The Daily Word: Friday, December 31^st, 2021
Malachi 3:1-4:6
Revelation 22:1-21
Psalm 150:1-6
Proverbs 31:25-31
For full text click here.

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:
“Behold, I send My messenger, and he will prepare the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple, even the Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight. Behold, He is coming,” says the Lord of hosts. – Mal. 3:1

Jesus sent John the Baptist – His messenger – to prepare the way before Him (Mark 1:1-5). John preached “a baptism of repentance” (Mk. 1:4) so that the people of Israel would realize how badly they needed salvation before the Savior arrived. No one knew exactly when Jesus would arrive! But those who were paying attention would have been ready.

John the Baptist is dead and gone. But do you know who God’s messenger is now? You are. God sent you to prepare the way before Him! And Jesus will come again, riding on the clouds (Rev. 1:7). He will come “suddenly” (Mal. 3:1), at a time when no one expects Him. Some will be ready; most will not. But make no mistake: He is coming.

Let your New Year’s pledge be this: this year, I am getting ready for Jesus! I am putting everything else on hold to get right with God. I am telling everyone I know that Jesus is about to return! And when He appears, I will be ready.

Prayer:

Father, thank You for reminding me that my most urgent priority is always to be ready for the imminent return of Jesus. I cannot predict when He will arrive; but I can be ready when He comes, in Jesus’ name!

© Michael D. White, 2021. All rights reserved.

The Daily Word: Thursday, December 30^th, 2021
Malachi 1:1-2:17
Revelation 21:1-27
Psalm 149:1-9
Proverbs 31:10-24
For full text click here.

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:
May the Lord cut off from the tents of Jacob the man who does this, being awake and aware, yet who brings an offering to the Lord of hosts! – Mal. 2:12

It is true that God is love (1 Jn. 4:8). Yet it is not true that God’s love enables Him to ignore sin. Here was Israel’s problem: they honored Him in public, yet disrespected Him in private. Malachi 2 speaks specifically to the marriage covenant. Judah “profaned the Lord’s holy institution [of marriage] which He loves” (Mal. 2:11). From a relational perspective, they dishonored their marriage covenants between husband and wife. From a spiritual perspective, they dishonored their covenant with God by seeking after idols!

In response, the Lord “cut off” the men who dishonored His name. The fruit of saying you love God in public (preachers: especially from the pulpit!) while dishonoring Him in private is separation from the blessings of God. You cannot cling to the world while you cling to Jesus! You must let go of everything and everyone who is not God if you are to “draw near” to Him (Jas. 4:8).

It’s time to let it go. What is that habit or ritual that is constantly getting in the way of pure and undefiled worship of Jesus? You have honored Him with your words; now honor Him with your actions. You have honored Him with your public praise! Now respect Him with your private convictions. He deserves it: all the glory, all the honor, and all the praise you could ever offer to His name.

Prayer:

Father, I refuse to make any more excuses! I will worship Jesus with my whole heart. I pray that Your Holy Spirit would strengthen me to serve You the way You deserve to be served: without reservation, and without fear (Lk. 1:74), in Jesus’ name.

© Michael D. White, 2021. All rights reserved.

The Daily Word: Tuesday, December 28^th, 2021
Zechariah 12:1-13:9
Revelation 19:1-21
Psalm 147:1-20
Proverbs 31:1-7
For full text click here.

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:
Then the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who worked signs in his presence, by which he deceived those who received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image. These two were cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone. – Rev. 19:20

Scripture doesn’t always tell us what we want to hear; but it does always tell us what we need to hear. The verse above describes Armageddon: the final battle between good and evil. In verse 19, the armies “gathered together” to make war against Jesus. By verse 20, the battle is already over. The beast, along with the false prophet who deceived everyone with the mark of the beast, were “cast alive into the lake of fire burning with brimstone.” Their punishment would never cease: they would burn forever and ever, until the end of time.

But don’t forget that you become like the things & people you worship. Speaking of false gods and idols, Psalm 115:8 says,

Those who make them are like them; So is everyone who trusts in them.

The sober reality is this: the men and women who follow the beast will end up just like him. The men and women who are tricked by Satan into rejecting Jesus will end up in the same final resting place. Don’t believe me? Note how Scripture describes the final judgment for everyone who has ever lived:

And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire. – Rev. 21:15

If you receive Jesus as your Savior, you will be “hidden” in Him (Col. 3:3). You will be spared, separated from your sin (Ps. 103:12), and welcomed into Heaven with open arms. But if you reject Him, you will meet the fate you deserve for your sin. You will burn for all eternity.

