Tag: hope

Devotions, Women's Devotionals

👩‍🦰 The Promise of the Spirit — Day 1

Rooted & Raised

“And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, so that He may be with you forever; the Helper is the Spirit of truth…”
— John 14:16–17a, NASB1995

You Are Not Alone

Before the cross, Jesus looked at His disciples—not yet strong, not yet bold, not yet ready—and gave a promise:
You won’t walk this alone. The Holy Spirit will come.

This wasn’t a distant hope. It was an anchor. The Spirit of God—our Helper, Comforter, and Counselor—would dwell within them, just as He does within us.

He’s not a feeling. Not a force. He is God Himself—sent to lead, convict, teach, comfort, and strengthen us to live out the Kingdom life.
You are not forgotten. Not helpless. Not unequipped.
You are filled—with the very presence of God.

Reflection:
Do I truly live as though the Spirit of the Living God is with me, in me, and guiding me?

Prayer:
Holy Spirit, thank You for dwelling in me. Help me yield to Your voice and live by Your power. Make Christ known through my life. Amen.

Children's Devotionals, Devotions

🧒 The Promise of the Spirit — Day 1

Rooted & Raised

“And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, so that He may be with you forever; the Helper is the Spirit of truth…”
— John 14:16–17a, NASB1995

God’s Spirit Is with You
Jesus promised that when He went to heaven, He would send someone very special to be with His friends—and that includes you!

The Holy Spirit is like a Helper from God. He’s always with you to teach you, help you make good choices, and remind you how much Jesus loves you.

You can talk to Him anytime—He listens. And when you feel scared, confused, or even really happy, He’s right there with you.

Try This:
Ask the Holy Spirit today: “Please help me remember Jesus.”

Prayer:
Holy Spirit, thank You for always being with me. Help me listen to You and follow Jesus. Amen.

Devotions, Women's Devotionals

😎 The Promise of the Spirit — Day 1

Rooted & Raised

“And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, so that He may be with you forever; the Helper is the Spirit of truth…”
— John 14:16–17a, NASB1995

More Than a Feeling
Jesus didn’t say, “Try harder.”
He said, “I will send you the Helper.”

The Holy Spirit isn’t a vibe or a moment of emotion—He is the third Person of the Trinity. Real. Personal. Powerful.
He was there at creation, moved through the prophets, raised Jesus from the dead—and now He lives in you.

When you read Scripture, feel conviction, experience peace in chaos, or speak truth in love—you’re not doing that alone.
He’s training you to walk like Christ in a world that doesn’t.

Reflection:
Do you talk to the Holy Spirit throughout the day—or just during church moments?

Prayer:
Holy Spirit, wake me up to Your presence. Be my strength, my reminder, and my guide. Teach me to live like Jesus every day. Amen.

Devotions, Family Devotionals

👩‍👧 The Promise of the Spirit — Day 1

Rooted & Raised

“And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, so that He may be with you forever; the Helper is the Spirit of truth…”
— John 14:16–17a, NASB1995

A Helper for Both of You
When Jesus promised the Holy Spirit, He knew what your children would face—peer pressure, questions, spiritual battles, and seasons of doubt. But He also knew you’d be walking beside them, needing wisdom and strength beyond your own.

The Spirit was not just sent for the apostles. He was sent for you. And for your children.
He helps you disciple in love. He convicts and comforts where your voice can’t reach. He’s not distant—He’s dwelling.

Invite Him into your parenting. Invite Him into their learning. Let the Spirit be a welcome guest—and guide—in your home.

Discussion:
Ask your child:

  • Who helps you most when you’re confused or anxious?
  • Did you know the Holy Spirit helps us on the inside?

Prayer:
Holy Spirit, guide me as I raise this child You’ve entrusted to me. Speak to their heart. Draw them near to You, even when I fall short. Amen.

Biblical Interpretation, Kingdom Discipleship

The Role of the Holy Spirit in Reading Scripture

Rooted & Raised

How to Read the Bible Series

You open your Bible, and the words lie before you.
But without the Author beside you, the meaning remains hidden. The Word is alive (Hebrews 4:12), yet it breathes only when the Spirit breathes into us. Many read the Bible as information; few read it as revelation. The early Church knew the difference—and their lives reflected it.

The Ante-Nicene believers didn’t read Scripture through systems. They weren’t led by councils or creeds. They were led by the Spirit of Truth. The Bereans searched daily, but they did not search alone. The Spirit was their Teacher—and He must be ours.

