Just Like That Donkey
5 Day Devotional
Day 1: Called to Carry Christ
Devotional: Have you ever felt ordinary or insignificant? Sometimes we might think we're too simple or unqualified to be used by God. Yet, God has a remarkable history of using ordinary vessels for extraordinary purposes. Consider the humble donkey that carried Jesus into Jerusalem. This wasn't a magnificent stallion or a powerful warhorse - just a simple donkey, yet it played a crucial role in fulfilling ancient prophecy and participating in one of the most significant moments in biblical history. This truth applies to us today. God doesn't require us to be perfect or exceptional by worldly standards. He simply asks us to be available and willing to carry His presence to others.
Bible Verse: 'Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.' - Zechariah 9:9
Reflection Question: In what ways might God be calling you to carry His presence to others in your daily life, even through simple acts of service?
Quote: That donkey never got no praise. That donkey never got no glory. That donkey is just all that donkey was, was a vehicle to be able to get Jesus from where he was to where he's going.
Prayer: Lord, help me embrace my role as a carrier of Your presence. Remove any doubts about my worth or ability to serve You. Give me the courage to be available for Your purposes, no matter how simple the task may seem. Amen.
Devotional: Have you ever felt ordinary or insignificant? Sometimes we might think we're too simple or unqualified to be used by God. Yet, God has a remarkable history of using ordinary vessels for extraordinary purposes. Consider the humble donkey that carried Jesus into Jerusalem. This wasn't a magnificent stallion or a powerful warhorse - just a simple donkey, yet it played a crucial role in fulfilling ancient prophecy and participating in one of the most significant moments in biblical history. This truth applies to us today. God doesn't require us to be perfect or exceptional by worldly standards. He simply asks us to be available and willing to carry His presence to others.
Bible Verse: 'Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.' - Zechariah 9:9
Reflection Question: In what ways might God be calling you to carry His presence to others in your daily life, even through simple acts of service?
Quote: That donkey never got no praise. That donkey never got no glory. That donkey is just all that donkey was, was a vehicle to be able to get Jesus from where he was to where he's going.
Prayer: Lord, help me embrace my role as a carrier of Your presence. Remove any doubts about my worth or ability to serve You. Give me the courage to be available for Your purposes, no matter how simple the task may seem. Amen.
Day 2: The Journey of Transformation
Devotional: Our spiritual journey isn't just about a one-time decision - it's about ongoing transformation. Like clay in the potter's hands, God shapes and molds us for His purposes. This transformation goes beyond mere education or religious practices. It's a deep, internal change that only Jesus can accomplish. When we allow Him to work in our lives, He takes us from our original state, through our struggles with sin, past our attempts at self-improvement, and into true transformation. This process might be uncomfortable at times, but it's essential for becoming who God designed us to be.
Bible Verse: And the law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.' - Psalms 19:7
Reflection Question: What areas of your life are you trying to change through your own efforts rather than surrendering them to God's transforming power?
Quote: God formed me, sin deform me, education inform me, religion tried to reform me, but thank God, only Jesus can transform me.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I surrender my attempts at self-improvement and invite Your transforming power into my life. Help me trust Your process, even when it's uncomfortable. Shape me according to Your will. Amen.
Devotional: Our spiritual journey isn't just about a one-time decision - it's about ongoing transformation. Like clay in the potter's hands, God shapes and molds us for His purposes. This transformation goes beyond mere education or religious practices. It's a deep, internal change that only Jesus can accomplish. When we allow Him to work in our lives, He takes us from our original state, through our struggles with sin, past our attempts at self-improvement, and into true transformation. This process might be uncomfortable at times, but it's essential for becoming who God designed us to be.
Bible Verse: And the law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.' - Psalms 19:7
Reflection Question: What areas of your life are you trying to change through your own efforts rather than surrendering them to God's transforming power?
Quote: God formed me, sin deform me, education inform me, religion tried to reform me, but thank God, only Jesus can transform me.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I surrender my attempts at self-improvement and invite Your transforming power into my life. Help me trust Your process, even when it's uncomfortable. Shape me according to Your will. Amen.
Day 3: Under His Lordship
Devotional: Many people want Jesus as their Savior but hesitate to accept Him as Lord. It's easy to desire the benefits of salvation while maintaining control over our lives. However, true freedom and security come when we fully submit to Christ's lordship. When we surrender control, we gain His protection and provision. Like the donkey that submitted to being used for Christ's purposes, we find our greatest fulfillment not in maintaining our independence, but in yielding to His direction. Under His lordship, we experience a level of peace and purpose that self-direction can never provide.
Bible Verse: And they said, 'Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.' - Acts 16:30
Reflection Question: What areas of your life are you still trying to control rather than surrendering them to Christ's lordship?
