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 |
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? “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.”
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“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.
Today's Scripture
““I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.””
John 16:33 NIV
“For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.”
Ephesians 6:15 NLT
“and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.”
Ephesians 6:15 NIV
Most people tend to skip over the portion of the Armor that we are focusing on today. We get caught up in discussions of righteousness or faith or the Word and forget altogether the miracle of peace. For me, a person who battled depression, this gift of peace is at the top of the list of reasons why I love God. Life finds a way to make us all deal with chaos at some point in time. But, our walk with God, the intimacy we get through studying the Gospel, it compels us to rest in the Master's hand. Today's study is about allowing the knowledge of the Gospel give you a peace that surpasses all other knowledge.
So what exactly is the Gospel?
The Gospel is the story of the coming of Christ, Jesus' life, his death and subsequent resurrection. It is the telling of how mankind famed to be saved by God.
How does it make us ready or prepare us?
When we are armed with the story of our redemption nothing can hold us in a place of bondage. The Gospel prepares us for life and battle because it reminds us that there is nothing greater than God's love for us. The Gospel is our greatest form of defense against our flesh because it reminds that Jesus took on flesh and endured what we endure without fault.
What does peace have to do with it all?
Peace is the wonderful way God's love is ever present with us. The Gospel was given to us for peace. John 16:33 tells us so. Peace is a product of the Gospel. Our faith and belief in the Gospel is how we are able to continue even in the face of the enemy's plan to attack us. It is our job to walk in peace. And when we walk in that peace, it brings us back to the Gospel and the Gospel continually brings us the defense of heaven into the Earth realm.
So what exactly is the Gospel?
The Gospel is the story of the coming of Christ, Jesus' life, his death and subsequent resurrection. It is the telling of how mankind famed to be saved by God.
How does it make us ready or prepare us?
When we are armed with the story of our redemption nothing can hold us in a place of bondage. The Gospel prepares us for life and battle because it reminds us that there is nothing greater than God's love for us. The Gospel is our greatest form of defense against our flesh because it reminds that Jesus took on flesh and endured what we endure without fault.
What does peace have to do with it all?
Peace is the wonderful way God's love is ever present with us. The Gospel was given to us for peace. John 16:33 tells us so. Peace is a product of the Gospel. Our faith and belief in the Gospel is how we are able to continue even in the face of the enemy's plan to attack us. It is our job to walk in peace. And when we walk in that peace, it brings us back to the Gospel and the Gospel continually brings us the defense of heaven into the Earth realm.
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
Ephesians 6:10-12 KJV
I'm so excited to be entering our study of the Armor of God. I'm overjoyed that the story of Joshua has brought us to consider our role as soldiers in the supernatural battles we face to get to our Promised Land. As we contemplate more on supernatural warfare, it is so important to know who and what we are fighting.
It becomes so easy to wage warfare with things and people when we are hurt or angered. But the Bible reminds us that the fight we have is here on Earth. Ephesians 6:12 forces us to see that even when the enemy's plan is manifested in the natural, our focus should be to attack him supernaturally. Think of it this way: When you fight with the things on Earth that are led by the principalities, powers, rulers of darkness, or spiritual wickedness that wars against Heaven, defeating the earthly thing doesn't defeat your problem. But, if you look at these manifestations of the enemy and turn your attention to fighting supernatural battles, the devil's tactics of distraction become powerless.
I won't pretend like ignoring the tools that the enemy use are easy. In my own life, I am learning that the enemy will use who he can, what he can, when he can. If he knows that your family can be your trigger, the devil will use them. If he knows that your faith concerning healing is weak, he'll try to inflict you with sickness. No matter his tactic God reminds us to call ourselves strong in Ephesians 6:10. Our strength is not in our own might, it's in his. Because we have the strength of the Godhead Trio we are victorious by our faith.
We have to hold our head up high and remember that the true enemy is the devil and not flesh and blood. It's not people, places or things that we have to cast down in prayer. We bind the hand of the enemy in our supplication of God, not the hand of our boss. And when we bind the enemy we should keep examples from the Word of God in our memory to embolden our faith.