Scripture Focus:

“But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth…”
— John 16:13, NASB1995

The Spirit Is the Teacher

The Lord never left His people with a book and no Guide. Jesus promised that the Spirit would lead us into all truth—not through mystical experiences, but through the Word He authored. As Paul wrote:

“We have received… the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God.”
— 1 Corinthians 2:12

The Spirit does not give new revelation but illumines what has already been given. He opens our eyes to behold (Psalm 119:18), convicts us of truth, and teaches with clarity. No theologian or denomination can replace His voice.

The Anointing That Abides

“You have no need for anyone to teach you… but His anointing teaches you about all things…”
— 1 John 2:27

This doesn’t reject godly teachers—it rejects dependence on man. The Bereans didn’t check with Paul’s résumé; they tested his message with Scripture, led by the Spirit. The early Church walked in the same pattern, trusting the Spirit’s conviction above the authority of men.

The Spirit Knows the Mind of God

He is not merely a Helper; He is God. He searches the deep things of God (1 Corinthians 2:10–11), and He helps us pray, read, and discern according to the will of the Father (Romans 8:27). When we read Scripture with the Spirit, we’re not just gathering knowledge—we are encountering the very thoughts of God.

The Spirit and the Word Are One

“The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.”
— John 6:63

The Holy Spirit will never contradict the written Word because He authored it. If a “revelation” or interpretation conflicts with Scripture, it is not from the Spirit. The Spirit always leads us back to Jesus, the Word made flesh, and He always glorifies the Father through obedience and truth.

Walking in Spirit-Led Reading

  • Pray before reading. Invite the Spirit to teach, correct, and reveal.
  • Read with surrender. Revelation follows obedience (John 7:17).
  • Let Scripture interpret Scripture. The Spirit wrote a unified message.
  • Test all things. Even beloved teachings must align with the Spirit’s Word.

Return to the Spirit. Return to Illumination.

We do not open the Bible to master it—we open it to be mastered by Christ through the Spirit. The early Church knew this. They did not walk by the traditions of men but by the illumination of the Holy Spirit through the Scriptures.

Let us walk as they walked. Let us read with the Author as our Teacher.

Return to the Word. Return to the Spirit. And find truth that transforms.

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Biblical Interpretation, Editor's Picks, Kingdom Discipleship

How to Read the Bible — Returning to the Way of the Bereans and the Ante-Nicene Church

Rooted & Raised

How to Read the Bible Series

You hold the Bible in your hands.
Sixty-six books. One Author. One Spirit. One unfolding story of redemption. And yet, for many, it’s a confusing book—wrapped in mystery, buried under layers of tradition, or filtered through man-made systems. But that was never God’s design.

The earliest Christians didn’t read the Bible through denominational creeds or theological filters. They read it with open hearts, under the teaching of the Holy Spirit, and in the context of their Jewish and first-century world. They tested everything by the written Word—and followed it with their lives.

It’s time to return to their way.

Scripture Focus:

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
— Psalm 119:105, NASB1995

Reading with the Author, Not Just About Him

The Bible is not a dead text. It is living and active (Hebrews 4:12) because it is breathed out by the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 3:16). Without the Spirit, Scripture becomes information. With Him, it becomes transformation.

The Bereans didn’t rely on theological systems or traditions to interpret the Word. They relied on the Spirit and the Scriptures themselves. Their example calls us to read with reverence, discernment, and dependence—not on man, but on God.

The Early Church Read the Word as One Unified Story

They saw the Old and New Testaments not as opposites but as one unfolding plan of God. They understood the Jewish idioms and culture behind the text. They read the Word in its historical context, through Hebraic lenses, and with spiritual hunger.

They didn’t force Scripture to fit their beliefs. They submitted their beliefs to the Word.

Principles for Spirit-Led, Scripture-Faithful Reading

  1. Context Is King
    Who wrote it? To whom? What is happening? What covenant are they under? Read what’s there, not what tradition has imposed.
  2. Culture and Language Matter
    Jesus spoke as a Jew to Jews. Many truths are deeply rooted in Hebrew idioms and first-century thought. Misreading the cultural setting leads to misapplying truth.
  3. Scripture Interprets Scripture
    Isaiah 28:10 and 1 Corinthians 2:13 remind us: truth is confirmed in multiple witnesses across God’s Word. Don’t hang doctrines on isolated verses.
  4. Avoid Allegory Unless the Text Demands It
    The early Church read Scripture literally unless it clearly indicated symbolism (such as in visions or parables). They let the Spirit—not philosophy—determine meaning.
  5. Reject Traditions That Override Scripture
    Jesus warned about this (Matthew 15:9). When tradition silences the Word or redefines its meaning, we must return to the text and the Spirit.

Walking as the Early Church Walked

To read the Bible rightly, we must return to how it was written: in context, by the Spirit, and for the Church. The Bereans searched the Scriptures daily to test everything. The Ante-Nicene believers treasured the Word, often at the cost of their lives.

