Category: Daily Bread

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Go To The Storehouse

6 For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding; 7 He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity, 8 guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of His saints. ~ Proverbs 2:6-8

Solomon implores the people that the LORD has a never-ending, vast supply of knowledge and wisdom. It comes from His mouth, and He stores it up for the upright. You know what that tells me? That tells me that the LORD doesn’t just wait for us to need His wisdom or understanding; He prepares in advance before we ever have the need for it.

James, the brother of Jesus, encourages us that this wasn’t just for one time or for one group of people. This applies to us today. The LORD isn’t bound to time the way we are. He sees it before it happens. He prepares what we need before we need it. So, when the time comes, we need only ask because it’s already there for us.

He watches over our way, guarding the paths of justice, protecting us as our shield. We are never alone. Never forgotten. Never do we have to face anything by ourselves; He is with us always. So, be encouraged by this. Let this build up your faith. Our God has stored up wisdom, knowledge, and understanding for us before we even need it. Before we even get to that level. Therefore, never be timid, afraid, or feel unworthy of asking the LORD for His understanding; He has already prepared it for you. He’s just waiting for you to ask for it.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Go To The Storehouse.

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Believe In Who He Is

1 The second lot came out for Simeon, for the tribe of the people of Simeon, according to their clans, and their inheritance was in the midst of the inheritance of the people of Judah. 2 And they had for their inheritance Beersheba, Sheba, Moladah, 3 Hazar-shual, Balah, Ezem, 4 Eltolad, Bethul, Hormah, 5 Ziklag, Beth-marcaboth, Hazar-susah, 6 Beth-lebaoth, and Sharuhen—thirteen cities with their villages; 7 Ain, Rimmon, Ether, and Ashan—four cities with their villages, 8 together with all the villages around these cities as far as Baalath-beer, Ramah of the Negeb. This was the inheritance of the tribe of the people of Simeon according to their clans. 9 The inheritance of the people of Simeon formed part of the territory of the people of Judah. Because the portion of the people of Judah was too large for them, the people of Simeon obtained an inheritance in the midst of their inheritance. ~ Joshua 19:1-9

Psalms 23, written by David, is one of the most recognized verses in the entire Bible. It’s verses that we teach to our children from a young age. One of the greatest examples of this in the Bible is the inheritance of the tribe of Simeon. See, Simeon, because of his fierce anger, deceit, and vengeful behavior, he lost out on his inheritance. The Messiah didn’t come through him. In fact, Jacob prophesies that they would be scattered throughout Israel (Genesis 49:5-7).

Do you know where a good amount of Simeon’s land came from? From the land of Judah. In fact, it says that the portion for Judah was too large for them, so the people of Simeon obtained an inheritance in the midst of the people of Judah’s inheritance. See, Simeon’s heart was unrepentive. His descendants did nothing to repent for his actions. Nothing to make up for the past mistakes and break the generational curse, as the Levites did. Judah, however, repented for his sin (selling his brother into slavery) and did his best to make up for it. Because of this, Judah received a great inheritance, both spiritual and physical. The Messiah came through his bloodline, and his physical inheritance of the land was so large that his brother was allotted some of it.

This is a great example of Psalms 23. See, David said, “My cup runneth over.” His cup ran over, not out of waste. Not for no reason, but so that he might bless others. So that others’ cups might be filled through his overflowing. Through his abundance.

The LORD will always bless His people when His people are faithful to Him. But He will also punish those who are disobedient. The saving grace, however, is that He doesn’t forget them. His anger is just for a moment, but He always makes a way for us to be restored. His love is everlasting, and His mercies are renewed each morning.

You might have a child who has rebelled. You might have a friend or loved one living in sin, but I want you have hope because the LORD hasn’t forgotten them. If you remain faithful in praying for them, placing their name before the Throne of Grace daily, you will see the LORD change them. You’ll see the LORD begin to move their heart and make a way for them. He is a faithful God. We just need to make sure we are faithful to Him. Therefore, make sure your cup is overflowing so that you might be able to bless those people around you, and they might see the goodness of God and His great faithfulness.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Believe In Who He Is.

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You Will Lack No Good Thing

[10] The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing (Psalm 34:10).

That is not necessarily only about financial or material “good things.” I’m sure it includes financial or material good things, but not just limited to that. I believe Solomon was painting a bigger picture with broader strokes and a broader brush. He was looking into the spiritual through the eyes of the Holy Spirit. He was looking toward a time when the worshipers who worship the Father would be worshiping in spirit and in truth. He was seeing our time, the time of grace.

