Daily Christian Devotion

From Hate To Greatness

“Once again Leah became pregnant and gave birth to another son. She named him Judah, for she said, ‘Now I will praise the Lord!’” Genesis 29:35 (NLT)

One of the most painful places to face rejection is inside your own home. Some parents favor one child and ignore the other. Some marriages become distant and cold because of incompatibility. Some in-laws dislike their daughter-in-law or son-in-law. And sometimes, a person is rejected and hated without any reason at all. When that happens, life feels heavy, lonely, and unfair. But no matter the wound, the Bible always carries an answer.

I once knew a family where the husband was forced into marrying a woman he did not love. His heart was already given to someone else, but his parents emotionally pressured him because the woman they chose came from a wealthy background. He sacrificed his love and obeyed. But shortly after the marriage, the woman’s family lost everything. The very reason she was chosen fell apart. She was already unloved, and now she became a target for blame and humiliation.

Yet she bore him two beautiful children. Even then, I never once saw him proudly acknowledge her, take her out, or show affection. The children watched their father’s treatment and repeated it—speaking harshly, showing no respect, and wanting nothing to do with their mother in public or even at school meetings. Her husband, her children, and her in-laws mocked her. Still, she remained quiet, gentle, and patient, enduring everything with a smile.

Many years later, her husband fell critically ill, and she was the one who cared for him faithfully. Her service softened his heart. The woman once treated like nothing became respected, valued, and finally loved—not because people changed, but because she remained steadfast when everything inside her had reason to break.

This reminds me of Leah in the Bible. Jacob loved Rachel—not Leah. Jacob worked seven years for Rachel, but was deceived by Laban and married Leah first. Later, after another seven years of labor, he finally married Rachel. Leah entered a marriage where she was not wanted, yet she longed deeply for Jacob’s affection. Every time she gave birth, she hoped love would follow.

When her first son was born, she named him Reuben, saying the Lord had seen her misery and surely now her husband would love her. When her second son came, she named him Simeon, believing that God heard she was unloved and answered. Then she bore Levi, hoping that this time Jacob would finally feel affection for her. But nothing changed. Time after time she hoped, waited, and longed for attention that never came.

Then something shifted inside of her. Instead of chasing love from a human heart, she turned her eyes toward God. She stopped waiting for Jacob to affirm her and started praising the Lord. When her fourth son was born, she named him Judah and declared, “Now, I will praise the Lord.”

Out of that moment of surrender and praise came greatness. Judah became the lineage through which kings were born. And generations later, Jesus—the Savior—came from the line of the woman who once lived in rejection.

God sees every tear you cry in silence. He hears the prayers you never say out loud. He knows the pain others overlook or even cause. But just like Leah, when you stop looking to people for validation and turn your heart toward God, something begins to shift. The same people who ignored or rejected you will one day witness the work of God in your life.

So let praise remain on your lips. You may feel unseen today, but God is writing a story where pain is transformed into purpose. From your rejection, God will birth something great.

Prayer:

Lord, help me turn my eyes away from the desire for human approval and teach me to find my worth in You alone. Heal every wound caused by rejection and replace it with Your peace and strength. Help me praise You in every season, and bring beauty from my pain. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Daily Christian Devotion

The Lord Who Sees

“So she called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, ‘You are a God of seeing,’ for she said, ‘Truly here I have seen him who looks after me.’ Therefore the well was called Beer-lahai-roi; it lies between Kadesh and Bered.” Genesis 16:13–14 (ESV)

A few years ago, an actress took her own life shortly after completing a shoot. Her death shocked everyone—her family, friends, and coworkers—because she showed no visible signs of sadness or distress. She looked cheerful, confident, and put together. Many of her colleagues said they never saw the slightest hint of sorrow. But behind the smile, she carried a weight so heavy that she could no longer bear it.

Many people go through life unnoticed like this. We may be surrounded by people, yet still invisible to them. A loving mother may notice even the smallest bruise on her child, and even as we grow, she can often sense when something is wrong. Yet even a mother’s love has limits—there are pains people cannot see, and struggles we cannot communicate.

