Daily Devotional English

GOD WORKS IN DARKNESS

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

in Daily Devotional English / January 2023

THERE IS GOD’S LIGHT IN DARKNESS

JANUARY 11, 2023 / DAY 3#

TODAY’S RHEMA

Psalms 139:12 Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You, But the night shines as the day; The darkness and the light are both alike to You.

Everyone has been through difficult and dark times when they feel entirely helpless. Including Daniel, a man who was fond of following God. Daniel kept praying, fasting, and committed to trusting in God when he was in trouble and was about to lose his life. As a result, Daniel was thrown into a dark cave where hungry lions lived. Nobody ever comes out of that cave alive. But Daniel came out just fine. This is the wonder of God.

How many of us have felt difficulties, been brought down, or been in a dark time and become extremely weak and hopeless? Some say that this year will be dark and full of catastrophes. However, as believers, we need to keep a strong faith. We must rise and become light. God’s power will manifest upon us when we are committed to trust in Him. Have faith that God can reverse darkness into light.

This year rhema is to arise and shine. This year might be dark for the world, but treasures are waiting behind the darkness for us, children of God. Let us seek as many lost souls as possible and let all children receive His promise.

REFLECTION

GOD KEEPS WORKING AMID DARKNESS.

APPLICATIONS

1. Do you believe that God works amid the darkest times? How can you be sure about it?
2. Have you ever felt that God is working in your life?
3. What will you do to stay in the light of God?

TODAY’S PRAYER

“Lord, we thank You for Your goodness and mercy. We want to hold on tight to the promise of Your words. Grant us strength to go through this year. Lead our ways to stay on your path. We long to have Your treasures. Thank You, Lord. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.”

YEARLY BIBLE READINGS

2 Chronicles 23-24
John 15

in Daily Devotional English / January 2023

THERE IS GOD’S LIGHT IN DARKNESS

JANUARY 11, 2022 / DAY 3#

TODAY’S RHEMA

Psalms 139:12 Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You, But the night shines as the day; The darkness and the light are both alike to You.

Everyone has been through difficult and dark times when they feel entirely helpless. Including Daniel, a man who was fond of following God. Daniel kept praying, fasting, and committed to trusting in God when he was in trouble and was about to lose his life. As a result, Daniel was thrown into a dark cave where hungry lions lived. Nobody ever comes out of that cave alive. But Daniel came out just fine. This is the wonder of God.

How many of us have felt difficulties, been brought down, or been in a dark time and become extremely weak and hopeless? Some say that this year will be dark and full of catastrophes. However, as believers, we need to keep a strong faith. We must rise and become light. God’s power will manifest upon us when we are committed to trust in Him. Have faith that God can reverse darkness into light.

This year rhema is to arise and shine. This year might be dark for the world, but treasures are waiting behind the darkness for us, children of God. Let us seek as many lost souls as possible and let all children receive His promise.

REFLECTION

GOD KEEPS WORKING AMID DARKNESS.

APPLICATIONS

1. Do you believe that God works amid the darkest times? How can you be sure about it?
2. Have you ever felt that God is working in your life?
3. What will you do to stay in the light of God?

TODAY’S PRAYER

“Lord, we thank You for Your goodness and mercy. We want to hold on tight to the promise of Your words. Grant us strength to go through this year. Lead our ways to stay on your path. We long to have Your treasures. Thank You, Lord. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.”

YEARLY BIBLE READINGS

2 Chronicles 23-24
John 15

in Daily Devotional English / January 2023

GOD’S PURPOSE BEHIND THE DARKNESS IN OUR LIFE

JANUARY 10, 2023 / DAY 2#

TODAY’S RHEMA

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Priscilla, who was building a career in a promising company, was let go and out of work. The pandemic has destroyed her dream future. She had to start a small culinary business in her garage with limited equipment. She sells her products with some marketing skills learned from her previous work. Not only that she gives her costumer coupons, but she also hands out motivational words. Soon after, her business started to grow, and she could rent a place and create jobs for surrounding housewives.

