Word from god for the day

Today’s Verse

“During those many days the king of Egypt died, and the people of Israel groaned because of their slavery and cried out for help. Their cry for rescue from slavery came up to God. ²⁴ And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. ²⁵ God saw the people of Israel—and God knew.” (Exodus 2:23-25)

“Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.” ¹¹ But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” ¹² He said, “But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.”” (Exodus 3:10-12)

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Today’s Message

Do you struggle with what you know God has called you to do with your life? Maybe you relate to Moses, who couldn’t comprehend why God wanted to use him. Like Moses, God wants to inhabit the lives of imperfect believers like you and I. He does not need you to be the best writer, speaker, or performer. He does not need you to be the best at your job. God’s purposes for the earth reach far beyond our own lives. He desires that you take the hand He’s extended out to you, saying “yes” to the journey ahead. Consider today’s verses above. The people of Israel were groaning in their bondage. And God, in His goodness, did not forget the covenant He made with Abraham. Moses was the answer to a portion of the promise. God needed Him! He chose Him to complete the task of freeing the people of Egypt. You too, are needed in this generation. I want to encourage you: go where He is calling! You will not be alone, He will be with you. There is purpose in your destination.

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The keys to the kingdom of God, to which Jesus referred in Matthew 16:19, allow us to bind the devil and lose (destroy and break up) his efforts against people. What are some of the keys and how are we to use them?

The first key to the kingdom is prayer. Notice that 1 Timothy 2:1-4 says that prayer should be a first of all thing; in other words, prayer should be prioritized above everything else!

Paul told the young pastor that supplications (requests), and prayers were to be made with energy, emotion, and a sense of caring. Intercessions (standing in the gap for someone who can’t stand in the gap for themselves) and giving of thanks were to be made for all men. Did you notice those last three words? We’re to pray for everyone because everyone, unless they have used the key to enter the door to the kingdom of God, is enslaved. They cannot get free from the grip of the devil unless a greater power is exerted on their behalf. Prayer is that greater power that destroys the chains that bind people in servitude to the devil.

Sinners have no chance unless you pray. They don’t know how to get out of the devil’s grip, but your prayers can make the difference. I know the reason I’m saved today is because someone prayed for me. Pray for all men that they will be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth!

We read here in Genesis chapter eleven that the people who settled in Shinar wanted to make a name for themselves. The word name is shem in the Hebrew. Shem means honor and authority. In other words, they said, “Let us make our own honor. Let us make our own authority.”  They didn’t want to go forth and be fruitful upon the earth. They wanted to stay right where they were.

They said, “lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.” God said, “I want you to be scattered,” and they said, “No, we don’t want to be.” They said, “We want to sit right here, and we are going to build the monument to ourselves. We are going to build something that is grand and glorious, and we are going to do what we want to do and forget what God told Noah.”  This all happened just a few generations after Noah. They all knew what the Lord told Noah. They had heard about the ark. They were well aware of the flood, yet they still decided, “We are going to do what we want to do.” Their plans and path of disobedience soon came to an end when God scattered them. Disobedience has repercussions. Individuals may get away with living in opposition to God’s plans for a while, but you can’t disregard God’s directives forever. Obedience is blessed, but disobedience has serious consequences.

Prayer for Today

Father, I repent for trying to do things my way and for not following Your plans and directives. Thank You for the blood of Jesus that allows me to start over and obey today, in Jesus’ name.

Your life experience contains many moving parts, and those parts are coming into alignment to allow new possibilities.  The doors will open to present opportunities to accomplish what has been beyond your scope of imagination.  These are things that you cannot foresee or predict, but you can prepare and position yourself spiritually by faith to progress when the time is right, says the Lord. 

Mark 1:3b Prepare the way of the Lord; make His paths straight.

As we celebrate Advent and the mystery of Christ coming to earth, we see a shadow—the shadow of the cross—amid the joy and light of the season. We recognize that Jesus’ birth was part of God’s plan that would ultimately lead to His death. And Jeremiah’s prophecy several hundred years before (Jeremiah 31:31-34) pointed to a new covenant that God would establish through Christ.

During days of destruction for Judah, Jeremiah prophesied a time when God would “make a new covenant with [His] people” (Jeremiah 31:31) and—ultimately—all those who would one day believe in Jesus. This new covenant would resolve the problem of human sinfulness by not only “[forgiving] their wickedness” and forgetting their sin (Jeremiah 31:34), but actually placing God’s “instructions deep within them” and writing “them on their hearts” (Jeremiah 31:33).

As the writer of Hebrews declares, this is possible because Jesus was “given a ministry that is far superior to the old priesthood” (Hebrews 8:6). Although the priesthood graciously revealed God to His people, through the coming of Jesus we’re transformed by the Holy Spirit indwelling us and working within us when we receive Christ as Savior (Romans 7:6).

Because of the new covenant, we can experience joy in the midst of pain and sorrow—for Jesus by His Spirit is within us and our future with Him is secure!

Our sin, or the sins of others against us, can result in bitter conflict. But instead of allowing it to dissolve into silence or explode into violence, we’re called to prayerfully bring our grievance to God (James 4:2,8) and humbly deal with the issue (James 4:6-7,9).

Avoiding conflict can be easy. But it’s also harmful. Addressing conflict can be difficult. But it can result in healing and joy.

In humility, by God’s power, let’s address the mess. 

Did you notice the phrase, prince of the power of the air in Ephesians 2:1-6? The word prince means chief; power means authority. The word worketh is energeo in Greek. It means something that is active and efficient. In other words, there was an energy that worked in each one of us before we received Jesus; it drove us into sin. The chief authority and driver of that sinful energy, who functions in the atmosphere around the earth, is Satan.

 When the Bible uses the word heaven, you have to ask yourself, “Which heaven?”  The first heaven is the one Paul referred to in Ephesians 2:1-6 when he used the word air; it is the atmosphere around the earth. The second heaven is what we call outer space. Satan operates within these first two heavens.

Practical Application

Satan and his demons work within the atmospheres around the earth, but his greatest effort is against your mind! He knows if he can get you into doubt and fear, he can have access to every area of your life! Cast down imaginations and every high thing that doesn’t agree with God’s Word! (2 Corinthians 10:5)

The necessity of leadership and growth

Jesus came to be “God With Us.” He responded to our hopeless situation not by shouting truth at us, but by coming to be With Us. And when we connect with someone who is hurting we too must be with them instead of preaching at them.

Several of you responded to my article about “God With Us” last week.

But being With Us was just the beginning for Jesus. And it should be just the beginning for us.

