Day 141: Corporate Anointing

CityLight Church’s One Year Bible Reading Plan
Saturday, May 21^st, 2016
1 Samuel 29:1-31:13
John 11:55-12:19
Psalm 118:1-18
Proverbs 15:24-26
For full text click here: http://bit.ly/SgKzE0

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:

Then Mary took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard, anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped His feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the oil. – Jn 12:3

Mary poured out her most prized possession at the feet of Jesus. Biblical scholars estimate Mary’s oil of spikenard was worth one year’s wages. This was a monumental gift. Yet Mary knew it was worth it. Without hesitation, she offered it to God.

Mary would be remembered because of the sacrifice she made for Jesus. But the blessing didn’t stop there. Her entire house was filled with the fragrance of the oil. When you make an offering to God, your entire household will be blessed. Because Mary made the decision to bless Jesus, her entire house benefited. When one person in your house is blessed, the whole house is filled with the fragrance of the blessing!

If you pour out everything you have at Jesus’ feet, your entire family will benefit – spiritually, relationally, and financially. If you lift up the sacrifice of praise in your house of worship, the entire church family will benefit. Will you be the person who fills your house with the fragrance of God?

Prayer:

Father, I pray You would bless my entire household in Jesus’ name! I know that when I pour out my life to You, my entire house benefits. Bless them, just as You have blessed me!

Archives

See commentary from this day in 2014: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-141-gaining-perspective/

See commentary from this day in 2015: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-141-running-to-god/

Day 140: Did You Mess Up?

CityLight Church’s One Year Bible Reading Plan
Friday, May 20^th, 2016
1 Samuel 26:1-28:25
John 11:1-54
Psalm 117:1-2
Proverbs 15:22-23
For full text click here: http://bit.ly/1j3PSwd

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:

So Achish believed David, saying, “He has made his people Israel utterly abhor him; therefore he will be my servant forever.” – 1 Sam 27:12

David was a strong man of God. He was a worshipper, as evidenced by the Psalms. He was highly anointed and favored of the Lord, as demonstrated by God’s choice to make him king over Israel. But David was far from perfect.

David fled to the land of the Philistines for protection from Saul. While he was there, he deliberately lied to Achish, a Philistine prince. David and his men would raid a Philistine town, but then tell Achish they had raided a town in Judah. Achish loved and protected David because he didn’t know David was lying to him incessantly.

Was David’s lying excusable? Of course not. But he repented, and God forgave him. David lived a lifestyle of repentance: confessing his imperfections to God, asking for forgiveness, and allowing God to strengthen him more and more. God didn’t expel David from His presence for messing up. He continued to trust him, and made him king over Israel.

David wasn’t perfect, and neither are you. We have all done some things we wish we could take back. But when we tell God the truth and trust in the Cross, He forgives us. When we live a lifestyle full of honest conversation with God through prayer and praise, He will use it all for good.

Prayer:

Father, thank You for showing me mercy, just as you did to David. Help me to be honest with You: to admit my faults, and ask for help. I know that when I do, You will strengthen me for victory.

Archives

See commentary from this day in 2014: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-140-resurrection-life/

See commentary from this day in 2015: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-140-for-his-glory/

Day 139: By Name

CityLight Church’s One Year Bible Reading Plan
Thursday, May 19^th, 2016
1 Samuel 24:1-25:44
John 10:22-42
Psalm 116:1-19
Proverbs 15:20-21
For full text click here: http://bit.ly/1kiKGcv

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:

To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. – John 10:3

God knows you by name. He has the hairs on your head numbered (Lk 12:7). He knows every intimate detail in your life! Do you spend time getting to know other people the way He knows you? We all want to be moved with compassion like Jesus; but it’s impossible to have compassion for other people if you don’t even know them!

Start small. Learn people’s names. Dale Carnegie said, “A person’s name is to that person, the sweetest, most important sound in any language.” Start with their name, and build from there. Seek to know the people you care about deeper than surface level! When they know you really care, it will make all the difference in their lives.

Prayer:

Father, help me to know the people around me by name. Help me to care for my friends and family as You care for me!

Archives

See commentary from this day in 2014: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-139-merciful-king/

See commentary from this day in 2015: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-139-taking-vengeance/

Day 138: Seek God First

CityLight Church’s One Year Bible Reading Plan
Wednesday, May 18^th, 2016
1 Samuel 22:1-23:29
John 10:1-21
Psalm 115:1-18
Proverbs 15:18-19
For full text click here: http://bit.ly/1jV6P0R

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:

When David knew that Saul plotted evil against him, he said to Abiathar the priest, “Bring the ephod here.” – 1 Sam 23:9

David had every right to panic. Saul’s army was approaching, and David was trapped. But he didn’t let his emotions get the best of him. He sought the Lord first. He knew his enemy’s plans, but He also knew God had better plans!

