Day 304: Stop Moving So Fast

CityLight Church’s One Year Bible Reading Plan
Saturday, October 31^st, 2015
Lamentations 4:1-5:22
Hebrews 2:1-18
Psalm 103:1-22
Proverbs 26:23
For full text click here: http://bit.ly/1wKLUkQ

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:

The elders have ceased gathering at the gate, and the young men from their music. – Lam 5:14

After Israel had fallen to Babylon, Jeremiah recorded two signs of being in captivity: 1) you will no longer have time to socialize, and 2) you will no longer have time to sing and dance. Now stop and think about your life. Do you have time to do both those things?

Because they were held captive, the elders of Israel had no time to gather at the gate, and the young men had no time to sing and dance. When was the last time you sat and laughed with friends until you couldn’t breathe? When was the last time you sang and danced until you felt weak in your knees?

If you don’t have time to socialize, you are working too hard. If you don’t have time to relax and enjoy some good music, you are a slave to your work!

Make time to enjoy your life. This is the only life you will ever get to live on earth, so don’t waste it in captivity to a job! Make time to celebrate the victories God has given you in your life! Make time to enjoy the relationships God has blessed you in your life! Don’t lose sight of the fact that God has put you here to enjoy your life with Him!

Prayer:

Father, teach me how to slow down. Teach me how to stop and smell the roses: to enjoy the fruit of my labors here on earth. Remind me how much fun it is to sing until the sun goes down, and talk until the sun comes up!

Day 303: Wait and Seek!

CityLight Church’s One Year Bible Reading Plan
Friday, October 30^th, 2015
Lamentations 3:1-66
Hebrews 1:1-14
Psalm 102:1-28
Proverbs 26:21-22
For full text click here: http://bit.ly/1nRK6qr

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:

The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. – Lam 3:25

There are two conditions to seeing the goodness of God unfold in your life: 1) wait on Him, and 2) seek Him while you wait!

We love to adopt a “wait and see” attitude when it comes to faith. We wait on the Lord, wonder what exactly He is willing to do, and see what happens. But God wants us to trade in our “wait and see” attitude for “wait and seek”!

Wait and see implies that we don’t know if God is faithful: that we don’t know what He will do. Wait and seek, on the other hand, acknowledges that He is faithful. When we wait and seek, we are owning our responsibility to find out exactly what God is willing to bless through prayer, and then go out and do it!

Don’t leave God’s goodness to chance. Wait and seek, and watch the goodness of God unfold in your life!

Prayer:

Father, give me patience to wait on you, and persistence to seek You! He who asks receives, he who seeks finds, and he who knocks has the door opened to him! Help me to keep asking, keep seeking, and keep knocking in Jesus’ name.

Day 302: It’s Not What You Say…

CityLight Church’s One Year Bible Reading Plan
Thursday, October 29^th, 2015
Lamentations 1:1-2:22
Philemon 1:1-25
Psalm 101:1-8
Proverbs 26:20
For full text click here: http://bit.ly/1xCte76

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:

Therefore, though I might be very bold in Christ to command you what is fitting, yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you… – Phm 8-9

It’s not always what you say that matters; it’s how you say it. Paul had every right to command Philemon to do what he was asking. He had every right to be bold and issue orders to the soldiers of the Gospel.

But instead of commanding, Paul asked nicely. He appealed to Philemon. To “appeal” is the Greek parakaleo (Strong’s #3870), which means to admonish, encourage and comfort. If Paul had issued a command, Philemon might have been offended; but because Paul appealed, Philemon was motivated to help in any way he could.

Be wise with your words. Ask nicely. Say please and thank you! Watch how people respond.

All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. – 1 Cor 6:12

Prayer:

Father, help me to put aside my pride and ask nicely. You have put so many people in my life who encourage and support me. Remind me to treat them well!

Day 301: You’ve Been There…

CityLight Church’s One Year Bible Reading Plan
Wednesday, October 28^th, 2015
Jeremiah 51:54-52:34
Titus 3:1-15
Psalm 100:1-5
Proverbs 26:18-19
For full text click here: http://bit.ly/1teBMSB

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:

For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. – Titus 3:3

We must never forget where we came from. The reality of the past can be a fitting reminder of just how merciful God has been. You were once a lost and lonely sinner, but God called you home! Because of the Cross, He clothes you with a righteousness that washes away all sin.

