Daily Devotional English

REPENT AND SHINE AGAIN

JANUARY 28, 2023 / DAY 6#

TODAY’S RHEMA

Ezekiel 18:32 For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies,” says the Lord God. “Therefore, turn and live!”

Everyone falls at least once in their lifetime. As far as we live, we are prone to commit mistakes and sins. Because of them, guilt might have haunted us, but neither should stand between God and us. Because He is ready to forgive everyone who confesses, take King Manasseh as an example. As the leader of the Kingdom of Judah, he built altars to worship idols in the House of God and get his people to stay away from God. God handed him to the hands of the Syrian as a captive and brought him to Babylon because of what he did. In such a crucial moment, he realized his sin, bowed, and asked for forgiveness before God. God’s heart was moved because he repented and restored Manasseh’s life.

Indeed, sins have always been hindering our relationship with God. Our prayers seemed to fail to reach God. However, if Manasseh, with the great sin, was forgiven, ours will too. True repentance goes beyond words and mind to real action, which can reach God. He will answer our prayers and restore our lives.

Regardless of our sins, let us act to bow down before Him and repent. Ask God for the strength to release you from the shackle of sin, and you will witness God restore your life to shine again in sanctity.

REFLECTION

REPENT and SHINE AGAIN!

APPLICATIONS

1. Have you been committing a sin that draws you further from God?
2. How would you escape it?
3. Have you bowed down before God and truly repented?

TODAY’S PRAYER

“Lord, we thank You for Your love and favor. We know that we are still living with sins. We need You to escape us from them. Lead us to be able to repent truly, living in sanctity, and please Your heart. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.”

YEARLY BIBLE READINGS

Esther 6-8
Acts 6

 

in Daily Devotional English / January 2023

THE HINDRANCE TO GOD’S BLESSINGS

JANUARY 27, 2023 / DAY 5#

TODAY’S RHEMA

Isaiah 59:2 But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear.

A woman fried fish for lunch. When the oil was heated in the pan, there was no noise. But when she put the wet fish in the hot oil, it sizzled because oil cannot be mixed with water due to their different natures.

So is our life in iniquities. The holy God cannot be mixed with sin. God will not lift us because of our inequities. They keep us apart from the grace and blessings of God. This is because we cannot live concurrently in sin and sanctity. There will be sparks in our life if we try to do that. It would be a different story if we were distant from sins. Because God will lift us to the light of His wondrous glory.

This beginning of the year is the perfect time for us to confess our sins before God. Ask him for mercy for our past sins and let His holy blood sanctify our lives. Don’t let ourselves live in the past with sin. God died for us, granted us grace, and guaranteed us a savior. Therefore, let us throw away all sins and not let them block us from having a victorious life in God.

REFLECTION

Don’t let INEQUITIES BLOCK our life and PREVENT US FROM BEING LIFTED BY GOD in grace.

APPLICATIONS

1. Would you want to live in the blessing and victory of God?
2. Do you still have sins? Confess and ask for His forgiveness.
3. Do you believe that the blood of Jesus has washed our life?

TODAY’S PRAYER

“Lord Jesus, we thank You for reminding us to cast away all sins and bad memories. We want to walk with You. We believe that You will light our life and bring us to the light of Your wondrous glory. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.”

YEARLY BIBLE READINGS

Esther 3-5
Acts 5:22-42

in Daily Devotional English / January 2023

BREAK OUT OF IMPRISONMENT TOWARDS GOD’S LIGHT

JANUARY 26, 2023 / DAY 4#

TODAY’S RHEMA

Psalm 30:6 For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning.

Nobody likes failures. However, no one is failure-free. Not even Jesus’ closest disciples, the one that Jesus named Peter, which means rock. Peter’s confidence in following Christ was as solid as a rock. He also said that he would never leave Jesus over anything. But when Jesus was captured, Peter faltered like leaves blown away by the wind. His faith turned into fear, and he disowned Jesus three times. But he later rose and became a pillar of the early church.

Indeed, failures are normal. Everybody should have this episode once in their lifetime. Just like Peter, we may also have failed in following Jesus, or in our studies, work, family, etc. However, we need to rise! Don’t let ourselves be imprisoned by sin and failures because it will keep us from being launched by God and experiencing the great breakout from Him.

Know that God wants us to learn from our mistakes. If we believe 2023 is the year to arise and shine, don’t let us drown in failures. We need to rise so our life will be in significant breakouts and giant leaps, our spiritual life will skyrocket, and God will lift us to experience his wondrous works. He will make us lights for others, and our life will shine for His glory.

