The Daily Word: Sunday, December 31^st, 2017
Malachi 3:1-4:6
Revelation 22:1-21
Psalm 150:1-6
Proverbs 31:25-31
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Commentary from Pastor Michael White:  

And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. – Rev 22:1

Jesus is our Life Source. Everything we need to live comes from Him.

The Book of Revelation describes Heaven in great detail. Heaven is “adorned with all kinds of precious stones” (Rev 21:19). The streets are “pure gold…like transparent glass” (Rev 21:21). There is no need for light because “the glory of God illuminated it” (Rev 21:23). And there, right at the center, is the throne of God, with the river of life flowing forth. Jesus is at the center of heaven’s agenda; and if we want to celebrate with Him for all eternity, we should keep Him at the center of our lives.

Revelation 22 is how the Bible ends; and this is the one message God wants to leave us with most: cling to Jesus.

On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” – Jn 7:37-38

Prayer:

Father, thank You for Your Son Jesus Christ. Help me to cling to Him like never before! I know that as I draw near to Him, He will draw near to me.

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

The Daily Word: Saturday, December 30^th, 2017
Malachi 1:1-2:17
Revelation 21:1-27
Psalm 149:1-9
Proverbs 31:10-24
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Commentary from Pastor Michael White:  

And when you offer the blind as a sacrifice, is it not evil? And when you offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? Offer it then to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you favorably?” says the Lord of hosts. – Mal 1:8

God’s people were trying to fake it. They knew every act of sin required atonement. Under the Old Covenant, whenever they messed up, that meant they were supposed to sacrifice an animal “without blemish” (Lev 22:19). But instead, they fudged it. They gave God the animals they didn’t want – the blind, the lame, and the sick – and hoped He wouldn’t notice! They sacrificed what was easy to give, instead of honoring God with things that were difficult to give up.

Don’t give God your worst; give Him your best! Anything but our absolute best is really not an offering at all. Give Him the first few minutes of your day in prayer. Give Him the first ten percent of your financial increase (also called the tithe). When you give God the worst, He has nothing to bless; but when you give Him the best, He’ll make space for everything you need!

Prayer:

Father, I give you permission to remove anything within me that’s preventing me from giving You my best. You gave us Your Son Jesus. The least I can do is honor His sacrifice with my best!

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

The Daily Word: Friday, December 29^th, 2017
Zechariah 14:1-21
Revelation 20:1-15
Psalm 148:1-14
Proverbs 31:8-9
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Commentary from Pastor Michael White:  

Let them praise the name of the Lord, for He commanded and they were created. – Ps 148:5 

Psalm 148 calls for all of creation to praise God. The rationale is simple: if He created us, we should thank Him. To “praise” means to “express approval or admiration.”[1] If He formed us, we should praise Him!

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. – Ps 150:6

Are you breathing?! Praise Him!

Prayer:

Father, thank You for making me! You spoke, and I was formed. You commanded, and I was created. Let my only response be to praise You with all my heart, in Jesus’ name!

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

The Daily Word: Thursday, December 28^th, 2017
Zechariah 12:1-13:9
Revelation 19:1-21
Psalm 147:1-20
Proverbs 31:1-7
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Commentary from Pastor Michael White:  

And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army. Then the beast was captured… – Rev 19:19-20

This is where Scripture describes Armageddon: the final battle between good and evil. The enemy – Satan – is getting ready to face off with all his armies against Jesus and the armies of Heaven! The stage is set for an epic, all-out war.

But look how short the battle is. Satan and the, “…kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against [Jesus]” (v 19)…and immediately the beast was captured (v 20). Notice the battle was not long and drawn out. As soon as it started, it was finished!

Jesus’ victory over Satan is not only final and decisive; it is also swift. And that means you get to have victory – quickly – over Satan, every day of your life!

And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet [swiftly]. – Rom 16:20

Prayer:

Father, thank You for immediate and decisive victory over Satan! The enemy has power, but I have authority over all his power in the name of Jesus!

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

The Daily Word: Wednesday, December 27^th, 2017
Zechariah 10:1-11:17
Revelation 18:1-24
Psalm 146:1-10
Proverbs 30:33
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Commentary from Pastor Michael White:  

“They threw dust on their heads and cried out, weeping and wailing, and saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city, in which all who had ships on the sea became rich by her wealth! For in one hour she is made desolate.’” – Rev 18:19

Babylon was a great nation! She was the most powerful city the world had ever seen. But in one moment, all was lost.

Babylon was “rich” (v 3); but she did not follow God. Babylon had, “…gold and silver, precious stones and pearls” (v 12), but her sins, “…reached to heaven” (v 5). Babylon was mighty; but, “…in her was found the blood of prophets and saints” (v 24).

On the surface it seemed like Babylon had it all; but because she did not follow God, she really had nothing at all. Failure happens when we trust in anyone or anything other than God; but victory comes when we cling to Jesus, and forsake all else.

