The Daily Dose

Armed for Battle

“When Abram heard that his relative had been taken captive, he called out the 318 trained men born in his household and went in pursuit as far as Dan.” – Genesis 14:14

A while back, a close friend of mine was going through a difficult and painful season. At the time, she wasn’t close to God and had made some destructive decisions that placed her in a situation that looked completely hopeless. My heart broke for her and I didn’t know what to do at first, but I knew I couldn’t just sit back and watch the enemy devour her future. So I went to battle in prayer. Every day, I prayed for her and her situation. I spoke God’s promises over her and her family. I prayed for life where I only saw brokenness. Not long after, she came back, not just physically, but spiritually, changed and rescued. God had fought the battle as I stayed on my knees.

Genesis 14 is about Abram doing something very similar. His nephew Lot had been taken captive during a war between kings. Abram didn’t ignore it or assume someone else would step in. He took action. He gathered his trained men, pursued the enemy, and rescued Lot, his family, and all their possessions. Abram wasn’t a warrior by trade, he was a man of faith, but when it was time to fight for someone he loved, he was ready.

You might be in a time right now where someone close to you is in trouble, emotionally, spiritually, or physically. Maybe they’ve made decisions that put them in danger, or they’re simply caught up in battles they didn’t ask for. It can feel overwhelming but like Abram, you’ve been equipped. You don’t have to charge into a physical fight, but you can fight in the Spirit realm. You can gather the “trained men” of God’s Word, prayer, praise, and wise counsel and pursue what the enemy is trying to steal.

And here’s the powerful part—after Abram’s victory, he was met by Melchizedek, the king of Salem and priest of God Most High. Melchizedek brought him bread and wine and spoke God’s blessing over him:
“Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And blessed be God Most High, who has defeated your enemies for you.” ~ Genesis 14:19-20

Not only was Abram strengthened for battle and successful in his mission, but he was also honored and blessed for his faith and obedience. This reminds us that when we move with God’s purpose, He responds with provision, affirmation, and blessing. God sees your willingness to fight for others, and He honors that kind of obedience and intercession.

Here is how you can get started today:

• Commit to daily prayer for the one you are burdened for. Call out their name and pray God’s promises over their life.
• Write down scriptures that speak to rescue, redemption, and hope (Isaiah 61, Psalm 91, and Luke 15 are great places to start).
• Invite others to join you in prayer such as trusted friends who know how to intercede and encourage you along the way.
• Stay available and loving. Let the person know they are not alone, even if they push you away at times.
• Worship through the waiting. Praise silences the enemy and strengthens your own heart.

Today I want to encourage you to rise up like Abram when someone you love is in need. You are not helpless. God has equipped you with powerful spiritual tools to take ground in prayer and faith. Even if you don’t see the victory right away, know that every step of obedience, every whisper of prayer, and every act of love is pursuing the promise that God restores what has been lost. Just like Abram, your obedience can unlock rescue for someone else and blessing for you. Stand firm, pray bold, and trust that God is fighting alongside you.

Today’s scripture reading: Genesis 14

1 About this time war broke out in the region. King Amraphel of Babylonia, King Arioch of Ellasar, King Kedorlaomer of Elam, and King Tidal of Goiim

2 fought against King Bera of Sodom, King Birsha of Gomorrah, King Shinab of Admah, King Shemeber of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (also called Zoar).

3 This second group of kings joined forces in Siddim Valley (that is, the valley of the Dead Sea).

4 For twelve years they had been subject to King Kedorlaomer, but in the thirteenth year they rebelled against him.

5 One year later Kedorlaomer and his allies arrived and defeated the Rephaites at Ashteroth-karnaim, the Zuzites at Ham, the Emites at Shaveh-kiriathaim,

6 and the Horites at Mount Seir, as far as El-paran at the edge of the wilderness.

7 Then they turned back and came to En-mishpat (now called Kadesh) and conquered all the territory of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites living in Hazazon-tamar.

8 Then the rebel kings of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and Bela (also called Zoar) prepared for battle in the valley of the Dead Sea.

9 They fought against King Kedorlaomer of Elam, King Tidal of Goiim, King Amraphel of Babylonia, and King Arioch of Ellasar—four kings against five.

10 As it happened, the valley of the Dead Sea was filled with tar pits. And as the army of the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some fell into the tar pits, while the rest escaped into the mountains.

11 The victorious invaders then plundered Sodom and Gomorrah and headed for home, taking with them all the spoils of war and the food supplies.

12 They also captured Lot—Abram’s nephew who lived in Sodom—and carried off everything he owned.

13 But one of Lot’s men escaped and reported everything to Abram the Hebrew, who was living near the oak grove belonging to Mamre the Amorite. Mamre and his relatives, Eshcol and Aner, were Abram’s allies.

14 When Abram heard that his nephew Lot had been captured, he mobilized the 318 trained men who had been born into his household. Then he pursued Kedorlaomer’s army until he caught up with them at Dan.

15 There he divided his men and attacked during the night. Kedorlaomer’s army fled, but Abram chased them as far as Hobah, north of Damascus.

16 Abram recovered all the goods that had been taken, and he brought back his nephew Lot with his possessions and all the women and other captives.

Melchizedek Blesses Abram

17 After Abram returned from his victory over Kedorlaomer and all his allies, the king of Sodom went out to meet him in the valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley).

18 And Melchizedek, the king of Salem and a priest of God Most High, brought Abram some bread and wine.

19 Melchizedek blessed Abram with this blessing: “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth.

20 And blessed be God Most High, who has defeated your enemies for you.” Then Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of all the goods he had recovered.

