Tag: Inspirational Bible Devotion

“Engage the Promises”

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Most items in our daily routine such as appliances, cars, and the like require some sort of engagement to get it to work.  A button needs to be pushed.  A clock set.  A key is placed in the ignition, or if driving a smarter car, a fob is activated, or a code is punched in the pad to ensure a start.  There is usually something on our part that must be done to get that item to work.

Yet, when it comes to the promises in the Word of God many take a passive approach.  There is no participation on our part to purposely grab them for ourselves.

We quote the verses, and we know all the right lines to rehearse, but are we actively seizing the promises of God and holding on to them for dear life when challenges arise?  Are we engaging God’s Word when difficulties come up during the day?   

God’s Word is not an aquarium.  In an aquarium, we view fish from the outside.  We do not go in and interact with them.  We watch them swimming along and think to ourselves how beautiful and peaceful they are.  God’s Word is beautiful and peaceful, but it is also powerful, and it is meant to be lived out; it is meant to be interacted with, and it is meant to be active and activated in the life of every believer.  Just as Jesus did when He activated the Word in full effect against the enemy’s attack (Matthew 4:4, 7, 10), so too, do we have access to the same Word power.

As the writer of Hebrews reminds us, “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (4:12).  There is nothing passive about engaging the Word in one’s life.    

The activation and active grabbing of the Word does not just apply to commands, ordinances, statutes, and/or for taking a stand against the foe.  But it also is to be used for God’s promises for in them are true treasures to hold fast to in times of trouble.  Those holy words of affirmation mean that we can expect a measure of God’s assurance and of His acting on our behalf in whatever way He sees fit for the moment.

Even if it does not come when you want it to, and even if it doesn’t manifest itself as you thought it should hold on, dear friend, to the promises, “(for he is faithful that promised;)” Hebrews 10:23.  God is not a man that He should lie (Numbers 23:19).  What He said He would do, that He will do.  Our job is to trust, believe, and actively grab and engage the promises of God for ourselves.

In my younger days, we were told to tie a ribbon around our fingers to ensure we remember something.  It is even better for us if we tie His promises upon our hearts.

Joshua tells us, “There failed not ought of any good thing which the LORD had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass” (21:45).  Friend, our promises may look different than theirs, but the promises we have are just as sure as the God who gave them. 

They won’t fail because God won’t fail to keep them. 

When Jehoshaphat was called to battle by the LORD, he was told, “Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the Lord will be with you,” 2 Chronicles 20:17.  He was told in verse 16, “The battle is not yours, but God’s,” and again in verse 17 above, “Ye shall not need to fight in this battle.”  But after both promises, he was given instructions for participation.

We cannot refuse the work of engaging God’s Word for ourselves.  We cannot expect to reap without sowing.  God is still the God of our battles, but He has also called us to be active participants. 

Today, engage the promises, stand on the Word, and leave the results up to God.  He knows what He’s doing.

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Where Our Help Comes From

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“My heart trusted in him, and I am helped.” Psalm 28:7

Have you been helped? Where has the trust of your heart lain? Most forget that trust is not developed in times of peace and pleasure. Instead, true trust is developed during difficulties, disappointments, and pain. It is during these times when the faith of our hearts must be tied tighter still to that solid Rock upon which we are positioned through the blood stained banner. It is during adversity when we must purposely, and with great intention, place ourselves, our desires, and our troubles behind the Shield that never fails.

He is there, my friend, as our saving grace. He is the hope that will never be moved – even through eternity’s eternity. He is the place upon which we stand when all else fades away. He is the One who hears the voice of your cry and sees what you are carrying in your heart.

He is our strength and our refuge. ”In the secret of His tabernacle shall He hide me,” Psalm 27:5. When enemies gnash their teeth or when tears overwhelm your heart – in Him, we are covered and safe. Nothing will have the final say over His authority, power, and might. If affliction has touched you, it is on a short leash and can only go so far as the Lord allows.

Be encouraged in He who is your help. You may not understand everything that is unfolding, or even what the end of the story may be, but let your heart rejoice with David because we know where our help comes from (Psalm 28:7).

