DRAW NEAR: Week 3 - MONDAY

// Monday //

Read – Psalm 19:7-9, Jeremiah 15:16

SOAP – Psalm 19:7-9

"The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The commandments of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are clear, giving insight for living. Reverence for the Lord is pure, lasting forever. The laws of the Lord are true; each one is fair."

In the NLT the words of Proverbs 19:7-9 are a little different, but still the same meaning... "The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.The commandments of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are clear, giving insight for living. Reverence for the Lord is pure, lasting forever. The laws of the Lord are true; each one is fair.

Of course I pulled out how God's Word was described, the nature of it and of God, & what it gave us or received from it.

Get into the Word • Know the Word • Obey the Word • Live the Word

1) Instructions - perfect - revives our soul

'Instructions' defined: a direction or order. Detailed info telling how something should be done, operated or assembled.

2) Decrees - trustworthy - wisdom to the simple

'Decree' defined: an official order issued by a legal authority

3) Commandments - - joy to our hearts

'Commandments' defined: a divine rule, especially one of the 10 commandments. A rule to be observed strictly.

4) Commands - clear - insight for living

'Commands' defined: an authoritative order

5) Reverance - pure - everlasting (the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Proverbs 1:7).

'Reverence' defined: deep respect for something or someone. Regard or treat with deep respect.

6) Laws - true - fair/just

'Laws' defined: the system of rules regulating which a particular country or community recognizes as regulating the actions of its members and which it may enforce by the imposition of penalties.

So many facets of His Word... but it all relates to each other. Our Bible... 'Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth'... how to get our earthly spiritual bodies ready for our heavenly spiritual home.

...and the verse in Jeremiah 15:16 "When I discovered your words, I devoured them. They are my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies."

Putting the two readings together, I pulled this out... His Words (whether they be Instructions, decrees, commandments, commands, laws or the pure reverent words) are our daily bread... we can "eat" His Word daily and digest and understand it and it can fill us with the spiritual nutrients we need. Just like breakfast is said to be the most important meal of the day... the morning Scripture is the most important spiritual meal. Clearly at this quarantine time, we enjoy snacking throughout the day, just like we can glean from the Word throughout the day. We think on what we read & God sends more Scriptures, revelations and thoughts our way. I love a late-night snack as I don't like to go to bed on an empty stomach, and so a Word from the Lord before bed helps me sleep as well.

When I hear the word "devour" -- I immediately jump to the verse in 1 Peter 5:8 describing our enemy who prowls around like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour." He prowls LIKE a lion, as he wants to be like Jesus the Lion of Judah. If we DEVOUR the Scriptures, the enemy cannot DEVOUR us! As Jesus fought temptation from the enemy with the Word, we can do the same!

"Devour" (for our purpose I skipped the eating definition) is defined as: from Latin devorare "swallow down, accept eagerly," ... Read quickly & eagerly....To absorb or engrossed wholly... To enjoy avidly.

(Source: Different online dictionaries)

Eagerly and avidly read the Word. Absorb it... into our spirit man. Get engrossed wholly into it! WOW!

We can trust fully in the Word and the words of our God. His nature is spoken through His word - as it says "for out of the heart the mouth speaks" Luke 6:45. ♡

He is making us more like Him as we read and glean from His Word. We need to guard our gates for sure. We are Ambassadors for Him. We have to walk in reverence (holy fear) of Him, His Name and His Word. This is a BIG eye-opener to the importance of this in these times. Defintely makes me wanna kick my butt into gear. Obey and live the Word!

"Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." Proverbs 4:23

Sidenote: Some people just think the Bible/the Word is a list of rules and regulations, of don's & don'ts... thinking that much of the Old Testament doesn't apply to us today. That we don't have to follow the laws because Jesus came. But it says Jesus came to FULFILL the Law. His Word is more than just rules and regulations. It does show us the way to live. But it is a CHOICE. There are way more Do's than Don'ts... and IF we do... He promises to 'do' as well. But we aren't just to 'do' like a rule or law... we are to 'be'. When we become who God made us to be and walk in truths of His Word and His nature (as concluded above) we will naturally just 'do' as Jesus did, & 'be' Jesus with skin on... and then eternally in Spirit.

Leads into the 'be'attitudes...

Wow! God is so good!!

Have a happy and blessed week ahead!

BE BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING!

DRAW NEAR: Week 2 - FRIDAY

// FRIDAY //

Read – Colossians 1:15-20, Psalm 19:4-6

SOAP – Colossians 1:15-16

Colossians 1:15-16 NLT

"Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see—such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him."

Christ is Supreme. Know that He is God and it is He who made us!

So, of course, another verse came to me. Psalm 100:3 "Acknowledge that the Lord is God! He made us, and we are his. We are His people, the sheep of His pasture."

