Dec 3 23
Write It Down
“Thus speaks the Lord God of Israel, saying: ‘Write in a book for yourself all the words that I have spoken to you.’” Jeremiah 30:2 NKJV
I have heard many teachers and preachers over the years urging God’s people to keep a daily journal. And I have done that myself on and off. Recently, the Lord showed me a verse in the Bible that convinced me that it was time to take this sort of thing more seriously. “Thus speaks the Lord God of Israel, saying: ‘Write in a book FOR YOURSELF all the words that I have spoken to you.’” (Jeremiah 30:2 NKJV) This was God’s way of telling me that recording His personal promises and instructions to me was for my own benefit. And it didn’t take long for Him to prove it to me.
One morning, as I spent time alone in God’s presence and Word, He showed me some verses about healing. I had seen them many times before, and I had even memorized them, but I felt strongly that I was supposed to write them down in my journal. The next day, when I woke up feeling sick, faith and confidence immediately rose up in me as I felt armed with those Scriptures to come against the illness that had come against me. And I became convinced more than ever that writing down the words and promises that God speaks to me is for my own benefit.
If you keep a daily journal, then my guess is that you already know the immense value of this spiritual discipline. If you don’t, I invite you to ask the Lord to show you how you can start doing this very thing – for your own good, and for His glory!
Lord, speak to my heart about keeping a faith journal of some kind. Lead me to record “all the words that [You] have spoken to [me],” when it is Your will for me to do so. Help me to spend regular, consistent time in Your presence and Your Word. Teach me how to pray the prayers of Your heart for myself and others. Thank You that as I follow the leading of Your Holy Spirit in these areas, You will reveal Yourself to me in life-changing ways!
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Nov 26 23
You Are God’s Property
“Remember [earnestly] also your Creator [that you are not your own, but His property now].” Ecclesiastes 12:1 AMP
During my quiet time with the Lord the other day, He showed me a verse in the Amplified Bible that was a sobering reminder for me. Ecclesiastes 12:1 says: “Remember [earnestly] also your Creator [that you are not your own, but His property now].” For years, I have been declaring to Satan and his evil cohorts that I am the property of Almighty God, and under His protection. But if I am honest, there are still times in my everyday life that I don’t behave like a child of the King.
The apostle Paul reiterates the fact that God’s saved ones belong entirely to Him when he says: “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NIV) Paul was warning God’s people against sexual immorality, but this principle applies to every area of our life.
Paul also wrote: “So we make it our goal to please Him.” (2 Corinthians 5:9 NIV) And here is the bottom line. In all things, our goal should be to do whatever is most pleasing to the Lord. When we choose our entertainment, our goal should be to please God. With our relationships, especially our close relationships, our focus should be on pleasing the Lord. Even where our eating and drinking habits are concerned, our greatest desire should be to please God. As Paul writes, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31 NIV)
If we remember that every command and guideline that the Lord gives us in His Word is for our own protection and benefit, it won’t be so difficult for us to do what honors Him most. And Scripture assures us that we will have God’s divine power working on our behalf the whole time. As it is written, “God is working in you, giving you the DESIRE and the POWER to do what pleases Him.” (Philippians 2:13 NLT) Hallelujah!
Lord, I believe that because of my faith in Christ, I belong to You, and I am Your property. Remind me often that I am not my own – I was bought with a heavy and precious price – and Your will is for me to honor You with every part of myself, including my body. Thank You that You have begun a good work in me, and You will continue to perfect and complete it until the day of Christ’s return! (Philippians 1:6 AMP)
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Nov 19 23
Reaching the Unreachable
“He will even deliver the one [for whom you intercede] who is not innocent; yes, he will be delivered through the cleanness of your hands.” Job 22:30 AMP
My husband, Joe, has a long-time friend who has been running away from God all of his life. Some years ago, the Lord led me to begin praying for this man and his family on a regular basis. I stood on God’s promise which says: “[The Lord] will even deliver the one [for whom you intercede] who is not innocent; yes, he will be delivered through the cleanness of your hands.” (Job 22:30 AMP)
As it turned out, my husband’s friend didn’t turn his life over to Christ after I prayed faithfully for years, but his son did. Not only did this son get saved, but he married a Christlike believer who encouraged his devotion to the Lord. They have three children now – grandchildren of my husband’s friend – and God is using these little ones, and their godly parents, to draw this man to Him. Now they can claim God’s promise in Acts 16:31 (NASB), which says: “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” And I believe with all my heart that it’s only a matter of time before Joe’s friend surrenders his life to the Lord.
