Wednesday, June 22nd, 2011
Today's Passage: 2 Timothy 2: 1-13
Memory Verse:
There's an old song that goes, "God don't need and He don't want no coward soldier." Which makes a lot of sense, considering the fact that we're always in a war, and there is no de- militarized zone. For believers, the sooner we realize this, the better. Perhaps it would do some good to revisit the life of a soldier. Sworn to defend the rights and privileges of the nation he represents, even if it costs his life, the soldier knows that every minute of the time he is on duty must be spent watching out for the enemy, and being ready to take him out at any given moment.
I'm sure that soldier doesn't need to be reminded that his focus must never shift from defense or offense to the affairs of this life. He doesn't have time to be worried about hurt feelings, disappointing past events, or even desires that haven't come to pass yet. He certainly can't afford to worry about whether or not his fellow soldier has his back. All soldiers must protect friendlies and destroy foes. If any soldier does the opposite, he is not worthy to wear the colors of the nation he swore to defend.
Do you see the picture? We became soldiers the moment we gave our lives to the Lord. If you think you have a choice in the matter, consider this: we became enemies of Satan, and his goal is to take us out before we do the same to him. That just makes me want to fight all the harder.
Our challenge for today is this: TOUGHEN UP! Yes, we have trials. Yes, the world hates us. Of course, it doesn't feel good to the flesh. But we all must share in the Lord's suffering if we are to be truly considered soldiers. And we are always victorious. So encourage yourself or someone else to take your suffering like a good soldier today. Remember: the kingdom of God benefits from your dedication to the fight. Happy H.U.M.P. Day!!!
A New Season For Words
Tuesday, June 21st, 2011
Today's Passage: James 3: 1-12
Memory Verse: James 3: 2
The tongue. Something so small, yet so deadly. Sometimes it amazes me how quickly a perfect morning can be ruined by just opening my mouth. Of course, when it happens, I immediately pull this "What'd I say?" line out of my hat. But later on, when the Holy Spirit and I are alone, I have to admit that I allowed something to come out of me because of something I was thinking.
Since Adam and Eve sinned, we've inherited this ability to conceive thoughts that are sure to become concrete once we let them escape out of our mouths. And yet, time and time again, we use our tongues to speak things that create nothing but destruction. If we were given a fast-forwarded view of what our words created, we'd be terrified of the fruit we've borne.
People of God, we throw our words around carelessly, as if they simply fall to the ground and carry no impact. But we know differently. Whenever we become frustrated or upset, we think we're just venting our feelings. In reality, we speak things that are not as though they already were. Rather than our words lining up with the Word, we become puppets and let our tongues pull us around. Exactly as it says in today's passage, we seem to be completely aware of how destructive our tongues really are.
Well, I say it's high time to turn things around. Is that moment of disappointment with our loved one(s) or whomever, we immediately put them in the path of an oncoming truck. Every word we speak is a prayer, especially fueled by emotions. No longer should we let our tongues be in control, but exercise the discipline made available to us by the blood of the Lamb. Rather than destroy, why not begin creating new realms of possibilities for ourselves and our loved ones? Let's give the enemy a headache for once, rather than each other. Let's begin to walk in a new season as a result of speaking what we DESIRE -- not what we dread. That would really make Daddy proud He gave us such a creative force.
Prayer: Father, please forgive me for using my mouth to destroy what You gave me. I repent and turn from this pattern. Create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me. Let my words be spoken from a place of Your love rather than mine. I truly desire to please You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Today's Passage: James 3: 1-12
Memory Verse: James 3: 2
The tongue. Something so small, yet so deadly. Sometimes it amazes me how quickly a perfect morning can be ruined by just opening my mouth. Of course, when it happens, I immediately pull this "What'd I say?" line out of my hat. But later on, when the Holy Spirit and I are alone, I have to admit that I allowed something to come out of me because of something I was thinking.
