Posts tagged Bible

In Light of the Resurrection

Christianity Devotional

Monday Devotional – April 18, 2022

In Light of the Resurrection

‘Yes, God raised Jesus to life! And since God’s Spirit of Resurrection lives in you, he will also raise your dying body to life by the same Spirit that breathes life into you!’ Romans 8:11

https://bible.com/verse-of-the-day/rom.8.11/1890

Read: 

'For God achieved what the law was unable to accomplish, because the law was limited by the weakness of human nature. Yet God sent us his Son in human form to identify with human weakness. Clothed with humanity, God’s Son gave his body to be the sin-offering so that God could once and for all condemn the guilt and power of sin. So now every righteous requirement of the law can be fulfilled through the Anointed One living his life in us. And we are free to live, not according to our flesh, but by the dynamic power of the Holy Spirit! Now Christ lives his life in you! And even though your body may be dead because of the effects of sin, his life-giving Spirit imparts life to you because you are fully accepted by God. Yes, God raised Jesus to life! And since God’s Spirit of Resurrection lives in you, he will also raise your dying body to life by the same Spirit that breathes life into you! So then, beloved ones, the flesh has no claims on us at all, and we have no further obligation to live in obedience to it. For when you live controlled by the flesh, you are about to die. But if the life of the Spirit puts to death the corrupt ways of the flesh, we then taste his abundant life.' Romans 8:3-4,10-13

Reflect:

In John 11:25, Jesus declares to Martha that He is the Resurrection and Life Eternal. Today we reflect on living  in light of the resurrection (the event) and Resurrection ( the person).  On the first day of the week, the scripture says Jesus walked back from what we previously perceived as the uncrossable barrier and translated from death to life. The magnitude of that miracle should never become common or so familiar that we take it for granted. What power, what divinity, what measure of awesomeness must it have taken to accomplish this?  I dont think we can fathom it. 

Pause now to imagine: the same Spirit who accomplished that feat lives in you and me. Our temporal temples are hosts to Resurrection. With Him in our vessels what then is impossible? Nothing. What dream is too big? None. Which problem is unsolvable? None. How can sickness be unhealable? It is not. What sin can defeat us? None at all.

Yet many of us live defeated because we have not renewed our mind and re-trained our thoughts to live in light of the resurrection. Today, let’s repent from small minded thinking. Let us repent of boxing God in with our puny expectations. Why? Because Resurrection changes everything and we should live in that hope

Song of the Week:

Journal Prompt: 

How will I live my life this week in light of the resurrection?

Pray:

Mighty God, Resurrection and Life, I honor Your Presence in my mortal body. I remain grateful that You would clothe Yourself in humanity to identify with us. I repent today of thinking so small, forgetting that the Author of the universe lives in me. Holy Spirit help my unbelief and help me retrain my thoughts and renew my mind. Nothing is impossible in Jesus name. 

Affirmation:

I am host to Resurrection. The same Spirit that rose Christ from the dead lives in me.

—————

Have a great week!

See you next week for another Mocha Monday – a weekly Monday Devotional by Lady Kavan.

To read more from Lady Kavan, check out her blog 

You can find Lady Kavan on Amazon. Follow this link for an overview of her available books

Living Water

Christianity

Monday Devotional – April 4, 2022

Living Water

‘but if anyone drinks the living water I give them, they will never be thirsty again.  John 4:14

Read: 

6 - 8 ' Wearied by his long journey, he sat on the edge of Jacob’s well, and sent his disciples into the village to buy food, for it was already afternoon. Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” 9 She replied, “Why would a Jewish man ask a Samaritan woman for a drink of water?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) 10 Jesus replied, “If you only knew who I am and the gift that God wants to give you, you’d ask me for a drink, and I would give you living water.” 11 The woman replied, “But sir, you don’t even have a bucket, and the well is very deep. So where do you find this ‘living water’? 12 Do you really think that you are greater than our ancestor Jacob who dug this well and drank from it himself, along with his children and livestock?” 13 Jesus answered, “If you drink from Jacob’s well, you’ll be thirsty again, 14 but if anyone drinks the living water I give them, they will never be thirsty again. For when you drink the water I give you, it becomes a gushing fountain of the Holy Spirit , flooding you with endless life!” ' John 4:6-14

Reflect:

Our devotion today comes from the popular interaction between Jesus and the woman at the well. Depending on your interaction with this story we can associate it with God’s ability to cleanse us from sexual sin, or maybe the prophetic power of God in a moment to speak to our deepest issues. Perhaps this story reminds you of God’s ability to cross religious barriers and get to the heart of the matter and heal not just physical scars but emotional ones. Indeed it is all of the above. However, today we focus on Living Water.

