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Day 1: Surrendering Control

Devotional We often try to shape God according to our own plans and desires. Like the crowds who wanted to make Jesus king by force, we sometimes attempt to mold Him into what we think He should be. But Jesus’s response teaches us a powerful lesson – He withdrew from their attempts to control Him because His mission was far greater than their immediate desires. This challenges us to examine our own hearts. Are we trying to fit Jesus into our plans, or are we willing to fit into His?

Bible Verse

When Jesus saw that they were ready to force him to be their king, he slipped away into the hills by himself. – John 6:15

Reflection Question

In what areas of your life are you trying to make Jesus fit into your plans rather than surrendering to His?

Quote Too often we try to fit Jesus into our own plans. It’s like, well, I think this way Jesus must agree with me, because I’m right, of course.

Prayer

Lord, forgive me for the times I’ve tried to control You instead of surrendering to Your will. Help me to trust Your plans above my own. Give me the courage to let go of my need for control and to follow Your leading. Amen.

Day 2: The Divine Presence

Devotional When life feels overwhelming, it’s easy to think we’re alone in our struggles. But just as Jesus walked on water to reach His disciples in their storm, He comes to us in our moments of fear and uncertainty. His words ‘It is I’ carry profound meaning – they echo God’s declaration of His own name in the Old Testament. This reveals that Jesus isn’t just offering help; He’s bringing God’s very presence into our storms.

Bible Verse

But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “I am here!” – John 6:20

Reflection Question

How does knowing that Jesus actively comes to you in your struggles change your perspective on current challenges?

Quote Jesus sees us in our struggles, no matter what storm we’re facing, whether it’s grief, loss, illness, financial hardships, relational betrayal. He’s watching over us.

Prayer

Jesus, thank You for being Emmanuel, God with us. Help me to recognize Your presence in my struggles and to find comfort in knowing You’re right here with me. Amen.

Day 3: Walking Through Storms

Devotional We often pray for God to remove our storms, but sometimes His plan is to walk with us through them instead. This isn’t a sign of His absence or lack of care – it’s actually a profound expression of His presence and love. Just as He was with the disciples in their boat, He remains with us through our trials. His presence doesn’t always calm the storm immediately, but it always calms our hearts in the midst of it.

Bible Verse

But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. – Romans 5:8

Reflection Question

What storm in your life do you need to trust God to walk through with you rather than asking Him to remove it?

Quote So often we pray God, remove the storm. Remove the storm. I don’t want to go through this. Sometimes he just chooses to walk with us through it instead.

Prayer

Father, give me the faith to trust You in the midst of my storms. Help me to find peace not in the absence of troubles, but in Your presence through them. Amen.

Day 4: The Ultimate Storm Bearer

Devotional Just as Jonah was thrown into the sea to calm the storm for others, Jesus took on the ultimate storm – death itself – for our salvation. This wasn’t just a display of power; it was an act of sacrificial love. When we face our own storms, we can find comfort knowing that our Savior has already endured the greatest storm possible out of love for us. He understands our struggles because He chose to experience human suffering firsthand.

Bible Verse

Then they picked Jonah up and threw him into the raging sea, and the storm stopped at once! – Jonah 1:15

Reflection Question

How does Jesus’s willingness to face the ultimate storm for you impact your trust in Him during difficult times?

Quote Just as Jonah was thrown into the sea to calm the storm for the sailors, Jesus was thrown into the storm of death so we could be saved.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for bearing the ultimate storm for my sake. Help me to rest in Your sacrificial love and find strength in knowing You understand my struggles. Amen.

Day 5: Our Unshakeable Foundation

Devotional Life is unpredictable and often challenging, but Jesus offers Himself as our unshakeable foundation. He’s not just a guide through the storms; He’s our refuge in them. While we can’t control the circumstances around us, we can anchor ourselves to the One who remains steady through every storm. His presence provides stability when everything else seems to be falling apart.

Bible Verse

Then God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.'” – Exodus 3:14

Reflection Question

What areas of your life need to be rebuilt on the foundation of Christ rather than on shifting circumstances?

Quote Our greatest refuge is Jesus himself. Life’s unpredictable. It’s hard, it’s challenging. But he is our unshakable foundation.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for being my unshakeable foundation. Help me to build my life on You rather than on temporary securities. Be my refuge in every storm. Amen.

Join us at Keys Vineyard Church in person or online or connect with our Bible Institute for more sermons, courses, etc.

