June 25, 2026 – Strength
Prevail #176 – Jeremiah 15:19 – “If you return to me, I will restore you so you can continue to serve me. If you speak good words rather than worthless ones, you will be my spokesman. You must influence them; do not let them influence you!” Larson poses a thought provoking question, “Have you noticed that people who deeply fear God don’t seem to fear man? They walk in power, talk in power, and pray with power. They’re the true influencers in every generation…. We are surrounded by decadent ways, irreverent attitudes, and reasons to react in fear. And yet, if we can stay connected to God’s power and perspective, we will be able to extract the precious from the worthless, we will see what God sees, and we will be able to speak with precision and power. Oh, the world needs more lionhearted men and women of God!”
Days – “Who leadeth us in triumph” (II. Cor. ii. 14). Simpson’s entry offers this example about being men and women of God, “Every victor must first be a self-conqueror. But the method of Joshua’s victory was the uplifted arm of Moses on the Mount. As he held up his hands Joshua prevailed, as he lowered them Amalek prevailed. It was to be a battle of faith and not of human strength…. [see Exodus 17:10-13 which shows that the men’s strength and success was bolstered by faith and by each other] …It was the lack of [victory ‘over the enemy in the citadel of the heart…for the battle of the Lord and the service of others’] that hindered the life of Saul and it has wrecked many a promising career. One enemy of the heart is stronger than ten thousand in the field. May the Lord lead us all into Joshua’s first triumph, and show us the secret of self-crucifixion….
Power – Joyce’s verse choice, and her message that follow, adds to the point Simpson was making about faith in and strength from God. John 3:21 – “But he who practices truth [who does what is right] comes out into the Light; so that his works may be plainly shown to be what they are – wrought with God [divinely prompted, done with God’s help, in dependence upon Him].” She points out that, “Doing the right thing in all situations should always be our choice, even when we do not feel like doing so. For example, if people have hurt you, then you may not feel like being nice and talking to them, [eh hem – He got me -it’s just wild beyond belief to me how God speaks to me about what is going on in my life through these divinely timed messages – but what is EVEN MORE interesting is that I’m working on the 25th’s blog on the 26th. I’m receiving a bit of chastisement today when I could have received some forewarning (advice and instruction) if I’d stayed on track with my devotions yesterday. I let the day get away from me, but God knew what was coming later in the day and that I’d need His fortification to continue to walk in His ways.]
Joyce continues, “…but if you choose to do what is right, then God will heal your emotions. [yep, it’s true] Our part is to pray for the people who hurt us and continue treating them the way we believe that Jesus would treat them. We usually want to feel better first, but God wants us to do what is right first, no matter how we feel…. When we do the right thing when it’s hard or we’re still hurting, we grow spiritually and will enjoy more emotional stability the next time we are faced with a difficult situation.”
JC – “Open your hands and your heart to receive this day as a precious gift from Me…. By the time you rise from your bed, I have already prepared the way before you. I eagerly await your first conscious thought. I rejoice when you glance My way.” Another bit of reality for breakfast. Most mornings I wake thinking about what’s ahead for the day or even just for the next moments, but there are some mornings that I do lay there praying for people and situations until I realize my mind has gone off in another direction. I suppose not speaking to God when we get up is like not speaking to the person you are sharing the bed with (if they are awake too) whether that be a spouse, or a sibling, or a child/grandchild who has crawled into bed with you, or a friend while on vacation together, etc. “Bring Me the gift of thanksgiving, which opens your heart to rich communion with Me.” See Psalm 118:24, Psalm 95:2, and Zephaniah 3:17.
Streams – Exodus 14:15-16 – “The Lord said to Moses, ‘…Tell the Israelites to move on. Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea.'” Cowman shares F. B. Meyer’s thoughts about this verse, “Never dread any consequence resulting from absolute obedience to His command. Never fear the rough waters ahead, which through their proud contempt impede your progress. God is greater than the roar of raging water and the mighty waves of the sea…. Dare to trust Him! Dare to follow Him! Then discover that the forces that blocked your progress and threatened your life become at His command the very materials He uses to build your street of freedom.”
JA – “REFUSE TO WORRY, MY CHERISHED ONE…. Affirm your faith in Me while praising Me for all that I am and all I have done…. It drives away anxiety and powers of darkness. Also, it strengthens your relationship with Me…. Let Scripture inform your thinking so that I can communicate with you more clearly.” See Psalm 31:14, Psalm 32:8, and 1 Thessalonians 5:18.
Utmost – John 12:27-29 (RV) – “What shall I say? Father, save me from this hour? [mg] But for this cause came I unto this hour. Father, glorify Thy name.” Chambers points out this sometimes difficult truth, “My attitude as a saint to sorrow and difficulty is not to ask that they may be prevented, but to ask that I may preserve the self God created me to be through every fire of sorrow. Our Lord received Himself in the fire of sorrow, He was saved not from the hour, but out of the hour. We say that there ought to be no sorrow, but there is sorrow, and we have to receive ourselves in its fires…. If you receive yourself in the fires of sorrow, God will make you nourishment for other people.”
JL – “Merciful Jesus, I want to lean on You more and more…. Your strength and my weakness fit together perfectly – in a beautiful pattern designed long before my birth…. Even when I feel competent to handle something myself, I need to depend on You. I know You are infinitely wise! Please guide my thinking as I make plans and decisions…. In Your wise, comforting Name, Amen.” See 2 Cor. 12:9, Philippians 4:13, Isaiah 41:13, and Deuteronomy 31:6.