The people who encountered Jesus could not help but be impacted by Him. His very presence called them to a different kind of life. And when they stopped long enough to hear His words their hearts burned within them. (See Luke 24:32)

Yes, the outcasts, the sick, the poor, those nobody else wanted were drawn to Jesus. He healed them, touched them, loved them, gave them hope. But being with them didn’t mean Jesus became like them and stayed with them in their misery. He called them to something more.

And He had something for those who were not so sick or broken. They too felt the call to something more, something perhaps harder and more dangerous than they ever imagined they could be a part of, something exhilarating and profound and alive.

Once Jesus is with us, He leads us out. He doesn’t simply soothe us in our brokenness, assuring us everything will be OK. Far from it! Instead, He goes before us leading the way to the greater thing He has called us to. (See John 10:4)

First He is With Us. Then He leads us out.
The order is important. We will not, cannot, follow Him until He is With Us.

But once He is With Us, we are called to follow Him. We cannot, dare not, stay the same. He calls us to a life of transformation, character growth, maturity, meaning, purpose, and service.

Both aspects are critical. Being With Us. And leading us out.

And as we seek to help others, the same two factors apply.

How We can Help Others
Too often Christians have focused on one of these factors to the detriment of the other.

Being with someone in need deteriorates into sappy sympathy if it stops there. And trying to lead others to a better life becomes harsh, ineffective, and preachy if it doesn’t begin by being with them.

I mentioned some examples of being with those in need last week. Being with hurting people is messy, hard, time-consuming, inconvenient, and doesn’t always turn out like we hoped. Without this step, however, we can’t be of any help.

And then we must be just as committed to helping to lead them out of their misery to a better life, the kind of life that Jesus wants for them.

Here’s what that can look like:
For the man or woman whose spouse has just left, it may mean walking with them as they learn painful lessons and struggle to develop a new identity as a single person.
For the parent whose child is broken and estranged, it may mean helping them learn to forgive and to parent wisely from afar while awaiting healing of the relationship.
For the one struggling with sexual identity, it may mean walking with them as they heal from rejection and struggle with the difficult journey of developing a new godly identity.
For the one fighting a battle with serious illness, it may mean practical and encouraging help over the long haul while helping them maximize a healthy lifestyle wherever possible.
For the parent or spouse or child whose loved one has died, it may mean gently but persistently staying involved through the grief process and helping them find the next purpose God has for them.
None of this is easy. In reality, it’s all incorporated in the “God With Us” idea. Being with us is not just comfort for a moment; it’s a commitment to stay with as He leads us out to a new life.

Sadly, some people aren’t interested in being led, in changing, in grasping a hold of the transformation God wants for them. They would prefer to stay in their misery.

For us, this means staying with someone long enough to help them reach the next part of what God has for them. It means stopping long enough to be with them, then taking them by the hand and saying, “Walk with me. We’re going to move forward together.”

When you do that, you’re being like Jesus. Some won’t respond, and prefer to remain miserable. But some will follow you as you follow Christ. There’s nothing more fulfilling than that!

Doesn’t that sound just the opposite of being preached at?

God is inviting us to stay awake, keep watch and pray for His glory to cover the earth as the waters cover the seas. It is the glory that will awaken the hearts of the people, bring many to know the Lord, and bring people into a place of real encounter with God. We are called to be «catalysts» of the glory of His presence. That means we are not waiting for an event to happen, but we are carriers of His glory.

I was offended by someone recently. I knew what I should do but I had no power to do it. I know all the scriptures on forgiveness and blessing our enemies and that even made it worse. While driving in my car yesterday the Lord spoke, «Charlotte, If you will bless your enemy, I will bless you.» Suddenly, those words took my focus off of that person who hurt me back to the Lord and an overwhelming desire to be blessed myself…. Oh how I wanted and needed God to bless me.

In James 1:13-18, James addresses this matter of God and a case of mistaken identity. In verses 13-15, James argues that God is a holy God that never sends temptation or sin into our lives. Then in verses 16-18, James argues that God is a good God that only sends good and perfect gifts. In clear, graphic, and powerful and powerful terms, James makes the point here that God is good all the time. In fact, the English title, “God,” is derived from the German word for “good.” God’s nature and character and ways are all good. WILLIAM TYNDALE said it well: “God’s goodness is the root of all goodness; and our goodness, if we have any, springs out of his goodness.” God is good all the time. 

James 1:16-18 defends, declares, and demonstrates the goodness of God. 

The Lord is always looking for opportunities to bring those who are desperate and hungry into a life-changing encounter with Him. When we look at a few stories in the Scriptures we can see the heartbeat of God as Jesus brings people transforming encounters that shift the direction of their lives.

Let’s look at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry to see how He goes about finding His disciples. Here are two men, Simon and Andrew, who are going about their daily activities as fishermen. They are just going through the routines of life, with the struggles and monotony of their occupation. When Jesus comes on the scene, what is it about Him that calls to the heart with such authority that these men are ready to leave it all to follow Him?

And as He walked by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. Then Jesus said to them, «Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.» They immediately left their nets and followed Him. (Mark 1:16-18)

Jesus sees deeper into the hearts of Simon and Andrew, speaking into the call upon their lives saying, «I will make you a fishers of men.» In other words, He took what they did in the natural to see the parallel of what they were called to do in the Kingdom of God.

When you are in the midst of a battle , the enemy wants you to think that God no longer loves you , not concerned nor will he answer the problem that you are faced with.  I am so reminded today that no matter how dark the hour appears,  that the sovereign God reigns forever and that he is right there with you to take you through and up out of the very storm where everything appeared dark.

I find again the strength to hold on to his hand and heart to allow God to lead and I follow everyday of my life.  I am so reminded of the scripture that said and I shall do a new thing!!!  The new thing is letting go of the pain , the disappointment, and the sorrow that Satan want you to linger in.

Remember children of God that God so loved the world that he gave, he started out giving and he shall continue to you you and me whatsoever we ask for in his son Jesus Christ name. 

Saints gird up your loins and watch believing that our God is with us always.

Change is a must in this hour and you cannot allow a lot of time to pass.  Please be found answering the call to do the work of the father and not doing it grudging heartily.  In that matter the father will not be store everything that he has promised you upon you.

Place emphasis upon knowing that we must delight ourselves in the Lord and that this pleases him.  Do more for God and lesser for man and you shall surely prosper.

John 8:12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, «I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.»    

We brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it (1 Timothy 6:7).

Surely we know that an hour will come when we are drawing our last breathe and that we must meet the master face to face.  Our family will miss us but that is why it is so important to live a life that is a living testament so that others will see the recording of the bible in your life.

