Daily Bread Archives

September 6, 2023September 6, 2023

Dwell With Him

¹ Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or His ear dull, that it cannot hear; ² but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear. ~ Isaiah 59:1-2

We’re promised in the book of Isaiah that the LORD’s hand isn’t shortened that He can’t save us or His ear dull that He can’t hear us. Then we’re hit with a hard pill, but our sins hide us from the face of God so that He doesn’t hear us. In fact, Paul goes as far as to say that sin makes us enemies of God in Romans 5:10. This is what Hell will be like, a place without God.

To die in your sin would be to die without God. If you die without God, then you will be without God forever. You will continue in darkness, the kind of darkness that has no light whatsoever. There isn’t even the hope of Jesus being somewhere in that darkness and you being able to find Him. This darkness is outside the world; it’s outer darkness. So, the Light of the World isn’t in this darkness. There is no hope there. None whatsoever.

Some may say that this is impossible because God is omnipresent; therefore, He is everywhere, but Cain’s punishment was to go away from the presence of God. So, it is definitely possible to be away from God. In fact, look at how Paul says that those who go to Hell will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction away from the presence of God (2 Thessalonians 1:5-10).

This isn’t God’s plan for our lives. God has no delight in the destruction and punishment of the wicked but desires that all repent and come to salvation in Christ Jesus. God’s dwelling place is with mankind, the only creation He died for. The only creation He made in His own image after His own likeness. The only creation He set aside His Godliness for in order to take the form of so that He might save all who believe. God doesn’t want us to burn in Hell; His desire is for us to dwell with Him for all eternity. That’s why He created a way for us to return to Him.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Dwell With Him.

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Called To Him

⁶including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ, ⁷To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints ~ Romans 1:6-7

When we each think about God’s call for our lives, we usually don’t think about the basic overall call the LORD has for each one of us. Salvation. We are all called to a universal calling, that is, a calling to belong to Jesus Christ. And in the same way, we are all called to be saints. In other words, we are all called to a life of excellence.

Because we are all loved by God. For God so loved the world that He gave us Jesus, and it was He who died on the cross to purchase our salvation so that we would not have to spend eternity in the Lake of Fire, which burns forever and ever, and the smoke of the torment of those who go there will ascend up forever.

That’s not the eternity that God has for us. It was never intended for us but for the Devil and his angels. God intended for us to be with Him for all eternity in a place of freedom, love, peace, and perfection. A new and improved Garden of Eden that can never be corrupted, for we will all be made new.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Choose Christ.

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Strive For Excellence

¹⁰Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: ¹¹For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. ~ 2 Peter 1:10-11^KJV

We are not called to live a mediocre life. We are called to live a life of excellence. The book of Hebrews tells us that there is a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us; some are cheering us on, some are watching, and others are hoping and praying that we stumble and fall.

So, let us throw off all that hinders and fetters us so that we can run this race with strength and endurance. We have all that we need to live a life of excellence by Jesus’ divine power so that we can be sure of where we are going to spend eternity.

In everything you do, always remember eternity is looming large in front of each one of us, and eternity is a long, long time. And during this long time, there is no second chance. Therefore, do all that you need to do today while on this earth.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Strive For Excellence.

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Silence Fear

¹ Now Abraham moved on from there into the region of the Negev and lived between Kadesh and Shur. For a while he stayed in Gerar, ² and there Abraham said of his wife Sarah, “She is my sister.” Then Abimelek king of Gerar sent for Sarah and took her. ~ Genesis 20:1-2^NIV

Abraham’s fears often influenced his decisions. Twice he was deceitful about his wife Sarah being his sister and never mentioning that she was his wife. It was in those times of fear that Abraham forgot the promise of God. See, God promised Abraham and made a covenant with him that he would have not only a son but descendants more numerous than the sand of the seas and stars of the heavens. Because Abraham believed this promise, it was counted to him as righteousness, yet, there were days when fear shook his belief and caused him to fall short.