Is there something or someone you feel that you have been warring with or against? Have you ever considered placing the blame on the devil and turning your attention to fighting supernaturally? I think we all come to a place where we misplace our righteous anger. But, truth be told, the real location for our attack through prayer is not people or things on Earth, it's the devil. This week as we learn more about warfare and our duty as soldiers in the army, I want us to consider the opponent we face. Let's fight the right opponent, the devil. We are already on the winning side!
It becomes so easy to wage warfare with things and people when we are hurt or angered. But the Bible reminds us that the fight we have is here on Earth. Ephesians 6:12 forces us to see that even when the enemy's plan is manifested in the natural, our focus should be to attack him supernaturally. Think of it this way: When you fight with the things on Earth that are led by the principalities, powers, rulers of darkness, or spiritual wickedness that wars against Heaven, defeating the earthly thing doesn't defeat your problem. But, if you look at these manifestations of the enemy and turn your attention to fighting supernatural battles, the devil's tactics of distraction become powerless.
I won't pretend like ignoring the tools that the enemy use are easy. In my own life, I am learning that the enemy will use who he can, what he can, when he can. If he knows that your family can be your trigger, the devil will use them. If he knows that your faith concerning healing is weak, he'll try to inflict you with sickness. No matter his tactic God reminds us to call ourselves strong in Ephesians 6:10. Our strength is not in our own might, it's in his. Because we have the strength of the Godhead Trio we are victorious by our faith.
We have to hold our head up high and remember that the true enemy is the devil and not flesh and blood. It's not people, places or things that we have to cast down in prayer. We bind the hand of the enemy in our supplication of God, not the hand of our boss. And when we bind the enemy we should keep examples from the Word of God in our memory to embolden our faith.
Is there something or someone you feel that you have been warring with or against? Have you ever considered placing the blame on the devil and turning your attention to fighting supernaturally? I think we all come to a place where we misplace our righteous anger. But, truth be told, the real location for our attack through prayer is not people or things on Earth, it's the devil. This week as we learn more about warfare and our duty as soldiers in the army, I want us to consider the opponent we face. Let's fight the right opponent, the devil. We are already on the winning side!
“When I saw in the plunder a beautiful robe from Babylonia, two hundred shekels of silver and a bar of gold weighing fifty shekels, I coveted them and took them. They are hidden in the ground inside my tent, with the silver underneath.” So Joshua sent messengers, and they ran to the tent, and there it was, hidden in his tent, with the silver underneath.”
Joshua 7:21-22 NIV
Joshua definitely inspires to be optimistic about our futures, but if all we look at in our observation of this book is the success that Israel experienced we are short changing ourselves. Joshua also reminds us to consecrate ourselves unto God. It is fitting for us to give God our hidden treasures as we move into our purpose. And today we are encouraged to search our hearts even further to reveal any things we have tried to keep hidden in this journey of 100 Days of Excellence.
In order to get to the passage of today's devotion we have to reiterate what happened in Joshua before chapter 7. As promised God brings Israel across Jordan in to the Promised. He delivers Jericho into their hands and commands them to kill all the living things in the land and devoted everything valuable in the land to God.
The army leaves Jericho in preparation to take Ai, but in their first attack they are unsuccessful because a sin against God was committed. Someone took from Jericho. The man who committed the sin, Achan, is revealed and explains why he took the things. And in the revelation of what was taken, Israel is rendered back into the good graces and takes over Ai.
It would be easy to condemn Achan, but I believe this story reveals all of our propensity to hold on to things when God has instructed us to leave them in the place we found them. But even further, Achan showed me the human capacity to think that just because we hide things that we have escaped the consequence of our actions.
We can't hide from God. He knows all, sees all, is all. When we try to hide things from God we anger him. I honestly believe that it is possible to hide things from ourselves and in doing so sin against God. Maybe you have buried your pain, frustration or sins of the past thinking that you have escaped them. On today, God is saying that he sees what you have hidden and he wants even the hidden treasures of your heart.
This morning in prayer, God revealed something to me that I honestly hadn't thought about in years. Even though I hadn't been active in the way that I sinned against God in my past; even though I had repented for my actions; I was still harboring the things of my past in my heart. God slowly revealed the ways I had hidden things from myself. It may seem small, the treasure that Achan took, but any way that we refrain from our Savior is sin. Today I purged more of myself and gave more of myself to God because he deserves every portion of me.
