Tag: devotional

Children's Devotionals, Devotions

🧢 Kingdom Kids Devotional — Day 48

Rooted & Raised

“Help us not to do wrong things. Keep us safe from evil.”

— Matthew 6:13 (Paraphrased)

🚫 Help Me Make Good Choices

Jesus teaches us to ask God for help when we feel like doing the wrong thing. We all face temptations, but we don’t have to fight alone—God is with us!

When we pray, God helps us choose what is right and protects us from harm.

🏛 Long Ago…

Children in the early Church were taught to ask God for help with their thoughts and actions. They learned that temptation is real, but so is God’s help.

💡 Think About It:

  • Is there something I’m tempted to do that I know is wrong?
  • Have I asked God to help me say no?

✨ Let’s Pray:

God, help me to say no to wrong and yes to You. Keep me safe and help me stay close to You. Amen.

Devotions, Women's Devotionals

🌿 Kingdom Living Devotional — Day 48

Rooted & Raised

“And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”

— Matthew 6:13 NASB1995

🕵️ Protection in the Battle

This prayer acknowledges our weakness and God’s strength. It’s a plea for help in a world full of temptation and spiritual danger. Jesus teaches us to be aware of our need for God to lead us and deliver us.

Kingdom women know that walking with God means walking with dependence. We need His guidance and protection every single day.

🔗 Ante-Nicene Reflection

The early Church saw temptation as a daily threat, not a rare battle. They prayed regularly for strength to resist evil and for wisdom to walk in holiness.

💭 Reflect

  • Where am I most tempted to stray from God’s path?
  • Am I asking Him daily to protect and deliver me?

✨ Prayer

Lord, I am weak, but You are strong. Lead me away from temptation and rescue me from evil. Keep me close to You. Amen.

Kingdom Discipleship, Kingdom Living

Stand Firm and Finish Strong

Rooted & Raised

Endurance and Perseverance in the Heat of Spiritual Battle

The war within is fierce. The opposition is real. But the victory is sure—and it belongs to those who don’t quit. Not those who are perfect, but those who endure, anchored in truth, empowered by the Spirit, and faithful to the end.

“Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.”
— 1 Corinthians 16:13

Standing Is Not Passive

“Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.”
— Ephesians 6:13

To stand means to resist temptation, reject compromise, and remain in Christ. It means not backing down when you are weary. The early Church faced death, rejection, and persecution—but they stood.

“Let us stand unmoved, rooted in Christ, knowing that no storm can shake those who are built upon the Rock.”
— Ignatius of Antioch, Letter to the Smyrnaeans

Finishing Is the Goal

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
— 2 Timothy 4:7

Faithfulness over time is what pleases God. The flesh may seek comfort, but the Spirit calls us to finish strong—to stay true when it’s hard, when it’s hidden, when no one sees but God.

The Spirit Sustains the Faithful

“He who endures to the end will be saved.”
— Matthew 24:13

This isn’t about earning salvation. It’s about clinging to Christ, no matter what. The Spirit strengthens us to:

  • Hold fast to the Word
  • Persevere in love
  • Keep praying, even in pain
  • Trust in God’s promises when all else shakes

“The one who endures with joy will reign with Him in glory.”
— Clement of Rome, 1 Clement 50

What We Can Learn

  1. Victory is not about perfection—it’s about perseverance.
  2. Spiritual battle is not won in moments but over a lifetime.
  3. We are sustained not by strength, but by the Spirit.
  4. The crown belongs to those who finish the race.

Sources:

  • The Holy Bible — 1 Corinthians 16:13; Ephesians 6:10–18; 2 Timothy 4:7; Matthew 24:13; Hebrews 10:23–25
  • Ignatius of Antioch, Letter to the Smyrnaeans
  • Clement of Rome, 1 Clement 50
  • Didache, ch. 16
  • Hermas, Similitudes 5
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God Is Love, Kingdom Discipleship

Love Your Enemies: The Forgotten Mark of Discipleship

Rooted & Raised

From the series “The Love of God: Revealed, Received, and Radiated”

There is no clearer sign of Kingdom citizenship—and no more neglected command—than this: love your enemies.

Not tolerate them.
Not avoid them.
Not speak well of them when convenient.
Love them.

“But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may prove yourselves to be sons of your Father who is in heaven…”
— Matthew 5:44–45, NASB 1995

This is not hyperbole. This is not metaphor. It is the standard of the Kingdom, and it comes from the mouth of the King Himself.

To love those who are like us, who affirm us, who serve us—that requires no faith. But to love those who slander us, betray us, hurt us, or oppose us? That is a command that cannot be obeyed without the power of the Holy Spirit.

This kind of love is not natural. It is supernatural.
It cannot come from fallen flesh.
It must come from a heart renewed, crucified, and filled with the Spirit of Christ.