Abraham was afraid that they would kill him if he claimed Sarah as his wife because she was so beautiful. Abraham didn’t take into consideration that he had a direct promise from God that he would have an uncountable multitude of offspring and the whole world would be blessed through him. He didn’t consider that God was with him, and he had a call on his life, so he had nothing to fear. That’s us today. We allow fear to yell louder than the call and promises of God. If God has promised you something, don’t allow fear to take it from you. What God has for you, someone, or something else can take it from you. Jesus warned the Church in Philadelphia to be careful not to let anyone take their crown (Revelation 3:11).

The enemy is a roaring lion on the prowl, seeking someone to devour. We have to be on guard. We have to fight against fear. We have to quiet his lies and silence his threats. We have to cling to the promises and call of God on our lives. We have to stand up and fight for what God has for us. This life is a race. It has obstacles, hurdles, and other runners. We can’t let any of them stop us from receiving all God has in store for us.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Silence Fear.

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Seek The Hidden Well

¹⁷God heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “What is the matter, Hagar? Do not be afraid; God has heard the boy crying as he lies there. ¹⁸Lift the boy up and take him by the hand, for I will make him into a great nation.” ¹⁹Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water. So she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink. ~ Genesis 21:17-19^NIV

Sometimes, we give up right before we reach our well of renewal. See, Hagar was at the end of her rope. She was so close to dying of thirst that she put her son under a bush and walked away because she couldn’t bear to watch him die. Then she sat down and cried. God heard the cries of the boy and opened Hagar’s eyes so that she could see the well in front of her.

Many of us are currently going through a dry season. A time of trials, tribulation, and lack. It feels like we can’t go any farther. Like the entire weight of the world is on our shoulders, and we have nothing left in the tank to keep going. That’s when you press in. You don’t wait until you can’t take another step; you cry out to God from the moment those thoughts enter your mind.

You pray, and you fast. You seek God and cry out to Him with all that’s within you. You remind Him of His promises and His call on your life. Then you believe. You have faith that He’ll open your eyes to a well of water to refresh you before it’s too late. You hold to the promises and believe with everything inside you that God is good, and He will never leave you nor forsake you. You quote those Scriptures you have memorized and encourage yourself in the LORD. Because when we cry out to God, and we seek Him with what’s within us, He answers.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Seek The Hidden Well.

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Love Your Neighbor

¹⁴ When Abram heard that his relative had been taken captive, he called out the 318 trained men born in his household and went in pursuit as far as Dan. ¹⁵ During the night Abram divided his men to attack them and he routed them, pursuing them as far as Hobah, north of Damascus. ¹⁶ He recovered all the goods and brought back his relative Lot and his possessions, together with the women and the other people. ~ Genesis 14:14-16^NIV

Abram wasn’t in any danger. He was safe. His people were safe. His belongings were safe. He was flourishing. All was going well with him, but Lot had found himself taken by the enemy. See, Lot settled in a wicked land. Sodom constantly did what was evil before the eyes of the LORD, but Lot, according to 2 Peter 2:7, was righteous, and his soul, tormented by the wickedness surrounding him, became a victim of that wickedness. So, when Abram heard his nephew was taken, he gathered trained men to go with him to deliver Lot and all that was taken from him.

See, sometimes, as Christians, we go places that we really shouldn’t go. We go to places that have nothing for us. Places that only torment our souls. Places that we don’t belong. We aren’t influencing the community, but the community is affecting us. It’s spiritually attacking us. It’s spiritually oppressing us. It’s bringing us deeper and deeper into spiritual bondage that sometimes we aren’t even aware of.

When Abram, his uncle, saw this happen, he didn’t say Lot should’ve known better than to stay there. He didn’t say Lot got himself into this mess so he can get himself out of this mess. No. Abram not only went after Lot to rescue him Abram got 318 men that he knew were well-trained and that he trusted to help him rescue his nephew.

