TOO COMFORTABLE
Today’s Scriptures
11 “From his earliest history, Moab has lived in peace,
never going into exile.
He is like wine that has been allowed to settle.
He has not been poured from flask to flask,
and he is now fragrant and smooth. Jeremiah 48:11 (NLT)
Today's TO DO
Remember that your help, health and wealth come from The Lord.
The Kingdom of Moab was a very prosperous kingdom. They lived in peace and because of their military strength. They had come to depend on their wealth and skill. One can say they had become too comfortable. Our reading equates them to a flask of wine that has settled. Unfortunately, their mistake was going to bring destruction to their land. Their idolatry and self-serving behavior had angered The God From Whom All Good Things Come. This situation speaks true to the human condition. When things are going well, we frequently forget how much we prayed our way into our victory. We begin to take credit as if our hard work alone broke ground. We must be cautious so that the downfall of Moab does not materialize in our own situations.
Therefore: At all times and in every season, remember that your help, health and wealth come from The Lord. Give Him the glory that He is due so that it may go well with you. Do not get too comfortable. Forgetfulness can lead to pride. As we all know, pride goes before the fall.
#ojacore #SoleFood #survivingasasurvior #3fold #biblestudy #bible
MY MONEY
Today’s Scriptures
8 “Should people cheat God? Yet you have cheated me!
“But you ask, ‘What do you mean? When did we ever cheat you?’
“You have cheated me of the tithes and offerings due to me.
Malachi 3:8 (NLT)
Today's TO DO
Thank God for every penny that comes into your hands.
The matter of the tithe has become a controversial topic because of a few servants of the house of The Lord who have abused the sacred things. What was supposed to be used to advance the kingdom of God, is being used for personal benefit. As a result, the saints have grown weary of honoring God with the tithe. However, remember where your ability to generate wealth comes from. The tithe is supposed to be a form of worship. It is your gratitude that should drive you to offer to God what is His.
Therefore: If you attend a ministry where the leader is rumored to abuse the tithe and there is no peace in your spirit over the matter, take it seriously. The Lord is displeased with a house where the tithe is being eaten and misused because the tithe is Holy. The priest of the house should be above reproach. If possible, find your covering elsewhere. However, if moving is not an option, find a reputable ministry to give your tithe to so that your tithe can be an act of worship that is used to serve the hurting and to evangelize the world. Remember that what you may call, “my money,” is a privilege that God allows you to have authority over. Give Him thanks and praise for every penny then remember to return the tithe to the God who blessed you with the 100%.
#ojacore #SoleFood #survivingasasurvior #3fold #biblestudy #bible
WHAT COMES NEXT
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
6 and all the hill country from Lebanon to Misrephoth-maim, including all the land of the Sidonians.
“I myself will drive these people out of the land ahead of the Israelites. So be sure to give this land to Israel as a special possession, just as I have commanded you.
Joshua 13:6 (NLT)
TODAY’S TO DO
Diligently walk out your part of God’s plan and purpose for your life then trust Him to honor every promise that He has made you.
Under Joshua’s leadership, the Israelite armies had won many battles and acquired countless territories in the promised land. However, in Joshua’s old age, multiple regions remained unconquered. Concerning these territories, The Father promised to drive out the inhabitants by Himself. All Joshua had to do was distribute the land to the people as God had instructed. Likewise, there are some battles that God will go ahead of us and win on our behalf.
Therefore: Know your part of the instructions and be ready to go when your victory comes. Expect God’s intervention and cultivate your faith into the knowledge of the fact that The Good Shepherd will do what He says He will do. Do not be surprised when God shows up and mountains move. Make sure that you are ready for what comes next. This readiness is the true indicator of your faith.
#ojacore #SoleFood #survivingasasurvior #3fold #biblestudy #bible
KILLING AMNESIA
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
18 The next morning Jacob got up very early. He took the stone he had rested his head against, and he set it upright as a memorial pillar. Then he poured olive oil over it. Genesis 28:18 (NLT)
TODAY’S TO DO
Install physical/visual markers to memorialize the milestones that God carries you through.
