Daily Devotions for Busy Lives

Bart Leger
  • 5.0 (8)
  • CHRISTIANITY
  • UPDATED DAILY

Too busy for quiet time this morning? Spirit running on empty before your day even starts? This short daily podcast helps you reconnect with God without rearranging your whole schedule. Join Dr. Bart Leger each weekday morning for a few minutes of Scripture, real-life encouragement, and a simple way to apply God’s truth—right where you are. Perfect for your morning routine, commute, or any moment you can pause and breathe to help you reset your heart and refocus your day, no matter how full your schedule is.

  1. The Courage to Say "I Was Wrong"

    12H AGO

    The Courage to Say "I Was Wrong"

    Ever avoided apologizing because admitting you were wrong felt too risky? In this episode, discover the spiritual power of a genuine, defenseless apology, and how four simple words might heal what years of excuses never could. Have you ever hurt someone and found yourself wrapping your apology in an excuse just to protect yourself? "I'm sorry, but if you hadn't…" "I'm sorry, but I was stressed." "I'm sorry, but you need to understand my side." The moment you add "but" to an apology, the person on the other end doesn't hear the sorry; they hear the excuse. Human nature constantly wants to justify itself. When we wound someone, our instinct is to explain, minimize, or shift blame. But a genuine, defenseless apology—one with no caveats, no spin, no self-protection- is one of the most powerful and Christlike things a person can offer. In this episode, we explore the remarkable story of Louie Amundson, whose ten-year-old daughter's school project about bullying resurfaced a memory he hadn't touched in over twenty years. He remembered a boy he and his friends had bullied through the hallways of their Alaska junior high. Instead of brushing it aside, Louie tracked down that boy, now a grown man named ChadMichael, and sent a message with no excuses and no explanations. Just: I was wrong. I'm sorry. You deserved better. Through his story and the healing promise of James 5:16, you'll see that confession and healing are directly connected. Not confession and shame. Not confession and rejection. Confession and healing. Dropping your defenses and owning your mistake might be the most courageous thing you do today, and it might be exactly what someone has been waiting years to hear. BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU'LL DISCOVER: Why the "but" apology does more damage than no apology at allHow James 5:16 directly connects honest confession to the healing of broken relationshipsThe courage to reach out to one person this week with a genuine, defenseless apology Four words, "I was wrong," might be the most healing sentence in the human language. And someone in your life may have been waiting years to hear you say them. Share This Episode: https://www.dailydevotionsforbusylives.com/201 Need Prayer? Leave me a voicemail: https://www.dailydevotionsforbusylives.com/voicemail Want to keep these devotions coming? Please consider supporting this podcast. https://www.dailydevotionsforbusylives.com/support/ Connect with Bart Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/dailydevotionsforbusylives Website: https://www.dailydevotionsforbusylives.com Feeling spiritually drained? Start here. Download your free copy of my eBook Making Time for Jesus here.

    7 min
  2. Making Peace with the Unexplained

    1D AGO

    Making Peace with the Unexplained

    Carrying an unanswered "why" that still haunts you? In this milestone 200th episode, discover how to make peace with the unexplained by leaning into God's proven character when life simply doesn't make sense. Have you ever reached a point where you simply couldn't make sense of what God was allowing in your life? We love neat resolutions. We want formulas that work, prayers that produce the outcomes we expect, and a faith that wraps up every loose end. But life in a fallen world is full of broken reality, sudden illnesses, senseless tragedies, and chapters that defy logic. We want the "Why?" answered. And when it isn't, we feel stuck, confused, and sometimes angry at the God we thought we understood. In this special 200th episode, we explore the story of Laura Story, a worship leader whose life fell apart shortly after her wedding when her husband Martin was diagnosed with a brain tumor. The surgery saved his life, but the damage permanently changed everything. The future she had imagined simply disappeared. And like anyone facing that kind of moment, Laura found herself asking, "God… why?" The answer never came the way she hoped. But what she discovered instead was something she wouldn't trade: a deeper, more anchored trust in the character of God. Out of that season came the beloved song "Blessings," reflecting the hard-won lesson that sometimes the moments that confuse us most are the ones where God is quietly shaping our faith the deepest. Through her story and the challenging wisdom of Proverbs 20:24, you'll see that real faith doesn't require understanding everything along the way. It requires trusting the One who directs your steps, even when those steps make no sense to you. BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU'LL DISCOVER: Why demanding an explanation from God before you'll trust Him again keeps you spiritually stuckHow Proverbs 20:24 frees you from the exhausting need to understand everything along the wayA practical way to release one unanswered "why" to God and lean into His proven character instead You may never get the explanation you're looking for this side of heaven. But you can make peace with the unexplained by resting in the One whose character has never changed. This is Episode 200! Thank you for being part of this journey. If these devotions have made a difference in your life, I'd love to hear your story. Email me at bart@dailydevotionsforbusylives.com and let me know how God has used this time in your life. Your story matters to me. Share This Episode: https://www.dailydevotionsforbusylives.com/200 Need Prayer? Leave me a voicemail: https://www.dailydevotionsforbusylives.com/voicemail Want to keep these devotions coming? Please consider supporting this podcast. https://www.dailydevotionsforbusylives.com/support/ Connect with Bart Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/dailydevotionsforbusylives Website: https://www.dailydevotionsforbusylives.com Feeling spiritually drained? Start here. Download your free copy of my eBook Making Time for Jesus here.

