Daily Devotional By Archbishop Foley Beach

Giving Thanks to God for Walking with Us Through Hard Times

Message Summary: Some of us and some of our acquaintances have gone through horrendous circumstances. Therefore, we ask, given these circumstances, how can we rejoice in the Lord? David tells us, in Psalm 30:4, to: “Sing praises to the LORD, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name. For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.”. Paul instructs us for continuous thanksgiving in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-19: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit.". To fulfill God’s exhortation “to rejoice always”, we can rejoice “always” if we keep our eyes on Jesus.

Today’s Affirmation: Today, because of I am filled with the Holy Spirit, I will not be controlled by my Inconsistencies. Rather, I will walk in the Spirit’s fruit of Faithfulness. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22f).

Website Link to the Video – “Pentecost – The Day of the Holy Spirit; the Promise Fulfilled” (All Saints Anglican Church; Peachtree City, GA):  https://www.lightsource.com/ministry/a-word-from-the-lord/

This Sunday’s Sermon: You can listen to Archbishop Beach’s Current Sunday Sermon: “Being Born of the Spirit”, at our Website: www.AWordFromTheLord.org/listen/.

Scripture Reference (ESV): 1 Thessalonians 5:16-19; Psalms 95:1-11; 2 Corinthians 11:23-30; Psalms 138:1-8.

If You Are Anxious About Something, Ask God

Message Summary: From Philippians 4:6, Paul tells us: “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”. What are you anxious about? If you are in Christ, Jesus tells us to present our request to the Lord. In Matthew 6:6-8, Jesus instructs His followers how to come to God in prayer: “But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.". If we are in Christ we can talk to God and present our requests to Him as if He knows nothing about our situation. We must ask God through our regular prayer life and our personal relationship with God, the Creator of the Universe. What are you anxious about? In Matthew 6:34, Jesus assures His followers that “anxiety” is counterproductive: “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”.

Today’s Affirmation: Today, I affirm that because I am in Jesus Christ, I want to know Him better. (Philippians 3:10). “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:14).

 Website Link to the Video – “Pentecost – The Day of the Holy Spirit; the Promise Fulfilled” (All Saints Anglican Church; Peachtree City, GA):  https://www.lightsource.com/ministry/a-word-from-the-lord/

This Sunday’s Sermon: You can listen to Archbishop Beach’s Current Sunday Sermon: “Being Born of the Spirit”, at our Website: www.AWordFromTheLord.org/listen/.

Scripture Reference (ESV): Matthew 6:31-34; Philippians 4:5-7; Matthew 6:6-8; Psalms 136:1-26.

God Is Involved in Our Lives, Including the Elections

Message Summary:  A we enter this political period leading to the November elections, don’t be anxious with the election. Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:31: “Therefore, do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself.”. The next years may hurt our pride, wallets, and/or our freedom. However, we should not let the election hinder our resolve to continue in our fearless faith in the truth; our constant hope in the future; and our radical love for our neighbors. God has a plan; and regardless of how things look from our eyes, we must remain faithful to His purpose. Now is the time to draw near to Jesus and to advance His Kingdom. Our gaze must remain on Jesus if we want to walk on the water during the storm. God is the king of kings and the sovereign God of the Universe. As Daniel interpreted King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream in Daniel 4:17 when God told Nebuchadnezzar: “to the end that the living may know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will and sets over it the lowliest of men.”. God is always involved in our elections, and He gives the offices “to whom he will”, even if the election produces “the lowliest of men {or women}”. Sometimes we receive the elected officials we need, and sometimes we receive the elected officials that we deserve.

Today’s Affirmation: Because of who I am in Jesus Christ, I will not be driven by Loneliness. Rather, I will abide in the Lord’s Presence. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5).

This Sunday’s Sermon: You can listen to Archbishop Beach’s Current Sunday Sermon: “Being Born of the Spirit”, at our Website: www.AWordFromTheLord.org/listen/.

Website Link to the Video – “Pentecost – The Day of the Holy Spirit; the Promise Fulfilled” (All Saints Anglican Church; Peachtree City, GA):  https://www.lightsource.com/ministry/a-word-from-the-lord/

 Scripture Reference (ESV): Matthew 6:31; Philippians 4:5-7; Daniel 4:17; Psalms 134:1-3.

