Day 90: Make Yourself Available

CityLight Church’s One Year Bible Reading Plan
Thursday, March 31^st, 2016
Deuteronomy 16:1-17:20
Luke 9:7-27
Psalm 72:1-20
Proverbs 12:8-9
For full text click here: http://bit.ly/1keAbEQ

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:

Then He took them and went aside privately into a deserted place…But when the multitudes knew it, they followed Him; and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing. – Lk 9:10b-11

Jesus needed rest. He took the disciples aside to a deserted place to pray and recuperate. But there was one problem: a multitude of people followed them. They interrupted Jesus in His quiet time, and asked for His attention. How did Jesus respond? He received them. He didn’t turn them away, or get upset. He preached the Kingdom of God to them, and healed all who were sick.

God is always available. Whenever we need to talk, He listens. Whenever we need to hear His voice, He speaks. If we are to be like Him, we must also make ourselves available!

How many opportunities to preach the Gospel have you ignored because you were busy? How many times have you rushed through prayer for someone because you had somewhere to be? God’s heart is that we would make ourselves available: just as He did, and just as He always is.

Prayer:

Father, help me to take work off my plate so I’m not so busy all the time. Give me the strength to say no to new commitments if saying yes would mean missing out on time I desperately need with You.

Archives

See commentary from this day in 2014: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-90-joining-jesus/

See commentary from this day in 2015: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-90-healing-follows-the-word/

Day 89: Risking It All

CityLight Church’s One Year Bible Reading Plan
Wednesday, March 30^th, 2016
Deuteronomy 13:1-15:23
Luke 8:40-9:6
Psalm 71:1-24
Proverbs 12:5-7
For full text click here: http://bit.ly/1jJDRCS

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:

Now when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before Him, she declared to Him in the presence of all the people the reason she had touched Him and how she was healed immediately. – Lk 8:47

This woman risked everything to get her hands on God. It was illegal for this woman to be in public because she was unclean. If anyone caught her, she could have been stoned to death. Yet here she was in the midst of a multitude of people, reaching out to touch Jesus.

Notice the passionate desire to be healed that we see in today’s reading. Jairus “begged” Jesus to come heal his daughter (Lk 8:41). The woman with the issue of blood risked her life to be made well. They came to Jesus afraid, but committed to receive; and they left full of joy, having received everything they asked!

If you want to see something you’ve never seen before, you have to do something you’ve never done before. Are you living a safe, comfortable life? Or are you risking it all to get God’s best for you? Are you settling for what the enemy is willing to let you have? Or are you fighting for everything God’s word says you should see? Would an outside observer look at your life and truthfully be able to say, “(S)he is doing everything (s)he can to see God’s blessings in her/his life?”

I don’t want to get to Heaven and have God tell me, “I had so much more for you if you had only believed.” We must believe God’s word, and contend for His best. We must risk it all to become everything He says we can be: saved, healed and whole in Jesus’ name!

Prayer:

Father, help me to take intelligent risks. Help me to be bold in my faith! I don’t want to leave any blessings on the table. Give me the courage to reach out and take possession of them!

Archives

See commentary from this day in 2014: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-89-helping-or-hurting/

See commentary from this day in 2015: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-89-did-you-know/

Day 88: Stepping Out In Faith

CityLight Church’s One Year Bible Reading Plan
Tuesday, March 29^th, 2016
Deuteronomy 11:1-12:32
Luke 8:22-39
Psalm 70:1-5
Proverbs 12:4
For full text click here: http://bit.ly/P9jalv

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:

Every place on which the sole of your foot treads shall be yours… – Deut 11:24

Possession requires a step of faith. God did not promise to deliver everything the people of Israel could see; but rather everything on which they had the courage to stand. If you don’t take a step out in faith, you will not take possession of God’s best for your life!

When we have the courage to step out into new territory God gives us, our victory is guaranteed. When we have the confidence to stand on His word, all the promises He sets before us will be fulfilled!

Prayer:

Father, thank You that I am destined to inhabit the promises You have given me. Help me to take a step out in faith and claim the promises I see in Your word!

Archives

See commentary from this day in 2014: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-88-to-work-or-not-to-work/

See commentary from this day in 2015: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-88-obedience-activates-the-rain/

Day 87: Humble Beginnings

CityLight Church’s One Year Bible Reading Plan
Monday, March 28^th, 2016
Deuteronomy 9:1-10:22
Luke 8:4-21
Psalm 69:19-36
Proverbs 12:2-3
For full text click here: http://bit.ly/1h1gUD9

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:

Your fathers went down to Egypt with seventy persons, and now the Lord your God has made you as the stars of heaven in multitude. – Deut 10:22

Do not despise humble beginnings. God specializes in small starts. Jacob and his family were seventy in number when they came down to Egypt; but God made them “as the stars of heaven in multitude.”