Since Adam and Eve sinned, we've inherited this ability to conceive thoughts that are sure to become concrete once we let them escape out of our mouths. And yet, time and time again, we use our tongues to speak things that create nothing but destruction. If we were given a fast-forwarded view of what our words created, we'd be terrified of the fruit we've borne.
People of God, we throw our words around carelessly, as if they simply fall to the ground and carry no impact. But we know differently. Whenever we become frustrated or upset, we think we're just venting our feelings. In reality, we speak things that are not as though they already were. Rather than our words lining up with the Word, we become puppets and let our tongues pull us around. Exactly as it says in today's passage, we seem to be completely aware of how destructive our tongues really are.
Well, I say it's high time to turn things around. Is that moment of disappointment with our loved one(s) or whomever, we immediately put them in the path of an oncoming truck. Every word we speak is a prayer, especially fueled by emotions. No longer should we let our tongues be in control, but exercise the discipline made available to us by the blood of the Lamb. Rather than destroy, why not begin creating new realms of possibilities for ourselves and our loved ones? Let's give the enemy a headache for once, rather than each other. Let's begin to walk in a new season as a result of speaking what we DESIRE -- not what we dread. That would really make Daddy proud He gave us such a creative force.
Prayer: Father, please forgive me for using my mouth to destroy what You gave me. I repent and turn from this pattern. Create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me. Let my words be spoken from a place of Your love rather than mine. I truly desire to please You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Effectual, Fervent Prayer Avails Much
Monday, June 20th, 2011
Today's Passage: James 5: 13-20
Memory Verse: James 5: 16
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but a lot of music that's supposed to be passing for "Christian" is straight depressing. It seems that many of the songs are designed to keep us defeated when we are already struggling to get victory in the physical realm. In a 30-minute segment of music on a radio station called "praise", I could not believe how situational the songs were-- not focusing on God, His kingdom and righteousness at all, but on how bad and sad everything I'm going through was.
People of God, we were meant to be overcomers, not barely being able to make it at all. What and who we surround ourselves with makes the difference between living victorious or defeated lives. In 1st John 4:1, we are reminded to test the spirits to make sure they are from God. We cannot allow just anything to be deposited into our spirits and expect to walk in victory.
So here's where the true test comes in: if you take a look at the people around you, the music you listen to, and even the elders in the church you attend, you have to be certain that everything being spoken into your life DOES bring you life and not death. God has made provision for everything we may go through by giving us the Holy Spirit. But if we're not doing things exactly the way God prescribes, we won't have the victory He made available.
Today, as you go about your day, remember that prayer is the most important weapon you could wield against the enemy. Individual and corporate prayer brings us smack dab in the middle of God's will. Whether we are praying alone or with other saints, our goal should be to see God's kingdom come and His will done in our lives. And we have God's assurance that He WILL answer. The effectual, fervent prayer of the righteous never fails in warfare -- except when not used effectively and fervently.
Prayer: Father, thank You for reminding us to pray when things aren't lining up in our lives. I take this opportunity now to lift up my brothers and sisters to You. May they bring victory rather than defeat to this earth. And may all our lives reflect that You have made us victorious for life, no matter what the challenges. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Today's Passage: James 5: 13-20
Memory Verse: James 5: 16
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but a lot of music that's supposed to be passing for "Christian" is straight depressing. It seems that many of the songs are designed to keep us defeated when we are already struggling to get victory in the physical realm. In a 30-minute segment of music on a radio station called "praise", I could not believe how situational the songs were-- not focusing on God, His kingdom and righteousness at all, but on how bad and sad everything I'm going through was.
People of God, we were meant to be overcomers, not barely being able to make it at all. What and who we surround ourselves with makes the difference between living victorious or defeated lives. In 1st John 4:1, we are reminded to test the spirits to make sure they are from God. We cannot allow just anything to be deposited into our spirits and expect to walk in victory.
