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The Empowered Disciple, Vancouver, BC (2025)

11/13/2025

The Tragedy of Almost Stories

History is filled with heartbreaking "almost" stories - people who came so close to victory, so near to breakthrough, yet fell just short of their goal. But nowhere are these stories more tragic than in matters of eternity. Consider the five foolish virgins who had lamps but no oil when the bridegroom came. They were part of the wedding party, they knew the bridegroom was coming, they even had the right equipment. But when the moment of truth arrived, they were unprepared. Almost ready, but completely shut out. Think about Lot's wife, who walked out of S***m with her family, following God's angel to safety. She was steps away from deliverance, but one backward glance cost her everything. Almost saved, but turned to salt. Remember the rich young ruler who kept all the commandments and genuinely sought eternal life. Jesus looked at him with love, but when asked to surrender his wealth, he walked away sorrowful. Almost willing, but completely lost. And then there's Judas, who walked with Jesus for three years, witnessed miracles, heard every teaching, and was trusted with the ministry's finances. Yet he traded eternity for thirty pieces of silver. Almost a disciple, but became a betrayer. These weren't bad people who rejected God outright. They were close - so very close. They had knowledge, opportunity, and proximity to salvation. But in each case, almost became their eternal tragedy. Your story doesn't have to end this way. You can learn from their examples and choose differently. Today is your opportunity to write a different ending - one that moves from almost to altogether.

Bible Verse
"Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves." - James 1:22

Reflection Question
Which of these biblical "almost" stories resonates most with your current spiritual condition, and what can you learn from their tragedy?

Quote They were all close. They all had opportunity. They all had knowledge. But almost became their eternity.

Prayer
Lord, I don't want my story to be another tragedy of almost. Help me learn from those who came so close but fell short. Give me the wisdom to act on what I know and the courage to fully surrender to You. Amen.

11/12/2025

The Doorway Decision

Standing at a doorway is a place of decision. You can see what's on the other side, you can feel the warmth or coolness from the other room, but until you actually step through, you remain where you started. This is exactly where many people find themselves spiritually - standing at the doorway of salvation but never crossing the threshold. Jesus made it crystal clear what it takes to enter God's kingdom. It's not enough to admire it from the outside or to appreciate its beauty from a distance. Entry requires a specific action - being born of water and the Spirit. This isn't a suggestion or a recommendation; it's the requirement for citizenship in God's kingdom. Many people today live in churches, surrounded by the atmosphere of faith, feeling the conviction of God's presence, yet they remain on the outside looking in. They've heard the Gospel countless times, they understand the message intellectually, and they even agree with its truth. But agreement isn't the same as obedience. Understanding isn't the same as experiencing. The beautiful thing about doorways is that they're designed to be walked through. God hasn't placed you at the threshold of His kingdom to torment you with what you can't have. He's positioned you there because He wants you to take that step. He's calling you from almost to altogether, from standing outside to dwelling within. Today, you don't have to remain a spectator of salvation. You can become a participant. The door is open, the invitation is extended, and Jesus is waiting on the other side. All that remains is your decision to step through.

Bible Verse
"Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." - John 3:5

Reflection Question
What is keeping you from stepping through the doorway of complete obedience to God's plan of salvation?

Quote Many people today in this building live where King Agrippa stood. They're close to God. They attend church, they feel conviction, they agree with the message, but they stand at the door of salvation and they never step through.

Prayer
Father, I see the doorway You've opened before me. Help me not to be content standing at the threshold. Give me the faith and courage to step through into the fullness of Your kingdom. I want to be born of water and Spirit as You've commanded. Amen.