I have not in my Christian walk met many that really live a life that I am inspired about.  As Christians I have been exposed to so many under cover saints who live like hellish mean people with no integrity.  I am the first to admit that I have flaws but I constantly surround myself with people that will tell me about me .

Make sure in this hour to spend quality time with God and everyday have a prayer life that moves God daily to visit you and unction his Glory in your life to help change someone else life

Here in Genesis chapter twelve, we read about the great promise of blessing that God gave to Abraham. God vowed to give him children and offspring. He promised to make a great nation out of his descendants. God pledged to bless the entire world through Abraham, but first, God required something of Abraham. God asked Abraham to sow a seed in faith. The first seed that God asked Abraham to sow was his obedience to leave his father’s house, his relatives, and everything that was familiar to him. Obedience is a seed. If you want to have the harvest of God’s plans being fulfilled in your life, you will need to sow the seed of obedience. What is it that God is asking you to do that you have hesitated to do? Has He asked you to give financially to a person or a ministry? Has He told you to move to another city or state or country? Has He been nudging you to begin to volunteer at your local church? Has He been telling you to start a business or make an investment? God may be asking you to do something that will completely alter your life like He asked Abraham; He may be asking you to do something less demanding. Regardless of what God is telling you to do, go ahead and obey Him. Sow the seed of obedience and you will reap the harvest of blessing

Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of
men.     » Matthew 5:13

Righteous Father, please help me guard my heart and be wise enough not to place things into it that would rob it of its devotion to you. I want to be pure through and through. Please search me and help me remove everything that would steal my devotion from you and ruin my influence with others. Through Jesus I pray. Amen.

 Proverbs 21
«The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poToday we ask ourselves: What is the point of diligence? Why keep persevering in a task? I’ll tell you why. It is because it is in the arena of perseverance that true character is forged out, shaped, tempered and polished. It is in the daily grind that the character of Jesus is given the maximum opportunity to be reproduced in us, replacing what Charles Swindoll calls that «thin, fragile internal theology with a tough reliable set of convictions that enable us to handle life rather than escape from it.»

Listen to how the apostle Paul puts it in Romans 5:3-4: «We also rejoice in our sufferings, [why?] because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.» Because life is a task, we need strength to face it, not speed to escape from it.

When the foundations shake beneath our feet, when Christian friends, even leaders, fall into immorality, when the anchor points of civilization disappear, when the bottom drops out and brutal blows push us up against the ropes and pound the very life out of us, we need what diligence and perseverance offer us — willingness to face whatever comes, determination to stand firm, knowing that Christ is not just with us but in us, insight to see the Lord’s hand in everything and character enough to continue.

Without diligence, we will stumble and fall. With it, we will survive and conquer. The astute of this world are wise enough to recognize that no advances can be made in life without diligence. How much more ought we, who name the Name of Christ and have Him living within us, to recognize this also?verty.» (v.5)

Adversity means a time of testing or a time of trouble. The writer of Proverbs uses what I often call the biggest word in the Bible-if- to indicate that when you are faced with adversity, the outcome could go more than one way. The onslaught of trials, troubles, and tribulations doesn’t mean that you automatically lose. You actually could come out of the problems better off than you were before. You can succeed regardless of the adversity- or you can fail- it depends on how you handle yourself.

  According to this Scripture, failure is the outcome when your strength is small. The Word is not talking about physical strength or mental strength; it’s talking about a lack of spiritual strength. If strength can be small, it can also be big. How can you become spiritually strong? The same way that muscles in your body become stronger- through exercise! Spiritual strength can be increased through exercise as well.

  If you’ve been weak, you can be made strong. If you are strong, you can be stronger still. Exercise your spiritual muscles daily by speaking the Word of God and praying in the Spirit. When you pray in tongues, your spirit gets built up. When you speak the Word, you faith grows, your joy increases, and you become strong in the Lord. Build up your spiritual strength so that you will not faint in the day of adversity!

Successful people know the power of prioritizing. They understand that it is impossible to do everything at once. Something has to be the top priority in your life. Jesus told us in Matthew 6:33 how to prioritize. He said to seek God’s kingdom and His righteousness first. The Greek word for righteousness is dikaiosune.  It means equity and the impartial distribution of justice. Righteousness is very important, but Jesus said to seek the kingdom of God, and He wasn’t referring only to righteousness. As we have already seen from Romans 14:17, the kingdom of God is also peace and joy.

  The kingdom of God is God’s methodologies of looking at things, God’s way of speaking about things, and God’s way of doing things. The kingdom of God is a system. There are two systems in this world. Each system has its own set of priorities. There is God’s system, labeled the kingdom of God in Scripture, and there is the Babylonian system. The difference between the two is that the Babylonian system is man deciding he is smarter than God, and that he can choose his own way. It is man exalting his thoughts, his ways, and his standards above God’s. In the kingdom of God, God is the One who is smarter and wiser. He was before any person, and His methods and ways are higher than anything man can create. God’s system is always better than man’s. God’s ways should always be our first priority.

What does the Word of God have to say about government?  It teaches that God has ordained human government. The prophet Daniel said that God is the one who removes kings and God is the one who sets up kings. And Romans13 teaches that the powers that be are ordained of God.

What about wicked governments? Did God set them up? It may surprise you to learn, yes, He did. That does not mean they are God’s will. God would much rather have righteousness. But by and large people get the kind of government they deserve. Wicked leaders are God’s reward for a wicked people.

What sense would it make for me to fixate on the days when I was 20 years old and start longing to be that age again for whatever reason?

Instead of trying to recapture that past season, it makes more sense to embrace my current season and look forward to what God has in store in the future.

But often, naturally and spiritually, we look backward.

In our walk with the Lord, we sometimes get stuck reminiscing about an old thing, when God is trying to do a new thing.

The Children of Israel made that mistake.

After suffering under cruel Egyptian slave masters for over 400 years, they were initially happy when God freed them through His servant Moses.

But freedom mandated that they deal with the temporary discomfort of treading through the wilderness until they reached the “land flowing with milk and honey.”

On their hungriest and thirstiest days, even Egypt, which was once appalling to them, looked appealing to them.

In Exodus 16:3, while feeling frustrated and disillusioned with their circumstances, the Bible says the Israelites complained to Moses and Aaron that they wished they had never left Egypt.

«If only the LORD had killed us back in Egypt,» they moaned. «There we sat around pots filled with meat and ate all the bread we wanted. But now you have brought us into this wilderness to starve us all to death.»

Have you ever looked back at the lesser on your way to greater, because you didn’t know how to deal with the difficulty of the in-between?