    8 min
  3. The “Spiritual Imposter” Syndrome

    4D AGO

    The “Spiritual Imposter” Syndrome

    Do you sing about joy on Sunday but feel hollow on Monday? In this episode, discover why the gap between who you want to be and who you actually are doesn't make you a fraud; it makes you a Christ-follower in progress. Have you ever given someone biblical advice that you yourself were struggling to follow? You lead the Bible study but privately wrestle with doubt. You post the encouraging verse but feel spiritually empty inside. You preach patience to your kids but lose your temper in traffic. And quietly, a voice whispers, "You're a fraud. If people really knew you, they'd never listen to a word you say." That tension between what we believe and how we actually live haunts more believers than you might think. In this episode, we explore the story of writer Emily P. Freeman, who stood in front of a Bible study group week after week looking like she had it all together—while privately wondering if she was the least qualified person in the room. When she finally admitted her struggle out loud, something surprising happened: every woman in the room began admitting the same thing. Through her story and Paul's raw confession in Romans 7:15, you'll see that feeling the gap between who you are and who you want to be isn't hypocrisy—it's proof that the Holy Spirit is alive and pulling you forward. God doesn't require polished performers. He prefers honest, limping strugglers who bring their inconsistencies to Him rather than hiding behind a mask. BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU'LL DISCOVER: Why the Apostle Paul's honest struggle in Romans 7 is one of the most comforting passages for anyone feeling like a spiritual imposterThe critical difference between a hypocrite who pretends there is no gap and a growing believer who feels the tensionHow confessing your inconsistencies to God and one trusted person can replace shame with freedom and community The struggle you feel isn't proof that you're a fraud. It's proof that God is still at work in you—one imperfect step at a time. Share This Episode: https://www.dailydevotionsforbusylives.com/199 Need Prayer? Leave me a voicemail: https://www.dailydevotionsforbusylives.com/voicemail Want to keep these devotions coming? Please consider supporting this podcast. https://www.dailydevotionsforbusylives.com/support/ Connect with Bart Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/dailydevotionsforbusylives Website: https://www.dailydevotionsforbusylives.com Feeling spiritually drained? Start here. Download your free copy of my eBook Making Time for Jesus here.

    7 min
  4. When a Door Slams Shut

    5D AGO

    When a Door Slams Shut

    Staring at a door that just slammed shut and wondering what went wrong? In this episode, discover how closed doors in God's economy are rarely punishments; they're often divine redirections toward a path you couldn't see. Have you ever prayed fervently for something and watched the door close right in your face? The job went to someone else. The relationship ended. The plan you carefully built fell apart. A closed door can feel deeply personal, like rejection, like failure, like God Himself is saying you weren't good enough. And in the painful silence that follows, it's easy to spiral into self-doubt, wondering what you did wrong or whether God is even paying attention. In this episode, we explore the story of John Erickson, a writer who dreamed of becoming a serious literary author. Publisher after publisher turned him down. He worked blue-collar jobs just to survive while the dream he had carefully planned kept running into one closed door after another. Eventually, at "rope's end," he borrowed $2,000, started his own tiny publishing company, and began selling stories about a ranch dog named Hank the Cowdog out of the back of his pickup truck at cattle auctions. What began as a last-ditch effort grew into one of the most successful children's book series in the country, selling millions of copies. Through his story and the wisdom of Proverbs 16:9, you'll see that we can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps. A closed door is rarely a dead end. It's most often God's way of steering you toward something you couldn't see from where you were standing. BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU'LL DISCOVER: Why a closed door is most often divine protection or redirection, not punishment or rejectionHow the Apostle Paul's closed doors in Acts 16 led to the gospel entering an entire continentA practical way to bring your closed door to God and ask Him to open your eyes to the redirect The door that slammed shut may be the very thing that pushes you toward something far greater than the plan you started with. Share This Episode: https://www.dailydevotionsforbusylives.com/198 Need Prayer? Leave me a voicemail: https://www.dailydevotionsforbusylives.com/voicemail Want to keep these devotions coming? Please consider supporting this podcast. https://www.dailydevotionsforbusylives.com/support/ Connect with Bart Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/dailydevotionsforbusylives Website: https://www.dailydevotionsforbusylives.com Feeling spiritually drained? Start here. Download your free copy of my eBook Making Time for Jesus here.

