Archives for January 2021

January 29, 2021 by hldude

Trusting Vs. Trusting

“Trusting Vs. Trusting”

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.

Sunday morning before last, I found myself waking up to a very abnormal side pain. I’ve had side pains before, but this did not feel at all like any that I’ve had before, especially that it started in the middle of the night. That Sunday, I went from an Urgent Care visit to the ER awaiting the removal of my appendix because I had early appendicitis. I still remember the shock feeling that came over me when the doctor called to say the CT scan confirmed it was appendicitis and that I needed to head to the ER to get ready for surgery.

As I waited through the early afternoon, I was being tested in various ways and prepped for my surgery. What I most appreciated is that I was being prepared mentally for what was about to happen. I didn’t know any of the people taking care of me, but I just fell into a “trust” feeling when I was being told that I would be taken great care of and that it would most likely be a very successful surgery. I was still nervous, but after they did all they could to prepare me mentally, it put me at ease knowing I would be sedated and then wake up without an appendix hurting.

After I woke up and have continued my days of healing up to now, I have been thinking everyday about the whole idea of trusting that day. I was not only realizing how much I put all my trust in what the medical personnel was doing that day to tend to my care, but I couldn’t help to think about how I so often do not trust in God as much as He promises to take care of my life. That thought has stuck with me and got me thinking a lot.

As I mentioned before, I tend to feel more at ease and trust more when things are explained to me and I can understand what I’m about to experience. Being prepared does a great deal for me. However, God does not always work this way. He so often does not explain things to us and, instead, asks us to completely trust in Him when things do not make sense and when we don’t understand things at all.

I trusted in the medical personnel because I was mentally prepared beforehand, but my trust should always ultimately be in God Who always provides and takes care of me. He often asks us to completely trust in Him when we have no idea what is ahead and what we are about to experience. That can cause some major anxiety!

My challenge for all of us is to consider how much we trust God in situations that are really challenging and in which we are totally blind to what might be ahead. Do we trust God no matter what and not depend on our understanding? Trusting in Him is everything.

Weekly Devotional Blog Site www.zwdevotions.com

Proverbs 3:5 (LEB)

Trust Adonai“trust toward Adonai” with all your heart; do not lean toward your own understanding.5Trust Adonai“trust toward Adonai” with all your heart; do not lean toward your own understanding.

January 27, 2021 by Sweetvineshema

Easy

An Emoji Devotions for Wed 27th January, 2021

Topic: Easy

By Apostle James

Highlights:

God makes fun of those who make fun of the truth but gives loving-favor to those who have no pride. Proverbs 3:34

Do you know where your fights and arguments come from? They come from the selfish desires that war within you.

You want something you don’t have, and you will do anything to get it.

You will even kill! But you still cannot get what you want, and you won’t get it by fighting and arguing. You should pray for it.

Yet even when you do pray, your prayers are not answered, because you pray just for selfish reasons (because the reason you ask is wrong)

You want things so you can use them for your own pleasures. So, you are not loyal to God! You should know that loving the world is the same as hating God.

Anyone who wants to be a friend of the world becomes God’s enemy. Do you think the Scripture means nothing that says, “The Spirit that God made to live in us wants us for himself alone”? Exodus 20:5

But God gives us even more grace, as the Scripture says,

“God is against the proud,
but he gives grace to the humble.” Proverbs 3:34

So give yourselves completely to God. Stand against the devil, and the devil will run from you. Come near to God, and God will come near to you.

James 4:1-8a

Prayer: God I pray to you to please have mercy and give me a peaceful passion from your Holy Spirit. Amen

https://emojidevotions.blogspot.com/2021/01/easy.html

Exodus 20:5 (LEB)

You will not bow down to them, and you will not serve them, because I am Adonai your God, a jealous God, punishing the guilt of the parents on the children on the third and on the fourth generations“Generations” is understood from comparison with parallel verses (compare Exod 34:6–7; Deut 7:9) of those hating me,5You will not bow down to them, and you will not serve them, because I am Adonai your God, a jealous God, punishing the guilt of the parents on the children on the third and on the fourth generations“Generations” is understood from comparison with parallel verses (compare Exod 34:6–7; Deut 7:9) of those hating me,

Proverbs 3:34 (LEB)

With those who scorn, he is scornful, but to those who are humble, he gives favor.34With those who scorn, he is scornful, but to those who are humble, he gives favor.

