Author: Rooted & Raised

I’m a follower of Christ, learning daily to walk the narrow path laid out in His Word. Through Rooted & Raised: Anchoring Women & Children in Christ, I simply seek to point others back to Scripture, tested by the Holy Spirit, lived out in faith, and anchored in truth. ● This space isn’t about lofty theology or grand platforms. It’s about humble obedience, Kingdom living, and helping others, especially women and families, rediscover the kind of faith that bears fruit, costs something, and reflects the love of Christ. My heart is to encourage others as I learn, grow, and surrender alongside them. ● This space isn’t built on lofty theology or big platforms, it’s grounded in humble obedience, Kingdom living, and encouraging women and families to rediscover a faith that bears fruit, costs something, and reflects the love of Christ. ● I don’t have a budget for an editor, publisher, or team behind the scenes. Everything you see here is created prayerfully and paid for out of pocket, using the tools I can afford to help present a clear, polished message of truth and hope. ● If you're blessed by what you read and would like to contribute toward this work, you’re welcome to support via: 📲 Cash App: $RootedRaised

Devotions, Family Devotionals

🏡 Kingdom Family Devotional — Day 67

June 11, 2025June 8, 2025 Rooted & Raised

“Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he?”

— Matthew 7:10 NASB1995

🧺 Teaching Trust

As mothers guiding older children, we can use this verse to teach discernment and trust. God’s gifts may not come wrapped in ease—but they are never designed to harm. Even when life delivers hardship, God’s hand remains steady.

Children often wrestle with unanswered prayers. Help them trace God’s faithfulness through past experiences. Show them that no “snake” has ever slipped through His care.

🗣 Family Conversation:

Have your children ever felt disappointed by God’s answer?
How can you remind them of His goodness, even in those moments?

👣 Kingdom Practice:

Share stories as a family of when God gave something different than asked—but it turned out better.

🙏 Prayer:

Father, anchor our home in Your goodness. When our children doubt, let our stories and Scripture guide them back to trust. Amen.

Kingdom Discipleship, Love In Action

Forgive as You Have Been Forgiven

June 11, 2025May 21, 2025 Rooted & Raised

From the series “The Commands of Christ — Love in Action”

Love doesn’t keep score.
It doesn’t hold grudges, demand repayment, or wait for the apology it thinks it deserves.
Love forgives—completely, freely, and sacrificially.

“Forgive, and you will be forgiven.”
— Luke 6:37, NASB 1995

This is not a gentle suggestion. It is a command from the lips of the One who would be betrayed, denied, beaten, and crucified—and who still cried out, “Father, forgive them.”

Forgiveness is not weakness.
It is not forgetting.
It is not denying the pain.
It is the power to cancel a debt out of reverence for the mercy we’ve been shown.

“Be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.”
— Ephesians 4:32

If you have been forgiven by Christ, then forgiveness is no longer optional—it is the overflow of new life.

When we withhold it, we are not just clinging to hurt—we are denying the very gospel we claim to believe.

“If you do not forgive other people, then your Father will not forgive your offenses.”
— Matthew 6:15

These are sobering words. Not because forgiveness earns salvation—but because refusal to forgive proves we have not truly received the mercy of God.

The early Church knew this. They were slandered, persecuted, imprisoned—and yet they forgave.

The Martyrdom of Polycarp (AD 155):
“He prayed for all… even those who were about to execute him, remembering the words of his Lord.”
— Chapter 14

Tertullian (c. AD 200):
“We repay injuries with kindness… and when we are cursed, we bless. We follow our Lord in this, and forgive so that we may be forgiven.”
— Apology, Chapter 39

They forgave—not because it was easy, but because the cross had made it possible.

Forgiveness is not something we wait to feel.
It is a choice made in obedience to Christ.
It is not the same as reconciliation—but it is always the first step.

Some wounds run deep.
But the cross goes deeper.
And where Christ reigns, bitterness cannot remain.

You cannot carry the cross and a grudge at the same time.
You must choose.

To walk in love is to walk in forgiveness—
Even if they never say they’re sorry.
Even if they don’t understand what they did.
Even if the pain is still fresh.

Because Christ forgave you.
And He commands you to do the same.

