“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.” — John 1:5, NASB1995
Darkness Covered the Institutional Church… But Not All Was Lost
While apostasy had taken root through hierarchy, false doctrine, and worldly power, God remained faithful. Throughout the medieval centuries, a remnant remained—scattered men and women, clinging to Scripture, guided by the Holy Spirit, and often hunted for their faith.
They were not famous. But they were faithful.
Who Were the Remnant?
The Paulicians (6th–9th c.)
Rejected the Roman hierarchy and infant baptism
Held to Scripture alone
Persecuted relentlessly by the Byzantine Church
The Bogomils & Cathars
Sought purity and spiritual living
Rejected the corruption of the clergy
Often blended with heretical views, yet their rejection of Rome was rooted in conscience and conviction
The Waldensians (12th c.)
Embraced poverty and itinerant preaching
Translated and memorized Scripture
Called heretics for preaching without permission
The Lollards (14th c.)
Followers of John Wycliffe
Opposed transubstantiation and papal authority
Risked death to read and share the Bible in English
What Marked These Remnant Believers?
Scripture Over Systems They risked their lives to read and live by the Word—not church tradition.
Obedience Over Comfort Many were martyred, exiled, or silenced… yet they obeyed the voice of the Shepherd.
Spirit-Led Faith Over Institutional Religion Though outside the “approved church,” they walked in truth and bore fruit.
“They overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony…” — Revelation 12:11
The Cost Was High
Families burned at the stake
Entire villages slaughtered
Scriptures confiscated and forbidden
Truth hidden under Latin, locked behind walls of clerical authority
Yet the light never went out. God always had a witness.
Application for Today
The remnant remind us that the Church is not a building or a system—it’s a people who follow Christ at all cost.
Ask yourself:
Would I cling to Scripture if it meant being rejected or hunted?
Do I value popularity over purity?
Am I part of the faithful remnant—or just the religious crowd?
Isaiah 10:20–21
“Now it will come about… that the remnant of Israel… will truly rely on the Lord, the Holy One of Israel.”
“And these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.” — Romans 8:30 (NASB 1995)
You weren’t an afterthought. God knew you, called you, justified you—and has already written the end: glorified.
The Holy Spirit is your evidence that this isn’t just theology—it’s your story. He is your reminder that the journey isn’t over, and He’s committed to bringing you all the way through.
You don’t have to finish in your own strength. The Spirit already sees your ending—and it’s glorious.
Challenge: Take five minutes to reflect: Where have you seen God’s faithfulness from calling to now? Where do you need the Spirit’s help to keep going?
Prayer: Holy Spirit, thank You for walking me from beginning to glory. Keep me close. Finish what You started. Amen.
“And these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.” — Romans 8:30 (NASB 1995)
It’s easy to get stuck in daily details—school, behavior, routines. But the Spirit is writing a bigger story.
He called your child. He’s shaping their heart. And He’s preparing them for eternity. Every moment matters because it fits into God’s eternal plan.
Motherhood isn’t just about managing—it’s about discipling with heaven in view. Let the Spirit lift your family’s eyes to the bigger picture.
Family Talk:
What does it mean that God finishes what He starts?
How can we trust God with each part of our life’s story?
Prayer: Holy Spirit, thank You that we are called, justified, and one day glorified. Help our family live today in light of that future. Amen.
“And these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.” — Romans 8:30 (NASB 1995)
From the very beginning, God had a plan—and the Spirit is executing it in your life.
He called you. He justified you. And He will glorify you. Not one part of that chain is left to chance or effort. The Spirit is both the seal and the strength that carries you from calling to glory.
You may stumble, but you won’t fall out of His hands. Your story is held by the Spirit of God.
Reflection: Which part of this chain are you tempted to doubt? Ask the Spirit to renew your trust today.Prayer: Holy Spirit, thank You that I am secure in You. Help me walk in confidence—not in myself, but in Your perfect plan. Amen.
“And these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.” — Romans 8:30 (NASB 1995)
God had a plan for you before you were even born! He called you, saved you, and is making you shine like Jesus.
The Holy Spirit helps you walk in that plan every day. He’s like a guide holding your hand through the whole journey!
Try This: Draw a road and label parts of it: “Called,” “Saved,” “Shining with Jesus!” Add the Holy Spirit as your helper walking with you.
Prayer: Thank You, God, for making a big plan just for me. Help me follow You with the Holy Spirit’s help. Amen.
“For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.” — Romans 8:29 (NASB 1995)
God didn’t save you to leave you as you were. The Holy Spirit is actively forming Christ in you.
Every challenge, every joy, every conviction is the Potter’s hand at work. You are being shaped—not into someone else’s version of holiness—but into Jesus.
The Spirit is not merely your comforter; He is your shaper. He conforms you daily to the image of the Son.
Reflection: How is the Spirit shaping you right now to look more like Jesus?
Prayer: Holy Spirit, conform me to Christ. Shape my heart, my words, my thoughts. Make me more like Jesus. Amen.
“For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.” — Romans 8:29 (NASB 1995)
God made you special, and He wants you to grow more like His Son, Jesus!
The Holy Spirit helps you love like Jesus, forgive like Jesus, and trust God like Jesus did.
Try This: Draw a picture of yourself with a big heart and write “Be Like Jesus” in the center.
Prayer: God, thank You for helping me become more like Jesus. Help me listen to the Holy Spirit every day. Amen.
“For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.” — Romans 8:29 (NASB 1995)
God’s plan isn’t just to get you to heaven—it’s to make you look like His Son on the way there.
The Spirit is doing the deep work—convicting, transforming, refining. You were saved to be conformed to Christ. And that process, though often uncomfortable, is part of the promise.
Challenge: Ask the Holy Spirit to show you one area He’s working on to make you more like Jesus. Then respond with obedience.
Prayer: Holy Spirit, change me. Shape my life to reflect Jesus—not just in words, but in who I am. Amen.
“For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.” — Romans 8:29 (NASB 1995)
We aren’t parenting toward perfection—we’re parenting toward Christlikeness.
The Spirit’s goal is to conform each of us to Jesus, and that happens through daily choices, quiet teaching moments, and even discipline.
Let your home be a place where the Potter shapes lives into the image of His Son—gently, lovingly, persistently.
Family Talk:
What does it mean to look like Jesus—not on the outside, but on the inside?
How is God using our family to help us grow more like Him?
Prayer: Holy Spirit, shape our hearts, not for appearance, but for Christlikeness. Conform this home to reflect Jesus. Amen.
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