Category: Daily Devotional

Romans 12:2 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, acceptable and perfect. Phil 4:8 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. — Think on These Things! And Phil4:7 says, “the peace of God, which surpasses ALL understanding, WILL guard your hearts & your minds in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from Me or seen in Me, put into PRACTICE. And the God of peace will be with you.— So what are you PRACTICING? We should PRACTICE excellence & praise worthy things! This is where His Peace is found! Love Mel

Bible History from Bill—Gen 1:14 “God said, “Let there be lights in the vault of the sky to separate the day from the night, & let them serve as signs to mark sacred times, & days & years.” —I am reading “Reversing Hermon” by Michael Heiser which is a fascinating study of Genesis 6:1-4 & the “watchers”. In one of his chapters I came across this gem I had to share. It is based upon scriptures from Matthew, Luke, Rev 5 and 12:1-7, & the signs in the heavens accompanying Jesus birth. Specifically when The regulus King star, Jupiter, the constellation Virgo, the sun & moon were all appropriately aligned. Credit to Heiser, Martin & others. Rev 12:1 states “A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, & the moon under her feet, & on her head a crown of twelve stars; & she was with child; & she cried out, being in labor & in pain to give birth.” From the text & others, the woman represents Israel & is the constellation Virgo with the sun mid-bodied & the moon at her feet. The “child is Messiah” Rev 12:5). Above the woman’s head is the constellation Leo (the lion) which was a royal constellation with the “king star” Regulus dominating. Further at the time of Jesus’ birth, Jupiter (the king planet to first century Jews) was aligned with Regulus which is very significant. Jupiter is also the best candidate for the star guiding the magi as well. This is based upon astronomy now able to look back to that time to see this conjunction. From Heiser’s book ch 4: “This combination of astronomical signs produces a unique set of circumstances that can only be accounted for by one date (& in point of fact, a ninety-minute window on that date). This date, as we will see momentarily, has dramatic significance in the Jewish calendar. According to these signs in the heavens, the date of Jesus’ birth would have been September 11, 3 B.C.” How about that! From the Bible, the approximate month of Jesus’ birth can easily be demonstrated a number of ways starting with John the Baptist’s father ministering in the temple & Mary’s visit to Elizabeth. The year can be discerned by the verses regarding Herod’s death. But this is the first I read with the actual month & day called out. & that year it was the Day of Trumpets – Tishri 1!!  Trumpets always preceded the arrival of the King. How amazing. — Our King arrived with Trumpets blowing! Love Mel

1 John 5:14 This is the assurance we have in approaching God; that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. Jer 29:12 Then you will call upon me & come & pray to me, & I will listen to you. Isaiah 65:24 Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear. 1 Thes 5-16-18 Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Col 4:2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful & thankful. Mark 11:24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, & it will be yours. — Prayer is our direct way of communication with our Father! We are to “Enter His gates with thanksgiving, & His courts with praise!” We are to “Not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer & supplication with thanksgiving by letting our requests be made known to God.” What better way of getting closer to our Father, “Praying Continually”! Love Mel

Matt 9:14-15 Then the disciples of John came to Him, asking, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but Your disciples do not fast?” And Jesus said to them, “The attendants of the bridegroom cannot mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them, can they? But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast. Matt 
4:1-2 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After he fasted forty days and forty nights he was famished. —Fasting? Jesus fasted when He was tempted by Satan! —Matthew 6:16
“Moreover when you fast, don’t be like the hypocrites, with sad faces. For they disfigure their faces, that they may be seen by men to be fasting. Most certainly I tell you, they have received their reward.” — If we do it right, there is a reward! —Isaiah 58:8 Then [when you have fasted] your light will break out like the dawn, and you will be healed quickly! Isaiah 58:6 Is this not the fast I have chosen? To loose the bands of wickedness. — It is prayer & fasting that opens the windows of heaven! Just a thought! Love Mel

Hebr 11:1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Matt 21:22 Whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith Rom 10:17 So faith comes from hearing, & hearing through the word of Christ. 1 Cor 2:5 That your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. Gal 5:6 …Faith which worketh by love. —Have faith in GOD! Faith works by LOVE! GOD is LOVE! — 1 Cor 13:13 Three things will last forever: faith, hope, & love-and the greatest of these is love. — Love is God! Love Mel