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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Every Need Is an Invitation
Believing Thomas Believing Thomas

Every Need Is an Invitation

Today’s entry from A.B. Simpson invites us to reconsider our trials, not as interruptions, but as containers—vessels that God Himself provides for the infilling of His Spirit. It challenges the restless striving we often default to when surrounded by problems. Instead of rushing into action or fretting over outcomes, we’re told to do something surprisingly simple: bring the need to Jesus.

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Sanctified from the Inside Out
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Sanctified from the Inside Out

In today’s devotional, Oswald Chambers reveals a vital distinction often missed in modern Christian thinking—sanctification is not the result of striving to imitate Christ, but the reality of Christ Himself being expressed through us. The holiness that God requires is not a refined version of our own self-discipline; it is Jesus’ very own life, infused into ours the moment we yield to Him in faith. We are not called to act holy—we are called to receive holiness, because holiness has a Name, and His Name is Jesus.

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Willing to Be Spent
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Willing to Be Spent

Today’s reflection from Miles Stanford draws us into the deeper cost—and privilege—of sacrificial service. God’s mercy is not only the means of our salvation but also the foundation of our service. We are not asked to serve from obligation or guilt, but by the mercies of God, as those who have already received everything in Christ. His mercies inspire us to yield our very lives to Him in love, not just in words but in action.

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From Stone to Son: Living in the New Age of Grace
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From Stone to Son: Living in the New Age of Grace

In today’s reading from Witness Lee, a clear line is drawn between the old religious order and the new reality ushered in through Christ. John the Baptist, addressing the Pharisees and Sadducees, declared that God was no longer building His people on the foundation of natural lineage or inherited status. The old markers—bloodline, rule-keeping, and outward religiosity—had no place in the kingdom of the heavens that was breaking in. Instead, this new kingdom would be made up of those born from above—living children of God birthed through faith, not the flesh.

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The Fullness I Already Have
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The Fullness I Already Have

E. Stanley Jones draws our attention to Ephesians 1:3, which celebrates a staggering truth: we’ve already been blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ. Not some. Not most. Every single one—past tense, already ours, located in Christ, where we too are spiritually seated. The implications are breathtaking: nothing essential for our life in God is found outside of Christ. All that the human soul needs—peace, identity, security, meaning, fulfillment—is wrapped up in the Person of Jesus.

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Hearts That Burn, Not Hands That Boast
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Hearts That Burn, Not Hands That Boast

Today’s devotional compiled by Nick Harrison turns our attention away from outward service and re-centers us on the inward reality of Christ’s presence. Without love, without the warmth of personal fellowship with the Lord, even the most devoted church activity becomes hollow—like a bride going through her duties without affection for her groom. The message is simple, yet cutting: A church without heart is a church without Christ.

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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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