The Engrafted life

Category: Self Relection

  • THE DAILY ENGRAFTED

    Stay Steady When It’s Unfair

    Unfairness is one of the fastest ways to anger a man.

    You did the right thing.

    You showed up.

    And it still didn’t go your way.

    That’s usually where anger starts justifying itself.

    Scripture doesn’t pretend this isn’t hard:

    “Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.”

    — Proverbs 16:32

    Anger feels powerful in the moment.

    But most of the time, it doesn’t fix anything—it just burns bridges and clouds judgment.

    Jesus knew what it was to be treated unfairly.

    He wasn’t passive.

    He was restrained.

    There’s a difference.

    Restraint isn’t pretending injustice doesn’t exist.

    It’s choosing not to let it shape you into someone you don’t want to become.

    You can be firm without being furious.

    You can be honest without being hostile.

    You can endure without exploding.

    Today’s Practice

    When something feels unfair today, don’t react immediately.

    Pause.

    Ask: What response keeps my integrity intact?

    Then choose steadiness over satisfaction.

    Closing Prayer

    Lord, help me stay steady when things aren’t fair. Keep my anger from ruling me.Teach me restraint that reflects Christ. Amen.

  • THE DAILY ENGRAFTED

    Don’t Let Pressure Make Your Decisions

    Pressure makes people sloppy.

    We say things we shouldn’t.

    Agree to things we regret.

    Choose speed over wisdom just to get relief.

    Scripture cautions us plainly:

    “The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.”

    — Proverbs 21:5

    Pressure always demands an immediate answer.

    Wisdom rarely does.

    Jesus was never rushed by urgency.

    Crowds pressed Him.

    Needs surrounded Him.

    But He moved with intention, not panic.

    A rushed decision might feel like relief,

    but it often creates more weight down the road.

    You’re allowed to pause.

    You’re allowed to pray.

    You’re allowed to say, “I need time.”

    That’s not weakness.

    That’s discipline.

    Today’s Practice

    Before making a decision today, pause.

    Ask: Am I choosing this because it’s right—or because I want the pressure to stop?

    Choose wisely.

    Closing Prayer

    Lord, slow me down when pressure pushes me to act too fast.Help me choose obedience over urgency. Teach me to trust You in the waiting. Amen.

  • THE DAILY ENGRAFTED

    Control the Moment You’re In

    Most anxiety doesn’t live in the present.

    It lives five steps ahead.

    We worry about conversations that haven’t happened.

    Outcomes we can’t control.

    Problems that may never come.

    Jesus addressed this head-on:

    “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.”

    — Matthew 6:34

    The Stoics trained themselves to live in the moment they were given.

    Not yesterday.

    Not tomorrow.

    This one.

    Scripture agrees—but adds trust.

    You don’t control tomorrow.

    You don’t fix yesterday.

    But you do have responsibility for the moment you’re standing in right now.

    Faith isn’t about solving your whole life at once.

    It’s about obedience in the next right step.

    Stay here.

    Breathe.

    Do what’s in front of you.

    That’s enough for today.

    Today’s Practice

    When your mind runs ahead, bring it back.

    Ask: What is required of me right now?

    Then do only that.

    Closing Prayer

    Lord, anchor me in the present moment. Help me trust You with tomorrow while I remain faithful today. Give me peace where my feet are. Amen.

  • THE DAILY ENGRAFTED

    Endure Without Bitterness

    Some things don’t get fixed quickly.

    They get endured.

    That’s where bitterness sneaks in—not all at once, but slowly.

    A little resentment here.

    A little edge in your voice there.

    Scripture warns us about this for a reason:

    “See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble.”

    — Hebrews 12:15

    Bitterness isn’t strength.

    It’s unprocessed pain that’s been sitting too long.

    The Stoics believed endurance was a virtue.

    They trained themselves to carry weight without complaint.

    Scripture goes deeper.

    It doesn’t just call us to endure—it calls us to endure with grace.

    Jesus carried suffering without becoming cruel.

    He bore injustice without turning inward or lashing out.

    That’s the model.

    Endurance isn’t pretending things don’t hurt.

    It’s choosing not to let pain decide who you become.

    Today’s Practice

    Notice where resentment is creeping in.

    Name it.

    Don’t justify it.

    Hand it to God before it hardens.

