Category: Daily Bread

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Abundant Life Pt. 3: Life To The Full

10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. ~ John 10:10

Jesus is the Good Shepherd who laid down His life for us, His sheep. Pause and consider this truth: if Jesus willingly sacrificed everything so that we might have eternal life, will He not also provide for our needs? Will He not respond to the desperate cries of our hearts when we cry out in faith? Of course, He will. His sacrifice on the cross wasn’t just to secure our eternal salvation—it was to ensure we could experience life in its fullness, a life marked by His provision, care, and abundance right here and right now in this life. He promises an abundant life.

Let me share a story about a young woman from Iran whose story proves this truth. Her mother was a moderate Christian, and her father was a non-practicing Muslim. After her mother’s death, she veered off course—spiraling out of control, she began drinking and sleeping around. By her early adulthood, she was an unmarried mother of two, burdened by the consequences of her choices. Her reckless lifestyle strained her relationship with her family. Her stepmother eventually gave her father an ultimatum: “It’s her or me.” Her father told her she had to leave. With nowhere to go, she and her children ended up homeless, hungry, and sleeping in a park.

At her lowest point, she felt utterly defeated. She went to her daughter’s grandparents and told them she was considering placing her daughter in an orphanage in hopes that it might give her child a better chance. The girl’s grandparents stepped in and told her she could stay there with them instead.

Eventually, the young woman found a job and rented a small apartment, scraping by to rebuild her life. But food remained scarce, and desperation crept back in. One day, she remembered a Bible she’d been given years earlier—a rare treasure in her country, valuable enough to sell for a decent sum, perhaps enough to buy groceries. Yet she hesitated. The man who had given her the Bible had said, “If you don’t need it, give it away for free, just as you received it for free.” Convicted by those words, she decided to keep it.

Hungry and hopeless, she opened the Bible and read the story about Jesus and His disciples in John 21. The disciples had fished all night but had caught nothing, and now they were returning exhausted. Jesus called out from the shore, “Do you have any fish?” They replied, “No.” Yet when they reached the shore, He had breakfast waiting—broiled fish and bread, a meal prepared by His own hands. A surge of anger and despair welled up in her. “You had Jesus,” she accused the disciples silently, “but who do I have? Who cares for me?”

That same morning, still hungry, she arrived at work. Near her desk sat two potatoes and some food—no one was around. When her coworker arrived, she asked, “Where did this come from?” Her coworker smiled and said, “I put it there. We don’t have much ourselves, but we wanted to share with you.” In that moment, she saw it: Jesus was with her, just as He was with His disciples, providing through unexpected hands.

Jesus came that we might have life—abundant life. He’s our Good Shepherd, our Provider, our unfailing resource. The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but Jesus offers hope, a future, and provision beyond our imagination. Hebrews 13:5 echoes His promise: “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” That woman’s potatoes weren’t just food—they were a sign of His care, a whisper of the abundant life He died to give us. When we’re at our lowest, He’s still near, meeting needs in ways we might miss if we don’t look for Him. So, trust Him today. Ask boldly. The Good Shepherd who gave His life for you won’t hold back what you need to thrive.

Father, thank You that no matter how desperate my life might become, no matter how hopeless my circumstances may seem, You are there with me. You are always by my side. Thank you for giving us life to the full, LORD Jesus. Help me never to lose hope no matter the situation or the circumstance because I know there is a greater reward, an even more abundant life coming in eternity. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.

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Abundant Life Pt. 2: Help My Unbelief

20 So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth. 21 Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?” “From childhood,” he answered. 22 “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” 23 “ ‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” 24 Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” ~ Mark 9:20-24

This father’s desperate plea reveals a struggle we can all relate to: the battle between faith and doubt. He brought his son to Jesus, confident in His power to heal. Why else would he come? He had likely heard stories of Jesus’ miracles—perhaps even knew someone touched by His hand. John tells us that Jesus performed so many wonders that the world couldn’t contain the books if they were all written down (John 21:25). So, this father arrived expecting a miracle. But when the disciples failed to cast out the demon, his confidence faltered. Doubt crept in, and he began to question Jesus’ authority, saying, “If you can do anything …”

Jesus’ response is striking: “If you can? All things are possible for one who believes.” The father’s words had betrayed his wavering faith, and Jesus called it out—not to condemn, but to challenge. Realizing his struggle, the father cried out for help with his unbelief. His story mirrors a challenge we often face today. We know God’s power. We’ve seen Him move. Yet, over time, familiarity can dull our expectations. Like this father, we can become “inoculated” against the fullness of God’s promises.

