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Kingdom Discipleship, Prayer

Loving Enemies Without Losing Truth

Rooted & Raised

Love and Truth Are Not Opposites

From the series: Will He Find Faith? — Prayer in the Last Days

Scripture quotations are from the New King James Version®.
Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

In times of hostility, believers are often pressured to choose between love and truth—as if one must be sacrificed to preserve the other. Scripture never presents this as a legitimate choice. In Christ, love and truth are united.

“Speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ.”
— Ephesians 4:15 (NKJV)

Truth without love becomes harsh.
Love without truth becomes hollow.

The call of the Christian is not to balance these two, but to live them together, as Christ did.

Jesus Commanded Love Under Pressure

Jesus’ command to love enemies was not given in a peaceful context. It was given to disciples who would soon face rejection, persecution, and loss.

“But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.”
— Matthew 5:44 (NKJV)

This command does not deny evil.
It denies retaliation.

Loving an enemy does not mean agreeing with them, affirming wrongdoing, or abandoning truth. It means refusing to allow hatred to take root in the heart.

Love Is an Act of Obedience, Not Emotion

Biblical love is not defined by feeling, but by obedience.

“By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us.”
— 1 John 3:16 (NKJV)

Love often involves restraint:

  • restraint of anger
  • restraint of bitterness
  • restraint of the desire to repay wrong for wrong

Paul instructs believers:

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
— Romans 12:21 (NKJV)

Overcoming evil does not require denying truth—it requires trusting God with justice.

Jesus Did Not Compromise Truth to Preserve Peace

While Jesus loved His enemies, He never softened truth to avoid conflict.

“Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me?”
— John 8:46 (NKJV)

Jesus spoke plainly.
He corrected error.
He confronted hypocrisy.

Yet even in rebuke, His aim was repentance, not destruction.

This is the pattern believers are called to follow.

Loving Enemies Guards the Heart

One of the reasons Jesus commands love for enemies is not only for their sake—but for ours.

Hatred corrodes the soul.
Bitterness clouds discernment.
Resentment weakens prayer.

Scripture warns:

“Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you… and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”
— Ephesians 4:31–32 (NKJV)

Loving enemies is a form of spiritual self-guarding.

Prayer Is Central to Loving Without Compromise

Jesus did not say, “Feel affection for your enemies.”
He said, pray for them.

Prayer:

  • keeps love from growing cold
  • prevents truth from turning harsh
  • aligns the heart with God’s mercy

Stephen exemplified this posture even at the moment of death:

“Lord, do not charge them with this sin.”
— Acts 7:60 (NKJV)

This was not weakness.
It was Christlikeness.

Trusting God With Justice

One of the greatest obstacles to loving enemies is the fear that injustice will go unanswered. Scripture addresses this directly.

“Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord.”
— Romans 12:19 (NKJV)

Loving enemies does not deny justice.
It entrusts justice to God.

This frees the believer to remain faithful, prayerful, and steady—even when wrongs persist.

A Witness That Endures

Jesus taught that love would distinguish His followers, especially under pressure.

“By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
— John 13:35 (NKJV)

And Peter instructs believers to maintain a clear conscience even when misunderstood or opposed:

“Having a good conscience, that when they defame you… those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.”
— 1 Peter 3:16 (NKJV)

Love anchored in truth becomes a testimony that endures beyond conflict.

Closing Prayer

Lord Jesus, teach us to love as You loved. Guard our hearts from bitterness and our words from harshness. Help us to speak truth with humility, to pray for those who oppose us, and to trust You with justice. Keep our love alive, our faith steady, and our witness faithful until the end.
Amen.

Devotions, Family Devotionals

🏡 Family Devotional — Day 92

Rooted & Raised

“The Holy Spirit Helps Our Family Follow Jesus”

📖 “Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve… But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
 —Joshua 24:15 (NKJV)

Following Jesus is not only a personal journey—it is something a family learns to do together. Every home makes daily choices: what values guide decisions, how conflicts are handled, what voices shape attitudes, and what direction the family is moving.

The Holy Spirit helps your family follow Jesus in these everyday moments.

He helps your home choose love over selfishness.
He guides parents to lead with humility and wisdom.
He teaches children obedience rooted in trust.
He brings conviction when attitudes drift away from Christ.
He restores unity when tension rises.
He strengthens your family to stand firm in faith together.
He reminds your home that serving the Lord is a daily choice, not a one-time declaration.

Following Jesus as a family does not mean perfection. It means intention. It means choosing Christ as your foundation. It means aligning your words, habits, and priorities with His truth. It means teaching one another through example. It means repenting quickly and forgiving freely. It means walking together—even when the path is challenging.

A family that follows Jesus becomes a place of discipleship, growth, and grace. And the Holy Spirit is faithful to lead a willing home—step by step, day by day.

