Ironbridge Church | Pastor’s Corner

Ours is a culture focused on food! For many, food is an addiction, an obsession, or at the very least—a daily “Battle of the Bulge.” The Bible clearly teaches that for followers of Jesus, God’s Holy Word is our spiritual food. The Old Testament prophet said there would come a time when God’s people would be starving for a clear word from the Lord. “’Behold, days are coming,’ declares the Lord GOD, ‘When I will send a famine on the land, Not a famine for bread or a thirst for water, But rather for hearing the words of the LORD.’” (Amos 8:11)

In a world obsessed with diets and meal plans, spend some time feasting on the Word of God today. A balanced spiritual diet of Old Testament, the Gospels, the New Testament and the Psalms can give you the nutrients of faith that will equip you to live this day enjoying a love relationship with Christ.

Pray about intentionally skipping a physical meal sometime this week. Do it for the express purpose of feasting on God’s Word instead. It is God’s Word to your life today that will give you the strength and stamina you need for the living of this new day.

Today’s Scripture Promise: “…Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God’” (Matthew 4:4–ESV)

“Silly Rabbit, TRIX are for kids!” Generations of American kids have grown up hearing this popular sales pitch from a cereal company. From a marketing standpoint, I’m sure it’s been highly effective. Why else would they still be using it? And yet, what is it really saying? After watching this commercial, a tender-hearted little boy said, “Those kids need to share the wealth.” Could it be that the well-intentioned cereal makers are the purveyors of a subliminal stinginess?

As followers of Jesus, we must swim hard against the “what’s in it for me?” rip current of our affluent culture. If we’re not careful, even our most cherished plans and schemes can be nothing more than sanctified selfishness. Christ is calling us to a radical, “other-person-centered” kind of unselfish life. The writer of Philippians instructs us, “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Phil. 2:4)

So whether it’s those irresistible fruity flavors—raspberry red, lemony lemon, orangery orange, or things of much greater significance in life—why not “share the wealth” and be a blessing to others today.

Trix are not just for kids anymore.

Today’s Scripture Promise: “In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” (Acts 20:35–ESV)

Trusting God can be a scary proposition. Living by faith requires a major life adjustment which moves us out of our comfort zone. A life of faith requires that we relinquish control of the situation to God. Trusting God means being willing to follow His commands even when the territory ahead is foreboding and uncharted. This isn’t always easy. Fear can freeze us in our tracks. Henry Blackaby calls this moment, “a crisis of belief.” The writer of Hebrews says, “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.” (Heb. 11:8)

The Lord will never ask you to do anything or go anywhere without the promise of His comforting presence in our lives. He has graciously said “Fear Not!” to us more than sixty times in the pages of His Holy Word.

Don’t let the fear factor keep you from experiencing God’s best today. You can trust Him because He is faithful.

Today’s Scripture Promise: “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12:32–ESV)

We face important choices every day. Our choices affect not only the course of this particular day, but also our future. As the nation of Israel was preparing to enter into the land that God had promised, Joshua boldly stood before the people and reminded them of the importance of choosing wisely. Joshua said, “Now, therefore, fear the LORD and serve Him in sincerity and truth; and put away the gods which your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” (Joshua 24:14, 15)

Today, we face a dizzying array of choices. Marketers and advertisers will pummel us with more than 2,000 enticements every day of our lives via newspapers, radio, television, magazines, billboards and direct mail. Choose wisely today, and don’t let the course of this world lead you down a path away from God and His priorities and blessings for your life.

It’s your choice, so choose to go God’s way today.

Today’s Scripture Promise: “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)

Welcome to the Daily Devotional Section for the 77 Days of Prayer and Fasting. The first devotional will be posted Sunday, February 5th. Please check back daily.