Day 1
Philippians 4:6-7 – Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Pray with “supplication” – Greek – Egklema: meaning – crime laid against, an accusation, offense alleged. In other words, we appeal to God in light of the lies (accusations) satan levels against us! Scripture says he (satan) is the “accuser of the brethren.” (Revelation 12:10). The antedote to the “loud accusations” of the devil, is “thanksgiving!” Thanksgiving puts “faith” back into our prayers! As a result, the “peace” of God will become a “guard” over our hearts and minds!
Day 2
The phrase “I’ve got your six” refers to having someone’s back. Watching out for them at an angle they cannot cover themselves. Imagine you’re facing the twelve on an analog clock; the six would be directly behind you.
(2 Samuel 10:9-12) When Joab saw that the battle line was against him before and behind, he chose some of Israel’s best and put them in battle array against the Syrians. And the rest of the people he put under the command of Abishai his brother, that he might set them in battle array against the people of Ammon. Then he said, “If the Syrians are too strong for me, then you shall help me; but if the people of Ammon are too strong for you, then I will come and help you. Be of good courage and let us be strong for our people and for the cities of our God. And may the Lord do what is good in His sight.”
Another example of having one another’s “6.”
When Shem and Japhet discovered their father Noah, in a drunken/naked state, they didn’t resort to Facebook, or “secretly” reveal their father’s flaws, as Ham the father of Canaan did; but they took a “garment” (of grace) and covered their father’s shame.
(Genesis 9:20-23) And Noah began to be a farmer, and he planted a vineyard. Then he drank of the wine and was drunk and became uncovered in his tent. And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brothers outside. But Shem and Japheth took a garment, laid it on both their shoulders, and went backward and covered the nakedness of their father. Their faces were turned away, and they did not see their father’s nakedness.
Christ has covered us, let us reciprocate His grace, by covering one another!
Day 3
Poem
“O Lord, my Lord, why did You let them hurt me so? That you, my child, my precious child, may soon come to know, It is I, and not thy ego, which causes you to grow!”
Psalm 119:71
It is good for me that I have been afflicted,That I may learn Your statutes.
Day 4
(1 Peter 2:5) you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
God builds His house one life at a time. There is no such thing within the body of Christ as non-essential personnel. We are all essential to the edification of His house and the glory of God!
Day 5
“IN ESSENTIALS UNITY, IN NON-ESSENTIALS LIBERTY, IN ALL THINGS CHARITY, (Love).”
Psalm 35:27b – “Let the Lord be magnified, who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant!”
God takes pleasure in your “prosperity!” He wants you to succeed, that He might be “magnified!”
Day 6
Word of Exhortation
True “victory” is notfound in our “wins,” but in the faithfulness of God when we are at our“worst!”
(Psalm 73:26) My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Day 7
You are blessed and highly favored.
(Psalm 5:12) For You, O Lord, will bless the righteous;With favor You will surround him as with a shield.
Day 8
(Psalm 84:5-7a) Blessedis the man whose strength is in You, Whose heart is set on pilgrimage. Asthey pass through the Valley of Baca, They make it a spring; The rain also covers it with pools. 7 They go from strength to strength;
When we go through the Valley of Baca, the Valley of “weeping”, it’s comforting to know that we are just passing through this life and that God is with us. Such knowledge enables us to go from strength to strength, as the Lord covers our desolate circumstances with pools of refreshing, sent from above!
Day 9
(Psalm 69:29-30) But I am poor and sorrowful; Let Your salvation, O God, set me up on high. I will praise the name of God with a song, And will magnify Him with thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving is an act of courage, and the means by which we “glorify” the Lord. It replaces the poor and sorrowful heart, with a “song” of faith!
Day 10
We may not know what lies ahead, but we can be certain about that which follows us!
David declared: (Psalm 23:6) Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.
The uncertainty of the future is overcome by the “certainty” of God’s goodness and mercy, which can carry us through!