But Scripture reminds us of something powerful: even when no one else sees, God sees. When others overlook us, misunderstand us, or fail to notice our pain—God is the God who watches, understands, and responds.

The story of Hagar is a beautiful reminder of this truth. Hagar was an Egyptian servant brought into Abraham’s household—likely very young, perhaps between 15 and 20 years old. She was given to Abraham as a wife, not by choice, but by command. She had no say—her voice, desires, and dignity were overlooked. She became pregnant quickly, and when tension arose, Sarah mistreated her harshly. Eventually, Abraham allowed Sarah to deal with her as she wished. Wounded, pregnant, and rejected, Hagar fled into the wilderness.

Life can be painfully unfair. Can you imagine the emotional weight that teenage girl carried? Used, dismissed, humiliated, and abandoned—she ran into loneliness with no one to defend or comfort her.

But in the wilderness—where no one saw her—God saw her. The Angel of the Lord appeared to her, spoke hope into her distress, and gave her a promise about her son and her future. Right there, beside a lonely spring of water, the place was named Beer-lahai-roi, and Hagar declared the first recorded name given to God in Scripture:

“You are the God who sees me.”

What a powerful assurance for someone who thought she was forgotten.

This passage reminds us that God sees us in our darkness and in our distress. He sees us when betrayal wounds us and when our hearts ache with silent pain no one understands. He sees us when we walk through our own wilderness seasons—overlooked by people, yet never unseen by Him. His promises stands firm in every situation in our lives.

So rest today, not in what others notice or fail to notice, but in the confidence that you are seen, known, and deeply cared for by the God of Beer-lahai-roi.

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for being the God who sees me. Help me rest in Your presence and trust Your eyes upon my life, even when others overlook me. Ame

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Daily Christian Devotion

The Lord heard

“You will silence every voice raised up to accuse you.”

Isaiah 54:17 (NLT)

As humans—we are constantly judged for anything and everything we do. People around us often feel free to comment, criticize, or condemn without truly knowing us. It may come from colleagues, friends, family, neighbors, or even people who barely know us.

In some cultures, it becomes almost normal to attack a woman’s character simply because she stands alone or without a partner. Stories are created, false witnesses are formed, and people join together to tear down someone’s reputation without truth or accountability.

Even when we try to ignore these whispers behind our backs, it still hurts deeply—especially when we discover that someone close is involved. People’s opinions can weigh heavily on us and even affect our emotional and mental well-being. It becomes impossible to chase down every lie, confront every rumor, and prove the truth at every turn. One day you are celebrated, and the next day you are discarded. Too often, perception becomes louder than truth.

But when you stand in pain, feeling helpless and wounded by the words spoken against you, there is One whose shoulders you can lean on—Jesus Christ.

God cares about your name, reputation, and identity. He hears every word spoken in secret, every careless accusation, every lie built without evidence. He sees what you haven’t seen and hears what never reached your ears. Nothing escapes His notice—not even a whisper.

In Numbers 12, Miriam and Aaron—Moses’ own siblings—spoke against him. They questioned his unique relationship with God and criticized his marriage to a Cushite woman. Moses, humble and unaware of their conversation, did not defend himself. But Scripture says, “The Lord heard.”

God called all three out from their tents and confronted Miriam and Aaron. He defended Moses, confirmed his faithfulness, and declared how personally and clearly He communicated with him—mouth to mouth, not in riddles. Miriam was immediately struck with leprosy as judgment, and though Moses pleaded for her healing, she remained outside the camp seven days.

God Himself became Moses’ defender.

“Not so with my servant Moses. He is faithful in all my house. With him I speak mouth to mouth, clearly and not in riddles, and he beholds the form of the Lord. Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?”

—Numbers 12:8 (ESV)

The Word of God reminds you today: The Lord hears every word spoken against you.

The same God who defended Moses will defend you. He is omnipresent, omniscient, and omnipotent. Not a single word raised against you goes unnoticed.

