Tag Archives: love

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

Learn To Hear The shepherd’s Voice

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”

John 10:27 (NLT)

There was once an experiment to test whether sheep truly recognize and follow only their own shepherd’s voice. Three different shepherds were placed with three different flocks. Each shepherd was asked to call out to sheep that did not belong to him. No matter how skilled or trained the shepherds were, none of the sheep responded, because the voice was not their shepherd’s.

But when the rightful shepherd of each flock called out, something remarkable happened. The sheep immediately recognized the familiar sound and came running to him. They knew his voice, trusted him, and followed him because they had built that bond through daily care. Their shepherd was the one who fed them, gave them water, protected them from predators, and tended to them when they were sick.

This shows us a beautiful truth: sheep build trust with their shepherd because of relationship and consistency. A hired hand may abandon the sheep when danger comes, but the good shepherd stays and lays down his life for them. Jesus calls Himself the Good Shepherd. He laid down His very life so that we might be saved from sin and death.

The Bible says His sheep hear His voice. Jesus invites us into fellowship with Him so that we may learn to recognize His voice and stay attentive to who is truly calling us. If sheep could follow the voice of anyone, they would be easily stolen. And even killed. In the same way, if we listen to voices other than Christ’s, we can be deceived or led astray.

God designed us as spiritual beings with the ability to hear His voice—far greater than sheep recognizing their shepherd. But to tune our ears to Him, we must cultivate a relationship with Jesus. He is the Good Shepherd who leads us to green pastures, who leaves the ninety-nine to find the one lost sheep, and who protects us with His rod and staff. With Him, we are safe, shielded, and provided for.

We must be aware of those who pretend to come as our shepherd. The voice of Jesus is unique, and it is heard clearly through the Word of God. Unlike other voices, His voice does not condemn. His voice does not abandon. His voice does not bring fear. Instead, it brings comfort, healing, peace, provision, and protection.

When we follow His voice, Jesus assures us that no one can snatch us from His hand:

“…no one can snatch them away from me.”

John 10:28 (NLT)

Is anyone or anything powerful enough to snatch us from His strong and able hands?

Choose the Shepherd.

Choose the Good Shepherd, Jesus.

If you do, you shall never be in want again.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, my Good Shepherd, teach me to hear and follow only Your voice. Keep me safe in Your care, protect me from deception, and lead me daily into Your peace, provision, and love. Amen.

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Daily Christian Devotion

You Will Be Restored

Joel 2:25–26 (ESV)

“I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent among you. You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, who has dealt wondrously with you. And my people shall never again be put to shame.”

Locusts are among the most destructive pests in agriculture. They form massive mobile bands that migrate over long distances, consuming every bit of vegetation in their path. Increased rainfall produces more vegetation, which fuels their growth. As they multiply and crowd together, they shift into swarm behavior, taking on a different form with long wings, unlike their solitary state. These swarms bring large-scale devastation through mass migration and consumption.

In the same way, the consequences of sin are compared to the destruction of locusts. Sin feeds on our weaknesses and multiplies wherever there is potential growth or blessing. It swarms into areas of our lives and devours them. Turning away from God is also sin whether by worshiping family, jobs, self, or finances puts us in a vulnerable place where devastation can occur. Sin takes root, fills every corner, and leaves behind loss, emptiness, and destruction.

But the Bible calls us to repentance and reminds us that God is able to restore what was lost. He is merciful and sends healing and breakthrough into the very places that have been damaged. Only Jesus can repair what no human effort can fix. He does what seems impossible, reviving what seems beyond hope.

The years lost to heartache, pain, suffering, lack, bondage, and curses are not beyond God’s reach. His Word promises that He will restore those years. When you love God and surrender your situations to Him, you will see His restoration overflow with His goodness, love, and abundant blessings. Your latter days will be more glorious than your former ones. You will be bountiful and fully satisfied by His grace.

Let not the hopper, the destroyer, or the cutter overcome you anymore. The great hand of God is at work, and He will deal wondrously with you. Not a single trace of the damage will remain. Turn to Jesus, repent of your sins, worship the King, and you will never again be put to shame.