“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.”
— Romans 12:14

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

Enemy-love is not weakness.
It is not silence in the face of evil.
It is the refusal to let evil shape our response.
It is the choice to act in mercy even when justice is due, because God first showed us mercy.

We were all once enemies of God.

“While we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son…”
— Romans 5:10

If we believe this, how can we hold hate in our hearts?
If we have received mercy while resisting Him, how can we withhold mercy from those who resist us?

This is not a peripheral issue.
This is not advanced Christianity.
This is basic obedience.

Jesus didn’t just teach it—He lived it.

He loved the ones who betrayed Him.
He forgave the ones who nailed Him to the cross.
He prayed for those who cursed Him with His final breath.

And He said: “Follow Me.”

The early Church did not soften this teaching. They embraced it. And they were known for it.

They refused to curse the emperors who fed them to beasts.
They did not raise swords against their persecutors.
They died praying for their murderers.
And the world took notice.

The Martyrdom of Polycarp (c. AD 155):
“We do not seek vengeance… but bless those who curse us, because Christ taught us to do so.”

Tertullian (Apology 37):
“We repay hatred with kindness, and injustice with mercy. We love those who kill us, because we follow One who was killed in love.”

They were not strong because they were admired.
They were strong because the love of God had broken them, remade them, and now shined through them.

If you love only those who love you, Jesus says you are no different from the world (Matthew 5:46–47).

Enemy-love is not optional.
It is not for the emotionally strong or spiritually elite.
It is for every citizen of Christ’s Kingdom.

And it is the clearest evidence that we belong to a different King.

This is not easy. It will cost your pride, your rights, your desire for retaliation. But it will also set you free.

Free from bitterness.
Free from the cycle of hatred.
Free to shine in a dark world that knows nothing of this kind of love.

This is the love that turned the world upside down once before.

It still can.

Sources & References

Love Your Enemies: The Forgotten Mark of Discipleship

Scripture (NASB 1995):

  • Matthew 5:44–45 – “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…”
  • Matthew 5:46–47 – “If you love those who love you, what reward do you have?”
  • Romans 5:10 – “While we were enemies, we were reconciled to God…”
  • Romans 12:14 – “Bless those who persecute you…”
  • Romans 12:21 – “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

Ante-Nicene Sources:

  • The Martyrdom of Polycarp, Ch. 12–14.
    “We do not seek vengeance… but bless those who curse us, because Christ taught us to do so.”
    [Available at: EarlyChristianWritings.com or NewAdvent.org]
  • Tertullian, Apology, Ch. 37.
    “We repay hatred with kindness, and injustice with mercy. We love those who kill us…”
    [Available at: NewAdvent.org/fathers/0301.htm]
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Devotions, Family Devotionals

🏡 Kingdom Family Devotional — Day 47

Rooted & Raised

“And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.”

— Matthew 6:12 NASB1995

✔️ A Forgiving Family

Jesus teaches us that forgiveness isn’t optional—it’s essential. As a Kingdom family, this means keeping short accounts. Asking for forgiveness when we’ve wronged each other, and giving it when it’s asked for.

A home that practices forgiveness will overflow with peace.

🕯 A Mother’s Role

Model honest repentance and gracious forgiveness. Teach your children that forgiveness is powerful, freeing, and part of following Jesus.

📖 Talk About It:

  • When was the last time someone in our family asked for forgiveness?
  • Is there any unspoken hurt we need to clear up?

🪡 Kingdom Practice

Have a family forgiveness moment this week. Invite each person to reflect, apologize if needed, and offer grace to one another.

✍️ Prayer:

Lord, help our family live in forgiveness. Let mercy flow freely between us as we follow Your example. Amen.

Devotions, Teen Devotions

😎 Kingdom Teen Devotional — Day 47

Rooted & Raised

“Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.”

— Matthew 6:12 NASB1995

🚫 Grace That Flows Both Ways

God’s forgiveness isn’t just something we receive—it’s something we release. Jesus ties our forgiveness to our willingness to forgive others. You can’t hold a grudge and hold on to grace at the same time.

If you’ve been forgiven much, forgive much.

🖊 Real Talk:

Who do you need to forgive?

Are you letting God fully forgive you, or still holding shame?

✨ Try This:

Write the name of someone you need to forgive. Pray over it. Let it go. If needed, write a message or extend peace this week.

✍️ Prayer:

Father, I need Your mercy. And I need to give it. Heal my heart and help me release those I’ve been holding onto. Amen.

Children's Devotionals, Devotions

🧢 Kingdom Kids Devotional — Day 47

Rooted & Raised

“Forgive us for the wrong things we do, just like we forgive others.”

— Matthew 6:12 (Paraphrased)

😊 Forgive Like God

Jesus says we should ask God to forgive us, and we should forgive others too. That means letting go when someone says sorry—just like God lets go of our mistakes.

When we forgive, we show God’s love in real life.

