The Tree Church Daily

Luke 15:11-24 (ESV)

And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.

“But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.” And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.

Explanation:

This story is a parable that Jesus told His followers, and is often referred to as the Prodigal Son. The story describes one of two brothers who disrespected their father and asked for his inheritance before the father’s death. The younger son leaves and spends every cent his father gave him, and then returns expecting to work as a hired laborer. In a surprise turn, when the father sees the son coming down the road, he runs to welcome his son back with open arms and celebrates him being home again. This story shows immense mercy, unconditional love, and immeasurable grace from a father to a son.

The parable can also be known as the Merciful Father, which I think is so fitting. Yes, the story shows the foolish actions of the younger son and his reckless spending. Luke 15:25-32 discusses the jealousy of the older brother that had stayed by his father’s side and continued to help at the house. With all this going on, the wise father interacts with both sons showing grace/mercy toward the younger and compassion/correction with the older.

Jesus tells this story to give an example of how God never gives up on His people and is always directing them towards repentance. The parable gives us a glimpse of how God really thinks and feels about us. He is delighted when His children return and want to renew a relationship with Him. It is an amazing story and one that should give every believer hope. We have a Heavenly Father that loves us and never stops pursuing us. We can all be thankful that when we sin and ask for forgiveness, God will respond, “For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.”

Action Step:

1. Think about a time in your life when you felt like the prodigal. What would your response be to a forgiving parent?

2. What sins are you holding onto that you don’t think God will forgive? Take a moment right now to place them in the hands of Your loving Father, and accept His forgiveness.

3. Reread the passage of Luke 15: 11-32 in its entirety. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you the perspective of the merciful father, and the choice he made to love both of his sons.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father,

Thank You that You are my Merciful Father that never gives up on me. You are always pursuing me and there to forgive and redeem me. Help me bring my sin to You and know that You want to help me with it.

I love

John 11:25-27 (NLT)

Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this, Martha?”

“Yes, Lord,” she told him. “I have always believed you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who has come into the world from God.”

Explanation:

In this passage, we encounter Jesus prior to performing His last recorded miracle in the Gospel of John. Jesus’s friends, Mary and Martha, have just experienced the death of their brother, Lazarus. Martha’s faith is real and she knows that Jesus can do miracles, so we find her angry with Jesus for not coming to help sooner. Instead of getting defensive or offering words of sympathy for their loss, Jesus gently reminds Martha of something she already knows, allowing her heart knowledge to catch up with her head knowledge. He tells her instead that He is the Resurrection and the Life. Just like His own death to come in the future, the situation in reality is different than it appears. With Jesus, even death does not have the final word. Every believer will be resurrected to eternal life because of the sacrifice Jesus has been predestined to make. Jesus doesn’t just say He is going to be resurrected, but that He IS the Resurrection. For Lazarus, for us…forever.

Jesus then tells Martha that He is the Life. This statement has two meanings: He is the ONLY way to eternal life, but He is also the only answer to all of the unknowns in Martha’s life in the moment. We all have situations where our hearts need to catch up to our heads. We know Jesus can do all things. But we still experience things that rock our foundation, even if it is built on Jesus, just like Martha’s was. So, we can take our cue from her answer to Jesus’s straightforward question: “Do you believe this, Martha?”

When we look to the heartbreakingly beautiful work of Jesus on the cross, and the promises of His presence in this life and in heaven, we, too, must remind ourselves that this was God’s plan all along. He knew Jesus would do and be all of these things, which is exactly why we can trust Him. So this week, let us celebrate our amazing God and His perfect plan through His selfless Son by answering directly with a resounding, “Yes, we believe!”

Action Step:

1. Think about the seemingly hopeless situations in your life. Then write down the ways these verses remind you never to give up hope when you’ve put your faith in Jesus. Jesus’s delay to arrive on the scene here was purposeful. He didn’t lose track of time or forget about Lazarus and his family. It appears that He did nothing in those first days. But He asks for their belief BEFORE He did the miracle. Will you do the same in your own situations?

2. Sometime today, read the rest of this story (John 11:28-57). Jesus brings Lazarus back to life by His voice only. The same is true in Genesis 1:3 when God formed the world just by speaking. When God speaks, things happen!

