HAPPY 2022 ~ #ONEWORD for the NEW YEAR!

 

...and it's that time of year again, where instead of resolutions, we have chosen to be resolute and intentional about changes and things in our lives for the New Year. The time where a lot of churches and individuals, and even businesses and worldly business and secular minds take time to choose their #oneword or #onelittleword for the YEAR ahead.

My #ONEWORD for 2021 was PURSUE... to pursue and seek after more of God, in these 6 areas specifically. (spelling out the word pursue)

Prayerful -- 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Understanding/Wisdom -- Exodus 35:31

Righteousness -- 1 Timothy 6:11

Spiritual Truth -- Psalm 86:2 & Psalm 78:2

Unwavering Faith -- Matthew 21:21

Excellence -- Proverbs 31:10; Ruth 3:11; Matthew 5:16; & Philippians 4:8

As I am still in pursuit of more of God, and these areas above, I still will cling to the word PURSUE but also include MINDFUL or RENEWAL... We completed a ZOOM study this year (technically 6 weeks in November and December) on choosing a changed mind, using a booklet by the same title, "Choose a Changed Mind" by our friend and Evangelist Anita Pearce. In this book (which I highly recommend to you - see below to order) she digs deeper into the words/principles found in Philippians 4:8 (which was one of my verses above). The eight principles or thought patterns in the Scripture include true; noble; right; pure; lovely; admirable; excellent & praiseworthy (depending on the translation you read, but basically the same meanings). She ends the chapter with "By renewing our thought patterns according to these principles, our characters will be transformed. We will become reflections of the holiness of our Lord Jesus Christ." So one of my goals for 2022 is to continually RENEW my MIND... which includes being more MINDFUL of what I choose to think on.

We can CHOOSE our thought patterns, and this is a tool that is useful to know and remember. It is OUR choice alone to hold onto the good and get rid of the bad... better yet, don't even let the negative and bad ones in! Stop them at the door and deny them entrance. One sentence that came to me (through Holy Spirit) while reading the book was "BE A BOUNCER of YOUR MIND!!" Those bouncers outside clubs, etc don't just let anyone in. They use their muscle to keep out the ones who don't belong -- even those with a fake ID. Don't even let those words of false prophets in! There is a lot of deceit in the world today that is masquerading around as truth. Keep the lies out and bring in the truth!!

How do we go about living out our #ONEWORD??

For me, it's starting with DAY 1... gaining wisdom again through reading the BOOK of PROVERBS! There are 31 chapters in Proverbs and 31 days in January. I am going to be more intentional with reading and writing about wisdom gleaned! Writing this BLOG POST today on DAY 1 will also hopefully help keep me accountable, and I hope to share some revelations and fun from my Bible Reading adventures this year (not just Proverbs this month, but as the year continues) -- so that next year, my blog post for 2023 won't be right after this one. (OOPS!)

For YOU... first, choose your word... through prayer, through much thought and deliberation... and however else you want to choose it. Maybe through reading the Word, or through reading this post a word pops into your mind... If you don't have a relationship with God and are just choosing a word that your business is following, or if your church is choosing a word... you can definitely use that word too... but there is a personal word out there for YOU for 2022, find it!! Then make a call to action... DO IT! Choose to do something that will help you get to where you want to be... where God is calling you to be!! If you need some help, contact me and I will creatively share some ideas.

BUT... most of all, FOCUS on the LORD and make 2022 a great one!! "Set your minds on things above, and not on earthly things!" Colossians 3:2

** IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ORDER THE BOOK "CHOOSE A CHANGED MIND" by ANITA PEARCE - visit her website INSPIRATION MINISTRIES here, and order from her shop, or I think they are on Amazon.ca too. **

HAPPY NEW YEAR!! Be Blessed to be a BLESSING!!

WOW~! It's a NEW YEAR again... HAPPY 2022!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR... again... feels like I just wrote it... (and looking at this blog I did)

I originally tried to focus more on my writing and it being one of the cre8tive outlets that I would use more in 2021... and again, that wasn't done as well as I had hoped. Thankfully, I have other outlets and did use my writing in other ways (I did set up an Instagram with @mitzshewrote after one of my favourite TV shows growing up Murder She Wrote, where Jessica Fletcher (aka Angela Lansbury) was a mystery writer.) 

