Influence Church https://influence.church Mon, 27 Apr 2026 13:29:15 +0000 Mon, 27 Apr 2026 13:29:15 +0000 hourly 1 3600 SnapPages.com Weekly Devotional - Faithful Stewardship https://influence.church/blog/2026/05/25/weekly-devotional-faithful-stewardship Mon, 25 May 2026 10:20:11 +0000 https://influence.church/blog/2026/05/25/weekly-devotional-faithful-stewardship

Faithful Stewardship

Day 1: Everything Belongs to God

 A psalm of David.

 The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.
    The world and all its people belong to him.
 For he laid the earth’s foundation on the seas
    and built it on the ocean depths.
- Psalm 24:1-2  NLT
Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O Lord, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as the one who is over all things. Wealth and honor come from you alone, for you rule over everything. Power and might are in your hand, and at your discretion people are made great and given strength.
“O our God, we thank you and praise your glorious name! But who am I, and who are my people, that we could give anything to you? Everything we have has come from you, and we give you only what you first gave us!
- 1 Chronicles 29:11-14  NLT
"The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it." These words remind us that we are not owners but stewards. Everything we possess—our finances, talents, time—ultimately belongs to God. When we embrace this truth, we shift from anxiety about what we lack to gratitude for what we've been entrusted with. King David understood this when he said, "Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand." This perspective transforms our relationship with money from control to faithful stewardship.

Today, consider one area where you've been acting as an owner rather than a manager. How might your decisions change if you truly believed God owns it all? 

Day 2: Wisdom in Planning

Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity,
    but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.
The wise have wealth and luxury,
    but fools spend whatever they get.
 Whoever pursues righteousness and unfailing love
    will find life, righteousness, and honor.
- Proverbs 21:5, 20-21 NLT
Direct your children onto the right path,
    and when they are older, they will not leave it.
Just as the rich rule the poor,
    so the borrower is servant to the lender.
- Proverbs 22:6-7 NLT
Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, taught that "the plans of the diligent lead to profit." Wisdom isn't just spiritual knowledge—it includes practical planning for the future. When we store up resources like the wise who "save for a rainy day," we're not being fearful; we're being faithful. The emergency fund isn't about trusting money over God; it's about honoring God with responsible preparation. Notice how Proverbs 21:21 connects financial wisdom with pursuing righteousness: "Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor." God doesn't separate our spiritual life from our financial life.

Today, ask God to help you plan wisely while trusting Him completely. What one step can you take toward better stewardship?

Day 3: Freedom from Bondage

Just as the rich rule the poor,
so the borrower is servant to the lender.
- Proverbs 22:7 NLT 
Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law.
- Romans 13:8 NLT 
So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law. 
- Galatians 5:1 NLT 
"The borrower is slave to the lender." These sobering words reveal a spiritual truth about debt—it creates bondage that limits our freedom to serve God fully. When we're enslaved to payments, we cannot respond as freely to God's calling. Paul echoes this in Romans: "Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another." Christ died to set us free, yet we often voluntarily enter financial slavery through consumer debt. This isn't about condemnation but liberation. God desires your freedom—freedom to give generously, pursue His calling, and live without the anxiety debt creates. 

Today, if you're in debt, ask God for a plan toward freedom. If you're debt-free, thank Him and commit to staying free.

Day 4: Contentment and Delayed Gratification

Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
- Philippians 4:11-13 NLT
Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said,

“I will never fail you.
    I will never abandon you.”
- Hebrews 13:5 NLT
Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content.
But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.
- 1 Timothy 6:6-10 NLT
Paul's secret to contentment wasn't circumstances—it was Christ. "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances... I can do all this through him who gives me strength." In our instant-gratification culture, contentment feels countercultural, even impossible. Yet godliness with contentment is "great gain." The love of money, not money itself, is the root of evil. When we chase the next purchase, experience, or upgrade, we're really seeking satisfaction only Christ provides. Delayed gratification isn't deprivation—it's wisdom that trusts God's timing and provision.

Today, identify one area where you're tempted toward instant gratification. Practice contentment by thanking God for what you already have. Let Christ, not consumption, be your source of joy and satisfaction.