Talk About It Together:

  • What does following Jesus look like in our family right now?
  • What is one way we can choose to serve the Lord together this week?

Prayer:

Holy Spirit, help our family follow Jesus. Guide our choices, shape our hearts, and help us serve the Lord together with love and faithfulness. When following feels hard, give us strength. When we stumble, lead us back with grace. Let our home honor Christ in all that we do.
Amen.

Devotions, Teen Devotions

👧👦 Teen Devotional — Day 92

Rooted & Raised

“The Holy Spirit Helps Me Follow Jesus Daily”

📖 “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”
 —Luke 9:23 (NKJV)

Following Jesus is not a one-time decision. It is a daily choice. Some days it feels natural and joyful. Other days it feels costly, uncomfortable, or lonely.

Following Jesus means choosing His way over your own—His truth over popular opinion, His will over personal comfort, His values over cultural pressure. That is not easy.
And God never expected you to do it alone. The Holy Spirit helps you follow Jesus day by day.

He reminds you of Jesus’ words when you’re tempted to compromise.
He gives you strength to say no when sin looks appealing.
He helps you choose humility instead of pride.
He guides your steps when you’re unsure what to do next.
He convicts your heart when something is pulling you away from Christ.
He gives courage when following Jesus sets you apart.
He comforts you when obedience feels costly.
He keeps drawing your heart back to Jesus when distractions compete.

Following Jesus doesn’t mean having everything figured out. It means trusting Him enough to take the next step. Sometimes that step looks like obedience. Sometimes it looks like repentance. Sometimes it looks like waiting. Sometimes it looks like standing firm when others walk away.

The Holy Spirit does not rush you—but He does lead you. As you follow Jesus daily,
your heart is shaped, your faith deepens, and your life begins to reflect Christ more clearly.

Talk About It:

  • What makes following Jesus hardest for you right now?
  • What is one area where the Holy Spirit may be calling you to take a next step of obedience?

Prayer:

Holy Spirit, help me follow Jesus every day. Give me courage to choose His way, strength to resist temptation, and humility to obey even when it’s hard. Guide my steps and shape my heart so my life reflects Christ more and more.
Amen.

Kingdom Discipleship, Prayer

Guarding the Heart Through Prayer and Perseverance

Rooted & Raised

From the series: Will He Find Faith? — Prayer in the Last Days

Scripture quotations are from the New King James Version®.
Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Guarding the heart is not a passive task. Scripture consistently presents it as an active, ongoing responsibility—especially in seasons marked by difficulty, injustice, or prolonged strain.

“Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.”
— Proverbs 4:23 (NKJV)

The command assumes pressure. A heart that is not intentionally guarded will be shaped by circumstances rather than by truth.

Prayer as the First Line of Defense

Prayer is not merely a response to hardship; it is a means by which the heart remains aligned with God. Without prayer, weariness quietly takes root. With prayer, the heart is kept soft, attentive, and responsive to the Spirit.

Paul exhorts believers:

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.”
— Philippians 4:6 (NKJV)

Prayer redirects anxiety into trust. It keeps discouragement from hardening into bitterness and prevents fatigue from becoming indifference.

Perseverance Requires Watchfulness

Jesus repeatedly connected perseverance with watchfulness and prayer. This was not spoken to unbelievers, but to His own disciples.

“Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation.”
— Matthew 26:41 (NKJV)

The temptation is not always overt sin. Often it is quiet withdrawal—less prayer, less compassion, less expectancy. Watchfulness guards against drifting when answers seem delayed and outcomes remain uncertain.

Gratitude Preserves the Heart

Scripture consistently ties thanksgiving to spiritual stability. Gratitude does not deny hardship; it keeps hardship from defining the heart.

“In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
— 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NKJV)

A thankful heart resists bitterness. It remembers God’s faithfulness even when circumstances remain unresolved.

Endurance Is Formed, Not Improvised

Endurance is not summoned in a moment of crisis; it is formed over time through continued dependence on God. This is why Scripture repeatedly calls believers to perseverance.

“But let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”
— Galatians 6:9 (NKJV)

Losing heart is not inevitable. It is prevented through prayer, watchfulness, and continued trust in God’s promises.

A Quiet but Steady Hope

Guarding the heart does not mean suppressing grief or ignoring reality. It means anchoring the soul in God’s character when circumstances test faith.

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

Peace here is not the absence of conflict, but the presence of trust.

Closing Prayer

Father, teach us to guard our hearts with diligence. Keep us watchful in prayer, steady in perseverance, and thankful in all things. When weariness threatens our love, renew us by Your Spirit. Help us to endure with faith, humility, and trust in Your promises, until the day we see Christ face to face.
Amen.