21 The king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give back my people who were captured. But you may keep for yourself all the goods you have recovered.”

22 Abram replied to the king of Sodom, “I solemnly swear to the Lord, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth,

23 that I will not take so much as a single thread or sandal thong from what belongs to you. Otherwise you might say, ‘I am the one who made Abram rich.’

24 I will accept only what my young warriors have already eaten, and I request that you give a fair share of the goods to my allies—Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre.”

Journal:

• Who in your life needs you to go to battle for them in prayer today?
• What scriptures will you begin declaring over their situation?
• Write down a prayer strategy and commit to it this week.

Stepping Stones

Therefore, they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands. ~ Acts 14:3

I never fully understood perseverance when I was younger. I thought that when a door opened, I would just decide whether or not to walk through it based on how things looked at the time. I often let circumstances guide my choices. Was I feeling motivated? Would it make my life easier or harder? Would it require effort I didn’t want to give? Most importantly, would it benefit me more to move forward or just stay where I was?

What I didn’t understand was that each decision could be made in faith. Not blind faith, but the kind of faith that is rooted in knowing God’s plan and trusting Him step by step through each open door. I didn’t realize that obstacles and struggles weren’t signs to stop, they were part of growing and stepping into the next season God had prepared for me. Looking back, I now see how many opportunities I passed up simply because I didn’t recognize them as part of God’s mission for my life.

Over time, I began to learn how to hear when the Holy Spirit was prompting me to act. I started to tune in, pray through the plan, and recognize the next step. I asked for the strength to take it and held on to what God had shown me, even when things got hard. That mindset shift changed everything.

That’s how the apostles lived. In today’s passage, Paul and Barnabas continued preaching boldly despite facing intense opposition. Their message was initially received with joy, but soon the crowds were stirred up against them. Many people would have taken that as a sign to leave or even quit, but not Paul and Barnabas. Verse 3 tells us they stayed even longer, and God confirmed His message through signs and wonders. They didn’t leave when things surrounding them got difficult. They stayed because they knew their assignment and they trusted the power of God to bring the victory.

No matter what season you’re in, whether it’s transition, waiting, or stepping into something new, remember that every phase is important. The decisions you make today are shaping your tomorrow. The sooner you press into God’s voice and seek His guidance, the sooner you’ll be able to walk with purpose and stability, even in the storms.

Here is how you can get started today:

• Set aside daily time to talk to God and ask Him to make His next step clear.
• Keep a notebook or a note taking app on your phone nearby to write down what you sense He is leading you toward.
• Surround yourself with godly people who encourage you and help you grow.
• Seek wisdom from someone further along in their journey to ask questions and learn from their faith.
• Stay faithful in the small things. Big faith starts with small obedience.

Today I want to encourage you to approach your life with a purposeful mindset. God’s power is available to you as you walk with Him step by step. Even if your journey takes some unexpected turns, hold fast to His voice and keep moving forward. He will give you boldness and strength for each step. What feels like a struggle now may actually be the steppingstone to your greatest breakthrough, both for your life and for His Kingdom.

Today’s scripture reading: Acts 14:1-7

1 Now it happened in Iconium that they went together to the synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke that a great multitude both of the Jews and of the Greeks believed.

2 But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brethren.

3 Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.

4 But the multitude of the city was divided: part sided with the Jews, and part with the apostles.

5 And when a violent attempt was made by both the Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to abuse and stone them,

6t hey became aware of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding region.

7 And they were preaching the gospel there.

 Journal Prompt:

• What is one door God may be opening in your life right now?
• What’s holding you back from stepping through it?
• How can you invite God into that hesitation today?

It all works together

Then Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said, “Men of Israel, and you who fear God, listen: ~ Acts 13:16

Sometimes it feels like the Old Testament and the New Testament tell two different stories. For a long time, I mostly turned to New Testament scriptures when I needed encouragement or strength. But the more I’ve studied the Bible as a whole, the more I’ve realized that the New Testament stands firmly on the foundation laid by the Old. Without the faith and failures of the Old Testament saints that started all the way back at creation, we would not have the hope of the New Testament Church or the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ.

In today’s scripture, Paul and Barnabas arrive in Antioch. As was their custom, they went to the synagogue on the Sabbath, just like many of us go to church on Sunday. On that day, they were invited to share a word of encouragement. Paul stood up and began by telling the entire story of God’s faithfulness to Israel, from Egypt to the wilderness, from King David to the promised Savior, Jesus. He taught how all of history pointed to the coming Messiah, Jesus, the fulfillment of God’s promises.

Today, it’s easy for us to look back and see the connections. We have access to all the scriptures in one great book. But for the people Paul was speaking to, this was brand new. His message stirred their hearts so deeply that almost the entire city came the following Sabbath to hear more.

So, what made the message so powerful? Why don’t we often see that same city-wide hunger today? One reason may be the mistaken belief that everyone has already heard the gospel. But research shows that over 40% of people in America have never clearly heard the message of salvation. That explains some of the confusion and lostness we see in our world.

So what can we do about it?

Here are some ways we can begin to be more active in sharing the salvation message:

1. Start with prayer – Ask God to open your eyes to people around you who are searching for truth and hope.
2. Prepare your story – Think about how you can share your testimony or a simple explanation of the gospel in a natural, personal way.
3. Be available – Ask the Holy Spirit to bring people across your path, and be ready to love, listen, and speak when the opportunity comes.
4. Invite someone – Whether it’s to church, a small group, or even a Bible study over coffee, extend a warm invitation. A simple invite can change a life.
5. Partner with others – Join with other believers in prayer and outreach. Boldness grows in community.

