Daily Devotional English

JANUARY 18, 2023 / DAY #3

TODAY’S RHEMA

Matthew 5:15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and gives it a light to all who are in the house.

God’s Word says that we, God’s children, are the light of the world. However, how many of us feel that our lives are dim and hidden? Many of us, while going through life, experience various things that weaken us. We may be mistreated, are often insulted, and are always looked down upon by others, so that we feel inferior and inadequate. However, God’s word is never wrong. We need to realize that we are the temple of God and the Holy Spirit lives in us so that we have the light of Christ.

Today’s rhema also said that the lamp should not be placed under a bushel. A bushel is a measuring tool for dry crops used in ancient times. The volume of one bushel is about 35.24 liters. Because it is enormous, when a lamp is placed in it, the lamp will not be seen. Therefore, the lamp must be placed on the lampstand. That means God will lift us higher than we can imagine when the time comes.

That’s why throw away all fear, worry, and hopelessness in facing this life. Come closer to the miraculous light of God. Let’s declare that this year is a shining year for us. God will bring us to go up and not down, to be heads and not tails. This year God will bring us to a higher level, and our lives will reflect more of God’s light so that the darkness around us disappears.

REFLECTION

When God uses His child, He will surely LIFT THEM.

APPLICATIONS

1. Do you believe that God is the Wonderful Light? How do you know?
2. In what ways can God use you?
3. What would you do so that God’s light always shines in your life?

TODAY’S PRAYER

“Thank you, Lord Jesus, for the miraculous Light of God who always shines on our lives so that there is no more darkness and fear. In the name of the Lord Jesus, we pray. Amen.”

YEARLY BIBLE READINGS

Ezra 3-5
John 20

JANUARY 17, 2023 / DAY #2

TODAY’S RHEMA

Isaiah 43:19 Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.

When we make donuts, we need various ingredients for the manufacturing process. The main ingredients for donuts are flour, eggs, sugar, butter, and bread maker, then other ingredients such as various jams, chocolate, or cheese are added according to taste. Some innovate with potato, pumpkin, sweet potato, or other ingredients. Making donuts requires various stages: weighing the ingredients, mixing, and stirring until the dough is ready to be formed and molded. Before entering the finishing process, the donuts must be fried first, then decorated as desired to make them flavorful. Donuts that are beautiful and delicious, as well as tempting the tongue, go through a long process, and it takes time and patience to make them. Wheat flour will still be flour, and butter will still be butter if it is not combined and processed with other ingredients. Without processing, a material will not become a product that has a sale value and is functional.

Likewise, our new life will be useful and a blessing when we are willing to be shaped and processed. We need a process full of challenges and sometimes very tiring so that our lives have more value. Continue to grow and process to the best of your ability with the gifts that God has given us.

God has a bigger plan than our current situation. We may still be nothing, but be prepared and start from now to process. As the saying goes, the journey of a mile begins with a single step. In this new year’s spirit, let’s continue our journey in God’s guidance, with hearts full of joy and new hope in welcoming the arrival of God’s blessings that God has provided for us in 2023. The new chapter has begun, so this is our time to launch so that the scale of our life is magnified. Have a heart that God wants to shape and use as His tool, to fulfill His plan.

REFLECTION

A NEW CHAPTER in your life is about to BEGIN.

APPLICATIONS

1. Do you realize God has a bigger plan than your current situation? How big is your faith?
2. What would you do to start a new chapter in your life?
3. Why do you think God wants us to start a new chapter in our lives?

TODAY’S PRAYER

“Lord Jesus, thank you for the opportunity in this new year and the life we are allowed to enjoy and feel. You will enable us to start a new chapter in our lives. Lead us, Lord, in Your plan so that our lives will continue to be enlarged according to Your will. We surrender our lives in every season that we will face this year into Your hands, Lord. In the name of the Lord Jesus, we pray. Amen.”

YEARLY BIBLE READINGS

Ezra 1-2
John 19: 23-42

JANUARY 16, 2023 / DAY #1

TODAY’S RHEMA

Romans 8:19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.

Hans has long wanted to be a police officer. Since becoming a high school student, he has set his goal by training himself through exercises like a police officer. Not infrequently, his parents found him doing weight training to push-ups in their yard. When there was an opportunity to take the police test, he did not waste it and graduated with the 2nd-best title. After passing the test, Hezekiah is sent to the police academy.

