Divine Mentor: Nothing is Impossible & Always be Prepared By: Ziahlita Peterson

Today’s Reading

Genesis 9-11 and Luke 4
My Scripture(s): Genesis 11:6 and Luke 4:13

 Nothing is Impossible

 

Genesis 11:6
“Behold, they are one people, and they have all one language, and this is only the beginning of what they will do.  And nothing that they purpose to do will now be impossible for them.”

 

Objective:

I believe that God witnessed our evolution from living in tents to building an actual stone/brick tower without His assistance.  It was then that He may have realized that we will become too much too fast.  It was necessary to add division through language so no one could communicate and think of more ways of advancement.  Over time we still become more advanced the more we communicate with each other and for some other languages are learned opening up their world even more. A great example is how technology has removed all borders.  We are able to go to outer space and speak with someone on the other side of the world.  God knew that as a people he designed us to be able to do anything we set our minds to. 

Application:

It is important for me to embrace the many gifts that God has given us – both obvious and hidden.  I will work harder at remembering that we have the ability to do anything together.  No longer will I allow satan, the father of lies to whisper in my ear that I have limitations. It has also come to my attention the importance of being multi-lingual.  Though I have a plate full with life I must find a way to learn the basics of at least one other language and then progress to others one at a time.

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for once again reminding me that I have no limitations because I have you and your Grace.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 

Always be Prepared

Luke 4:13

And when the devil ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time.

 

Objective:

When must remember that if satan didn’t give up on tempting Jesus Christ our Lord, we should never believe that once we are victorious with what he tempts us with we have won.  Just as the scripture says, “he departed from him until an opportune time” satan will never give up.  It is up to us to be able to continue to fight his temptations.  Because satan is the great deceiver we must remember he will use us against us. God has given us His word as a weapon that should be sharpened daily.

 

Application:

 I will work to sharpen my weapon against the temptations of satan.  Satan knows my weaknesses and uses them on a regular basis to distract me from what God has for me.  Some days I don’t have the strength to fight and I give into the daily distractions of family issues, texting, internet and physical exertion.  Just this morning while doing my reading he tried to distract me with phone calls. I will work harder by being in God’s word daily and each day my weapon will be sharper and sharper.

 

Prayer:

Thank you, Lord for giving me the strength to recognize the temptations that are in place to keep me from you and your plans for me. I will continue to thirst for you with no quenching of that thirst with your help. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The Divine Mentor: Satan's fame or God's Fame? by Laila Wahba

Luke 4:2 During forty days, being tempted of the devil. And he did eat nothing in those days: and when they were completed, he hungered.

Though I read these verses many times before, I always though that after Jesus fasted for forty days, the devil tempted him with the three famous temptations we read later, but I realized today that the devil was taunting and tempting him for forty days. Being hungry, tired, living in the wilderness AND tempted by the devil, Jesus must have felt exhausted.

Then, the devil comes with a promise of fame and  recognition,

4.6 And the devil said unto him, To thee will I give all this authority, and the glory of them: for it hath been delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. If thou therefore wilt worship before me, it shall all be thine.

The amazing thing is that Jesus did not argue with satan whether he can actually deliver what he promised to Jesus, which made me realize that there  is fame and recognition that comes from the devil, from the world.

So many times, we even strive for this kind of recognition by working more, showing off more, tweeting, facebooking, blogging our successes, needing recognition and fame that can only destroy us. Other times we are willing to be given authority through no legal doors, or through accepting glory by worshipping satan and his ways and his sins, by actually giving legal terms to sinful behaviors: wisdom for fraud, sharing for gossip, maturity for compromise with sin.

Then, satan comes with another promise of fame and recognition, this time making it sound so spiritual, even using Biblical passages

4.9 And he led him to Jerusalem, and set him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said unto him, If thou art the Son of God, cast thyself down from hence: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee, to guard thee: and, On their hands they shall bear thee up, Lest haply thou dash thy foot against a stone.

When Jesus refuses to give in to this kind of glory, refuses to be deceived, just a few verses later we read:

4.14 And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and a fame went out concerning him through all the region round about. And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all.

When He refused fame satan’s way, He was given a fame and authority and recognition that far surpasses anything that satan could deliver: Fame and authority God’s way.

He healed sick, cast out demons (which He would not have been ale to do if He had succumbed since a kingdom divided upon itself will fall), and proclaimed His mission:

4: 18-19

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, Because he anointed me to preach good tidings to the poor: He hath sent me to proclaim release to the captives, And recovering of sight to the blind, To set at liberty them that are bruised, To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.