Day 1: The God of Abundance

Devotional Have you ever felt like what you have isn’t enough? Maybe you’re facing a situation that seems impossible with your limited resources. The story of Jesus feeding the 5,000 reminds us that in God’s hands, our ‘not enough’ becomes more than enough. When the disciples looked at five loaves and two fish, they saw scarcity. But when Jesus took those same items, He demonstrated His power to provide abundantly. This wasn’t just about filling empty stomachs; it was about revealing His nature as a God of abundance. Today, whatever seems insufficient in your life – whether it’s time, resources, or strength – remember that God can multiply it beyond your imagination.

Bible Verse

“When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, ‘Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?'” – John 6:5

Reflection Question

What area of your life feels insufficient right now, and how might God be inviting you to trust Him with that limitation?

Quote Jesus wants to make sure that they get that they can trust him and that he’s a God of abundance.

Prayer

Lord, help me to trust in Your abundance rather than focusing on my limitations. Transform my perspective from scarcity to faith in Your provision. Amen.

Day 2: Daily Bread, Daily Trust

Devotional Just like the Israelites needed to gather manna each morning, our spiritual nourishment requires daily attention. We can’t stockpile our relationship with God or run on yesterday’s faith. Each day brings fresh opportunities to trust Him and receive His provision. When we try to rely on past experiences or previous encounters with God, we miss the fresh bread He’s offering today. This daily dependence isn’t meant to burden us but to draw us into deeper intimacy with our Provider. It’s in this daily seeking that we discover the richness of walking with God.

Bible Verse

“Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.'” – John 6:32-33

Reflection Question

How might your relationship with God change if you approached it as a daily necessity rather than an occasional experience?

Quote The bread of life needs to be received daily. The story and what he’s telling them is you can’t just go and gather a whole bunch of this stuff and like you’re done. It’s an everyday sort of thing.

Prayer

Father, create in me a hunger for daily communion with You. Help me prioritize our relationship above all else. Amen.

Day 3: Surrendering Our Resources

Devotional Sometimes we hold tightly to what we have, afraid to let go. The disciples had to surrender their small lunch before Jesus could multiply it. This principle still applies today – God often asks us to release what we’re clutching before He can work His miracles. It might be our time, talents, or treasures. When we surrender these to Jesus, He can transform them into something far greater than we imagined. The key isn’t in how much we have, but in our willingness to place it in His hands.

Bible Verse

“Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'” – John 6:31

Reflection Question

What is God asking you to surrender to Him today, and what’s making it difficult to let go?

Quote You don’t want to hang on to the loaves and the fish. You want to give them to Jesus when he says, give them to me.

Prayer

Dear God, give me the courage to open my hands and release what I’m holding onto. Help me trust that You can do more with my surrender than I can do with my control. Amen.

Day 4: The Bread That Satisfies

Devotional We often chase after things that promise satisfaction but leave us wanting more. Career achievements, material possessions, or worldly success might temporarily fill us, but they don’t satisfy our deepest hunger. Jesus offers Himself as the bread that truly satisfies – not just for a moment, but eternally. When we feast on His presence and truth, we find a fulfillment that nothing else can provide. This satisfaction isn’t just about feeling good; it’s about being transformed from the inside out.

Bible Verse

“Then Jesus declared, ‘I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.'” – John 6:35

Reflection Question

What temporary satisfactions might you be pursuing instead of the lasting fulfillment Jesus offers?

Quote Don’t work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life.

Prayer

Jesus, help me recognize the things that don’t truly satisfy. Draw me to You as my source of real fulfillment. Amen.

Day 5: Living Bread for a Dying World

Devotional Jesus didn’t just come to feed people physically; He came to give His life so we could truly live. When He calls Himself the living bread, He’s pointing to His sacrifice that brings eternal life. This isn’t just about personal satisfaction – it’s about His life-giving power reaching a world in need. As we receive this living bread, we become carriers of His life to others. Our daily walk with Him isn’t just for our benefit; it’s meant to overflow into the lives of those around us.

Bible Verse

“I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” – John 6:48-51

Reflection Question

How can you share the life-giving bread of Jesus with someone in your sphere of influence this week?

Quote We have this opportunity to have relationship with the God who spoke everything into being and who’s gone to great lengths so that you can have relationship with Him.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for being the living bread. Help me not only to receive Your life but to share it generously with others. Amen.