Stay in God’s Will for You Even in Difficult Times

Message Summary:  Many of us are living in difficult times with the possibility of losing everything. Don’t give up on the will of God no matter your difficulties or your life situation. As Paul tells us in Romans 12:2 regarding God’s will for our lives: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”. One of God’s character attributes is that God does not change. In 1 John 2:17, the Apostle John points out that God’s will for us does not change; and our discernment of His will should be our life-focus: “And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.”. God is faithful. God’s provision for your needs may not look like what you expected, but He will provide for your needs. Strive to seek God’s will for your life and strive to live in His will.

Today’s Affirmation: Because of who I am in Jesus Christ, I will not be driven by Hatred. Rather, I will abide in the Lord’s Love. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5).

This Sunday’s Sermon: You can listen to Archbishop Beach’s Current Sunday Sermon: “The Five Needs of Mothers”, at our Website: www.AWordFromTheLord.org/listen/.

Website Link to the Video – “The Upper Room – Part 2: The Promise of Forgiveness (Christ Cathedral, Kampala Uganda)”:  https://www.lightsource.com/ministry/a-word-from-the-lord/

Scripture Reference (ESV): 1 John 2:15-17; Mark 3:32-35; Hebrews 6:17-20; Psalms 118:1-29.

Our Intimacy with God Should Be Deepened in Times of Uncertainty with Our Government, Leaders, and Economy

Message Summary: Are our governmental leaders leading us off the cliff, or have they already led us of the cliff? The related uncertainty in our economic system has brought fear, anger and hostility to millions of Americans. As Christians, we can look to John14 in which Jesus tells us "Let not let your heart be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Me.". In times like these, we can be reminded of where are loyalties are or where our loyalties should be. Also, in times of uncertainty, our intimacy with God can be deepened -- God is still on the throne of the Universe.

Today’s Affirmation: I affirm that because of what God has done for me in His Son, Jesus, I AM RIGHTEOUS IN GOD’S EYES. God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:21).

This Sunday’s Sermon: You can listen to Archbishop Beach’s Current Sunday Sermon: “Life in the Spirit – Part 1: Baptized with the Holy Spirit”, at our Website: www.AWordFromTheLord.org/listen/.

Website Link to the Video – “The Upper Room – Part 2: The Promise of Forgiveness (Christ Cathedral, Kampala Uganda)”:  https://www.lightsource.com/ministry/a-word-from-the-lord/.

Scripture Reference (ESV): John 14:1; Matthew 11:28-29; Matthew 6:25-34; Isaiah 35:

Our Problems Are Not Too Big for God

Sunday Sermon Note: You can listen to Archbishop Beach’s Sunday Sermon at our Website www.AWordFromTheLord.org; then click on “Teachings” and “Weekly Sermons: Current”.

Message Summary: God is faithful – our financial issues, our debt, our health issues, and our sins are not too big for God. God is faithful, and He is trustworthy. Why not take all those things in our lives that are creating anxiety to God? Our God is a faithful God.

Today’s Affirmation: Today, because of I am filled with the Holy Spirit, I will not be controlled by my Self-centeredness. Rather, I will walk in the Spirit’s fruit of Love. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22f).

Scripture Reference (ESV): Mathew. 6:25-33; Mathew. 10:19-20; 1 Corinthians 7:32-35; Psalm 9:9-10.

We Cannot Live with Fear if We Have God in Our Lives

This Sunday’s Sermon: You can listen to Archbishop Beach’s Current Sunday Sermon: “Life in the Spirit – Part 1: Baptized with the Holy Spirit”, at our Website: www.AWordFromTheLord.org/listen/.

Message Summary:  You cannot practice the presence of God when you practice the presence of fear. This is true whether not your fear is about the future of our country or fear about personal or family or health issues. If you will practice the presence of God, you will have peace in amidst your storm. Jesus provides comfort for our anxieties in Mathew 6:33-34: “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.". If you practice the presence of God, it will not matter what this world or the devil throws your way. These words, from Paul in Philippians 4:7-9, make us comfortable with the sources of our potential fears as we walk with the presence of God in our lives: “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me— practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.".

Today’s Affirmation: Because of who I am in Jesus Christ, I will not be driven by Fear. Rather, I will abide in the Lord’s Faithfulness. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5).

Website Link to the Video – “The Upper Room – Part 2: The Promise of Forgiveness (Christ Cathedral, Kampala Uganda)”:  https://www.lightsource.com/ministry/a-word-from-the-lord/

Scripture Reference (ESV): Mathew 11:28-29; Mathew 6:25-34; 1 John 5:1; Psalms 109:1-31.

