Day 31: Misery => Multiplication

The Daily Word: Friday, January 31^st, 2020
Exodus 12:14-13:16
Matthew 20:29-21:22
Psalm 25:16-22
Proverbs 6:12-15
For full text click here.

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:
Then the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand men on foot, besides children. – Ex. 12:37

600,000 men, plus women and children, must have amounted to at least 2.5 million people. This was a great army coming up out of Egypt. Do you remember how many Israelites originally came down to Egypt with Jacob?

All the persons who went with Jacob to Egypt, who came from his body, besides Jacob’s sons’ wives, were sixty-six persons in all. And the sons of Joseph who were born to him in Egypt were two persons. All the persons of the house of Jacob who went to Egypt were seventy. – Gen. 46:26-27

Seventy Israelites went down into Egypt! They were subjected to 430 years of slavery and abuse at the hands of the Egyptians. Yet even in the midst of their captivity and misery, God made them multiply. The more the Egyptians afflicted them, “…the more they multiplied and grew” (Ex. 1:12).

God will cause multiplication out of your misery. Do you feel trapped in an impossible situation or a difficult circumstance? Trust that God will multiply you, even in the midst of this mess. This is the God we serve! And nothing is impossible for Him.

Prayer:

Father, thank You for multiplying me in the midst of my misery. Even when I feel trapped, I know that You are the God who delivers; and I thank You for it, in Jesus’ name!

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Day 30: Go In!

The Daily Word: Thursday, January 30^th, 2020
Exodus 10:1-12:13
Matthew 20:1-28
Psalm 25:1-15
Proverbs 6:6-11
For full text click here.

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:
Now the Lord said to Moses, “Go in to Pharaoh; for I have hardened his heart and the hearts of his servants, that I may show these signs of Mine before him… – Ex. 10:1

Moses knew Pharaoh would reject him. But God’s command was still, “Go in.” Moses knew Pharaoh’s heart would be hard! But God’s command was still, go talk to him. What are we supposed to do when someone’s heart is hard? Don’t walk away! Go in. God will equip you and prepare you to break the hard ground so He can deposit a seed of love in their heart.

All that matters is obedience. What God tells you doesn’t have to make sense! What He tells you won’t always be easy. But your response can be – and should be, with the help of the Holy Spirit – yes and amen to whatever God asks you to do.

Don’t back away. Go in.

Prayer:

Father, make me perfectly obedient. I am so thankful that You speak to me and tell me what to do at every turn! Now make me one who listens and walks it out, in Jesus’ name.

Day 29: Eternal Impact

The Daily Word: Wednesday, January 29^th, 2020
Exodus 8:1-9:35
Matthew 19:13-30
Psalm 24:1-10
Proverbs 6:1-5
For full text click here.

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:
“And the Lord will make a difference between the livestock of Israel and the livestock of Egypt. So nothing shall die of all that belongs to the children of Israel.” – Ex. 9:4

This was the fifth of ten plagues that Moses pronounced over the people of Egypt. Because Pharaoh refused to let God’s people go, pestilence would wipe out the flocks and herds of Egypt. But notice that there was “a difference” between God’s people and those who did not know Him!

When you belong to God, two things will happen. First, God will protect you. God made sure that the curse completely missed the people of Israel. Their flocks and herds – i.e. their possessions – were completely protected. There is safety in God’s presence! While the rest of the world panicked, God’s people could rest. When you belong to God, the things that afflict the world will have no hold on you.

Second, God will give you eternal impact. God’s promise to His people was not jut about livestock! He said, “…nothing shall die of all that belongs to the children of Israel” (v 4). When you belong to God, the things you do on this Earth will stand the test of time. Wouldn’t you love to live every day knowing that you will leave a legacy on this earth? That the things you accomplish will never die and fade away?

Give your life to God. He will protect you here and now; and He will make sure that everything you do in His name will last for eternity.

Prayer:

Father, thank You for protection! And thank You for eternal impact. I’m so glad I get to live my life from the perspective of eternity. I know that everything I do has purpose; and I thank You for it, in Jesus’ name!

Day 28: Emotional Interference

The Daily Word: Tuesday, January 28^th, 2020
Exodus 5:22-7:25
Matthew 18:21-19:12
Psalm 23:1-6
Proverbs 5:22-23
For full text click here.