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:1, 10

“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:1, 2

“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16

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“Only One Option”

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Life gives us two options: stop where we are now and walk away, or keep moving forward until your destination is reached.

Giving up is not an option.  At least, that’s what most self-help motivational gurus say.  On this subject, I must agree.  The steadfastness and commitment of our Christian journey is more than obtaining worldly goals, success, and the like.  It’s a continual press onward and upward toward the kingdom of God, and in that, we want to take others along for this wonderful spiritual pilgrimage.

In Acts 13, Barnabas and Paul set out on their first missionary journey.  People, including leaders of cities, were responding positively to the message of the gospel they were teaching (see Acts 13:12).  But as the apostle Paul will learn, while there may be some successes along the way, there will also be some hard times and adversities; in opposition to the positive responses, there will also be some negative ones.

After leaving the area of Paphos, Paul and Barnabas traveled by boat to Perga in Pamphylia and from there into Antioch in Pisidia (Acts 13:13-14).  Searching out the local synagogue, Paul went in and expounded to the Jews present about their national history that led up to the revealing of the crucifixion and resurrection of the Savior (Acts 13:16-41).

But, when the Gentiles begged to hear the same words of encouragement about the Savior, the Jews in attendance became envious and started contending against the work and the teaching of Paul and Barnabas (Acts 13:42-45).  After this adversarial encounter, Paul stated it was necessary for them [the Jews] to hear of this good news first, and then he proceeded to tell them that now they would focus their ministry on delivering the message to the Gentiles (Acts 13:46-48).

Although the Gentiles were glad about what they heard, and the gospel spread throughout the region (Acts 13:49), the opposition against these missionaries was just getting started.  Troublemakers stirred up prominent men and women of society who persecuted Paul and Barnabas and kicked them out of the region (Acts 13:50).  Nevertheless, this did not stop their joy or the delivering of the message.  Shaking the dust off their feet against this city, they moved on to the next teaching/preaching opportunity which is found in the city of Iconium (Acts 13:51-14:1).

But there, too, we see that the unbelieving Jews caused problems for the missionaries.  Standing their ground in the Word, and continuing to preach His message, Paul and Barnabas spoke boldly for the gospel’s sake until the residents of the city became so divided that violence was sought against them.  Upon finding this out, they fled to Lystra and Derbe and began to preach the gospel there (Acts 14:2-7).

It should not surprise the Christian that such division is found wherever the gospel is preached.  Even Jesus stated, “Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division,” (Luke 12:51).  While some are looking forward to what the truth of the Word of our Lord holds, others do not.  Therefore, wherever progress and footings are made to plant the Word of God into souls, there will always be attempts to stop that from happening.  The job of the Christian is to not give up regardless of the troubles, adversities, trials, and tribulations one faces.  The gospel message must still go out.  There are still souls that need to hear of His saving grace, and as carriers of such a treasure, we must through faith strive through it all to deliver this eternal life-saving message to this broken world.

The troubles we may encounter in any ministry work are not to be a surprise (1 Peter 4:12), rather, it is to be expected (John 16:33). We were never promised the absence of struggles. But what we are told is, “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him” (James 1:12), and “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Galatians 6:9). 

God told Joshua in the Old Testament, “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest” (Joshua 1:9), and while it is one verse we like to quote often, wearing that faith hat and putting it into practice can sometimes escape us when the struggles are before us.

Nonetheless, the ministry and the message are too important not to push through and push forward, and like the apostle Paul stated in Philippians, we too must declare, “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (3:14). 

So, you see, there is really only one option. The choice between the two is always ours, but to continue to be and do all God has called you to be, and do, only one viable option is on the table: Don’t Give Up! If the road were always easy and popular everybody would walk it (Matthew 7:13, 14). But everybody in this world out there needs us to continue moving this message forward, even if they don’t realize it.

Paul, through all of his missionary journeys, would continue the press in carrying the gospel to many nations and people. In the process, he would suffer much ( read the rest of Acts 14 and 2 Corinthians 11:23-33). But for him, giving up was not an option. Neither should it be for us. We may never be called upon to experience and endure some of the trials he and many others have faced, but that doesn’t mean that we will be without adversity. May the courage and dedication of our Lord, and the testimony of these witnesses encourage us to carry on. 