So here's where the true test comes in: if you take a look at the people around you, the music you listen to, and even the elders in the church you attend, you have to be certain that everything being spoken into your life DOES bring you life and not death. God has made provision for everything we may go through by giving us the Holy Spirit. But if we're not doing things exactly the way God prescribes, we won't have the victory He made available.
Today, as you go about your day, remember that prayer is the most important weapon you could wield against the enemy. Individual and corporate prayer brings us smack dab in the middle of God's will. Whether we are praying alone or with other saints, our goal should be to see God's kingdom come and His will done in our lives. And we have God's assurance that He WILL answer. The effectual, fervent prayer of the righteous never fails in warfare -- except when not used effectively and fervently.
Prayer: Father, thank You for reminding us to pray when things aren't lining up in our lives. I take this opportunity now to lift up my brothers and sisters to You. May they bring victory rather than defeat to this earth. And may all our lives reflect that You have made us victorious for life, no matter what the challenges. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Prayers That Prevail-- Fathers' Day Edition
Sunday, June 19 th, 2011
Today's Passage : Malachi chapter 4
Memory Verses: Mal. 4: 5 & 6
Father, You are the most amazing Father there ever was. Your desire for fellowship with us drove You to sacrifice One that You may gain many others. I stand in awe that You loved and wanted me so much, You would be willing to do this. Thank You for counting me worthy in spite of my sin.
Today, I stand align with my other Christian brothers and sisters, praying for the fathers and children of our land. I know it grieves Your heart that many do not have a relationship with one another the way they should. So I begin to lift them up now . I pray that You will truly turn the hearts of the fathers back to the hearts of their children, just as You promised in this passage.
I pray that fathers everywhere on this Fathers' Day will be broken to the extent that they would be willing to humble themselves and sacrifice their pride. May they begin to draw near to You that You might draw near to them, helping them see the worth in themselves as well as their children. I cry out along with many others who are interceding for fathers.
As we enter Your house this morning, may we be so filled w ith the desire to carry out Your will that we begin to lay aside every evil thought and will. All honor and glory belong to You this Fathers' Day. In Jesus' mighty Name, Amen.
Today's Passage : Malachi chapter 4
Memory Verses: Mal. 4: 5 & 6
Father, You are the most amazing Father there ever was. Your desire for fellowship with us drove You to sacrifice One that You may gain many others. I stand in awe that You loved and wanted me so much, You would be willing to do this. Thank You for counting me worthy in spite of my sin.
Today, I stand align with my other Christian brothers and sisters, praying for the fathers and children of our land. I know it grieves Your heart that many do not have a relationship with one another the way they should. So I begin to lift them up now . I pray that You will truly turn the hearts of the fathers back to the hearts of their children, just as You promised in this passage.
I pray that fathers everywhere on this Fathers' Day will be broken to the extent that they would be willing to humble themselves and sacrifice their pride. May they begin to draw near to You that You might draw near to them, helping them see the worth in themselves as well as their children. I cry out along with many others who are interceding for fathers.
As we enter Your house this morning, may we be so filled w ith the desire to carry out Your will that we begin to lay aside every evil thought and will. All honor and glory belong to You this Fathers' Day. In Jesus' mighty Name, Amen.
Our Father's Inheritance
Saturday, June 18th, 2011
Today's Passage: Jeremiah 1:1-10
Memory Verse: Jer. 1:10
Imagine you had a father who died before you were born. He was one of the most wealthy men on earth. In fact, he was so wealthy that everything He left to you had to be put in a book thousands of pages long. It would literally take you the rest of your life to discover everything you inherited.
Well, praise God that we DO have a Wealthy Father, a King, Who has left us rich promises to claim. Among them is the promise of our nobility. Before we were even born, He ordained us to be victorious over the evil one. He then gave us His Word that we would use it to destroy all the power of the enemy. Today's passage is evidence of something great that he can never take away from us: our authority.
