Devotionals

I can remember being a kid in Catholic school and singing the “Battle of Jericho”. I loved the fast-paced tempo, and the chorus was my favorite: “Joshua fought the battle of Jericho, Jericho, Jericho; Joshua fought the battle of Jericho, and the walls came tumbling down!” Looking back, I can vividly recall not really believing that the events of Jericho were possible, and to some degree, my young self was right. Joshua and the Israelites were not humanly capable of directly causing the walls of Jericho to tumble down by themselves and through their own strength and/or actions. However, what my young self was not accounting for is what we read in verses 2 and 16 of today’s passage.

In verse 2 the LORD says to Joshua, “I have given you Jericho, its king, and all its strong warriors”. It’s really important to remember that this verse comes before the Lord’s instructions of what Joshua and the Israelites are to do for the next seven days, and before they will successfully capture Jericho. The Lord knows Joshua’s heart and the hearts of the Israelites thus, He assures Joshua of His reward for their obedience and His favor through the soon to be deliverance of Jericho to them.

In verse 16 we see that on “the seventh time around, as the priests sounded the long blast on their horns, Joshua commanded the people, ‘Shout! For the Lord has given you the town!’”. I love how Joshua’s confident and obedient faith in the Lord is exhibited here in his instructions that directly align with the words the Lord spoke to him in verse 2. Joshua tells the Lord’s people to shout for Him because He has “given” you the town, and this is just before the walls will come tumbling down and they will concur Jericho. I wonder if some of the Israelites were thinking like I did when I was young and in Catholic school? Even though they had experienced the Lord’s power at the Jordan River and partook in His blessings in the desert; they still had doubts during those events. Now, they find themselves up against these strong warriors, and here Joshua was instructing them to shout after they have walked around 7 times, for days, and blowing horns.

Friends, we are no different than the Israelites. How many times do we find ourselves in situations where our minds are not capable to understand how we will conquer an obstacle? Well, “we” are not capable of conquering any obstacle, only God can do that for us. We forget that God has already “given” us the tools to know that no walls are never too high, because He knows what we will face before we even face it. What we need to be focused on is Him, not any obstacle, only HIM and our faith, trust, and obedience to Him in the midst of the obstacles.

Joshua 6:1-21 (NLT)
The Fall of Jericho

1 Now the gates of Jericho were tightly shut because the people were afraid of the Israelites. No one was allowed to go out or in. 2 But the Lord said to Joshua, “I have given you Jericho, its king, and all its strong warriors. 3 You and your fighting men should march around the town once a day for six days. 4 Seven priests will walk ahead of the Ark, each carrying a ram’s horn. On the seventh day you are to march around the town seven times, with the priests blowing the horns. 5 When you hear the priests give one long blast on the rams’ horns, have all the people shout as loud as they can. Then the walls of the town will collapse, and the people can charge straight into the town.”

6 So Joshua called together the priests and said, “Take up the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant, and assign seven priests to walk in front of it, each carrying a ram’s horn.” 7 Then he gave orders to the people: “March around the town, and the armed men will lead the way in front of the Ark of the Lord.”

8 After Joshua spoke to the people, the seven priests with the rams’ horns started marching in the presence of the Lord, blowing the horns as they marched. And the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant followed behind them. 9 Some of the armed men marched in front of the priests with the horns and some behind the Ark, with the priests continually blowing the horns. 10 “Do not shout; do not even talk,” Joshua commanded. “Not a single word from any of you until I tell you to shout. Then shout!” 11 So the Ark of the Lord was carried around the town once that day, and then everyone returned to spend the night in the camp.

12 Joshua got up early the next morning, and the priests again carried the Ark of the Lord. 13 The seven priests with the rams’ horns marched in front of the Ark of the Lord, blowing their horns. Again the armed men marched both in front of the priests with the horns and behind the Ark of the Lord. All this time the priests were blowing their horns. 14 On the second day they again marched around the town once and returned to the camp. They followed this pattern for six days.

