Psalm 61:1-4
“Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah.” What can we do when we feel overwhelmed? Run to the Rock. “lead me to the rock that is higher than I” Psalm 18:2 “The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.” When we are overwhelmed we tend to forget even the simplest truths. Our safety, our strength, our salvation all comes from the Lord, our Rock. Psalm 40:1-2 “I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.” This is not just any other rock or boulder, but the Rock of Ages. Within this Rock is everlasting strength that we can trust to be there whenever we cry unto Him. Isaiah 26:4 “Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength:” Run to the Rock today. When you don’t know where to turn, He’s there. Bible Reading: Ezekiel 19-20 | Mark 7 | Psalm 113
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2 Kings 2:8
“And Elijah took his mantle, and wrapped it together, and smote the waters, and they were divided hither and thither, so that they two went over on dry ground.” Have you ever thought about the less spoken of miracles throughout the Scripture? Those that are just as miraculous as the well-known miracles, yet they are rarely referenced. The feeding of the…most would finish that phrase with 5,000 because it is the one to which we most often refer. Did you know there was another feeding of the multitude that was just as much a miracle as the 5,000? The parting of the…most would say Red Sea. The less spoken of miracles offer just as much truth and encouragement as those we hear about regularly. They lie within the pages of Scripture waiting for us to notice. The Feeding of the 4,000 – Matthew 15:32-38 There were seven loaves and only a few fishes, yet Christ fed 4,000 and the disciples collected seven baskets after all had eaten. Yes, it was less people with more supplies, but it was still a miracle performed by the hands of Jesus Christ. The Parting of the Jordan – 2 Kings 2:8-14 It wasn’t Moses at the Red Sea, but Elijah and Elisha at the Jordan. Different people and a different river, but the same miracle. They walked across on dry ground when they had nowhere else to go. The difference in this passage is that God parted the waters of the same river twice. Elisha asked for a double portion, and God proved His blessing on Elisha’s life and ministry by performing the miracle all over again through him. Do we get so complacent that we forget or perhaps don’t even realize that each and every miracle is a miracle, and every blessing a blessing? May we avoid missing out on the blessing of the things that God does for us each and every single day that we live. Big or small, minor or major, every blessing is the same in God’s eyes. The less spoken of blessings can be spoken of more often if only we would take the time to realize what God has done for us. Bible Reading: Ezekiel 17-18 | Mark 6 | Psalm 112 Hebrews 4:14-15
“Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” He knows how we feel, because He experienced our pain. He was touched with the feeling of our infirmities. Every feeling that we feel, Jesus felt. Those times when we feel like we are alone and no one understands the feeling of what we are going through… Jesus does. Isaiah 53:4-5 “Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” In the dark of night the devil can begin to convince us that no one has ever dealt with the same set as circumstances, and that no one even cares what we are going through. He is the father of all lies for a reason; there is no truth in him. Resist the devil as he tells you no one understands…Jesus does. We can not only take comfort in the fact that Jesus knows the feeling of each and every thing that we face now, but also everything we will face in the future. He “was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” Whatever you feel today…Jesus knows the feeling. He felt it, but He remained the sinless Lamb of God. May we strive to be like Him more with each passing day. Bible Reading: Ezekiel 15-16 | Mark 5 | Psalm 111 1 Corinthians 9:24
“Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.” Those that run in the Olympics all have the same desire…Gold. They all want to win. There are many runners, but there can only be one winner. We as Christians are to “run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus…” Paul related to those who competed in athletic events. He also desired to win a prize, but this prize is not limited to only one winner. We are all eligible to obtain. Philippians 3:14 “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” What can we obtain when we come to Jesus? Hebrews 4:16 “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace…” We obtain mercy. “that we may obtain mercy” Mercy is not getting what we deserve. We deserve nothing short of everlasting punishment in a devil’s hell. But God… We obtain grace. “and find grace” Grace is getting something that we do not deserve. Everything that is given to us is given by the grace of God. We do not deserve anything outside of paying for our sin debt ourselves. We obtain help. “to help in time of need.” When we come boldly to the throne of grace we not only find God’s mercy and grace, but we find out that the Lord is our Helper. We need not fear what anyone may do to us with the Lord on our side. Today, run so that you may obtain. Bible Reading: Ezekiel 13-14 | Mark 4 | Psalm 110 Psalm 119:18
“Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.” This should be our prayer before we ever read a Word of the Bible. Get your eyes open…for help is available to you, if only you are looking in the right direction. There are many places we can look for help. We can look at ourselves. Romans 7:18 “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.” Paul acknowledged that there was nothing about him that was good. Christ Himself tells us in John 15 that without Him we can do nothing. Romans also tells us that “there is none that doeth good, no not one.” We can look at our surroundings. Matthew 14:29-30 “And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.” God wants to work miracles in our lives. He desires for us to walk upon the waters of the storms around us with our eyes focused on Him. If we allow the wind around us to get our attention, then we, like Peter, will begin to sink. Genesis 6:16 “A window shalt thou make to the ark, and in a cubit shalt thou finish it above; and the door of the ark shalt thou set in the side thereof; with lower, second, and third stories shalt thou make it.” There was only one window in the ark. It was not located on the sides because God did not want Noah and his family to look at their surroundings. He commanded that the only window be placed in the ceiling so they only place they could look was up to Him. We can look at our Saviour. Hebrews 12:2 “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” What better place to look but to the Saviour? Since we cannot look on Him physically where should we look to see Him? John 1:1,14 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” Jesus Christ is the Word. We can hold the very Word of God in our hands if only we will take the time to look and read. When you want to look at Jesus, look at the Word. Bible Reading: Ezekiel 11-12 | Mark 3 | Psalm 109 Psalm 27:4
