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But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

Hebrews 2:9

Death. It’s not a popular topic—even among believers. In fact, a great many are just plain scared of it. Oh yes, they talk about having eternal life. Yet when the devil tries to threaten their earthly survival with sickness or calamity, they panic.

Why? Because they haven’t learned to look at death through God’s eyes. Even though their spirit has been made immortal, they haven’t renewed their minds to include that truth. If they had, when the devil tried to push their panic button, they’d just laugh and say, “You can’t scare me, Devil. I’ve done all the dying I’m ever going to do!”

That’s true, you know. The Word of God says that you, as a born-again believer, are never going to see death (John 8:51). Jesus has been your substitute. He suffered death so you wouldn’t have to. And He was raised from death, Hebrews 2:14-15 says, “Destroy[ing] him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver[ing] them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.”

If you’ve made Jesus the Lord of your life, the only death you’ll ever experience is behind you now. It occurred the instant you received Christ. At that moment, your old self—the one whose nature was to sin and rebel against God—died. Your body didn’t die, but your spirit man—the real you—died to Satan and all of his works. You became “a new creature” (2 Corinthians 5:17), immortal and absolutely incapable of death!

When you’re finished with your work on the earth, you’re not going to die. You’ll simply shed your earthly shell and relocate to a far more glorious place.

Go to the Word and get God’s perspective on death. Make a study of it. Once the reality of your immortality begins to dawn on you, the devil will never be able to threaten you with it again.

Scripture Reading:
Hebrews 2:9-15

And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.
—Matthew 21:22

Prayer is a two-way conversation; it is our talking to God, and His talking to us. As a Christian, you have a heavenly Father who hears and answers prayer. Jesus said, “All things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” Every man or woman whose life has counted for the church and the Kingdom of God has been a person of prayer. You cannot afford to be too busy to pray. A prayerless Christian is a powerless Christian. Jesus Christ spent many hours in prayer. Sometimes He spent the night on a mountaintop in solitary communion with God the Father. If He felt that He had to pray, how much more do we need to pray!

Prayer for the day
There is inexpressible joy as I come to You in prayer, my heavenly Father.

“You bless all who depend on you for their strength” (Psalm 84:5 CEV).

Are you tired? Maybe you’re running on steam. You’re tired a lot. At the end of the day, you’re worn out and running out of energy, and the reason why is really simple: You’re a human being.
Your strength is limited. But God’s strength is unlimited. Your strength is finite. But God’s strength is infinite. Your strength is exhaustible—that’s why you get exhausted! But God’s strength is inexhaustible. God never runs out of energy. God never gets tired.

Psalm 84:5 says, “You bless all who depend on you for their strength” (CEV). Do you want God’s blessing on your life? Then you need to depend on God for your strength.

One of the most famous Christians of the 19th century was a guy named Hudson Taylor. He was a missionary to China, and he was a spiritual giant and a brilliant man. In his old age, he lost his health and became quite weak. He wrote a letter to a friend that said this: “I am so weak I can no longer work. I am so weak I can no longer study. I am so weak I can no longer read my Bible. I cannot even pray. I can only lie still in the arms of God like a little child in trust.”

At some point in your life you may be so weak that you can’t even pray, read the Bible, go to a Bible study, work, or really do anything. What do you do in those moments? You rest in the strength of the Lord, in his arms like a little child, and you trust.

Weakness can actually be a good thing in your life if it causes you to depend on God. In 2 Corinthians 12:8-10, Paul says this: “Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, ‘My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.’ So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (NLT).

That’s the paradox of depending on God: The more you’re weak, the more you depend on him. And the more you depend on God, the stronger you get.

Talk It Over

Why is it difficult to admit or show weakness?
How does our culture perpetuate the idea that we have to be strong all of the time?
What does it mean to depend on God’s strength? What would that look like in your life?

O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.

— Psalm 63:1

There were people in the Bible called "slingers" who defeated their enemies by slinging stones and throwing dirt into their wells, contaminating their life source of water (see 2 Kings 3:25).

We all know people who sling accusation, judgment, criticism, and faultfinding at others. We certainly don't want slingers in our life, and we don't want to become slingers either.

