2021-10-09
Philippians 3:10 MSG
It’s one thing to know about God, but it’s a completely different thing to know Him closely and personally. Take a minute to examine your spiritual life. Has your walk with God slowed to a crawl? Do you feel like you’re running on empty? We can only have a full fuel tank by paying attention to our fuel gauge and making regular visits to the fuel pump. A full tank doesn’t just happen; it needs constant vigilance, commitment and action to keep the level up. Our earthly natures will try to work against us every day, and challenging circumstances will come along that discourage us. Even those close to us might misunderstand our spiritual priorities. If it was easy, anyone could do it.
The prize goes to those who can say like Paul: ‘I gave up all that inferior stuff so I could know Christ personally, experience his resurrection power, be a partner in his suffering, and go all the way with him’ (v.10-11 MSG). Paul didn’t just pray for intimacy with God; he pursued it with all his heart. Nothing was more important to him.
Have an honest think about how committed you are to becoming closer to God. Do you sing praise and worship songs but your heart and mind aren’t really in it? Have you become critical around others to the point where God’s love doesn’t shine through as well as it could? Have doubts and bad habits stolen some of your confidence in God? (See 1 John 3:21-22).
If any of these things sound familiar, it’s important to do something about it. Starting today, resolve to become even closer with God, and refuse to let anything get in the way of your relationship with Him.
2 Sam 3:22-7:17; John 1:43-51; Ps 23; Prov 23:4-5
2021-10-08
1 Chronicles 29:14 NIV
Money is one of the things that can cause problems. If handled well, it’s useful for us in living our lives and helping others. But when we get into debt, rely on retail therapy to feel better, feel like our value depends on our salary, or just simply love money rather than God, we can end up living in an ungodly way.
God never says that we shouldn’t have money, and that we shouldn’t spend it, but the Bible does give us some guidelines to help us be godly stewards of our finances. Saving money is a great, and necessary, way to prepare for the future, and to make sure we have enough for days to come. But we shouldn’t save to the point of never relying on God to provide for us, and at the expense of being generous givers.
Matthew 6 says: ‘Don’t store treasures for yourselves here on earth where moths and rust will destroy them and thieves can break in and steal them. But store your treasures in heaven where they cannot be destroyed by moths or rust and where thieves cannot break in and steal them’ (v.19-20 NCV). We can’t take all our money with us when we die, so let’s make sure that we’re sensible and godly in the way we’re saving.
We also shouldn’t be spending our money all on ourselves. Throughout the Bible, we’re called to live selflessly. We need to be generous and sacrificial in our giving. When we see people in need, and we have the means to help, let’s help them out. Let’s give what we can to our churches to help them reach more people. And most importantly, let’s remember that we can’t serve both God and money. Which will you choose to serve?
2 Sam 1:1-3:21; John 1:29-42; Ps 131; Prov 23:1-3
2021-10-07
Philippians 4:13 NKJV
Stubborn habits can take on a life of their own; that’s why they keep growing. They have a mind that thinks for us, a voice that speaks to us, and a power that keeps conquering us. When we have bad habits that are controlling us, we should pray and declare God’s Word over them to break their hold on us. God said, ‘I am watching to see that my word is fulfilled (Jeremiah 1:12 NIV).
Here’s a prayer for breaking stubborn habits: ‘Lord, Your Word says that if I call on You, You’ll answer me, that You’ll be with me in trouble, You’ll honour and deliver me (see Psalm 91:15). You promised that through the power of Your Spirit, I can be free from this vicious cycle of temptation, sin and failure (see Romans 8:2). You said if I fully committed my life to You, I’d have the strength to resist the devil, and that he would flee from me (see James 4:7). Your Word says You’ve given me the power to pull down my old strongholds and take control of every ungodly thought, imagination, and impulse (see 2 Corinthians 10:5). You promised that by reading and meditating on Your Word each day, I’d be able to share in Your divine nature and overcome the tendencies of my earthly nature (see 2 Peter 1:4). You promised to strengthen me in my mind, my emotions and my will; You promised that my self-worth would be based solely on Your love for me; You promised that You’d do exceedingly abundantly above all I could ask or think, because You’re at work in me (see Ephesians 3:14-21). Today, I claim victory over this habit, in Jesus’ name, amen.’
