I praise God for rest days, and I have the weekends off. One Saturday morning, I enjoyed an engaging conversation with my eldest son about his ministry.
He is slowly stepping up as one of the youth leaders in one of Hillsong’s ministries. He was very excited as he shared that the leaders of his team assigned people to him that he will look after.
Of course, it was a proud moment for me. It was like sweet music to my ears when I listened to my son talk about his faith and ministry.
We looked back to our days in the Philippines when we were very active in the church. We shared the joy of serving God and the lessons we have learned. It was an exciting and beautiful journey for both of us.
I shared my current conviction to God to him, which was reminding friends and family about devotions. This means I have a burden in my heart to tell people to allot time in their day for praying and reading the Bible.
I also shared my far-fetched dream of educating people and providing jobs. I told him that I didn’t know how God will do it through me, and how I’m not even sure if it was what God wants me to do.
He then shared a message that was preached by one of Hillsong’s youth pastors. It was about how God reveals His purpose to us, depending on how we see Jesus. It was about the following verses:
Matthew 16:13-20
The Message (MSG)
13 When Jesus arrived in the villages of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “What are people saying about who the Son of Man is?”
14 They replied, “Some think he is John the Baptizer, some say, Elijah, some Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.”
15 He pressed them, “And how about you? Who do you say I am?”
16 Simon Peter said, “You’re the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
17-18 Jesus came back, “God bless you, Simon, son of Jonah! You didn’t get that answer out of books or from teachers. My Father in heaven, God himself, let you in on this secret of who I really am. And now I’m going to tell you who you are, really are. You are Peter, a rock. This is the rock on which I will put together my church, a church so expansive with energy that not even the gates of hell will be able to keep it out.
19 “And that’s not all. You will have complete and free access to God’s kingdom, keys to open any and every door: no more barriers between heaven and earth, earth and heaven. A yes on earth is yes in heaven. A no on earth is no in heaven.”
When Peter realised who Jesus was, the kingdom of heaven was given to him. Peter had the power to declare things on earth, and it would be done in heaven.
We both agreed that this was an excellent example of why we need to prioritise devotions. If we devote time to prayer and reading the Bible, we will get to know who Jesus is and get the keys to the kingdom. We will get everything that we need to turn our visions into reality.
My son then asked me, “Do you think your vision of providing education and jobs to people is a revelation from God?”
I said, “I believe so, but I can’t predict the future. However, I’m excited to find out.”
Thank you for reading this devotional story, and I pray that it encouraged and empowered you in your walk with Christ. Please read other devotional stories on the website. You might find Beautiful Places, Beautiful God, Beyond Fathom and Get Ready appealing.
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