James 4:1-8 (LEB)

Subject Yourselves to GodFrom where are conflicts and from where are quarrels among you? Is it not from this, from your pleasures that wage war among your members?Subject Yourselves to GodFrom where are conflicts and from where are quarrels among you? Is it not from this, from your pleasures that wage war among your members?2You desire and do not have; you murder and are filled with envy, and are not able to obtain; you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask.2You desire and do not have; you murder and are filled with envy, and are not able to obtain; you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask.3You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, in order that you may spend it on your pleasures.3You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, in order that you may spend it on your pleasures.4Adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.4Adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.5Or do you think that in vain the scripture says, “The spirit which he caused to dwell in us desires jealously”?This translation takes “spirit” to be the capacity within people that produces a divided mind and conflicts regarding God; other translations take this to refer to the Holy Spirit: “He (God) jealously desires the Spirit which he caused to dwell in us”5Or do you think that in vain the scripture says, “The spirit which he caused to dwell in us desires jealously”?This translation takes “spirit” to be the capacity within people that produces a divided mind and conflicts regarding God; other translations take this to refer to the Holy Spirit: “He (God) jealously desires the Spirit which he caused to dwell in us”6But he gives greater grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”from Prov 3:346But he gives greater grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”from Prov 3:347Therefore subject yourselves to God. But resist the devil, and he will flee from you.7Therefore subject yourselves to God. But resist the devil, and he will flee from you.8Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded!8Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded!

January 25, 2021 by Sweetvineshema

The Rod

An Emoji Devotions for Mon 25th January, 2021

Topic: The Rod.

Highlights
The Lord said, “Throw it on the ground.”

Moses threw it on the ground and it became a snake, and he ran from it. Exodus 4:3

You have held on to that rod for a very long time. The lord wants you to do something with it. If you have anything to do convincing many crowd to believe you. Then use your rod.

Moses answered, “What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, ‘The Lord did not appear to you’?”

Then the Lord said to him, “What is that in your hand?”

“A staff,” he replied. Exodus 4:1-2

In verse 26 and 27 of Matthew 9, after Jesus was done casting out an evil spirit from a boy and the crowd was gathered. The boy appeared to be dead. A murmur ran through the crowd as people said, “He’s dead.” But Jesus took him by the hand and helped him to his feet, and he stood up.

What does the crowd mean to you, Customers, critics or Audience? In whatever way they appear, when you need to convince them, You need your rod.

In verse 31 of Exodus 4 the crowd that Moses was afraid of believed him after demonstrating with his staff. “and they believed. And when they heard that the Lord was concerned about them and had seen their misery, they bowed down and worshiped.

The Lord said to him, “Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Exodus 4:11

It is time to throw that rod to the ground as the Lord commanded in our highlighted Verse Exodus 4:3. That rod is not more in your hands but in your Mouth. Your rod is “the name of Jesus”

God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, Philippians 2:9-10

All things are possible When you call on the name of Jesus. Remember, when the crowd said the boy is dead, Jesus proved them wrong. Matthew 9:26-27.

It does not matter what the crowd wants or says about you or your product service. Keep calling “Jesus” and praise His name over that situation. You will see wonders.

Prayer: Jesus, Jesus Jesus I call your name today into situations surrounding my entire life. Your name is my rod and my staff. Please Comfort me!. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4 Amen.

https://emojidevotions.blogspot.com/2021/01/the-rod.html

Exodus 4:1-2 (LEB)

Adonai Provides Signs and Help for SpeakingAnd Moses answered, and he said, “And if they do not believe me and they do not listen to my voice, but they say, ‘Adonai did not appear to you?’”Adonai Provides Signs and Help for SpeakingAnd Moses answered, and he said, “And if they do not believe me and they do not listen to my voice, but they say, ‘Adonai did not appear to you?’”2And Adonai said to him, “What is this in your hand?” And he said, “A staff.”2And Adonai said to him, “What is this in your hand?” And he said, “A staff.”

Exodus 4:11 (LEB)

And Adonai said to him, “Who gave a mouth to humankind, or who makes mute or deaf or sighted or blind? Is it not I, Adonai?11And Adonai said to him, “Who gave a mouth to humankind, or who makes mute or deaf or sighted or blind? Is it not I, Adonai?

