Daily Thought – Valley of victory
The battle belongs to the Lord. He will hand all of you over to us 1 Sam 17:47
When we are in the Valley of Elah, it could a valley of victory or will it be a valley of fear
There was a battle between Israel and Philistines in the valley of Elah. The word says, Saul and the army of Israel gathered together. They camped in the Valley of Elah. They lined up their men to fight against the Philistines. 1 Sam 17:2 Same way we are also in battle with the principalities of darkness.
Enemy: In this battle the enemy they had to face was very powerful. The word says, A mighty hero named Goliath came out of the Philistine camp. … He was more than nine feet tall 1 Sam 17:4 We might be facing a situation, that looks like hopeless and we might feel there is no way out.
Fear: When Israelites faced this tough challenge, they literally trembled. The word says, When Israel’s army saw Goliath, all of them ran away from him. That’s because they were filled with fear 1 Sam 17:24. In our current situation have we given up? People did nothing for 40 days but just in fear seeing the enemy they just ran away. Are we running away from reality out of fear?
Faith: But one man in Israel saw the situation totally in a different perspective. David said, In fact, I’ve killed both a lion and a bear. I’ll do the same thing to this Philistine. … He has dared the armies of the living God to fight him. 1 Sam 17:36. When we look at situations in Lord’s strength and when we are fully aware that The battle belongs to the Lord. He will hand all of you over to us 1 Sam 17:46 Stop looking to solve the situation, but start looking at the source of solution. Yes we know David killed Goliath without sword, but with stone.
Prayer: Lord, I am in the valley of Elah, facing a situation that I am not able to face. I ask forgiveness for fearing the situation. Now I look at you, in whom I trust, you are my only hope. All I need you is you alone, I know you will lead me out of this valley of Elah in victory.
Daily Thought – Examine
Eph 5:6 “… God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient.”
Examine Verse above is a strict warning for us, disobedience is very serious as we serve a Holy God. Paul is warns the Ephesians church on
Hint of Sin Eph 5:3 “There must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or any kind of impurity or of greed because these are improper for God’s holy people” Paul is telling there should not be even a hint of sin, never even have a wrong sexual thoughts, we are surrounded with filth of sexual immorality stay away from deeds and from thoughts. Rat race to get rich does not get into it, stop comparing with others on material things, but be passionate to do love the Lord.
Careless Speech Eph 5:4,5 “Nor should be … foolish talk. but rather thanksgiving.. such a man is idolater” Be careful on what we speak, let it bring life to others, Dr Bill Bright said, let us gossip the gospel, let our mouth be full of praises. Never ever lie, but be a mouth piece of the Almighty.
Secret Sins Eph 5:12 “For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret” Secret sins brings dishonour to Almighty, we will lose our anointing if we continue in secret sins. Never entertain secret sins, it might not look like having an consequences now, but it is actually making you powerless in your spiritual realm, evil one will wait to destroy you when you are addicted to it. Cry out to God for help to overcome secret / wilful sins.
What to do? Not just staying away from sin, the true joy and power of life comes when we Eph 5:10 “Find out what pleases the Lord” and do it. Eph 5:15,17 “Be very careful.. how you live.. Understand what the Lord’s will is” To understand what the maker of universe thinks of you and fulfil His desires is awesome, it brings tremendous power and rejoice in your life, there will be a purpose and you are preparing for eternity too.
Prayer: Lord, help us to do only what pleases you. Amen
Daily Thought – His coming
For the Lord himself will come down from heaven….after that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air 1 Thess 4: 16,17
The greatest truth in the Bible is Jesus will come back. Jesus said that day only God the Father knows. Let us just think together, what if God Father send Jesus back to this earth tonight, in that coming one thing is sure we who are believers and alive will be taken up in clouds after transformation to meet Jesus in All His Glory in air.
Few questions to ponder ? Will be excited to meet Jesus ? Do we really know the great joy to be in Heaven ? When all our deeds are passed through fire of God what will remain ? Will there be anyone in heaven who came to know Jesus because of us ? Will those who go to hell accuse us for not sharing the truth to them ? Will we be crying about all the missed opportunity to share the gospel ? Today are we passionate to live focusing the second coming ?
If there is fear about where you will go ? Run now to the throne of mercy and set right with God. It is terrible to be doomed into eternal fire of hell.
Prayer: Lets pray together “Lord I want to invest my whole life for your coming ..”
Daily Thought – But God
But God Gen 8:1
When we are in a situation where there is no hope, the real turn around can happen, when the Lord steps in. When many great men of God faced tough times we see this phrase “But God”, Lord Steps in when a U turn is needed.
Promotion: You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish. Gen 50:20 Enemy plans harm but Lord will change it for our good.
Protection: Day after day Saul searched for him, but God did not give David into his hands. 1 Sam 23:14 Evil one will try to harm you but Lord will protect you
Answers: “I cannot do it,” Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.” Gen 41:16 We are not capable to solve but the Lord opens deep mysteries.
Strength: My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Ps 73:26 When we feel we are lost, but our Lord delivers and gives us strength
Healing: Indeed he was ill, and almost died. But God had mercy on him Phil 2:27 When doctors say no hope, but Lord says you are healed.
Prayer: Father Lord; when we see no way, our Lord opens a way. Challenges come, but God changes. Amen.
Daily Thought – Transforming Voice
God saw that the light was good Gen 1:4
Story of creation begins when earth was formless, empty and dark. Gen 1: 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep. Our God is capable to intervene and change this situation. Change happens when Almighty God speaks.
When we pray, we have a prayer answering God who will speak. The moment God spoke, the lack was met. Gen 1:3And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. Our God speaks things into existence. Any crisis we might go through, transformation is at His word.
What our Lord speaks is for our good. God saw that the light was good and he separated the light from the darkness.Gen 1:4 Lord Change’s situation for our good and He will make a separation. Same way Lord wants us to be separated from the pattern of the world.
Prayer: Father God, I pray that you will speak to me and speak to my situation. Speak light into my darkness, separate me from the pattern of darkness. In Jesus’ name. Amen.