You will see the Lord’s judgment and His justice in His perfect time. Stand firm. God will silence every voice raised against you.

Prayer

Father, thank You that You are my defender and my shield. When words rise against me, help me remain still and trust. Silence every voice that speaks falsely against me and establish Your peace, justice, and honor over my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Daily Christian Devotion

You will not run dry

“The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the land.”

1 Kings 17:14

Everyone enjoys feeling seen, valued, and prioritized. When someone makes us their priority, it reassures us that we matter. In the same way, Scripture reminds us of the importance of giving God first place in our lives. In our time, relationships, resources, and decisions—when God comes first, we will never run dry.

The story of Elijah and the widow reveals this truth. Elijah approached a widow gathering sticks and asked her for bread. She replied that she had only a little flour and oil left—just enough for her and her son to eat one final meal before dying. Famine filled the land, resources were scarce, and hope was fading. Yet Elijah asked her to make his portion first and assured her of God’s promise:

In faith, the woman obeyed. With her little, she honored God first—and as promised, her oil and flour never ran out until the famine ended.

Likewise, when we give God the first in every circumstance—not only when it is easy, but in everything—we position ourselves under His provision. Making God our first priority opens the door for His kingdom to move on our behalf.

Keeping God first means seeking Him, honoring Him, trusting Him, and thanking Him for who He is. Throughout Scripture, not one person who put God first was abandoned, forgotten, or left without help.

Be faithful with what God has entrusted to you:

• Give Him the first hour of your day.

• Give Him the first tenth of your income.

• Seek Him before leaning on relationships or people.

• Acknowledge Him in every decision.

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33 (ESV)

Jesus teaches us to prioritize the kingdom first—and then everything else will align. Yet many times, we reverse the order. We seek everything else first and leave God last. We are careful not to offend people, yet easily grieve God. We strive to please others and forget to please the One who sustains us.

We cannot treat God as our last priority and expect Him to treat us as His first. The measure we give Him becomes the measure we receive.

Seeking anything without first seeking God leads to exhaustion, emptiness, and striving without fulfillment. But when God is first, everything else falls into its rightful place.

Keep God first—and watch His kingdom move on your behalf. You will not run dry.

Prayer

Father, teach me to put You first in every area of my life. Strengthen my faith like the widow, so that even in lack or uncertainty, I trust Your provision. Thank You that when You are first, lack cannot reign, fear cannot rule, and I will not run dry.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Daily Christian Devotion

Holy Spirit, The great helper

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever.”

John 14:16 ESV

It was a normal day of pick-up and drop-off for me. My apartment has multiple entrances, and the one closest to my building is tricky. The visibility toward the road is poor and prone to accidents, but it’s the route I usually take.

That day, as I was about to turn toward that entrance, something within me—now I know it was the Holy Spirit—prompted me to take a different exit. It felt unusual, and I almost ignored it because everything looked clear. But I couldn’t shake that gentle voice, so I obeyed and went the other way.

As I drove past my usual entrance, I was shocked to see that an accident had just taken place between a car pulling out of that very spot and another vehicle on the road. A few minutes earlier, I would have been right there. I was speechless. I knew instantly that the Holy Spirit had protected me. I thanked the Lord immediately because I knew I had been spared. The guidance and instruction of the Holy Spirit was spot on.

As I began to seek Jesus Christ more deeply, I started experiencing the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. He became my Helper and my closest friend. I ask His help in everything—how to pray, how to speak, what decisions to make, where to go, even how to carry myself. His fellowship is sweeter than any relationship on earth.

The Holy Spirit is the most important Person of the Trinity. He is the one-stop Helper for every need. There is nothing too small, too big, or too confusing for Him. His helpline is always open—24/7, 365 days. He answers every cry. He gives solutions no human intelligence can offer and counsel far beyond the wisdom of the world.