Exodus 4:3 (LEB)

And he said, “Throw it onto the ground.” And he threw it onto the ground, and it became a snake, and Moses fled from it.3And he said, “Throw it onto the ground.” And he threw it onto the ground, and it became a snake, and Moses fled from it.

Exodus 4 (LEB)

Matthew 9:26-27 (LEB)

And this report went out into that whole region.26And this report went out into that whole region.27Two Blind Men HealedAnd asHere “as” is supplied as a component of the participle (“going away”) which is understood as temporal Jesus was going away from there, two blind men followed him, crying out and saying, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!”27Two Blind Men HealedAnd asHere “as” is supplied as a component of the participle (“going away”) which is understood as temporal Jesus was going away from there, two blind men followed him, crying out and saying, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!”

Matthew 9 (LEB)

A Paralytic HealedAnd getting into a boat, he crossed over and came to his own town.A reference to CapernaumA Paralytic HealedAnd getting into a boat, he crossed over and came to his own town.A reference to Capernaum

Philippians 2:9-10 (LEB)

Therefore also God exalted him and graciously granted him the name above every name,9Therefore also God exalted him and graciously granted him the name above every name,10so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven and of those on earth and of those under the earth,10so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven and of those on earth and of those under the earth,

January 22, 2021 by hldude

Fixed On The Positive

“Fixed On The Positive”

Philippians 4:8 NLT

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

We all have had and still have our very fair share of times when we don’t focus on the positive aspects of life and what God has given to us. We have days when things are going great and we do nothing but lift up praises. Then….there are the days when nothing seems to be going right and there honestly isn’t an ounce of anything close to praise coming from our lips. We all have these times and if you don’t, you’re not a real human being!

We all know that in the past year before 2021 hit, we had a year that was very challenging to focus on positive things. It was filled with events we never thought would ever occur. They came and we all were challenged to reconsider so many different things in life. It was easy for any of us to lose our focus on the positive with the pandemic, the riots, the election and now with what has already happened to start off the year.

Friends, there are so many things that would give us reason to focus on anything but positive things. It often seems so easy to pick out the bad things happening in life, but that’s where the enemy wants us to be. He wants us to be constantly thinking of negative things and not be filled with the positive things that God has done and continues to do in us, through us and all around us.

I would like to encourage all of us to take a few moments now and each day after, how we can take a step back, rethink all of the words we may be spewing out to others each day via social media to express our opinions, and remember that Paul highly encouraged not only the church in Philippi, but us as well today that we need to focus on the positive things God has done and continues to do.

It is a daily challenge and one we must fully embrace if we are to shine the light of Christ around us to others. Do people really need to hear our opinions or do they need to know the love of Christ? Ouch! Tough pill to swallow. Does that mean we’re not allowed to share our opinions? No, but it does mean that we often need to consider what we are focusing on and what our mission is each day of life. Are we going to choose to be fixed on the positive and all that God has done and continues to do? Or are we going to focus on making sure that everyone knows how we feel about things going on around us?

We all need to take a deep breath, think about what we are sharing with others, and consider if what we are sharing is really spreading the true love of Christ. Paul tells us to fix our thoughts on all that is excellent and worthy of praise. Good advice!

Weekly Devotional Blog Site www.zwdevotions.com

Philippians 4:8 (LEB)

Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are right, whatever things are pure, whatever things are pleasing, whatever things are commendable, if there is any excellence of character and if anything praiseworthy, think about these things.8Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are right, whatever things are pure, whatever things are pleasing, whatever things are commendable, if there is any excellence of character and if anything praiseworthy, think about these things.

January 11, 2021 by for_his_glory

Revelation Chapter 21 & 22

I combined these two chapters into one as 22 continues where 21 left off in the descriptions of the New Jerusalem and we being in the kingdom of God called the New Jerusalem. I am not listing the verses in this chapter as you can read through them as I give explanation between the literal and symbolic of the descriptions given.

Revelation Chapter 21-22 is very symbolic in the character and quality of the holy city “New Jerusalem” as no one could could even fathom what it will look like. The description is that of the nature of this glorious kingdom of God where His true church, being the Bride of Christ, will dwell with Her Bridegroom for eternity basking in the glory of the Lord.

What is described in the literal description is that of the spiritual as with God all things are spiritual in nature. The literal description shows us the splendor of the magnificants of what has been prepared for those who are Christ own.

