Tag: Catholic

Devotions, Women's Devotionals

🌿 Women’s Devotional — Day 78

Rooted & Raised

“The Holy Spirit Cultivates Patience in My Heart”

📖 “…Strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy.”
—Colossians 1:11 (NKJV)

Patience is one of the greatest tests of spiritual maturity—and one of the clearest places where the Holy Spirit works in the heart. Some seasons require patience with circumstances: waiting for answers, healing, provision, or direction. Some seasons require patience with yourself: through growth, change, weakness, or failure. And every season requires patience with others: your spouse, children, coworkers, friends, relatives—even strangers.

Patience often stretches you in quiet, unseen ways. It feels uncomfortable. It exposes your limits. It reveals the places where your heart wants control. But patience also opens the door to deeper trust, gentler responses, and Spirit-shaped grace.

You can’t manufacture patience. You can only receive it.

The Holy Spirit cultivates patience by:

• slowing your reactions
• softening frustration
• strengthening your ability to wait without fear
• giving you grace for people who test you
• reminding you of how patient God is with you
• anchoring your heart in God’s timing instead of your own
• producing joy even in long, difficult waits

Patience is not passive—it’s powerful. It is love expressed through endurance.
And when the Holy Spirit forms it in you, your life begins to reflect the heart of Jesus in profound, beautiful ways.

Reflect:

  • Where in your life is patience being stretched right now?
  • How is the Holy Spirit inviting you to surrender your timing, expectations, or reactions to Him?

Prayer:

Holy Spirit, cultivate patience in my heart. Slow my reactions, calm my frustration,
and help me trust Your timing in every area of my life. Teach me to show grace to others
and to walk with quiet confidence in Your faithfulness. Amen.

Devotions, Teen Devotions

👧👦 Teen Devotional — Day 78

Rooted & Raised

“The Holy Spirit Helps Me Be Patient With People”

📖 “Love suffers long and is kind.”
—1 Corinthians 13:4a (NKJV)

People can be challenging.
They misunderstand you. They interrupt you. They take longer than you want. They make mistakes. They hurt your feelings. They react emotionally. They don’t always think or act the way you expect. And in those moments, patience can feel impossible. That’s why patience is not something you create—it’s something the Holy Spirit produces in you.

The Holy Spirit helps you be patient when:

• someone’s behavior frustrates you
• a friend keeps repeating the same mistake
• a sibling or parent gets under your skin
• a classmate acts selfish or rude
• a situation drags on longer than you’d like
• you’re tempted to react instead of respond

Patience is love in slow motion. It’s choosing grace over irritation, calm over anger, understanding over assumptions.

And the Holy Spirit gives you the strength to do it, even when your emotions say otherwise. When you walk in the Spirit, your reactions become different—gentler, slower, wiser, more compassionate. People may even notice the difference, because Christlike patience stands out in a world full of quick tempers.

Talk About It:

  • Who tests your patience the most—and why?
  • How can the Holy Spirit help you respond with love instead of frustration?

Prayer:

Holy Spirit, grow patience in my heart. Help me respond with grace, kindness, and understanding, even when I feel frustrated or overwhelmed. Teach me to love others the way Jesus loves me. Amen.

Children's Devotionals, Devotions, Women's Devotionals

🧒 Children’s Devotional — Day 78

Rooted & Raised

“The Holy Spirit Helps Me Be Patient With Others”

📖 “With longsuffering, bearing with one another in love.”
—Ephesians 4:2b (NKJV)

Sometimes it’s hard to be patient with people—when someone is slow, when they don’t listen, when they annoy you, or when they do something that frustrates you. But God wants us to be patient with others just like He is patient with us. And the Holy Spirit helps you do that.

He helps you stay calm when you want to get upset.
He helps you speak kindly instead of snapping.
He reminds you that everyone makes mistakes.
He helps you take a deep breath when something bothers you.
He fills your heart with love so patience can grow.

Being patient doesn’t mean everything is perfect—it means you choose to love even when things aren’t easy. And every time you show patience, you are acting more like Jesus.

Talk About It:

  • Who is someone you need extra patience with?
  • How can the Holy Spirit help you be more patient today?