I hope that this posture of consecration remains on all of hearts. We can never ask God to search us too much. And the true blessing that we claim is that, unlike Achan, we don't have to die for our hidden things. We can offer them up in confession and allow the gift of salvation to be the price of our sin. If we don't allow the gift of salvation to be paid for our sins, we will suffer death. The wages of sin don't stop equaling death just because died. Jesus fulfilled the death requirement of our sins on the cross. If we don't bring him the things he died for, then our fates are like Achan's.
Maybe you feel that you haven't done anything wrong and that you have already given Christ your all. Is bringing yourself to God for searching really too much of a burden? Or has your pride deceived you into allowing your treasure to remain hidden in the tent of your house.
Prayer:
Lord, today I am grateful that I get yet another chance to come before you and allow your cleansing power to wash over me. Search me for any "treasure" I have hidden that I may be truly devoted to you. I want to give you all of me, even the parts I have tucked away. Help me to know where it is I need your consecrating blood. Thank you for being the price of death so that the things I have hidden can't cause me to be dead before you.
In order to get to the passage of today's devotion we have to reiterate what happened in Joshua before chapter 7. As promised God brings Israel across Jordan in to the Promised. He delivers Jericho into their hands and commands them to kill all the living things in the land and devoted everything valuable in the land to God.
The army leaves Jericho in preparation to take Ai, but in their first attack they are unsuccessful because a sin against God was committed. Someone took from Jericho. The man who committed the sin, Achan, is revealed and explains why he took the things. And in the revelation of what was taken, Israel is rendered back into the good graces and takes over Ai.
It would be easy to condemn Achan, but I believe this story reveals all of our propensity to hold on to things when God has instructed us to leave them in the place we found them. But even further, Achan showed me the human capacity to think that just because we hide things that we have escaped the consequence of our actions.
We can't hide from God. He knows all, sees all, is all. When we try to hide things from God we anger him. I honestly believe that it is possible to hide things from ourselves and in doing so sin against God. Maybe you have buried your pain, frustration or sins of the past thinking that you have escaped them. On today, God is saying that he sees what you have hidden and he wants even the hidden treasures of your heart.
This morning in prayer, God revealed something to me that I honestly hadn't thought about in years. Even though I hadn't been active in the way that I sinned against God in my past; even though I had repented for my actions; I was still harboring the things of my past in my heart. God slowly revealed the ways I had hidden things from myself. It may seem small, the treasure that Achan took, but any way that we refrain from our Savior is sin. Today I purged more of myself and gave more of myself to God because he deserves every portion of me.
I hope that this posture of consecration remains on all of hearts. We can never ask God to search us too much. And the true blessing that we claim is that, unlike Achan, we don't have to die for our hidden things. We can offer them up in confession and allow the gift of salvation to be the price of our sin. If we don't allow the gift of salvation to be paid for our sins, we will suffer death. The wages of sin don't stop equaling death just because died. Jesus fulfilled the death requirement of our sins on the cross. If we don't bring him the things he died for, then our fates are like Achan's.
Maybe you feel that you haven't done anything wrong and that you have already given Christ your all. Is bringing yourself to God for searching really too much of a burden? Or has your pride deceived you into allowing your treasure to remain hidden in the tent of your house.
Prayer:
Lord, today I am grateful that I get yet another chance to come before you and allow your cleansing power to wash over me. Search me for any "treasure" I have hidden that I may be truly devoted to you. I want to give you all of me, even the parts I have tucked away. Help me to know where it is I need your consecrating blood. Thank you for being the price of death so that the things I have hidden can't cause me to be dead before you.