This kind of lifestyle doesn’t happen by accident, it starts with intention and a heart that is willing.

Today I want to encourage you to pray for boldness. Let God stir your heart the same way He stirred an entire city through Paul’s message. There are people around you who are desperate for hope, and your voice, your story, and your presence could be the very thing God uses to draw them in. You don’t have to be a preacher, just a willing witness. Let your life be a living example that it really does all work together, from Genesis to Jesus, from your past to your purpose.

Today’s scripture reading: Acts 13:13-41

13 Now when Paul and his party set sail from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia; and John, departing from them, returned to Jerusalem.

14 But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day and sat down.

15 And after the reading of the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent to them, saying, “Men and brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.”

16 Then Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said, “Men of Israel, and you who fear God, listen:

17 The God of this people Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with an uplifted arm He brought them out of it.

18 Now for a time of about forty years He put up with their ways in the wilderness.

19 And when He had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, He distributed their land to them by allotment.

20 “After that He gave them judges for about four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet.

21 And afterward they asked for a king; so God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years.

22 And when He had removed him, He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.’ 23 From this man’s seed, according to the promise, God raised up for Israel a Savior—Jesus—

24 after John had first preached, before His coming, the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.

25 And as John was finishing his course, he said, ‘Who do you think I am? I am not He. But behold, there comes One after me, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to loose.’

26 “Men and brethren, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to you the word of this salvation has been sent.

27 For those who dwell in Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they did not know Him, nor even the voices of the Prophets which are read every Sabbath, have fulfilled them in condemning Him.

28 And though they found no cause for death in Him, they asked Pilate that He should be put to death.

29 Now when they had fulfilled all that was written concerning Him, they took Him down from the tree and laid Him in a tomb.

30 But God raised Him from the dead.

31 He was seen for many days by those who came up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are His witnesses to the people.

32 And we declare to you glad tidings—that promise which was made to the fathers.

33 God has fulfilled this for us their children, in that He has raised up Jesus. As it is also written in the second Psalm: ‘You are My Son,

Today I have begotten You.’

34 And that He raised Him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, He has spoken thus: ‘I will give you the sure mercies of David.’

35 Therefore He also says in another Psalm:

‘You will not allow Your Holy One to see corruption.’

36 “For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell asleep, was buried with his fathers, and saw corruption;

37 but He whom God raised up saw no corruption.

38 Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins;

39 and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.

40 Beware therefore, lest what has been spoken in the prophets come upon you:

41 ‘Behold, you despisers, Marvel and perish! For I work a work in your days, a work which you will by no means believe, though one were to declare it to you.’ ”

Journal:

• What part of your personal story could help someone else see God’s bigger plan?
• Write out one way you can start a conversation about Jesus this week and ask God to give you an open door.

Look around and see

After Lot had gone, the Lord said to Abram, “Look as far as you can see in every direction—north and south, east and west. ~ Genesis 13:14

Recently, I went through a time when a lot of decisions had to be made in a very short time. Some were ministry-related, others were personal. I had been holding onto a plan that felt safe and familiar, but I knew deep down it wasn’t producing. There was tension, internally and externally. I felt like I was being pulled in multiple directions, and I just wanted clarity. After much prayer, I made the decision to step back from a few things I had poured myself into. It was hard because I didn’t know what would come next. But in that place of surrender, God began to give me new vision, one step at a time. Letting go didn’t mean failure or closed doors. It created space for God to show me something new and better.

In Genesis 13, Abram faced tension too. His herdsmen and his nephew Lot’s herdsmen were arguing over space and resources. Abram chose peace over pride and offered Lot the first choice of land. After Lot separated from him, God spoke. He told Abram to lift his eyes and look in every direction. From that place, right where he was standing, God showed him the promise that would shape generations to come.

Maybe you’re in a similar moment. You’ve released something recently, whether by choice or by circumstance and now you’re in the space in between. It feels uncertain, maybe even disappointing. But what if this is the moment God is inviting you to lift up your eyes? Not to look back, but to see what He has set before you? Sometimes the clearest vision comes after the dust of a difficult decision has settled.

Here are some steps you can take in your “in between” time to walk it out in peace and receive  hope for what is coming next:

• Pause and pray, asking God to show you the bigger picture beyond what’s right in front of you.
• Release tension or comparison, especially when others seem to have chosen “the better land.”
• Trust that God has not overlooked you. He sees exactly where you’re standing.
• Write down any fresh direction or promise you sense He’s giving you now.
• Begin to thank Him for the new land He’s leading you into, even before you fully see it.

Today I want to encourage you to lift your eyes from the place where you are. Don’t let the tension of yesterday cloud your vision for today. What may feel like loss could actually be the beginning of your next season of growth. God is still writing your story, and the land ahead is full of promise. Trust Him to lead, provide, and reveal, faith to faith and step by step.

Today’s scripture reading: Genesis 13

1 So Abram left Egypt and traveled north into the Negev, along with his wife and Lot and all that they owned.

2 (Abram was very rich in livestock, silver, and gold.)

3 From the Negev, they continued traveling by stages toward Bethel, and they pitched their tents between Bethel and Ai, where they had camped before.

4 This was the same place where Abram had built the altar, and there he worshiped the Lord again.

5 Lot, who was traveling with Abram, had also become very wealthy with flocks of sheep and goats, herds of cattle, and many tents.

6 But the land could not support both Abram and Lot with all their flocks and herds living so close together.

7 So disputes broke out between the herdsmen of Abram and Lot. (At that time Canaanites and Perizzites were also living in the land.)