“You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.” John 14:17 ESV

The Holy Spirit longs to dwell in you, to guide you, and to help you walk in victory. The Word encourages us today that God is pouring out His Spirit in abundance. He is not after your silver or your gold—He desires a heart willing to receive Him.

If you allow Him, He will strengthen you in your weaknesses. He intercedes for you with groanings too deep for words, praying the very will of God over your life.

You don’t have to spend a penny or perform rituals to receive Him. You cannot buy His presence. Your works, sacrifices, and religious efforts do not earn the Holy Spirit. He is drawn to your love for the Father through Jesus Christ and your desire to make Him your closest friend.

Even your best friend in the world has limitations. They cannot heal your mind, restore your emotions, or give you lasting peace. But when the Holy Spirit comes, He brings strength, power, comfort, and wholeness.

It is better to seek Him than to run after kings. He makes you whole and answers you with complete, perfect help.

Prayer:

Holy Spirit, thank You for being my Helper and my closest friend. Teach me to listen to Your voice, to walk with You, and to trust Your leading every day. Fill me afresh and guide me into the Father’s perfect will. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Daily Christian Devotion

The storm will not destroy you

“Yet now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship.”

Acts 27:22 ESV

Paul was falsely accused by the Jews of causing trouble, though the Roman courts found no fault in him. As a Roman citizen, he appealed to stand trial before Emperor Caesar and was sent to Rome by ship with other prisoners and guards.

Soon after setting sail, a violent Northeaster storm struck, tossing the ship helplessly across the Mediterranean. In the midst of the chaos, God sent an angel to Paul, assuring him that though the ship would be destroyed, every one of the 276 people on board would survive. Strengthened by this promise, Paul encouraged everyone to eat and take heart after fourteen days without food.

As the storm raged on, the sailors sensed land and dropped anchors. At dawn, they tried to steer toward the shore, but the ship hit a sandbar and began to break apart. Yet, just as God had said, not one life was lost—some swam, others clung to planks, and all reached the shore safely.

This story reminds us that even in life’s fiercest storms, God’s word stands firm. Paul began that journey accused, rejected, and bound as a prisoner—but in the midst of destruction, he became a voice of faith and strength. What looked like a shipwreck turned into a testimony of divine preservation. The storm may have damaged the vessel, but it could not touch the lives God had marked for purpose.

So, do not be afraid of the storms that rise against you. Even when accusations, trials, or lies surround you, remember that God’s promises are stronger than the waves. The storm may shake you, but it will not destroy you. You will reach the other side safely. God will carry you through every breaking moment and bring you to the place He has destined for you.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank You for being my anchor in every storm. When life feels out of control, remind me that Your promises still stand.Help me trust that even through the wreckage, You are guiding me safely to shore. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Daily Christian Devotion

Claim your mountain

“And Moses swore on that day, saying, ‘Surely the land on which your foot has trodden shall be an inheritance for you and your children forever, because you have wholly followed the Lord my God.’”

Joshua 14:9 (ESV)

Moses swore to Caleb, saying, “The land on which your foot has walked shall be your inheritance, and for your descendants after you.” Many years later, Caleb reminded Joshua of this promise—almost like writing a heartfelt letter to reclaim what was rightfully his through God’s word.

Caleb was one of the spies who saw both the giants and the promise of God. Yet, instead of being intimidated by the size of his enemies, he held on to faith and fought courageously. He wholly followed the Lord, obeyed His every instruction, and loved Him with all his heart. Because of this, he was qualified to receive his inheritance.

Caleb requested Hebron—a mountainous region rich in history. It was the same place where Abraham had once settled, built an altar, and where God reaffirmed His covenant with him. Later, after Saul’s death, David was anointed king in Hebron and reigned there for seven and a half years before moving his capital to Jerusalem.

This passage is a great encouragement for those who have been faithfully walking with the Lord. Every place where your foot treads, the Lord promises to give you as an inheritance. Your faithfulness, tears, and endurance for God’s sake will not be in vain. The battles you face will not only end in victory but will stand as milestones in your spiritual journey.

