Daily Bread Archives

October 24, 2023October 16, 2023

Prepare For The Test

³⁰It was Hezekiah who blocked the upper outlet of the Gihon spring and channeled the water down to the west side of the City of David. He succeeded in everything he undertook. ³¹But when envoys were sent by the rulers of Babylon to ask him about the miraculous sign that had occurred in the land, God left him to test him and to know everything that was in his heart. ~ 2 Chronicles 32:30-31

God may not tempt us, but he will put us to the test. Oftentimes, the test is right before a turning point in our lives. Why? God will leave us for a short time to see if our heart is for Him or if we’re distracted. It’s to see if we’re ready for the next step. The next venture in this journey that He has for us. The thing is, God doesn’t give us a big warning before we have our big test. In fact, oftentimes, we don’t even know that we’re in a test until after we’ve finished the test.

This is the necessity of quiet time with God. We have to remain in Him in the easy times so that in the time of testing, we will remain in Him as well. We have to strengthen our spirit man now, while there is time so that when the test begins, your spirit man can stand. You have to meditate on the Word of God and memorize it so that you might use it as your defense during your test. What you do today will directly affect your test tomorrow. It will either prepare you for success, or it will prepare you for defeat.

Dear LORD, please forgive me for all the time I have wasted and not used to prepare for the tests before me. Please help me not to waste any more time. Rekindle the flame within me. Tear down the strongholds that keep me from seeking You with all that is within me. Let my mind be able to concentrate, and my heart be willing to not only read Your Word but memorize it. Renew a right spirit in me and give me a new heart. Please use me and mold me so that no matter what comes my way, I might stand.

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Peace Peace

¹¹ They dress the wound of my people as though it were not serious. “Peace, peace,” they say, when there is no peace. ~ Jeremiah 8:11^NIV

The understanding of prophecies that have been locked up for 1000s of years is now being released in our generation. Prophecies are being fulfilled, and the stage for the end is being set right before our eyes, yet many will still say there is peace. Why? Because things have been bad before. Each generation has thought they were the last. And if it is the end, we’ll meet Christ before things get bad anyway.

These are the people who are usually in places of authority, from pastors of large churches to family patriarchs and matriarchs. People we’re supposed to trust without hesitation or reserve are the same ones steering us in the wrong direction because of Church Tradition and self-denial. Israel had the same problem. Their leaders and men of authority were preaching peace when destruction was banging at the door. They were preaching all will be well, when death was unlocking the lock.

Too often, we don’t get the preparation needed in order to withstand the coming trial and tribulation because we’re too busy not questioning those in authority around us. The greatest apostle who ever lived, Paul, was checked every day by the Bereans to make sure what he was saying was true. This didn’t offend Paul; it impressed him.

This world is coming to an end. The signs are all around us, but in order to see them, you have to read your Bible and seek the Truth of God and not somebody else’s truth. If you seek someone else’s truth or even your own truth, you will miss the Truth of God, and you’ll be swallowed up by the coming destruction that is banging at the door.

Dear LORD, please forgive me for not seeking Your Truth the way I should. Open my eyes that I might see and give me ears that I might hear so that I might not be unaware of the times. Teach me to pray, worship, and study Your Word that I might strengthen my body and prepare for the time of trial coming. Please let me not be caught unprepared and asleep when that day comes. Use me, LORD God. Mold me into whatever vessel will best serve and further Your Kingdom. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.

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Never Too Wicked

²⁷When Ahab heard these words, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and fasted. He lay in sackcloth and went around meekly. ²⁸Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite: ²⁹“Have you noticed how Ahab has humbled himself before me? Because he has humbled himself, I will not bring this disaster in his day, but I will bring it on his house in the days of his son.” ~ 1 Kings 21:27-29

King Ahab is known for being one of the most wicked kings Israel has ever had. Under him, the prophets of God were murdered, and the prophets of Baal and Asherah were elevated. The land lived in sin, as did he and his whole household. Yet, even when he, a wicked king, humbled himself before God, God heard his cries. See, Elijah had just prophesied destruction on not just Ahab but on his entire family because of his wickedness. When King Ahab heard all that was coming upon him and his household, he tore his clothes and fasted.

