Lost: A Prodigal’s Story Wk 2

by | Nov 17, 2025 | Lost - A Prodigal's Story

Day 1: Come Home Dirty

Devotional

Have you ever felt too ashamed to come to God? Maybe you’ve made mistakes that feel too big, too embarrassing, or too repetitive. You might think you need to clean yourself up first, get your act together, and then approach Him.

But God’s invitation is radically different from what we expect. He doesn’t want us to fix ourselves before coming home—He wants us to come as we are, with all our mess and brokenness.

The prodigal son didn’t shower, change clothes, or rehearse a perfect apology. He came home dirty, smelly, and broken. And his father ran to meet him. This is the heart of our heavenly Father. He’s not waiting for you to become worthy; He’s waiting for you to come home.

Your shame doesn’t disqualify you—it’s exactly why you need to come. God’s love isn’t based on your performance or your ability to clean up your life. It’s based on His unchanging character and His desire to restore you completely.

Today, whatever condition you’re in, whatever you’ve done, wherever you’ve been—come home. Don’t wait until you feel ready or worthy. Come dirty, come broken, come exactly as you are.

Your Father is waiting with open arms, ready to clothe you with His love and restore what’s been lost.

Bible Verse

‘But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God’ – John 1:12

Reflection Question

What areas of your life do you feel you need to ‘clean up’ before approaching God, and how might He be inviting you to come to Him just as you are instead?

Quote

God said, no. What I want you to do is I want you to come back home, and I want you to come back dirty, and I want you to come back smelly, and I want you to come back with all of your issues. I want you just to come back home. And when you come home, here’s the promise, there’s going to be a robe waiting on you, and I’m going to cover you and I’m going to restore you.

Prayer

Father, thank You that I don’t have to earn my way back to You. Help me to come to You with all my mess and brokenness, trusting that Your love for me isn’t based on my performance but on Your unchanging heart. Give me the courage to come home dirty, knowing You’re waiting to restore me. Amen.

Day 2: Your Identity Restored

Devotional

Identity crisis is real, especially after we’ve made significant mistakes. The prodigal son returned home convinced he was no longer worthy to be called a son—he was ready to settle for being just a servant. But his father had a different perspective entirely. The moment he saw his son, he didn’t see failure or unworthiness; he saw his beloved child who belonged in the family. The ring the father placed on his son’s finger wasn’t just jewelry—it was a declaration of restored identity. It said, ‘You are still my son. You still belong here. You still carry my name.’ Many of us live with a servant mentality when God has called us to sonship and daughtership. We feel like we have to earn our place, prove our worth, or work our way back into good standing. But that’s not how family works. A child doesn’t earn their place in the family—they belong because of who they are, not what they’ve done. Your identity as God’s child isn’t based on your past mistakes or future performance. It’s based on His unchanging love and the fact that you’re created in His image. When shame whispers that you’re not worthy, remember the ring. Remember that God looks at you and declares, ‘You are still my child. You still belong in my house.’

Bible Verse

‘Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household’ – Ephesians 2:19

Reflection Question

In what ways do you struggle with feeling worthy to be called God’s child, and how does understanding your identity as His son or daughter change how you approach Him?

Quote

Is there a part of you that feels unworthy to be called a son or daughter of God? Like, have you done something that makes you feel like you’ve done something so bad that your identity, that your sonship, your daughtership, cannot be restored?

Prayer

Lord, help me to see myself through Your eyes, not through the lens of my failures or shame. Remind me daily that my identity as Your child is secure, not because of what I’ve done, but because of who You are and Your love for me. Help me to live confidently in this identity. Amen.

Day 3: The Ring of Authority

Devotional

The ring the father gave his returning son wasn’t just a symbol of love—it was a signet ring that carried real authority. With this ring, the son could conduct business in his father’s name, make decisions, and access the family’s resources. This wasn’t just restoration; this was empowerment. As God’s children, we don’t just receive forgiveness—we receive authority. We have the right to pray in Jesus’ name, to access

God’s promises, and to make a difference in the world around us. Yet many believers live powerless lives, praying weak prayers and expecting little from God. We act like servants when we’ve been given the authority of sons and daughters. The ring represents our kingdom authority—the power to bind and loose, to pray with confidence, and to advance God’s purposes on earth. But here’s the key: this authority must be used for the Father’s business, not our own selfish ambitions. When we understand that we carry real spiritual authority, it changes everything. We pray differently, we approach challenges differently, and we live with greater purpose and confidence. The question isn’t whether you have authority—if you’re God’s child, you do. The question is: are you using it? Are you living like someone who carries the family ring, or are you settling for a powerless existence when God has given you kingdom authority?

Bible Verse

‘I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.’ – Matthew 16:19

Reflection Question

How might your prayers and daily decisions change if you truly believed you carry kingdom authority as God’s child?

Quote

You may feel unworthy, but God still gives you a ring. You may not feel like you have any authority, but God’s like, man, will you just put the ring on that I gave you?

Prayer

Father, help me to understand and embrace the authority You’ve given me as Your child. Show me how to use this authority for Your kingdom purposes, not my own agenda. Give me boldness to pray with confidence and live with the power You’ve placed within me. Amen.

Day 4: About the Father's Business

Devotional

Authority without purpose leads to chaos. The prodigal son received his father’s ring, but with it came the responsibility to conduct the father’s business, not his own. This is where many believers get stuck—we want God’s power and provision, but we want to use it for our own plans and purposes. 