Prayer:

Holy Spirit, please help me be patient with others. Help me stay calm, be kind, and show love even when things are frustrating. Amen.

Kingdom Discipleship, The Whole Counsel of God

Man-Made Systems vs. Apostolic Simplicity

Rooted & Raised

From the Series: The Gospel According to the Whole Counsel of God

“Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.”
—Colossians 2:8 (NKJV)

From the beginning, the gospel was a simple and powerful message: Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again the third day (1 Corinthians 15:3–4). This was the truth preached by the apostles, believed by the early Church, and confirmed by the Spirit. Yet, as time passed, men began to surround this message with philosophies, traditions, and systems that complicated what God had made plain.

The apostles were clear: anything that shifts the focus away from Christ alone is a danger to the soul. Paul’s warning in Colossians 2:8 echoes through history, reminding us that clever frameworks, whether ancient or modern, cannot replace the living Word of God.

Apostolic Simplicity

The gospel is not bound in riddles. It is not hidden in secret decrees or reserved for the intellectual. Jesus said that unless we become like little children, we will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 18:3). The message is clear enough for the humble and dependent heart.

The apostles lived this simplicity. They prayed, they taught the Scriptures, they broke bread together, and they proclaimed Christ crucified and risen. Their power was not in systems of thought but in the Spirit and truth.

The Witness of the Early Church

The Ante-Nicene believers followed this same path. They had no elaborate frameworks to explain away God’s promises or to restrict His call. They lived by faith, walked in holiness, and loved one another with sincerity. Their writings urge us again and again to hold fast to “the rule of faith”—Christ Himself as revealed in Scripture.

Irenaeus warned of those who twisted Scripture with elaborate ideas and philosophies, while the true Church held fast to the apostolic teaching. Tertullian mocked the philosophers of Rome who prided themselves on speculation while missing the truth plainly revealed in Christ.

Their strength lay in simplicity. They knew the gospel, they clung to the Scriptures, and they trusted the Spirit to guide them.

Returning to the Foundation

The Church in every age must resist the temptation to replace God’s revelation with man’s reasoning. Systems and philosophies may appear wise, but they cannot save. The simplicity of Christ is enough.

As Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2). That simplicity remains the foundation for true faith.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Colossians 2:8 challenge the pull of man-made philosophies and systems today?
  2. What does it mean to return to “apostolic simplicity” in your faith and practice?
  3. How can the example of the Ante-Nicene Church encourage you to trust more fully in Scripture and the Spirit?

Closing Prayer

Lord, guard my heart from being led astray by human systems and philosophies. Keep me anchored in the simplicity of Christ and the truth of Your Word. Thank You for the witness of the early believers who clung to apostolic teaching and endured with faith. Help me to walk in that same simplicity, trusting in Christ alone. Amen.

Devotions, Family Devotionals

🏡 Family Devotional — Day 78

Rooted & Raised

“The Holy Spirit Helps Our Family Be Patient With One Another”

📖 “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”
—Ephesians 4:2 (NKJV)

Every family needs patience—patience in conversations, patience during stressful days,
patience with different personalities, patience with weaknesses, patience with growth, patience with mistakes. A home without patience becomes tense. A home with patience becomes peaceful. But patience doesn’t come naturally. It is a fruit the Holy Spirit grows inside each member of the family.

He helps your family:

• slow down instead of snap
• listen instead of interrupt
• respond gently instead of reacting harshly
• give grace when someone is having a hard moment
• forgive quickly instead of letting anger grow
• understand differences instead of judging
• love one another even when it’s difficult

Patience makes your home safe, warm, and loving. And as each person yields to the Holy Spirit, family relationships become stronger. The Spirit teaches your home to breathe, to pause, to choose love over frustration, and to give each other room to grow. A patient family is not a perfect family—but it is a Spirit-led one. And that makes all the difference.

Talk About It Together:

  • Where do we need more patience in our home?
  • How can we invite the Holy Spirit to help us respond with love in difficult moments?

Prayer:

Holy Spirit, help our family be patient with one another. Teach us to slow down, listen, and respond with grace. Fill our home with Your peace and help us grow together in love. Amen.

