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Day 1: Small Beginnings, Great Purposes

Devotional Have you ever felt overlooked or insignificant? Maybe you’re in a season where your circumstances seem too ordinary to matter in God’s grand plan. Today, we’re reminded that God has a beautiful pattern of choosing the small and seemingly insignificant to accomplish His greatest works. Bethlehem was a tiny town, barely a blip on the map of ancient Israel. Yet this humble place would become the birthplace of King David and, centuries later, Jesus Christ himself. The name Bethlehem literally means “house of bread” – a fitting name for the place where the Bread of Life would enter our world. God doesn’t need impressive credentials or perfect circumstances to work through you. He doesn’t require you to have it all figured out or to come from the “right” background. Throughout Scripture, we see Him choosing shepherds over kings, fishermen over scholars, and small towns over great cities. Perhaps you’re feeling small today – in your influence, your resources, or your opportunities. Take heart! God sees potential where others see ordinary. He sees purpose where others see insignificance. Your current season of hiddenness or smallness might be exactly where God is preparing you for something beautiful. The same God who chose Bethlehem is still at work today, looking for willing hearts rather than impressive resumes. He’s looking for people who will say yes to His plans, even when they can’t see the full picture. Your willingness to be used by God matters more than your perceived importance in the eyes of the world.

Bible Verse

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” – Micah 5:2

Reflection Question

In what areas of your life do you feel too small or ordinary to be used by God, and how might He want to work through those very places?

Quote Bethlehem reminds us that God often begins his greatest works in places that seem small and ordinary.

Prayer

Lord, thank You that You see potential in the small and ordinary. Help me to trust that You can use my life, my circumstances, and my simple offerings for Your glory. Give me eyes to see how You might be preparing me in this season for something greater than I can imagine. Amen.

Day 2: When Life Feels Bitter

Devotional Life has a way of taking unexpected turns, doesn’t it? One moment we’re making plans and dreaming dreams, and the next we’re facing loss, disappointment, or circumstances that leave us feeling bitter and broken. If you’re in that place today, you’re not alone – and your story isn’t over. Naomi knew this pain intimately. She had left Bethlehem with her husband and two sons during a famine, seeking a better life in Moab. But instead of finding prosperity, she found heartbreak. Her husband died, then both her sons, leaving her widowed and childless in a foreign land. The bitterness was so overwhelming that she asked people to call her “Mara,” which means bitter, instead of Naomi, which means pleasant. Maybe you can relate to Naomi’s pain. Perhaps you’ve experienced loss that has left you questioning God’s goodness. Maybe dreams have been deferred so long that your heart feels sick with disappointment. It’s okay to acknowledge that pain – God can handle your honest emotions. But here’s what’s beautiful about Naomi’s story: even in her bitterness, she was still moving toward Bethlehem. Even when she couldn’t see it, God was orchestrating a plan of redemption. Her darkest season was actually setting the stage for one of the most beautiful love stories in Scripture and a crucial link in the lineage of Jesus. Your bitter season doesn’t disqualify you from God’s purposes. In fact, it might be preparing you for something beautiful you can’t yet imagine. God specializes in bringing hope out of heartbreak and purpose out of pain.

Bible Verse

“In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit.” – Judges 21:25

Reflection Question

How has God shown His faithfulness to you in past seasons of difficulty, and how can that encourage you to trust Him in your current circumstances?

Quote Don’t call me Naomi, call me Mara, because the Almighty has made my life very bitter.

Prayer

Father, when life feels bitter and my heart is heavy, help me to remember that You are still good and still working. Give me strength to keep moving toward You, even when I can’t see Your plan. Turn my mourning into dancing and my sorrow into joy in Your perfect timing. Amen.

Day 3: The Power of Life-Changing Commitment

Devotional Some decisions change everything. They’re the moments when we choose to step out in faith, even when we can’t see the full picture. Today, we’re inspired by Ruth’s incredible commitment – a decision that would literally change the course of history. When Naomi decided to return to Bethlehem, she urged her daughters-in-law to stay in Moab and rebuild their lives. It made practical sense. But Ruth made a choice that defied logic and revealed the depth of her faith. Her words have echoed through generations: “Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.” This wasn’t just a promise to care for Naomi temporarily. Ruth was making a life-altering commitment to serve the Lord for the rest of her life. She was choosing to leave everything familiar – her homeland, her culture, her gods – to follow the one true God. She couldn’t have known that her decision would place her in the lineage of Jesus Christ. We face similar moments of decision. Maybe God is calling you to step out in faith – to forgive someone who hurt you, to use your gifts in a new way, to trust Him with a relationship or career decision. These moments require us to say yes before we can see the full outcome. Ruth’s story reminds us that our faithful commitments, even when they seem small or go unnoticed, can have ripple effects far beyond what we imagine. When we choose to follow God wholeheartedly, we become part of His redemptive story in ways we may never fully understand this side of heaven.

