the Daily Nugget, Mike goes back to Romans 13:1–7 and talks again about why God calls us to submit to authority. We’re to do it not just to keep order, but for eternal reasons—to avoid God’s wrath and to follow the leading of our conscience. When we submit to authority, we’re really submitting to God Himself, and we should do whatever that requires with a sincere heart.
Read MoreToday on the Daily Nugget Podcast, Mike focuses on Romans 13:1–7, where Paul reminds us that all authority ultimately comes from God. Mike shares how God delegates His authority to different spheres of leadership — in government, the workplace, the church, and the home — and how our response to that authority reflects our trust in God’s sovereign design. He emphasizes that we are called to submit in the gray areas where the Bible doesn’t give direct commands, showing respect and humility toward those in leadership. However, when an authority’s command directly contradicts God’s Word, our loyalty must remain with the Lord — even if that means facing difficult consequences. This passage challenges us to live with wisdom, discernment, and a deep awareness that honoring rightful authority is one way we honor God Himself.
Read MoreToday on the Daily Nugget Podcast, Mike shares a story that illustrates the powerful practice of returning trouble with blessing and loving others even in the midst of challenges. Building on the themes from Romans 12 that we’ve explored over the past week, he shows how living out God’s call to genuine love, patience, and grace can transform difficult situations and relationships. This kind of love doesn’t come naturally — it comes from the Holy Spirit working in us, teaching us to respond to hurt with kindness and to reflect Christ’s heart in real life.
Read MoreToday on the Daily Nugget Podcast, Mike finishes Romans 12 by looking at verses 14 through the end of the chapter, focusing on what it means to live in love with those around us. He unpacks many of the verses in this powerful section, where Paul calls believers to bless those who persecute them, to live in harmony, to overcome evil with good, and to leave vengeance in God’s hands. Mike shares how this kind of love isn’t natural — it’s supernatural — flowing from a heart transformed by God’s mercy. As followers of Jesus, we’re called to reflect His grace and peace in how we respond to others, even in conflict or hardship. Living this way shows the world what real, Christlike love looks like in everyday life.
Read MoreToday on the Daily Nugget Podcast, Mike wraps up Romans 12:9–13 by focusing on the final three marks of a transformed life: “faithful in prayer, sharing with the Lord’s people who are in need, and practicing hospitality.” He talks about how these qualities flow from a heart that’s been changed by God’s grace — one that stays connected to Him through prayer and expresses His love through generous and open-handed living. Mike encourages listeners to cultivate a consistent prayer life that keeps them rooted in God’s presence, to be generous with both their resources and compassion, and to open their homes and hearts to others. These everyday acts of faithfulness show the world what it means to live out genuine, Spirit-led love.
Read MoreToday on the Daily Nugget Podcast, Mike continues in Romans 12:9–13, focusing on the next two phrases: “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” He shares how these qualities reveal a heart anchored in Christ — one that endures and thrives no matter the circumstances. Joyful hope comes from trusting God’s promises even when we can’t yet see the outcome, and patience in affliction grows as we remember that God is working through our trials to shape our character. Mike encourages listeners to hold tightly to hope, to endure hardship with grace, and to keep their eyes on Jesus, who strengthens and sustains us through every season.
Read MoreToday on the Daily Nugget Podcast, Mike talks about Romans 12:9–13, focusing especially on the verses “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord,” and “Honor one another above yourselves.” He shares how real transformation shows up in a believer’s passion, humility, and purpose — not just in what we know, but in how we live. God calls us to a faith that’s alive and energized by the Holy Spirit, not cold or routine. Mike encourages listeners to stay spiritually alert, to keep their fire for God burning even in difficult seasons, and to show genuine honor and care for others, remembering that true zeal and love flow from a heart centered on serving the Lord.
Read MoreToday on the Daily Nugget, Mike continues in Romans 12:9 and the verses that follow, focusing on the first three attributes of a true Christian—genuine love, brotherly affection, and a heart that abhors evil while clinging to what is good. These qualities reveal the kind of love that flows from a transformed life and reflect God’s goodness in the world around us.