They didn’t read to affirm a system. They read to know and follow Christ.

Return to the Word. Return to the Spirit.

The Bible is not meant to be interpreted by the wisdom of men, but by the One who wrote it. The Holy Spirit still teaches, still convicts, still opens eyes. You don’t need a new method—you need the old path.

Read with prayer. Read with surrender. Read with the Spirit. And you will find Christ in every page.

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Feast of Weeks, Holy Days

Pentecost (Shavuot)— The Spirit and the Harvest

Rooted & Raised

Scripture Focus: Leviticus 23:15–22; Acts 1:4–8; Acts 2:1–41; John 14:16–17; Joel 2:28–32

Fifty days after the waving of the Firstfruits offering, the Feast of Weeks—known in Greek as Pentecost—was celebrated. It marked the end of the barley harvest and the beginning of the wheat harvest, a time of joyful gathering and thanksgiving. Yet in the fullness of time, God used this appointed day not only to gather grain, but to gather souls into His Kingdom.

The Count Leads to Completion

Leviticus 23 commands Israel to count seven complete Sabbaths from the day of Firstfruits, totaling fifty days (vv. 15–16). Then a new offering was to be presented to the LORD:

“You shall bring in from your dwelling places two loaves of bread for a wave offering… they shall be of fine flour, baked with leaven as first fruits to the Lord” (v. 17).

Unlike the earlier grain offerings, these two loaves were baked with leaven, symbolizing the full harvest of both Jew and Gentile—people from every nation, still imperfect, yet accepted in Christ.

The Fulfillment: The Holy Spirit Poured Out

In Acts 2, the early disciples were gathered in one place, as instructed by Jesus. Then suddenly:

“There came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house… And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:2,4).

This was the fulfillment of what Jesus had promised: the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, the empowerment for witness (Acts 1:8), and the beginning of the Church’s public ministry.

It was also the fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy:

“It shall come about after this that I will pour out My Spirit on all mankind… And it will come about that whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be delivered” (Joel 2:28,32).

The result? Three thousand souls were added to the Church that day (Acts 2:41). The true harvest had begun.

The Role of the Spirit in the Believer’s Life

Pentecost is not just a historical event—it is a present reality. The same Spirit who descended at Pentecost dwells in every believer today:

  • He teaches and reminds us of Christ’s words (John 14:26)
  • He empowers us to witness (Acts 1:8)
  • He produces fruit in us (Galatians 5:22–23)
  • He convicts the world of sin and testifies of Christ (John 16:8,14)

The indwelling of the Spirit is both the seal of our salvation and the source of our sanctification. Through Him, we are transformed into the image of Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18).

Devotional Reflection: From Grain to Glory

Read Together: Leviticus 23:15–22; Acts 2:1–41; Joel 2:28–32

Discuss:

  • Why do you think God chose to pour out the Spirit on the day of Pentecost?
  • What do the two leavened loaves symbolize?
  • How does the Spirit equip you for witness and transformation?
  • What does it mean to live in daily dependence on the Spirit?

Reflect: Take time to thank God for the gift of the Holy Spirit. As the early Church was empowered to declare the mighty works of God, ask the Lord to fill your life with the same boldness, holiness, and harvest. We are no longer counting the days—we are living in the fulfillment.

Pray: Holy Spirit, we welcome You. As You filled the disciples at Pentecost, fill us anew. Empower us to speak truth, live boldly, and walk in step with Your leading. May our lives be a living offering to the Lord of the harvest. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The fire has fallen. The harvest has begun.

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First Fruits, Holy Days

Firstfruits — He Is Risen!

Rooted & Raised

Scripture Focus: Leviticus 23:9–14; 1 Corinthians 15:20–23; Matthew 28; Romans 6:8–11

On April 20, 2025, the Feast of Firstfruits is celebrated on the day after the weekly Sabbath during Passover week. This appointed time marks the beginning of the barley harvest in Israel, when the first sheaf (omer) was brought before the LORD as an offering of thanksgiving and trust in God’s provision. Yet for those who belong to Christ, this feast takes on even deeper significance. It is the day that death was defeated. It is the day the tomb was found empty.

What Is Firstfruits?

In Leviticus 23, the LORD commanded:

“When you enter the land which I am going to give to you and reap its harvest, then you shall bring in the sheaf of the first fruits of your harvest to the priest… He shall wave the sheaf before the Lord for you to be accepted” (vv. 10–11).

This sheaf represented the very first yield of the harvest. Offering it was a declaration of faith: if God accepted the first, He would bless the rest. It was an act of consecration and trust.

Jesus, the Firstfruits of the Resurrection

Paul connects this feast directly to Christ:

“But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep” (1 Corinthians 15:20).