Prayer:

Lord, I thank You for Your promise of restoration. Heal the broken places in my life and restore what has been lost to sin, pain, and despair. Strengthen my faith to trust Your timing, and let my latter days be filled with Your goodness and abundance. 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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Daily Christian Devotion

A Hot Water Bottle Prayer

Isaiah 65:24

“I will answer them before they even call to me. While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers.”

Helen Roseveare was a British doctor who gave her life to Jesus while studying medicine in college. She was part of a Bible study and involved in evangelical activities. After completing her master’s degree, she felt called to become a medical missionary and went to the Congo.

She served in many parts of Zaire, now the republic of Congo, helping build hospitals from the ground up. Along the way, she endured terrible suffering—beaten, raped, and imprisoned—but she was determined to fulfill her vision of establishing a fully constructed and functional medical school and hospital. She trained others faithfully until 1973, when she left behind a thriving medical center. Today, the rebuilt medical center continues to be a lifeline for healthcare. Her life of service, forgiveness, and faithfulness was portrayed in the 1989 film Mama Luka Comes Home. She went to be with the Lord at the age of 91.

I’d like to recall one of her remarkable stories about faith, prayer, and the power of God.

While serving as a medical missionary in Central Africa, Helen faced a heartbreaking situation. A single mother died shortly after prematurely delivering a baby girl, leaving behind a two-year-old sister. The newborn struggled to keep her body temperature up. Helen wrapped the baby in cotton wool but feared she would not survive the cold night.

She called the children in the orphanage to pray for the needs of the Orphanage and also for a hot water bottle. Among them, a ten-year-old girl named Ruth prayed boldly:

“Please, God, send us a hot water bottle this afternoon. The baby won’t survive till tomorrow without it. And would You also send a doll for her sister, so she knows You love her?”

Helen was deeply moved by the child’s faith. It seemed impossible—after all, they lived in the middle of the jungle where no package had ever been delivered. But to her surprise, a few hours later, she received word that a parcel had been dropped off at the front door by a car.

Inside the 22-pound package were medical supplies, clothes, food—and miraculously, a hot water bottle. The children rejoiced. Little Ruth exclaimed, “If God sent a hot water bottle, there must be a doll too!” She dug through the box and found a beautiful doll.

Later, Helen discovered that the package had been sent months earlier by a group of Christians in England. While packing, they had felt an unusual prompting from God to include a hot water bottle and a doll. Their obedience became the exact answer to a little girl’s prayer in the heart of Africa. That orphanage erupted with joy as the children witnessed God’s power to answer prayer.

This story reminds us that God not only answers prayer, but He also cares.

The Word of God encourages us to pray in all circumstances. Prayer is the love language between you and God. It is like a radio frequency—always available, always tuned in when you choose to connect.

The Bible teaches us to ask God the Father, through God the Son, with the help of the Holy Spirit. When you do, the windows of heaven open. Asking in faith aligns you with His promises. Yes, God knows the desires of your heart—but He also commands us to ask and believe.

This same God, sovereign over everything and everyone, bends down to listen. He calls you His friend. That’s why I encourage you today: invite Jesus into your impossible situations through prayer.

Even if you don’t feel like praying—pray.

Even if you’re too tired—pray.

Even if you’ve lost faith—pray.

Even if you’re angry at God—pray.

Even if you keep failing—pray.

Even if you don’t believe He will answer—pray.

As you pray without ceasing, God will find His way into your life. You will begin to surrender, to wait on Him, to believe again, and you will begin to walk by faith and not by sight.

Prayer may not always change things the way you expect, but it will always bring peace. And remember—Your Father is the King, and you are His child and there is no protocol required to talk to your Daddy.

So what are you waiting for? Claim your birthright. Claim your inheritance.

Try Him in prayer. Try Jesus.

Prayer

Lord, I thank You for the gift of prayer. Even when we struggle to pray or don’t know what to say, give us the grace to seek You. Teach us to trust, to believe, and to find joy in Your presence. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Daily Christian Devotion

He Heals the Brokenhearted

Psalm 147:3

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

One man, holding his broken pottery, walked into a shop believing it could be fixed. This potter’s shop looked delicate yet beautiful, displaying great craftsmanship. The man felt disappointed because this pottery was once his chandelier—the first thing anyone noticed when they entered his house. It was not only beautiful but also part of the home’s identity.