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.” Hebrews 3:1-3

The struggle may seem hard at times but Jesus promised, “He that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved,” (Matthew 24:13).

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“Just Live It!”

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“And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.” Genesis 5:24

There are lives you read about or discover through other means that just make you wonder a little about how they did what they did.  Heroic tales of one coming through horrible circumstances with a story of deliverance for all ages.  Another’s strength and fortitude to carry on despite physical or challenging circumstances and more.  And still many others, in varied scenarios, whose biographies you read and stories you study, and you wonder what I can glean from that life, if anything, to steer me in my life’s journey.

But then, you have stories such as Enoch where you are not given many details to go by.  You know his story is special.  You know it’s significant.  And you are even given the reason why his story stands out.  But you are not given the how – how, what are the details?

There are just a few verses dedicated to this life without much information beyond the basic information of life and lineage being supplied.  But the most significant thing we do know about him is, “Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him,” Genesis 5:24.

Hebrews 11:5 gives us another window to peer through, but with the same ending we found in Genesis: “By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.”  And other than a recorded prophecy in Jude, this is all that we know about him – but may I submit, it’s enough.

Humanity wants to know the details.   The human way of thinking wants to know how exactly he “walked with God” to experience such a miracle.  How exactly did he please God for God to just translate him from this life?

There is no checklist given.  There is no list of do’s and do not’s according to Enoch to follow to replicate his experience.

I, personally, am glad for the silence of the missing particulars.  For what they tell us is to just live it!  Live this life in faith and stop looking for a formula to follow.  Live this life in constant communion with God.  Live that the steps we take and the decisions we make may be pleasing in the eyes of our heavenly Father as well.

We don’t need to know the specifics of what Enoch did to try to gain our own “translation” moment.  All we need to know is what God has called each of us to.  What obedience and heart of devotion laid out in Scripture He asks us to live by.

If we had needed additional information on the hows and whys of Enoch’s moment in history, I believe that God would have made sure it was written in these holy pages.  Rather, I believe we are called to just live it – have a made-up mind to live for God for ourselves.  Watch our walk.  Ask, are my steps pleasing to the Father, and if not, how do I realign them?

The life of the faithful has numerous rewards promised to us in the Bible, such as:

“So that a man shall say, Verily there is a reward for the righteous: verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth.” – Psalm 58:11

“A faithful man shall abound with blessings…” – Proverbs 28:20

“I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.” – Jeremiah 17:10

“He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much…” – Luke 16:10

“His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” – Matthew 25:21

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” – 1 Corinthians 15:58

“And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.” – Colossians 3:23, 24

“And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.” – Revelation 22:12

But may our love focus our hearts on the God who has redeemed us, and let that flame of devotion burn deeply within.  Let it guide us to desire nothing short of, “I want to put a smile on the face of my heavenly Father.”

We may not experience a translation moment due to it, but a life of faithfulness will bring us into fellowship with God and in His presence forevermore (Psalm 16:11). 

My friend set not your heart on the details.  Set your heart on just living it.  That is what we glean from the life of Enoch, and leave the results and rewards to God.  What we don’t know about his life doesn’t matter as much as what we do know.  And what we do know is all of us, regarding our walk with God, are called to walk it out by faith (2 Corinthians 5:7).

“Order my steps in thy word…” Psalm 119:133

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33

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Beware of the Questioning

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“Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?” Genesis 3:1

Beware of the questioning. Though it may not seem like a very big deal in the beginning, it can lead to pondering, pondering to more questioning along with human analyzing, doubt, and then disobedience and sin. Deception has always been the enemy’s calling card, but adhering to and following the truth of what God says will keep you: “His [God’s] truth shall be thy shield and buckler,” (Psalm 91:4). It will protect you, hold you, and guard you against the minefield of ungodly questioning and its consequences:

“Therefore the Lord God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life,” Genesis 3:23-24.

Guard your heart with truth so that you will be able to partake of the Tree of Life:

“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.” Revelation 2:7

“Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.” Revelation 22:14

Following the way of truth will keep your heart secure in the Word of God and His promises.