True kingdom authority is always directed toward advancing God’s purposes, not our personal agendas. Being about the Father’s business means our priorities align with His heart. It means we care about what He cares about—the lost, the broken, the hurting. It means we use our resources, talents, and influence to build His kingdom, not just our own comfort or success. When we take care of His house, He takes care of our needs. This isn’t a transaction; it’s a relationship principle. When our hearts are aligned with His purposes,

He provides what we need to fulfill those purposes. The challenge for every believer is this: Are you using your God-given authority for kingdom purposes or personal gain? Are you praying for His will to be done or just for your own comfort? Are you investing in eternal things or just temporary pleasures? 

Living about the Father’s business doesn’t mean neglecting your family or responsibilities—it means approaching everything through the lens of His kingdom purposes. It means asking, ‘How can I honor God and advance His kingdom in this situation?’

Bible Verse

‘For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.’ – John 3:16

Reflection Question

What would it look like practically for you to be more intentionally ‘about the Father’s business’ in your current season of life?

Quote

If you take care of his house, he’ll take care of your castle. Are you about your father’s business?

Prayer

Lord, align my heart with Your purposes. Help me to use the authority and resources You’ve given me to advance Your kingdom, not just my own comfort. Show me how to be about Your business in every area of my life, trusting that You’ll provide what I need as I seek first Your kingdom. Amen.

Day 5: Living Like You Belong

Devotional

The greatest tragedy isn’t when someone rejects God’s offer of salvation—it’s when someone accepts it but continues to live like they’re powerless. You carry kingdom authority. You belong to God’s family. You have access to His resources and His power. The question is: Do you act like it? 

Many believers live defeated lives despite carrying the family ring. They pray weak prayers, expect little from God, and settle for mediocrity when they’ve been called to make a kingdom impact. 

Shame is a liar that tries to convince you that your past disqualifies you from your future. But when you’re adopted into God’s family, your past becomes like Teflon—it just slides off. You have the right to be called a son or daughter of God, not because you earned it, but because He chose you. This means you don’t have to live in the shadows of your mistakes. You don’t have to settle for less than God’s best. You don’t have to pray timid prayers or live a powerless life. You belong in the house. You carry authority. You have a purpose and a calling that’s bigger than your past failures. 

Today, stop living like you’re powerless. Put on the ring God has given you. Walk in the authority He’s placed in your life. Live like someone who truly belongs to the King of kings. Your past doesn’t define you—your position as God’s child does. Act like it.

Bible Verse

‘But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.’ – Luke 15:22

Reflection Question

What would change in your daily life if you truly lived like someone who belongs to God’s family and carries His authority?

Quote 

I think that God wants you to stop living like you’re powerless because you really carry kingdom authority.

Prayer

Father, help me to stop living like I’m powerless when You’ve given me kingdom authority. Remove the shame and lies that keep me from walking confidently as Your child. Help me to live each day knowing I belong to You and carry Your name with honor and purpose. Amen.

Lost: A Prodigal’s Story Wk 1

by | Nov 10, 2025 | Lost - A Prodigal's Story

Day 1: The Father Who Never Stops Watching

Devotional

Have you ever felt like you’ve wandered too far from God? Maybe you’ve made choices that left you feeling distant, ashamed, or unworthy of His love. The beautiful truth is that even when we feel furthest away, God never stops looking for us.

In the parable of the prodigal son, we see a young man who essentially told his father he wished he were dead by demanding his inheritance early. He took everything his father had given him and wasted it on reckless living. Sound familiar? We’ve all taken God’s blessings – our talents, relationships, opportunities – and sometimes used them in ways that left us empty and alone.

But here’s what’s remarkable about this story: while the son was still far off, his father saw him coming. This wasn’t a coincidence. The father had been watching, waiting, hoping for his son’s return every single day. This is a picture of our heavenly Father’s heart toward us.

No matter how far you’ve wandered, no matter what you’ve done, God has never stopped watching for you. He’s not angry or disappointed – He’s hopeful. Every morning He looks toward the horizon of your heart, waiting for the moment you decide to come home. You are never too far gone, never too broken, never too lost for His love to reach you.

The journey home begins with a single step in His direction. And the beautiful news? He’s already running toward you.

Bible Verse

“Jesus continued: ‘There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living.'” – Luke 15:11-32

Reflection Question

What areas of your life feel distant from God right now, and what would it look like to take one small step toward Him today?

Quote

God has never stopped watching for you and running after you.

Prayer

Father, thank You that You never stop watching for me, even when I feel far away. Help me to see that You’re not waiting to punish me, but to welcome me home. Give me the courage to take that first step back to You today. Amen.

Day 2: Coming Home Smelling Bad

Devotional

One of the most beautiful moments in the prodigal son story happens when the father sees his son returning. The son is dirty, smelly, and broken from his time feeding pigs – the lowest job imaginable for a Jewish person. He’s rehearsed a speech about becoming a servant, convinced he’s forfeited his right to be called a son.

But before he can even finish his prepared apology, his father runs to him and embraces him. Think about that image: the father hugged him while he still smelled like pig slop. He didn’t wait for his son to shower, change clothes, or prove he was sorry. He embraced him exactly as he was.

This is how God receives us when we come home. We often think we need to clean up our act first, get our lives together, and prove we’re worthy of His love. But that’s backwards thinking. God doesn’t see our filth when we return – He just sees our homecoming.