With our mouths, we can exercise our authority to speak God's will not only over our own lives, but over nations, kingdoms, principalities and powers. With our mouths, we can declare that every root of iniquity planted in our family line through generational curses be uprooted in the Name of Jesus. We must learn to pray without ceasing like never before. We must boldly declare God's Will over our lives until we see His will fulfilled.
Not only can we uproot infirmity, perversion, failure, and all other twisted forms of iniquity designed by the enemy, but God has also given us the power to plant the will of God in the place of what we've uprooted. Healing, righteousness, success, and virtue of God can be spoken to replace every ugly thing. But we must not be deceived: the enemy will tempt us to use our mouths against ourselves and those we love the most in the battle. We must keep our hearts free from bitterness, unforgiveness and malice. Only then will our authority be truly released, and we can pull down the enemy's kingdom. And then we will fulfill our Father's inheritance.
Prayer: Father, I thank You for the authority You provided for me to walk in. I use that authority now to root out the spirit of religion and fear of intimacy with You. I replace that spirit with a heart of total devotion to You and everything You are. I speak the same in the lives of my loved ones, sisters and brothers. For Your glory and in Jesus' Name, Amen.
Today's Passage: Jeremiah 1:1-10
Memory Verse: Jer. 1:10
Imagine you had a father who died before you were born. He was one of the most wealthy men on earth. In fact, he was so wealthy that everything He left to you had to be put in a book thousands of pages long. It would literally take you the rest of your life to discover everything you inherited.
Well, praise God that we DO have a Wealthy Father, a King, Who has left us rich promises to claim. Among them is the promise of our nobility. Before we were even born, He ordained us to be victorious over the evil one. He then gave us His Word that we would use it to destroy all the power of the enemy. Today's passage is evidence of something great that he can never take away from us: our authority.
With our mouths, we can exercise our authority to speak God's will not only over our own lives, but over nations, kingdoms, principalities and powers. With our mouths, we can declare that every root of iniquity planted in our family line through generational curses be uprooted in the Name of Jesus. We must learn to pray without ceasing like never before. We must boldly declare God's Will over our lives until we see His will fulfilled.
Not only can we uproot infirmity, perversion, failure, and all other twisted forms of iniquity designed by the enemy, but God has also given us the power to plant the will of God in the place of what we've uprooted. Healing, righteousness, success, and virtue of God can be spoken to replace every ugly thing. But we must not be deceived: the enemy will tempt us to use our mouths against ourselves and those we love the most in the battle. We must keep our hearts free from bitterness, unforgiveness and malice. Only then will our authority be truly released, and we can pull down the enemy's kingdom. And then we will fulfill our Father's inheritance.
Prayer: Father, I thank You for the authority You provided for me to walk in. I use that authority now to root out the spirit of religion and fear of intimacy with You. I replace that spirit with a heart of total devotion to You and everything You are. I speak the same in the lives of my loved ones, sisters and brothers. For Your glory and in Jesus' Name, Amen.
God's Gotcha Back!
Friday, June 17th, 2011
Today's Passage: Psalms 3
Memory Verse: Psalms 3:8
I was watching a movie the other day about some guys in a war. Throughout the movie, they had experienced success, so they were very confident in their abilities. Spiritual battles occur in our lives everyday, therefore, like the guys in the movie, we must be confident in the abilities God has given us. However, sometimes we have a "Gideon" experience. Gideon was fighting a battle also. However, his battle was quite real. It wasn't a headache or heartache; it was a real war, and he was sorely outnumbered.
What do you do? What do you do when there's more enemy than fight? What do you do when things seem to go from one disaster to another, before you have time to recover? It seems the easy thing to do is give up. If you throw in the towel, the enemy will feel sorry for you, back off, and leave you alone. WRONG! The enemy's agenda is not only to steal your destiny, he wants to destroy it. Subsequently, after he destroys your destiny, he wants to kill you (eternally seperate you from God). So don't get it twisted because there are no timeouts, resets, or do-overs once that happens. You have to make up your mind that no matter what, you're going to stand.
