06/01 | Follow Me
Matthew 9:9 And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.
I have oft repeated this quote: “Obedience is immediate compliance with the initial prompting of the Holy Spirit.” Jesus walked by Matthew’s place of business and said two words, “follow Me.” Two words spoken once, and he changed careers without a moment’s hesitation.
How many times does God have to speak to us before we comply? Do we obey as quickly as that? Do we rationalize, do we struggle with the cost of His requests, or are we like Matthew, quick of heart to follow?
This day, may God not have to speak to us twice about anything.
Prayer Point: Lord, let my ear be attentive to Your voice, and may I be quick to obey and follow Your promptings.
06/02 | Follow Me, Part 2
Matthew 26:58 But Peter followed Him afar off …
Following requires one to lead and one to travel closely behind.
Drafting is a race car driving tactic when the driver pulls very close behind the car ahead, to benefit from a reduction in air drag. Drafting significantly reduces the overall energy expended to maintain speed.
The bigger the vessel you are drafting after, the more power it “lends” to you. The closer we are to that which we are drafting from, the more power we receive from the lead vehicle.
In our text today, Peter is following Jesus afar off, and that didn’t turn out too well for him. Shortly after he will deny Christ three times, for which it is said that for the rest of his life whenever he would hear a rooster crow, he would weep.
Those who follow far off will wander far off. The distance you maintain between yourself and Christ is the best predictor of where you are headed. Stay close.
Prayer Point: Lord, forgive me for those times I have followed far off, and help me to stay near and avoid the dangers of following too loosely.
06/03 | Easter Eggs
A year or so ago a young lady visited our church and the Lord had me prophesy over her that God was going to give her Easter eggs. I think perhaps the Lord plans to do that for others also.
By “Easter egg” He did not mean those colored eggs we give children at Easter time. Easter eggs is a phrase taken up by the gaming and software community to symbolize surprises left by programmers for people to find in a game. Easter eggs are everywhere. They are hidden in games, movies, software, digital pictures—everywhere and anywhere designers and developers can hide them. Some that are inside games bring superpowers, some provide shortcuts, some reveal the programmers name, but all are little gems and surprises left to be found by the curious and the diligent seeker.
Proverbs 25:2 It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.
This verse teaches us that it is a badge of honor to discover the things that God has left for us to find. It is important that we understand: God doesn’t hide treasures from us so that we will miss them, but He hides them because He wants us to experience the joy of finding them.
God has surprises for those who go looking. He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Have you ever gone looking for God’s Easter eggs? Joy awaits those who seek.
Prayer Point: Lord, show me Your glory! Help me find Your hidden gems.
06/04 | Smitten Under the Fifth Rib
2 Samuel 20:10 But Amasa took no heed to the sword that was in Joab’s hand: so he smote him therewith in the fifth rib, and shed out his bowels to the ground, and struck him not again; and he died…
Such a short passage, yet so full of instruction and insight.
Amasa and Joab were cousins, both nephews of King David. Both were born to David’s sisters. Because of the familial relationship, Amasa didn’t pay attention to the sword in his cousin’s hand. Those who are closest to us have the greatest chance to wound us the most; in this case, Amasa died.
Those closest to us know exactly where to strike us, “under the fifth rib,” the place of our greatest vulnerability. Be warned that with some people you should never let your guard down. Be reprimanded that we should never be the person who stabs another in their most vulnerable area of sensitivity.
Have you been smitten under the fifth rib? Are you reeling today because of the attack of another? Be reminded this day that Jesus was anointed to deal with this very situation:
Luke 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised…
To heal the brokenhearted—those smitten under the fifth rib. Today, may Jesus apply to your soul the healing balm of Gilead.
Prayer Point: May my tongue never be an instrument of death to others, and may those suffering because someone close to them has wounded them find help and healing in Jesus this very day.
06/05 | Jesus!
Psalms 45:7 You love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.
Psalms 45:8 All your robes are fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia; from palaces adorned with ivory the music of the strings makes you glad.
This is a prophetic passage talking about Jesus. There is a wonderful fragrance about Him, every facet of Him fills the believer with joy and awe.