Bible Verse

“But Ruth replied, ‘Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.'” – Ruth 1:16-17

Reflection Question

What life-changing commitment is God calling you to make right now, and what fears or doubts are holding you back from saying yes?

Quote This is a life changing commitment that Ruth is making. She commits not simply for the length of Naomi’s life, just to take care of her while she’s alive. She commits to serving the Lord in Israel for the rest of her own life.

Prayer

Lord, give me the courage to make commitments that honor You, even when I can’t see the full picture. Help me to trust that when I say yes to Your plans, You will use my obedience for purposes greater than I can imagine. Strengthen my faith to follow You wholeheartedly. Amen.

Day 4: Saying Yes Like Mary

Devotional The Christmas story is filled with ordinary people who said extraordinary yeses to God. Today, we’re reminded that the same invitation to participate in God’s redemptive work is extended to each of us. When the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary with news that would change everything, she could have responded with fear, doubt, or refusal. The calling was overwhelming – to bear the Messiah, to face social shame, to trust God with the impossible. Yet Mary’s response reveals the heart of true faith: “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled.” Mary’s yes echoes Ruth’s commitment from generations before. Both women chose to trust God’s plan over their own comfort and security. Both made decisions that seemed risky in the moment but were essential to God’s redemptive story. Both remind us that God often chooses the young, the unknown, and the unlikely to accomplish His greatest works. You might feel like you’re too young, too inexperienced, or too ordinary to make a significant difference. But God isn’t looking for perfection – He’s looking for availability. He’s looking for people who will say yes to His invitations, even when they don’t understand the full scope of what He’s asking. Every day, we have opportunities to say yes to God in small and large ways. Yes to forgiveness. Yes to generosity. Yes to using our gifts. Yes to trusting His timing. Yes to loving difficult people. These yeses might seem insignificant, but they’re the building blocks of a life that makes a difference. The world needs more people who will say yes to God’s invitations. Will you be one of them?

Bible Verse

“‘I am the Lord’s servant,’ Mary answered. ‘May your word to me be fulfilled.'” – Luke 1:38

Reflection Question

What specific invitation or prompting from God have you been hesitating to say yes to, and what would it look like to respond with Mary’s willing heart?

Quote I am the Lord’s servant, Mary answered. May your word to me be fulfilled.

Prayer

God, give me a heart like Mary’s – willing to say yes to Your plans even when they seem impossible or uncomfortable. Help me to trust that You will equip me for whatever You call me to do. Make me available for Your purposes, no matter how big or small they may seem. Amen.

Day 5: Hope Has Arrived

Devotional After the long journey through pain, commitment, and faith, we arrive at the most beautiful part of the story – hope fulfilled. When Naomi and Ruth finally reached Bethlehem, they arrived just as the barley harvest was beginning. Bread was returning to the house of bread. This timing wasn’t coincidental. After years of famine, both literal and spiritual, provision was on the horizon. The same town that had been empty of sustenance was about to overflow with abundance. It was a picture of God’s perfect timing and His faithfulness to restore what had been lost. Centuries later, this same Bethlehem would witness an even greater arrival. Jesus, the Bread of Life, would be born in the house of bread. The hope that Naomi and Ruth experienced was just a foretaste of the ultimate hope that would come through Christ. Here’s the incredible truth for us today: we don’t have to wait for hope to arrive on the horizon. Hope has already come! Jesus has already been born, lived, died, and risen again. The redemption that was promised has been accomplished. The bread of life is available to anyone who will receive Him. Whatever season you’re walking through – whether it feels like famine or harvest, bitterness or blessing – you can have confidence that God is working. He’s weaving your story into His greater narrative of redemption. Your faithful steps, your willingness to say yes, your commitment to follow Him – they all matter in ways you may never fully see. The same God who brought Ruth and Naomi to Bethlehem at just the right time is at work in your life right now. Trust His timing. Trust His plan. Hope has arrived, and that changes everything.

