Tag Archives: christianinfluencer

Daily Christian Devotion

Work for it, For The Lord Is With You

“And be strong, all you people of the land,’ says the Lord, ‘and work; for I am with you,’ says the Lord of hosts.”

Haggai 2:4 NKJV

The word of the Lord came through Haggai the prophet. God instructed the people of Israel to rebuild the temple, but they grew discouraged in the process of rebuilding.

This temple once stood in glory during the time of Solomon. Solomon spared nothing—money, material, or manpower—in building its grandeur. It was a magnificent memory for the people of Israel and for nations around them. Kings and queens came from distant lands and marveled at its splendor.

But now the temple lay in ruins and rubble because of the sin and unfaithfulness of God’s people. In their discouragement, the message of the Lord came through the prophet Haggai to the governor, the high priest, and the remnant of the people, instructing them to be strong and to continue the work with the assurance of His presence, and with the promise that the latter temple would be more glorious than the former one.

The people’s discouragement came from comparison. Even if they poured their heart and soul into rebuilding, this temple would never seem as glorious as Solomon’s. That comparison killed their desire to do what God had commanded.

But the Lord’s message to them was to build it anyway, with the assurance that He would be with them.

In your own life, you may have faced mountains and valleys. At one time, your life may have been so glorious that others wished they had what you had. Your ministry may have been thriving. Your business successful. Your family blessed. In such seasons, praising and honoring God, sharing His love, and spreading His Word was easier—and you enjoyed doing it.

But now, perhaps you find yourself in a valley, walking in darkness, searching for your way through a forest of discouragement. The people who once stood by you have disappeared from your life. Those who celebrated your business, ministry, or family now avoid you. The family that once stood as a testimony for many may now feel broken. All you see are ruins and rubble—the shattered pieces of your life.

Yet in this very season, God calls you to rebuild your altar of praise and restore your temple of worship. He wants you to work again in the ministry He placed in your hands. He is asking you to use the skills and talents He has given you.

Remember how God used you in the past—in your workplace, family, church, and community. Now the Word of the Lord reminds us to be strong, to be encouraged, to work for His kingdom, and not to be discouraged, with the assurance that He will be with us in all that we do.

And here is His promise: the latter part of your life will be more blessed than the former. It may not look as you expect, but others will clearly see that God’s presence is with you.

When God is on your side, you will see your family united, your business blessed, your ministry growing. You will thrive. In this season, you will impact more people positively than you did when you were standing on the mountain.

The temple was rebuilt after almost 70 years of destruction. When its foundation was laid, the older generation who had seen Solomon’s glorious temple wept aloud, while the younger generation shouted for joy. So it will be in your life—the young and old will rejoice at the work of God in you.

Therefore, consider your ways (Haggai 1:7). Refocus on your calling. Kill comparison. Break free from the scars of your past. Work for the Lord, for He is with you.

Your latter days will be more glorious than the former.

Prayer:

Lord, strengthen me to do the work You have placed in my hands. Help me not to be crushed by comparison or discouraged by ruins, but to trust in Your presence and promises. May my latter days bring glory to Your name and become a testimony of Your faithfulness. Amen.

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Daily Christian Devotion, Uncategorized

Time Has Come For God To Show Mercy

“You will arise and have mercy on Zion; For the time to favor her, Yes, the set time, has come.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭102‬:‭13‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Joseph, the second-youngest of the 12 brothers, had his low and high moments in life. This phase of his life was when he was falsely accused and imprisoned.

During his prison time, Joseph was confined with two others—a cupbearer and a baker.

One night, both the cupbearer and the baker had dreams with different interpretations but at the same time.

The next day, both of their countenances looked troubled. Joseph inquired and asked, “Why do your faces look downcast?”

They replied, saying they had a dream, but there was nobody to interpret it. Joseph insisted that they share the dreams, for interpretation belongs to God.