15 On the seventh day the Israelites got up at dawn and marched around the town as they had done before. But this time they went around the town seven times. 16 The seventh time around, as the priests sounded the long blast on their horns, Joshua commanded the people, “Shout! For the Lord has given you the town! 17 Jericho and everything in it must be completely destroyed[a] as an offering to the Lord. Only Rahab the prostitute and the others in her house will be spared, for she protected our spies.

18 “Do not take any of the things set apart for destruction, or you yourselves will be completely destroyed, and you will bring trouble on the camp of Israel. 19 Everything made from silver, gold, bronze, or iron is sacred to the Lord and must be brought into his treasury.”

20 When the people heard the sound of the rams’ horns, they shouted as loud as they could. Suddenly, the walls of Jericho collapsed, and the Israelites charged straight into the town and captured it. 21 They completely destroyed everything in it with their swords—men and women, young and old, cattle, sheep, goats, and donkeys.

Prayer: Jesus, we LOVE You! Help our unbelief, strengthen us to have faith like Joshua, and allow us to trust that no walls are too high for You. We submit our human minds to You today, and ask that You allow the work of Your Holy Spirit to guide our every thought, speak every word spoken, and perform every action taken. We ask all of this in Your Holy Name, Jesus. Amen.

Written by: Jennifer Auer, Pastor Mary Haley’s Assistant

Today, we continue with the Apostle Paul in Romans 2. Towards the end of yesterday’s devotion, did you “ask the Holy Spirit to help you to stop hiding excuses and start living for Christ’s glory”? It was the very last line before the prayer. If you can’t remember, or if you didn’t read yesterday’s devotion, or maybe you feel like you have no excuses…well, I assure you that there are NO secretes that you and I can hide from Almighty God. So, let’s start with prayer before we read today’s passage.

Prayer: Jesus, thank You for Your Word which causes hearts to soften, eyes to open, ears to hear, and lives to be changed. You are coming to judge every aspect of every heart. So, please reveal all sin with our lives that needs to be confessed and laid down at Your feet. Forgive us for thinking that we can hide things from You. You know all, and You want us to be honest within ourselves so that we can ultimately be honest with You. Please allow this Word to speak to us today, allow us to become even more transparent with You, and ultimately closer in our oneness with You. We ask all of this in Your Holy Name, Jesus. Amen.

Romans 2:12-16 (VOICE)

12 If one lives life without knowledge of the law—the teachings of the Torah—he will sin and die apart from the law. If someone else lives life under the law, his sin will be judged by what the law teaches. 13 Here’s my point: just because a person hears the law read or recited does not mean he is right before the one True God; it is following the law that makes one right, not just hearing it. 14-15 For instance, some outsiders who are not required to follow the law often live quite naturally by its teachings. Even though the law wasn’t given to them, in themselves they have the law. Here’s the thing: their lives demonstrate that God has inscribed the law’s teachings on their hearts. On judgment day, their consciences will testify for them, and their thoughts will both accuse and defend them. 16 This good news given to me declares that this affirmation and accusation will take place on that day when God, through Jesus, the Anointed One, judges every person’s life secrets.

Friends, we must make sure that our hearts are in one accord with Christ at all times and in all that we do, say, and think. He is coming, and the only way we can “check” to see if we are living without sin is to remain in the Word and to continuously ask Jesus to correct our lives as we grow in Truth.

Written By: Jennifer Auer, Pastor Mary Haley’s Assistant

Romans 2:1-4 (VOICE)
2 So you can see there are no excuses for any of us. If your eyes shift their focus from yourselves to others—to judge how they are doing—you have already condemned yourselves! You don’t realize that you are pointing your fingers at others for the exact things you do as well. 2 There’s no doubt that the judgment of God will justly fall upon hypocrites who practice such things. 3 Here’s what is happening: you attack and criticize others and then turn around to commit the same offenses yourselves! Do you think you will somehow dodge God’s judgment? 4 Do you take the kindness of God for granted? Do you see His patience and tolerance as signs that He is a pushover when it comes to sin? How could you not know that His kindness is guiding our hearts to turn away from distractions and habitual sin to walk a new path? [a path of repentance]

As I study the Word of God for today from the Apostle Paul, I am reminded once again the biggest issue facing humanity is the “judgment” of God for the massive amounts of excuses we use when we sin against Him, ourselves, and others. According to the Apostle Paul, when we use excuses for any sin we commit, we actually condemn ourselves before God. Many times, we repeat the very sins we have condemned in others.