Although Hans departs with great enthusiasm, undergoing police training takes work. For eight months, Hezekiah was thoroughly trained. He has to undergo hefty physical training and learn a seemingly endless stack of police knowledge. Not once or twice Hezekiah felt like giving up and going home. But he persisted. Finally, the period of education was over. Hans is sworn in with his friends and officially becomes a police officer, ready to serve in the field.

Jesus was also introduced to the world before starting His work when he was baptized by John the Baptist. Jesus also prepared himself for forty days by fasting. So, it is with God’s children. Through various life problems, we are prepared to become God’s army. Amid this increasingly dark world, the presence of God’s children who bring light is very much awaited. Let’s show the world that we are God’s agents who are waiting to bring change to this world.

REFLECTION

2023 is a GREAT LAUNCHING YEAR for God’s children.

APPLICATIONS

1. What are you preparing for the great launch in 2023?
2. Why should God’s children personify themselves to the world?
3. How do God’s children personify themselves to the world?

TODAY’S PRAYER

“Dear Father, thank you for today’s rhema. Help us so that we can introduce ourselves to the world and that we are the ones they are waiting for right now to proclaim the light of Your glory amid this increasingly dark world. In the name of the Lord Jesus, we pray. Amen.”

YEARLY BIBLE READINGS

2 Chronicles 34-36
John 19:1-22

JANUARY 15, 2023 / DAY 7#

TODAY’S RHEMA

Isaiah 60:2 For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; But the Lord will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you.

No one wants to be in darkness. Humans tend to be afraid and avoid dark, ominous, and unfortunate conditions. But as believers, we know that the light and glory of God arise and materialize in darkness. We are limited as humans, but the words of God tell us that in such limitations, the power of God is manifested.

Indeed, when God allows us to be in terrifying and brutal darkness, have faith that God will declare his power and His works will be great testimonies for us and our fellow Christians. We will escape the darkness as entirely different people, like David’s people inside the Adulam cave. When they were living there, they were occupied with problems and shame. But who thought that from the darkness of the cave out came extraordinary troops of David?

Nothing is impossible for God. Nobody knew that from a shameful story out came a powerful testimony. From our deepest darkness, the light will go and draw souls to Him. Let us make 2023 the year to arise and shine. Escape darkness with treasures. The world’s dark times will be our times of harvest. As far as we comprehend the words of God and obey His guidance, we will discover wealth behind the darkness. We will go beyond experiencing God personally to declaring His glory to those around us.

REFLECTION

DARKNESS is FEARED and AVOIDED. But it is often UTILIZED by GOD to set HIS STAGE.

APPLICATIONS

1. What kind of darkness worries you today?
2. Why does God allow darkness in your life? What sort of testimony will you have coming out of the darkness?
3. How can we escape the darkness and bring treasures?

TODAY’S PRAYER

“Lord Jesus, we believe that Your light illuminates in darkness. It will carry us out of the darkness with treasure and be our great testimonies. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.“

YEARLY BIBLE READINGS

2 Chronicles 32-33
John 18:19-40

JANUARY 15, 2023 / DAY 7#

TODAY’S RHEMA

Isaiah 60:2 For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; But the Lord will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you.

No one wants to be in darkness. Humans tend to be afraid and avoid dark, ominous, and unfortunate conditions. But as believers, we know that the light and glory of God arise and materialize in darkness. We are limited as humans, but the words of God tell us that in such limitations, the power of God is manifested.

Indeed, when God allows us to be in terrifying and brutal darkness, have faith that God will declare his power and His works will be great testimonies for us and our fellow Christians. We will escape the darkness as entirely different people, like David’s people inside the Adulam cave. When they were living there, they were occupied with problems and shame. But who thought that from the darkness of the cave out came extraordinary troops of David?

Nothing is impossible for God. Nobody knew that from a shameful story out came a powerful testimony. From our deepest darkness, the light will go and draw souls to Him. Let us make 2023 the year to arise and shine. Escape darkness with treasures. The world’s dark times will be our times of harvest. As far as we comprehend the words of God and obey His guidance, we will discover wealth behind the darkness. We will go beyond experiencing God personally to declaring His glory to those around us.

REFLECTION

DARKNESS is FEARED and AVOIDED. But it is often UTILIZED by GOD to set HIS STAGE.

