2 Kings 1:1-2:25

Acts 13:42-14:7

Psalm 139:1-24

Proverbs 17:19-21

For full text click here: http://bit.ly/1iv0tXp

CityLight Pastor Commentary:

“Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going to inquire of Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron?” (2 Kings 1:3). Whenever we hit a rough patch, we people we go to for advice. They’re probably favorites in your phone’s contact list. Maybe you call your older brother, and then mom and dad, and after that your best friend from high school. If things are really tough, maybe you go to a specialist: a therapist or psychiatrist. But where is God on the list? God wants us to go to Him first. In exchange, He promises that His is the wisest counsel we could ever receive. Make God your favorite. Bring Him all your tough situations. Go to God first!

Prayer:

Father, remind me to go to You first! Please don’t ever let me forget that I have the right to boldly approach Your throne of grace. Help me to remember to use that privilege!

Day 171: Your Whole Heart

1 Kings 22:1-53

Acts 13:16-41

Psalm 138:1-8

Proverbs 17:17-18

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

CityLight Pastor Commentary:

“I will praise You with my whole heart…” (Ps 138:1a). David made a decision. He was going to praise God with his whole heart, and not just part of it. He was going to praise God with his best efforts, and not just leftover energy. Are you ready to make that decision? If there’s any part of your heart that you haven’t given over fully to God, we invite you to do that today. Right now. As soon as you give Him your whole heart, He can make every part of you a new creation!

When Saul was made king, God gave him a new heart (1 Sam 10:9). When Solomon was made king, God enlarged his heart (1 Kings 4:29). Christ has already made you royalty, so why are you waiting to rule? Give Him everything you’ve got: here and now. Let God have your whole heart.

Prayer:

Father, I give my whole heart over to You willingly! Take it and make it new. Take it and enlarge it. All I have is Yours!

1 Kings 20:1-21:29

Acts 12:24-13:15

Psalm 137:1-9

Proverbs 17:16

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

CityLight Pastor Commentary:

“Then he said, ‘Who will set the battle in order?’ And he answered, ‘You’” (1 Kings 20:14). The Lord promised Ahab victory over the Syrian army. But Ahab would be the one to carry it out. It was Ahab’s responsibility to take charge and orchestrate the victory which God had already won. God is always victorious; and, as His children, we are also promised victory. But that does not excuse us from acting out His will. God wants to bless you. Facilitate the blessing by opening yourself up to His will, and becoming willing to execute His plan for your life!

Prayer:

Father, thank You that You have already won me the victory! Help me to walk worthy of the calling You have put on my life. I know that You have already gained the victory; it’s my joy to walk it out!

1 Kings 19:1-21

Acts 12:1-23

Psalm 136:1-26

Proverbs 17:14-15

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

CityLight Pastor Commentary:

“Now Peter continued knocking; and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished” (Acts 12:16). The disciples were praying “constantly” (Acts 12:5) that Peter would be rescued from prison, and saved from his likely impending death. God heard their prayers, and an angel set Peter free from prison! But when Peter showed up at the disciples’ door to let them know their prayers had been answered, they didn’t believe it! When the girl who answered the door insisted that Peter was there in the flesh, the other disciples told her, “You are beside yourself!” (v 15). When the fruit of their prayer was right in front of their eyes, the disciples couldn’t believe it! Are you praying for something miraculous in your life? Are you ready to believe it has happened when you see the fruit of your prayers? Get ready, because God is in the mood to answer!

Prayer:

Father, thank You that You answer my prayers. Thank You that You perform what You promised. I say YES to praying with faith and with boldness, knowing that what I pray for – when aligned with Your will – will come to pass!

1 Kings 18:1-46

Acts 11:1-30

Psalm 135:1-21

Proverbs 17:12-13

For full text click here: http://bit.ly/1n9zSuZ

CityLight Pastor Commentary:

“Then it came to pass the seventh time, that he said, ‘There is a cloud, as small as a man’s hand, rising out of the sea!’” (1 Kings 18:44). Elijah told his servant to go to the top of Mount Carmel and look for rain seven times. The first six times, the servant saw nothing. He could have easily given up and refused to go and look again after the fifth or sixth attempt. But he remained obedient, and saw rain the seventh time. We see a similar story with Naaman, commander of the Syrian army, in 2 Kings 5. Naaman had to dip in the Jordan River seven times to be healed of leprosy. He could have easily been discouraged after failing to see his healing the first six times; but instead he persevered and got his healing! God’s Word is true, and He will perform every thing He has promised. Even if you feel like you’re dipping in the Jordan – or checking for rain – for the sixth time, your miracle might be right around the corner!

Prayer:

Father, help me to persevere and remain faithful to Your promises! I know that Your word is true and Your promises are sure. Help me to have faith and courage to trust in You!