Only you know the depth of your sin; and from that knowledge springs an eternal understanding of God’s infinite forgiveness! Refrain from judging others long enough to acknowledge that a sleight of hand, or a twist of fate, could have landed you in exactly their position. Praise God for His faithfulness in delivering you from all fear!

Prayer:

Father, thank You for Your mercy! Thank You for Your grace! Thank You for Your infinite kindness towards me. I know just how committed You are to forgiveness, because I know just how lost I was before You found me. Thank You for finding me, in Jesus’ name!

Day 300: God Who Forgives

CityLight Church’s One Year Bible Reading Plan
Tuesday, October 27^th, 2015
Jeremiah 51:1-53
Titus 2:1-15
Psalm 99:1-9
Proverbs 26:17
For full text click here: http://bit.ly/10uspmT

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:
“You were to them God-Who-Forgives, though You took vengeance on their deeds” – Ps 99:8

God has many Hebrew names in the Old Testament. His names are important because they demonstrate Who He Is: attributes of His character that are entirely inseparable from His nature.

God is the God Who Forgives. The Psalmist knew something that we should all embrace: God hates sin, but loves sinners. He differentiates between us, as people, and our actions. He takes vengeance on our deeds, but forgives us, as His people, when we repent and rely on His Son Jesus Christ.

God never changes: He is just as willing to forgive you today as He was the Psalmist. Have faith in God’s Son Jesus Christ for redemption and salvation!

Prayer:

Fathe, You have forgiven all my sins: past, present and future. Thank You for Your forgiveness, and thank You for Your grace!

Day 299: Are You Concealing God’s Word?

CityLight Church’s One Year Bible Reading Plan
Monday, October 26^th, 2015
Jeremiah 49:23-50:46
Titus 1:1-16
Psalm 97:1-98:9
Proverbs 26:13-16
For full text click here: http://bit.ly/ZRXe3o

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:

“Declare among the nations, proclaim, and set up a standard; proclaim–do not conceal it…” – Jer 50:2

When God gives us His word, we are to proclaim it boldly; we are never to conceal it. To “proclaim” is the Hebrew shama (Strong’s #8085), which means to publish, or cause to be heard. We are to publicize God’s word: to make Him famous, for His glory!

To “conceal” is the Hebrew word kachad (Strong’s #3582), which means to hide, efface, or annihilate. When we hide God’s word, we actually destroy it! We rob God of His effectiveness because we prevent other people from hearing His goodness. We deprive God of Kingdom inhabitants when we sit on our hands and fail to proclaim the salvation that is available to every man and woman!

If you’re not proclaiming, you’re concealing. Some might say, “Well I haven’t heard from God.” Oh yes you have. You have His written word. You have this commentary! Go out and proclaim God’s word. Make Him famous so the whole world knows His name!

Prayer:

Father, make me a bold proclaimer! I know I can’t speak with boldness unless Your Holy Spirit gives me zeal. I pray that the fire of God would overwhelm me, so that I am bursting at the seams to preach the Gospel, everywhere I go!

Day 298: Freedom & Captivity

CityLight Church’s One Year Bible Reading Plan
Sunday, October 25^th, 2015
Jeremiah 48:1-49:22
2 Timothy 4:1-22
Psalm 95:1-96:13
Proverbs 26:9-12
For full text click here: http://bit.ly/1z9sla4

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:

For because you have trusted in your works and your treasures, you also shall be taken. – Jer 48:7

Trusting in your works and your treasures will result in captivity. But trusting in God results in true freedom. If you trust in your performance, you will be taken hostage. If you lean on riches and material wealth instead of your Father in heaven, you will be trapped. But if you refuse to trust anyone but God, you will be set free.

God’s commandments set us free. God’s instruction is not meant to bind us and restrict our behavior. God is not trying to stamp out our ability to have fun. God’s word explains our design, so that we can go out and live according to that design: so that we can do the things we were created to do!

For example: If I owned a sailboat, it would do no good to try and drive it down Broadway. Would it be my right, since I own it? Of course. But sailboats are not designed for land; they are designed for water. If I drive the boat on land, I will destroy it. But when I put that boat in the water, I honor its’ design. I prevent unnecessary damage, and use it for its original intended purpose. Freedom only occurs when that boat is set loose on the open sea.

