Prayer – Lord, it’s time to look for a “word” to focus
on in 2024. Your word is always right. May your word…be my word.
For you have been born again, but not to a life that
will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the
eternal, living word of God. As the Scriptures say, "People are like
grass; their beauty is like a flower in the field. The grass withers and the
flower fades. But the word of the Lord remains forever." And that word is
the Good News that was preached to you. 1 Peter 1:23-25
Meditate. Consider God’s words and listen to what He is
saying.
Our scripture focus for today repeats the verses from
Isaiah 40:6-8,
A voice said,
"Shout!" I asked, "What should I shout?" "Shout that
people are like the grass. Their beauty fades as quickly as the flowers in a
field. The grass withers and the flowers fade beneath the breath of the LORD.
And so it is with people. The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the
word of our God stands forever." Isaiah 40:6-8 (Underlined for emphasis.)
Shout. How many times have you actually heard someone “shout”
anything having to do with God’s word…unless it is a preacher speaking from the
pulpit. Most of us talk about scripture in regard to prayer with friends and
family—but we don’t “shout” at anyone or anything. We may talk about God’s word
quietly in Bible studies. Has anyone ever challenged you to “shout” God’s word? I don't think shouting is part of our culture--except at sporting events or family feuds. That passage in the Isaiah scripture also tells us that God’s word is eternal…stands
forever.
His word is true—and we can trust what God says. Do you? Are you looking and listening?
For the word of the
LORD holds true, and we can trust everything he does. Psalm 33:4
So, search God’s word and see for yourself. There is an
interesting passage in which the prophet Ezekiel was told to prophecy about the
dead rising and listening to God’s word. Listening is important—and what are
you going to do with what you hear? James teaches…do it.
Then he said to me,
"Speak a prophetic message to these bones and say, 'Dry bones, listen to
the word of the LORD!'" Ezekiel 37:4
But don't just
listen to God's word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling
yourselves. James 1:22
Read it. Listen. Do it. No one wants to be a fool. You don’t
have to shout…just obediently obey God.
Verses of Salvation ~ While Jesus was here on earth, he
offered prayers and pleadings, with a loud cry and tears, to the one who could
rescue him from death. And God heard his prayers because of his deep reverence
for God. Even though Jesus was God's Son, he learned obedience from the things
he suffered. In this way, God qualified him as a perfect High Priest, and he
became the source of eternal salvation for all those who obey him. Hebrews
5:7-9
Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table
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| Don't be fooled by the serpent. The pomegranate is good food-- --not one that will give you knowledge... just healthy eating! |
© 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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