Month: July 2020

A wonderful Thursday morning to you, my friend!  I pray our Good God’s blessings over you this morning!

Read Malachi 3:13 – 4:3.

In this often-overlooked portion of the scriptures, we are given insight and details directly from the LORD on His plan to restore His creation.  As you read this morning, consider the following:

The LORD is intimately aware of what people say about Him and how people react to Him and His ordinances. Notice how the words recorded here in Malachi directly parallel the response to God and His laws that we regularly encounter in these days in which we live.  Things like, “it is useless to serve God” and “we call the proud blessed” and “those who do wickedness are raised up”.  When you receive news about the wickedness that is taking place in today’s world, my brother, you can be assured that our Good God is well familiar with all of it!

The LORD will remember and preserve those who fear Him. There is a book of remembrance before Him, and in that book is recorded the names of those who meditate on His name and serve Him. In fact, this passage tells us that we, as believers, will not only be spared, but that the mighty LORD, Creator of heavens and earth, refers to us as “My jewels”.  Brother, consider this morning how precious you are in the sight of our Good God!

Finally, this passage closes with a detailing of that day of judgement that must take place as part of the LORD’s restoration (vv 4:1):  ““For behold, the day is coming, Burning like an oven, And all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble. And the day which is coming shall burn them up,” Says the LORD of hosts, “That will leave them neither root nor branch.”.

Yes, the LORD will deal with wickedness.

And as for those who fear Him, for those who obey Him, that great day of judgement will be completely different (vv 4:2):  “But to you who fear My name The Sun of Righteousness shall arise With healing in His wings; And you shall go out And grow fat like stall-fed calves.”.

LORD, thank You for giving me the faith and strength and endurance and perseverance to wait on You, O God!  Increase my love for You and Your word and Your ways as I walk through this life You have given me. Help me to be the man You have called me to be. Amen!

Good morning, friends, and greetings and felicitations to you and n this from be Wednesday morning!

Read John 15:9 – 17.

This morning, we return to read more of Jesus’ words from His farewell discourse. It is in this passage that Our Lord gives us, as believers, many of our final “running orders”; therefore, it is important that we make His words a priority, especially in these days.

As you receive Our Savior’s charges as contained in our reading today, pay particular attention to the following:

Jesus has modeled The Father’s love for us, and we are instructed to abide in the love of Jesus.  Once again, the word “abide”means to earnestly desire, to covet, to embrace, and to dwell in His love.

Jesus has modeled keeping The Father’s commandments for each of us; and He instructs us to keep His (Jesus’) commandments in like manner.  And if we will keep those commandments, we will abide in His love as a direct result.

Jesus has shared His words with us so that every one of us, as His followers, could have His joy, in all of its fullness!  Think about this, a joy that both remains and is complete, regardless of circumstances – thank You, Lord!

We know that Jesus has loved us, even unto suffering an undeserved death on a cross – we are to love others in like manner, laying down our own lives if necessary.

Jesus calls us friends.

And because He calls us friends, He has made known to us all that The Father revealed to Him – we, as His friends, have understanding and insight and knowledge that others do not have.  Let us receive that charge we have been given and use it responsibly and wisely.

Related to point above, He chose us and appointed us so that we could go and bear fruit.

Lord Jesus, I thank You for Your words today. Help me to walk in Your commandments and in Your love. Thank You, Jesus, for the joy You have given me – I receive it in all of its fullness this morning!  Finally, Lord, help me to love others in the way that You have shown me love, and give me an opportunity to build Your Kingdom today. Amen!