Daily Devotions |
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Matthew 6:33 |
““But now listen, Jacob, my servant, Israel, whom I have chosen. This is what the Lord says— he who made you, who formed you in the womb, and who will help you: Do not be afraid, Jacob, my servant, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen. For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants. They will spring up like grass in a meadow, like poplar trees by flowing streams.” |
This week we are going to explore the Character of God. As we learn more about our place in the hand of God, we have to know first who God is. Today, we focus on the fact that God is omnipotent. As we explore his sovereignty, we can't help but acknowledge that his power is evident in us each day. The passage of our attention today directly asks, "Is there anything too hard for God?" Jeremiah was reminded by God of the answer when his cousin came to ask him to purchase a field of his land. Jeremiah was confined to the palace of Judah while the city was under siege by Babylon. Jeremiah's prophecy of Babylon's success in taking Judah captive was being fulfilled and the king of Judah was upset. In his place of captivity God showed him the future of Judah. A future that involved a renewal in the riches of Israel. In his excitement of Judah's future Jeremiah recognized God's sovereignty. Jeremiah exclaimed the works of God from his creations to his signs and wonders. It would be wise for us to take a pause and look at the reasons that Jeremiah noted for God's power. God "made the heavens and the earth by [his] great power and outstretched arm." God will "show love to thousands but bring the punishment for the parentsʼ sins into the laps of their children after them." We serve a "great and mighty God, whose name is the Lord Almighty." And when the enemies lies rear against us we have to be reminded that "great are [God's] purposes and mighty are [his] deeds." Every work that God does through us is a continuation of his great purposes and his mighty deeds. We can rest in the peace that Jesus Christ's death was one of of those great purposes. Our salvation is one of his mighty deeds. And when we operate in the gifts of salvation and the opportunity of God's love, we operate in his ever present power. I love that this journey has asked us where God is calling us. Today's devotion reminds us that his calling is a part of his outstretched arm in the earth. We are a part of his mighty work. If you need a reminder of God's power, just do like Jeremiah; look around you and at you own life. God is surely going to show you that his power is present right where you are. | ““Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you. You show love to thousands but bring the punishment for the parentsʼ sins into the laps of their children after them. Great and mighty God, whose name is the Lord Almighty, great are your purposes and mighty are your deeds. Your eyes are open to the ways of all mankind; you reward each person according to their conduct and as their deeds deserve. You performed signs and wonders in Egypt and have continued them to this day, in Israel and among all mankind, and have gained the renown that is still yours. |
“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because Godʼs love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”
Romans 5:1-5 NIV
This morning, as I read devotion, I couldn't help but notice how the scriptures were echoed in modern day hero comics. I felt like I was reading a story of how a superhero had come to save us. Jesus is obviously way more powerful than Superman, but I'm so glad that my hope can be vested in such principles as peace, grace, perseverance and character when the power of the blood is involved.
In a time when hope seems to be a word pandered by politicians and celebrities, today's scripture is a reminder that our real source of hope comes from a sovereign God who justified us through death. Christ has given us so many gifts and the passage lays them out beautifully. Our spiritual gift baskets are full with peace, grace, perseverance, character, hope and love. If we look to the sky to see who delivered our benefits we never have to question where our help comes from.
God's love has poured over our hearts his mercy cloaks over our shoulders. We get to wear the monicker of Christ on our chest and listen to the flap of grace in our ears. That's what the love of God does. It takes ordinary sinners and gives them the into tools to live a life "not to be put to shame." I'm so glad Jesus took me and allowed my suffering for the Kingdom of Heaven to cause me to persevere; that through perseverance Jesus has given me the character of the Father; and that through my Christ-likeness I can have hope that my life is not conducted by my own feebleness.
Much greater than the people of Metropolis Christians are loaded with a guarantee. Christ died for me while I was yet in sin so that my life could be molded into that which will glorify him. I'm motivated today because Christ is my justification, my peace and my hope. And I pray that as you read these scriptures your heart is lifted in excitement for the things that God has done for you!
