Peer Pressure

You must not do as they do in Egypt, where you used to live, and you must not do as they do in the land of Canaan, where I am bringing you. Do not follow their practices. Leviticus 18:3

In short: don’t succumb to the pressures of the culture around us.  Egypt was a corrupt nation full of idols, slavery, and oppression.  Canaan, too, worshiped idols and its land was desecrated by the bloodshed of their own sons and daughters whom were sacrificed to their gods.

God has called me out of the cultural norm and into truth.  I will not follow the practices of the culture, but God alone.

Lord, I pray I would not lean to what looks or feels good but would always look to You in all that I do.  Only You hold the truth; only You are the truth.  In Jesus’ holy name I pray, Lord guide me.  Amen.

Nourishing the Spirit

Every man shall take for himself a lamb… Your lamb shall be without blemish… eat the flesh on that night; roasted in fire, with unleavened bread and with bitter herbs they shall eat it… And thus you shall eat it: with a belt on your waist, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand. So you shall eat it in haste. It is the LORD’s Passover. Exodus 12:1-28 (I concentrated on v. 1-11)

The institution of the passover began here when Moses and Aaron was instructed to roast a lamb with unleavened bread and herbs while wearing a belt around the waste, sandals on their feet and holding a staff in their hands – and to eat in haste so as to . This is symbolic for the necessity of our haste departure from sin and bondage after the acceptance and embracing of Jesus as our Lord and Savior.

This brings me back to my last devotion “The Carnal Nature”: I am to eat the Word of God, allowing it to nourish my soul, mind, and body

with its nutrients.  Scripture reveals that the Word is Jesus and Jesus is the lamb.

Father, it is clear I need to get into the scriptures and eat all that You lay before me.  It is what brings wisdom, knowledge, and health.  Lead me and speak to me as I embark on this journey I’ve neglected so!  In Jesus’ holy name I pray.  Amen!

Faith

Bible Reading Plan

Job 28,29; Gal. 1,

S – Oh, that I were as in months past, As in the days when God watched over me… Job 29:2

O – Job felt that God no longer watched over him, but we know that this was not the case.  God watched over him every moment and only allowed Satan the freedom with which Job could handle.

A – No matter what is occurring around me, I must remember that God IS watching over me and that He is allowing Satan the freedom with which I can handle… because all that comes against me is a testament to MY faith in God!

P – Lord, I trust in Your perfect will.  Never leave my side.  I know I am never alone in this life and even when I cannot feel you there I will remind myself that you will not forsake me.  You are not a man that you should lie!  You are a promise keeper and I know you love me.  Thank You!!  I pray that I would remember this when it is most necessary to remember.  That I will remind others around me as well.  In Jesus name.  Amen.

Not What I Will, But What You Will

Bible Reading Plan

Job 26,27; Mark 15,16

S – Now at the feast [Pilate] was accustomed to releasing one prisoner to them, whomever they requested. And there was one named Barabbas, who was chained with his fellow rebels; they had committed murder in the rebellion. Then the multitude, crying aloud, began to ask him to do just as he had always done for them. But Pilate answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” For he knew that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy.  But the chief priests stirred up the crowd, so that he should rather release Barabbas to them.  Pilate answered and said to them again, “What then do you want me to do with Him whom you call the King of the Jews?” So they cried out again, “Crucify Him!”  Then Pilate said to them, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they cried out all the more, “Crucify Him!”  So Pilate, wanting to gratify the crowd, released Barabbas to them; and he delivered Jesus, after he had scourged Him, to be crucified. Mark 15:6-15

O – The chief priests stirred the crowd against Christ because of their envy and contempt for Him.  In their passion and the commotion of it all they declared the murderer be released while Jesus be crucified.

A – Going along with the crowd is never a good idea.  Such a thing occurring in the Bible causes me to wonder today what “chief priests” are in our midst that are striving to lift up a murderer because of their contempt for the contender.

P – Lord, I pray over our country during this time of election.  We have a Barrabas in our midst!  Obama condones the brutal murder of the defenseless unborn in the name of women’s rights – even more, He has said that a child conceived at an inconvenient moment in one’s life would be as punishment, Lord.  But we know that Your precious babes are BLESSINGS.  No matter the sin we’ve committed, you bless us DESPITE that!  Lord, I pray that Your Will would be done!  This may mean that the murderer is released and lifted up high just as Barrabas was.  But I ask that You would be with all of us during such an intimidating time of our country and as Jesus prayed, I do too: Abba, Father, all things are possible for You.  Take this cup away from [us]; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will. In Christ’s holy name, I pray!  Amen.

Watch and Pray!

Bible Reading Plan

Job 25; Mark 13,14

S -  Then He came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “Simon, are you sleeping? Could you not watch one hour? 38 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”  Again He went away and prayed, and spoke the same words.  And when He returned, He found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy; and they did not know what to answer Him.   Then He came the third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? It is enough! The hour has come; behold, the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand.” Mark 14:37-42

O – Complacency should not be an option, for we do not know when the time is come.

A – Can I not watch even for one hour?  I must not put it off any longer!

P – Lord, I pray for deliverance!  Help me in my procrastination!  I don’t want to miss the opportunity to be an instrument in the work You have laid before me.  In the name of the Holy One.  Amen.

Remove Mountains

Bible Reading Plan

Job 23,24; Mark 11,12

S – So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God.  For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.  Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. Mark 11:22-24

O – If we have faith in God, He will provide a way for us to remove all the literal and metaphorical mountains from our lives.  This is His promise.

A – No matter the struggles I have in my calling, I can trust that God can and will remove the hindrances from my life.  I must only push forward and have faith.

P – Father, I once again come to You with the declaration of “I believe”.  I’ve come to you before claiming Your promises against my former depression and I come to You again trusting and knowing the power You have over the enemy.  I claim Your promises, just the same, now with my mountain.  Help me to push past it and get one step closer to becoming the woman of God, You have made me to be.  Thank You for being here by my side… without You and the blessings You’ve given me, I don’t know what path I’d be on!  In the all-powerful name of Jesus.  Amen.