Keep pressing on—your Hebron is waiting. Though the promise may seem delayed, what God has spoken over your life will surely come to pass. For your faithfulness’ sake, your children and their children will be blessed. Your walk with God will become a turning point for generations to come. You will no longer be a wanderer or walk in uncertainty, for those who love the Lord wholeheartedly will inherit His promises forever.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your unfailing promises. Teach me to walk faithfully as Caleb did, with courage and wholehearted devotion. May Your promises be fulfilled in my life and in the generations that follow me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Daily Christian Devotion

Pain is a blessing

“We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair.”

— 2 Corinthians 4:8 (ESV)

Many years ago, a group of people affected by leprosy would visit our home before Christmas, New Year, or Easter to seek alms and some help. They lived on the outskirts of our town, separated from others because their condition made them outcasts in society.

They came year after year, though their group grew smaller each time as some passed away. As a young girl, these visits often filled me with fear. I remember one particular visit vividly—a young father with leprosy came with his little son. My mother asked him about his friend who used to accompany him during previous visits.

With sadness in his eyes, he replied that his friend had been bitten by a rat one night while sleeping on the streets. Because he had lost sensation in his feet, he didn’t realize it until he began to bleed heavily. By the time others found him, he was taken to a government hospital—barely alive, having lost too much blood.

Though leprosy is now nearly eradicated in most parts of the world, that story remains deeply etched in my memory. It taught me something profound: what a blessing it is to feel pain. Without the experience of pain, we are only diminishing rather growing .

Leprosy is a disease caused by bacteria that damage the nerves and interfere with the body’s ability to sense pain. Because of this, those affected cannot feel touch, injury, or even severe wounds. How easily we take for granted the gift of pain—the very thing that protects us from harm.

Pain, though unpleasant, is a sign of life. It protects us, refines us, and often points us toward healing. Think of children who sometimes cry with leg pain during their growth spurts—it’s not to harm them, but to help them grow stronger.

In the same way, every one of us must face seasons of growing pains—emotional, spiritual, or physical. There is no truly successful person who has not walked through pain. Pain anchors us to our roots, deepens our faith, and shapes our character.

Job’s story reminds us of this truth. He was afflicted, mocked by friends, insulted by his wife, and lost everything—his wealth, fame, and family. Yet through it all, Job held firmly to his faith and declared, “I know that my Redeemer lives.” In the end, God restored him and blessed him with a double portion.

The Word of God assures us that your pain will not end in defeat. Your pain has a purpose—it draws you closer to God, strengthens your faith, and equips you to bring healing to others.

Scripture says that God is near to the brokenhearted. He hears the cry of the lonely, defends the widow, and cares for the fatherless. You are never alone in your pain. God will never allow you to endure more than you can bear. Whatever you are facing—whether through family struggles, friendships, loss, or illness—God will use it for His glory.

So remember, when God is on your side, even though you are afflicted on every side, you will not be crushed, perplexed, or driven to despair. This pain will turn out for your good.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of pain that reminds us we are alive and that You are near. Help me to see purpose in every trial and to trust that You are working all things for my good. Strengthen my heart, deepen my faith, and let my pain bring healing and hope to others.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Daily Christian Devotion

Rejected by Evil but Reformed for good

“‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes.’” Mark 12:10–11 (ESV)

On November 7, 2008, a three-story school building in Haiti collapsed. Nearly 93 people, most of them children, were killed, and more than 150 were injured. The builder, a preacher named Fortin Augustin, admitted that he had constructed the entire building by himself. He said he didn’t need an engineer because he believed he understood construction well enough.

But only an engineer truly knows how to lay a strong foundation. A structure can only endure if its base is firm and rightly aligned. The cornerstone is crucial—it determines the building’s strength, direction, and stability.

A cornerstone is not just any stone; it is chosen with great care. Masons select it deliberately because it must be one of the largest, most solid, and most perfectly shaped stones in the structure. Everything else rests upon it.