The phrase appears more than 8 times throughout Scripture. In Jeremiah 2: 13 & 17:13 God refers to Himself as the “fountain of living waters”.  So when Jesus declares to this nameless woman and  to us that “If you only knew who I am and the gift that God wants to give you, you’d ask me for a drink, and I would give you living water”, He referred to Himself. 

Do we truly have a revelation of who Jesus is, not out of religion but relationship? The Samaritan woman knew religion; she did not recognize Him at the moment because she lacked a relationship with the God she served.  Do we know the God who wants to give us Himself? In Jn 7:39 we learn that Living Water is the Holy Spirit. What a gift!! Through the Holy Spirit God gives us Himself within our hearts, washing us clean, making us new, empowering us to function in all the gifts, purposes and plans He has ordained for our lives. 

Do you want this precious gift that transforms our lives from inside out? Then believe! You have heard the testimony of many who experienced Him. I bet if you examine your own life you will see the evidence of how He has helped you, rescued you and been there for you. So place your trust in the One who is able to do abundantly more than you can ask or imagine because of His power within us. Ephesians 3:20

Today God’s invitation to us is simple: 

“All you thirsty ones, come to me! Come to me and drink! Believe in me so that rivers of living water will burst out from within you, flowing from your innermost being, just like the Scripture says!” ‘ John 7:37-38

Song of the Week:

Journal Prompt:

In what area of your life are you struggling to believe God can fix?

Ask God to help your unbelief

Pray: 

Holy Spirit I thank You for You. Your presence is the most precious gift to us. Jesus died so that You can live in us as living temples. I am grateful for You. Continue to fill me with more and more of Yourself. Teach me to live a life of surrender to You.

Affirmation: 

I will believe in Living Water. His transformation power in my life will cause an outflow of Living water from heart.

—————

Have a great week!

See you next week for another Mocha Monday – a weekly Monday Devotional by Lady Kavan.

To read more from Lady Kavan, check out her blog 

You can find Lady Kavan on Amazon. Follow this link for an overview of her available books

The Lord is close

Christianity 1 Comment

Monday Devotional – March 21, 2022

God is close

‘The Lord is close to all whose hearts are crushed by pain…”

Psalms 34:18

Read: 

2. 'Elkanah had two wives, Hannah and Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah did not. 8.  “Why are you crying, Hannah?” Elkanah would ask. “Why aren’t you eating? Why be downhearted just because you have no children? You have me—isn’t that better than having ten sons?” 10.  Hannah was in deep anguish, crying bitterly as she prayed to the Lord . 12 - 17 As she was praying to the Lord , Eli watched her. Seeing her lips moving but hearing no sound, he thought she had been drinking. “Must you come here drunk?” he demanded. “Throw away your wine!” “Oh no, sir!” she replied. “I haven’t been drinking wine or anything stronger. But I am very discouraged, and I was pouring out my heart to the Lord . Don’t think I am a wicked woman! For I have been praying out of great anguish and sorrow.” “In that case,” Eli said, “go in peace! May the God of Israel grant the request you have asked of him.” ' 1 Samuel 1:2,8,10,12-17

Reflect:

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted” – that scripture has brought me comfort in many difficult moments. But as I reflected this time, I asked the Lord why He chooses to be close to the brokenhearted. Why did You ensure that this specific scripture was written? His response was one word: LOVE. 