Maybe you’re hesitating to come to God because you feel too messy, too broken, too ashamed. You think you need to fix yourself first. But God is saying, “Come as you are. I’ll do the cleaning. I just want you home.”

The beautiful truth is that our mess doesn’t disqualify us from God’s love – it qualifies us for His grace. He specializes in taking broken, smelly, desperate people and making them whole again. You don’t need to be perfect to come home. You just need to come.

Bible Verse

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.” – Luke 15:22

Reflection Question

What “smell” or shame are you carrying that makes you feel unworthy of God’s embrace, and how might God see you differently than you see yourself?

Quote

He hugged him while he still smelled bad.

Prayer

Lord, thank You that You don’t wait for me to clean up before You embrace me. Help me to come to You just as I am, trusting that Your love is bigger than my mess. Remove the shame that keeps me from running into Your arms. Amen.

Day 3: Covered by Grace

Devotional

After embracing his returning son, the father immediately calls for his best robe to be brought and placed on his son’s shoulders. This wasn’t just any piece of clothing – it was the father’s own robe, a symbol of honor, dignity, and belonging in the family.

The son had come home expecting to be treated as a servant, but the father restored him as a son. The robe covered his shame, restored his honor, and declared to everyone that he belonged in this family. It was a visible sign of complete acceptance and love.

This is exactly what God does for us when we come home to Him. Before we can receive any other gift from God, we must first be covered by His grace. The robe represents God’s righteousness that covers our shame and restores our dignity as His children.

When Jesus died on the cross, He knew everything you’ve done and everything you’ll do, and He still chose to love you enough to put His robe of righteousness on you. You don’t earn this covering – it’s a gift of pure grace. The moment you come home to God, He doesn’t see your failures or your past. He sees you clothed in Christ’s righteousness.

Many of us struggle with feeling unworthy, constantly remembering our mistakes and failures. But God wants you to understand: you’re not right on your own, but you’re His child. And as His child, you’re covered by His grace, restored to dignity, and welcomed into His family with full rights and privileges.

Bible Verse

“I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.” – Isaiah 61:10

Reflection Question

How does knowing that God has clothed you with His righteousness change the way you see yourself and your worth?

Quote

The robe covers your shame and restores your dignity.

Prayer

Father, thank You for covering me with Your robe of righteousness. Help me to stop seeing myself through the lens of my failures and start seeing myself as You see me – loved, accepted, and belonging in Your family. Amen

Day 4: A New Identity

Devotional

When the father placed his robe on his returning son, he wasn’t just covering the boy’s shame – he was giving him a completely new identity. The son had left as a rebellious child who wanted to live

independently. He was returning as a broken, desperate person ready to be a servant. But the father had something entirely different in mind.

The father didn’t want his son to keep the identity he left with, nor did he want him to settle for the servant identity he was willing to accept. He wanted to give him a new identity altogether – that of a beloved, restored son with full family privileges.

This is what happens when we give our lives to Jesus. We don’t just get forgiveness for our past – we get a completely new identity. The person we used to be is dead, and we become new creations in Christ. We’re not just forgiven servants; we’re beloved children with full access to our Father’s house.

Many people struggle with this concept because they’re still carrying the weight of who they used to be. But God says, “That person is gone. You are now My child, clothed in My righteousness, with a new name and a new future.”

Stop thinking that your shame disqualifies you from this new identity. Your past doesn’t define your future when you’re covered by God’s grace. You’re not the person you used to be – you’re who God says you are now.

Bible Verse

“For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” – Galatians 3:27

Reflection Question

What old identity or label from your past do you need to let go of in order to fully embrace who God says you are now?

Quote

He didn’t want him to have the identity he left with. He wanted to have a new identity.

Prayer

God, help me to let go of the old identities that no longer define me. Thank You for making me a new creation in Christ. Help me to walk in the confidence of who You say I am, not who I used to be. Amen.

Day 5: The Celebration of Coming Home

Devotional

The parable doesn’t end with just the robe. The father calls for a celebration – music, dancing, and the finest food. He’s not just welcoming his son back; he’s throwing a party because what was lost has been found, what was dead is alive again.

This reveals something beautiful about God’s heart: He doesn’t just tolerate our return – He celebrates it. Heaven rejoices when one person comes home to God. There’s music, there’s joy, there’s a party in your honor when you decide to follow Jesus.

Yet sometimes, like the older brother in the story, we can become bitter about this celebration. We think people should have to earn their way back, prove themselves, or at least suffer a little for their mistakes. But God’s grace doesn’t work that way. His love is extravagant, His forgiveness is complete, and His joy over our return is uncontainable.

If you’ve been away from God, know that He’s not just waiting for you – He’s planning your welcome home party. If you’ve been walking with God for a while, remember to celebrate when others come home instead of judging their journey.

The Father is waiting, watching, and ready to celebrate. While you’re wondering if you’re ready, if you’re cleaned up enough, if you’re qualified – He’s just waiting for you to come home. Don’t let another day pass thinking you need to get right before you come to God. Come to God so He can make you right.

Bible Verse

“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” – 2 Corinthians 5:21

Reflection Question

How can you join in God’s celebration of people coming home to Him, and what might be holding you back from fully embracing His joy over your own journey?