Joseph interpreted correctly that the cupbearer would be restored back to office in three days, while the baker would be hanged in three days. Joseph requested the cupbearer to kindly remember him, because he was wrongly imprisoned.

After a couple of years, Pharaoh had dreams that troubled his spirit. Pharaoh sent for magicians and all the wise men in the land to interpret the dreams, but none could interpret them for him. During such a time, the cupbearer, who had been restored to Pharaoh’s office, remembered the young Hebrew boy and his gift of interpreting dreams.

He recommended Joseph to Pharaoh. Pharaoh’s servants, by his instruction, brought Joseph out of the prison.

Joseph groomed himself, changed his clothes, and appeared before Pharaoh.

Joseph once again revealed God’s plan for Egypt by interpreting the dreams correctly. Pharaoh was impressed and put Joseph in charge of handling the horrific famine, which needed a wise man to manage. Joseph gave brilliant ideas to handle the famine, and the people had enough for themselves and were able to share with others as well. Joseph was promoted as a second in command in Egypt.

This Hebrew boy Joseph had really faced enough troubles since his youth. He was a victim of jealousy. He narrowly escaped being murdered, was sold as a slave to a faraway place he knew nothing about, was later falsely accused of moral failure, and then was thrown into prison.

It seemed to be a very long journey of rejection, pain, and humiliation. Yet in all of this, Joseph had the favor of God. When the time came for God to show mercy on Joseph, God brought people under the same prison roof, disturbed someone else’ with a dream, and exalted Joseph’s gift for a divine breakthrough.

God’s favor reached not only common men but also leaders in authority, bringing Joseph out of the pit. The Bible even describes the prison as a pit, for in those days it was likely built that way.

God’s favor in the set time kept pushing Joseph forward until he received his crown and God received the glory. The door God opened for him was never shut again.The God who showered mercy on Joseph will also shower mercy upon us.

You may be a victim of jealousy, or you may be someone your parents wished they never had. Maybe you are hated and humiliated by your own siblings like Joseph.The journey of your life may seem clueless, filled with tears, and hopeless about how the future will look.

Although everything around you looks strange and foreign, be encouraged—you did not make it this far without the favor of God. A set time has come for God to show favor on the house of Zion. At this time, the intervention of God will even nullify common sense of how things should work out.

The seasons will be favorable to you. Distance will not defile the plan of God. God will realign situations in such a way that you are positioned to receive the full portion of His favor.

Like the cupbearer, God will bring help under your roof to lift you. For Joseph, sharing the dream that revealed God’s plan once put him in the pit. God used the same mode to bring him out of the prison and placed him among princes. God will also do the same for you.

We serve the same God that Joseph served. God, in His sovereignty, is ready to show mercy to you and your household through Jesus. As you wait upon Jesus and continue to love Him and honor Him in your situation, at the set time all the prison doors will open for you to walk out, possess, and embrace exaltation.

Get ready to groom yourself and be clothed in the glory of God. God will open a door that no man can shut.

Prayer

Lord, I thank You for Your favor that never fails. Just as You lifted Joseph from the pit to the palace, lift me out of every place of rejection and hopelessness. Open the doors that no man can shut, and let my life bring glory to Your name. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Daily Christian Devotion

God Will Intervene In The Great Betrayal

For the Lord had determined to defeat the counsel of Ahithophel, which really was the better plan, so that He could bring disaster on Absalom!”

2 Samuel 17:14 NLT

Absalom, one of David’s sons, was on a mission to become the next king. He tried to overthrow David’s kingdom before his time and crown himself. To win people’s hearts, he began acting like the “kind ruler.” Every morning, he stood at the city gate to meet those who came for judgment. He would say, “It’s too bad there is no one to hear your case—if only I were judge in the land!” When people bowed before him, he refused their bow but instead took them by the hand and kissed them, pretending to care deeply. He continued this for four years until he stole the hearts of the people.

