Day 1: The Power Source That Changes Everything
Devotional In a world obsessed with influence, we often find ourselves reaching for the wrong tools. We think louder voices, bigger platforms, or more persuasive arguments will help us make a difference. But what if the very foundation of our influence is completely backwards from what the world teaches? The cross stands as God’s radical alternative to worldly power. While culture celebrates strength, self-promotion, and dominance, Jesus chose weakness, humility, and sacrifice. This isn’t just a nice theological concept—it’s the actual power source for anyone who wants to make a lasting impact for God’s kingdom. Think about it: the cross looked like the ultimate failure to everyone watching. Yet it became the most powerful moment in human history. This same upside-down power is available to us today, but only when we intentionally anchor ourselves to Christ crucified rather than our own abilities or strategies. The beautiful truth is that God doesn’t need our perfection to use us powerfully. He doesn’t require us to have it all together before we can influence others. In fact, He often works most clearly through our weaknesses and broken places. When we stop trying to impress people with our strength and instead point them to the cross, something supernatural happens. This week, we’re going to explore what it means to live with kingdom influence—influence that flows from the cross rather than from worldly methods. It starts with recognizing that true power has never been about us. It’s always been about Jesus.
Bible Verse
‘For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.’ – 1 Corinthians 1:18-21
Reflection Question
What worldly tools or methods have you been tempted to use to gain influence, and how might anchoring yourself in the cross change your approach?
Quote Kingdom influence doesn’t begin with a Strategy. Kingdom influence begins with Christ and Christ crucified.
Prayer
Jesus, help me to see that true influence doesn’t come from my own strength or strategies, but from Your cross. Anchor my heart in Your radical love and sacrifice, and teach me to trust in Your power rather than my own abilities. Amen.
Day 2: Strength in the Broken Places
Devotional We live in a culture that tells us to hide our weaknesses and showcase only our strengths. Social media feeds are carefully curated to present perfect lives, successful careers, and flawless relationships. But what if God’s kingdom operates on completely different principles? The cross reveals something revolutionary: God’s power is actually perfected in human weakness. This isn’t just a comforting thought for difficult times—it’s the fundamental way God chooses to work in the world. He doesn’t wait for us to get our act together before using us. Instead, He specializes in using broken, imperfect people to accomplish His purposes. This truth should both humble and encourage us. It humbles us because it reminds us that we’re not the source of power in our own lives. We can’t manufacture kingdom influence through our own efforts or abilities. But it also encourages us because it means God can use us exactly as we are, weaknesses and all. When we try to influence others from a place of supposed strength, we often end up relying on manipulation, pressure, or performance. But when we embrace our weakness and point people to Jesus, something authentic and powerful happens. People are drawn to genuine vulnerability because it reflects the heart of the gospel. The cross is the great equalizer. It removes all our boasting and pretending, requiring us to approach others with humility. This isn’t weakness—it’s the strongest position we can take because it aligns us with how God actually works in the world.
Bible Verse
‘But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.’ – 2 Corinthians 12:9
Reflection Question
How has God used your weaknesses or broken places to impact others, and what would change if you stopped trying to hide these areas?
Quote God’s power is perfected in human weakness.
Prayer
Lord, thank You that You don’t need my perfection to use me powerfully. Help me to embrace my weaknesses as places where Your strength can shine through. Give me the courage to be authentic and vulnerable, trusting that Your power is made perfect in my weakness. Amen.
Day 3: Redefining Success God’s Way
Devotional Success in our world is measured by numbers: followers, income, square footage, achievements. We’re constantly comparing ourselves to others and feeling pressure to build bigger platforms and gain more visibility. But what if God defines success completely differently? While the world celebrates those who control people and command attention, God celebrates faithfulness and surrender. Sometimes the most influential thing you can do is quietly follow Jesus when no one is watching. The kingdom of God operates on principles that often look foolish to the world but are actually the source of true power. This doesn’t mean God is against success or growth. Rather, it means He’s more interested in the condition of our hearts than the size of our platforms. He values obedience over outcomes, character over charisma, and faithfulness over fame. When we align our definition of success with God’s, we find freedom from the exhausting pressure to constantly perform and promote ourselves. Think about the people who have most influenced your faith. Chances are, they weren’t necessarily the most famous or visible people. They were probably ordinary believers who loved Jesus authentically and served others faithfully. They understood that kingdom influence isn’t about building a personal brand—it’s about pointing people to the cross. When we stop chasing worldly success and start pursuing faithfulness, something beautiful happens. We become free to love people without agenda, to serve without expecting recognition, and to follow Jesus simply because He’s worthy of our devotion.