The vast difference in the way the fighting men of Joshua saw themselves and the way the spies of Moses saw himself is reflected in their report. Both generations of Israel were faced with the same task to take the same land into possession; but only the men with the report of victory claimed the Promised Land. Our ability to possess our destinies are no different than that of Israel in the sense that our report of our future will determine whether we possess our purpose. I realize that we have studied Joshua a lot during these last few weeks. And much like Psalms during the first week of the Challenge, Joshua is the place God has us resting. I think that we are reading this story because God wants to encourage us but also because God wants to remind us. NO MATTER HOW BIG THE TASK THAT HE GIVES US MAY LOOK, OUR WORDS, OUR FAITH, OUR TRUST IN HIM DETERMINES OUR FUTURE. Joshua proves this to be so. The men in Moses' generation came back calling themselves grasshoppers, whereas Joshua's men came back declaring victory in all the lands from one woman's fear. How you view your future is going to always hold you back, because your report is often the opposite of the report God has put on your life. God had already declared that the land was Israel's. He had already named the land their's by promise. I have done this in my own walk. I have looked at what God said was mine in disbelief. But, my report must be the in alignment with God's word. If God spoke to the children of Israel and declared that the land was there's, even though they were facing giants, the men should have came back declaring that God was going to bless them to overtake the land which seemed impossible to possess. It's important for us to understand how big the Promised Land was. This was not some small territory that Joshua took over. It comprised many tribes of Canaanites and multiple city-states. But the report that the spies came back with from one part of the land gave them the courage to possess all that God had given them. | Today's Scriptures23Then the two men started back. They went down out of the hills, forded the river and came to Joshua son of Nun and told him everything that had happened to them. 24They said to Joshua, “The Lord has surely given the whole land into our hands; all the people are melting in fear because of us.” |
Another part of the report that the men in Moses' generation that was troubling to me was the way they described their own blessing. The men called the land which was promised to them a land that "devours those living it it." They not only viewed themselves small in the face of their purpose, but they viewed their promise as a curse. How often do we allow our fear to diminish what God has given us? How many of us have spoken ill of the thing God has given us; like our jobs or our loved ones? The enemy thrives when we start to view the very things God gives us negatively. When we do this, we take care of the heavy lifting and all the enemy has to do is sit back and watch us sabotage ourselves. We have to be resolute to declare that God's promise will make not add any sorrow to our lives.
I have decided today that the only report I have is the report of the lord. Everything that God has called mines, I will posses in the name of Jesus Christ
I have decided today that the only report I have is the report of the lord. Everything that God has called mines, I will posses in the name of Jesus Christ
“There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them. Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.”
Joshua 1:5-7 KJV
The Bible is really a story about the constant way that God steadily progresses his people forward to his will. We see this in the story of Israel and in today's passage specifically in Joshua. Isn't wonderful to serve a God whose will for you is growth? No where in the Bible are we instructed to fear our purpose or the path of our journey. Our submission to God ultimately leads to an increase in our faith. Today God is saying to us all, "Be strong and of good courage" what lies ahead will be greater than what is behind.
Joshua was tasked with taking the remnant of Israel over Jordan into the Promised Land. What I love about this first chapter in the book is how encouraging God was to Joshua. He gave Joshua the blessing of Moses and he gave him the constant encouragement to push forward, to be strong and to be courageous. Nothing in the Bible's text is there by mistake. I truly believe that while this chapter tells of God's encouragement of a young new leader that it applies to us all. We all have some "Promised Land." We all have a purpose before us. And sometimes the best way that the enemy can steal purpose from us doesn't include supernatural attacks or hindering acts; the devil simply needs to deter us with our fear.
Look at the journey Moses and God's people took in the wilderness. They allowed their fear to cause them to set up tents just outside of the promise. Their doubt in God's word kept them captive for years. We let it happen to us too! Our doubt that we can make it, keeps us from trying. Our hearts become discouraged when things look harder than we expected. Instead of upping our expectation for God's miraculous power concerning his Word, we start flailing in our purpose. We start settling for things close to our purpose instead of being strong in our faith and courageous in our declaration of God's word.
Joshua wasn't being told to be strong so he could go smiling in the face of the enemy asking if they would give them what God said was theirs. Joshua was reinforced by God that as he went into the battle that no man would stand before him. As you prepare to go into the promise of where God has sent you, don't expect things to be easy. But, expect that no matter what comes God is big enough to make his Word the truth.
Start declaring that your are strong and courageous. Start receiving the promises laid out in Joshua. They are for us too. As we follow the leadership of our savior, every place he sends will prosper. If God has called you into this intimate walk with him through 100 Days of Excellence, start declaring that every time you trust in his word he will prosper his spirit in your soul. No more do we stand in doubt of God's power. We are his people and we will possess the land!
