Posts tagged devotional

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

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

I am loved.

Christianity Devotional

Monday Devotional – January 17, 2022

Mocha Monday – I AM LOVED.

This is love: He loved us long before we loved him. It was his love, not ours. He proved it by sending his Son to be the pleasing sacrificial offering to take away our sins. 1 John 4:10 (TPT)

Read: 1 John 4:7-13

“Those who are loved by God, let his love continually pour from you to one another, because God is love. Everyone who loves is fathered by God and experiences an intimate knowledge of him. The light of God’s love shined within us when he sent his matchless Son into the world so that we might live through him. The one who doesn’t love has yet to know God, for God is love.

This is love: He loved us long before we loved him . It was his love, not ours. He proved it by sending his Son to be the pleasing sacrificial offering to take away our sins. Delightfully loved ones, if he loved us with such tremendous love, then “loving one another” should be our way of life! No one has ever gazed upon the fullness of God’s splendor. But if we love one another, God makes his permanent home in us, and we make our permanent home in him, and his love is brought to its full expression in us. And he has given us his Spirit within us so that we can have the assurance that he lives in us and that we live in him.”

The Passion Translation

Reflect:

My husband and I had a debate about who said “I love you” first. I won’t tell you who won (Hint: not him). The truth is, declaring your love to someone for the first time requires bravery because the truth is we don’t know if they feel the same. The possibility of rejection looms over your heart and anxiety about what happens after this moment arrests your heart. 

Fortunately, when it comes to our relationship with Christ, we have no reason to fear. The scripture says it plainly. He loved us first and gave the ultimate sacrifice to prove it. Jesus came to earth to fix the thing that separates us from Him. He fixed our sin problem by offering Himself as a sin offering permanently and perpetually for our sin. Now, once we accept his gift, we are free from sin’s dominion over our lives. 

Oh what love! We can be free of the anxiety and fear that God doesn’t love us back. There is no debate on the matter. You are loved! I am loved.

Today as you go through the mundane or unexpected, thrills or pain of the day, rest in the knowledge that you are loved by God who is Love. You are loved by Love Himself.

Affirmation:

I am loved. FULL STOP. There is no debate. According to 1 John 4, I am loved by Love Himself!

Journal Prompt:

How does knowing you are loved by the author, incarnation and essence of love change your perspective?

Song of the week:

Pray:

Jesus I thank you for your love. I thank you that I am loved beyond measure. Help me Lord to live in that truth today and always. Let this truth transform how I interact with you and all those You love too. Amen.

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 or her books