Let your mind and spirit drift into who He is. “From palaces adorned with ivory the music of the strings makes you glad.” What poetic majesty! Words fitting the majesty He is. Everything around Him and about Him is a world of wonder.
I like the way the Message version translates the last part of verse 8: “…Chamber music—from the throne room—makes you want to dance.” Have you ever thought about Jesus just listening to and enjoying the music of heaven? Won’t it be wonderful to do that one day together with Him?
Why wait? The King invites you this day.
Prayer Point: Lord, help me commune with You this day, smelling the beauty of Your garments, sensing the joy You radiate, and hearing the melody of heaven; played in Your honor, help me to join that heavenly chorus.
06/06 | Those Are Fighting Words
2 Timothy 2:23 But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels.
Titus 3:9 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
Two warnings from God through the Apostle Paul, both concern conversations that start fights. Certain conversations always take a turn in the wrong direction; don’t go down there.
Be on your guard against such conversations. Don’t get drawn in. Watch your emotional temperature as you talk with others. Be aware of the effect the words of others are having on you, and on them as well. Some conversations just aren’t worth having.
Instead, this is to be our attitude:
Ephesians 4:3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Today let us join with King David and make this our prayer:
Prayer Point: Psalms 141:3 Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips.
06/07 | Blessings Outpacing Troubles
Isaiah 49:17 Your builders are faster than your wreckers. The demolition crews are gone for good. (MSG version)
This was a message from God to Israel that their season of discipline was over. “The demolition crews are gone for good.” They had suffered long for their disobedience, but now that night of pain and suffering was ending. What was torn down quickly, will be rebuilt at an even faster pace.
God disciplines because He loves, and when it has achieved its purpose, He pours in the oil and the wine of recovery. Chastisement is always redemptive and not simply punitive. If you are under chastisement, accept it, work with it, and you will come out of it quicker.
And when you do, your blessings will outpace your troubles.
Prayer Point: When I find myself under chastisement, help me to mourn more about the reason that caused it, than the fact I am under it. Thank You for Your strokes which bring change to my nature.
06/08 | Go Thy Way
Mark 10:52 And Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he regained his sight and began following Him on the road.
This is the story of a blind man who cried after Jesus for a miracle to receive his sight. Jesus told him he could return to wherever it was he lodged and then he was instantly healed.
But instead of returning home, or to the place he regularly begged, he decided that he would follow Jesus wherever He went. Many people have gotten miracles and returned to their old places of living.
Has God touched you? Has it caused you to follow Him more closely? Beware of returning to your old place.
Prayer Point: Father, I thank You for all the ways You have touched and blessed my life. May they help me to always leave the old life behind, and to draw closer to You. May I, by my Christian walk, show gratitude for all You have done.
06/09 | When In A Lonely Place
Luke 5:16 But He Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray. (NAS)
Luke 5:16 But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. (NIV)
I was amazed when I looked up the Greek word translated “wilderness” and discovered its meanings. I did this because the NIV translates it as “lonely places.” The Greek word is eremos and it means… (pay special attention to the last four meanings.)
AV-wilderness 32, desert 13, desolate 4, solitary 1; 50
I. Solitary, lonely, desolate, uninhabited
A. Used of places
1. A desert, wilderness
2. Deserted places, lonely regions
3. An uncultivated region fit for pasturage
B. Used of persons
1. Deserted by others
2. Deprived of the aid and protection of others, especially of friends, acquaintances, kindred
3. Bereft
a. Of a flock deserted by the shepherd
b. Of a woman neglected by her husband, from whom the husband withholds himself
The text most likely means that when Jesus needed to pray, He would go to places where He could be by Himself. But can we not flip the text and say that when we are in a lonely place we should pray? Did not Jesus live a lonely life, though surrounded by crowds often? He slept in the boat and the disciples feared death, He prayed in the garden and the disciples fell asleep. No one was on His wavelength.
When burdened, He prayed alone. You are never alone in the place of prayer. Though no one could relate to Him, He can relate to everyone. This day, if you find yourself in a lonely place, He will meet you there.
Prayer Point: Lord, this day we remember all those who are grieving lost loved ones, those in broken homes, those suffering with loneliness, and we pray You will meet and comfort them in special ways.
