Day 59: By His Name

CityLight Church’s One Year Bible Reading Plan
Sunday, February 28^th, 2016
Leviticus 22:17-23:44
Mark 9:30-10:12
Psalm 44:1-8
Proverbs 10:19
For full text click here: http://bit.ly/1cr9us2

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:

Through You we will push down our enemies; through Your name we will trample those who rise up against us. – Ps 44:5

God’s name is powerful. The people of Israel knew that God was responsible for all their victories. They knew that because of His name, and the strength of His name, they would trample every enemy who rose up against them.

There is no name more powerful than Jesus. By His name, the sick are healed:

And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. – Acts 3:16

By His name, every enemy is defeated:

Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. – Phil 2:9-11

When you pray, do you use the name Jesus? Declare God’s promises in the name of Jesus. Pray to the Father, in the name of Jesus, with the power of God’s Holy Spirit: and watch your life transform!

Prayer:

Father, help me to understand the power in Your name. I declare that every chain is broken, and every captive is set free, by the power in Your name! I can pray with the authority of Heaven, in Jesus’ name!

View today’s post on our website: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-59-by-his-name/

Archives

See commentary from this day in 2014: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-59-rest-atonement/

See commentary from this day in 2015: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-59-rest-atonement-2/

Day 58: Receive Your Inheritance!

CityLight Church’s One Year Bible Reading Plan
Saturday, February 27^th, 2016
Leviticus 20:22-22:16
Mark 9:1-29
Psalm 43:1-5
Proverbs 10:18
For full text click here: http://bit.ly/1fJwRl0

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:

But I have said to you, “You shall inherit their land, and I will give it to you to possess, a land flowing with milk and honey.” I am the Lord your God, who has separated you from the peoples. – Lev 20:24

The Israelites didn’t need to fight for their inheritance in God; they simply needed to 1) receive and 2) possess it. If that was true under the Old Covenant, how much more true is it under our New Covenant with God through Jesus Christ!

For an outline of your inheritance in God through Jesus Christ, take a look at Deuteronomy 28. All the blessings Moses describes for God’s “obedient” people (v 2) apply to you, because under the New Covenant, obedience is simply defined as giving your life to Christ and living for Him!

God created you to bless you! If you aren’t experiencing His blessings, it doesn’t mean you need to work for them harder, or try to please Him more; you simply need to get better at 1) receiving and 2) possessing. What you confess is what you will possess; so declare God’s promises out loud over your life and receive them by faith!

God wants you blessed, no matter where you live: financially prosperous, relationally gifted, and spiritually mature. You don’t have to fight for any of it, because He gave it all 2,000 years ago on the Cross!

Prayer:

Father, thank You that my inheritance is a gift. Thank You that I don’t have to work for it. I have freely received every good and perfect thing from Heaven; now help me to pour out into others like my life depends on it!

View today’s post on our website: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-58-receive-your-inheritance/

Archives

See commentary from this day in 2014: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-58-praying-in-advance/

See commentary from this day in 2015: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-58-dealing-with-unbelief/

Day 57: Greater Love

CityLight Church’s One Year Bible Reading Plan
Friday, February 26^th, 2016
Leviticus 19:1-20:21
Mark 8:11-38
Psalm 42:1-11
Proverbs 10:17
For full text click here: http://bit.ly/1o4N9pm

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:

You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord. – Lev 19:18

God’s Old Testament commandment to His people was hard enough: love your neighbor as yourself. But our requirement is even greater. In the New Testament, Jesus upped the ante to His disciples:

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. – Jn 13:34

How did Jesus love us? He died for us. He laid His life down so we would never have to fear death. He took on the punishment we deserved so we could experience guilt-free relationship with God.

Are you loving your neighbors like Jesus loved you? Don’t panic. None of us fully can; and that is why we need God’s help. That’s why He filled us with His Holy Spirit, so the same Spirit who strengthened Jesus to suffer and die on the Cross will strengthen us to love each other as only God can!

A greater commandment requires greater strength. We have been called to love like only God can love. To do that, we have to stop trying to love others, and start receiving and understanding God’s love for us. We have to lean on His Holy Spirit to love perfectly through us, as only God can. As we learn to love the sacrifice Jesus made for us, we will be filled with desire to go out and love others.