11/11/2025

The Weight of Almost

There's something haunting about the word "almost." We use it casually every day - almost ready, almost there, almost finished. But when it comes to matters of eternity, this simple word carries devastating weight. King Agrippa heard Paul's powerful testimony and felt the conviction of truth stirring in his heart. The Gospel message resonated with him, and he stood at the very threshold of salvation. Yet his response echoes through history as one of the most tragic statements ever made: "Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian." He was so close he could almost touch eternal life, yet he walked away unchanged. Perhaps you've felt that same stirring in your heart. Maybe you've sat in church services feeling the presence of God, knowing deep down that something needs to change in your life. You've heard the truth, felt conviction, and sensed God calling you closer. But somehow, you've remained in that space of "almost." Here's what we must understand: when it comes to salvation, proximity isn't enough. Being close to the kingdom doesn't grant you citizenship in it. Almost saved is still completely lost. Almost convinced is still rejected. Almost surrendered is still resisted. But here's the beautiful truth - God isn't finished with your story yet. Today doesn't have to end in "almost." You have the opportunity right now to step from the tragedy of almost into the victory of altogether. Don't let another moment pass living in the shadow of what could be when you can step into the light of what God has prepared for you.

Bible Verse
"And he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God." - Mark 12:34

Reflection Question
What areas of your life are you living in "almost" - almost obedient, almost surrendered, almost ready to fully commit to God?
Quote Almost is a simple word, but it's one of the most difficult words to ignore in the human language.

Prayer
Lord, I don't want to live in the tragedy of almost. Help me recognize where I've been standing at the threshold of Your kingdom without stepping through. Give me the courage to move from almost to altogether in my relationship with You. In Jesus name.
Amen.

11/07/2025

Day 5:
Rivers of Living Water

Imagine having a source of life so powerful that it never runs dry, never gets contaminated, and never fails to refresh you. This isn't just a beautiful metaphor - it's the reality of what Jesus offers every believer. He promises rivers of living water flowing from within you. When you operate in zoe life, you have that "oomph" in your chest that keeps beating even when everything else goes to shreds. You can smile when there's nothing to smile about because your joy doesn't depend on external circumstances. You have a wellspring of life that bubbles up from within, regardless of what's happening around you.

This is radically different from trying to find life in achievements, relationships, or material success. You can achieve the whole world but lose your own soul and still be empty. Worldly success is like drinking salt water - the more you drink, the thirstier you become. But the life Jesus offers truly satisfies.

Don't settle for breath when God has promised you rivers of living water. Don't be content with just getting by when He wants to give you supernatural life that overflows. This isn't about becoming a better version of yourself through self-improvement. Jesus came to impart His very life into your spirit. When you're connected to this divine source, you become a blessing to others. The rivers of living water don't just refresh you - they flow through you to bring life to everyone around you.

Your family, friends, coworkers, and community can experience God's life through the overflow of what He's doing in you. This is the abundant life Jesus promised. This is what it means to truly live, not just exist. Today, open your heart to receive these rivers of living water and let them transform every area of your life.

Bible Verse
"On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, 'Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.' By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive." - John 7:37-39

Reflection Question
How can you position yourself today to receive and flow in these rivers of living water, and who in your life needs to experience God's life flowing through you?

Quote: Don't settle for breath when God promised you rivers of living water.

Prayer
Jesus, I'm thirsty for the abundant life You promised. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit until rivers of living water flow from within me. Let Your life overflow through me to bless others and bring glory to Your name. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

11/06/2025

Day 4:
The Source of Supernatural Life

There's a type of life that goes beyond biological existence and emotional living - it's called zoe life, and it's the supernatural life that comes only from God's power.

This isn't something you can earn through good works, study your way into through knowledge, or achieve through self-improvement. Zoe life is a gift that must be received. Unlike biological life that depends on oxygen, or emotional life that depends on circumstances, zoe life has its source in God Himself. This divine life doesn't fluctuate based on your situation, your health, or your feelings. It's constant, powerful, and unshakeable because its source is eternal.

When you receive zoe life through the Holy Spirit, something supernatural happens in your spirit. You gain access to resurrection power - the same power that raised Jesus from the dead. This power becomes like rivers of living water flowing from within you, giving you strength that keeps going even when everything around you falls apart.