In the 18th century, doctors inoculated patients against smallpox by exposing them to a small dose of the disease, triggering immunity. Similarly, we can be around church, prayer, and God’s Word just enough to grow complacent. We’ve witnessed half-hearted faith and tepid prayers, and it numbs us to the miraculous. Doubt sneaks in, and we start to wonder if God will really act.

But Jesus offers a better way. He paid the ultimate price—not just for our salvation, but for our healing: spirit, soul, and body. Isaiah 53:5 proclaims, “By His stripes, we are healed.” The abundant life He promises includes freedom from sickness. So, if you’re battling illness today, don’t settle for doubt. Proclaim your healing, ask Jesus to uproot any unbelief, and trust in His finished work on the cross. Let’s reject inoculation and embrace the complete transformation God desires for us. Heavenly Father, help me with my unbelief. I know that for those who believe, all things are possible. Please help me reach that point so that I can live the abundant life that You promised. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.

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Abundant Life Pt. 1: Life More Abundant

7 So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” ~ John 10:7-11

In this devotional series, we will explore what Jesus meant when He said He came so we might have life—and have it more abundantly—and how we can experience this abundant life.

Jesus declares He came so that we—those who accept Him as LORD and Savior—might live an abundant life. What does that look like? It’s more than spiritual vitality alone. It includes your spirit, yes, but also your physical health and emotional peace. You’re not living abundantly if illness traps you in bed or limits what your youth should enjoy, nor if setbacks steal your joy. The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy—through disease, despair, or temptation—but Jesus, our Door, leads us to green pastures. He feeds our souls.

As His sheep, we face a spiritual battle, but through Him, we overcome. He laid down His life, took our chastisement for peace (Isaiah 53:5), and left us His peace (John 14:27). So don’t let the world’s troubles conquer you. Lean on Him in prayer when storms hit, trusting His strength to carry you. Fix your eyes on His promises—like Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”—to rise above fear or failure. With His Spirit, we are more than conquerors through Christ, who saves and strengthens us.

Thank You, Heavenly Father, for sending Your beloved Son to die on Calvary for us. Thank You, Jesus, for being obedient even unto death so that we might have life and life more abundantly. Teach me how to rely on Your grace so that I might be an overcomer. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.

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Approach Wisely

Matthew 5:13-16 NIV

[13]  “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. [14]  “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. [15] Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. [16] In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

We now live in a society that wants to box is on to labels. Labels that we now just throw around and try to self-diagnosis in a 60-second short. When comforted by anyone, the response is always “if you don’t want opinions, then don’t post it on social media.” Now while I do agree with that statement, there’s also no reason that random people should be labeling and boxing in people they don’t know and have never met because they think they know everything and are just the smartest person in the world.

Someone posting a cute video about their life or their children should never result in arrogant people trying to be therapists or projecting sexualization of something sweet and innocent. Yes, even though posting something online for the world to see allows for any and every one to comment their opinions, doesn’t mean every opinion should be posted. Sometimes it’s okay to remain silent. Sometimes it’s okay to keep scrolling. The idea that your random and 99% always wrong opinions are ever warranted is only allowed by delusion and pride.

Not everything needs to be said. Not everything needs to be posted. There will always be those who overshare, and there will always be those who overstep, but we, the body of Christ, have no right to negatively react to either. Our place is to be Christ to the world. Nothing more. Nothing less. A light in the darkness. And salt in the earth. Sometimes, the saltiest thing we can do is stay quiet, and the brightest light is the one that doesn’t demand attention

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Approach Wisely.

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Give No Opportunity

1 Peter 5:8 NIV

[8] Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

I recently saw a post-match interview with a mixed martial arts fighter named Connor McGregor. The interviewer relayed Connor McGregor’s own words to him before the fight took place, saying:

“I knew his right hand was twitching. I knew when that right hand was going to come, he would regret it. I knew it.”

