A Personal Journal of Grace and Discipleship

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God,who loved me and gave himself for me.” - Galatians 2:20

From the blog


 

The Exchanged Life: Finding Freedom and Wholeness Through Spirituotherapy

In a world filled with competing counseling models, it’s not uncommon to find contrasting views on what “biblical” or “Christian” counseling truly means. Searching for answers can feel overwhelming, and the terms alone—“biblical counseling” versus “Christian counseling”—can spark endless debates on how, or whether, secular counseling methodologies fit within a Christian framework.

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When Nothing Shows but God Still Works
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When Nothing Shows but God Still Works

T. Austin-Sparks invites us into a radical shift of perspective—one that challenges how we measure spiritual fruit and meaningful ministry. The heart of today’s devotional is this: true union with Christ reshapes everything. Instead of initiating great things for God, the yielded soul comes to see that the Christian life is not about doing for God, but allowing God to work through us. The external show of accomplishment is no longer our measure; rather, the unseen movement of the Spirit becomes the focus.

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Born From Above to Bear His Life
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Born From Above to Bear His Life

What is the point of it all? Why did God birth the Church, and why are we called His children? T. Austin-Sparks leads us back to the foundational truth that our existence—individually and corporately—is to express Christ. Nothing more. Nothing less. The Church isn’t a place, a gathering, or a program. It is a living expression of the indwelling Christ. And as Christ is the beginning and the end, so everything in between—every thought, every action, every fellowship—is meant to be an extension of Him.

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When Self Tries to Take the Wheel
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When Self Tries to Take the Wheel

Today’s devotional from Ray Stedman takes us into one of Paul’s more human moments—one where his reaction shows how easily even the most seasoned believer can slip into flesh-driven responses. Instead of addressing the Sanhedrin with the traditional respect, Paul dives in boldly, calling them “brothers” and defending himself in a way that was both true and emotionally charged. His confrontation with the high priest becomes a picture of what happens when even a godly man momentarily reacts from the soul rather than yielding to the Spirit.

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Chosen to Know, Chosen to Yield
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Chosen to Know, Chosen to Yield

In this scene from Acts 22, Paul recounts the moment everything changed for him. Speaking to a hostile crowd, he doesn't defend himself or fight for survival—he bears witness. He shares how God met him through Ananias, restoring his sight and revealing a divine commission that was unforgettable even three decades later.

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Eternity is Not Delayed—It’s Guaranteed
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Eternity is Not Delayed—It’s Guaranteed

Today’s devotional by Bob Hoekstra reminds us that the return of Jesus and the renewal of all things isn’t just a hopeful thought—it’s a promised reality. Though it may feel delayed from our earthly point of view, God is never late. His longsuffering is not a sign of hesitation but of mercy. He is not slow in keeping His promises. Rather, He is patient, allowing more time for people to come to repentance and receive eternal life.

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A Promise That Carries Us Home
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A Promise That Carries Us Home

Jesus gave His disciples a tender, personal promise the night before the cross—a promise not only for them, but for all who would trust Him in the days to come. He knew their hearts would tremble with fear at His departure, so He anchored them in something unshakable: “I will come again and receive you to Myself.” His absence was not abandonment; it was preparation. His return would be reunion.

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The Seat at My Table
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The Seat at My Table

Today’s devotional from A.B. Simpson reminds us that genuine love for Christ finds expression not merely in thoughts or feelings but in tangible acts of devotion. Words without deeds are hollow when it comes to ministry that truly reflects the heart of Jesus. Just as Mary offered a costly gift at Jesus’ feet, we are called to give from the depths of what is precious to us—not only in spiritual sentiment but in physical, practical service.

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The Upward Gaze of Faith
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The Upward Gaze of Faith

Sometimes we shrink under the weight of our own inadequacy. We imagine that if we were more spiritual, more certain of our place in God’s will, then perhaps we could really trust Him. But today’s devotional from A.B. Simpson reminds us that this thinking is backwards. Faith doesn’t begin by looking inward for certainty—it starts by looking upward in surrender.

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Sanctified on the Death Side: Yielding to the Severing Sword of Christ
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Sanctified on the Death Side: Yielding to the Severing Sword of Christ

Oswald Chambers challenges us to reckon with the oft-ignored reality of sanctification: it has a death side. We may gladly embrace the joy of being raised with Christ, but the Spirit first brings us face-to-face with the crucifixion of all that is not of Christ. This “battle royal” Chambers speaks of is the inner struggle to let go of our deepest attachments—our reputation, our relationships, our rights, even our self-image—and submit fully to Christ’s ownership.

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Entering Empty-Handed
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Entering Empty-Handed

Oswald Chambers reminds us that Jesus did not come to raise the bar of morality to unattainable heights merely to show us how far we fall short. If we approach Him only as a teacher, we end up defeated—knowing what is right but utterly unable to live it. Jesus didn’t come simply to instruct us; He came to indwell us with the very life that fulfills what He taught.

