Today’s Key Scripture (all references NKJV unless otherwise noted:

But from there you will seek the Lord your God, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul.

— Deuteronomy 4:29

I’ve mentioned before in this devotional that after my encounter with the Holy Spirit in 1973, I often attended the Friday night meetings at the Bezek retreat center near Campbellville, Ontario, about thirty miles southwest of Toronto, led by a wonderful man named Bernie Warren. He named the center Bezek after the place where the Israelites gathered to be refreshed and encouraged as they faced an important battle (1 Samuel 11).

I knew God had called me to preach the Gospel, yet I felt so inadequate, so unprepared. I had a life-long stuttering problem.

Even though I had yet to stand behind a pulpit, I identified with the Apostle Paul, who said, “Woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!” (1 Corinthians 9:16).

I simply had to preach the Gospel, but how?

I remember one particular day I arrived quite early and began to walk alone on the farmland talking to God: “Lord, I am standing on Your promises. You have called me to the ministry, but where do I begin?”

I needed to wait for the timing of God which was one year later, in December, 1974. That was when God’s promise became a reality, and I began to proclaim the message of the Cross. Plus God healed my stuttering problem instantly when I stood and attempted to talk from the pulpit!

Do you need refreshed and encouraged? Do you seek God’s anointing in your life? Persevere in prayer as you stand on His promises!

A Prayer for Today:

Heavenly Father, today I proclaim that I’m standing on Your promises. You are my perfect example of how I should live my life and stand in faith, regardless of the circumstances around me. Give me the strength, wisdom, and perseverance to follow in Your footsteps. I boldly choose to live in You and for You alone. Permeate my spirit, soul, and body to the point that I will be transformed into Your image. Lord. I pray this in the Name of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, Amen!