Many of us are currently living our lives very wickedly. We say we’re a good people, but we live in sin. We don’t acknowledge God unless we absolutely have to. In fact, we live our everyday lives as if He doesn’t even exist. Even though we do much wicked before the LORD, if we will humble ourselves before Him and seek His face with all that is within us, He will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Our past doesn’t dictate our lives, but our present does. What we do today will dictate our future. Therefore, turn to God. Repent and be saved. It doesn’t matter what we’ve done; if we will humble ourselves before the LORD, He will hear us from Heaven and forgive our sins.

Dear LORD, please forgive me for all the sin that I have committed. Please forgive me for living my life as if You don’t even exist. I humble myself at Your feet and ask You to be the LORD of my life. Thank You for Your grace, love, and mercy that gives me second chance after second chance. Help me to not return to my old self, but help me to remain a new creation in You. Please continue to change me and work on me so that I might be exactly who You want me to be. Thank You for saving me. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.

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Restore All

²⁹Then the king called together all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem. ³⁰He went up to the temple of the Lord with the people of Judah, the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the priests and the Levites—all the people from the least to the greatest. He read in their hearing all the words of the Book of the Covenant, which had been found in the temple of the Lord. ³¹The king stood by his pillar and renewed the covenant in the presence of the Lord—to follow the Lord and keep His commands, statutes and decrees with all his heart and all his soul, and to obey the words of the covenant written in this book. ³²Then he had everyone in Jerusalem and Benjamin pledge themselves to it; the people of Jerusalem did this in accordance with the covenant of God, the God of their ancestors. ³³Josiah removed all the detestable idols from all the territory belonging to the Israelites, and he had all who were present in Israel serve the Lord their God. As long as he lived, they did not fail to follow the Lord, the God of their ancestors. ~ 2 Chronicles 34:29-33

The people of Israel weren’t living according to the Law of the LORD their God. In fact, they had fallen so far away from God that King Josiah had to renew the covenant with the LORD that his fathers had broken. King Josiah didn’t stop there. He didn’t just correct himself. He didn’t cleanse himself. No. King Josiah brought all of his people and had them renew the covenant with the LORD as well.

It wasn’t enough for King Josiah to be following God. It wasn’t enough for even just the Levites and priests to be renewed and restored to the covenant of the LORD. King Josiah understood that all of the land was under him, from the greatest to the least. All the people were under him, and if they were under him, their blood would be required at his hand. So, often, we’re put in a place of leadership that we take for granted. It doesn’t have to be over many people. It doesn’t even have to look like a place of leadership. It simply means that there are people who look to you to guide them in their lives. It could be as large as a body of souls that come to hear you preach and teach every Sunday. And it could be as small as one single soul looking up to you.

Each of us has at least one person looking to us for help, guidance, and advice. What we do to help that one or many will affect our eternity. Just as God warned Ezekiel that remaining silent when he saw someone in sin would place their blood on his head, so is it for us. We each have a purpose—a universal purpose to win souls. That’s not just the preacher’s job; that’s each and every Christian’s job. We’re to spread God’s Word. We’re to be the light in the darkness. Christ is to live through each of us.

Dear LORD, please forgive me for any time that I’ve fallen down on shepherding the people you have given to me. Please help me to stand firmly and confidently as King Josiah did. Help me not to overlook even the smallest influence I might have in someone’s life. Please help me to always be a light pointing others back to You. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.

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Illness of Asa

¹²In the thirty-ninth year of his reign Asa was afflicted with a disease in his feet. Though his disease was severe, even in his illness he did not seek help from the Lord, but only from the physicians. ¹³Then in the forty-first year of his reign Asa died and rested with his ancestors. ~ 2 Chronicles 16:12-13

Asa was king of Judah for 41 years. In his last three years as king of Judah, he was afflicted with a disease in his feet and never once saw relief or healing. King Asa sought the help of doctors, but never did he seek the LORD for help. Not even once. King Asa was regarded as a good king by the LORD. He removed the foreign altars and the high places, smashed the sacred stones, and cut down the Asherah poles. He commanded Judah to seek the Lord, the God of their ancestors, and to obey his laws and commands. He removed the high places and incense altars in every town in Judah, and the kingdom was at peace under him. He built up the fortified cities of Judah since the land was at peace. No one was at war with him during those years, for the Lord gave him rest (2 Chronicles 14:1-6).