Have you ever romanticized and fantasized about bondage because freedom didn’t feel as good as you imagined it would?

Have you ever been aggravated by the meantime experience to the point where your former circumstance, though imperfect, in hindsight, appeared to be the better option?

It can be discouraging, I know.

Yet, I also know this: the journey is worth it. The sacrifices, tears and work it takes to step into your season of better are never in vain.

Don’t give into discouragement. Walk through the transition, the trial, the test, knowing that, on the other side, God indeed has more for you.

As long as you walk in obedience to His will, even when He carries you through a dry, tough, dark place, you will come out victoriously.

Don’t retreat. Keep moving forward by faith. Don’t dare look back! Things often look better in the rear view mirror of life when what you see through the front window is uncertain or unpleasant.

But remember, God brought you out of where you were then to the place where you are now for a reason. While you await clarity and manifestation, it isn’t easy. Nevertheless, in the meantime, don’t settle for worse, because of the hard work and sacrifice it takes to have better. March on.

Cry if you must, but don’t go backward. Keep moving forward.

Be like the four figures Ezekiel saw in a divinely inspired prophetic vision in Ezekiel 1:12 NASB, which is what I’m stirring into your cup of inspiration.

It says, “And each went straight forward; wherever the spirit was about to go, they would go, without turning as they went.”

As you drink down the contents of your cup, you are being empowered to push ahead and follow the spirit of God, even in the face of hardship, adversity, hurt and pain.

Go straight forward and don’t turn back.

You will bear fruit in your life if you remain connected to God and walk the path of destiny He has laid out for you.

Apart from Him, you can do nothing, but through Him, all things are possible.

Jonah got up and went in the opposite direction to get away from the LORD (Jonah 1:3).

«Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel» (1 Chron 21:1-2).

God always requires total trust in Him alone for our victories in life. Throughout scripture we are cautioned not to place our trust in the strength of horses, other men or our own abilities. David’s decision to take a census was a failure to keep his trust totally upon the Lord.

David’s purpose in counting his population was to assess his military strength, much like the second census taken under Moses (Num. 1:2,3). David found 800,000 men eligible for military service in Israel and 500,000 men in Judah (2 Sam. 24:9), more than double the previous head count.

David’s commander evidently recognized the grave error that his king was about to make. «But Joab replied, ‘May the LORD multiply his troops a hundred times over. My lord the king, are they not all my lord’s subjects? Why does my lord want to do this? Why should he bring guilt on Israel?'» (1 Chron 21:3).

This census displeased the Lord. David was falling into the temptation of trusting in the size of his army rather than in the Lord. God punished David and reduced his forces by bringing a plague that killed 70,000 men (1 Chron 24:14,15). How do we do this in our lives today? We trust our bank accounts, our skills, and the security of our workplace. When we begin placing our faith in these things instead of the provider of these things we get into trouble with God.

What a lesson this is for each of us. Today, place your total trust in the Lord for all of your needs.

Flee from the midst of Babylon, and each of you save his life! JEREMIAH 51:6 

Centuries ago, a popular queen was interviewing applicants to serve on a six-man team responsible for carrying her on a portable throne on long journeys. As she interviewed each man, the queen asked, “If you were bearing me along a mountain path, how close would you go to the edge of a cliff?”

Some men would answer, “Your Royal Highness, I am so strong, I could go within a foot of the edge of a cliff.” Others would boast, “Not only do I have superior strength, but I have almost perfect balance. I could go within six inches of the edge.” But a few declared, “Your Highness, I would go nowhere near the edge of a cliff. Why would I want to imperil your valuable life by leading you so close to danger?” Guess who earned the job? 

We live in a cultural landscape where it seems there are more cliffs than clearings. We spend large parts of our day within easy walking distance of all kinds of sharp drops and perilous dangers. Sexual temptation. Financial greed. Immoral entertainment. Emotional affairs. Addictions galore. Ethical compromise. Rather than stay as far as possible from these obvious threats to our families, we often allow the enemy of our souls to lure us closer for a better look. We sample just a bit too much of what the world has to offer. My friend Josh McDowell says, “I would rather build a rail at the top of the mountain than have an ambulance service at the bottom of the valley.” I agree. But I’d suggest we take it a step further. I would prefer not putting myself in position to find out whether or not that guardrail would hold me! Safety rails aren’t meant for pushing on but for steering away from. 

DISCUSS

Looking back over your life, what “cliffs” draw your curiosity? Which avoidable ones do you have the hardest time keeping your distance from now?

PRAY 

Ask the Lord to help you not only spot spiritual danger, but also to have sense enough to run from it. 

What you Are Missing

BIBLE MEDITATION:

«But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make youperfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.» 1 Peter 5:10

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

Isn’t it wonderful to know that the works of God are perfect?That God’s ways are perfect? And that His will is perfect? Now, someone reading this may think, «But I don’t know about God’s will. I don’t want to give myself completely to Him or He might send me to a remote desert as a missionary.»

Let’s set the record straight. God’s will is not so much something that you surrender to as it is something that you get in on. God will choose for you what you would choose for yourself if you had
enough sense to choose it!

ACTION POINT:

Let your prayer today be, «Help me, Lord, not to fear what I’ll miss if I do Your will; help me to fear what I’ll miss if I don’t.»

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.» Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)

Have you ever wanted something so badly your heart ached with each thought of it? It seems life would be so much better if you had that.

There would be more happiness.

More contentment.

More fulfillment.

More satisfaction.

More peace.

We can envision ourselves with this thing, this person, this opportunity. And all things are better. So, why doesn’t God give us this longing of our heart?

Because He wants us to willingly release it to Him.

Ouch.

Not the answer we want. Why would God let the aching desire linger and not make things happen? He could. He’s certainly able. But when He doesn’t, it seems unfair. Not good. Confusing.

It’s easy to get down when we’re constantly let down.

We hope this thing will happen … we’ll meet this right person … we’ll get this job … we’ll finally be healed … we’ll get that chance … we’ll see that family member turn their life around. Time and again it doesn’t happen. That’s when it’s easy to slip.

We can so easily slip into feeling a little distant from God because we feel hurt by God.

That’s what happened when the man I thought I was going to marry told me he met someone else. That’s what happened when I didn’t get the job I was so certain was going to be the answer to all my financial problems. That’s what happened when my son didn’t get into the charter school we were so certain would have been perfect for him.

But, in each of these things, I eventually had to make a choice. I could either be consumed with my unmet longing or trust the plans of our loving God.

As an offering of trust, we must give up that which could so easily bring us down.

Not give up as in a discouraged surrender. But giving up as in placing this desire in the hand of God and saying, «Either way, I will see Your answer as the good answer and walk in trust.»