Quote: When you get under the lordship of Jesus Christ, you get under the protecting power of Christ. When you get under the lordship of Christ, you get under the provision covering of Jesus Christ.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, I acknowledge You not just as my Savior, but as the Lord of my life. Help me release control and trust in Your leadership. Thank You for Your protection and provision. Amen.
Devotional: Many people want Jesus as their Savior but hesitate to accept Him as Lord. It's easy to desire the benefits of salvation while maintaining control over our lives. However, true freedom and security come when we fully submit to Christ's lordship. When we surrender control, we gain His protection and provision. Like the donkey that submitted to being used for Christ's purposes, we find our greatest fulfillment not in maintaining our independence, but in yielding to His direction. Under His lordship, we experience a level of peace and purpose that self-direction can never provide.
Bible Verse: And they said, 'Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.' - Acts 16:30
Reflection Question: What areas of your life are you still trying to control rather than surrendering them to Christ's lordship?
Quote: When you get under the lordship of Jesus Christ, you get under the protecting power of Christ. When you get under the lordship of Christ, you get under the provision covering of Jesus Christ.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, I acknowledge You not just as my Savior, but as the Lord of my life. Help me release control and trust in Your leadership. Thank You for Your protection and provision. Amen.
Day 4: Facing Spiritual Warfare
Devotional: Every believer faces spiritual battles, particularly in their mind. These battles often come in the form of doubts, fears, and accusations. The enemy knows our vulnerabilities and tries to exploit them. However, we don't fight these battles alone. Christ has already won the victory, and though the enemy may make noise and attempt to discourage us, his power is limited. Like a bee that's lost its stinger, he can buzz but cannot truly harm those who are in Christ. Our role is to stand firm on the foundation of Christ, regardless of what the enemy throws our way.
Bible Verse: O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?' - 1 Corinthians 15:55
Reflection Question: What specific thoughts or accusations do you need to counter with God's truth today?
Quote: Son, the greatest warfare that will ever be fought will be on the real estate between your ears.
Prayer: Father, strengthen my mind against the enemy's attacks. Help me recognize his lies and replace them with Your truth. Thank You that the victory is already won through Christ. Amen.
Devotional: Every believer faces spiritual battles, particularly in their mind. These battles often come in the form of doubts, fears, and accusations. The enemy knows our vulnerabilities and tries to exploit them. However, we don't fight these battles alone. Christ has already won the victory, and though the enemy may make noise and attempt to discourage us, his power is limited. Like a bee that's lost its stinger, he can buzz but cannot truly harm those who are in Christ. Our role is to stand firm on the foundation of Christ, regardless of what the enemy throws our way.
Bible Verse: O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?' - 1 Corinthians 15:55
Reflection Question: What specific thoughts or accusations do you need to counter with God's truth today?
Quote: Son, the greatest warfare that will ever be fought will be on the real estate between your ears.
Prayer: Father, strengthen my mind against the enemy's attacks. Help me recognize his lies and replace them with Your truth. Thank You that the victory is already won through Christ. Amen.
Day 5: Set Free to Serve
Devotional: Freedom in Christ isn't just about being redeemed - it's about being released into purpose. Like the donkey that needed both redemption and release to serve Jesus, we too need both aspects of liberty. Many believers have experienced redemption but still carry chains of fear, past hurts, or limiting beliefs. God's desire is not just to save us but to set us completely free so we can effectively carry out His mission. This freedom isn't for our benefit alone; it's so we can better serve others and share the gospel effectively.
Bible Verse: Either the firstborn of an ass thou shalt redeem with a lamb, and if thou wilt not redeem it, then thou shalt break his neck: and all the firstborn of man among thy children shalt thou redeem.' - Exodus 13:13
Reflection Question: What remaining chains might be holding you back from fully serving God's purpose for your life?
Quote: Many have been redeemed, but now must be set free.
Prayer: Lord, thank You for my redemption. Please continue to break any remaining chains that hold me back from fully serving You. Help me walk in complete freedom for Your glory. Amen.
Devotional: Freedom in Christ isn't just about being redeemed - it's about being released into purpose. Like the donkey that needed both redemption and release to serve Jesus, we too need both aspects of liberty. Many believers have experienced redemption but still carry chains of fear, past hurts, or limiting beliefs. God's desire is not just to save us but to set us completely free so we can effectively carry out His mission. This freedom isn't for our benefit alone; it's so we can better serve others and share the gospel effectively.
Bible Verse: Either the firstborn of an ass thou shalt redeem with a lamb, and if thou wilt not redeem it, then thou shalt break his neck: and all the firstborn of man among thy children shalt thou redeem.' - Exodus 13:13
Reflection Question: What remaining chains might be holding you back from fully serving God's purpose for your life?
Quote: Many have been redeemed, but now must be set free.
Prayer: Lord, thank You for my redemption. Please continue to break any remaining chains that hold me back from fully serving You. Help me walk in complete freedom for Your glory. Amen.