    7 min
  5. The Fear of Missing Out (FOMO)

    6D AGO

    The Fear of Missing Out (FOMO)

    Convinced that the good life is always happening somewhere else while yours feels ordinary? In this episode, discover how trusting God's boundaries for your life frees you from the fear of missing out and helps you bloom exactly where He planted you. Have you ever scrolled through your phone and felt a sudden panic that life is passing you by? Everyone else seems to be traveling, getting promoted, getting married, or stepping into exciting new chapters, while your life looks ordinary, stuck, or even small by comparison. That quiet fear convinces you that God is withholding the "good stuff" and that the real life is happening somewhere else. Over time, FOMO doesn't just steal your contentment; it quietly accuses God of not being generous enough with you. In this episode, we explore the story of pastor Jeff Manion, who spent years serving the same church in the same community while watching friends move to bigger cities and chase bigger platforms. He and his wife wrestled with the same question many of us face: are we missing out? But instead of constantly searching for something bigger, they chose to stay planted—and discovered that what once felt ordinary had quietly become something deeply meaningful. Through his story and the beautiful declaration of Psalm 16:5–6, you'll see that the boundaries God has placed around your life, your geography, your calling, your limits, are not punishments. They are expressions of His protection and love. True joy isn't found by chasing someone else's story. It's found by blooming exactly where God planted you. BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU'LL DISCOVER: Why FOMO is more than a cultural trend, it's a spiritual issue rooted in doubting God's generosityHow Psalm 16:5–6 reframes your current season as a "pleasant land" and a "wonderful inheritance"A practical way to replace the scroll-and-spiral of comparison with gratitude and trust The good life isn't always happening somewhere else. God has planted you right where you are for a reason, and that land is pleasant. Share This Episode: https://www.dailydevotionsforbusylives.com/197 Need Prayer? Leave me a voicemail: https://www.dailydevotionsforbusylives.com/voicemail Want to keep these devotions coming? Please consider supporting this podcast. https://www.dailydevotionsforbusylives.com/support/ Connect with Bart Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/dailydevotionsforbusylives Website: https://www.dailydevotionsforbusylives.com Feeling spiritually drained? Start here. Download your free copy of my eBook Making Time for Jesus here.

    7 min
  6. The Spiritual Test of Success

    MAR 17

    The Spiritual Test of Success

    Does success make you forget the God who made it possible? In this episode, discover why abundance is often a greater test of faith than adversity, and how intentional humility keeps your heart anchored to God on the mountaintop. Have you ever noticed that you pray the hardest when life is falling apart, but barely whisper a prayer when everything is going well? We cry out to God in the valleys, during health scares, financial crises, and broken relationships. But when the promotion lands, the bank account is full, and life is comfortable, we quietly coast. Success has a subtle way of inflating our pride and leading us to believe we achieved everything on our own. Over time, we stop leaning on God as heavily, and the dangerous illusion of self-reliance takes root. In this episode, we explore the story of Stanley Tam, an Ohio businessman whose small plastics company grew into a thriving national enterprise. As success increased, he wrestled with a question most successful people quietly face: did I achieve this on my own, or did God entrust it to me? His answer led to a stunning decision that challenged everything the business world values. Through his story and the warning of Deuteronomy 8:17–18, you'll see that the greatest spiritual test often isn't how you handle adversity, it's what comes to the surface when you're enjoying abundance. God doesn't oppose your success. He simply asks you to remember where it came from. BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU'LL DISCOVER: Why success can quietly breed spiritual forgetfulness and a dangerous sense of self-relianceHow Deuteronomy 8:17–18 was specifically written to prepare God's people for the test of abundanceA simple daily practice to stay humble and grateful in the good seasons, not just the hard ones The mountaintop is where we are most likely to forget the God who carried us up the hill. Stay anchored in gratitude, and never let abundance make you forget the One who provided it. Share This Episode: https://www.dailydevotionsforbusylives.com/196 Need Prayer? Leave me a voicemail: https://www.dailydevotionsforbusylives.com/voicemail Want to keep these devotions coming? Please consider supporting this podcast. https://www.dailydevotionsforbusylives.com/support/ Connect with Bart Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/dailydevotionsforbusylives Website: https://www.dailydevotionsforbusylives.com Feeling spiritually drained? Start here. Download your free copy of my eBook Making Time for Jesus here.

