Monday
On this day, celebrating the independence of our nation, I feel we should think not only about what our ancestors did to achieve our freedom and our independence but to dwell on the everyday battle we each must face. Happy Independence Day, my friends.
The Battle
Then he said to me, “This is what the Lord says to Zerubbabel: It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies (Zechariah 4:6 NLT).
We are in a battle. It rages in the spiritual realms. Corporately, our nation is under attack from evil forces, but individually, we have major skirmishes around us daily. These battles are not fought with blood and guts but with the very power of God. It is by His power that evil is defeated.
This is not hand-to-hand combat but a battle between good and evil. This is a war for our very souls. When under attack, we must rely on God to send His angels to help us engage the enemy.
Scripture tells us over and over that we do not battle flesh and blood enemies but those from the unseen world.
For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6:12 NLT).
I personally believe a battle with a physical person is much easier than a spiritual battle. This spiritual battle is impossible to win without the very powerful arm of God in our lives.
The battles we face might be attacks on our health, our homes, our families, our jobs, or anything we hold dear to our hearts. We must stay diligent in reading and studying God's Word. We must be diligent in prayer.
The Devil is full of lies and deception. He uses these as tools to try to conquer us and draw us away from God. Be aware, my friends, that the Devil wants to control this world, and he seeks to make us stumble and fall. Be strong brothers and sisters. Put on the full armor of God (Read Ephesians 6:10-18).
Dear Lord, protect your people. Bring them to your Holy Word and the understanding of your mighty power. By the power of you and your Word, the Evil One has no authority over us. Jesus Christ has already won the battle for us. He has the victory. We must stand firm and understand the battlefield before us. Father God, I pray you will bring more people to you and more will read and understand your Word. Father, there are many battles. Stand for us because you are capable. You are. I pray in the mighty and matchless name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Tuesday
Real Love
This is real love – not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins (1 John 4:10 NLT).
We cannot begin to really love others until we accept the love of Jesus. Accepting the love of Christ opens our hearts to begin to understand how deep, wide, and real God's love is to the world through the gospel.
Dear Lord, let us each begin a path of understanding your gospel. Walking with you, Lord, is just the beginning of a lifelong education on the true meaning of love. Help us to walk, listen, and soak in your presence in our lives. In Jesus' mighty name, amen.
Wednesday
Important Question
Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know him and have seen him!” (John 14:6-7 NLT).
The most important question I will ever ask you is, "Do you know Him?"
Father God, we pray you will open the hearts and minds of many people today so they will accept Jesus as their King and Savior. Lord God, all are lost without Jesus. Lord, help every Christian to exclaim the Truth to the lost. Help us to tell others about what you have done for us. Lord, help us plant the seed and then water it. Father God, we leave the harvest in your hands. Father, this is the day that you have made so let us rejoice in it. Amen.
Thursday
Always There
Even when I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will not be afraid,
for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
protect and comfort me (Psalm 23:4 NLT).
The God of the mountain top is the same God who is in the valley.
I have a lot of friends who are dealing with challenges and changes in life. Sometimes we need to be reminded to rest in the comfort of knowing God's Word is true.
If He says it, it is true.
God is with each of us. He also promises to bring us "through" the valley. He will not leave us there.
How He brings us through the valley might be totally different than what we want or envision, but His way will prove to be the best way.
Trust in God, my friends. He loves us more than we can ever understand.
Father God, thank you for not leaving us in the valley. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Friday
A Solid Foundation
Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness (Colossians 2:7 NLT).
If we build our lives on the values of this world, our lives will wash away without a lasting legacy.
If we build our lives on the Rock, then our Savior will be the foundation so all of heaven's glory will be our legacy.
Thank you, Father, for sending us the Rock of our salvation. Let Him anchor our souls to you. His name is Jesus. Thank you, and it is in His mighty name we praise and lift up our prayers to you. Amen.
Saturday
Answer the Bell
Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have confessed so well before many witnesses (1 Timothy 6:12 NLT).
Life can be a struggle but we are not to roll over and play dead. Get up, answer the bell, and fight.
Reflect on how God saved you from a life of destruction. Remember that all things are bearable with Jesus as our Savior. He specializes in conquering sin and life's issues.
Don't forget to praise Him and share the good news of what He has done in your life. God wants no one to perish.
Father God, help us answer the bell, get up, and fight. Help us know we might not be capable but you, Lord, have already won the war for us. Lead us today in your roadway for life. I ask and pray in the mighty name of Jesus, amen.
Sunday
You Are Being Watched
Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ (Colossians 3:23-24 NLT).
No matter what you do as an occupation, remember if you are a Christian, you are representing Him. Yes, and especially in a secular job, people are watching.
I've heard people say "Oh, I don't go to church because I work with people who go to church and who live like hell. They are hypocrites." We can't live like a heathen and not expect it to influence others in a bad way.
In all we do, do it as if we are doing it for Jesus. By doing this, we will be blessed. Our goal should be to bless others and glorify our Lord.
Dear Lord Jesus, help us to be more like you today than we were yesterday. Amen.