I'm believing God even now that your faith is becoming stronger than ever before. As you read this devotional, confidence and boldness is returning to your spirit, and you again realize that all things are possible through Christ Jesus our Lord. Just make sure you stay on the right side; on God's side. You should know from Jesus' experience that things may look bad at first, but they always work out in the end. Nobody can promise that on the devil's side. In fact, he knows before going into the battle that he's already lost. Our passage today tells us that God shields us on all sides. He grounds our feet and lifts our heads high. It also says real help comes from God. His blessing clothes His people. What a comfort! How can you lose with that? Let's commit ourselves right now to cling tightly to Him because that's where our protection is. That's also where our confidence is. We don't have to back down in the face of adversity. God's got us. Even if you're surrounded on every side, God's got you. If your battle is a physical one and seemingly out of your hands, God's got you. If you're fighting a spiritual battle, know that true life only comes from God. False gods (money, relationships, material possessions, other religions, etc.) can't replace Him. There's no one or nothing stronger or mightier than He is. He's everything you need.
In conclusion, I know battles can be scary. Nobody wants to lose. Losing anything is hard to deal with. But God didn't create you to be a loser. He placed a champion inside you. You just have to access that champion through the Word. The men in the movie faced their fears, believed in what they were trained to do, and ended up winning the battle; suffering only a few scars. You have to trust in what the Word has taught you. When you do, there won't be anything you can't face. God's gotcha back, and so do we!
Prayer: Father, thank You for being our shield and defender. Without You, the fiery darts of the enemy would consume us. Therefore, we place our lives in Your capable hands. We will no longer walk in fear. We'll always be confident in You. Now finish the work You began in us, and we'll forever give You praise, in Jesus' name. Amen
Today's Passage: Psalms 3
Memory Verse: Psalms 3:8
I was watching a movie the other day about some guys in a war. Throughout the movie, they had experienced success, so they were very confident in their abilities. Spiritual battles occur in our lives everyday, therefore, like the guys in the movie, we must be confident in the abilities God has given us. However, sometimes we have a "Gideon" experience. Gideon was fighting a battle also. However, his battle was quite real. It wasn't a headache or heartache; it was a real war, and he was sorely outnumbered.
What do you do? What do you do when there's more enemy than fight? What do you do when things seem to go from one disaster to another, before you have time to recover? It seems the easy thing to do is give up. If you throw in the towel, the enemy will feel sorry for you, back off, and leave you alone. WRONG! The enemy's agenda is not only to steal your destiny, he wants to destroy it. Subsequently, after he destroys your destiny, he wants to kill you (eternally seperate you from God). So don't get it twisted because there are no timeouts, resets, or do-overs once that happens. You have to make up your mind that no matter what, you're going to stand.
I'm believing God even now that your faith is becoming stronger than ever before. As you read this devotional, confidence and boldness is returning to your spirit, and you again realize that all things are possible through Christ Jesus our Lord. Just make sure you stay on the right side; on God's side. You should know from Jesus' experience that things may look bad at first, but they always work out in the end. Nobody can promise that on the devil's side. In fact, he knows before going into the battle that he's already lost. Our passage today tells us that God shields us on all sides. He grounds our feet and lifts our heads high. It also says real help comes from God. His blessing clothes His people. What a comfort! How can you lose with that? Let's commit ourselves right now to cling tightly to Him because that's where our protection is. That's also where our confidence is. We don't have to back down in the face of adversity. God's got us. Even if you're surrounded on every side, God's got you. If your battle is a physical one and seemingly out of your hands, God's got you. If you're fighting a spiritual battle, know that true life only comes from God. False gods (money, relationships, material possessions, other religions, etc.) can't replace Him. There's no one or nothing stronger or mightier than He is. He's everything you need.
