The Fight of Your Life!

Wednesday July 6, 2011

Today's Passage: 2 Chronicles 20:1-30
Memory Verse: 2 Chronicles 20:15

This devotional begins with the memory of a boxing documentary I saw one night.  The boxer was Muhammad Ali.  I have always been astounded at the ease with which he dismantled his opponents.    He literally convinced himself of the fact that there wasn't a man on Earth who could beat him.  Subsequently, his gift not only commanded the attention of the nation, it commanded the attention of the world.

In life, we're well aware of battles we can win.  As a matter of fact, we love having the advantage.  Noone has to tell us to be confident, or strong, or to have courage when we're facing something we can whip.  I wonder why the devil stopped attacking me with THAT stuff?  You see, that's how Ali was.  He had no problem getting into the ring with guys who were either bigger, stronger, or faster.  He didn't see those attributes as advantages for them.  No matter who his opponent was, Ali saw him as a defeated foe.  There are things in life you'll always be able to whip.  Some demonic attacks are defeated by you before you get out of bed.  In today's passage, the army of Israel had won so many battles.  They had had success in battles that were seemingly impossible to win; but they won.  Like us, certain enemies didn't strike fear in them any longer.  They knew they'd have victory against certain nations, so they marched in with confidence.  Today, however, was different. 

It's good to be confident.  But, having confidence that overshadows faith is dangerous.  So, having fights that require FAITH to win, are regular occurrences for Christian life.  Verse 1 of our passage says "The Moabites and Ammonites, accompanied by Meunites, joined forces to make war on Jehoshaphat".  Verse 2 said "a huge force is on its way from beyond the Dead Sea"!  This wasn't the type of battle Jehoshaphat was used to.  Three armies against one?  That'd make any king nervous.  So Jehoshaphat did what any one of us would do; he got scared.  How are you going to win this one?  How are you going to beat cancer, or job loss, or divorce?  Everyone keeps saying you're going to be okay, but your feelings have yet to catch up with that disclaimer.  At the end of the documentary, all they could do was show a great fighter who was struggling to defeat his biggest enemy: Parkinson's Disease.  I wish I could tell Ali all his fight knowledge and training wouldn't be enough for this one.  He needs to know that his gift of gab would not lead to victory.  To win this fight, he'd have to discover what Jehoshaphat knew: This battle can ONLY be won with God!  How will YOU win the fight of your life?  Here's a tip.  Jehoshaphat turned his face toward God.  He called a fast to make sure God would help him in the battle.  In doing so, he discovered this battle wasn't even about him.  Imagine that.  What if the battle you're in doesn't even belong to you?  God, in response to Jehoshaphat's diligence, revealed to him that this battle wasn't his, it was the Lord's.  The scale seemed tipped in the enemy's favor in order for God to demonstrate how truly powerful He is.  Be encouraged my friends, if the battle seems insurmountable, that might mean God is setting you up for something awesome.  You see, He gets His glory through our faith.  This is how it works: When we turn to Him in the midst of the impossible, our faith releases Him to make it possible, as a result, the glory for it becomes His.  It's essentially a win win for all.  So, if you find yourself in fight of your life, let God take control.  Be confident in His power to save.  Afterall, unlike You, me, and Muhammad Ali, He's NEVER lost a fight.

Prayer: Father, I thank You for allowing me to be in Your shadow.  That's where my protection lies.  Nothing can harm me that You don't allow.  I'm confident in that.  My faith has gone to new levels.  I now lay all things at Your holy feet as You are well able to take care of my every need.  Keep me in Your awesome care, in Jesus' name. Amen

The "Impossible" Dream

Tuesday, July 5th, 2011

Today's Passage: 1 Samuel 1: 1-20
Memory Verse: 1 Sam. 1: 20

So... You've got this dream inside of you that's so real you can taste it. Problem is, it seems impossible from where you stand. Yet and still, you can't help knowing deep down that you were meant to accomplish this "impossible dream". Let's take a journey into Hannah's world from conception of her dream to fruition.

