Devotional Archives

October 15, 2020October 12, 2020

Go In The Strength You Have

The LORD turned to him and said. “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Median’s hand. Am I not sending you?” “But LORD, Gideon asked, “how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.” The LORD answered, “I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites together” ~ Judges 6:14-16

God told Gideon, “Go in the strength you have.” In other words, you have all you need to achieve greatness. God has created you to be a success. Stop looking at who you think you are. Stop believing what others say you are and start living who God created you to be. Do not let anyone or any circumstance dictate the end product of who you will be.

All you need to know is God is for you, so who can be against you? For Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world. Sometimes it’s our own family who keeps us down because we don’t fit the mold in the beginning, but remember it’s not the starters that win the race it’s the finishers. Therefore, it is not how well or how bad you start, but how well you finish.

Father God, would You please rebuke the vicious lie from everyone who believed that they are weak, worthless, and no good. Let them see and realize they are worth the shed blood of the very Son of Almighty God. Let them see that You loved them so much that while they were still Your enemies, you chose to die for them. Help them to recognize the strength You have endowed them with and enable them to achieve great accomplishments today because that is the inheritance of the Christian believer. We are not poor losers, we are sons and daughters of the Most High God.

In Jesus name, I pray, amen.

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His Faithful

He says, “It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.” ~ Isaiah 49:6

Look at what the LORD says. He tells Isaiah that it is too small a thing just to be a servant; He will make him more than just that. If we continue reading just a couple of more verses, we will find what else the LORD sees fit to add. He causes high ranking people such as kings to pay homage, honor, and respect to Isaiah. Why? Because the LORD is faithful and kind.

Are you feeling like a despised servant without respect or honor? Be faithful to your calling no matter what, and God will eventually promote you and make you more than a conqueror. But you have to remain a faithful servant of God without wavering. Things may not come when they seem, but keep your faith for God has great things in store for you.

Dear Heavenly Father, please look and see the faithfulness of Your servants. Take note of the plight that they are in. Notice their lowly state and come to the rescue of Your people. Promote the faithful, those who have honored You; please lift them up and promote them now.

In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.

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From Lack to Lush

Elisha said, “Hear the word of the LORD. This is what the LORD says: About this time tomorrow a seah of flour will sell for a shekel and two seahs of barley for a shekel at the gate of Samaria.” The officer on whose arm the king was leaning said to the man of God, “Look, even if the LORD should open the floodgates of the heavens, could this happen?” “You will see it with your own eyes,” answered Elisha, “but you will not eat any of it!” ~ 2 Kings 7:1-2

Understand that there was a famine going on at this time. So grievous was it that the people were cooking and eating their own children. There was no food to be had because of the siege. But God said in one day, in one twenty four hour period, you will have an overabundance. Though right now you have nothing, you will have more than enough.

The officer didn’t believe and was trampled by the people and died when the news came the next day, so he did not get to partake. Your situation also can change in one twenty four hour period. One day you’re in deep lack and the next you can have an overabundance in all things, not just finances. Remember, all things are possible with God, just pray and believe so that you may partake and be blessed.

Heavenly Father, I pray for a mighty move of God today in the life of someone who is in deep need, someone whose situation is dire. Would You please move in each situation and let Your people know that You are still on Your throne and still in charge. Let them see Your power has not diminished in any way, and Your love had not lessened. Bring about a mighty change in someone’s life that they may have such a testimony. In Jesus name, I pray, amen.

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The Lowly and Despised

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” ~ Luke 2:8-12

Apparently, a shepherd was a very despised occupation in the time of Jesus, so much so that they could not testify in a Jewish court because their word was not considered valid, neither were they allowed into the temple to worship God, because they were ceremonially unclean. They were basically the lowest of the low in Jewish society. Yet, Almighty God chose them to be the first to tell of this great news, the birth of the long-awaited Messiah.

He did not choose the eloquent, or the high and mighty High Priest, but instead, according to 1 Cor 1:27-29, “But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him.” If you are feeling this way, rejoice you fit the description, Jesus came for you. Those shepherds did not return to the fields and to their sheep the same way they left; they had an encounter with the Holder and Giver of Salvation. So rejoice and be glad, Jesus came just for you.

My Heavenly Father, thank You that You came for whomsoever will and not just the rich or the powerful, or for those who are acclaimed to be somebody in the world. Your eye has always been on the widow and the orphan, and on the poor and the needy. You will protect those who were abused and left behind because they don’t belong to the right Country Club or hold the right accreditation. LORD thank You that You love us and care for us not because of who we are in this world, but because of who we are in Christ Jesus. May Your name be forever praised, and may You receive all honor and all glory, in Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.

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His Prayer

“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message,” ~ John 17:20

Wow! Jesus Himself has prayed and indeed is still interceding for you and for me. If Jesus, the Son of God, has prayed for our deliverance and for us to succeed in this world, tell me what can stop us or who can hinder us? Let us then persevere with all diligence knowing that Christ already won our battle, and because He overcame, we too shall overcome.

Our Father who watches over us and who resides in heaven may Your name be glorified forever. Give us the victory today and help us to overcome the temptations and the obstacles that may befall. Thank You for deliverance and for Jesus, who lives and who intercedes for us. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Open Doors

“So Joshua said to the Israelites: ‘How long will you wait before you begin to take possession of the land that the LORD, the God of your fathers, has given you?’” ~ Joshua 18:3

Do you have big dreams of ‘someday’? Someday I’m going to start my own business. Someday I’m going to Copywrite my stuff. Someday I’m going to pursue my invention. Someday I’m going to…but I’m waiting for the right time, the right circumstances, I’m waiting for God to move. But, just maybe God is waiting for you.