God offers a new path of personal responsibility in life; it is called the path of repentance. In Scripture, repentance is really narrowed down to the word “surrender.” In other words, we accept responsibility for our actions before our Sovereign God. In sorrow, we ask for forgiveness, because of the immense kindness and mercy God has shown toward us. As we repent, we are making a decision to change our focus from making excuses for ourselves or blaming others and instead cast our gaze upon God who is the true and all-knowing Judge of all human behaviors. We can’t hide the truth from God, so let’s pray and ask the Holy Spirit to help us stop the excuses and start living for his glory!

Prayer: Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us today the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Proverbs 1:1-7 (TPT)
1
Here are kingdom revelations, words to live by,
    and words of wisdom given to empower you to reign in life,[to take dominion]
    written as proverbs by Israel’s King Solomon, David’s son.
2 
Within these sayings will be found the revelation of wisdom [righteousness]
    and the impartation of spiritual understanding.
    Use them as keys to unlock the treasures of true knowledge.
3 
Those who cling to these words will receive discipline
    to demonstrate wisdom [righteousness] in every relationship
    and to choose what is right and just and fair.
4 
These proverbs will give you great skill
    to teach the immature and make them wise,
    to give youth the understanding of their design and destiny.
5 
For the wise, these proverbs will make you even wiser,
    and for those with discernment,
    you will be able to acquire brilliant strategies for leadership.
6 
These kingdom revelations will break open your understanding
    to unveil the deeper meaning of parables,
    poetic riddles, and epigrams,
    and to unravel the words and enigmas of the wise.
7 
We cross the threshold of true knowledge
    when we live in obedient devotion to God.[fear of the Lord]
    Stubborn know-it-alls [fools] will never stop to do this,
    for they scorn true wisdom and knowledge.

We need the wisdom of the Lord to help rule our lives, our communities, and our government in a way that is true, just, and fair before the eyes of Almighty God. I intend this statement to be shared in kindness, but we definitely need some brilliant strategies from God for our leadership. Without God’s vision—without him guiding the way and setting the boundaries—the people perish (Pro 29:18). I actually believe we self-slaughter through our rebellion against God’s Word; a structural implosion due to our rejection of God’s authority. I pray for mercy every day on behalf of this world; do you?

The Word—Scripture—reveals the boundaries God has set for humanity. We must have boundaries for our lives, for our communities, and for our government. Certainly, the whole world needs the wisdom of God; otherwise, people live by the foolish intentions of their hearts which leads them to reject the original vision for creation.

We really do want to think we know what is right, but my friends, without God we do not have a clue; we become stubborn know-it-alls who scorn true wisdom. Why is it so difficult to consult and accept the truth from the Creator? May we stop demanding our own way and start listening to the wisdom of the One who really knows what is best for his creation. Read His-story…it’s a Revelation for the world!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for providing the Words of wisdom and grace for your human creation. I pray, Lord, for every heart to turn to you. I pray for the people of every community to become true “neighbors” who care about and serve one another. I pray for our government leaders to honor the boundaries set out by our Constitution and stop trying to railroad their own selfish agendas. We have all been created equal by you, God. Please bring an end to the “systemic hatred” being propagated by the media. Help our leaders bring people together under your authority; it is the only way to be whole. Touch your world with the mystery of your grace and cause every knee to bow and every soul to tremble before your holiness. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

1 Peter 2:19-21 (NLT)

19 For God is pleased when, conscious of his will, you patiently endure unjust treatment. 20 Of course, you get no credit for being patient if you are beaten for doing wrong. But if you suffer for doing good and endure it patiently, God is pleased with you.