I believe he is, without doubt, also speaking about the “good thing” to come through Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith. Jesus said that anything that two believers agree on earth about and ask for, it will be done for them by His heavenly Father (Matthew 18:19).

The Acts-chapter-2-believers, the early Christians, took Jesus at His word and not only believed but let their mouth voice their faith. This is their prayer: 29 And now, LORD, look upon their threats and grant to Your servants to continue to speak Your Word with all boldness, 30 while You stretch out Your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the Name of Your holy servant Jesus (Acts 4:29–30). And in response to their prayer of faith, the place in which they were gathered and were praying was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to preach the Word of God with boldness. And guess what? Signs, and wonders, and incredible acts of healing continued to follow their ministry.

This is a promise that, as they say, we can take to the bank, because God is good for it. Therefore, “No good thing will be withheld from them that diligently seek the LORD.” Signs, wonders, miracles, and healing will accompany those who seek and believe. It was prophesied about and promised to us; therefore, as believers, we can claim that promise. Paul said that all of God’s promises are yea and amen. So, let us lay hold of it with both hands and claim our promise, in Jesus’ Name.

Father, increase our faith that we might believe for the miraculous so that Your Name is glorified among the nations, and that unbelievers may know that there is a God in heaven, and that You still sit upon Your throne, in Jesus’ Name I pray, amen.

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Seek Revival

17 And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; 18 even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy. 19 And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke; 20 the sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day. 21 And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. ~ Acts 2:17-21

The Church today seems to be more dead than any previous generation. It seems to be more in danger of being spit out of the mouth of Jesus than all of the generations before. So, what are we to do? Is there even hope for our generation of the Church? A lot of pastors say there will be a second outpouring of the Holy Spirit, but I’m not so convinced. We have the Holy Spirit now. He didn’t go anywhere. He didn’t vanish. He didn’t stop working. He didn’t change. So, what did? We did. We changed.

We became lazy. Complacent. Worldly. We forgot our first love. We lost the passion, the drive, the desire for the things of the LORD, and became distracted by the things of life and this world. So, does that mean we have no hope? No. As long as there is breath in our lungs, we have hope. The Holy Spirit is still here. He is still working in our midst. He’s just waiting for us to seek revival.

According to the late great Charles Grandison Finney (he’s one of my Dad’s heroes), especially in his classic work “Lectures on Revivals of Religion,” published in 1835, he advocated that revival is not mysterious or accidental but occurs when God’s people meet certain spiritual conditions. The top five causes of revival, according to Charles G. Finney, are:

1. Extraordinary Prayer

  • Finney taught that revival is always preceded by prevailing, united, and persistent prayer
  • Prayer that is specific, faith-filled, and burdened, and is often led by a few deeply convicted believers
  • In other words, “Revival is born in prayer.”

2. Deep Conviction of Sin

  • According to Charles G. Finney, one of the greatest revivalist preachers to ever live, outside of brother Paul and the LORD’s Apostles, and maybe others like Philip the Evangelist, said:
    • Revival requires a profound awareness of sin, both personal and corporate. Honest repentance, confession, and forsaking of sin are necessary.
  • A brokenness before God: “There can be no revival without deep conviction of sin.”

3. Bold, Clear Preaching of Truth

  • Finney also emphasized the necessity for plain, direct preaching that is aimed at the heart and confronts the conscience. Preaching that appeals to the will, not just emotions. Obedience to God is demanded, and sin is named clearly.
  • We have to get back to the old-time preaching if we want to see revival.

4. Immediate Obedience to God

  • Mr. Finney sincerely believed that people must respond now, not later. You cannot put off conviction.
  • No delay in repentance must be tolerated, or the conviction will pass, and that soul will be lost.
  • Public and decisive commitment to Christ was the first and foremost priority. “Sinners must be made to feel that now is God’s time.”

5. The Church Must Bear Responsibility for Revival

  • Mr. Finney also taught that revival depends largely on the spiritual condition of believers, not unbelievers. Lukewarm Christians hinder revival. Revival begins when God’s people humble themselves before Him.
  • He also taught that “A revival is no miracle… it is the result of the proper use of the appropriate means.”

