Let’s walk in love, wisdom, and in the light.
Smelling the sweet aroma of Jesus.
Let’s walk without snide remarks, cursing, or foolish talk.
Let’s walk sharing God’s wisdom and speaking wise words that edify,
Let’s walk stepping away from what is evil. Take my hand.
Let’s walk together in unity filled with the Spirit singing in harmony.
Let’s walk together in the light as blessed children of God.
In sharing His love and wisdom in His Kingdom.
Readings
Ephesians 5:1-19
Exodus 16:32-33
Manna the bread that was sweet as honey, the bread God instructed Moses and Aaron to keep as a reminder in a jar, after feeding the grumbling Israelites, for future generations to come. Scripture says the manna was flaky white like coriander seeds and sweet as honey wafers (Exodus 16:14). Bread is a promised food (see Genesis 3:19). Did you know that there are around a 100 varieties of bread worldwide, some even made with enriching dough, for one’s pleasure and nourishment. However, no bread can compare to Jesus, who is the sweet Manna that gives everlasting life. Jesus offers an enriching life of salvation, healing, nourishment, and abundantly more (John 10:10). He is the bread from heaven and whoever believes in Him and feeds on His bread will live forever unlike the manna given to the Israelites (John 6:48-49). He is satisfying and nourishing in sustaining one’s spiritual life and strengthening one’s heart. God feeds us a daily supply of bread (Matthew 6:11). May the sweetness of the Manna, Jesus, the bread from heaven humble you and satisfy your every hunger.
Jeremiah 17:9-10 (NIV) tells us that the heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? and that the Lord is the one who searches the heart and examines the mind, and that He will reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve.” I read an article where the author expressed that the heart is the ruling center of one’s life or being. And the decisions that one makes are from within the heart and will become evident by one’s speech, thoughts, and actions which is concurrent with scripture where the hearts of the people of Judah’s mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being was centered and intertwined in rebellion against God (Jeremiah 1:1, NKJV).
Genesis 6:5 tells us that God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually (sounds familiar). Romans 1:21 tells us that although people say they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were they thankful, but they became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Brothers and sisters, we are living in a darkened world where there are many who have hardened their hearts and turned away from God and have made decisions that have hurt those close to them, on their jobs, in our churches, in our nation, and throughout the world. But what they do not know is that in accordance with their hardness and a heart that is shameless or having no regret for their actions they are treasuring (storing) up for themselves wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God (Romans 2:5). We must remember beloveds that the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us (Romans 5:5).
Beloveds we know that we ought to have hearts and minds like Jesus who is our true leader and King. Romans 8:5 tells us to set our minds which includes one’s will, emotions, thoughts, assumptions, purposes, desires, and values on the things of the Spirit not of the flesh. Beloveds we are to live lives that honors God and be set apart spiritually. Looking to the future where one day we will be with God face to face (Revelation 21:3).
Prayer
Father we pray that we live our lives in Christ with hearts and minds that will honor and glorify you, walking in love through the power of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus name. Amen.
Because of you I live.
Because of you I am.
Because of you I give.
I am a part of your plan.
Because of you I love.
Continue to search me, empty me, from all that is not of you. Infuse my every vein with your stream of fresh new blood and fill my soul with your regenerating Spirit.
Because of you I live, I am, I give, I love.
Reading:
Psalm 139:1-3
You have searched me, Lord, and you know me.You know when I sit and when I rise; You perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.
How many times has Jesus said He would sustain you with His love. Why for forty years God sustained the Israelites, in the wilderness; they lacked nothing, their clothes did not wear out nor did their feet become swollen. Surely God is our help; the Lord is the one who sustains us. Many of us can lie down and sleep and wake again, because the Lord has sustained us. Remember Jesus said cast your cares upon Him for He cares for you.
Readings:
Nehemiah 9:21; Psalm 54: 4; Psalm 3:5;1 Peter 5:7
I was in a period of silence.
Waiting and listening for My Father’s guidance.
I felt my direction was off course.
But His word, my encouraging resource.
spoke:
“The dead do not praise the Lord
Nor anyone who go down to silence.
But we bless the Lord.”