06/10 | Hard-Headed
1 Samuel 25:17 Now think it over and see what you can do, because disaster is hanging over our master and his whole household. He is such a wicked man that no-one can talk to him.”
This verse is about a man named Nabal, a wealthy land and livestock owner. David was hiding from King Saul in the region where Nabal lived. While he and his men were there, they protected Nabal’s livestock and his servants from marauders. The time of harvesting wool from the sheep came, a time of celebration, and when the owner would reap financial benefit from his herds.
David sent men to him, telling how his men protected Nabal’s men and livestock. He asked that Nabal would give some of his gain to David and his men. Nabal responded harshly and called David a rebellious servant of Saul. David was angered at this and planned to kill Nabal. Nabal’s wife interceded for her husband, asking David to forgive his foolish response. She also brought food to David and his men, for which he was very thankful.
Her husband, hearing what his wife had done, had some kind of stroke, and 10 days later he died. Upon which David married his widow, seeing she was a very wise woman, married to a very hard-headed, and hard-hearted man.
Nabal is described in the verse above, by one of his own servants, as a wicked man, and then it goes on to state the nature of that wickedness: “no one can talk to him.” Does that describe you? I think at times it describes all of us. May God help us to have teachable hearts, and ears that are willing to listen to others.
Does that describe the one you are married to? We pray they will come to their senses, and do not wish what happened to Nabal to happen to them. But we also take note that God was aware of what was going on, and in His time, He dealt with Nabal. May God give grace to all those living with a Nabal, and may He in His mercy turn them around.
Prayer Point: Lord, deal gently with the Nabal in me, and keep me from being hard-headed. We also pray for those married to a Nabal—give them grace, wisdom, and relief.
06/11 | Learning Good Things From Bad People
Job 2:13 Then they sat down on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights with no one speaking a word to him, for they saw that his pain was very great.
The “they” in this passage are “friends” of Job, and yet at every turn they told him the reason he was having so many troubles was because of sin in his life. While it is true that sin causes problems, it was not the cause of Job’s troubles; rather, this was a case where God was letting him be tried by the devil.
When we use the term “Job’s comforters,” it is usually said in a negative, derogatory sense. It implies someone who is a false comforter, or whose supposed comforts cause more pain than relief. Such was the case of Job and his friends.
And yet, when they started out comforting Job, they really started out on a good foot, and we can learn from them. The worst of men can teach us things. In this case, they simply sat with Job for seven days and didn’t say a word because his pain was so great. I don’t think it means they were silent for seven days, I think it means that they didn’t address the cause of his illness, and for seven days simply did their best to comfort him.
They had enough sense not to bring added stress to the situation, and had the insight to see that his pain was very great. May we learn to be there for people in pain, and make sure we add no further stress.
Prayer Point: Lord, we pray for those in very much pain this day, and we lift them up to You, lift up the light of Your countenance upon them, and give them peace. Teach us to see those who are suffering and to help them by being there.
06/12 | The Watchers
Daniel 4:13 I saw in the visions of my head upon my bed, and, behold, a watcher and an holy one came down from heaven;
Daniel 4:17 “This sentence is by the decree of the angelic watchers, And the decision is a command of the holy ones, In order that the living may know That the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind, And bestows it on whom He wishes, And sets over it the lowliest of men.”
This text gives insight to something that goes on in the angelic realm, of which we know very little. Apparently, there are some angels called watchers, keeping track of things, and on occasion stepping in with judgments.
In this electronic age, everything you type on the internet is recorded and catalogued, every story you read, every link you click on, everything—everything! A profile made of your political, religious, social, and personal interests has been gathered and is being bought and sold continuously.
I think we can understand better than any generation before us the depth of the meaning and reality of this passage:
Revelation 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
This day remember everything is recorded—everything. May that help you stay from sin, but if we do sin, we have an advocate with the Father.
Prayer Point: Lord, thank You that in spite of all You know about me, You still love me, and forgive me.
06/13 | In the Middle of the Night
1 Samuel 3:10 The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ Then Samuel said, ‘Speak, for your servant is listening.’” (NIV)
Samuel thought he heard Eli, the priest, calling for him in the night. On Samuel’s third approach to him, Eli realized the Lord was calling to Samuel. He coached Samuel to respond, “Speak, for your servant is listening,” (1 Sam 3:10b).