Absalom also deceived many of David’s counselors, including Ahithophel, David’s most trusted advisor, whose counsel was considered as if it came from God. But Ahithophel carried a long-standing bitterness toward David and used this chance to betray him by joining Absalom’s side.

When David realized his own son and his most trusted counselor had risen against him, he fled with a small group of soldiers, family members, bodyguards, and advisors, carrying the ark of the covenant with them. On the way, a loyal guest insisted on staying with David, vowing to remain with him in life or death.

David climbed the Mount of Olives weeping, barefoot, and covering his head in sorrow. When he heard that Ahithophel had sided with Absalom, he prayed: “Even my close friend, whom I trusted, he who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me” (Psalm 41:9). He asked God to turn Ahithophel’s wisdom into foolishness.

God answered. Absalom, who normally followed only Ahithophel’s counsel, unusually sought a second opinion from Hushai, David’s loyal friend who had returned to Absalom pretending loyalty. Hushai gave advice that contradicted Ahithophel, and Absalom chose to follow instead. Hushai secretly warned David, giving him time to escape.

When Ahithophel saw that his advice had been rejected, he went home and hanged himself. Later, Absalom too was killed in battle. If Absalom had followed Ahithophel’s original plan by sending 12,000 soldiers, David’s life would have been in grave danger. But God overruled the wisdom of man and turned it into foolishness.

We are reminded of Absaloms and Ahithophels in our own lives. It is very unfortunate that we live in a world where even our own friends, family, and trusted alliances can turn against us. The same people who spend time eating and drinking with us might have a hidden agenda. They might rise against us, gathering others to defeat us. We may even see them grow stronger and stronger while we grow weaker and weaker. Like David, we might be moaning and weeping over the great betrayal from our own.

The Bible teaches us to build an altar of worship in the time of crisis, just as David did on the Mount of Olives. How many may ever come against you, making plans to devour—be encouraged to know that we have a God in heaven, who sees our cry, feels our pain, and knows our wandering and weeping. The same God who turned the wise man Ahithophel’s advice against him will do the same for you.

The enemies hoped to overpower us, but God will make quite the opposite happen.

David patiently waited, hoping in God, and God kept him safe. In the same way, He will keep us in His safe haven and subdue our enemies in due time. Our very own can disown us, but God will send strangers to be on our side to strengthen us.

The Lord will turn Ahithophel’s advice of destruction into a memorable victory.

Prayer:

Lord, thank You that You are our refuge and our stronghold. Help us to trust in Your timing and Your plans, knowing that what was meant for our destruction, You can turn into a memorable victory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Daily Christian Devotion

Be available with your Little Strength

The LORD turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?” Judges 6:14

Gideon, came from the smallest tribe, Manasseh, and he was the youngest in his family. During his day, the people of Israel were overpowered by the Midianites. They made dens in the mountains and caves to escape from their enemies. The Midianites came after the Israelites’ crops and livestock. They were numerous in number and left Israel with only a few things to take back home. God allowed this because of their unfaithfulness and sin. Yet when they cried out to God for help, He sent a promising word to deliver His people.

One day Gideon was beating out wheat in the winepress to hide from the enemy. The angel of the Lord met this lowly person and called him, “Mighty man of valor. The Lord is with you.”

This man Gideon lived much of his life with disappointment and inadequacy. When the angel called him a warrior, it was contradictory to what people used to call him. His very name, Gideon, means “woodcutter.” He could not believe what the angel had spoken over him. In those ancient days, the youngest were considered least in authority and inheritance rights. It is natural for anyone to be in disbelief, considering where they came from and what they were capable of doing. The equation did not make sense when the angel called him a warrior.

But God overruled Gideon’s doubts and confirmed his calling. Judges 6 records powerful incidents where God Himself answered Gideon’s requests for confirmation. The Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon and the people with him as they encamped against the Midianites.

Gideon brought 35,000 soldiers to fight, but God told him to reduce the number. God knew that if Israel won with such a large army, they would boast in their own strength. So Gideon sent home the fearful, cutting the number to 22,000. Still, that was too many. God gave Gideon a selection process until only 300 men remained.

