Joshua 5:1-7:15

Luke 15:1-32

Psalm 81:1-16

Proverbs 13:1

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CityLight Pastor Commentary:

“So the people shouted when the priests blew the trumpets. And…the wall fell down flat. Then the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city” (Josh 6:20). The people of Israel defeated Jericho with praise and worship. Here was a city with great walls which could not be overtaken with traditional military strategy. The Lord spoke to Joshua and told him that the key to victory is praise: when the priests blew the trumpets and the people shouted to the Lord, the obstacles in front of them would turn into nothing! The same is true for you, here and now. When you praise God, the obstacles in front of you fall flat. Nothing can stand after the Lord commands it to fall. So whatever you are facing, praise God! When we praise Him, He removes our obstacles for us!

Prayer:

Father, thank You for teaching me to praise. Whenever I’m facing something and it doesn’t seem like I’ll be able to overcome it, remind me that all I have to do is praise  and worship You, because You have already promised me victory!

Joshua 3:1-4:24

Luke 14:7-35

Psalm 80:1-19

Proverbs 12:27-28

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CityLight Pastor Commentary:

This is it! The 40-year journey into the Promised Land finally comes to a close in today’s reading. Before the people of Israel cross over the Jordan River, they are told to follow God’s Presence (Josh 3:3). God would pass before them and perform a miraculous work as the entire river stopped flowing in front of the people of Israel so they could safely cross over to the Promised Land. But God’s Presence didn’t just pass over in front of them and wait for them to catch up. Josh 3:17 says that the “…priests who bore the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firm on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan…” while all the people crossed over. God waited until His people were safe and sound before following them up out of the river. He made sure His people crossed into their inheritance safely. Then, as the last priest came up from the river, the waters of the Jordan “returned to their place” (Josh 4:18). God will not lead you into new territory and then leave you to fend for yourself. He will guide you there, remain with you until you have safely overcome any obstacles in your way, and then usher you up into the blessing He has promised you!

“The angel  of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, And delivers them” (Ps 34:7).

Prayer:

Father, thank You for encamping all around me! Thank You that You not only guide me, but also protect me and support me at all times.

Deuteronomy 34:1-Joshua 2:24

Luke 13:22-14:6

Psalm 79:1-13

Proverbs 12:26

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CityLight Pastor Commentary:

“Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses” (Josh 1:3). Joshua inherited the promise God made to Moses. God promised Joshua that as soon as his foot touched a new piece of ground, God would give that territory into his hand. Yet even though God had given the land to him, Joshua was still required to go in and take possession, knowing that God was with him. God gives territory into our hands because He extends the blessings of Abraham to us. However, He still asks that we go in and possess it because that requires confidence in His Word and His promise. So, what has God given you? Go in and possess it.

Prayer:

Father, give me confidence in Your Word! If you say it’s available to me as an heir to the promise of Abraham, I want to possess it in Jesus’ Name!

Deuteronomy 33:1-29

Luke 13:1-21

Psalm 78:65-72

Proverbs 12:25

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CityLight Pastor Commentary:

“Now this is the blessing with which Moses the man of God blessed the children of Israel before his death” (Deut 33:1). Moses gave each of Jacob’s sons (the tribes of Israel) his own, unique blessing. God has done the same with every single one of His children. Many times we look at the people around us and become jealous because their lives are more blessed in some areas than ours. God never intended for us to think like that. Instead of worrying about what God hasn’t blessed you with, give thanks for what He has! Every person has a specific mantle and anointing on his or her life for a specific calling. If you try to wear someone else’s mantle, it just won’t work! Be thankful for God’s call on your life. He has the hairs on your head numbered, and He has designed you to bless the world in a way that nobody else can!

Prayer:

Father, thank You for making me unique! I don’t want the mantle that my brother or sister carries; I want the mantle that you have sown for ME! Help me to celebrate what You have given me, and never to dwell on what I lack.

Deuteronomy 32:28-52

Luke 12:35-59

Psalm 78:56-64

Proverbs 12:24

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CityLight Pastor Commentary:

Today’s text reveals two different ideas which can appear to conflict on the surface. On the one hand, Jesus tells us to expect division (Lk 12:51-52). On the other hand, Jesus tells us to make peace with our adversaries (Lk 12:57-59). How can we make peace by following Him if the very act of becoming a disciple guarantees conflict? The answer lies in 1) our intent and 2) differentiating what we allow to create conflict versus what we allow to roll off our shoulders. When it comes to intent, our honest goal as Christian witnesses must be to show the love of the Gospel; not just to argue. When it comes to differentiation, Jesus is explaining that conflict will come as a result of standing for Truth, and it is this type of conflict that is permissible. However, conflict between two Christians should never occur if both are standing for the same Truth. Unfortunately, Jesus’ death, resurrection and ascension do not guarantee peace on earth. That does not mean, however, that we should avoid preaching the only Message of reconciliation that will ever result in peace.