If that makes you afraid, good. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Ps. 111:10, Prov. 9:10). Jesus, by His infinite mercy and love, has made a way for you to escape the fate you rightfully deserve for your sin. Forsake all else and cling to Him, because your eternal life depends on it.

If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched… – Mk. 9:43

Prayer:

Father, thank You for making a way for me to be spared from eternal damnation by the Cross of Jesus Christ! You brought me to life; and through sin and rebellion I strayed from Your commandments. But today I repent of my sin! I receive Jesus as Lord. Help me by the power of Your Holy Spirit to cling to Jesus and to forsake all else, in Jesus’ name.

© Michael D. White, 2021. All rights reserved.

The Daily Word: Monday, December 27^th, 2021
Zechariah 10:1-11:17
Revelation 18:1-24
Psalm 146:1-10
Proverbs 30:33
For full text click here.

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:
For the idols speak delusion; the diviners envision lies, and tell false dreams; they comfort in vain. Therefore the people wend their way like sheep; they are in trouble because there is no shepherd. – Zech. 10:2

God’s people had a problem. They had no one to tell them the truth! The diviners spoke “lies” and told people “false dreams.” They comforted “in vain.” The leaders of Israel were telling God’s people that everything was going to be okay when it wasn’t. God’s people weren’t following His word! So why would everything be okay?

Thousands of years have passed, but our problem in modern society remains the same. People have no one to tell them the truth! The prominent Christian voices in society give a watered down description of the Gospel. Yes, God is merciful! But at the same time, God is just and He is holy! He will not – because He cannot – simply wink at your sin and sweep all of it under the rug. If what you are doing is contrary to His word, repentance is required. Then and only then will His mercy and His grace be applied to your life. Then and only then will salvation belong to you, and will God separate you from your sin as far as the east is from the west” (Ps. 103:12)!

Will you be a shepherd who tells God’s people the truth, even if it hurts? Will you tell them what His word says, even if it’s uncomfortable to hear? We need leaders who are willing to take their stand on the word of God, no matter what. We need men and women who proclaim the truth that Jesus is Lord, and there is no other way to God without Him!

Prayer:

Father, help me to boldly proclaim Your word. I want to tell Your people the truth! I want to be unashamed and unreserved as I tell the world that when they confess their sin and fall at the feet of Jesus, He will save them, once and for all in Jesus’ name.

© Michael D. White, 2021. All rights reserved.

The Daily Word: Sunday, December 26^th, 2021
Zechariah 9:1-17
Revelation 17:1-18
Psalm 145:1-21
Proverbs 30:32
For full text click here.

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:
“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, lowly and riding on a donkey, a colt, the foal of a donkey.” – Zech. 9:9

The people of Israel had experienced dozens of kings who were unfit to rule! They were sick and tired of bad leadership and selfish decision-making coming from the king who was supposed to be in charge. And that is why the coming of Jesus was good news! Finally their perfect King had come. Finally their Hope had arrived!

Are you frustrated with earthly leaders? Are you sick and tired of politicking and fear-mongering from the people in power? Don’t get bitter! Rejoice that you have Jesus. His Kingship is the only authority that matters in the end. You may have imperfect leaders here on earth; but you have a perfect King in heaven who is coming soon to rule and reign.

Prayer:

Father, thank You that Jesus is coming soon to rule and reign on the earth! Help me to be calm and patient as I wait for His arrival. I know that when He gets here, every ounce of suffering and pain will be worth it, in Jesus’ name!

© Michael D. White, 2021. All rights reserved.

The Daily Word: Saturday, December 25^th, 2021
Zechariah 8:1-23
Revelation 16:1-21
Psalm 144:1-15
Proverbs 30:29-31
For full text click here.

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:
“I will bring them back, and they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. They shall be My people and I will be their God, in truth and righteousness.” – Zech. 8:8

You will be His people. He will be your God: not just in word and pretense, but in truth and righteousness! This verse is all about possession. You belong to God and God belongs to you! You are His, and He is yours! Whether or not you ‘deserve’ His love is irrelevant; because He already poured out His blood for you on the cross of Jesus Christ whether you feel like you ‘deserve’ it or not.

What did you ask for this year on Christmas? What do you want that you don’t already have? God has already given you the greatest gift. He has given you Himself. He has made you His own! And He will never leave you nor forsake you. No matter what is under your tree or in your stocking this morning, remember this: you have Jesus, the best Gift of all!