This weakest clan, with the least mighty man—Gideon—was now ready to face a vast army. God said, “You are good to go. I have given this mighty army into your feeble hands.”

That night, God told Gideon to rise and go down to the enemy camp. Along with Purah, Gideon approached and overheard two Midianite soldiers sharing a dream and its interpretation: Israel would defeat them. Strengthened by this word, Gideon worshiped.

With his small force, Gideon advanced and surrounded the enemy from three sides. During the change of guard, they broke jars, lifted torches, and blew trumpets. The camp was thrown into confusion. The Midianites turned their swords against one another and fled in terror. Gideon and his men pursued them and defeated them, along the very route the Midianites once used to torment Israel.

The Word of God brings encouragement today: God can use you regardless of who you are or where you come from. He calls you a warrior. People may label you with names that make you feel inferior, but I encourage you to overhear only what God says—you are valiant.

It is okay to doubt. It is okay to feel weak. God will send you a word to strengthen you. He is not asking, “Can you do it?” He is saying, “I am sending you.” Your weakness doesn’t matter, because God Himself will be your defense and fortress. The question is, are you ready to be used by Him?

When you make yourself available, God will show up for you. With the little strength, the little talent, and even the little faith you have, He will use you to chase a vast army. As you step forward into His calling, He will send confusion into the enemy’s camp and clear your path so you can continue His work.

Your beginning may look humble, like a woodcutter, but your ending will be that of a victorious warrior. Start with the little strength you have—for isn’t it God who is sending you?

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for reminding me through Gideon’s story that You see me not as I am, but as who You have called me to be. I choose today to make myself available for Your calling. Use me, Lord, even with my little strength, for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Daily Christian Devotion

The Lord Will Fight For Your Beracah

“But you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the Lord’s victory. He is with you, O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out against them tomorrow, for the Lord is with you!”

— 2 Chronicles 20:17 NLT

King Jehoshaphat, the fourth king of Judah, walked upright before the eyes of the Lord. He loved the Lord and followed His commandments and also brought reformation in the land of Judah that placed God under his leadership. There was peace and justice in the land of Judah.

The military power was very strong, and he had many soldiers to fight, and he stationed them around the country of Judah. God was with him and the people of Judah, and this brought fear around the neighboring kingdoms. The enemies of Judah formed their alliance to bring down and capture the land. When the messenger informed Jehoshaphat about their plan, he was afraid.

A very successful king, with strong military force and positions effectively guarding his nation, was afraid of the message about enemies approaching. When fear crept in, the first thing the king did was send out an invitation for fasting to seek the face of the Lord. When the invitation was sent, people all over the cities of Judah came along with their wives and children, fasting and praying.

King Jehoshaphat, a leader who was adored and looked upon as a mighty man, stood humbly before God in front of the assembly for help. He prayed that when disasters, sword, judgment, pestilence, or famine came upon the land, the house of Judah would stand in the house of the Lord and cry in their affliction, for they knew that He would hear and save.

He revisited what God did for the ancestors and boldly declared that He would do it again for them. The strongest military people with the king admitted that they were powerless before these alliances, and that only God alone could give victory.

God sent a word after these people humbled themselves before Him. He said not to be afraid of this great alliance and told them they would not need to fight the battle: stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the Lord.

God did not ask the army to go back to their houses just because He assured that the battle belonged to the Lord. Rather, He commanded the army to go out to the battlefield and they would see the hand of God.

When the word came, Jehoshaphat was encouraged. He bowed his head, and all the people bowed and worshiped, followed by a loud voice of praise. When the day of battle came, the soldiers of Judah arose early in the morning, and the worshippers went before the army in holy attire, thanking and praising God for His steadfast love.

The three alliances—the Moabites, Ammonites, and Mount Seir—invaded Judah by climbing up 3,400 feet from the Dead Sea to the wilderness of Tekoa. The Bible says that when Judah began to sing and praise, God set an ambush against these people, and they killed each other.