🏛 Long Ago…

Kids in the early Church learned that forgiveness was a big part of loving others. They knew Jesus forgave them, so they wanted to do the same.

💡 Think About It:

  • Have you forgiven someone who hurt your feelings?
  • Do you need to say sorry for something?

✨ Let’s Pray:

Jesus, please forgive me when I mess up. Help me to forgive others too, just like You do. Amen.

Devotions, Women's Devotionals

🌿 Kingdom Living Devotional — Day 47

Rooted & Raised

“And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.”

— Matthew 6:12 NASB1995

💔 Forgiven and Forgiving

Jesus teaches us that receiving forgiveness and offering it go hand in hand. We come daily, humbly, asking God to cancel our debt—and He reminds us to release others from theirs.

Unforgiveness clogs the flow of grace. A Kingdom heart receives mercy freely and gives it just as freely.

🔗 Ante-Nicene Reflection

The early Church emphasized confession and reconciliation. Believers regularly examined their hearts before prayer and communion, eager to remain in right standing with God and others.

💭 Reflect

  • Is there someone I need to forgive?
  • Do I seek God’s mercy with the same measure I extend it?

✨ Prayer

Father, thank You for Your mercy. Forgive me where I’ve failed You, and help me forgive those who’ve wronged me. Keep my heart free and clean. Amen.

Kingdom Discipleship, Kingdom Living

Crucifying the Flesh

Rooted & Raised

Real Repentance and Lasting Freedom

The flesh is not reformed—it is crucified. Victory doesn’t come by negotiating with sin, but by putting it to death. The cross is not only where Jesus died—it’s where the believer dies daily to the desires that once ruled them.

“Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”
— Galatians 5:24

Repentance Is More Than Sorrow

True repentance is not just feeling bad about sin—it’s turning away from it. It’s not managing sin—it’s putting it to death. The early Church practiced repentance with tears, fasting, confession, and accountability.

“Let each one examine his deeds, and remove all that is dead, for no fruit can come from a rotting tree.”
— Hermas, Mandate 3

Crucifixion Is Daily, Not Occasional

“If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily…”
— Luke 9:23

Crucifying the flesh is not a one-time act—it’s a daily choice. It means saying no to pride, lust, greed, bitterness, and fear—and yes to the Spirit.

  • We crucify the old self
  • We starve what once enslaved us
  • We choose obedience over impulse
  • We trust the Spirit’s power over our own strength

Freedom Comes Through Death to Self

“For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”
— Colossians 3:3

Death to the flesh is not loss—it’s liberation. When we die to sin, we come alive to God. The Holy Spirit brings lasting freedom—not by empowering our will, but by forming Christ in us.

“He who crucifies the flesh becomes a slave to righteousness and a friend of God.”
— Didache, ch. 4

What We Can Learn

  1. The flesh must be crucified, not managed.
  2. Repentance is a turning, not just a feeling.
  3. Freedom comes through death to self and life in the Spirit.
  4. The cross is the path to true joy and holiness.

Sources:

  • The Holy Bible — Galatians 5:24; Luke 9:23; Colossians 3:3–10; Romans 6:6–14
  • Hermas, Mandate 3
  • Didache, ch. 4
  • Clement of Alexandria, Stromata
  • Ignatius of Antioch, Letter to the Romans
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Children's Devotionals, Devotions

🧢 Kingdom Kids Devotional — Day 46

Rooted & Raised

“Give us today the food we need.”

— Matthew 6:11 (Paraphrased)

🍽 God Takes Care of Today

When Jesus tells us to pray for our daily bread, He’s teaching us to trust God every single day. Just like He gave manna in the desert, He gives us what we need—one day at a time.

Even when we’re little, we can ask Him for what we need today—and thank Him for what He’s already given.

🏛 Long Ago…

Kids in the early Church often had very little, but they prayed each day for what they needed, trusting God to provide.

💡 Think About It:

  • What do you need help with today?
  • Have you thanked God for today’s food and blessings?

✨ Let’s Pray:

God, thank You for always taking care of me. Help me to trust You every day, and to be thankful for what I have. Amen.

😎 Kingdom Teen Devotional — Day 46

“Give us this day our daily bread.”

— Matthew 6:11 NASB1995

🧠 Real Trust, Right Now

This verse isn’t about carbs—it’s about dependence. Jesus is teaching us to ask for what we need today—not to panic about next week, not to hoard, not to stress.

This is a prayer of freedom. It unhooks us from anxiety and locks our trust into the God who has never failed.

🖊 Real Talk:

  • What are you stressing about that you need to give to God?
  • Where do you need “daily bread”—physically or spiritually?

✨ Try This:

Every morning this week, ask God for exactly what you need today. Just today. Then thank Him each night.

✍️ Prayer:

Father, give me what I need for today. Not more, not less—just enough to walk faithfully with You. Amen.