Introduction: When you are facing an enemy, do you praise the Lord? Or do you try to fight a flesh-and-blood battle? Good King Jehoshaphat learned the principle of just how amazing praising God can be! Try it—you’ll like it!

1. What do you do when the enemy attacks? (2 Chronicles 20:1-2) – “It came to pass after this also, that the children of Moab, and the children of Ammon, and with them other beside the Ammonites, came against Jehoshaphat to battle. Then there came some that told Jehoshaphat, saying, There cometh a great multitude against thee from beyond the sea on this side Syria; and, behold, they be in Hazazontamar, which is Engedi.”

Our infernal enemy attacks relentlessly. Therefore, we need to seek the Lord continually.

2. Do you remain fearful? (2 Chronicles 20:3-4) – “And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. And Judah gathered themselves together, to ask help of the LORD: even out of all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD.

Fearful? Yes. But prayerful as well! Should we make it a practice to seek the Lord? Do you? Will you now?

Choice: Fear or Faith?

3. Will you exercise faith in the Lord? (2 Chronicles 20:12-13) – “O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee. And all Judah stood before the LORD, with their little ones, their wives, and their children.”

Notice the confirmation of answered prayer:

“Then upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah… came the Spirit of the LORD in the midst of the congregation; And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s.” (2 Chronicles 20:14-15)

Aren’t you glad to know that our Lord will always execute perfect justice, whether we see it in this life or in the life to come?

4. Does our Lord keep His promises as we seek Him and His will? (2 Chronicles 20:17) – “Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you.”

1 + God = Majority

5. Will our Lord bring vengeance upon His enemies? (2 Chronicles 20:21-22) – “And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the LORD; for his mercy endureth for ever. And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.”

Payday someday.

6. What should our response be when our Lord answers prayer? (2 Chronicles 20:27-28) – “Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, and Jehoshaphat in the forefront of them, to go again to Jerusalem with joy; for the LORD had made them to rejoice over their enemies. And they came to Jerusalem with psalteries and harps and trumpets unto the house of the LORD.”

You can’t help but praise the Lord! He deserves it!

Conclusion: There is power in praise! From this biblical account, we can deduce that our great God, Jesus Christ, honors and rewards those who diligently seek Him.

See where you may be in this true story. Are you at the point of brokenness? Most Christians are not.

Did you know that people all around us are waiting in line to get a breakthrough from Jesus? Luke explains.

“And it came to pass, that, when Jesus was returned, the people gladly received him: for they were all waiting for him.” (Luke 8:40)

Imagine the scene. Whoever could get to the front of the line received the blessing! A lot of pushing and shoving was going on.

1. Have You Gotten to the Point of Brokenness? (Luke 8:43) — “And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any.”

Bottom line: This woman was busted and disgusted! Her co-pays from all the doctors had drained her bank account, and she was still sick! Actually, she was losing blood. She was probably anemic, weak, and depressed. Needless to say, she was in a desperate situation.

Have you ever been there? Maybe not physically, but what about emotionally? Relationally? Mentally? Financially? Spiritually?

2. Will You Go from Brokenness to Boldness? (Luke 8:44) — “Came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched.”

Go to Jesus! He’s the only One who can truly cure our disease called sin. He’s the only One who can restore the years the locusts have eaten. He’s the only One who can pick us up and give us unwavering security, regardless of our circumstances.

3. From Brokenness to Boldness…to Blessedness! (Luke 8:45–48) — “And Jesus said, Who touched me? When all denied, Peter and they that were with him said, Master, the multitude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me. And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately. And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.”

If you have reached the point of brokenness and then moved to boldness, then more than likely you can arrive at blessedness!

Prayer is the key to heaven, but faith unlocks the door! Do you have your keys?

Conclusion: So now, will you go on a journey from brokenness to boldness to blessedness?

Don’t forget your KEYS—and grab them with FAITH!

Does oil do the healing? These and other questions will be addressed in this brief devotion.

1. The Need to Be Healed (James 5:13–14 ) – “Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.”

Please note that there are two different words used for “sick.” The first word for “sick” (v. 14) is ἀσθενέω (as-then-eh’-o), which means to be diseased, weak, or ill. The next word, “sick” (v. 15), is κάμνω (kam’-no), which means weary, faint, or sick.