3. Jesus was confident that His Father in heaven heard His request to raise Lazarus from the dead. We should be confident, too. So take time to offer your prayers up to God, knowing He hears and cares, and with Jesus, the situation is never as it appears. Praise God for this truth!

Prayer:

Father God, please help these words reach exactly those You want to hear them. So many times our intentions get in the way of Your good for us. Let us see the Resurrection with fresh eyes, and let the weight of it sit on our hearts in a new way. We are so grateful for all You have done and continue to do for us. Thank You for our many blessings this week and always. Amen.

Luke 24:36-49 (ESV)

As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!” But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate before them.

Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”

Explanation:

Imagine you were the disciples, talking amongst yourselves, and suddenly Jesus appears to you. What would you do? What would you say? There’s no doubt that you’d be shocked. You may even wonder if what you’re seeing is real. How could Jesus be here in front of us?!

Here’s a quick history lesson: In those days, people generally believed that the souls of the dead were able to roam the earth. There was a widespread cultural fear of ghosts. Now Jesus comes on scene, and the disciples are scared and confused. Jesus even shows them the holes in His hands and feet, and they were still in awe. I love how Jesus just shifts gears and basically says, “What’s for dinner?” I’m sure the disciples were still a bit numb with fear and doubt about what they were seeing, but I also think they had figured out that if there were such a thing as ghosts, they probably wouldn’t ask for food, so perhaps this was really Jesus.

As the confusion settled, Jesus reminds them of how He fulfilled Scripture through His death and resurrection. He implores them to have peace…the real, true peace that only comes from knowing Him. The peace we receive from knowing Jesus is a place of perfect calm in the storm. As Philippians 4:7 says, the peace of God “transcends all understanding.” That’s the kind of peace I want to have as the storms of this world rage around me. Even when I doubt, even when I fear, and even when the outlook is bleak, I’ve been given peace.

Action Step:

When you have a moment today, think about the last weather report you saw regarding a hurricane. Maybe you’ve had the unfortunate privilege of actually being in a hurricane yourself. Hurricanes are often extremely fierce, with pounding winds and rains that continue for hours. There’s a fascinating anomaly about these storms, however, and that’s in the storm’s “eye.” The eye of a hurricane is a place of perfect calm. Can you think of a time when the storms of life around you were raging, but you felt calm in the “eye” of the peace that Jesus brings?

Prayer:

God, I thank You for peace that only You can bring. Thank You for guiding my steps while the storms of life are raging around me. Help me to show others that my comfort in this life comes from You alone, and no matter what happens, I have hope for the future. Help me to find solace in Your word and strength in Your holy Name. We are so thankful for Jesus paying our debt and leaving us with the peace that passes all understanding. In Jesus’s Name. Amen.

John 20: 1-10 (NIV)

Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!”

So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen. Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.) Then the disciples went back to where they were staying.

Explanation:

In these verses, John relates the first moments when Jesus’ followers discovered that He had been resurrected. Earlier in the gospels, Matthew describes how the first sighting of the risen Christ was by Mary and Mary Magdalene in Matthew 28. In that culture and time, women were not highly regarded, and their testimony was meaningless in a court of law. However, God honors women! Psalm 34 states God is close to the broken hearted. When Jesus was on the cross, Mary stayed, cried, and called out to God. If we call out to God, He will answer us.

You would think the King of the Universe, about to ascend to His heavenly throne, would come in as a warrior on a stallion. He isn’t distant, though. He is good, and humble, and calls us by name. He blessed Mary by appearing to her first. Jesus is alive!

Mary went directly to Simon Peter after she saw the stone rolled away from the tomb. The disciples ran to the tomb because they had to check for themselves. None of them remembered the scripture about Him rising again, even though Jesus had told them on more than one occasion.

John and Peter observed the empty tomb. They noted napkins were not lying with the linens. They were wrapped, indicating they were rolled or folded neatly. They were not with the body, nor were they with the other clothing. Someone took the time to fold them. If Jesus’ body was stolen, who would take the time to remove clothing from His body, fold the napkins, and place them aside? God purposely showed these details. Jesus did not need the stone rolled away so He could get out: it was rolled away to make sure there were eyewitnesses. The entire basis of Christianity is the resurrection. Jesus is the only One in all of history who suffered and died for our sins, then was raised from the dead!