Have you been through an event that pulls you back from your goal? Have you ever seen people who seemed pulled back but lift off faster and gain significant outcomes? Indeed, just like an arrow. There are times that arrows must be drawn back to be released and speed to targets. The longer they’re pulled back, the more they will travel with incredible speed.

Suppose we are pulled back at the moment; that could mean that God is pulling us back to have powerful leverage on release to achieve God’s purpose for our life. To start this year, keep your faith in God’s purpose, even when we have to be in darkness. Keep praying, leaning on, and hoping for God’s help. We will thank Him for all His goodness in dark times. We will learn a lot when darkness surrounds us, leading us to the light of God’s love. There will be times of amazement for His protection that convey us to a future full of hope.

REFLECTION

GOD HAS A PURPOSE when He LETS DARKNESS come into our life.

APPLICATIONS

1. What sort of darkness are you having at the moment?
2. What will you do to escape from it?
3. What do you think is the purpose of God behind the darkness?

TODAY’S PRAYER

“Lord Jesus, we thank You for valuable lessons during our dark times. Thank You for all Your goodness. Thank You for working in the dark days of our life. Teach us to be faithful and be hoping to only your words. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.”

YEARLY BIBLE READINGS

2 Chronicles 21-22
John 14

in Daily Devotional English / January 2023

THE HIDDEN TREASURES BEHIND DARKNESS

JANUARY 9, 2023 / DAY 1#

TODAY’S RHEMA

Isaiah 45:3 I will give you the treasures of darkness And hidden riches of secret places, That you may know that I, the Lord, Who call you by your name, Am the God of Israel.

During their exile to Babylon, the Israelites endured the darkest days. As an enslaved nation, they were helpless to follow the order of the Babylonian king. However, Daniel and his three friends, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, were committed to living sanctity before God. They kept away from food offered to the idols. Daniel prayed to God in his attic three times a day, even when the king decreed everyone to pray to the idols they created. Due to such commitment, God blessed them with knowledge about scripts and wisdom. And special for Daniel, God granted him a gift to comprehend dreams and visions. With their gifts, Daniel and his friends escaped slavery and were placed in the best spot in the king’s place.

Like Daniel and his three friends, many of us face the darkness in our lives. The COVID-19 pandemic was a dark time for almost every country worldwide, including Indonesia. The economic growth has to go through a sudden slowdown, employees are laid off, businesses become unstable, and what is more frightening is that death seems to be just centimeters away. Many of us become depressed. Covid-19 survivors have a surmounted fear leading to anxiety when fear visits.

However, today’s words of God remind us that God has prepared for us treasures behind any darkness, and He wants us all to have them. Let darkness be the stage where God performs His might. When we win over darkness, the treasures will be ours, and God’s name will be glorified.

REFLECTION

There are HIDDEN TREASURES BEHIND DARKNESS.

APPLICATIONS

1. Have you ever felt darkness in your life?
2. What did you do about it?
3. How would you discover the hidden treasures in darkness?

TODAY’S PRAYER

“O Father, thank You for Your strengthening words that in every darkness, You will always be with us and provide us with hidden treasures. Help us, God, to live in sanctity in dark times. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.”

YEARLY BIBLE READINGS

2 Chronicles 19-20
John 13:21-38

in Daily Devotional English / January 2023

GOD’S PURPOSE BEHIND THE DARKNESS IN OUR LIFE

JANUARY 10, 2023 / DAY 2#

TODAY’S RHEMA

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose

Priscilla, who was building a career in a promising company, was let go and out of work. The pandemic has destroyed her dream future. She had to start a small culinary business in her garage with limited equipment. She sells her products with some marketing skills learned from her previous work. Not only that she gives her costumer coupons, but she also hands out motivational words. Soon after, her business started to grow, and she could rent a place and create jobs for surrounding housewives.