REFLECTION

Failures are normal, but never let ourselves DROWN in FAILURES.

APPLICATIONS

1. What does failure mean to you?
2. Have you ever failed? In what matter?
3. How will you rise from your failures?

TODAY’S PRAYER

“Lord Jesus, we thank You for Your words. Teach and guide us to learn from our mistakes, rise from the imprisonment of darkness, sin, and hatred, and take us to be relieved and become light to experience extraordinary matters with You. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.”

YEARLY BIBLE READINGS

Ester 1-2
Acts 5:1-21

in Daily Devotional English / January 2023

BREAK OUT OF THE PRISON OF FAILURE

JANUARY 25, 2022 / DAY 3#

TODAY’S RHEMA

Micah 7:8 Do not rejoice over me, my enemy; When I fall, I will arise; When I sit in darkness, The Lord will be a light to me.

Rinks used to be Kimberly’s favorite place. She felt free and happy when skating and dancing on them. Not just a hobby, figure skating has brought her to the Olympic stage, and she became the youngest gold medalist ever. For her achievement, Kimberly became national pride and hope. The world also waited for new records to be made by her. Her future seemed bright. But who would’ve thought she would slip doing a simple routine in a state championship? Since then, she has gotten anxious and nauseous every time she steps on the rinks. She couldn’t escape the shame under the spotlights of cameras, the chats of people, the laugh of her rivals, and the disappointment of her coaches and families. Everyone thinks that her career was over. However, under the guidance of a mental trainer, Kimberly managed to conquer her trauma and went back to skating and winning gold medals.

Indeed, failures and mistakes could trap, intimidate and leave us helpless. Not only that we lose our passion, but we could also be scared to move on. However, no matter how much we are down, don’t forget that we are not alone. Our God is waiting for us to reach His hands. He can lift us from the most profound fall. His light can lead us to a future full of hope from the thickest of darkness.

Therefore, refrain from focusing on the darkness around us. Look up and put your hope in God. When His light fills our hearts, we will have the courage to rise and move on. Have faith that he will make us shine and do more incredible things when we surrender to Him.

REFLECTION

RISE AND BREAK OUT of the prison of past failures.

APPLICATIONS

1. What failures have been trapping you?
2. Why do you need to escape it?
3. How will you do that?

TODAY’S PRAYER

“O Good Father, we thank You for understanding us. Hold our hands. We don’t want to be down for our past failures and mistakes. We believe that You have a beautiful plan for our future. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.”

YEARLY BIBLE READINGS

Nehemiah 12-13
Acts 22:23-47

in Daily Devotional English / January 2023

ESCAPE THE PRISON OF LIFE

JANUARY 24, 2023 / DAY 2#

TODAY’S RHEMA

Philippians 3:13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,

Being imprisoned is a bad experience. We cannot imagine the possible painful and bitter events. Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 27 years for fighting apartheid in South Africa. When he was released from jail and became the President of South Africa, he made Peace with himself and forgave those who hurt him. He was not occupied by hatred or vengeance. He taught how to return evil deeds with goodness and hatred with love. While his body was imprisoned, his heart was full of love. No wonder he was loved by his people and awarded the Noble prize for Peace.

Some people are physically imprisoned, but they can live freely. Living in darkness and losing hope keep people imprisoned, limited, and far from a great breakout in their lives!

This is the time for us to escape all kinds of prison. Rise and escape the prison of past failures, sins, hatred, and negative emotions. This is the time to rise and escape everything that shackles us. This is the time to escape prison and have a breakout! Have faith that a giant leap will come when we fight wholeheartedly and shine bright for God’s glory.

APPLICATIONS

1. Do you have any bitterness, disappointment, or broken heart that haunts and shackle your life?
2. Why do you think God wants you to escape from such a prison?
3. How big are your commitment and will to escape all prison shackling your life? How will you do that?

REFLECTION

To have a GREAT BREAKOUT, we need to ESCAPE from the prison shackling our lives.

TODAY’S PRAYER

“Lord Jesus, we thank You for the opportunity to escape prisons shackling our lives. Strengthen us to live according to Your will and have a liberating life to be ultimately saved. Teach us to walk in your light and have great breakouts. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.”

YEARLY BIBLE READINGS

Nehemiah 10-11
Acts 4:1-21

in Daily Devotional English / January 2023

THE YEAR OF THE GREAT BREAKOUT

JANUARY 23, 2023 / DAY 1#

TODAY’S RHEMA

Isaiah 60:1 Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.

