Tag: caribbean

Devotions, Teen Devotions

😎 Teen Devotional — Day 39

Rooted & Raised

“Too Sad to Ask”

📖 “But now I go away to Him who sent Me, and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’”
 —John 16:5 (NKJV)

Have you ever been so overwhelmed by emotion that you stopped thinking clearly?
Maybe something hit hard—grief, disappointment, betrayal—and instead of reaching out to God, you shut down.

That’s what happened with Jesus’ disciples.

He told them He was leaving, and instead of asking, “Where are You going?” they just got sad.
So sad, they missed the bigger picture—what Jesus was really trying to show them.

They were focused on loss.
Jesus was focused on victory.

He wasn’t just leaving—He was going back to the Father to prepare something greater.
The cross wasn’t the end of the story—it was the bridge to everything that mattered.

Don’t let your emotions block your faith.
Ask the hard questions.
Draw near to Jesus—even when your heart hurts.

He’s going somewhere holy.
And He’s taking you with Him.

Think About It:

  • When you’re hurt, do you shut down or run to Jesus?
  • What question have you avoided asking God because it felt too painful?

Prayer:
 Jesus, sometimes I get so overwhelmed that I forget to ask what You’re doing. Help me not to shut down or turn away, but to seek You even when I’m hurting. I know You are good, and I want to follow wherever You lead. Amen.

Children's Devotionals, Devotions

🧒 Children’s Devotional — Day 39

Rooted & Raised

“Where Are You Going?”

📖 “But now I go away to Him who sent Me, and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’”
 —John 16:5 (NKJV)

Jesus told His friends He was going away.
But they were so sad and confused, they didn’t ask Him where He was going.

Sometimes, when we feel upset or don’t understand something, we stop asking questions.
We might just feel bad… and forget to go to Jesus.

But Jesus wants us to talk to Him—even when we’re sad, confused, or scared.

If His disciples had asked, they would’ve heard something amazing:
He was going to His Father in Heaven…
and He was making a way for us to come too.

So the next time something feels hard or confusing, remember:
You can always ask Jesus.
He’s never too far to hear you—and He always answers in love.

Think About It:

  • Why do you think Jesus wanted His disciples to ask where He was going?
  • What is something you want to ask Jesus about today?

Prayer:
 Jesus, thank You for always listening. Even when I don’t understand, help me come to You with my questions. I want to know You more and trust where You’re going. Amen.

Devotions, Women's Devotionals

👩‍🦰 Women’s Devotional — Day 39

Rooted & Raised

“None of You Asks Me”

📖 “But now I go away to Him who sent Me, and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’”
 —John 16:5 (NKJV)

Have you ever been so overwhelmed by grief or fear that you couldn’t ask the question that really needed to be asked?

Jesus had just shared painful truth with His disciples—persecution, sorrow, rejection.
But instead of asking, “Where are You going?” (a question that could have brought comfort and clarity), they were weighed down with sorrow.

How often do we do the same?

We focus so much on the pain that we forget to turn our hearts toward Jesus’ greater plan.
We forget to ask Him what He’s doing.
Where He’s going.
How He’s still working.

The disciples saw Jesus’ departure as loss.
But it was the pathway to victory—the sending of the Spirit, the opening of the Gospel to the nations, and the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan.

Don’t let sorrow silence your seeking.
Ask Him.
Trust Him.
Let Him lift your eyes above the grief to the greater glory.

Reflection Questions:

  • Have you been so weighed down by hardship that you stopped seeking Jesus’ heart in the situation?
  • What question might the Lord be inviting you to ask today?

Prayer:
 Jesus, I don’t want sorrow to blind me to what You’re doing. Teach me to seek You, to ask the questions that lead to truth, and to trust that Your plan is always better—even when I don’t understand. Amen.

Devotions, Family Devotionals

👩‍👧 Family Devotional — Day 39

Rooted & Raised

“Too Heavy to Ask”

📖 “But now I go away to Him who sent Me, and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’”
 —John 16:5 (NKJV)

There are times in family life when sorrow or stress feels so heavy that it silences even our questions.