David asked God some tough questions, and God answered. “Will Saul come down?” David asked (v 11). God said yes. “Will [my enemies] deliver me and my men into the hand of Saul?” David pressed (v 12). God said yes. But God didn’t leave David hanging. God gave David a plan – not only to escape his enemies, but also to take victory over them!

Trust in God, no matter the odds. Seek Him first, and He will deliver you.

Prayer:

Father, thank You for supernatural protection. Remind me to seek You first! No matter what is going on around me, I trust that You are in control.

Archives

See commentary from this day in 2014: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-138-know-your-rights/

See commentary from this day in 2015: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-138-david-inquired-of-the-lord/

Day 137: Is It My Fault?

CityLight Church’s One Year Bible Reading Plan
Tuesday, May 17^th, 2016
1 Samuel 20:1-21:15
John 9:1-41
Psalm 113:1-114:8
Proverbs 15:15-17
For full text click here: http://bit.ly/TekKp2

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:

And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” – Jn 9:2

Just because you’re sick doesn’t mean you did something wrong! Jesus’ disciples assumed this man was blind because someone – either he or his parents – had sinned. But nothing could have been further from the truth!

Being sick doesn’t make you a sinner. It doesn’t mean something is wrong with you. It simply means you need a touch from heaven. I have seen misguided pastors tell sick parishioners that if they aren’t healed when they pray, they have hidden sin in their lives. I have seen traveling evangelists tell hurting people that if they aren’t healed, they don’t have enough faith! The end result is a sick, hurting person leaving church more discouraged than when he walked in. That should never be the case.

Keep your head up. We live in a fallen world where sickness happens. Your sickness is not your fault. It’s not a punishment from God, or a lesson to teach you something. Sickness comes from Satan, and Jesus came to destroy it!

When Jesus heard that, He said, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” – Jn 11:4

Prayer:

Father, I know that sin and sickness are the work of the devil. Free me from them, in Jesus’ name!

Archives

See commentary from this day in 2014: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-137-its-not-youits-me/

See commentary from this day in 2015: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-137-faith-in-action/

Day 136: True Leadership

CityLight Church’s One Year Bible Reading Plan
Monday, May 16^th, 2016
1 Samuel 18:5-19:24
John 8:31-59
Psalm 112:1-10
Proverbs 15:12-14
For full text click here: http://bit.ly/1lHVy3j

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:

But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he went out and came in before them. – 1 Sam 18:16

David was a man of the people. He didn’t isolate himself from the people God called him to lead. He didn’t give speeches and then retreat to another room. Instead, he went out and came in before them. He demonstrated leadership with his actions, and not just his words.

Are you called to be a leader? (Hint: yes, you are). Come in and go out before the people God has called you to lead. Be the first person in the office, and the last one to leave. Be the person who makes sure everyone gets home safe. Demonstrate you care by following up with people, even when you don’t have to!

The people loved David because he was one of them; and the people you lead will love you for the same reason.

Prayer:

Father, help me to lead well. Give me a heart of compassion for all the people you have put in my life. Help me never to think I am above any task, no matter how menial it seems!

Archives

See commentary from this day in 2014: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-136-abiding-and-steeping/

See commentary from this day in 2015: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-136-harboring-bitterness/

Day 135: Even In Death

CityLight Church’s One Year Bible Reading Plan
Sunday, May 15^th, 2016
1 Samuel 17:1-18:4
John 8:21-30
Psalm 111:1-10
Proverbs 15:11
For full text click here: http://bit.ly/1vatLxH

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:

Then Jesus said to them, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things.” – Jn 8:28

Jesus’ death was just as much a witness to His message as His life!

When Jesus gave His life on the Cross, everyone within miles of Calvary found out He was the Son of God first-hand. The veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom (Matt 27:51). The earth quaked and the rocks split. Graves were opened and dead saints came out and appeared to many in Jerusalem (Matt 27:51-53). The Roman soldier guarding Jesus saw all these things and was overcome by fear. “Truly this Man was the Son of God!” he declared (Mk 15:39).

Those who did not believe in Jesus blasphemed Him as He died, saying if He were really a king, He would come down off the Cross. But they failed to realize the mark of the true King was staying on the Cross: giving His life so that all might be saved.