“One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple.” David saw His beauty in the temple. He understood that delighting in the Lord is the most important thing. He desired to see the beauty of the Lord and be in His presence in the temple. Mary chose to sit at His feet. Luke 10:41-42 “And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” Mary had chosen to sit at the Lord’s feet which only made her want to see and hear more. She even washed His feet with her hair to show her servitude. Paul pressed on. Philippians 3:13-14 “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Paul did not dwell in the past. He wanted to fulfill God’s purpose for his life, so he pressed on ahead. Make today about one thing. Bible Reading: Ezekiel 9-10 | Mark 2 | Psalm 108 Genesis 32:24
“And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.” Jacob was left alone. When we are left alone it is easy to wrestle with our own thoughts and worries, or with the burdens of others that we too are bearing. We can even begin to wrestle with God when we don’t understand why things happen the way they do. Sometimes we can wrestle all evening long, which leads to faithless and sleepless nights. Genesis 32:25 “And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him.” Wrestling brings discomfort. Jacob’s thigh was out of joint because of his match with the Man. Genesis 32:26 “And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.” Jacob wrestled with Him all night long. Jacob was persistent; he refused to let go until he received something from the Lord. Giving up is easy, but persistence in our prayer lives pays off. Genesis 32:27-28 “And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.” Wrestling will change us. Jacob had his name changed to Israel, the home of God’s chosen people. He named the place Peniel, “or I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.” God may not choose to change our name, but when we wrestle with Him and allow Him to change us, our lives will never be the same. We may get injured along the way, but God makes no mistakes. The pain is for our good and His glory. Whatever you are wrestling with, give it to the Lord and allow Him to change the situation as He changes you. Bible Reading: Ezekiel 7-8 | Mark 1 | Psalm 107 Exodus 35:5
“Take ye from among you an offering unto the Lord: whosoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it, an offering of the Lord; gold, and silver, and brass,” Anyone can have a willing heart; but in order for us to be willing, we must first have a giving heart. So often when we hear the word “offering” we think of ushers passing a plate throughout the congregation so that the church can pay the bills, the pastor, or help a ministry or missionary. An “offering” is so much more than giving money for a cause. Exodus 25:1-2 “And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering.” When we give, we also receive. We can give our time, our service, our prayers, our support, our praise, our worship, and so much more to our Lord. Every time we give of ourselves willingly, He blesses us and rewards us. 2 Corinthians 9:7 “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.” God desires us to give our hearts cheerfully and willingly. Giving must come from the heart. A giving heart gives us a willing heart. Willing to serve. Willing to give. Willing to sacrifice. Willing to suffer. Willing to stand. Willing to be still. Willing to wait. Are you willing today? Bible Reading: Ezekiel 5-6 | Ephesians 6 | Psalm 106 1 Samuel 26:6
“Then answered David and said to Ahimelech the Hittite, and to Abishai the son of Zeruiah, brother to Joab, saying, Who will go down with me to Saul to the camp? And Abishai said, I will go down with thee.” These six words describe the attitude that every Christian should have in regards to the Will of God and the Great Commission. Who will go? I will go. Are we willing to utter those words? With them comes great responsibility and great rewards. Mark 16:15 “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” So few answer the call, but God has not stopped calling. Many have stopped listening. In order to hear God’s call we must first stop and listen. Isaiah 6:8 “Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.” Your call may not be into what we often refer to as “full time ministry”, but God is calling. Your call may be to the place you work in, the school you attend, or the home you raise your children. We are all called to serve Him full time. Regardless of where, God is still calling. Have you answered Him? Luke 5:4 “Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.” Once we have answered the call to what God has for us, we must launch out. We cannot accomplish the will or work of God by standing still. When we launch out by faith into the Work and Will of God we may find ourselves in deep water, but we must let down our nets. God is Faithful to protect us and provide for us as we follow His direction. We must only be willing to answer “Who will go?” with “I will go.” Bible Reading: Ezekiel 3-4 | Ephesians 5 | Psalm 105 Luke 5:4
“Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.” Once we have the courage to launch out, the work has only begun. We cannot step out in faith and expect God to just hand us blessing after blessing and supply our needs. We must labour for Him! Christ told Simon Peter to “let down your nets for a draught.” The nets were no good to Simon if they stayed in the boat. It required effort on the part of Simon and the other fishermen in order to reap the reward. In the next verse we see Peter’s partial obedience…”nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.” Not only did he complain, but he didn’t exactly follow Christ’s directions. Notice the difference? Christ said “let down your nets”, Peter responded, “I will let down the net.” Peter chose to obey, but not completely. Instead of letting down multiple nets, he chose to only let down one. The result of Peter’s partial obedience is a lesson we should all take to heart. Luke 5:6-7 “And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake. And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.” They were rewarded for their obedience by receiving a great multitude of fishes, yet because they only partially obeyed their instructions they had an immediate problem on their hands. They called for help, but it still wasn’t enough. Both ships began to sink because they had caught so many fish with only one net. If Peter had followed Christ’s specific command, not only would the nets not have broken, but they would not have lost some of the fish. Perhaps they would have caught even more than they did. After witnessing what happened by not completely obeying the Lord, Peter saw himself in a new light. Luke 5:8 “When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” The lives of Peter, James and John were never the same after they witnessed the event. They were astonished at what they saw, and became fishers of men. Luke 5:11 “And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.” What would happen if we let down the nets of our lives? We would be astonished at what Christ would allow us to see. As we sing the lyrics to “I Surrender All” do we really mean it in our hearts? Will you choose to forsake all you have and follow Him? Let down your nets today, and follow Him. Bible Reading: Ezekiel 1-2 | Ephesians 4 | Psalm 104 |
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