Day 120: Satisfied From Above

CityLight Church’s One Year Bible Reading Plan
Saturday, April 30^th, 2016
Judges 11:1-12:15
John 1:1-28
Psalm 101:1-8
Proverbs 14:13-14
For full text click here: http://bit.ly/1o19jdQ

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:

The backslider in heart will be filled with his own ways, but a good man will be satisfied from above. – Prov 14:14

What does it mean to be good? The Amplified Bible translates good as having, “godly thoughts and actions which [your] heart pursues and in which [you] delight.” To be good doesn’t mean to be perfect; it simply means you pursue the things of heaven, and delight in the things of God!

When you are “good,” you won’t have to worry about finding happiness. You will be satisfied from above! God will satisfy your every need when you pursue Him with all your heart.

Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. – Ps 37:4

Prayer:

Father, help me to delight in the things of Heaven. I want to pursue You with all my heart! I know that as I do, I will be satisfied from above.

Archives

See commentary from this day in 2014: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-120-hearing-from-god/

See commentary from this day in 2015: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-120-put-down-your-weapon/

Day 119: Being Thankful

CityLight Church’s One Year Bible Reading Plan
Friday, April 29^th, 2016
Judges 9:22-10:18
Luke 24:13-53
Psalm 100:1-5
Proverbs 14:11-12
For full text click here: http://bit.ly/1ivY8o6

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. – Ps 100:4

I don’t say “thank you” enough to God. I praise Him for His holiness every day. I intercede for other people, and lift up my concerns to Him. I pray that evil would be defeated, and good would triumph. But how often do I really just say, “Lord, thank You”? How often do I bless His name, simply because He is good?

Thanksgiving is the key to a healthy relationship with God. The Psalmist reminds us that any time we enter into prayer or worship, we should enter in with a posture of thanksgiving. Paul explained this same principle to the church at Philippi:

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. – Phil 4:6-7

We should never make a request without first giving thanks. Think of everything God has done in your life, and thank Him first! If we make our requests known to God from a posture of thanksgiving, His peace will settle on us. Anxiety will flee, and God will guard our hearts and minds from every attack of the enemy.

For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations. – Ps 100:5

Prayer:

Father, thank You! Thank You thank You thank You! I was dead in my trespasses and sins, but You made me alive again! Thank You for giving me abundant life!!

Archives

See commentary from this day in 2014: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-119-face-to-face/

See commentary from this day in 2015: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-119-the-power-of-communion/

Day 118: Unrealistic Expectations

CityLight Church’s One Year Bible Reading Plan
Thursday, April 28^th, 2016
Judges 8:18-9:21
Luke 23:44-24:12
Psalm 99:1-9
Proverbs 14:9-10
For full text click here: http://bit.ly/1IhgXN5

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:

Then the men of Israel said to Gideon, “Rule over us, both you and your son…for you have delivered us from the hand of Midian.” But Gideon said to them, “I will not rule over you, nor shall my son rule over you; the Lord shall rule over you.” – Judges 8:22-23

Men will always want a leader to rule over them. When Gideon delivered the people of Israel from all their enemies, the Israelites wanted to make him King. But Gideon refused. If men ask you to be their “king,” and look to you for answers only God can provide, be wise, just as Gideon was wise. Refuse to rule over men who will look to you instead of God. Refuse in offering solutions to problems only God can solve.

It may be tempting to rule over others, and have them depend on you to solve their problems. In the long run, however, you will end up burned out and exhausted. Only God can solve every problem, and judge every matter. Send the people you love to Him, instead of trying to be the answer they need. Whenever people come to you to try and make you king, point them to Jesus. He – not you – is the only One who can truly save them.

Prayer:

Father, I know that being “king” isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Instead of solving everyone’s problems, remind me to point them to You: the only One who can solve any problem!

Archives

See commentary from this day in 2014: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-118-love-the-sinner-hate-the-sin/

See commentary from this day in 2015: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-118-remember-how-he-spoke-to-you/

Day 117: God Is In Charge!

CityLight Church’s One Year Bible Reading Plan
Wednesday, April 27^th, 2016
Judges 7:1-8:17
Luke 23:13-43
Psalm 97:1-98:9
Proverbs 14:7-8
For full text click here: http://bit.ly/QNFzWM

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:

The Lord reigns; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad! – Ps 97:1

We live in a world full of turmoil. Violence rips across the globe on a daily basis. Hunger runs rampant. We are in the middle of an election season with a completely unknown outcome, but one that will have lasting implications. So what should we do in uncertain times? In whom can we hope? In whom do we trust?

