Tag Archives: #salvation

Daily Christian Devotion

God Will Set Up A Boundary Between Your Past And Future

“Then the Lord said to Jacob, “Return to the land of your father and grandfather and to your relatives there, and I will be with you.””

Genesis 31:3 NLT

Every time God gives an instruction for someone to move in the Bible, it is always for their betterment and for a breakthrough in their life. We see this clearly in the life of Abraham, whom God kept moving from place to place, each step leading him closer to the promised land.

Jacob is another powerful example of this truth. God commanded Jacob to leave his existing place. He moved from Beersheba to Haran, to his mother’s family, and lived with his uncle Laban for nearly twenty years. During that time, Jacob’s flocks increased greatly—more than Laban’s. Yet Laban continually tricked Jacob: from marrying the love of his life, to manipulating wages, to deceiving him in the breeding of the sheep. In spite of being cheated and mistreated, Jacob continued to prosper because God’s favor rested abundantly upon him.

When Laban and his family saw Jacob increasing, their attitude toward him changed. The Lord saw every injustice, every deception, and every unfair treatment. Then God commanded Jacob to return to his birthplace and promised to be with him. Jacob shared this instruction with his wives, and they agreed to move with him.

God appeared to Jacob again in a dream and acknowledged his suffering, saying:

“For I have seen how Laban has treated you. I am the God who appeared to you at Bethel, the place where you anointed the pillar of stone and made your vow to me. Now get ready and leave this country and return to the land of your birth.”

Genesis 31:12–13 NLT

Jacob, his wives, his children, and all that belonged to him began their journey back to his birthplace without informing Laban. When Laban later discovered that Jacob had left, he pursued him and eventually met him on the way. A treaty was made between them. They set up a pillar, which Jacob named Mizpah, meaning watchtower. They made a covenant meal and agreed not to cross the boundary to harm one another.

“Jacob took an oath before the fearsome God of his father, Isaac, to respect the boundary line.”

Genesis 31:53 NLT

The Word of God encourages us that God brings us out of certain territories to fulfill His divine plans. Twenty years was a long time for Jacob to be cheated by his own uncle and family. The painful part was that Jacob knew he was being deceived, yet he had no choice but to endure it. To others, Jacob’s life appeared successful—as if Laban had helped him build and establish a family. But in reality, Jacob was denied his basic rights.

God had been watching all along. A day came for Jacob to move, to set up a boundary, and to establish a watchtower between his past and his future. Jacob had to leave years of lies, deception, and the illusion of security in order to prepare a path for future generations to inherit the promised land.

The same God who watched over Jacob is watching over you. Jacob had to leave Laban’s traditions, practices, gods, and ways of life to receive a fresh start and step into a greater future.

As we come to the end of this year, may God set a clear boundary between your past and your future. May you cross over, leaving behind the old self, old habits, and old practices that deceived you and held you back. May you step into a life filled with abundance, peace, love, and joy.

God has seen your past, and now it is time to set a boundary and leap forward into a future filled with hope and life.

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for being the God who sees every injustice and every silent tear. As You gave Jacob a fresh start, give us the courage to move when You call us. Set holy boundaries between our past and our future, and lead us into Your promises filled with peace, joy, and hope. We trust You with every step ahead. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Daily Christian Devotion

Be Quiet to Witness The Wall Fall

“Do not shout; do not even talk,” Joshua commanded. “Not a single word from any of you until I tell you to shout. Then shout!”

Joshua 6:10 NLT

We have often heard the phrase “the calm before the storm.”

An unusual quietness before a situation often leads to overwhelming activity afterward. One example is the ocean—how it quietly retracts before it surges with the force of a tsunami.

Throughout the Bible, God instructed certain people to remain quiet, not to speak, and to be still. The aftermath of those seasons of silence reveals marvelous acts that display the glory of God.

Joshua 6 records the fall of the walls of Jericho. God commanded Joshua to instruct the people and the priests to march around the walls quietly—no talking, no murmuring, no shouting, no rejoicing—just silence and obedience.

Then came the day when, at God’s command, a shout was released. The walls of Jericho fell—no war, no fighting, no arguments. The walls simply came tumbling down. This passage reminds us that God often takes us through a season of quietness so we can witness the great fall of our walls.