    Closing Prayer

    Lord, help me endure what I cannot change without growing bitter. Keep my heart soft even when the road is hard. Form Christ in me through this. Amen.

  • THE DAILY ENGRAFTED

    Strength Is Quiet

    Most strong men don’t talk about being strong.

    They just keep showing up.

    Real strength doesn’t announce itself.

    It doesn’t posture. It doesn’t need credit.

    It just does the work that needs doing.

    Scripture says it plainly:

    “Better is a patient person than a warrior

    , one with self-control than one who takes a city.”

    — Proverbs 16:32

    That doesn’t sound impressive by today’s standards.

    Nobody’s impressed by patience.

    Nobody applauds self-control.

    But God calls that strength.

    The world teaches us to react fast, speak loud, and prove ourselves.

    But most of the damage we do comes from mouths we didn’t slow down and emotions we didn’t check.

    Jesus never raised His voice to prove His power.

    He didn’t rush to defend Himself.

    He didn’t flex when He could have crushed.

    That kind of strength looks weak—until you realize how much control it takes.

    You don’t have to win every argument.

    You don’t have to explain yourself to everyone.

    You don’t have to respond to every slight.

    Sometimes the strongest thing a man can do is stay quiet and stay faithful.

    Today’s Practice

    Today, let one thing go unaddressed.

    Don’t correct it.

    Don’t defend yourself.

    Don’t fire back.

    Trust God with the outcome.

    Closing Prayer

    Lord, teach me strength that doesn’t need to be seen. Help me carry myself the way Christ did—steady, restrained, and faithful. Make me strong where it counts. Amen.

  • THE DAILY ENGRAFTED

    You Don’t Have to React

    Most of my anxiety doesn’t come from what’s happening.

    It comes from how fast I respond to it.

    Something gets said. A situation shifts. A thought hits.

    And before I realize it, my body has already decided what it means.

    Scripture tells us something that sounds simple but cuts deep:

    “Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.”

    — Proverbs 16:32

    The Stoics believed that peace came from mastering your reactions.

    They weren’t wrong—but they didn’t go far enough.

    Scripture shows us something better:

    peace comes from surrendering our reactions to God before they rule us.

    Most of what we face today is not an emergency.

    It only feels like one because our nervous system is firing faster than our wisdom.

    Strength isn’t reacting quickly.

    Strength is pausing long enough for truth to catch up.

    Jesus never rushed His responses.

    Even under accusation, pressure, and injustice, He chose restraint—not because He was weak, but because He trusted the Father more than the moment.

    Today’s Practice

    When something irritates you today, do not fix it immediately.

    Pause for one breath.

    Ask quietly: Is this mine to control—or God’s to carry?

    Then respond—not from fear, but from faith.

    Closing Prayer

    Lord, teach me to rule my spirit without hardening my heart. Slow me down enough to trust You with what I cannot control. Form strength in me that looks like Christ. Amen.

  • “Bones of Who I Was”

    A devotional on resurrection, release, and new life in Christ.

    Opening Thought

    The end of October brings a certain chill — leaves curling on the ground, air thick with the scent of earth and memory. Skeletons hang in doorways, and we pass by old bones dressed in humor or fright. But for me, bones have always been symbols of what remains — the structure of what once was alive.

    Sometimes, I realize there are bones of my old self buried in the past — and in the minds of others. People remember the “me” that used to react in anger, fear, or doubt. Those fossils of who I was still lie there, preserved in other people’s memories. But I’ve learned something freeing: God never calls us to live among the bones. He calls us to rise.

    Scripture Readings

    • Ezekiel 37:5 (NLT) – “This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Look! I am going to put breath into you and make you live again!”

    • 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT) – “Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”

    • Romans 8:11 (NLT) – “The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you.”

    Reflection

    The prophet Ezekiel stood in a valley full of dry bones — symbols of despair, memory, and loss. Yet God told him to speak life over them. When he did, the bones rattled, connected, and rose again — restored not to who they once were, but to something new.

    That’s what resurrection looks like in us. The bones of who we were — our old habits, failures, or labels — aren’t meant to haunt us. They remind us that God can bring life even from what seems long dead.

    But the harder truth is this: others may still see the fossils. They may still hold an image of you that no longer exists. And that’s okay. Let them remember the bones. You’re walking in the Spirit’s breath now.

    We can’t force others to see our resurrection story — we can only live it faithfully, letting God’s breath keep our new life moving forward.

