January 5-9, 2026

Day 1: The Throne of Your Heart

Devotional

Picture your life as a kingdom with a throne at its center. Every day, something or someone sits on that throne, directing your decisions, priorities, and responses. For many of us, different things compete for that position throughout the day - our career ambitions, relationships, financial concerns, or even our own desires for comfort and control. The beautiful truth is that when Jesus occupies the throne of our hearts, everything else finds its proper place. Instead of chaos and competition, there's harmony and purpose. Your work becomes service, your relationships become opportunities to love, and your challenges become chances to trust. But here's what's sobering: just calling yourself a Christian doesn't automatically mean Christ is on the throne. It's possible to believe in Jesus while still allowing other things to rule your daily decisions. The question isn't whether you're saved - it's whether you're surrendered. Today, take an honest look at your life. What's been sitting on the throne? What's been driving your decisions, consuming your thoughts, or demanding your energy? The good news is that Jesus is always ready to take His rightful place when we invite Him.

Bible Verse

'By the humility and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul, who am "timid" when face to face with you, but "bold" toward you when away!' - 2 Corinthians 10:1

Reflection Question

If someone observed your daily decisions and priorities for a week, what would they conclude is truly on the throne of your life?

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When Jesus is on the throne of our life, everything else in life falls into place and compliments each other. But when Christ isn't on the throne, everything in your life competes for the throne.

Prayer

Jesus, I invite You to take Your rightful place on the throne of my heart. Help me recognize when other things are competing for Your position, and give me the courage to surrender control to You completely. Amen.

Day 2: Fighting with Heaven's Weapons

Devotional

When someone criticizes you unfairly or attacks your character, what's your first instinct? Most of us want to defend ourselves, prove our point, or even strike back harder. It's human nature to fight fire with fire. But when Christ is on the throne, our response changes dramatically. We begin to handle opposition the way Jesus would - with gentleness, kindness, and truth rather than force or volume. This doesn't mean we become doormats; it means we fight with heaven's weapons instead of worldly ones. Paul faced harsh criticism about his ministry and character, yet he chose to respond with Christ's gentleness. He could have used his authority to crush his critics or defended himself with impressive credentials. Instead, he demonstrated that divine authority operates differently - it builds people up rather than tearing them down. The weapons of our warfare aren't anger, manipulation, or proving we're right. They're prayer, peace, God's Word, faith, and the Good News. These weapons may seem weak to the world, but they have divine power to tear down strongholds and change hearts. When you're facing opposition today, remember: your response reveals who's really on the throne.

Bible Verse

'We use God's weapons, not the world's, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments.' - 2 Corinthians 10:4

Reflection Question

Think of a recent conflict or criticism you faced - did you respond with worldly weapons or God's weapons, and what does that reveal about who was on the throne in that moment?

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What are the weapons that we as believers engage opposition with? It's not force, it's not strength, it's not volume, it's prayer, it's peace. It's the word of God, it's faith, it's the Good news.

Prayer

Lord, when I face opposition or criticism, help me respond with Your gentleness and truth. Give me the wisdom to use Your weapons of prayer, peace, and love rather than defending myself with worldly methods. Amen.

Day 3: The Power of Gentle Authority

Devotional

There's a stark difference between human authority and divine authority. Human authority often operates by keeping others down, maintaining control through fear or intimidation. But when Christ's authority flows through us, it does something beautiful - it builds others up. Think about the people in your life who have the most influence over you. Chances are, they're not the ones who try to dominate or control you. They're the ones who speak truth with gentleness, who correct with kindness, and who lead by serving. This is what divine authority looks like in action. When Christ is on the throne of your life, you carry His authority - not to lord it over others, but to lift them up. Your words become tools of encouragement rather than weapons of destruction. Your influence becomes a force for good rather than personal gain. A gentle answer really does deflect anger, while harsh words make tempers flare. This isn't about being weak or passive; it's about being strong enough to choose kindness when you could choose harshness. It's about having the confidence that comes from knowing your worth isn't threatened by building others up. Today, look for opportunities to exercise divine authority - to speak life, offer encouragement, and build others up rather than tearing them down.