Bible Verse
‘Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.’ – 1 Corinthians 1:22-25
Reflection Question
In what areas of your life are you measuring success by worldly standards rather than God’s standards of faithfulness and surrender?
Quote The world defines success by visibility, by building a platform, by having followers, by controlling people. God defines success differently. God defines success by faithfulness. God defines success by surrender.
Prayer
Father, help me to redefine success according to Your kingdom values. Free me from the pressure to build my own platform and instead help me to be faithful in whatever sphere of influence You’ve given me. May my life point others to You rather than to myself. Amen.
Day 4: Lambs Among Wolves
Devotional Jesus had an unusual strategy for changing the world. Instead of sending His followers out with weapons, wealth, or worldly wisdom, He sent them as lambs among wolves. This seems like a recipe for disaster, doesn’t it? Yet this was intentional—Jesus wanted them to depend entirely on God’s power rather than human resources. This lamb-among-wolves approach reveals something profound about kingdom influence. It’s not about being aggressive, manipulative, or overpowering. It’s about carrying the gentle strength of Jesus into hostile environments, trusting that God’s power will work through our vulnerability and dependence on Him. When we try to influence others through force, anger, or manipulation, we’re operating like wolves among wolves. We’re using the world’s tools and shouldn’t be surprised when we get worldly results. But when we approach people with the humble confidence of lambs—gentle yet unafraid—we create space for God to work in ways that surprise everyone. This doesn’t mean being passive or weak. Lambs have a quiet strength that comes from knowing they’re protected by the Good Shepherd. They don’t need to prove themselves or fight for position because their security comes from their relationship with Jesus, not from their ability to dominate others. The beautiful paradox is that this lamb-like approach often proves more influential than aggressive tactics. People are drawn to authentic love, genuine humility, and quiet confidence. When we stop trying to win arguments and start trying to win hearts, God can do things through us that we never imagined possible.
Bible Verse
‘After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road. When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you. Stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house. When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is offered to you. Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.”‘ – Luke 10:1-9
Reflection Question
How can you approach the ‘wolves’ in your life with lamb-like gentleness while still maintaining the confidence that comes from knowing Jesus?
Quote Kingdom influence starts with this humble confidence. We’re lambs going out amongst wolves. Because all the power, it’s not in us. Where’s the power? It’s in the cross. It’s all in Jesus.
Prayer
Jesus, give me the humble confidence to go out as a lamb among wolves. Help me to trust in Your protection and power rather than my own ability to defend myself. Teach me to influence others through love and gentleness rather than force or manipulation. Amen.
Day 5: Daily Surrender, Lasting Impact
Devotional The cross isn’t just the doorway into salvation—it’s the ongoing shape of the Christian life. This means that kingdom influence requires daily surrender, not just a one-time decision. Every day, we must choose to return to the cross and allow it to shape how we speak, respond, and engage with others. Without this daily anchoring in the cross, our influence slowly drifts toward worldly methods. We start relying on persuasion instead of prayer, anger instead of love, platforms instead of presence. Even with sincere intentions, we can find ourselves doing all the right activities while being connected to the wrong power source. The cross carries a cost—it requires us to die to our own agendas, pride, and desire for control. But this is also where we find true power. When we live surrendered to Jesus, we see the world more clearly and understand our communities more deeply. We become conduits of God’s love rather than promoters of our own interests. This daily surrender transforms everything. It changes how we respond when someone disagrees with us. It shapes how we treat people who can’t do anything for us. It influences how we handle success and failure, praise and criticism. The cross becomes the lens through which we view every relationship and every opportunity to influence others. As we conclude this week, remember that you cannot advance a crucified kingdom with an uncrucified life. The power has never been in us—it’s in the cross. When we embrace this truth daily, God can use even someone as imperfect as us to do something beautiful for His kingdom.
Bible Verse
‘Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.’ – John 15:13
Reflection Question
What specific areas of your life need to be more shaped by the cross, and what would daily surrender look like in those areas?
Quote You cannot advance a crucified kingdom with uncrucified lives.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for the cross and the power it represents. Help me to return to it daily, allowing it to shape every aspect of my life. Give me the courage to surrender my own agenda and trust in Your power working through me. Use my life to point others to You. Amen.
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