This is how we should be today. We need to be so prayed up, so in tune with the Spirit of God, that when He tells us someone we love has been spiritually captured by the enemy, we’ll go after them. We’ll do anything it takes to get them, and all the enemy took back from the enemy. We have to be willing to admit that this isn’t something we can do alone, so we reach out for help. Not help from people who don’t know how to spiritually fight but trained seasoned warriors of God. People who have spiritually trained for battle with the enemy through continuous praying, fasting, and worship.

Oftentimes, it’s easier to just say, “They should’ve known better,” and move on, but this isn’t the will of God. We all fall at some point in time. We all make mistakes. We all go places that we shouldn’t go. And when we do, wouldn’t you want someone to come to your rescue? Jesus said to treat others how you want to be treated. Solomon said cast your bread upon the water, and it will return to you in many days. How we treat others and judge others will be how we are treated and judged. Therefore, always act from a place of love, for the entire Law is founded on loving God and loving your neighbor.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Love Your Neighbor.

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A Pleasing Aroma

⁷ Aaron must burn fragrant incense on the altar every morning when he tends the lamps. ⁸ He must burn incense again when he lights the lamps at twilight so incense will burn regularly before the Lord for the generations to come. ~ Exodus 30:7-8^NIV

Throughout his letters to the different churches, Paul references fragrant offerings and pleasing aromas to God. Except, in these cases, he’s not talking about burning physical incense but spiritual incense. How do we do that? Paul explains that we achieve this through our actions.

One instance in particular, Paul says that we are to love others in the same way Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us. This one caught my eye because this isn’t an easy task Paul is calling us to. It’s a difficult task when we really put it into perspective. See, Jesus took verbal abuse and accusations constantly by the very ones He came to save. He didn’t just condemn them to Hell and turn His back on them, though He’d be justified if He had. Instead, Jesus loved them. He taught them. He answered their questions and accusations with wisdom from His Heavenly Father and Holy Spirit. Even while on the cross, having just been beaten almost to death and now being mocked and berated, Jesus still chose love by praying for their forgiveness.

I want you to remember that while on earth, Jesus was still God but didn’t use that to His advantage (Philippians 2:5-8). So, He had to fight the fleshly desire to return evil with evil (Hebrews 4:15). Because Jesus overcame His earthly desires, we can overcome them as well when we go through Him (John 16:33, Romans 8:37, Philippians 4:13).

See, every act of love is a sacrifice to God because you have to crucify your flesh in order to succeed. You have to deny your own feelings, emotions, and pain in order to truly love people. Why? Because people aren’t perfect. We make mistakes. We lash out. We ridicule and mock. Hurt people, hurt people. And we’re all hurt in some form or another. But through Jesus, we can overcome evil with good.

From morning to morning and from night to night, let go of any hurt or pain you have from someone in your past doing you wrong. Let it go as it happens. Don’t hold on to it. Let a pleasing aroma of love be sacrificed on the altar of incense before the LORD, burning always through your actions of love. Because the more we love, the more God can use us. Therefore, let Him use you to be a pleasing aroma to the world. To be a light in this here present darkness. For they will know us by our love.

Dear Heavenly Father, help me to be a pleasing aroma to You. Help me to let go of the past and the hurts and pains of yesterday so that I might walk in love. So that I might be a reflection of You to the world. Help me not to be held down and tormented within my own soul by another’s actions. Help me to only be affected by You and Your love towards me, for I am perfected in Your perfect love. Please fill me with Your peace and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. Help me to follow You all the days of my life. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.

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Focus On Your Call

¹ At that time, Judah left his brothers and went down to stay with a man of Adullam named Hirah. ~ Genesis 38:1^NIV

Judah’s envy of his brother Joseph led him to sin against him. It was Judah who convinced his brothers to sell him into slavery. Now, after seeing the effect it had on his father, he left his brothers and went to stay with a friend in another city. See, envy will lead us to do evil and wicked things. It’ll convince us to sin against another person at all costs in order to achieve whatever it is saying that person has that we want. The problem is that you’ll never be happy. Joseph was gone, yet Judah wasn’t loved by his father more. In fact, he was loved by his father even less. He refused to be comforted. He went into a deep depression that no one could rescue him from. Now that envy had taken so much from him, it quieted and made room for shame to enter and take what was left of him. His family.