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:
So Moses spoke thus to the children of Israel; but they did not heed Moses, because of anguish of spirit and cruel bondage.- Ex. 6:9

God was speaking to His people. He reminded them that He was faithful! He would deliver them from the Egyptians into the Promised Land. But His people didn’t believe Moses when he relayed the message. Why? Because of emotional interference. Scripture notes the causes of 1) anguish of spirit and 2) cruel bondage. Those two elements hindered the ability of God’s people to receive His word and His promises over their lives!

“Anguish of spirit” can also be translated as impatience.[1] When God promises something great to you, are you willing to wait? The Hebrew people didn’t see it with their eyes, so they refused to believe it with their heart. Don’t live your life that way! When you believe it with your heart first, God will make sure you see it with your eyes.

Cruel bondage refers to your emotional response to the weight you carry. You have responsibilities and struggles in life! But do not allow your perception of reality to dictate your willingness to take God at His Word. Don’t get tired and frustrated thinking your life will never change! Our God moves mountains! He raises the dead! He parts seas! And He will do what He has promised to do in your life.

Say no to emotional interference. Say yes to great faith that perseveres against all odds. Do not let anguish of spirit and cruel bondage interfere with the word of God for your life! Whatever He says: simply receive.

Prayer:

Father, I receive Your word in Jesus’ name! I pray You would remove any and all emotional interference to accepting Your word. I say yes to Your promise! And I am making a decision today to take You at Your Word.

[1] Strongs H7115

Day 27: He Will Answer

The Daily Word: Monday, January 27^th, 2020
Exodus 4:1-5:21
Matthew 18:1-20
Psalm 22:19-31
Proverbs 5:15-21
For full text click here.

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:
Deliver Me from the sword, my precious life from the power of the dog. Save Me from the lion’s mouth and from the horns of the wild oxen! You have answered Me. – Ps. 22:20-21

David was lost! He was crying out and asking God to save his life (v 20). But for a long time, it seemed like God wasn’t listening. David felt like God had forsaken him (v 1). He felt like he was crying out, but God was not responding! But all of a sudden, in the midst of David’s mess: God answered Him.

God answers suddenly. Whatever you are going through today, please do not make the mistake of thinking God doesn’t hear you. God will answer you! His reply may not come when you expect; but it is coming. Cling to what He has said; and wait patiently for Him to say more.

When you cry, He will answer.

Prayer:

Father, thank You for the promise of Your voice. When I am going through life’s darkest times, the one thing I know is this: You will answer. You see me, and You know me; and I am so grateful, in Jesus’ name!

Day 26: God Uses Outcasts

The Daily Word: Sunday, January 26^th, 2020
Exodus 2:11-3:22
Matthew 17:10-27
Psalm 22:1-18
Proverbs 5:7-14
For full text click here.

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:
And she bore him a son, and he called his name Gershom; for he said, “I have been a stranger in a foreign land.” – Ex. 2:22

Moses was an outcast. He didn’t quite fit in! As a Hebrew raised by Pharaoh’s daughter, he was never quite Egyptian enough for the Egyptians. And when he tried to return to his people (v 14), he wasn’t quite Hebrew enough for the Hebrews!

But God loves to use outcasts. He loves to mightily use men and women who don’t fit perfectly into any particular mold! You see, God designed Moses on purpose. He needed someone to fight for the Hebrew people; but He also needed someone who knew the customs of Egyptian royalty who had access to the palace! So though Moses might have felt like a stranger, God had actually specifically designed Moses to carry out a divine rescue mission for His people.

Don’t worry about fitting in. Just be concerned with doing what God asks you to do! One day it will all make sense. You will discover that He created you to do something that nobody else can do quite like you.

Prayer:

Father, thank You for making me me on purpose! When I feel like a stranger, help me to remember that I was not created for this world. You made me to serve You, and to live in Your presence; and I am so grateful, in Jesus’ name.

Day 25: Heavy Revvy

The Daily Word: Saturday, January 25^th, 2020
Genesis 50:1-Exodus 2:10
Matthew 16:13-17:9
Psalm 21:1-13
Proverbs 5:1-6
For full text click here.

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:
Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” – Matt. 16:16

Simon Peter had the most significant revelation a disciple can ever have: Jesus is, “…the Christ, the Son of the living God.” It sounds simple, doesn’t it? Yet Peter was surrounded by people who misunderstood Jesus. Many people thought Jesus was just “one of the prophets” (v 14). Others thought He was a good moral example: someone to emulate and imitate! But Simon Peter was the only one who saw Jesus for who He really is: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Once Peter had a revelation on Jesus’ identity, his whole life changed. First, Jesus blessed him (v 17). Then, Jesus promised Peter that he would play a pivotal role in the early church. And then – get this! – Jesus promised He would give Peter, “…the keys of the kingdom of heaven” (v 19). Whatever Peter declared in his prayers would come to pass!

