Prayer – Lord, as we enter yet another new month this year, I just ask for continued guidance, wisdom, and understanding from You. This world seems to be in such chaos—wars and rumors of wars yet I know that God has a plan—and we must do what we are asked…go and make disciples. Show me opportunities that You have for me to do that as we face this time where we have less peace and more turbulence.
When the Lamb broke the second seal, I heard the
second living being say, "Come!" Then another horse appeared, a red
one. Its rider was given a mighty sword and the authority to take peace from
the earth. And there was war and slaughter everywhere. Revelation 6:3-4
Meditate. Focus on God’s plan and prophecies.
Have you ever seen a red horse? Sure, brown, black, white,
and even gray, but red? This red horse is taking peace from the earth. A
horrible thought. No peace leaves violence, sin, and evil corruption to go a
rampage. That will not be a pretty scene.
There is another account in the Bible of a red horse found
in prophecy given to Zechariah when Darius was king over Babylon and the Jews returned
to Jerusalem and were beginning to rebuild the Temple.
Three months later,
on February 15(519 BC), the LORD sent another message to the prophet
Zechariah son of Berekiah and grandson of Iddo. In a vision during the night, I
saw a man sitting on a red horse that was standing among some myrtle
trees in a small valley. Behind him were riders on red, brown, and white
horses. I asked the angel who was talking with me, "My lord, what do these
horses mean?" "I will show you," the angel replied. The rider
standing among the myrtle trees then explained, "They are the ones the
LORD has sent out to patrol the earth." Then the other riders reported to
the angel of the LORD, who was standing among the myrtle trees, "We have
been patrolling the earth, and the whole earth is at peace." Upon hearing
this, the angel of the LORD prayed this prayer: "O LORD of Heaven's Armies,
for seventy years now you have been angry with Jerusalem and the towns of
Judah. How long until you again show mercy to them?" And the LORD spoke
kind and comforting words to the angel who talked with me. Then the angel said
to me, "Shout this message for all to hear: 'This is what the LORD of
Heaven's Armies says: My love for Jerusalem and Mount Zion is passionate and
strong. But I am very angry with the other nations that are now enjoying peace
and security. I was only a little angry with my people, but the nations
inflicted harm on them far beyond my intentions. "'Therefore, this is what
the LORD says: I have returned to show mercy to Jerusalem. My Temple will be
rebuilt, says the LORD of Heaven's Armies, and measurements will be taken for
the reconstruction of Jerusalem.' "Say this also: 'This is what the LORD
of Heaven's Armies says: The towns of Israel will again overflow with
prosperity, and the LORD will again comfort Zion and choose Jerusalem as his
own.'" Zechariah 1:7-17 (Underlined for emphasis.)
This should be encouraging to the Israelites—even today. God
is in search of peace. God loved His chosen people back in 500s BC, especially
since they repented after being called to repentance as recorded in Zechariah
1:1-6. God has not forsaken His love for the Israelites…or for anyone who
repents and is sorry for their sins and actions. That has been God’s
message…and Jesus’ message…all along. Repent. Turn away from evil ways. Return
to God and He will return to you. The message is the same—even though the
prophets who brought the message died—it is still the same. Repent.
Like those ancient prophets, Jesus died…but He rose from
the grave. He conquered death and sin. That includes our sin that He took to
the cross—since He was sinless. Pure and spotless—and that is how we are when
we repent. Pure and spotless is how Jesus will present His faithful followers
to His Father, God Almighty. God requires purity. No sin or evil can be in His
presence. Will you stand pure and spotless before our Almighty God?
Verse of Salvation ~ So get rid of all evil behavior. Be
done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech. Like newborn
babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full
experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, now that you have had a
taste of the Lord's kindness. 1 Peter 2:1-3
Friday’s
Feast at the King’s Table
What is your favorite “red” food? Red Velvet cake? Red
licorice? Watermelon? Pomegranates? Red apples? Red pears? Raspberries?
Not really many “red” foods out there. Can you think of
others?
 |
| Grilled watermelon |
© 2023 Text, photos, and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All
rights reserved.
All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless
otherwise noted.
New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale
House Foundation.
Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream,
Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.
Books by Mickey M.
Hunacek
Available as e-books or paperbacks at Amazon.com
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