Don't be a slinger who contaminates your own faith or the faith of those around you. Spending time with God will fill you with "living water" (see John 7:38). You will be edified and become a source of encouragement for others all day long.

Prayer Starter: Lord, I know it’s only through spending time with You that I can become a source of encouragement and blessing to others. Help me to protect this time and seek You diligently. Help me to become someone who is full of faith and who strengthens the faith of others. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.
1 Peter 5:7, NLT

TODAY'S WORD:

God desires to take care of whatever may be concerning you today. He invites you to give your worries and cares to Him simply because He loves you!

How do you give Him your cares? First of all, understand that cares show up in your mind. When negative, self-defeating thoughts of worry come, you have to recognize them as cares and replace them with the Word of God. For example, if you are concerned about a need today, say out loud, “My God shall supply all my needs according to His riches in glory.” If you have fear about something, say out loud, “God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind.” If you have sickness in your body, declare, “By His stripes I am healed.” As you meditate on the truth and focus your heart and mind on the heavenly Father, those cares and concerns will disappear.

Then, thank Him for giving you peace and joy. Thank Him for working in your life. As you keep an attitude of faith and expectancy, give Him your worries and cares and get ready for the blessing He has for your future!

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Father in heaven, I come to You today casting my cares on You. I choose to believe Your Word and trust that You are working behind the scenes on my behalf. I give You all the praise and glory in Jesus’ name. Amen.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8
Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails

Marriage is a holy institution created by God. A man leaves his parents to marry a woman, and in that union, the two become one flesh (Matthew 19:5). It is a beautiful mystery – one that symbolizes Jesus Christ and His church (Ephesians 5:32).

God never intended for our marriages to merely survive. They were created to thrive! Since these relationships signify how Christ interacts with His church, what picture are we painting for the world around us?

When the borders of our marriage are breached by the enemy or when they are weakened by internal neglect, we must commit to the good work of rebuilding those walls. We must not be deterred from the commitment that we have made – no matter what distractions we encounter.

When storms arise – as they inevitably do – we must assess the damage to our relationships. We must determine the role that we played in inflicting the hurt, and we must be quick to repent and restore.

When the walls are tall and strong again, keep close watch at the gate. Open up the gate to usher out the destructive things that bring death to a relationship. Open up the gate to welcome in the Holy Spirit and the perfect gifts that bring life to a relationship.

In the power of God, broken borders can be rebuilt. Broken boundaries can be re-established. Marriages can be reconstructed, and families can be reunited. God’s healing can revitalize relationships to bring wholeness, peace, and joy. Your marriage was created with God’s purpose to be a vehicle that will show the world how Jesus has given Himself in sacrificial love to His church. It was created to thrive. His love never fails.

Blessing:

Heavenly Father, thank You for the beautiful mystery of marriage. Please make my marriage one that portrays the image of Your love for the church. Let Your love, mercy, forgiveness, patience, joy, and kindness be evident in the ways that we treat one another. Help me love my spouse in the same way that You love me. In the name of Jesus…amen.

Today's Bible Reading:

Old Testament

2 Kings 15:1-16:20

New Testament

Acts 19:13-41

Psalms & Proverbs

Psalm 147:1-20

Proverbs 18:4-5

2 Chronicles 20:1-18

Faith sometimes feels like a battle. One day we’re drawn in the direction of trusting God, but then suddenly we’re on the other side, doubting Him. The pendulum of our thinking and emotions can swing from confidence to uncertainty all too easily. But thankfully, God provides a key to stabilizing our faith.

Periods of doubt-inducing fear, anger, or stress are normal for human beings, but as Christians, we have the Spirit’s power to bring these natural feelings under subjection to the Lord. One of the best ways to begin this process is by recalling His nature and promises. When Satan feeds us reasons to doubt, God wants us to draw from our well of scriptural truth because focusing on the Father swings our pendulum to trust.

In 2 Chronicles 20, King Jehoshaphat learned of an incoming attack. Despite an initial reaction of fear, he demonstrated total confidence in God. Calling the people of Judah together, he offered an amazing God-centered prayer.

• He began by praising God as the all-powerful ruler of all the nations (2 Chronicles 20:6).
• He recalled how the Lord had fought for Israel in the past (2 Chronicles 20:7-9).
• Then based on God’s attributes and previous promises and provision, He requested divine protection in their current situation (2 Chronicles 20:10-12).

