5-Day Daily Devotional
Rising from Shutdown to Resurrection Power
(Week of November 2, 2025)
(Week of November 2, 2025)
Day 1: The Power in His Name
Reading: Acts 4:1-12
Devotional:
When Peter and John were arrested for preaching resurrection, they faced opposition with one simple truth: there is power in the name of Jesus. The authorities demanded to know by what power they healed the crippled man. Peter's answer was clear—Jesus Christ of Nazareth, crucified and risen. Today, we face our own shutdowns: fear, doubt, oppression, and discouragement. But the same power that raised Christ from the dead is available to us. The question isn't whether God can work through our circumstances, but whether we'll boldly proclaim His name in the midst of them. When everything around you seems shut down, remember: Jesus is still Lord, and His name carries resurrection power.
Reflection: What area of your life feels "shut down" right now? How can you speak the name of Jesus over that situation today?
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Day 2: Preaching Through Persecution
Reading: Acts 4:13-22; 2 Timothy 4:1-5
Devotional:
Peter and John didn't stop preaching when opposition came—they preached louder. Before they were arrested, 5,000 men came to faith. Persecution didn't stop the Word of God from working; it amplified it. In our current climate of division and unrest, the church's first response must be proclamation, not just protest. We have more power in prayer than in fighting the opposition. The world needs to hear about resurrection hope, not just our righteous anger. When you're filled with the Holy Spirit, you cannot help but speak what you've seen and heard. The gospel is still the power of God unto salvation. Are you using your voice to declare it, or have you been silenced by fear of what others might think?
Reflection: Who in your circle needs to hear about Jesus today? What's stopping you from sharing His goodness with them?
---
Day 3: From Religion to Relationship
Reading: Matthew 23:23-28; John 4:19-24
Devotional:
The religious leaders who opposed Peter and John were consistent in their practices but empty in their hearts. They had religion without relationship, ritual without resurrection power. Religion is just the consistent practice of a thing—you can religiously do anything, good or bad. But God isn't after religious performance; He's after spiritual transformation. He wants to dwell in you, not just receive your attendance. Salvation isn't about dressing up and showing up—it's about being changed from the inside out. When Christ lives in you, your life becomes a witness. You don't just go to church; you become the church wherever you go. The question isn't "Are you religious?" but "Are you walking in the liberty with which Christ has set you free?"
Reflection: Are you practicing religion or experiencing relationship with God? What's one religious habit you can transform into genuine worship?
---
Day 4: The Cornerstone They Rejected
Reading: Psalm 118:19-29; 1 Peter 2:4-10
Devotional:
Jesus is the stone the builders rejected, yet God made Him the chief cornerstone. Every structure needs a cornerstone—it determines the alignment of everything else. When people reject God's design and try to build their own lives, their own systems, their own kingdoms, everything becomes crooked. But God's cornerstone remains true. As citizens of His kingdom temporarily residing on earth, we must align our lives with Christ, not with worldly systems. You are part of God's building, a living stone being fitted into His holy temple. You're not saved just to be saved—you're saved to be built into something greater. You're a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people called to show forth His praises. Walk like it. Live like it. Build on the right foundation.
Reflection: What areas of your life are aligned with Christ, and what areas are still being built on worldly foundations?
---
Day 5: Resurrection Hope in Dark Times
Reading: Romans 8:18-25; Revelation 21:1-5
Devotional:
The message that threatened the religious establishment most was the resurrection. Why? Because resurrection means nothing stays dead. What they buried came back. What they silenced spoke again. What they crucified conquered death. Today, we need resurrection hope more than ever. Hope that broken relationships can be restored. Hope that dead dreams can live again. Hope that oppressed people will rise. Hope that what the enemy meant for evil, God will use for good. Christ was resurrected, and as heirs and joint-heirs with Him, we too can experience resurrection—from ourselves, from our past, from systems designed to keep us down. Don't give up. With the power of the Holy Spirit, we will rise again. The same Christ who made the crippled man whole can make you whole—body and soul.
Reflection: What in your life needs resurrection power today? Declare over it: "By the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise and be made whole."
---
Closing Prayer:
God of our weary years, God of our silent tears, You have brought us safe thus far. Fill us with resurrection power. Help us preach Your Word boldly, live authentically in relationship with You, build our lives on the Cornerstone, and walk in resurrection hope. Let our lives declare that Jesus is still Lord. In His mighty name, Amen.
