CityLight Church’s One Year Bible Reading Plan
Thursday, December 31^st, 2015
Malachi 3:1-4:6
Revelation 22:1-21
Psalm 150:1-6
Proverbs 31:25-31
For full text click here: http://bit.ly/1HZwopy

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:

And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely. – Rev 22:17

Jesus promises us all the refreshing we could ever possibly need! The Book of Revelation describes how a river of living water flows from His throne. Whenever we need new life, Jesus is ready and willing to fill us up.

When the church isn’t experiencing a move of God’s Holy Spirit, we describe the condition as a drought. However, that is a mischaracterization. In a drought, thirsty people desire water but can find none. The current situation in the church is different.

Our problem is not that we cannot find water; it is that we are no longer thirsty. There is a difference! There is no drought in heaven. Let 2016 be the year you become the thirstiest you have ever been for the things of God!

Prayer:

Father, make me thirsty. I want to be thirsty for the things of Heaven. I want to be hungry for Your word. Give me an insatiable appetite for Jesus!

© Michael D. White, 2015. All rights reserved.

CityLight Church’s One Year Bible Reading Plan
Wednesday, December 30^th, 2015
Malachi 1:1-2:17
Revelation 21:1-27
Psalm 149:1-9
Proverbs 31:10-24
For full text click here: http://bit.ly/1BfT9U2

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:

For the Lord takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the humble with salvation. – Ps 149:4

Salvation makes you beautiful. The key to beauty isn’t at the bottom of some bottle, or contained in any age-defying elixir. Real beauty comes from a relationship with Jesus Christ.

We live in a society where beauty is prized. Are you ready to show people what real beauty looks like? We are carriers of the most beautiful Message in all creation. When people look at us, they should see something different. They should be so blown away that they follow Jesus because they see Him in us!

When you’re saved, you find joy in God. He makes you beautiful. He transforms you into the likeness of His image: perfectly beautiful, and perfectly full of joy!

Prayer:

Father, thank You for making me beautiful! I know that salvation makes me new. Help me to rest in the finished work of the Cross, and find my beauty and strength in Jesus Christ.

© Michael D. White, 2015. All rights reserved.

CityLight Church’s One Year Bible Reading Plan
Tuesday, December 29^th, 2015
Zechariah 14:1-21
Revelation 20:1-15
Psalm 148:1-14
Proverbs 31:8-9
For full text click here: http://bit.ly/1tudk1S

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:

And it shall come to pass that everyone who is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles. – Zech 14:16

God has a passion for converting His enemies to allies. Paul admitted that he was a fierce persecutor of the early church. In fact, he called himself the “chief” of all sinners (1 Tim 1:15). Yet God used a radical conversion on the road to Damascus to make him one of the most vocal champions for Jesus Christ the world has ever seen.

Whom do you know who vehemently denies the Gospel message? What friends, or family members, do you have who refuse to accept the truth that Jesus is Lord? Pray for God to draw them to Him. No one comes to Jesus unless the Father draws him (Jn 6:44). Once He draws them, He will channel the passion and zeal they once used to deny Christ for good, so that all the world will know that God has accomplished a salvation no one else can!

When the heart of the most vicious skeptic starts to soften to the Gospel, refuse to be cynical. Refuse to doubt that radical conversions take place. Former gang leaders, atheists, and money launderers can all become powerful spokespeople for God. God makes His enemies allies. In the end, everyone who fought against God will acknowledge He is Lord.

Prayer:

Father, thank You for radical conversions! Thank You for the strength in Your name. I know you can soften the hearts of even Your most vocal opponents. I ask that You would soften the hearts of the people closest to me who need to know Jesus!

© Michael D. White, 2015. All rights reserved.

CityLight Church’s One Year Bible Reading Plan
Monday, December 28^th, 2015
Zechariah 12:1-13:9
Revelation 19:1-21
Psalm 147:1-20
Proverbs 31:1-7
For full text click here: http://bit.ly/1wW886k

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:

And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! – Rev 10:9

Do you worship God? Or do you worship one of God’s servants?