Don’t wait until you die and meet God face to face to recognize Jesus for who He is. If you’re having trouble believing in Him, ask God to make His Son real to you. If you already believe, rejoice! Now go out and tell others.

Prayer:

Father, help me to be a bold witness to the Cross! I believe in Jesus with all my heart, all my soul, all my mind, and all my strength. Position me to help others believe, in Jesus’ name!

Archives

See commentary from this day in 2014: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-135-the-battle-is-the-lords/

See commentary from this day in 2015: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-135-his-name/

Day 134: Do Your Thing

CityLight Church’s One Year Bible Reading Plan
Saturday, May 14^th, 2016
1 Samuel 15:1-16:23
John 8:1-20
Psalm 110:1-7
Proverbs 15:8-10
For full text click here: http://bit.ly/1lbUCm7

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:

But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. – Jn 8:1

Jesus kept it moving! The Pharisees sought to kill Him, and the Jews did not believe Him. Even Jesus’ own brothers doubted He was the Son of God! Yet none of that concerned Jesus. He was secure in His identity, His calling and His purpose. He would not be detained by doubt, or deterred by the thoughts and feelings of others. He went to the Mount of Olives to bypass the concerns of this world and pursue His Father in prayer, because He knew what we should all take to heart: the only One whose opinion matters is God.

Be confident in who God created you to be. Don’t worry what anyone else says, or if anyone tries to keep you back from destiny. God has called and prepared you for such a time as this! When He is your strength, you cannot fail.

Prayer:

Father, help me to pursue You in prayer no matter what the people around me are saying. I am qualified to be your son/daughter because Jesus purchased my redemption on the Cross!

Archives

See commentary from this day in 2014: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-134-appearances-can-be-deceiving/

See commentary from this day in 2015: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-134-dont-judge-a-book/

Day 133: Cursing and Blessing

CityLight Church’s One Year Bible Reading Plan
Friday, May 13^th, 2016
1 Samuel 14:1-52
John 7:31-53
Psalm 109:1-31
Proverbs 15:5-7
For full text click here: http://bit.ly/1jqmC2I

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:

As he loved cursing, so let it come to him; as he did not delight in blessing, so let it be far from him. As he clothed himself with cursing as with his garment, so let it enter his body like water, and like oil into his bones. – Ps 109:17-18

We reap what we sow. If we love to curse others, we will be cursed. When we curse others instead of delighting in blessing, we actually construct a barrier that keeps blessings far from us! Cursing has a contaminating effect: it seeps into the “body like water, and like oil into [the] bones” (v 18).

But blessing gives life! When we bless others, blessings will not be far from us! When God created man, the first thing He did was bless him: “So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them…” (Gen 1:27-28). When we bless others, we become more like the God who created us to bless us!

Death and life are in the power of the tongue (Prov 18:21). If you want to be blessed, are you using your tongue for blessing?

Prayer:

Father, help me to bless instead of curse. Help me to pray for the people who are out to get me. Help me to bless the people around me who deserve it the least, and frustrate me the most! I know it is by blessing that I will become blessed.

Archives

See commentary from this day in 2014: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-133-just-pray/

See commentary from this day in 2015: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-133-nothing-restrains-the-lord/

Day 132: The Heavenly Scholar

CityLight Church’s One Year Bible Reading Plan
Thursday, May 12^th, 2016
1 Samuel 12:1-13:23
John 7:1-30
Psalm 108:1-13
Proverbs 15:4
For full text click here: http://bit.ly/1jjJr8e

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:

Now about the middle of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and taught. And the Jews marveled, saying, “How does this Man know letters, having never studied?” – Jn 7:14-15

Jesus didn’t study with the best Jewish scholars. He didn’t have to! He got His wisdom straight from the source: “My doctrine is not Mine, but His who sent Me” (Jn 7:16). Jesus knew the Word because He spent time with His Father.

You don’t have to have a Ph.D. in theology to know God’s will. Spend time with Him. You have the mind of Christ (1 Cor 2:16), and His word is written on your heart (Jer 31:33). Jesus knew the word because He Is the Word (Jn 1:1); and you will know the word because He lives in You!

Prayer:

Father, make me a heavenly scholar. I want to know Your word and Your will. Help me to internalize Your word, and to enjoy time with You: all the days of my life!

Archives

See commentary from this day in 2014: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-132-praise-him-early/

See commentary from this day in 2015: http://intelligentcharismatic.com/day-132-speak-boldly/

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