We so quickly forget the pain and failures of yesterday. In a way God’s grace allows us that capability so we can move past trauma and turn the page into a new day. We tend to hold on to pleasant memories, but they too fade slowly and the generations that follow will hear varying accounts depending on who tells the story. Jacob had an encounter with The Lord at the place that he called Bethel. There God made a promise of blessing to his descendants. Jacob erected a memorial pillar there for the generations to remember Bethel as a place of worship. This physical marker would serve to remedy the habitual amnesia problem and remind his future descendants to kneel and worship even when the work of living crowded their minds.
Therefore: Install reminders of answered prayers in plain sight. Seeing evidence of God’s faithfulness will encourage you to keep fighting during tough moments and remind you to live a life of worship the rest of the time. There is power in your testimony! Seeing a physical memorial of your “God moment” will do wonders for you and for everyone you will remember to talk to about it. Let your memorial stand tall for future generations to see. Let is say, “thus far, The Lord brought me. I will never forget! This is how I’m killing amnesia.”
#ojacore #SoleFood #survivingasasurvior #3fold #biblestudy #bible
TIMED JUSTICE
TODAY’S VERSE
1 God presides over heaven’s court;
he pronounces judgment on the heavenly beings:
2 “How long will you hand down unjust decisions
by favoring the wicked?
3 “Give justice to the poor and the orphan;
uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute. Psalms 82:1-3 (NLT)
TODAYS TO DO
Pursue the causes that God places on your heart.
When we look at the world, we sadly see significant injustice. Frequently we see the powerful use their wealth and connections to get away with unscrupulous business practices. As children of God, it is important to know that a lot of hearts have become hardened because of the injustices that they experience in their daily lives. The age-old question is, “why does God allow people to endure such pain at the hands of the powerful?” The truth is, for God to be truly just, He must allow all people the right of choice. Each of us gets to make decisions that govern how we conduct our affairs. Unfortunately, this right means that some will make poor and downright selfish decisions. Do not fear, however, God sees it all. In time He will intervene.
AS FOR YOU: You do have a part to play in God’s delivery of the solution. However, you do need to understand that when you move, you should do it in accordance with The Father’s will and direction. It is easy to be so passionate about a cause that you wear its championing as a badge of honor. Let the voice that you raise be Christ encored and it will carry weight and change many generations to come. In this way, the justice you help usher in will not only be timely but always right on time.
#survivingasasurvior#ojacore#SoleFood#biblestudy#3fold#bible
POOR PLANNING
Today’s Scriptures
7 When Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee,[c] heard about everything Jesus was doing, he was puzzled. Some were saying that John the Baptist had been raised from the dead. Luke 9:7 (NLT)
Today's TO DO
To fight a winning battle, start at the root of the problem.
John’s message resonated with the people because they were sick and tired of the status quo. The Israelites were ready for their Soon Coming King. They believed and hoped that their promised Messiah would save them from the oppression of the Roman empire. Herod beheaded John, but he never got to the root of the problem. Herod did not take the time to understand John’s message. The fact that John’s purpose was to prepare the way for an even greater man was a mystery to him. Therefore, Herod never planned for Jesus, who would become a throne in his flesh.
Therefore: To fight a winning battle, start by addressing the root of the problem. Plan for any eventualities and you will be postured for victory. Success does not come accidentally. To plan well, you must consider all the angles and have contingency solutions for each one. Every player must be accounted for. Above all, commit your plans to The Lord. Allow Him to direct your path and shield your impact and you will find your way home every time.
#ojacore #SoleFood #survivingasasurvior #3fold #biblestudy #bible
DISCERNMENT
Today’s Scriptures
16 The first time I was brought before the judge, no one came with me. Everyone abandoned me. May it not be counted against them. 17 But the Lord stood with me and gave me strength so that I might preach the Good News in its entirety for all the Gentiles to hear. And he rescued me from certain death. 2 Timothy 4:16-17 (NLT)
Today's TO DO
Trust the voice within.