Read MoreToday on the Daily Nugget, Mike talks about the last three gifts listed in Romans 12:3–8: giving, leadership, and mercy. These gifts remind us that God equips each of us differently to build up His church. The gift of giving reflects God’s generosity, the gift of leadership calls us to guide others with diligence and humility, and the gift of mercy shows His heart of compassion to those who are hurting. When each of us uses our gifts faithfully, the body of Christ thrives and God is glorified.
Read MoreToday on the Daily Nugget, Mike looks at Romans 12:3–8 and unpacks the first four gifts God gives His people to serve the body of Christ. These include prophecy, speaking God’s truth; serving, meeting practical needs; teaching, helping others understand God’s Word; and encouragement, inspiring others to live out their faith. Each gift is a unique expression of God’s grace, meant to build up His church and bring Him glory.
Read MoreToday on the Daily Nugget, Mike looks at Romans 12:3–8 and how God has given each of us a supernatural way to impact His world through the Holy Spirit. He shares how God sometimes accentuates and enhances our natural, God-given abilities and design—and other times, He works by supernaturally changing us altogether. Either way, we are called to use our gifts humbly and faithfully for His glory.
Read MoreToday on the Daily Nugget, Mike finishes Romans 12:1–2 and digs into what it means to live “in view of God’s mercy.” He talks about how we can test and discern God’s will through His Word and the Holy Spirit, making sure our lives align with His truth. Mike also reminds us that we are now God’s temples—the place where His Spirit dwells—living in grateful response to the mercy of Christ, who has already paid it all.
Read MoreToday on the Daily Nugget, Mike finishes Romans 12:1–2 by focusing on what it means to know the will of God. Paul is likely speaking here of God’s general will—His revealed desires for how we live—rather than a specific roadmap for our daily decisions. We come to understand this will through the transforming of our minds by God’s Word and by being led by His Spirit in everyday life.
Read MoreToday on the Daily Nugget, Mike talks about Romans 12:2 and what it means to not conform to the patterns of this world but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. He explores the difference between conforming and nonconforming, and the powerful process of bringing truth from the back of our minds to the front—so that our thinking and living are shaped by God’s Word rather than the world around us.
Read MoreToday on the Daily Nugget, Mike talks about Romans 12:1 — how the old sacrifices of animals have been replaced with a new kind of worship. Now, we offer ourselves as living sacrifices to God. That means giving Him all of who we are — our minds, hearts, and bodies. We offer our ears and eyes to learn His truth, and our hands, mouths, and feet to live it out in everyday life. True worship isn’t just what we say or sing — it’s offering our whole selves to God.
Read MoreToday on the Daily Nugget, Mike talks about how God hates sin—not out of anger alone, but because He delights in goodness and desires it for all His creatures. As we prepare for Paul’s call to respond to the gospel, it’s good to reflect on why God hates sin and how He is shaping us to become people who also love what is good and hate what destroys it.
Read MoreToday on the Daily Nugget, Mike talks about the importance of assuming good intentions with people. This is often easier with fellow believers, trusting that the Holy Spirit is at work in them, but it can still be challenging in the church and in the world. Through stories and reflections, we’re reminded how much grace and patience it takes to love others well.
Read MoreToday on the Daily Nugget, Mike finishes Romans 11, beginning at verse 25, where Paul speaks of a future resurgence of faith among the Jews. This promise doesn’t mean every individual without exception, but rather that God’s elect includes both Jews and Gentiles—sometimes more from one, sometimes more from the other. It’s a reminder of God’s sovereign plan to bring His people to faith across all nations.
Read MoreToday on the Daily Nugget, Mike looks at Romans 11:11–24, where Paul explains how the gospel has come to the Gentiles through Israel’s unbelief. We are reminded to be thankful for this incredible gift of grace and to remain rooted in faith. As those grafted into God’s family, we’re called to live it out daily and pass it on to others.
Read MoreToday on the Daily Nugget, Mike begins with Romans 10:21 and moves into Romans 11:1–10. Paul shows that while many in Israel have been hardened, God has always kept a remnant—a chosen people brought to faith by His grace. Paul himself and the other apostles are living proof of this. At the same time, Paul makes it clear that God closes the eyes and ears of the non-elect, a sobering reminder of His sovereignty in salvation.
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