APPLICATIONS

1. What kind of darkness worries you today?
2. Why does God allow darkness in your life? What sort of testimony will you have coming out of the darkness?
3. How can we escape the darkness and bring treasures?

TODAY’S PRAYER

“Lord Jesus, we believe that Your light illuminates in darkness. It will carry us out of the darkness with treasure and be our great testimonies. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.“

YEARLY BIBLE READINGS

2 Chronicles 32-33
John 18:19-40

JANUARY 14, 2023 / DAY 6#

TODAY’S RHEMA

John 1:5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

Nobody escapes dark times in life. Including Job, the most pious figure in the bible. Job went through the darkness in his life. All his livestock were gone, and his children died. He also had leprosy, which was an awful disease then. His beautiful and peaceful life was suddenly destroyed and full of darkness. However, he didn’t blame God. Even though he was left wondering, he was grateful and kept his faith in God. And above everything, he surrendered ultimately to God’s sovereignty. Through the darkness, Job, who knew God from other people, experienced God personally. He never doubted God. At that moment, God restored him twofold from his previous state.

Like Job, we must have been through or even experiencing dark times nowadays. How do our hearts react? Do we blame God or keep believing in Him? Many don’t realize that God often uses darkness to declare his light even more. If we are patient and keep believing, God’s light will come and destroy darkness.

Indeed, God loves to utilize darkness in our life to declare His greatest miracle and perfects our testimonies. Have faith in Him with all your heart, regardless of the darkness around you. Because in His time, His light will illuminate, and our life will be full of joy.

REFLECTION

BRIGHT TESTIMONIES will transpire from THE DARKNESS.

APPLICATIONS

1. How are your heart and faith in God when your life is in darkness?
2. How do you keep your faith firm in God during dark times?
3. How does the light of God release you from darkness?

TODAY’S PRAYER

“Lord, we thank You for Your favor. We believe that You will always be with us in darkness. Your light will shine bright in dark times, and we will have miracles, and our testimonies will be complete. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.”

YEARLY BIBLE READINGS

2 Chronicles 30-31
John 18:1-18

JANUARY 14, 2023 / DAY 6#

TODAY’S RHEMA

John 1:5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

Nobody escapes dark times in life. Including Job, the most pious figure in the bible. Job went through the darkness in his life. All his livestock were gone, and his children died. He also had leprosy, which was an awful disease then. His beautiful and peaceful life was suddenly destroyed and full of darkness. However, he didn’t blame God. Even though he was left wondering, he was grateful and kept his faith in God. And above everything, he surrendered ultimately to God’s sovereignty. Through the darkness, Job, who knew God from other people, experienced God personally. He never doubted God. At that moment, God restored him twofold from his previous state.

Like Job, we must have been through or even experiencing dark times nowadays. How do our hearts react? Do we blame God or keep believing in Him? Many don’t realize that God often uses darkness to declare his light even more. If we are patient and keep believing, God’s light will come and destroy darkness.

Indeed, God loves to utilize darkness in our life to declare His greatest miracle and perfects our testimonies. Have faith in Him with all your heart, regardless of the darkness around you. Because in His time, His light will illuminate, and our life will be full of joy.

REFLECTION

BRIGHT TESTIMONIES will transpire from THE DARKNESS.

APPLICATIONS

1. How are your heart and faith in God when your life is in darkness?
2. How do you keep your faith firm in God during dark times?
3. How does the light of God release you from darkness?

TODAY’S PRAYER

“Lord, we thank You for Your favor. We believe that You will always be with us in darkness. Your light will shine bright in dark times, and we will have miracles, and our testimonies will be complete. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.”

YEARLY BIBLE READINGS

2 Chronicles 30-31
John 18:1-18

JANUARY 13, 2023 / DAY 5#

TODAY’S RHEMA

Genesis 15:5 Then He brought him outside and said, “Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them.” And He said to him, “So shall your descendants be.”

One day, a boy had a birthday. His parents covered his eyes with a piece of fabric and took him to a place. After a while, the boy started to be scared. He screamed, “Why is this so dark? I can’t see anything!” His parents calmed him down, and his blindfold was removed when they arrived at their destination. The boy saw surprises and presents from his parents as soon as he opened his eyes. His fear turned into joy.