In a time when hope seems to be a word pandered by politicians and celebrities, today's scripture is a reminder that our real source of hope comes from a sovereign God who justified us through death. Christ has given us so many gifts and the passage lays them out beautifully. Our spiritual gift baskets are full with peace, grace, perseverance, character, hope and love. If we look to the sky to see who delivered our benefits we never have to question where our help comes from.
God's love has poured over our hearts his mercy cloaks over our shoulders. We get to wear the monicker of Christ on our chest and listen to the flap of grace in our ears. That's what the love of God does. It takes ordinary sinners and gives them the into tools to live a life "not to be put to shame." I'm so glad Jesus took me and allowed my suffering for the Kingdom of Heaven to cause me to persevere; that through perseverance Jesus has given me the character of the Father; and that through my Christ-likeness I can have hope that my life is not conducted by my own feebleness.
Much greater than the people of Metropolis Christians are loaded with a guarantee. Christ died for me while I was yet in sin so that my life could be molded into that which will glorify him. I'm motivated today because Christ is my justification, my peace and my hope. And I pray that as you read these scriptures your heart is lifted in excitement for the things that God has done for you!
““And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of Godʼs grace.”
Acts 20:22-24 NIV
This seems like such an unnecessary question to be asked. Of course I trust God! Why else would I be going through 100 Days of Excellence? Well, this morning, I was tapped on the shoulder with that question. I believe this question is one we all need to take inventory of once in a while. Once we have explored our hearts trust in God, we can rest assured in God's leadership in our lives.
While the author of Acts is not explicitly noted, we know that the quote in the passage is from Apostle Paul. I love the dedication of the writer's trust in God. Paul had no clue of what he would face, but he trusted the direction of the Lord. The passage reminds us that nothing is more important than our finish of the task placed before us by God. The task of "testifying to the good news of God's grace" can only be fulfilled in through trust. Our trust in God allows God to use us.
Could you imagine what the Bible would be like if it were written by doubters in God? How different our understanding of God would be if the writers had not allowed God to use them; if they hadn't trusted God. As we trust God, he in turn delights in us and gives us work to do. One of the main purposes for this challenge is to move in the direction of God's leadership. We can't fulfill that purpose without trust.
As you ponder God's plan for you take a second to testify to yourself. What things has God taken you through and how does that work together with his plan for you in the future? Your testimony is a powerful tool. It serves as a beacon of God's ability. Today as you ask yourself if you trust God, let your testimony remind you why you do.
While the author of Acts is not explicitly noted, we know that the quote in the passage is from Apostle Paul. I love the dedication of the writer's trust in God. Paul had no clue of what he would face, but he trusted the direction of the Lord. The passage reminds us that nothing is more important than our finish of the task placed before us by God. The task of "testifying to the good news of God's grace" can only be fulfilled in through trust. Our trust in God allows God to use us.
Could you imagine what the Bible would be like if it were written by doubters in God? How different our understanding of God would be if the writers had not allowed God to use them; if they hadn't trusted God. As we trust God, he in turn delights in us and gives us work to do. One of the main purposes for this challenge is to move in the direction of God's leadership. We can't fulfill that purpose without trust.
As you ponder God's plan for you take a second to testify to yourself. What things has God taken you through and how does that work together with his plan for you in the future? Your testimony is a powerful tool. It serves as a beacon of God's ability. Today as you ask yourself if you trust God, let your testimony remind you why you do.
I absolutely love the way that the Lord has caused us to look at praise. This is the first time that I have explored praise, how we work in it and how it works in us to please God. In stumbling upon Hannah I was pleasantly surprised. After giving her son to God, she returned home with a mouthful of praise.