Day 5: Generosity Flows from Abundance

Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. As the Scriptures say,
“They share freely and give generously to the poor.
    Their good deeds will be remembered forever.”
For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you.
Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God.
- 2 Corinthians 9:6-11 NLT
Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.”
- Luke 6:38 NLT
Give freely and become more wealthy;
    be stingy and lose everything.
 The generous will prosper;
    those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.
- Proverbs 11:24-25 NLT
"Whoever sows generously will also reap generously." God's economy operates differently than the world's—we gain by giving. But notice Paul's promise: "God is able to bless you abundantly, so that... you will abound in every good work." Generosity isn't about giving from scarcity but from God's abundance. When we manage wisely what God provides, we create capacity to give more. The generous person "will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed." This isn't prosperity gospel—it's kingdom economics. God doesn't bless us to increase our standard of living but to increase our standard of giving. As you become a better steward, you'll discover greater joy in generosity.

Today, prayerfully consider: How is God calling you to grow in generosity? What dream could you fulfill if you had more to give?

Weekly Challenge

As you complete this reading plan, remember: faithful stewardship isn't about restriction—it's about freedom to fulfill God's purposes for your life. Dream big, plan wisely, and trust the God who owns it all.
]]> https://influence.church/blog/2026/05/25/weekly-devotional-faithful-stewardship#comments 0 Weekly Devotional - The Power of Christian Community https://influence.church/blog/2026/05/18/weekly-devotional-the-power-of-christian-community Mon, 18 May 2026 13:57:56 +0000 https://influence.church/blog/2026/05/18/weekly-devotional-the-power-of-christian-community

The Power of Christian Community

Day 1: From Solo to Community

 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper, and to prayer.

 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders.  And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity— all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.
- Acts 2:42-47  NLT
The early church didn't just meet occasionally—they "devoted themselves" to community. Notice the word choice: devotion requires intention, sacrifice, and consistency. Like a coal removed from the fire, we grow cold in isolation. Today's reading reveals four essential rhythms: teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, and prayer. These weren't optional extras; they were the heartbeat of transformation. The believers didn't just attend church; they became the church. Their unity was so magnetic that "the Lord added to their number daily." Isolation may feel safe, but it stunts our growth. God designed us to be formed in the friction and beauty of authentic community.

Where are you trying to go it alone? What would it look like to move from the crowd to the circle this week?

Day 2: The Gift of Iron Sharpening

As iron sharpens iron,
    so a friend sharpens a friend

- Proverbs 27:17 NLT
Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.  Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.

- Galatians 6:1-2 NLT
Sharpening isn't comfortable—it involves heat, friction, and striking hard surfaces together. Yet without it, the blade becomes dull and useless. God uses community as His sharpening stone. That brother who challenges your perspective, that sister who asks difficult questions, that friend who lovingly confronts your blind spots—these are gifts, not obstacles. We all have spiritual blind spots we cannot see alone. Pride whispers that we're fine as we are, but humility invites others to speak truth in love. 

Today, thank God for someone who has sharpened you, even when it was uncomfortable. Then ask: Am I humble enough to receive correction? Am I loving enough to offer it? The sharpest Christians aren't those who avoid friction, but those who embrace it as grace.

Day 3: Carried When You Cannot Walk

And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place. And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s house, let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water.

 Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.  And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. 
- Hebrews 10:19-25 NLT 
"Not giving up meeting together" isn't just good advice—it's a divine command rooted in our desperate need for one another. There will be seasons when your faith feels weak, when prayer seems impossible, when doubt clouds your vision. In those moments, the community becomes your lifeline. Like the paralyzed man whose friends lowered him through the roof to Jesus, sometimes we need others to carry us when we cannot walk. Verse 24 says we should "spur one another on toward love and good deeds." This requires proximity, commitment, and vulnerability. You cannot be spurred from a distance. The writer warns against abandoning community "as some are in the habit of doing." Why? Because isolation breeds spiritual atrophy. 

Who in your community needs carrying right now? And are you willing to be carried when your turn comes?

Day 4: Conflict as an Opportunity for Reconciliation

“If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses. If the person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. Then if he or she won’t accept the church’s decision, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector.

“I tell you the truth, whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven.

“I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.”
Matthew 18:15-20 NLT
Conflict is inevitable; destruction is optional. Jesus doesn't give us a roadmap to avoid conflict—He gives us a pathway through it toward reconciliation. Notice the progression: private conversation first, then small mediation, then community involvement. Each step protects dignity while pursuing restoration. Our culture wants to blast grievances publicly or bury them silently. Jesus offers a third way: courageous, private, direct conversation with a motive to "win them over," not to win the argument. The goal isn't proving you're right; it's restoring the relationship. This requires humility to admit when we're wrong and grace to forgive when we're hurt. Remember how Jesus treated "pagans and tax collectors"—with radical love and open arms.