He then went to a place where the art of Kintsugi was practiced—the Japanese craft of restoring broken pottery with lacquer mixed with powdered gold, silver, or platinum. The shattered vessel was placed into the gentle hands of a skilled workman, who carefully gathered each fragment and set them back in place. With patience, he sealed the cracks with lacquer and dusted them with gold, transforming the once-broken pottery into something even more beautiful than before.

When the workman handed the finished pottery back to the man, he was overjoyed. He carried it home, hung the chandelier, and displayed it under the light. The brokenness had become the beauty of the pottery. The cracks now formed a unique pattern through the master’s workmanship, and the pottery became even more valuable. Under the light, its beauty was admired by everyone who saw it.

Similarly, in our lives, we may go through seasons of brokenness that seem beyond repair. The pain you carry may refuse to be comforted. The disappointments you bear may feel unfair. A once beautiful life—where people praised and honored you—may seem shattered into pieces. The very people who once valued you may now treat you as if you are worthless.

But the Word of God brings encouragement: walk straight into the hands of the Master Craftsman who created you in your mother’s womb and called you by name (Jeremiah 1:5). The blood of Jesus covers your pain, shame, and guilt caused by brokenness. He heals your bruised soul and crowns you with goodness. Just as the cracks in the pottery were filled with gold, your scars will be covered with His glory.

The very things people once looked down on you for will become the very things God uses to display His power. When you carry the light of God, people will not only see His light but also glorify the Master. You will never be the same. Your brokenness will bring hope and healing to others. Your words will carry value, and your life will reflect God’s divine love.

So, do not delay in giving your brokenness to Him—whether it is relationships, sickness, poverty, or lack of knowledge. The Master Workman, Jesus, is waiting with care and comfort. He will not simply put the pieces back the way you imagined but far beyond human comprehension. Once in His hands, you are changed—forever redeemed.

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Jesus Christ and for His blood that heals the brokenhearted. Today, I give You my life, my situations, and my brokenness. I pray that You bring healing and that Your name be glorified in my life. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.

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Christ, Hope

God Sees Us Differently

1 Samuel 16:7

“The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

A man named Jesse lived in Bethlehem with his eight sons. Jesse was a farmer and a sheep breeder. His older sons served as soldiers in Israel’s army, alongside the king. But the youngest, David, was only a shepherd and a skilled musician.

God instructed the prophet Samuel to anoint one of Jesse’s sons as the future king of Israel. After the ceremonial cleansing and sacrifice with Jesse’s family, Samuel began to search for God’s chosen one. His eyes were immediately drawn to Jesse’s oldest son. Tall, strong, and already a leader in the army, the prophet assumed he must be the one. But the Lord quickly corrected him, saying, “Do not look at his appearance or his height, for I look at the heart.”

Jesse, too, likely felt disappointed. In those times, the eldest son usually carried the family’s honor, responsibility, and leadership. His eldest seemed perfectly fit to be king—with strength, skills, and military experience. Yet Samuel rejected him. One by one, Jesse presented his sons, but each time the prophet said no.

After showing all seven of his sons, each with an impressive profile, Jesse finally said to the prophet that he had no more who were qualified to be king. But Samuel was not convinced, because he knew for certain that God had sent him on this mission. He asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?”

Reluctantly, Jesse replied, almost as an excuse: “Yes, but he is out in the field taking care of the sheep.” The father who eagerly presented his older sons showed no enthusiasm to present David. In Jesse’s eyes, David was fit only to tend sheep and play music when needed. David did not even cross his earthly father’s mind. But God already had a rescue plan prepared, choosing the humble young shepherd boy.

While Jesse saw David as running after sheep, God was training him to fight bears and lions. While his brothers used arrows and swords in the army, God trained David to snatch lambs from the mouth of wild beasts. These were practical lessons in how to love, care for, and rescue people. His brothers were taught to dress like warriors, but David was clothed with strength from God.

The prophet was adamant to see David and even refused to eat until David was brought before him. What the earthly father failed to see, the Heavenly Father had already planned. When Samuel saw David, he anointed him, and God placed a future king on the throne.