21 For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps.

Many people are suffering injustice these days; we have been witnessing an egregious worldwide abuse of power on an escalating scale. I know, in my life, witnessing unjust treatment (violent or neglectful) of the innocent [those who cannot protect themselves] has forced me to forge a deeper trust in God and pray without ceasing (1 Thes. 5:16). True justice means we live in right relationship with God, one another, and all of creation; justice flows from the very nature of God. “Has the LORD ever needed anyone’s advice? Does he need instruction about what is good? Did someone teach him what is right or show him the path of justice?” (Isa 40:14). Evil seems to be lurking around every corner, so we should not be surprised when we encounter it! According to Scripture, injustice is manifest from the evil intentions of the unredeemed heart (Mark 7:21-23). “Jesus, the world needs you!”

For the past few days, my heart has been heavy for our wounded and fallen military heroes and their worried and grieving families/friends. These young men and women took on their mission of securing justice for their fellow Americans, as well as those most vulnerable to harm. They selflessly laid their lives on the line to protect others; therefore, evil attacked. Evil hates goodness and justice. These precious servants did nothing wrong and they did not deserve the treatment they received, yet they knew their mission was about doing what was right as he/she represented One Nation Under God.

May we never forget their sacrifice while learning from it. May one day Christ place upon the head of each of those military servants the Crown of Life—bestowed to those who have not been afraid what they may suffer; faithful even to the point of death (Rev. 2:10). May God bless and honor the fallen, as well as heal our wounded! And, may the eyes of the world be open and the Truth proclaimed to the glory of God! Now, with military troops evacuated, I invite you to pray with me for God’s angels to surround and guard our remaining American citizens in Afghanistan. Also, let’s pray for those who face loss in the path of Hurricane Ida. May hope sustain them until help and restoration arrives.

Prayer: Father God, in love and trust we lift our hearts to you, today. We pray to receive comfort, encouragement and hope for the days ahead not only for our lives, but for the lives of your children globally. Every heart that proclaims the name of Jesus and your goodness belongs to you. Cover every heroic rescuer with your mighty wings of love and protection, set your warring angels against evil, and however long it takes, please bring every American and our friends home from Afghanistan. Lord, we await further news about those who are facing loss from the hurricane and we pray for you to sustain them with hope and support from the north, south, east, and west of this amazing country filled with your children. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

In today’s passage we are looking at a section of one of Paul’s letters to Timothy. It begins at verse 6, but in verses 1 through 5 Paul gives a great description of false teachers, and then he provides practical steps, so Timothy is equipped to defend against false teachers. These steps are just as useful for us today as they were for Timothy.

1 Timothy 4:6-13 NLT
A Good Servant of Christ Jesus

6 If you explain these things to the brothers and sisters, Timothy, you will be a worthy servant of Christ Jesus, one who is nourished by the message of faith and the good teaching you have followed. 7 Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly. 8 “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.” 9 This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it. 10 This is why we work hard and continue to struggle, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people and particularly of all believers.

11 Teach these things and insist that everyone learn them. 12 Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity. 13 Until I get there, focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers, and teaching them.

Paul’s advice to Timothy is all about Truth, and it can be broken down for us in a few steps:

Talk about Truth (1 Timothy 4:6) – we know that “all who declare that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God.” (1 John 4:15) Thus, we must pray for wisdom and discernment, and stay rooted in the Word, so that as we speak it is bathed in Truth and in one accord with the teachings of Christ.
Train in Truth (1 Timothy 4:7) – we know that the ungodly motives of this world clash with God’s heart, and thus we are not to waist time arguing with the world’s ideas, rather we are to remain yoked to the Lord and to learn from Him through His Word. (Matthew 11:27-30)
Be an Example of Truth (1 Timothy 4:12) – we are called to be an example of Christ, as a light to the world. Jesus calls us to let our good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise our Heavenly Father. (Matthew 5:14-16)
Teach the Truth (1 Timothy 4:13) – God calls each of us into “ministry”, how those “ministries” look are different (i.e. as children, parents, grandparents, siblings, friends, neighbors, coworkers, music, missionary, pastors, etc.), regardless of your ministry, you are there to teach about Christ. So, stay in the Word and encourage fellow believers.