Apparently, Connor McGregor studied his opponent, saw the weakness, and capitalized on it as he anticipated that his opponent’s eagerness to strike would leave him vulnerable, which ended up being true when McGregor countered with a knockout punch.

He studied his opponent as his opponent became cocky. Then he used what he learned against him and ultimately defeated him. Our enemy is much like this, but much worse. Our enemy studies us day and night. He’s never without eyes on us, yet we act as if he isn’t a threat. We act as if he is a defeated foe. We don’t need armor against a defeated foe. We don’t need to fight against a defeated foe. When we believe these lies, our hands begin to get twitchy, and the enemy waits for the perfect opportunity, that we ourselves give him, to strike.

So, what do we do? We remove the opportunity from him. We don’t need to strike, we just need to build. Build what? The Kingdom of our God. When we focus on building the Kingdom of God, the attacks of the enemy don’t land the same as when all of our focus is on him and what he has done. When we are about our Father’s business, our Father is about us. He will defend us, we just need to remain in Him.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Give No Opportunity.

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Wisely Choose Partners

[9] Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: [10] If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. [11] Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? [12] Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. ~ Ecclesiastes 4:9-12NIV

I saw a video the other day entitled, What We Mean When We Say Marriage Is Hard. In the video, it was a husband and wife playing a game together. There were 5 bottles on top of 5 hidden bottles. They had to work together in order to find the pattern of the 5 hidden bottles. Every time the husband made progress, the wife would argue with him and undo the progress on her turn. She’d tell him that he was wrong and (apparently) that even the judge was wrong. What could’ve been a quick, easy win within just a few moves turned into a difficult uphill battle.

Who you choose to spend your life with and who you choose to keep around you will either build you up or tear you down. They will either help you reach your goals or hold you back.  They will either propel you towards your God-given call, or they will become an obstacle blocking your path. They will either lift the load or add to it. So be careful who you invite into your private world. Be careful who you invite into your private circle.

We are to be uplifting and encouraging towards each other, only building up and never tearing down. We are the body of Christ; we can’t work together if we’re fighting one another. We can’t be one if our desire is to destroy and dismantle anyone who isn’t exactly like us. We should never be dictators or narcissists in our relationships. Our actions should always point others back to Christ. They should always point back to the love of God. They should always cause those around us to see the Light of Christ in us.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Choose Wise Partners.

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Prepare For Opportunity

1 Samuel 17:17-50 NIV

[17] Now Jesse said to his son David, “Take this ephah of roasted grain and these ten loaves of bread for your brothers and hurry to their camp. [18] Take along these ten cheeses to the commander of their unit. See how your brothers are and bring back some assurance from them. [19] They are with Saul and all the men of Israel in the Valley of Elah, fighting against the Philistines.” [20] Early in the morning David left the flock in the care of a shepherd, loaded up and set out, as Jesse had directed. He reached the camp as the army was going out to its battle positions, shouting the war cry. [21] Israel and the Philistines were drawing up their lines facing each other. [22] David left his things with the keeper of supplies, ran to the battle lines and asked his brothers how they were. [23] As he was talking with them, Goliath, the Philistine champion from Gath, stepped out from his lines and shouted his usual defiance, and David heard it. [24] Whenever the Israelites saw the man, they all fled from him in great fear. [25] Now the Israelites had been saying, “Do you see how this man keeps coming out? He comes out to defy Israel. The king will give great wealth to the man who kills him. He will also give him his daughter in marriage and will exempt his family from taxes in Israel.” [26] David asked the men standing near him, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?” [27] They repeated to him what they had been saying and told him, “This is what will be done for the man who kills him.” [28] When Eliab, David’s oldest brother, heard him speaking with the men, he burned with anger at him and asked, “Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle.” [29] “Now what have I done?” said David. “Can’t I even speak?” [30] He then turned away to someone else and brought up the same matter, and the men answered him as before. [31] What David said was overheard and reported to Saul, and Saul sent for him. [32] David said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.” [33] Saul replied, “You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a young man, and he has been a warrior from his youth.” [34] But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, [35] I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed It. [36] Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. [37] The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you.” [38] Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head. [39] David fastened on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because he was not used to them. “I cannot go in these,” he said to Saul, “because I am not used to them.” So he took them off. [40] Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine. [41] Meanwhile, the Philistine, with his shield bearer in front of him, kept coming closer to David. [42] He looked David over and saw that he was little more than a boy, glowing with health and handsome, and he despised him. [43] He said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. [44] “Come here,” he said, “and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and the wild animals!” [45] David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. [46] This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. [47] All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” [48] As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. [49] Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground. [50] So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him.