Bible Verse

“So Naomi returned from Moab accompanied by Ruth the Moabite, her daughter-in-law, arriving in Bethlehem as the barley harvest was beginning.” – Ruth 1:22

Reflection Question

How does knowing that hope has already arrived in Jesus change the way you view your current circumstances and future possibilities?

Quote For us, hope’s not just on the horizon. Hope’s already arrived, and that changes everything.

Prayer

Thank You, Lord, that I don’t have to wait for hope – it has already come in Jesus. Help me to live with the confidence that You are working all things together for good. Give me patience for Your timing and faith to trust Your plan, knowing that my story is part of Your greater story of redemption. Amen.

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

Day 1: God With Us – The Promise of His Presence

Devotional Have you ever felt alone in a crowded room? Sometimes we can be surrounded by people yet feel completely isolated. This feeling of separation isn’t new – it’s been part of the human experience since the very beginning when sin created a chasm between us and God. But God had a plan. When the angel announced Jesus’ birth, he declared that this child would be called Immanuel, which means ‘God with us.’ This wasn’t just a beautiful name; it was a promise that would change everything. For centuries, God’s people had experienced His presence in limited ways – in the temple, through priests, in special moments. But Jesus came to restore something far greater. The Christmas story isn’t just about a baby being born; it’s about God stepping into our world to bridge that gap. Every nativity scene, every Christmas carol, every twinkling light reminds us that God didn’t stay distant. He came close. He became one of us so that we could be with Him. Today, because of what began in that Bethlehem stable, you don’t have to wonder if God is near. The same God who chose to be born as a vulnerable baby chose to make His home in your heart. When loneliness creeps in, when life feels overwhelming, when you question if anyone truly understands – remember Immanuel. God is with you, not just in the big moments, but in the ordinary Tuesday afternoons and the sleepless nights. This Christmas season, let this truth sink deeper than just an idea in your head. Let it become a reality in your heart that transforms how you see each day.

Bible Verse

‘The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel’ (which means ‘God with us’). – Matthew 1:23

Reflection Question

In what specific areas of your life do you most need to experience the reality that God is truly with you?

Quote Jesus mission, when you look at it that way, was to restore God’s presence to his people.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for being Immanuel – God with us. Help me move beyond just knowing this truth to truly experiencing Your presence in my daily life. When I feel alone or overwhelmed, remind me that You are always near. Amen.

Day 2: Wrapped in Love – God’s Tender Care

Devotional There’s something profoundly tender about how Jesus entered our world. Picture Mary, probably still a teenager, carefully wrapping her newborn son in strips of cloth. These weren’t fancy blankets or royal robes – just simple cloths that provided warmth and security for a vulnerable baby. But here’s what’s remarkable: this scene of tender care would be mirrored at the end of Jesus’ earthly life. After His crucifixion, loving hands would once again wrap Him in cloths – this time burial linens – before placing Him in a tomb. From birth to death, Jesus was surrounded by people who cared for Him with gentle, loving hands. This isn’t coincidence; it’s God’s design. It shows us that our Savior understands what it means to be vulnerable, to need care, to depend on others. The God of the universe chose to experience the full range of human need, from the helplessness of infancy to the finality of death. When you’re going through difficult times, remember that Jesus knows what it feels like to need comfort. He understands vulnerability because He chose to experience it. The hands that were once wrapped in swaddling clothes are the same hands that now reach out to comfort you in your struggles. God’s care for you is just as tender and intentional as Mary’s care for baby Jesus. You’re not forgotten or overlooked. Just as Jesus was lovingly wrapped and cared for, you too are held in God’s loving embrace, surrounded by His protection and provision.

Bible Verse

So she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. – Luke 2:6-7

Reflection Question

How does knowing that Jesus experienced vulnerability and needed care change the way you view your own struggles and need for God’s comfort?

Quote The first Mary and the first Joseph, they welcomed Jesus into the world. And the second Mary and the second Joseph are there to care for him as he leaves it.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for the tender care You show me every day. Just as Jesus was lovingly wrapped and cared for, help me trust that I am held securely in Your loving hands, especially during difficult times. Amen.