God is still in charge. He has never left His throne in Heaven. No matter what happens, He never will. Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne (v 2), and as long as He is in charge, His attributes will always prevail.

No matter what, God is in charge. The Lord reigns. So let’s rejoice!

Prayer:

Father, thank You for the confidence that comes with knowing You are in charge. No matter what happens, I will declare: God reigns, and He loves me!

Archives

See commentary from this day in 2014: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-117-showing-off/

See commentary from this day in 2015: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-117-final-moments/

Day 116: The Inevitability of Denial

CityLight Church’s One Year Bible Reading Plan
Tuesday, April 26^th, 2016
Judges 6:1-40
Luke 22:54-23:12
Psalm 95:1-96:13
Proverbs 14:5-6
For full text click here: http://bit.ly/1imDvL4

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:

But he denied Him, saying, “Woman, I do not know Him.” – Lk 22:57

Denial is inevitable. Peter denied Jesus; and unfortunately, sooner or later, so will each and every single one of us. Despite our best efforts to stay strong and keep our faith, our flesh will cause us to turn away from Jesus when we have an opportunity to take up our cross and follow Him.

Peter denied Jesus; but Jesus never denied Peter. After Jesus was raised from the dead, He sought Peter out (see Jn 21). But He didn’t get mad at Peter for making the wrong choice. Jesus didn’t lecture Peter and tell him to “do better,” “have more faith,” or “pray harder.” Jesus forgave Peter, and restored him. He promised Peter that despite his mistakes, he still had God’s trust. And just as Jesus never turned His back on Peter, He will never turn His back on you!

For every denial, there is restoration. Call out to Jesus, and He will answer you. There is always forgiveness at the foot of the Cross.

Prayer:

Father, I have failed and fallen short more times than I can count. But I know You are faithful to forgive. Give me the strength to come back into Your arms. I know You always forgive me because of the cross of Jesus Christ!

Archives

See commentary from this day in 2014: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-116-come-out-of-hiding/

See commentary from this day in 2015: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-116-too-busy-complaining/

Day 115: When Leaders Lead

CityLight Church’s One Year Bible Reading Plan
Monday, April 25^th, 2016
Judges 4:1-5:31
Luke 22:35-53
Psalm 94:1-23
Proverbs 14:3-4
For full text click here: http://bit.ly/1ijgfxv

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:

Then Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam sang on that day, saying: “When leaders lead in Israel, when the people willingly offer themselves, bless the Lord!” – Jud 5:1-2

Are you a leader? Lead!

Sisera, the commander of Canaan’s armies, was terrorizing the people of Israel. They cried out to God, wondering what they should do. But God had already told them! He had already told Barak to gather ten thousand men and attack Sisera, promising them certain victory. But Barak wouldn’t stand up and lead – he wouldn’t rise up and do what God told him to do – because he was afraid!

Deborah, the prophetess and judge over Israel, had to remind Barak of God’s promise. She had to lead Israel’s armies into battle, because Barak was afraid to do it. God had already promised to deliver Israel’s worst enemy into their hands. Yet the people of Israel would not act on His promise, because they were afraid.

The only thing standing between you and your victory is fear. Is there anything God is calling you to do – any victory into which He is calling you to walk – that you are ignoring because of fear? Stand up and lead! The people around you need a strong, confident leader. Will you lead? Or will you force God to send another leader to receive all the glory He intends for you?

Prayer:

Father, strengthen me to be a leader. Help me to make difficult decisions with confidence. Embolden me to walk into the victories Your word promises. I declare that I am a strong, confident leader, in Jesus’ name!

Archives

See commentary from this day in 2014: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-115-when-good-people-do-bad-things/

See commentary from this day in 2015: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-115-avoiding-temptation/

Day 114: Get Planted!

CityLight Church’s One Year Bible Reading Plan
Sunday, April 24^th, 2016
Judges 2:10-3:31
Luke 22:14-34
Psalm 92:1-93:5
Proverbs 14:1-2
For full text click here: http://bit.ly/1ijgfxv

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:

Those who are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bear fruit in old age; they shall be fresh and flourishing… – Ps 92:13-14

When you are planted and grow roots in the local church, you will flourish. When you are engaged in genuine community with like-minded believers around you, your fruitfulness will not be short-lived. You will be fresh and flourishing, and continue to bear good fruit, even in old age!