As a Torah-fanatic pharisee, Saul considered Christianity false. He tortured Christ’s followers and didn’t hesitate to jail and kill them. However, his evil deed ended when he saw Jesus on his way to Damascus. In a strike of bright light, he saw all his pride stripped away and found himself as a mere torturer of Christ and His people. In front of the living Christ, Saul surrendered. He went blind for three days afterward. God sent Ananias to lay his hands above Saul, and his vision was restored instantly.

After that, Saul changed his name to Paul, and his life changed dramatically. His life turned 180 degrees. He, a torturer of the people, became an apostle, someone sent to spread the Gospel. Indeed, the encounter between him and God got him into a breakout, a sudden advance to a new level.

Like Paul, whose life suddenly changes, we can also blast into a new level by encountering God. While many claim that this year will be dark, the children of God will have breakouts. Have faith. This year will be the year of our encounter with God and the year of breakout. We will rise and shine for all nations, and the glory of God will rise upon us. Alleluia.

REFLECTION

2023 will be the YEAR OF THE GREAT BREAKOUT.

APPLICATIONS

1. What shackles you today?
2. What do you think will trigger a breakout in your life?
3. How will you have such a breakout?

TODAY’S PRAYER

“Lord, we thank You for today’s rhema. You will get us a breakout. Holy Spirit, help us to encounter God, and the glory of God shine upon us. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.”

YEARLY BIBLE READINGS

Nehemiah 7-9
Act 3

in Daily Devotional English / January 2023

LIVE RIGHT AND STAY CONNECTED

JANUARY 22, 2023 / DAY #7

TODAY’S RHEMA

2 Peter 3:14 Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless.

There is a congregation living in Batam. He has built a good life with his family there. Once God told them to move to Surabaya and start a new life there. Humanly speaking, this is not easy, especially since their life is very well-established in Batam.

But praise the Lord; this congregation is obedient to do what God leads. He longs to always live righteously before God. He and his family continue to live intimately attached to God. Even as a family, they take steps to serve at GBI Keluarga Allah Surabaya. Praise God, from day to day, their lives are increasingly being used and blessed by God powerfully and extraordinarily.

This is an example of a person struggling to live righteously before God so that his life is increasingly pleasing before God. He will be led by God from one miracle to another, from glory to even greater glory. Let’s learn and fight together to continue to live righteously, stay away from sin, and continue to be attached to the true vine so that we can be used by God more and God’s promise for us to rise so that the light is truly God’s fulfillment in our lives. God bless.

REFLECTION

Continue to LIVE RIGHT and stay connected to Him so that in the end, you will still be found willing in His presence.

APPLICATIONS

1. How do you maintain a righteous life before God?
2. What things do you often leave to live righteously before God?
3. What commitment will you make so that you can always live righteously before God?

TODAY’S PRAYER

“Father, thank you for today’s reflection. We are reminded to continue to live righteously before You. Lead us, Lord, so that our lives are according to Your will and that you have planned for us will be fulfilled. In the name of the Lord Jesus, we pray. Amen.”

YEARLY BIBLE READINGS

Nehemiah 4-6
Acts 2:22-47

in Daily Devotional English / January 2023

KEEP DOING THE BEST

JANUARY 21, 2023 / DAY #6

TODAY’S RHEMA

Colossians 3:23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.

When circumstances are on our side, it’s easier to keep doing our best. What’s more, when our hard work is not seen, and instead, other people get awards, it is not uncommon for feelings of injustice to dominate the heart, then our spirits are faded. However, even though his presence seemed invisible, Matias was not disappointed and remained loyal. Yes, he followed Jesus since John’s baptism until He was taken to heaven. However, his name was never mentioned in the Bible until Judas Iscariot finally committed suicide, and eleven of Jesus’ disciples remained.

However, loyalty in carrying out his part of the ministry with the Lord Jesus finally made Matthias appointed to fill the void left by Judas as the 12th disciple. It is no coincidence that Matias was chosen to replace Judas Iscariot. This is because the other disciples saw how Matthias was always faithful and kept doing his best as a follower of Jesus.

We, too, can learn from Matthias. When life seems as if it is still ordinary, there are no significant breakthroughs, and no one appreciates it; keep doing what is your part with all your heart. We never know when God’s time will come. However, what we can do is do the best that is our part. That way, we are ready when God’s time comes and extraordinary breakthroughs occur.

REFLECTION

Keep DOING the BEST that is our part.