Jesus’ disciples were facing one of those moments.
He had just told them He was leaving, but their sorrow kept them from asking the one question that could’ve changed everything:
“Where are You going?”

In our homes, we want to teach our children not only to feel—but to seek.

When things are hard, it’s okay to grieve.
But we must also point our hearts to Jesus and ask, “What are You doing, Lord? Where are You leading?”

He was not abandoning His disciples—He was preparing them.
He was not leaving them comfortless—He was sending the Comforter.

As mothers guiding our homes, we must help our children learn this rhythm:
Feel the sorrow, but follow it to the Savior.

Family Talk:

  • Can you think of a time when you were too upset to ask God for help?
  • How can we remind each other to seek Jesus—even in hard times?

Prayer:
 Lord, when sorrow fills our home or hearts, help us to keep seeking You. Train our children to ask—not just “why,” but “where are You going, Lord?” Give us faith to follow, even when we don’t see the whole picture. Amen.

Children's Devotionals, Devotions

🧒 Children’s Devotional — Day 38

Rooted & Raised

“Jesus Told Us Ahead of Time”

📖 “But these things I have told you, that when the time comes, you may remember that I told you of them…”
 —John 16:4a (NKJV)

Jesus always tells the truth—even when it’s about something hard.

He told His friends that one day, people wouldn’t like them for following Him.
But He didn’t say it to scare them.
He said it to prepare them.

That way, when things got hard, they would remember:
Jesus already told us this would happen.
 And that means He’s still with us.

He never leaves us surprised or alone.
He wants you to be brave, strong, and full of His peace—even when things around you feel scary or unfair.

You can always remember what Jesus said.
And you can always trust that He’ll help you through it.

Think About It:

  • Why do you think Jesus tells us hard things ahead of time?
  • How does it help you feel when you know Jesus warned us and still loves us?

Prayer:
 Dear Jesus, thank You for always telling me the truth. Help me remember Your words when things are hard. I know You love me and are always with me. Amen.

Devotions, Women's Devotionals

👩‍🦰 Women’s Devotional — Day 38

Rooted & Raised

Day 38 — “These Things I’ve Told You”

📖 “But these things I have told you, that when the time comes, you may remember that I told you of them…”
 —John 16:4a (NKJV)

Jesus doesn’t just prepare us for a smooth path—
He prepares us for reality.
A reality where truth is opposed, where light exposes darkness, and where following Him means we will sometimes face rejection or hardship.

But He doesn’t leave us there.

He warns us ahead of time so that when the hard moments come, our faith won’t fall apart.
His words become anchors when the storm rolls in.

He said it would happen.
So when it does, we don’t panic.
We remember.

We remember His Word.
We remember His peace.
We remember that we are not alone.

Sister, don’t be discouraged if things feel hard right now.
You’re not failing—you’re following.
And He told you this would come so your heart would not be shaken.

Reflection Questions:

  • Have you been tempted to give up because things got difficult in your walk with Christ?
  • What promises of Jesus help you stay grounded?

Prayer:
 Jesus, thank You for telling me the truth, even when it’s hard. Remind me of what You’ve said when trials come. Let Your Word rise up in my heart like light in the darkness, and strengthen me to stand. Amen.

Devotions, Family Devotionals

👩‍👧 Family Devotional — Day 38

Rooted & Raised

“When the Time Comes… Remember”

📖 “But these things I have told you, that when the time comes, you may remember that I told you of them…”
 —John 16:4a (NKJV)

As mothers, we often wish we could shield our children from every difficulty.
But Jesus doesn’t always shield—He prepares.

He told His disciples hard truths about rejection, persecution, and being misunderstood for following Him.
Why?
So that when it happened, they would remember.

That is the heart of biblical motherhood—planting truth now so our children will remember it later.

You won’t always be able to speak in the moment when they’re challenged.
But if you’ve taught them the Word, Jesus will bring it back to their hearts at just the right time.