By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. – Jn 13:35

Prayer:

Father, I want to love like You! I know the only way that will happen is if I rely on Your Holy Spirit to love people through me. Help me to let the world know your love!

View today’s post on our website: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-57-greater-love/

Archives

See commentary from this day in 2014: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-57-seeking-a-sign/

See commentary from this day in 2015: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-57-deny-yourself/

Day 56: Resting in Jesus!

CityLight Church’s One Year Bible Reading Plan
Thursday, February 25^th, 2016
Leviticus 16:29-18:30
Mark 7:24-8:10
Psalm 41:1-13
Proverbs 10:15-16
For full text click here: http://bit.ly/MWE3j9

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:

This shall be a statute forever for you: In the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you shall afflict your souls, and do no work at all…For on that day the priest shall make atonement for you, to cleanse you, that you may be clean from all your sins before the Lord. – Lev 16:29-30

Salvation is through faith alone; never works!

Under Levitical Law, God appointed a Day of Atonement for the people of Israel. Today the Jewish people know that day as Yom Kippur. On one day every year, the priest would make atonement for all the people. God’s representative would do all the work; and do you know what all the people who needed forgiveness were supposed to do? Nothing! They were to “do no work at all” (v 29), for it was “a sabbath of solemn rest” (v 31).

God called the people of Israel to rest on the Day of Atonement to prove a point. Only God can save us! We can never save ourselves, no matter how hard we try. If rest was necessary for forgiveness even under the Old Covenant, how much more essential is it under the New?

Our mandate as God’s New Covenant people is to rest in the finished work of the Cross. Jesus has already purchased atonement – the perfect forgiveness required for perfect reconciliation – on the Cross! We could never earn God’s forgiveness, even if we tried. Yet God has given it to us as a gift!

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 rest! Fill me with the confidence required to know beyond the shadow of a doubt that You love me: no matter what. Help me to rest in the finished work of the Cross, and to enjoy all the benefits!

View today’s post on our website: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-56-resting-in-jesus/

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See commentary from this day in 2014: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-56-life-in-the-blood/

See commentary from this day in 2015: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-56-he-sighed/

Day 55: Delayed Results

CityLight Church’s One Year Bible Reading Plan
Wednesday, February 24^th, 2016
Leviticus 15:1-16:28
Mark 7:1-23
Psalm 40:11-17
Proverbs 10:13-14
For full text click here: http://bit.ly/1dom1wF

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:

But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinks upon me. You are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, O my God. – Ps 40:17

David prayed that God’s help would not be delayed. The implication is that sometimes answers to prayer take some time! We see this in Daniel 10. Daniel waited 21 days to hear God’s response to his prayer. On the surface, it seemed like no answer was coming; but when God’s messenger arrived he said, “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words” (Dan 10:12). God hears you the moment you pray! But sometimes the answer to your prayer takes some time to arrive.

I had a conversation with one of our members recently. This person asked me, “Other than sin and disobedience, what can cause our prayers not to be answered?” There are several possible replies.

First, God’s timing might be different than yours. He promises to operate on His time schedule; never ours. Second, we have an adversary in this world who seeks to interfere with God’s blessings getting to us. This was the case in Daniel 10. Satan will always try and block, or at least delay, God’s promises for your life. We don’t have to be afraid of evil, because Jesus has given us, “…authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy” (Lk 10:19). We simply must know he exists so we can rebuke him!

Just because your answer to prayer is taking some time does not mean you are doing something wrong. God hears you the moment you pray. His answer might be yes; or no; or not now. Stay confident in God, and trust His word with all your heart. If He said He will do it, it is done!

Prayer:

Father, I know the answer to my prayer is on the way. I submit to Your perfect timing, and trust You with all my heart. I cancel any demonic interference to Heavenly resources getting to me in Jesus’ name! I am making the decision to praise You in advance, because I know You hear me, and I know You are good!