Like the analogy, God has always prepared beautiful surprises for our life without us knowing. However, there are things to do before receiving the beauty of His promise. We need to believe and do our parts faithfully, just like in the story of Abraham. He and his wife, who were old then, were promised by God to have descendants as many as stars in the sky. If Abraham chose not to believe and didn’t do his part, he wouldn’t have been known as the father of all nations. It was when Abraham chose to believe in God and live by His will he received the fulfillment of God’s promise.

Therefore, let us start this year by building our faith wholeheartedly. Have faith that even in darkness, God can show His tremendous and beautiful vision for our life. Have a faithful heart and do your part. God will guide our life from glory to glory. Alleluia. Jesus blesses us.

REFLECTION

Sometimes God’s vision is SHOWN when we are IN DARKNESS.

APPLICATIONS

1. What kind of darkness are you worried about this year?
2. Do you believe God prepares surprises for us in our dark times? Say it with faith!
3. What is your commitment this year to God?

TODAY’S PRAYER

“Lord Jesus, we thank You for giving us surprises behind our dark times. We will not fear; we believe that beyond darkness, God has provided great vision and excellent protection in our life. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.”

YEARLY BIBLE READINGS

2 Chronicles 28-29
John 17

JANUARY 13, 2023 / DAY 5#

TODAY’S RHEMA

Genesis 15:5 Then He brought him outside and said, “Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them.” And He said to him, “So shall your descendants be.”

One day, a boy had a birthday. His parents covered his eyes with a piece of fabric and took him to a place. After a while, the boy started to be scared. He screamed, “Why is this so dark? I can’t see anything!” His parents calmed him down, and his blindfold was removed when they arrived at their destination. The boy saw surprises and presents from his parents as soon as he opened his eyes. His fear turned into joy.

Like the analogy, God has always prepared beautiful surprises for our life without us knowing. However, there are things to do before receiving the beauty of His promise. We need to believe and do our parts faithfully, just like in the story of Abraham. He and his wife, who were old then, were promised by God to have descendants as many as stars in the sky. If Abraham chose not to believe and didn’t do his part, he wouldn’t have been known as the father of all nations. It was when Abraham chose to believe in God and live by His will he received the fulfillment of God’s promise.

Therefore, let us start this year by building our faith wholeheartedly. Have faith that even in darkness, God can show His tremendous and beautiful vision for our life. Have a faithful heart and do your part. God will guide our life from glory to glory. Alleluia. Jesus blesses us.

REFLECTION

Sometimes God’s vision is SHOWN when we are IN DARKNESS.

APPLICATIONS

1. What kind of darkness are you worried about this year?
2. Do you believe that God prepares surprises for us in our dark times? Say it with faith!
3. What is your commitment this year to God?

TODAY’S PRAYER

“Lord Jesus, we thank You for giving us surprises behind our dark times. We will not fear; we believe that beyond darkness, God has provided great vision and excellent protection in our life. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.”

YEARLY BIBLE READINGS

2 Chronicles 28-29
John 17

JANUARY 12, 2023 / DAY 4#

TODAY’S RHEMA

Hebrews 12:5-6 And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: “My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; For whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.

Since ancient times, darkness has been a thing people dislike and fear. However, being in the darkness doesn’t necessarily bad. For instance, we can see Saul, a hardcore Christ hater who tortured His followers. On his way to Damascus, Jesus showed Himself to Saul through a bright light from heaven, causing him to lose sight. For three days, Saul could only see darkness. In such darkness, Saul acknowledged Jesus and later became His radical follower and a diligent apostle in spreading the gospel everywhere.

Indeed, God has His purpose in every darkness He brings into our lives. One of them is to soften hard hearts to accept God. Because people would only come to God and ask for His favor when confronted by darkness and helplessness, that is when we can have a personal encounter with God.

This is why we should come to God during dark times to discover His divine vision for our life. Know that when great darkness blankets us, great miracles await. We will find treasures behind the darkness and will be brought to glory.

REFLECTION

In DARKNESS, we will FIND GOD.

APPLICATIONS

1. Why do you think God works in darkness?
2. What can you learn by being in darkness?
3. What would you do for your friends and families that are in darkness?

TODAY’S PRAYER

“Lord, we thank You for Your favor and words. Teach us to be sensitive to Your guidance because we believe that You will bring us to light through the darkness and have us comprehend Your vision. And there will be great testimonies, and many more will encounter you personally. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.”

YEARLY BIBLE READINGS

2 Chronicles 25-27
John 16