Lord, forgive me for the many instances I coveted the authority, fame and success of the world. The times I looked at sinners and thought that You care about them and give them things that are due to me. Forgive me Lord when I sought recognition from worldly things whether prestige, money, power , fame or even ministry. Forgive me Lord, when I actually felt small seeing others taunting their fame and success in my face. I forgot that I am the daughter of the King, I forgot that you have paid a big price for me. I forgot that fame from you gives far more power and fame than any other things, and this kind of fame and authority is always coupled with  peace of mind and joy. Help me wait for you.

I repent today Lord, forgive me for my limited vision, forgive me for not focusing on YOU and what YOU want to do in my life. I thank you for your plan for my life. Lord, help me hold on to YOU through all my temptations even if I am tired or exhausted, help me live in YOUR presence and wait for YOU. Let me take my recognition not from man, not from the world but from YOU.

Luke 9.25 For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?

Divine Mentor – When Temptation Comes, God’s Word is our Weapon By Margaret Thomas

Today's Reading (January 4): Genesis 9, 10, 11; Luke 4

Luke 4:1-4 (NASB): Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led around by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And He ate nothing during those days, and when they had ended, He became hungry. And the devil said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread." And Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'Man shall not live on bread alone'."

Jesus had just spent 40 days in the desert.  During this time, He had fasted and not eaten any food. His physical body was exhausted and weak. He was more than ready to eat and regain His strength. Isn't it interesting that the devil picked just that time to tempt Him to do something that He would have a very hard time resisting? After all, He was the Son of God.  He had the power to create a five course banquet in the middle of the desert if He so wished! But instead, He resisted this temptation by using the Word of God as His weapon.

I've found that the times I am emotionally and physically exhausted is when I am tempted the most. It's not the times when I feel strong and ready to take on the world. It's the times where I face personal tragedy or trials, when it seems that I am in a dry desert place and feel drained by life both physically and emotionally.  Then, I find myself making a choice: do I trust God and what His Word says even though I don’t understand why I am going through this trial? Or, do I give into the temptation to become depressed, angry and resentful that I am walking through a situation that doesn’t make sense or seem fair and right to me? A situation such as when my mom was diagnosed with cancer two years ago and we faced the very real possibility that she might not make it. I remember the terror that gripped my heart as I heard her diagnosis and the subsequent months of worry and stress before she finally went into remission. Or, when we first moved to Atlanta and struggled for months and months to find a church, make friends and simply "fit", and nothing seemed to work.  I remember how the intense feelings of loneliness and rejection almost crushed me. Or, a few years ago when my husband lost his job and was unemployed for 10 very long months. The financial and emotional strain of that time brought our marriage very close to the breaking point. 

During these times I often wondered, “Where is God”? “Is he here at all”? “Does He see me”? And I asked “Why me, God”? In these times, I was so tempted to give into feelings of hopelessness, fear, or anger - sometimes I did. Many times I felt like I was drowning with no life preserver in sight. It was also in these times that God’s Word became the one thing I could hold onto - my light in the most dark and desperate places. In so many situations, it was His Word that gave me the only hope I had. When I felt like giving up, I could hear His still small voice reminding me that He was there, He had not left. And when I felt like He was silent, it never failed that I could go to His Word and there would be a specific scripture or passage that would speak directly to me.

It is so important to spend time with God daily and hide His Word in your heart. Read it, pray it, memorize it, and speak it over your situation. It is our weapon against the hopelessness, despair or anger that can come when life seems overwhelming. Even though Jesus felt physically weak and exhausted, He was able to resist the temptation of the enemy by using the Word.  God’s Word has the answer and gives you power to overcome whatever the enemy may throw your way!

Thank you, God, for your precious Word and that it is our weapon to resist temptation.

The Divine Mentor- Would I Build An Ark in MY Yard? by Deena Serafin

Divine Mentor reading: Genesis 6-8; Luke 3

Scripture: Noah did according to all that the Lord had commanded him. Now Noah was six hundred years old when the flood of water came upon the earth. (Genesis 7:5, 6 )

Observation :  I don't know whether I am more in awe of Noah because he built the ark or because he was 600 years old when he built the ark!  I understand that people lived that long, and even longer, in his  day; however, Noah had lived for 600 years in a world where he was the ONLY PERSON who trusted God. With the exception of his three sons and their wives ( scripture does not actually say they were believers), not one other person on the face of the earth knew God.  I find it hard to believe that, with 3 married sons, Noah didn't have grandchildren and great- grandchildren. Where were they?

Application: How faithful would I be if I were the only follower of Christ in the world? In the US.? In my city? In my family? Not only were there no believers in Noah's world, but Genesis tells us that "every intent of the thoughts of his (man's) heart was only evil continually"(Gen.6:5b).  This story of Noah, which I have heard/read hundreds of times, convicts me today of my complacency about sharing the story of Jesus. I enjoy Sundays with Christian friends and the activity of a big church, and I am grateful to be surrounded by believers; however, I am called to be a witness to those who are far from God.  It should certainly be easier for me than it was for Noah, but I need to ask myself, am I willing to be an ark-builder?