We live in an age where many pastors have become celebrities. There is nothing wrong with celebrity status; in fact, it can be used as a great force for good. However, when we worship a pastor – or any famous person – instead of God, we are in danger.

Spiritual maturity means refusing to worship anyone other than God, and refusing to allow anyone to worship you! God will not promote you until you demonstrate to Him that the power will not go to your head. When people seek to glorify you instead of God, do you let them? Our prerogative is never to take the glory that God deserves. We should insist that the people around us worship God alone, and give Him all the glory!

…and he who humbles himself will be exalted. – Matt 23:12

Prayer:

Father, make me immune to idolatry! Remind me that I should never worship anyone but You. Give me the courage to always point others to the Cross. To You be all the glory, in Jesus’ name!

© Michael D. White, 2015. All rights reserved.

CityLight Church’s One Year Bible Reading Plan
Sunday, December 27^th, 2015
Zechariah 10:1-11:17
Revelation 18:1-24
Psalm 146:1-10
Proverbs 30:33
For full text click here: http://bit.ly/13BX2av

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:

Ask the Lord for rain in the time of the latter rain. The Lord will make flashing clouds; He will give them showers of rain, grass in the field for everyone. – Zech 10:1

You have to ask for rain! Even if it is God’s appointed time for rain, you still have to ask God for rain before it comes forth. More broadly, you have to ask for provision in every form. Even if God is ready to respond to your obedience with abundant blessing, you still have to ask for Him to bless you before it comes forth!

God knows all the things you have need of before you ask (Matt 6:8). However, you still have to ask to see them materialize in your life. God desires partnership with you! He wants to honor you; and He wants you to honor Him!

Asking God for the things you need does not convey neediness. It shows that you honor Him as the source of all good things (Jas 1:17). By asking, we demonstrate submission. By asking, we build relationship with a Father who is willing to meet our every need!

Prayer:

Father, give me the courage to ask You for provision. I know Your heart is to bless me. Help me to believe it, so that I can ask for it to come forth!

© Michael D. White, 2015. All rights reserved.

CityLight Church’s One Year Bible Reading Plan
Saturday, December 26^th, 2015
Zechariah 9:1-17
Revelation 17:1-18
Psalm 145:1-21
Proverbs 30:32
For full text click here: http://bit.ly/1vjmS9R

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:

These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.” – Rev 17:14

The outcome of every battle is already determined: Jesus wins. When you are on His side – called, chosen, and faithful – you are victorious in Him! No matter what battle you’re facing, or what obstacles are standing in your way, your victory will come when you trust in God. When we trust in Jesus, we do not fight for victory; we fight from victory!

Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. – Rom 8:37

Prayer:

Father, I am victorious in Jesus Christ! Whenever I feel overwhelmed, remind me to trust in You. Every victory is already guaranteed by the blood of the Lamb.

© Michael D. White, 2015. All rights reserved.

CityLight Church’s One Year Bible Reading Plan
Friday, December 25^th, 2015
Zechariah 8:1-23
Revelation 16:1-21
Psalm 144:1-15
Proverbs 30:29-31
For full text click here: http://bit.ly/1AMDa1w

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:

“Thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘In those days ten men from every language of the nations shall grasp the sleeve of a Jewish man, saying, “Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.”’” – Zech 8:23

Today is Christmas: the day on which we celebrate the birth of God’s Only Son, Jesus Christ. When Isaiah prophesied about the birth of the Messiah, he said Mary would, “…be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel” (Is 7:14).

Immanuel means, “God is with us.” God sent His Only Son to die on the Cross and suffer the punishment that you and I deserve for our sins. When we believe and trust in Jesus, all our sins – past, present, and future – are forgiven. When we put our faith in Jesus Christ, we inherit the reward for righteousness that only He deserves!

