The Daily Word: Tuesday, January 31^st, 2017
Exodus 12:14-13:16
Matthew 20:29-21:22
Psalm 25:16-22
Proverbs 6:12-15
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Commentary from Pastor Michael White:

Then the blind and the lame came to Him in the temple, and He healed them. – Matt 21:14

When Jesus came to the temple, He was angry. The religious leaders weren’t doing their job. They had turned the temple into a money-making machine! Jesus, “…drove out all those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves” (Matt 21:12). He immediately restored the church to what it is supposed to be: a house of prayer (v13), and a center for healing (v 14).

If we’re in ministry for the wrong reasons, Jesus will turn over our tables – He will cast our finances into disarray – and throw us out of His Father’s house! This is an important reminder for pastors and preachers: we must be passionate about prayer and healing, and never lose focus for the sake of any material gain.

More broadly, whether you work for a church or not, you are called to ministry. You are a priest (1 Peter 2:9)! You may not be a full-time minister, but your life is still full-time ministry. If you’re living for the wrong reasons, Jesus will do what He needs to do to get your attention; but when you re-focus on prayer and healing, He will bless the work of your hands!

Prayer:

Father, You have my attention! Help me to remember to pray. Remind me of my responsibility to heal in the name of Jesus, everywhere I go!

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© Michael D. White, 2017. All rights reserved.

The Daily Word: Monday, January 30^th, 2017
Exodus 10:1-12:13
Matthew 20:1-28
Psalm 25:1-15
Proverbs 6:6-11
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Commentary from Pastor Michael White:

“Speak now in the hearing of the people, and let every man ask from his neighbor and every woman from her neighbor, articles of silver and articles of gold.” And the Lord gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh’s servants and in the sight of the people. – Ex 11:3

As God prepared His people for their exit from slavery in Egypt, the stage was set for the greatest transfer of wealth the Israelites had ever seen. God told the Israelites to ask the Egyptians for silver and gold. Normally, their neighbors would have balked at this request; but God was working behind the scenes.

God gave the Israelites favor. He made them recipients of unusual kindness from their neighbors. God will give you favor with your neighbors! He will mark you for advancement and promotion, even if such forward motion seems impossible. Your participation is required – you have to ask; but God will do all the hard work.

The Israelites would not only be free; they would also be well provided for. God doesn’t just set us free; He sets us up to be prosperous!

Prayer:

Father, thank You for favor with the people around me! Thank You for favor and promotion at work, and outside the office. Thank You for trusting me with the resources of Heaven, and meeting all my needs!

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© Michael D. White, 2017. All rights reserved.

The Daily Word: Sunday, January 29^th, 2017
Exodus 8:1-9:35
Matthew 19:13-30
Psalm 24:1-10
Proverbs 6:1-5
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Commentary from Pastor Michael White:

Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good  Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?” – Matt 19:16

It’s not what you do; it’s Who you know.

The rich young ruler thought what many Christians mistakenly think: that we have to do “good things” to get into Heaven. The truth is, we don’t have to do anything except believe in Jesus; because He already did everything on the Cross. When we believe in Him, and trust that the Cross is enough, we will be saved!

…if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. – Rom 10:9

Salvation is a gift. You cannot earn a gift; you can only receive it. Every good and perfect thing you have ever experienced in your life is a gift from God (Jas 1:17). You don’t have to earn God’s favor. You simply have to trust in the finished work of the Cross!

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, thank You for the gift of salvation! Help me to rest, knowing that I don’t have to do anything to keep my salvation, because I didn’t have to do anything to earn it. Jesus purchased forgiveness for me on the Cross, and all I have to do is receive Him!

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© Michael D. White, 2017. All rights reserved.

The Daily Word: Saturday, January 28^th, 2017
Exodus 5:22-7:25
Matthew 18:21-19:12
Psalm 23:1-6
Proverbs 5:22-23
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Commentary from Pastor Michael White:

“For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in Your name, he has done evil to this people; neither have You delivered Your people at all.” – Ex 5:23

God never guarantees walking with Him will be easy. Fun, yes. Blessed, absolutely! But easy? Not by a long shot.

When your victory is imminent, the enemy often increases resistance to try and discourage you. Moses stepped out in faith, but the enemy retaliated. He asked for freedom from Pharaoh, and Pharaoh piled on even more bondage! When the enemy knows he’s about to lose, he tries to make you give up!

