The Daily Word: Monday, January 21^st, 2019
Genesis 42:18-43:34
Matthew 13:47-14:12
Psalm 18:16-36
Proverbs 4:7-10
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Commentary from Pastor Michael White:
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind…” – Matt 13:47

There are “some of every kind” in the kingdom of heaven! Instead of fearing our diversity, we should celebrate it! Churches should be different; not the same. Believers should be different; not the same! We should all love the same Lord and worship the same God; but the expression with which we choose to do it can – and should – be unique!

Just because we love the same Jesus doesn’t mean I’m going to be exactly like you. We might like to sing different songs. We might not pray exactly the same way! We might not have the same political views or like the same meals. But don’t let our differences make you uncomfortable; let them cause you to marvel at God’s nature and His infinite glory! Even though we’re all different, He made a way to include us all!

Prayer:

Father, help me never to fear differences. Instead, help me to celebrate them. I love the multifaceted, multicultural, and multi-ethnic Kingdom you built for Your people to inhabit! Thank You for including “some of every kind,” in Jesus’ name!

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© Michael D. White, 2019. All rights reserved.

The Daily Word: Sunday, January 20^th, 2019
Genesis 41:17-42:17
Matthew 13:24-46
Psalm 18:1-15
Proverbs 4:1-6
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Commentary from Pastor Michael White:
Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field…” – Matt 13:24

Jesus “put forth” parables to His disciples. He wasn’t just telling stories! He was “putting forth” principles to test them: to teach them, but also to elicit a reaction. He was poking and prodding: seeing how they would react in response to what God had said.

When you read Scripture, do you react? Scripture should convict you. Scripture should inspire you! Scripture should fill you with hope and joy. Scripture should calm you, and give you a sense of peace and purpose. But Scripture should always do something! It should never leave you the same.

Every time you read God’s word: refuse to leave your Bible the same. There should be no such thing as business as usual with your Bible! Scripture will change you in the best possible way; but you have to make a decision to react.

Prayer:

Father, help me to react to Scripture. I want to be convicted! I want to be inspired! I want to be changed when I read Your word, from the inside out, in Jesus’ name.

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© Michael D. White, 2019. All rights reserved.

The Daily Word: Saturday, January 19^th, 2019
Genesis 39:1-41:16
Matthew 12:46-13:23
Psalm 17:1-15
Proverbs 3:33-35
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Commentary from Pastor Michael White:
Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him quickly out of the dungeon; and he shaved, changed his clothing, and came to Pharaoh. And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I have had a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that you can understand a dream, to interpret it.” – Gen 41:14-15

You cannot accomplish your destiny alone.

God had amazing plans for Joseph. Even in the midst of captivity, Joseph was protected. Even in the midst of imprisonment, God showed Joseph favor! But the way God blessed Joseph most was by surrounding him with people who facilitated his destiny.

When Pharaoh’s butler had a dream, Joseph was there to interpret (Gen 40:14). When Pharaoh had a dream, the butler remembered Joseph! If it hadn’t been for the butler, Joseph would have never been rescued from prison, and Pharaoh would have never made him ruler “…over all the land of Egypt” (Gen 41:41)!!

Don’t try to accomplish your destiny alone. You need other people! God will surround you with people to help: people who will vouch for you, to exactly the right person, at exactly the right time.

Prayer:

Father, thank You for surrounding me with the right people. I pray I would never be too proud to accept help. Surround me with people who are here to help, in Jesus’ name!

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© Michael D. White, 2019. All rights reserved.

The Daily Word: Friday, January 18^th, 2019
Genesis 37:1-38:30
Matthew 12:22-45
Psalm 16:1-11
Proverbs 3:27-32
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Commentary from Pastor Michael White:
Now Jacob dwelt in the land where his father was a stranger, in the land of Canaan. – Gen 37:1

Isaac – the father – was a stranger; but Jacob – the son – was a permanent resident. God builds from generation to generation!

This has two implications:

1) Our generation should attempt things the prior generation found impossible. If it’s never been done before, that just means you will need God’s help to do it!

2) Our generation should encourage the next generation to dream big! Instead of squashing their dreams, we should allow them so stand on our shoulders.

God wants to do greater things through you than He has ever done before. Are you ready?

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.” – Jn 14:12

Prayer:

Father, help me to dream big. I know that nothing is impossible for You! Once You fulfill my dream, help me to empower others to fulfill theirs!

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© Michael D. White, 2019. All rights reserved.

The Daily Word: Thursday, January 17^th, 2019
Genesis 35:1-36:43
Matthew 12:1-21
Psalm 15:1-5
Proverbs 3:21-26
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Commentary from Pastor Michael White:
And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to Him, “Look, Your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath!” – Matt 12:2

Religious people point fingers; righteous people hold up hands:

But Moses’ hands became heavy; so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. And Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. – Exodus 17:12

The Pharisees saw Jesus’ disciples doing something they didn’t agree with; so instead of starting healthy dialogue, they complained to God! They could have sought to understand the disciples; but instead they rushed to judgment!

When you mess up, does your church surround you and help heal your wounds? Or do they attack and make things worse? When you miss the mark, do your friends counsel you in healthy ways that encourage? Or do they kick you while you’re down just to make themselves feel better?

When someone else sins, how do you respond? I believe God is looking for people who will hold up hands instead of pointing fingers. Are you willing to be what He wants to see?

Prayer:

Father, help me to refrain from pointing fingers. Instead, I want to hold up hands. I want to support my brothers and sisters who are in need and caught in sin. I want to help them get better, instead of adding judgment that makes things worse! Help me to respond as You would respond, in Jesus’ name.

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© Michael D. White, 2019. All rights reserved.