The great army of Joshua—priests, soldiers, and common people—along with their households, even their children, walked in profound silence. In that God-instructed stillness, even nursing babies seemed not to make a sound; only the footsteps of obedience were heard. Every personal agenda and agenda-driven voice was set aside to witness God’s victory. Their mouths did not do the work; their walk of faith did.

In quietness, God equips us to build trust, faith, and resilience. Being still is also an act of obedience that pleases Him. We may not face a physical Jericho wall, but we do encounter walls in the form of situations, people, and problems. Not every wall needs to be addressed with words; some battles are won in silence, through trust and faithful obedience.

The God who parted the Red Sea did not allow His people to remain stuck at the walls of Jericho. The final shout that brought the walls down thundered so powerfully that even the strongest and tallest walls lost their grip. There is a season and a time for everything under heaven. The Word of God encourages us to be still in His presence, to wait for His move, and to listen closely to His instructions.

Opening our mouths in situations where God calls us to be silent can hinder our breakthrough. But there will come a time when the weeping that endures through the night will turn into joy in the morning. No wall is greater than our Jehovah. You will plunder and possess what belongs to you. You will move forward into your promised land. Your victory is closer than you think.

You only need to remember:

“Be still, and know that I am God.”

Psalm 46:10

Prayer:

Lord, teach us to be still in Your presence and to trust You even in seasons of silence. Help us to obey Your instructions fully and to walk by faith, not by sight. May every wall before us fall at Your appointed time, and may Your glory be revealed in our lives. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Daily Christian Devotion

Discern. Detect . Detest

“Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God, for there are many false prophets in the world.”

1 John 4:1 NLT

We all want to hear what pleases us. We make sure we are surrounded by people who acknowledge us, agree with our plans, and walk in step with us. We do not like to be confronted—especially when our ways are wrong.

Yet God, in His mercy, places a few people around us who can lovingly point out our mistakes and the choices we make that are not pleasing to Him. God has given each of us free will to decide and to choose. But when our choices continually deviate from the plan of God, we slowly choose a path that leads to destruction.

In this passage, we see how God allowed a lying spirit to bring judgment upon King Ahab, who preferred pleasing lies over hard truth. The king of Israel, Ahab, and the king of Judah, Jehoshaphat, planned to wage war against Syria to reclaim land. Jehoshaphat suggested inquiring of a prophet to know the will of the Lord. Ahab then gathered 400 prophets who all prophesied favorably, encouraging him to go to war.

“But Jehoshaphat asked, ‘Is there not also a prophet of the Lord here? We should ask him the same question.’”

1 Kings 22:7 NLT

Ahab replied that there was a prophet named Micaiah, but he hated him because Micaiah never spoke favorable messages to him. Jehoshaphat insisted that the prophet of the Lord be brought in. Before Micaiah appeared before the king, messengers pressured him to agree with what the other 400 prophets had spoken.

When Micaiah stood before the king, he revealed that God intended judgment upon Ahab and that the Lord had allowed a lying spirit to influence the 400 prophets so they would declare success in the war. Upon hearing this, one of Ahab’s officials struck Micaiah for speaking words they did not want to hear.

King Ahab became furious because the prophet did not deliver a favorable message. He ordered Micaiah to be put in prison and given only limited food until his return. Micaiah boldly replied that if Ahab returned safely, then the Lord had not spoken through him. Just as the prophet of the Lord had declared, King Ahab was killed in the battle against Syria.

“Then his chariot was washed beside the pool of Samaria, and dogs came and licked his blood at the place where the prostitutes bathed, just as the Lord had promised.”

1 Kings 22:38 NLT

God’s divine judgment came upon King Ahab because he repeatedly rejected the truth and chose to believe lies. The Word of God encourages us to be vigilant in the choices we make and to remain open to God’s correction. May our plans and decisions align with the will of God as He sends His instructions and guides us along the path of life.

There may be a thousand voices speaking lies, trying to convince you of something that is not from God. But as a child of God, keep your ears attentive to the one voice that speaks His truth. It is not about how many acknowledge a lie; it is about who acknowledges the truth.

As children of God, we have the privilege to discern, detect, and detest the lies of the enemy.

Choose wisely, and choose the path of life.