When Samuel responded to God with willingness, he received fresh insight from God. The middle of the night was the time God chose to give Samuel a new message.
It is interesting that God came and stood there, and yet all Samuel could make out was His voice, and he did not even perceive it was the Lord’s. It speaks to how deaf even the best of us are. I think that we expect God to come with horns blaring, and bright lights, and I think He does, it is just that we are unable to discern much of it. Don’t take lightly disturbances to your sleep pattern, perhaps the Lord is standing there, and you need to press in to hear more clearly.
Psalms 127:2 …For He gives to His beloved even in his sleep.
Prayer Point: Lord, teach us to be in a state of ready hearing. Let our prayer always be, “Speak, for Your servant is listening.” Help us to be ready hearers even when the spirit of slumber is mightily upon us.
06/14 | Old and New
Matthew 13:52 And He said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has become a disciple of the kingdom of heaven is like a head of a household, who brings forth out of his treasure things new and old.”
Disciples are here called householders, meaning they have people under their care. Everyone has a sphere of influence; everyone has people under their care. God has not simply given us responsibilities, because responsibility without ability leads to burnout.
All disciples have treasure inside of them, from which they can give to others. First and foremost is the treasure of the Holy Spirit—we are not in this thing alone! Secondly, He has given us the scriptures, and thirdly, Godly experiences from which we can bring out treasures old and new.
From this we learn we should never abandon old treasures but cherish them, use them to encourage ourselves and others.
Lamentations 3:21 This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.
Old treasures are still full of the life of God. There is a danger however, that we live too much on old treasure. Jesus tells us we also have new treasures. God, evermore give us new treasures—of revelation, of Your presence, of experiences of Your favor and grace!
Prayer Point: Lord, we thank You for the old, and we thank You for the new we will receive even this very day.
06/15 | When I Don’t Know… He Does
Job 23:9 When He acts on the left, I cannot behold Him; He turns on the right, I cannot see Him.
Job 23:10 “But He knows the way I take; When He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
Job confessed to not being able to see and or sense God, but he took courage that when he couldn’t see God, God could see him perfectly.
The best of God’s children have to admit of times and seasons of silence. But it is more than sufficient to know that when we don’t, He does. Job sensed that this season of silence was to purify him and bring out the best in him. If you have studied his life, you know that is exactly what happened. Even so, Lord, bring us forth as gold.
Prayer Point: Lord, this day comfort those who yearn greatly for Your presence and assurance. Remind us that He that watches Israel (the people of God) never falls asleep on the job. We bless Your name for that.
06/16 | His Rightful Claim
Deuteronomy 5:6 ‘I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.
Deuteronomy 5:7 ‘You shall have no other gods before Me.
The Ten Commandments are predicated on this simple fact: God delivered us, and therefore has the right to impose conditions upon us. We can also take it another way: God loved us so much, He set us free from the life of slavery in spiritual Egypt. And because He loves us so much, He gives us these commandments as a gift of love to guide our lives.
The Ten Commandments are therefore both a legitimate claim on our behavior, and a gift of love from a doting Father.
The New Testament teaches that no man can call Jesus Lord but by the Holy Spirit. It means that if you don’t have the Holy Spirit living inside of you, you will never refer to Jesus as Lord. But if you do, willingly and gladly you will call Him Lord.
To call Him Lord means that you surrender to His authority to rule over every aspect of your life and behavior. Today’s devotion is not a promise to claim, or an encouragement in trial, but a gentle reminder that if you call Him Lord, you should do as He says.
Luke 6:46 “And why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?
Prayer Point: Lord, may this day I walk as under Your Lordship, and may I honor You in my behavior.
06/17 | Scanning the Horizon
Luke 15:20b “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.” (NIV)
I believe Jesus had several purposes for telling this story. One was to encourage those who love a prodigal. The Holy Spirit moved Luke to record this story to remind us we’re not alone. If you’ve ever loved a prodigal, God sees your soul-crushing heartache.
He sees us eagerly scanning the horizon for that familiar face to be on the road back home. He knows exactly how we feel. Today may be the day we see them; let us pray that it will be so. Let us not just sit and mourn. Let us use every weapon in our spiritual arsenal, for they are powerful against every mindset that is set against Christ.