This word encourages us today: we serve a God who sees what others fail to notice. God has a plan for you, no matter how lonely or humiliated your place may look. He is building resilience, forming strength, and preparing you in secret. Your gifts and talents may even be suppressed by your own loved ones, but God will send help—just as He sent Samuel—to reveal the identity He has marked for you.

Human effort, without a heart aligned to God’s values, will be rejected. But the Lord, honors the humble, redeems the rejected and makes the kind-hearted into a king, a leader for His glory. Just as David became king, one day you too will sit before the Lord and sing with gratitude:

“Who am I, O Sovereign Lord, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?”

—2 Samuel 7:18 (NLT)

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for not seeing me the way people see me. Thank You for working in my life, even when I feel hidden or overlooked. Today I choose to trust Your plans and stand in faith, believing You are preparing me for greater things. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

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Christ, Uncategorized

I’am His And You Are Mine

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.”

— Isaiah 43:1

This is the true story of an eight-year-old girl who grew up in a village where strict religious rules were enforced. She was forced into marriage with a middle aged man—a religious leader who had already been married several times. To the villagers, marriage was portrayed as a gift from God, but for this young girl, it became a prison.

While she longed to run and play freely outside, she was weighed down with heavy garments and jewelry. Her days were filled with fear and anxiety. The wedding night was a traumatic experience, leaving her with pain, shame, and silence. She learned to obey without question and spoke only when spoken to, becoming a servant in her husband’s household.

By the age of eleven, her husband had brought another wife—just sixteen years old. That girl advised her to stay quiet, for that was all she herself had learned. At twelve, the young girl’s body began to change, and soon she was pregnant. She suffered greatly during her pregnancy and nearly died while giving birth at thirteen. The experience left her broken, filled with anger, emptiness, and questions about God and the injustice she endured.

One day, while secretly using her husband’s old phone, she stumbled upon videos of people sharing their testimonies about Jesus. Though she had been taught that even speaking His name was forbidden, she was drawn to the truth and freedom in their stories. That night, she whispered, “Jesus, come to me.”

In a dream, Jesus appeared, pulling her from a dark pit and saying, “You are not forgotten. You are loved. You are mine.”

In the midst of hostility and fear, she found peace. She discovered freedom and began to read the Bible secretly on a downloaded app. With each page, she gained strength and courage. When her cousin later discovered her reading Scripture, she confronted her. But the young girl refused to deny Jesus, because she had found unshakable boldness in His Word.

Her refusal led to violent persecution. She was locked up, beaten, threatened with fire, and accused of being possessed. Bruised and bloodied, she eventually escaped with the help of a local person. She found refuge with a Christian woman who cared for her and introduced her to a community of believers who had endured similar suffering.

Today, she testifies that Jesus has given her peace, love, and a sense of belonging. Though healing is a process—with scars and flashbacks—she draws strength from God’s presence. Now she helps others who have been abused, silenced, or forgotten, offering them hope and freedom in Christ.

You may not be that young girl in her situation, but you may know the feeling of being fearful, of being left alone, unheard, or of having dreams shattered. The Bible reminds us that the Lord sees your fear and says to you: “Fear not.”

The same Lord who found His way into her locked doors is here today, assuring you: “I have redeemed you.” You may not see a drastic change in your situation right away, but slowly and surely He will set you free and give you peace.

Scripture says, “I have called you by name,” which means the Lord knows the details of your situation—the family you come from and what you are facing right now. He assures you that you are not abandoned or forgotten. He says: “You are mine.”

He owns you, He owns your problems, and He takes ownership of your future to give you hope and everlasting joy. Give it all to Jesus and watch Him handle you with care.

Prayer

Dear Lord, thank You for reminding me that I am never forgotten. You know me by name and call me Your own. I give You my fears, my hurts, and my broken dreams. Fill me again with Your love, and give me peace that only You can give. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Christ, Uncategorized

Weight Of The Pain Pebbles

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28 (ESV))

There was once a little bird in a rainforest that collected pebbles. Each pebble represented a burden—a sorrow, a painful memory, or a difficult lesson from the past. The bird believed these “pain pebbles” were valuable treasures, reminders that made it stronger. But as the pouch of pebbles grew heavier, the bird’s flight became more difficult and painful.