The Scriptures and today’s key verse promise He rewards those who honestly seek Him: «And without faith is it impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him»(Hebrews 11:6).

Sometimes I get so consumed with seeking my unmet longings, I don’t earnestly seek Him. But then I miss out on His reward. And His reward is the only thing that will fill the void in my heart.

Yes, I still struggle with unmet desires.

But not as much today as I did yesterday.

And that is good. Not easy. But good.

Dear Lord, I sacrifice chasing what I want so I might more fully, and with more focus, chase You. I release this grip of desire. I praise You for who You are, what only You can bring, and how You will fill whatever gap this release might leave. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

TRUTH FOR TODAY: 1 Timothy 6:12, «Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.» (NIV)

Hebrews 12:1, «Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.»

DO NOT BE DISMAYED, FOR THE LORD IS WITH YOU

EVERDAY WE ARE FACED WITH LIFE CHALLENGES, BUT I COME TO TELL YOU THAT THE LORD IS A KEEPER AND HE IS WITH US NO MATTER WHAT WE GO THROUGH OR HOW DIFFICULT IT APPEARS TO BE. GIVE A SHOUT OF PRAISE AND WATCH HIM MOVE IN THE MIDST OF YOUR STRUGGLE.

 Firstly, we do so by prayer.

The person who keeps close to God is the one who is always talking to God. Many definitions of prayer have been given; I add another: prayer is co-operation with God. In prayer you align your desires, your will, your life to God. You and God become agreed on life desires, life purposes, life plans, and you work them out together. Secondly, we do it by constant study of the Scriptures. God’s Word is alive with meaning, and when you read it something will happen to you, for «the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword» (Heb.4:12, NKJ). Expect it to speak to you — and it will.

Faith is expectancy: «According to your faith will it be done to you» (Matt. 9:29).

Remember also to surrender to the truth that is revealed:

«If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know ‘» (John 7:17, NKJ). In a moral universe the key to knowledge is moral response. The moment we cease to obey, that moment the revelation ceases to reveal. We do it, thirdly, by sharing with others. Remember, nothing is ours if we do not share it. When we share, the things go deeper inside us. We must share what God is doing, both with our fellow Christians and with non-Christians also. The psalmist’s last words are these: «I will tell of all your deeds.» We take and we tell — we take and we tell; these, we must never forget, are the two heartbeats of the Christian experience.

Read Time: 3 Minutes 40 Seconds

At the beginning of every year, I always spend time in fasting and prayer to seek God for direction. In most cases, He gives me a word that helps me navigate the coming season. Sometimes the word has been as simple as, “Keep running your race,” a reference to Hebrews 12:1. In other years the Lord has given me detailed instructions.

I believe He wants to give you a word of direction for 2023. But many Christians struggle when it comes to guidance. When they pray, they strain to hear anything. They know God speaks, but either they don’t believe He wants to talk to them, or they don’t want to obey what He says. Many believers have never known the thrill of hearing God’s gentle voice.

Do you want to hear from God more clearly? I believe there are four primary ways He communicates with us:

1. You can hear God’s voice by reading the Bible. God went to a lot of trouble to give us His book. Yet today Bibles collect dust because people are too busy to read His personalized love letter to us. I know some Spirit-filled Christians who will travel many miles to a conference to receive a prophetic word, but they will not pull their Bible off a shelf and digest it.

God will never speak anything to us that contradicts His Word. That’s why it’s so important for you to saturate your mind with Scripture. When you read the Bible with a prayerful heart, God can cause a verse to jump off the page as a direct message to you.

2. You can hear God’s voice through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is not an eerie presence that just hovers around us. He lives in every born-again Christian, and He comforts us and actively speaks to us. He does this in many ways: through dreams, visions, warnings, a sense of conviction or—most often—through what we know as the “still, small voice” (1 Kings 19:12b) of the Spirit.

I have had prophetic dreams and visions, but the most common way the Spirit speaks to me is through a deep sense of inward knowing. I will never forget a time in 1985 when God spoke to me while I was driving my car in Florida. A message came to me, not audibly but in my spirit: “You will move to Washington, D.C.” It seemed to come out of the blue, and I knew it did not originate with me. Six years later I was offered a job in the Washington, D.C., area, and I worked there for three years.

3. You can hear God’s voice through people. We are members of His body, the church, and you will hear God better when you are in fellowship with His people. God can speak to you through a pastor’s sermon, a friend’s wise counsel, a mother’s rebuke, a mentor’s phone call or a prophetic word given to you by one of God’s Spirit-filled servants. If you live in isolation, you probably won’t hear much from God.

God uses the gift of prophecy, but you should never chase after prophecies. Never treat the holy gift of prophecy like fortune telling. When God needs to speak to you in an unusual way, He has faithful messengers who will deliver it to you at the exact time you need it. Sometimes I actually ask close friends to pray for me to see if God is showing them anything to share with me from the Holy Spirit. And I have treasured every message they sent, whether it was a verse from the Bible, a word of encouragement, a vision or a sobering admonition.

4. You can hear God’s voice through circumstances. My oldest daughter wanted to attend a college in Tennessee, and we were praying about her decision. Right after we prayed, I got a call from the president of a college in Georgia. He was inviting me to speak at the school, but in our conversation I learned that this school was willing to offer my daughter a scholarship. She ended up enrolling in that school, meeting her future husband there and working for the school for four years after graduation. God was totally involved in that phone call from Georgia!

God is sovereign. He opens doors that no man can shut. If you have been praying about getting a job at one company, and suddenly you get an offer at a different company, this may be God’s sign that He has a better place for you to work. Listen carefully. Tune into His frequency. Be willing to obey Him. He promises to guide your steps if you seek Him.

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J. Lee Grady was editor of Charisma for 11 years and now serves as senior contributing editor. He directs the Mordecai Project (themordecaiproject.org), an international ministry that protects women and girls from gender-based violence. His latest books are “Follow Me” and “Let’s Go Deeper”(Charisma House).

A morning prayer is a wonderful way to focus your time and attention on seeking God’s plan for the day ahead. Whether you need encouragement, peace, strength, or rest, God can meet you in a very real and present way when you come before Him with a humble heart. Seek God’s presence each morning before your energy and attention are pulled by all the tasks you have ahead.

Here are our favorite morning prayers to start your day in God’s presence. He promises to provide strength, comfort and peace for your daily needs. Download your own personal PDF copy of these beautiful morning prayers HERE. Print them and keep them by your bedside, in the car, or at work to remind yourself to start your day with God!