If you have people you care about who are unsaved, pray faithfully for them. Even if they look like a hopeless case, rest assured that the Lord has a way of reaching them, perhaps even through their own loved ones. Let this encouraging promise from the Scriptures fill you with a fresh sense of hope today – “The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working]!” (James 5:16 AMP)
Lord, show me who You would like me to pray for at this time, and help me to be faithful in prayer. Remind me often that my prayers can bring salvation to the lost, freedom to the oppressed, and healing to the hurting in Jesus’ name. When I am tempted to quit and give up praying, fill me with a fresh sense of hope. Thank You that as I persevere in prayer, You will move heaven and earth to bring my petitions to pass!
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Nov 13 23
Our ‘Little’ Troubles
“That’s why I urge you to pray for absolutely everything, ranging from small to large. Include everything as you embrace this God-life, and you’ll get God’s everything.” Mark 11:24 MSG
My husband, Joe, and I bought a new refrigerator a few months ago that came with a finicky ice maker. When the ice cubes stick together and won’t come out of the dispenser, I use a butter knife to dislodge them. I was doing this very thing one day when my husband scolded me and told me to be more gentle. He was right, because just a few minutes later, the ice maker began making horrendous grinding noises, and I feared that I had broken it. I immediately went to the Lord in prayer, asking Him to forgive my stupidity and carelessness, and to rectify the problem. I called the repair man first thing the next morning, and while I waited for him to arrive, I prayed and read my Bible. That’s when the Lord showed me a passage that encouraged my heart.
A group of prophets comes to the great prophet Elisha and asks him to help them build a bigger place for them to meet. They all go to the Jordan River and begin to cut down trees. As one of the men is chopping down a tree, his axhead falls into the water. He immediately cries out that it is a borrowed tool, and Elisha cuts a stick and throws it in the water where the axhead was last seen. As the iron floats to the top of the water, the man retrieves it, and all ends well. (2 Kings 6:1-7)
As I prayerfully read this account in the Bible, I marveled at the fact that God enabled the great prophet Elisha to perform a miracle simply to restore a borrowed implement for one of His faithful ones. It demonstrates the Lord’s loving care and provision for those who trust Him with even the most insignificant events of daily life. Scripture says, “The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him.” (Nahum 1:7 NIV) There is no matter too small or insignificant in the eyes of our God. He cares about everything that concerns us, and He does not despise our petitions for seemingly trivial things. The fact is, when we fail to ask for the Lord’s help with seemingly small matters, they can often blossom into large matters, and then it can take a major miracle to solve them.
Scripture says: “The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.” (Psalm 37:23-24 NLT) If we will always keep in mind that God “delights in every detail of [our] lives,” we will seek Him for direction the moment we have a problem of any size. Then He will “busy Himself with our every step” – guiding us, and supporting us all the way. (Psalm 37:23 AMP) I love the Message Translation of Jesus’ words in Mark 11:24: “I urge you to pray for absolutely everything, ranging from small to large. Include everything as you embrace this God-life, and you’ll get God’s everything.” The Master knows that prayerlessness can cost us, and He longs to spare us from unnecessary pain and problems.
As I relied on the Lord to fix my ice maker problem, He provided the perfect serviceman to not only repair my ice maker, but to cause it to work better than ever. And because the warranty was still in effect, it didn’t cost me a penny.
Perhaps you have some “petty” concerns today that you are hesitant to pray about. Maybe you even caused some of these problems yourself. If so, I urge you to turn to the Lord right now, and to invite Him into your situation to bring about a favorable conclusion. You’ll be amazed at how eager He is to turn your “little” troubles into big blessings!
Lord, I regret the times that I failed to seek Your guidance and help, and instead relied on myself or someone else. Give me a greater understanding of what prayerlessness can cost me, and how much it offends You. Fill me with a deep love for Your Word, and the desire to spend time alone with You each day. By Your Spirit, lead me to pray the prayers of Your heart in every matter that concerns me. Thank You that as I learn to lean on You and trust in You, I will witness You transforming my little troubles into major triumphs!
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Nov 5 23
For the Sake of God’s Reputation
“He leads me down the right paths for the sake of His reputation.” Psalm 23:3 NET
Psalm 23 is a passage that most Christians are familiar with. We have all heard the third verse, where David says, “[The Lord] leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.” (NKJV) I pray this verse over myself and others so frequently that I decided to do an in-depth study of it.