📚 Sources & References

Forgive as You Have Been Forgiven

Scripture (NASB 1995):

Luke 6:37 – “Forgive, and you will be forgiven.”
Ephesians 4:32 – “Forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.”
Matthew 6:15 – “If you do not forgive… your Father will not forgive…”

Ante-Nicene Sources:

The Martyrdom of Polycarp, Chapter 14.
“He prayed for all… even those who were about to execute him.”
[Available at: EarlyChristianWritings.com or NewAdvent.org]
Tertullian, Apology, Chapter 39.
“We repay injuries with kindness… we follow our Lord in this.”
[Available at: NewAdvent.org]

2–3 minutes

Devotions, Women's Devotionals

🌿 Kingdom Living Devotional — Day 66

June 10, 2025June 8, 2025 Rooted & Raised

“Or what person is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf of bread, will give him a stone?”

— Matthew 7:9 NASB1995

🥖 The Father’s Heart

Jesus appeals to something we all understand: good parents want to bless their children. Our heavenly Father is even more generous, wise, and kind than the best of earthly parents. He does not mock our hunger—He feeds it.

🏛 Ante-Nicene Confidence

The early Christians had no riches to boast in, yet they trusted the Lord to meet their needs. Their prayers were not for abundance, but for daily bread and enduring strength.

💭 Reflect:

Do you see God as a generous Father?
What “stones” have you feared that He would give you?

✨ Prayer:

Father, help me see Your heart rightly. Thank You that You do not mock my needs, but provide what nourishes my soul. Amen.

Children's Devotionals, Devotions

🧒 Kids Devotional — Day 66

June 10, 2025June 8, 2025 Rooted & Raised

“If your child asks for bread, would you give them a rock?”

— Matthew 7:9 (Paraphrased)

🥪 God Doesn’t Trick Us

Imagine asking for a sandwich and someone gives you a rock! That’s silly—and kind of mean. Jesus says God isn’t like that. When we ask Him for good things, He doesn’t give us something bad instead.

🧭 Kingdom Tip:

You can trust God to be kind. He knows what’s best and never plays tricks.

💡 Think About It:

What’s something you’ve asked God for?
Do you believe He gives what’s good for you?

✨ Let’s Pray:

God, thank You for being kind and good. Help me trust You more each day. Amen.

Devotions, Teen Devotions

😎 Kingdom Teen Devotional — Day 66

June 10, 2025June 8, 2025 Rooted & Raised

“Or what person is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf of bread, will give him a stone?”

— Matthew 7:9 NASB1995

🪨 Trading Rocks for Bread

Sometimes we feel like God is silent or gives us something we didn’t want. But Jesus says He’s not cruel—He doesn’t hand out pain for fun. If you’re seeking Him, what He gives is good, even if it surprises you.

🔍 Real Talk:

Have you ever felt like God gave you a stone?
Could it be that He’s giving you something better than what you asked?

✍️ Prayer:

Father, help me see the good in what You give—even when it’s not what I expected. I want to trust Your heart. Amen.

Devotions, Family Devotionals

🏡 Kingdom Family Devotional — Day 66

June 10, 2025June 8, 2025 Rooted & Raised

“Or what person is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf of bread, will give him a stone?”

— Matthew 7:9 NASB1995

🍞 The Nature of God

In a world of broken trust, this verse reminds us that our heavenly Father is trustworthy. As mothers raising older children, this truth is foundational—we must teach them that God is not out to disappoint or trick them.

They may not always get what they ask for, but they can always trust that what God gives is good.

📖 Talk About It:

Can you think of a time God gave your family something unexpected but good?
How do we guard our hearts from doubting His goodness?

🧺 Kingdom Practice:

Write down a few things you’ve prayed for as a family. Mark the ones God answered in surprising or better ways.

✍️ Prayer:

Lord, let our family never doubt Your goodness. Even when Your answers look different than our requests, help us see Your love in every provision. Amen.

Devotions, Women's Devotionals

🌿 Kingdom Living Devotional — Day 65

June 9, 2025June 8, 2025 Rooted & Raised

“For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.”

— Matthew 7:8 NASB1995

🙏 Promise with a Pattern

Jesus assures us—everyone who asks receives. Not always what we expect, but always what we need. The King hears every knock.

🏛 Ante-Nicene Faith

Early believers took Jesus at His word. They fasted, prayed, and lived lives of bold expectation—not naming and claiming, but submitting and trusting.