GEM Daily Meal
GEM DAILY MEAL Provided by GEM OUTREACH for daily encouragement and spiritual growth
SEPTEMBER 2022
WAIT ON GOD
Today’s Scripture
“ But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” ( Isaiah 40:31 KJV)
TODAY’S WORD
Life can get hard. Feelings from inside, forces from outside—it can become overwhelming.
David knew this and he was honest in his writings. Sure, he eventually brings us into a trusting relationship with God, but not until he displays his own raw emotion.
He asks God, “O LORD, why do you stand so far away? Why do you hide when I am in trouble?”
How many times, like David, have you been perplexed with your situations and have wanted to say the same thing? And yet somewhere deep in your heart, you know that there must be more. There is. The more is in the wait. It is the “be still and know that I am God.” It is the process of renewal.
Isaiah writes, “But they that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength.” He uses three glorious metaphors: a high soaring eagle, a person running without getting weary, and a person on a long difficult walk and not faint.
And how is it you can experience victory even in defeat, peace in turmoil, or strength in a long weary journey? The author of Hebrews gives the answer.
He writes, “Let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” And so you come to God and wait.
Wait for Him to speak. Quiet yourself, quiet your agenda, quiet your emotions. Stay with your pain and pressure and wait. Stay with your fears and discouragement and wait. Wait on God. He is there. He is mighty. He has everything you need.
Might you today begin to experience all the grace of our loving God that you need so you can rise up with the wings of an eagle and not be weary or faint?
Prayer for Today
Father, I need You. I need Your grace. I need Your renewal. Today I come to Your throne and wait on You. Be my strength, help me run and not be weary and walk and not faint. I ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, AMEN
AUGUST 2022
Release What’s Inside
Today’s Scripture
“ Now why do you cry aloud? Is there no king in you?” ( Micah 4:9 ESV)
TODAY’S WORD
One time in the Old Testament, an army invaded Jerusalem and killed their king. For the first time, the people of Israel were without a leader. They were discouraged and didn’t know what to do. As they sat there thinking that it was over, the prophet Micah rose up and said, “Now why do you cry aloud? Is there no king in you?”
I believe that God is saying the same thing to each of us: “There’s a king in you.” You may have made mistakes, but you are still a child of the Most High God. You may have gone through disappointments, but You have royal blood flowing through your veins. You may have missed good opportunities, but let these words sink deep down into your spirit. “The king is still in you.” “The queen is still in you.” You are still wearing a crown of favor and clothed in a robe of honor. Now you have to start calling out that king, calling out that queen. You have to release what God put inside.
Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You that You can see the royalty in me even when I’ve failed. Thank You that as Your child, You have crowned me with favor and clothed me in honor. Help me to release all that You put inside and become who You say I am. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”
SHARPER OR DULLER
Today’s Scripture
“As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.” (Proverbs 27:17, NLT)
TODAY’S WORD
Your friends should be sharpening you, making you better. Is that true of your circle of friends? Whatever qualities your friends have—either good or bad—eventually will either dull you or sharpen you. If you hang out with people who gossip, who compromise, or who are stingy, that’s what you’ll become. But if you hang around excellent people, generous people, and motivated, successful people, those good qualities will sharpen your life. This is why it’s so important that you are selective with whom you spend your time.
Don’t worry about being in the right group, having the most friends, being the most popular. The quantity of friends is not important; it’s the quality of your friends that really matters.
You need eagles in your life—people who inspire you to reach your dreams, people who motivate you to go further, people who make you better. The truth is that you cannot reach your highest potential on your own. You need the right people to help you get to where you’re supposed to be.
Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You for the friends in my life who sharpen me, inspire me, encourage me, and make me better. Help me to know if there are relationships that are having a negative impact on me and dulling me. I want to walk with the right people. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.” Good morning and do have yourself a fantastic Tuesday and may God bless you more abundantly!.”
THE GOD OF COMFORT
Today’s Scripture
“As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you…” (Isaiah 66:13, NIV)
TODAY’S WORD
Oftentimes, when people face challenges, they seek comfort in things that are familiar. It may be work, an activity or relationships, and of course, we all know about “comfort food.” But those things only bring temporary comfort. True comfort is found in a personal relationship with God in heaven through His Son, Jesus.
Webster’s dictionary states that comfort means to give strength and hope; to ease grief or trouble. No matter what difficulty you may be facing today, God wants to bring you comfort. Like a mother cares for her child, He longs to give you strength, hope and confidence. Make the decision to put Him first in every area of your life. Let go of those things you know are holding you back. Let Him be Lord over all! As you surrender to His grace, you will be filled with His peace and joy. You’ll be empowered to overcome every obstacle, and live the abundant life He has for you!
Prayer for Today
“Father, I come to You today and invite You to fill my whole being. Give me Your comfort and strength and empower me by Your Holy Spirit to live in the victory You have planned for me in Jesus’ name. Amen.”
THE PALACE IS COMING
Today`s Scripture
Although Joseph recognized his brothers, they did not recognize him. Then he remembered his dreams about them… Genesis 42:8-9, NIV
TODAY`S WORD
Many years after being sold into slavery by his brothers and held in an Egyptian prison, Joseph was put in charge over all the affairs of Egypt. When his brothers showed up at the palace looking to purchase food during the famine, you would think Joseph would bitter and vindictive. But it says he remembered the dreams of promise God had shown him about them as a young man – not the betrayal, the hurts, the injustices. God had used all difficulties to get him to where he was supposed to be.
When God gives you a dream, when He puts a promise in your heart, it doesn’t mean it’s going to come to pass without opposition, delay, and adversities. There will be things you don’t understand. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to get discouraged. In the tough times you have to remember your dreams. God is in control. He`s directing your steps. Stay in faith and keep a good attitude. Let God fight your battles. The palace is coming.
A Prayer for Today
“Father, thank you that my hope and trust are in You. Even when I don’t understand my circumstances, I know that You are working things out for my good and to fulfill my dreams. I lift my eyes to You and declare that You are directing my steps on the way to the palace in Jesus Name, Amen