Truth Bible Verses:

Psalm 25:5 – “Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.”

Psalm 119:160 – “Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.”

John 8:32 – “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

John 16:13 – “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.”

Ephesians 6:14 – “Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;”

“Your Truth is My Shield”

“A Truth You Must Know”

“Stand for Truth”

“Even when…”

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I don’t know about you, but I find a certain beauty in “perfection” (and I use that word loosely). What I mean is that when things are where they belong or are functioning as they were designed to, it gives me a sense of satisfaction, a sense of fulfillment when all of the chips fall into their proper place.

But what about when they don’t? When plans don’t go off without a hitch or when a properly cleaned space, that once shone with order becomes an undone mess? How does that make us feel about that job, project, person, or place?

When things are “perfect,” altogether, and nice, without any mess, madness, or flaws, we tend to value those times, moments, and things a little more. But when it comes to people who are less than perfect (hint: that’s all of us), God showed us just how much He values us, and despite our imperfections, He chose to love us perfectly. When we were in our mess of worldly pursuits and fleshly desires, God saw the deepest need of our hearts and souls for a Savior who would heal, reconcile, and deliver people, and He provided the remedy for that need through our Lord Jesus Christ.

There are a lot of things we can do for ourselves, but one thing that is solidly taught in the Bible is that we CANNOT save ourselves. We not only do not have the power, but we don’t possess the capacity for the wisdom, love, understanding, eternity, and everything in between that it takes to not only come up with this plan of salvation but to fully execute it thoroughly, without flaw or failure, from the beginning of time to the very end.

Thankfully, it was God who took the initiative to not only come up with the plan but to implement it fully by His grace to save our souls. And the beauty of the story is, that He didn’t wait for us to get our act together to do it. His love wanted the plan because His love wanted the people. With that, Ephesians tells us, “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)” (2:4,5; emphasis added). 

God had compassion for struggling humanity and refused to leave them tangled in the way of sin without a way out, without a plan for deliverance.  His love would not and could not settle with the very idea of it.  So, when we were at our worst, God was working out His best for us.  Romans 5:8 tells us, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

He didn’t wait for us to clean ourselves up and get perfect to put His plan of love in motion.  That is a sheer impossibility regardless. Further proof of that truth comes from 1 John 4:19 which says, “We love him, because he first loved us.” 

With that, we are told, “Even when we were dead in sins…”  Even when we were torn up from the floor up…  Even when our lives contradicted everything He wanted for us…  Even when we were going nowhere fast…  Even when we were enjoying living lives ensconced by the dark…  God stepped in with His plan of salvation and “commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

Ephesians continues to tell us, that God “hath quickened us together with Christ.”  As our Savior was raised from the dead, God in His saving love raised those who believe to a restored life, a brand new life made possible through Jesus Christ.  God’s rich mercy became our lifesaver tossed out in the sea of sin where we were drowning, to bring us to the shores of His redeeming love.  No, we didn’t deserve it, nor could we earn it on our own merit.  God simply put this plan to save mankind from himself and the enemy of our soul into action because He loved us.  Love was His only motivation.  Love steered Him to take the course of action that put His only begotten Son on the cross in our place.  Love and only love was His reason for everything!

Thus, as believers, we readily recognize this is nothing short of a God-sized miracle worked out in our lives.  For it is “by grace ye are saved.”  It doesn’t matter who you are or what your situation, position, circumstance, or status is in life, the only way one can enter into a renewed relationship with God is through the grace and forgiveness offered through the shed blood of Jesus Christ.  You cannot earn your way into it.  You cannot work your way into it. You can’t bargain your way there, either.  Only by going through the doors of the plan of His grace can you be saved.

What would happen if today God sat down and took account of all the wrongs we have done?  What would it be like if we stood before Him unable to pay what we owe?  Guess What?  We were there!  We could never pay for it. Jesus knew the predicament that humanity was in.  He knew that man could never get himself out of the debt of sin, so through Him, we obtained freedom from the old life we lived through grace, mercy, and compassion as people who do not deserve it but He loved into it.