Prayer:

Father, thank You for the amazing gift of the Cross. I am so undeserving of Your love! But You have given it to me all the same. Thank you that because of Jesus, I am Yours and You are mine! I am forever grateful, in Jesus’ name.

© Michael D. White, 2021. All rights reserved.

The Daily Word: Friday, December 24^th, 2021
Zechariah 6:1-7:14
Revelation 15:1-8
Psalm 143:1-12
Proverbs 30:24-28
For full text click here.

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:
“Take the silver and gold, make an elaborate crown, and set it on the head of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest.” – Zech. 6:11

God set the crown on the head of the high priest. He set the authority to rule on the man who was most expert in His word! The single most important thing you can do to make yourself a target for the promotion of God is this: know His word.

Media is more abundant than ever. If you want to succeed, you can listen to podcasts, go to conferences, and join conversations on Twitter spaces. YouTube users upload 500 hours of video per minute![1]. But the most important ingredient for success has not changed throughout the millennia: know God’s word.

Spend time in God’s word today. Become the (wo)man God created you to be. Without His word, you will always fall short; but in His word, your destiny and purpose will be fulfilled.

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. – Joshua 1:8

Prayer:

Father, thank You for Your word! Help me to love Your word with all my heart. I will listen and learn from Your word, all the days of my life, in Jesus’ name!

© Michael D. White, 2021. All rights reserved.

[1] https://blog.youtube/press/

The Daily Word: Thursday, December 23^rd, 2021
Zechariah 4:1-5:11
Revelation 14:1-20
Psalm 142:1-7
Proverbs 30:21-23
For full text click here.

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:
They sang as it were a new song before the throne, before the four living creatures, and the elders; and no one could learn that song except the hundred and forty-four thousand who were redeemed from the earth. – Rev. 14:3

There were 144,000 who stood before Jesus in heaven. They sang “a new song…and no one could learn that song except the hundred and forty-four thousand who were redeemed from the earth.” They sang a song that was unique to them. Nobody else could sing it because nobody else had been through what they had experienced.

You have been through some stuff! But your life experience is not a liability; it is an asset in the presence of God. You get to choose to praise God through your unique circumstances. Nobody else can sing the song you sing! Nobody else can praise God quite like you can, because nobody else has been through what you’ve been through.

Lift up your voice and praise God with your song! If you don’t, something will be missing in heaven. But if you do, all of heaven will rejoice because you had every excuse not to praise the Lord through your pain, but you chose to praise Him anyway.

Prayer:

Father, my life has been far from perfect! But I know that my life experience has created a unique platform for worship. I will worship You through my victories! I will worship You through my pain. You are Lord of my life, and I will never stop worshipping, in Jesus’ name.

© Michael D. White, 2021. All rights reserved.

The Daily Word: Wednesday, December 22^nd, 2021
Zechariah 2:1-3:10
Revelation 13:1-18
Psalm 141:1-10
Proverbs 30:18-20
For full text click here.

Commentary from Pastor Michael White:
“Run, speak to this young man, saying: ‘Jerusalem shall be inhabited as towns without walls, because of the multitude of men and livestock in it. For I,’ says the Lord, ‘will be a wall of fire all around her, and I will be the glory in her midst.’ ” – Zech. 2:4-5

Zechariah had a vision from the Lord. A young man was making his way toward Jerusalem to take measurements. He wanted to see how big the city was! He wanted to know its’ boundaries. He wanted to evaluate its’ potential. But look at God’s response: “Jerusalem shall be inhabited as towns without walls” (v 4). Jerusalem could not be measured just like any other city. It had no limits, just as a town without walls. In fact, the city didn’t even need walls, because God would be “a wall of fire all around her.”

When you say yes to Jesus, you are now a (wo)man of unlimited potential. Your life will no longer be measured according to earthly standards, but according to heavenly decrees. You are no longer seeking to build things that can be measured by man; you now seek to leave a legacy that will be celebrated in heaven. You are no longer building in the flesh, but in the spirit.

There is no earthly limit or bound to your potential as a child of God! Forget what anyone else has said is possible or impossible. Disregard what other people would use to measure the impact of your life! You are with God’s army now; and there is no limit to what you can do.

Prayer:

Father, thank You for being a wall of fire all around me. Thank You for being the glory in my midst. I know there is no limit to what I can do in Christ Jesus. I refuse to accept the limits and the labels put on me by other people, and I say ‘yes’ and ‘amen’ to all that You have called me to, in Jesus’ name!

© Michael D. White, 2021. All rights reserved.