Quote

While you deal with all of these things in your head, am I ready? Am I cleaned up enough? Am I disqualified? While you’re weighing all that stuff out, the Father’s waiting. He looks every day for you to come home.

Prayer

Father, thank You that You don’t just welcome me home – You celebrate my return. Help me to have Your heart for others who are finding their way back to You. Fill me with Your joy and help me to celebrate Your grace in my life and in others. Amen.

Ghost Stories Wk 4

by | Nov 3, 2025 | Ghost Stories

Day 1: Facing Your Valley

Devotional

We all have places in our lives that feel like graveyards – relationships that seem beyond repair, dreams that appear dead, or circumstances that look hopeless. Maybe it’s a marriage that’s grown cold, a career that’s stalled, or a faith that feels distant. These are our valleys of dry bones, and they can be intimidating places to visit.

But here’s what’s remarkable about God’s character: He doesn’t avoid our valleys. Instead, He leads us directly into them. When God brought Ezekiel to that valley filled with very dry bones, it wasn’t to discourage him but to reveal something extraordinary about divine power. God wanted Ezekiel to see the full scope of what seemed impossible so he could witness the full scope of God’s ability.

The first step toward transformation isn’t pretending everything is fine or avoiding the hard places. It’s being honest about where we are and inviting God into those spaces. When we stop running from our valleys and start walking through them with God, we position ourselves to see miracles we never thought possible.

Your valley isn’t a place of shame – it’s a place of potential. What looks dead to you is actually the perfect canvas for God to paint His resurrection power. The very things that seem most hopeless in your life might be exactly where God wants to do His greatest work.

Bible Verse

“The hand of the Lord was on me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones.” – Ezekiel 37:1

Reflection Question

What valley in your life have you been avoiding, and how might God be inviting you to face it with Him rather than running from it alone?

Quote

Transformation begins when we stop pretending that the bones aren’t there.

Prayer

Lord, give me courage to face the valleys in my life that I’ve been avoiding. Help me trust that You lead me into these places not to shame me, but to show me Your power. I invite Your presence into every dry and hopeless area of my life. Amen

Day 2: God's Perspective Changes Everything

Devotional

When God asked Ezekiel if the dry bones could live, Ezekiel wisely responded, “Sovereign Lord, you alone know.” This wasn’t uncertainty – it was wisdom. Ezekiel understood that God’s perspective is radically different from ours. Where we see endings, God sees beginnings. Where we see impossibility, God sees opportunity.

This shift in perspective is crucial for our faith journey. We often get stuck focusing on what we can see with our natural eyes – the broken pieces, the failed attempts, the closed doors. But God operates from a completely different vantage point. He sees potential where we see problems, life where we see death, and hope where we see hopelessness.

The truth is, what looks dormant to us is actually alive in Jesus. That relationship you think is over, that dream you believe is dead, that part of your heart that feels numb – God sees resurrection potential in all of it. Your impossibilities are actually the perfect ingredients for God’s miracles.

This doesn’t mean we ignore reality or pretend problems don’t exist. Instead, it means we choose to see our circumstances through the lens of God’s unlimited power rather than our limited understanding. When we align our vision with heaven’s perspective, we begin to speak differently, hope differently, and live differently.

Bible Verse

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11

Reflection Question

In what area of your life do you need to shift from seeing through your natural eyes to seeing through God’s eyes of possibility and hope?

Quote

What looks dead to us, what looks dormant to us, is actually alive in Jesus. What you think is impossible is actually the very ingredients that it takes for God to do a miracle.

Prayer

Father, help me see my circumstances through Your eyes rather than my own limited perspective. Where I see death, help me see resurrection potential. Give me faith to believe that what seems impossible to me is completely possible with You. Amen.

Day 3: The Power of Prophetic Words

Devotional

When God told Ezekiel to prophesy to the dry bones, something extraordinary happened. As Ezekiel spoke God’s words over the lifeless situation, there was a rattling sound, and the bones began to come together. This wasn’t magic – it was the power of speaking God’s truth over impossible circumstances.

Too often, we let our words agree with death rather than life. We speak about our problems more than we speak to them. We describe our limitations more than we declare God’s limitless power. But there’s something powerful that happens when we align our words with heaven’s perspective.

Speaking prophetically doesn’t mean we’re trying to manipulate outcomes or deny reality. Instead, we’re partnering with God’s Spirit to announce what heaven has already declared. We’re calling those things that aren’t as though they are, just as God does. When we speak life over dead situations, we’re not being naive – we’re being faithful.

The Spirit moves when faith moves our mouth. Your words have creative power because you’re made in the image of the Creator. When you speak God’s promises over your marriage, your children, your dreams, or your circumstances, you’re releasing heaven’s reality into earth’s situations. Don’t underestimate the power of prophetic declaration in your daily life.

Bible Verse

“Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” – John 7:38

Reflection Question

What dead or dying situation in your life needs you to stop speaking about the problem and start speaking God’s promises over it?

Quote

The spirit moves when faith moves your mouth.

Prayer

Holy Spirit, teach me to speak Your words over my circumstances. Help me stop agreeing with death and start declaring life. Give me faith to prophesy Your promises over every dry area of my life, trusting that You will breathe life into what seems dead. Amen.

Day 4: Breathing Life Into Dry Places

Devotional

After the bones came together in Ezekiel’s vision, they still needed one more thing – the breath of life. God instructed Ezekiel to prophesy to the breath, and when he did, the Spirit entered the bodies and they came alive as a vast army. This reveals a beautiful truth: God doesn’t just rearrange our circumstances; He breathes His very life into them.