    Unlike his predecessors, such as Jonathan Edwards, Charles G. Finney was deliberate and intentional about bringing about and promoting his revivals. He had a methodology that he adhered to—a system to follow and often said that revival came about by “using the right spiritual means.”

    He was deliberate… intentional… and focused… That’s what we’re missing in the Church today. Intentional, deliberate, focused seeking of the LORD. Seeking of His Spirit, so that He might turn this heart of stone to flesh once again. So that He might renew a right spirit in us. So that we might see the Church awaken from its deep spiritual slumber.

    Peace. Love. Go Forth and Seek Revival.

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    Honor Your Word

    21 If you make a vow to the LORD your God, you shall not delay fulfilling it, for the LORD your God will surely require it of you, and you will be guilty of sin. 22 But if you refrain from vowing, you will not be guilty of sin. 23 You shall be careful to do what has passed your lips, for you have voluntarily vowed to the LORD your God what you have promised with your mouth. ~ Deuteronomy 23:21-23

    Many of us make vows without thinking. We make promises and agreements, but don’t follow through on them. We oftentimes just take it for granted, but God takes vows very seriously—even those made in error. Here’s a powerful example.

    When the Gibeonites heard all that Joshua and the Israelite army were doing to the other cities, they were terrified… They were frightened for their lives and for their families’ lives. They had heard that God had instructed Joshua to destroy the inhabitants of the land, and they were scared, because that was precisely what Joshua was doing. So, they made plans to trick or deceive Joshua and the elders of Israel into making a treaty of peace with them.

    They took old, moldy bread. Worn-out wineskins. Patched sandals. And worn-out clothes. And pretended to have traveled from a distant land. Joshua and the elders with him were initially suspicious, but the Gibeonites convinced them they were not from the area, and they believed them. They were like, maybe you live among us, and we don’t realize it, and if you do, how can we make a treaty with you since our God told us not to do that? They were obviously suspicious of them, but when they saw the people’s provisions, they were convinced by what they saw. And they did not inquire of the LORD. They jumped headfirst into a covenant with the Gibeonites, even though God had instructed Joshua not to (Joshua 9:14-15).

    But here is something even more astonishing… Almost 400 years later, David, son of Jesse, is on the throne of Israel. There is a famine in the land… year after year. For three years, there is this persistent famine. And David realizes something must be wrong. So, David goes to inquire of the LORD, and what he discovers is totally amazing… It’s all Saul’s fault. In his zeal for the LORD, Saul has violated Joshua’s… 375-year-old covenant with the Gibeonites.

    King Saul, during his reign, was putting the Gibeonites to death, so bloodguilt had come upon him and his house. He thought he was doing a good thing. He was doing what Joshua had failed to do. But as a consequence, Israel, as a kingdom, was also suffering the repercussions of a broken covenant.

    Even after 400 years, God still honored that “should-have-never-been-made” covenant. God did not want it…; in fact, He told the Israelites not to do it! But to do the very opposite of making a peace treaty. Yet! He honored it and expected Israel and their descendants after them to honor it as well. That proves the power of a covenant—the sacredness of a promise, and that words are indeed extremely potent.

    Now think about this. If God holds us to that high a standard of integrity, expecting us to keep our word to perfection, will He not hold Himself to an even higher standard? Of course He will! That is why the Scripture says that God watches over His word to perform it (Jeremiah 1:12).

    Therefore, maybe there are open doors in your life. Maybe there are things in your life you can’t seem to get through because you made a vow and broke it. Our word is powerful. When we give our word to do something, it’s not just another meaningless thing. Our vows are to be honored.

    Peace. Love. Go Forth and Honor Your Word.

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    A Cold Flame

    The church in Ephesus had gotten into the “same old same old” routine. Jesus commends them for:

    • Their works
    • Their labor
    • Their enduring patience
    • Their resistance to evil
    • Their firm commitment to His Name

    But He also brought to their attention Their flaws. Their shortcomings. The church in Ephesus had settled into the “same old grind.”

    • They were busy
    • They were doctrinally sound
    • They were active
    • They were enduring

    But they had fallen from the heights they once soared at. In Jesus’ own words, they had abandoned their first love—the love they first had for Him.

    They had abandoned:

    • The passion
    • The drive
    • The desire
    • And the devotion they had at the beginning
    • They were going through the motions
    • They were having church as usual

    The danger with that is that your worship becomes stale, and outward—a thing to be seen and not experienced. Your song stirs the senses but never waters the thirsty soul. Your works are deeds that ease the conscience, but don’t fulfill the spirit.