The story of David and Goliath is one of (if not the most) well-known Bible stories of all time. Everyone has heard of David and Goliath. When we think about this story, we just think about a young Israelite boy with no military background or training defeating a philistine warring giant. What many don’t realize, though, is that this opportunity wasn’t in David’s plans.

David didn’t go to the battle to fight Goliath. David went to bring his brothers food and check on them. He didn’t go there to make a name for himself, he went there to bring back a report to his father that all was well with his brothers. But David saw an opportunity and took it. And because he had prepared for this moment long before he had even the thought of this opportunity, he was ready.

Not every opportunity is going to be a Goliath moment. For instance, I grew up watching the TV show Drake and Josh, but I didn’t realize that Drake Bell (the actor who played Drake in the show) actually wrote the theme song for the show. Apparently, 2 days before he went in to meet with the producers or executives of the show, he spent 16ish hours writing and perfecting a song to pitch for them as the theme song. It wasn’t a part of the meeting. He didn’t know if they’d even let him play it, but he spent his weekend preparing for it regardless.

He said he could’ve went to the pool with his friends or even went to a party, but instead, he stayed home and wrote and practiced what would become one of the most well known and recognized theme songs of our childhood. A song that he still performs at concerts to this day.

Sometimes, a little sacrifice now will bring forth a great victory in the future. We won’t always know ahead of time that there is an opportunity, but we must prepare for every possibility. If we want something, we sometimes have to make the opportunities appear for ourselves. No one went and got David, David went and pitched himself to King Saul. No one went and got Drake Bell to write a theme song, Drake Bell took the initiative, wrote the song, and pitched it to the producers or executives. Not every opportunity is going to be loud and in your face. The majority of the time you’ll need discernment, hope, and faith to see the opportunity before you.

Dear LORD, I’m sorry for every opportunity I’ve missed or never even noticed. Please allow me to have opportunities in my future that are handcrafted and laid out before me by You. Lead me to them. Help me to prepare in private, so I’ll be ready in public when the time comes. Fill with Your Holy Spirit, that I might follow the path You’ve set before me. Fill me with a spirit of discernment, that I might see the opportunities before they even come to me and that I might make an opportunity for myself through You. Work through me as You worked through the Israelites as they crossed the Red Sea and the Jordan. Help me to make a way where there is no way. Help me to be bold in everything that I do. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.

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Lay Out Your Fleece

Judges 6:36-40 NIV,

[36] Gideon said to God, “If you will save Israel by my hand as you have promised— [37] look, I will place a wool fleece on the threshing floor. If there is dew only on the fleece and all the ground is dry, then I will know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you said.” [38] And that is what happened. Gideon rose early the next day; he squeezed the fleece and wrung out the dew—a bowlful of water. [39] Then Gideon said to God, “Do not be angry with me. Let me make just one more request. Allow me one more test with the fleece, but this time make the fleece dry and let the ground be covered with dew.” [40] That night God did so. Only the fleece was dry; all the ground was covered with dew.

Gideon had received a direct message from the LORD, but his heart was unsure. So, instead of ignoring the LORD, he confirmed it with the LORD twice. He laid out a fleece twice in order to confirm the call the LORD had on his life. God wasn’t angry. He wasn’t impatient. Instead, God simply granted Gideon’s requests and comforted his heart.

God does not change. He if confirmed Gideon’s request and eased his doubt, He will do the same for you. When I’m not sure what to do, I may out two fleece before the LORD. I get very specific as Gideon was. And you know what? The LORD has never not answered. He has never led me in the wrong direction. He has never allowed me to go through something on my own. The LORD is faithful to us. He will never leave us, nor forsake us. He is our helper and our friend.