No matter how many lies life and the devil has sown into them, Jesus can destroy them in a moment’s time, and He will; that is His promise.
Isaiah 49:20 “The children of whom you were bereaved will yet say in your ears, ‘The place is too cramped for me; Make room for me that I may live here.’
Isaiah 49:22 Thus says the Lord GOD, “Behold, I will lift up My hand to the nations, And set up My standard to the peoples; And they will bring your sons in their bosom, And your daughters will be carried on their shoulders.
Isaiah 49:24 “Can the prey be taken from the mighty man, Or the captives of a tyrant be rescued?”
Isaiah 49:25 Surely, thus says the LORD, “Even the captives of the mighty man will be taken away, And the prey of the tyrant will be rescued; For I will contend with the one who contends with you, And I will save your sons.
These are powerful verses to comfort your soul, and to use to wage war as you scan the horizon for your prodigal(s).
Prayer Point: Heavenly Father, I praise You for watching the horizon for my prodigal, even when I lose hope. Fulfill Your promise, bring them back in Jesus’ name!
06/18 | Deliverance From the Trap
Psalms 10:9 He lurks in a hiding place as a lion in his lair; He lurks to catch the afflicted; He catches the afflicted when he draws him into his net.
Psalms 25:15 My eyes are continually toward the LORD, For He will pluck my feet out of the net.
Psalms 91:3 Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence.
Today a trap may be being laid for you, but the good news is that God will keep you from the trap, and if perchance you have been caught in one, Psalm 25:15 says He will pluck you out of it.
Praise God for His protection, and His deliverance when needed.
This day may God keep you from and open your eyes to potential traps of the enemy. It is better to avoid one, than to need deliverance from one.
Prayer Point: Lord, this day keep me and my loved ones from the snare of the enemy.
06/19 | He Gave Them What They Wanted
Psalms 106:15 And He gave them their request, But sent leanness into their soul.
This story comes from the wilderness wanderings of the Jews. While there, God fed them manna, which they despised—they wanted food that was more substantiative. The Bible calls what they did “lusting.” When you despise God’s provision and clamor for more, you are lusting.
They had wept for meat so much they were willing to go back to Egypt to the land of slavery. God in anger gives them what they asked for, but note what the text says: He “sent leanness into their soul.” Some translations say He sent a wasting disease among them. I think the KJV is closer to the truth in this case because the text is clear that the leanness was sent into their soul, not their body.
Here are a couple notes from my commentaries:
It means here that the effect of all this on their souls was similar to the effect on the body when it wastes away by disease or want of food.
They despised the manna, and called it light (i.e. innutritive) bread. God gave flesh as they desired, but gave no blessing with it; and in consequence they did not fatten, but grew lean upon it. Their souls also suffered want.
The lesson is clear: when you crave for things in a lustful way, and get them, it will bring damage to your spiritual life. This is a familiar teaching in the New Testament, where Jesus talks about the thorns (cares of this life) choking the Word. Riches becoming a snare…etc.
Today, be circumspect about what you long for and be content with such things as you have, less leanness be sent into your soul.
Prayer Point: Lord, keep me in contentment, free from lusts, and may my soul be fat and flourishing, in Jesus’ name!
06/20 | God’s Eye View
Psalms 73:17 Until I entered the sanctuary of God. Then I saw the whole picture:
The psalmist prior to this verse was lamenting how it seemed evil people were doing well, and godly people were suffering. His perception was correct at eye level, but then He went to the house of God, and saw things from God’s perspective.
I have always found it amazing just how different things look from the perspective of a drone or an airplane. Each step back brings in different details. You can see a forest instead of just a few trees. You can see the direction a river flows, the shape of a lake, the full lay of the land. You can see borders, and the grid of a whole city.
The psalmist needed that God’s eye view to understand things from the panorama of not just the present but the full scope of how history would play out. The wicked will get their due, the godly will be rewarded. And it will all happen in a very brief span of time.
The view from a plane is especially interesting at nighttime over rural areas, especially on those nights where there is little moonlight and it is very dark. Every light stands out in spectacular fashion. That is only a pitiful example of how easily God can distinguish His people from the lost of this world. We really are the light of the world. So rather than complain how it seems the wicked are getting along just fine, let’s try to see things from God’s perspective, and be the light to them they need. Because we were once them.