Romans 8:38 reminds us that ‘there is nothing in the universe with the power to separate us from God’s love. I’m convinced that his love will triumph over death, life’s troubles, fallen angels, or dark rulers in the heavens. There is nothing in our present or future circumstances that can weaken his love. ‘

Yet so often when we are broken, depressed or drowning in sorrow our ability to sense love and the joys thereof diminishes. It is difficult to see anything beyond the pain. That is why He gets close. He chooses nearness so that we can sense His Presence. 

 I recently had to hold one of my sons close as he expressed his brokenness about losing his father. My job, at that moment, was to remind him by my presence that he was not alone. My touch was meant to communicate how deeply loved he is because love communicates safety and provides a space to heal. As I held him, tears streaming down his face and mine, whispering words of comfort I thought about the many times I felt the Holy Spirit do that for me. He cocoons me in a peace beyond human comprehension.

In times of turmoil and immense heartache, when we are broken and unsure if the pieces of our hearts are recoverable, God is close. It is hard to fathom, but it is true.

Today, if that is you, sit still enough to sense His presence, He longs to hold you and remind you that ‘He heals the wounds of every shattered heart.’ Psalms 147:3. Allow Him to heal yours. In the story we read Hannah brought her sorrow straight to the Presence of God. He granted her peace.

Song of the Week:

I found You in the middle of my mess
You had been there all along
Open arms and open heart,
You called me in
You didn’t hesitate at all

Prophesy Your Promise – Bryan and Katie Torwalt

Journal Prompt:

Share with God how you truly feel and then sit still and listen. Write what you hear.

Pray: 

Comforter and Friend, we need You today. Bring comfort to those who mourn. Bring healing to every place in our hearts that is broken and blocked by pain. Help us to remain aware of Your Presence. In Jesus name. AMEN

Affirmation: 

I am loved by God who chooses to be near

—————

Have a great week!

See you next week for another Mocha Monday – a weekly Monday Devotional by Lady Kavan.

To read more from Lady Kavan, check out her blog 

You can find Lady Kavan on Amazon. Follow this link for an overview of her available books

“I am seen” is a devotional about El Roi the God who sees me. A personal name for God who promises hope and a future

I am not crushed

Christianity Devotional Life

Monday Devotional – March 14, 2022

I AM NOT CRUSHED

Though we experience every kind of pressure, we’re not crushed. At times we don’t know what to do, but quitting is not an option. 2 Corinthians 4:8 TPT

Read: 

'We are like common clay jars that carry this glorious treasure within, so that this immeasurable power will be seen as God’s, not ours. Though we experience every kind of pressure, we’re not crushed. At times we don’t know what to do, but quitting is not an option. We are persecuted by others, but God has not forsaken us. We may be knocked down, but not out. We have the same Spirit of faith that is described in the Scriptures when it says, “First I believed, then I spoke in faith.” So we also first believe then speak in faith. We do this because we are convinced that he who raised Jesus will raise us up with him, and together we will all be brought into his presence. Yes, all things work for your enrichment so that more of God’s marvelous grace will spread to more and more people, resulting in an even greater increase of praise to God, bringing him even more glory!' 2 Corinthians 4:7-9,13-15

Reflect:

As sure as the seasons change in the natural realm, so is our assurance that seasons in our life change as well. For a long time, I somehow dissociated struggle or hardship seasons in life from Christianity. I didn’t recognize scriptures like the one we just read as relevant as is.  Paul noted we experience every kind of pressure. Every kind of pressure? Yes we experience mental, emotional, financial, sexual, relational, too personal to be verbalized kind of pressure. Yet  Paul declares I am not crushed.

Why? Why could he make such a bold pronouncement even as he suffered. Let’s re-read verse 7. There is a glorious treasure within our frail earthen vessels. It is an immeasurable power belonging to God. That is the reason we face immense pressure but remain intact. It is not about the pressure or about us, rather it is the power of God in us that makes it happen.

There is something freeing as well about knowing that Paul, experiences the pressure, just as we do. The Miriam Webster dictionary defines experience as  something personally encountered, undergone, or lived through. In other words, he felt the pressure, lived through it and I can guess felt all the human emotion associated with the experience. However I am excited that there is a “but”. Having the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead within us means that no pressure has the power to permanently defeat us. We are more than conquerors.

like diamonds…

I will remind you of a popular metaphor. Carbon becomes diamond under immense pressure over time. Our character under pressure becomes like diamonds over time, with the Holy Spirit guiding our responses, teaching us coping mechanisms and pointing us in the right direction. 