1 Samuel 1 tells us that Hannah was barren and constantly brought her prayer for a child to the Lord. After being reassured by Eli, Hannah went home trusting that God would bless her with a son. In her trust of God, she vowed to offer her child to the synagogues for service. After beating Samuel, she keeps her vow. The passage that we are studying today was the response she gave after giving her child back to God.
Can you believe that? She not only gave her child to God, but after giving her first and only child away she was filled with excitement and praise. I don't know if I can say that I would have had the strength of Hannah. But, in looking at her story it becomes clear that praise is a form of sacrifice. I admire even the sacrifice that she exemplified after giving her child to God. Hannah showed us what real praise looks like.
Today's prayer was that the Lord help us to learn how to offer a sacrifice of praise before him. We wanted the Lord to have lips of worship that were bold in rejoicing even in a state of sacrifice. And as we prayed God helped me to realize that Hannah's praise reflected the ultimate will of God.
God knew what he was doing in making Hannah barren for a period. The place the woman was in brought her to a place of willingness to make the vow to give Samuel to the service of Eli. In the place where Samuel was, God not only spoke to him, but God also made Samuel a powerful prophet. And the praise that was offered to Christ by Hannah was a huge part of this plan. Our sacrificial praise shows God that our trust in him is not controlled by anything but our love of him.
I want to be like Hannah! I wanna operate in the will of God through my praise. I want the sacrifice of my praise to be the evidence of a heart already in submission to God. And I want to be able to exemplify crazy faith by praising God when others would not. How about you?
1 Samuel 1 tells us that Hannah was barren and constantly brought her prayer for a child to the Lord. After being reassured by Eli, Hannah went home trusting that God would bless her with a son. In her trust of God, she vowed to offer her child to the synagogues for service. After beating Samuel, she keeps her vow. The passage that we are studying today was the response she gave after giving her child back to God.
Can you believe that? She not only gave her child to God, but after giving her first and only child away she was filled with excitement and praise. I don't know if I can say that I would have had the strength of Hannah. But, in looking at her story it becomes clear that praise is a form of sacrifice. I admire even the sacrifice that she exemplified after giving her child to God. Hannah showed us what real praise looks like.
Today's prayer was that the Lord help us to learn how to offer a sacrifice of praise before him. We wanted the Lord to have lips of worship that were bold in rejoicing even in a state of sacrifice. And as we prayed God helped me to realize that Hannah's praise reflected the ultimate will of God.
God knew what he was doing in making Hannah barren for a period. The place the woman was in brought her to a place of willingness to make the vow to give Samuel to the service of Eli. In the place where Samuel was, God not only spoke to him, but God also made Samuel a powerful prophet. And the praise that was offered to Christ by Hannah was a huge part of this plan. Our sacrificial praise shows God that our trust in him is not controlled by anything but our love of him.
I want to be like Hannah! I wanna operate in the will of God through my praise. I want the sacrifice of my praise to be the evidence of a heart already in submission to God. And I want to be able to exemplify crazy faith by praising God when others would not. How about you?
“Then Hannah prayed and said: “My heart rejoices in the Lord; in the Lord my horn is lifted high. My mouth boasts over my enemies, for I delight in your deliverance. “There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God. “Do not keep talking so proudly or let your mouth speak such arrogance, for the Lord is a God who knows, and by him deeds are weighed. “The bows of the warriors are broken, but those who stumbled are armed with strength. Those who were full hire themselves out for food, but those who were hungry are hungry no more. She who was barren has borne seven children, but she who has had many sons pines away. “The Lord brings death and makes alive; he brings down to the grave and raises up. The Lord sends poverty and wealth; he humbles and he exalts. He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes and has them inherit a throne of honor. “For the foundations of the earth are the Lord ʼs; on them he has set the world. He will guard the feet of his faithful servants, but the wicked will be silenced in the place of darkness. “It is not by strength that one prevails; those who oppose the Lord will be broken. The Most High will thunder from heaven; the Lord will judge the ends of the earth. “He will give strength to his king and exalt the horn of his anointed.” Then Elkanah went home to Ramah, but the boy ministered before the Lord under Eli the priest.”