Day 3: Angels Announce Victory – Heaven’s Celebration

Devotional Imagine being a shepherd on that holy night, quietly watching your flock under the starlit sky, when suddenly the darkness explodes with heavenly light. An angel appears with news that will change everything, followed by a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and declaring peace on earth. This wasn’t a quiet, private moment. Heaven couldn’t contain its excitement! The long-awaited Messiah had arrived, and the angels had to announce it. But here’s what’s beautiful – they didn’t announce it to kings or religious leaders first. They announced it to ordinary shepherds, people who were considered lowly in society. Fast forward to Easter morning, and once again angels appear with an announcement of victory. This time, they declare that Jesus has risen from the dead. From birth to resurrection, angels serve as God’s messengers, proclaiming triumph over darkness, sin, and death. These angelic announcements remind us that what God is doing in our world is worthy of heaven’s celebration. Your salvation, your redemption, your restoration – these aren’t small matters. They’re so significant that angels rejoice over them. When you feel insignificant or wonder if your life matters, remember that heaven celebrated your Savior’s birth and resurrection. The same God who sent angels to announce Jesus’ arrival is the God who rejoices over you. Your story matters to Him, and your life is worthy of celebration in heaven’s eyes.

Bible Verse

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.’ – Luke 2:13-14

Reflection Question

What would change in your daily perspective if you truly believed that heaven celebrates what God is doing in your life?

Quote The story once again reminds us that hope has entered the world.

Prayer

Lord, thank You that my salvation is worthy of heaven’s celebration. Help me see my life through Your eyes and remember that what You’re doing in and through me matters eternally. Fill me with the joy of knowing I am celebrated in heaven. Amen.

Day 4: From Weakness to Power – The Divine Paradox

Devotional One of the most beautiful paradoxes of our faith is how God displays His power through apparent weakness. Jesus, the Creator of the universe, entered our world as a helpless baby, completely dependent on human care. He who holds all things together couldn’t even hold up His own head. This divine paradox continues throughout Jesus’ life and reaches its climax at the cross and resurrection. What appeared to be ultimate defeat – death on a cross – became the greatest victory in human history. The tomb that seemed to seal His fate became the launching pad for eternal life. This pattern reveals something profound about how God works. He doesn’t always show His strength in ways we expect. Sometimes His power is most evident in our weakest moments. When you feel overwhelmed, inadequate, or powerless, you’re in the perfect position to experience God’s strength. The baby in the manger grew up to conquer death itself. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is available to you today. It’s the power to overcome whatever feels impossible in your life, to find strength when you’re weak, and to experience victory even in the midst of struggle. God’s power isn’t diminished by your weakness – it’s displayed through it. Just as Jesus entered the world in weakness but rose in power, God can take your most vulnerable moments and transform them into testimonies of His strength.

Bible Verse

‘He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee.’ – Luke 24:6

Reflection Question

In what areas of weakness or struggle in your life might God want to display His power and bring transformation?

Quote It’s a picture that the one who entered the world, if you would, in weakness raises in power.

Prayer

God, thank You that Your power is made perfect in my weakness. Help me trust that even in my most vulnerable moments, You are working to bring victory and transformation. Give me faith to believe that what seems impossible to me is possible with You. Amen.

Day 5: New Life from Empty Places – God’s Creative Power

Devotional Sometimes life can feel like a tomb – dark, sealed, and hopeless. Maybe you’re facing a situation that seems impossible to change, a relationship that feels dead, or a dream that appears buried forever. In those moments, remember this: the same God who brought life from a virgin womb can bring life from any empty place. Jesus emerged from two ‘virgin’ places – a womb that had never known life and a tomb that had never held death. Both were sealed places that only God’s creative power could open. This isn’t just ancient history; it’s a promise for your present circumstances. Whatever ‘tomb’ you might feel trapped in today – whether it’s depression, broken relationships, financial struggles, health challenges, or shattered dreams – God specializes in bringing life from lifeless places. The resurrection power that rolled away the stone from Jesus’ tomb is the same power available to you right now. God doesn’t just recycle old things; He creates entirely new realities. He can take your deepest pain and transform it into your greatest purpose. He can resurrect dreams you thought were dead and breathe life into situations that seem hopeless. As you face whatever challenges lie ahead, remember that you serve a God who brings life from empty places. Your current circumstances don’t determine your future possibilities. With God, every ending can become a new beginning, and every tomb can become a birthplace for something beautiful.