Jehoshaphat didn’t look at the approaching army but at His God. This is a wonderful pattern for us to follow whenever we feel our faith faltering. The more we contemplate the difficulties we’re facing, the bigger they will seem. But if we turn our attention to almighty God, He will be magnified and our faith will grow.

Bible in One Year: Psalm 95-102

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible (Hebrews 11:1,3 NKJV).

If the unseen force of faith ignited God’s own Word to form the worlds, then our faith can turn around any situation we may ever face.

Faith can turn the table on any attack of the devil. Faith can turn what the devil meant for evil into a blessing. Faith can turn anything around to your benefit, if you will believe and trust wholeheartedly in God’s goodness and mercy.

In the book of Genesis we find the story of a man named Joseph who faced betrayal, unjust treatment, and suffered one set back after another. Despite crippling circumstances that included a stint in prison, Joseph continued to trust in the love, goodness, and faithfulness of God.

If God is a good God (He is) and you are walking with Him and walking in His Word, you can’t lose. No matter what happens in your life, even if you don’t understand what is going on, you faith will cause things to ultimately work out for your good.

Faith in God’s love and faithfulness to His Word creates an all-encompassing shield around you. When you refuse to fear, the devil can do nothing in your life. When your faith is in God, it is impossible for the devil to succeed against you. Every attack and negative circumstance must turn around for your good, as it did for Joseph.

Joseph ended up exactly where God wanted him. He was made second in command over all of Egypt, and God used him to save the lives of many people (see Genesis 50:20). God used all of the negative situations Joseph experienced to prepare and train him for success in his assignment in life.

Praise God that every challenge you face is nothing more than an opportunity to exercise your faith in His Word, gain greater wisdom, and become better equipped to handle the calling that is on your life.

Never crumple in the face of adverse situations. Your plans may not have worked out the way you expected, but God has everything in control. Faith in God and in His Word can turn anything around for your good.

Confession: I am more than a conqueror in all things. My faith is in God and in His Word. Anything the devil may try to use against me for evil will turn for my good as I fulfill God’s plan and purpose for my life.

Author: Jerry Savelle

Ecclesiastes 9:11

…the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to men of understanding, nor favor to men of skill; but time and chance happen to them all.

God’s Word tells us that being faster, stronger and wiser does not automatically make you a winner in life. No, it is actually being at the right place at the right time that causes you to receive blessings. And God, who holds time and chance in His hands, is the only one who can put you at the right place at the right time.

He did this for Ruth. She trusted God for favor when she went looking for a field in which to glean (see Ruth 2:2). Then, the Bible tells us that “she happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the family of Elimelech” (Ruth 2:3). Of all the fields in Bethlehem, she happened to end up in Boaz’s field, and he was a close relative of Elimelech, her father-in-law. This meant that Boaz was her potential kinsman redeemer, someone who could redeem her from her plight as a young, childless widow in a foreign land.

Boaz also happened to be “a man of great wealth” (Ruth 2:1), and as it turned out, he was willing to redeem Ruth (see Ruth 4:9–10). All these right happenings could only mean that God had placed Ruth in the right place at the right time.

I believe that the very day Ruth told her mother-in-law that the God of Israel would be her God (see Ruth 1:16), God took note of it and made everything happen right for her.

Today, God also wants you to know that because you have said, “God, You are My God,” He will be your God of divine happenings. He will place you at the right place at the right time, where you will meet the right people, do the right things and even escape danger!

You may not know where all the great opportunities are, but God does. He was the one who put in you the skills, talents and gifts that you have, and He knows where you need to be, when you should be there and what you need to be doing to be truly fulfilled!

See what God can do through you. This is the vision of Elevation
Church, led by Pastor Steven Furtick and based in Charlotte, NC
with multiple locations throughout the US and Canada.

Great Are You Lord - Morgan Faleolo | Bethel Worship

Worrying makes us neglect our spirit man.  Jesus often spoke about worrying and how that affects our relationship with the Father.  You cannot trust in God the father and worry at the same time.  We must learn to press into God's Kingdom for therein lies  everything we need for life and godliness.  God has been and He is able and faithful to supply all our needs.