Today as we think about the “every kind of pressure” threatening our sanity and our joy, remember the more important truth that Christ in us means that we have the power to endure and to declare “I am not crushed”

Song of the Week:

Cross Worship | Same God ft. Jillian Ellis & D’Marcus Howard (Official Music Video)

Same God by Cross Worship

Journal Prompt:

  1. What will you approach differently in your life, knowing you are seen?
  2. How does knowing you have a part in God’s big picture help you to live fully  today?

Pray: 

My God, All Powerful One, Creator of all.  You never give more than I can withstand because Your power within me makes it so. Where I feel at my breaking point Lord give me wisdom, guide my response, teach me coping mechanisms and or point me in the direction of the help I need. I thank You Lord that You already know what I need and are making it happen in Jesus name!

Affirmation:

I may be under pressure but I am not crushed. The same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead is in me. Therefore nothing has the power to defeat me.

—————

Have a great week!

See you next week for another Mocha Monday – a weekly Monday Devotional by Lady Kavan.

To read more from Lady Kavan, check out her blog You can find Lady Kavan on Amazon. Follow this link for an overview of her available books

I am seen

Christianity Devotional Life

Monday Devotional – March 7, 2022

I AM SEEN

‘Thereafter, Hagar used another name to refer to the Lord , who had spoken to her. She said, “You are the God who sees me.” Genesis 16:13

Read: 

'Abram replied, “Look, she is your servant, so deal with her as you see fit.” Then Sarai treated Hagar so harshly that she finally ran away. The angel of the Lord found Hagar beside a spring of water in the wilderness, along the road to Shur. The angel said to her, “Hagar, Sarai’s servant, where have you come from, and where are you going?” “I’m running away from my mistress, Sarai,” she replied. The angel of the Lord said to her, “Return to your mistress, and submit to her authority.” Then he added, “I will give you more descendants than you can count.” And the angel also said, “You are now pregnant and will give birth to a son. You are to name him Ishmael (which means ‘God hears’), for the Lord has heard your cry of distress. This son of yours will be a wild man, as untamed as a wild donkey! He will raise his fist against everyone, and everyone will be against him. Yes, he will live in open hostility against all his relatives.” Thereafter, Hagar used another name to refer to the Lord , who had spoken to her. She said, “You are the God who sees me.” She also said, “Have I truly seen the One who sees me?” ' Genesis 16:6-13

Reflect:

At the burning bush Moses asked God His name: “Who should I say sent me?” In response God declares Himself as “I am”; a name that is both definitive and open ended. God cannot be confined to a box. As we progress through life’s journey our revelation of Him evolves. In different circumstances we are able to append different descriptors of Him. He becomes Ezer (our Help), Jireh (our Provider), or Rapha (our Healer). 

One of my favorite descriptions of God comes from the scripture we read above. Interestingly , this name appears only once in Scripture and I feel like it was added just for me. In Genesis 16, Hagar is placed in an awkward position. She is given to be a child bearer for her mistress and then is despised and mistreated for it. This was not her choice. With no seeming way of escape, Hagar runs away.

In this place of feeling lost, unworthy, betrayed, abused, despised, rejected and unseen, I Am sends help. He calls her by name and promises her a future. Thousands of years later, we know her name. In response Hagar calls God “EL ROI”. The Hebrew translation for The God who sees me. How powerful. 

Imagine, that as a servant girl, crucial  to the functioning of her master’s household she was part of the family but not a “main character”. How interesting that God pauses the story of Abraham and Sarah to validate this supporting character in the story. He makes it a point to affirm her value in the big picture.

Today He wants to do the same for you.