This is why believers can have joy in the midst of trials, peace during storms, and hope when circumstances look hopeless. It's not because they're in denial or trying to be positive. It's because they have a source of life that's greater than their circumstances.

Zoe life means you don't have to be controlled by external situations. Your validation doesn't come from worldly achievements or other people's opinions. Your strength doesn't depend on favorable circumstances. Your identity isn't shaken by temporary setbacks. You have an internal source of life that's connected to the eternal God. This supernatural life is available to you today. It's not reserved for super-spiritual people or those who have it all figured out. It's God's gift to anyone who believes in Jesus and receives His Spirit.

Bible Verse
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." - John 10:10

Reflection Question
What would change in your perspective on current challenges if you truly believed you have access to the same resurrection power that raised Jesus from the dead?

Quote: Zoe life is not like bios. The source is not oxygen. It's not like psuché, the source is not yourself. Zoe life, the only source is God's power.

Prayer
Holy Spirit, I want to experience the zoe life that only You can give. Fill me with Your supernatural power and help me live from this divine source rather than depending on my own strength or circumstances. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

11/05/2025

Day 3:
Don't Trust Your Feelings as Your Guide

Your emotions are real, but they're not always right. Your thoughts are loud, but they're not always true. This is one of the most important truths you can grasp in your spiritual journey. When we live by our feelings and make them our primary guide, we set ourselves up for disappointment and confusion. Living by psyche life means being governed by your emotions, thoughts, and desires for self-fulfillment. While this seems more meaningful than just surviving, it actually makes you your own god. When your feelings become your compass, you'll find yourself constantly changing direction based on circumstances, moods, and temporary situations. Think about how unreliable emotions can be. One day you feel on top of the world, the next day you're discouraged. One moment you're confident in God's plan, the next you're questioning everything. If you base your identity and decisions solely on these fluctuating feelings, you'll live a life of constant uncertainty. Your soul - your mind, will, and emotions - was never meant to be the captain of your ship. It was designed to be a passenger, following the lead of your spirit that's connected to God. When you try to find your identity by looking inward, you'll only find confusion. True identity comes from looking upward to your Creator. This doesn't mean you should ignore your emotions or pretend they don't exist. God gave you feelings for a reason. But they should inform you, not control you. They should be servants, not masters. When you learn to acknowledge your emotions while anchoring your identity in God's truth, you'll find the stability and peace your heart has been searching for.

Bible Verse
"On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, 'Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.' By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive." - John 7:37-39

Reflection Question
Can you identify a recent situation where your emotions led you in a direction that wasn't aligned with God's truth, and how might you handle it differently now?
Quote You don't discover your identity by going inward. You discover your identity by going back to the one that created you. You got to look upward, folks. You can't look inward. The answer is not in yourself.

Prayer
Lord, help me not to be ruled by my emotions but to be led by Your Spirit. When my feelings are loud and my thoughts are confusing, remind me to look to You for truth and direction. Be my anchor in every storm. Amen.

11/04/2025

Day 2:
More Than Just Breathing

There's a difference between being alive and truly living. You might be breathing, your heart might be beating, but are you experiencing the fullness of life God intended? Too many people walk through life like zombies - physically present but spiritually absent. We hear it all the time: "I'm just trying to survive," "I'm just trying to make it till Friday," "I'm just trying to breathe." But breathing isn't the same as living. Plants breathe. Animals breathe. But humans were created for something infinitely greater than basic biological functions. You can have all the physical strength in the world, eat perfectly, and maintain your health, yet still feel broken and empty inside. That's because your soul craves more than what this physical world can offer. Your spirit was designed to connect with something eternal, something divine. God's Word tells us that we don't live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from His mouth. This means our true sustenance, our real life source, isn't found in the physical realm. It's found in our relationship with our Creator. When you're only operating on a biological level, you're missing out on the supernatural life God wants to give you. You're settling for existence when He's offering you abundant life. You're choosing to merely survive when He's calling you to thrive. Today, recognize that you were made for more than just getting by. You were created to experience the richness and fullness of life that only comes from knowing and walking with God.

