daily devotion Archives

Growing in Your Faith in God: 7 Benefits of Daily Devotional Reading

Posted on December 15, 2020 by dev-cbn | Leave a Comment

Do you remember the first time you encountered Jesus in your life? It is like falling in love, isn’t it?

You suddenly want to spend time with Him every day reading and soaking in His Word.

But sometimes, it is not enough to just “feel” love. You must also develop that discipline of knowing more of Him so that your knowledge and love about Him can grow deeper.

One way you can effectively do this is through daily devotional reading of His Word. It is not just a daily routine that must be done randomly, but it is allotting a sacred, undivided time with the Lord.

So if you feel lazy or simply busy to do your daily devotionals, read through these 7 benefits that will surely keep you inspired:

1. Daily devotional reading helps build your faith

“Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.” (Romans 10:17 NIV)

It is by hearing God’s Word that faith increases. The Bible has a lot of faith stories about God doing the impossible. To name a few, He turned water into wine, provided manna to thousands of followers, healed the sick, brought the dead to life, parted the Red Sea and many more.

So if you are in fear and doubt right now, reading Scriptures that talk about miracles would help build your faith.

2. Daily devotional reading draws you closer to God

“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” (James 4:8 ESV)

As you intentionally meet the Lord in your quiet place, be assured that He will always meet you there. Invite Him to your heart and get to know Him through His Word. True as they say, if you invite Him and He will surely show up. This is your confidence when storms of life come your way.

3. Daily devotional reading helps you focus on God

“Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Romans 12:12 ESV)

There can be a lot of distractions competing for your attention towards God. The busyness of life may get you. And sometimes even the good things such as goals and dreams can take His place in your life. The world could entice you away from God but through daily devotional reading, God’s truth helps you focus on His beauty alone.

4. Daily devotional reading helps you persevere in life

“And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1-2 NIV)

As you meditate on the accounts of people in the Bible like Moses, Joseph, Mary and even Jesus, you will find out that their lives are epitome of perseverance of faith. Though they had a difficult time here on earth, they fought the good fight of faith not because they are strong but because God is with them. God will also give you the grace to persevere as you learn to surrender to Him daily.

5. Daily devotional reading helps you gain deeper understanding of the Bible

“You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me.” (John 5:39 NIV)

God’s Word has the final authority over your life. The Bible is like a ruler that sets the standard to distinguish the crooked line from a straight line. And the more you know God’s truth, it will be easier to differentiate which one is not.

6. Daily devotional reading helps you apply God’s Word in real-life situations

“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” (Psalm 119:11 NIV)

Spending time with the Lord through daily devotional reading helps you apply Biblical principles that will be useful in life. Whether you need wisdom, comfort, direction, correction, reproof, and training in righteousness, God’s word is always available. He teaches you to depend on Him and not on other voices or opinions.

7. Daily devotional reading helps you find peace and joy

“Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.” (Psalm 119:165 NIV)

Lastly, relying on God’s word and communing with Him through prayer give peace which surpasses all understanding. It gives joy in the midst of difficulties.

Are you weary about many things lately? Come to Him daily and see what He has to say about your situation.

Who wouldn’t want a one-on-one “coffee session” with the King of kings?

If you have no idea where and how to start this habit of daily devotional reading, the devotional book “Signpost: 366 Days of Journeying with Jesus” is here to help you! Visit this link to grab your copy today.

If you are looking for a good devotional app for 2021, you may download the Tanglaw app for FREE starting January 1! You can also stream it on Spotify and Apple Podcast, and all major podcast directories worldwide.

Are You Spiritually Healthy?

Posted on July 15, 2020 by dev-cbn

The pandemic stress is real. You see its effects and how it has taken its toll on people’s physical, mental, and emotional health.

If you are one of those who are reeling from these effects, you might also need extra effort to stay spiritually healthy.

As a human being, you were created as a living soul (Genesis 2:7 KJB), to dwell in a physical body, and live eternally as a spirit. It is also clear in 3 John 1:2 NLT that God cares for your body, soul, and spirit, “Dear friend, I hope all is well with you and that you are as healthy in body as you are strong in spirit.”

So, how does one nourish the spirit? Here are 3 ways to help you become spiritually healthy during and beyond this challenging time.

