256/365: When the Deck Seems Stacked Against You

For a long time Israel was without the true God, without a priest to teach and without the law. But in their distress they turned to the Lord, the God of Israel, and sought him, and he was found by them. ~ 2 Chronicles 15: 3-4

Stuck in a rut? Feel like that project in front of you has no end? Is that relationship going in circles? Lost your way?

Israel felt that way too. They were caught-up focusing on themselves and soon thought they really didn't need God, or the church. But when the deck was stacked against them and they had nowhere to turn - they turned back to God.

What happened next? God was standing with arms wide open, ready to receive them.

The same solution for Israel then, is here for you now. The creator of all things -- wants you!

Jesus Christ is standing with arms wide open to receive you in your time of discouragement.

GO DEEPER: Hebrews 4: 14-16

Next Step: Take a look at the toughest situation you are facing. Get real - show your cards.

michael f vinning

on 09/14/2023 at 12:42 PM

Thank you Tommy and all who prayed for us yesterday- o coinciothe wife had a good day yesterday-I’m believing she has been cured-I will keep you posted

Ethan Rogers

on 09/13/2023 at 05:46 PM

I want to just stop, throw out all my temptations. What a waste it has become to do the things I do not want to do. Place my bet and show my cards or keep doing what I do and getting what I get. The big step is frightening. God of comfort, compassion, and all understanding, please allow us men to know more of what we need to become men of triumph from the evils that plague our lives. Let us see the way to Your glorious kingdom and know , and trust Your will for our lives, in Jesus Holy name, amen.

Kevin Miller

on 09/13/2023 at 05:07 PM

I have problems with lust like many of the people have mentioned today. It’s getting better but nasty thoughts still creep into my mind frequently.

Old Dude

on 09/13/2023 at 04:52 PM

I thought I would share a portion of today's devo from "My Utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers. Praying for all of my LIVE BOLD brothers. After Surrender - Then What? “I have finished the work which You have given Me to do.” John 17:4 True surrender is not simply surrender of our external life but surrender of our will—and once that is done, surrender is complete. The greatest crisis we ever face is the surrender of our will. Yet God never forces a person’s will into surrender, and He never begs. He patiently waits until that person willingly yields to Him. And once that battle has been fought, it never needs to be fought again. True surrender is a matter of being united together with Jesus in the likeness of His death” (Romans 6:5) until nothing ever appeals to you that did not appeal to Him.

on 09/13/2023 at 04:46 PM

Michael be encouraged, God will make a way. I too was diagnosed with Menieres, with no hope. The vertigo landed me in the hospital numerous times. It was getting worse, even on medication. At a signs and wonders conference, God healed me of the vertigo and I was able to get off the medication. That was 16 yrs ago.I have longed for that experience ever since. Like so many on here, I also struggle with lust and porn sometimes with great victory followed by great defeat, but God still loves me and never gives up. I have to remember that I am the clay and He is the potter. We ARE HIS workmanship.

Jim A

on 09/13/2023 at 04:43 PM

Right now, I am feeling that everything is and always has been stacked against me. I keep praying and praying and wondering if God ever listens to me or if I am going to receive that blessing. It is frustrating, and it seems that God is as well...

KJE

on 09/13/2023 at 03:12 PM

I also need prayer for the battle against lust and pornography. I had been sober for over two years from pornography but recently Satan has really been tempting me frequently and I gave in. Now, I’m dealing with the guilt and shame that comes in the aftermath of sin. I am thankful to our God that forgives even though I don’t deserve it. I pray God will make me stronger to resist these attacks from Satan and to fight or flee from temptations. I love and appreciate you all, my brothers in Christ. You inspire me and strengthen me. Thanks for sharing your testimonies and insights. God bless you all!

