Samuel's first act as leader... Bring people back to worship!
Today on the Daily Nugget, Mike looks at Samuel’s first action to lead Israel back to worshiping the one true God. The Israelites had turned away from the Lord, following the people around them and trusting in false gods like Baal and Asherah for weather, fertility, and prosperity. Samuel called them to repent, put away their foreign gods, and serve the Lord alone. We may not have Asherah poles or carved idols in our homes today, but are we truly worshiping God and trusting Him, or have we placed our confidence in money, success, relationships, or other things? What are we trusting to provide what only God can give?
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The Life God intends..... Impossible?!?!
Today on the Daily Nugget, Mike shares a Freebie Friday reflection on God's calling to love Him with our whole lives. From being 100 percent grateful for His blessings and worshiping Him more than Dagon did, to praying, studying His Word, and being generous with our time, talents, treasure, and the gospel, we're challenged to give God our very best. None of us will be able to say we served God perfectly or did everything He wanted, and we will all ultimately cry out for His mercy. Yet, because of His grace, our desire should be to live fully surrendered to Him, serving and loving Him with everything we have.
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A tale of worship you won't believe... And it's in the Bible!
Today on the Daily Nugget, Mike explores 1 Samuel 5 and the fascinating account of Dagon falling before the Ark of the Covenant—not once, but twice! This powerful reminder reveals that even false gods must bow before the greatness of the one true God. As we reflect on Dagon's forced submission, we're challenged to consider our own response: Will we humble ourselves and willingly worship the God who alone is worthy of our praise?
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Samuel... The boy who heard from God
Today on the Daily Nugget, Mike looks at the story of young Samuel and the three times God called his name. Samuel didn’t recognize God’s voice at first, but Eli helped him understand that God was speaking to him. Sometimes God is calling us, but we’re listening for His voice in the wrong places—or simply don’t recognize it yet. The question is: Are we quiet enough and willing enough to say, “Speak, Lord, for your servant hears”?
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Eli... Not perfect... but used by God
Today on the Daily Nugget, Mike looks at Eli, a man remembered for three things: being a good priest, being overweight, and being a poor father to his sons. Yet despite his failures, God gave Eli another opportunity to make a difference through Samuel, whom he faithfully taught to listen for the voice of God. Eli’s story reminds us that our past failures do not have to define our future usefulness when we remain willing to serve God and invest in the next generation.
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Hannah... tears to triumph
Today on the Daily Nugget, Mike talks about Hannah and the deep struggles she endured that ultimately led to the birth of Samuel, the man God would use to lead Israel after Eli and anoint Israel’s first two kings. Hannah’s story reminds us that God can use seasons of pain, waiting, and unanswered prayer to accomplish purposes far greater than we can see in the moment. Her faithfulness and God’s faithfulness show us that our struggles are never wasted when placed in His hands.
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The last word... in Galatians!
Today on the Daily Nugget, Mike finishes the book of Galatians in Galatians 6:15–18 as Paul reminds us that what ultimately matters is not religious performance or outward appearance, but becoming a new creation in Christ. For those who trust the gospel, Paul calls us to experience and extend the peace, mercy, and grace that come from Jesus. As this powerful letter closes, may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with our spirit and shape every part of our lives.
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There is a time to boast!
Today on the Daily Nugget, Mike focuses on Galatians 6:11–14, contrasting what Paul’s opponents were trying to build and boast about with what truly matters in the life of a believer. While they wanted to boast in outward appearances and what they could accomplish, Paul points to the cross of Christ as the only thing worth boasting about. He closes with the powerful declaration that “the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world,” reminding us that our identity and worth are no longer found in the approval, accomplishments, or standards of the world, but in what Jesus accomplished for us on the cross.
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Time to do some good...
Today on the Daily Nugget, Mike talks about Galatians 6:6–10 and our call to keep doing good, even when we don’t immediately see the results. God promises that we will reap what we sow, so we can trust that our acts of kindness, generosity, service, encouragement, and faithfulness are never wasted. Our responsibility is to keep sowing good seeds and not grow weary, while trusting God to bring the harvest in His perfect timing.
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The Response to the Fruit of the Spirit, a humble life
Daily Nugget: Today, Mike explores the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22–6:2 and what our response should be when the Spirit is transforming our lives. As we keep in step with the Spirit, we become humble people who are continually changed by God while also allowing Him to use us to change ourselves, encourage one another, carry each other’s burdens, and impact the world. The fruit God produces in us is never meant to stop with us—it becomes a powerful way He works through us.
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Self-control - It may be the most important fruit to cultivate
Today on the Daily Nugget, Mike explores the fruit of self-control from Galatians 5:23. Biblical self-control is not simply the ability to manage our behavior; it is the Spirit-empowered ability to say yes to God and no to anything that distracts us from His presence and purpose. True self-control comes from surrendering our desires, thoughts, and actions to the leadership of the Holy Spirit. The counterfeit fruit is self-will—trying to control our lives through our own strength and determination rather than relying on God. The rotten fruit is an uncontrolled spirit—being ruled by our impulses, desires, and emotions. True self-control is not about being controlled by ourselves, but about allowing God to transform and lead us.
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Gentleness ... The world needs more of it!