Prayer:

Lord, give us discerning hearts to recognize Your truth and the humility to receive Your correction. Guard our minds from deception and help us choose Your will above our own. Lead us in the path of life, and keep us faithful to Your voice. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Daily Christian Devotion

God With Us

“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”

— Isaiah 7:14 (ESV)

Jesus was born roughly 700 years after the prophet Isaiah prophesied about the virgin birth of Jesus Christ, in a small town called Bethlehem—meaning “House of Bread.” The prophecy recorded in the book of Isaiah was finally fulfilled in the book of Matthew. Not even the smallest detail changed: where, when, and how the birth of Jesus would be orchestrated. We clearly see God’s divine hand as both the prophet long ago and the angel who appeared to Mary revealed the same name—Immanuel.

The name Immanuel means “God with us,” signifying that God chose to dwell among us.

Throughout history, many cultures, religions, and belief systems have followed various practices in their pursuit of a spiritual goal or divine connection. Some individuals inflict pain upon themselves, practice severe self-denial, or endure physical suffering. In certain religions, people alter their appearance, change their clothing, whip themselves with rods, walk on fire, and engage in extreme acts. Their deep desire to commune with the one true God often drives them to such lengths, even to self-harm.

Yet, the message of God being with us in the form of flesh—dwelling among us—is a hard truth for many to accept, because God asks nothing from us except our hearts to believe in His Son, Jesus Christ. We grow weary in our physical bodies trying to keep up with practices meant to make us appear righteous and pleasing to God. But the truth is, the Bible declares that our righteousness is like filthy rags, and only the righteousness of Jesus Christ can reconcile us and draw us closer to God.

The birth of Jesus Christ is a free gift given to everyone. Through Him, we are granted access to the throne room of the Father. Through Jesus Christ, we are made one with God. Above all, God is with us—everywhere and anywhere—through Jesus Christ.

Isaiah is one among many prophets who revealed the birth of Jesus Christ through the Virgin Mary. The fact that different prophets, from different places and across different time periods, prophesied the same redemption plan of God through the birth of Jesus Christ is truly mind-blowing.

You and I are part of this redemption plan that God both drafted and fulfilled. Jesus Christ, born in Bethlehem, is the spiritual food offered to us—to nourish us, strengthen us, and give us eternal life.

Let us celebrate this divine manna, Jesus Christ, who came to dwell among us to redeem, restore, and revive us.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, we thank You for the precious gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Thank You for choosing to dwell among us and for making a way for us to be reconciled to You. Help us to rest not in our own efforts, but in the finished work of Christ. Strengthen our faith, renew our hearts, and fill us with gratitude as we celebrate Immanuel—God with us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Daily Christian Devotion

The Lion and The Lamb

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!””Revelation 5:12 ESV

The overlooked shepherds became the first evangelists to witness and spread the news of the birth of the prophesied Messiah, Jesus Christ. God did not choose to reveal the birth of His Son to kings, scribes, or religious leaders. Instead, He reached out to the lowly, declaring that the Messiah had come for all people—every race, creed, and color.

Shepherds were uniquely positioned to understand this moment. They were the ones entrusted with caring for the firstborn lambs destined for temple sacrifice. These lambs were meticulously inspected for perfection and then wrapped in cloths and laid in a manger to protect them from injury. When the angels revealed that the Savior was swaddled and lying in a manger, the shepherds immediately recognized the divine symbolism. They could relate to the birth of the perfect Lamb of God.

That night, the shepherds witnessed heaven touching earth as a heavenly host joined the angels, praising and glorifying the newborn Jesus Christ. What they saw was not merely a baby, but the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan.

The Lamb of God points us back to Genesis, where God provided a ram for sacrifice, sparing Isaac’s life when Abraham obeyed in faith:

“And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son.”

Genesis 22:13 ESV

Centuries later, the prophet Isaiah foretold the coming of this Lamb—One who would be oppressed and afflicted, bearing all our iniquities, walking silently like a lamb led to the slaughter to bring us peace:

“He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.”

Isaiah 53:7 ESV

John the Baptist later confirmed this prophetic image, boldly declaring the identity of Jesus:

“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”

John 1:29 ESV

The book of Revelation gives us a powerful and eternal picture of Jesus Christ as the Lamb of God. Angels, elders, and every created being in heaven, on earth, under the earth, and in the sea join together in worship and praise:

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!”

Revelation 5:11–12 ESV

There is a profound message hidden within the humble manger.

During this season, we see homes, offices, and shops decorated with baby Jesus figures in different shapes in a manger. In some cultures, He is even worshiped as though He remains an infant.