Reading: Acts 4:1-12
Devotional:
When Peter and John were arrested for preaching resurrection, they faced opposition with one simple truth: there is power in the name of Jesus. The authorities demanded to know by what power they healed the crippled man. Peter's answer was clear—Jesus Christ of Nazareth, crucified and risen. Today, we face our own shutdowns: fear, doubt, oppression, and discouragement. But the same power that raised Christ from the dead is available to us. The question isn't whether God can work through our circumstances, but whether we'll boldly proclaim His name in the midst of them. When everything around you seems shut down, remember: Jesus is still Lord, and His name carries resurrection power.
Reflection: What area of your life feels "shut down" right now? How can you speak the name of Jesus over that situation today?
---
Day 2: Preaching Through Persecution
Reading: Acts 4:13-22; 2 Timothy 4:1-5
Devotional:
Peter and John didn't stop preaching when opposition came—they preached louder. Before they were arrested, 5,000 men came to faith. Persecution didn't stop the Word of God from working; it amplified it. In our current climate of division and unrest, the church's first response must be proclamation, not just protest. We have more power in prayer than in fighting the opposition. The world needs to hear about resurrection hope, not just our righteous anger. When you're filled with the Holy Spirit, you cannot help but speak what you've seen and heard. The gospel is still the power of God unto salvation. Are you using your voice to declare it, or have you been silenced by fear of what others might think?
Reflection: Who in your circle needs to hear about Jesus today? What's stopping you from sharing His goodness with them?
---
Day 3: From Religion to Relationship
Reading: Matthew 23:23-28; John 4:19-24
Devotional:
The religious leaders who opposed Peter and John were consistent in their practices but empty in their hearts. They had religion without relationship, ritual without resurrection power. Religion is just the consistent practice of a thing—you can religiously do anything, good or bad. But God isn't after religious performance; He's after spiritual transformation. He wants to dwell in you, not just receive your attendance. Salvation isn't about dressing up and showing up—it's about being changed from the inside out. When Christ lives in you, your life becomes a witness. You don't just go to church; you become the church wherever you go. The question isn't "Are you religious?" but "Are you walking in the liberty with which Christ has set you free?"
Reflection: Are you practicing religion or experiencing relationship with God? What's one religious habit you can transform into genuine worship?
---
Day 4: The Cornerstone They Rejected
Reading: Psalm 118:19-29; 1 Peter 2:4-10
Devotional:
Jesus is the stone the builders rejected, yet God made Him the chief cornerstone. Every structure needs a cornerstone—it determines the alignment of everything else. When people reject God's design and try to build their own lives, their own systems, their own kingdoms, everything becomes crooked. But God's cornerstone remains true. As citizens of His kingdom temporarily residing on earth, we must align our lives with Christ, not with worldly systems. You are part of God's building, a living stone being fitted into His holy temple. You're not saved just to be saved—you're saved to be built into something greater. You're a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people called to show forth His praises. Walk like it. Live like it. Build on the right foundation.
Reflection: What areas of your life are aligned with Christ, and what areas are still being built on worldly foundations?
---
Day 5: Resurrection Hope in Dark Times
Reading: Romans 8:18-25; Revelation 21:1-5
Devotional:
The message that threatened the religious establishment most was the resurrection. Why? Because resurrection means nothing stays dead. What they buried came back. What they silenced spoke again. What they crucified conquered death. Today, we need resurrection hope more than ever. Hope that broken relationships can be restored. Hope that dead dreams can live again. Hope that oppressed people will rise. Hope that what the enemy meant for evil, God will use for good. Christ was resurrected, and as heirs and joint-heirs with Him, we too can experience resurrection—from ourselves, from our past, from systems designed to keep us down. Don't give up. With the power of the Holy Spirit, we will rise again. The same Christ who made the crippled man whole can make you whole—body and soul.
Reflection: What in your life needs resurrection power today? Declare over it: "By the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise and be made whole."
---
Closing Prayer:
God of our weary years, God of our silent tears, You have brought us safe thus far. Fill us with resurrection power. Help us preach Your Word boldly, live authentically in relationship with You, build our lives on the Cornerstone, and walk in resurrection hope. Let our lives declare that Jesus is still Lord. In His mighty name, Amen.