Again, look at the specific chronological order. First, let him pray. Second, let him call for the elders (πρεσβύτερος) of the church. This word means older and can indicate maturity. Third, anoint with oil. According to most scholars, this means to rub with oil. Even though oil was used in biblical times for healing, that is not the intention here. Another word in the Bible used for “anoint” means ceremonial anointing, which is not the meaning in this passage. Finally, we are instructed to anoint him in the name of the Lord.

2. The Need to Pray for Healing (James 5:15–16) – “And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”

Did you notice the God-given progression?

CONFESSION → INTERCESSION → RESTORATION

By the way, do not try to reverse the order.

Conclusion: Several final points need to be addressed. The prayer of faith is said to cure him. In other words, why pray if you don’t believe?

WARNING: If the person is not healed, it does not mean those praying did not have enough faith. Instead, it has to do with God’s will.

Lastly, the phrase, “if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him,” can be interpreted several ways. One, when Jesus saw the faith of the men who lowered the paralyzed man through the roof, He declared that his sins were forgiven. Two, according to both the psychological and medical world, physical sickness can sometimes be the result of sin or disobedience (see 1 Corinthians 5 and 11)*. Therefore, those sins would need to be forgiven in conjunction with their healing.

Hope this helps.

Here’s how that works.

1. Remember Who You Are and Come Under His Authority (1 Pet. 5:6) –“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.”

Who is in control? You? Not hardly. Why not submit to God’s sovereignty? Come under so that you can be over. Makes sense?

2. Remember Who Jesus Is and Let Go of Your Anxiety (1 Pet. 5:7)– “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”

The word “anxiety” has to do with a distracted mind. Are you feeling distracted? Why worry when you can pray? By the way, the cure for care is prayer.

3. Remember Who the Devil Is and Stand Against Your Arch Enemy (1 Pet. 5:8–9 )– “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.”

Watch out for the lion on the loose. Be alert. He will roar when he has his prey. But do not run or retreat from him. Instead, stand and fight against him in the name of Jesus Christ. Stay clothed with His armor (Eph. 6:10–18). Sleep with it.

4. Remember Whose You Are and Claim the Victory (1 Pet. 5:9–10)– “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 you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”

Suffering is inevitable. Suffering today—glory tomorrow. Please notice that suffering is just for a little while. Afterwards, as we draw near to God, He strengthens us and secures us because of His peace, presence, and promises.

Conclusion: What a great word from the Lord! Will you turn your mess and be blessed? How? By going back over and coming under His authority, letting go of our anxiety, standing against the enemy, and claiming the victory!

Moses shares (3) interesting insights as to what we are to do that will take your FAITH in the God of the Bible to a whole another level.

All of us could probably use that! How about you?

• Bad decisions by leaders affect others (Prov. 29:2)

• Cultural influences affect us more than we realize (1 John 2:15–17)

How do you think Moses’ mom, Jochebed, and dad, Amram, felt? (Exo. 6:20)

• She fought her FEARS

• She fed her FAITH

Imagine the alligators, excuse me, crocodiles!

How about that? Get paid for raising your own child!

• In this case, things turned out good, but not always the way we want it.

• Learning to TRUST the Lord—His will be done.

Conclusion: Do you need God’s PEACE for things out of your control, His POWER to change things under your control, and His PRESENCE to know He’s in control?

By FAITH in the God of the Bible (Jesus Christ), Moses’ parents TRUSTED to “LET IT FLOAT!” (Heb. 11:23–29)

God help us to do the same.

Have you given your all to Jesus? Why should you give your all to Jesus? How can you give your all to Jesus? This great passage in Jude gives us decisive steps to giving our all to Jesus. In fact, this will even explain both why and how we should. So how can we?

1) By BUILDING UP our PRAYER life with STRONGER FAITH because of these days of APOSTASY! (Jude 1:3,4,20) – “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost.” “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” Prayer and faith go hand in hand. Without faith, prayer is useless. Without prayer, faith is ineffective. Both are joined together; and when joined they make an unbeatable combination.

2) By STAYING SWEET with the LOVE of JESUS in the LIGHT of His COMING in Power and GLORY! (Jude 1:14,21) – “Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” “And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints.” The love of God poured into our heart sweetens it up! While the world can sprinkle bitterness in our minds – if we let it – God’s great unconditional love smothers with truth and grace. 3) By RESCUING SINNERS with the Life – line of God’s GRACE because they will PERISH out in ETERNITY! (Jude 1:22,23) – “And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.” “Pulling them out” is an action word not passive.