As we remain in these places of Truth and holding on to Christ, His wisdom is made known to us. So, through the work of the Holy Spirit, we will know when someone is a false teacher.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Truth. I need Your wisdom and guidance as I talk about You and as I grow to know more and more about You. Help me, Lord, to be a shining light for You, and thank You for the places that You have called me into ministry. Father, please allow me the discernment to understand false teachings, and keep me close to You and far from them. I ask all of this in Your Holy Name, Jesus. Amen.

Written By: Jennifer Auer, Pastor Mary Haley’s Assistant

James 1:12-16 (TPT)
12 If your faith remains strong, even while surrounded by life’s difficulties, you will continue to experience the untold blessings of God! True happiness comes as you pass the test with faith, and receive the victorious crown of life promised to every lover of God!

13 When you are tempted don’t ever say, “God is tempting me,” for God is incapable of being tempted by evil and he is never the source of temptation. 14 Instead it is each person’s own desires and thoughts that drag them into evil [hooked by the bait] and lure them away into darkness. 15 Evil desires give birth to evil actions. And when sin is fully mature it can murder you! 16 So my friends, don’t be fooled by your own desires!

When I was a young girl, I spent a great deal of time during the summers with my maternal grandparents. I loved every minute being with them. They were fun and oh so loving! My grandfather was an enthusiastic sportsman; fishing for Walleye was one of his favorite hobbies. I enjoyed catching fish with my grandfather, but that whole baiting the hook thing…not so much! He would say, “Mary, drape the bait [nightcrawler] in a way that hides the hook. If the fish see the hook, chances are they will not bite.” Grandpa’s lesson to me also teaches a spiritual principle unbelievers need to know and believers should never forget.

In our passage today, James reminds us Satan disguises his hook of evil to tempt humanity. He surrounds us with challenges and flaunts evil desires before creation, then he offers the bait at a person’s weakest moment. His bait may look exciting and seem to offer answers or lasting pleasure to be desired, but it is a trap that leads to spiritual death. Once humanity bites the bait, the hook is set and Satan has the power to drag his prey further into deception and depravity. Evil then begins to reveal itself through ongoing unholy human thoughts that lead to rebellious actions against God and cruel words and actions against fellow humans.

This world, as a whole, has confused people about the power of sin. In fact, our culture seems to refuse to even define sin or hint to its destructive power. So, let me define it for us now: Sin is rebellion and transgression against God and the authority of His holy Word/Law. Humanity’s ignorance about sin leaves the unbeliever most vulnerable. For the believer, we have grace, the Word, and the Holy Spirit to watch out for us. When Satan comes to tempt Christ’s followers, the Holy Spirit reminds us of God’s law [written upon our hearts] and then sends an alarm to our souls to help us refrain from consuming Satan’s bait. We may feel hungry for what Satan offers, but we know sin leads us to self-slaughter before Almighty God. So, don’t be fooled by Satan’s “bait.” His soul piercing hook is always hidden well until it is too late.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for setting into place the provision to help me each day live free from sin. Although I humbly confess I have not been perfected, I am so grateful for your grace, Word, and the work of the Holy Spirit to guard my way against the bait of Satan. I pray for this world to understand your love, the work of Satan, and the death penalty of sin. I pray for you to shine your Light of Truth upon our nation’s leaders and remove the scales from their eyes to see the hook of sin before they bite further. Call America to repentance, Lord. I pray for the world’s leaders, as a whole, to be humbled before your authority. You teach us pride goes before destruction. With leadership comes great responsibility and so many of the world’s leaders are arrogantly bent on power, control, while consuming unrighteous legislation bait set up by Satan. You are all-powerful, Lord, and your way to salvation is such a gift. Thank you for sending your Son, inviting me into salvation, extending redemption to me, and taking care of me until you return. This is not only my inheritance, but belongs to everyone who calls upon your name for help. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

James 1:2-8 Faith and Wisdom

2 My fellow believers, when it seems as though you are facing nothing but difficulties, see it as an invaluable opportunity to experience the greatest joy that you can! 3 For you know that when your faith is tested it stirs up in you the power of endurance. 4 And then as your endurance grows even stronger, it will release perfection into every part of your being until there is nothing missing and nothing lacking.