Why Should I be Anxious or Afraid?

Sunday Sermon Note: You can listen to Archbishop Beach’s Current Sunday Sermon: Life in the Spirit – Part 1, at our Website: www.AWordFromTheLord.org/listen/.

Message Summary: If the Lord is my helper and confident, why should I be afraid? What can man do to me? For this confidence, we must know who Jesus is – both in our heart and in our mind. He is the Son of God – God in the flesh. As Paul tells us in Philippians 4:4: “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.". Therefore, I don’t have to worry about troubling circumstances in my life because I know that He is with me; and He will guide me no matter how dark my life seems. Jesus is the light that shines in darkness.  As Jesus tells us in Luke 12:4-5, when we have anxiety and fear in our lives, is this anxiety deravitive of the right kind of fear: “I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him!”. When we are faced with life’s tragedies and the anxieties that result from just living our lives, Jesus can turn those situations and our fears into ways and results that we cannot fathom or understand; but we can certainly appreciate – why not give God a chance to walk with you in all your life situations, good and bad? Ultimately, the Psalmist got it right in Psalm 23:4: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.".

Today’s Affirmation: Today, I affirm that because of what God has done for me in His Son, Jesus, I AM FORGIVEN. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9).

Website Link to the Video – “The Upper Room – Part 2: The Promise of Forgiveness (Christ Cathedral, Kampala Uganda)”:  https://www.lightsource.com/ministry/a-word-from-the-lord/

Scripture Reference (ESV): Philippians 4:4-9; Matthew 6:25-34; Psalms 23:1-6; Psalms 108:1-13.

God Will Tell You How to Pray for a Situation Concerning You

This Sunday’s Sermon: You can listen to Archbishop Beach’s Current Sunday Sermon: “The Resurrection: Part 1”, at our Website: www.AWordFromTheLord.org/listen/.

 

Message Summary:  If you listen and commune with God in your prayers, he will tell you how and to whom you should direct your prayers -- you must pray in faith that God knows what personal situation you or someone else has in their life; and He will direct your prayers for a situation or a person. In John 14:12-14, Jesus challenges us to” pray” and to “ask”: “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.". Always pray and do not give up -- be persistent in your prayers.

 

Today’s Affirmation: Today, Because of who I am in Jesus Christ, I will not be driven by Lust. Rather, I will abide in the Lord’s Perfect Provision. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5).

 

Scripture Reference (ESV): Romans 1:8-12; Matthew 6:5-15; Psalms 69:13; Psalms 87:1-7.

 

Website Link to Archbishop Beach’s Video Sermon – “I Am the Resurrection”: https://www.lightsource.com/ministry/a-word-from-the-lord/ (Note: This link is to both an introductory One-Minute Video Clip and the complete video Sermon.).

Jesus Wants to Bring Healing to the Aches and Wounds of Our Souls

This Sunday’s Sermon: You can listen to Archbishop Beach’s Current Sunday Sermon: “The Resurrection: Part 1”, at our Website: www.AWordFromTheLord.org/listen/.

 

Message Summary: Jesus knows the aches and wounds of our souls, and He wants to bring us healing. He doesn’t want us living in pain, heartache, or emptiness, as the Apostle Luke tells us in Luke 9:10-11: “On their return the apostles told him all that they had done. And he took them and withdrew apart to a town called Bethsaida. When the crowds learned it, they followed him, and he welcomed them and spoke to them of the kingdom of God and cured those who had need of healing.". We are in an “instant society”, but healing is a process; and it may take a long time. Sometimes God wants us to wait, or He may see our need for healing differently from us; but, in our personal relationship with God, we must pray and ask for healing. In Matthew 7:7-11, Jesus tells us: “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!".

 

Today’s Affirmation: Today, because of I am filled with the Holy Spirit, I will not be controlled by my Despair. Rather, I will walk in the Spirit’s fruit of Joy. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22f).

 

Scripture Reference (ESV): Luke 9:10-11; Revelation 22:1-3; 2 Chronicles 7:14-16; Psalms 85:1-13.

 

Website Link to Archbishop Beach’s Video Sermon – “He is Risen”:  https://www.lightsource.com/ministry/a-word-from-the-lord/ (Note: This link is to both an introductory One-Minute Video Clip and the complete video Sermon.).