Today, is there someone you need to approach directly? Or someone whose approach you need to receive with an open heart?

Day 5: Love as Our Public Witness

As soon as Judas left the room, Jesus said, “The time has come for the Son of Man to enter into his glory, and God will be glorified because of him. And since God receives glory because of the Son, he will give his own glory to the Son, and he will do so at once. Dear children, I will be with you only a little longer. And as I told the Jewish leaders, you will search for me, but you can’t come where I am going. So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”
- John 13:31-35 NLT
Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.

 God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.

 Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us.
- 1 John 4:7-12 NLT
"By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." Our unity isn't just for our benefit—it's our apologetic to a watching world. In an age of tribalism, cancel culture, and division, a community marked by radical forgiveness, diverse unity, and sacrificial love becomes living proof that the Gospel is real. The world doesn't need more arguments about doctrine; it needs to see doctrine lived out in love. When people of different backgrounds, ages, and perspectives come together under the Lordship of Jesus, it demonstrates Kingdom reality. First John reminds us that love isn't abstract—it's visible, tangible, and costly. It shows up in meals shared, burdens carried, and grace extended.  Your community isn't just being formed for personal growth—you're being formed to show the world what God's Kingdom looks like.

Who can you tangibly love today in a way that points them to Jesus?

Weekly Challenge

This week, intentionally move beyond surface-level faith by stepping into authentic Christian community through vulnerability, encouragement, reconciliation, and tangible love.
]]> https://influence.church/blog/2026/05/18/weekly-devotional-the-power-of-christian-community#comments 0 Weekly Devotional - The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry https://influence.church/blog/2026/05/11/weekly-devotional-the-ruthless-elimination-of-hurry Mon, 11 May 2026 13:18:05 +0000 https://influence.church/blog/2026/05/11/weekly-devotional-the-ruthless-elimination-of-hurry

THE RUTHLESS ELIMINATION OF HURRY

Day 1: Come Away and Rest

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
 
 - Matthew 11:28-30  NLT                                                                     
Jesus extends an invitation that runs counter to our culture's demands: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." This isn't passive inactivity, but active trust. Jesus' yoke is easy because He walks alongside us, teaching us His rhythms of grace. Today, consider what burdens you're carrying that Jesus never intended for you to bear. Are you striving under the heavy yoke of cultural expectations, endless productivity, or self-imposed standards? Jesus offers something different—a life of sustainable fruitfulness rooted in His presence. His invitation requires a response: will you come to Him today and exchange your heavy load for His light one?

What would it look like to accept Jesus' invitation to rest in one specific area of your life this week?

Day 2: The Priority of Presence

 A woman in the crowd had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding.  She had suffered a great deal from many doctors, and over the years she had spent everything she had to pay them, but she had gotten no better. In fact, she had gotten worse.  She had heard about Jesus, so she came up behind him through the crowd and touched his robe.  For she thought to herself, “If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed.” Immediately the bleeding stopped, and she could feel in her body that she had been healed of her terrible condition.

 Jesus realized at once that healing power had gone out from him, so he turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my robe?”

 His disciples said to him, “Look at this crowd pressing around you. How can you ask, ‘Who touched me?’”

But he kept on looking around to see who had done it. Then the frightened woman, trembling at the realization of what had happened to her, came and fell to her knees in front of him and told him what she had done.  And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace. Your suffering is over.”

- Mark 5:25-34 NLT
In the midst of an urgent mission to heal a dying girl, Jesus stopped. He noticed one desperate woman in a pressing crowd and gave her His full attention. This divine interruption reveals a profound truth: love requires presence, and presence requires focus. Jesus wasn't controlled by urgency; He was led by the Father's heart. The woman received not just physical healing but relational restoration—Jesus called her "daughter." How often do we miss divine moments because we're rushing to the next thing? God is inviting us to cultivate the same attentiveness Jesus demonstrated. When we slow down enough to truly see people, we create space for miracles. Your undivided attention is one of the greatest gifts you can offer another person—and God.


Who in your life needs your unhurried presence today?

Day 3: Guarding Your Attention

I look to you for help, O Sovereign Lord.
    You are my refuge; don’t let them kill me.