Day 11
As you journey through life remember to “slow down.”
(James 1:19, 20) “So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.”
Day 12
It’s really not a “secret,” the apostle Paul reveals the key element for finishing with “joy!”
“But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” Acts 20:24
“…nor do I count my life dear to me…” that phrase really sticks out to me. When I count my life “dear” (literally: esteem to the highest degree), life is all about my comfort (what’s in it for me) and my cares (appeasing people and my flesh), and not about Christ! Paul understood, if he was to finish with “joy,” that he had to live by faith and not by his flesh. If your life is the most precious thing to you, Christ cannot be Lord over you; your race will be sporadic, inconsistent, frustrating; filled with timidity and fear. But if Christ is “your life” you can run with “joy,” the Joy of the Lord is our strength,” and finish with “joy!”
Today make Christ the “dearest” thing in your life; reflect upon what He has done for you, upon His everlasting grace, mercy, and love for you. And run with joy!
For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. Mark 8:35**
“Run Forrest, run!”
Day 13
(Zephaniah 3:17) “The Lord your God in your midst, The Mighty One will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.”
For the believer, regardless of how we may feel about ourselves, God rejoices over us! Let the knowledge of His love, too great for words, quiet your heart today.
Day14
(Mark 16:6) But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him.
Rejoice! He is “risen,” so we might be raised from a tomb of defeat and reside in the light of His glorious victory!
Day 15
(Psalm 118:1) “Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.”
God’s mercy is the origin of all thanksgiving. Give thanks for He is good!
Day16
(1 Thessalonians 5:18) “…in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
In everything, not “for” everything, because “in” everything God’s divine purpose will prevail!
Day 17
(Colossians 3:14) “But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.”
Each day we have a choice of what to “put on.” Remember love is never out of fashion.
Day 18
(Galatians 5:6) For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.
It’s love, not the law, that’s essential. We can “be” right or “love” right.
Day 19
Everlasting “liberty and justice for all” can only be found in Christ, liberation from the penalty of sin, and justification through faith in His work on the cross.
(2 Corinthians 3:17) Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
Day 20
(1 Corinthians 2:2) For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
Let us determine to exalt Christ in the midst of our relationships.
Day 21
(Deuteronomy 30:15-16) “See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil, in that I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His judgments, that you may live and multiply; and the LORD your God will bless you in the land which you go to possess.”
To love God is to choose “life!”
Day 22
God has richly blessed us! I firmly believe, if we will remain faithful in loving,honoring, and serving our King, He will manifest a work among us which will exceed our “wildest” expectations! The Lord desires to blow our minds with His goodness; let’s not limit His hand and His heart towards His people. This is your year to experience “great things.”
“Look among the nations and watch — Be utterly astounded! For I will work a work in your days Which you would not believe, though it were told you.” Habakkuk 1:5
You crown the year with Your goodness, And Your paths drip with abundance. Psalm 65:11
Day 23
(Proverbs 14:34) Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people.
Pray for America and for our leaders. Pray that God will usher in another Great Awakening of repentance in our land,from the church house to your house, and to the White House.
Day 24
(Psalm 136:1) “Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.”
The knowledge of God’s abundant mercy causes one’s heart to overflow with thanksgiving! Although we have earned judgment in Christ, He grants us “mercy!”
Day 25
(Isaiah 59:19b) When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the LORD will lift up a standard against him.
The Hebrew word for “standard” means; to subside, vanish away, escape. God will lift up for us a way of escape when life’s troubles come in like a “flood.”
Day 26
Isaiah 33:2 “O Lord, be gracious to us; we wait for you be our arm every morning our salvation in time of trouble.”
God’s arm is not short. His compassion reaches out to us every morning and delivers us in times of trouble.
Day 27
(Isaiah 42:10a) “Sing to the LORD a new song, And His praise from the ends of the earth…”
A new song is manifestation of a new work. Let God complete His work in us that we might sing a “new song,” a song of praise to our God!