Devotions, Family Devotionals

🏡 Family Devotional — Day 91

Rooted & Raised

“The Holy Spirit Helps Our Family Listen to God”

📖 “Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.”
 —Hebrews 3:15a (NKJV)

Listening to God is something a family can learn to do together. In a busy home, it’s easy for voices, schedules, opinions, and emotions to compete for attention.  But God desires to guide families—not through confusion or pressure—but through His Spirit. The Holy Spirit helps your family learn how to listen to God.

He teaches your home to slow down.
He brings God’s Word to remembrance.
He helps parents lead with wisdom and humility.
He helps children learn to recognize right from wrong.
He brings unity when decisions need to be made.
He softens hearts when correction is needed.
He creates peace when God is guiding your steps.
He helps your family respond with obedience, not resistance.

Listening to God as a family doesn’t mean everyone hears something different. It means everyone is learning to submit to the same Shepherd.

Families listen to God when they:

  • pray together
  • read Scripture together
  • pause before reacting
  • seek God before making decisions
  • talk through situations with humility
  • test choices against God’s Word
  • choose obedience over convenience

God delights in guiding families who are willing to listen.

When a home learns to hear His voice,  confusion gives way to clarity,  anxiety gives way to peace,  and division gives way to unity. The Holy Spirit faithfully leads a listening family.

Talk About It Together:

  • When does our family need to slow down and listen to God more carefully?
  • How can we make space to hear God through prayer and His Word?

Prayer:

Holy Spirit, help our family listen to God. Quiet distractions, soften our hearts, and guide our conversations and decisions. Teach us to hear God’s voice through His Word and to respond with obedience, trust, and unity. Lead our home in Your truth and peace.
Amen.

Devotions, Teen Devotions

👧👦 Teen Devotional — Day 91

Rooted & Raised

“The Holy Spirit Teaches Me to Hear God’s Voice”

📖 “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.”
 —John 10:27 (NKJV)

One of the biggest questions teens ask is:
How do I know what God wants me to do?
 How do I hear God’s voice?

God does speak—but not usually the way movies or social media portray it. God’s voice is not chaotic. It is not confusing. It is not manipulative. It is not condemning.

The Holy Spirit teaches you how to recognize God’s voice.

He speaks through Scripture.
He brings conviction—not shame.
He gives peace, not pressure.
He aligns with God’s character, not emotions alone.
He guides gently, not forcefully.
He draws you closer to Jesus, not toward sin.

The Holy Spirit helps you hear God when:

• you read the Bible with an open heart
• you pray honestly
• you slow down instead of rushing decisions
• you choose obedience in small things
• you quiet competing voices
• you test thoughts against Scripture
• you listen with humility, not pride

God’s voice becomes clearer the more you learn His Word. The more you walk with Him, the more familiar His voice becomes. And just like any relationship, listening grows with time and trust.

Sometimes God leads with clarity. Sometimes He leads one step at a time. Sometimes He says “wait.” Sometimes He says “no.” Sometimes He redirects you quietly. But the Holy Spirit is always guiding. You are not guessing blindly. You are learning to follow the Shepherd who knows you and loves you.

Talk About It:

  • What voices compete for your attention the most?
  • How can you create more space to listen for God’s guidance?

Prayer:

Holy Spirit, teach me to hear God’s voice. Help me recognize truth, reject confusion, and follow Jesus with wisdom and humility. Quiet the noise around me and guide me step by step in Your truth.
Amen.

Children's Devotionals, Devotions

🧒 Children’s Devotional — Day 91

Rooted & Raised

“The Holy Spirit Helps Me Listen to God”

📖 “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.”
 —John 10:27 (NKJV)

God speaks to His children because He loves them.But listening doesn’t always mean hearing words out loud. Sometimes God speaks softly to your heart.

The Holy Spirit helps you listen to God.

He helps you understand the Bible.
He reminds you of God’s truth during the day.
He helps you feel a gentle nudge when something is right—or wrong.
He helps you pay attention when God wants to teach you something.
He helps you follow Jesus step by step.

Listening to God means paying attention, being still, praying, obeying, and trusting Him. You don’t have to be perfect to listen well. You just need a heart that wants to follow Jesus. And the Holy Spirit helps you do that every day.

Talk About It:

  • When is it easiest for you to listen to God?
  • How can you make time to be quiet and listen today?

Prayer:

Holy Spirit, help me listen to God. Teach me to hear His voice and follow Jesus with a willing heart. Thank You for guiding me every day.
Amen.

Devotions, Women's Devotionals

🌿 Women’s Devotional — Day 91

Rooted & Raised

“The Holy Spirit Trains My Heart to Listen”

📖 “Be still, and know that I am God.”
 —Psalm 46:10a (NKJV)

Listening to God is not about striving harder. It is about becoming still enough to hear.

