Day 1:
Recognizing Our True Identity
Devotional
Have you ever felt weighed down by your past mistakes, doubts, or hurts? Many of us carry this baggage into our spiritual battles, and it affects how we see ourselves. Instead of seeing ourselves as conquerors in Christ, we begin to identify with our failures and weaknesses. This misplaced identity is one of the greatest hindrances to experiencing the victory that Christ has already won for us. When we define ourselves by our baggage, we forget who we truly are in Him. The first step toward living victoriously is recognizing Jesus for who He truly is. In Matthew 16, Jesus asks His disciples a profound question: “Who do you say that I am?” Peter’s response—”You are the Christ, the Son of the living God”—becomes the foundation for everything that follows. When we truly grasp who Jesus is, we begin to understand who we are in Him. We are not defined by our past, our struggles, or our failures. We are defined by our relationship with the living Christ. As new creations in Him, we have been set free from the obligation to sin and given the power to live differently.
Bible Verse
“When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” – Matthew 16:13-16 KJV
Reflection Question
How might your view of yourself change if you fully embraced your identity as a new creation in Christ rather than defining yourself by your past mistakes or current struggles?
Quote
“You will never find out who you are until you discover who he is.” – Wesley “Bravo X-Ray” Carey, Ad Victoria, Sermon Preached at Lawton St. Baptist Church on July 20th, 2025.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, help me to see You for who You truly are—the Christ, the Son of the living God. As I recognize Your true identity, help me to understand my identity in You. Free me from the baggage that weighs me down and prevents me from experiencing the victory You’ve already won. Remind me daily that I am a new creation in You. Amen.
Day 2:
Dropping the Baggage
Devotional
Imagine a soldier going into battle carrying not just essential equipment, but also unnecessary items that slow them down and make them vulnerable. That’s what many of us do in our spiritual battles—we carry baggage that hinders our effectiveness. This baggage comes in many forms: past sins we can’t forgive ourselves for, doubts about God’s love for us, hurts from others that we cling to, or habits that we’ve allowed to define us. When we carry these into our spiritual battles, we’re already at a disadvantage. In Romans, Paul reminds us that in Christ, we are new creations. The old has gone; the new has come. We are no longer bound to sin—we have been set free. This doesn’t mean we won’t struggle, but it does mean we don’t have to be defined by our struggles. Today, identify what baggage you’re carrying into your spiritual battles. Is it guilt? Shame? Doubt? Fear? Whatever it is, recognize that Christ has already given you victory over it. You don’t need to carry it anymore. In fact, you can’t afford to if you want to fight effectively.
Bible Verse
“For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.” – Romans 6:14 KJV
Reflection Question
What specific baggage are you carrying into your spiritual battles, and what would it look like to lay it down at the feet of Jesus today?
Quote
“See, the old man was bound to sin. I was a slave to sin. I was obligated to obey sin. But as the new creature in Christ, I am free from it. I no longer have to be obedient to it. I no longer have to serve my sinful nature. I have the ability through Christ, because of Christ and in Christ, to say ‘No!’” – Wesley “Bravo X-Ray” Carey, Ad Victoria, Sermon Preached at Lawton St. Baptist Church on July 20th, 2025.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I confess that I’ve been carrying baggage that You never intended me to bear. Today, I choose to lay it down at Your feet. Thank You that in Christ, I am free from the power of sin. Help me to walk in that freedom, not picking up again what You have removed. Give me the courage to fight my spiritual battles unencumbered by the past. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Day 3:
The Church: An Army, Not an Audience
Devotional
When Jesus said, “I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it,” He wasn’t describing a passive institution. He was commissioning an active, advancing army that would take the fight to the enemy. Too often, we’ve reduced the church to a gathering place or a social club. We come to be entertained or to socialize, but we miss the greater purpose. The church is the body of Christ—a living, moving organism designed to advance His kingdom on earth. This means that each of us has a role to play. We are not spectators but participants in God’s mission. Just as every soldier in an army has a specific function, every believer has been gifted and called to contribute to the advancement of God’s kingdom. The church’s strength doesn’t come from its programs, buildings, or even its leaders. It comes from Christ Himself. He is the solid rock upon which the church is built, and because of Him, the church stands undefeated and unshakable. Today, consider how you’re participating in Christ’s mission through His church. Are you actively engaged in the battle, or are you sitting on the sidelines?