It all started when Peter acknowledged that Jesus is the Son of God. Who do you say that Jesus is? Is He just a prophet? Is he a nice guy you’d like to be friends with? Or is Jesus your everything: the Son of the living God? Acknowledge Him as such; and watch the power of God flow through you like never before.

Prayer:

Father, help me to understand who Jesus really is. Even when I think I know Him: show me who He really is! I know that when I have a revelation of who Jesus is, my whole life will change; and I thank You for it, in Jesus’ name!

Day 24: Orderly Abundance

The Daily Word: Friday, January 24^th, 2020
Genesis 48:1-49:33
Matthew 15:29-16:12
Psalm 20:1-9
Proverbs 4:20-27
For full text click here.

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:
Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?” And they said, “Seven, and a few little fish.” So He commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. And He took the seven loaves and the fish and gave thanks, broke them and gave them to His disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitude. – Matt. 15:34-36

Our God is a God of abundance! He gives so many fish that nets are about to break (Lk. 5:6). He distributes so much food that there are leftovers (v 37)! But our God is also a God of order. He doesn’t toss out miracles willy-nilly everywhere He goes. He distributes abundance to those who listen to His voice.

Look at verse 35. Jesus wanted to feed four thousand men, plus women and children, with seven loaves of bread and “a few little fish” (v 34). This was going to be huge! But first, “He commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground.” Miracles work through divine order! There was an orderly distribution process at play for the provision of God! Jesus had the people sit; and then the disciples passed out the food to them. Anyone who would not sit did not get fed. Anyone who wanted to receive for himself – instead of from the hands of the disciples – went home hungry.

Sitting represents your willingness to humble yourself before God. When He tells you to sit, will you listen? Or will you insist that you need to stay standing – because you’re in such a hurry, or because you’re so important – and miss out on the blessing of God? Take a moment today and sit at His feet. Do what He has told you to do, and receive from the people He has put in your life as teachers and leaders. Jesus has what you need; but you just need to sit still long enough to receive it.

Prayer:

Father, help me to sit. I will do what You tell me to do. I will receive from whom You tell me to receive! I want Your blessing; and I will to whatever it takes to walk out the calling You have on my life, in Jesus’ name.

Day 23: Impressing Jesus

The Daily Word: Thursday, January 23^rd, 2020
Genesis 46:1-47:31
Matthew 15:1-28
Psalm 19:1-14
Proverbs 4:14-19
For full text click here.

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:
Then Jesus answered and said to her, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour. – Matt. 15:28

Jesus wasn’t impressed by religious people. He openly criticized the Pharisees for drawing, “…near to [Him] with their mouth,” but not honoring Him with their heart (v 8). Jesus wasn’t moved by people who held positions of power. He wasn’t impressed when people acted holy in front of their friends!

But He was moved by faith. In Matthew 15, a woman approached Jesus and asked Him to heal her daughter. And Jesus said no because she was a Gentile: not just once, but twice (vv 24 and 26)! But the woman persisted. She would not leave without her miracle! And so Jesus, “…answered and said to her, ‘O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.’ And her daughter was healed from that very hour” (v 28).

Faith moves God. He already wants to move on your behalf! But faith is what puts God’s mercy in motion. Whatever you are going through, approach your obstacle with faith. God will move, and you will be in awe!

Prayer:

Father, I’m asking for more faith in Jesus’ name. I want to move mountains with my prayers, and I know I need faith to do it! Move through me powerfully, in Jesus’ name!

Day 22: Destroying the Enemy

The Daily Word: Wednesday, January 22^nd, 2020
Genesis 44:1-45:28
Matthew 14:13-36
Psalm 18:37-50
Proverbs 4:11-13
For full text click here.

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:
I have pursued my enemies and overtaken them; neither did I turn back again till they were destroyed. – Ps. 18:37

Jesus is always our focus. We should keep our eyes on Him! We should pray attention to what Jesus is doing, instead of always looking around the corner for what Satan is planning next.

But when the enemy is clearly trying to mess up your life: pursue him. Chase him out of your life! Overtake him, and do not look back until he is destroyed. Satan has no authority to wreak havoc in your life! And you have “all authority” (Matt. 28:18) to kick him out.

Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. – Lk. 10:19

Prayer:

Father, Thank You for giving me authority over the enemy. I refuse to put up with his work in my life anymore! I am going to kick him out for good, in Jesus’ name!

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