Prayer Point: Lord, I thank You that injustice will end. Help me to rest in that truth, and to not wish the death of the wicked, but rather their salvation.
06/21 | Killing Saul
Luke 3:17 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor… (KJV)
One of my favorite books is called “A Tale of Three Kings,” by Gene Edwards. In his dedication for the book, he says in part:
“To the brokenhearted Christians coming out of authoritarian groups, seeking solace, healing and hope. May you somehow recover and go on with Him who is liberty.”
So, the book is about people who have been abused by others who exerted control over them in a dominating and debilitating way. He has in mind overbearing pastors, spouses, employers—anyone who could abuse because they had power over you.
Picking up the book you would expect it would all be about comforting the suffering, but in point of fact it is quite the opposite; and yet it does bring comfort. The book is about King Saul, King David, and King Absalom. Saul as you know often threw spears at David, and the book asks the poignant question, “What do you do when someone throws spears at you?”
His answer is a simple but painful one: God often uses the Saul in others to kill the Saul in us. Luke 3:17 talks about the fact that God is in the process of separating the wheat from the chaff, and the way that is done is the wheat is thrown around and the wind carries the chaff away. His advice is to realize this and ask God to quickly get rid of the Saul in yourself, and not worry so much about the Saul in others.
Today if you are suffering from a spear thrower, do what David did: duck and run. And make a determination to never take on the attributes of a Saul, and ask God to deal with the Saul in you.
Prayer Point: Lord, today we remember those who are in abusive relationships; have mercy on them, protect them, deliver them. Please also, turn Sauls into Davids and deliver me from that part of my personality that is Saulish and throws spears at others.
06/22 | Offended or Blessed?
Matthew 11:6 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me. (KJV)
Matthew 11:6 Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me.” (NIV)
Fall away because of Jesus?!!! It appears Jesus expected that would happen, but how could it be so? There is a popular song that I like, but that has one part I have never agreed with. The song is “King of My Heart,” and I especially like the cover done by Steffany Gretzinger. The line that troubles me is: “You’re never gonna let me down.” If that is your theology, and you then find out God may let you down, it will rock your spiritual world.
The verse quoted above was intended for John the Baptist, imprisoned for pointing out sin. It implies that he was struggling with his imprisonment, to the point he was now questioning whether or not Jesus was really the Messiah. It seems to indicate that he had the view that if Jesus was the Messiah, everything would go the way they wanted, evil would be defeated and good would win the day.
Jesus’ response was, “The miracles I have done prove I am the Messiah, don’t be offended, John, if things don’t turn out the way you want. Don’t lose faith because of disappointment.”
God may let you down, and the reason would be that what He wants to happen supersedes what you may want to happen. If God doesn’t give you what you want, don’t be offended; yield to His Lordship.
We live in a day and an age where people are better at being offended than they are at being convicted. We will be facing a time where Christianity will cost more and more personally. Some will fail the test, thinking, “If God is real, this shouldn’t happen to me.” Don’t get caught in that trap. Remember these words of Jesus:
Luke 23:31 If people do these things to a live, green tree, can you imagine what they’ll do with deadwood?”
Jesus is saying, “If I am made to suffer, Who am innocent, what do you think will happen to those who are far less than Me?” We are far less than Him, and if He had to suffer, we should expect to also.
Prayer Point: Lord, help me never to be offended or angry at You when things don’t go my way. All to Jesus, I surrender, all to Him I freely give.
06/23 | According To
Psalms 51:1 (For the choir director. A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.) Be gracious to me, O God, according to Thy lovingkindness; According to the greatness of Thy compassion blot out my transgressions.
David is reflecting on the worst failure of his life, the ramifications of which he will deal with for many years, and which will cause untold harm to him and his family. Yet in his worst, came forth his best. His prayer is very simply this: “God, forgive me ACCORDING TO Your lovingkindnes, and the greatness of Thy compassion.”
In other words, David lays out a plea for mercy, and the standard upon which he wanted it based: lovingkindness, and the greatness of God’s compassion. Truth be told, whether your sin is great or it is little, that is the standard by which you want God to deal with you. Any other standard will fail you miserably.