The Holy Spirit is the breath of God, and He’s not afraid of your valley. He specializes in bringing life to dead places, hope to hopeless situations, and strength to weary souls. The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead is still breathing life into valleys today. He’s ready to breathe into your dry places if you’ll invite Him in.

Sometimes we forget who we are and push the Holy Spirit down with our fear rather than stirring Him up with our faith. We have the Spirit of the living God dwelling within us, yet we often live as if we’re powerless. It’s time to remember that greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world.

When God breathes, bones move. When the Spirit comes, life returns. But we must be willing to go into the valley and face what we’re really afraid of. We must invite the Holy Spirit into our most vulnerable places and trust Him to do what only He can do – resurrect what’s dead and transform what’s broken.

Bible Verse

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” – Romans 15:13

Reflection Question

Where in your life do you need to invite the Holy Spirit to breathe new life, and what fears might be preventing you from fully surrendering that area to Him?

Quote

When God breathes, bones move. When the Spirit comes, life returns. But you got to be willing to go into the valley, places of your life and face what you’re really afraid of.

Prayer

Come, Holy Spirit, and breathe Your life into every dry place in my heart and circumstances. I surrender my fears and invite You to move powerfully in areas where I’ve lost hope. Fill me with Your presence and transform what seems dead into something beautiful and alive. Amen.

Day 5: From Valley to Victory

Devotional

The end of Ezekiel’s vision is breathtaking – what began as a valley of dry bones became a mighty army. This wasn’t just about individual restoration; it was about corporate transformation. God doesn’t just want to fix what’s broken in your life; He wants to resurrect what’s dead and turn you into a leader who can help others find life too.

Twenty years from now, people might laugh with joy at the very things that seem impossible in your life today. That broken relationship could become a testimony of God’s healing power. That failed dream could be resurrected as something even greater than you originally imagined. That area where you feel spiritually dry could become the source of life-giving ministry to others.

God’s resurrection power isn’t just about personal victory – it’s about becoming part of His army of hope in a world that desperately needs to see that dead things can live again. Your valley experience, once transformed by God’s power, becomes a source of encouragement and faith for others walking through their own dry places.

The question isn’t whether God can bring life to your dead places – He absolutely can. The question is whether you’ll trust Him enough to speak His promises, invite His Spirit, and believe that your greatest struggles can become your most powerful testimonies. What is impossible for God? Absolutely nothing.

Bible Verse

“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.'” – John 11:25

Reflection Question

How might God want to use your current valley experience to eventually help others find hope and life in their own impossible situations?

Quote

I just wonder what part of your story people will laugh at 20 years from now? What dried up part of your life is God wanting to resurrect that?

Prayer

Lord Jesus, You are the resurrection and the life. I believe You can transform my valley into victory and use my story to bring hope to others. Help me trust Your timing and Your process, knowing that You’re preparing me not just for personal breakthrough but to be part of Your army of hope in this world. Amen.

Ghost Stories Wk 3

by | Oct 27, 2025 | Ghost Stories

Day 1: Transformation Over Attention

Devotional

Have you ever watched someone perform an impressive feat just to get noticed? Maybe it was a flashy social media post, an over-the-top gesture, or even a spiritual display that seemed more about the person than about God. It’s easy to get caught up in wanting to impress others, even in our spiritual lives.

The Holy Spirit operates differently than our human nature. While we often seek attention and applause, the Spirit’s primary work is transformation. He’s not interested in making us look impressive; He’s committed to making us more like Jesus. This transformation happens quietly, deeply, from the inside out.

Think about a fruit tree. The most important work happens underground and within the trunk—roots deepening, nutrients flowing, life pulsing through every branch. The fruit that eventually appears is simply the natural result of all that hidden growth. Similarly, the Spirit’s most significant work in our lives often happens in the quiet moments, the private struggles, the daily choices that nobody else sees.

This doesn’t mean the Spirit’s work is boring or powerless. Transformation is the most powerful force in the universe. When God changes a heart, it impacts eternity. When He develops character in us, it influences every relationship we have. When He grows fruit in our lives, it nourishes everyone around us.

The beautiful truth is that we don’t have to perform for God’s approval or try to impress others with our spirituality. Instead, we can rest in knowing that the Spirit is doing His deep, transformative work in us right now. As we yield to Him, authentic spiritual fruit will naturally emerge—not for show, but for the genuine blessing of others and the glory of God.

Bible Verse

‘But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.’ – Galatians 5:22-23

Reflection Question

In what areas of your life are you more focused on impressing others rather than allowing God to transform you from the inside out?

Quote

The Holy Spirit doesn’t just give gifts to impress people. He gives fruit to transform people.

Prayer

Holy Spirit, help me to value Your transforming work in my life more than any attention or approval I might receive from others. Change me from the inside out, and let Your fruit grow naturally in my character. Amen.

Day 2: One Fruit, Nine Flavors

Devotional

When you walk through a grocery store, you see different fruits in separate sections—apples here, oranges there, bananas in another spot. But spiritual fruit works differently. It’s not a collection of separate items we pick and choose from; it’s one unified fruit with nine distinct flavors that all grow together.

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control aren’t independent qualities we develop one at a time. They’re interconnected aspects of the same spiritual reality—the life of Christ being formed in us. You can’t truly have one without the others beginning to emerge as well.