5 And if anyone longs to be wise, ask God for wisdom and he will give it! He won’t see your lack of wisdom as an opportunity to scold you over your failures but he will overwhelm your failures with his generous grace [offering an open hand to you]. 6 Just make sure you ask empowered by confident faith without doubting that you will receive. For the ambivalent person believes one minute and doubts the next. Being undecided makes you become like the rough seas driven and tossed by the wind. You’re up one minute and tossed down the next. 7–8 When you are half-hearted and wavering it leaves you unstable [disconnected]. Can you really expect to receive anything from the Lord when you’re in that condition?

Life is always serving up growth challenges for our souls—mind, will, emotions. It would be easy to conclude these challenges are only the works of Satan who attacks Christ’s followers. Yet, Jesus told his disciple Peter, “My dear friend, listen to what I’m about to tell you. Satan has obtained permission to come and sift you all (disciples) like wheat and test your faith” (Luke 22:31). Therefore, what if the Father actually allows Satan to throw these challenges at us in order to get a greater measure of power (the Anointed Son) to us? It is our shield of faith that quenches the fiery darts, right? When we use our faith in God’s promises while we face life’s challenges and invite the Lord of Heaven’s Armies to fight them with us, we triumph over them all, for God has made us to be more than conquerors in Christ (Romans 8:37). “If God has determined to stand with us, tell me, who then could ever stand against us?” (Romans 8:31). We must stop trying to fight the battles with faith turned toward ourselves.

In our passage today, James reminds us it is our “faith” that is being tested through these challenges. The wisdom of God is always going to be necessary to lead us through the challenges; the Lord must be the cloud of smoke that hinders the enemy while being the pillar of fire that burns the righteous path before us. Only then can we know the way to go and experience the victory of our faith. If you are going through great challenges to your faith right now, press into the Lord and ask for the wisdom of Christ to be imparted to your soul. Ask for the Lord to hinder the enemy, reveal the righteous direction he has laid out before you, and use your faith and trust in his goodness to follow. “Every child of God overcomes the world, for our [persistent] faith [trust in the Son] is the victorious power that triumphs over the world” (1 John 5:4). Go overcome the world today with your faith in Christ!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for being my wisdom each day. Thank you for being my Way in the dark wilderness of this world. Thank you for standing between me and the enemy of my soul. I choose to stand with you, because you are always victorious. You love me along the way. No weapon the enemy turns against me shall prosper, because this is my blessing in life and inheritance from you! In Jesus’ name. Amen.

John 15:4-20 (TPT)
Jesus the Living Vine
4 “You show that you are my intimate friends when you obey [habitually] all that I command you. 15 I have never called you ‘servants,’ because a master doesn’t confide in his servants, and servants don’t always understand what the master is doing. But I call you my most intimate and cherished friends, [cared for from the womb] for I reveal to you everything that I’ve heard from my Father. 16 You didn’t choose me, but I’ve chosen [invited] and commissioned you to go into the world [in ministry] to bear fruit. And your fruit will last, because whatever you ask of my Father, for my sake, [in my name] he will give it to you! 17 So this is my parting command: Love one another deeply!”

True Disciples Can Expect Persecution
18 “Just remember, when the unbelieving world hates you, they first hated me. 19 If you were to give your allegiance to the world, they would love and welcome you as one of their own. But because you won’t align yourself with the values of this world, they will hate you. I have chosen you and taken you out of the world to be mine. 20 So remember what I taught you, that a servant isn’t superior to his master [redeemer]. And since they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. And if they obey my teachings, they will also obey yours.

In our passage today, Jesus shares with his disciples the blessing of habitually obeying Christ’s commands. This involves a choice for the disciples; a choice to abide (dwell and align with Christ). We, too, are invited into a very powerful connection in Christ and as we follow him and begin to bear the fruit of righteousness we set ourselves up in the favor of God. Yet, let’s keep reading our passage, because when we choose to accept Christ’s invitation and commission, we must understand that persecution is always attracted to the anointing. For this reason, we must stand strong in the power of Christ and fight off every evil spirit that will try to come and rob the effective and miraculous work of our King. Truth wrapped in love and bathed in prayer is Christ’s choice of weapon for his disciples.