Let these decorations us not diminish the value of Jesus by seeing Him only as a child. Instead, let us worship Him as King, Ruler, and Judge—crowned with majesty, filled with glory, and returning soon to reign forever and ever.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, Lamb of God, open our eyes to see You not only in the manger, but on the throne. Help us worship You in truth and reverence, honoring Your sacrifice and Your coming kingdom. May our hearts forever proclaim, Worthy is the Lamb. Amen.

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Daily Christian Devotion

We Have More On Our Side

“Don’t be afraid!” Elisha told him. “For there are more on our side than on theirs!” 2 Kings 6:16 NLT

Life will take you on a journey where, at certain moments, it feels as though everything and everyone you value is under attack. You may feel besieged—surrounded by people who find fault in everything you do. At the workplace, within family, among friends—every side may seem to press in, leaving you restless and unhappy. It can feel as though you are fighting battles in your mind and body all by yourself. But in the life of a child of God, there is always a divine twist in the tale.

God defies and dismantles the predictions and analyses that attackers make against our lives.

This passage in 2 Kings 6 describes how God changed the direction of the attackers. The king of Aram planned to attack Israel, and every time he positioned his troops in a certain place, the plans were revealed to the Israelites through the prophet Elisha. When this happened repeatedly, the king of Aram suspected betrayal within his own army. But his officers explained that it was Elisha—the prophet of God—who, by divine wisdom, revealed the king’s secret plans.

Enraged, the king of Aram ordered his army to search for Elisha and seize him. One night, he sent a great army with horses and chariots and surrounded the city where Elisha was staying.

When Elisha’s servant woke up the next morning, he saw the city surrounded by horses and chariots, ready to attack. He panicked and cried out to his master, “What shall we do?”

Elisha replied, “Don’t be afraid! For there are more on our side than on theirs!” (2 Kings 6:16 NLT)

Then Elisha prayed that the Lord would open the servant’s eyes to see what he himself was seeing. The sight was astonishing—the hills were filled with horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. Later, Elisha prayed again, and God struck the attackers with blindness and redirected them into the wilderness of Samaria. The prophet of God was spared from every attack that surrounded him.

This passage brings great encouragement: when attackers rise against a child of God, they have no idea whom they are dealing with. The army of Aram came fully prepared to end Elisha’s story. Little did they know they arrived with man-made chariots and human-raised horses to confront chariots designed by God and horses sent from the kingdom of heaven, clothed with consuming fire.

Elisha was a humble prophet. He likely had nothing of his own to fight such an army. Yet an entire army marched against the life of one man. Elisha never panicked. He did not create a backup plan to escape, nor did he transfer fear to his servant. His relationship with God gave him rest in the midst of surrounding threats. They came to seize Elisha, but instead, their army was seized by the power of God.

Be of good courage when you face situations alone. Do not be afraid. As Elisha declared, there are more on your side—sent to defend and protect you. They may not always appear in human form, but heaven stands behind you with wisdom, provision, and divine strength.

When you set your ways right with God and trust Him through trials and troubles, He will never leave you. Scripture confirms this truth:

“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31 ESV

Short Prayer:

Heavenly Father, open our eyes to see Your presence when fear surrounds us. Help us trust Your power above every threat and rest in the assurance that You fight for us. Strengthen our faith and fill our hearts with courage. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Daily Christian Devotion

The Blood Of Jesus Christ Is Our Doom Of Protection

“He who dwell in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.””

Psalm 91:1-2 ESV

We all desire to live in a protected place. Nations have their own ways and strategies to guard their boundaries—on land, water, and air. Yet even the strongest systems have loopholes that allow enemies to cross borders and attack. In other words, there is nothing in this world that can truly be called the safest apart from the protection of God.

During the very early stages of my childhood—around four years old—we lived in a village. Our house was located in such a way that behind it were fields where crops grew year-round, and beyond those fields stood mountains. It was a beautiful, serene place to live. But with that beauty came dangers as well—predators, reptiles, and animals I cannot even name now.

Being the youngest, my siblings would take me out to “play,” walking along narrow pathways and often visiting the mountains, just a short walk from our house. We would see animals that had been killed, spiders, scorpions, snake skins, and I even remember playing with snake eggs that were laid in our garden.