Today, declare the words: ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.’
Eph 4:17-6:24; John 1:14-28; Ps 29; Prov 22:26-29
2021-10-06
Exodus 24:2 NIV
We’re used to being constantly connected, and feel like we always need to be contactable and available. It can seem difficult to go ‘off-grid’ for a while to make space for God. But it’s vitally important for us to spend time alone with Him so we can hear Him clearly.
Jesus, our role model, ‘often withdrew…and prayed’ (Luke 5:16 NIV). He ‘went up on a mountainside by himself to pray’ (Matthew 14:23 NIV). How did Jacob the deceiver become ‘Israel, a prince with God’? (see Genesis 32:28). The Bible says he ‘was left alone, and a man (the Angel of the Lord) wrestled with him till daybreak’ (Genesis 32:24 NIV).
The greatest spiritual victories come from the battles God calls us to fight when we’re alone with Him. He outlines and clarifies His plans for us when there’s nobody else around. That’s because He wants us to be more influenced by Him than by others. When God is preparing us for a special assignment, we’ll need to spend time away from others so we can focus on Him and be clear about what He’s telling us.
In Exodus God said, ‘Moses alone is to approach…the people may not come up with him.’ After Elijah spent the night alone in a cave, God told him, ‘Go out and stand on the mountain…for the LORD is about to pass by’ (1 Kings 19:11 NIV). Daniel ‘was left alone, gazing at this great vision’ (Daniel 10:8 NIV). Jeremiah wrote, ‘I sat alone because your hand was on me’ (Jeremiah 15:17 NIV).
There’s a difference between loneliness and solitude. When God asks us to spend time alone with Him, we should get all we can from the experience, and move to the next level.
Eph 1:1-4:16; John 1:1-13; Ps 92; Prov 22:24-25
2021-10-05
John 14:27 NIV
God rarely sends us into situations where our comfort level is high. Instead He promises to be with us in spite of our fear. It’s God’s presence, not comfortable circumstances, that strengthens our faith and brings out the best in us.
God told Abraham to leave a wealthy, well-known family, and go to a land he didn’t know. He explained that Abraham would give birth to a new nation that would bless the world. Abraham went, and a nation was born. God told Moses to confront Pharaoh, the most powerful man on earth, and that God Himself would use Moses to deliver His people. Moses confronted, and God delivered. God told Joshua that if he’d be strong and courageous when everybody wanted to return to slavery, God would go with them and give them the land. Joshua was strong and courageous, and God Himself went with them and gave them the land.
Over and over we see this pattern repeated in Scripture. David faced the giant Goliath, Elijah faced the prophets of Baal, Daniel faced a den of lions – and always there was God in the midst of their fear. And He’s still there for us today – there are so many testimonies from ordinary people who tell how God was right there with them when they were facing their most fearful moments.
Here are Jesus’ words for when we’re feeling afraid and don’t know where to turn: ‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.’
1 Sam 27-31; Luke 24:45-53; Ps 63; Prov 22:17-23
2021-10-04
Luke 15:20 NLT
Sometimes we can feel like we’ve made too many mistakes, we’re too broken, or our lives are too much of a mess for God to invite us back to Him. But the truth is, we’re never beyond the reach of God’s grace. With Him, our future can be so much greater than our past.
In the story of the Prodigal Son, Jesus said: ‘While he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him.’ He could have waited until his son arrived at the door, and expected an apology before he thought about whether he would allow his son back again. But instead he watched for his son, hoping he would return. He ran to meet him and put his arms around him. He gave him a robe, a ring, and a pair of shoes. Each of those objects was significant because they all gave him back his identity and authority in the household. He came home thinking that he would be a servant, but the father calls him ‘son’ again.
Back then, when someone rebelled against their father’s authority and left home, ‘a ceremony of shame,’ was held which meant they could never return. But this father threw a big party to welcome his son home. Despite what he had done, he was fully accepted back home. And God’s waiting and longing for us to come home too. He’s watching the road, ready to run and embrace us with His love as soon as He catches sight of us. He’s ready to fully restore our identity as His child, with all the blessings and rights that entails. And He’s anticipating a celebration when we return. So will you come home today?
1 Sam 24-26; Luke 24:36-44; Ps 51; Prov 22:12-16