Day 28
(Proverbs 31:30) Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
Outward beauty can be deceitful, but inner truth adorns the soul of a woman; whereby she can stand before God in the beauty of holiness.
Day 29
(Proverbs 17:6) Children’s children are the crown of old men, And the glory of children is their father.
God has granted to fathers and grandfathers the awesome privilege of covering our children and grandchildren with His glory.
Day 30
(Psalm 119:173) Let Your hand become my help, For I have chosen Your precepts.
If we keep His word we will have His hand as our help.
Day 31
(Proverbs 21:30) There is no wisdom or understanding or counsel against the Lord.
No counsel or wisdom can hinder what God has purposed for those who love Him!
Day 32
(Proverbs 3:25-26) Do not be afraid of sudden terror, Nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes; For the LORD will be your confidence, And will keep your foot from being caught.
In volatile times it’s good to know the Lord is our confidence. God enables us to live unfettered by the sudden terror and troubles around us, as we abide in the peace and safety of His word.
Day 33
(Psalm 116:7) Return to your rest, O my soul, For the LORD has dealt bountifully with you.
There is no reason for which we cannot return to the Lord, for He always deals bountifully with mankind, in grace and mercy.
Day 34
(Haggai 2:9) “The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former,” says the Lord of hosts. And in this place I will give peace, says the lord of hosts.”
Despite the devastation of Jerusalem God gave Israel an inconceivable promise. In the same sense, despite the devastating circumstances of our lives, God is able to make our latter better than our former, and usher us into everlasting peace.
Day 35
(Jonah 2:7) “When my soul fainted within me, I remembered the Lord; And my prayer went up to You, Into Your holy temple.”
If your soul becomes faint this week “remember the Lord!” Remember His faithfulness, grace, mercy, and truth; all of which can be accessed through prayer, as we seek the holy temple of His presence.
Day 36
(Hosea 14:4) “I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely, For My anger has turned away from him.”
Through faith in Christ, we will discover the “free flowing” current of God’s never-ending love, which is able to heal the backsliding heart.
Day 37
(Hosea 4:10) For they shall eat, but not have enough; They shall commit harlotry, but not increase; Because they have ceased obeying the Lord.
Disobedience only produces spiritual poverty; obedience, however, opens to us, the “good” of the land.
(Isaiah 1:19) “If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the good of the land.”
Day 38
(Psalm 91:1, 2) He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.”
In the secret place we find grace and strength to live in the public place.
Day 39
Isaiah 61:4 “And they shall rebuild the old ruins, They shall raise up the former desolations, And they shall repair the ruined cities, The desolations of many generations.”
Salvation, through faith in Christ, enables us to rebuild, rise-up, and repair the ruins of generations. God, through His people, will reclaim that which satan has stolen, by the power and authority of His glorious name!
Day 40
(Isaiah 55:6) “Seek the Lord while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near.”
God is never hiding; the question is, are we seeking?
Day 41
(Isaiah 14:27) “For the Lord of hosts has purposed, And who will annul it? His hand is stretched out, And who will turn it back?”
God has “purposed” in Christ a blessing for you, which satan nor his demons can veto. Start living in the purpose God has divinely ordained for you!
Day 42
(Psalm 55:22) Cast your burden on the Lord, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.
Our sustainability is in knowing where to cast our burdens. God will bear our burdens and sustain us by virtue of His faithfulness.
Day 43
Isaiah 40:29 He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength.
In those times when we have no strength, His strength will sustain us. Wait on the Lord, His “power” is worth the wait.
Day 44
(Acts 4:33) And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all.
Great power and great grace are essential to our walk in Christ. It’s a blessing to know that our God has an endless supply of both; that the world might know He lives!
Day 45
(Joshua 23:11) “Therefore take careful heed to yourselves, that you love the Lord your God.