One thing about Hannah is she wasn't content to stay where she was. Now, I believe there is a difference between a healthy discontent with mediocrity and plain old ingratitude. If you're just dissatisfied that things aren't going your way, you'll find yourself in this slump where you can't find anything praiseworthy about your life. And if you can't praise God, you'll find it hard to get into His presence and seek Him for more. However, if you know God has created you to be and do more than you're being and doing at the moment, it will push you to seek Him for more.

And that's exactly what Hannah did. Yes, she found herself being confronted daily with the reality that Elkanah's other wife Peninnah had children. Yes, that other wife used every chance she could to rub it in her face. Yes, she was frustrated. Still, she never forgot that God held the answer to her petition. She went to the temple and sought His face. Of course, what she didn't know was that, while she was seeking God for a child, God was also looking for a vessel to carry the solution He had for Israel.

You see, God was growing weary of Eli and his sons dishonoring Him in His house. He was looking for a servant who would hear His voice and relay His message to His people without ulterior motives. So when she cried out in desperation, God already had a plan to give her a child. But when she prayed these words: "I'll give Him back to the Lord all the days of his life", God knew He could trust her to carry out His plan. What problem is your dream an answer to? God is looking for vessels. He's neither surprised nor intimidated by your dream, because HE put it there. Now, YOU'VE got to be desperate enough to pray what she did: "Use me to do something bigger than me for Your glory.". Then watch as God's will unfolds into the dream you thought was so impossible. The only question that will remain is: how many lives are you willing to believe God will impact through you?

Prayer: Father, thank You for reminding me today that no dream is too impossible for You. You created this dream that I'm carrying, and You're looking for me to avail myself so You can provide the answer to problems around me. So my prayer today is that You take this vessel and use me all the days of my life to carry out Your plan. May I not go another day wondering if my dream will ever come to pass. May my life be poured out to serve Your purpose every waking moment. In Jesus' powerful Name, Amen.

A Foundation of Obedience

Monday, July 4th, 2011

Today's Passage: Genesis 22: 1-19
Memory Verses: Gen. 22:17 & 18

If we're going to inherit the blessing of Abraham as his descendants, we've got to revisit again and again what He did to begin this flood of blessing. The first thing I noticed is that God tested Abraham. Even after Abraham had proven he could be trusted to obey God completely, I believe the test was necessary as a means of showing Abraham a preview of the grace that He would be extending to us centuries later, when He provided the ultimate sacrifice for us. But He wanted to know that Abraham would obey without questioning.

There's a second thing Abraham did that we must emulate. He spoke in faith even when he couldn't see the promise. He knew what God was requesting of him, yet when his son asked him where the sacrifice was, his response was one that would literally prophesy not only what God would do for him at that moment, but for all mankind when He sacrificed His only Son. He said, "God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering."

How awesome is that? He had no way of knowing that this would actually come to pass. Yet he spoke from a place deep within himself that had never before been experienced since the days of Noah by a human being. He, who had already put Forward Action in Trusting Him by obeying, now spoke what he expected the outcome to be. And the rest, as they say, is history. Not only did his word come to pass, but he literally unleashed supernatural favor for himself and all of us who would come after him in the lineage of faith so many years later.

So what will it be? Will our story read the same way? When it comes our turn to go the next round of obedience, will we respond with action as well as words of faith? As it was with our father Abraham, will we too be found worthy of the blessing of multiplication that has already been set in place? I'd like to think so. After all, the foundation for obedience has already been established. All we have to do is build on it.

Prayer: Father, thank You for using Abraham's life to draw a pattern for the rest of Your children of what our lives ought to look like. You call, we respond without wrath or doubting. Then You respond and put blessings in place that will affect generations to come. We purpose in our hearts to show You the same unwavering faith in our daily walk. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Prayers that Prevail

Sunday, July 3rd, 2011

Today's Passage: Proverbs 1: 1-7
Memory Verse: Prov. 1:2-3

Father, I thank You for loving us so much that You refuse to let me stay where I am. You are calling me to use wisdom in my relationships, in my finances, in my health, and in my walk with You. In my relationships, You are calling me to listen more than I speak. Sometimes, my emotions get the better of me and I react based on only half of the information. But Your Word teaches me to esteem others more highly than myself. As I humble myself, You will raise me up.