Bible Verse

'A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.' - Proverbs 15:1

Reflection Question

How can you use your influence and authority today to build someone up rather than maintain control or prove your point?

Quote

When you have Christ's authority operating in you, it's not about keeping everyone down, it's actually about building everyone else up around you.

Prayer

Father, help me exercise Your authority in my relationships and interactions today. Give me opportunities to build others up with gentle words and kind actions, reflecting Your heart toward those around me. Amen.

Day 4: Living for the Right Approval

Devotional

We all crave approval. From childhood, we learn to seek validation from parents, teachers, friends, and eventually bosses, spouses, and society. This isn't necessarily wrong, but it becomes dangerous when human approval becomes our primary motivation. When Christ is on the throne, something shifts in our hearts. We begin to live for an audience of One. The approval that matters most isn't from the crowd, the critics, or even our closest friends - it's from Jesus Himself. We start making decisions based on what will earn us His "well done, good and faithful servant" rather than temporary human praise. This is incredibly freeing. When you're living for Christ's approval, you stop being enslaved to others' opinions. You can make the right choice even when it's unpopular. You can serve in ways that go unnoticed by people because you know God sees. You can handle criticism because your identity isn't tied to human validation. Paul understood this. He didn't need to impress people with his speaking ability or credentials because he wanted their faith to rest in God's power, not human charisma. He was content to appear weak if it meant Christ appeared strong. The beautiful truth is that Christ's approval is freely given to all who put Him on the throne. You don't have to earn it or perform for it - you simply have to surrender to it.

Bible Verse

'For we are not trying to commend ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us, so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart.' - 2 Corinthians 10:12

Reflection Question

What areas of your life are still driven by the need for human approval rather than living for Christ's commendation?

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When you live for the approval of Christ on that day, when you live for those words, "Well done, good and faithful servant," it impacts your life today because you stop chasing the approval of people, you stop chasing the approval of society, and you start pursuing the only approval that is offered to you completely free if you're willing to submit and put him on the throne.

Prayer

Jesus, free me from the exhausting pursuit of human approval. Help me find my identity and worth in Your love and acceptance, and give me the courage to live for Your approval alone. Amen.

Day 5: Closer to Jesus

Devotional

As we wrap up this week of focusing on Christ's throne in our lives, let's get practical. The goal isn't perfection - it's progression. It's not about having everything figured out overnight, but about being closer to Jesus at the end of this year than you are right now. Maybe that means starting each day with a simple prayer: "Jesus, You're on the throne today." Perhaps it's reading one chapter of the Bible daily, or finding a community of believers who can encourage your faith journey. It might be as simple as pausing before major decisions to ask, "What would Jesus do?" The beautiful promise is this: when your life revolves around the only One it's meant to revolve around, you'll experience freedom and victory that can't be found anywhere else. The chaos settles, the competition stops, and peace takes its place. This isn't about adding more religious activities to your already busy life. It's about reorganizing your life around the One who created you, loves you, and has the best plan for your future. When Christ is truly on the throne, everything else - your work, relationships, challenges, and dreams - finds its proper place. So here's your challenge: commit to one simple step that will help you grow closer to Jesus this year. Start small, be consistent, and watch how God transforms not just your circumstances, but your heart.

Bible Verse

'For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.' - 1 Corinthians 2:2

Reflection Question

What one practical step will you take this week to ensure you're closer to Jesus by the end of this year than you are today?

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Your goal for this year is that by the end of 2026, you can look back and say, I'm closer to Jesus than when the year started.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, I want to be closer to You at the end of this year than I am today. Show me the practical steps I need to take, and give me the consistency and desire to follow through. Help my life revolve around You alone. Amen.