8 Finally Abram said to Lot, “Let’s not allow this conflict to come between us or our herdsmen. After all, we are close relatives!

9 The whole countryside is open to you. Take your choice of any section of the land you want, and we will separate. If you want the land to the left, then I’ll take the land on the right. If you prefer the land on the right, then I’ll go to the left.”

10 Lot took a long look at the fertile plains of the Jordan Valley in the direction of Zoar. The whole area was well watered everywhere, like the garden of the Lord or the beautiful land of Egypt. (This was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.)

11 Lot chose for himself the whole Jordan Valley to the east of them. He went there with his flocks and servants and parted company with his uncle Abram.

12 So Abram settled in the land of Canaan, and Lot moved his tents to a place near Sodom and settled among the cities of the plain.

13 But the people of this area were extremely wicked and constantly sinned against the Lord.

14 After Lot had gone, the Lord said to Abram, “Look as far as you can see in every direction—north and south, east and west.

15 I am giving all this land, as far as you can see, to you and your descendants as a permanent possession.

16 And I will give you so many descendants that, like the dust of the earth, they cannot be counted!

17 Go and walk through the land in every direction, for I am giving it to you.”

18 So Abram moved his camp to Hebron and settled near the oak grove belonging to Mamre. There he built another altar to the Lord.

Journal Prompt:

• What decision or shift have I recently experienced that’s left me feeling uncertain?
• What might God be showing me from where I’m standing right now?
• What “new land” could He be inviting me to see with eyes of faith?

Step out in faith

The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. ~ Genesis 12:1

Some of the hardest times in life are transition seasons.  Those moments when your path shifts from the familiar and comfortable to the place of new and uncertain.  I have walked through many of those seasons, and some of the most stretching came when my children became adults and left home.

There was a quiet tension as each one stepped away from the security of the home they had always known, a place that felt safe, familiar, and steady. Each of them wrestled with the uncertainty of no clear destination, no set timeline, no detailed instructions.  They only had the quiet, steady prompting from the Lord saying it was time to go.

Genesis 12 shows us how Abram responded to that same kind of calling. God told him to leave everything familiar, his country, people, and father’s household and promised to lead him to an unknown land. Abram didn’t receive the full picture up front. He simply obeyed. That single step of obedience set into motion the entire plan of redemption through the generations. His faith not only changed his own life but it impacted the world.

You might be in a season where God is asking you to take a leap of faith. Maybe it’s starting something new, letting go of a routine, moving forward after disappointment, or following a call that doesn’t make sense on paper. Like Abram, your “yes” may not come with all the details, but it will come with God’s presence and promises.

Here are some practical ways to step out in faith in your life:

• Pray daily for clarity and courage. Ask God to show you just the next step, not the whole plan.
• Write down what God is asking of you. Putting it in writing brings focus and accountability.
• Take one step forward. Even if it’s small, movement in faith matters.
• Surround yourself with people who will support and pray for you. Abram didn’t go alone, he took his household with him.
• Hold God’s promises close. Verse 2 promises that God will bless and make a great nation through Abram. When the journey gets hard, go back to what He promised.

Today I want to encourage you to trust God with your “yes,” even when you don’t have all the answers. He’s not asking you to have the full blueprint, He’s asking you to believe that He is faithful. Just like Abram, your obedience can unlock something far greater than you can imagine. When you go where He leads, you never go alone.

Today’s scripture reading: Genesis 12

1 The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you.

2 I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others.

3 I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.”

4 So Abram departed as the Lord had instructed, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran.

5 He took his wife, Sarai, his nephew Lot, and all his wealth—his livestock and all the people he had taken into his household at Haran—and headed for the land of Canaan. When they arrived in Canaan,

6 Abram traveled through the land as far as Shechem. There he set up camp beside the oak of Moreh. At that time, the area was inhabited by Canaanites.

7 Then the Lord appeared to Abram and said, “I will give this land to your descendants.” And Abram built an altar there and dedicated it to the Lord, who had appeared to him.

8 After that, Abram traveled south and set up camp in the hill country, with Bethel to the west and Ai to the east. There he built another altar and dedicated it to the Lord, and he worshipped the Lord.

9 Then Abram continued traveling south by stages toward the Negev.

10 At that time a severe famine struck the land of Canaan, forcing Abram to go down to Egypt, where he lived as a foreigner.

11 As he was approaching the border of Egypt, Abram said to his wife, Sarai, “Look, you are a very beautiful woman.

12 When the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife. Let’s kill him; then we can have her!’

13 So please tell them you are my sister. Then they will spare my life and treat me well because of their interest in you.”

14 And sure enough, when Abram arrived in Egypt, everyone noticed Sarai’s beauty.

15 When the palace officials saw her, they sang her praises to Pharaoh, their king, and Sarai was taken into his palace.

16 Then Pharaoh gave Abram many gifts because of her—sheep, goats, cattle, male and female donkeys, male and female servants, and camels.

17 But the Lord sent terrible plagues upon Pharaoh and his household because of Sarai, Abram’s wife. 18 So Pharaoh summoned Abram and accused him sharply. “What have you done to me?” he demanded. “Why didn’t you tell me she was your wife?

19 Why did you say, ‘She is my sister,’ and allow me to take her as my wife? Now then, here is your wife. Take her and get out of here!”

20 Pharaoh ordered some of his men to escort them, and he sent Abram out of the country, along with his wife and all his possessions.

Journal:

• What is God asking me to step away from?
• What is the first step of obedience I can take this week toward what He is calling me to do?

