Tag: Truth

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Nobody Ever Said It Is Easy

AUGUST 18

MATTHEW 6:31_Therefore take no thought…

Remember when the Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness for a time of testing? There was nothing easy about it. Jesus was called to fast, and the devil tempted Him to break the fast and eat. If you recall, Jesus used the same weapon against the devil that we should use – the words of truth. In this instance Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 8:3 (KJV), “… man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live.” 

If your family is going through some kind of a struggle, the devil’s temptation is for you to worry. Nobody ever said it is easy not to worry when you are struggling. Use this time to shout out the Joshua chapter 1 cheer: “Be strong and of a good courage.”This is the time to defy thoughts of worry about where your next meal is coming from, or some other need. This is a time to quote the entire verse of Joshua 1:9 (KJV), “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” You’re not in this alone.  Whithersoever covers everywhere. Thou goest doesn’t necessarily mean a certain place. It could mean where you are in the circumstances of your life.

You don’t have strength to just not worry – overpower worry with the truth of Scripture.

PRAYER

Mighty Warrior, You know my circumstances and are with me. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.

Christ is a warrior for me—wherever I am in life!

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The Wisest Man

AUGUST 11

MATTHEW 6:29_in all his glory…

Like most of us Solomon had a second name; it was Jedediah, which means beloved of the Lord. God’s call on Solomon’s life was for leadership – kingly leadership. King David promised Bathsheba Solomon would take the throne after David’s death. 

I Kings 3:5-10 (KJV), “In Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, ‘Ask what I shall give thee.’ 6 And Solomon said, ‘Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day.7 And now, O Lord my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in. 8 And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude. 9 Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?’ 10 And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.” 

God was pleased with Solomon’s answer. God made him the wisest man who ever lived. Be sure to read tomorrow’s devotion to learn what else God did!

PRAYER

God of Mercy, Hear my prayer to have an understanding and wise heart. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.

Christ wants me to be wise—I want it too!

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An Insatiable Desire

AUGUST 6

MATTHEW 6:28_And why take ye thought for raiment?

Jesus re-visits the clothes issue. There is something else Jesus re-visits. Do you see it? Do you see the word thought? 

The tenth commandment is Thou shalt not covet. Covet is akin to lust. Thought patterns are captured. A strong desire that doesn’t let go until it is satisfied. If the truth be told, covetousness can’t be satisfied.

Once lust, or covetousness, obtains its desire – it wants more. That’s the very nature of covetousness – an insatiable desire. Luke 12:15 (KJV), “And he [Jesus] said unto them, ‘Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.’’’ There is a difference in coveting the latest brand name and just needing clothes.

Covet is also akin to envy. Envy dwells on what someone else possesses. The longer the dwell, the deeper envy works its way into the heart. Once there, envy causes conflict. Not because you’ve been done any wrong, but because the one you envy dresses like you want to – but can’t.

Galatians 5:26 (KJV), “Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.”

Don’t let worry thought patterns fill you with strife over clothes.

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, Help me trust You to provide for me what is best at this time. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.              

Christ knows all my needs—He will provide

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Faith!

AUGUST 4

MATTHEW 6:27_Which of you by taking thought…

If you find a basic truth in the Bible – keep rehearsing it. Get the truth into your heart. The truth will eventually overpower worry. This is called meditation. 

Meditation works like worry only with positive results. Rehearse the truth over and over in your heart.  Seek the wisdom of the Bible and apply it to your problem. Ask God for insight, wait for it to come.

Hebrews chapter 11 (KJV) is known as the faith chapter.  There is one person included in this chapter who has a very small part in the Bible, but something extraordinary happened to him, “5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.”

Enoch was translated from earth to heaven without ever dying! All that was really said about Enoch was “he pleased God.” This leads to, “6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Hebrews 11:6 (KJV). 

The answer to overcoming worry – faith!

PRAYER

God in Whom I Trust, Increase my faith that I may please You. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.

Christ wants to increase my faith—I will let Him!

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The Light of Truth

JULY 23

MATTHEW 6:23_thy whole body shall be full of darkness…

What causes the whole body to be full of darkness? Evil. You can be totally blind, but still have light inside if your eye is single – focused on Jesus.

In the John chapter 9 account of the man born blind, Jesus pointed this out to the Pharisees. The blind man believed in Jesus and worshiped Him. Because of the blind man’s ability to know who Jesus truly was, he received sight. This was not physical sight. Jesus had already given him that. This was receiving the light of truth – giving him freedom.

The Pharisees did not believe. Jesus said they were blind. Although they had physical sight, their lack of faith in Jesus caused their whole being to be full of darkness – causing them bondage.

The evil eye sees double. It cannot distinguish truth from lies. An evil eye has stepped off the path and lost its light. Without light there is darkness.

In darkness you reach out, constantly trying to touch, to feel, to hold to something secure. You cry out, call out, hoping to hear a familiar voice.  

Perhaps someone will come and help you find your way back to the path – to Jesus!

PRAYER

Incomparable Jesus, When I am in darkness, I stumble.  Bring me back to You. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.

Christ is the path to freedom—I want to stay with Him!