    Application

    1. Identify the Bones: What parts of your old self do others still see or mention?

    2. Speak Life: Pray Ezekiel 37:5 aloud this week — “Lord, breathe life into me again.”

    3. Release Control: Don’t try to prove your transformation; live it. Let God’s renewal be your testimony.

    4. Reflect on Renewal: Take a quiet walk this week — notice the fallen leaves turning to soil. Remember, what dies in one season feeds new life in the next.

    Closing Prayer

    Lord, thank You for breathing life into the bones of who I used to be. Help me walk boldly in the new creation You’ve made. When others remember my fossils, let their memories become testimonies of Your grace. May the breath of Your Spirit fill my days with purpose, hope, and resurrection life. In Jesus’ name, amen.

  • Pure and Reverent Lives

    I had this thought today (I’ve actually had it many times but today I put pen to paper)…We live in a world that celebrates compromise and self-indulgence and pursuit of our own happiness. Living a life of purity and reverence feels countercultural and radical. Yet, as believers, we are set apart—called to holiness not out of duty, but out of love for the One who redeemed us. If this truly is the case then our lives should reflect the purity of Christ, not as a burden, but as an act of worship.

    There is a bit of scripture that captured me today and it’s from 1 Peter 3:1-2….“In the same way, you wives must accept the authority of your husbands. Then, even if some refuse to obey the Good News, your godly lives will speak to them without any words. They will be won over by observing your pure and reverent lives.” This bit of scripture is referring to the marriage relationship to someone who is not a believer, however couldn’t this be true for everyone? Living a life that can win over people without even using words!


    Scripture Readings

    • 1 Peter 1:15-16 – “But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’”

    • Philippians 2:14-15 – “Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, ‘children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.’ Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky.”

    • Psalm 24:3-4 – “Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god.”

    Reflection

    To live a pure and reverent life is to align our thoughts, actions, and desires with God’s holiness. Purity is not just about avoiding sin or obeying some moral code—it’s about pursuing righteousness. It’s a daily surrender, a refining process where we allow the Holy Spirit to shape our hearts and transform our minds. It takes time.

    Reverence, on the other hand, is our posture before God. It’s an awareness of His majesty, a deep respect for His presence, and a commitment to honor Him in all we do. When we revere God, we don’t take His grace for granted; instead, we respond with gratitude and obedience.

    In practical terms, purity and reverence are reflected in how we speak, how we think, and how we treat others. Do our words build up or tear down? Do our thoughts dwell on what is noble, true, and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8)? Do our actions reflect Christ’s love and character?

    Application

    1. Examine Your Heart – Ask God to reveal areas in your life that need cleansing. Is there anything that is hindering your walk with Him?

    2. Guard Your Mind – Be mindful of what you allow into your thoughts. Choose to dwell on what is holy and uplifting.

    3. Live Set Apart – Remember that holiness is not about legalism, but about devotion. Make daily choices that reflect your love for Christ.

    4. Revere God in Worship – Approach God with awe and gratitude in prayer, in how you handle His Word, and in how you conduct your life.

    Closing Prayer

    Heavenly Father, You are holy, and You have called me to walk in Your ways. Give me a pure heart and a reverent spirit, that I may honor You in all I do. Remove anything in me that is not pleasing to You, and help me to live a life that reflects Your love and truth. May my thoughts, words, and actions be set apart for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

  • “Deep Calls to Deep”

    Several years ago we took a family trip to the beach.  I remember standing in the cold sand, ankles deep in the water, and just staring out into the vastness of the waters. It was mesmerizing and awesome.  There’s something about deep waters that stirs the soul.  They are mysterious, powerful, and seemingly endless—just like our relationship with God.

    The psalmist wrote, “Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls” (Psalm 42:7). The word deep in this verse refers to something vast, limitless, and profound. The psalmist, feeling overwhelmed by life’s struggles, acknowledges that his soul is crying out for something beyond the surface—something only God can provide. It reflects a longing for a connection with the Creator that goes beyond routine faith and into true intimacy. This verse speaks of the profound connection between our innermost being and the depths of God’s presence. It is an invitation.  Are we willing to let the deep places within us respond to the depths of who He is?

    Scripture Readings

    • Psalm 42:7 – “Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me.”

    • 1 Corinthians 2:10 – “These are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.”