1 Samuel 2:1-11 NIV
“After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: “Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever.” As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated. The Ammonites and Moabites rose up against the men from Mount Seir to destroy and annihilate them. After they finished slaughtering the men from Seir, they helped to destroy one another. When the men of Judah came to the place that overlooks the desert and looked toward the vast army, they saw only dead bodies lying on the ground; no one had escaped.” | |
Hallelujah is a weapon! Our praise is powerful! And today we can lift a new song to God because he is teaching us Praise Power. I want to challenge us this week to see praise in a new light as a weapon, a sacrifice, and a necessity. Hopefully we'll understand a little bit further how we serve God and not vice versa.
Praise is not something we do just to access blessings, though God's blessings are truly a benefit of our praise. And while it made for a great chorus in "Blessings" by Chance the Rapper, the blessings don't come down for everyone who is offering up praise. If you aren't already living your life in a way that aligns with the word of God, your praises can't be a weapon against the enemy. Praise is the evidence of our trust in God not the evidence of God's love for us.
So, how exactly is praise a weapon. In the passage about Jehoshaphat, it is clear that the praise that the army offered up changed their focus. As they gave God praise, the Lord fought their battle. The weapon is the army's change in perspective. Praise gave them freedom from fear about the battle they faced. Praise refocused their minds on who the battle belong to.
When we focus on Jesus through praise, instead of our problems, it confuses the enemy. His tactics are to keep us from trusting and believing God; when we do anyway, nothing angers the devil more. The devil envies the love shared between God and man. God loves us even though we mess up. We love him even though we are wicked. It is that love which the enemy can't understand that we boast in praise.
Praise is a weapon of salvation that shows the evidence of our belief that God is sovereign. Praise is a weapon of our mind that keeps us focused in hard times. Praise is also a weapon that makes the enemy filled with jealous confusion. While you're praising God your situation is changing, your love with God is deepening and the plan of the enemy is made void.
Today as you offer God praise ask him to help you focus on his goodness. Pray the prayer of the song below. "Keep me in your glory." In God's glory you can't help but praise him.
Praise is not something we do just to access blessings, though God's blessings are truly a benefit of our praise. And while it made for a great chorus in "Blessings" by Chance the Rapper, the blessings don't come down for everyone who is offering up praise. If you aren't already living your life in a way that aligns with the word of God, your praises can't be a weapon against the enemy. Praise is the evidence of our trust in God not the evidence of God's love for us.
So, how exactly is praise a weapon. In the passage about Jehoshaphat, it is clear that the praise that the army offered up changed their focus. As they gave God praise, the Lord fought their battle. The weapon is the army's change in perspective. Praise gave them freedom from fear about the battle they faced. Praise refocused their minds on who the battle belong to.
When we focus on Jesus through praise, instead of our problems, it confuses the enemy. His tactics are to keep us from trusting and believing God; when we do anyway, nothing angers the devil more. The devil envies the love shared between God and man. God loves us even though we mess up. We love him even though we are wicked. It is that love which the enemy can't understand that we boast in praise.
Praise is a weapon of salvation that shows the evidence of our belief that God is sovereign. Praise is a weapon of our mind that keeps us focused in hard times. Praise is also a weapon that makes the enemy filled with jealous confusion. While you're praising God your situation is changing, your love with God is deepening and the plan of the enemy is made void.
Today as you offer God praise ask him to help you focus on his goodness. Pray the prayer of the song below. "Keep me in your glory." In God's glory you can't help but praise him.
About the Challenge
The 100 Days of Excellence challenge is a 100 day journey to completely rearrange the course of your life. It is about seeking the thrown of God to hear what his plan is for our lives. It is a commitment to carry out every action in your future in the spirit of excellence.
Get your challenge resources here.
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