Devotion

🙏 Opening Prayer: Allow the Holy Spirit to lead you

Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us this day to worship you. Holy Spirit, I pray you guide us through the scriptures. Open our eyes and ears to hear you Lord, so that it may draw us closer to you. Lord Jesus, your name is mighty and powerful. I pray that we speak your name in our lives and anything that isn’t of you be rebuked, removed and bind in Jesus’ name. Open our hearts to receive your word! In the mighty, matchless and awesome name of Jesus. Amen!

🌟 Devotional: The Word and the Light

Scripture: — John 1:1–5 CSB

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. All things were created through him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. That light shines in the darkness, and yet the darkness did not overcome it.”

📖 Observation: Fusi POV

John was a beloved disciple of Jesus and in his gospel, he begins with revealing Jesus’ identity in eternity. In other gospels they present the lineage or bloodline that brings forth the Messiah, but John reveals that “All things were created through him” (verse 3). That Jesus was and has always been, he was there in the beginning. In Genesis when Abraham was told that he would become a father of many nations. In Exodus when Moses leads the Israelites through the desert for 40 years. Not only that, but most importantly Jesus is the light that darkness can never overcome which is stated in verse 5 “And yet the darkness did not overcome it”. Jesus gives us life “In him was life, and that life was the light of men” (verse 4) and knowing his life had to be given for us, I feel unworthy. He laid down his life, perfect and sinless for someone like me. Hallelujah! Praise God for our Lord and Savior.

💡 Application: How Fusi can apply it...

This world is filled with many evils that try to diminish our desire to seek Christ, but we must not forget that Lord Jesus overrules any darkness. He is our light when the night seems long. He is our living water when the desert seasons drag on. He is our bread of life that restores us. In Matthew 7:24-27 let us be like the wise man that built his house upon the rock, so when the storms come and the water rises, we will not collapse. Whenever fear tries to creep in, I remind myself that I rather fear the creator, than a created thing. Lord Jesus be my foundation! Nothing can overcome you! We are already victorious by your blood.

Today, ask yourself: My response is below. 

• How can I make Jesus my foundation?
• August 2023, I acknowledged my need for salvation, confessed Jesus is my Lord, and I believe he died on the cross, then rose again to ascend into heaven. Repenting and praying for forgiveness, HE set me free from this world bondage.  Foundation is based on truth, realizing how my sins separated me from God and understanding that through Lord Jesus alone I was saved. He is my foundation. My shepherd and thank God I recognized his voice.

• Is there any darkness in my life, if so, how can I invite Jesus in?
• The darkness that festered in me was bitterness. Last year I prayed for humility to combat my pride, so that I could forgive those that hurt me and vice versa, but I was filled with condemnation. In Romans 8:1 “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus” and if I am renewed in Christ, condemnation can’t coincide where HE dwells. It was hard for me to let go of the resentment and bitterness that I carried for years, but to walk in truth and light I couldn’t live in darkness. Praise God, HE forgave me and taught me how to forgive as well. In Jesus name, Amen.

• What’s stopping me from allowing Jesus into my life?
• In my past, the reoccurring sin that kept me from God was lust of the flesh, arrogant pride and being an alcoholic. Seeking instant gratification separated me from knowing Christ, hardening my heart to only relying on myself. Self-righteousness is a prideful sin; that carried me to my demise repeatedly and I hit rock bottom many times, but I never surrendered. Praise God, that 2023 was a horrible year! All my running tired me out, but my heart was empty, and the void was too big for any man-made thing to fulfill. Hallelujah for his love! Surrendering was tough for me in the beginning, but in 2 Corinthians 12:9 it says that his grace is sufficient for me and in my weakness HE is strong. Lord Jesus, you are in control and surrendering to you has made a huge difference in my life. Thank you, Lord for redeeming me.