Looks can be deceiving, and people have been known to deliberately spew falsehoods for personal gain. How then do you know how to separate the truth from a lie? Paul was in a fight for his life. He had been arrested and asked to give an account for the message he had been preaching. When he was on the stage surrounded by crowds of listeners, followers, and disciples, there were many men who were glad to be seen by his side. Clearly, those “would be apostles” had given Paul the impression that they were fully devoted and unwavering in their locality to him and the gospel of Jesus Christ during those better days. But now that he had to defend his cause from behind bars, they were nowhere to be seen. To make it through his trail, Paul had to rely on the strength from within. He was driven by the empowerment of the Holy Spirit who was alive and at work in him.
Therefore: We all must process the world around us. We are continually bombarded with information and stimulation each day and must discern what is true and good for the improvement of our vertical trajectory. Never forget that the devil is a slimy, slithering liar. Basic things that should cause us no harm are frequently traps conveniently placed specifically for you. Beware of the smooth tongue and the seemingly innocent transactions. Let those who have communion with the Holy Spirit always do a gut check to discern if there is peace from the voice within. And for all those who have not yet received The Holy Spirit, all you must do is believe that Jesus died for you. Then, receive Him as your Lord and Savior. Stay plugged in with other believers so you can grow in your faith and knowledge of Christ.
#ojacore #SoleFood #survivingasasurvior #3fold #biblestudy #bible
SYNONYMS
Today’s Scriptures
11 I assure you, we tell you what we know and have seen, and yet you won’t believe our testimony. John 3:11 (NLT)
Today's TO DO
Allow yourself to work through old heartbreaks and welcome healing.
Good news is only good if you believe it. Unfortunately, as we age, we become more cynical. It is understandable because many of us have accrued hurts along the way. However, God can never give you something good if you approach everything with negative expectations. Expectation and faith are synonyms. You cannot be a person of great faith and a negative grouch at the same time.
Therefore: Come to terms with your old hurts. The Father heals broken hearts. Work on restoring the relationships that can be restored then surrender your brokenness to God the Healer. Allow The One Who Loved You First to create in you a new heart. The seed of faith can only grow in the soul of someone with positive expectancy. Cynicism, naysaying, skepticism and grumpy narrow-minded thinking belittle God’s capacity and call Him less than who He is.
#ojacore #SoleFood #survivingasasurvior #3fold #biblestudy #bible
GOD OF HEAVEN’S ARMIES
Today’s Scriptures
The Sovereign Lord has sworn by his own name, and this is what he, the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies, says:
“I despise the arrogance of Israel,
and I hate their fortresses.
I will give this city
and everything in it to their enemies.”
Amos 6:8 (NLT)
Today's TO DO
Orient yourself towards The Father’s Love.
We love to encourage each other in The Lord and so we should. However, we should still remember that God is Holy, and holiness is something we should aspire for. We serve The God of Heaven’s Armies. He fights on our behalf when the devil and his demonic forces rise up against us. In our reading though, God’s anger was against His own people because of their sinful lavished living. The Israelites stopped depending on God. Instead, their arrogance caused them to esteem themselves above their creator. They felt like they were self-sufficient and capable. Because these people abandoned God, He withdrew His protection, and they were destroyed by their enemies.
Therefore: Know that The God of Heaven’s Armies fights winning battles for those who call on His name. Do not take for granted the privileges that we enjoy as a children of God. The Father’s arms are wide open for those who choose to come. It took a long time for Him to finally withdraw His covering. He sent prophets like Amos to warn them and encourage them to repent. His desire is always for us to turn from our sins and orient ourselves towards Him. Forgiveness is available for those who accept it. Choose the protection of heaven’s armies.
#ojacore #SoleFood #survivingasasurvior #3fold #biblestudy #bible
LISTEN AND OBEY
Today’s Scriptures
9 This covenant will not be like the one
I made with their ancestors
when I took them by the hand
and led them out of the land of Egypt.
