2021-01-26
Acts 17:27 NKJV
The Bible says God ‘is not far from each one of us’. God doesn’t have favourites. Everyone can have God’s love and support, but many don’t realise it or accept it. They go through life relying on their own strength, looking for solutions in the wrong places, and living without God. Sometimes we can live like that too, forgetting that we’ve got God’s support. But we don’t have to. We can: 1) Lean on God’s presence. ‘God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you”‘ (Hebrews 13:5 NLT). 2) Lean on God’s people. ‘For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them’ (Matthew 18:20 NIV).
When Moses and the Israelites battled the Amalekites, God commissioned Joshua to lead the fight in the valley below while Moses climbed the hill to pray. But he didn’t go alone. He took his two lieutenants, Aaron and Hur. While Joshua led the physical combat, Moses engaged in spiritual combat. Aaron and Hur stood on either side of their leader to hold up his arms in the battle of prayer. The Israelites succeeded because Moses prayed, and Moses succeeded because he had others to pray with him. Just as an army can ask for air support, you can ask for prayer support.
Jesus said, ‘If two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven’ (v.19 NIV). Let’s hold on to the fact that we’ve got supporters – God and His people.
Isa 26-29; Matt 10:11-20; Ps 104:1-23; Prov 3:9-10
2020-12-17
John 11:41 AMPC
Before raising Lazarus from the dead, Jesus prayed, “Father, I thank You that You have heard me.” When you know your prayer is in harmony with God’s will, you can wrap it up with the same words: “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me.”
Understand this: After you’ve prayed, the Devil wants you to go away and wonder whether or not God actually heard you, or if He’s willing to grant your request. But when you know God has heard your prayer, you have confidence. You think, act, and speak differently. Anxiety is replaced with peace.
Here are a few Scriptures for you to meditate on: “When you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord” (James 1:6-7 NIV). “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us – whatever we ask – we know that we have what we asked of him” (1 John 5:14-15 NIV). “If anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them…whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours” (Mark 11:23-24 NIV).
Today begin to thank God that He has heard your prayer, and that He will answer it in the way that’s best for you.
Soul food: Neh 11-13; John 20:10-18; Ps 57; Prov 30:24-28
2020-10-27
Hebrews 11:27 NIV
Fourth: You must persevere when life gets difficult. You could sum up the life of Moses in these two words: “He persevered.”
It’s a fact of life that there’s no gain without pain, no advancement without adversity, and no progress without problems. Moses understood that difficulties come into every life, and he knew how to respond to them correctly and move on. And we must learn to do that too. As followers of Christ, we should never let problems defeat us; instead, we should let them draw us closer to God.
Someone has said that we should never let problems get us down – except down on our knees to pray! God allows specific situations in our lives to bring growth. And without perseverance we won’t get very far.
Notice the words “By faith…he persevered.” Faith in what? Faith in whom? Faith in God! We’re not talking here about some white-knuckled, flesh-based form of self-help. No, we’re talking about the fact that when God calls you to do a job, He equips and empowers you. He goes ahead of you and provides everything you need. When you say yes to His plan for your life, you can stand on this promise: “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28 NIV).
So you must (a) know who you are; (b) take responsibility for your life; (c) determine your priorities; and (d) persevere when life gets difficult. If you abide by these four Bible truths, you will live a life that is truly blessed by God.
Soul food: 1 Tim 4-6; John 6:52-71; Ps 114; Prov 24:23-25
2020-09-26
1 Timothy 6:12 NKJV
Here are six proven Bible strategies for defeating the Enemy when he comes against you. (1) Think aggressively. “Fight the good fight of faith…to which you were…called.” Plan and calculate like a general preparing for battle; study how to engage and defeat your enemy the Devil. (2) Pray aggressively. We are told to approach God’s throne “boldly” (See Hebrews 4:16). Which means aggressively! Don’t be bashful with God. He’s your “Abba,” which means “Daddy.” And you’re His redeemed child, so approach Him with confidence and ask for what you need. (3) Speak fearlessly. The apostle Peter writes, “Speak as though God himself were speaking through you” (1 Peter 4:11 NLT). In other words, use a commanding, authoritative tone when you resist the forces of evil. “Be strong in the Lord” (Ephesians 6:10). (4) Give generously. The level at which you give is the level at which you receive. “Give freely and become more wealthy; be stingy and lose everything. The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed” (Proverbs 11:24-25 NLT). No offering is too small, and none too great. (5) Work intently. The Bible says whatever you put your hand to, do it with all your heart (See Ecclesiastes 9:10). Don’t approach your tasks with dread and a desire to escape. Stir yourself up in the Holy Spirit and get the job done (See 2 Timothy 1:6). (6) Love unconditionally. As a follower of Christ, you must endeavor to love others as He loves them – unconditionally and sacrificially.
Soul food: Song of Solomon 5-8; Luke 23:39-49; Ps 91; Prov 21:28-31
1 Timothy 6:12 NIV
As Christians, the devil will target us and try to steal our faith. But here are some Bible strategies for defeating him when he comes against you. 1) Think aggressively. ‘Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called.’ Be prepared for a battle with the enemy, and immerse yourself in God’s Word so you’re equipped to defeat him. 2) Pray boldly. We’re told to approach God’s throne ‘boldly’ (see Hebrews 4:16). We don’t need to be shy with God. He’s our Father and we’re His redeemed children, so we can approach Him with confidence and ask for what we need. 3) Speak fearlessly. Peter wrote, ‘Speak as though God himself were speaking through you’ (1 Peter 4:11 NLT). When we’re speaking God’s Word, we’re empowered to speak with authority, which helps us stand up to evil forces and resist them. ‘Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power’ (Ephesians 6:10 NIV). 4) Give generously. ‘Those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed’ (Proverbs 11:25 NLT). Whether we give our money, our time, or share our knowledge, nothing we offer is too big or too small. 5) Work intently. We shouldn’t approach our God-given work with dread and a desire to escape. The Bible says: ‘Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance form the Lord as a reward’ Colossians 3:23-24 NIV). 6) Love unconditionally. As followers of Christ, we must try to love others as He loves them – unconditionally and sacrificially.
Song of Solomon 5-8; Luke 23:39-49; Ps 91; Prov 21:28-31