    7 min
  7. God Is Not a Vending Machine

    MAR 16

    God Is Not a Vending Machine

    Do you ever feel like you did everything "right" but God didn't hold up His end of the bargain? In this episode, discover how to break free from a transactional view of faith and learn to praise God for who He is, even in the pain. Have you ever secretly felt cheated by God when life fell apart despite your faithful obedience? Subconsciously, many of us treat God like a cosmic vending machine. We believe that if we read our Bibles, serve at church, tithe, and live right, we can insert our good deeds and receive a pain-free life in return. We assume we have a quiet deal with God: our good behavior in exchange for His protection. But when a devastating diagnosis hits, a relationship fails, or a job is lost, the machine gets stuck. We start keeping a spiritual scorecard, wondering why our obedience wasn't enough to secure a blessing, and resentment begins to take root. In this episode, we explore the heart-wrenching story of Kara Tippetts, a young pastor's wife and mother of four who was diagnosed with terminal cancer despite doing everything "right." Through her profound journey and the staggering reaction of Job in Job 1:21, you'll see why letting go of a transactional faith is the only way to survive life's darkest valleys. BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER: Why treating God like a vending machine ultimately leads to spiritual exhaustion and bitternessHow Job’s response to losing absolutely everything completely shatters the "good behavior equals good circumstances" mythThe deep, anchoring freedom found in praising God for who He is, rather than just what He gives True faith isn't anchored in the comfort of your circumstances; it's anchored in the unchanging character of God. Share This Episode: https://www.dailydevotionsforbusylives.com/195 Need Prayer? Leave me a voicemail: https://www.dailydevotionsforbusylives.com/voicemail Want to keep these devotions coming? Please consider supporting this podcast. https://www.dailydevotionsforbusylives.com/support/ Connect with Bart Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/dailydevotionsforbusylives Website: https://www.dailydevotionsforbusylives.com Feeling spiritually drained? Start here. Download your free copy of my eBook Making Time for Jesus here.

    6 min
  8. Finding Purpose in the "Empty Nest" Season

    MAR 13

    Finding Purpose in the "Empty Nest" Season

    Are you struggling to find your footing now that the kids have moved out and the house is quiet? In this episode, discover why the empty nest season isn't the end of your purpose, but the beginning of an exciting new chapter with God. Have you ever stood in your quiet, empty house and wondered, “If I’m not needed in the same way anymore… what comes next?” For a couple of decades, your life revolved around a chaotic schedule of school runs, sports practices, laundry piles, and curfews. Your purpose was clear from the moment your feet hit the floor every morning. But when the last car pulls out of the driveway, and the house suddenly becomes silent, that newfound freedom can feel incredibly heavy. It’s easy to absorb the lie that because your daily parenting role has shifted, your overall purpose in life has expired. The danger of the "empty nest" isn't the quiet house; it's rushing to fill the silence with busyness just to avoid the transition. In this episode, we explore the story of Linda Campanella, a mom who faced the echoing silence of an empty house and slowly realized it didn't mean the end of her story. Through her journey and the timeless wisdom of Ecclesiastes 3:1, you'll see that God didn't design you only to raise children. Parenting was a vital, holy assignment, but God is the author of seasons. You still have gifts, wisdom, and a calling waiting to be unleashed. BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER: Why grieving the end of your active parenting years is an entirely normal and healthy processHow Ecclesiastes 3:1 reframes the empty nest from a loss into a God-ordained transitionA simple, practical exercise to help you ask God to reveal your next assignment Your calling doesn't expire when the kids move out; it’s just the dawn of an exciting new season. Share This Episode: https://www.dailydevotionsforbusylives.com/194 Need Prayer? Leave me a voicemail: https://www.dailydevotionsforbusylives.com/voicemail Want to keep these devotions coming? Please consider supporting this podcast. https://www.dailydevotionsforbusylives.com/support/ Connect with Bart Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/dailydevotionsforbusylives Website: https://www.dailydevotionsforbusylives.com Feeling spiritually drained? Start here. Download your free copy of my eBook Making Time for Jesus here.

    6 min
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About

Too busy for quiet time this morning? Spirit running on empty before your day even starts? This short daily podcast helps you reconnect with God without rearranging your whole schedule. Join Dr. Bart Leger each weekday morning for a few minutes of Scripture, real-life encouragement, and a simple way to apply God’s truth—right where you are. Perfect for your morning routine, commute, or any moment you can pause and breathe to help you reset your heart and refocus your day, no matter how full your schedule is.

Information

  • Creator
    Bart Leger
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    202
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Daily Devotions for Busy Lives
  • Show Website
    Daily Devotions for Busy Lives

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