It is important to note that when Mary and some other women headed toward the tomb, it was dark, the stone was huge, and they were women. But nothing stopped them. They kept pushing forward toward Jesus. What is stopping you from running toward Jesus? What great stone is in your way?

Action Step:

1. What does the empty tomb represent to you personally? Take a moment now to ask God to touch any areas in your life that you need the resurrecting, life-giving power of God.

2. When you read the Bible, the Bible also reads you. It is the living word of God. It is self-authenticating because of the many prophecies that have been fulfilled. Make sure to spend dedicated time today in His Word!

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your transforming power. We put our trust in You because of that empty tomb and the promises that go with it. We know those promises are assured because of Jesus’ resurrection. He has risen from the grave, and He is alive! Amen.

For Further Study:

Read Mark 16:1-11 and Luke 24:1-12.

Galatians 6:7-9 (NLT)

Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.

Explanation:

Have you ever seen something that is decaying? It is not pretty! When my husband and I first got married, we were so excited for our first apartment. We went grocery shopping and one of the items on our list was potatoes. When we got home, we put our groceries away and put the potatoes in the cabinet. Two weeks later there was a horrible smell in our little kitchen. You guessed it: decaying potatoes. If we don’t pay attention to our produce, it will eventually decay and cause other produce around it to go bad, too.

Just like the potato started decaying when we forgot about it, the same can happen in our life. When we quit spending time with God, reading His Word, talking to Him, and allowing the Holy Spirit to work in us, our life will start to decay and affect everything around us. It becomes much easier to fall into the things of this world like jealousy, gossip, anger, lust, bitterness, and so much more when we are not pursuing God.

This scripture is telling us not to give up on doing the right thing when we are obeying God. He has called us to be different in this world and to follow Him. So, when sin arises, we can go to Him and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit into truth. When we put the work in by following His Word, others will see what it looks like to be in relationship with God and receive His blessings in our lives.

Application:

1. Have you spent time with God this week in prayer and worshiping Him? If not, what is stopping you?

2. What areas in your life are struggling because you haven’t asked God into them?

3. Take 15 minutes with God right now and give Him the areas you are struggling with. Ask His Holy Spirit to guide you today.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father,

I am so thankful that I get be in relationship with the REAL God, and that You want to be in relationship with me. Help me when I start to feel overwhelmed by this world or fall into sin to realize that I have taken You out of those areas, and I need strength to fix them. This week help me to spend time with You and see all the good You have done in my life.

In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Romans 8:5-13 (NLT)

Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God.

But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.) And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God. The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.

Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live.

Explanation:

As humans beings, we are born striving. Most of us are raised in a culture of “more.” We strive for more money because it provides us with cars and homes and games and toys. We strive to have fun. We live in an era where it’s all about doing what is comfortable. We focus on the pursuit of self-satisfaction, often at the cost of others. Our culture is to constantly seek to feel fulfilled by living for “the now” and embracing “you do you” attitudes. We are told to make every moment count by taking advantage of every opportunity to climb the ladder in our work and social circles, focusing only on what’s right in front of us. But it’s wrong.

When we consider today’s passage, we see a very different point of view. God doesn’t tell us that it’s wrong to have money or a successful career or to have fun. What He is telling us is that those things should not be our primary concern. Our focus is to be on loving God and loving people, speaking truth, helping others, and giving glory to God in all situations.

What happens when we set our mind on the Spirit? We look at the events of life through a different lens. We see God’s point of view and not the world’s. Our values change from that which is cultural to that which is heavenly. You no longer seek to “be you,” but rather you seek to be like Jesus. You shift your perspective from a lifestyle that leads to death to a lifestyle that leads to eternal life.

I recently had the opportunity to put this Scripture into action at a very personal level. I had been anticipating that I would be receiving a promotion at the beginning of this month, as several of the leaders had positioned me to believe it was coming. Ultimately, I was overlooked and told that it would be re-considered in the fall. My initial reaction was hurt, anger, and frustration. I wanted to be able to get “more,” just like the world tells me to do.