This was one of the first chapters I memorized as a young child... Praise the Lord! We are His! Know that He is God and it is He who made us. We are His sheep, & He is our Shepherd. Be thankful, for His mercy and love endure forever! AMEN!

DRAW NEAR: WEEK 2 - THURSDAY

// THURSDAY //

Read – Jeremiah 29:12-14, James 4:8

SOAP – James 4:8

"Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world." James 4:8 NLT

One step takes us into God. He doesn't move, we do. Sin separates us. Therefore we need to have clean hands & hearts to come into His presence. We need to repent of sin in thought, word and deed. Things we "touch" that are unclean... we have to cleanse our hands. Our mouths speak what is in our hearts. Our minds control what we think, say and do. Keep it clean and we can be loyal and stay in God's presence!

Jeremiah 29:11-14 NLT "'For I know the plans I have for you,' says the Lord. 'They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you,' says the Lord. 'I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land'.”

When we humble ourselves and pray, & seek Him He will hear from Heaven and forgive our sins and heal our land. He will restore us and grant us many blessings.

Psalm 24:3-4 "Who may climb the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? Only those whose hands and hearts are pure, who do not worship idols and never tell lies."

Cleanse us Lord in thought, word and deed of the sins we have committed intentionally and unintentionally that we may boldly stand before your throne & stand in your holy presence!

 

 SOAP pages...

 BE BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING!

DRAW NEAR: WEEK 2 - WEDNESDAY

// WEDNESDAY //

Read – John 1:14-18, Psalm 19:4-6

SOAP – John 1:14

"So the Word became human[a] and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness.[b] And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son."

In the NLT, John 1:14 says, "So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son."

Jesus the Word became human, and came to earth to dwell with His creation, to once again "walk with us". He was God, yet came as a human so we could relate to Him, & He could relate to us. He however did not have fleshly nature nor did He sin, He still had the nature of God, so people could see the glory of God the Father through His Son.

Jesus was a real human. He "knew no sin" (2 Cor 5:21) & even though He was human like 'us', He faced temptations, yet He did not sin! He was the Word, & He knew the Word of His Father and the Holy Scriptures. He remembered what His Father said, & we need to remember what the Word and the word says too! We can focus on temptation or on 'grace and truth/unfailing love & faithfulness' of God.

In John 1:14 AMP it says in the last part, "...[the Son who is truly unique, the only One of His kind, who is] full of grace and truth (absolutely free of deception)."

Read it again... wow! One of a Kind and absolutely free of deception.

My other verse that came to me was 2 Cor 5:21 and I love the words in the TPT "For God made the only one who did not know sin to become sin for us, so that we who did not know righteousness might become the righteousness of God through our union with him."

Jesus - knew no sin and was righteous

Us - didn't know true righteousness and were full of sin

He became the Word in flesh, & made the greatest exchange in history ever with us... and future generations.

He "knew no sin'... he knew what sin was as God is Omniscient, but he didn't look on it. Adam & Eve opened the door to sin in the garden... before they ate from.the tree, they would have walked in righteousness with God.

As in yesterday's notes, We exchanged the Truth of God for a lie... but today we add... BUT GOD!!!

Jesus exchanged Righteousness and closeness to the Father for ALL our sins (even ones not yet committed)! WOW!! Our God is so good!

We need to walk in grace, truth, righteousness, life and unfailing love, etc... we should NOT walk in sin, despair/loneliness, deception, lies or death, etc! Jesus came as the Father with skin on... and He challenged His disciples and US to be Jesus with skin on!

I just love those two words BUT GOD!!

BE BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING!

DRAW NEAR: WEEK 2 - TUESDAY

// TUESDAY //

Read – Romans 1:18-21, 1 Timothy 2:3-4

SOAP – Romans 1:20

No Man Left Behind!

"Forever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God." Romans 1:20 NLT

The truth is God is everywhere, whether His creation/people choose to believe or not, He still is. Those who say they don't believe, have NO excuse! We can see God visibly & invisibly in His creation! He is omniscient, omnipotent & omnipresent! He just IS! He is the I AM all around us!

We need to stop trying to prove He is and let Him show others He is... we just need to speak and show forth His truth. He wants EVERYONE to come to the knowledge of Him & have a special relationship with Him. He loves each of us as if we were the only one. We need to PRAISE Him for His goodness and help share the TRUTH. The truth was made OBVIOUS to them... but they have been shadowed from the truth by the darkness of sin. We need to walk in the Truth!