Consider how these qualities naturally flow together. When love grows in your heart, joy follows because love brings fulfillment. Peace develops because love casts out fear. Patience emerges because love endures. Each flavor enhances and strengthens the others, creating a rich, complex spiritual maturity that reflects Jesus Himself.

This understanding takes pressure off us. We don’t have to frantically work on developing nine separate character traits. Instead, we focus on staying connected to the Vine—Jesus—and allowing His life to flow through us. As we abide in Him, all nine flavors naturally develop together.

Sometimes we might taste one flavor more strongly than others in a particular season. Maybe you’re learning patience through a difficult situation, or experiencing God’s peace in the midst of chaos. But remember, the other flavors are developing too, even if you can’t taste them as clearly yet.

The goal isn’t perfection in all nine areas immediately. It’s growth, maturity, and increasing Christlikeness as the Spirit continues His patient work in us.

Bible Verse

‘There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.’ – 1 Corinthians 12:4-7

Reflection Question

Which ‘flavor’ of spiritual fruit do you most need to see grow in your life right now, and how might it connect to the other aspects of Christ’s character?

Quote

It’s one fruit that God. It doesn’t say fruits of the Spirit. This is the fruit. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, self control.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You that spiritual maturity isn’t about perfecting separate qualities but about Your life growing in me as one beautiful fruit. Help me stay connected to You so all aspects of Your character can develop in my life. Amen.

Day 3: Character Before Capacity

Devotional 

We live in a world obsessed with capacity—how much we can achieve, how fast we can grow, how impressive our abilities are. But God operates by a different principle: character must come before capacity. Who we are matters more than what we can do. 

Imagine giving a powerful tool to someone without the wisdom or character to handle it responsibly. The results could be devastating. This is why God is so intentional about developing our character alongside our abilities. He knows that our capacity can never safely outpace our character. 

This principle shows up everywhere in life. A business leader without integrity will eventually destroy what they’ve built. A talented athlete without discipline will waste their potential. A gifted speaker without humility will use their platform for selfish gain. The same is true in spiritual matters—gifts without character become dangerous. 

God’s approach is different. He develops fruit and gifts together, ensuring that as our abilities grow, our character grows too. He gives us opportunities to practice love before He gives us platforms to influence many. He teaches us faithfulness in small things before entrusting us with greater responsibilities. 

This might feel frustrating when we’re eager to step into greater ministry or influence. We want to use our gifts now, make an impact immediately, see results quickly. But God’s timing is perfect. He’s protecting us, those we’ll serve, and His own reputation by ensuring we’re ready—not just capable, but mature. 

The beautiful truth is that character development never stops. Even as we grow in gifting and opportunity, God continues deepening our character. This isn’t a one-time process but a lifelong journey of becoming more like Jesus in both who we are and what we do. 

Bible Verse

 ‘If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.’ – 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 

Reflection Question 

In what areas of your life might God be developing your character before expanding your capacity or influence? Quote Your capacity can never outpace your character. 

Prayer 

Father, help me to value character development as much as I value growing in gifts and abilities. Teach me patience with Your timing and trust in Your process of making me more like Jesus. Amen.

Day 4: Love: The Heartbeat Behind Everything

Devotional 

Music without rhythm becomes noise. A car without an engine becomes decoration. Spiritual gifts without love become meaningless performance. Love isn’t just another quality we should develop—it’s the heartbeat that gives life to everything else we do. 

You could have the most impressive spiritual resume imaginable. You could prophesy with stunning accuracy, heal the sick with remarkable power, speak in tongues with beautiful fluency, and preach with fire and passion. But if love isn’t the driving force behind these gifts, they’re just noise—impressive perhaps, but ultimately empty. Love transforms everything it touches. When love motivates our words, they bring life instead of judgment. When love drives our service, it blesses rather than burdens. When love guides our spiritual gifts, they build up the church instead of drawing attention to ourselves. 

This is why love is listed first among the fruit of the Spirit. It’s not just one flavor among nine—it’s the foundation that makes all the others possible. Joy flows from love. Peace comes through love. Patience is love enduring. Kindness is love in action. Every aspect of spiritual fruit grows from the soil of love. 

The challenge is that love can’t be faked or manufactured through willpower. True love—the kind that serves as the heartbeat of authentic spirituality—comes from experiencing God’s love for us first. As we understand how deeply, completely, and unconditionally God loves us, that love begins to flow through us to others. 

This is why spending time with God isn’t just about learning more or becoming more spiritual. It’s about falling deeper in love with Him and allowing His love to fill us so completely that it naturally overflows to everyone around us. 

Bible Verse 

‘If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.’ – 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 

Reflection

 Question How can you tell whether love or something else (like duty, recognition, or habit) is the primary motivation behind your spiritual activities and service? Quote You can have every gift there is. You can prophesy, you can heal, you can preach fire. But if love isn’t, the heartbeat behind it is just noise. 

Prayer 

God, fill me with Your love so completely that it becomes the heartbeat behind everything I do. Help me to serve, speak, and use my gifts from a place of genuine love rather than any other motivation. Amen.

Day 5: Attracting and Feeding

Devotional 

Have you ever been drawn to a restaurant by an amazing aroma, only to be disappointed by the actual meal? Or maybe you’ve seen a beautiful fruit display that looked perfect but tasted bland? There’s something deeply frustrating about attraction without substance, promise without delivery.