Join us at Keys Vineyard Church in person or online or connect with our Bible Institute for more sermons, courses, etc.

Day 1: The Power of Choice

Devotional Sometimes the simplest questions can be the most challenging to answer. When Jesus asked the man at the Pool of Bethesda if he wanted to get well, it wasn’t just about physical healing. It was about choosing a different path. Often, we find ourselves stuck in situations that aren’t healthy for us, yet they’ve become comfortable. We make excuses, rationalize our circumstances, and resist change, even when it could lead to something better. Just like the man who had been ill for 38 years, we might find it easier to stay in our familiar pain than step into unknown healing.

Bible Verse

“When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, ‘Do you want to get well?'” – John 5:6

Reflection Question

What areas of your life have become comfortable despite being unhealthy, and what’s holding you back from choosing change?

Quote Sometimes we will settle for familiar and we’ll start to choose it over what’s healthy. Because what healthy movement might be might be a little unknown.

Prayer

Lord, give me the courage to be honest about the areas where I’ve become comfortable with dysfunction. Help me to choose healing, even when it means stepping into the unknown. Amen.

Day 2: Breaking Free from Excuses

Devotional We’re masters at rationalizing our situations. When faced with opportunities for change, we often respond like the man at the pool, listing all the reasons why we can’t move forward. It’s easier to blame circumstances or other people than to take responsibility for our own healing. But rationalization is just a way of telling ourselves comfortable lies to avoid uncomfortable truths. Real transformation begins when we stop making excuses and start making choices that align with God’s plan for our lives.

Bible Verse

“The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” – John 10:10

Reflection Question

What excuses have you been using to avoid making necessary changes in your life?

Quote When you rationalize something, you’re just telling yourself rational lies.

Prayer

Father, help me recognize when I’m making excuses instead of taking steps toward healing. Give me the strength to face truth and embrace the full life you offer. Amen.

Day 3: The Path to Healing

Devotional God’s invitation to healing often requires action on our part. When Jesus commanded the man to get up, pick up his mat, and walk, He was asking him to participate in his own healing. This command required faith, courage, and immediate action. The same is true for us today. Whether we’re dealing with physical, emotional, or spiritual challenges, healing often involves both divine intervention and our willingness to take steps of faith. God provides the power, but we must choose to get up and walk.

Bible Verse

“After this, Jesus found him at the temple and said to him, ‘See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you.'” – John 5:14

Reflection Question

What specific step of faith is God asking you to take toward your healing journey?

Quote Get up, pick up your mat and walk.

Prayer

Jesus, give me the faith to act when you call me to move. Help me trust in your healing power and take the steps you’re asking me to take. Amen.

Day 4: Choosing Life

Devotional Life presents us with daily choices between two paths: God’s way (the Tree of Life) or our way (the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil). One leads to peace, rest, and healthy relationships; the other to stress, anxiety, and fear. Through Jesus’s sacrifice on the cross, we have renewed access to the Tree of Life. This isn’t just about making better choices; it’s about choosing a different source of life altogether. When we choose God’s way, we choose life itself.

Bible Verse

“I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” – John 6:35

Reflection Question

In what areas of your life are you trying to be your own source of wisdom instead of trusting God’s way?

Quote One tree is life and peace and rest and good relationship and everything that you can imagine. And the other tree is stress and anxiety and worry and anger and fear and death.

Prayer

God, help me choose your path of life over my own understanding. Thank you for making the way back to the Tree of Life possible through Jesus. Amen.

Day 5: Sharing Hope with Others

Devotional Once we’ve experienced God’s healing and transformation in our own lives, we have a powerful story to share with others. However, sharing our hope isn’t about forcing our experience on others or judging their journey. Instead, it’s about gently and respectfully pointing to the source of our healing – Jesus Christ. When we share our story with gentleness and respect, we become living testimonies of God’s transformative power.

Bible Verse

“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” – 1 Peter 3:15

Reflection Question

How can you share your story of transformation in a way that brings hope to others while showing respect for their journey?

Quote I got some hope to share. But the rest of that verse in 1st Peter 3:15 is what’s like. It says, be ready to share, but do it with gentleness and respect.

Prayer

Lord, help me share the hope I’ve found in you with gentleness and respect. Use my story to bring encouragement and healing to others. Amen.

Join us at Keys Vineyard Church in person or online or connect with our Bible Institute for more sermons, courses, etc.