In my finances, You're calling me to be a good steward over my money. Because I'm a tither and a giver, You've already promised me that the devourer is rebuked for my sake. But wisdom must kick in and manifest itself in the decisions I make. You desire me to be careful not to be swayed by what my eyes see, but to wait until the right season for the things I would like to add to my life physically.

In my health, I'm really believing for a true manifestation of Your wisdom. I ask You to fill me with the desire to feed my spirit more than my flesh. I desire to walk in self- control and eat in moderation. I want to be able to fall out of agreement with foods and activities that are detrimental to my health, and only love what brings me life. I want to learn a healthy balance by getting enough rest for my body, mind and spirit to be rejuvenated.

As I realize more and more that You want these things for my life, I purpose in my heart to align myself with Your perfect will for my life. Be it unto me according to Your Word. May I truly learn to know wisdom and instruction, and to perceive the words of understanding. May my life's quest be to receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, judgment, and equity. And all I do will be for Your glory. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Turn to the Wisdom-Keeper

Saturday, July 2nd, 2011

Today's Passage: Job 28: 12-28
Memory Verse: Job 28:28

I' m sure I've asked this question before, but I have to ask the question again. What would you rather have -- a million dollars, or a million-dollar idea? I say this in response to watching people who won lots of money just blow it on foolishness. I was dismayed, yet not surprised, to see the wasteful spending of other people's money by a certain former investment broker, Bernie Madoff. When his assets were confiscated by the government, some interesting items were found: a four-thousand-dollar wastebasket, a shower curtain with gold flecks in it worth thirteen hundred dollars, and a gold toilet.

As disgusting as we may find this practice by people who have money, it is quite common among the "rich and famous". And believe it or not, many believers who protest about it may be deceived into doing the same without one much-needed element: wisdom. No wonder even Solomon, the son of great king David, had to ask for it above all else. Today's passage tells us that man does not know the value of it. How true!

As humans, our value seems to lie only in what we can see with the natural eye. We forsake God's laws because He is the only One Who knows how wisdom works, and because He won't allow just anyone to obtain it.. If we ever want to live this life right, we must allow God total access to us, and come willingly to Him. When we deny and reject God, we are denying and rejecting the wisdom of God. In the words of Reverend Billy Graham, here is what our nation has exchanged it for:

  "We have  lost our spiritual  equilibrium and reversed our values.. We  have exploited the poor and  called it the  lottery. We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare. We have  killed our unborn and called it choice.  We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable.  We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self esteem.  We have abused power and called it politics.  We have coveted our neighbor's  possessions and called it ambition.  We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and  called it freedom of expression.   We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it  enlightenment."  

May we turn once again to the Founder and Giver of Wisdom, in Whom there is life and true liberty.

Prayer: Father, You created wisdom and used it to create our world. We acknowledge and declare our fear of You, not ashamed to do so because we realize that this is how we gain your wisdom. We choose to depart from evil so that we may walk in understanding. May we produce good fruit for our children's children to inherit, and may it be said that it was this generation that turned its face to You once again, choosing Your way rather than the world's. In Jesus' Precious Name, Amen.

Get Wisdom!

Friday, July 1st, 2011

Today's Passage: 1 Kings 10:1-13
Memory Verse: 1 Kings 10:9

My nephew is so funny.  He's a teen-ager now, so you know what he's going through.  Little girls whisper things when we're out in the community.  He just smiles and waves.  My kids relish the opportunity to make fun of him.  I guess it's good in that it's actually giving me a glimpse of what my pre-teen sons are headed for.

Solomon was a young king.  When a person is as young as he was, so many things can have influence over you.  Remember the music, the people, and the clothing styles that filled our lives everyday?  Despite all the parental advice we got, we still ran after the things we thought were validating us.  So, here comes the Queen of Sheba.  She had heard about Solomon's wisdom in her home land.  Being skeptical, she set out to come meet the "wise king" for herself.  