🙏 Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us time to hear your word. Holy Spirit, thank you for guiding us through the scriptures. Lord Jesus please be our foundation! So, when the storms of life come our way, you can give us peace and silence it. Be our light that defeats and removes any darkness that is in our lives. Before we rely on our own strength, Jehovah-Jireh make a way out of no way. For you said in Matthew that nothing is impossible when God is involved. May we be like the wise man that built his house on the rock, Lord! Your love is unconditional and unwavering. By surrendering your life, you give us life. All the glory belongs to you! Praise your holy name! In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Devotion #2

Scriptures- Psalms 23: 1-6

The LORD Is My Shepherd

1 A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. 3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.

Observation -  

I observe in these scriptures of when David was a shepherd out in the field and how He knows God is His Shepherd. He made this prayer to God and wrote these powerful but meaningful words who God is and what He does for him. I had to look up the definition of Shepherd:

noun

1. a person who herds, tends, and guards sheep.

1. a person who protects, guides, or watches over a person or group of people.

Synonyms: defender, keeper, guardian, protector

1. a member of the clergy.

1. the Shepherd, Jesus Christ.

1. sheepdog.

I love how David emphasizes the title The Lord is my Shepherd because God is personal with His sheep's (people). It shows how God operates as a Shepherd how He leads, guides, protect, care, restores, including against his enemies (not that David created enemies). He fears no evil; goodness and mercy shall follow him ALL the days of his life. David says He will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever. David had a personal relationship with God. Just like Jesus in John 10: 11; 14 - 16 says:

11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep.  

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14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, 15 just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep, too, that are not in this sheepfold. I must bring them also. They will listen to my voice, and there will be one flock with one shepherd.

These are a couple of scriptures shows Jesus as the Shepherd. The Shepherd will lay his life down for his sheep and that is who God is. Jesus did the same. God always leaves the 99 for the 1 to bring home. He will do the same for you!  

These scriptures are very personal for me; when I was younger my Grandma had my siblings and I recite & memorize this passage after worship in our family prayer time. She had us recite it out loud in English and Samoan. At the time I didn't understand because we would just listen to our elders and do exactly what they say. But since now it's truly dear to me and I understand why my Mama made my siblings and I memorize Psalms 23. I have carried this passage in my heart even to this day.  

Application -  

I will apply these scriptures to my life on a daily basis. Like I said I hold this passage dear to my heart and knowing who my Shepherd is and what He has done for me no one can tell me differently. With out a doubt the Lord is my Shepherd!

Prayer -  

Heavenly Father,  

You are Lord over my life; my Shepherd and I thank you for all you have done and continue to do for me. Thank you for always leading, guiding, protecting, caring, and loving on me. Thank you for laying your life down for me time and time again. For never leaving nor forsaking me even times that you were in the furnace with me I thank you Lord. I can not do anything without you. Even taking care of my family, friends, love ones who are dear to me. Those who you entrust me with to point them back to you Lord. I honor, worship, and adore you till my last breath! Amen! - Your Girl - Soldier for Christ!  

Opening Prayer:

Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the privilege of opening Your Word today. I come with a heart that longs to hear from You — to be changed, filled, and empowered. Just as You met the early Church when they prayed, would You meet me here in this moment?
Shake what needs to be shaken in my life — my fears, doubts, and distractions. Fill me afresh with Your Holy Spirit. Open my eyes to understand, my heart to believe, and my will to obey.
Give me boldness to live and speak Your truth in love. May this time in Your Word strengthen my faith and deepen my devotion to Jesus.
In His powerful name I pray, Amen.

S – SCRIPTURE

"And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness."
— Acts 4:31 (ESV)

O – OBSERVATION

This verse is the culmination of a powerful moment in the early Church:

• Context: Peter and John had just been released from the Sanhedrin after healing a lame man and preaching in Jesus’ name. They returned to the believers and reported everything that had happened (Acts 4:23).

• Instead of shrinking back in fear, the believers united in prayer, asking not for safety, but for boldness to continue proclaiming the gospel (Acts 4:29).

• God's response is dramatic:

  • The physical shaking of the place is symbolic of divine affirmation, similar to how God’s presence shook Mount Sinai (Exodus 19:18).

  • All were filled with the Holy Spirit — even though these were already Spirit-filled believers (Acts 2). This shows the ongoing, renewing work of the Spirit.

  • The result wasn’t emotionalism, but spiritual boldness to proclaim God's word — a clear sign of the Spirit’s empowerment.

• This moment highlights a crucial truth: The early church didn’t rely on human strategies or political influence — they depended entirely on God through prayer and the power of the Holy Spirit.