However, this year of not writing here on the blog was not seen as a failure. I did also grow in other areas, and of course, we all know that even though 2020 was an interesting year, 2021 was also interesting and had its own ups and downs. As we grow older, we see that time seems to fly by quicker. The old saying was always "Time flies when you're having fun", but clearly I don't have to tell you that 2021 was not all fun and games (and I love games)! But seriously, this year seemed to fly by. 

As 2020 came to a close, and 2021 began, we were still bogged down by the Cov!d pandemic and the effects of it, whether it hit your home, close to home, or at least someone you knew. Whether or not you believe in the complete pandemic, there obviously has been a lot of things attached to it that have changed the world we live in. (Not going to get into it - move on!)

As 2022 begins, I am in a more contemplative state of mind and have had a lot of days of relaxation and time to myself (which is yes unusual)... but it reminds me that God is the ONLY one who brought us through. Although things around us have changed greatly, He has NOT changed. He isn't surprised by what is happening. Whether you believe in Him or not, He is there, and He is the One who sits on the High Throne. As believers, we can boldly go before that throne due to His love and grace. This year is a year to help bring in the Prodigals and the Lost souls to the Kingdom... time is moving quickly and time, as we know it here on earth, is quickly coming to an end.

NOW is the time... TODAY is the day of salvation... January 1st, 2022... is the PERFECT day for you to begin your FIRST STEPS (or steps again) with the FATHER, His Son JESUS, and our comforter and guide HOLY SPIRIT!! In the story of the PRODIGAL SON, which I just re-read in one of my devotions, it says, "So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him." (Luke 15:20) You have to do your part and take the first step towards the Father, whether it's a first step or a u-turn back, and then God in His great love and compassion will run to you! IF THIS IS YOU... then take the time to "come to {your} senses" (Luke 15:17) and come (back) to the Father in repentance. We are ALL sinners, and we all have felt those feelings of unworthiness. But the Father calls us back as a SON, not just a servant!

Now, maybe you are like me, still a sinner who is saved by grace, but you haven't truly run from the Father, you've stuck close like the older brother. (He still sinned in his own ways, but the Father forgave him). Where was the older son while all this was happening?? In verse 25 it says, "Meanwhile, the older son was in the fields working...". The older son was working and doing his part. Taking care of the fields was his responsibility. The verse continues, "When he returned home, he heard music and dancing in the house, and he asked one of the servants what was going on." Then he hears the news of his brother returning home, and goes into a form of self-pity. Instead of being happy that his brother has returned (and can now take some of the responsibility for the work), he wallows in his own self-pity. Self-pity leads to our own fall, which can lead to anger, depression and despair. The Scriptures say that "The older brother was angry and wouldn't go in." (Luke 15:28) BUT GOD...  His father came out and begged him... and again wallowing and his anger turned to depression, and he complains to the father about all that he has done for him, and that he never even got a young goat for a feast with his friends. The father then reminds him that ALL he had was always the sons all along. The Scripture says "His father said to him, 'Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me, and everything I have is yours." (Luke 15:31) So, the older son could have had a young goat for a feast with his friends... he could have had anything that belonged to the father; to the family (other than the wealth inheritance that was given to the younger son earlier in the chapter).

Now normally, this parable is spoken of or taught, in regards to the Prodigal Son, or in regards to the Father welcoming the son home and it is compared to the Father welcoming those who have strayed from the faith... the Prodigal Son has been compared allegorically to those who once loved the Father and were 'Christ-followers' who have now walked away from their beliefs. The Father obviously is God the Father. He has so much love and compassion for all to come to know Him and be in a relationship with Him, as a 'son'. The older son should be happy for a lost soul to come back to the Father. But this time around (& I'm sure I've thought about it before, but it hit me this time), I'm stuck on the fact of the older son and those words found in the 31st verse above, "Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me, and everything I have is yours." The older son was faithful to the father, therefore like a believer who has been faithful to the Father, doing the work and staying by Him. In the parable, the older son at that moment was mad about a young goat for a feast, but really, the father said 'EVERYTHING that I have is yours'... so it got me thinking, what else does the FATHER have for us that we have not 'asked for' or just taken hold of... because everything that He has is ours.

I always hear of different preachers or teachers speaking of "open heavens", and the verse that has come up a lot in recent teachings is "we have not, because we ask not" (James 4:2)

So let 2022 be a year of new chapters, clean slates, salvations/lost being found, prodigals returning, and believers asking and receiving more and more from the Father... 

BE BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING!

Happy 2022 Blessings to you and yours!

 

What's your #ONEWORD for 2021?