God know how to scatter and build

_{But the Lord came down to look at the city and the tower the people were building. ~ Genesis 11:5}

Are you someone who likes to have life all figured out? Do you set clear goals and map out step-by-step plans to reach them? Maybe those goals involve your career, ministry, team achievements, or even family connections. I remember a time in my life when I had everything carefully laid out. My plans, my timing, even my ministry vision. It felt safe and structured, and I was confident I knew exactly what God wanted from me. But then things began to shift. Opportunities changed, relationships moved in unexpected directions, and doors I thought would stay open began to close. It felt like I was being scattered.

Genesis 11 tells the story of the Tower of Babel. The people had one language, one location, and one goal.  That goal was to build something great for themselves. But their unity was rooted in pride, not God’s purpose. So, God stepped in, confused their language, and scattered them across the earth. What may have seemed like disruption was actually divine redirection. God wasn’t trying to ruin their progress, He was setting the stage for His larger plan to unfold across generations and to replenish the earth.

This speaks to us today. Maybe you’re in a place where your plans aren’t working out, or life has taken a direction you didn’t expect. It’s easy to feel like things are falling apart, but sometimes God allows a scattering to bring about a greater purpose. His goal is never just to disrupt, but to build something deeper, something stronger and even something eternal.

Here are some ways you can breakthrough in your scattered time:

• Surrender your plans to God in prayer and ask Him to take the lead.
• When something shifts, instead of getting frustrated, ask, “Lord, what are You doing in this?”
• Write down the areas where you feel scattered and pray over them daily.
• Stay open to new directions or people God brings into your life during seasons of change.
• Invite God into your plans regularly and listen for His guidance, even if it challenges your comfort zone.

Today I want to encourage you to trust the hands that scatter because they are the same hands that build. You may not understand why things look different from what you expected, but God does. His vision for your life is greater than any tower you could build on your own. When He interrupts your plans, it’s because He’s moving you closer to His promise. Don’t be discouraged by the shifts, instead step into them with courage, knowing God is leading the way.

Today’s scripture reading: Genesis 11

1 At one time all the people of the world spoke the same language and used the same words.

2 As the people migrated to the east, they found a plain in the land of Babylonia and settled there.

3 They began saying to each other, “Let’s make bricks and harden them with fire.” (In this region bricks were used instead of stone, and tar was used for mortar.)

4 Then they said, “Come, let’s build a great city for ourselves with a tower that reaches into the sky. This will make us famous and keep us from being scattered all over the world.”

5 But the Lord came down to look at the city and the tower the people were building.

6 “Look!” he said. “The people are united, and they all speak the same language. After this, nothing they set out to do will be impossible for them!

7 Come, let’s go down and confuse the people with different languages. Then they won’t be able to understand each other.”

8 In that way, the Lord scattered them all over the world, and they stopped building the city.

9 That is why the city was called Babel, because that is where the Lord confused the people with different languages. In this way he scattered them all over the world.

10 This is the account of Shem’s family. Two years after the great flood, when Shem was 100 years old, he became the father of Arphaxad.

11 After the birth of Arphaxad, Shem lived another 500 years and had other sons and daughters.

12 When Arphaxad was 35 years old, he became the father of Shelah.

13 After the birth of Shelah, Arphaxad lived another 403 years and had other sons and daughters.

14 When Shelah was 30 years old, he became the father of Eber.

15 After the birth of Eber, Shelah lived another 403 years and had other sons and daughters.

16 When Eber was 34 years old, he became the father of Peleg.

17 After the birth of Peleg, Eber lived another 430 years and had other sons and daughters.

18 When Peleg was 30 years old, he became the father of Reu.

19 After the birth of Reu, Peleg lived another 209 years and had other sons and daughters.

20 When Reu was 32 years old, he became the father of Serug.

21 After the birth of Serug, Reu lived another 207 years and had other sons and daughters.

22 When Serug was 30 years old, he became the father of Nahor.

23 After the birth of Nahor, Serug lived another 200 years and had other sons and daughters.

24 When Nahor was 29 years old, he became the father of Terah.

25 After the birth of Terah, Nahor lived another 119 years and had other sons and daughters.

26 After Terah was 70 years old, he became the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran.

27 This is the account of Terah’s family. Terah was the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran; and Haran was the father of Lot.

28 But Haran died in Ur of the Chaldeans, the land of his birth, while his father, Terah, was still living.

29 Meanwhile, Abram and Nahor both married. The name of Abram’s wife was Sarai, and the name of Nahor’s wife was Milcah. (Milcah and her sister Iscah were daughters of Nahor’s brother Haran.)

30 But Sarai was unable to become pregnant and had no children.

31 One day Terah took his son Abram, his daughter-in-law Sarai (his son Abram’s wife), and his grandson Lot (his son Haran’s child) and moved away from Ur of the Chaldeans. He was headed for the land of Canaan, but they stopped at Haran and settled there.

32 Terah lived for 205 years and died while still in Haran.

Journal:

• Where in my life have I felt things fall apart or shift unexpectedly?
• How might God be using those changes to move me toward His greater plan?

God’s hand in the details

_{These are the clans that descended from Noah’s sons, arranged by nation according to their lines of descent. All the nations of the earth descended from these clans after the great flood. ~ Genesis 10:32}

At first glance, Genesis 10 might read like a list of names and places that are easy to skim through. But recently, as I read through this chapter, I began to see something powerful: God is intentional with every generation, every family, and every nation. None of this is random. Each name, each line, each location mentioned holds purpose in God’s greater plan for His creation and people.