In today’s reading, Zechariah prophesied of the days after the birth of the Messiah, when God’s people would experience incredible favor. God would bless them to such an extent that the people around them would see something different about them. This is how preaching the Gospel should work! We shouldn’t have to fight for other people’s attention. We should simply live our lives in such a way that anyone who sees the blessing and favor on us should look and say, “I want some of that!”

God is truly with you. He has blessed you infinitely. He gave you His Only Son, in exchange for all your sin. Merry Christmas!

Prayer:

Father, thank You for the gift of Jesus Christ. You didn’t have to give up Your Son, but You did it all the same. I believe You did it for me!

© Michael D. White, 2015. All rights reserved.

CityLight Church’s One Year Bible Reading Plan
Thursday, December 24^th, 2015
Zechariah 6:1-7:14
Revelation 15:1-8
Psalm 143:1-12
Proverbs 30:24-28
For full text click here: http://bit.ly/1CFAiD5

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:

Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; Your Spirit is good. Lead me in the land of uprightness. – Ps 143:10

Knowing God’s will and doing God’s will are two different things. King David admitted that he was good at knowing God’s will, but not so good at getting it done. Doing God’s will doesn’t always come naturally. So what can we do?

Scripture calls God’s Holy Spirit our Helper, Teacher and Guide (Jn 14:26). Whenever we need guidance, He is there. We can ask God about His will, and He will speak to us with His still, small voice.

David knew he came up short in obeying God’s commands; yet instead of throwing up his hands and becoming frustrated, he asked God for help! God will teach you to walk in His ways. All you have to do is ask.

Prayer:

Father, teach me how to walk in Your will. I know I’m not always the best at learning Your will and getting it done; but I want to get better. Help me, in Jesus’ name!

© Michael D. White, 2015. All rights reserved.

CityLight Church’s One Year Bible Reading Plan
Wednesday, December 23^rd, 2015
Zechariah 4:1-5:11
Revelation 14:1-20
Psalm 142:1-7
Proverbs 30:21-23
For full text click here: http://bit.ly/1zRYGR8

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:

Then the angel who talked with me answered and said to me, “Do you not know what these are?” And I said, “No, my lord.” – Zech 4:5

We see an amazing pattern here that should take the pressure off us as we receive prophetic words. Sometimes you will get a full picture of what God is saying. At other times, you might only get part of the message. In either case, it’s ok!

In today’s passage, Zechariah didn’t know the interpretation of the vision God gave him. He didn’t panic because the meaning of everything he saw wasn’t crystal clear. He didn’t understand, so he asked!

The angel didn’t shame him, or rebuke him. There was partnership taking place here. God showed Zechariah several visions. With each one, he asked Zechariah to confirm what he saw out loud. As Zechariah spoke, God expanded the vision. As Zechariah asked, God explained everything he saw!

God wants to partner with you to make prophecy clear. Don’t be afraid to ask Him for interpretation. There was only one Perfect Prophet; the rest of us get to learn as we go.

Prayer:

Father, help me to get comfortable with the prophetic. I know that each and every believer is filled with God’s Holy Spirit. We are all designed to hear from You. Help me to listen to everything You have to say!

© Michael D. White, 2015. All rights reserved.

CityLight Church’s One Year Bible Reading Plan
Tuesday, December 22^nd, 2015
Zechariah 2:1-3:10
Revelation 13:1-18
Psalm 141:1-10
Proverbs 30:18-20
For full text click here: http://bit.ly/1zUWUQu

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:

For thus says the Lord of hosts: “He sent Me after glory, to the nations which plunder you; for he who touches you touches the apple of His eye.” – Zech 2:8

You are the apple of God’s eye. He loves you more than you could ever imagine. Anyone who seeks to harm you offends God, because you are His most prized possession!

God loves you like He loves His Only Son, Jesus Christ. It really is that simple.

Prayer:

Father, thank You for loving me! I know I don’t deserve Your affection, but You have showered me with it all the same. Thank You for Your grace.

© Michael D. White, 2015. All rights reserved.