But you’re not a quitter. You are not one who shrinks back. Your freedom is guaranteed by the blood of Jesus, and your breakthrough was purchased 2,000 years ago on the Cross! Press in all the more, knowing that God has given victory into your hands.

Prayer:

Father, make me strong and resilient in the face of my adversaries. Give me strength to press on into victory, in Jesus’ name!

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© Michael D. White, 2017. All rights reserved.

The Daily Word: Friday, January 27^th, 2017
Exodus 4:1-5:21
Matthew 18:1-20
Psalm 22:19-31
Proverbs 5:15-21
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Commentary from Pastor Michael White:

Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. – Matt 18:4

The disciples were arguing over which of them was greatest. They were comparing spiritual accomplishments, and jockeying for bragging rights. But Jesus taught them an important lesson: humility leads to greatness.

To “humble oneself” means to “make low: to have a modest opinion of one’s self, and to bring down one’s pride” (Strong’s G5013).  This message is counter-cultural in a world driven by social media, where we advertise what is going right, and hide what is going wrong. If we brag about how great we are, we set ourselves up for a fall (Prov 16:18); but if we humble ourselves and serve faithfully at the feet of Jesus, He will lift up our heads and heap glory upon us!

All of us will be humbled at some point in our lives. The choice is not, “Do I want to become humble or not?” Our choice is really, “Will I humble myself, or will I wait be humbled?” When we choose to humble ourselves, the process is painless: God promises that He will exalt us in the end. But if we wait to be humbled, we don’t get to control what happens.

Humble yourself like a child. Believe in God because He is good. See Jesus as the Hero He Is! And God will make you great.

Prayer:

Father, clothe me with supernatural humility. No matter how much I taste success, keep me humble! Help me to take advantage of every opportunity I can to humble myself as a little child. I know that when I stay humble, You make me great!

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© Michael D. White, 2017. All rights reserved.

The Daily Word: Thursday, January 26^th, 2017
Exodus 2:11-3:22
Matthew 17:10-27
Psalm 22:1-18
Proverbs 5:7-14
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Commentary from Pastor Michael White:

“Nevertheless, lest we offend them, go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first. And when you have opened its mouth, you will find a piece of money; take that and give it to them for Me and you.”- Matt 17:27

It was tax season. Peter owed the temple tax, so Jesus taught Peter an important lesson: God is always willing to provide exactly what we need. Peter was a fisherman; so Jesus told Peter to go and do what he did best (fish), and he would find exactly what he needed! What is your profession? What is your calling? What do you do best? Go and do that, and God will give you exactly what you need!

Notice, however, that Peter didn’t find what he wanted; he found exactly as much as he needed. God provides exactly what we need, which is usually different from what we want. Sometimes we get caught in the trap of doubting God’s faithfulness because, even though we have everything we need, He hasn’t dropped everything we want into our lap. Peter didn’t turn around and ask Jesus for a new fishing boat, and a lakeside house with a dock for boat parking. He received what he needed, and praised God!

What do you need? Hasn’t God been so faithful in providing everything you need? Don’t let yourself become frustrated because your wants aren’t satisfied. God blesses us with exactly what we need, exactly when we need it! 

And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. – Phil 4:19

Prayer:

Father, thank You for supplying all my needs! Help me only to want the things You want for me: nothing more, and nothing less. Align my heart and my desires with Yours, in Jesus’ name!

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© Michael D. White, 2017. All rights reserved.

The Daily Word: Wednesday, January 25^th, 2017
Genesis 50:1-Exodus 2:10
Matthew 16:13-17:9
Psalm 21:1-13
Proverbs 5:1-6
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Commentary from Pastor Michael White:

But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. – Ex 1:12

God’s people grew so strong that Pharaoh started to fear them. Before long, the Israelites were “more and mightier” than the Egyptians (v 9). Pharaoh enslaved the people; but the more he afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew!

God turns adversity into advantage. The more affliction you face, the more He will multiply you! God will use any and every situation – even the greatest challenges you have ever encountered – to showcase His strength in you.

Don’t worry about the enemy’s plans. The more Satan tries to make you fail, the more God will cause you to succeed. God turns persecution into promotion! What the enemy intends for evil, God will use for good.