Tim Debronsky

on 09/13/2023 at 03:10 PM

Amen Brandon! Praying for all of you guys Barry, Lou, Michael

Matthew Brown

on 09/13/2023 at 02:27 PM

@ Tommy Williamson. Amen to that prayer for Michael

Brandon Pembleton

You ever just stop and think about how incredible God chose for our lives to exist now? I do sometimes and get filled with gratitude. This reading is bringing that out. We get to have not just a little bit of access to Gods word but we get access to literally thousands and thousands of preachers and priests online. We get to carry around a device that has nearly the whole of mankind’s knowledge and the whole of what God has taught us that we can reference anytime we want! How incredible is that. I’m up on a mountain on vacation and even up here I get to receive these readings. So my brothers when stuck in a rut or that sense of drifting is occurring get to work studying and reading of other Christian’s experiences. Get that gratitude back on the plate. After all would you rather have a million bucks today and never wake up again; or would you rather wake up tomorrow filled with life. Thank you God and I love you amen 🙏

john larson

on 09/13/2023 at 02:26 PM

i’m praying for the men on this app who battle lust. please pray for me as well as this is an ongoing battle for me. rewiring the brain is a long and tiring process. and sometimes i just give in. I’m praying also for Michael and his wife.

Tommy Williamson

on 09/13/2023 at 01:53 PM

Lord touch Micheal J Vinning and his precious wife and bring them complete healing ❤️‍🩹 from this horrible disease which is plaguing his wife. They’ve seen that she can be healed through a doctors hand at great cost which was barely affordable. Now those cost have increased to the point they can no longer afford to see the doctor. But we know the great physician which can heal without cost and heal permanently. I pray that you bring that healing to her right now so they may be rid of this disease completely and forever and bring great testimony of your power to all the encounter. In Jesus name we ask for this healing. Amen.

on 09/13/2023 at 01:45 PM

Brother Barry, I been right there with you. For over 50 years I battled pornography and lust into deeper and deeper darkness. I never could seem to break through no matter how much I tried. Then I started the Lord’s Prayer every morning and I soon found my self praying “your will be fine in my life as it is in Heaven” in place of the traditional. Then and few days later I started praying that the lord search me and clean out every aspect of my life as I ask Him to forgive of my sins. He then showed me that I needed to forgive those that brought that desire into my life, everyone I have ever affected because of it and also forgive myself as well for the letting it continue. As I started releasing those bounds I watched as Jesus picked each item up and cast it away from my life.Now almost a year later I am still porn free. You’ve got this but first fully put your life in His hands and let Him have complete control.

Michael

on 09/13/2023 at 01:10 PM

Same for me Barry. It’s taking a long while to rewire my brain. Some deep ruts were made from my childhood. Jesus please help us men with these struggles.

on 09/13/2023 at 12:49 PM

I’ve posted about my wife’s Ménière’s disease before. Well we spent a small fortune of an upper cervical chiropractor bc others in her support group said it helped them, within a month the wife was symptom free…so she cancelled her appts and we waited-the joy of having my wife back was like a miracle. A couple days ago her symptoms started creeping back in, at the same time the dr went up on his prices, we couldn’t afford it to begin with and now it’s really out of reach. I don’t know what’s worse at their point…knowing she can feel normal again if we shell out $1k per month or not knowing at all bc we can’t afford it. Pretty demoralizing. That’s the card I’m showing

Big Lou

on 09/13/2023 at 12:45 PM

I feel your pain, Barry. I, to struggle with nasty thoughts and dreams. I hate it! I decided that I would take one day at a time. God knows our hearts. Keep praying and crying out to God. That's what I do. Praying for you brother! Please pray for me as well. God Bless!

randy swopes

on 09/13/2023 at 12:21 PM

Father God we hold up our brother Barry to you and we break those chains of the enemy that have held him confined to the world and declare that he is free to live for you in the name of Jesus!

Barry L

on 09/13/2023 at 11:51 AM

Good morning my brothers. Well show your cards is certainly quite the tittle. Pray for me, my brothers. I have been saved for decades and yet i am still bombarded by some pretty ugly sexual thoughts and dreams. The past will just not let me go! God bless you and keep you. Stay strong. Amen.

256/365: When the Deck Seems Stacked Against You

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