God must have something else in mind for me right now, but the human part of me is still hurt. God didn’t say that the journey would be easy; He said that the reward would come at the end. God has richly blessed me already, and if I focus on Him, this job stuff is all secondary. Culture still is tugging at me to be angry, but I’m letting God have that battle. I am called to continue to love God and love people until the very end, setting my mind on Him at all times.

Application:

1. As you have some quiet time today, ask God if there is anything that is distracting you from setting your mind on God.

2. Can you think of a time that you’ve been caught up in the world’s view of “just doing you” and striving to meet what culture wants us t

John 16: 7–15 (ESV)

Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.

“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

Explanation:

Driving on the road when it is foggy can be a tricky task. The lack of visibility can make it challenging to gauge conditions on the road, and there is always the potential that you could misjudge all sorts of things when driving under foggy conditions. One of my vehicles is equipped with fog lights, which assist with making the road a bit more visible. I make sure to use this feature every time fog is present.

From my experience, when I choose to live my life without the guidance of the Holy Spirit, I find that my view can get a bit muddled, just like when I drive on a foggy day. Often things like my perspective on God and others, the way I view sin and its impact on my life, and the gravity of my insecurities are all engulfed in a fog that limits my ability to see them as the Holy Spirit would want me to.

Just as I must engage the fog lights on my car, I must engage with the Holy Spirit for all these things to be properly seen. These are just a few examples of how the truth of the Spirit works in and through our lives. Our own flesh, satan, and other factors can fog up our minds and hearts. The Holy Spirit, our Helper, wants to point us to truth. To point us back to what Jesus spoke of. To convict us of the death that sin can bring to our lives. To show us what new life we are offered in His daily mercies. To teach us the true ways of God that are outside of our own ability. To give us perspective on the temporal life we live: that our hope is not in what this world offers, but in the eternal life we will one day share with God. To give us a heart of worship for a God who is worthy of our praise.

Friends, if you are experiencing what seems like fog in the midst of life, don’t waste another second remaining in that place. Invite the Holy Spirit into your heart and mind. He delights in being your Helper. Let Him do just that.

Application:

1. What might “fogginess” look like in your life?

2. What things feel a bit foggy to you right now?

3. Why must we seek the Spirit of truth and not our own truths?

4. Why does the Holy Spirit want to be YOUR Helper?

Prayer:

Holy Spirit, I DESPERATELY need You. Help me see my desperation right now in this moment. I do not want to waste another second living without Your help. Life can get pretty foggy at times, and I know that You have given me Your Spirit to guide me into all truth. Speak to me today, Holy Spirit. Teach me the ways of God, and lead me in the way that is everlasting. I love You, Holy Spirit. Amen.

John 14:25-26 (NLT)

I am telling you these things now while I am still with you. But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.

John 15:26-27 (NLT)

“But I will send you the Advocate—the Spirit of truth. He will come to you from the Father and will testify all about me. And you must also testify about me because you have been with me from the beginning of my ministry.

Explanation:

When my boys were growing up, I watched a movie with them called “The Bear.” It chronicles an orphaned baby bear that was essentially adopted by a male Kodiak bear. In one powerful scene, a predator starts approaching the baby bear. The baby is terrified, but instinctively mimics what he’s seen other bears do in similar situations. He stands up on his little hind legs and growls his biggest growl! To his astonishment, the growl is so loud and fierce the ground shakes and the predator runs away terrified. He even shocks himself. What baby bear never found out is that his adopted dad was right behind him, and at the precise time the baby stood and growled, so did dad.

His dad gave him power and authority in a situation that was way over his ability to conquer.

Baby bear saunters on with a newfound confidence because his dad had advocated for him.

Advocacy is any action that speaks in favor of, argues for, supports, defends, or pleads on behalf of others. If someone defends you, it feels so good.

ADVOCACY:

✔️Someone is weak and is in need.

✔️Someone is strong and will help.

In the spiritual realm, satan is our predator and the Holy Spirit is our defender.

In our reading today, Jesus was referencing the New Testament (that had not been written yet) as He talked to the disciples about what the Holy Spirit was going to do for them: He shall bring all things to your remembrance, and He shall teach you all things.