    • Ephesians 3:18-19 – “…that you may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”

    Reflection

    Our walk with God isn’t meant to remain in the shallows. Many live with a surface-level faith—believing, yet never truly diving in. But God is always calling us deeper, into a place where our spirit longs for something beyond what this world can offer.

    When the psalmist said, “Deep calls to deep,” he was describing the overwhelming nature of God’s presence. Just as ocean depths are moved by unseen forces, our souls are stirred by the voice of God echoing within us. This is not about desperation or spiritual dryness—it’s about longing, about being drawn into the vastness of God’s nature, where our deepest questions, desires, and yearnings find their answer in Him.

    God love for us is unfathomable. His plans stretch beyond our comprehension. If we truly desire intimacy with Him, we must be willing to move beyond what is comfortable and allow our souls to be immersed in the depths of His presence.

    Application 

    1. Seek Him Beyond the Surface – Ask yourself: Do I only seek God in moments of need, or am I pursuing Him daily? Set aside intentional time for deep communion.

    2. Embrace the Mystery – Not everything about God is meant to be understood immediately. Trust that His ways are higher and invite Him to reveal more in His time (Isaiah 55:8-9).

    3. Let the Spirit Lead You – The Holy Spirit searches the deep things of God (1 Corinthians 2:10). Ask Him to guide you beyond intellectual knowledge into true revelation.

    4. Engage in Deep Prayer and Worship – Move beyond quick prayers and surface-level worship. Linger in His presence, allowing your spirit to truly connect with Him.

    5. Be Willing to Be Transformed – The deeper you go, the more God will shape you. Let go of old ways of thinking and step into greater depths of faith and surrender.

    Closing Prayer

    Father, You are deeper than the ocean, greater than my understanding, and more vast than anything I can imagine. Let the deep places in me respond to the depths of who You are. Draw me beyond the surface into a deeper knowledge of You. Help me to embrace the mystery, trust Your leading, and allow my soul to be fully immersed in Your presence. I want to know You, not just in part, but in fullness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

  • Garbage In, Garbage Out

    When I was growing up, my dad had a saying he often used, especially when he thought I was making questionable choices: “Garbage in, garbage out.” I knew what he meant, but I liked to believe I was the exception—that I could take in whatever I wanted, mentally, emotionally, or physically, without it truly impacting me. I figured I was immune, untouchable. Maybe I just didn’t care.

    But the reality is, it does matter. What we take in—through our minds, hearts, and daily habits—eventually shapes who we are. The things we allow into our lives influence our thoughts, our words, and, in the end, our actions.

    Scripture Readings

    • Luke 6:45 (NIV) – “A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.”

    • Proverbs 4:23 (NIV) – “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”

    • 1 Corinthians 15:33 (NIV) – “Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.’”

    Reflection

    Jesus reminds us in Luke 6:45 that our words and actions are simply the overflow of what’s in our hearts. What we feed our minds will eventually become the reality of our lives. If we consistently take in negativity, unhealthy influences, or lies, then those things will shape our thoughts and behavior.

    Proverbs 4:23 warns us to guard our hearts because everything we do flows from them. If we don’t take this seriously, we allow toxic influences to settle in, affecting our attitudes, choices, and relationships.

    Paul echoes this truth in 1 Corinthians 15:33—our surroundings matter. The people we spend time with, the media we consume, and the messages we allow into our minds all play a role in shaping our character. If we surround ourselves with negativity or ungodliness, we shouldn’t be surprised when our faith, integrity, and joy suffer.

    The good news? The opposite is also true. When we fill our hearts and minds with truth, wisdom, and righteousness, we’ll see the fruit of it in our lives.

    Application

    • Self-Examination: What am I consuming daily—through conversations, entertainment, or social media? Is it leading me toward God or pulling me away?

    • Prayer and Scripture Reflection: Ask God to help you guard your heart and be intentional about filling your mind with His truth. Spend time in His Word daily.

    • Accountability: Surround yourself with people who encourage spiritual growth. Identify influences that need to change.

    • Action Step: Choose one area of input to evaluate this week—music, TV, social media, friendships—and make an intentional shift toward what is godly and uplifting.

    Closing Prayer

    Father, help me to be mindful of what I allow into my heart and mind. Give me discernment to recognize what is drawing me closer to You and what is pulling me away. Strengthen me to make wise choices, to guard my heart, and to surround myself with godly influences. Let my words and actions be a reflection of Your truth and goodness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.