None of this frightened us as children, but I clearly remember how alarmed our parents were whenever these uninvited visitors showed up. We saw snakes in outdoor bathrooms, pipes, pits, and wells. The adults were always watchful, doing everything they could to protect the house from these animals. They made sure there were no open pipes, and outdoor bathrooms were carefully inspected before children were allowed to use them. They did all they could, within their ability, to guard us.

One day, while our parents were extending our bedroom to attach a bathroom, they had to use an open space. The bedroom was almost complete, with only a few minor things left to be done. I remember it was nap time, and all five children were sleeping on a custom-made wide bed. My mother came to check on us and suddenly found a black, poisonous cobra under the bed. She screamed loudly for help.

Hearing her scream, we slowly woke up and began to sense the danger. My mother could not reach us, and we could not get to her. Strangely, it did not feel terrifying to us at the moment—we were used to seeing snakes outside, and now there was one inside. Because we were accustomed to handling such situations, help arrived quickly, and the snake was removed.

The irony is that anything could have happened. We did not know when the snake entered or how long it had been under our bed. Yet at the precise moment my mother came to check on us, the snake did not harm us or defend itself. I vaguely remember how huge it was. Afterward, my mother cried uncontrollably, holding us tightly. This was nothing but the protection of God—not only in that incident, but amid all the dangers that surrounded that area.

A year later, we moved away for better education. Thinking back on this ordeal is frightening, but it was clearly the hand of God that protected us at such a time. It stands as a powerful reminder that only God’s protection is effective and cannot be tampered with.

Now, as I have my own family and live in a more sophisticated place, whenever fear of danger arises, I remember incidents like this and thank God. If He was able to protect us then, He is surely able to protect us now.

After I came to know who Jesus is and what His blood can do, I can rest assured that the blood of the Lamb—which protected the people of Israel from the spirit of death—is still powerful to protect us today. The Word of God encourages us that He places a dome of protection wherever we go. As children of God, we have the privilege of dwelling under the shadow of the Almighty. He is our shield, our fortress, our stronghold, and our safe haven.

Remember, disaster did not touch the homes that had the blood of the Lamb on the doorposts and remained under its covering. When you feel afraid or insecure, run into the arms of the Almighty and seek His protection.

“For the Lord will pass through to strike the Egyptians, and when he sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the Lord will pass over the door and will not allow the destroyer to enter your houses to strike you.”

Exodus 12:23 ESV

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank You for being our refuge and our shield. We trust in Your unfailing protection over our lives and our families. Cover us with the blood of Jesus, guard us from seen and unseen dangers, and help us rest under the shadow of Your wings. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Daily Christian Devotion

God’s Presence Will Go With You

“And He said, ‘My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.’” Exodus 33:14 (ESV)

Presence is defined as the state or fact of existing or being in a particular place. The presence of a loved one brings joy, comfort, and assurance. Likewise, the presence of different people stirs different emotions, depending on the situation.

Here, God promises that He will go with Moses and with His people throughout their journey to the Promised Land.

Just before this passage, the Israelites sinned by making and worshiping a golden calf—an abomination to the Lord. God was angry with the people and declared that He would not go with them, for His holy presence would consume them because of their sin. When the people heard this, they mourned deeply.

Moses then interceded for the people, pleading for God’s favor. In response, God gave Moses instructions and promised that His presence would go with them. Moses replied firmly, “If Your presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.”

Moses understood that the presence of God brings provision, protection, strength, and assurance of victory. He was not willing to move forward without it. Though he was a well-known leader—leading millions of people, guiding them through the Red Sea and the wilderness, and highly respected by the nation—Moses knew that his own presence was not enough. To the people, Moses represented guidance, but Moses himself sought the presence of God, knowing it was the true source of everything.

The Word of God encourages us that His presence will be with us wherever we go. God’s presence becomes a pillar of fire and a cloud along our journey when our path is aligned with His will. We cannot plan to go to unholy or unworthy places and expect God’s presence to bless our choices. He may still follow, but His holiness can expose and consume what is not surrendered to Him.

The best place to be is under the presence of God. There we find rest and peace. His presence gives step-by-step instruction for the journey.

Do not worry so much about the destination—enjoy the journey with His presence. Invite His presence into your workplace, into that hospital room, into the chaotic situation you feel trapped in. Do not go anywhere where the presence of God is absent; that is the most dangerous place to be.

Prayer:

Lord, we desire Your presence above all else. Do not let us move without You. Lead us, guide us, and give us rest as we walk in alignment with Your will. May Your presence be our peace and our strength every step of the way. Amen.