An old wise owl observed the bird and asked, “Are you truly living in the present, or just carrying the weight of yesterday?” But the little bird ignored the advice and continued collecting pebbles. Over time, its wings grew weaker and fragile until they finally broke. Unable to fly, the bird began walking with the heavy pouch strapped to its back.

One rainy day, the weight became unbearable. The bird slipped, and the very burden it had been carrying crushed it. By the time help arrived, it was too late. The owl sighed and said, “The past was meant to guide us, not to weigh us down.”

Many of us live like that little bird. We treat our burdens as treasures—carrying them everywhere we go. Even at joyful occasions, such as weddings, dressed in beautiful clothes, we still cling to our dirty pouch of pain pebbles. We struggle to lay them down, because we do not fully trust anyone to care for our burdens. In the end, these weights rob us of our joy, drain our strength, and keep us from dancing freely.

We carry these burdens into our workplaces, schools, homes, social gatherings, and even places of worship—only to carry them back again. But the truth is this: the weight of burdens will eventually crush us physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

The good news is that God offers us a safe place to lay them down—at the feet of Jesus. Here, there is no judgment about the size or nature of your burden. Whether big or small, Jesus handles it with love and care. He not only receives your burden but also gives you peace and a way forward.

Carrying the weight of the past prevents us from enjoying the present and moving into the future. The Bible encourages us to forgive, to let go, to move forward, and to live in peace. Remember—burdens are meant to be laid down, not carried.

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for inviting me to lay down my burdens. Thank You for the cross. Today, I come boldly and cast every weight I carry at Your feet, believing You will handle each one with care. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

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Christ, Uncategorized

An Invite To Taste

“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!”

Psalm 34:8 ESV

Out of the great revival, many missionaries came to Northeast India to spread the gospel. The region of Assam was home to many tribes, known to be aggressive and even headhunters. Into this hostile community, a group of missionaries from the American Baptist Mission came to preach the message of love, peace, and hope found in Jesus Christ to the Garo tribe.

In this challenging environment, one man named Nokseng, together with his wife and two children, accepted Jesus as their personal Savior. His faith began to influence others, and many gave their lives to Christ. However, the village chief grew angry. He summoned the family who had first accepted Christ and demanded that the man publicly renounce his faith—or face death.

Moved by the Holy Spirit, the man declared: “I have decided to follow Jesus.” Furious, the chief ordered his two children to be killed with arrows. As their bodies fell to the ground, the chief gave him another chance: “Renounce your faith, or I will kill your wife.” The man replied: “Though no one goes with me, still I will follow.” Enraged, the chief ordered his wife to be killed as well.

Finally, the chief gave one last chance for the man to deny Christ and save his own life. His final words were: “The cross before me, the world behind me—no turning back.” He was then killed like the rest of his family.

But the story did not end there. The chief, who had ordered the killings, was deeply moved by such faith. He wondered why a man, his wife, and children would willingly die for someone who lived in a faraway land centuries ago. Convicted, he realized there must be an extraordinary power behind their faith, and he wanted to experience that love. The chief himself confessed Jesus as Lord and declared his faith publicly.

When the villagers heard their chief, they too accepted Christ as Lord and Savior. The man’s last words became the inspiration for the famous hymn: “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus. No turning back, no turning back.”

In the Bible, we also read about David, a warrior who once fled for his life. To escape death, he even pretended to be insane before his enemies (1 Samuel 21). In that desperate moment, David later wrote: “Taste and see that the Lord is good” (Psalm 34:8). A warrior, running for his life, still testified of God’s goodness and encourages us to do the same.

Both this martyred family and David remind us that even in life-or-death situations, it is the love and peace of God that satisfies the soul. When you truly taste the goodness of God, you will decide to follow Him—and never turn back.

Today, I invite you: Jesus has set a place for you at His table. Come, taste His goodness. I am confident that you too will never turn back.

Prayer

Lord, thank You for Your love, Your goodness, and Your peace. Give me the opportunity to know You more deeply and to taste Your goodness, so that I may never turn back. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

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