Joshua 1:3
“Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses.” All throughout the Word of God we find promises of conditional blessings. These are where God has promised something, if we will simply do what He says. How simple, yet our humanity often complicates our response. Three verses into the Book of Joshua, we find the Lord promising Joshua that He has given the children of Israel the land. He even specifies that every place they step is the land which He has given them. They had not stepped one foot upon this promised land. “Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon…” Yet the Lord said He had already given it to them. “…that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses.” It was up to them to have faith to walk on and claim the promise. God gives, but it is up to us to receive His promises by faith in Him. John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Luke 6:38 “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.” Psalm 37:4 “Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” He has promised many things. He is waiting for us to have the faith to receive them. What are we missing out on simply because we have not done what He asked? Bible Reading: 1 Kings 21-22 | 2 Corinthians 13
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Philippians 1:12
“But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;” Paul wrote the Book of Philippians while he was in prison. It would be very easy to think that Paul’s situation would hinder the spread of the Gospel. He was bound, unable to go out and reach others. Yet, he understood that there was a purpose far greater than if he was free to roam about with the Romans. Philippians 1:13-14 “So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places; And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.” He explained that his situation caused others to be bold in his absence. They saw how Paul handled the things that happened to him, and it encouraged them to speak the Word without fear. Does your faith make others bolder? Our testimony has an effect on those around us. How we handle day to day situations tell as much, and possibly more, about our faith as when the storms arrive. Sometimes we may feel as if we are bound, unable to do much for Christ. But our testimony can cause others to speak in places we may never reach. 2 Timothy 2:9 “Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.” His Word cannot be imprisoned. Regardless of our circumstance, His Word can still be sent out to reach others with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Whatever you face today, His Word is not bound. God has a plan, and He is still in control. Take comfort today that the purpose of things that happen to us is to further the Gospel. Bible Reading: 1 Kings 19-20 | 2 Corinthians 12 Proverbs 20:10
“Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike abomination to the LORD.” A variety of messages only leads to confusion, often in an attempt to disguise the Truth. 1 Corinthians 14:33 “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.” The Truth must be consistently seen in all that we say and do. Though our methods may be different, our Message must remain the same. Proverbs 11:1 “A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight.” Consider a pair of scales. In order to create a balance, the weight must be the same on both sides. A true balance is achieved when the exact amount of weight is placed on either side of the scale so that the platforms align perfectly. The devil seeks to confuse the minds of those seeking God by multiplying sources that claim to speak the Truth. All roads of religion do not lead to Heaven. It is only by the blood of Jesus Christ will we ever reach the gates of pearl. A false doctrine and the Truth do not weigh the same. Where there is no Truth, there is no salvation, relationship, or eternal life. The devil desires to deceive us into believing that a false doctrine is the Truth. If our belief does not stand upon the Truth of the Word of God, we have no Truth at all. What the Bible says is wrong, is wrong. What the Bible says is right, is right. There are no gray areas when weighing Truth and error. There cannot be a balance when things do not weigh the same. Proverbs 16:11 “A just weight and balance are the LORD'S: all the weights of the bag are his work.” Weigh everything against the Truth of the Word of God today. Bible Reading: 1 Kings 17-18 | 2 Corinthians 11 Psalm 93:4
“The LORD on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yea, than the mighty waves of the sea.” Many resort to beaches around the world for rest and relaxation. The salty breeze and sand beneath their toes offer solace as the roaring of the waves soothe the noise within them. What a reminder the coasts are to the Almighty Creator that made them! It is not the ambiance of being on the shore brings peace and rest to our hearts, but rather the One Who created us. Sometimes the noise within us and around us becomes so great and overpowering that we know we must break away for a little while. Instead of seeking comfort from His creation, we, as His children, have the Creator Himself to speak peace to our raging souls. No matter the storm, He can speak peace. Psalm 89:9 “Thou rulest the raging of the sea: when the waves thereof arise, thou stillest them.” The Psalmist used the raging waters as an example of the power and might of the Lord, and later in the New Testament we see that Truth demonstrated by Jesus Himself. Mark 4:39 “And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.” Three words spoken by the Word made all the difference. He is mightier than the waves. Peace comes despite the wind and waves when we rest in Him. Isaiah 26:3 “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” Bible Reading: 1 Kings 15-16 | 2 Corinthians 10 John 9:4
“I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.” Jesus passed by and saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked why he was born blind, and Jesus explained the purpose behind his aliment. John 9:3 “Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.” Blindness is all around us. Every human being born into this world has inherited the same disease. 2 Corinthians 4:4 “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” We Must Work The only other option is disobedience and dishonor. If we choose to sit idle while there is work to be still be done, we not only do Him a disservice for all that He has done for us, but we are sure to miss out on many blessings He has in store. Ecclesiastes 9:10 “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.” His Works It is not our works that matter, but rather His work that He does in and through us. We cannot heal blinded eyes, but He can. It is simply our responsibility to tell the blind Who can make them see. “…while it is day…” The night is coming when we can no longer work for Him. The sun is setting on the days remaining. We must walk toward them that are without the Truth. Colossians 4:5 “Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.” How will we use the time we have now? Peter and John were faced with the same decision we have before us, and they chose to refuse to be silenced. Acts 4:20 “For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” Bible Reading: 1 Kings 13-14 | 2 Corinthians 9 Ecclesiastes 5:8