Bible Verse

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. – Psalm 23:1

Reflection Question

What ’empty’ or ‘dead’ area of your life do you need to trust God to bring new life and restoration to?

Quote Whatever darkness you may face in your life, whether whatever tomb, if you would, you may feel trapped in, the same God who brought life from a virgin womb and victory from an empty tomb, can absolutely bring new life to you, the full and abundant life that he wants you to have.

Prayer

Lord, You are the God who brings life from empty places. I surrender the areas of my life that feel hopeless or dead to Your creative power. Just as You raised Jesus from the tomb, breathe new life into my circumstances and help me trust in Your ability to make all things new. Amen.

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

Day 1: Back to the Beginning

Devotional Have you ever wondered why Jesus called His disciples back to Galilee after His resurrection? It wasn’t random—it was intentional. Galilee was where it all began for them. It was where they first heard His voice, first saw His miracles, first decided to follow Him. Sometimes in our spiritual journey, we need to return to our beginning too. Not physically, but spiritually. We need to remember that first moment when Jesus captured our hearts, when His love became real to us, when we said yes to following Him. Life has a way of complicating things. We add layers of expectations, performance, and religious activity that can cloud the simple beauty of our relationship with Christ. But Jesus is always calling us back to that place of beginning—back to the wonder, back to the simplicity, back to the love that started it all. When the disciples returned to Galilee, they were returning to familiar ground where they could remember who they were before they tried to be who they thought they should be. In that place of beginning, Jesus met them again. He always does. Your beginning with Jesus might have been in a church, at a camp, in your bedroom, or during a difficult season. The location doesn’t matter—what matters is remembering the heart connection that started your journey. That’s where everything opens up again.

Bible Verse

‘Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”‘ – Matthew 28:16-20

Reflection Question

What was your ‘Galilee moment’—that place or time when you first encountered Jesus in a real way, and how can returning to that memory refresh your faith today?

Quote Jesus is calling them back to the place of their beginning. That’s where they met Jesus. That’s where they first heard him.

Prayer

Jesus, thank You for calling me back to the beginning. Help me remember the wonder and simplicity of when I first said yes to You. Strip away the complications and help me find You again in that place where it all started. Amen.

Day 2: Imperfect and Chosen

Devotional It’s remarkable that Jesus chose to entrust the future of His kingdom to eleven men who still struggled with doubt. Even after witnessing the resurrection, Matthew tells us that some of them doubted. Yet Jesus didn’t wait for them to get their act together. He didn’t require a faith assessment or a spiritual maturity test. This should encourage every one of us who feels inadequate or imperfect. You might look at your life and see the gaps, the struggles, the areas where you’re still growing. You might think, ‘God could never use someone like me.’ But that’s exactly the kind of person God loves to use. Perfect people don’t exist, so God has chosen to build His kingdom with imperfect, incomplete people who simply keep showing up. He’s not looking for your perfection—He’s looking for your presence. He’s not waiting for you to have it all figured out—He’s inviting you to partner with Him right where you are. The disciples’ doubt didn’t disqualify them; it made them relatable. Their imperfections didn’t eliminate them; it made them authentic. Their struggles didn’t sideline them; it made them human. God sees your heart, not just your performance. He sees your willingness, not just your ability. He sees your potential, not just your past. When you feel inadequate, remember that you’re in good company with those first disciples who changed the world despite their doubts.

Bible Verse

‘God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”‘ – Genesis 1:28

Reflection Question

In what areas of your life do you feel too imperfect or inadequate to be used by God, and how might He want to use those very areas for His glory?

Quote He doesn’t use perfect people. You know why? There isn’t any. He uses us and he partners with us.

Prayer

Father, thank You for choosing imperfect people like me. Help me stop waiting for perfection and start showing up with willingness. Use my weaknesses to display Your strength and my doubts to deepen my dependence on You. Amen.

