Skip to main content

Daily Devotion: A Prayer for When You're Hurt by Others

"The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you. The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace." - Numbers 6:24-26 NKJV I was sitting in church one Wednesday night, overwhelmed with anger. Someone had hurt me, and I felt they weren't acting the way they should. I thought my sins weren't as bad as theirs, so I felt justified. But then, the Lord gently reminded me that I was wrong. I realized I was judging this person, and that was a sin in itself. God is holy, and my behavior was no better than theirs. I felt convicted and was moved to tears. The Holy Spirit whispered to me, "If you really love them, you would pray for their best, regardless of their behavior." That realization hit me hard. I admitted to myself that I didn’t truly love them as I claimed. My actions showed that I wanted them to act a certain way for my benefit. I remembered the verses from Numbers 6 and knew I needed to pray for G...

Daily Devotion: Don't Let Anyone Stop You

Don't Let Anyone Stop You

"We speak, not as if we were trying to please people, but to please God who examines our hearts and expects our best."

— 1 Thessalonians 2:4 (AMP)

One of the greatest challenges in our spiritual journey can be the resistance we face from those closest to us. Friends, colleagues, and even family members can sometimes discourage us from pursuing the path God has laid out for us. While they may have good intentions, their influence can sometimes hold us back from achieving God's best for our lives.

When we decide to follow God's plan, we may face criticism and rejection. People may question our decisions, and their negativity can make us doubt ourselves. But it’s important to remember that our primary goal is to please God, not people. God knows our hearts and our intentions, and He expects our best.

Sometimes, people around us aren't ready to move forward in their own spiritual journeys. They may feel threatened or uncomfortable with our progress, and in an effort to feel better about their own lack of initiative, they may try to hold us back. It's crucial not to let their fears or doubts influence our decisions. Instead, we should pray for them, show them love, but continue to move forward with God's plan for our lives.

Consider the story of Nehemiah in the Bible. When he decided to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, he faced intense opposition from those around him. They mocked and ridiculed him, trying to discourage him from completing the work. But Nehemiah didn't let their negativity stop him. He remained focused on his mission, praying for strength and guidance, and ultimately succeeded in rebuilding the walls.

We can draw inspiration from Nehemiah's story. Just as he faced opposition but continued to press on, we too can overcome the challenges and negativity we encounter. By staying close to God, seeking His guidance, and trusting in His plan, we can accomplish great things.

Prayer of the Day:

Lord, whatever You have for me—a new plan for better health, a new mindset, a new attitude, a new relationship, a new boldness, a new career—please help me to move forward with perseverance and determination. Help me keep going, no matter what. Amen.

Popular posts from this blog

Daily Devotion: Born to Die So That You Might Live

The story of Jesus’ birth, as recorded in Luke 2:12, is one of the most cherished accounts in the Bible. The angel told the shepherds, "And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger." While this scene may seem simple and peaceful, it carries a deep and powerful message about God’s love for us. The Manger and Its Meaning A manger is a feeding trough for animals, and in Jesus’ time, it was often made of stone. Imagine the Savior of the world, not born in a palace, but laid in such a humble place. This setting reminds us that Jesus came to identify with the lowly and the ordinary. His humble beginning points to the kind of life He would lead—a life of service and sacrifice. But the manger also holds a deeper meaning. It foreshadows what was to come. When Jesus died, His body was laid in a tomb carved out of rock, similar in appearance to a stone trough. Just as He was wrapped in swaddling cloths as a baby, His body was ...

Daily Devotional: The Compassionate Heart of Our Heavenly Father

Let’s think about the Bible verse from 1 John 4:10 (KJV): "Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins." This shows us God’s incredible love for us. Imagine the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11–32). The son mistreated his father, wasting his inheritance. When he finally returned home, it wasn’t because he loved his father; he was simply hungry. He thought he could at least work as a servant to earn his keep. But God wants us to know that even when our reasons are selfish, He still welcomes us with open arms. He doesn't wait for us to be perfect; He runs to help us in our time of need and showers us with His undeserved love. The Bible teaches us that it’s not about our love for God, but His love for us. "Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins" (1 John 4:10 KJV). Some people think that God only accepts us if we are...

Daily Devotion: Begin Every Prayer with Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a wonderful way to begin our prayers, grounding us in gratitude before anything else. As 1 Chronicles 23:30 highlights , praising the Lord every morning and evening is crucial . One effective practice is to initiate every prayer with thanksgiving. For instance, you might say: “Thank You, Father, for all You have done in my life; Your love and grace truly amaze me, and I am deeply grateful.” Reflecting upon our lives, it’s essential to observe the nature of our thoughts and words, noting how often we express gratitude. Are we prone to complaints, or do we genuinely appreciate what we have? Consider setting a personal challenge: go through a whole day without voicing a single complaint. Cultivating an attitude of gratitude in every circumstance can profoundly enhance our connection with God, leading to greater blessings and a strengthened relationship. Prayer of the Day: Thank You, Father, for guiding my prayers. Help me to bring a heart of thankfulness to every prayer, ...