This same principle applies to our spiritual lives. We need enough ‘spice’—enough genuine spiritual life and gifting—to attract people to Jesus. But we also need enough fruit—enough character and depth—to actually feed them once they’re drawn in. 

Some believers focus entirely on attraction. They emphasize the spectacular, the impressive, the attention-grabbing aspects of faith. Their spiritual lives might draw crowds, but people leave hungry because there’s no substance to nourish them. Others focus solely on character development, becoming wonderfully mature but so inwardly focused that they never attract anyone to the beauty of Jesus. 

God’s design is for both to work together. The gifts of the Spirit create attraction—they demonstrate God’s power and love in ways that capture attention and spark curiosity. But the fruit of the Spirit provides the nourishment that sustains people and helps them grow. Gifts bring them in; fruit feeds them. 

This balance requires intentionality. We need to stay open to how God wants to use us in supernatural ways while also prioritizing the slow, steady work of character development. We need to be willing to step out in faith and see God move through us, while also ensuring that our private lives reflect the love and character of Jesus. 

When both elements are present—when our lives have enough spiritual ‘flavor’ to attract people and enough fruit to feed them—we become the kind of Christians that a hurting world desperately needs to encounter.

 Bible Verse 

‘But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.’ – 1 Corinthians 14:40 

Reflection Question 

Does your spiritual life currently lean more toward attracting people or feeding them, and how might God want to bring better balance to both aspects?

 Quote 

The gifts will bring them in, but the fruit feeds them. So there needs to be something in your life that’s just spicy enough to attract people, Just holy spirit driven enough that it attracts people. But then there has to be enough fruit on that tree to feed them. 

Prayer 

Holy Spirit, help me to be both attractive and nourishing in my faith. Give me enough spiritual life to draw people to Jesus and enough character to feed them once they come. Make me the kind of Christian that reflects Your heart. Amen.

Ghost Stories Wk 2

by | Oct 20, 2025 | Ghost Stories

Day 1: In the Beginning, God's Spirit

Devotional

Have you ever wondered when the Holy Spirit first appeared? Many of us think of Pentecost as His grand debut, but the truth is far more beautiful. From the very first verse of Scripture, we see the Spirit of God hovering over the waters, actively participating in creation itself.

This changes everything about how we view the Holy Spirit. He’s not some mysterious add-on to our faith or a New Testament afterthought. He’s been part of God’s story from day one, intimately involved in bringing order from chaos, light from darkness, and life from emptiness.

When God said, “Let there be light,” the Spirit was there, moving and working alongside the Father and the Son. This means that the same Spirit who participated in creating the universe wants to participate in creating something beautiful in your life today.

Too often, we compartmentalize our faith, thinking of God the Father as distant, Jesus as historical, and the Holy Spirit as confusing. But the Trinity has always worked in perfect unity. The Spirit who hovered over the waters at creation is the same Spirit who wants to hover over the chaos in your life, bringing His order, peace, and purpose.

Your relationship with God isn’t complete without embracing all three persons of the Trinity. The Holy Spirit isn’t scary or unpredictable – He’s been God’s faithful presence from the very beginning, and He wants to be your faithful companion today.

Bible Verse

‘In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.’ – Genesis 1:1-3

Reflection Question

What areas of chaos or emptiness in your life need the Holy Spirit’s creative power to bring order and light?

Quote

I think that it’s time that we invited all of God to the table.

Prayer

Holy Spirit, thank You for being present from the very beginning of creation. Just as You brought order from chaos and light from darkness, I invite You to move in the messy areas of my life. Help me recognize Your faithful presence and trust in Your power to create something beautiful from what seems impossible. Amen.

Day 2: Better Together Than Apart

Devotional

Imagine having a best friend who could only be in one place at a time. No matter how much you loved them, there would always be moments when you’d feel alone, wishing they could be with you. This was the reality for Jesus’ disciples – they had the Son of God right there with them, but He was limited by His physical body.

Then Jesus said something that must have shocked them: “It’s better for you that I go away.” How could losing Jesus possibly be better? Because when He left, He would send the Holy Spirit –God’s presence

that could be with all believers, everywhere, all the time.

This is the incredible gift we have today. While the disciples had to take turns being close to Jesus, we can all experience God’s presence simultaneously. The Holy Spirit isn’t a consolation prize for missing out on walking with Jesus in person. He’s the upgrade that makes intimate relationship with God available to everyone.

Think about it: the same Spirit that empowered Jesus to perform miracles, speak with authority, and love unconditionally is available to you right now. You don’t have to wait in line or compete for God’s attention. His Spirit is ready to be your source of power, comfort, and direction.

The question isn’t whether God wants to be close to you – He’s already made that possible through His Spirit. The question is whether you’ll recognize and welcome His presence in your daily life.

Bible Verse

‘When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.’ – Acts 2:1-4

Reflection Question

How might your daily decisions change if you truly believed that God’s Spirit is with you everywhere you go?

Quote

God is in this house because he said where two or more are gathered that he is in the midst of them.

Prayer

Jesus, thank You for sending Your Spirit so that I never have to be alone. Help me to recognize His presence throughout my day and to rely on His power rather than my own strength. Teach me to welcome His comfort, guidance, and love in every situation I face. Amen.