Don’t plead your past faithfulness, don’t plead your support of missionaries, don’t plead the kind things you have done to others. The only plea that works in the court of heaven, is the plea that is based on God’s goodness, not ours.
Perhaps like David, you have recently failed God and now the enemy is taunting you with thoughts that you cannot be forgiven. Forgiveness is based on your belief in God’s goodness, not your worthiness. God’s goodness exceeds your badness; remember that, remember His mercy, and like David return to where you ought to be.
Prayer Point: Lord, I thank You, that Your love exceeds my sin. I thank You that when I repent You have promised to always forgive. I apologize my sin cost You so much, and help me not to stumble again.
01/24 | The Unfolding of His Glory (Eyes Understanding)
“The resurrected King, is resurrecting me.”
Micah 7:8 Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD shall be a light unto me.
As believers, we have the resurrection principle in us. We can’t stay down—God won’t let that happen. We are like seeds: we die, but then new life springs out of us. We get knocked down, but we get back up. God has put within us “the spirit of life in Christ Jesus,” (Rom 8:2).
The life force of God dwells in us, and it can never be defeated. So don’t boast, my enemy, if it looks like you are winning, I know whom I have believed, and He will raise me up!
Even if we were to be completely surrounded in darkness, God would create light from nothing and direct our paths. Therefore, our boast shall be in the Lord, who always causes us to triumph (2 Cor 2:14). Death/defeat will never keep its grip on us because God has declared it to be so. I may be defeated, but the spirit of life in me can never be defeated, no matter how bad it looks on the outside.
This day my faith declaration is: “When I fall, I shall arise, and if all around me be dark, the Lord will be a light for me.”
06/25 | Choices That Seem to Go Awry
Luke 6:12 And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.
Luke 6:13 And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;
John 6:70 Jesus answered them, “Did I Myself not choose you, the twelve, and yet one of you is a devil?”
After spending a whole night in prayer, probably going over each person in His mind, and talking to the Father about them, Jesus chose the twelve apostles. He would later remark that one of the twelve he picked was a devil (Judas).
Sometimes our choices seem to be the wrong ones, even after carefully soaking them in prayer. Later Jesus would reveal that even the actions of Judas were calculated into God’s master plans (John 13:18). If you prayed, and to the best of your ability acted in what you believed was God’s will—don’t second guess yourself. Don’t give up easily on what you acted on in faith, even if the wrong thing seems to be happening.
When we commit our way to Him in prayer, He WILL direct our paths. Sometimes His paths are not the most direct route, and will take us places we never intended. Have faith in God’s ability to lead and guide you; that is His promise.
Prayer Point: Lord, again this day, I ask that You would direct my path, override errors I might make, and help me to walk in the peace of knowing You have everything under control.
06/26 | Much More
Romans 5:17 For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.
Four times in Romans 5, God speaks of a “much more.” In verses 9 and 10 it has to do with the fact that salvation now is eclipsed by a “much more” when we get to heaven. In verse 15 and 17 Paul is talking about how much evil Adam’s transgression brought in, and that our present salvation far exceeds in good what Adam’s deed did in terms of evil.
Death reigned in mankind because of Adam, but much more, exceedingly more, extravagantly more, we reign in life because of the gifts we have received through Jesus.
Paul says that those who reign in life, are those who receive the abundance of grace. Grace is unmerited favor. Receiving the abundance of grace means you believe God wants you to have a heaping supply of it. Think of it this way: You have been invited, by a very wealthy person, to a beautiful mansion. When you get there, you can go in through the servants’ entrance, or you can go down the red carpet entrance shouting, “Hallelujah!” Some people limit grace to their assessment of their personal walk with God. Wise people receive grace based on God’s goodness, and the more they believe in His goodness the bigger the portion of grace they receive. You can fly economy, or you can thank God He provides a first-class ticket for all His children.
Don’t limit God’s grace to your actions, but instead limit it “according to the multitude of His tender mercies.”
Prayer Point: Lord, today I thank You for abundance. Abundance of favor, abundance of grace, abundance of provision, all based on Your kindness towards me. You proved the depth of that kindness and love when You died on the cross, and by faith I receive that abundance of love and grace.
