2021-01-07
1 John 3:21 NIV
The third obstacle to answered prayer is unconfessed sin. After conquering Jericho, the strongest city in the Promised Land, the Israelites were defeated by a handful of soldiers in a small village called Ai. Joshua was devastated! He “tore his clothes and fell facedown to the ground before the ark of the Lord” (Joshua 7:6 NIV). Listen to his prayer: “The other people of the country will hear about this and they will surround us and wipe out our name from the earth. What then will you do for your own great name?” (v. 9 NIV).
How did God respond? You might be surprised. “The Lord said to Joshua, ‘Stand up! What are you doing down on your face? Israel has sinned'” (vv.10-11 NIV). What had happened? Achan, an Israeli soldier, had stolen some of the spoils of battle which belonged to God. Jericho was the first city in the Promised Land to be conquered, and God said the “firstfruits” of all we have must be given to Him (See Proverbs 3:9). The treasures from the next nine battles belonged to the people, but the treasures of Jericho belonged to God.
There’s a time to pray, and a time to stop praying, so you can deal with the sin in your life. You can’t pray, “Lord, what do You want to do?” when you already know what to do but aren’t willing to do it. Is God speaking to you through today’s reading? “If our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him” (1 John 3:21-22 NIV).
Soul food: Exo 13-15; Matt 5:13-26; Ps 42:1-5; Prov 1:20-27
2021-01-06
James 4:3 NLT
Another obstacle to answered prayer is selfishness. In the Lord’s Prayer, you won’t find the words “I,” or “me,” or “my,” or “mine.” What you will find instead, is: “Give us this day our daily bread; forgive us our trespasses; deliver us from evil” (See Matthew 6:11-13). Are you getting the idea? The man who prays, “Lord bless me, my wife and two children: us four and no more,” won’t get a favourable response from heaven. Jesus said, “Whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them” (Mark11:24 NKJV). But that Scripture isn’t a blank check: God’s answer to selfish prayers is always no.
James writes, “You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures” (James 4:3 NKJV). Maybe you’re thinking, “The Bible says if I delight myself in the Lord, He will give me whatever my heart desires” (See Psalm 37:4). Yes, but your desires must be in harmony with God’s will.
God blessed Abraham so that he could become a blessing to others (See Genesis12:2-3). God knows what you want, and He also knows why you want it. Is it only for your own comfort and convenience, or also to fulfill His purposes? Only when you have answered that question honestly, can you pray with confidence. When you look out only for your own interest, only one person is working on your behalf – you! But when your goal is to bless others, God goes to work and answers your prayer in ways you never imagined possible. Try it, and see for yourself!
Soul food: Exo 10-12; Matt 5:1-12; Ps 10:12-18; Prov 1:17-19
2021-01-05
Jeremiah 33:3 NKJV
For the next few days let’s look at some reasons why our prayers aren’t answered: Fallen angelic powers. For three weeks Daniel prayed and got no answer. Why? Because an evil force in the spiritual realm, “the Prince of Persia,” blocked it (See Daniel10:13). So God assigned Michael, one of the archangels, to do battle with him. Twenty-one days later the struggle ended, and Daniel got his answer.
Paul says, “We are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world…against evil spirits in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12 NLT).
How powerful is the Devil? Powerful enough to deceive you (See 2 Corinthians 4:4). Powerful enough to bring sickness (See Job 2:7). Powerful enough to oppose the righteous (See Zechariah 3:1). Powerful enough to devour you (See1 Peter 5:8). You ask, “What can I do to overcome him?”
After telling us we’re fighting against the forces of the unseen world, Paul says, “Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers” (Ephesians 6:18 NLT). The Christ who lives within you is stronger than the Enemy you face. Jesus said, “When a strong man like Satan is fully armed and guards his palace, his possessions are safe – until someone even stronger attacks and overpowers him” (Luke 11:21-22 NLT). Satan is strong, but Jesus is “even stronger.”
John records: “The accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down to earth – the one who accuses them before our God day and night. And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony” (Revelation12:10-11 NLT). Aren’t you glad?
Soul food: Exo 7-9; Matt 4:12-25; Ps 10:1-11; Prov 1:10-16
2021-01-04
Deuteronomy 11:12 NKJV
This year God will take care of you. Like a good father taking care of a child he loves, God will watch over you, never taking His eye off you. And He will do it “from the beginning of the year to the very end.” Who else can make such a promise – and keep it?
Your lawyer and your banker are normally available to you Monday through Friday, if they’re not too busy; otherwise, you can end up playing “telephone tag.” And if you get sick, unless you’re in critical condition you may end up on a doctor’s waiting list or fighting with your health insurance carrier. That’s not how it is with God! He guarantees you around-the-clock care.
But you have a part to play as well: “If you earnestly obey My commandments which I command you today, to love the Lord your God and serve Him with all your heart and…soul…I will give you the rain for your land in its season, the early rain and the latter rain, that you may gather in your grain [provision for all your needs], your new wine [joy and happiness], and your oil [the power and presence of God]. And I will send grass in your fields for your livestock [investments], that you may eat and be filled [blessing and success in your business and career]” (vv. 13-15 NKJV).
Bottom line: if you walk with God and honor Him in all you do, this can be one of the most blessed years of your life.
Soul food: Exo 4-6; Matt 4:1-11; Ps 90:7-17; Prov 1:5-9
2021-01-03
Deuteronomy 11:11 NKJV
This year look to God for your needs: “The land which you cross over to possess…drinks water from the rain of heaven.” No matter what political party is in power, what the interest rate is, or what shape the housing and job markets are in, believe God to supply all your needs. And He may use different people to do it!
Jesus said, “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom” (Luke 6:38 KJV). God will use people to bless you, but He alone is your source of provision. You must never forget that.
When you look inside yourself, you become aware of your own inadequacy. When you look around, you become aware that others are fighting the same battles. But when you look to God, you discover He is “able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20 NKJV).
Do you remember the verse at the center of the Bible? “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man” (Psalm 118:8 KJV). Sometimes God will let you reach the end of your rope in order to show you that when you’ve nothing left but Him, He’s all you need!
Note the phrase “the rain of heaven.” That sounds like another promise God made: “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!” (Malachi 3:10 NLT). This year obey God, and the blessings of heaven will be yours.
Soul food: Ps 23; John 10:7-18
2021-01-02
Deuteronomy 11:11 NKJV
This year you will face some mountains and go through some valleys. And you need both. The strength gained from climbing and conquering your last mountain is what will get you through your next valley. It’s in the valley that the sweetest fruit grows. That’s because it’s watered by streams that flow from the mountains. Jesus said, “By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples” (John 15:8 NKJV).
This year Jesus wants you to be more fruitful in His service. And He tells you how: “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing” (John 15:4-5 NKJV). What kind of fruit is God looking for in your life this year?
Paul tells us: “When we live God’s way…He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard – things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely” (Galatians 5:22-23 MSG). So this year when you face a mountain or go through a valley, remember that God is with you.
Soul food: Exo 1-3; Matt 3:11-17; Ps 90:1-6; Prov 1:1-4