Bible Verse
"Then he said to them all: 'Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet lose or forfeit their very self?'" - Matthew 16:24-26

Reflection Question
What would change in your daily routine if you truly believed that God wants you to thrive, not just survive?
Quote So many people aren't dead. They're just not alive yet.

Prayer
Father, I don't want to settle for just breathing when You've promised me abundant life. Help me move beyond mere survival and step into the thriving life You have planned for me. Fill me with Your life today. Amen.

11/03/2025

Day 1:
Life Must Have a Point

Have you ever felt like you're just going through the motions? Waking up, going to work, coming home, sleeping, and repeating the cycle? It's easy to fall into a pattern where we're breathing but not truly living. Many of us find ourselves in survival mode, just trying to make it through another day, another week, another month. But here's the truth: you were created for so much more than mere existence. Your life has incredible purpose and meaning that goes far beyond just getting by. When we live only in biological mode - eating, sleeping, working - we're missing the bigger picture of why God placed us here. Think about it this way: even the strongest person physically can still feel completely empty inside. You can have perfect health, drink all the right smoothies, and exercise daily, yet still feel spiritually sick and confused about your purpose. That's because physical existence alone was never meant to satisfy the deepest longings of your heart. God didn't create you simply to survive in this world. He created you to thrive with purpose, passion, and divine direction. Your life is meant to be a beautiful story of His love and power working through you. When you begin to see yourself through God's eyes, everything changes. You're not just another person trying to make it through - you're a beloved child of the King with a unique calling and destiny. Today, ask yourself: am I just surviving, or am I truly living the life God intended for me?

Bible Verse
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." - John 10:10
Reflection Question
In what areas of your life do you feel like you're just surviving rather than thriving, and what would it look like to invite God into those areas?

Quote A wise person once said, life is like a pencil. It has to have a point. Otherwise it's meaningless.

Prayer
Lord, I don't want to just exist - I want to truly live the abundant life You've promised. Help me see beyond mere survival and discover the beautiful purpose You have for my life. Awaken my heart to Your greater plan. In Jesus' name. Amen.

11/03/2025

Are you just surviving or are you truly LIVING? 🤔 There's a difference between breathing and being alive! God didn't create you to just make it through life - He wants you to THRIVE! ✨ Don't settle for just existing when divine life is available to you.

11/01/2025

It Just Falls on a Day
Day 5: Your Day of Breakthrough

The most beautiful part of the Shunammite woman's story is that her miracle came when she least expected it, but it came nonetheless. After receiving the promise of a son, she gave birth, watched him grow, and then faced the devastating reality of his sudden death. Yet even in her darkest moment, her breakthrough was just around the corner. Elisha raised her son from the dead, and what seemed like the end became a new beginning.

This is the nature of God's timing—we may not know precisely when our chains will break, but we can be confident they will break! Your day of breakthrough might be today. It might be tomorrow. It might be next month. But it will come, and "it will just fall on a day."

The key is to keep believing, keep praying, keep trusting, and keep walking with God even when you can't see the breakthrough coming. Don't let discouragement convince you to give up right before your miracle arrives. Don't let past disappointments rob you of future possibilities.

Just as quickly as death entered the Shunammite woman's story, resurrection walked in. The same God who brought life from death in her situation is the same God who can breathe life into your dead dreams, your broken relationships, and your impossible circumstances.

You don't need to be the most spiritual person or have all the answers. You just need to be a believer. You need faith—simple, childlike faith that believes God's Word and trusts His heart toward you. Today could be your day. This could be your moment. Your "suddenly" could fall on a day just like this.

Bible Verse
"When Elisha reached the house, the boy was lying dead on his couch." - 2 Kings 4:32

Reflection Question
What situation in your life feels dead or impossible, and how can you continue to believe in God's resurrection power in that area?

Quote
Just as quickly as death can come, resurrection can also walk in.