Prayer: My Father, I thank You for Christian friends, but I want to be faithful in my witness to those who are far from You. It's easy to go on mission trips and work in the clothes closet. It's not so easy to build an ark in my front yard for all to see, declaring that God is so real in my life that I trust and follow His Word regardless of what others say or think.  Please help me live and speak so that others will see Jesus.

Divine Mentor- The Shepherds' Story Is My Story

Divine Mentor Reading: Gen. 3-5; Luke 2

Scripture:  "Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child." (Luke 2:17 )

Observation:  What an incredible experience for the shepherds! I wonder if Luke spoke with any of them personally? He is the only Gospel writer who tells the story of the birth of Jesus. I can just imagine their description of the heavenly host filling the sky with light and song, their walk (probably more running than walking) to the town of Bethlehem, and then their story of finding the baby- their Savior, Christ The Lord. How long did they stay in that little stable? Did they get to hold Jesus? What did they say to Mary?
    What we DO know, thanks to Luke, is that these men began immediately to tell the story of Jesus. They made it widely known  that they had seen the Savior, Christ The Lord!

Application: I grew up hearing the stories of Jesus and later reading them for myself. As a nine year old at summer camp, I learned that I could truly have a relationship with this Jesus , whom I knew about from the stories.  It was then that I asked God to forgive me of the sin that was separating me from Him and to take over my life.  I didn't understand all the theology back then, and there is much I still  don't understand; however, that is My Story.  I have never seen or heard the angelic heavenly host, but I have been with Jesus.

Prayer: Lord God, thank You for coming to me like You did the shepherds- with the story of the birth of Your Son, Jesus, who then became MY Lord and Savior.  Today I want to share my story- Your Story-  with someone who does not know You.

The Divine Mentor: Sin is always near by: Ziahlita Peterson

Today’s Reading (Jan 2, 2014)

Genesis 3-5

Luke 2

My Scripture(s): Genesis 4:7

Scripture: Genesis 4:7 (ESV)

“… sin is crouching at the door.  Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it.”

Objective:

What I got from this verse is that God wants us to understand that sin will always be there trying to pull us in because that is what sin does.  It can only be stopped by us.  So many people think that it is God’s job to protect us from everything and that if we are believers we are somehow “safe” from the real world.  God gives us the knowledge and power to keep sin out of our lives.  If we don’t use what He has given us we will lose the battle.

Application:

I will work hard to remember that I have the power of the blood of Jesus Christ in me and with that I can rule over anything that wants to take me into the dark world of sin.  By being in the word daily and listening to the voice of God in my heart I will become pleasing to God. 

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for giving me free will to make my own decisions and thank you for giving me the knowledge to understand with that I have to be the one to stop sin from taking my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The Divine Mentor: God is a God of Light and Love by: Ziahlita Peterson

Happy New Year! I am excited about reading through the Bible in 1 year using the Divine Mentor reading plan. The S.O.A.P. method (Scripture, Objective, Application and Prayer) is a guide to understanding what He says to our hearts.

Today’s Reading (Jan 1, 2014)

Genesis 1-2

Luke 1

My Scripture(s): Genesis 1:16-18 and Genesis 2:17

Scripture: Genesis 1:16-18 (ESV)

“And God made the two great lights – the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night – and the stars.  And God set them in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth, to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good.”

Objective:

This says to me that our God is light not darkness.  Even in the night that we call darkness he gave us the moon so that we have light even in the darkness. 

Application:

I will work at remembering that nothing dark is of God.  Everything visually starts with light both great and small.

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for allowing me to see another year and giving me the opportunity to become pleasing in your eyes.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Scripture: Genesis 2:17 (ESV)

“…but the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”

Objective:

By Adam and Eve eating of the tree they forfeited eternal life for themselves and the generations to follow.  This is what God meant by them dying.  This is also the moment that we (human beings) were warned that our actions will have consequences.

Application:

This verse is one of many that remind me how grateful I am and should always be for Jesus Christ our Savior.  Without Jesus Christ we would have nothing but death to look forward to.  Now we know that by doing what is required of us we can choose eternal life.  I choose eternal life and will spend each day working to be pleasing to God. 

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for giving us your Lamb and allowing us the opportunity to receive eternal life.  I will work daily to be pleasing in your eyes.  I thank you for being a forgiving and merciful God for when my days are not pleasing.  Please continue to show me mercy. In Jesus’ name, Amen.