Carter Conlon | Daily Devotionals

I want to remind you today that you and I are not called to live for ourselves.

Those who preach a gospel that says the cross of Jesus Christ is solely about self are presenting a different Christ and a different gospel. This is not the true gospel of Jesus Christ.

Our purpose is to live our lives for the benefit of others. It’s not just about us. While it is true that God blesses us, helps us, delivers us, and sets us free, there is a divine purpose behind it all.

We are not called to isolate ourselves while the world continues on its path without God. Instead, God has specifically placed us where He wants us to be.

Let’s start living selflessly, seeking opportunities to bless and serve others, and becoming a reflection of God’s love and grace in this desperately needy world.

It’s now time to pray.

John 3:19 – “And this is the condemnation, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil.”

There will be people who only realize in the darkness that they do not have light. They have a Jesus they built around their own righteousness, around what they think He should look like, act like, and speak like.

But there is a problem with that Jesus—He doesn’t shine in the dark because He is not the real Jesus. When trials come, Jesus will not deliver anyone.

Do we have the courage to humble ourselves today and ask:

“Lord, am I following the real Jesus, or some religious fakery that I’ve listened to or crafted?”

Oh God, help us to cast off any pretense, so we may see and know the true light of Jesus Christ. We want to see!

For you and me, right now—it’s time to pray.

Isaiah 40:29-31 – “He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall. But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”

Do you feel like you’re about to spiritually crash and burn?

The word “wait” in this scripture doesn’t mean to sit idly, passing time. It means to intertwine oneself with God, like strands twisted together into something stronger. We are to be interwoven with Christ—His heart, His thoughts, His will.

When He sits on the throne of our hearts, He empowers us through His victory on Calvary, allowing us to go from strength to strength.

No matter what it looks like, remember this above all—He will not fail you.

It’s time to pray.

In the Bible, the apostle Paul said that he and his companions had experienced immense pressure and despair in Asia. They felt as if death was looming over them and reached a point where their only hope was to trust in Christ.

They had exhausted all their own strength and had to rely completely on God just to survive.

Let me assure you, my brothers and sisters, that the Christian life is not without its difficulties. You will undoubtedly face storms and trials. You’ll encounter ungodly influences that may at times feel overwhelming.

However, take comfort in knowing that God has woven His very honor into the fabric of your life—and He is committed to keeping you.

Jesus Himself proclaimed that you are sealed in the hand of God, His Father, and nothing and no one can take you out of that hand.

You will not be overcome.

Thank God for it today.

It’s now time for you and me to pray.

If you weren’t where you are today, who would testify about Jesus Christ there?

Did you know that God has purposefully placed you exactly where you are? Whether it’s in a kitchen with other dishwashers, in a classroom, or in any industry—or even outside of one—your presence has a divine purpose.

There needs to be a testimony of God’s goodness everywhere in society. You and I are called to be salt and light in every place we go, not just hidden or confined to selective spaces.

Let the life of Christ and the glory of God be seen through you—to those who are living in darkness all around you.

I want to encourage you to embrace your role as a testimony of God’s goodness, wherever you happen to be. Shine brightly and share the hope of the gospel with those who so desperately need it.

Gather with us every Wednesday night at 7:00 PM EST at itstimetopray.org. We are believing that God will make us a testimony.

It’s time to pray.

Our human nature often leads us to believe that true happiness lies somewhere else—somewhere beyond our present circumstances.

We tend to think the grass is always greener on the other side, only to realize that true fulfillment can be found right where we are.

The life that God wants to bless you with may be exactly where you are at this moment. It’s not about finding another job, moving to another city, or seeking new relationships. It’s about recognizing that God has placed you where you are for a purpose.

If there ever comes a time when you choose to leave your current situation, let it not be with the sole intention of escaping your present circumstances. Instead, leave with a spirit of triumph.

Leave with your hands raised.

Leave praising God.

Leave with your heart full of gratitude.

My brother, my sister, it’s time to pray.

Psalm 24:7-8 – “Lift up your heads, O gates, and be lifted up, you everlasting doors, and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.”

These days, many are walking with their eyes fixed downward, staring at their cell phones. Today, I encourage you to look up. Lift up your heads. Our King is coming!

Who is this King, you ask? He is the God of all the armies of heaven, the One with all dominion and authority. He is the God who brings light in darkness, strength in weakness, freedom from captivity, healing to the wounded heart, and sight to the blind.

Lift up your heads and open your gates, and the King of glory will come in. Oh, what a sight it will be!

It can all be yours today—if you lift up your head and begin to pray.

It’s time to pray. 

Matthew 23:37-39 – “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! See, your house is left to you desolate; for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’”

Jesus is saying, “I want to gather you. I want to gather your children and bring you close to My heart, where I can protect you. I want you to grow and prosper in the grace and knowledge of who I am. I want to speak to you about what I am doing and give you light and understanding about what is to come.”

Are you willing to draw close to Him? The invitation to you and me today is the same as it has always been: Come close. 

It’s time to pray.

Many people often feel inadequate and weak when it comes to obeying God. They may believe their strength is limited and struggle to fulfill their calling.

However, God assures us that He has already prepared an open door for each of us. We don’t have to search for it or struggle to find it—it will come to us in due time.

All we need to do is have the courage to walk through that door when it opens and keep moving forward.

God sets before us a series of doors, and our task is simply to step through each one as they appear.

Let’s embrace and accept the calling that God has placed on our lives today. Instead of dwelling on our weaknesses, let’s trust that God has equipped us for the journey and step through the doors He presents to us.

I love walking in the impossible, because that’s when the power of God makes everything possible.

It’s time to pray.

The apostle Paul firmly believed that nothing in heaven or on earth could separate him from the love of God. He trusted that everything he entrusted to God would be kept secure until the day he stood before Him.

Paul’s commitment to glorify God remained unshakable, regardless of his circumstances or understanding. He sought God’s presence and did not look for an easy way out.

Let’s follow Paul’s example today and choose to glorify God in every situation, seeking His presence and strength rather than looking for a quick escape.

Join us every Wednesday night at 7:00 PM EST at itstimetopray.org. People from all over the world are gathering—praying and believing that God will give us the strength we need to make a difference in this generation.

Come and pray with us.

We need to be praying now.