I discovered that in the Hebrew language, this verse can be interpreted as, “He leads me down the right paths for the sake of His reputation.” (Psalm 23:3 NET) In other words, the Lord leads us along paths that are good for us, for the honor of His own name. As one Bible commentator puts it – What does it do to the Shepherd’s name, to His reputation, if He leads His sheep off a cliff? Wouldn’t His reputation be damaged if He leads His flock into a pack of wolves that would devour them? God’s name is exalted when He delivers His people from evil! Jesus Himself prayed to the Father, “Deliver us from evil.” (Matthew 6:13 ESV)
In Psalm 106, the author recounts Israel’s long history of rebellion against God. Verse 8 reveals why the Lord still worked wonders on their behalf. “Yet He delivered them for the sake of His reputation, that He might reveal His power.” (Psalm 106:8 NET)
Because we belong to the Lord, even when we make mistakes and get off track, we can ask Him to lead us out of trouble for the sake of His own reputation. If you are in a painful place today, you can pray with confidence – “O Sovereign Lord, intervene on my behalf for the sake of Your reputation! Because Your loyal love is good, deliver me!” (Psalm 109:21 NET)
Lord, when I make mistakes and get off track, lead me out of trouble for the sake of Your reputation. Teach me what is best for me, and direct me in the way I should go. (Isaiah 48:17 NIV) Help me to believe with all my heart that Your will for me is always good, pleasing, and perfect. (Romans 12:2 NIV) Thank You that as I cling to You and Your Word, You will lead me down the right paths for the sake of Your reputation!
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Oct 29 23
You Are Never Alone
“I will not leave you as orphans [comfortless, desolate, bereaved, forlorn, helpless]; I will come [back] to you.” John 14:18 AMP
When my mother died a few years ago, I was happy that she was in heaven with Jesus, but I felt a sense of loss that I didn’t expect. My dad had died more than 20 years before my mom, and the realization that I was an orphan shook me to the core.
I knew that I had to get alone with the Lord and seek His perspective. That’s when He led me to some precious promises that gave me great comfort and peace. Jesus told His disciples, “No, I will not abandon you or leave you as orphans in the storm — I will come to you.” (John 14:18 TLB) The Amplified version brings out every glorious shade of meaning: “I will not leave you as orphans [comfortless, desolate, bereaved, forlorn, helpless]; I will come [back] to you.”
All through the pages of the Bible, God tells us over and over that He will never abandon us. He says in Hebrews 13:5 (TLB), “I will never, never fail you nor forsake you.” In other words, deserting you is not an option in God’s sight. He created you, He loves you with a perfect love, and He has extraordinary plans and purposes for your life.
After His resurrection, and before He left His disciples behind, the Savior told them, “Be sure of this – that I am with you always, even to the end of the world.” (Matthew 28:20 TLB) This promise is for you and me, too. Our loved ones may die or walk away from us, but we are never, ever alone. Call upon the Lord today, and discover what “an ever-present help in trouble” He truly is! (Psalm 46:1 NIV)
Lord, when I am struggling with loneliness, sadness, or sorrow, make Yourself real to me in healing, comforting, and life-changing ways. Remind me often that You are “the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort.” (2 Corinthians 1:3 NIV) Thank You that as I earnestly seek You every day of my life, Your presence will go with me, and You will give me rest! (Exodus 33:14 NIV)
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Oct 22 23
Managing Our Time
“Teach us to make the most of our time, so that we may grow in wisdom.” Psalm 90:12 NLT
I don’t always manage my time wisely, and even when I do, there are times when I can’t help but run late for things. Fortunately, the Lord taught me that because He is the great Redeemer, I can ask Him to “redeem” the time, so that I can be more punctual on a regular basis. “Redeem” in this sense means that the Lord will save or stretch the time for us in ways that will spare us from embarrassment and problems.
One of the reasons why I feel confident about asking the Lord to redeem the time for me, is that I spend time in His presence and His Word every morning before I start my day. I believe that when we give God the best part of our day, instead of leftovers, He rewards us by stretching the time for us when we need it most. If I have an especially busy day ahead of me, or if I have an event, activity, or appointment that I’m very concerned about, I know that I must spend extra time in prayer if I want to experience the best outcome.
Martin Luther is quoted as saying, “I have so much to do today that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.” When we have a full or challenging day ahead of us, we shouldn’t spend less time in prayer and Scripture reading, but we should spend more. I’ve discovered that when we give God the attention He deserves each day, He can make up that time for us by causing all of our efforts throughout the day to go more smoothly, more quickly, and to achieve better results.