We could not fathom how many times our accounts would have gone unpaid had it not been for the blood of Christ. But thank God, He acted in love to save us!  Not just us – but everyone who comes to Him in faith regardless of their background.  It is all a work of grace.  It is all done as the ultimate act of love, even when we didn’t perfectly deserve any of it.

When Jesus encountered the young rich ruler who thought he checked off the list of do’s and don’ts perfectly, the Bible said, “Jesus beholding him loved him…” and then disclosed what the young man needed to do before he walked away sad (Mark 10:21). 

God loves us and as any parent who wants the best for their child, He gave us His best even when…

But His best will only work if you and I will do what we need to do and accept it, accept Jesus.

Today can be your biggest turnaround. Today can be your day of freedom. Today, you can turn your even when into a now, and be saved.

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Relentless!

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Peter, one who walked with Jesus and walked on water, knew the value of the faith he believed and carried in his heart.  He had a deep concern that others would know this value too and refused to let anything stop him from passing it on.

He writes in 2 Peter 1:15, “Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance,” because for people like Peter, Paul, and the others that carried this holy message, facing death, suffering, and hardship due to the ministry was not a surprise.  It’s as if they knew it was part of the package of following Christ (see 2 Peter 2:14; compare 1 Peter 4:12, 13). 

Rather than let the thought of what they would face deter their faith or cause them to shrink back, they used it as a propelling place, putting even more fervency in the work of the ministry while they had time.

What about us?  For some, when things get hard, it pushes a stop button on any progress gained.  But what if we, with the same zeal and enthusiasm as they, refused to let the hard places stop our mission?  What would happen if we, like a woman in the process of a painful birthing experience, continued to push through it all to receive the reward at the end?

There is power in the push!  We are called to be relentless in our faith – not backing down, not easing up.  We have the goal of heaven before us, and as those working as “joint heirs with Christ” (Romans 8:17) in this Kingdom work, we want to help and assist as many as possible to find their way to this faith.

That cannot happen if we stop or if we let the thought of what could happen hinder our progress.

We must adopt the mindset of the apostle Paul and say for ourselves, “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus,” (Philippians 3:14).  This is a forward march that refuses to lessen the pace, instead the stride is intensified knowing the prize is ahead.  The work continues with valiant efforts for the benefit of others.

Continue the push.  Be relentless.  None of what we go through or do for Christ will be in vain.  “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord,” (1 Corinthians 15:58). 

Our faith is of premium value.  Nothing can compare to what we have in Christ.  Refuse to back down.  Refuse to step aside from the ministry God has laid on your life.  Others are depending on you to keep pushing forward – to be relentless.

“But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.” Hebrews 10:39

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God Can Use Your Life

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How often have we gone through a mental checklist to compare ourselves with others or even the lives we see represented in the pages of Scripture? “If I were more like so-and-so, then I would be able to do _________ like they did.”

While our living can be inspired positively by others and we can learn mighty lessons through their stories, in the end their story and your story is written with God’s purpose for that particular life in mind. While Daniel is noted for his wisdom, his obedience, and altogether good character, when it came time to do what no one in history was able to do, tell another’s dream and give the interpretation, Daniel readily made it known that, “But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than any living, but for their sakes that shall make known the interpretation to the king, and that thou mightest know the thoughts of thy heart,” Daniel 2:30, emphasis added.

While all these good character traits put Daniel in a better position to be used by God in this fashion, Daniel, himself, recognized that it was not because of anything he had done, nor did he count himself more special than anyone else. He saw himself as the present vessel of that time that God chose to use for His divine purposes.

I feel like a lot of modern-day Christians are designing their own purposes for their lives and expecting God to put His stamp of approval on it. But when we read the lives represented in the Bible, that just was not the case. Peoples lives were often “interrrupted” by the call of God on their lives. Gideon was threshing wheat. Peter and the boys were out fishing. Samson’s mother was minding her business when an angelic being appeared to her. David was tending sheep. And Mary and Joseph’s plan for a normal betrothal period definitely did not go as they had planned. Even regarding the priesthood we see that, “No man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron,” Hebrews 5:4, emphasis added.