1. A Morning Prayer for God’s Presence 

Lord, may nothing separate me from You today. Teach me how to choose only Your way today so each step will lead me closer to You. Help me walk by the Word and not my feelings. Help me to keep my heart pure and undivided. Protect me from my own careless thoughts, words, and actions. And keep me from being distracted by MY wants, MY desires, MY thoughts on how things should be. Help me to embrace what comes my way as an opportunity… rather than a personal inconvenience. And finally, help me to rest in the truth of Psalm 86:13, ‘Great is your love toward me.’ You already see the ways I will fall short and mess up. But right now, I consciously tuck Your whisper of absolute love for me into the deepest part of my heart. I recognize Your love for me is not based on my performance. You love me warts and all. That’s amazing. But what’s most amazing is that the Savior of the world would desire a few minutes with me this morning. Lord, help me to forever remember what a gift it is to sit with You like this. Amen.
— Lysa Terkeurst

2. Today with Jesus

Lord, Jesus, today is Your day, and I want Your will to be done. So, whatever happens, hold my hand and let’s face it together. Amen. — Back to the Bible

3. God’s Promises for Today

Heavenly Father, I have been so wishy-washy when it comes to taking hold of Your promises and making them mine. But today, I’m putting my foot down! I will not allow my human reason to talk me out of my spiritual inheritance. I will set my foot down on every promise that You have given me today. I’m going in! In Jesus’ Name, Amen. — Sharon Jayes

4. Good Morning Lord Prayer

Good morning, Lord! Today’s a new day, a chance for a new start. Yesterday is gone and with it any regrets, mistakes, or failures I may have experienced. It’s a good day to be glad and give thanks, and I do, Lord. Thank you for today, a new opportunity to love, give, and be all that you want me to be. Amen. — Rebecca Barlow Jordan

5. Fill Me With the Spirit Today

Dear Lord, as we rise to meet each new day, please let us be filled with Your spirit. Wherever we go, let us spread love, joy, peace, goodness, and faithfulness. Let us desire to become more like you and to worship you in all we do. Help us desire these things so much more than the sin that entices us. Thank you for always going before us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. — Dr. Charles Stanley

6. A Daily Prayer of Thanksgiving

Dear God, Thank you for your amazing power and work in our lives, thank you for your goodness and for your blessings over us. Thank you for your great love and care. Thank you for your sacrifice so that we might have freedom and life. Forgive us for when we don’t thank you enough, for who you are, for all that you do, for all that you’ve given. Help us to set our eyes and our hearts on you afresh. Renew our spirits, fill us with your peace and joy. We love you and we need you, this day and every day. We give you praise and thanks, for You alone are worthy! In Jesus’ Name, Amen. — Debbie McDaniel

7. For My Family 

Father, thank you for the blessing of a family. Today, please keep the enemy at bay. Increase their faith. Protect them from falling into temptation. Grant them the opportunity to shine a light in the darkness and lead others to you. Whatever is making my family anxious today, I ask that you comfort them, and that they can rest in your complete sovereignty. Amen. — Topher Haddox

8. A Prayer to Start the Day

Dear God, at the start of each day, help us to recognize you above all else. Enlighten the eyes of our heart that we might see you, and notice how you’re at work through our lives. Give us wisdom to make the best choices, fill us with a desire to seek after you more than anything else in this world. Let your Spirit and power breathe in us, through us, again, fresh and new. Thank you that you are greater than anything we may face in our day. Thank you that your presence goes with us, and that your joy is never dependent on our circumstances, but it is our true and lasting strength, no matter what we’re up against. We ask that your peace lead us, that it would guard our hearts and minds in you. We ask for your grace to cover our lives this day. We love you Lord…we need you. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. — Debbie McDaniel

9. A Prayer to Follow God Today

Dear Lord, I don’t know who or what will cross my path today. But I do know that You are my Rock and my Fortress. You are my Shield and my Strong Tower. Help me to anchor myself to You today. Teach me how to stand strong in You and choose only Your way today. Help me walk by Your truth and not my feelings. Help me to embrace anything that comes my way as an opportunity to see You at work and as an opportunity to point others to You. Thank You that You love me and nothing can ever take that away from me! Even if I fail today and fall short, You whisper Your unconditional love deep into my soul and remind me that Your mercies are new every morning. That truly amazes me, Lord. Thank You for meeting with me today. Would You wake me again tomorrow with the same sweet whisper of Your love? I can’t wait to meet with You again. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. — Wendy Blight

10. A Morning Prayer for Strength

Lord, I am weary and don’t know when this “race” will end in my life. I feel like I’ve been running forever, trying to outrun this trial. Help me to stop trying to outrun my pain but rather run with endurance the race you have set before me. I know that because of you I am ultimately a victor over the trials in my life. I know that nothing in this world can separate me from your steadfast love. Please give me a measure of your love today; give me the strength to endure this trial. Thank you for your love for me that never ends! And thank you for the crown of joy that awaits me forever in your Kingdom! — Adrian Rogers 

«You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in You.» Isaiah 26:3

11. A Morning Prayer for Courage

Lord, grant me tenacious winsome courage as I go through this day. When I am tempted to give up, help me to keep going. Grant me a cheerful spirit when things don’t go my way. And give me the courage to do whatever needs to be done. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
— Dr. Ray Pritchard

«For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and self-discipline.» 2 Timothy 1:7

12. Prayer to Seek God Each Day

Father, Praise You for the sky and sun, for both remind us of a new day’s challenge and chance to chase You. Thank You for reminding us life is not always easy, but that we don’t have to carry the hard into each new day. Forgive us for dwelling on the past and for holding onto grudges. Bless our hearts to be held back by nothing as we seek You each day. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. — Meg Bucher

13. A Daily Prayer of Rejoice

Father, thank you for intervening in my life and allowing me to have a personal relationship with you. Thank you for your love for me today and forever. Thank you for the blessings you’ve given me and my family. Help us use those blessings to bless others. May I live a life of true joy as I see you at work around me today! In Jesus’ name. Amen. — Ron Moore

14. For Guidance from the Holy Spirit

Lord, I pray you would move the Spirit more boldly in my life. I know that any sin can grieve and diminish the voice of the Spirit, and I pray against the temptation to sin. Help me crave your presence more than I crave sin. Help me grow in the fruit of the Spirit and so walk closer with Yourself. I pray for guidance from your Spirit- let your will and promises always be a meditation of my heart. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. — Kenny Luck