Have you been through an event that pulls you back from your goal? Have you ever seen people who seemed pulled back but lift off faster and gain significant outcomes? Indeed, just like an arrow. There are times that arrows must be drawn back to be released and speed to targets. The longer they’re pulled back, the more they will travel with incredible speed.

Suppose we are pulled back at the moment; that could mean that God is pulling us back to have powerful leverage on release to achieve God’s purpose for our life. To start this year, keep your faith in God’s purpose, even when we have to be in darkness. Keep praying, leaning on, and hoping for God’s help. We will thank Him for all His goodness in dark times. We will learn a lot when darkness surrounds us, leading us to the light of God’s love. There will be times of amazement for His protection that convey us to a future full of hope.

REFLECTION

GOD HAS A PURPOSE when He LETS DARKNESS come into our life.

APPLICATIONS

1. What sort of darkness are you having at the moment?
2. What will you do to escape from it?
3. What do you think is the purpose of God behind the darkness?

TODAY’S PRAYER

“Lord Jesus, we thank You for valuable lessons during our dark times. Thank You for all Your goodness. Thank You for working in the dark days of our life. Teach us to be faithful and be hoping to only your words. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.”

YEARLY BIBLE READINGS

2 Chronicles 21-22
John 14

in Daily Devotional English / January 2023

THE HIDDEN TREASURES BEHIND DARKNESS

JANUARY 9, 2023 / DAY 1#

TODAY’S RHEMA

Isaiah 45:3 I will give you the treasures of darkness And hidden riches of secret places, That you may know that I, the Lord, Who call you by your name, Am the God of Israel.

During their exile to Babylon, the Israelites endured the darkest days. As an enslaved nation, they were helpless to follow the order of the Babylonian king. However, Daniel and his three friends, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, were committed to living sanctity before God. They kept away from food offered to the idols. Daniel prayed to God in his attic three times a day, even when the king decreed everyone to pray to the idols they created. Due to such commitment, God blessed them with knowledge about scripts and wisdom. And special for Daniel, God granted him a gift to comprehend dreams and visions. With their gifts, Daniel and his friends escaped slavery and were placed in the best spot in the king’s place.

Like Daniel and his three friends, many of us face the darkness in our lives. The COVID-19 pandemic was a dark time for almost every country worldwide, including Indonesia. The economic growth has to go through a sudden slowdown, employees are laid off, businesses become unstable, and what is more frightening is that death seems to be just centimeters away. Many of us become depressed. Covid-19 survivors have a surmounted fear leading to anxiety when fear visits.

However, today’s words of God remind us that God has prepared for us treasures behind any darkness, and He wants us all to have them. Let darkness be the stage where God performs His might. When we win over darkness, the treasures will be ours, and God’s name will be glorified.

REFLECTION

There are HIDDEN TREASURES BEHIND DARKNESS.

APPLICATIONS

1. Have you ever felt darkness in your life?
2. What did you do about it?
3. How would you discover the hidden treasures in darkness?

TODAY’S PRAYER

“O Father, thank You for Your strengthening words that in every darkness, You will always be with us and provide us with hidden treasures. Help us, God, to live in sanctity in dark times. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.”

YEARLY BIBLE READINGS

2 Chronicles 19-20
John 13:21-38

in Daily Devotional English / January 2023

EXPERIMENTA LO QUE CREEMOS (Spanish)

Enero 3, 2023 / Día 2

RHEMA DE HOY

Mateo 8:13b …Y su criado fue sanado en aquella misma hora.