“From this time forth and forever more.
Praise the Lord!”
I will bless and praise the Lord.
And not go down to silence.
Except when Jesus opens the 7th seal.
Readings:
Psalm 115:17-18; Revelation 8:1 (NKJV)
God has a mighty hand over His people, all people must know that the hand of the Lord is powerful so that [they] might always fear Him (Joshua 4:24). Here are some powerful things that God has done with His hand or hands:
With a mighty hand the Lord brought the Israelites out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery (Exodus 13:14,16). We can not see Him, but He protects us, like He protected Moses from seeing His glory with His hand prior to pushing him between a cleft in the rock (Exodus 33:22). He redeemed His people and servants by His great strength and mighty hand (Nehemiah 1:10). By His great love, He saves by His right hand those who take refuge in Him from their foes (Psalm 17:7). In His hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind (Job 12:10). He longs for the creature that His hands have made, like Job will you answer His call ? (Job 14:15).
His right hand sustains us (Psalm 18:35). The Lord gives victory to His anointed. He answers him or her from his heavenly sanctuary with the victorious power of His right hand (Psalm 20:6). It was not by their sword that they won the land, nor did their arm bring them victory; it was God’s right hand, His arm, and the light of His face, for He loved them.
God loves you, you are inscribed in the palms of His hands (Isaiah 49:16). His right hand is always there for you. Jesus is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
Peace, Love, and Joy in the Spirit
Nehemiah 1:5-11
The story of Nehemiah’s call to do a task for God, began when his friend returned with others, from Judah. Nehemiah when speaking with his friend, first concern was for those who escaped and survived captivity in Jerusalem. His friends response saddened him for the people were suffering and their life was difficult mainly because the Jerusalem wall, that protected them and symbolized strength of their god’s was in poor condition, however the people were more concerned that the poor condition of the wall reflected badly on the name of God, How faithful it is to look at something of God’s that is in poor condition and think that it gives God a bad name. Nehemiah was to the point of distraught when he listened to his friend’s response, that he sat down and wept. Jesus wept over the city of Jerusalem because He knew of their future judgement for rejecting Him (Luke 19:41). Getting back to Nehemiah, Nehemiah went into mourning, fasting, and praying to God. Jesus also prayed (Mark 1:35; Luke 5:16; John 17:1) however, I am going to share Nehemiah’s prayer in case you did not read it, Nehemiah’s prayer.
“Lord, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s family, have committed against you. We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses. Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations, but if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name. They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great strength and your mighty hand. Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.” Believers God loves His faithful people and has a plan for their future (Jeremiah 29:11).
Prayer
Father may we take heed to your words and lessons in the Bible for rebuilding and restoring what we see that is broken and gives You a bad name and bring healing to the land as we await Your future plans. Amen
Here are some of my thoughts about the birds, bees, and love.
A Bee’s thought, sharing God’s sweet honey of love is a requirement for believers, especially towards other believers (1 John 3:11,16, 23, NKJV).
A Bird’s thought, tweeting sentimental words without action is without a song. Even male birds in their beautiful array will not attract a mate if their tweeting doesn’t measure up. Like humans their word’s (tweeting) must match their actions (James 1:22).
A Bee’s thought, there are so many different types you do not know which kind will sting you. Watch out! Judge correctly (John 7:24).
A Bird’s thought, they are good at letting the world know they are living, and it is a new day. And so are we when we tell someone “Good Morning.” Such encouraging words to start the day with love. “Let the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in You.
Show me the way I should go, for to You I entrust my life” (Psalm 143:8).
I guess your wondering what does that have to do with a bee’s and bird’s thoughts–nothing really just being creative.
Just a little touch and prayer can save someone’s life.
Just a little touch can alleviate someone’s physical or mental pain.
Just a little a little forgiveness can resolve someone’s hurt.
Just a little donation can feed one or more children.
Just a little class of water can quench someone’s thirst.
Just a little sharing to those in need shows you care.
Just a little laughter is good medicine.
Just remember whatever you do to help others,
may it be just a little, it refreshes them.
Reading: Proverbs 11:25
A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.
Wind Gust 