In the same way, our Heavenly Father has chosen Jesus Christ to be the firm foundation upon which we can build our lives. When we build upon Him, we build on solid rock. So when the rains fall, the floods rise, and the winds beat against the house, it will stand firm because its foundation is secure. But those who build on sand—on worldly wisdom or human strength—will see their foundation crumble when the storms of life come.

As you build your family, your plans, your work, your dreams, and your faith upon the foundation of Jesus Christ, you will remain unshaken.

The same people who once despised or rejected you will one day witness the Lord’s marvelous work in your life. What they once called failure, God will turn into testimony.

Do not be discouraged by rejection. God uses rejection as a tool of redirection—to shape, strengthen, and prepare you for His greater purpose. He will lift you up and make you a vessel of honor in your family, among your friends, and in your ministry.

“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no heart has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9)

You may not yet see the full picture, but you are in the process of being built into something beautiful and strong by God’s hands. Thank Him even for rejection—it means He is setting you apart for something greater. Remember, even Jesus Himself was rejected, but that rejection became the doorway to our salvation.

Rejection is not your end—it is the beginning of God’s marvelous work in your life. What others meant for harm, God will use for your good.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank You for being my Cornerstone and firm foundation. When rejection or disappointment comes, help me to trust that You are working behind the scenes to build something beautiful in my life. Strengthen my faith to remain steady through every storm and help me see Your hand in all things. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Daily Christian Devotion

God will reveal himself to us

“And the Lord appeared again at Shiloh, for the Lord revealed himself to Samuel at Shiloh by the word of the Lord.”

1 Samuel 3:21 (ESV)

In the Bible, we read that God spoke and revealed Himself in supernatural ways.

Moses encountered God in a burning bush. Abraham was visited by God and angels. Daniel saw the fourth person in the fire. Gideon’s parents encountered an angel. Samson’s parents saw the angel of the Lord. Mary, the mother of Jesus, was visited by an angel. Supernatural experiences seemed quite common in those days.

Even today, we hear testimonies of divine encounters. In persecuted countries where sharing the gospel is strictly prohibited, with no access to churches or Bibles, we still hear stories of Jesus reaching out to people in their distress — in prisons, in camps, and in hiding places — transforming lives through His supernatural presence and power.

Not all of us may have experienced such encounters, yet every soul who has given their life to Jesus has had a personal encounter with Him through the Word of God.

Without that encounter with the Word, true salvation is not yet attained.

We may not see Jesus face-to-face, but we can encounter Him every day through His Word.

John 1:1 says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

And verse 14 declares, “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.”

It is wonderful to pray daily, but when you need direction, the only sure way is through Scripture. Reading the Bible is like using an old paper map—you must study it carefully to know where you are going. When you lose your way, you look back at the map to reroute yourself and get back on track.

The purpose of the map is to help you reach your destination. The map does not lie or change direction. Likewise, when you follow God’s Word step by step, your path becomes clear. You gain confidence and peace in knowing where you are headed.

You may have read a verse a hundred times like any other line of text, but when God chooses to reveal Himself, suddenly the eyes of your heart are opened. Your spirit rejoices, peace fills your soul, and confidence rises within you — that’s the revelation of God Himself through His Word, through Jesus Christ.

There is no need to pay fortunetellers to know your future.

You don’t need to stay confused about your situation, nor do you need to feel bound by evil spirits.

When you immerse yourself in the Word of God, Jesus shows up with an answer that convinces, satisfies, heals, and delivers.

Pray and read the Word of God. Memorize the Scriptures. Meditate on them day and night.

Make it a habit to dwell in His Word, and God Himself will reveal His presence through it.

You can experience Jesus day and night and never feel alone in facing life’s battles.

For the Bible says, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

Every single word is breathed by the Spirit of God. Therefore, when you open your Bible, the Holy Spirit whispers truth to your heart and Jesus draws near to you.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank You for revealing Yourself through Your living Word. Open the eyes of my heart to see You more clearly and to understand Your truth deeply. May I encounter You more and more through Scripture and walk in the light of Your truth every day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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