Tag: devotional

Children's Devotionals, Devotions

🧒 Kids Devotional — Day 68

Rooted & Raised

“Even people who aren’t perfect know how to give good gifts. So God gives even better ones!”

— Matthew 7:11 (Paraphrased)

🎉 God Loves to Give

Think about someone you love. Would you try to give them something nice? Of course! And God, who loves even better than anyone, wants to give you good things too.

🎈 Kingdom Tip:

God’s gifts might not be toys or games—but love, peace, and help when we need it.

💬 Think About It:

Can you name some of the good things God has given you?

What is something you’re thankful for today?

✨ Let’s Pray:

Dear God, thank You for being better than the best parent. Help me see how You’re blessing me every day! Amen.

Devotions, Women's Devotionals

🌿 Kingdom Living Devotional — Day 68

Rooted & Raised

“So if you, despite being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!”

— Matthew 7:11 NASB1995

🎁 The Heart Behind the Gift

Jesus brings it home: even flawed human parents know how to care for their children. So how much more should we trust the perfect goodness of our heavenly Father?

God is not stingy. He’s not absent. He’s not cruel. If we, in our imperfection, try to bless those we love—how much more does He?

🕊 Ante-Nicene Insight:

The early church saw the “good gifts” as more than material. They prized the Holy Spirit, wisdom, peace, and endurance. These were the treasures passed down through suffering, and they were counted as joys.

💭 Reflect:

  • What do you truly believe about God’s heart?
  • Do you trust that what He gives is truly good, even when it stretches you?

✨ Prayer:

Father, forgive my doubts. Help me believe—not just in Your power—but in Your goodness. Amen.

Devotions, Family Devotionals

🏡 Kingdom Family Devotional — Day 68

Rooted & Raised

“So if you, despite being evil, know how to give good gifts…”

— Matthew 7:11 NASB1995

🎁 Shaping Our Children’s View of God

As mothers raising older children, we have the opportunity to shape how they understand God’s character. Jesus’ words remind us that God’s heart is generous, wise, and good.

Our children will form their theology not only from sermons—but from how we speak about God in our homes. Let our language be filled with trust in His goodness, even in trials.

🗣 Family Conversation:

  • How do we define “good” in our home? Is it comfort or Christlikeness?
  • Share a time when a hard moment later proved to be a gift in disguise.

👣 Kingdom Practice:

Talk through the difference between earthly gifts and spiritual ones—how peace, forgiveness, or courage are some of God’s greatest blessings.

🙏 Prayer:

Lord, let our family treasure the gifts You give. Teach us to desire what You call good. Amen.

Devotions, Teen Devotions

😎 Kingdom Teen Devotional — Day 68

Rooted & Raised

“So if you, despite being evil, know how to give good gifts…”

— Matthew 7:11 NASB1995

🎯 God Is Better Than Good

This verse cuts through every doubt about God’s character. He’s not reluctant. He’s not waiting for you to deserve blessings. He is better than the best version of a human parent.

But those gifts aren’t always status, success, or stuff. Often, they’re strength, clarity, and peace in chaos.

🔎 Real Talk:

  • What kind of “good gifts” are you hoping for?
  • Are you open to receiving what God knows is good—even if it’s different from what you expect?

🙏 Prayer:

God, I’ve expected certain things—and felt let down. But help me see what You give as better. Grow my trust in who You are. Amen.

Kingdom Discipleship, Love In Action

Forgive as You Have Been Forgiven

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]
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Devotions, Family Devotionals

🏡 Kingdom Family Devotional — Day 67

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.

Devotions, Teen Devotions

😎 Kingdom Teen Devotional — Day 67

Rooted & Raised

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

— Matthew 7:10 NASB1995

🐍 No Snakes from God

Life gets confusing when we pray and feel like God ignores us—or worse, when something hard happens instead. But Jesus says: God doesn’t hand you pain when you ask for provision.

His love is secure. His timing might stretch your faith. But His heart doesn’t change.

🔎 Real Talk:

  • Has something painful made you question God’s intentions?
  • Can you look back and see how He protected or redirected you?

🙏 Prayer:

Lord, I want to believe that You don’t hand out snakes when I need help. Grow my faith when things don’t make sense. Amen.

Children's Devotionals, Devotions

🧒 Kids Devotional — Day 67

Rooted & Raised

“If you ask for a fish, would someone give you a snake instead?”

— Matthew 7:10 (Paraphrased)

🐠 God Gives Good Gifts

God is never tricky or mean. When you pray and ask for something good, God isn’t going to surprise you with something scary. He wants you to grow, learn, and trust Him!

🎣 Kingdom Tip:

When we don’t get exactly what we ask for, we can still trust God. He knows what’s best.

💬 Think About It:

  • What’s something you’ve been praying for?
  • Can you think of a time God gave you something even better?

✨ Let’s Pray:

God, help me believe that You love to give me good things—not scary ones! Amen.

Devotions, Women's Devotionals

🌿 Kingdom Living Devotional — Day 67

Rooted & Raised

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

— Matthew 7:10 NASB1995

🐟 No Bait-and-Switch

Jesus continues His example of a good parent to help us understand God’s heart. If your child asked for food, would you hand them something harmful instead? Of course not. And neither would your heavenly Father.

God’s gifts may not always come the way we expect—but they’re never meant to harm. Even His delays, detours, and discipline are for our good.

🕊 Ante-Nicene Insight:

Early believers often faced scarcity and persecution, yet they praised God even then, trusting that He had not abandoned them. His gifts were spiritual, eternal, and sustaining.

💭 Reflect:

  • Have you misjudged God’s goodness during a hard season?
  • What does this verse tell you about His intentions?

✨ Prayer:

Father, thank You that You do not give what harms. Help me trust You when Your gifts look different than I imagined. Amen.

Devotions, Family Devotionals

🏡 Kingdom Family Devotional — Day 66

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.