The Daily Word: Wednesday, January 16^th, 2019
Genesis 32:13-34:31
Matthew 11:7-30
Psalm 14:1-7
Proverbs 3:19-20
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Commentary from Pastor Michael White:
The Lord by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding He established the heavens… – Prov 3:19

Wisdom and understanding are powerful tools. The Lord used wisdom – His infinite knowledge – to form the earth. He used understanding – His unlimited comprehension – to establish the heavens. Heaven was established by understanding then; and heaven on earth will still be established by understanding now.

This world will start to change when we seek to understand others, instead of judging them. Heaven will come to earth when we seek to understand others, instead of simply imposing our will on them and having our way! Understanding establishes the heavens! When we seek to understand others, Heaven will come to earth.

Prayer:

Father, help me to seek to understand the people around me. I know that judgment repels the things of Heaven; but understanding draws them in. Your Kingdom, come, in Jesus’ name!

Archives
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© Michael D. White, 2019. All rights reserved.

The Daily Word: Tuesday, January 15^th, 2019
Genesis 31:17-32:12
Matthew 10:24-11:6
Psalm 13:1-6
Proverbs 3:16-18
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Commentary from Pastor Michael White:
And Laban said to Jacob: “What have you done, that you have stolen away unknown to me, and carried away my daughters like captives taken with the sword? Why did you flee away secretly, and steal away from me, and not tell me; for I might have sent you away with joy and songs, with timbrel and harp?” – Gen 31:26-27

Laban created an unhealthy situation by not listening when Jacob told him he needed space. Jacob first came to Laban in Gen 30:25-26:

And it came to pass, when Rachel had borne Joseph, that Jacob said to Laban, “Send me away, that I may go to my own place and to my country. Give me my wives and my children for whom I have served you, and let me go; for you know my service which I have done for you.”

Jacob had faithfully served Laban many years. He wanted to go home. He wanted his father-in-law’s blessing to start a new life with his own family! But Laban didn’t listen. He pretended not to hear Jacob. So, Jacob waited until Laban was gone, and then he fled.

Don’t push your loved ones away by ignoring the warning signs. If someone you love needs space, give them space! If someone you love needs time, give them time. Making sure everyone has the space they need will lead to a happy, healthy family, filled with love.

Prayer:

Father, give me wisdom and discernment to respond appropriately to my family. When someone needs space, let me know! I will respect them, in Jesus’ name.

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© Michael D. White, 2019. All rights reserved.

The Daily Word: Monday, January 14^th, 2019
Genesis 30:1-31:16
Matthew 10:1-23
Psalm 12:1-8
Proverbs 3:13-15
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Commentary from Pastor Michael White:
And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease. – Matthew 10:1

The disciples’ power came when they went to Jesus. If you want to be sent out in power, you have to come to Jesus in humility first!

Power comes from spending time with Jesus. Whatever you have on your plate today: spend five minutes with Jesus first. He will fill you up with strength and power! And you will make an impact like never before.

Prayer:

Father, thank You for time in Your presence! There is nothing I would rather do than spend time with You. I will do it first, and I will do it often, in Jesus’ name!

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© Michael D. White, 2019. All rights reserved.

The Daily Word: Sunday, January 13^th, 2019
Genesis 28:1-29:35
Matthew 9:18-38
Psalm 11:1-7
Proverbs 3:11-12
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Commentary from Pastor Michael White:
And when He had come into the house, the blind men came to Him. And Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to Him, “Yes, Lord.” Then He touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith let it be to you.” – Matt 9:28-29

Two blind men cried out to Jesus for healing. They pursued Him relentlessly, hoping to get His attention. When they made it to Jesus, He had only one question for them: Do you believe?

Your faith dictates your fruit. What the blind men had done (i.e. their works) didn’t matter. Whether or not they had seen anyone else healed was irrelevant! Their level of theological education would not determine their result. All that mattered was: did they have faith?

What are you believing for? God will meet you at your level of faith. Your number one priority, then, is to build your faith to believe for the impossible! Don’t let other people tell you what is possible, and what is not! Take your cue from the word of God, and ask for the faith to take God at His word.

And the apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.” – Lk 17:5

Prayer:

Father, increase my faith! Help me to believe for the impossible. I know that everything I have from Heaven is the result of one thing: my faith. Increase it, and help me to believe like never before, in Jesus’ name!

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© Michael D. White, 2019. All rights reserved.

The Daily Word: Saturday, January 12^th, 2019
Genesis 26:17-27:46
Matthew 9:1-17
Psalm 10:16-18
Proverbs 3:9-10
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Commentary from Pastor Michael White:
And the Lord appeared to him the same night and said, “I am the God of your father Abraham; do not fear, for I am with you. I will bless you and multiply your descendants for My servant Abraham’s sake.” So he built an altar there and called on the name of the Lord, and he pitched his tent there; and there Isaac’s servants dug a well. – Gen 26:24-25

What do you do when God shows up? Do you rush through the encounter because you’re nervous? Do you get busy to prove to God that you’re productive (see Matt 17:4). Or do you camp out and make time to enjoy His presence?

When God appeared, Isaac lingered. He didn’t immediately move forward! He stopped and built an altar. He worshipped God! He pitched his tent and stayed a while; and he even dug a well. He went deeper instead of rushing back to life.

When God shows up, stay there. Don’t move! Enjoy His presence for as long as you can; because His presence shows up on purpose. God is preparing you to do something great; and you don’t want to move until He is done.

Prayer:

Father, help me to get comfortable in Your presence. I never want to rush through an encounter with You! Help me to take my time and enjoy Your presence – and listen to everything You have to say – like never before!

Archives
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© Michael D. White, 2019. All rights reserved.