Listen to today's prayer over and over. Play it in your car and in your home. No demon will keep you from possessing what's beyond Jordan because God's word can't return to him void.
Joshua was tasked with taking the remnant of Israel over Jordan into the Promised Land. What I love about this first chapter in the book is how encouraging God was to Joshua. He gave Joshua the blessing of Moses and he gave him the constant encouragement to push forward, to be strong and to be courageous. Nothing in the Bible's text is there by mistake. I truly believe that while this chapter tells of God's encouragement of a young new leader that it applies to us all. We all have some "Promised Land." We all have a purpose before us. And sometimes the best way that the enemy can steal purpose from us doesn't include supernatural attacks or hindering acts; the devil simply needs to deter us with our fear.
Look at the journey Moses and God's people took in the wilderness. They allowed their fear to cause them to set up tents just outside of the promise. Their doubt in God's word kept them captive for years. We let it happen to us too! Our doubt that we can make it, keeps us from trying. Our hearts become discouraged when things look harder than we expected. Instead of upping our expectation for God's miraculous power concerning his Word, we start flailing in our purpose. We start settling for things close to our purpose instead of being strong in our faith and courageous in our declaration of God's word.
Joshua wasn't being told to be strong so he could go smiling in the face of the enemy asking if they would give them what God said was theirs. Joshua was reinforced by God that as he went into the battle that no man would stand before him. As you prepare to go into the promise of where God has sent you, don't expect things to be easy. But, expect that no matter what comes God is big enough to make his Word the truth.
Start declaring that your are strong and courageous. Start receiving the promises laid out in Joshua. They are for us too. As we follow the leadership of our savior, every place he sends will prosper. If God has called you into this intimate walk with him through 100 Days of Excellence, start declaring that every time you trust in his word he will prosper his spirit in your soul. No more do we stand in doubt of God's power. We are his people and we will possess the land!
Listen to today's prayer over and over. Play it in your car and in your home. No demon will keep you from possessing what's beyond Jordan because God's word can't return to him void.
“And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.”
1 Samuel 15:22 KJV
“Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it. But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day's journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance. And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers. And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing. And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.”
Luke 2:41-52 KJV
In our flesh, we can get so wrapped up in a desire to be independent that we forget that we have a sovereign authority over us. As I studied the word this week I stumbled upon the adolescence of Jesus in Luke 2. As I read the story I noticed that the word mentioned Jesus' obedience to his parents.
If the sovereign Lord of all submitted to his authority, then why should we see obedience as labor. Our willingness to follow the leadership of God reflects our trust in his plan, but also our desire to grow. Jesus went back with Joseph and Mary and his obedience allowed him to grow in wisdom. Likewise we grow, when we submit to God's authority.
1 Samuel 5:22, tells us that obedience is better than sacrifice. Jesus's example proves to us that there is nothing more important than our duty to obey God's word. In understanding the true Business of the Father, our submission becomes an easy task; a practical response; a wonderful liberation.
What part of the Business of our Father has your obedience brought you to? How can you more freely answer the calling of being about the Father's Business.
If the sovereign Lord of all submitted to his authority, then why should we see obedience as labor. Our willingness to follow the leadership of God reflects our trust in his plan, but also our desire to grow. Jesus went back with Joseph and Mary and his obedience allowed him to grow in wisdom. Likewise we grow, when we submit to God's authority.
1 Samuel 5:22, tells us that obedience is better than sacrifice. Jesus's example proves to us that there is nothing more important than our duty to obey God's word. In understanding the true Business of the Father, our submission becomes an easy task; a practical response; a wonderful liberation.
What part of the Business of our Father has your obedience brought you to? How can you more freely answer the calling of being about the Father's Business.
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.”
Romans 12:2, 9-13 KJV
When profess to be Christian, or share the Bible on social media, we are declaring a powerful thing. It becomes easy to claim this faith but the reality of a Christian walk requires much more from us than we are willing to admit. A confession of belief should be followed by a life governed by God's word. God's word really does prepare us to be uncommonly good amongst people. In every aspect of our life the salvation power of Christ should be reflecting the miraculous power of God's power. The power of our submission is directly related to the power of God's providence. When we give up our way and take on God's, we start moving and sounding like God's love. The passage that we are focused on today reminds us of our day to day responsibility to be unusually kind and uncommonly giving.