Individual’s callings are just that, callings. Certain people have certain appointments on their lives that may not look or operate as others do. Lives are meant to inspire us but we may not be able to completely replicate their story and experience exactly in our own lives. That was their story. We appreciate that we witnessed it or that it was recorded in history for us to glean God-truths from to help us build our faith.

But when Jesus states, “Without me ye can do nothing,” John 15:5, that’s exactly what He means. True wisdom recognizes this truth and lives daily before Him, measuring their course in this world by His Word. From that, as a potter with his vessel, we are molded, shaped, and used as the Master sees fit according to His holy purposes.

Live right. Yes.

Follow the Word. Yes.

Obey His calling. Yes.

Keep your character in check. Yes.

Walk in faith. Yes, and more.

But don’t get discouraged if your story looks different than another’s. As long as your living is pleasing in the eyes of God, that’s all that matters. And you can celebrate who you are, as the apostle Paul did himself in recognizing this truth: “By the grace of God I am what I am…” 1 Corinthians 15:10.

Who knows how your “right now” story is inspiring others. Daniel or other Bible characters probably couldn’t fathom us still being inspired by their stories thousands of years later. But, here we are.

You may not be interpreting dreams, healing the sick, or some other phenomenal feat – but I just want to encourage you to keep living for God. His purpose for you may look different than others but that does not take away from the fact that you are still here with a divine assignment on your life.

I may never walk on water, bring down Goliath with a stone, sleep in comfort on a pillow of lions, or take a stroll through fiery flames without being touched, but that doesn’t mean my life and your life isn’t touching someone else. Our daily, mundane, routine, unexciting, and unpopular living is not in vain. For if I only inspire one of my grandbabies (although I desire all) to follow the Lord, is this not a great treasure reaped from an “ordinary” life?

God can use your life right where you are at! Just live for Him. That is all Daniel ever wanted to do. He wasn’t seeking glory for himself or popularity. He simply recognized he was a vessel and it had nothing to do with him being better than any other in any sense of the word. God used him where he was at and God can use you, too.

“The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O Lord, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.” – Psalm 138:8

“There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand.” – Proverbs 19:21

“Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” – Ecclesiastes 12:13

“And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.” – 1 Thessalonians 4:11, 12

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More Than the Feast of Food

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Today, many in the United States will gather with family, friends, and others to celebrate our national Thanksgiving holiday. A day we recognize when provision had been made for survival and the abundance of the harvest was reaped and enjoyed. We will gather in living rooms, community centers, church basements, around dining room tables, and elsewhere to remember with gratitude and to feast.

While many dishes will be laid out before us today, the greatest dish, if you will pardon the expression, that we can partake of is the faithfulness of our God. “Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed,” is what the Bible reminds us in Psalm 37:3. It is only by what God has done in our lives and for us that we are here today. It is only because of His grace and mercy we are not consumed (Lamentations 3:22, 23). Apart from Him, we can do nothing (John 15:5), and so, let the center of my affection today and all days, not rest on the feast and the gatherings (although we can enjoy them), but on Him whose faithfulness not only brought us to the joy of the gathering around this table, but will usher us to a more glorious table to come: “He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love,” (Song of Solomon 2:4). One day we will fully come into His eternal celebration with uninhibited thanksgiving, gather around and enjoy the marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:6-9), and celebrate with Him forever.

But our forever there states with our relationship with Him here. Today, remember to do more than fill your body with food from this natural feast, but take in more of Him, Jesus, that your soul may be eternally satisfied: “O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him,” (Psalm 34:8).

“If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?

Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?

If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?” (Luke 11:11-13)

Father God, thank You for Your faithfulness in our lives and the feasting pleasure of knowing and taking in of You more and more.

“He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.

As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.” (John 6:56, 57)

His holy provision has been made. Come, and join the feast.

Every Morning | Pursuing God Daily

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Mornings capture us with a sense of new.  The freshness for what’s before us opens like a glorious flower that raises her petals to meet the sun’s rays.  Whether the pace of the new days starts out fast or slow, there is a certain level of invigoration that permeates the atmosphere.  It says life is here, meeting us again as we open our eyes and arise.  What we see before us we have not encountered before.  This moment in time, with the grace and mercy that comes with it, is unused. 