Meanwhile, the people of Judah were marching towards the wilderness of Tekoa. When they arrived, they saw only corpses and dead bodies in great number. The battle was already defeated because God was involved.

The story ends like this: they came for a battle, but they carried back blessings—good clothing and precious things. They even left some behind because they had more than enough to carry home. The army of God came back with shouts of joy, noise of victory, with happiness and instruments. The place is even now called the Valley of Beraca, which means the Valley of Blessing. The surrounding kingdoms were even more fearful of the land of Judah.

The Word of God brings encouragement today that the battle belongs to God. Like Jehoshaphat, what are we afraid of? We might be mighty people with power and possessions, but when messages like this come with fear, we lose our ground and yield to fear.

Our first defeat is when we yield to fear. When fear finds a place in our lives, there is no way we can think of overcoming the situation. Our minds are already defeated before even facing the actual battle. We only find solutions to handle the defeat and cope with failure. Success will not even cross our minds, and planning for victory will not even be part of our strategy.

But King Jehoshaphat understood that this fear was mightier than the actual army coming after him. He didn’t even have to be worried because he had a strong military force and positions around his country, and yet the enemy’s message shook the ground with fear.

One person bringing one negative word is enough to break us. King Jehoshaphat was no exception from fear. Instead of yielding to it, he dealt with it, not alone, but with a company of people.

We need more than one person to defeat this fear. It emphasizes the importance of being with people of faith to acknowledge and agree with the promises of God. The story tells us the importance of seeking God’s face in the time of crisis, irrespective of how powerful, mighty, and intelligent we are.

Like Jehoshaphat, let us go low before God and surrender to Him, acknowledging that we are powerless to handle situations alone, and that He is a faithful God—yesterday, today, and forever. When we put our confidence in God, we will deal with the situation like yet another battle, and of course, yet another victory.

Let us face our battle with praise and worship. We might walk towards the wilderness, but that is where our victory is. With our own eyes we will see the problem already dealt with, the situations already handled, and the enemy already defeated.

We might have walked in looking for a battle, but God will change our situation so that we will only carry His blessings back. Only God can make shouts of praise roar in the battleground.

May our valley of wilderness become our Valley of Beracah (blessing).

Prayer

Heavenly Father,Thank You for reminding us that the battle is not ours but Yours. We surrender our fears to You and trust that You will fight for us.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Christ, Hope, Uncategorized

Move Forward With Your Identity

“You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.” 1 Samuel 17:45

David was a shepherd boy who usually brought food to his brothers in the army every day. One day, he happened to see Goliath, the giant, who came out day after day for forty days, exposing the inability of the Israelite army to defeat him. All the soldiers were humiliated by the giant, but David volunteered to fight him.

He expressed his willingness to face Goliath. King Saul tried to convince him that the giant had been a warrior since his youth. But David did not accept Saul’s words. Instead, he laid down his “CV,” explaining how he struck down lions and bears and rescued sheep from their mouths. He went on to describe his skills and how he defended himself when the beasts turned against him.

For David, fighting Goliath was just another act of courage, like when he was shepherding. He believed that the same God who gave him victory in rescuing and defending his flock would also be with him as he faced this giant. David was not intimidated—whether by a terrifying animal or a mighty warrior. He knew the weapons he had were powerful enough, with God’s help, to bring down Goliath.

Somehow, David convinced King Saul. Saul gave him his tunic, his coat of armor, and a bronze helmet. David tried them on, but he could not walk properly with the sword and armor. He declined Saul’s defense mechanisms and instead took his staff, five small stones, his shepherd’s bag, and a sling in his hand.

David prepared himself for battle and was content with what he had because his trust was in Almighty God.