Have you ever felt unseen or unheard? Have you ever felt as though your contribution was not valued, not enough, not deemed worthy or taken for granted? This morning, the Lord wants to remind you that you <insert your name here> are seen. He sees you. All of you and He loves you. He sees the injustices that keep you up at night. He sees the reasons for your pain. Though it is hard to see now, there is a place for you in God’s big picture. Embrace God in your mundane knowing He will weave all things in your “today” for a greater purpose tomorrow. “He works our progress and our failures, our tragedies and our victories into a beautiful rendition of a poem called good.”

Song of the Week:

Journal Prompt:

  1. What will you approach differently in your life, knowing you are seen?
  2. How does knowing you have a part in God’s big picture help you to live fully  today?

Pray: 

El ROI, You are God who sees me, all of me and I am grateful. Lord help me to see myself as you see me, full of purpose. Help me to remember that in you, I have a legacy greater than I can ask think or imagine. Teach me to walk in obedience to You in Jesus name. AMEN

Affirmation:

El Roi sees and knows me. I have a story to tell and a part to play in God’s big story. I am worthy of Life and of Love.

_____

Have a great week!

See you next week for another Mocha Monday – a weekly Monday Devotional by Lady Kavan.

To read more from Lady Kavan, check out her blog 

You can find Lady Kavan on Amazon. Follow this link for an overview of her available books

I am chosen

Christianity

Monday Devotional – February 28, 2022

I AM CHOSEN

‘For you are a people holy to the Lord your God, and the Lord has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. ‘ Deuteronomy 14:2

Read: 

“So this is my command: Love each other deeply, as much as I have loved you. For the greatest love of all is a love that sacrifices all. And this great love is demonstrated when a person sacrifices his life for his friends. “You show that you are my intimate friends when you obey all that I command you. I have never called you ‘servants,’ because a master doesn’t confide in his servants, and servants don’t always understand what the master is doing. But I call you my most intimate and cherished friends, for I reveal to you everything that I’ve heard from my Father. You didn’t choose me, but I’ve chosen and commissioned you to go into the world to bear fruit. And your fruit will last, because whatever you ask of my Father, for my sake, he will give it to you! So this is my parting command: Love one another deeply!” John 15:12-17

Reflect:

Jesus declared in John 15:16 – I chose you… Sit with that thought for a moment. 

I am by no means athletic. I remember as a child wanting to play sports and was typically last picked or added by default because there was no other choice. It was not a good feeling.

Here Jesus speaks to intentionality. With purpose He chose us to bear fruit that will last. We are not added to the vine by default as though there was no other choice.  In fact, if you go back and read John 15 in its entirety its central theme is God’s love nourishing and caring for us so that we can be an extension of that love to others. 

What comes to mind is that each fruit tree is designed to bear it’s own fruit. Mango trees yield mangos and apple trees yield apples. A “You tree” can only bear “you fruit”. Your tree can’t bear my fruit or his fruit or her fruit. Simply said you are chosen by God to bear the fruit he prepared within your soul’s seed. Watered by His love and intimate friendship you will become all you were meant to be. Why? Don’t miss this part, so that we can love one another. We are His ambassadors of love in the earth. This is why we are chosen. Not for selfish ambition, not for self aggrandizement but to show your world the immeasurable love of God. Chosen one, fill up on His love and produce your own species of love fruit that your world can feast on. 

Song of the Week:

This powerful song carried me through 2021 and even now rings loudly in my spirit. Soak it in. As I read John 15, this section of the song was on autoplay in my mind

I’m already loved
I’m already chosen
I know who I am
I know what You’ve spoken
I’m already loved
More than I could imagine
And that is enough

Jireh
Elevation Worship, Maverick City Music

Journal Prompt:

  1. What will you approach differently in your life, knowing you are chosen?
  2. What fruit am I offering my corner of the world?

Pray: 

Loving Father, I am grateful to be chosen by You. Help me to stay connected to your vine. Thank You for reminding me that Your love is a gift that once I feast on it, I can bear the special fruit you designed in me. Amen

Affirmation:

I am chosen by God. I will fill up on His love and bear fruit. My fruit is unique to me and only I can give the world my fruit.

—————————————————

Have a great week!

See you next week for another Mocha Monday – a weekly Monday Devotional by Lady Kavan.