Prayer:

Father, help me to never lose sight of You! Help me to trust in You and You alone. I never want to be so strong, or so rich, that I put my trust in something or someone other than You!

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

The Daily Word: Tuesday, December 26^th, 2017
Zechariah 9:1-17
Revelation 17:1-18
Psalm 145:1-21
Proverbs 30:32
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Commentary from Pastor Michael White:  

“As for you also, Because of the blood of your covenant, I will set your prisoners free from the waterless pit.” – Zech 9:11

The blood of Jesus means we are free from captivity. In Matthew 26, Jesus told His disciples what His death on the Cross would mean for them:

Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” – Matt 26:27-28

The blood of Jesus means forgiveness from sin: freedom from guilt forever! The blood of Jesus established a New Covenant: one in which our righteousness is not determined by our performance, but by our relationship with God! Because of the blood of Jesus, we get to live free from fear.

Rejoice that because Jesus chose to die, you and I can truly live.

Prayer:

Father, thank You for the blood of Your Son Jesus Christ! Thank You that His death means eternal life. Thank You that His blood means freedom for me, for all eternity!

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

The Daily Word: Monday, December 25^th, 2017
Zechariah 8:1-23
Revelation 16:1-21
Psalm 144:1-15
Proverbs 30:29-31
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Commentary from Pastor Michael White:  

Bow down Your heavens, O Lord, and come down… – Ps 144:5

For centuries, God’s people had been reading and reciting this Psalm of David. They were asking God to come down to earth. They were asking Him to bow down the heavens, and live among His people!

When Jesus was born in a manger, God came down. He became flesh, and walked among us. He, “…made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Cor 5:21).

Through Jesus the cry of God’s people was answered, and the will of God was fulfilled: Jesus came and walked among us. He laid down His life and chose death, so that we could have eternal life; and for that, we should be forever grateful!

Prayer:

Father, thank You for the gift of Your Son Jesus Christ! Help us never to take the Cross for granted. Today we remember Jesus’ birth, and every day we will celebrate His death; for it is only in His death that we truly live.

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

The Daily Word: Sunday, December 24^th, 2017
Zechariah 6:1-7:14
Revelation 15:1-8
Psalm 143:1-12
Proverbs 30:24-28
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Commentary from Pastor Michael White:  

For the enemy has persecuted my soul; He has crushed my life to the ground; He has made me dwell in darkness, like those who have long been dead. Therefore my spirit is overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is distressed. I remember the days of old; I meditate on all Your works; I muse on the work of Your hands. – Psalm 143:3-5

David was overwhelmed (v 4). The enemy was launching an all-out assault, and had, “…crushed [his] life to the ground” (v 3). He was distressed, and didn’t know how things had gotten this bad.

But he remembered the days of old (v 5). He meditated on God’s works, and reminded himself: if God did it then, He can do it again!

Testimony is the key to victory. God did it then; and He will do it again! You might be up against impossible odds; but God makes the odds. Nothing is impossible to God (Lk 1:37). Remember everything He has done, and make a choice to believe He will do it again.

Prayer:

Father, help me to believe in You like never before. You are the God of miracles! You cause me to overcome. Help me to remember everything You have brought me through, and trust that You will do it again: in Jesus’ name!

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

The Daily Word: Saturday, December 23^rd, 2017
Zechariah 4:1-5:11
Revelation 14:1-20
Psalm 142:1-7
Proverbs 30:21-23
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Commentary from Pastor Michael White:  

Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’ ” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.” – Rev 14:13

When you go to heaven, your money doesn’t follow you. Your stuff doesn’t go with you! But your works do. How did you treat people? Did you love others well? Did you tell people about Jesus everywhere you went?

You can’t take what you have into heaven; but you can be rewarded for the way you worship! You only get one life. Are you living it well?

Prayer:

Father, thank You for supernatural perspective! Help me to focus on what I do more than what I have. Help me to love other people as best I can, in Jesus’ name!  

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

The Daily Word: Friday, December 22^nd, 2017
Zechariah 2:1-3:10
Revelation 13:1-18
Psalm 141:1-10
Proverbs 30:18-20
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Commentary from Pastor Michael White:  

For thus says the Lord of hosts: “He sent Me after glory, to the nations which plunder you; for he who touches you touches the apple of His eye.” – Zech 2:8

You are the apple of God’s eye! He loves you more than you love yourself! Are people mean to you? Don’t get mad. Are people out to get you? Don’t be afraid! Those who touch you touch the apple of God’s eye. Vengeance is His, and He will repay (Deut 32:35)!

The Cross means don’t have to defend yourself anymore. You are the apple of God’s  eye, and He will take care of you! Let your guard down, and Jesus will raise you up.

Prayer:

Father, thank You for Your infinite love. I am forever grateful to be Your child. Help me to let my guard down and let You in!

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