La preocupación y la ansiedad se apoderaron del corazón de Theodora. Se preguntó si podría continuar su educación en una universidad de calidad. Debido a limitaciones financieras, nunca ha asistido a tutorías especiales como sus amigos. Mientras tanto, uno por uno, sus amigos fueron aceptados en la universidad, pero Theodora aún no había sido aceptada en ninguno de los campus de su elección. Sentía que quería darse por vencida. La madre sintió la ansiedad en el corazón de su hija y le pidió que siguiera rezando y ayunando. Al final, su tía le informó de que todavía había una vacante en una universidad pública en su ciudad. Al principio, Theodora no estaba segura porque sentía que la universidad estaba demasiado lejos de su alcance, pero trató de aprobar el examen de la mejor manera posible. El resultado es que se lo dejó a Dios porque no sabía dónde más intentarlo.

Sin embargo, lo que se considera imposible para los humanos es lo que Dios proporciona. A pesar de que la ayuda de Dios llegó en el último segundo, dio más de lo que Theodora quería. A pesar de que Theodora no creía que pudiera ser aceptada y dudaba un poco de que pudiera tomar bien los cursos en la universidad, pensó que el mismo Dios que la había ayudado a ingresar a la universidad en ese lugar, de hecho, Él también la guiaría a caminar juntos hasta que se graduara más tarde.

Sí, cuando tengamos fe completa, Dios, que se siente lejos, se sentirá tan cerca, y lo veremos siempre trabajando en cada problema de nuestra vida. En cada oscuridad de la vida que entra en nuestras vidas, Su luz siempre es tan milagrosa. Del mismo modo, a principios de 2023, cree que Dios, que nos ha ayudado y ha hecho muchas cosas milagrosas en 2022, también nos ayudará a vivir y superar 2023 con la luz de Su amor que sigue brillando para nosotros. Amplíe nuestra capacidad de fe para que experimentemos milagros y avances. Este es el momento de levantarnos y seguir brillando para la gloria de Dios.

REFLEXIÓN

Lo que EXPERIMENTAR emos en 2023 será como CREEMOS.

APLICACIONES

1. ¿Todavía te preocupa entrar en este nuevo año en 2023? ¿A qué se refiere?
2. ¿Cuánta fe tienes, que en 2023 Dios camina y trabaja contigo, y te ayuda?
3. ¿Qué necesitas hacer para que tu vida en 2023 siga brillando y trayendo una vida llena de alegría y esperanza?

ORACIÓN POR HOY

“Señor Jesús, gracias por tu preciosa lección en 2022. Estamos agradecidos por la oportunidad que nos has dado de sentir tu amor en 2023. Este año solo te damos la vida a ti, de acuerdo con tu voluntad. Creemos que trabajan juntos en cada proceso que experimentamos para nuestro futuro esperanzador. En el nombre del Señor Jesús, oramos. Amén”.

LECTURAS ANUALES DE LA BIBLIA

2 Crónicas 4-6
Juan 10:24-42

in Daily Devotional English / January 2023

CAMINA EL AÑO NUEVO CON DIOS (Spanish)

Enero 2, 2023 / Día 1

RHEMA DE HOY

Mateó 6:33 Mas buscad primeramente el reino de Dios y su justicia, y todas estas cosas os serán añadidas.

Dawnchere y su padre visitaron un famoso centro comercial en Yogyakarta. Quería probar los paseos disponibles allí, pero quería jugar con otros. Su padre también decidió acompañarla en uno de los paseos. Eligieron los locos paseos en coche, que tenían muchos fans. Inesperadamente, sus paseos no tenían suficiente seguridad para los niños de siete años. Al pasar por la pista, que estaba a unos diez metros del suelo, el vehículo iba rápido, y cuando se sumergió bruscamente en el camino, en parte fuera del edificio comercial, todos los pasajeros gritaron de miedo, incluidos Dawnchere y su padre. Afortunadamente, el padre de Dawnchere sostenía el pequeño cuerpo de Dawnchere para que no se cayera. Después de dos rondas aterradoras, finalmente llegaron a su lugar original. Dawnchere y su padre bajaron, pero todavía estaban aterrorizados. Es inimaginable que si Dawnchere no invitó a su padre con ella, podría haberse caído.