Just as Joseph wasn’t with his father all of those years, neither was Judah. Judah stayed in Chezib until his children were grown and could have children. He most likely never left until he had to because of the severity of the famine. That which he took from Joseph was also taken from him. He reaped what he sowed almost immediately. This wasn’t the outcome that he expected.

Envy will lie and deceive and egg you on all in order to convince you to ruin yourself by trying to ruin someone else. God has called each one of us to a specific purpose. We’re all loved and treasured by Him. Your call on your life isn’t the same as someone else’s call on their life. If Judah knew that the Messiah, God Himself, would one day come through His line, I highly doubt that he would’ve been so envious of Joseph being his father’s favorite. We never know what God has in store for us, so we have to be careful not to focus on others. We have to simply focus on our own call from God.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Focus On Your Call.

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Do Hard Things

¹² The two men said to Lot, “Do you have anyone else here—sons-in-law, sons or daughters, or anyone else in the city who belongs to you? Get them out of here, ¹³ because we are going to destroy this place. The outcry to the Lord against its people is so great that he has sent us to destroy it.” ¹⁴ So Lot went out and spoke to his sons-in-law, who were pledged to marry his daughters. He said, “Hurry and get out of this place, because the Lord is about to destroy the city!” But his sons-in-law thought he was joking. ~ Genesis 19:12-14^NIV

When you constantly dwell amongst wickedness, wickedness slowly finds a way into your life. Lot was a righteous man, yet he chose two unrighteous men to marry his two daughters. They weren’t upstanding men of God. They were amongst the men banging on Lot’s door in order to rape the two angels that came in human form to destroy the city.

Today, we are no different. We are like Lot, living in a wicked and evil world. Sin is everywhere, from porn being passed as adult entertainment to demonic symbolism, teachings, and plots being passed as children’s entertainment. Everything around us is saturated in debauchery and idolatry. Yet, we must live in the world but not be a part of the world.

We have to raise our children knowing the difference between right and wrong. Good and Evil. Sin and righteousness. We have to raise them up in the way they should go so that when they are old, they may not stray from it. We have to make sure that we aren’t allowing the world to influence them but the things of God. That we aren’t bringing in and introducing wickedness into their lives because of convenience or lack of understanding. We have to make sure that we are immersed in the Word of God so that we can influence the world around us and not the other way around.

Lot could have sent to get good, righteous men for his daughters, like Abraham did with Isaac. Instead, Lot’s daughters were betrothed to men who were a part of the wickedness that drenched Sodom. Never allow convenience and ease to influence your discernment of right and wrong. The right thing to do is usually never the easy thing to do, but it is always the only way to please God. Therefore, you must pick up your cross and follow Jesus in every aspect of your life, lest you be influenced by the world and miss out on eternity with Him.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Do Hard Things.

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Bring All To The Light

¹³And no creature is hidden from His sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. ~ Hebrews 4:13

We’re only deceiving ourselves to think that we can get away with our secret vices, and thus, we make it worse for ourselves. Why? Because when no one knows, no one can help. When no one knows, no one can point us in the right direction. When no one knows, no one can help fix our aim to get us back on target again.

You see, if two walk together, they can help each other. If two walk together, they encourage each other. If two walk together, they watch out for each other. If two walk together, they can keep each other accountable. But the one who walks alone is left to his or her own devices. We are to be our brother’s keeper. And believe me, we all need our brother’s keeper.

But instead, we hide, we lie, and we deceive to keep our secret sins hidden. We even condemn those who are doing publicly what we are doing privately, but there is no difference between the two.

We call them out and demand that they repent to our own deception. Like the idiom from the poem by Sir Walter Scott says, “Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive.” Why? Because the God who judges does not slumber nor does He sleep, but He keeps an accurate account and record of all that is done and all that is said.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Bring All To The Light.

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Category: Daily Bread

Dwell With Him

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