They did not remain faithful to my covenant,
so I turned my back on them, says the Lord. Hebrews 8:9 (NLT)
Today's TO DO
Strengthen your relationship with The Holy Spirit by obeying His still soft voice as He directs you during decision making.
After the Israelites were delivered from the oppression of Egypt, God made a covenant of protection and blessing with them. He promised to be their God and in return, they vowed to be loyal to Him alone. They would study The Holy Scriptures, offer sacrifices and worship God under the direction of the Levitical Priests. The Levites, an entire tribe, were set apart for God’s service. Unfortunately, the Israelites feel short and drifted into the worship of other Gods violating the terms of their covenant. Jesus is the remedy! The new covenant now includes everyone who chooses to be loyal to worshiping God the Creator faithfully.
Therefore: Choose to be included with those who partake in the new covenant. All you need to do is choose to accept the forgiveness that Jesus offers by the authority of the blood that He sacrificed when He gave His life on the cross. Those who receive Jesus as their Lord, live a life of worship, and choose to obey the still soft voice of the Holy Spirit benefit from the new covenant of blessing and protection that God promises.
#ojacore #SoleFood #survivingasasurvior #3fold #biblestudy #bible
SPOKEN WORDS
SPOKEN WORDS
Words have life.
Their reach is infinite.
Their power straddles generations.
Historians catalog them.
A child becomes the adult they are based on the words we feed them.
Apologies are fine, but nothing shines brighter than the power of the positive spoken word.
Words are spirit.
They are intangible.
Simple syllables can reach into the depth of the soul.
They can alter the mindset and rearrange the trajectory of existence.
Words have the power to release what has been bound without moving walls.
Encouragement permeates into the spirit and restores life where death had taken root.
Words are fire.
Their ridicule sears the heart.
They rob children of their innocence and sow hatred.
The tongue burns fires that cannot be extinguished.
Once you release your words, you can never take them back with an apology.
A word can flog harder than the knout whip, ripping out flesh and blood in its wake.
Positive affirmations have been known to fire up warriors and awaken movements.
Words are targeted.
Choose your words wisely.
Those who spew hate will lead a lonely swansong.
There are enough provisions for everyone, so building others does not diminish you.
Use your words to encourage, motivate and empower your target.
Share your wisdom and experiences with the next generation of warriors.
When the curtain drops, you’ll be remembered for how you loved.
Curate your speech as one who is painting a beautiful picture on the canvas of time.
The spoken word only has power once delivered to the target audience.
Choose your words wisely.
May the words of my mouth
and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing to you,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
Psalms 19:14 NLT
SONG OF HEAVEN
Today’s Scriptures
11 And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living beings. And they fell before the throne with their faces to the ground and worshiped God. Revelation 7:11 (NLT)
Today's TO DO
Join the song of heaven.
All of heaven resides in the fullness of the Glory of God. This resounding awareness of The King’s true Greatness leads them to fall before Him in worship. There is no way to exist in such Splendor and remain unchanged. When you invite the Holy Spirit into your heart during the miracle of salvation, this too becomes your story.
Therefore: Join the song of heaven.
“Salvation comes from our God who sits on the throne
and from the Lamb!”
“Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom
and thanksgiving and honor
and power and strength belong to our God
forever and ever! Amen.” Revelation 7: 10,12 (NLT)
As you worship Him, your burdens will be lifted away from your shoulders. Because, once you grab hold of how truly Majestic and Capable your God is, your problems will pale in comparison to Him.
#ojacore #SoleFood #survivingasasurvior #3fold #biblestudy #bible
NOT AFRAID
Today’s Scriptures
15 Then the king of the north will come and lay siege to a fortified city and capture it. The best troops of the south will not be able to stand in the face of the onslaught.
16 “The king of the north will march onward unopposed; none will be able to stop him. He will pause in the glorious land of Israel, intent on destroying it.
Daniel 11:15-16(NLT)
Today's TO DO
Remain courageous even when the enemy’s troops look intimidating.