View today’s post on our website: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-55-delayed-results/

Archives

See commentary from this day in 2014: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-55-closer-or-farther/

See commentary from this day in 2015: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-55-the-god-who-delivers/

Day 54: So You Can Be Free

CityLight Church’s One Year Bible Reading Plan
Tuesday, February 23^rd, 2016
Leviticus 14:1-57
Mark 6:30-56
Psalm 40:1-10
Proverbs 10:11-12
For full text click here: http://bit.ly/1bWbjT9

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:

As for the living bird, he shall take it…[and dip it] in the blood of the bird that was killed over the running water. And he shall sprinkle it seven times on him who is to be cleansed…and shall let the living bird loose in the open field. – Lev 14:6-7

This is a phenomenal example of an obscure Old Testament passage that illustrates the beauty of the Cross. On the surface, God is simply describing to Moses how Old Testament priests should deal with lepers. If you read the text without knowing Jesus, you will only see a sacrifice described in detail. But if you know Jesus, you will see so much more.

One bird had to die so the living bird could go free. Before it was set free, the living bird was dipped in the blood of the sacrifice. It was then used as a tool to sprinkle that blood on the unclean leper. As disciples of Jesus, we have all been dipped – covered in – His blood. That guarantees us freedom! Only one bird had to die, and the other was set free; and because Jesus already paid the price for your sins, you can enjoy guilt-free eternal life. Before we are released into freedom in eternity, however, it is our job to sprinkle Christ’s blood on as many sinners as we can: to share the Gospel whenever we have the chance!

Every word, phrase, and sentence in Scripture – in both the Old Testament and the New – points to Jesus. Allow God’s Holy Spirit to show you how every verse of the Bible points to God’s Only Son, Jesus Christ. You will never see Scripture the same way again.

Prayer:

Father, use me to sprinkle the blood of Your Son Jesus Christ on everyone I meet! I know I have been guaranteed freedom because Jesus died; I want to be used by You to share the Good News with everyone I can while I’m still here on earth.

View today’s post on our website: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-54-so-you-can-be-free/

Archives

See commentary from this day in 2014: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-54-rest-a-while/

See commentary from this day in 2015: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-54-you-do-it/

Day 53: Strength in Numbers

CityLight Church’s One Year Bible Reading Plan
Monday, February 22^nd, 2016
Leviticus 13:1-59
Mark 6:1-29
Psalm 39:1-13
Proverbs 10:10
For full text click here: http://bit.ly/1hhJYZm

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:

And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits. – Mk 6:7

Jesus gave His disciples the exact same supernatural power and authority He carried Himself. So why did He need to send them out two by two? Couldn’t they have covered more ground if they all set out individually?

There is strength in numbers. Any time you pray with another believer, two things happen:

1) God is present. “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them” (Matt 18:20). This is my favorite part of being married; I know that whenever my wife and I pray together, Jesus is in our midst. But you don’t have to have a husband or wife to enjoy God’s presence. Find a friend – or a group of friends – and get together and pray!

2) Heaven parallels your movement. “Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven” (Matt 18:19). If you agree in prayer with another believer, it is done. No if’s, and’s or but’s! Heaven will respond to your prayers: canceling any demonic interference that needs to be broken, and providing whatever resources you need to expand God’s Kingdom.

Disciple math works like this: 1+1= ∞.When you agree with another brother or sister in Christ, all of Heaven responds.

Prayer:

Father, thank You that my prayers have power! Thank You that whenever I pray with another believer, whatever we ask is done in Jesus’ name! Thank You for the power of corporate prayer.

View today’s post on our website: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-53-strength-in-numbers/

Archives

See commentary from this day in 2014: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-53-hold-your-tongue/

See commentary from this day in 2015: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-53-wisdom-and-power/

Day 52: What to Do With Doubters

CityLight Church’s One Year Bible Reading Plan
Sunday, February 21^st, 2016
Leviticus 11:1-12:8
Mark 5:21-43
Psalm 38:1-22
Proverbs 10:8-9
For full text click here: http://bit.ly/1nRZiOp

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:

And He permitted no one to follow Him except Peter, James, and John the brother of James. – Mk 5:37

Life is too short to hang out with doubters. Jesus recognized the contagious effects of doubt. He did not allow anyone but His most faith-filled disciples to come and pray for Jairus’ daughter with Him. When He arrived at Jairus’ house, he kicked all his relatives out, knowing they would not have faith to believe for a miracle!

Doubt cancels the miraculous. When Jesus was in His hometown, he could “…do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them” (Mk 6:5). If even the Son of God was so impacted by doubt swirling around Him, how much more are we! If even the Son of God knew the importance of surrounding Himself with friends would add to His faith, and never take away from it, how much more should we!