     So we all know it has been a year... as we sit back on NEW YEAR'S EVE 2020, we can reflect on the year that has passed and wonder about the year ahead. Most NEW YEAR'S EVE nights are spent with friends or family, enjoying food and festivities... but again 2020 threw a wrench into those plans, and the government and their Covid-19 regulations have put an end to getting together. Again they want to throw us into isolation and try and put fear into our lives as we enter the new year. But we are not isolated alone, we always have GOD with us. He is our wisdom, strength, peace and more!

     Usually during the end of the year, and the beginning of the next year, people make resolutions. They decide on things that they want to change or need in their lives. Some people choose to make more time for family; make more time for God; read the Bible more; lose weight or have a more proper diet or choose to eat more healthy foods; etc. However, most people don't stay with some of the resolutions they make, and so for the last several years people have chosen #oneword or #onelittleword for the year ahead.

     I somehow don't have a record of words I have chosen, but I remember in 2017, I (along with Holy Spirit) chose "resolute" and "#finishwell" in 2018. I don't remember what word was chosen for last year... I know "vision" was a big theme as it was 2020. Our vision sure was cleared this year, physically and spiritually. We saw that although the world was in chaos around us, our GOD was still in control and on His throne and gave most of us PEACE. Our vision was altered as we shifted our vision on things of the world to things of the Kingdom. During the first quarantine, we grew closer to God and His Word. He allowed our vision to be focused on Him. This year, I believe Holy Spirit is leading me to the #oneword #onelittleword PURSUE. Pursue after Him... Pursue after Truth... Pursue after what is Right...  I was led to a Bible Verse found in 1 Timothy 6:11 which says, "But you, Timothy, are a man of God; so run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness."

       I enjoy learning more about WORDS and ETYMOLOGY (the study of words).  The word etymology derives from the Greek word ἐτυμολογία (etumología), itself from ἔτυμον (étumon), meaning "true sense or sense of a truth", and the suffix -logia, denoting "the study of". The word pursue in the Greek means; "to run swiftly in order to catch a person or thing, to run after; to press on: figuratively of one who in a race runs swiftly to reach the goal; to seek after eagerly, earnestly endeavour to acquire". I also like to take words apart and choose other words to go along with them... so taking the letters in the word PURSUE, I can pull out different things that I will PURSUE this year. 

PURSUE

        Prayerful - 1 Thess. 5:17

        Understanding/Wisdom - Exodus 35:31

        Righteousness - 1Timothy 6:11

        Spiritual Truth  - Psalm 86:2 & Psalm 78:2

        Unwavering Faith - Matt 21:21

        Excellence - Proverbs 31:10; Ruth 3:11; Matthew 5:16; Philippians 4:8

    I love to learn and am a #lifelonglearner and have always loved God and His Word. But it means a lot more when you walk in relationship with Him and gain understanding and revelation when reading or being taught His Word. This year will prove to be a time of greater growth in the Lord spiritually and I have #greatexpectations to what is going to happen.

What's your #ONEWORD?? Let me know in the comments and I can keep you in my prayers when I am reminded of you. THANKS!

BE BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING!

PRODIGALS Come Home...

What makes a PRODIGAL?

A Prodigal is defined online as "a person who leaves home and behaves recklessly, but later makes a repentant return." We first hear the words "Prodigal Son" in the Bible, in Luke 15. Jesus tells three parables about the LOST. Have YOU ever been LOST?

There are different aspects to being LOST:

1) Going somewhere you have been before or know where you are going but taking the wrong path to get there.

2) Not knowing where you are going as you've never been there, and taking the wrong path to get there.

3) You followed someone and they have led you the wrong way

4) Being left in the middle of somewhere not knowing where you are

Either way you are considered LOST... you need GPS or a map or someone to lead you in the direction you are supposed to go.

The LOST spiritually are those who don't know Jesus, or they know Jesus and have wandered away from Him. They are the ONE lost sheep, or lost coin or lost son. A prodigal knows the One they are running from. They know the Truth, yet still follows the lies of the world. When they finally make the decision to turn back to the Father, He is always there waiting. No matter how many steps you think you have taken from Him, He is right there when you turn and repent. Repenting doesn't always consist of a bitter, evil past. We as the "other son" have to repent continuously for sins committed. No one is perfect. The Christian life isn't a perfect life. In the parable in Luke, the older son is angry that the Father is celebrating the return of his little brother, the son who was lost. He was upset that the Father never celebrated him or gave him anything special. That is sometimes our behaviour as a follower of Jesus. We don't realize all the GOOD things that come with being a son. We become complacent and then bitter when new followers receive good things and walk in the blessings of God our Father. Whereas we who are committed followers have the same blessings and can walk in that truth as well.