1 Timothy 2:3-4 NLT "This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth."

In Rom.1:25, it says "they exchanged the truth of God for a lie and worshipped and served created things rather than the Creator who is forever praised." -- God allowed his people to do what their human desires led them to do... and a lot of them chose to go the way of sin. BUT He has also allowed us to choose the Truth and those of us who repent and turn from our sin can be a part of His family and share in His inheritance of Life! Jesus doesn't just FORCE Himself on us, it is a choice. We have to align our Spirit man with our Flesh man & that's a tough thing to do on our own. First, we have to KNOW that there is One who can help us. The Way, the Truth and the Life! The old VBS saying comes back to me again and again... "If you want to know who you are, you must first know Jesus!" It's like "Captain Obvious" to us, but we need to declare the truth to others in our walk and in our talk.

Romans 1:25 reminds me of a drama/skit I did in Youth group "The Statue" (a modern take of the Golden Calf)... what are 'statues' in our lives that have to come down? God is taking this time of Quarantine to refresh and renew us and bring us back to our First Love. 

Be blessed today and if you see snow... remember God washes us as white as the snow... if we choose to let Him! So thankful you have all chosen this time to get closer to Him!! Now off to read your revelations! I just love that part too!! 

Romans 1 v21 in the Passion Translation says "fingerprints of God"... and it reminded me of course of a song... so I will share with you. Praying it touches your heart if you are not feeling like a 'masterpiece'! The video has the lyrics so you can read them and remind yourself that all creation applauds the YOU that God made as we all applaud Him who made us.

https://youtu.be/Z2Dor3dmIJw 

DRAW NEAR: WEEK 2 - MONDAY

// MONDAY //

Read – Psalm 19:4-6, Colossians 2:1-10

SOAP – Psalm 19:4-6 

"Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world. God has made a home in the heavens for the sun. It bursts forth like a radiant bridegroom after his wedding. It rejoices like a great athlete eager to run the race."

Such a good word today! THANKFULNESS is resounding in me along with the words PLAN & PURPOSE! #HappyMonday

From our Memory Verse/SOAP verse, Psalm 19:4-6, in the NLT it says, "Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world. God has made a home in the heavens for the sun. It bursts forth like a radiant bridegroom after his wedding. It rejoices like a great athlete eager to run the race. The sun rises at one end of the heavens and follows its course to the other end. Nothing can hide from its heat."

I pulled out -- Creation/Nature's message goes forth silently to the ears, yet proclaims loudly to the eyes! Our Creator made a home for each thing/person He created. The sun serves its purpose of light and heat. Even on a cloudy day, the sun is still shining behind the clouds. Daily, it follows God's Plan and rises in east & travels across the sky to set in the west. 

God has a PLAN & PURPOSE for ALL of His creation... even the littlest ant has a job to do! We need to SHINE  like the sun, even in storms, & do what we are called to do for the world! The sun cannot rise in the west, it follows it's course that it was meant to fulfil! 

In our other reading, Colossians 2:1-10 - Verse 7 stood out to me. Last week I spoke about being like a tree with strong roots, and v7 says "Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness."

Therefore... Be rooted in Christ - FAITH will grow in the TRUTH I'm being taught (& have been taught) & then THANKFULNESS will overflow!!

BONUS THOUGHT: The TREE needs the SUN to help it grow... the SUN needs to fulfil its purpose for the TREE to fulfil it's. Just like with us, we need each of us to fulfil our calling/plan/purpose so that others can fulfil theirs! 

#BeBlessedtobeaBlessing

PS in case you were wondering I am singing a song... "I see the sun waking up the morning..."  GET YOUR HOPES UP!!

https://youtu.be/NH9mzerEqyw

Wow... I know the journey of the Sun, but it occurred to me that the Sun never sleeps... as we say goodnight to the sunset... it is rising on the other side of the world...

At FDN (childcare centre) "normally" I am blessed to arrive around 6:10-6:20 AM to open for 6:30 & it is usually pretty dark... and it is dark for a while. The first few children come and we enjoy watching the sun rise in our window. We usually joke about 'waking up the sun, he's still sleeping like most of our friends'... {yes I do miss these times} 

But really while the MOON does it's job to shine in the darkness, the SUN is still shining where we cannot see it... and then they switch again... It again is all part of God's plan and purpose for it to fulfill! WOW!! God is soooo good!! 

I also think back to a time when I was much younger (somewhere between K and gr 2) & we had a swimming pool in our backyard. My Mom 

Geri

 was in the house watching us through the kitchen window, and my older brother and I were in the pool. And all of a sudden Mom came to the window and told us to get out of the pool... it was storming. .. Well, it was storming in our front yard, BUT not in the backyard where we were. It was sunny and blue skies!! I still remember this with fond memories that God kept it sunny for us to swim together. We always had the neighbour kids come over too... so there may have been friends there too & Dad could have been in the yard with us... I don't remember all the facts, but just the fact that God shone His sun for us to continue to enjoy and His Son to protect us! 

I was also reminded how God paints the sky in warning to us... the old saying "Red sky at night, sailors/shepherds delight; Red sky in the morning, sailors/shepherds take warning." If we are paying attention, God is in the details as we spoke of last week!