There have been many times in my life when I felt small and overlooked, like my story didn’t really matter in the grand scheme of things. I was serving, praying, and showing up, but still wondering if I was really making a difference. Reading Genesis 10 reminded me that God sees every name, every detail, and every generation. If He included an entire chapter in the Bible just to track family lines after the flood, it means your name and your place in His plan matters too. You are living in the world at this precise time for a significant and God ordained purpose.

In our fast-paced culture, it’s easy to feel like we’re just another face in the crowd or another name on a roster. But God is still in the business of building something eternal through His people. Your family, your legacy, your influence all matter. He is writing your story with as much care and precision as He did with the families listed in Genesis 10.

Here are some ways you can find your place of significance in this time and space:

• Take time to thank God for your family line, no matter what it looks like.
• Ask God how He wants to use you in your generation.
• Identify the spiritual legacy you want to leave and take one small step toward it this week.
• Start praying for the next generation, your children, students, or those you mentor.
• Write down the names of those God has placed in your life and begin praying intentionally over them.

Today I want to encourage you to see yourself as part of a much bigger story. You are not lost in the details, you are part of them. God has placed you in this generation on purpose and for a purpose. Your life is not random, and your faithfulness carries eternal weight. Keep showing up. Keep praying. Keep building. You are part of God’s unfolding story in the earth.

Today’s scripture reading: Genesis 10

1 This is the account of the families of Shem, Ham, and Japheth, the three sons of Noah. Many children were born to them after the great flood.

2 The descendants of Japheth were Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras.

3 The descendants of Gomer were Ashkenaz, Riphath, and Togarmah.

4 The descendants of Javan were Elishah, Tarshish, Kittim, and Rodanim.

5 Their descendants became the seafaring peoples that spread out to various lands, each identified by its own language, clan, and national identity.

6 The descendants of Ham were Cush, Mizraim, Put, and Canaan.

7 The descendants of Cush were Seba, Havilah, Sabtah, Raamah, and Sabteca. The descendants of Raamah were Sheba and Dedan.

8 Cush was also the ancestor of Nimrod, who was the first heroic warrior on earth.

9 Since he was the greatest hunter in the world, his name became proverbial. People would say, “This man is like Nimrod, the greatest hunter in the world.”

10 He built his kingdom in the land of Babylonia, with the cities of Babylon, Erech, Akkad, and Calneh.

11 From there he expanded his territory to Assyria, building the cities of Nineveh, Rehoboth-ir, Calah,

12 and Resen (the great city located between Nineveh and Calah).

13 Mizraim was the ancestor of the Ludites, Anamites, Lehabites, Naphtuhites,

14 Pathrusites, Casluhites, and the Caphtorites, from whom the Philistines came.

15 Canaan’s oldest son was Sidon, the ancestor of the Sidonians. Canaan was also the ancestor of the Hittites,

16 Jebusites, Amorites, Girgashites,

17 Hivites, Arkites, Sinites,

18 Arvadites, Zemarites, and Hamathites. The Canaanite clans eventually spread out,

19 and the territory of Canaan extended from Sidon in the north to Gerar and Gaza in the south, and east as far as Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboiim, near Lasha.

20 These were the descendants of Ham, identified by clan, language, territory, and national identity.

21 Sons were also born to Shem, the older brother of Japheth. Shem was the ancestor of all the descendants of Eber.

22 The descendants of Shem were Elam, Asshur, Arphaxad, Lud, and Aram.

23 The descendants of Aram were Uz, Hul, Gether, and Mash.

24 Arphaxad was the father of Shelah, and Shelah was the father of Eber.

25 Eber had two sons. The first was named Peleg (which means “division”), for during his lifetime the people of the world were divided into different language groups. His brother’s name was Joktan.

26 Joktan was the ancestor of Almodad, Sheleph, Hazarmaveth, Jerah,

27 Hadoram, Uzal, Diklah,

28 Obal, Abimael, Sheba,

29 Ophir, Havilah, and Jobab. All these were descendants of Joktan.

30 The territory they occupied extended from Mesha all the way to Sephar in the eastern mountains.

31 These were the descendants of Shem, identified by clan, language, territory, and national identity.

32 These are the clans that descended from Noah’s sons, arranged by nation according to their lines of descent. All the nations of the earth descended from these clans after the great flood.

Journal:

• Who are the people in my life that God may be using me to influence for future generations?
• How can I live more intentionally to leave a lasting spiritual legacy?

God keeps His Promises

I have placed my rainbow in the clouds. It is the sign of my covenant with you and with all the earth. ~ Genesis 9:13

After the flood, God spoke a powerful promise to Noah and his family.  It was a promise not just for them, but for all generations to come. He placed a rainbow in the sky as a visible sign of His covenant  promise, declaring that He would never again destroy the earth by flood. It wasn’t just a moment of relief for Noah, it was a declaration of God’s faithfulness, mercy, and commitment to humanity.

There have been times in my life when everything felt like it had flooded.  Times of disappointments, unanswered prayers, and situations that seemed beyond repair. Many times I have felt like I was just trying to stay afloat emotionally and spiritually. I especially remember one of those times looking up after a storm and seeing a vibrant rainbow stretch across the sky. It was as if God Himself was reminding me that even after the hardest storms, He is still faithful. He keeps His promises and continues to give me signs of hope. I know I can count on Him!

Genesis 9 is not just a historical account, it’s a picture of the kind of God we serve. One who brings restoration, offers new beginnings, and never forgets His word. If you are coming out of a storm, or still feeling the weight of the waves crashing in, let this passage be a reminder to you that God has not forgotten you. Just as He remembered Noah and made a covenant with him, He sees you and is committed to your future as well.