What’s more, he caused them to prosper through the worst of times. When the rest of the world experienced a drought, they ate and were full. When their enemies were overrun by disease, they were protected. Even as Pharaoh enslaved and abused them, they prospered!

Take whatever you have, and give it as an offering to God. God can take whatever you have, and bless it beyond your wildest dreams. Do not lose hope. Though you be but little, He will make you great!

Prayer:

Father, I give you everything I have. I ask that You would take it and cause it to prosper. Take me as I am, and make me a Kingdom messenger for Your glory!

Archives

See commentary from this day in 2014: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-87-stay-thirsty/

See commentary from this day in 2015: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-87-hidden-truths/

Day 86: Overcoming Fear

CityLight Church’s One Year Bible Reading Plan
Sunday, March 27^th, 2016
Deuteronomy 7:1-8:20
Luke 7:36-8:3
Psalm 69:1-18
Proverbs 12:1
For full text click here: http://bit.ly/1rCpwJu

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:

“If you should say in your heart, ‘These nations are greater than I; how can I dispossess them?’–you shall not be afraid of them, but you shall remember well what the Lord your God did to Pharaoh and to all Egypt…” – Deut 7:7-18

The remedy for fear is remembrance. When we remember everything God has already done for us, we are strengthened. When we read the supernatural record of His miracle-working power in His word, we are filled with faith.

Whenever we are mired in fear, testimonies are a powerful ally. It is hard to disbelieve what God can do for you, when you hear first-hand what He has done for others! Get around people who have experienced miracles and supernatural favor. Hear how God did it for them, and then ask: Lord, how will breakthrough look for me?

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony… – Rev 12:11

Prayer:

Father, I ask that You would surround me with people who have experienced supernatural breakthrough. Bring me to stories in Your word about people who have fearlessly conquered the obstacles in front of them. Increase my faith, in Jesus’ name!

Archives

See commentary from this day in 2014: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-86-dont-despise-the-process/

See commentary from this day in 2015: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-86-because-he-loves-you/

Day 85: Communication Block

CityLight Church’s One Year Bible Reading Plan
Saturday, March 26^th, 2016
Deuteronomy 5:1-6:25
Luke 7:11-35
Psalm 68:19-35
Proverbs 11:29-31
For full text click here: http://bit.ly/1m4yZoK

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:

“Now therefore, why should we die? For this great fire will consume us; if we hear the voice of the Lord our God anymore, then we shall die…You go near and hear all that the Lord our God may say, and tell us all that the Lord our God says to you, and we will hear and do it.” – Deut 5:25, 27

God’s will has always been to speak with you directly. He desired to have personal communion with the whole people of Israel; but they refused. They were, “…afraid because of the fire” (Deut 5:5), so they asked Moses to serve as an intermediary. It was the people, not God, who voted against direct communication.

Unhealthy fear of God (as opposed to the reverential, Biblical fear of God) blocks healthy communication. Fear God; but don’t be afraid of God! His desire has always been – and will always be – for you. He always wants to hear every question and every request you have. He wants to bless you because He loves you; and He will speak with you in your hour of need!

Prayer:

Father, thank You for desiring me. Thank You for loving me with a fury and a fire I can never truly comprehend. I never want to turn away from You; only towards You!

Archives

See commentary from this day in 2014: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-85-he-brought-you-out-to-bring-you-in/

See commentary from this day in 2015: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-85-prove-it/

Day 84: Hearing from God

CityLight Church’s One Year Bible Reading Plan
Friday, March 25^th, 2016
Deuteronomy 4:1-49
Luke 6:39-7:10
Psalm 68:1-18
Proverbs 11:28
For full text click here: http://bit.ly/1iunBBX

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:

And the Lord spoke to you out of the midst of the fire. You heard the sound of the words, but saw no form; you only heard a voice. – Deut 4:12

Sight is probably your most dominant sense. You’ve probably heard it said that seeing is believing. Yet Scripture says when it comes to receiving from God, we should expect to hear. Elijah heard from God in the form of a, “still small voice” (1 Kings 19:12). Paul told the early church at Rome that, “…faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom 10:17).

God spoke to the people of Israel out of the midst of the fire. When things got hot and out of control, God spoke. His people didn’t always know what to expect, and they didn’t know what form God’s deliverance would take. But they heard His voice.

God is working all around you, whether your realize it or not. No matter what you are going through, He will make His voice known. Make time to listen, and press in.

When you are in distress, and…when you turn to the Lord your God and obey His voice (for the Lord your God is a merciful God), He will not forsake you nor destroy you, nor forget the covenant of your fathers which He swore to them. – Deut 4:30-31

Prayer:

Father, thank You for Your faithfulness! I know that no matter what I am going through, You are working. I know that no matter where I am, You are willing to speak to me. Help me to block out all distractions, and make time to listen!