Today on the Daily Nugget, Mike explores the fruit of gentleness from Galatians 5:23. Biblical gentleness is not weakness or passivity; it is controlled strength—having the humility and self-control to create a safe place for others while still having the courage to speak the truth in love. Jesus perfectly demonstrated gentleness by being compassionate toward the broken while boldly confronting sin and calling people to repentance. The opposite of gentleness is pride, using our strength to elevate ourselves and control others. The counterfeit is simply being nice or shy, avoiding difficult conversations rather than lovingly speaking truth. True gentleness comes from surrendering our strength to God and allowing His character to flow through us.
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Faithfulness... It is often the little things
Today on the Daily Nugget, Mike explores the fruit of faithfulness from Galatians 5:22. Faithfulness reflects the character of our trustworthy God by producing lives that are responsible, dependable, and committed to honoring Him in all that we do. The rotten fruit of faithfulness is irresponsibility—failing to steward well the people, gifts, and responsibilities God has entrusted to us. The plastic fruit is half-heartedness—appearing faithful on the outside while lacking wholehearted devotion to God. True faithfulness flows from knowing and trusting the God who is always faithful to us.
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My goodness... it isn't enough, but God's is!
Today on the Daily Nugget, Mike explores the fruit of goodness from Galatians 5:22. Biblical goodness (agathōsynē) is not simply doing good things, but becoming people of integrity who reflect God’s character by honoring Him in thought, word, and deed. Through the Ten Commandments, God reveals His good design for our lives, leading us toward true joy, purpose, and His glory. The opposite of goodness is evil, but the counterfeit is creating our own definition of morality apart from God. True goodness flows from knowing the God who is good and allowing His Spirit to transform us into people who reflect His goodness to the world.
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Kindness ... Generosity... In every part of our lives.
Today on the Daily Nugget, Mike continues our study through the book of Galatians by exploring the fifth fruit of the Spirit: kindness. The Greek word chrēstotēs speaks of generous goodness that actively seeks the benefit of others. Biblical kindness isn't merely being nice—it's generously bringing the goodness of God into the lives of others. When we live by the flesh, we produce rotten fruit like coldness, selfishness, miserliness, and withholding good from those around us. Or we settle for plastic fruit, giving only to get something in return or giving out of our abundance in ways that cost us little. But the Holy Spirit produces genuine kindness—a generous, sacrificial heart that freely gives because it has first received the extravagant generosity of God. Join me as we discover how God's kindness transforms us into people who joyfully bless others with the same grace He has shown us.
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Spiritual Fruit was always God's vision
Today on the Daily Nugget, Mike continues our study through the book of Galatians by stepping back to look at the bigger picture of the fruit of the Spirit. From the very beginning, God's intention has been for His people to bear fruit and display His image to the world. We were created to reflect His character, and through Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit, He is restoring that image in us. As we abide in Him, His love, joy, peace, patience, and every other fruit become visible in our lives, bringing His presence into our homes, workplaces, churches, and communities. Join me as we discover that bearing fruit isn't just something God asks of us—it's His vision for His people and His world.
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Patience... yes, it is the calling
Today on the Daily Nugget, Mike continues our study through the book of Galatians by exploring the fourth fruit of the Spirit: patience. The Greek word, makrothymia, literally means to be "long-tempered" or "slow to boil." Biblical patience is more than waiting well—it is suffering without resentment or retaliation because we trust God with justice and His perfect timing. When we live by the flesh, we produce rotten fruit like anger, bitterness, resentment, and a short fuse. Or we display plastic fruit by appearing calm on the outside while inwardly simmering with frustration and unforgiveness. But as we experience God's incredible patience toward us, the Holy Spirit produces genuine patience within us, enabling us to respond with grace, mercy, and self-control even when we are wronged. Join me as we discover how God's long-suffering love transforms us into people who are slow to anger and quick to extend His grace to others.
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Peace... What makes us stand out!
Today on the Daily Nugget, Mike continues our study through the book of Galatians by exploring the third fruit of the Spirit: peace. Biblical peace (eirēnē) is far more than the absence of conflict—it is trusting in the sovereignty and goodness of God. When we lose sight of God's character, our sinful nature often produces rotten fruit like anxiety, worry, fear, and anger. Or we settle for plastic fruit, trying to escape reality through distractions, entertainment, comfort, or anything that numbs our hearts instead of bringing them to God. But the Holy Spirit produces genuine peace as we learn to rest in our Father's wise rule and loving care. Join me as we discover how true peace is found not in changing our circumstances, but in trusting the God who is sovereign over them.
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True Joy... The default setting for Christians!
Today on the Daily Nugget, Mike continues our study through the book of Galatians by exploring the second fruit of the Spirit: joy. Biblical joy is far deeper than happiness—it is the delightful appreciation of God, His character, and His work in our lives. While our circumstances constantly change, God never does. As we grow in our understanding of who He is and recognize His faithful work in us, our hearts learn to delight in Him regardless of what we face. True joy isn't found in having a trouble-free life, but in knowing and enjoying the God who is always good. Join us as we discover how the Holy Spirit produces lasting joy in those who abide in Christ.
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Love... The first fruit
Today on the Daily Nugget, as we continue our study through the book of Galatians, we begin looking at the fruit of the Spirit with the first fruit: love (Galatians 5:22). Love is far more than a feeling. God's love welcomes us into His family, comforts us in our deepest pain, delights in us as His beloved children, generously gives for our good, delivers us from darkness into new life, and transforms us into people who love others the way He has loved us. The fruit of the Spirit doesn't begin with trying harder—it begins with abiding in the God who is love. As we experience His love more deeply, His love naturally overflows through us to a world desperate to know Him.
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