Mientras vivimos, a menudo no sabemos qué peligros podrían amenazarnos. También podría ser porque no tenemos experiencia o no creemos que podamos manejar todo por nuestra cuenta, por lo que tomamos decisiones imprudentes. Aunque, como humanos, tenemos limitaciones y no todo lo podemos enfrentar solos. Necesitamos ayudantes, y nuestro mejor ayudante es Dios.

A medida que entramos en 2023, todavía estamos determinando lo que sucederá este año. Pero no importa lo oscuro que esté el camino ante nosotros, Dios es el Iluminador que puede proteger cada paso. La Rhema de hoy también nos recuerda que debemos buscar y encontrar a Dios primero, por lo que no tenemos que tener miedo de todo lo que sucederá a lo largo de 2023. Incluso cuando camine con la Luz, Él nos resucitará para que seamos ligeros.

REFLEXIONES

EL MEJOR COMIENZO para comenzar 2023 es CAMINAR CON DIOS.

APLICACIONES

1. ¿Qué sueles hacer cuando estás a punto de empezar algo?
2. ¿Por qué es importante empezar algo con Dios?
3. ¿Cómo empezar algo con Dios?

ORACIÓN DEL DÍA

“Querido padre, gracias por tu palabra hoy. Queremos empezar el año 2023 contigo, Señor. Únete a nosotros para que podamos pasar el año contigo. Vamos a superar este año porque si caminamos contigo, podemos superar lo que pase. En el nombre del Señor Jesús, oramos. Amén”.

LECTURAS ANUALES DE LA BIBLIA

2 Crónicas 1-3
Juan 10:1-23

in Daily Devotional Spanish 2022 / January 2023

DO NOT MISS THE ANOINTING OF THE EARLY YEAR

JANUARY 8, 2023 / DAY #7

TODAY’S RHEMA

Psalm 20:7 Know I know that the LORD saves His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven with the saving strength of His right hand.

No lamp can burn without oil. Without oil to burn, no fire to kindle. When the oil runs out, the fire goes out, and darkness returns to rule the night. Like a lamp that needs oil, our spirit man needs anointing oil so that our spirit can burn. When our spirit is extinguished very quickly, we can be controlled by various things that can weaken our strength. Therefore, we need to prepare extra oil, so we don’t run out of God’s anointing.

At the beginning of each year’s service, our church always provides anointing for the whole congregation. We don’t want to be short of oil like the parable of the stupid girls, but we want to be like the wise girls who always have oil reserves to live throughout this new year. At a time when the world is afraid of experiencing shortages, instead, we rise and become bright with the anointing from God. Even though our surroundings look gloomy, we still walk in the light because we walk with God, who gives us glorious victory with His right hand. We are confirmed through today’s rhema, which says that God gives victory to His anointed and answers them from His holy heaven with sparkling wins.

Let us make the anointing at the beginning of the year that we have received a divine moment that will bring breakthroughs since the beginning of this year. We want to spend the year like the wise girls who always have extra oil. With the anointing that we have received, we can rise to be a light to those around us so that throughout this year, we will continue to walk with God’s light guiding our every step. We believe that God answers His anointed with victory at His right hand. Let’s start everything with God and get His anointing so that we may experience victory after victory with Him.

REFLECTION

Make THE ANOINTING OF THE EARLY YEAR a DIVINE MOMENT that will bring a BREAKTHROUGH since the beginning of this year.

APPLICATIONS

1. How would you start the new year?
2. Why is anointing oil essential?
3. How can we get breakthroughs and wins?

TODAY’S PRAYER

“Lord Jesus, we receive the anointing at the beginning of the year to be a divine moment for victory and breakthrough in our lives throughout this new year. In the name of the Lord Jesus, we pray. Amen.”

YEARLY BIBLE READINGS

2 Chronicles 17-18
John 13:1-20

in Daily Devotional English / January 2023
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