Prayer
Father, I choose to believe that my day of breakthrough is coming. Even when circumstances look impossible and hope seems distant, I trust that You are working behind the scenes. Give me the strength to keep believing, keep praying, and keep walking with You until my "suddenly" arrives. I believe that just as quickly as death can come, resurrection can also walk in. Today could be my day. In Jesus' name. Amen.

10/31/2025

It Just Falls on a Day
Day 4: The Power of Expectant Faith

There's something powerful about approaching God with expectation. The Shunammite woman didn't serve Elisha because she wanted something from him—in fact, when asked what she desired, she said she was content. Yet her heart was positioned to receive because she lived with an awareness that God was capable of doing the impossible.

Expectation is different from presumption. Presumption demands that God act according to our will and timeline. Expectation, on the other hand, believes that God is alive, active, and able to work in ways that exceed our imagination. It's the difference between telling God what to do and trusting Him to do what only He can do.

When we expect God to move, we acknowledge His power and express faith in His goodness. This kind of expectation becomes the breeding ground for the miraculous. It positions our hearts to recognize God's hand when He works and gives Him room to surprise us with His love.

Perhaps you've been going through the motions in your faith, attending church or reading your Bible out of habit rather than expectation. What if you approached today—this very moment—believing that God wants to encounter you in a fresh way? What if you dared to believe that your breakthrough, your answer, and your miracle could happen today?

God already knows what you need before you ask. Your job isn't to convince Him to care about your situation; it's to position yourself with expectant faith, ready to receive what He's already prepared to give.

Bible Verse
"Elisha said to Gehazi, 'Call the Shunammite.' So he called her, and she stood before him." - 2 Kings 4:12

Reflection Question
How has routine or disappointment dulled your expectation of what God can do in your life, and how can you reignite that expectant faith?

Quote
Somebody said that expectation is the breeding ground for the miraculous. When we expect God to do what only he can do, guess what? He shows himself strong on behalf of those whose hearts are perfect toward Him.

Prayer
God, I confess that sometimes my faith has become routine and my expectations have grown small. Reignite in me a holy expectation of Your goodness and power. Help me approach each day, each prayer, each moment with You, believing that You can do immeasurably more than I can ask or imagine. I choose to expect Your goodness today. In Jesus' name. Amen.

10/30/2025

It Just Falls on a Day
Day 3: Making Room for the Miraculous

The Shunammite woman did something many of us struggle with—she made physical and emotional space for God's presence in her life. She didn't just offer Elisha a meal; she convinced her husband to build a special room with a bed, table, chair, and lamp. This wasn't just hospitality; it was an investment in creating space for God to work.

How often do we complain that we don't see God moving in our lives, yet we've filled every corner of our existence with noise, busyness, and distractions? We want God to show up, but we haven't made room for Him to work. The Shunammite woman understood that encountering God requires intentionality.

Making room for God isn't just about having a quiet time or attending church (though those are important). It's about creating margin in your life—space in your schedule, quietness in your mind, and openness in your heart. It means being willing to slow down enough to recognize His voice and flexible enough to respond when He speaks.

Every day, as you approach God's Word and enter into prayer, you should come with expectation. Don't just go through the motions; prepare for something to happen. You cannot be in the presence of the Lord and remain unchanged. There will be a word, a revelation, or a transformation that occurs when you genuinely make space for Him.

What needs to be cleared out of your life to make more room for God's presence?

Bible Verse
"Let's make a small room on the roof and put in it a bed and a table, a chair and a lamp for him. Then he can stay there whenever he comes to us." - 2 Kings 4:10

Reflection Question
What practical steps can you take this week to create more physical and emotional space for God's presence in your daily life?
Quote
Every single day, as you get into the Word and into prayer, prepare for something good to happen.

Prayer
Lord, I want to make room for You in every area of my life. Show me what needs to be cleared away—the busyness, distractions, and noise that crowd out Your voice. Help me create a sacred space where You can meet with me and work in my life. I come with expectation, ready for You to move. Amen.

The Empowered Disciple

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