1 Kings 15:25-17:24

Acts 10:24-48

Psalm 134:1-3

Proverbs 17:9-11

For full text click here: http://bit.ly/1uxRB3d

CityLight Pastor Commentary:

“Now it happened after these things that the son of the woman who owned the house became sick” (1 Kings 17:17). Elijah had just performed an amazing miracle. In the midst of drought and famine, he had assured a widow and her son that they would have enough food to last them as long as they needed it. Sure enough, they had oil and flour until the drought ended (1 Kings 17:16). But immediately following that miracle we see calamity strike: the widow’s son falls ill and dies. Why would such an unfortunate tragedy follow such an amazing miracle? Life is unpredictable; but God wants us to know that He is predictably good. Elijah cried out to God, and He brought the widow’s son back to life. Sometimes, just when things seem like they’re finally going according to plan, life reminds us that we aren’t in control. But when we cry out to God, He will remind us that He always IS!

Prayer:

Father, thank You that You are always in control! Take over my life and make it Yours. I want to live according to Your will!

1 Kings 14:1-15:24

Acts 10:1-23

Psalm 133:1-3

Proverbs 17:7-8

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

CityLight Pastor Commentary:

So he said to him, “Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God” (Acts 10:4). Cornelius was a just and devout man who feared God greatly. He prayed, fasted and gave offerings to God for the right reasons – to honor God as opposed to seeking personal promotion. God honored Cornelius because of his faithfulness. His household would be the first Gentile household to receive God’s Holy Spirit. What an honor! When you give, your tithes and offerings rise up in front of God as an offering: a sweet-smelling aroma. When you fast and pray, God sees it. He will honor you with more of His presence.

Prayer:

Father, I know that my prayers and offerings rise up to Your throne and You consider them holy! Thank You that You have given us the right to boldly approach Your throne because of Your Son, Jesus Christ! What an amazing honor, and an incredible privilege!

1 Kings 12:20-13:34

Acts 9:26-43

Psalm 132:1-18

Proverbs 17:6

For full text click here: http://bit.ly/SJ7S95

CityLight Pastor Commentary:

“And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied” (Acts 9:31b). This is the divine formula for church growth: 1) fear (revere & respect) God, and 2) let the Holy Spirit do His job. The Bible calls the Holy Spirit our Comforter and Guide. God has so much He wants to get to us, and His Holy Spirit is the Messenger He uses to get us His wisdom. Need to be refreshed? Ask God for refreshing from His Holy Spirit. Need to be revitalized? Ask God for revitalization from His Holy Spirit. Need to know what God is up to? Ask for revelation from His Holy Spirit. Embrace God’s Holy Spirit as your Friend and your Guide, and watch the changes that take place in your life!

Prayer:

Father, thank You for Your Holy Spirit! Thank You for the way He comforts me and guides me in all areas of my life. I ask for MORE of Your Holy Spirit in JESUS’ Mighty Name!

1 Kings 11:1-12:19

Acts 9:1-25

Psalm 131:1-3

Proverbs 17:4-5

For full text click here: http://bit.ly/1ncnI5L

CityLight Pastor Commentary:

“For it was so, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned his heart after other gods; and his heart was not loyal to the Lord his God, as was the heart of his father David” (1 Kings 11:4). Solomon was the wisest man who had ever lived. Yet that still did not keep him from turning from God. No amount of intelligence or intention can keep us focused on God. We must realize that without Him we are weak and broken, and lean on Him continually. If even Solomon couldn’t see that his actions would drive a wedge between him and God, what hope do we have when we rely on our own devices? We must rely on the Cross of Jesus Christ, and lean on Him with reckless dependency.

Prayer:

Father, help me to rely on You! I want to cling to the Cross of Jesus Christ. I know that I could never be smart enough, or try hard enough, to save myself. Your Son had to save me because He was the only One who could do it. Thank You!

1 Kings 9:1-10:29

Acts 8:14-40

Psalm 130:1-8

Proverbs 17:2-3

For full text click here: http://bit.ly/1nxz9H7

CityLight Pastor Commentary:

“The king made silver as common in Jerusalem as stones…” (1 Kings 10:27). Solomon was a very wealthy king. Yet Solomon never asked for wealth; he asked for wisdom. When the queen of Sheba came to visit Solomon, she brought gold, spices and precious stones. Solomon’s wisdom was so sought after that kings, queens and princes paid great sums to be in his presence. Are you focusing on building wealth? Instead, focus on building wisdom. The wisdom that comes from a genuine relationship with Jesus Christ should be our most prized possession. Seek that, and wealth will follow.

Prayer:

Father, help me to seek wisdom! I want to be wise like Solomon! All he had to do was ask, so all I have to do is ask too!