– Scripture:

In God, we’ll do our very best; he’ll flatten the opposition for good.

Psalms 60:12 MSG

 – Reflection:

It’s easy to feel discouraged when you think you’re under attack, when the odds are against you, and when you don’t feel equipped for what you’re facing. “Under attack” is the wrong perspective. You’re not under attack; you’re in a battle. Under attack implies, “I’m not strong enough. I’m outnumbered.” Both are false. You and God are a majority. You have the most powerful force in the universe on your side. But a mindset that says you’re shortchanged or at a disadvantage is not going to move you forward. You have challenges because there’s something unique in front of you. The enemy wouldn’t be fighting you if you didn’t have greatness in you. He’s trying to keep you from taking new ground for the kingdom.

Where do we go from here?

Don’t fall apart. Get your spiritual armor on and start praising God, start declaring His Word, and start speaking His promises. “What was meant for our harm, God is turning to our advantage. What He started in our lives, He’s going to finish. With God, we will do valiantly.”

 – Scripture:

             Grace Always Comes

God did it for us. Out of sheer generosity, he put us in the right standing with himself. A pure gift. He got us out of our mess and restored us to where he always wanted us to be. And he did it by means of Jesus Christ.

                      Romans 3:24 MSG

Key Verse – He got us out of our mess and restored us to where he always wanted us to be.

 – Reflection:

Even though he was the biggest enemy of the early church, Paul says, “The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly” with forgiveness and a call into God’s service. In today’s Scripture, the word Paul uses for “freely” in the original language is “promiscuous,” meaning God’s grace will go to anyone. If someone is promiscuous, they’re unrestrained “Free.”

Where do we go from here?

Grace comes no matter where you are; you can be living under a bridge, and grace will come for you. There can be several things that you think you can’t come back from, but the Grace of God is always there to pick us up.

Our Prayer for Today

Father, thank You that we have been freely justified by Jesus’ redemption and that Your grace is abounding in us. Thank You that the power of Your grace has the same transforming effect in us as it did in the Apostle Paul. We believe that Your grace has no limits. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

– Scripture:

             What Makes You Different

God told Moses, “Get up early in the morning and confront Pharaoh as he goes down to the water. Tell him, ‘God’s Message: Release my people so they can worship me. If you don’t release my people, I’ll release swarms of flies on you, your servants, your people, and your homes. The houses of the Egyptians and even the ground under their feet will be thick with flies. But when it happens, I’ll set Goshen, where my people live, aside as a sanctuary—no flies in Goshen. That will show you that I am God in this land. I’ll make a sharp distinction between your people and mine. This sign will occur tomorrow.’”

                      Exodus 8:22-23 MSG

 – Reflection:

God sent plague to Pharaoh and his people to free the Israelites from slavery. What caught my attention was that the Israelites lived right next door, but the plagues never touched them. Whether it was swarms of flies, hordes of frogs, or their livestock falling dead, the Israeli side was untouched. God put a distinction of favor and blessing upon His people.

Where do we go from here?

You have an advantage. You’re not doing life by yourself. It’s not up to your skill, talent, and connections. There’s a force behind you breathing in your direction, protecting you, guiding you, favoring you. The Most High God has set you apart. Honor that…

Our Prayer for Today

Father, thank you for setting us apart from everyone else; it is fantastic to know that you are taking care of those who have taken up the work you provided before we were born. You knew exactly what the world needed and when it would need it. This is why our talents are activated differently and at different times. It is a great honor to be a child of yours. Amen

– Scripture: 

                 After This

Job lived on another 140 years, living to see his children and grandchildren, four generations of them! Then he died an old man a whole life.

                              Job 42:16–17 MSG

– Reflection:

There are forty-two chapters in the book of Job, and all forty-two focus on the difficulties he went through, such as the loss of his business, his children, his health, and the accusations of his friends. It seems like this struggle was his whole life, but “after this,” Job lived over a hundred and forty good years and experienced great joy with his children and grandchildren. God is showing us that the trouble is temporary and that it’s not going to last forever. You may be in a difficult time, but that’s not how your story ends. That loss is not going to define you. That sickness is not going to ruin the rest of your life. That person who walked away, that bad break, or the unfair situation will not stop your purpose.

Where do we go from here?

God has an “after this” for you. After the trouble, you will experience great joy in your life. After the loss, after the sickness, after the legal battle, you’re going to see new friendships, new opportunities, new growth. Your story ends in victory.

Our Prayer for Today

Father, thank You that nothing and no one can upset your plans for my life. Thank You that You have an ‘after this’ for difficult seasons, and my story doesn’t end there. Help me to declare that You live and are on the throne in the tough times. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.