Are you throwing out the life preserver? Will you give your all to Jesus? If we do, then we will be strengthened in our faith, sweetened in our relationships, and steadfast in our witness.

Introduction: Are our homes under attack from Satan’s forces? Is the “My Way” mentality plaguing our marriages. Does it seem like children are becoming more and more rebellious? 

1) A Husband’s love and leadership! (Colossians 3:19)—“Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.” Love means love. What? Really this word “love” is agape which has to do with unconditional love. Truthfully, only Jesus Christ working in and thru a husband can fulfill this role. Why? Because we are selfish by nature. However, when the Holy Spirit fills a believing husband then he is empowered to overcome the flesh, and thus glorify the Lord while fulfilling his godly calling. 

Conclusion: There we have it. God’s Design for our Time. Follow His plan, and get His blessing!

Dr. Randy Reese | A Daily Devotional

Conclusion: Here are proven biblical examples of REVIVAL. Measurement should be taken from these, not the shallow and emotional movements of today.

Go back over the list and see if you are a candidate for REVIVAL. If so, be RESILIENT.

Introduction: Can you tell there has been a cosmic shift in our culture when it comes to CHRISTianity? From Politics to the Pulpit, there is a trend of redefining biblical doctrine. What seems to be spelled out as a sinful practice has become socially acceptable. Unfortunately, this is the case even in CHRISTian circles.

However, a steady diet of the Word of God cuts diametrically opposed to this nonsense. Only those who are “walking in the light of the truth” of the Word of God will be able to discern the error. But stop and think. Most all of the prophets faced this dilemma. Many lost their lives because of their faith in the God of the Bible. Remember. Their names are engraved in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

Just like the martyred saints who will be beheaded during the tribulation because they will not worship the beast or take his mark, their time will come. They will be rewarded by being resurrected during the millennial reign of Jesus Christ while on earth to rule and reign. 

So here is the up to date question, “are you a fence straddler?” Where do you stand? Do you lovingly take a stand for truth and righteousness? How much persecution are you willing to endure?

Please note these non negotiables:

1. All Scripture is inspired of God (2Tim. 3:16; 2Tim. 2:15) – “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.”

2. One must follow the proper method of interpretation of the Bible (2Pet. 1:20-21) – “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”

3. Lordship is more important that friendship or kinship (Luke 6:46) – “And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?”

“Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.” (Luke 12:51-53)

4. Prepare to be persecuted (2Tim. 3:12;2:12;1:12; 1Pet. 4:12-19) – “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”

5. Rejoice and give God glory (Rom. 8:18) – “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”

6. Be humble and take your place in the cross (Gal. 6:14) – “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.”

Conclusion: The choice is ours. Are we going to be a friend of the world and an enemy of the Lord or a friend of Grace and hated by the world? 

“……know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God” (James 4:4).

Introduction: Should we pray for everyone? Who would that include? See if these are on your list. Perhaps you may need to make some adjustments. Why not go ahead and do it right now?

1. Praying for those in AUTHORITY! (1 Tim. 2:1–2) – “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.”

Does this mean the president? Vice president? The pope? The governor? The leaders of even Iran, Russia, China, Israel, America? How about school teachers? Law enforcement officials? Church leaders? What about those we disagree with?

By the way, do parents have AUTHORITY? What about non-Christian parents? Should we pray for them?

2. Praying for those in INIQUITY! (1 Tim. 2:4–6) – “Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.”

Did you catch that it is God’s will for ALL men to be saved, even though we know that all men will not be saved?

How should we pray for BACKSLIDERS? Those out of the will of God? Are you praying for these? Why not start?

3. Praying for those in the MINISTRY! (1 Tim. 2:7) – “Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.”

Those in the MINISTRY definitely need prayer! Due to spiritual warfare, both men and women who serve the Lord could use some extraordinary prayers.

This inspired writer, Paul, faced numerous hardships while sharing the gospel. In fact, he was stoned and left for dead because of those who opposed the truth. He endured other atrocities listed in 1 Corinthians chapter eleven.

Furthermore, according to the Holy Spirit-inspired Word, ALL that live godly will suffer persecution. So pray for those serving today.

Conclusion: The ministry of PRAYER stretches out far beyond our own circle of influence. If you would, go back over the list in this devotion and add these to your personal prayer list. Then give God the GLORY!