Many women long to hear God clearly—to know what step to take, which door to walk through, when to speak, when to wait, when to let go, and when to hold steady. But life is loud. Responsibilities press in. Emotions compete for attention. Opinions surround you. Urgency demands answers. And fear often disguises itself as wisdom. This is where the Holy Spirit lovingly trains your heart to listen. He does not shout over the noise. He invites you into stillness.

He teaches you to recognize God’s voice by aligning your heart with God’s Word.
He slows your spirit when anxiety rushes ahead.
He brings Scripture to mind that steadies your direction.
He gives peace when God is saying “yes.”
He creates unease when something is not from Him.
He guards you from impulsive decisions.
He helps you discern the difference between emotion and truth.
He teaches you to wait without fear.

God’s voice is consistent with His character. It never contradicts Scripture. It never pressures you into panic. It never leads you into sin. It never produces condemnation. Instead, it draws you closer to Christ, produces peace even in uncertainty, and strengthens obedience even when the path is difficult. Listening to God is a posture of surrender—
a heart that says, “Speak, Lord, I am listening.” And the Holy Spirit is faithful to guide a listening heart. You do not need to force clarity. You need to cultivate attentiveness. Stillness is not wasted time. It is sacred ground.

Reflect:

  • What noise or distraction is making it hardest for you to listen right now?
  • How is the Holy Spirit inviting you to slow down and be still before God?

Prayer:

Holy Spirit, train my heart to listen. Quiet the noise around me and within me. Help me recognize God’s voice through His Word, and trust Your guidance even when the way forward feels unclear. Teach me to wait with peace, to listen with humility, and to follow with confidence.
Amen.

Devotions, Family Devotionals

🏡 Family Devotional — Day 90

Rooted & Raised

“The Holy Spirit Is Always With Our Family”

📖 “The Lord is near to all who call upon Him.”
 —Psalm 145:18a (NKJV)

Every family walks through seasons of joy and seasons of challenge—moments of laughter and moments of tension, times of clarity and times of uncertainty. Through every season, one truth remains steady: God is with your family.

The Holy Spirit is not a visitor in your home. He is a constant presence. He is with you in ordinary routines and in life-changing moments. He is present in conversations at the table and in prayers whispered late at night. He is near when your family feels united and when it feels stretched. He is present when decisions feel clear and when the way forward feels uncertain.

The Holy Spirit helps your family:

• find peace in stressful moments
• draw closer during difficult seasons
• extend grace when emotions run high
• seek wisdom when decisions are hard
• remember God’s promises together
• restore unity when misunderstandings arise
• trust God even when answers are delayed
• rest in the assurance that you are not alone

A Spirit-filled home is not defined by perfection—it is defined by dependence on God. As your family grows, changes, and moves forward, the Holy Spirit remains faithful—guiding, comforting, correcting, and strengthening. You can rest in this truth together:
God is with you.

Talk About It Together:

  • How has God shown His presence to our family during this season?
  • How can we invite the Holy Spirit to guide our home each day?

Prayer:

Holy Spirit, thank You for being with our family. Fill our home with Your peace, wisdom, and love. Help us trust God together, walk through every season with faith, and rest in the assurance that You are always near.
Amen.

Children's Devotionals, Devotions

👧👦 Teen Devotional — Day 90

Rooted & Raised

“The Holy Spirit Is Always With Me”

📖 “And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever.”
 —John 14:16 (NKJV)

There are moments when you feel strong in your faith—and moments when you feel tired, distant, or unsure. There are days when you feel confident—and days when you feel overwhelmed, lonely, or misunderstood. But here is a truth that does not change with your feelings:

the Holy Spirit is always with you.
He does not come and go based on your mood.
He does not leave when you struggle.
He does not abandon you when you doubt.
He does not walk away when you fail.

Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would abide with you forever—and He keeps His word.

The Holy Spirit is with you:

• when you feel close to God
• when you feel spiritually dry
• when you’re struggling with temptation
• when you’re walking through anxiety or sadness
• when you don’t know what to pray
• when you’re facing pressure or rejection
• when you feel alone in your faith
• when you need comfort no one else can give
• when you need guidance and don’t know where to turn

He is your Helper. Your Counselor. Your Comforter. Your Guide. Your Advocate.You never walk alone. You never fight alone. You never grow alone.And because the Holy Spirit is with you, you can face tomorrow with courage, walk through challenges with hope, and rest in the assurance that God has not left you. Even in your weakest moments, God is still near.

Talk About It:

  • When do you forget that God is with you?
  • How does knowing the Holy Spirit abides with you forever change how you face hard moments?

Prayer:

Holy Spirit, thank You for always being with me. Help me remember that I am never alone not in my struggles, not in my doubts, and not in my growth. Give me comfort when I feel overwhelmed, strength when I feel weak, and confidence in knowing that You will never leave me.
Amen.