King Asa did many good things for the LORD, but when it came to faith for a healing from God, King Asa didn’t even ask. Why? It could be because of a lack of faith; it could be because he didn’t think it should be brought to God. Nevertheless, this is the same with us today. We do many good things for God. We preach and teach the good news. We show people the good things of God. God even blesses an entire group of people for our sake, but when it comes to praying for ourselves and seeking God for healing, we don’t. Many of us are doing many good things but missing out on our healing.

Dear LORD, help me to seek Your help in all things. Help me to never put anyone over You, but to always go to You first. Help me to seek You in all things. Help to never miss out on a healing or blessing simply because I never asked. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.

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We All Have A Gift

⁴ I always thank my God for you because of His grace given you in Christ Jesus. ⁵ For in Him you have been enriched in every way—with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge— ⁶ God thus confirming our testimony about Christ among you. ⁷ Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. ~ 1 Corinthians 1:4-7^NIV

Today, the Church is quite divided over spiritual matters. One says spiritual gifts were for a time; another says some spiritual gifts were for a time, while another says all spiritual gifts are for all times. Paul encouraged us that we don’t lack any spiritual gift. So, what does that mean? Paul listed multiple spiritual gifts later on in this same letter. That not only suggests but confirms that we aren’t lacking in any spiritual gift as we wait for the return of our LORD, Jesus Christ.

Spiritual gifts aren’t something God gave to us for just a season. It can’t be. Why? Because those gifts were given for the building up, strengthening, and empowering of His Church. If He took those away, we’re saying one of two things: either He weakened the Church, or the Church is perfect and doesn’t need His help in those areas anymore. Neither of these two things is true. The Devil is still on the earth, running free with much power and authority. He’s not a toothless lion; otherwise, he wouldn’t be someone we have to watch out for. That’s why Peter warned us that the Devil, our adversary, is prowling around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

To be on the prowl is to be on the hunt. It’s to seek out prey for food. This isn’t a toothless defeated lion that Peter is warning us of. Therefore, how can we say we no longer have the spiritual gifts that strengthen, build up, and uphold the Church? The very body that he is seeking to destroy. We can’t. That’s a lie from the enemy to weaken his adversary so that he might easier overpower and devour us.

Spiritual gifts, according to Paul and Peter, are given to each person. Paul even tells us to earnestly seek the greater gifts. Why? Because he wants us to be strong and not weak. He wants us to be prepared in every possible way, just as he was so that when we get to the end of our race, we can stand confidently as he did and say,

⁷I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. ⁸Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing.

2 Timothy 4:7-8

Dear LORD, help me to be like Paul and seek out not only the spiritual gifts you have given me but the greater gifts as well. Help me not to live in fear or doubt that these gifts are for me. Help me to live in the confidence of Your Truth and not the truth of an individual with biases and opinions. I don’t want to follow man, but You and You alone. Show me how to seek out my gifts and the greater gifts. Teach me how to use my gift for the furthering of Your Kingdom. May it be for Your glory and honor and not my own. May it bring You praise and point the world back to You. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.

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All Called

¹⁴The Lord turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?” ~ Judges 6:14

Gideon was the least of his family, and his family was the weakest in Israel, yet the LORD called him to be a mighty warrior. Today is no different. We’re each called to a very specific purpose, and sometimes we don’t feel ready for it. We don’t feel like we’re enough, but that’s when we have to remember we’re just the vessel God is using. He is the one who is in control.

See, we may be weak, but with God, we’re strong. We may be fearful, but with God, we’re brave and courageous. We may be young and inexperienced, but with God, we’re wise and prepared for whatever He has in store for us. All we have to do is trust in Him. We have to look at ourselves the way that God looks at us.

How do we do that? Through prayer, worship, and fasting. When our focus is on God and the things of God, our outlook on life and ourselves begins to change. Why? Because when we focus on Light, the darkness begins to fade away. Light will always overcome darkness, no matter how things look.

Dear LORD, help me to have faith that You have a call and purpose for my life. Help me to know exactly what that call is. Lead me in the way that I should go so that I might not stray from the plans that You have for my life. I know that You are good and that You are for me and not against me; please help me to also believe it with all that is within me. Teach me to see myself the way that You see me. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.

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The Silenced

⁴Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying, ⁵“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” ~ Jeremiah 1:4-5

According to the WHO, around 73 million induced abortions take place worldwide each year. This means 6 out of 10 (60%) of all unintended pregnancies (that’s 3 out of 10 (30%) of all pregnancies) end in induced abortion. The elites scream depopulation, so the innocent are murdered before they even get to take their first breath.