Have you ever had someone come into your life just to test you?  That's what I tell my nephew.  "It's just a test, kid".  The enemy wants to know if you are who you say you are.  He wants to see if you'll give in at the first sign of weakness.  Solomon, however, didn't.  He stayed true to the wisdom God gave him.  Because he did, Sheba showered gifts of wealth on him.  We need to understand that the finer things in life don't come without wisdom.  We have to be true to it.  Often times, we already have the answers inside us for everyday circumstances, but we make them worse by ignoring wisdom.  God knows what the devil intends for us.  That's why He gave us a tool that nullifies all his traps.  That tool is called wisdom.  Do you want to have a good relationship?  Get wisdom.  Do you want your money to stop slipping through your fingers?  Get wisdom.  Do you want people to trust you more?  Get wisdom.  Do you want to experience God in a way you never have before?  Get wisdom.  It's the most valuable thing you can possess.  Walking in it will solidify your place in a life of blessing.  It'll also assure your safety.  God knows some people don't mean you any good.  How do you keep them at bay?.......Get wisdom!           

Prayer: Father, You are so worthy to be praised.  I gladly take my place in Your shadow.  I will live by Your Word and grace.  Guide me with Your loving hand.  My heart is singing out to You today.  Let me sit at Your feet and be in Your presence.  I am Yours forever more, in Jesus' name. Amen

Play Ball!

Thursday, June 30th, 2011

Today's Passage: 1 Kings 3:1-28
Memory Verse: 1 Kings 3:9

Solomon asked God to give him a "God-listening heart".  I've always thought that was an awesome request.  The reason for that is if we are to be more like Christ, we have to have a heart like His.  Do you remember the Wizard of Oz?  The Tin Man Dorothy found on her journey sang a song that said he could do all these extraordinary things if he only had a heart.  What amazing things could you accomplish for God if you had His heart?  It's worth some thought.

In contrast, the heart I had before the Lord saved me was a bad one.  It was selfish, and only wanted to make "me" feel valued and accomplished.  Its main goal was self.  It didn't want me involved in relationships or activities that didn't make me the focus.  It reminds me of a game of baseball I played in one summer.  I had been the starting 3rd baseman the whole season, but on this particular day, the coach told me to play center field.  See, I didn't know the team we were about to play hit the ball really well and were fast on the bases.  All I could think about was having to play center field.  My heart immediately became angered and rebellious.  It led me to strike out on purpose in the 2nd inning, even though we had a man on 3rd base waiting to score the tying run. 

My heart also told me not to hustle or encourage my teammates during the game.  It had total control of me.  Then, something happened in the 5th inning that would forever change me.  While standing in center field (sulking of course), the other team managed to get a man on 2nd base with two outs.  Just then, the batter hit the ball straight at me.  By the time I got to the ball, the runner had rounded 3rd base and was heading for home.  I couldn't let that happen.  So, I picked up the ball and hurled it toward home.  The catcher caught it and tagged out the runner.  As I ran into the dugout the coach called me.  "You were mad at me when I put you in center, but there's no-one else on the team who could've made that throw.  If you're going to be successful in baseball, or life, you're going to have to have a GOOD HEART about whatever you're doing".  I sat on the bench and cried my eyes out.  How could I have been so selfish?  Friends, your purpose and your desire may not be the same thing today, but if you have a God-listening heart toward your purpose, you'll soon have your desires.

Solomon seemingly had no desire for the material things that came with being a king, but he was serious about his purpose.  He was intent on having a heart for God.  Okay, so you're not the 3rd baseman today, so make the most of being in center field.  Appreciate the fact that you're at least in the game.  Find peace in being part of a team; a member of the body.  Ask God today for a heart like His.  That way, you can see others the way He sees them, and you can also see yourself.

Prayer:  Father, turn the light of Your love on me so I can be more like You.  Remove all the selfishness and pride from my life.  My desire will forever be to bring You pleasure by faith and devotion.  I'm Yours forever, in Jesus' name.  Amen