Friday, November 11, 2022

Friday, November 11, 2022
2 Timothy 2:3-4
Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him.

In his letter to Timothy, the apostle Paul compares living for Christ to being a soldier. It requires focus and endurance: focus on what God wants, not what you want, and endurance to carry out His will even when it’s hard. God has given you a mission and armed you with the proper talents and abilities you’ll need to carry it out. Dedicate yourself to Christ and to the plan He has for your life and keep strong when distractions and difficulties arise. Remember who it is you serve and aim to please Him first and foremost. And today, remember those who have served in our nation’s military to protect our rights, our freedom, and our home.

Thursday, November 10, 2022

Thursday, November 10, 2022
Romans 14:8
For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s.

Nothing can separate anyone from God’s love, least of all death. In fact, in death we are closer to His loving embrace than ever. Death isn’t something most people face on a regular basis, but for the early church that Paul was writing to in the book of Romans, death was a very real threat. Christians were being hunted, captured, eaten by lions and burned alive. But Christ has conquered death forever, and Paul recognized that whether they lived or died, they had already won. They belonged to the Lord, and had eternal life through Jesus… and so do you, if you believe in Him. Oh death, where is your sting?

Wednesday, November 9, 2022

Wednesday, November 9, 2022
2 Samuel 22:2-3
He said, “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge, my savior; you save me from violence.”

David sang these words to the Lord when he was rescued, one of many times, from the hands of King Saul. Though Saul was bent on killing David, God wouldn’t let it happen. In the same way that the Lord protected David from his enemies, He can certainly protect you. His eyes are always on you, and He never misses a single prayer. God is your shield, your rock, fortress, and deliverer. Believe and trust in Him, and He can deliver you from anything.

Tuesday, November 8, 2022

Tuesday, November 8, 2022
Ephesians 6:11-12
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

Jesus said that the world would hate His followers because we are not of this world. We could treat those who despise Jesus as enemies of our faith, but Christ’s battle wasn’t against people, and neither is yours. If anything, your mission should be to rescue the people who hate you, treating them with the love that Jesus had for you while you were still a sinner. In the end, your true enemies are sin and Satan, not the world he corrupted through deceit. Put on the full armor of God, which is truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, and the Holy Spirit. Resist sin, resist the devil, and fight for those who are lost.

Monday, November 7, 2022

Monday, November 7, 2022
Proverbs 21:31
The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord.

Everything belongs to God, including you and your victories. We should never become so confident in ourselves that we forget to give credit to God, who puts breath in our lungs. You can do all things through Christ, but without Christ you can do nothing. Every day He will equip you for the things He wants you to do, but it’s on you to obey God and be a part of His story. Sit down, pray, and earnestly consider where the Lord is calling you. When we pursue earthly things, we win earthly prizes, but in fighting battles for God, you will find victory.

Friday, November 4, 2022

Friday, November 4, 2022
Philippians 4:7
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

The peace that can be found in a believer doesn’t make sense to the rest of the world. It doesn’t make sense because its source is beyond our understanding. Giving the Lord the keys to your life with all your desires, goals and passions can be scary. But God is infinitely more capable than you are, and there’s a supernatural peace in knowing that your life is in His hands. Our hearts and minds are always under attack by the grief, anger, sadness, and bitterness we see on a daily basis… but if you’ve surrendered your life and all its cares to Christ, He will guard you with a peace that passes all understanding.