The LORD’s desire is for our faith to grow. He wants us to walk by faith, not by sight, because sometimes, our sight will destroy our faith. We’ll see giants in the land God promised us our we’ll see an army too strong and large for us to handle. We’ll see ourselves as the enemy wants us to see ourselves, not how God sees us. When you believe you heard from God, but doubt is filling your heart, list out two fleece before the LORD. Be specific in your request and, most importantly, don’t allow doubt to creep in whatsoever. Force yourself to trust that the LORD will hear you and answer you.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Lay Out Your Fleece.

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Walk Like Joseph

33 Now therefore let Pharaoh select a discerning and wise man, and set him over the land of Egypt. 34 Let Pharaoh proceed to appoint overseers over the land and take one-fifth of the produce of the land of Egypt during the seven plentiful years. 35 And let them gather all the food of these good years that are coming and store up grain under the authority of Pharaoh for food in the cities, and let them keep it. 36 That food shall be a reserve for the land against the seven years of famine that are to occur in the land of Egypt, so that the land may not perish through the famine.” ~ Genesis 41:32-36

Joseph was a prisoner, forgotten by the man he had interpreted the dream of for 2 years. Now, he was standing before Pharaoh, and he held all of the cards. He had nothing to lose. Imagine if Joseph told Pharaoh exactly what needed to be done. He very well could have kept that information to himself. A lot of people would have been like, “What’s in it for me?”

They would reason that, “Look, I’m a prisoner, and unless you free me, I’m not telling you anything, nor am I giving you any information. If you put me in charge, then I will help you. Then I will give you my good advice.” But not Joseph. Joseph explained to Pharaoh exactly what must be done, with no hesitation at all.

Impressed, Pharaoh took off his signet ring and put it on the finger of Joseph. In so doing, Pharaoh bestowed on Joseph the full power of Egypt. In one day, Joseph went from prisoner to second in command of all Egypt, the superpower of that day.

Joseph embodied honesty. He didn’t try to use his God-given gifts to his own advantage. He didn’t try to make himself great. He simply accepted the hand dealt to him and tried to live for God regardless of whether he was in the house or in the gutter. Why? Because he fully trusted in the LORD. He fully believed that the LORD had him no matter what the enemy tried to do to him. Joseph grew wherever he was planted, and the LORD was faithful to him.

Joseph went from prisoner, living in the jail, to second in command over all of Egypt, answering only to Pharaoh in just one conversation. He was faithful to God, so God was faithful to him. Even if the cupbearer forgot Joseph, the LORD God didn’t.

There might be people that you’ve helped, that you’ve been there for, that you’ve invested in, that have been elevated and have forgotten you, but don’t be discouraged, angry, or upset. The LORD God hasn’t forgotten you. He hasn’t abandoned you. If you remain faithful to Him, even when you have every right to be upset and bitter, the LORD will remain faithful to you, and he will elevate you because the LORD elevates the humble.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Walk Like Joseph.

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Better Than

“Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” ~ Acts 3:6

Peter was very clear. He said that he did not have any silver nor did he have any gold, but he had something much better, the authority to heal him and make him able to walk. Why? The signet ring of power and authority was returned to man. But there are those who claim that we do not have authority. They deny that signs and wonders are for all believers as Jesus said they were, but they believe it was only for the Apostles.

There is no doubt in my mind that we Christians are living way below our potential. We have the authority, and we have the power, but we are living as if we do not, mainly because we are told that we do not.

The believers, not just the Apostles, but the believers like Philip the Evangelist were all walking in the power and working in miracles and performing signs and wonders all in the Name of Jesus.

After Peter and John healed the lame man, the rulers and elders, and scribes and all the family of the high priest called them in and questioned them, “… ‘By what power or by what name have you done this?’ (Acts 4:7b).” They realized that it was a great power that the disciples had performed that great miracle, but like today, they refused to believe or accept that it was by the power of Jesus’ name.

Dear LORD, please forgive me for every time I was ungrateful for what You have given me. Thank You for all of Your many blessings upon me. Thank You for loving me and keeping me. I pray LORD that You would open my eyes to all that You have for me. Please don’t allow me to make anything You have for me null and void. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.

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