In Mark 2, Jesus healed a paralyzed man. Four men – this man’s friends – carried him into the place where Jesus was teaching. The paralyzed man was dramatically healed, “When Jesus saw their faith…” (Mk 2:5; emphasis added). This man couldn’t show his own faith for a miracle, but Jesus saw the faith of his friends; and that was enough!

If you don’t have faith for your own breakthrough, surround yourself with good friends who do. Ask all the doubters in your life to take a hike – at least for now. Surround yourself with people who will strengthen your faith instead of weakening it. Surround yourself with people who will pray for your needs as if your prayer requests were their own!

Prayer:

Father, I ask that You would surround me with good, faith-filled friends, in Jesus’ name! I don’t want to spend time with people who are going to question and doubt my faith anymore. I need friends who will multiply my faith!

View today’s post on our website: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-52-what-to-do-with-doubters/

Archives

See commentary from this day in 2014: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-52-face-to-face/

See commentary from this day in 2015: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-52-only-believe/

Day 51: Alone With God

CityLight Church’s One Year Bible Reading Plan
Saturday, February 20^th, 2016
Leviticus 9:7-10:20
Mark 4:26-5:20
Psalm 37:30-40
Proverbs 10:6-7
For full text click here: http://bit.ly/1c3L87s

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:

But without a parable He did not speak to them. And when they were alone, He explained all things to His disciples. – Mk 4:34

There were many things Jesus did not explain to the general public. It was up to the disciples to get alone with Jesus and ask Him for an explanation. The same principle applies to you! Are there things you’re waiting for God to explain to you? Have you been searching the Scriptures, listening to podcasts and scouring youTube videos (i.e. using all available public resources) to find the direction and answers you need?

Get alone with God! When you make time for private prayer, He will explain all things to you. Nobody else – no matter how anointed – should be the expert in your situation. God’s desire is that you would be the expert in your own life. The answer you’re looking for is not more prophetic friends, a new church, or a conference across the country. Get alone with the God who made you and listen to His voice!

Prayer:

Father, help me to make more time for prayer. I confess that the most difficult thing in my life is to get alone with You. Help me to make the time I need to sit and listen to Your voice, in Jesus’ name!

View today’s post on our website: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-51-alone-with-god/

Archives

See commentary from this day in 2014: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-51-did-you-do-it/

See commentary from this day in 2015: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-51-just-plant-the-seed/

Day 50: Dealing With Annoying People

CityLight Church’s One Year Bible Reading Plan
Friday, February 19^th, 2016
Leviticus 7:28-9:6
Mark 3:31-4:25
Psalm 37:12-29
Proverbs 10:5
For full text click here: http://bit.ly/1kU6tsb

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:

The wicked plots against the just, and gnashes at him with his teeth. The Lord laughs at him, for He sees that his day is coming. – Ps 37:13

There will always be annoying people in your life, who just seem to serve as a drain on your time and energy. There will always be impatient people in your life, who cut into your lane at the last possible second on your morning commute to work. There will always be downright mean people in your life, who seem to have it out for you, even if you never did anything to them at all! We shouldn’t be surprised these types of people exist; we should, however, be prepared to deal with them.

God invites us to deal with all mean, annoying, and abrasive people in exactly the same way: LAUGH! God laughs at the wicked. That should be our response as well! Why do we let the silly actions of other people affect our day? This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it (Ps 118:24)!

When someone offends us, we love to think that we have the “right” to get upset, and react however we want. But if someone gets you upset to the point that you act on that anger, they are in control of your emotions; not you! Stop and retake control of your emotions. Let the offense roll off your shoulders. You are calm and confident. You are a child of God. God is in control of your emotions, and the joy of the Lord is your strength!

Paul’s instructions to the church at Rome still stand for us today: “Beloved, do not avenge yourselves…for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord” (Rom 12:19). You don’t need to take a stand for yourself: invite God to stand up for you. You don’t need to say something in response: God will level the playing field. You don’t need to get anyone back for anything: God is the Lord, and He will repay!

Prayer:

Father, I am not going to let anyone ruin my day. You created this day and filled it with opportunity. You created me to joyfully seize that opportunity and live up to my potential. You are my strength!

View today’s post on our website: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-50-dealing-with-annoying-people/

Archives

See commentary from this day in 2014: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-50-secrets-secrets/

See commentary from this day in 2015: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-50-good-ground/

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