Tag: bible

Devotions, Women's Devotionals

👩‍🦰 The Fruit of the Spirit — Day 4

Rooted & Raised

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…”
— Galatians 5:22–23, NASB1995

More Than Personality Traits

Love. Joy. Peace. These are not goals to reach.
They are evidence of a Spirit-filled life.

We don’t produce this fruit by trying harder—we bear it by abiding.
You may be tempted to measure yourself by your temper, your tone, or your to-do list. But fruit grows when we stay rooted in Christ and walk by the Spirit—not the flesh.

This fruit isn’t for display. It’s for others to taste and see that the Lord is good.

Reflection:
Which fruit is ripening in your life? Which one needs tending?

Prayer:
Holy Spirit, grow Your fruit in me. Prune what hinders love and fill me with joy, peace, and self-control that reflects Christ. Amen.

Children's Devotionals, Devotions

🧒 The Fruit of the Spirit — Day 4

Rooted & Raised

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…”
— Galatians 5:22–23, NASB1995

Fruit That Grows Inside

Have you ever seen a fruit tree?
It takes time for apples or oranges to grow. And guess what? God grows fruit in your heart too!

The Holy Spirit helps you be loving, kind, patient, and joyful—even when things are hard. You won’t be perfect every day, but He helps you grow!

You can ask Him to help you show “Jesus-fruit” wherever you go.

Try This:
Draw a fruit tree and write one word on each fruit (love, joy, peace…). Hang it where you’ll see it and pray: “Grow this in me!”

Prayer:
Holy Spirit, help me grow Your fruit inside. Teach me to love and be kind like Jesus. Amen.

Kingdom Discipleship, Love In Action

Be Merciful, Just as Your Father is Merciful

Rooted & Raised

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

“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”
— Luke 6:36, NASB1995

In a world that rewards retaliation and celebrates harshness as strength, Jesus calls His disciples to something radically different: mercy. Not a vague kindness. Not a passive tolerance. But divine, active mercy—poured out in the likeness of our Father in heaven.

This mercy isn’t based on merit. God doesn’t wait for us to be worthy of His compassion. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). That’s the measure of His mercy—and the model for ours.

The command is not simply to be merciful, but as your Father is merciful. This is not human compassion raised slightly; it is a divine attribute extended through Spirit-filled people. And it reaches beyond those who love us. Jesus makes that clear. The merciful do good to those who hate them. They bless those who curse them. They pray for those who mistreat them (Luke 6:27–28).

The early Church understood this calling well. Their mercy wasn’t limited to emotional sympathy—it translated into action. They rescued abandoned infants from Roman garbage heaps, cared for plague victims when others fled, and fed both Christian and pagan neighbors during famines. Their acts of mercy confused the empire and reflected the heart of their King.

They were not trying to earn salvation. They were living out the nature of the One who saved them.

Tertullian observed, “It is our care of the helpless, our practice of lovingkindness, that brands us in the eyes of many of our opponents. ‘Look!’ they say, ‘How they love one another!’” (Apology, ch. 39). Mercy was their reputation.

And it should be ours.

We don’t get to choose who deserves mercy. We simply extend it—because our Father has extended it to us. The merciful show God’s heart to a hardened world. They reflect His character and reveal His kingdom.

So, we must ask ourselves: Do our enemies see mercy in us? Do the broken, the ignored, the undeserving find the compassion of the Father in our lives?

Mercy does not ignore justice. But it doesn’t wield justice as a sword of pride. It offers restoration, dignity, and love. It leans in when the flesh wants to pull away. It opens its arms when fear says to close them.

This is what the Kingdom looks like.

Sources:

Luke 6:27–36, NASB1995

Romans 5:6–8

Tertullian, Apology, Chapter 39

The Didache (ch. 1–2): Early instructions on showing mercy to the poor, forgiving quickly, and imitating the meekness of Christ

Lactantius, Divine Institutes, Book 6: Advocates for mercy as a divine attribute believers must mirror

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Kingdom Discipleship, Love In Action

Abide in Me

Rooted & Raised

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

“Abide in Me, and I in you… Just as the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it remains in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.”
— John 15:4, NASB 1995

To love Christ is to remain in Him.
Not to visit Him occasionally.
Not to return when life gets hard.
But to dwell—continually, deeply, and dependently.

Abiding is not passive.
It is a posture of total surrender, daily communion, and unwavering obedience.
It is the root of every fruitful life.

“If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away like a branch and dries up…”
— John 15:6

This is not a threat—it is reality.
Life apart from Christ is not neutral. It is death.

We don’t abide by attending services or checking boxes.
We abide by staying connected—in the Word, in prayer, in repentance, in worship, and in love.

“The one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.”
— 1 John 2:6

This is not just about intimacy—it’s about imitation.
To abide in Christ is to walk like Christ.
To remain in His love is to obey His commands (John 15:10).

The early Church lived this way.
They had no buildings, budgets, or celebrity leaders.
But they had communion with Christ—and it sustained them through fire, famine, and persecution.

Ignatius of Antioch (c. AD 107):
“Abide in Christ, and He will abide in you… cling to Him, for apart from Him there is no life.”
— Letter to the Trallians, Ch. 8

Clement of Alexandria (c. AD 195):
“He who remains in the Word of God abides in Christ… and the fruit he bears is love, holiness, and endurance.”
— Stromata, Book VI

They didn’t chase emotional highs.
They pursued daily obedience.
They didn’t seek control.
They surrendered.

Because abiding is not about doing more—it’s about staying rooted.

We live in a world of constant motion, endless distraction, and spiritual drift.
But Christ still says:

“Abide in Me.”