When we are alone, we fail; but when we are planted in community, we flourish!

And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. – Heb 10:24-25

Prayer:

Father, I pray that You would surround me with good Christian friends who feel like family. I know that if I am alone, I will wither; but when I am surrounded by my church community, I will flourish!

Archives

See commentary from this day in 2014: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-114-judges-and-jesus/

See commentary from this day in 2015: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-114-do-not-fear/

Day 113: The Work of Your Hands

CityLight Church’s One Year Bible Reading Plan
Saturday, April 23^rd, 2016
Judges 1:1-2:9
Luke 21:29-22:13
Psalm 90:1-91:16
Proverbs 13:24-25
For full text click here: http://bit.ly/1icG0FJ

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:

And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands for us; Yes, establish the work of our hands. – Ps 90:17

Moses knew that the more he focused on the “beauty of the Lord,” the faster the work of his hands would be established! This is a counter-intuitive principle, because we think that if something is hard, we simply have to work harder and focus on it more. However, Scripture tells us that the more you focus on the work at hand, the harder it will become; but the more you focus on the Cross, the more God will do the hard work through you!

Take your eyes off the work at hand, and look to Jesus. As you build intimacy with Him, His beauty and favor will rest on you and establish the work of your hands.

Prayer:

Father, I know You can build so much faster and with longer-lasting results than I can. I pray that You would establish the work of my hands. Help me to take my eyes off all the work that needs to be done, and put them on Jesus!

Archives

See commentary from this day in 2014: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-113-make-him-known/

See commentary from this day in 2015: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-113-ask-questions/

Day 112: Trials and Testimonies

CityLight Church’s One Year Bible Reading Plan
Friday, April 22^nd, 2016
Joshua 24:1-33
Luke 21:1-28
Psalm 89:38-52
Proverbs 13:20-23
For full text click here: http://bit.ly/Qv1n9r

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:

But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name’s sake. – Lk 21:12

In the midst of persecution comes incredible opportunity. Jesus warned his disciples that persecution would come: they would be put on trial for their beliefs. However, in the depths of that suffering, they would witness to “kings and rulers”!

What about your current situation gives you an audience with someone whom no one else can reach? How can your current circumstance give you access to preach the Gospel in a way never before seen?

When you open your mouth and share the Gospel, no matter what you’re going through, your trial becomes a testimony. As you share the Good News and give God the opportunity to glorify His name, He will work miracles through you.

But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony. – Lk 21:13

Prayer:

Father, thank You for making my trial a testimony! Help me to witness to everyone around me, even in the depths of my despair. I know that You work all things together for my good, because I love You and am called according to Your purpose for my life!

Archives

See commentary from this day in 2014: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-112-my-house/

See commentary from this day in 2015: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-112-your-inheritance/

Day 111: Clinging to God

CityLight Church’s One Year Bible Reading Plan
Thursday, April 21^st, 2016
Joshua 22:21-23:16
Luke 20:27-47
Psalm 89:14-37
Proverbs 13:17-19
For full text click here: http://bit.ly/1iazIk3

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:

…but you shall hold fast to the Lord your God, as you have done to this day. For the Lord has driven out from before you great and strong nations; but as for you, no one has been able to stand against you to this day. – Josh 23:8-9

We think of being “clingy” as a bad thing. Kids don’t want their friends to be too clingy. Adults don’t want whomever they are dating to be too clingy. Parents don’t want their kids to be too clingy!

But did you know God wants you to be clingy? He wants you to “hold fast” to Him: “to cling, stick, stay close, [and] cleave” to Him (Strong’s #H1692). In fact, clinginess is the key to victory! Joshua told the people of Israel that if they would simply cling to God, and hold on to Him no matter what, all their enemies would fall before them.

Life is crazy. When storms rage around you, make a simple decision: no matter what happens, I am going to hang on to God with everything I have. When we hold fast to God, He will hold fast to us!

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. – Jas 4:8

Prayer:

Father, thank You for being my sure Foundation! I know that when I cling to You, no evil can harm me. Thank You for Your supernatural protection, in Jesus’ name!

Archives

See commentary from this day in 2014: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-111-unbreakable/

See commentary from this day in 2015: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-111-put-down-your-weapon/

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