    In time, your heart drifts. So, Jesus gives them the remedy: repent, and do the works you did at first. In other words, return to Me, and I will return to you. Remember what you used to do, not just what used to happen.

    Dear LORD, thank You for Your love, mercy, and grace. Thank You for being a forgiving God. Please forgive me for letting my love grow cold. Please forgive me for letting the fire die out and the flame quench. Please light the fire again. Please give me another chance to serve You with all that is within me. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.

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    Work Your Land

    Proverbs 28:19

    [19]  Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty.

    Solomon said that whoever works the land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty. What does that mean? Well, the word translated as “worthless” could be translated as “empty.” In other words, Solomon is talking about pointless, empty, vain pursuits that seem good, seem like it will reap a great reward, but instead it does the opposite.

    I don’t think Solomon is necessarily giving us financial advice, I feel like there’s a spiritual connection here. Imagine the land in this scenario is us. Mankind. Humanity. Each of us is a land, and if we don’t work our land so that it will bear fruit (Fruit of the Spirit), then we will be cut off the Vine and thrown into the fire (Hell).

    See, throughout the New Testament we are told to bear fruit. Water and tend to our faith. Uproot roots. We are told to treat ourselves like a field or land. And if we do, we will have pent of bread. We will have the Words of God feeling in us, sanctified and cleaning us. We will have treasure in heaven where moths nor worms can destroy. Eternal treasure.

    When we try to go through an easy way to get to God, a way that doesn’t include Christ, we are trying worthless or empty pursuits. When we try to do 5 step program to fix ourselves instead of going through Christ, we are chatting after world or empty pursuits. We are to follow Christ, and do the hard thing, which is work our land. Not find another way. Not find an easier path. We are to follow Christ, which means crucify the flesh.

    Peace. Love. Go Forth and Work Your Land.  

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    The Physical Stirs The Spiritual

    17 When Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand on the head of Ephraim, it displeased him, and he took his father’s hand to move it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head. 18 And Joseph said to his father, “Not this way, my father; since this one is the firstborn, put your right hand on his head.” 19 But his father refused and said, “I know, my son, I know. He also shall become a people, and he also shall be great. Nevertheless, his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his offspring shall become a multitude of nations.” ~ Genesis 48:17-19

    Jacob or Israel, as he was also called, was about to die, and Joseph brought his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, to be blessed by Jacob, his father. So, Joseph put Manasseh, his firstborn, on his left, facing his father’s right hand, and Ephraim on his right, facing his father’s left hand. But upon blessing them, Jacob crossed his hands and placed his right on Ephraim’s head and his left on Manasseh’s head, but Joseph was not pleased when he saw that. So, Joseph tried to switch Jacob’s hands by force so that his right was on Manasseh’s head and his left on Ephraim’s head. But Jacob told him no, because although Manasseh would be great, Ephraim would be greater. By doing so, Jacob put Ephraim ahead of Manasseh.

    It might seem like a small thing to us, but what happens in the physical world stirs or affects what happens in the spiritual world. That is why prayer can affect our circumstances. Scripture can change the atmosphere and tear down strongholds. Just having occult objects in your house can open spiritual doors that can cause supernatural activity in your home.

    Even when the Israelites brought their offerings, they were required to say certain things and to do specific actions, such as waving the offering before the LORD as a wave offering. It may seem as if it was a useless action, but we don’t know what it stirred in the spiritual world.

    The same would be true of other occult practices, such as yoga, and the different positions that accompany it. Many Christians practice yoga, not realizing that the positions are irrevocably linked to Hindu worship. These physical actions open spiritual doors. So, we must be conscious of what we do in the physical, because both worlds are inseparably intertwined.

    Father please close spiritual doors that we have unknowingly opened. Help us to understand that what we do here in the physical will affect the spiritual and protect us from inadvertently inviting unwanted spiritual activity in our lives, in Jesus’ Name, I pray, amen.

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    Let God Undo

    8 Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. 9 And he said to his people, “Behold, the people of Israel are too many and too mighty for us. 10 Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, lest they multiply, and, if war breaks out, they join our enemies and fight against us and escape from the land.” 11 Therefore they set taskmasters over them to afflict them with heavy burdens. They built for Pharaoh store cities, Pithom and Raamses. ~ Exodus 1:8-11

    The Israelites had to build two store cities: Raamses and Pithom. What do these two cities have in common other than being built by the Israelite slaves under their Egyptian slave masters? They are both named after an Egyptian god. Raamses means “Ra has begotten him,” and Pithom means “House of Atum.”