As Kingdom citizens, we do not nor will we ever fit into this world’s systems. If we feel like we belong here, I am concerned we have not allowed the Kingdom to be birthed within us. True disciples choose to abide and align with Christ. To have Christ possess us is to choose His way of making us right: imparting righteous, peace, and joy in the Spirit (Ro 14:17). The world is not interested in you if you make righteous fruit your goal. The Kingdom and the world are spiritual opposites. The Kingdom is built upon the foundation of Christ’s redeeming life and offers freedom, self-control, and sacrificial love for the King and one another. Kingdom people use all their energies working to get along with one another. The world’s system is built upon dark and oppressive control, unquenchable greed, and poisonous self-love. There is a spiritual war going on for our country and the world to return to God. The sons and daughters of God understand that battle, possess the needed grace and anointing, and stand in love, righteousness, and prayer to reveal the work of the Kingdom in the midst of darkness. Choose to stand there and see the salvation of the Lord operating in your life.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for choosing me and all my brothers and sisters to be the bearers of your presence in the world. Help me to bear the fruit of righteousness each day and pray for opportunities to shine the Light of Truth into the darkness. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Psalm 119:97-104 I Love the Word of God
97 
O how I love and treasure your law [Word];
    throughout the day I fill my heart with its light!
98 
By considering your commands I have an edge over my enemies,
    for I take seriously everything you say.
99 
You have given me more understanding than those who teach me,
    for I’ve absorbed your eye-opening revelation.
100 
You have graced me with more insight than the old sages
    because I have not failed to walk in the light of your ways.
101 
I refused to bend my morals when temptation was before me
    so that I could become obedient to your Word.
102 
I refuse to turn away from difficult truths,
    for you yourself have taught me to love your words.
103 
How sweet are your living promises to me;
    sweeter than honey is your revelation-light.
104 
For your truth is the source of my understanding,
    not the falsehoods of those who don’t know you, which I despise.

In our passage today from King David, we cannot help but notice the intense love David has for the law of the Lord—the Word of God. It’s like David just cannot get enough of it. What prompts David’s intense hunger for God’s Word? I believe the answer is practical experience. The more he learns about God’s heart from the Word and the more he puts obedience to God’s will into practice he gains more love and wisdom which he notices gives him an “edge over” his enemies. So ponder this with me: If we really knew consuming and applying God’s Word to our lives would cause us to have power and victory over the evil that seeks to destroy us, wouldn’t we actually be foolish not to bring an appetite for His holiness?

We have spiritual enemies that are working all the time to diminish our devotion to God’s Word. The enemy works hard at getting us to quit, because he knows if we are passionate about God and determined to apply his Word to our hearts we will be infinitely more powerful because we will actually have the authority of God with us. Don’t let the difficult truths from the Word stop you; we are to live by every Word that flows from the mouth of God (Mat 4:4). Bow before every Word and know God is constantly working to get a greater measure of truth and understanding to you. God’s promises are sweet and they are given as a gift to lead us into genuine life. No one can take in God’s Word for you; you must eat the Truth yourself and be willing to live it out each day in your unique personality.

Prayer: Lord, your grace wraps around me and your love consumes me as I eat from the Truth of your Word each day. I am a human being on a spiritual journey and I must listen to your Word and take it in so that I may have the spiritual life with you I desire. The very words you have spoken are spirit and life. Today, Father, I pray for your sons and daughters around the world, but especially for those in Afghanistan. Many of them are surrounded by arrogant spiritual enemies bent on destruction. However, I pray power, courage, and endurance over these sweet Christians. I pray that all of your children will continually eat from your Tree of Life—your Word—and grow stronger and more determined each day to live for your glory. In your hand, we are protected and by your grace we are equipped to win every battle against evil on behalf of your Kingdom. In Jesus’ name. Amen.