Bible Devo June 22

In today’s reading*, God miraculously provides for His people over and over, in a different way each time. 

Abundant water for the desperately thirsty, victory over attacking enemies, provision for the impoverished widow and her sons, a child for the barren woman, healing for the crippled man.  What an amazing reminder to us of the power and love of God!

I encourage you to remind yourself today that this is the very same God you and I serve and worship. This is the same God who has called us (yes, us!) and chosen us to put His Kingdom on display in this City.  

If there is need or scarcity in your life, if you are feeling crushed by hopes that never materialized or a situation that just isn’t showing any signs of improving – 

I pray that faith would arise in your heart this morning.  That you would fix your eyes on the One who knows exactly where you stand, exactly what you’re going through, and exactly what you need.  He has the supply – and He loves you perfectly.  So you can rest in Him, in the confidence that He will bring the answer at just the right time – and that He will sustain you while you wait on Him for it.

And as you wait, He will use you: in the middle of your brokenness, your thirst, your scarcity, your apparent barrenness and defeat  - as a portal between heaven and earth, to pour out His supply through your surrendered heart to meet the needs of the people around you whom He so passionately desires to know His love. 

Shake yourself from the dust, child of the King - He is shining in you. Let that light S H I N E.

*from June 22 One Year Bible reading, NLT

Leadership Devo May 15

Three Scriptures which you know well come to mind this morning:

1.) Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. When we fall into giving the best of our energies trying to take care of the 'everything else' part first - to take care of it ourselves, and seek God with what's left over, we will be running on empty. We may have gained the illusion of life, but we will have lost the true life that only comes from being exclusively and securely rooted in God. 

2.) Do not be anxious about anything, rather, in everything, by prayer and petition, make your requests known to God. When we take responsibility upon ourselves without surrendering control to God and acknowledging His sovereignty over our situation, we forfeit not only the peace that surpasses understanding, but also 'God's incredible power that works in those who believe in Him.'  This is really just a secondary application of Matthew 6:33. 

3.) I am involved in a great work. Why should I stop what I  doing to come and speak with you? (Nehemiah). I hope you're picking up the theme here. This is Matthew 6:33 again. The enemy wants to distract you from the work you're doing building God's house. He'll stir up opposition from among your own people and from among those who are your 'enemies'.  The minute we turn our gaze to the opposition we stop working on building. We put down not only our tools, but also our swords. So now our forward progress has stopped - and we're defenseless against the enemy. 

1 (seek first) is the principle. 

2 (take your requests to God) is the application for success in your interior life. 

3 (stay focused on the goal) is the application for success in the world of relationships and conflict in ministry. 

I pray that you'll take this to heart today, this week, this month - and establish it as part of your everyday walk with God