A prodigal just has to turn, and repent. that's all. He has to admit he was wrong for choosing the path most taken. For either choosing to go it alone, or following the crowd in the wrong way. The LOST need to be found. Someone has to help bring them in. A sheep needs to hear the voice of the Shepherd to know where to go. What does it take for a PRODIGAL to return? let's spell PRODIGAL and find out some of the keys to COMING HOME.

P is for PRIDE - They have to let go of their pride and admit they are wrong. They have chosen an easy path in some cases, but it really is the wrong path. If the path doesn't lead you to JESUS and FREEDOM, then you are captive to your sin and the enemy. If you are not for Him, you are against Him. We need to HUMBLE ourselves and admit we need a Saviour.

R is for REPENT - To repent is to basically turn from that which is wrong and do what is right. We will not always do what is right, but making the effort is at least a better option. Picture yourself driving down a road, the wrong way. How do you go the right way? You have to make a U-Turn. Our Father allows U-turns in our lives. One of the words in the GREEK for repent is

"metanoeo", meaning 'to change one's mind or purpose'. You change from RECKLESS to REPENTANT.

O is for OBEDIENCE - A simple step to doing that which is RIGHT comes with obedience. Once you have repented and turned from your sin, you basically are making the choice to listen to God and do what is right and true. Obedience is even trying to do that which is right. A Christian doesn't live the perfect life, but is attempting to live their life with the attributes of Jesus or Christian character.

D is for DECISION - It is after all still your choice. God has given us free will to decide what to do. But he also gives us DISCERNMENT so we know right from wrong. Anything that is against the Word of God is not right. We need to CHOOSE this day for ourselves whom we will serve. Self or God? The enemy, Father of lies and hate or the God of truth and love?

I is for IDENTITY - Part of the reason people stray from the Lord after knowing Him is that they want their own identity. They have lived what they feel is their "best life" apart from Him, but when they realize how much they need Him, they want to see themselves as a slave or servant not as their real identity as a son (or daughter). Just like the Prodigal son in Luke 15, He states " I will go home to my father and say, 'Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant'.” Our Father wants you to know that you are His child. He is your Father. One sentence I have always remembered is "If you want to know who you are, you must first know Jesus". Our identity rests in Him alone. He has called us and chosen us even before the beginning of the world, and even when we were in our sin. "But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners." Romans 5:8 NLT

G is for GRACE - It is only by God's grace that we are SAVED. God grants us repentance by His grace alone. Grace is getting something that we don't deserve. We deserve death as the penalty for our sin. Because of love, and His grace and mercy, God sent Jesus His Son to take our place as the sacrifice once and for all. All because of the goodness of God! "Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?" Romans 2:4

A is for ACCEPTANCE - God accepts you the way you are, but He loves you too much to leave you that way! He accepts us back into His family, and He has His arms open wide when you turn to Him. The prodigal son was a long way off from the Father, but the Father was always watching the road for the son to return. The son was returning defeated and disheartened, but the Father was running to Him with open arms thankful that his lost son was now found.

L is for LOVE - The Father's love for you is unending. No matter what you have done, or where you have gone, or even when you don't profess your love for Him. His love is truthfully UNCONDITIONAL. His love stretches farther and deeper, higher and wider than we can ever know. 

At some points in our lives we followers of Jesus are all like the prodigal son, we have slipped into temptation and sin, and think we cannot get out, and think our sin has tarnished us. But we can run to the Father again and again. But God didn't give us grace to keep on sinning. We are supposed to learn from our wicked ways. Each time we may feel like we have failed we can say "I run to the Father again and again and again and again..." 

Check out these lyrics to the chorus of "Run to the Father" by Cody Carnes:

I run to the Father
I fall into grace
I'm done with the hiding
No reason to wait
My heart needs a surgeon
My soul needs a friend
So I'll run to the Father
Again and again
And again and again

Here is the link to the song on YOUTUBE (link opens in a new window).

Jesus told the parable of the Prodigal Son to make a point:

It doesn't matter what you have done, how far you have run,

Just COME HOME!

So, PRODIGALS come HOME!!

Love you all! Be BLESSED to be a BLESSING!

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!