15. For God’s Grace Daily

Lord, thank you for your abundant, abounding grace. Thank you that we don’t have to earn a drop of the mighty river of grace that flows freely for us today. Thank you for the unexpected, unmerited favor you’ve showered on my life. Help me put myself in the path of your love and grace. Help me not neglect the disciplines I need to meet with you regularly and to drink from the water of life. Thank you for your rich love. Amen. — David Mathis

16. A Prayer to Love the Life You Have

God, help me love the life I live right now. Show me the good things I often overlook and help me be content with what I have. Forgive me when I compare myself to others, forgive me for longing for things outside of you and your kingdom. Thank you for loving me right where I am, right as I am. Help me keep my eyes on you. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. — Nicki Koziarz

17. Prayer Against Distractions Today

As I start this day, help me remember that I belong to you, and my desire is to act accordingly. Keep my feet from stumbling and my mind from wandering into distractions that could steal precious time and energy from the most important things you have designed for me. I’m proud to be your child, Lord. And I’m so grateful that you died for me—rising again on your own new morning—so that every day could be filled with the wonder of your love, the freedom of your Spirit, and the joy of knowing you. — Rebecca Barlow Jordan

18. A Prayer for a Heavy Heart

Father, my heart is heavy. I feel like I have to carry the burden alone. Words like overwhelmed, distraught, exhausted seem to describe where I am. I am not sure how to let you carry my heavy load, so please show me how. Take it from me. Let me rest and be refreshed so that my heart won’t be so heavy in the morning. In Jesus’ name. Amen. — Ron Moore

19. To Focus on God’s Voice

Father, I need to hear from You. Today, I make the commitment to start having a daily quiet time. I will listen for Your voice above all of the other voices in my life. Lord, teach me how to center my life on You and help me obey what I hear You say. In Jesus’ name, amen. — Mary Southerland

20. Rely on God Today

Lord, we ask today for more of Your Holy Spirit in our lives. Lord, it can be easy for us to become consumed with the fears that surround us in life, but we know that just as Your eye is indeed on the sparrow, so also do You care for and see us.

Teach us today to become more reliant on You. Bring us into a greater discernment of how You operate, so that we may come into a deeper understanding that all we see with natural eyes is not all that is. Today we ask for eyes to see Your hand in all matters, and hearts open to Your work. Amen. — Callie Logan

«Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, 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 mind in Christ Jesus.» Philippians 4:6-7

21. Morning Prayer to Walk with God

Dear Lord, I love You. All that I’ve expressed above is the desire of my heart. I confess that sometimes my actions and reactions betray my love for You. Please forgive me. Thank You for Your grace that is able to recognize this new day as a new chance to walk closer with You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. — Lysa TerKeurst

22. A Morning Prayer for God’s Guidance

Dear Lord, help me remember what a difference it makes when I make time with You a priority in my morning. Awaken me in body and spirit each day with a desire to meet with You and to hear You speak words of affirmation, assurance, and wisdom over my heart as I prepare to go into my day. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. — Traci Miles

«If any of your lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.» James 1:5

23. A Simple Morning Prayer

God, please enlighten my mind with truth, inflame my heart with love, inspire my will with courage, enrich my life with service. Pardon what I have been, sanctify what I am, and order what I shall be. Amen — Author Unknown

24. A Prayer for the Work Day Ahead

Father, thank you for all the ways you’ve blessed me, specifically with this job that pays my bills and puts food on my table. Thank you that ALL work has significance because work is good. Help me bring you glory today, through my actions, my words, through the good work I do to bring order to my little corner of the world. Help me view my work as a blessing and not a curse. Give me grace and strength for the hardest aspects of my job. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen. — Renee Davis

25. A Morning Prayer for Cares and Concerns

Dear Father in Heaven, so much in my life is broken. I have so many concerns and cares, and they weigh me down. While I desire to cast my cares upon You, I find I usually pick them back up again, and they only add more anxiety and stress. Please help me learn to cast my cares on You as I learn what it means to rest and trust in You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. — Chrystal Evans Hurst

26. For Hope Today

Lord, help me to hear you saying, «I am your hope» over all the other voices. Lord, your word says, you are the hope for hopeless so I’m running to you with both hands stretched out and grabbing on to you. Fill me up with hope and give me a tangible reminder today that hope is an unbreakable spiritual lifeline (Hebrews 6:19-20). God, you know those things in my heart that I barely dare to hope for, today I give them to you, I trust them to you, and ask that you because I know that you can do more than I could ever guess, imagine or request in wildest dreams (Eph 3:20). God, you are my hope and I trust you. Amen. — Wendy can Eyck

27. Courage for the Day Ahead

God, I want to believe that you’re with me and that I am known and loved by you… but some days, it’s hard. Help me to speak the truth from your Word back to myself. Take it from my head to my heart. Give me peace and wisdom courage to live like a conqueror — because you’ve already given me victory over every challenge and obstacle. Amen. — Amy Green

28. For a God-Honoring Work Day

Establish the work of my hands by helping me to be productive, patient, focused, and insightful. Keep me from distractions and from technology hindering my work instead of helping it. May your Spirit lead me in my work and help me to be joyful, creative, and worshipful–constantly reminding me of your love and that you’re the reason I have breath in my lungs. Teach me to align my work, family, church life, and rest in a way that would maximize your glory and allow me to bear the most fruit for your kingdom.

And as I work, fix my eyes on Jesus and his finished work on the cross that gave me treasure I could not earn, rest that I could not otherwise experience, and a living hope that will fuel me to work for the glory of God. Amen. — Kevin Halloran

29. Prayer to Step Out in Faith Today

Gracious Father, as we begin a new day, help us to engage your will with a reckless faith. Teach us to trust in you, and help us grow in righteousness. Heavenly Lord, give us the courage to step out in faith this day. Fill our hearts with your spirit, and let us speak your words with pride. — Debbie Przybylski

30. A Morning Prayer of Praise

Father, I praise You today for all that You have done in my life. You are faithful even when I am faithless. Your love pursues me even when I am unlovable. Your forgiveness covers my sin and frees me from its penalty. I praise You for your love and faithfulness to me. Your presence in my life changes everything, empowering me to live each moment of every day, content in knowing You are in control. As I face today, Lord, remind me that no matter what happens, I can praise You! In Your Name, Amen. — Mary Southerland

Read our 25 Good Night Prayers to end your day with peace and thankfulness!

Related Resource: Listen to our FREE podcast, Teach Us to Pray with Christina Patterson. You can find all the episodes at LifeAudio.com. Listen to our episode on desperate prayers right now:

main image photo credit: © Getty Images/Jevtic 

Prayer content from this video is by Ray Pritchard, Video credits for audio, video, photos: Soundstripe, Storyblocks, LightStock, ThinkStock

This article is part of our larger Prayer resource meant to inspire and encourage your prayer life when you face uncertain times. Remember, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us and God knows your heart even if you can’t find the words to pray. 