So many of us do damaging things that run contrary to our design in the name of personal freedom. After all, we own our bodies! Our lives are ours to live! But when we live contrary to God’s design, we find ourselves in captivity. We are unknowingly restricted because we are not using our lives for their original intended purpose.

You and I were created to worship God: with everything we think, say, and do. True freedom only occurs when we worship Him with all our hearts.

Prayer:

Father, help me to live according to my design. I was created to worship You! I was designed to spend eternity in Your presence! Help me to live out my destiny with joy!

Day 297: Properly Equipped

CityLight Church’s One Year Bible Reading Plan
Saturday, October 24^th, 2015
Jeremiah 44:24-47:7
2 Timothy 2:22-3:17
Psalm 94:1-23
Proverbs 26:6-8
For full text click here: http://bit.ly/1uSJ2Qp

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God…that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. – 2 Tim 3:16-17

Having the right tools for the job is absolutely essential. Several months ago, we had a leak in our shower. I needed a plumber’s wrench to fix it, but we didn’t have one. First, I tried using a pair of pliers; I got nowhere. Then, I tried using a smaller wrench; it didn’t work. Finally, I broke down and spent the money to get the plumber’s wrench we needed. Our shower was back up and running within minutes.

Scripture is the most valuable tool you can ever have at your disposal. If you don’t have Scripture, you will not be thoroughly equipped. Without Scripture, you will face challenges missing something you genuinely need in order to succeed. You can try to finish the job with all your strength; but without the right tools, all your hard work won’t even make a dent. But an investment in Scripture will pay dividends for the rest of your life.

Spend time in Scripture. Make the commitment to become familiar with God’s word. As you do, you will become thoroughly equipped for every good work!

Prayer:

Father, thank You for Scripture! When I am armed with Your written word, nothing can stop me. Help me to grow in knowledge and understanding of every word in the Bible!

Day 296: Strong in Grace

CityLight Church’s One Year Bible Reading Plan
Friday, October 23^rd, 2015
Jeremiah 42:1-44:23
2 Timothy 2:1-21
Psalm 92:1-93:5s
Proverbs 26:3-5
For full text click here: http://bit.ly/1yn205t

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:

You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. – 2 Tim 2:1

A proper understanding of Biblical grace is always in order. Paul reminded Timothy, a young pastor, to be strong in grace. We do well to receive the same reminder!

Grace is unmerited favor. Grace, by definition, can never be earned. We enjoy God’s favor because Jesus Christ earned it for us; not because we earned anything ourselves. The only thing we have ever earned for ourselves is eternal wrath; yet Jesus Christ took on the punishment we deserve, so that we could receive the eternal reward only He deserves.

Be strong in grace. God has given you unmerited favor so that you can teach others how to walk in it. He has shared with you the secrets of heaven, so that you can share them with others. This is our responsibility: to use the grace He has given us to lift others out of the pit they have created for themselves.

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. – Eph 2:8-9

Prayer:

Father, help me to live my life in light of Your grace! I deserve nothing; yet You have given me everything, This is amazing grace!

Day 295: Rebuke All Fear!

CityLight Church’s One Year Bible Reading Plan
Thursday, October 22^nd, 2015
Jeremiah 39:1-41:18
2 Timothy 1:1-18
Psalm 90:1-91:16
Proverbs 26:1-2
For full text click here: http://bit.ly/1s5jddU

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. – 2 Tim 1:7

Fear is the opposite of faith. Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Heb 11:1). We know we already have the promises outlined for us in the Word of God because we have our faith as our evidence. When we have faith, the things we hoped for will come to pass. Faith in the Word of God produces them!

Fear, then, is the dissolution of things hoped for. When we refuse to believe the Word of God and appropriate it for ourselves as God’s children, the promises outlined for us in the Word of God melt away.

We should be able to pray free from fear! We should be praying in partnership with the Holy Spirit; and why would One Person of the Trinity (the Holy Spirit) be afraid to make a request of another Person of the Trinity (God)?

Pray with power, knowing that your words carry the same creative power as God’s words. Pray with love, knowing that God loves you. Pray with a sound mind, knowing that God’s Holy Spirit will pray through you!

Prayer:

Father, I rebuke any fear I am feeling on a daily basis in the name of Jesus. I know that fear is not from you, so I don’t want it in my life. Father, give me a spirit of power, and a spirit of love! Give me a sound mind!

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