- Psalm 141:8 NLT

Look straight ahead,
    and fix your eyes on what lies before you.
 Mark out a straight path for your feet;
    stay on the safe path.
Don’t get sidetracked;
    keep your feet from following evil.

- Proverbs 4:25-27 NLT
"Where you settle your gaze" shapes who you become. The psalmist declares, "My eyes are fixed on you, Sovereign Lord," understanding that spiritual formation happens through sustained focus on God. In our digital age, our attention is constantly fragmented by notifications, news, and endless content. Yet what we give our attention to is literally rewiring our brains and reshaping our souls. We become what we worship, and worship happens wherever we direct our sustained attention. The biblical call to "fix our eyes on Jesus" isn't metaphorical—it's practical discipleship. When we intentionally direct our gaze toward Christ through Scripture, prayer, and worship, we're allowing Him to form us into His image. This requires ruthlessly guarding our attention from lesser things.

What is competing most for your attention, and what would it look like to redirect that focus toward God?

Day 4: The Sacred Rhythm of Sabbath

“Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the Lord your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your livestock, and any foreigners living among you.  For in six days the Lord made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them; but on the seventh day he rested. That is why the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy.

- Exodus 20:8-11 NLT

 The apostles returned to Jesus from their ministry tour and told him all they had done and taught. Then Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.” He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat.

 So they left by boat for a quiet place, where they could be alone.

- Mark 6:30-32 NLT
God wove rest into the fabric of creation itself. Sabbath isn't just a suggestion for the overworked; it's a commandment ranked alongside "do not murder" and "do not worship other gods." Why? Because how we rest reveals what we truly believe about God. Sabbath is an act of trust—declaring that the world doesn't depend on our constant productivity, that God is sovereign even when we stop. Jesus modeled this rhythm, regularly withdrawing to lonely places to pray. He understood that sustainable ministry flows from sustained connection with the Father. Observing Sabbath isn't about legalism; it's about liberation—freedom from the tyranny of endless doing. It's choosing to be a human being rather than a human doing. When we rest, we remember who God is and who we are.

What would it look like to set aside 24 hours this week to simply rest in God's presence?.

Day 5: Abiding in the Vine

“I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.
 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.

- John 15:1-8 NLT
"Apart from me you can do nothing." Jesus' words are both humbling and liberating. We don't produce spiritual fruit through striving, strategy, or sheer willpower—we bear it by remaining connected to Him. The branch doesn't strain to create grapes; it simply stays attached to the vine, receiving life-giving nourishment. This is the secret of Jesus' unhurried effectiveness: He only did what He saw the Father doing. When we try to outpace God's leading, we detach from the source of true life and fruitfulness. Slowing down isn't about doing less for the sake of laziness; it's about doing the right things with greater love, depth, and divine power. The invitation today is simple: remain. Stay connected. Let God's life flow through you at His pace, producing fruit that lasts for eternity.

What activities or commitments might you need to release in order to remain more fully connected to Jesus?

Weekly Challenge

This week, choose the unforced rhythms of grace over the pressure of hurry. Slow down long enough to notice God’s presence, listen for His voice, and walk in step with His Spirit. Trade the heavy burden of cultural expectations for the easy yoke of Jesus. As you make space to abide with Him, allow Him to form you more into His image each day.
]]> https://influence.church/blog/2026/05/11/weekly-devotional-the-ruthless-elimination-of-hurry#comments 0 Weekly Devotional - Formed Through Trials https://influence.church/blog/2026/05/04/weekly-devotional-formed-through-trials Mon, 04 May 2026 15:06:43 +0000 https://influence.church/blog/2026/05/04/weekly-devotional-formed-through-trials

FORMED THROUGH TRIALS

Day 1: Finding Rest in God's Presence

The apostles returned to Jesus from their ministry tour and told him all they had done and taught. Then Jesus said, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.” He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat.

 So they left by boat for a quiet place, where they could be alone.
                                                  - Mark 6:30-32  NLT                                                   

The Lord is my shepherd;
    I have all that I need.
He lets me rest in green meadows;
    he leads me beside peaceful streams.
    He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
    bringing honor to his name.
Even when I walk
    through the darkest valley,
I will not be afraid,
    for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
    protect and comfort me.