Prayer for God’s Help
Prayer for Strength
Prayer for Protection
Morning Prayers
Good Night Prayers

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Matthew 4:4 and Luke 4:4 tells us, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” What exactly did Yahshua or Jesus Christ mean by that statement? What does it mean to live by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God?

In this Bible study in the form of a blog, let us take a deeper look at what it really means to live a life by every word of God. Let me share with you 5 effective ways on how you can live by every Word of God.

A background to Matthew 4:4 and Luke 4:4

Jesus just finished fasting for forty days and forty nights. Matthew 4:2 tells us, that “He was hungry.” Obviously, this is like a simplified statement. Imagine not eating food and drinking water for forty days and forty nights!

Jesus was on the brink of death. Physical exhaustion and extreme hunger sucked the life out of Christ’s body.

This is where the greatest duel of all time happened. It is the battle between Jesus and Satan – the perfect epitome of the fight between good and evil, right and wrong. With Jesus’ great hunger, Satan seized the golden opportunity and tempted Christ with food.

Satan said, “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” The Devil is testing Christ. He is challenging the authority of the very Son of God. No temptation could have been more plausible than asking Christ to turn a stone, which abundantly lies around them, into bread.

Here we read the powerful and perfect response of Jesus. He said, “Man shall NOT live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” Jesus was quick to pull out the spiritual sword of God, which is His Word, to battle His enemy, Satan.

Now, let us examine what it means to live a life according to God’s word.

1. Living by God’s word means to humble yourself

Christ’s answer is a direct quotation of Deuteronomy 8:3. The whole eighth chapter of Deuteronomy is about Moses instructing the nation of Israel to remember the Eternal their God.

We read:

“SO HE HUMBLED YOU, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord.”

From this verse, we can read that if you want to live by God’s word, you need to first humble yourself. If you are not humble, God will first need to humble you through trials and hardships. He will test and humble you before He can use you for His purpose.

Why is humility so important? Because humility is required for complete submission to God. You can’t live by every word of God if you are full of yourself. You can’t live by every word of God if you are filled with pride, arrogance, and conceit.

Humbling yourself does not necessarily mean thinking less of yourself. It is the recognition that you are nothing without God. It is the ability to see the awesomeness, majesty, and power of God and yet, He is loving and caring at the same time.

Sometimes, God allows us to be hungry so that He can “feed you with manna.” We need to first humble ourselves so God “will lift [us] up” (James 4:10).

2. Living by God’s word means believing His word

You can’t live by God’s word if you don’t believe it in the first place. Sadly, some people think that they can be Christians by accepting some parts of the Bible while rejecting other parts of it. Some people believe the New Testament while rejecting the Old Testament. Some people observe two or three commandments while dismissing the others. Some believe the theory of Evolution while still call themselves Christians.

Isn’t it foolish to believe in a God when at the back of your mind you consider parts of the Bible, His very word, as myths, fictional, and just desperate ways of men to explain their experiences?

The Bible is very clear when it says:

“ALL scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (II Timothy 3:16).

Thus, the Apostle Paul mentioned that ALL scripture – no exception – is given by inspiration of God. The word ‘inspiration’ here literally means, God-breathed. If you want to live by God’s word, you can’t be just selective in which portion of the Bible you believe. It is either all or nothing. You can either call God a liar or accept His word as factual, accurate, or perfect. There’s no middle ground.

3. Living by God’s word means to follow His commandments

While the first step to following God is to believe in Him, it is not enough. You need to translate your belief into action. Living faith is a TRANSFORMATIONAL faith. It does not just change our thinking, but it also changes our words and actions. IT CHANGES WHO WE ARE.

If you aim to live by God’s word, it is not enough to just believe what God says. It is NOT sufficient to admire the nobleness and perfection of God’s word. No, that’s just playing Christianity. Living by God’s word is not a passive state of life, but it is ACTIVE, DYNAMIC, and ENERGETIC.

Living by God’s word demands following His commandments. After telling the Israelites to remember God and to understand the importance of His words, Moses instructed them to “keep the commandments of the LORD your God, to walk in His ways and to fear Him” (Deuteronomy 8:6).

God is saying here that we must follow His commandments if we want to live by His word. Learning God’s expectation from us, His will in our lives, and the purpose of our existence should behoove us to follow His instructions.

4. Living by God’s word means to recognize that God is our ultimate Provider

Jesus said that “man shall not live by bread alone.” It means that there is more to life than food. Jesus later instructs us “not [to] worry about [our] life, what [we] will eat or what [we] will drink; nor about [our] body, what [we] will put on.” He continued by asking the question, “Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing” (Matthew 6:25)? Instead of worrying about our physical needs, Christ made a compelling, yet unpopular statement. He said, “Seek FIRST the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (verse 33).

One of the primary concerns of people is food. When it comes to following God, they fear that they might lose their jobs, displease other people, and eventually lose the ability to provide for their own needs. BUT LIVING BY GOD’S WORD DEMANDS US TO HAVE FAITH – to entrust God our lives and believe that He will provide all our needs as long as we seek first His kingdom.

For forty days and forty nights, Jesus did not rely on physical food for His sustenance. He recognized that God can provide more than just what our physical body demands. He knew that if we are to survive, we also must partake of the spiritual food that only God can provide.

Make no mistake about it: God can and is more than willing to support us every step of our Christian journey.

5. Living by God’s word means seeking His will in our lives

“The carnal mind is enmity against God” (Romans 8:7). Naturally, we want to seek our own good. We want to be a “god” of ourselves. We don’t want God telling us what to do. We don’t want anyone to “limit” us or curtail our “freedom.” However, if we really want to live by God’s word, we must submit our lives to Him and follow His commandments.

We can’t simply read God’s word and just select those things that are convenient to us. We can’t also say, “God, you know, I believe in you, but I can’t do what you require me to do.” It never worked that way. Our faith should manifest in our thoughts, words, and actions.

If we are to live by God’s word, we need to surrender our will, make God our priority, and put Him first in everything we do. Whatever it is that God commands us to do, we can have the assurance that it is for our ultimate good.

Final words

Living by every word that proceeds out from the mouth of God is not easy. It is tough and challenging. However, it comes with GREAT rewards – rewards for both today and for the life to come. At the end of the day, living by God’s word is the best way to live this life. God’s word is perfect, and you can’t improve something that is already perfect.

So decide today to live by every word of God. Endure until the end because when you reach the top, you can look down and say, “It’s all worth it.”