Then, the tall, fully armored giant stepped forward with his shield to defend himself against the unarmed shepherd boy. Goliath saw David as a healthy, handsome young man but mocked him, saying he would soon become food for the birds. But while Goliath saw a boy, God saw a warrior and the future king of Israel.

The first thing Goliath noticed was David’s simple weapon, his staff, and he threatened him. But David responded that while Goliath came against him with sword, spear, and javelin, he came against Goliath in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel.

Long story short, David marched forward with boldness. He placed a stone in his sling, released it, and struck Goliath on the forehead. The giant fell face down, and David cut off his head with Goliath’s own sword.

David won the battle with his own identity—his shepherd’s dress and shepherd’s tools. He was uncomfortable carrying Saul’s identity as a warrior.

Today, the Word encourages us that God has been preparing, molding, and equipping you for your battles. We carry an identity in the Kingdom of God. Instead of trying to wear someone else’s identity or handle situations the way others do, embrace who you are, the gifts you have, and where God has placed you. Trust Him, for He is the greatest weapon. Take courage with what you are equipped with—the battle is not yours but the Lord’s.

The same God who has rescued, protected, and guarded you in the past is still faithful and powerful to give you victory in every giant-like situation.

Prayer

Lord, thank You for all that You have been building in me. Give me the courage to face the battles ahead of me. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

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Uncategorized

Simply, A New Life

But Elisha sent a messenger out to him with this message: ‘Go and wash yourself seven times in the Jordan River. Then your skin will be restored, and you will be healed of your leprosy.’”

—2 Kings 5:10 (NLT)

Naaman, the commander of the Syrian army, had an excellent track record of victories. He was influential, blessed, and famous. Yet despite his greatness, he was afflicted with leprosy—a disease considered unclean in those days.

During one of his campaigns, Naaman’s army captured a young girl from Israel, who was then placed in service as a helper to his wife. This little girl, though a captive, cared enough to point her master toward healing. She told her mistress that Naaman could be healed if he went to the prophet in Israel.

Interestingly, the Bible does not say that Naaman was actively searching for healing. Perhaps he had grown weary of trying and had resigned himself to living with the disease. But the girl’s simple words stirred a new possibility. She believed that what others saw as a hopeless condition, God could cleanse.

Naaman listened. He traveled to Israel, expecting a dramatic encounter with the prophet Elisha—perhaps a public display of prayer, or the prophet waving his hand over him to bring healing. Instead, Elisha did not even meet him in person. He simply sent a messenger, instructing Naaman to dip himself in the Jordan River seven times.

Naaman was offended. To him, the Jordan seemed inferior compared to the great rivers of his homeland. He was ready to walk away in anger. But his officers tried to reason with him and said, “Sir, if the prophet had told you to do something very difficult, wouldn’t you have done it? So you should certainly obey him when he says simply, ‘Go and wash and be cured!’” (2 Kings 5:13, NLT).

The real struggle for Naaman was not dipping into the water—it was accepting that such a great deliverance could come through something so simple. Yet when he humbled himself and obeyed, he dipped, he washed, and he came out with skin like that of a child. He was made clean. Naaman praised the God of Israel and chose to live a godly life thereafter.

Even today, many people around the world long for healing, deliverance, or breakthrough. Some are misled into believing they must endure complex, exhausting, or painful processes to receive it. But the Word of God reminds us that the greatest work has already been accomplished on the cross.

Salvation, healing, and a brand-new start are not earned by difficult rituals—they are received through a simple act of faith. All you need to do is surrender your heart to Jesus, believe that His blood can wash you clean, and accept His forgiveness.

You may wonder, “Can something this great really come from something so simple?” Yes—it can. Just as Naaman discovered, God’s power is revealed through humble obedience and simple faith.

Today, I encourage you: Believe in Jesus. Trust His Word. And you will see your life restored—filled with peace, purpose, and the joy of a new beginning.

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for Jesus Christ, who took our burdens upon the cross and cleansed our sins by His blood. Today, I accept the forgiveness He offers and the brand-new start You have given me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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