In conclusion, I know battles can be scary. Nobody wants to lose. Losing anything is hard to deal with. But God didn't create you to be a loser. He placed a champion inside you. You just have to access that champion through the Word. The men in the movie faced their fears, believed in what they were trained to do, and ended up winning the battle; suffering only a few scars. You have to trust in what the Word has taught you. When you do, there won't be anything you can't face. God's gotcha back, and so do we!
Prayer: Father, thank You for being our shield and defender. Without You, the fiery darts of the enemy would consume us. Therefore, we place our lives in Your capable hands. We will no longer walk in fear. We'll always be confident in You. Now finish the work You began in us, and we'll forever give You praise, in Jesus' name. Amen
Friend... Or Foe?
Thursday, June 16th, 2011
Today's Passage: James 4: 1-10
Memory Verse:James 4:1
Lately I've been asking myself a question that the Holy Spirit asked me: why is it that people of God have such a hard time fighting the good fight of faith? Why is the enemy seeming to win every battle against us in so many areas? Our families appear weaker than ever before; the marriages of believers have a divorce rate as high as that of non- believers. In our health, finances, and other relationships, the verdict is just as discouraging: FAILURE.
So why are our enemies having the last say? The answer is found in today's passage. The reason we're not winning is because our desires for the things of this world are greater than our desire to see God's will done in our lives. To be honest, we are more content to acquire temporary pleasures -- no matter how bad they are for us. From unhealthy foods to possessions that trap us under a mountain of debt, we ignore the voice of the Holy Spirit, our Guard and Teacher.
Here's the crazy thing: we know that God's ways dictate that we walk a certain way. So when we disobey, not only are we choosing to walk away from God; we're also opening ourselves to attacks by the enemy. How do we turn this around? By returning to God's ways and renouncing or falling out of agreement with the world's ways. Are we really that willing to make ourselves enemies of God just so we can be friends of the world?
As we begin to turn away from the things of this world, our love for God will become stronger. The passion that should only be reserved for Him will manifest itself in us once again. We must then draw ourselves to Him, repent for our selfish desires, and humble ourselves before the Lord. Those things are the opposite of what the flesh craves. And for that, there is no defense... Every knee will have to bow.
Prayer: Father, there have been times when I've chosen to turn my back on You so I can fulfill my own desires. I repent and ask You to burn off anything that would alienate You from me and make me Your enemy. I love You forever. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Today's Passage: James 4: 1-10
Memory Verse:James 4:1
Lately I've been asking myself a question that the Holy Spirit asked me: why is it that people of God have such a hard time fighting the good fight of faith? Why is the enemy seeming to win every battle against us in so many areas? Our families appear weaker than ever before; the marriages of believers have a divorce rate as high as that of non- believers. In our health, finances, and other relationships, the verdict is just as discouraging: FAILURE.
So why are our enemies having the last say? The answer is found in today's passage. The reason we're not winning is because our desires for the things of this world are greater than our desire to see God's will done in our lives. To be honest, we are more content to acquire temporary pleasures -- no matter how bad they are for us. From unhealthy foods to possessions that trap us under a mountain of debt, we ignore the voice of the Holy Spirit, our Guard and Teacher.
Here's the crazy thing: we know that God's ways dictate that we walk a certain way. So when we disobey, not only are we choosing to walk away from God; we're also opening ourselves to attacks by the enemy. How do we turn this around? By returning to God's ways and renouncing or falling out of agreement with the world's ways. Are we really that willing to make ourselves enemies of God just so we can be friends of the world?
As we begin to turn away from the things of this world, our love for God will become stronger. The passion that should only be reserved for Him will manifest itself in us once again. We must then draw ourselves to Him, repent for our selfish desires, and humble ourselves before the Lord. Those things are the opposite of what the flesh craves. And for that, there is no defense... Every knee will have to bow.
Prayer: Father, there have been times when I've chosen to turn my back on You so I can fulfill my own desires. I repent and ask You to burn off anything that would alienate You from me and make me Your enemy. I love You forever. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
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