Devotions, Family Devotionals

🏡 Family Devotional — Day 77

Rooted & Raised

“The Holy Spirit Brings Peace Into Our Home”

📖 “Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way.”
—2 Thessalonians 3:16 (NKJV)

Every family needs peace—peace in conversations, peace in relationships, peace in decisions, peace in busy schedules, and peace during stressful seasons. But peace doesn’t just happen in a home. It grows where the Holy Spirit is welcomed. 

The Holy Spirit brings peace into your home by:

• calming conflicts and softening hearts
• helping each person listen with patience
• strengthening forgiveness and understanding
• quieting stress and tension
• reminding your family that God is in control
• helping everyone respond with love instead of frustration
• creating an atmosphere where people feel safe and supported

Peace doesn’t mean your home will never experience hard moments. It means the Holy Spirit is present in the midst of them—guiding, healing, unifying, and calming. When a family invites the Spirit’s peace, the home becomes a place of rest rather than pressure,
connection rather than conflict, grace rather than strain. He brings peace “always in every way”—because He knows exactly what your family needs.

Talk About It Together:

  • What is one area in our home where we need the Holy Spirit’s peace?
  • How can we welcome His presence into our daily routines and conversations?

Prayer:

Holy Spirit, fill our home with Your peace. Calm our hearts, guide our words,
and help us walk together in patience, understanding, and love. Be the center of our home, and let Your peace rest on every room and every relationship. Amen.

Devotions, Teen Devotions

👧👦 Teen Devotional — Day 77

Rooted & Raised

“The Holy Spirit Brings Peace to My Mind and Heart”

📖 “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
—Philippians 4:7 (NKJV)

Life can get overwhelming—school, relationships, expectations, insecurities, decisions, and pressure from every direction. Sometimes your mind feels full, your emotions feel heavy, and worry creeps in quietly. But God offers something the world can’t give:
peace that surpasses understanding. This peace isn’t based on everything being perfect. It’s a supernatural calm the Holy Spirit gives, even when life is difficult or confusing.

The Holy Spirit brings peace by:

• reminding you that God is in control
• giving you clarity when your thoughts feel chaotic
• calming anxiety with His presence
• helping you trust God instead of your fears
• guarding your heart from panic, pressure, and lies
• giving you strength to stay steady in stressful moments
• bringing truth to your mind when worry tries to take over

Peace is not the absence of problems—it is the presence of the Holy Spirit. No matter what you face, the Spirit can quiet your fears, steady your emotions, and fill your mind with God’s truth. He holds you when you feel overwhelmed and gives peace that the world can’t explain or take away.

Talk About It:

  • What situation is making your heart feel anxious or unsettled right now?
  • How has the Holy Spirit given you peace in a difficult moment before?

Prayer:

Holy Spirit, fill me with Your peace. Calm my mind, steady my heart, and help me trust You when life feels overwhelming. Guard me with Your presence and give me peace that only You can give. Amen.

Children's Devotionals, Devotions

🧒 Children’s Devotional — Day 77

Rooted & Raised

“The Holy Spirit Gives Me Peace”

📖 “The fruit of the Spirit is… peace.”
—Galatians 5:22 (NKJV)

Everyone feels worried or scared sometimes.  Maybe you’re nervous about school,
worried about someone you love, or scared of something you don’t understand. But God gives His children a special gift: peace—a calm heart even when things around you feel stressful. The Holy Spirit helps you have that peace.

He reminds you that God is in control.
He helps you breathe and feel calm when you’re afraid.
He fills your heart with quiet trust.
He helps you talk to God about your worries.
He gives you peace even when you can’t fix the problem yourself.

You don’t have to hold your fears alone. The Holy Spirit is with you, helping your heart rest in God’s love.

Talk About It:

  • What makes you feel worried sometimes?
  • How can the Holy Spirit help you feel peaceful when you’re afraid?

Prayer:

Holy Spirit, please give me Your peace. Help my heart feel calm and safe
because You are always with me. Amen.

