Apr 14 24
You will be Strong All Your Life
“You will be strong all your life.” Deuteronomy 33:25 ERV
Here is a too-good-to-be-true promise from the Word of God for every follower of Christ. No matter how young or old we are, it is never too soon to claim this promise, and it is never too late, either. Why do I say that? Because we have a Redeemer who is able to reverse the hands of time, and the damage it has done to our spirit, soul, and body. And I believe with all my heart that if we will demonstrate childlike faith in His ability and willingness to heal, we will see Him work wonders on our behalf.
Over the years, I have received some disappointing and distressing news from my doctors about my health. But I have also gotten some medical reports that left my doctors scratching their heads, and that had me rejoicing and praising God for His goodness and mercy. What has made all the difference in my life is that I have learned to lay hold of God’s promises to restore and heal, instead of taking medical reports at face value. I am constantly reminding myself of the Scripture that says, “You do not have because you do not ask God” (James 4:2 NIV), and I don’t ever want to be guilty of not stretching my faith and asking for healing, when God could very well be prepared to restore me to health. (Jeremiah 30:17)
The great George Mueller said, “Faith does not operate in the realm of the possible. There is no glory for God in that which is humanly possible. Faith begins where man’s power ends.” If we, as born-again children of God, are inclined to pray only for things that are within the realm of human possibility, then we are in big trouble. And so are the people we pray for.
When I see that the Bible says, “Your strength will equal your days” (Deuteronomy 33:25 NIV), or “You will be strong all your life” (ERV, my favorite translation of this verse), I am inspired to claim this promise for myself, and to “Put the Lord in remembrance of His promises” as often as I need to. (Isaiah 62:6 AMP) Scripture says, “Moses was 120 years old when he died, yet his eyesight was clear, and he was as strong as ever.” (Deuteronomy 34:7 NLT) Are you prepared to stretch your faith in God’s Word, and to go to the next level in your health?
Lord, fill me with childlike faith in Your ability and willingness to make me whole in every way. Remind me often that You are a Redeemer who can reverse the hands of time. Satisfy my desires with good things, so that my youth is renewed like the eagle’s. (Psalm 103:5 NIV) Cause me to return to the days of my youthful strength, right here on this earth. (Job 33:25 AMP) Thank You that as I learn to pray for things outside the realm of human possibility, I will witness You working miracles on my behalf!
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Apr 7 24
The Power to Get Wealth
“Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.’ You shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may confirm His covenant that He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.” Deuteronomy 8:17-18 ESV
One evening some years ago, my husband, Joe, brought home a pizza for the two of us. That wasn’t unusual, but what was different was that he began bragging about how wonderful a provider he was. I told him that God was actually our Provider, and that he was just a channel that the Lord often used to provide for us.
As our lively banter became a bit more heated, I hit my husband with the verses above from Deuteronomy, where God warns His people not to ever think that it was the strength of their own hands that produced their wealth. (v. 17) Verse 18 says, “You shall remember the LORD your God, for it is HE who gives you power to get wealth…” Joe got the message. God deserves the credit for giving us the skills and talents that enable us to earn a living, and He expects it.
King David told the Lord, “Everything comes from You, and we have given You only what comes from Your hand.” (1 Chronicles 29:14 NIV) Even when we give to God, we are only giving Him back some of what we received from Him in the first place. My husband is retired now, and I believe that Joe and I are out of debt today, partly because we have learned to give God the thanks and praise for being our true Source.
Maybe you are in a place of great financial need today. On the basis of God’s Word, you can pray, “Lord, give me the power to get wealth.” But don’t stop there. Keep thanking and praising Him for giving you the talents, skills, and gifts you need to make a living. Your gratitude will delight God’s heart and open the door to His abundant provision!
Lord, help me to always remember that YOU are the One who gives me the power to get wealth. Remind me often that everything comes from You, and that when I give, it is YOU who are the Source of my giving. Help me to see all of my talents, gifts, and skills as coming from You, and make them more valuable and in demand every day. Thank You that as I continually give You the thanks, praise, and honor You deserve, You will reward me with an abundance and overflow of spiritual and earthly blessings!