Let us take heed to ourselves that we “love” the Lord. Only then can we walk in the fullness of His promises.
Day 46
Genesis 13:17 “Arise, walk in the land through its length and its width, for I give it to you.”
God commanded Abraham to “walk in the promise of God.” In the same way God is calling us to walk according to His promises in our life. Reading about it, thinking about it, or even planning to do it, is not enough; it’s only when we commit ourselves to “walk” in His promises can we truly experience His fullness. Dare we experience, the full length and width of our Lord’s will, concerning us? Perhaps it’s time for us to “arise” and explore all that God has for us!
Day 47
(Deuteronomy 23:5) “Nevertheless the Lord your God would not listen to Balaam, but the Lord your God turned the curse into a blessing for you, because the Lord your God loves you.”
Whatever curse satan has spoken over our lives, God is able to turn into a blessing. Despite our past or DNA, God’s love is always greater. Jesus is THE cure for every curse!
Day 48
Trust in the Lord, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. (Psalm 37:3)
A well-nourished believer is one who “feeds” upon the faithfulness of God, a healthy steady diet of His love and grace.
Day 49
(Proverbs 25:28) Whoever has no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down, without walls.
If our spirit is not subject to the Holy Spirit, we are in danger of being overrun by our adversary, the devil.
Day 50
Romans 15:7 Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God.
Christ has received us “warts” and “all.” In the same manner we ought to receive one another with patience, love, and mercy. Only then can God truly be glorified when we choose to love one another, “warts” and “all.”
Day 51
(Acts 1:8) “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you….”
The greatest contradiction the world has ever seen is a powerless Christian. Power is evidence of the indwelling presence of God. May God continually fill us with His power and with faith.
Day 52
1 Thessalonians 5:18; “In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
The giving of thanks is the means by which we align our hearts with the will of God. Let all who desire to do His will give thanks; it isan act of faith, without which we cannot please God.
Day 53
Matthew 28:17; “When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted.”
Some of the disciples, although they saw Christ after His resurrection doubted; but those who believed “worshiped” and went on to change the world! Doubt, only paralyzes, but true worship becomes action, and can transform a nation, (Matthew 28:18-20).
Day 54
Matthew 15:11; “Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.”
What we hide in our heart will eventually come out! By our words we can defile or help deliver those around us. Therefore, we must guard the intake of our hearts, so that what flows out, brings glory to God!
Day 55
(Isaiah 14:27) “For the Lord of hosts has purposed, And who will annul it? His hand is stretched out, And who will turn it back?”
Through faith in Christ, regardless of the “mess” we may have made of our lives; God has bestowed upon us a blessing which cannot be reversed. Let us walk in this assurance and experience God’s “irreversible,” “irresistible” goodness.
Day 56
1 Thessalonians 5:8; But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.
Godly sobriety requires three things, faith, love, and hope; this sanctifying trinity of holy living, enables us to daily overcome the intoxicating stronghold of this world.
Day 57
Ezekiel 34:15; “I will feed My flock, and I will make them lie down, says the Lord God.”
Christ, our “good shepherd,” will sustain all who enter His fold.
Day 58
(Psalm 119:126) “Itis time for You to act, O Lord,For they have regarded
Your law as void.”
When the church disregards the Word of God, it will always get a response fromGod! May our lives reflect the living and powerful word of God, rather than the“void” of a rebellious heart.
Day 59
John 15:16 “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.”
If the aim of our prayers is eternal fruitfulness and the glorification of God’s Son, we can be sure that our prayers will be answered; for such prayers, target the heart of God.
Day 60
(Genesis 15:7) “Then He said to him, “I am the Lord, who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans, to give you this land to inherit it.”
God reminds Abraham that He delivered him from one place to another, for the purpose of blessing his life. In the same way God has indeed brought us out of the “old” that we might now enter into that which is “new.” In Christ, we are people of purpose, destined to inherit irrevocable “blessings,” because our God is the Lord!