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. – Rom 8:28

Prayer:

Father, thank You for not only protecting me through affliction, but actually strengthening me through it! I know You cause every situation to work out in my favor, because You love me!

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© Michael D. White, 2017. All rights reserved.

The Daily Word: Tuesday, January 24^th, 2017
Genesis 48:1-49:33
Matthew 15:29-16:12
Psalm 20:1-9
Proverbs 4:20-27
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Commentary from Pastor Michael White:

Then Jacob said to Joseph: “God Almighty appeared to me at Luz in the land of Canaan and blessed me, and said to me, ‘Behold, I will make you fruitful and multiply you, and I will make of you a multitude of people, and give this land to your descendants after you as an everlasting possession’”’ – Gen 48:3-4

Jacob was pulled from the Promised Land; but he never forgot the promise.

Jacob was in Egypt! He had left Canaan – the Promised Land – because of famine. But he still did not abandon the promise God had given him. He remembered his encounter with God. He remembered God promised him the land of Canaan. Jacob knew that even though it didn’t seem possible, God would give the land to his descendants.

What has God told you? What do you remember from your encounters with Him? What has He promised you? Don’t allow life’s circumstances to discourage you. It might seem like you’re nowhere close to the promised land; but God’s promise still stands! Jacob was taken from the Promised Land because of a drought; but he would never abandon the promise. Neither should you!

Prayer:

Father, remind me of Your promises over my life! Thank You for Your faithfulness. I know that if You said it, it will be done! Help me never to forget Your promises, in Jesus’ name.

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© Michael D. White, 2017. All rights reserved.

The Daily Word: Monday, January 23^rd, 2017
Genesis 46:1-47:31
Matthew 15:1-28
Psalm 19:1-14
Proverbs 4:14-19
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Commentary from Pastor Michael White:

The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul… – Psalm 19:7

God’s law is perfect: complete and whole. God’s word “converts the soul”: it returns your soul to the condition God wants you to be in – clean and uncorrupted by the cares of this world.

Scripture is not just a list of rules to make your life more complicated. It’s not a book of restrictions to limit your personal freedom, and tell you what you can’t do. God’s word is not a set of requirements to earn God’s approval. Jesus already earned His approval for you!

Scripture simply outlines the way God invites you to live your life in light of His approval and perfect love. Freedom. Wealth. Healing. Purpose. Satisfaction. Joy. These are the blessings that find us when we live according to His perfect law!

Wouldn’t you love to know how to live life according to God’s design for you? Why were you born? What are you on earth to accomplish? We find the answers to life’s biggest questions in His word.

Prayer:

Father, thank You for Your word! Thank You for including all the answers to life’s biggest questions in Your perfect law. Help me to follow You with all my heart, and walk out Your will for my life, each and every day.

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© Michael D. White, 2017. All rights reserved.

The Daily Word: Sunday, January 22^nd, 2017
Genesis 44:1-45:28
Matthew 14:13-36
Psalm 18:37-50
Proverbs 4:11-13
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Commentary from Pastor Michael White:

For You have armed me with strength for the battle; You have subdued under me those who rose up against me. – Psalm 18:39

Armor is something you put on. When God “arms” you with strength, He equips and clothes you for battle. Strength is not something we have to find deep within us. It’s not an emotional state we have to dig up and bring to the surface in our time of need. Strength is a gift that God puts on us. He covers us with strength. He endows us with what we need , in our time of need. We don’t have to “be strong;” we simply have to ask Him for strength!

The strength God provides is not just physical; it is all encompassing and all sufficient. “Strength” is the Hebrew chayil (Strong’s H2428), which means “ability, might, efficiency, wealth, and force!” God gives you supernatural ability to complete the works He designed for you. He covers you with might to overcome all your enemies, and every ounce of resistance. He makes you efficient: focused and distraction-free as you pursue His promise. He blesses you with wealth to pay for the stuff you need to get the job done! Finally, He makes you forceful: undeterred and immune to intimidation, even in the face of absolute darkness.

You are stronger than you think you are: not because of your own will, but because you have God’s strength!

Prayer:

Father, thank You for arming me with strength. Thank You that I don’t have to rely on my own strength; I simply get to rest in Yours!

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© Michael D. White, 2017. All rights reserved.