Let today be a reminder: you are not raising your children to be liked by the world…
You are raising them to know, follow, and remember Jesus.

Family Talk:

  • What are some truths Jesus said that we should always remember?
  • How can we prepare for hard moments by remembering what the Bible says?

Prayer:
 Lord, help me sow Your truth faithfully into my children’s hearts. When the time comes, bring Your words to their remembrance. Make our home one that holds fast to You when the world tries to pull us away. Amen.

Devotions, Teen Devotions

😎 Teen Devotional — Day 38

Rooted & Raised

“He Told You Ahead of Time”

📖 “But these things I have told you, that when the time comes, you may remember that I told you of them…”
 —John 16:4a (NKJV)

Have you ever been caught off guard by someone turning on you—
just because you believe what Jesus says?

Maybe it was a harsh comment, a cold shoulder, or a friendship that shifted when you chose truth over trend.
That sting of rejection can make you wonder: Did I do something wrong?

But Jesus says, “No. I told you this would happen.”

He didn’t say following Him would always feel comfortable—He said it would be worth it.
And when you feel the pressure, remember:
He warned you—not to frighten you, but to fortify you.

He didn’t want you shaken when the world pushed back.
He wanted you ready.

So don’t let the pushback undo your faith.
Let it remind you that your Savior keeps His Word—and He’s walking with you through every storm.

Think About It:

  • What’s one time when Jesus’ words gave you strength in a hard moment?
  • How can you make it a habit to recall what Jesus said when things get tough?

Prayer:
 Jesus, thank You for not hiding the hard stuff. When life feels heavy, help me remember that You prepared me for this and that You are with me. Strengthen my heart to keep following You with courage and conviction. Amen.

Devotions, Family Devotionals

👩‍👧 Family Devotional — Day 37

Rooted & Raised

“Faith When the World Rejects You”

📖 “They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service.”
 —John 16:2 (NKJV)

Jesus gave His followers a hard truth:
Following Him wouldn’t always be safe.

There would come a time—then and now—when those who truly follow Jesus would be excluded, silenced, or even hated… all in the name of what others think is “right.”

As a mother guiding your children in truth, you may face this rejection in subtle or strong ways.
But this is not the time to retreat—it’s the time to stand and teach your children how to stand too.

They don’t need a perfect mom.
They need a faithful one.

Model what it means to love the truth more than comfort, to walk with Jesus even when the crowd turns the other way.
Prepare them now, so when the pressure comes, they remember the peace and conviction they saw in you.

Family Talk:

  • Has anyone in our family been made fun of or left out for standing for Jesus?
  • What does it mean to respond with grace and truth?

Prayer:
 Lord, help our family to follow You with boldness. When the world rejects us, let our home be a place of peace and courage. Teach us to hold fast to Your Word and to love even when we’re misunderstood. Amen.

Devotions, Teen Devotions

😎 Teen Devotional — Day 37

Rooted & Raised

“Canceled for Christ?”

📖 “They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service.”
 —John 16:2 (NKJV)

Jesus didn’t sugarcoat it.

He said that following Him might cost you—
Popularity.
Friendships.
Even your place in familiar spaces.

People might think you’re wrong, weird, or even dangerous for believing what the Bible says.
Some might even think they’re doing something good by rejecting you.

Sound familiar?

This verse hits home in today’s culture.
Standing for truth—about sin, salvation, and Jesus being the only way—can lead to being canceled, mocked, or shut out.

But Jesus wasn’t caught off guard by this. He prepared us.
And He promises that we never walk alone.

So when rejection comes, don’t panic.
Don’t hide.
Stand.

Not in your own strength—but in His Spirit.

Think About It:

  • Have you ever felt rejected or silenced for standing on biblical truth?
  • How can you keep your heart soft while staying grounded in God’s Word?

Prayer:
 Jesus, I want to follow You even when it’s not easy. Give me strength to stand and love to respond well. Help me not to shrink back, but to trust that You are worth it all. Amen.