To read more from Lady Kavan, check out her blog 

You can find Lady Kavan on Amazon. Follow this link for an overview of her available books

God in your Mundane

Christianity Life Stuff 1 Comment 
mun·dane /ˌmənˈdān/lacking interest or excitement; dull."seeking a way out of his mundane, humdrum existence"of this earthly world rather than a heavenly or spiritual one. Oxford Dictionary

Reflection

I have been reflecting on the way I saw Christianity being modeled when I was growing up. Generally, God and spiritual things were relegated to the times you were at church or around “church people”. Time with God was the few minutes you spent praying or worshipping at the start of your day and then again at bed time. The altar where His Spirit was readily available for healing and deliverance was mainly at the front of the church sanctuary.

I had a perspective shift a few years ago, ironically, from a friend who converted to Islam. She was talking to me about how as a Muslim her faith carried through as a way of life. So as a Mulsim she sees God in her everyday life whether it is eating or washing the dishes. I thought well isn’t that the way it should be? When did we, as a faith group in general, start compartmentalizing God? It is as if we found a cute little box, put Him in it, and then placed the box on a shelf for access at our convenience.

Over and over, throughout Scripture we see evidence of a God craving intimacy with His created ones. In the Garden of Eden, God was present as Adam named the animals. He was present for the mundane. As Israel traversed through the wilderness and faced many enemies God declares “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” When He manifested as Emmanuel (God with us) in the form of Jesus, He ate, drank and did life with His disciples every day. He calls Himself the Good Shepherd. That for me is the most vivid picture of Gods desire to be with us all day, every day. He longs to guide, nourish, protect and sometimes just relax in the cool of the evening.

I remember feeling very frustrated when the boys were babies, and I had to nurse them during the worship session at church. At the time, I felt like I was robbed of time with God. How different would I have felt, if I understood God as present and available in the mundane. Worship in that season was nursing the blessing He gave me. Since life is Gods gift to us then everything we do in life can and should be worship. Brushing teeth or bathing? Well, you are taking care of the temple He gave you. WORSHIP. Eating food? Working to sustain yourself or your family. All are part of worship.

I leave this thought with you:

Whether you eat or drink, live your life in a way that glorifies and honors God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 TPT

Invite God into your mundane. He is interested. Break open the box you’ve placed Him in and allow Him to walk with you through your day. Life is far more interesting.

Write Fully Yours

Lady Kavan

To read more from Lady Kavan, check out her blog 

You can find Lady Kavan on Amazon. Follow this link for an overview of her available books

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I am more than a conqueror

Christianity

Monday Devotional – February 14, 2022

I AM MORE THAN A CONQUEROR

‘Yet even in the midst of all these things, we triumph over them all, for God has made us to be more than conquerors, and his demonstrated love is our glorious victory over everything! ‘ Romans 8:37

Read: 

Who could ever divorce us from the endless love of God’s Anointed One? Absolutely no one! For nothing in the universe has the power to diminish his love toward us. Troubles, pressures, and problems are unable to come between us and heaven’s love. What about persecutions, deprivations, dangers, and death threats? No, for they are all impotent to hinder omnipotent love, even though it is written: All day long we face death threats for your sake, God. We are considered to be nothing more than sheep to be slaughtered! Yet even in the midst of all these things, we triumph over them all, for God has made us to be more than conquerors, and his demonstrated love is our glorious victory over everything! So now I live with the confidence that there is nothing in the universe with the power to separate us from God’s love. I’m convinced that his love will triumph over death, life’s troubles, fallen angels, or dark rulers in the heavens. There is nothing in our present or future circumstances that can weaken his love. There is no power above us or beneath us—no power that could ever be found in the universe that can distance us from God’s passionate love, which is lavished upon us through our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One!' Romans 8:31-39

Reflect: 

Happy Love Day! I know the title of today’s devotional does not conjure feelings you would equate to sunshine, rainbows and hearts. But maybe it should. In this passage, Paul writes a riveting exhortation to the Romans in chapter 8 about living by the power of the Holy Spirit,  our position as children of God and the destiny that awaits us. Finally in the last section his encouragement to all of us in Christ is that nothing in this life has the power to overcome us because of God’s indescribable love for us. 