Remain when it’s dry.
Remain when it’s costly.
Remain when the fruit is slow.
Remain when the world tempts you to disconnect.

Because love remains.
Love abides.
And Christ abides in those who walk with Him.

📚 Sources & References

Abide in Me

Scripture (NASB 1995):

  • John 15:4–6, 10 – “Abide in Me… and I in you…”
  • 1 John 2:6 – “The one who says he abides in Him…”

Ante-Nicene Sources:

  • Ignatius of Antioch, Letter to the Trallians, Ch. 8.
    “Cling to Him, for apart from Him there is no life.”
    [Available at: EarlyChristianWritings.com]
  • Clement of Alexandria, Stromata, Book VI.
    “He who remains in the Word of God abides in Christ…”
    [Available at: CCEL.org or NewAdvent.org]
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Devotions, Teen Devotions

😎 You Will Receive Power — Day 3

Rooted & Raised

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses…”
— Acts 1:8a, NASB1995

Real Strength Isn’t Loud

Power today is loud, self-promoting, and usually fake. But the power Jesus promised is different.
It’s holy. Quiet. Unshakable.

When the Holy Spirit fills you, He gives you boldness to share the gospel, strength to stand apart, and love that doesn’t quit—especially when your peers don’t get it.

The early Church wasn’t influential—they were empowered.
You don’t need to be popular. You need to be filled.

Reflection:
What kind of power do you rely on most—God’s, or your own?

Prayer:
Holy Spirit, I need Your power to live differently. Use me to show who Jesus is, even if it costs me comfort or status. Amen.

Children's Devotionals, Devotions

🧒 You Will Receive Power — Day 3

Rooted & Raised

Did you know that God’s Spirit gives you power too?
Not superhero power—but the kind that helps you love others, tell the truth, and share Jesus with your friends.

You Are Not Too Small

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses…”
— Acts 1:8a, NASB1995

The Bible says the Holy Spirit helps us be brave and kind. You don’t have to be big or perfect—just willing.

Even kids can show others what Jesus is like!

Try This:
Think of one friend you can be kind to today—and ask the Holy Spirit to help you do it with love.

Prayer:
Holy Spirit, thank You for being strong in me. Help me show Jesus to others in how I talk, play, and care. Amen.

Devotions, Family Devotionals

👩‍👧 You Will Receive Power — Day 3

Rooted & Raised

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses…”
— Acts 1:8a, NASB1995

Power for Everyday Parenting

The power of the Spirit isn’t just for pulpits—it’s for parenting.
You don’t need to have all the answers or say all the right things. You need to be filled with the Spirit, who gives you wisdom, patience, and courage.

Whether you’re helping with homework, setting boundaries, or praying over your child’s choices, remember: His power is made perfect in your weakness.

Let your life witness of Christ—not by perfection, but by Spirit-empowered love.

Discussion Prompt:
Ask your child:

  • What makes you feel nervous about talking about Jesus?
  • Did you know the Holy Spirit helps us be brave?

Prayer:
Holy Spirit, help me be a strong and gentle witness to my child. Fill our home with Your power and peace. Amen.

Devotions, Women's Devotionals

👩‍🦰 You Will Receive Power — Day 3

Rooted & Raised

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses…”
— Acts 1:8a, NASB1995

Power with a Purpose

Jesus didn’t send the Holy Spirit to make you feel strong—He sent Him to make you bold.
To speak truth when it’s easier to stay silent.
To stand firm when the world calls you to compromise.
To love when you feel empty.

This power is not for performance—it’s for witness.
Whether you’re serving in your home, praying in secret, or standing for truth in a dark world, the Spirit equips you. His power strengthens your resolve and fuels your obedience.

Reflection:
Where in your life do you need the Holy Spirit’s boldness today?

Prayer:
Holy Spirit, fill me with Your power—not for my own strength, but to be a faithful witness of Jesus. Give me courage to obey. Amen.

Devotions, Women's Devotionals

🌿 Kingdom Living Devotional — Day 80

Rooted & Raised

“When Jesus had finished these words, the crowds were amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.”
— Matthew 7:28–29, NASB1995

Amazed by the Authority
The Sermon on the Mount wasn’t just beautiful—it was powerful. Jesus didn’t speak like the teachers of His day who leaned on tradition and religious status. He spoke with the weight of Heaven behind every word. His words pierce hearts, expose motives, and stir holy wonder.

After 80 days walking verse by verse with Him, ask yourself:
Do His words still amaze you?
Do they move you to obedience, reverence, and love?

The Kingdom life isn’t theory—it’s transformation. Jesus taught with authority because He is the King. Let His words reshape your life from the inside out.

Reflection:
Do I treat Jesus’ words as suggestions or as the voice of the One who reigns?

Prayer:
Lord, You have spoken, and I am in awe. Shape my life by Your Word. Let me live in obedience to the King. Amen.

Children's Devotionals, Devotions

🧒 Children’s Devotional — Day 80

Rooted & Raised

“When Jesus had finished these words, the crowds were amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.”
— Matthew 7:28–29, NASB1995

Jesus Speaks Like a King
Have you ever heard someone speak and everyone listened quietly? That’s what happened when Jesus finished teaching. People were amazed! He didn’t just talk—He spoke like a King who knows what is right and good.

Everything Jesus said in this sermon helps us know how to live in God’s Kingdom. When we listen and obey, we show that we believe Him and love Him.

Question to Ponder:
What is one thing Jesus said that you want to obey today?

Prayer:
Jesus, thank You for teaching me. Help me listen and follow You every day.