A – APPLICATION

Prayer precedes power. When the Church is under pressure, the most effective response is not panic or retreat — it's prayer. I must learn to seek God's face before taking action.

• God still fills His people. The Spirit’s filling isn’t a one-time event. I need to continually seek to be filled (Ephesians 5:18), especially when facing opposition, fear, or spiritual dryness.

• God answers bold prayers with bold power. The early Church didn’t pray for comfort or compromise — they prayed for courage to continue doing what got them in trouble: preaching Jesus.

• Am I praying in alignment with God's mission? Too often I ask for safety or favor. But do I ask for boldness to speak the truth, even when it’s uncomfortable?

• Unity matters. The Holy Spirit moved powerfully among them when they were gathered in one heart and mind, with shared devotion and purpose (Acts 4:24).

P – PRAYER

Holy God, shake us again. Teach us to pray like the early Church — not for protection alone, but for boldness. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit not just once, but daily, continually, completely. Let my words carry the authority of heaven, not the approval of men. Give me courage to speak the truth in love — in my family, workplace, church, and world. Let Your presence be so real that it stirs and moves the very ground beneath me. Empower me to be a faithful witness to the resurrected Christ. In Jesus’ name, amen.

🙏 Opening Prayer: Allow the Holy Spirit to lead you

Heavenly Father, thank you for waking us up and keeping us in your amazing grace. Let nothing come between us! Lord God, you gave us the Holy Spirit, and I pray for its guidance through this scripture. Allow my eyes, ears and heart to be open. For me to receive whatever message you desire for me to know, to understand and to apply in my life. Jehovah, you’re so good to me! Glory and honor belong to you alone, forever and ever. In Jesus mighty and matchless name. God children all say, Amen!!

🌟 Devotional: Me and God got a Love thing

Scripture: Romans 8:37-39 CSB

“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. “

📖 Observation: Fusi POV

There are 3 things that come up me and heal my heart.

1. God is the creator of all things but gives us free will to love him or not. What an amazing God, who loves me more than I can fathom!! To give us everything we need, but to seek Him I must be intentional and genuine.
2. Putting created things before God is idolatry.
3. I don’t want to be separated from God Love.

In Genesis, it tells the story of creation and God designated a day of rest. Our father in heaven didn’t need rest, but he added it because knowing his children (creation) would require it. How loving is that? Even before we were made, Jehovah-Jireh made a way for us to rest our weary bones. The world teaches us to stay busy, I hear this often “I can rest when I’m dead” which I rebuke in Jesus’ name because we will burn out. My second observation made me realize that most of my life, created things replaced God rightful station due to sin and I copied those around me. I’m ashamed to say that there were many idols that I worshipped back then. My family, my friends, my job and partying. Thank you, Lord Jesus for your free gift of salvation. Praise God, you opened my eyes and removed the blinds that kept me in my sin. I don’t want to be separate from God love! Seeing is knowing and I know that God has provided so much for me. Eternity with Christ, is forever resting and abiding with God in heaven. That sounds so glorious!

💡 Application:

Since being saved, I see my foolishness because God is ingrained in my life now. Fusi BC (Before Christ) was always busy with work, then family and of course partying. No room for God, but now praise the Lord he is with me day in and out. Idolizing my family and friends were problems because I know now that God is jealous. There are so many times that I should’ve died or gotten badly hurt but was able to walk away. Praise God, that I get to say “Nothing created can separate me from God” and I mean it. When I’m angry with my shortcomings, when I get stressed out over money or family concerns or even being tired of living, I turn to Him. Turn to God, return to the Bible and it will refresh you spiritually. Put on the armor! Fight the devil with scriptures! God loves us so much he made a way for us, before we were born, he had a plan and God will is above all.  

1. How can a created thing separate me from God?
2. Do I want to be separated from the love of God?

🙏 Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank you for loving me! I pray the plans you have for my life go accordingly. I am blessed by your mercy each day, your amazing grace each day because I am lost without you. I don’t want to go back to my old self; I want you in my life everyday till you call me home and spend eternity with you Lord! Hallelujah, for the Holy Spirit that guides us in your word. When you were making stars for the night sky, animals for the sea, land and air. You thought of us, made a day for us to rest with you. Please Lord God, guide my sisters and brothers in Christ to do your will. Cover them in the blood! In Jesus name, Amen.