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Apr 1 24
Your God is a Great and Awesome God
“Do not be terrified by them, for the Lord your God, who is among you, is a great and awesome God.” Deuteronomy 7:21 NIV
When I began studying the Bible in-depth many years ago, I would read about the Israelites doubting God after He worked wonders for them, and I would think, “How could they be so dull?” But after walking closely with God for a while, and allowing Him to teach me, I discovered that I often do the very same thing.
One verse that the Lord has shown me time and again when I have encountered a new problem is Deuteronomy 7:19 (NIV): “The Lord your God will do the same to all the peoples you now fear.” Here, the Lord is basically saying, “You remember those other adversities and enemies you faced in the past, and how I fought those battles and won them for you? Well, I’m going to do the same thing with these new troubles you are facing, if you will only look to Me and depend on My help!”
The NLT version says that God will use the “same power” against our NEW enemies that He used against our OLD enemies. Our “enemies” can be sickness or disease. Or poverty, debt, and lack. Or family or relationship problems. Or the loss of a loved one or a job. It can be whatever the devil throws at us.
No matter what you are facing today, I believe that if you will take this message to heart, and apply it to your situation, you will see the hand of God working mightily on your behalf. Trust Him. Cry out to Him. And treasure His words of assurance today: “Do not be terrified by them, for the Lord your God, who is among you, is a great and awesome God!” (Deuteronomy 7:21 NIV)
Lord, help me to always see You as the great and awesome God that You are. When I face new problems of any kind, remind me of how You used Your power in the past to help me overcome my former problems. Fight my battles for me, and show me how to cooperate with You every step of the way. Thank You that as I continually look to You, and depend on Your divine help, You will lead me along the paths of victory and success!
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Mar 24 24
Pray Focused Prayers
“Be persistent and devoted to prayer, being alert and focused in your prayer life with an attitude of thanksgiving.” Colossians 4:2 AMP
One morning during my time with the Lord, He led me to the verse above. Usually, when the Holy Spirit shows me this powerful verse, He emphasizes the importance of “persistent” prayer, but this time was different. This time, He stressed the word, “focused.”
He reminded me of Jesus’ words in Mark Chapter 4, where He tells the Parable of the Sower. Here, the Savior talks about the people who have the Word of God preached to them, and how “Satan comes immediately and takes away the Word that was sown in their hearts.” (Mark 4:15 NKJV) The Holy Spirit impressed upon me that just as the devil comes for the Word, he also comes for our prayers.
Satan knows that God’s will for our lives is accomplished through prayer, so the last thing he wants us to do is pray. He knows that prayer limits his activities in our lives, and in the lives of our loved ones, and it greatly restricts his influence over us. He will do his best to distract us from praying and spending time in God’s Word.
I once heard someone say that if Satan can’t hinder our relationship with God by making us immoral, he will simply make us busy. The Lord did not call us to be busy, but to be productive and fruitful. Without praying focused prayers, we will never accomplish all that God has called us to do, because we will constantly be sidetracked by demon-devised distractions, discouragement, and detours.
Focused prayers have the power to stop the devil’s diabolical strategies against us and our loved ones. Are you prepared to do what it takes to pray these kinds of prayers?
Lord, teach me by Your Spirit to be persistent, alert, and focused in my prayer life. Show me what it means to be devoted to prayer. Fill me with an attitude of thanksgiving, especially in my prayer life. Help me to understand that this kind of prayer involves commitment and sacrifice. Thank You that as I cooperate with You in this area, nothing and no one can hinder Your awesome plans for me and mine!
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Mar 17 24
You will Surely be Rewarded
“If you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of My followers, you will surely be rewarded.” Matthew 10:42 NLT
The verse above is a promise from Jesus Himself to His loyal followers. If we bless a fellow believer in even the smallest way, we will be rewarded by a grateful God.
What are some of the things we can do to minister to a brother or sister in Christ? We can offer them a word of encouragement when they need it most. We can call them or text them with an uplifting message. We can treat them to lunch. Or gift them with a new Bible. We can send them a heartwarming greeting card. Or give them a ride to church or a doctor’s appointment. We can pick up their groceries. We can pray for them, and share God’s promises with them. Sometimes the best thing we can do for fellow believers is to simply listen to them, and let them know how much they mean to us, and to God.