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When My Urgency Meets God’s Eternity
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When My Urgency Meets God’s Eternity

The writer from today’s devotional, Miles Stanford, reminds us that God's provision isn't based on panic—it’s based on eternal purpose. We live in a world of pressing needs and ticking clocks, and it's hard to align our anxious urgency with our Father’s unhurried and sovereign pace. But He is never late, and He is never scrambling. The moment we see what God has already accomplished for us in Christ, the invitation becomes clear: rest, trust, and rely on His divine timing.

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At Home in Glory
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At Home in Glory

Today’s devotional from Miles Stanford reminds us that we are not only welcomed into the presence of our Father by the blood of Christ—we are fit for that presence because we are clothed in Christ Himself. The door into the Holiest place has been opened, not merely for visitation, but for habitation. We don’t step into God’s presence as beggars hoping for acceptance. We dwell there as those who have been fully accepted in the Beloved and made suitable by His indwelling life.

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The Willing Heart God Uses
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The Willing Heart God Uses

Today’s devotional from Witness Lee calls us to awaken to God’s heart: His desire to reach others is often hindered not by His power or willingness, but by our own unavailability. Isaiah 6:8 presents the piercing question, “Whom shall I send? Who will go for Us?” The implication isn’t that God lacks resources—but that He seeks yielded hearts. He looks for those who will live not for personal ease or vainglory, but for His purposes in a world still in need of salvation.

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The King Who Says “No” Because He Loves Me
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The King Who Says “No” Because He Loves Me

Today’s message from Witness Lee reminds us of a reality we sometimes overlook in daily life: we live under a King—not merely a Judge or a Lawgiver, but a loving King who has taken up residence within us. The devotional highlights that we are no longer under the authority of darkness but have been transferred into the kingdom of the Son of God's love. That kingdom is not only external—it’s inward and personal. The King has come to dwell within us, and His presence isn’t passive. He rules.

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Heaven in the Midst of Ephesus
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Heaven in the Midst of Ephesus

E. Stanley Jones draws us into Paul’s opening words to the Ephesians, where he marvels not merely at their faith, but at the setting in which their faith thrives. Ephesus, after all, was known more for its idolatry and sensuality than for holiness. To be a saint in Christ and simultaneously remain faithful in a place like Ephesus was no small feat. Yet Paul doesn't separate these believers from their environment—he sees them as saints in Ephesus and in Christ.

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His Mind, Not Mine
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His Mind, Not Mine

E. Stanley Jones invites us to examine something we rarely question—our own views. Paul, in Galatians 5:10, expresses confidence that the believers will take “no other view than mine,” because Paul’s view had been aligned with Christ's. But this alignment isn’t something to assume lightly. Just because we’ve surrendered our lives to the Lord doesn’t mean every thought we think carries His imprint. We may be sincere, devout, and even sacrificial—yet still cling to assumptions rooted not in Christ, but in culture, denominational bias, personal history, or simple ignorance.

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Rest Is a Person, Not a Place
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Rest Is a Person, Not a Place

Today’s devotional from Nick Harrison draws us into a rich distinction: God’s rest is not simply a cessation of activity—it is His very own rest, found in Himself. Adolph Saphir emphasizes that in giving us rest, God gives us Himself. All other blessings—peace, righteousness, joy, light, strength—flow from that singular gift. In Christ, we don’t merely receive benefits from God; we receive the indwelling presence of God Himself. This is not abstract or symbolic—it is the real, active, relational presence of the risen Christ living in us.

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Kept in All My Ways
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Kept in All My Ways

Many believers have a quiet, even resigned, expectation that they will make it to heaven—but barely. We imagine arriving scarred and spiritually bruised, dragging our way across the finish line of faith. But that isn’t the picture Psalm 91:11 paints. F.B. Meyer reminds us that God’s provision is not limited to the end goal of salvation—it is powerfully active in our present journey. He doesn’t merely prepare a place for us in glory; He appoints angelic care to keep us in all our ways.

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Living in the Center of His Purpose
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Living in the Center of His Purpose

T. Austin-Sparks gently reminds us that God’s primary concern is not with what we do for Him, but what He does in us. Activity for God is not the measuring rod of our faithfulness—availability is. Moses spent forty obscure years in the wilderness watching sheep, yet it was there that God formed him into the vessel fit for leading His people. Sparks urges us to consider that stillness, obscurity, and seeming insignificance may be the very environment in which God’s purpose unfolds most deeply.

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When Courage Doesn’t Come from You
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When Courage Doesn’t Come from You

Paul had just narrowly escaped death at the hands of an enraged mob in Jerusalem. Rather than running for safety or even just staying silent, he astonishingly asked for permission to speak to the same violent crowd. Most of us would be eager to get away, but Paul, deeply burdened by love for his fellow Israelites, saw the chaos as a divine opportunity. He trusted the Lord to do something eternal in that moment.

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