“If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for he that is higher than the highest regardeth; and there be higher than they.” There may be what seem like injustices in this world, yes. However, far too often we neglect to remember or realize that nothing happens that God does not allow. Every single thing is filtered by Him. When we witness such things, we can choose to wisely process what we see. “…marvel not at the matter…” Do not be astounded. Do not be dumbfounded. Do not be stunned or surprised. When we allow ourselves to marvel over what seems like an injustice, we forget that God must have a purpose. Oppressors may be high, but He is higher. Do not be afraid. Isaiah 41:10 “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” Do not doubt Him. Proverbs 3:5 “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” Marvel not at the things of this world, for we are not of this world. 1 John 3:13 “Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.” We will be hated for Who we know. John 15:19 “If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.” Marvel not at the hate; instead, choose to marvel at Him. 1 John 4:4 “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” Bible Reading: 1 Kings 11-12 | 2 Corinthians 8 Proverbs 29:25
“The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.” Fearfulness of what others will do or think of us is often used as an excuse while we wait. The Lord calls this a snare…a trap or cause of injury. Traps have bait to lure their prey into destruction. Mice want the cheese or peanut butter, yet when they receive it they are met with their demise. Does that not sound like how our enemy tries to allure us into sin by the very thing our flesh craves? Psalm 91:2-3 “I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.” The Lord is Able to deliver us from any snare the devil places in our path, but the choice is ours of whether to trust Him to do so. Proverbs 30:5 “Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.” There is safety in trusting Him. Why would we want to delay our deliverance? Proverbs 18:10 “The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.” Run to Him today. Bible Reading: 1 Kings 9-10 | 2 Corinthians 7 Lamentations 3:25-26
“The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.” Waiting is the strength of very few people. Our humanity often prevents us from being patient. We want what we want, and we want it now. Microwaves, drive-thrus, and “instant” anything are blatant reminders of this fact. “It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait…” Notice the adjective used to describe how it is good for us to wait. Quietly? It almost seems like too much to ask. Our words tend to be many while we wait. Somehow, we have been conditioned to believe that if we vocalize our opinion and disdain about how long something takes it will instantly speed up the process. However, this is simply not how the Lord intends for His children to behave. Psalm 37:7 “Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.” Patiently and quietly. If only we would learn to live out these methods of waiting. Doing so would demonstrate the grace of God to those around us. Has He not been so gracious to patiently and quietly wait on us? Isaiah 30:18 “And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him.” Others see how we handle waiting. Our testimony is at stake when we refuse to patiently and quietly wait. When we quietly wait with grace, we are promised to experience the goodness of the Lord. It is good to both “hope and quietly wait” for Him, simply because He is Good. Bible Reading: 1 Kings 7-8 | 2 Corinthians 6 Lamentations 3:24
“The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.” The object of our hope determines the result. If we hope in people, we are likely to be disappointed. If we hope in an organization, we are likely to be left emptyhanded. But if we hope in the Lord… There is no ending to the sentence above. The result of hoping in Him is endless. Are you waiting in Him today? Are you expecting Him to do what only He can? That is placing our “hope in him”. When we rest and depend on Him, there is no telling what He has in store. It is those times when we neglect to do so, that we truly miss out on what He could have done. Psalm 31:24 “Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.” He is our strength. He is our stay. He is where we find encouragement. He is our comfort. He is our help. He is our hope. Psalm 42:5 “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.” When everything and everyone else fail us, He is Faithful. Bible Reading: 1 Kings 5-6 | 2 Corinthians 5 Lamentations 3:22-23
“It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.” The Lord corrects us because He loves us that much. The context of this chapter, and much of the Book of Lamentations, deals with the His correction upon His children. It is through His unending mercy and love that we are not consumed by His wrath. Many times, this verse is quoted without regard to the reason why we need His mercy. If we did no wrong, mercy would not be needed. The Lord knows that our sin nature often wins the battle of our behavior…yet He continually gives us mercy. Read Psalm 136 for a reminder of His mercy. Psalm 136:1 “O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.” Mercy does not exempt us from His wrath, for a loving Father faithfully corrects His children; however, His mercy prevents us from being consumed by His wrath. He renews His love and compassion towards us every morning, simply because He is Faithful. The sun rises each morning, because He is Faithful. The rain comes when it is needed, because He is Faithful. When the sun shines through the rain, He sends us a rainbow to remind us once again that He is Faithful. Great is His faithfulness! Psalm 86:15 “But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.” Bible Reading: 1 Kings 3-4 | 2 Corinthians 4 |
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