Daniel chapter eleven gives us a vivid description of the political and military interactions between the kings of the South and the kings of the North before Christ and well into the end times. In today’s reading we see the South so overwhelmed by the North. The South was so outmatched that the North marched in unopposed. We have all been there! We have visited that place where we feel like all the odds are against us, and we have run out of ideas and solutions, more than a time or two. Just keep reading and you will find out that the story keeps on going. This minor setback was not the end of the nation.
Therefore: Remain courageous when tough times roll in. Understand that they are simply passing through. Things will never stay topsy-turvy. Kingdoms fall! Put your hope in God and trust in His redemptive Excellence. The Father will pull you out of that cavity and elevate you to heights that you never thought possible. Those who learn to depend on Jesus are not afraid.
#ojacore #SoleFood #survivingasasurvior #3fold #biblestudy #bible
HOPE IN CONSEQUENCE
Today’sScriptures
11 You people in Shaphir,
go as captives into exile—naked and ashamed.
The people of Zaanan
dare not come outside their walls.
The people of Beth-ezel mourn,
for their house has no support. Micah 1:11 (NLT)
Today's TO DO
Realize that your situation does not change God’s ability to take care of you.
Both Israel and Judah were guilty of incredible sin and disobedience. God had already sent many prophets to implore them to change their ways. The people had been informed of the consequences of their idolatry, but they chose to remain stiff necked. The unfortunate reality was that the people God chose as His own rejected Him. The Father is Holy, He cannot lie, therefore, the consequences that He had spoken of had to be honored for Him to remain true. However, for those who loved Him and called on His name, He would never turn His face away.
Therefore: Realize that your situation does not change God’s ability to take care of you. Even in exile, in a foreign nation, in foster care, in a loveless marriage, in poverty, in sickness, when bound by addiction, after bad news, after losing your job, when you cannot find a spouse, for the barren, when everything is falling apart, when you make your worst mistake, when it’s hard to make decisions, when you have been betrayed by those you love and when you feel all alone, trust that God can show favor to those that He loves. There is no wilderness too thick for Him to jump in and cover His own! Call on Him.
WHEN ALL HOPE IS GONE
Today’s Scriptures
14 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 2 Corinthians 13:14 (NLT)
Today's TO DO
Hold on to God’s Grace.
Sometimes things can look really bleak. When you look around, you do not see any way in which your situation can be redeemed. The good news is that it is not your job to run things. Only God is in the redeeming business! When all hope is gone, the Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit will be with you in a real and Powerful way. He can bring beauty out of ashes and change the impossible to exquisite.
Therefore: When you are in a bind, before you run to the loan shark, fall to your knees and call on the God of Grace. Your hope tank may be empty, but His Grace never runs out. His Grace is sufficient for us. It is written that His strength is made perfect in our weakness (2 Cor 12:9). This means that when I reach the end of my wits, His Power is heaviest. Knowing this makes me smile because it means, when I surrender my burdens to the Lord in my weakness, the enemy must contend with my gargantuan God not me.
PURSUING PURPOSE
Today’s Scriptures
6 You gave them charge of everything you made,
putting all things under their authority—
7 the flocks and the herds
and all the wild animals,
8 the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea,
and everything that swims the ocean currents. Psalms 8: 6-8 (NLT)
Today's TO DO
Find your lot, then bloom where you’re planted.
You have great value. Yes, you do. God does not make mistakes. The devil lies to you in your low moments in an attempt to rob you of your purpose. Our Father in Heaven has invested His very best in each one of us and given us charge over all of creation. Each individual, friend and foe, has been created with special skills to fill a specific role in the grand scheme of things. Take time to develop your interests and sharpen your talents. When you become the best version of you, we all benefit from your efforts.
Therefore: Find your lot, then bloom where you’re planted. Refuse the lie that you are of little or no value. Anyone who talks down to you is simply perpetuating a falsehood that you should not identify with. Your Creator is God over all the universe, and He does not make junk! Simply look up at the night’s sky and at the flowers of the field to see the Power of His worth. You do not need to chase after purpose. You were made with purpose for a purpose. All that remains is your willingness to walk in it.