Having this posture is huge in today's world. Even presidential candidates sound off at one another in anger. However, our ability to start reflecting a love is given through following The example of Christ. God's love is so big it saved the world. It brings us to an unusual place of joy in a world filled with so many reasons to be angry and hopeless. Look at the scriptures. They direct is in the complete opposite "direction" than the world. From our temperament to our business dealings we ought to have a level of integrity because God's love implores to be better, think better than our flesh wants us to. We have to remember that we aren't better than others; salvation makes us better than our former selves.
You have a choice: Automatically respond to the world or respond to God's word and give that response unto the world. At our jobs, in our homes, with our peers we must start reflecting God's power. The best way to do so is to take our profession of the Christian faith seriously. Watching what we say and who we say it to. Why live this way? Witnessing that's why. People don't want to hear you talk about how great church was after you have been mean all week long. Could you imagine Donald Trump trying to tell the gospel to one of the business owners he swindled. It doesn't work. We cannot tell the good news of Jesus Christ and go off acting on impulse. That is why God in his providence sent his word, so that we have something to say to others. He gave us our script, we just have to follow it.
Consider yourself elected into Godly office. Everything you do effects the supernatural national security. And if you are not careful to have your confession of the faith, you just might be risking the Kingdom of Heaven in your home or on your job. Start with Romans 12, even if you don't possess some of those qualities begin speak those scriptures as if you were listing your own character traits.
Having this posture is huge in today's world. Even presidential candidates sound off at one another in anger. However, our ability to start reflecting a love is given through following The example of Christ. God's love is so big it saved the world. It brings us to an unusual place of joy in a world filled with so many reasons to be angry and hopeless. Look at the scriptures. They direct is in the complete opposite "direction" than the world. From our temperament to our business dealings we ought to have a level of integrity because God's love implores to be better, think better than our flesh wants us to. We have to remember that we aren't better than others; salvation makes us better than our former selves.
You have a choice: Automatically respond to the world or respond to God's word and give that response unto the world. At our jobs, in our homes, with our peers we must start reflecting God's power. The best way to do so is to take our profession of the Christian faith seriously. Watching what we say and who we say it to. Why live this way? Witnessing that's why. People don't want to hear you talk about how great church was after you have been mean all week long. Could you imagine Donald Trump trying to tell the gospel to one of the business owners he swindled. It doesn't work. We cannot tell the good news of Jesus Christ and go off acting on impulse. That is why God in his providence sent his word, so that we have something to say to others. He gave us our script, we just have to follow it.
Consider yourself elected into Godly office. Everything you do effects the supernatural national security. And if you are not careful to have your confession of the faith, you just might be risking the Kingdom of Heaven in your home or on your job. Start with Romans 12, even if you don't possess some of those qualities begin speak those scriptures as if you were listing your own character traits.
“Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!”
James 3:4-5 KJV
If we want to head toward any of the things that we listed in registration there is one little thing we have God to get a hold of first: our words. Sometimes the hardest thing to change is how we think and speak about ourselves. But when we surrendered to God during the purge, we surrendered even our lips and mouths to God. Now, we are not confined to our own opinions or thoughts. Now we speak God's thoughts over our lives.
James 3 talks in depth about the tongue; of its power and its wickedness. But what I like the most is this metaphor in verse 4. If we were sincere about allowing God to lead us, he became our proverbial Captian. That means he directs our ship, including the rudder mentioned in the scripture. Now, whether we are comfortable with ourselves or not, we have to acknowledge that God told us we are "fearfully and wonderfully" made.
For me the thing I constantly speak over myself is that I have no patience. But God dealt with me, reminding me that patience is a fruit of the Spirit. Now that Christ is my head, I no longer claim my characteristics, but I have to claim those of the spirit. Even in the face of growing temptation to revert to my own traits I have to declare Galatians 5:22-23 over myself.
Every goal we listed starts with our mouths. And our faith in God's word will open doors to our petitions. Whatever it is that you have examined about your words that is contrary to God's word, surrender it and declare His word over your life.