In Psalm 90, Moses prayed, “Teach us to make the most of our time, so that we may grow in wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12 NLT) Ask the Lord to help you make the most of your time each day, so that you can give Him His rightful place in your schedule, and fulfill your God-given purpose and potential!
Lord, teach me how to manage my time wisely each and every day. Show me how to give You the best part of my time each day, and how to work my schedule around You. Equip me to fulfill my divine purpose in every area of my life. Anoint me to perform my tasks with a holy ease and joy. Thank You that as I follow Your lead in managing my time each day, I will experience life at its very best!
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Oct 8 23
God is Ready to Set Things Right
“For I am ready to set things right, not in the distant future, but right now!” Isaiah 46:13 NLT
Here is an awesome promise from God to His people when we are in a situation that begs for His mighty and speedy intervention. Notice how the Lord says that He is “ready” to “set things right” in any way that we need Him to do that.
Do you need healing today? God is ready to set things right in your body. Do you need financial help? The Lord is ready to set things right in your finances. Perhaps you need help with a difficult person. God is prepared to set things right in that relationship.
Don’t miss the part in this verse where the Lord says that He will intervene on our behalf “not in the distant future, but right now!” This speaks of a sense of urgency and desperation. It allows us to pray, “Lord, set things right in my body right now!” Or, “Set things right in my finances right now, Lord!” Even, “Set things right in my marriage and my family right now, O God!”
Too often, we pray without really expecting the Lord to act on our behalf “right now.” While there are times when we must wait on God for His intervention, there are certainly occasions when He is more than willing to act instantly and immediately on our behalf – if we ask and really expect Him to. What things in your life need to be “set right” today?
Lord, I choose to believe that You are ready to set things right on my behalf in every area of my life now. Show me how to cooperate with You to receive all of the breakthroughs and blessings that You have in store for me. Guard me from all doubt and unbelief. Help me to dig into Your Word, and to lay hold of the promises that belong to me in Christ. Thank You that as I look to You for help, You will right my wrongs in ways that will bring You great glory!
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Oct 1 23
Resort to Prayer
“In return for my love they are my adversaries, but I resort to prayer.” Psalm 109:4 AMP
I often hear from believers who are in relationship with people who are bitter, angry, and vindictive. Some of these difficult people are family members that they just cannot bring themselves to cut off. So they are constantly met with opposition, criticism, and accusations that wear them down, and even harm their health and well-being. To make matters worse, when these precious people look for help and support from their other loved ones, their pain is often minimized, and even ridiculed.
If you are one of these hurting people, let me assure you that I have some understanding of how you feel. The last time I was in this kind of situation, and I sought the Lord for answers, He led me to a very powerful principle in Psalm 109:4 (AMP): “In return for my love they are my adversaries, but I resort to prayer.” Being hurt by our own loved ones is some of the worst kind of hurt that we will ever experience on this earth. Feelings of betrayal and rejection can shake us to the core. And it can affect our whole outlook on life. But there is hope. If we will learn to “resort to prayer” – earnestly and diligently seeking God for His love, wisdom, comfort, and courage – He will show us exactly how we should respond to gain the victory in our situation.
Many times, the Lord will lead us to distance ourselves from a loved one’s hurtful behavior. We can do that physically by limiting our exposure to them. When that’s not possible, we can often distance ourselves from these difficult people emotionally. We detach ourselves from them in an emotional sense, and we remain guarded in all of our dealings with them. Jesus said: “Behold, I am sending you out like sheep in the midst of wolves; be wary and wise as serpents, and be innocent (harmless, guileless, and without falsity) as doves. Be on guard against men [whose way or nature is to act in opposition to God].” (Matthew 10:16-17 AMP) The Lord offers us His protection, but He expects us to be on the alert for people who mean us harm.
One translation of Psalm 109:4 (NKJV) says, “In return for my love they are my accusers, but I give myself to prayer.” Giving ourselves to prayer – seeking God’s will and wisdom when we are faced with opposition – can bring peace, victory, and blessing. The Lord wants to help you deal with your own adversaries and accusers. Will you earnestly seek Him today?
Lord, whenever I am met with contempt, criticism, or vindictiveness, I pray that my first response will be to “resort to prayer.” As I seek You, give me all the wisdom, comfort, and courage I need to do Your will, and reveal Your love for me in fresh, new ways. Show me which people I need to love from a distance. And surround me with believers who will support and encourage me. Thank You that as I follow Your will and Your wisdom, You will prove Yourself to be my mighty Vindicator and Rewarder! (Isaiah 54:17)
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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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