APPLICATIONS

1. When your life is ordinary, what would you do to make the breakthrough happen?
2. Have you done your part well? How to?
3. How do you prepare yourself so that when God’s breakthrough comes, you will be ready?

TODAY’S PRAYER

“Lord, thank You for Your love and grace. Teach us to continue to be able to do the best that is our part. Your best time will soon come, and we are ready to receive that breakthrough. In the name of the Lord Jesus, we pray. Amen.”

YEARLY BIBLE READINGS

Nehemiah 1-3
Acts 2:1-21

in Daily Devotional English / January 2023

GOD’S TIME IS THE BEST

JANUARY 20, 2023 / DAY #5

TODAY’S RHEMA

Romans 12:12 Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer!

There is a story about a man grieving because all his children were dead, his property was robbed, and he was so sick with ulcers that he used a piece of glass to scratch his body. In his distress, he blamed no one, including God. Instead, he still put his hope in God, and he succeeded in passing the test of life. God replaced what was missing from his life with a twofold blessing. He was Job, and amid his troubles, he could say, “The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.” (Job 1:21).

At the beginning of 2023, have God’s word reminded us? Continue to rejoice in hope, be patient in distress, and persevere in prayer because God’s time will surely come for all of us who continue to hope in Him. Whatever we are waiting for these days, be patient in waiting for the fulfillment of God’s promises. Remember, God never fails to keep His promises.

If Job succeeded in going through the test by keeping hope and waiting for God’s help, we could do it too! Let’s rise in hope and prayers to God. Remember, God loves us all. By His death on the cross and His resurrection on the third day, God gives us hope that never disappoints. Yes, everything must have its time.

REFLECTION

Waiting for God’s time to come is not easy, but STAY PATIENT until His time comes.

APPLICATIONS

1. What hope are you currently longing for?
2. Why is it essential for you to be patient and continue to rely on God?
3. How can you wait patiently for God until His time comes?

TODAY’S PRAYER

“Good Lord Jesus, we are grateful for the process God has allowed to happen in our lives. We believe all to bring good into our lives. We believe God always has the best way to help us, the children You love. Please lead our lives. We believe our lives are safe in You. In the name of the Lord Jesus, we pray. Amen.”

YEARLY BIBLE READINGS

Ezra 9-10
Acts 1

in Daily Devotional English / January 2023

PATIENTLY WAIT FOR GOD’S TIME

JANUARY 19, 2023 / DAY #4

TODAY’S RHEMA

Ecclesiastes 3:11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, He has put eternity in their hearts, except no one can find out that God does from beginning to end.

Who doesn’t know KFC? KFC is the second-largest fast-food restaurant chain in the world. Currently, KFC already has around 25,000 branches worldwide. Before successfully becoming the founder of KFC, Colonel Sanders had to go through various difficult times in his life, starting from losing his father, failing to become a soldier, being abandoned by his wife, and many more. He had felt his life was useless and even wanted to commit suicide. However, in the end, he managed to get up. He tries to sell fried chicken using his recipe. Then his business grew rapidly until, in the end, he set up a restaurant called KFC and became a billionaire in old age.

Learning from the story of Colonel Sanders, if we feel our lives are failing, our prayers are not answered, or there is no breakthrough in our lives, don’t worry. That doesn’t mean we will live like that forever; it’s just that God’s time has not yet come. When we don’t realize it, God waits for the best time to promote us. Believe and have Faith; starting this year, God will promote us in a big way! Our business will be known, our finances will be abundant, our families will be harmonious, our studies will be successful, and many more.

Therefore, we must patiently wait for God’s timing, endure the process, and forge ourselves truly. Forged means galvanized, trained, educated, and disciplined. Indeed, it is an unpleasant phase, but all of that will sharpen us so that when His time comes, we will be ready, not miss opportunities, and we can see how beautiful and perfect God’s plan is in our lives.

REFLECTION

It’s not that you are NOT USEFUL; your time has not been given yet.

APPLICATIONS

1. Is there a situation where you feel your life is useless?
2. Why do you think God allows difficult things to come into your life?
3. What commitment would you take so that you can be ready whenever God’s time comes?

TODAY’S PRAYER

“Lord, thank You for Your grace in our lives. Forgive us when we feel our lives are useless, and teach us to always be patient and faithful in waiting for Your timing. Sharpen our lives so that when Your time comes, we are in a position ready to receive Your blessings so that we can see how miraculous and great Your plan is for our lives. In the name of the Lord Jesus, we pray. Amen.”

YEARLY BIBLE READINGS

Ezra 6-8
John 21

in Daily Devotional English / January 2023
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