Archives

See commentary from this day in 2014: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-84-planks-and-specks/

See commentary from this day in 2015: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-84-hearing-from-god/

Day 83: Intimacy with God

CityLight Church’s One Year Bible Reading Plan
Thursday, March 24^th, 2016
Deuteronomy 2:1-3:29
Luke 6:12-38
Psalm 67:1-7
Proverbs 11:27
For full text click here: http://bit.ly/1h0VWJ4

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:

Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. And when it was day, He called His disciples to Himself; and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles… – Lk 6:12-13

Jesus valued intimacy with His Father. All throughout His ministry, we see Jesus withdraw from the crowds to pray. We often see Him rise up early in the morning, before distractions take root, to spend time with God.

Jesus knew that prayer was the key to power. He prayed all night, and was filled with supernatural capacity for making decisions. With that power, He chose the twelve apostles. He prayed all night, and “a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem” (v 17) came to see Him. “And the whole multitude sought to touch Him, for power went out from Him and healed them all” (Lk 6:19).

When your life lacks intimacy with God, you will 1) have trouble making major decisions, and 2) lack power in your prayers. But when you spend ample time with God, you will be strengthened to make confident decisions, and the power in your prayers will heal everyone you meet!

Prayer:

Father, I want intimate prayer time with You! Help me to block out all distractions and just get alone with You. There is nothing I want more than a loving relationship with my Father in Heaven.

Archives

See commentary from this day in 2014: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-83-go-and-do-it/

See commentary from this day in 2015: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-83-in-the-wilderness/

Day 82: Contending for Your Inheritance

CityLight Church’s One Year Bible Reading Plan
Wednesday, March 23^rd, 2016
Numbers 36:1-Deuteronomy 1:46
Luke 5:29-6:11
Psalm 66:1-20
Proverbs 11:24-26
For full text click here: http://bit.ly/1iPqpKs

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:

“And when the Jubilee of the children of Israel comes, then their inheritance will be added to the inheritance of the tribe into which they marry; so their inheritance will be taken away from the inheritance of the tribe of our fathers.” – Num 36:4

Moses was distributing the territory of the Promised Land to the people of Israel, and the daughters of Zelophehad wanted to make sure their inheritance would be permanent. This might seem like a petty land-grab. However, they were securing their inheritance. They knew what was rightfully theirs, and they refused to let anyone take it from them! Are you the same way with God’s promises over your life?

God’s promises are your inheritance, and His word is the will. What His word says, you will be – if you believe! Your inheritance says you are blessed in the city and in the country (Deut 28:2). Your inheritance says you will lend and not borrow (Deut 28:12). Your inheritance says you are healed (Ex 15:26)! Your inheritance says you can think like Jesus because you, “…have the mind of Christ” (1 Cor 2:16). Your inheritance says you can pray for miracles and see them happen because the same Holy Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you (Rom 8:11)!

Now you know what is rightfully yours. Are you willing to contend for every last piece of your inheritance? God has given it into your hand; will you partner with Him to boldly possess it?

Prayer:

Father, give me the strength to contend for my inheritance. I believe that everything I am promised in Your word is coming my way!

Archives

See commentary from this day in 2014: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-82-healing-in-church/

See commentary from this day in 2015: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-82-he-carried-you/

Day 81: God’s Healing Power

CityLight Church’s One Year Bible Reading Plan
Tuesday, March 22^nd, 2016
Numbers 33:40-35:34
Luke 5:12-28
Psalm 65:1-13
Proverbs 11:23
For full text click here: http://bit.ly/1m08TDu

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:

Now it happened on a certain day, as He was teaching, that there were Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting by, who had come out of every town of Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was present to heal them. – Lk 5:17

The Pharisees and teachers of the law came to see Jesus with the worst intentions. They were trying to trick Him: to catch Him in His words. They only came to see Him to evaluate His weaknesses (hint: there were none). Yet even though they came to God with malicious intent, He was still willing to heal them.

When God’s power is present, healing happens. Power is the Greek dunamis (Strong’s #1411), which means the inherent power residing in God by virtue of His nature. The power of God was present on that day, even in the midst of doubt and unbelief, because Jesus was present as a carrier of God’s Presence. And wherever you go, the power of God is present, because His Holy Spirit lives in you!

God’s power overrides doubt. God’s power overrides unbelief and malicious intent. God’s power settles on even the most skeptical seekers, because God loves to use the foolish things of this world to confound the wise. God’s power trumps all!

Prayer:

Father, thank You for making me a carrier of Your presence. I know that wherever I go, You are ready to put Your miracle-working power on full display. Thank You for trusting me to proclaim healing in the name of Jesus!

Archives

See commentary from this day in 2014: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-81-ownership-and-possession/

See commentary from this day in 2015: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-81-no-boundaries/

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