He has given you creative ideas, abilities, and the open door. Now He is waiting for you to make the move and walk through the open door. So what exactly are you waiting for? Go ahead conquer the land that has been given to you. Don’t be afraid or discouraged for the LORD your God is with you.

Heavenly Father, I pray for boldness and for confidence. I pray for opportunities and for open doors. LORD, please give success to everyone that is about to step out in faith. Be with them and give them the victory, in Jesus name I pray, amen.

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Fast Like Esther and Mordecai

¹²And they told Mordecai what Esther had said. ¹³Then Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, “Do not think to yourself that in the king’s palace, you will escape any more than all the other Jews. ¹⁴For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

¹⁵Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai, ¹⁶“Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my young women will also fast as you do. Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish.” ~ Esther 4:12-16

Esther had to have been terrified to hear that the Jews would be destroyed, but even more so that Mordecai wanted her to go before the king without being called. I mean, Esther’s call was scary. She was basically playing with death. No matter which choice she chose, the outcome could have resulted in death, but she knew that if she brought it before God, that’s what would make the difference. If she had God on her side, how could she fail?

I learned three main things from reading these verses: 1st, no matter how high up you are in your field, no matter how important you are in your community, if you are a threat to the enemy, then you are at risk. 2nd, if you are called to do something, and you do not do it, God will rise up another because God’s overall will will be fulfilled. 3rd, there is power in fasting, no matter how short the fast is because there is strength in numbers. Esther called for every one of the Jews to fast alongside her. They didn’t fast 40 days, they didn’t fast 21 days, they only fasted 3 days, and that was enough.

I wonder how many more prayers would be answered if entire families came together in fasting and prayer for specific things, instead of one person fasting by themselves and keeping it to themselves. May we learn to fast as Esther and Mordecai did.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Fast Like Esther and Mordecai.

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October 8, 2020October 6, 2020

God’s Timing

“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary, and they shall walk, and not faint.” ~ Isaiah 40:31

When trouble comes, and problems arise, the hardest thing to do is to just sit still and wait. But if we rush off to do our own thing without first seeking God on the matter, then, in reality, we are taking God out of the equation, and we are now taking His place. Besides, by doing that, we normally make things worse.

Because whose wisdom can compare with the wisdom of God? And who can deliver like God can? Just take the time to earnestly seek Him and wait for Him. God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. It may not happen when you think it should, but it won’t happen a second too late, either.

Heavenly Father, help us to wait upon You for an answer. Help us not to run off to do our own thing. Guide our steps and our thoughts so that we may know Your good and perfect will. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.

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October 6, 2020September 28, 2020

Wait With Hope

“Though the fig tree does not bud, and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails, and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.” ~ Habakkuk 3:17-18

Habakkuk was complaining to the LORD about injustice. He was praying and calling on the name of the LORD, but no answer. He went as far as to say that he has heard of God’s fame, but apparently, he was not familiar with it. So he prayed for God to renew His mighty deeds in his time. Then he got a revelation of who God is, and that changed his whole perspective of things.

Yes, we want our fields producing and our pens and stalls filled, but even if there are no figs, or grapes, or olives, neither if there are no sheep or cattle, even if we see no immediate answer to prayer, we will rejoice in our salvation. Because we don’t serve God for what we can get here on earth only, and if we don’t get it, we take our ball and go home. No, our reward is an eternal one, one that does fail but will last forever. So we wait on the LORD for the answer awaits an appointed time, even though it lingers we will wait in hope; for it will certainly come and will not delay.

Heavenly Father, give us a divine revelation of who You are. Show us Your deeds and extend Your mercy. Strengthen the weak and lift up the brokenhearted. Bring hope to those who are in despair, that You might receive honor and glory for You are worthy of our praise and worship. In Jesus name, I pray, amen.

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Take Your Head Out Of The Sand

“²For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. ³While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. ⁴But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief.

⁵For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness. ⁶So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. ⁷For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night. ⁸But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.” ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:2-8

No matter where you go in the world our biggest enemy is apathy. We no longer care what the Bible says, whether it’s the creation of the world, the end times, or even just what’s right and what’s wrong. We don’t know and we don’t care. No one wants to talk about it. No one wants to hear about it. All we want to do is put our head in the sand as if that will protect us from whatever is here or whatever is coming. We’d rather watch mindless television than read our Bible. We’d rather live in a bubble than actually learn what’s going on with the world. Why? Why don’t we want to face what’s right in front of us?

We’ve gotten to a point where we no longer want to even define sin because that could be offensive to those who live in sin. We have become apathetic to the things of God, but to the world, we give our full attention and time. Whether we like it or not, sin is crouching at our door, and it desires to overcome us and devour us, and if we’re not careful, it will do just that. If we don’t pay attention to what’s going on in the world, we will be devoured. If we don’t pay attention to how the Bible tells us to live, we will be devoured. We have to care whether the Bible says it’s right or wrong, and we have to care what the Bible says will happen in the future. Because with apathy, we have no chance of spiritual survival.

Keeping your head in the sand won’t keep you safe, it won’t protect you, and it won’t make it okay. We have to make a choice to stand firm. Don’t be deceived by the world, but look to God and He will open your eyes. He will remove all the sand from your eyes that you have accumulated over the years. He will make you aware, and when He does, He will give you His peace, so that it will not overcome you.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Take Your Head Out Of The Sand.

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