Prayer:

Father, help me to recognize when You want me to fight for You, and when You want me to back down. Help me to avoid unnecessary conflict. Help me always to pursue reconciliation with everyone I meet! I might be the only Jesus some people see; help me to live up to that reality in Jesus’ Mighty Name!

Deuteronomy 31:1-32:27

Luke 12:8-34

Psalm 78:32-55

Proverbs 12:21-23

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CityLight Pastor Commentary:

“For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say” (Lk 12:12). Jesus promised His disciples that when they were put on trial and forced to defend the Gospel, the Holy Spirit would give them words to speak. We know that one of our responsibilities as disciples is to preach the Gospel to everyone we come across in life. Sometimes we’re afraid to start the conversation because we don’t know what to say! Don’t worry about it. Open your mouth, and watch the Holy Spirit fill it with words and phrases more eloquent than you could ever produce on your own.

Prayer:

Father, thank You that Your Holy Spirit witnesses through us. Help me to be bold and confident. Help me to open my mouth and share the Gospel, trusting that You will give me the words to speak!

Deuteronomy 29:1-30:20

Luke 11:37-12:7

Psalm 78:1-31

Proverbs 12:19-20

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CityLight Pastor Commentary:

“But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore…” (Lk 12:7). On average, there are over 100,000 strands of hair on an adult (blondes average 140,000; brunettes average 108,000; redheads average 90,000). That’s a lot of hair! Yet God keeps track of every single strand. He takes immeasurable interest in you, and He always knows what’s best. He knows every detail of your life, and every thought you’ve ever had. He loves you inside and out. God is good, and He wants you to experience abundance and blessing in your life!

Prayer:

Father, thank You that You know me even better than I know myself! I love that You take such an interest in me! You love me perfectly even though I can never return the favor.

Deuteronomy 28:1-68

Luke 11:14-36

Psalm 77:1-20

Proverbs 12:18

For full text click here: http://bit.ly/1lHeGAG

CityLight Pastor Commentary:

“The lamp of the body is the eye. Therefore, when your eye is good, your whole body also is full of light. But when your eye is bad, your body also is full of darkness” (Luke 11:34). Be careful what you read, watch and take in. Your spirit needs proper stimulus to grow in the ways God intended for you to grow. If you spend your time reading God’s Word, praying with Him, and talking about how awesome He is with other Christians (input), everything you think, say and do will be blessed (output). One of the great joys of Christianity is that as we behold Christ, we become more like Him. When we spend our lives celebrating the finished work of the Cross, our lives will become a demonstration of God’s grace and love.

Prayer:

Father, bless everything my eye beholds. Help me to see, study and pray what You want me to see, study and pray. I know that when I spend my life getting closer to You, You will bless me with more of Your presence!

Deuteronomy 26:1-27:26

Luke 10:38-11:13

Psalm 76:1-12

Proverbs 12:15-17

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CityLight Pastor Commentary:

“And Jesus answered and said to her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her'” (Lk 10:41-42). Intimacy with God can never be taken away. Jesus Christ came and died, suffering for our sins so that we could be restored to a right relationship with God. Intimacy comes out of relationship. Martha was missing the point, running around trying to make things ready instead of enjoying Jesus’ presence while she could. Mary, on the other hand, chose intimacy. Typically when we read this passage, we assume we have to be one or the other: either we’re more like Martha, or more like Mary. However, I believe Jesus is illustrating there is a time to be like each. Without Martha, things don’t get done. We must be productive when God calls us to production. However, when Jesus shows up, it’s time for intimacy. We need to maintain the ability to be like Martha when labor is required, but recognize that God’s presence calls for us to be like Mary: able to sit, relax, and enjoy intimacy with Him!

Prayer:

Father, I want greater intimacy with You! Help me to recognize when it’s time to just sit and enjoy Your presence. I want to treasure and cherish those times. Make me like Martha when work is required, and like Mary when Your Holy Spirit is present to heal Your people!

Deuteronomy 23:1-25:19

Luke 10:13-37

Psalm 75:1-10

Proverbs 12:12-14

For full text click here: http://bit.ly/1jBERX8

CityLight Pastor Commentary:

“Then He turned to His disciples and said privately, ‘Blessed are the eyes which see the things you see; for I tell you that many prophets and kings have desired to see what you see, and have not seen it, and to hear what you hear, and have not heard it’” (Luke 10:23-24). We are alive at an amazing and exciting time. For millennia, only three people were able to hear from God: prophets, priests, and kings. On this side of the Cross, all believers are able to hear from Him. That means you, when you give your life fully to Christ. We have been given the free gift of salvation, and the Holy Spirit lives in us as a guarantee. God will reveal His will to us when we make intimacy with Him a priority. He will speak to us directly, and tell us the thoughts and plans which He has for us. What amazing love!

Prayer:

Father, thank You for choosing me! You live inside of me, not because of any good thing I’ve done, but because of the finished work of the Cross. I can never repay you for it, but I sure can enjoy it!