Carter Conlon | Daily Devotionals

In 1 Thessalonians 1:5, Paul emphasizes that the gospel is not just about words but also the power of transformation. In this generation, people are unlikely to read the Bible or even have the attention span to comprehend it. 

Your life and mine become a living testimony of God at work. We are this generation's show-and-tell. If we allow the Spirit of God to work in us, people will witness our transformation and recognize that only God could have brought about such a transformation. 

Let's strive to live in such a way that our lives begin to reflect the power and transformative power of the gospel through our actions and attitudes. Let's be living examples of God's love and grace so that others might be drawn to Him. It's time to live the gospel. It's time to let the gospel live through us. 

It's time for us to pray.

In Exodus, Aaron spoke all the Lord's words to Moses and performed signs before the people. When they heard that the Lord had seen their affliction, they believed in God and worshiped Him. They acknowledged that God was coming to rescue them and bring them freedom. 

Today, God is speaking directly to you, saying, “I will take you out of where you are and remove the foreign powers that have no right to be there. I will bring you into your inheritance and shape you into the person that I destined you to be. Before the world was formed, I knew you in your mother's womb, and I have a purpose for your life.”

It's time to acknowledge God's presence and plan for each of our lives. Trust that He’s heard your cry and is ready to lead you out of captivity and into His freedom. 

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

In Philippians 3:12, the apostle Paul says, “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.” He who received such a rich revelation of Christ and even wrote most of the New Testament, said, “I haven't arrived.” Paul wasn't ashamed to admit it. 

Sometimes, as Christians, we can get discouraged when old passions rise again and we question ourselves. We think I dealt with that already. By now, I should be beyond that. Through Christ, we're given the power to die to our sinful nature. Sin doesn't die, but we're given the power to die to it. 

Paul says in the book of Corinthians, “I die daily.” Remember that the righteous man or woman may fall seven times and yet rise again. Press on by faith. 

It's time to pray.

In Romans 7, Paul acknowledges the human struggle with sin and our inability to do good consistently. He recognizes the presence of sin within the human race and the battle between our desire to follow God's law and the influence of wrongdoing. 

Paul finds hope in Jesus Christ as the one who can rescue us from sin and expresses gratitude to God for our deliverance. He acknowledges that while he serves God's law, in his mind, his sinful nature remains a slave to the law of sin. 

He then shares the example of restoring flesh to symbolize being a new creation in Christ. Fear no longer has to control us. We must surrender our fears to God, seek His guidance, and embrace the truth that we can become everything He has created us to be. It's not time to be afraid. It's time to be people of faith. 

It's time to pray.

Luke 13:4–5 says, “Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.”

We remember the suddenness of the day that the towers fell in New York City. Sunshine turned to sorrow, and clear skies to a dust-filled gray. I'm thankful I had the chance to share the way of salvation with some people in the towers. 

Before people face that terrible day, we must pray for the courage to speak to those who will soon face eternity. The hours are late, and the days are getting darker. For their sakes, we must, and we will be, the lights that clearly show them the way to eternal safety. God will lead you today to the souls in need of His good news and minister to them through you.

It's time to pray.

In Exodus 4, God gave Moses and Aaron two signs. The first was facing their fears, and the second was a symbolic representation of the human heart's corruption. 

Moses and Aaron faced their fears, not relying on their strength or wisdom but on the power of God. They boldly approached the leader of the most powerful army in the world at that time and demanded freedom for their people. They became a sign of hope for those in captivity, proving that God was with them. 

It's time to take control of your fears and let them become a symbol of God's authority in your life. You can then confidently tell others they don't have to be afraid. God will not fail. He will not forsake his children. Take the first step—confront your fears and trust that God will guide you through.

It's time to pray. 

In Exodus 4, Moses expressed his fear and doubt, questioning whether the people would believe him. God asked Moses what he had in his hand. When Moses threw it on the ground, his rod turned into a serpent. Moses ran away in fear like we often run from our fears. 

God needed someone who wouldn't run and could face their fears. He told Moses to reach out and grab the serpent by the tail. When Moses did, it turned back into a rod. This story symbolizes that we should walk by faith, not by fear. We should be confident in God's power, not rely on our strength. 

Today, let's face our fears, take them back into our hands, and trust in God's power. He takes us in our weaknesses and struggles, and He transforms us from the inside out. Let's take the journey together.

It's time to pray.

If you're at a point where your life is clearly on the wrong track, I have good news for you. Jesus can save you from your sin and change you from the inside out if you decide to turn towards Him and away from what is wrong.

God wants us to know what it is like to be fully accepted. He wants our darkness to be turned to light. He wants us to know what living at peace with God is. It can happen to you today. Simply say, “Lord Jesus, I want you to be my Lord and Savior. Make me your child. Change me so that I may live for you. In Jesus' name, amen.” 

If you pray this way, Jesus will hear your prayer. He will not just add something to your life. He will make you a new person with a new mind, heart, and Spirit. 

It's time to pray.

In 2 Corinthians 12:10, Paul the apostle declares, “That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

When we let go of our strength and start relying on God, His power shines through us. When we rely on ourselves, we tend to boast and dictate how things should be done. We start acknowledging our need for God when we recognize our weaknesses and depend on Him. In doing so, we discover that the same strength we have found in our Lord is available to all people. 

God's Word is true, and His strength is sufficient for every situation. Instead of relying on your abilities today, learn to trust in His empowerment. As we acknowledge our need for the Lord, we will experience His power working in and through us. Hallelujah. 

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

In Mark 5, a man with an unclean spirit lived among the tombs, and nobody could control him. This man represents people trapped in a place of death and painful memories. It's a bleak future if that's where you're heading. You may have sought help from counselors, friends, or even doctors, but nothing has tamed the deep pride of your heart. 

I want you to know there is hope. Turn to God, who can genuinely understand and heal your pain. Trust in His love and forgiveness. Don't let your past continue to define your future. Embrace a future filled with hope and complete restoration, which God offers. 

Join us on Wednesdays at 7:00 PM EST at itstimetopray.org, where people who have overcome struggles like yours rejoice in the freedom God has given them. 

It's time to pray.