Carter Conlon | Daily Devotionals

Sincerity Is Not Strength

In the scriptures, Peter the Apostle sat at the table with Jesus and made a sincere boast of loyalty. He meant it when he said it though. "I'll be offended yet will not I." He was sincere to the core of his being. But sincerity is not strength. Jesus warned him that the night ahead would demand something he did not have. When Peter entered the garden, his confidence disappeared and silence took its place. Scripture says he had nothing left to say. Jesus was not condemning Peter. He was simply uncovering the truth. "The spirit truly is willing but the flesh is weak." What is of us alone will not stand in the fire. What is of Christ in us will remain. God brings us to this place not to shame us but to save us. Today I want to encourage you to lay down confidence in yourself and allow Jesus Christ to become your strength today. It's time to pray.

Yield Again And Live

Once we get back to the cross and yield our lives to the purposes of God, we can then say with the Apostle Paul, "I am crucified with Christ." That means my will, my plans, and my ambitions are laid down, yet I live not by my own strength, but by faith in what Christ did for me on Calvary. Paul understood that life flows from trusting what was purchased there. The old life is surrendered so that the promise of life that God gives can be received. This is not self-improvement. It's an exchange. God gives life where surrender has taken place. The Christian life is lived by faith in what Christ has already done, not by striving to produce our own righteousness. Return to the cross and trust God today to give you the life that He promised you. Yield to Him again and live. Live from what Christ has fully accomplished. It's time to pray.

Don't Make It Complicated

John 11:44. Jesus said, loose him and let him go. Don't make it complicated. "Lazarus, come forth." That is your part. He could have just yelled from the tomb, "I can't, I'm all wrapped up." He could have, but he didn't. He just got up and he came forth and his life became a miracle. Let Jesus Christ do what He needs to do today in your life. Let Him unwrap you. Let Him say, "loose him and let him go." That's what God wants to do for you. It doesn't matter what anybody else says. Doesn't even matter what you think. It matters what God says. Whatever that is, just get up and move today towards the sound of His voice. Join with us every Wednesday night at 7 p.m. Eastern time at itstimetopray.org when people from all over the world are coming out of the wilderness and taking their place at the resurrection table of Jesus Christ. It's time to pray.

False Religion Moves Fast

Elijah told the prophets of Baal to go first because their work was quick. False religion moves fast. It surveys what people want, secures resources, and builds something that never challenges the heart. It offers comfort without conviction and prosperity without surrender. What God builds is different. It takes time. It requires digging, rebuilding, and order. God is not offended by slowness when it produces truth. The altar Elijah rebuilt was not impressive, but it was right. God values durability over speed. A life built quickly without surrender will eventually collapse. Don't measure spiritual success by how fast something grows. Measure it by whether or not it can withstand the fire. Let God take the time He needs today to build something real into your life. Talk to God about it. It's time to pray.

According to Daniel, You Will Be Strong

Did you know that you are a part of God's end-time army? He's going to raise men, women, and young people in this generation. According to the prophet Daniel, you will be strong and you will do exploits in the name of God. You will do things in the power of God that could only be done through Him by surrendered vessels. You don't have to be strong in yourself. You can actually be weak. You don't have to be noble of royal birth. You don't have to be overly intelligent. You don't have to have ten degrees on your wall. You just have to have a voice and a heart that says, "Jesus, I want everything that You've got for my life." God's going to make you into a light that cannot be extinguished. Ask the Lord now to make you into the person that He's calling you and you alone to be. It's time to pray.