Devotions, Women's Devotionals

🌿 Women’s Devotional — Day 77

Rooted & Raised

“The Holy Spirit Calms My Heart With God’s Peace”

📖 “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.”
—Isaiah 26:3 (NKJV)

Peace is one of the sweetest gifts God gives—yet one of the hardest to hold onto in a world filled with noise, pressure, and constant demands. There are worries about your loved ones, uncertainties about the future, hidden fears you rarely speak aloud, disappointments you carry quietly, and responsibilities that feel heavy. But the Holy Spirit meets you in all of it. 

He doesn’t just give peace—
He becomes your peace.
He calms your racing thoughts.
He silences the voice of fear.
He steadies your emotions when anxiety rises.
He brings clarity when confusion overwhelms you.
He lifts burdens you weren’t meant to carry alone.
He draws your attention back to Jesus, where peace begins.

Perfect peace comes from a heart anchored in trust—and trust is something the Holy Spirit grows in you day by day. You don’t gain peace by trying harder; you gain it by surrendering deeper—letting the Spirit guard your mind, settle your heart, and remind you of God’s unfailing faithfulness. Let His peace wash over your worries today.
Let Him quiet your soul. Let Him restore your confidence that God is near, God is able,
and God is holding every detail of your life.

Reflect:

  • What is stealing your peace in this season?
  • How is the Holy Spirit inviting you to rest, trust, or release something to Him?

Prayer:

Holy Spirit, calm my heart with Your peace. Quiet every anxious thought, steady me with Your presence, and help me trust God fully. Keep my mind stayed on You and fill my days with the deep, perfect peace that comes from You alone. Amen.

Kingdom Discipleship, The Whole Counsel of God

Perseverance: God’s Keeping and Our Faithfulness

Rooted & Raised

From the Series: The Gospel According to the Whole Counsel of God

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.”
—John 10:27–28 (NKJV)

The promise of Christ is certain: those who belong to Him are secure in His hand. Yet Scripture also contains sober warnings not to drift, not to harden our hearts, and not to turn away. The balance is clear. God is faithful to keep His people, and His people are called to abide in Christ.

Paul expressed this assurance when he wrote, “He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6). At the same time, the writer of Hebrews warned that those who have tasted the heavenly gift and then fall away face severe consequences (Hebrews 6:4–6). Both truths stand side by side: the keeping power of God and the responsibility of man to continue in faith.

The Call to Continue

Peter urged believers to make their calling and election sure by adding to their faith virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love (2 Peter 1:5–10). His words remind us that assurance is not passive. We are called to walk daily in the faith we have received, pressing on in obedience and trust.

Jesus Himself told His disciples, “Abide in Me, and I in you” (John 15:4). Perseverance is not merely a doctrine; it is a relationship of ongoing dependence on Christ.

The Witness of the Early Church

Irenaeus, writing in the second century, emphasized the need for believers to remain faithful to the apostolic teaching. He warned that those who departed from the truth were deceived by human inventions and empty words. For the early Church, perseverance was not an abstract idea—it was a lived reality. To follow Christ in their day often meant facing ridicule, loss of property, imprisonment, or even death.

Their endurance was not in their own strength but in their confidence that Christ would never leave them nor forsake them. And their warnings against falling away were urgent, reminding all believers to continue steadfastly in prayer, holiness, and love.

The Balance of Promise and Warning

God’s Word gives both the comfort of His keeping and the caution of His warnings. Together they teach us that true assurance is found in Christ as we remain in Him. We need not fear being abandoned, for He holds us securely. Yet we dare not grow careless, for Scripture calls us to faithfulness.

The promise and the warning work hand in hand, leading us to a living perseverance that is both confident and vigilant.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do John 10:27–28 and Hebrews 6:4–6 together give us a balanced view of perseverance?
  2. What does it mean in your daily life to “abide in Christ”?
  3. How does the example of the early Church encourage you to remain steadfast under pressure or trial?

Closing Prayer

Lord, thank You that You are faithful to keep those who are Yours. Thank You for the promise that no one can snatch us from Your hand. Keep me watchful and humble, abiding in Christ each day. Help me to follow the example of the early believers who endured with faith and courage. Strengthen me to persevere to the end, not by my own strength, but by Your keeping power. Amen.