Here are a few ways you can take hold of this promise and begin walking in it today:

1. Look for signs of God’s faithfulness – Whether it’s answered prayers, divine provision, or unexpected peace, God is always working. Pause and notice the signs.
2. Start a gratitude list – If you haven’t already started writing down even one or two things each day that you are thankful for, start that today.  It helps you focus on God’s goodness, especially in the hard times.
3. Speak God’s promises out loud – Remind yourself of scriptures that speak about His faithfulness. There is power in hearing His Word spoken into your circumstances.
4. Create a “rainbow reminder” – Put a physical object where you can see it daily to remind you that God keeps His promises. It could be a verse, a picture, or even a small rainbow sticker.
5. Encourage someone else – Share how God has shown up in your life. Your story may be the exact encouragement someone else needs.

God didn’t just bring Noah through the flood, He gave him a new beginning. And He can do the same for you. Whatever you’ve come through, whatever you’re still healing from, know this: God has not changed and His promises still stand.

Today I want to encourage you to hold tightly to the truth that storms do not get the final word, God does. He is a covenant-keeping God. The rainbow was not just for Noah, it was for you too. Step into your new beginning with faith. You have not been forgotten, and your future is secure in the hands of the One who made the sky bow in color to declare His love.

Today’s scripture reading: Genesis 9

1 Then God blessed Noah and his sons and told them, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth.

2 All the animals of the earth, all the birds of the sky, all the small animals that scurry along the ground, and all the fish in the sea will look on you with fear and terror. I have placed them in your power.

3 I have given them to you for food, just as I have given you grain and vegetables.

4 But you must never eat any meat that still has the lifeblood in it.

5 “And I will require the blood of anyone who takes another person’s life. If a wild animal kills a person, it must die. And anyone who murders a fellow human must die.

6 If anyone takes a human life, that person’s life will also be taken by human hands. For God made human beings in his own image.

7 Now be fruitful and multiply, and repopulate the earth.”

8 Then God told Noah and his sons,

9 “I hereby confirm my covenant with you and your descendants,

10 and with all the animals that were on the boat with you—the birds, the livestock, and all the wild animals—every living creature on earth.

11 Yes, I am confirming my covenant with you. Never again will floodwaters kill all living creatures; never again will a flood destroy the earth.”

12 Then God said, “I am giving you a sign of my covenant with you and with all living creatures, for all generations to come.

13 I have placed my rainbow in the clouds. It is the sign of my covenant with you and with all the earth.

14 When I send clouds over the earth, the rainbow will appear in the clouds,

15 and I will remember my covenant with you and with all living creatures. Never again will the floodwaters destroy all life.

16 When I see the rainbow in the clouds, I will remember the eternal covenant between God and every living creature on earth.”

17 Then God said to Noah, “Yes, this rainbow is the sign of the covenant I am confirming with all the creatures on earth.”

Noah’s Sons

18 The sons of Noah who came out of the boat with their father were Shem, Ham, and Japheth. (Ham is the father of Canaan.)

19 From these three sons of Noah came all the people who now populate the earth.

20 After the flood, Noah began to cultivate the ground, and he planted a vineyard.

21 One day he drank some wine he had made, and he became drunk and lay naked inside his tent.

22 Ham, the father of Canaan, saw that his father was naked and went outside and told his brothers.

23 Then Shem and Japheth took a robe, held it over their shoulders, and backed into the tent to cover their father. As they did this, they looked the other way so they would not see him naked.

24 When Noah woke up from his stupor, he learned what Ham, his youngest son, had done.

25 Then he cursed Canaan, the son of Ham: “May Canaan be cursed! May he be the lowest of servants to his relatives.”

26 Then Noah said, “May the Lord, the God of Shem, be blessed, and may Canaan be his servant!

27 May God expand the territory of Japheth! May Japheth share the prosperity of Shem, and may Canaan be his servant.”

28 Noah lived another 350 years after the great flood.

29 He lived 950 years, and then he died.

Journal:

• What promise of God do you need to hold onto today?
• Write it down and describe a time in your life when you saw God’s faithfulness after a difficult season.
• Ask Him to show you His signs of hope this week and write it down.

Want to go deeper?

If you’re looking for more promises to pray and stand on, check out my book Praying God’s Promises, available at Amazon.com. It’s a powerful resource filled with Scripture-based prayers that will strengthen your faith, renew your hope, and help you confidently walk in God’s Word—no matter what season you’re in.

Every Step of the Way

Then Saul, who also is called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him. Acts 13:9    

Have you ever stepped out in faith toward something or someone you knew the Holy Spirit was leading you to, only to face unexpected opposition right before reaching your breakthrough? It can feel like the rug has been pulled out from under you. But this type of resistance is not uncommon. In fact, you should expect it. The enemy is always working to stop what God has started. When he sees progress, he throws distractions, discouragement, or even people into the path to derail you. That’s why it’s so important to stay filled with the Spirit and focused on your mission.

In Acts 13, Paul and Barnabas were on their first mission trip. Almost immediately, they faced opposition. It’s easy for us to read their story and think, “Of course there was trouble, there always was!” But think about how it must have felt in the moment. Paul and Barnabas had been obedient. They were doing exactly what God asked. They were set apart for ministry and prayed over by the elders of the Church and still, they hit resistance. But what stands out in this story is how they responded: Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, confronted the situation with courage and clarity. He didn’t back down. They were prepared spiritually before they ever stepped into the challenge.

Here’s what’s remarkable: their goal wasn’t to win an argument or prove a point. Their desire was to share the message of God’s love. Even in the face of opposition, their mission remained the same and that was to bring hope. When they followed the Holy Spirit’s leading, not only did the resistance get dealt with, but people saw the power of God and turned to Him in faith.