I heard the testimony of a woman who used to work at Planned Parenthood, and she had to quit after witnessing an abortion. She watched in horror as the baby struggled and fought to get away from the suction device used to rip him or her from his or her mother’s womb.

They brainwash our children to believe that these innocent babies are just parasites. They fill them with hatred and apathy from a young age so that when they’re older, they’ll fall in line. What can the Church really do to combat this atrocity? Pray. We have one option as Christians, and that’s to pray for our nation. To pray for our children. To pray for the innocent lives that are being slaughtered at record numbers.

Dear LORD, please forgive me for turning a blind eye to this genocide that is being committed worldwide and masked as health care and a woman’s right to choose. Please open the blind eyes of those who are in support of this evil. Let them see that these unborn babies aren’t just lumps of cells or parasites in their mothers’ wombs but living babies that You formed. That You have given a purpose to. Please open the eyes of men and women around the world so that we might put an end to this genocide. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.

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The Weight of Humility

⁴ For the Lord takes pleasure in His people; He adorns the humble with salvation. ~ Psalms 149:4

Humility is a difficult thing for most of us to grasp. It’s much more than just humbling ourselves before God and admitting that we’ve sinned and can’t save ourselves. It’s more than just saying we need God’s help in our everyday lives. Humility is also about how we interact with those around us. That’s why pride is probably one of the strongest strongholds gripping the Church today.

Rarely does the Church today try to crucify our flesh. Here’s what I mean: we’re quick to be offended but not quick to apologize. We want to get even. We want to be petty. And believe you me, I’m not excluded from this. I’m right there in that group of the Church that struggle with this. The other night, a simple conversation got heated between me and a friend for literally no reason. I said something truthful, and she was more than offended and then proceeded to say something hurtful. But I bit my tongue. I even apologized for the thing I said, even though I wasn’t the one in the wrong. But let me tell you, that humble pie kept me up all night.

I didn’t sleep that entire night because I was so upset that I had to apologize (conviction of the Holy Spirit, Matthew 5:23-24). In fact, I can’t even lie; I was kinda happy that she called me the next day at a time when I couldn’t answer the phone. Why? Because my flesh wasn’t happy with what my spirit did.

It’s extremely hard to be a Christian. I don’t understand the idea of telling people that serving God makes things easier. Because it doesn’t. Serving God means that you now have to pick up your cross and follow Him. You have to crucify your flesh daily. That’s not an easy task. It’s in our human nature to want to get even. It’s in our human nature to want to be petty, but we have to remember that we aren’t our own. We’ve been bought by a price. We belong to Christ. And if we belong to Christ, then vengeance, getting even, and putting people in check is no longer our right. It now belongs to Him.

Dear LORD, please help me to continue to crucify my flesh. Help me to grow my spirit man, so that when I force my flesh into submission, it will be obedient. Please continue to humble me and remove the spirit of pride from gripping me. Teach me to not return reviling with reviling, or anger with anger, or hurt with hurt, but help me to overcome all of these things with love. Teach me to turn the other cheek so that I might be a light in this dark world and point others back to You. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.

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A Wise Man

²²A wise man scales the city of the mighty and brings down the stronghold in which they trust. ~ Proverbs 21:22

Wisdom is from God. And God gives wisdom to any of His people who ask for wisdom. Oftentimes, we think of wisdom as just knowledge, but wisdom is a little deeper than knowledge. I believe wisdom also entails being able to put that knowledge into action. See, if we know a lot of verses and can defend our faith in any argument, then we have a lot of knowledge, but unless we actually put those verses and faith into use, then we aren’t being wise.

That’s why a wise man can scale the city of the mighty and bring down that false stronghold that they’re putting their trust in. A wise person doesn’t just know Scripture but uses it. They put it into practice, and they take back what the enemy has stolen from them.

Spiritual warfare isn’t just prayer full of words that sound really good and powerful. It’s backing up those words with scripture and faith so that they have something firm to stand on.

Dear LORD, help me not to just be knowledgeable of Your Word, but help me to be wise and put that word into practice. Help me to see the power of Your Word, that it is living and breathing. That it’s not dead words for a time long ago but living words that have power for a time such as this. Help me to be wise in all things that I say and do. Guide me in my spiritual and physical journey. Show me the way You have planned out for me. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.

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Tag: Daily Bread

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