06/27 | “I Am No Man.”
Mark 5:2 And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit,
Mark 5:3 Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains:
Mark 5:15 And they *came to Jesus and *observed the man who had been demon-possessed sitting down, clothed and in his right mind, the very man who had had the “legion”; and they became frightened.
Jesus had just amazed the disciples by calming a stormy sea. As soon as He gets out of the boat, he meets a man who was a living hurricane, whom the Bible says no man could bind, not even if they used chains.
Man’s method was to try and control the problem, Jesus’ method was to get rid of the problem. When I read this story, I am reminded of a scene from the movie trilogy The Lord of the Rings. There is a scene where this supernatural, dragon-like creature tells an armor-clad soldier that “no man can kill me,” (that’s the supernatural part, the inability to be killed by a man). The soldier takes off their helmet and reveals herself to be a woman, and then replies, “I am no man.” With that she slings her sword and cuts off its head, killing it.
This demon-possessed man, no man could tame. Jesus was no man; He is God manifest in the flesh. In like manner, we as believers are not ordinary people. In us dwells the One Who calms seas and Who frees people from the strongest bonds hell can put on them.
May we this day, stop trying to chain and control people that need to be set free. May God help us to stop managing situations, but through His power forever change them.
Prayer Point: Lord, this day remind me of who I am in You. May I rise up in faith and see people changed instead of simply managed.
06/28 | Don’t Give Up!
1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
Paul writes to remind us not to quit because we think what we are doing is not making a difference, when it really is. Kingdom work often has results we do not see, and because of that we can become prey to discouragement. Some plant—all they ever see is the seed being buried. Some water—these folks see growth but never enjoy the fruits. Some see the increase, but there would be no increase without sowers and those who water.
Today be reminded by this fact: “you know your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”
Prayer Point: Lord, help me stay vigorous in my work for You. Bless the seeds I cannot see, help me water the ones I can, and I trust the day will come that I will see the increase.
06/29 | An Evil I Have Seen
Ecclesiastes 10:5 There is an evil I have seen under the sun, like an error which goes forth from the ruler —
Ecclesiastes 10:6 folly is set in many exalted places while rich men sit in humble places.
Ecclesiastes 10:7 I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.
Solomon, as head of state, had the opportunity to meet leaders from other nations, and he made an interesting observation. Leaders sometimes elevate the wrong person, and demote the wrong person. Princes walking as servants on the earth. I suppose Solomon was addressing the folly of political rather than merit appointments. People who should be in a high position, are not given the opportunity. Does that describe you today?
We are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a nation of kings and priests, but for the time being most of us wear servants’ clothing. We are square pegs in round holes. The dignity that God has placed on us is not readily seen, but it is there nonetheless. The inner sense of who we are and the conflict with the reality of the world around us often collide in feelings that something is seriously out of place, and it is. We groan, the apostle Paul said, awaiting our full adoption.
Let us, while we await that adoption, do all we can. Let us not shrivel from being a menial servant, for that is the example our Lord set when He washed feet. Paul’s favorite description of himself was that of a bondslave of the Lord Jesus Christ. Be patient; the time will come when those who weep will be as if they never wept.
Prayer Point: Lord, thank You for putting more honor on me than I could ever deserve. Help me to be patient and earnestly look forward to the day this “prince” will cease walking as a servant, but will ride with you as a king on the earth.
06/30 | What Ya Doing?
Proverbs 14:23 In all labor there is profit, But mere talk leads only to poverty.
Luke 2:49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?
Today, be focused on doing something for the kingdom. Jesus once said that people who only hear the Word and don’t do it, deceive themselves, implying that they thought they were in good stead with God just by hearing the Word preached. Not so.
In like manner, Proverbs 14:23 says people who only talk about things and never do any of them wind up in poverty. Jesus was focused on doing the Father’s business. Today, keep your eyes out for assignments from the Father. Even if you only do one, it will bless others, and feed your soul in the process. Because as Jesus said:
John 4:34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.
His meat was both to do and to finish. Doing and finishing is like a hearty, spiritual meal.
Prayer Point: Lord, help me to be in tune with Your Spirit this day, that I might minister life to others.