I grew up during a time of hand-me-downs and leftovers.  It was not an unheard-of concept to rely on things that were previously used by another or putting aside portions of a meal that remained for later use.  “Waste not, want not,” is often what people would say.  It was frugal living before frugal living became popular.  We are seeing a resurgence of its popularity due to the current economy that is calling people’s attention to rethink how they approach money, life, and their stuff.

But for the children of Israel, there was one thing that God didn’t want them to rethink, and that was their faith and trust in Him.  Even though they were relatively new on their exodus journey from Egypt, God taught them a lesson He hopes will last a lifetime – they can put their confidence in His commands, in His promises.  They had no reason to doubt God’s goodness.

So, when the need for food arose, He instructed Moses on what the people should do: “Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no,” (Exodus 16:4). 

Further reading gives us a bit more details:

  • Vv. 11, 12 says, “And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel: speak unto them, saying, At even ye shall eat flesh, and in the morning ye shall be filled with bread; and ye shall know that I am the Lord your God” (emphasis added).
  • V. 15 explains, “And when the children of Israel saw it, they said one to another, It is manna: for they wist not what it was. And Moses said unto them, This is the bread which the Lord hath given you to eat.”
  • And in v. 19, Moses instructed them to “Let no man leave of it till the morning.”

Every morning, when they opened their eyes, they were expected to walk by faith, depending on their daily provisions from God’s holy hand.

When they chose not to rely on God and to take matters into their own hands, and to keep some behind so that they wouldn’t have to worry about the next day, “it bred worms, and stank” (v. 20).  When they decided they couldn’t trust God and believe that He would provide for their tomorrows, their personal, human efforts deteriorated right before their eyes.  Instead of being beautiful and nourishing, it became something that was disgusting and unpleasant.

There are a lot of things we can be frugal with, but faith isn’t one of them.  Jesus, in the Lord’s Prayer, called us to pray for “daily bread” (Matthew 6:11).  Every morning we are reminded of our need for God, to pursue Him more, and again.  As a tummy rumbling for morning nourishment, we are drawn to come to Him and be spiritually satisfied.  We are leaning on the Father every single day for His holy provision: “It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.  They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.  The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him,” (Lamentations 3:22-24). 

Every morning we get to reestablish our love for Him, reestablish our commitment to Him, and walk in His faithfulness another day.  We get to come to Him, seeking our “manna” for the day, reaffirming He is our source.  He is our God!  He is our Portion (compare Jeremiah 51:19; Psalm 16:5; 73:26).  He is the place where we not only find our holy sustenance, but it is where we trade the wrongs for what is right.  It’s where we exchange the ashes of this life for the beauty of who He is.

“Every day” the children of Israel were commanded to go look for what God had for them.  Every morning, their expectation and hope were to be on God alone.  He, then, supplied their needs (Philippians 4:19) and sustained them for the day’s journey.

If your days seem limp and powerless, lacking the inspiration and sustenance for this time we live in, draw nearer to your daily Portion.  Every morning partake of the Bread of Heaven so that your life may be properly fed.

In your pursuit to be properly fed, do as the children of Israel were instructed:

  1. Come daily.  Every morning the promise of bread awaited them, but they were the ones who had to put in diligent effort to rise and go get it.
  2. Gather what was needed.  Every family was allotted a certain amount so they lacked nothing of all God’s provisions.  Don’t cut your time and opportunity short when you come to the Father.  The Bible says, “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart,” Jeremiah 29:13.  Wholly, go after your portion so that you lack nothing of all God has for you.  Stay before Him and gather what is necessary for the day’s journey.
  3. Come back tomorrow and do it again.  And the next day, and the next day, and so on.  This is a life of longing – a life that refuses to go unsatiated.  “As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God,” (Psalm 42:1).  Drawing nearer to God is to be our daily desire. He is our holy pursuit. Daily I am unsatisfied in my soul if I don’t come to Him and fill my appetite upon Him who is “I AM THAT I AM,” (Exodus 3:13). 

The promise still remains: “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled,” (Matthew 5:6). 

Every morning, come and be filled.