Category: Daily Devotional

In 605 BC Israel had not observed the (one-year-in-seven) Sabbath rest for 490 years. The Holy Land and it’s people did not get their required Sabbath rest from planting and did not use that time to focus on God as they were supposed to. The prophet Jeremiah predicted the nation of Judah would fall to the Babylonian Empire and their temple destroyed and that after 70 years the Jews would return to Judah, repopulate Jerusalem, and rebuild their temple (Jeremiah 25:11 and 29:10). The Babylonian captivity was set at 70 years to make up for the missed annual Sabbaths. 2 Chron. 36:21 says, “The land (of Israel) enjoyed its Sabbaths, all the time of its desolation it rested, until the seventy years were completed in fulfillment of the word of the LORD spoken by Jeremiah.” (See Jeremiah 25:11). So we see that God required His people and His land to rest and pray – and they did not do so. Why does God care? Because His plan require our prayers!! I know God is not causing the evil in this world today, the evil one is responsible for that. But could one of the better things that will come from this time of self quarantine be that Gods people will have a Sabbath rest and will pray for what is to come? Do you owe God some time? Here is our chance to get ourselves on firm ground again and to pray for our leaders, our nation, and our world for what is surely to come in the short, and long terms.

Zechariah 14:12-15 Now this will be the plague with which the LORD will strike all the peoples who have gone to war against Jerusalem; their flesh will rot while they stand on their feet, & their eyes will rot in their sockets, & their tongue will rot in their mouth. It will come about in that day that a great panic from the LORD will fall on them; & they will seize one another’s hand, & the hand of one will be lifted against the hand of another. Judah also will fight at Jerusalem; & the wealth of all the surrounding nations will be gathered, gold & silver & garments in great abundance. Leviticus 26:21 If then, you act with hostility against Me & are unwilling to obey Me, I will increase the plague on you seven times according to your sins. — When I read this, my first impression is that I would NEVED war against Jerusalem! I want to keep my flesh, eyes & tongue! Oh & the seven times, I believe I will do my best to obey! Many plagues have come & gone over time! I don’t know if the corona virus is critical for most, but one thing I do know is I hate to be sick, & want to remain strong! So let’s all pray to our Lord for the healing of our land & mercy from this evil that is trying to destroy our country! Prayer does change things! Love Mel
And while your at it they are recommending some elderberry, vitamin C & zinc gummies to build your immune system up!

1 John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, & whoever loves has been born of God & knows God.  1John 1:5 This is the message we have heard from Him & proclaim to you, that God is light, & in Him is no darkness at all. Psalm 100:5 For the Lord is good; His steadfast love endures forever, & His faithfulness to all generations. 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. Romans 15:33 May the God of peace be with you all. Amen.” —Look around you, all that you see that is good, that is God! God is Love! God is Light! God is Good! God is Faithful! God is Patient! God is Peace! God is our Everlasting Father & we are His Children!  —Awesome verse from my cousin Pastor Larry, John 1:16, NLT: “From His abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another! — Have a blessed day! Love Mel

1 John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, & whoever loves has been born of God & knows God. 1John 1:5 This is the message we have heard from Him & proclaim to you, that God is light, & in Him is no darkness at all. Psalm 100:5 For the Lord is good; His steadfast love endures forever, & His faithfulness to all generations. 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. Romans 15:33 May the God of peace be with you all. Amen.” —Look around you, all that you see that is good, that is God! God is Love! God is Light! God is Good! God is Faithful! God is Patient! God is Peace! God is our Everlasting Father & we are His Children! —Awesome verse from my cousin Pastor Larry, John 1:16, NLT: “From His abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another! — Have a blessed day! Love Mel

Gal 1:10 For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ. 1 Thes 2:4 But just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts. Col 3:23-24 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord & not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.  —As children we are always looking for our father’s approval! A good father always withholds approval until we get it right! Then just his smile can bring such joy to our hearts! A father’s influence is so important in our life, but our Father in heaven is of so much more important! Wouldn’t it be sweet to hear the words, “well done my good & faithful servant”! Well I am here to tell you He is smiling because we are wrapped in the arms of His son! So smile just knowing you are His! Love Mel