DEVOTIONALS | INSPIRE VERO

  Matthew 12:22 – “Then a demon-oppressed man who was blind and mute was brought to him, and he healed him, so that the man spoke and saw.” When Jesus met a man under demonic control, that man couldn’t see or speak. His life was literally in darkness and silence – but Jesus’ power brought freedom and wholeness. The same Jesus who freed that man can free us today. While demons may not always show themselves the same way now, many things quietly take control of our hearts and minds. For some, it’s alcohol or drugs , promising excitement but leaving emptiness and regret. For others, it’s the addiction to screens – scrolling endlessly through social media, chasing likes, comparing ourselves, or escaping reality. Our minds become enslaved by technology that learns our habits and shapes our thoughts more than God’s Word. Some are possessed by pride , obsessed with popularity , or consumed with fear of missing out. Others are captives to anger, lust, or anxiety , unable to see life ...

I remember the moment like it was yesterday—the day I told my parents that I had chosen to follow Jesus. My heart was pounding. I wanted them to understand, but I also feared their disappointment. “It’s not that I don’t love you,” I said, looking into their eyes, “but I love Jesus more.” Growing up, I always tried to make my parents proud. Their approval was everything to me. But then I met Jesus, and everything changed. His love overwhelmed me, and I knew I had to follow Him no matter what. When I first told my parents, their faces fell. I could see confusion and hurt behind their eyes. “Why would you choose this? What about us?” they asked. I wanted to explain it perfectly, but even the right words seemed inadequate. The truth was, following Jesus wasn’t easy. It meant giving up so much—my own plans, my comfort, even sometimes their approval. I had to leave behind old ways of thinking. I realized that following Jesus meant a new identity. I was no longer just their daughter; I was...