Day 3: Cosmic Gardeners

Devotional From the very beginning, God had a beautiful plan for humanity. We weren’t created just to exist—we were created with purpose. God made us to be ‘cosmic gardeners,’ partners with Him in making the whole world flourish like Eden. This original calling was both relational and missional. God wanted to be in relationship with us, and He wanted us to join Him in His work of bringing life, beauty, and order to the world. We were designed to be His image-bearers, reflecting His character and extending His kingdom wherever we went. But something went wrong. The fall broke this beautiful partnership. Through sin and death, the authority God had given us was transferred to the enemy. What was meant to be a garden became a wilderness. What was meant to be partnership became separation. Yet this brokenness wasn’t the end of the story. It was the setup for the greatest comeback in history. Jesus came to wrestle back what was lost, to restore what was broken, to reclaim the authority that had been stolen. Understanding this bigger picture changes everything about how we see our lives and our purpose. We’re not just trying to get by until heaven—we’re called to be part of God’s restoration project. Every act of love, every moment of service, every word of encouragement is part of making the world more like it was meant to be.

Bible Verse

‘And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.”‘ – Genesis 2:16-17

Reflection Question

How does understanding your original calling as a ‘cosmic gardener’ change the way you view your daily responsibilities and opportunities to serve others?

Quote We’re sort of cosmic gardeners. That’s what we were called to be. That’s what Adam and Eve were called to be.

Prayer

Lord, help me see my life through the lens of Your original design. Show me how to be a gardener in my corner of the world, bringing life and beauty wherever You place me. Restore in me the joy of partnering with You. Amen.

Day 4: Authority Restored

Devotional The most powerful moment in human history wasn’t just about forgiveness—it was about restoration. When Jesus declared that all authority in heaven and earth had been given to Him, He was announcing that the cosmic coup was over. The enemy’s reign was finished. What had been stolen was now reclaimed. But here’s the incredible part: Jesus didn’t keep this authority to Himself. Just as God had originally given authority to humanity in the garden, Jesus gives it back to us. The Great Commission isn’t just a nice suggestion—it’s a restoration of our original calling with divine backing. This changes everything about how we approach life. We’re not victims of circumstances or slaves to fear. We’re not powerless against the darkness in our world. We have been given authority—not because we earned it, but because Jesus won it back for us. This authority isn’t about dominating others or getting our way. It’s about partnering with Jesus to bring His kingdom to earth. It’s about speaking life into dead situations, bringing hope to hopeless places, and demonstrating God’s love in practical ways. The authority Jesus gave you is still yours. You don’t have to earn it again or prove you’re worthy of it. You just need to step back into it, knowing that the One who holds all authority is the same One who never leaves your side.

Bible Verse

‘Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”‘ – Matthew 28:16-20

Reflection Question

What would change in your daily life if you truly believed and lived from the reality that Jesus has given you His authority to make a difference in the world?

Quote He takes that authority that initially had been given to us. He takes it back. And now he has the authority. He wrestles it away from the evil one and he gives it once again.

Prayer

Jesus, thank You for winning back what was lost and sharing Your authority with me. Help me step confidently into this calling, knowing that Your power backs up Your purposes. Show me how to use this authority to serve others and advance Your kingdom. Amen.

Day 5: Never Alone

Devotional The Great Commission begins with ‘all authority’ and ends with ‘always with you.’ This isn’t coincidence—it’s the complete truth that transforms everything. The One who holds ultimate power in the universe promises to never leave your side. Think about what this means for your Monday morning, your difficult conversation, your financial stress, your health concern, your relationship struggle. You’re not facing any of it alone. The same Jesus who has authority over every situation is the same Jesus who walks with you through every moment. This promise pushes away fear, doubt, and despair. They lose their grip when we live with constant awareness of His presence and power in our lives. You don’t have to be strong enough, smart enough, or brave enough on your own—you just have to show up knowing He’s with you. God sees you. He has never left your side. His eyes have been on you the whole time. In your victories and your failures, in your confidence and your confusion, in your mountaintop moments and your valley experiences—He’s been there. This isn’t just a nice theological concept—it’s a daily reality that changes how you walk through life. When you let this truth settle on you, it gives you courage to step into opportunities, strength to face challenges, and peace to rest in His love. You are never alone. The One with all authority is always with you. That changes everything.

Bible Verse

‘And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’ – Matthew 28:20

Reflection Question

How would your approach to today’s challenges and opportunities change if you lived with constant awareness that Jesus is right there with you?

Quote The one who holds all authority is the same one who never leaves your side.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for the promise that You are always with me. Help this truth sink deep into my heart and transform how I face each day. When fear tries to grip me, remind me of Your presence. When doubt whispers lies, let me hear Your voice of truth. I am never alone because You are always with me. Amen.

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