1. Start with your spiritual food

You need spiritual food for spiritual strength, just like how you need food for physical strength.

The Bible describes itself as the spiritual food – a historically accurate, foolproof source of truth. It is important to read and reflect on it day and night to be nourished on the truths of the faith (1 Timothy 4:6).

As all Scripture is God-breathed (2 Timothy 3:16 NIV), the truths in His Word can heal any spiritual sickness, give wisdom, increase faith, and sustain spiritual strength. Your spiritual strength will help you brave the spiritual battles in this world and accomplish your purpose in life.

2. Give your faith a regular exercise

Faith is not a one-time thing – it is a lifestyle. For your spiritual health to grow and mature, it needs regular exercise.

1 Corinthians 9:25-27 ESV gives a good analogy of why constant “spiritual exercise” is needed: “Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.”

To be spiritually healthy, one must consistently run after and press on towards God. Praying, reading the Bible, keeping God’s commandments, and other spiritual disciplines are needed to be exercised so you may bear good fruit.

3. Trust God’s grace

God recognizes that you are imperfect and that from time to time, frailties and life’s challenges could get the best of you.

When that happens, know that there is no shame and condemnation in God. His love for you does not depend on what you do and what you feel. Even when you fail, trust that His love nourishes, His grace is sufficient for you, and His power is made perfect in your weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV).

He loves you so much that He won’t allow you to face all the hurdles alone. After saving you at the cross, God has given you a Helper that dwells inside of you to constantly guide and remind you that He has already won your battles.

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” (John 14:26 ESV)

Are you feeling spiritually dry, empty, or unhealthy?

Tap into your ultimate source of strength – Jesus. He will never disappoint you.

Allow us to stand with you in prayers You may call the call the CBN Asia Prayer Center at 8737-0700 or reach us through our Facebook page and we would love to pray for you.

Is Reading the Bible Really Necessary?

Posted on May 19, 2020 by dev-cbn

How do you remain unafraid and unworried by the changing seasons in your life? In hard times, where do you turn to for guidance and direction?

One of the ways to know what God wants to tell you is through His Word – the Bible.

What is the Bible?

The Holy Bible is a collection of 66 books that accounts God’s action in the world, and His purpose with all creation.

God inspired and used different authors to write the Bible as said in 2 Peter 1:21, “For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”

It is “God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

You may ask, “Do I have to read the Bible?”

Yes. Apart from getting direction in life, God also offers His Word in the Bible so He can reveal Himself to you.

And just like how newborn babies need milk to survive, new followers of Jesus also need His Word to flourish. It is the key to your spiritual growth and strengthened faith!

Depriving yourself of this “spiritual food” will hinder your growth.

So, how does one grow by reading the Bible?

Before you accepted God as your Lord and Savior, you may have lived by the world’s standards. But don’t worry, He is now transforming your life!

Now that you are in Him, He has opened your heart that you may understand the Bible as the ultimate standard for all the areas of your life. The more you read and hear it, the more it helps your faith grow!

“Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.” (Romans 10:17)

What does the Bible reveal?

As you read, study, and meditate on the Bible, you would be amazed about the many things it reveals about God and yourself.

God. Have you ever wondered about the true characteristics of God? The Bible reveals them. Apart from the truth that God is the Creator of the ends of the earth (Isaiah 40:28), it also reveals that God is love (1 John 4:8), holy (Isaiah 6:3), faithful (1 Corinthians 10:13), and all-knowing (1 John 3:20). He is also gracious, righteous, and is full of compassion! (Psalm 116:5).

You. The Bible helps you discover your identity and purpose in life. You are a child of God (John 1:12), chosen and appointed (John 15:16), and created in His own image (Genesis 1:27). It also reveals that “God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

Isn’t it amazing that the Creator of heaven and earth has written a book for you? He wants you to discover His treasures of truth, grace, and glory through it! He wants you to study the Bible so you may experience His transforming love.

Got questions about the Bible? You may call the CBN Asia Prayer Center at 8737-0700 and we would love to guide you and pray for you!

Meanwhile, expand your knowledge about His Word by tuning in to Love the Word, Live the Word online show every Monday, 8 PM, on the CBN Asia, The 700 Club Asia, Batang Superbook, and I Can Breakthrough Facebook pages.