If your negative words are pertaining to your health or fitness, remind yourself of Genesis 1:27. You were made in the image of our savior and that you are made whole. Let your faith make you whole like the woman with the issue of blood in Matthew 9:22. Begin to search the word for examples of healing and allow the testimony of the Bible be your strength. Be motivated by God's care in creating you.
All through the Bible are declarations for our edification. If you are being called into ministry read of the Levites in the Old Testament and begin to make the declaration in Isaiah 6:8: "Here Am I." Let your life be transformed in the promise of God to send you where there is a need.
If you are working toward entrepreneurship and are a woman read Proverbs 31 and declare that you display those traits. If you are a man declare Joshua 1:9 over yourself. Declare that you will be strong and of good courage! Your future is in the hand of God so trust that he will bring you to an expected end and remember to put him first in all you do.
When you find yourself speaking negatively about your finances, declare the promise of God in Matthew 6:26. Remember that God provides for the birds and that he too will provide for you. Allow God to give you wisdom as it pertains to your financial decisions. Prove God through trusting him with your tithe and offering and watch your understanding grow.
I know how easy it is to be constrained by fear or doubt. When disappointment comes to rob you of peace about your life, remember the sovereign nature of God. Isaiah 55:9 reminds us that His ways are not our ways, His thoughts are higher. Declare that His word is true no matter how our past, disappointments or hurts try to contradict it.
God has an expected end for all of us. We can start to declare the Word in Jeremiah 29:11, expecting that the plans that He has for us are plans to prosper us. And if we can't think of any other declaration to profess and confess, we can count of John 3:16. Speak this with me, God so loved us, that He gave His only son that I might have life everlasting!
Watch your mouth and watch God's promises come alive today.
James 3 talks in depth about the tongue; of its power and its wickedness. But what I like the most is this metaphor in verse 4. If we were sincere about allowing God to lead us, he became our proverbial Captian. That means he directs our ship, including the rudder mentioned in the scripture. Now, whether we are comfortable with ourselves or not, we have to acknowledge that God told us we are "fearfully and wonderfully" made.
For me the thing I constantly speak over myself is that I have no patience. But God dealt with me, reminding me that patience is a fruit of the Spirit. Now that Christ is my head, I no longer claim my characteristics, but I have to claim those of the spirit. Even in the face of growing temptation to revert to my own traits I have to declare Galatians 5:22-23 over myself.
Every goal we listed starts with our mouths. And our faith in God's word will open doors to our petitions. Whatever it is that you have examined about your words that is contrary to God's word, surrender it and declare His word over your life.
If your negative words are pertaining to your health or fitness, remind yourself of Genesis 1:27. You were made in the image of our savior and that you are made whole. Let your faith make you whole like the woman with the issue of blood in Matthew 9:22. Begin to search the word for examples of healing and allow the testimony of the Bible be your strength. Be motivated by God's care in creating you.
All through the Bible are declarations for our edification. If you are being called into ministry read of the Levites in the Old Testament and begin to make the declaration in Isaiah 6:8: "Here Am I." Let your life be transformed in the promise of God to send you where there is a need.
If you are working toward entrepreneurship and are a woman read Proverbs 31 and declare that you display those traits. If you are a man declare Joshua 1:9 over yourself. Declare that you will be strong and of good courage! Your future is in the hand of God so trust that he will bring you to an expected end and remember to put him first in all you do.
When you find yourself speaking negatively about your finances, declare the promise of God in Matthew 6:26. Remember that God provides for the birds and that he too will provide for you. Allow God to give you wisdom as it pertains to your financial decisions. Prove God through trusting him with your tithe and offering and watch your understanding grow.
I know how easy it is to be constrained by fear or doubt. When disappointment comes to rob you of peace about your life, remember the sovereign nature of God. Isaiah 55:9 reminds us that His ways are not our ways, His thoughts are higher. Declare that His word is true no matter how our past, disappointments or hurts try to contradict it.
God has an expected end for all of us. We can start to declare the Word in Jeremiah 29:11, expecting that the plans that He has for us are plans to prosper us. And if we can't think of any other declaration to profess and confess, we can count of John 3:16. Speak this with me, God so loved us, that He gave His only son that I might have life everlasting!
Watch your mouth and watch God's promises come alive today.
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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