I love that Paul doesn’t paint a picture of a utopia on this side of eternity. He makes it clear, there may be “persecutions, deprivations, dangers, and death threats”. There may be life’s troubles, fallen angels, present or future circumstances that threaten us. But none of that has the power or authority to shut God’s love out of our lives. This is the kind of love that strengthens our inner being. Love like this empowers us to fight and conquer any threat in our lives. 

Do you have an issue that feels insurmountable today? Have you been up all night trying to figure out your next move? Power is already available. You are more than a conqueror. That statement brings an imagery of a fully equipped and trained soldier, a fearless warrior. Well that is you and that is me. We are loved by the Author of the universe and that makes us more than conquerors. 

I pray today that of all the love relationships you experience, the deepest one and the one that makes you smile today, is the one you have with God. His love in us, that is the the one most worthy of celebration. 

Song of the week

This week I wanted to give us a battle cry, a song that would get us pumped to face the week. So I’m pulling on a bit of my Jamaican roots for  this one.

Journal Prompt:

  1. What circumstance in your life do you crave victory over?
  2. Does knowing that in His love you have the power to be more than a conqueror change your perspective?

Pray: 

Heavenly Love, I am so grateful that your love is embedded in me. It is a privilege to be called yours. Help me to come into the full understanding that no matter what comes against me I will be more than okay. I will more than survive. I will thrive because I am more than a conqueror through your love.

Affirmation:

I am more than a conqueror. There is nothing in this life that has the power to permanently defeat me. The love of God in me makes me victorious. 

__________________

Have a great week!

See you next week for another Mocha Monday – a weekly Monday Devotional by Lady Kavan.

To read more from Lady Kavan, check out her blog 

You can find Lady Kavan on Amazon. Follow this link for an overview of her available books

Hope filled Prayers

Christianity

Last week, I had a dream that referenced a lady who I went to church with years ago. It was strange that I had not gone to bed with her in my conscious thought. There wasn’t a Facebook memory reminder or post that triggered thoughts of her. I woke up and prayed because the dream was vivid. After praying, I looked her up on socials to see if there was any clue to something being up with her. There was no evidence. I left it alone until I got this persistent thought to reach out and tell her I had a dream and that I prayed. She called a couple days later and asked what I saw. Best believe that what I saw, was what she was going through. We prayed together with the confidence that truly God sees us and cares. He cares enough to invade the dreams of another so that we can be encouraged.

I wanted to share that story because the buildup to that whole scene is a bible study I facilitate. The study is on practicing the essentials of our faith. The week all of this happened was the same week we were studying prayer. We looked at the “mechanics” of prayer meaning what it is, methods, the effectiveness and the required persistence. Now I don’t know if this happens to you, but often the Holy Spirit will be persistent in reminding me about one thing, from an entire week of study, that He wants me to work on. The one thing for me, was in Luke 18:1. ‘One day Jesus taught the apostles to keep praying and never stop or lose hope. He shared with them this illustration:‘

I got stuck on the “never … lose hope” bit. I pray for sure, but hope is something altogether different. In a sermon that same week I heard “prayer on the other side of disappointment is hard and takes faith”. And that for me is the kicker. My hope level changed after my most poignant unanswered prayer. I find that I place things on the table and in essence say “Hey God, I’d like this but ….”  The challenging question is how do we continue to pray with hope after the sting of disappointment? The answer, that I am still trying to grab hold of in my heart, is that I need to hope in the One who I’m praying to, not the thing I am praying for. I want to hope for big things again. The Holy Spirit challenged me this week: “Your prayers are basic, pray bigger.”

I believe He let me in on the dream set up to restore my hope again. Truly, if God could give me a dream that led to an encouraging prayer session with my sister in the faith, then why would I believe He doesn’t hear me or want to answer me?

I want to believe big and pray bold prayers not just with words, but with a heart filled with the expectation. My Heavenly Dad wants to give me good and perfect gifts (James 1: 17). My desire is to get to a place where His “no” does not reduce my hope level and increase my fear of putting my true requests on the table with the expectation that I can have it.  Nothing is impossible for the one who believes (Mark 9: 23).