Day 3: Authentic Over Dramatic

Devotional

We live in a world obsessed with the spectacular. Social media feeds are filled with highlight reels, and even in church, we can get caught up in wanting dramatic experiences that make for good stories. But when it comes to the Holy Spirit, authenticity matters more than drama.

The Spirit’s work isn’t about putting on a show or drawing attention to ourselves. His purpose is to point people to Jesus, not to make us the center of attention. When the Spirit moves authentically, it produces the fruit of His character: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

This doesn’t mean the Spirit’s work is boring or predictable. It means it’s real, transformative, and focused on the right things. Sometimes His work might challenge our thinking or push us out of our comfort zones, but it will always align with Jesus’ character and God’s love.

Many people have been hurt by inauthentic displays that were blamed on the Holy Spirit. Maybe you’ve witnessed something that felt more like performance than genuine spiritual experience. Don’t let someone else’s misrepresentation keep you from experiencing the real thing.

The Holy Spirit wants to work through you in ways that are genuine, life-giving, and glorifying to God. He’s not interested in making you weird or uncomfortable – He wants to make you more like Jesus. That’s a transformation worth pursuing, even if it doesn’t make for the most dramatic testimony.

 Bible Verse

‘In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.’ – Genesis 1:1-2

Reflection Question

What’s the difference between seeking an authentic relationship with the Holy Spirit versus seeking a dramatic spiritual experience?

Quote

If what you’re doing draws attention to you and not to what God is doing, then you’re out of order.

Prayer

Holy Spirit, I want to experience Your authentic work in my life, not just dramatic moments. Help me focus on becoming more like Jesus rather than seeking attention for myself. Produce Your fruit in my character and use me to point others to You. Guard me from anything inauthentic that might misrepresent who You are. Amen.

Day 4: Don't Let Bad Experiences Win

Devotional

“I don’t go to church because I had a bad experience.” We’ve all heard this, and maybe we’ve even said it ourselves. But here’s a perspective that might change everything: just because someone did something wrong doesn’t mean we throw out the whole process.

Bad experiences with the Holy Spirit – or with people claiming to represent Him – can leave deep wounds. Maybe you’ve seen manipulation disguised as spiritual gifts or witnessed behavior that seemed more about ego than about God. These experiences are real, and the hurt they cause is valid.

But here’s the truth: the Holy Spirit Himself isn’t the problem. People’s misuse or misunderstanding of His work is the problem. When we let negative experiences keep us from pursuing a relationship with the Holy Spirit, we’re allowing other people’s mistakes to rob us of something God wants to give us.

The solution isn’t to avoid the Holy Spirit altogether – it’s to learn what authentic relationship with Him actually looks like. It’s to find people who demonstrate His fruit rather than just His gifts. It’s to study Scripture and see how He really works.

God is not only the God of addition but sometimes the God of subtraction. Sometimes He removes people or experiences from our lives to protect us and redirect us toward something better. Don’t let past disappointments prevent you from experiencing the fullness of who God is. The Holy Spirit is part of the Trinity and rejecting Him means missing out on complete relationship with God.

Bible Verse

‘And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.’ – Genesis 1:3

Reflection Question

What past experiences might be preventing you from fully embracing the Holy Spirit’s work in your life, and how can you move beyond them?

Quote

Just because some stuff has been done wrong doesn’t mean that I get rid of the process. It just means that maybe I need to walk with a different group of people so that it comes to a different place.

Prayer

Father, I confess that past hurts and disappointments have sometimes made me hesitant to fully embrace Your Spirit. Help me to separate people’s mistakes from Your true character. Give me wisdom to discern authentic spiritual experiences and courage to pursue a genuine relationship with all of You – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Heal any wounds that are holding me back. Amen.

Day 5: Step Out and Let Him Move

Devotional

There’s a beautiful truth that changes everything about how we approach the Holy Spirit: He will never move through something that doesn’t want to be moved through. This means the ball is in our court. The question isn’t whether the Spirit can move – it’s whether we’ll let Him move through us.

Maybe you’ve been waiting for some dramatic sign or overwhelming feeling before you step out in faith. But often, the Holy Spirit’s invitation is much quieter: “Will you trust Me enough to try?” He wants to use you beyond your natural abilities, but He needs your willingness.

This might mean having a conversation you’ve been avoiding, serving in a way that stretches you, or simply being more intentional about inviting God into your daily decisions. It doesn’t have to be spectacular – it just has to be surrendered.

The Holy Spirit isn’t looking for perfect people; He’s looking for available people. He’s not waiting for you to have all the answers or feel completely confident. He’s waiting for you to say, “Yes, God, use me,” even when you’re not sure what that will look like.

This week, can you invite God to move through you? Can you step out in faith, asking Him to use you beyond your natural abilities? The Spirit who hovered over the waters at creation, who filled the disciples at Pentecost, wants to work through your ordinary life in extraordinary ways. All He needs is your permission.

 Bible Verse

‘All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.’ – Acts 2:4

Reflection Question

What is one specific area where you can invite the Holy Spirit to work through you this week, even if it feels beyond your natural abilities?

Quote

The Holy Spirit will never move through something that doesn’t want to be moved through.

Prayer

Holy Spirit, I want to be available for You to work through me. I confess that sometimes I hold back out of fear or uncertainty, but I don’t want to limit what You can do in and through my life. Give me courage to step out in faith this week. Use me beyond my natural abilities to show Your love and power to others. I say yes to Your leading. Amen.