OUT WITH THE OLD
Today’s Scriptures
7 You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world. 8 But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. Colossians 3:7-8 (NLT)
Today's TO DO
Choose change.
Progress comes to those who choose to let go of the old ways. I know a man who has been moved from the oppression of poverty to a newfound comfort that is beyond his wildest imagination. Yet, he refuses to experience the different foods that God has given him access to, instead, he eats only what he knew during his youth. This man of incredible wealth refuses to travel to the exotic places that are within his reach because he does not want to become accustomed to luxury lest he should lose it. His fear of what could happen imprisons him and prevents him from enjoying the here and now.
Therefore: When God blesses your world with newness, vibrancy and vitality, embrace it. It should be out with the old and in with the new. Release the heavy weights of anger, rage, malice behavior, slander and dirty language that have prohibited you from building lasting relationships. Put on love and forgiveness. Reject all the drama! Then, let God lead you as you explore the exquisite radiance that He has prepared for you along the awe-inspiring road that lies ahead.
BELIEF
Today’s Scriptures
18 “Oh, thank you, sir!” she exclaimed. Then she went back and began to eat again, and she was no longer sad. 1 Samuel 1:18 (NLT)
Today's TO DO
When God makes you a promise, believe it to be so!
Belief changes everything! People will overcome monumental obstacles in pursuit of what they believe in. Hannah was in anguish because she was old and barren. Being childless in her world was agonizing. Therefore, in that moment of sorrow, Hannah vowed that if God were to bless her with a child, she would return him to The Lord’s service in His Holy temple. When Eli the priest told her it will be so, she believed it. Immediately, she was no longer sad. She clearly believed that she would receive just as she had been promised.
Therefore: There is no room for self-doubt. You do not make God size promises, therefore, it is not your job to bring them to pass. When you pray, believe that God will fulfill the matters that you lay before the alter. Leave your cares at His feet and trust Him to be God. Your belief in His incorruptible Word will wipe away your sadness and raise in you a warrior.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Today’s Scriptures
6 Plant your seed in the morning and keep busy all afternoon, for you don’t know if profit will come from one activity or another—or maybe both. Ecclesiastes 11:6 NLT
Today's TO DO
Put your hands to the plough.
The Bible is not just a book. It is a manuscript that will teach you everything you need to know about living a successful life. Ecclesiastes 11:1-6 teaches us about how to generate wealth. This is not a “how to” about getting a job and a check every two weeks. Instead, the writer, through the inspiration of The Holy Spirit, is giving us God’s promise to those who choose to put their hands to the plough. Basically, we are not to give up working our lot. Eventually, there will be profit!
Therefore: Put your hands to the plough. Do not make excuses about the weather. Things will never be perfect. Work with what you have now and watch God multiply it. There is nothing wrong with your day job. However, see what else God has placed in your hands. Then, use your talents and supplies to generate wealth for you and for the generations that follow.
SURE THING
Today’s Scriptures
24 “I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life. John 5:24 NLT
Today's TO DO
Believe in Jesus and you will be saved.
The Jewish leaders hated Jesus with a passion because He spoke candidly about His position in The Kingdom of God. In their minds, referring to Himself as The Son of God was blasphemy. Jesus was just an average Joe in their eyes. They believed His “delusions of grandeur” to be unfounded and so offensive that they wanted to take His life. However, Jesus did more than speak. Time and time again He proved that He was who He said He was. His story effortlessly aligned with the prophecies that the pharisees knew all too well. Then, through the miracles He performed, Jesus inarguably asserted that the favor of heaven rested upon Him.
Therefore: Believe in Jesus and you will be saved. He is The Way, The Truth and The Life. He proved His worth during His vibrant life, by His sacrificial death and then through His triumphant, hell shattering resurrection. Jesus defeated sin and death on your behalf. There is no situation that He considers too far gone. Choose Jesus Christ because He chose you first! Eternal life is a sure thing for those who believe the message that Jesus came to deliver.