  - Psalm 23:1-4 NLT
When Jesus told His disciples to come away and rest, He recognized a profound truth: spiritual strength requires physical renewal. Like Elijah exhausted under the broom tree, we often push ourselves to the breaking point, forgetting that God designed us with human limitations. Rest is not weakness; it is wisdom. When David wrote about walking through the darkest valley, he emphasized God's presence, not our endurance. Today, God may be calling you to simply stop, eat, sleep, and recover your strength. The battle ahead requires a rested warrior.

What area of your life needs intentional rest? God is not impressed by your exhaustion; He is concerned for your wholeness.

Day 2: The Gentle Whisper of God

There he came to a cave, where he spent the night.

But the Lord said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

 Elijah replied, “I have zealously served the Lord God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.”

 “Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the Lord told him. And as Elijah stood there, the Lord passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 1And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper.  When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.

And a voice said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
- 1 Kings 19:9-13 NLT

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me..
- John 10:27NLT
Elijah knew God in the dramatic—fire from heaven, miraculous rain, powerful victories. Yet in his deepest despair, God met him not in wind, earthquake, or fire, but in a gentle whisper. Many of us know God only in Sunday morning dynamics but have lost the intimacy of His quiet voice. Depression often drives us into dark caves of isolation, but God calls us to stand on the mountain in His presence. The whisper requires stillness, intentionality, and listening. Your morning time with God is not religious obligation; it is life-giving connection.

Before the noise of your day begins, can you create space to hear His gentle whisper? He is speaking; are you positioned to listen?

Day 3: Remembering Your True Identity



All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.  God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.  So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.  He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.

 God has now revealed to us his mysterious will regarding Christ—which is to fulfill his own good plan.  And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth. Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.

 God’s purpose was that we Jews who were the first to trust in Christ would bring praise and glory to God.  And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago.  The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him.
- Ephesians 1:3-14 NLT

‘This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!’
- 2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT
Elijah covered his face and repeated the same lie: "I am the only one left." When we believe lies about ourselves, we pull a cloak over our true identity. The enemy's greatest weapon is not external circumstances but internal deception. You are not defined by your failures, your feelings, or your fears. You are a child of the Most High God—chosen, redeemed, blessed, and called for purpose. The words you speak over yourself matter profoundly. Stop rehearsing the enemy's script and start declaring God's truth. You are the head and not the tail, above and not beneath.

What lie have you been believing about yourself? Today, replace it with Scripture. Your identity is not determined by your trial but by your Creator.

Day 4: The Purpose in Perseverance

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
- James 1:2-4 NLT

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love..
- Romans 5:3-5 NLT
"Consider it pure joy when you face trials" sounds impossible until you understand the purpose. Trials are not punishment; they are formation. God is not trying to break you but to make you mature and complete. Like a weightlifter who grows stronger through resistance, your faith develops through testing. Depression whispers that trials are the end; God declares they are the process. Perseverance is not passive endurance but active trust that God is working something greater in you. The trial you face today is forming you for something more tomorrow.

What if your current struggle is actually preparing you for your next level? Embrace the process. The testing of your faith produces perseverance, and perseverance produces character, and character produces hope.

Day 5: Standing Firm Against the Enemy

Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.

In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation.
- 1 Peter 5:8-10 NLT

A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
- Ephesians 6:10-18 NLT
Your enemy prowls like a roaring lion, seeking to devour through fear, isolation, and lies. Jezebel's message to Elijah was not a decree but intimidation—a spiritual attack designed to make him run. When you resist the devil and stand firm in faith, he must flee. Many battles you face are more spiritual than you realize. The flat tire might be just a flat tire, but the pattern of fear, the persistent lies, the overwhelming isolation—these bear the enemy's fingerprints. You were never meant to fight alone or in your own strength. Put on God's armor daily. Stand firm in truth. Refuse to believe the lies. Surround yourself with godly people.

Where have you been running instead of standing? Today, take your position. In Christ, you are more than a conqueror.