 As the world taps into this trending concept of “manifesting”, Christians know the deeper truth. We must align our thoughts, emotions and will with God’s word; declare (speak those things that are not as though they were; Rom 4:17) and believe it will come to pass (for nothing is impossible to the one who believes).

I am challenging myself this week to put my boldest requests on the table. Join me.  Let’s walk this one through together. 

Write Fully Yours

Lady Kavan

To read more from Lady Kavan, check out her blog 

You can find Lady Kavan on Amazon. Follow this link for an overview of her available books

Featured Photo by Diana Simumpande on Unsplash

I am adopted

Christianity

Monday Devotional – February 7, 2022

I AM ADOPTED

‘For it was always in his perfect plan to adopt us as his delightful children, through our union with Jesus, the Anointed One…’ Ephesians 1:5a

Read

Ephesians 1:3 – 10

'For it was always in his perfect plan to adopt us as his delightful children, through our union with Jesus, the Anointed One, so that his tremendous love that cascades over us would glorify his grace —for the same love he has for the Beloved, Jesus, he has for us. And this unfolding plan brings him great pleasure! For it was always in his perfect plan to adopt us as his delightful children, through our union with Jesus, the Anointed One, so that his tremendous love that cascades over us would glorify his grace —for the same love he has for the Beloved, Jesus, he has for us. And this unfolding plan brings him great pleasure! Every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realm has already been lavished upon us as a love gift from our wonderful heavenly Father, the Father of our Lord Jesus—all because he sees us wrapped into Christ. This is why we celebrate him with all our hearts! And in love he chose us before he laid the foundation of the universe! Because of his great love, he ordained us, so that we would be seen as holy in his eyes with an unstained innocence. Since we are now joined to Christ, we have been given the treasures of redemption by his blood—the total cancellation of our sins—all because of the cascading riches of his grace. This superabundant grace is already powerfully working in us, releasing all forms of wisdom and practical understanding. And through the revelation of the Anointed One, he unveiled his secret desires to us—the hidden mystery of his long-range plan, which he was delighted to implement from the very beginning of time. And because of God’s unfailing purpose, this detailed plan will reign supreme through every period of time until the fulfillment of all the ages finally reaches its climax—when God makes all things new in all of heaven and earth through Jesus Christ.'

Reflect

After reading that beautiful piece of scripture my heart was stunned into reverent silence. I almost want to type.. THE END. 

I will say this though, God has adopted into His family because of love. I cant speak for anyone else but there was a time I felt like God only tolerated me. I believed that He merely took pity on me like someone would pity a stray dirty animal caught in a storm. The situation would only be temporary and it was done because it was the right thing to do. I felt then that I had to be a good little pet to get to stay in the house. Oh how different “it was always in his perfect plan to adopt us” reads. ALWAYS HIS PLAN… what!?

Even better “in love he chose us before he laid the foundation of the universe”. I was loved and chosen BEFORE he laid the foundation of the universe? Yes!!

Listen, you were not accidentally pulled in out of the rain. You don’t need to worry about being sent back to the streets. God saw you and I long before Adam drew his first breath and intentionally planned our adoption into His family. That should give us something to rejoice over. Our adoption grants us all the rights and of a birthed child. We are His. Our names have changed because we are loved by Love Himself. 

Song of the week

Who You say I am by Hillsong

Journal Prompt

  1. What does adoption mean to you?
  2. How does knowing that in His love He made plans to adopt you from before the foundation of the universe was laid?

Pray

Abba, Father, it is a privilege to be called yours. I rejoice in the fact that You planned for my adoption before I was even a thought or a twinkle in my earthly parents eyes. I am blown away by your love. You thought me worthy of adoption even though my actions disqualified me. Hallelujah!

Affirmation

I am adopted by Love Himself. I am a child of God not by accident but His divine plan.

Have a great week!

See you next week for another Mocha Monday – a weekly Monday Devotional by Lady Kavan.

To read more from Lady Kavan, check out her blog 

You can find Lady Kavan on Amazon. Follow this link for an overview of her available books