The Holy Spirit not only interpreted to the disciples the things that Jesus had said (which at the time were very much over their heads), but He revealed to them new aspects of truth, much of which was found only in germ form in Jesus’ teachings.

THAT is a lot of advocating by leading us into all truth… past, present, and future. He reminds us of what we’ve learned and forgotten AND He continues to teach us new life skills… always walking right behind us to empower us.

It is clear the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit know how to tag team. The Father made plans for our redemption, Jesus paid the price for it, and the Holy Spirit will advocate for us in every situation for the rest of our lives.

Is that not the most encouraging reality? Such security!

Application:

1. The Holy Spirit will teach you all things, and will remind you of all things.

Will you listen?

Will you live in His power?

Prayer:

Holy Spirit, I have been set up for success beyond measure by Your involvement in my life. May I not squander the power You provide.

I love You. Amen.

Luke 4:14-21 (ESV)

And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and a report about him went out through all the surrounding country. And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all.

And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read. And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written,

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,

because he has anointed me

to proclaim good news to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives

and recovering of sight to the blind,

to set at liberty those who are oppressed,

to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”

Explanation:

This passage marks the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry. Having just completed a 40 day fast that would have sent the rest of us packing, Jesus immediately declares the reason He came to earth in the flesh. He didn’t take a vacation to get recharged or to catch up on worldly demands—He was on a mission from God, and that was His priority. We let a million things get in the way of sharing our faith, while Jesus set aside every distraction to show us the way to eternal life.

“…To proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Quoting the first sentence of Isaiah 61:2, Jesus is saying that salvation is available to all who believe in Him. Salvation was His mission on His first coming. But He stopped short of quoting the second sentence of that verse which says, “and the day of vengeance of our God,” because judgment will be His mission on His second coming.

Do you see why Jesus wasted no time proclaiming the Good News of salvation? In between the first and second sentences of Isaiah 61:2 is this thing we call today, and no one knows how many todays anyone has, nor do we know when Christ’s second coming will end all todays. That’s why the Bible says today is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2). If I love my neighbor as I love myself, how could I not share the gospel with the same urgency Jesus modeled for this world?

Application:

1. Name two people in your life who need to know how much Jesus loves them.

2. Tell them about His love today.

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for making the way for me to have eternal life. Reveal to me those who need Your salvation, and give me the right words to tell them about Your love. Amen.

Daniel 7:13-14 (NLT)

“In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory, and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.

Explanation:

In this vision that Daniel has, God is promising that His kingdom will never be destroyed, no matter how insignificant the church can seem in our culture today. Jesus was given the authority, glory, and sovereign power, and He deserves our worship. What a promise: that our God’s kingdom, reign, and power will NEVER pass away! It is eternal, and it can be trusted always, no matter our circumstances. I don’t know about you guys, but that gets me fired up!

God is more powerful than anything we face. I must remind myself of this truth daily, that God is more powerful than anything I face. He is more powerful than my fear, my anxiety, my heartache, my insecurity, my (you fill in the blank). He is greater than all of it, and wants to walk alongside you. All we must do for the Holy Spirit’s help is to seek Him and ask for it. In Matthew 7:7-11 it is written, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!”

I have been trying in my own life to spend more time seeking God. God has been challenging me to make more time for Him. More time for Him to speak to me, more time for Him to give me the opportunity to prophesy into others’ lives, more time to be filled up with the Spirit so that I can fill others up. It is challenging to say no to some things to make more time for God, but when we trust Jesus and we are obedient, He always blesses obedience.

Application:

1. Is it difficult sometimes to think that God is more powerful than anything you face? If so, why do you think that is?

2. Write down some things you are facing that feel overwhelming. Spend some time today praying and asking God to remind you of His power over those circumstances. Then go ahead and rip those papers up to symbolize the power of God over each of those things!

3. I challenge you to join me in being intentional this week to carve out time to seek God. This can be spending time in prayer, sitting in His presence asking Him to speak to you, finding time to worship, or dedicating time to reading His Word.

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for wanting to be in a relationship with us. Thank You for loving us the way You do. Remind us today of Your love and Your power. I pray that we would feel Your love in a real way today, and that You would help us make time to seek You this week. We give You all the glory. Amen.