Weekly Challenge

This week, choose to slow down, listen for God’s voice, replace lies with truth, trust His purpose in your trials, and stand firm in faith.
]]> https://influence.church/blog/2026/05/04/weekly-devotional-formed-through-trials#comments 1 Weekly Devotional - Formed by the Living Word https://influence.church/blog/2026/04/27/weekly-devotional-formed-by-the-living-word Mon, 27 Apr 2026 13:29:15 +0000 https://influence.church/blog/2026/04/27/weekly-devotional-formed-by-the-living-word

FORMED BY THE LIVING WORD

Day 1: The Living Word That Shapes Us

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.
                                                  - 2 Timothy 3:16-17  NLT                                                    

For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.
  - Hebrews 4:12 NLT
God's Word is not merely ink on pages—it is alive, active, and powerful. Like a skilled surgeon's scalpel, Scripture cuts through our defenses, exposing what needs healing and transformation. When we approach the Bible, we encounter the very breath of God, capable of equipping us for every good work. The question is not whether the Bible has power, but whether we will allow it to work in us. Today, don't just read Scripture—let Scripture read you. Ask God to search your heart and reveal areas needing His transformative touch. The same Word that spoke creation into existence can speak new life into your circumstances.

 What area of your life needs the surgical precision of God's Word today?

Day 2: Meditating for Transformation

Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.
- Joshua 1:8 NLT

Oh, the joys of those who do not
    follow the advice of the wicked,
    or stand around with sinners,
    or join in with mockers.
 But they delight in the law of the Lord,
    meditating on it day and night.
They are like trees planted along the riverbank,
    bearing fruit each season.
Their leaves never wither,
    and they prosper in all they do.
- Psalm 1:1-3 NLT
Meditation is the digestive system of spiritual nutrition. Just as food must be broken down to nourish your body, God's Word must be meditated upon to nourish your soul. Joshua received a promise: success and prosperity come through constant meditation on Scripture. This isn't passive reading or mindless repetition—it's intentional reflection, turning God's truth over in your mind until it transforms your thinking. Like a tree planted by streams of water, you flourish when rooted in God's Word. Don't let the rain of revelation run down the drain. Catch it, absorb it, and let it saturate every part of your life. Transformation requires meditation.

How can you move from information-gathering to life-transforming meditation this week?

Day 3: Speaking Life Through God's Promises

The tongue can bring death or life;
    those who love to talk will reap the consequences.
- Proverbs 18:21 NLT

‘May the Lord bless you
    and protect you.
May the Lord smile on you
    and be gracious to you.
May the Lord show you his favor
    and give you his peace.’
- Numbers 6:24-26 NLT
Death and life are in the power of your tongue. The words you speak over yourself, your family, and your future carry tremendous weight. Instead of rehearsing problems, begin declaring God's promises. Personalize Scripture: "The LORD will bless me and keep me. The LORD will make His face shine upon me." This isn't positive thinking—it's faith-filled declaration rooted in God's unchanging Word. When you wake up declaring God's provision, protection, and purpose, you align your heart with heaven's reality. Your circumstances may not change instantly, but your perspective will shift dramatically. Speak God's Word until you believe it, then watch how it transforms your reality.

What specific Scripture promise will you declare over your life today?

Day 4: The Lamp That Guides Each Step

Your word is a lamp to guide my feet
    and a light for my path.
- Psalm 119:105 NLT

Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
    do not depend on your own understanding.
Seek his will in all you do,
    and he will show you which path to take.
- Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT
We often want a floodlight showing our entire future, but God gives us a lamp—enough light for the next step. This requires trust. David understood that God's Word illuminates the path one step at a time, not the entire journey at once. In our instant-gratification culture, this can feel frustrating, but it builds dependence on God. When you cannot see around the corner, you must hold tighter to the One who can. The lamp of Scripture provides sufficient light for today's decisions, today's challenges, and today's obedience. Trust that as you take the step you can see, God will illuminate the next one. Walk by faith, not by sight.

What is the next step God is illuminating for you right now?

Day 5: Formed for More

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
- Ephesians 2:10 NLT

For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. (19) And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.
- Philippians 4:13,19
You are God's masterpiece, continually being formed by His hands. This formation isn't complete—God is still working, still shaping, still transforming you into who He created you to be. Through His Word, He provides everything you need: strength for the journey, provision for every need, and power to accomplish His purposes. You are more than a conqueror through Christ who strengthens you. When you align your life with Scripture, partner with the Holy Spirit, and allow God's Word to shape your thoughts and actions, nothing can stop you. You were formed for more than mediocrity, more than survival, more than merely getting by. Embrace the abundant life God offers through His living Word.

In what specific area do you need to believe you are "formed for more"?

Weekly Challenge

 Choose one Scripture from this week's readings and commit it to memory. Write it on a card, set it as your phone background, or place it where you'll see it daily. Speak it aloud each morning, personalizing it as a declaration over your life.

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