Hebrews 6:10 (NIV) is another promise from the Lord that we can confidently claim as we minister to His people. “God is not unjust; He will NOT forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped His people and continue to help them.” This tells us that we show our love for the Lord every time we intentionally bless our brothers and sisters in Christ. And He is not about to “forget” our efforts, simply because He is a just God.
So be generous with your acts of kindness toward fellow believers, knowing without a doubt that “you will SURELY be rewarded”!
Lord, give me a tender and responsive heart toward even “the least of [Your] followers.” Show me by Your Spirit which ones You would like me to minister to each day. Help me to pray the prayers of Your heart for them. Give me the right words at the right time to encourage and edify them. Multiply my resources of time, money, and energy as I plant seeds of kindness. Thank You that all of my efforts in Your name will SURELY be rewarded – here and in the hereafter!
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Mar 10 24
The One who Trusts won’t Tremble
“Therefore, the Lord God says: Look! I’m laying in Zion a stone, a tested stone, a valuable cornerstone, a sure foundation: the one who trusts won’t tremble.” Isaiah 28:16 CEB
If you have been struggling with anxiety, fear, or doubt lately, I have a word from the Lord for you. If you would just keep your focus on God, and keep Christ as your “sure foundation” – giving Him first place in your life – He says that you will not only survive, but thrive, no matter what comes your way. Let me share with you this powerful promise in the various translations that the Lord gave me, so that you can gain the divine revelation that will lift you above your circumstances, and launch you into victory.
“The one who trusts won’t tremble.” (CEB) Since “God didn’t give us a cowardly spirit but a Spirit of power, love, and good judgment,” putting our trust in Him and His enabling Spirit will steady us and enable us to make good decisions even in the midst of troubled times. (2 Timothy 1:7 GW)
“Whoever believes in Him will not worry.” (GW) Our faith in Christ and His Word leads us to “pray about everything,” so that we “don’t worry about anything.” (Philippians 4:6 NLT) Only those of us who maintain this kind of faith can “experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand.” (4:7)
“Anyone who trusts in that Rock will not be disappointed.” (ERV) God’s promise to those who have a genuine trust in Him is: “When you come looking for Me, you’ll find Me. Yes, when you get serious about finding Me and want it more than anything else, I’ll make sure you won’t be disappointed…I’ll turn things around for you.” (Jeremiah 29:13-14 MSG)
There are untold rewards for trusting Christ this year, and in all the years ahead. Today, I invite you to pray with all your heart, “Lord help me to make You my ‘sure foundation’” – and open the door to a glorious life of fearlessness, stability, and dreams fulfilled!
Lord, teach me how to give You first place in my life, and to seek Your will for me in every situation and circumstance. Help me to read, study, and memorize Your Word and promises, so that I can recall and declare them whenever I am tempted to worry, doubt, or despair. Thank You that as I keep my wholehearted trust in You, I will lay hold of the breakthroughs and blessings that are Your best for me!
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Mar 3 24
The Lord will Execute His Word
“For the Lord will execute His Word on the earth, thoroughly and quickly.” Romans 9:28 NASB
Here is a promise from God for His people when it seems as though our prayers are going unanswered for longer than we would like them to. The Lord is saying here that though the answers to our petitions may be delayed for a time, the day will come when He will release His divine power into our situation suddenly and explosively.
I like to think of this verse saying that the Lord will “execute” His PROMISES on my behalf “thoroughly and quickly.” The NIV version says, “with speed and finality.” That means that when the time is right, God will speed up His work on my behalf, and HE will have the final Word – not people, or even the devil himself.
How do we position ourselves to receive these dynamic answers to our prayers? We keep on believing. When our five senses tell us that our dreams are never going to come to pass, we don’t let that bother us. We just keep on believing God’s promises. I like to remind myself of Jesus’ words in Mark 5:36 (TPT): “Don’t yield to fear. All you need to do is to keep on believing.” Very often, securing our victory is simply a matter of staying in faith when everything and everyone around us is tempting us to doubt the Lord and His promises. The devil doesn’t know how to handle a believer who refuses to give up. It literally drives him crazy when we lay hold of a promise of God and refuse to let go.
God has some breakthroughs in store for you that He wants to “execute” on your behalf “thoroughly and quickly.” “ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS TO KEEP ON BELIEVING”!