This passage shows us that challenges don’t mean you missed God.  Most times it means you’re right where you should be. Just like Paul and Barnabas, you can stay the course with confidence, knowing that God is with you and will carry you through.

Here are a few practical ways to walk this out in your life:

• Start your day filled. Spend time in prayer and the Word each morning so that when challenges come, you’re not reacting out of emotion but responding in the Spirit.
• Pay attention to promptings. The Holy Spirit will lead you with inner peace or conviction. Follow those nudges, even when it’s uncomfortable.
• Expect resistance. Don’t be surprised when things get difficult. Instead, be ready. Opposition can actually be confirmation that you’re advancing.
• Respond with courage and grace. Like Paul, speak truth when necessary, but do it with the aim of pointing people to God, not winning a battle.
• Stay focused on the mission. Don’t get sidetracked by critics, obstacles, or delays. God will take care of what you can’t control.

To get started:
Set aside 10 minutes today to pray and ask God to fill you with His Spirit. Write down anything you feel Him saying or showing you. Then think of one area where you’ve been facing resistance. What would it look like to keep going anyway with courage, grace, and confidence that God is with you?

Today I want to encourage you not to let setbacks or resistance stop you from following what God has called you to do. Stay filled with His Spirit. Keep moving forward in faith. You’re not alone. He is with you every step of the way, equipping you to overcome to keep bringing light wherever you go. Let your life be a testimony of what happens when someone walks in step with God, no matter what obstacles you face.

Today’s scripture reading: Acts 13:4-12

4 So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus.

5 And when they arrived in Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. They also had John as their assistant.

6 Now when they had gone through the island to Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew whose name was Bar-Jesus, 7 who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man. This man called for Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God.

8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for so his name is translated) withstood them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith.

9 Then Saul, who also is called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him

10 and said, “O full of all deceit and all fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord?

11 And now, indeed, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a time.”

And immediately a dark mist fell on him, and he went around seeking someone to lead him by the hand.

12 Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had been done, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord.

 Journal:

• Where have I faced resistance recently, and how can I respond like Paul, with boldness, wisdom, and faith in the power of the Holy Spirit?
  

Prayer and fasting

As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” ~ Acts 13:2

Prayer and fasting. You don’t hear much about it today. We have a National Day of Prayer, and occasionally there’s a national “call” to prayer, but consistent fasting isn’t something widely practiced. In Jesus’ day, fasting was common, so common that some religious leaders used it to appear “super spiritual.” Jesus addressed this when He said, “When you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.” (See Matthew 6:16) Notice Jesus said, “when you fast,” not if you fast. He was teaching the right approach because it was the right thing to do.

So, what is fasting really about? Fasting is a way to separate from the things of the world and give your full attention to the things of God. It doesn’t have to be food, although it often is. It can be anything that occupies your time, such as social media, TV/movies, news, gaming. It is anything that you choose to step away from in order to spend that time with God. These aren’t necessarily bad things, but fasting gives you the opportunity to intentionally give that time to the Lord.

Fasting can also be a time of reaching out to others in new or deeper ways. If you’re fasting food, it might include a physical cleansing that supports healthier living. The duration is flexible, as well.  It can be for one day like the Israelites often did, three days like Esther, twenty-one days like Daniel (who fasted “pleasant foods”), or forty days like Moses and Jesus. Fasting is not a ritual, it’s a spiritual discipline. It brings your physical body into submission to your spirit.  So instead of being dominated by your physical wants and desires, you can tune in to better hear the direction of the Holy Spirit and His plan.

It’s not something you do to get God to move. Instead, it helps you move closer to Him and positions you to hear His voice clearer for direction.

In Acts 13, the church in Antioch took time to pray and fast. The passage says they were “ministering to the Lord” with their fast, which is powerful in itself. In that time of spiritual focus, the Holy Spirit gave them specific direction to set apart Paul and Barnabas for the work He had prepared for them. Their sensitivity to God increased because they made space for the spiritual by stepping away from the physical for a time.

I know this topic may not sound exciting, but it is powerful. When you willingly bring your flesh under control and give God your full attention, your spirit becomes stronger and more sensitive to what He’s saying. Fasting positions you to hear from God more clearly and respond with greater confidence.

Here are some hints on getting started if you choose to “minister” to the Lord through fasting:

• Start small – Try fasting from sunup to sundown or even skipping one meal to begin.
• Choose your fast – It might be food, or it could be social media, TV, or something else that takes your attention.
• Spend time in prayer – Use the time you would normally spend eating or scrolling to pray, worship, or read your Bible. (When hunger come, I like to use that as a reminder that I am setting this time aside to pray more.  I choose to stop thinking about what I could be eating and instead turn to prayer or scripture.)
• Journal your experience – Write down what you sense God saying and how you feel as you fast.
• Ask God for direction – Just like in Acts 13, expect that God will speak as you make yourself available to Him.

Today I want to encourage you to step into this practice with purpose. Don’t be intimidated by the idea of fasting. You don’t have to do it perfectly. Just take one step. Begin to quiet the noise of the world and give God space to speak. Whether you need wisdom, clarity, or breakthrough, fasting helps you focus your heart and listen. Even more beautiful, it blesses the heart of God when you minister to Him with your time and devotion.

Today’s scripture reading: Acts 13:1-3

1 Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

2 As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”

3 Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.

 Journal:

• What is one area of your life where you need to hear God more clearly?
• What might you be willing to fast in order to give Him more space to speak into it?