Week of April 22, 2019
Photo by Joshua Earle
MONDAY
The Lord Fights for You
Exodus 14:10–11, 13
As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the Lord. They said to Moses, “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt?”...
Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
You are not alone in whatever fear you’re dealing with today. God loves you, and He’s with you, and you can constantly turn to Him for strength.
In Exodus 14, the people had just come out of years and years of slavery. Finally—at last—they were free, and they were terrified they would be made slaves again. But Moses looked at them and basically said, “Don’t be afraid. Do you see this problem? You will never see it again.”
When God removes what used to enslave you—disease, poverty, a toxic relationship, harmful vices—don’t look back or be afraid. Remain calm and declare the truth: “The Lord is fighting for me, and I can trust Him.”
Whatever you’re wrestling with today in your dating or marriage relationship, keep moving forward—because the Lord is with you.
Pray this way: Father God, today I renounce my fears and turn to You instead. I choose to walk forward in faith, believing You are with me and will protect me. In the name of Jesus, amen.
May your Monday be blessed!
TUESDAY
Ask God for Wise Counselors
Proverbs 24:5–6
The wise prevail through great power,
and those who have knowledge muster their strength.
Surely you need guidance to wage war,
and victory is won through many advisers.
Life is filled with battles that need to be won: dreams to achieve, a business to succeed in, a career to build, marriage problems to overcome.
But with each of these things, you don’t have to start over, working from the ground up. You can look for those who have gone before you and learn from their wisdom. Always seek the timely advice of those who already know the way.
Read and study the Word of God, which will fill you with wisdom and the faith to keep going. It will deepen and strengthen the best thing any of us have: relationship with God.
As the old Proverb says, wisdom is more important than strength and victory will come through many counselors.
Pray this way: Father God, I need Your wisdom if I want to have victory in every area of my life. Please give me wise counselors, and help me hear Your voice in every situation. I ask You for these things in the name of Jesus, amen.
May your Tuesday be blessed!
WEDNESDAY
Trusting God with Your Marriage
Psalm 91:9–12
If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”
and you make the Most High your dwelling,
no harm will overtake you,
no disaster will come near your tent.
For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;
they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
God is bigger than we could possibly imagine.
We have no idea how much He takes care of us. We don’t see all the ways He protects us and our families. If we take refuge in Him, He is the wall that surrounds us, the high tower that keeps us from harm.
We can trust Him with all the things that are important to us: marriage, family, children, influence.
Today make God your refuge and shelter—especially in that area that’s been causing you to be afraid. Choose to trust Him, and expect Him to move on your behalf.
Pray this way: Father God, thank You for Your care and protection. Please open my eyes so I can see You more and more, and send Your angels so my feet do not stumble. In the name of Jesus, amen.
May your Wednesday be blessed!
THURSDAY
The Peace Your Heart Needs
Philippians 4:6–7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Even though the apostle Paul was a prisoner, he lived in complete peace. So he had the authority to give a recipe for peace that was as simple as it was effective:
Don’t worry about anything.
Give thanks to God for everything.
Put every problem in His hands.
If something is bothering you and stealing your peace—an illness, scarcity of resources, night disturbances, a family problem, a marriage problem, a dating problem—pray for these needs and leave these burdens in the Lord’s hands. Give thanks for what you have and for what God is bringing into your life. In this way, the peace you need will fill your mind and heart.
Pray this way: Lord, thank You for each day of my life, for all You have given me, and for the opportunities I have to help others. I leave all the problems I’m facing right now in Your hands, and I receive Your peace. In the name of Jesus, amen.
May your Thursday be blessed!
FRIDAY
God of Miracles
John 11:38–40
Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. “Take away the stone,” he said…
Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”
Two “attitudes” are very important if we want to see God do amazing things in our lives:
1. We need to believe God can transform all life and every situation, however complex it may be. “Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?”
2. We need to step out and do what we’ve never done, so we can see what we’ve never seen. “Take away the stone.”
God is the God of miracles. He wants to move on your behalf and the behalf of your spouse or dating partner. Believe what He’s told you, take a clear step of faith, and watch for His work in your life.
Pray this way: Lord, I place all my trust in You, and I know You are strong and can completely change my life. So today I choose to roll away the stones and step out in faith. In the name of Jesus, amen.
May your Friday be blessed!
SATURDAY
We Can Trust God with Our Requests
Matthew 7:7–11
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!
This powerful promise of Jesus encourages us to never give up. Convinced that God is good, we keep asking, keep searching, keep calling.
Even though we’re imperfect and make mistakes, we love our kids enough to give them what they need. In the same way, we can take our requests to our heavenly Father who loves us, and then we get to rest in His arms.
Pray this way: Father God, thank You for opening new doors of opportunity for me. Thank You that Your promises are yes and amen (2 Cor. 1:20), and I can trust You completely with the deepest desires of my heart. In the name of Jesus, amen.
May your Saturday be blessed!
SUNDAY
Build Your Foundation on the Rock
Luke 6:46–49
Why do you call me, “Lord, Lord,” and do not do what I say? As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.
We need the voice of God in our lives. He is the bread that keeps us alive. His daily counsel strengthens us and leads us along the right path. His guidance builds our foundation on stone—something steady and firm, not the sand that can easily give way. If we put His words into practice, we will keep standing even when difficult times come.
The culture of men—what the world is used to—is contrary to that of Heaven, so it won’t always be easy to do what God says. But in every situation, His words are life for us.
Pray this way: Lord, thank You for Your voice in my life. Anytime I’ve listened to other voices, I haven’t done well. But today, I choose to listen and obey You, discarding every other thing. In the name of Jesus, amen.
May your Sunday be blessed!