Just as the priest would wave the sheaf of barley as a representative of the harvest to come, so Jesus was raised as the first of a new creation—a living guarantee that those who belong to Him will also rise.

“For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ’s at His coming” (vv. 21–23).

His resurrection wasn’t an isolated miracle—it was the down payment of a coming harvest. The tomb is empty, and because of that, ours will be too.

Raised to New Life

Firstfruits is not just about the future resurrection. It also proclaims newness of life now:

“Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him… Consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus” (Romans 6:8, 11).

Resurrection is not only our hope—it is our identity. The same power that raised Jesus from the grave now works in those who believe (Ephesians 1:19–20).

Celebrating with Barley: A Symbol of Consecration

To mark this day, many believers choose to incorporate barley into their celebration as a physical reminder of the spiritual harvest. Barley was the first crop to ripen in Israel and was seen as a humble offering from the land—one that God Himself chose as the symbol of resurrection.

Ideas for a Simple Firstfruits Celebration:

  • Barley Bread or Soup: Prepare a meal using barley and pray together, giving thanks for Christ, our Firstfruits.
  • Wave Sheaf Symbol: Create a small bundle of barley or another grain and wave it before the Lord as a declaration that your life is His.
  • Thanksgiving and Testimony: Reflect on how Christ has brought resurrection life into your home. Share testimonies of spiritual renewal.
  • New Commitments: As the sheaf was a symbol of consecration, use this day to rededicate your heart, family, or home to God’s purposes.

Counting the Omer: From Resurrection to Empowerment

Leviticus 23:15–16 gives this command:

“You shall also count for yourselves from the day after the Sabbath, from the day when you brought in the sheaf of the wave offering; there shall be seven complete Sabbaths. You shall count fifty days to the day after the seventh Sabbath; then you shall present a new grain offering to the Lord.”

This count begins on Firstfruits and continues for fifty days until Shavuot (Pentecost). It was a season of expectancy—a time of waiting for harvest, revelation, and empowerment.

In Acts 1–2, we see the ultimate fulfillment of this period. From the resurrection to the pouring out of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, the disciples waited together in prayer and obedience. On the fiftieth day, the Spirit descended.

For us today, counting the omer is a way to remember that salvation is not the end—it is the beginning of sanctification and mission. Each day is a step of preparation to be used by the Lord.

Suggestions for Counting the Omer:

  • Read one Psalm each day or walk through the Book of Acts.
  • Journal how God is forming Christ in you during this season.
  • Focus on “bearing fruit” in the Spirit: love, joy, peace…

We do not count up to Pentecost in obligation but in anticipation—we await the fullness of what God intends to do through His resurrected and Spirit-filled people.

Devotional Reflection: Living as the Harvest of God

Read Together: Leviticus 23:9–14; 1 Corinthians 15:20–23; Romans 6:8–11

Discuss:

  • What did the offering of Firstfruits symbolize for Israel?
  • How is Jesus the fulfillment of this feast?
  • How does our future resurrection shape the way we live now?
  • What does it mean to be “alive to God”?

Reflect: Thank God for the risen Christ. Let His resurrection become more than a doctrine—let it become your daily joy, strength, and expectation. We are not merely waiting for resurrection; we are already walking in it.

Pray: Father, thank You for raising Jesus from the dead as the firstfruits of the resurrection to come. Thank You that in Him we are made alive—now and forever. Help us to live each day in the power of His resurrection, bearing fruit that glorifies You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

He is risen—and so shall we be.

Note:

Orthodox Judaism follows the Pharisaic / Rabbinic Interpretation (Majority of Modern Judaism), not necessarily a literal reading of Leviticus 23.

  • “Sabbath” = the first day of Unleavened Bread (which is a “High Sabbath,” not necessarily Saturday)
  • Therefore, Firstfruits = Nisan 16, regardless of the weekday
  • In 2025, Unleavened Bread begins at sundown April 13 (Nisan 15), so Firstfruits (Nisan 16) = April 14 evening to April 15 evening

Messianic Jews and many Christians who celebrate the feasts follow the Sadducean/Temple-era practice, which aligns with Jesus rising on Sunday and Paul calling Him the “Firstfruits” (1 Corinthians 15:20–23).

  • “Sabbath” = the weekly Sabbath (Saturday)
  • Firstfruits = the Sunday after that Sabbath, always a Sunday resurrection picture
  • In 2025, the weekly Sabbath during Passover week is April 19, so Firstfruits = Sunday, April 20
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Devotions, Women's Devotionals

🌿 Kingdom Living Devotional — Day 16

Rooted & Raised

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Devotions, Family Devotionals

🏡 Kingdom Family Devotional — Day 16

Rooted & Raised

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