Bible Verse
“And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” – Matthew 16:18 KJV
Reflection Question
In what ways might God be calling you to move from being a passive observer to an active participant in His church’s mission?
Quote
“The Church isn’t just a gathering place. It’s not just some social club where you can get together with your friends and reconnect and rehash and catch up with all of the things for the week. What is the church? It’s a body. It is an army that is moving forward.” – Wesley “Bravo X-Ray” Carey, Ad Victoria, Sermon Preached at Lawton St. Baptist Church on July 20th, 2025.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for building Your church and inviting me to be part of it. Forgive me for the times I’ve been passive when You’ve called me to action. Help me to see the church as You see it—not as a building or an event, but as Your body, advancing Your kingdom on earth. Show me my place in this mission and give me the courage to fulfill it. In Your name, Amen.
Day 4:
Courage to Face the Inner Battle
Devotional
It’s relatively easy to point out the sin and brokenness in the world around us. What’s much harder is confronting the sin that resides within our own hearts and communities. Yet this is precisely where our most important spiritual battles take place. True spiritual victory requires courage—not just to stand against external opposition, but to face our own failures, inconsistencies, and blind spots. It takes boldness to acknowledge where we’ve fallen short and to allow God’s transforming grace to work in those areas. This is especially true within the church. We often find it easier to criticize the world than to address the issues in our own fellowship. But when we fail to deal with sin in our midst, we undermine our witness and effectiveness. Remember Caleb from the Old Testament? At 85 years old, he chose the most difficult terrain and the most challenging city to conquer. He didn’t shy away from the hard battles—he led the charge personally. Like Caleb, we need the courage to face difficult truths and challenging situations, trusting that God will give us victory as we follow Him faithfully.
Bible Verse
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:” – Romans 3:23-24 KJV
Reflection Question
What internal battle is God calling you to face with courage today, and how might addressing it lead to greater victory in your spiritual life?
Quote
“It does not take courage or boldness to preach against the sin that’s out there in the world. What takes boldness is to talk about the sin that’s happening right in here.” – Wesley “Bravo X-Ray” Carey, Ad Victoria, Sermon Preached at Lawton St. Baptist Church on July 20th, 2025.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, give me the courage to face the battles within my own heart and within our church. Help me not to point fingers at others while ignoring my own shortcomings. Thank You for Your grace that covers all my sin and gives me the strength to change. Make me like Caleb—willing to take on difficult challenges for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Day 5:
Living as Little Christs
Devotional
The word “Christian” literally means “little Christ.” It’s not just a label for someone who has been saved; it’s a description of someone who is becoming like Jesus in character, conduct, and mission. This transformation doesn’t happen overnight. It requires discipline, patience, endurance, and perseverance. It means developing the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. But it also means adopting Christ’s boldness in sharing the gospel and His courage in confronting evil. Too often, we settle for a watered-down version of Christianity that demands little and changes less. We sing about victory on Sunday but live in defeat Monday through Saturday. We speak of grace but show little of it to others. True Christianity is not passive. It’s an active, daily choice to follow Jesus, to be transformed by His Spirit, and to participate in His mission. It’s about stewarding the gospel and the ministry of reconciliation that has been entrusted to us. Today, consider what it means for you to be a “little Christ” in your home, workplace, school, or community. How can you more faithfully represent Jesus to those around you?
Bible Verse
“For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.” – Romans 8:29 KJV
Reflection Question
In what specific area of your life do you need to grow to better reflect Christ’s character and mission to those around you?
Quote
“We call ourselves Christians. This is what I’ve learned. Somebody gets saved. Someone gives their heart to Christ and they say, oh, I’m a Christian. No, you’re just redeemed. See, to be a Christian, you have to be like him. That’s what the word means, means little Christ.” – Wesley “Bravo X-Ray” Carey, Ad Victoria, Sermon Preached at Lawton St. Baptist Church on July 20th, 2025.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for calling me to be Your follower—not just in name, but in reality. Forgive me for the times I’ve been content with a shallow faith that doesn’t transform me or impact others. Help me to grow into a true “little Christ,” reflecting Your character and continuing Your mission in the world. Make me a faithful steward of the gospel and the grace You’ve given me. In Your name, Amen.
Bravo X-Ray Ministries 