Lord, I pray that by Your Holy Spirit, You will lead me to the exact promises from Your Word that You would like me to pray and stand on today. You see my needs, and You know the desires of my heart, and I believe that You have some amazing breakthroughs in store for me. Show me how to get into agreement with You so that I can receive the victories that belong to me in Christ. Thank You that as I keep my faith in You and Your Word, You will release Your awesome power on my behalf with supernatural speed and finality!
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*Join the J. M. Farro Devotionals group on Facebook, and connect with J. M. Farro — with mid-week devotionals in addition to the standard weekly devotionals. You can access this group by clicking here!
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Feb 25 24
The Promise of His Provision
“He has given food and provision to those who reverently and worshipfully fear Him; He will remember His covenant forever and imprint it [on His mind].” Psalm 111:5 AMP
Here is a promise for followers of Christ when we are tempted to worry about our finances or retirement. With rising costs assailing us at the grocery store, at the gas pumps, and elsewhere, it’s all too easy to become fearful and anxious.
There are times when I am standing in line at the grocery store, and I silently pray, “Lord, I thank You that You give us food and provision because we fear and reverence You!” Immediately, peace floods my soul, and I know that God is pleased that I have chosen to put my faith in Him and His Word.
My husband, Joe, and I have had plenty of opportunities to worry about our finances since we retired several years ago. In fact, Joe was so fearful about us not having a regular income that he entertained the thought of postponing his retirement. He was having serious heart problems at the time, and I knew in my heart that if he put off retiring, it could seriously affect his health. When I pleaded with the Lord to move mightily in our financial situation before Joe was scheduled to retire, God moved heaven and earth to enable us to pay off all our debts before then. Since then, we have trusted the Lord to “give us food and provision” on a daily basis, and He has never once failed us.
God is not about to forget His covenant promises to His faithful ones – He even says that they are imprinted on His mind. Now, it’s up to you and me that WE don’t forget His promises, and that we pray them and stand on them in faith for all of our needs. As we do, the necessary food and provision will be ours in Jesus’ name!
Lord, please work in my heart so that I will resist becoming fearful and fretful about my financial situation at any time. Remind me often that You have promised to abundantly supply all my needs according to Your riches in glory in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19) Thank You that as I seek first Your kingdom and Your righteousness, You will supply all my needs – and then some! (Matthew 6:33)
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Feb 18 24
Prepared for Trouble
“I am troubled; O Lord, come to my aid!” Isaiah 38:14 NIV
When I read this verse the other morning, I thought to myself, “I’m not feeling particularly troubled today.” But by the end of that day, I was praying this verse with all my heart, and receiving all the help and reassurance I needed.
This experience reminded me once again of how the Lord will often lead me to a verse of Scripture BEFORE I actually need it. Think about it. Who else can go ahead of us and minister to us before we need specific encouragement, strength, and comfort?
I have to confess that, sometimes, when God shows me a verse that talks about facing difficulty and pain when I’m not feeling particularly troubled, it makes me shudder. Often, I will ask, “Are you trying to prepare me for something that’s up ahead, Lord?” And I look to Him for His reassurance.
Sometimes, believers tend to be so afraid of making a negative confession that we “edit” our prayers, and we don’t share our true feelings and struggles with the Lord. It goes against our nature to confess something like, “I am troubled; O Lord, come to my aid!” But sometimes, that’s exactly what the Lord wants us to do.
God wants to prepare you ahead of time for any trouble you might encounter in this life. If you will seek Him daily and live your life for Him, He will make sure that you always have all of the strength, encouragement, and wisdom you will ever need to live the abundant life He has called you to!
Lord, when I am facing adversity of any kind, help me to turn to You first. Remind me to resist “editing” my prayers, and to freely pour out my heart to You. Fill me with a growing passion for Your presence and Your Word, so that I will seek You each day in undistracted and unhurried prayer and Scripture reading. Thank You that as I walk closely with You each day, I will have all of the divine strength, wisdom, and assistance I need to succeed!
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*Join the J. M. Farro Devotionals group on Facebook, and connect with J. M. Farro — with mid-week devotionals in addition to the standard weekly devotionals. You can access this group by clicking here!
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Feb 11 24