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Daily Christian Devotion

Do Not Weep

“And when the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, ‘Do not weep.’” Luke 7:13 (ESV)

The woman from the town of Nain in this passage was a widow who had also lost her only son. In her culture, men were the breadwinners, and in her case, both providers were gone. Her present and future hope were shattered, and she was left in complete uncertainty.

As she was carrying her son’s lifeless body, surrounded by only a few people, no one explained her situation to Jesus. Yet Jesus saw her. He found her, and He was immediately moved with compassion. With deep tenderness, He spoke words of great comfort: “Do not weep.”

Jesus stopped, touched the bier carrying her son’s body, raised him back to life, and handed him to his mother. He did not only raise her son from the dead—He also raised the standard of her hope. What once looked like a faded and broken future suddenly became bright and full of promise. Her sorrow was turned into joy in an instant.

That is the power of the touch of Jesus Christ.

If you are walking beside a dead dream, a destroyed future, or a hopeless season, the Word of God encourages you to come into His presence. One look from Him, one touch from Him, can turn your life upside down—for good.

God knows your silent, wordless cries and says to you today, “Do not weep.”

He needs no explanation of your pain; He is already with you on the journey. He is fully God and fully human—He empathizes with your suffering and, at the same time, has the power to miraculously bring you out of it. He is not numb to your tears. His ear is not closed, and His hand is not too short to bless you.

You may not be facing a grave-like situation, yet even in the busyness of life—when you feel exhausted or lonely—those silent sufferings that may seem small to others can feel deeply painful to you. God does not measure or judge your threshold of pain. He comforts you whether you have a sprained leg or are undergoing major surgery. He is a gentle Father.

When you have Jesus, you have everything you need in life. In Him, your life is complete.

Short Prayer:

Lord Jesus, thank You for seeing me and for having compassion on my pain. You know my silent tears and unspoken burdens. Touch my life today, restore my hope, and turn my sorrow into joy. Help me to trust You fully, knowing that You are with me in every season. In Jesus’ name, amen. 🙏

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Daily Christian Devotion

Lower your nets in faith

“And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.””

Luke 5:5 ESV

Many of may be grew up in church, hearing the Word of God, or being raised in families that spoke about Jesus day and night. Yet when God instructs us to do something, many times we hesitate. Fear, uncertainty, or even too much knowledge in a particular area can cause us to resist His instruction.

But Scripture teaches us to lay down our self-intuition in exchange for a harvest of blessings.

In this passage, many people were gathered, waiting to hear Jesus speak. Peter was washing his nets after toiling all night, having caught nothing. Though exhausted and disappointed, his night had produced no results.

Jesus asked Simon to take Him a little farther from the shore. He sat in the boat and taught the crowd. When Jesus finished preaching, He instructed Simon to put out into deep water and lower the nets.

Simon responded honestly: they had worked all night, were weary, and caught nothing. Yet on the ground of Jesus’ word, he chose to obey.

When Simon lowered the nets, he caught such a great number of fish that the nets began to break, and he had to call for help.

At the word of Jesus, an assignment moved from emptiness to fulfillment.

Simon was a professional fisherman—skilled, experienced, and knowledgeable. He knew when and where to cast nets. He was fully aware that the place Jesus asked him to fish was the same place where he had labored all night without success. Logically, trying again seemed like a waste of time.

Yet Simon laid aside his expertise and took Jesus’ word seriously—placing it above his own understanding and professional knowledge. His obedience was not in vain.

Simon was not disappointed for believing and moving in faith. He not only lowered his nets, but also lowered his “I know” attitude, and that humility led to a breakthrough beyond measure.

The Word of God encourages us that in seasons of exhaustion, empty labor, and fruitless effort, the voice of God will satisfy us from the inside out.

Jesus alone can make the impossible possible. He calls life into emptiness, fills it with peace and joy, and transforms barren situations into favorable ones.

In any area of your life where God instructs you to lower your net—do not hesitate, or you may miss a great harvest of blessing. There are moments in the Kingdom of God when obedience may make us look foolish, but the wisdom of God always produces results.

There is no history of disappointment in trusting Jesus.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, help me to lay down my understanding and trust Your word above my own knowledge. Give me the grace to obey, even when it doesn’t make sense. Teach me to lower my nets in faith, knowing that You alone turn emptiness into abundance. Amen.

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