    These two gods weren’t just two random gods; they were two of the most important gods in ancient Egypt. In fact, they even merged into Ra-Atum in later Egyptian beliefs. These two cities weren’t just regular cities; they were cities named for two of the most important gods of Egypt. This is how the oppression of the Israelites began: by building store cities for Pharaoh so that his power would continue to grow, and the cities were named after the gods of Egypt. Pharaoh started oppressing the people of Israel by enslaving them and forcing them to help build two cities to strengthen Egypt and, in a sense, strengthen Egypt’s gods and the Israelites’ connection to them.

    How can we be sure? Raamses, located in the Nile Delta, became a major royal capital and center of Egyptian power. Pithom, in eastern Egypt, was a storage city for grain and supplies for the army and the treasury. Some believe Pithom became Heliopolis, a major center of worship that God later pronounced judgment on in Jeremiah 43. These cities were not just ordinary settlements—they were built to strengthen Egypt’s power, influence, and connection to its gods.

    Now, fast-forward four hundred years: God has Aaron tell Pharaoh to let His people go so they might hold a feast and make a sacrifice to Him (Exodus 5:1). Their slavery started out with Pharaoh forcing a connection of the Israelites to the gods of Egypt, so when the LORD took them out of the land (and out of slavery), it was to break the connection they had formed with those gods and reconnect them with the God of their fathers (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob).

    I think that’s kind of mind-blowing. God was undoing what the enemy had done. He wasn’t just physically freeing His people but spiritually freeing them as well. He brought punishment on those gods that had led his people astray and spiritually put a yoke around their necks (Exodus 12:12). Our God doesn’t play when it comes to us. He doesn’t just ignore our bondage. He doesn’t just ignore our pain and suffering. Nor does He ignore our oppressors, but vengeance is His. He will repay. He will right the wrong and deliver His people out of the hand of the enemy; we need only call on His name.

    Peace. Love. Go Forth and Let God Undo.

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    Strike The Dust

    16 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Say to Aaron, ‘Stretch out your staff and strike the dust of the earth, so that it may become gnats in all the land of Egypt.’” 17 And they did so. Aaron stretched out his hand with his staff and struck the dust of the earth, and there were gnats on man and beast. All the dust of the earth became gnats in all the land of Egypt. 18 The magicians tried by their secret arts to produce gnats, but they could not. So there were gnats on man and beast. 19 Then the magicians said to Pharaoh, “This is the finger of God.” But Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he would not listen to them, as the Lord had said. ~ Exodus 8:16-19

    In ancient Egypt, they believed humans were created from either the tears of the Eye of Ra or Khepri. Humanity was born from the pain of the gods, leading to a tendency of suffering in humanity. How sad. A completely different creation story of man than ours. One leaving man without purpose. Intent. Hope. Just useless.

    Imagine being an ancient Egyptian believing they were created unintentionally from the tears, the sadness, of the gods doomed to lead a life of suffering. A tear struck the ground and man came up. Then two Hebrew men send plagues on the land. The plagues are a bit annoying, but your magicians can imitate them so far. But then the third plague hits a bit different.

    See, God had Aaron strike the dust with his staff and gnats invested the land. They saw the power of God in this one act. They saw the hour the finger of God moved through Moses and Aaron. They knew the creation story of their people. A random tear didn’t fall from one of the eyes of the gods. There was no sneeze or cough from the gods. A man took his staff, struck the dust of the earth and gnats were created. They didn’t call the gnats. They didn’t summon the gnats. They turned all of the dust in Egypt into gnats.

    They witnessed something they could not replicate. Something that seemed just as powerful, if not more powerful, than what the gods had done, for this was God using man to create gnats out of all of the dust in the land. The gods were nowhere in sight. No spell. No enchantment. Just Aaron striking the dust with his staff.

    Our God is a powerful God. Those in darkness can even see His power. Even other gods dare not stand up to Him. Our God is all-powerful. King of kings and LORD of lords. He is the GOD of gods. God Most High. That is the God we serve.

    So, when darkness stands against you. When you’re walking through the Valley of the Shadow, do not fear. Do not be afraid. Stand firm on Your God and in His strength, for darkness knows who we serve, do you?

    Peace. Love. Go Forth and Strike The Dust.

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