What God was promising in that of the literal land of Canaan given to the Israelites was symbolic of the promise of a new heaven and new earth as this present will pass away and be made Spiritually new again in the characteristics of God’s nature, not for Israel, but for the church being the Bride of Christ as we are then united to Him for all eternity. All things of God and the prophecies will be fulfilled in the new kingdom, “New Jerusalem”. The height and the length is given in the literal, but yet symbollically could never be measured. It’s all beyond our comprehension.

A thousand year kingdom in the millenium where Christ will reign here on this present earth is not an everlasting kingdom, but for a specific time, which is God’s timing. It could not possibly be a literal 1000 years that we will have to wait for Satan and his army to be cast into the Lake of fire. What would even be the purpose of another literal thousand years when Christ returns.

2 Peter 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

2 Peter 3:11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,

2 Peter 3:12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

2 Peter 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

God’s promise was not the literal land of Canaan, but that of a new Spiritual heaven and earth as all things will be made new again. This is what we hope for, Romans 8:19-23. In my minds eye I see it all as being like the garden of Eden where we will dwell in peace and harmony with each other as God and His Son Christ Jesus are the temple of the New Jerusalem and the light as there will be no more darkness, tears, sorrow or pain.

The “holy city”, New Jerusalem, does not make up nations or continents on the new earth, but is the community of God’s people who are caught up to Christ when He returns. It’s not a new earth with a city in the midst of it, but that of the new earth being the holy city called New Jerusalem.

The height, the breathed and the length of the holy city written in the scripture being a literal 1,377 miles is symbolic in its measuring as all from the begining of time until Christ returns that are God’s children could never fit within this literal perimeter. The literal description of this city can not describe the physical features, but only the quality and character of it.

The true church being the Bride of Christ is New Israel/New Jerusalem neither Jew nor Greek making up the holy city of God that is ushered down from heaven after this present world and heaven will be made new again. Our Spiritual rebirth is from up above and as we are caught up to Christ as we are gathered in the clouds to meet Him in the air when He returns, 1 Thessalonians 4:17, we will ever be with Him until will are ushered down to live in the new earth/New Jerusalem. Notice in Rev 21:2 Jorn describes the holy city new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

There is no plan of God for the nation of Israel that is separate from the Church as we read in scripture there is no Jew nor Greek there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise, Galatians 3:24-29, Revelation 21:3, 4.

The physical literal description of the holy city like the wall’s foundation being precious stones and the streets being pure gold is symbolic of the purity of the true Church of God that reflects the glory of the Lord who brought us through the refiners fire and made pure in order to enter that which has been made holy unto us.

Revelation 22:6-21 concludes with an epilogue which reassures the readers that Christ is coming quickly and invites all who wish to take the water of life freely to come to the alpha and Omega, the bright and Morning star.

John concludes with a warning from God, For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book. And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. Revelation 22:18, 19.

There are four major visions through out Revelations.

1. Christ the glorified Lord – 1:10-3:22

2. Christ the Lamb as judge of the earth – 4:1-16-21

3. Christ the King as victor over His enemies – 17:1-21:8

4. Christ as the Bridegroom claiming His Bride 21:9-22:5

Now is the time of Salvation as I pray after reading this book that you would make that decision to repent and be baptized in the Holy Spirit making Christ Jesus your personal Lord and Savior before the door of salvation is closed forever when He returns for His Bride.

Rev 22:20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

Rev 22:21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

Romans 8:19-23 (LEB)

For the eagerly expecting creation awaits eagerly the revelation of the sons of God.19For the eagerly expecting creation awaits eagerly the revelation of the sons of God.20For the creation has been subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of the one who subjected it, in hope20For the creation has been subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of the one who subjected it, in hope21that the creation itself also will be set free from its servility to decay, into the glorious freedom of the children of God.21that the creation itself also will be set free from its servility to decay, into the glorious freedom of the children of God.22For we know that the whole creation groans together and suffers agony together until now.22For we know that the whole creation groans together and suffers agony together until now.23Not only this, but we ourselves also, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves while weHere “while” is supplied as a component of the participle (“await eagerly”) which is understood as temporal await eagerly our adoption, the redemption of our body.23Not only this, but we ourselves also, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves while weHere “while” is supplied as a component of the participle (“await eagerly”) which is understood as temporal await eagerly our adoption, the redemption of our body.

Galatians 3:24-29 (LEB)

So then, the law became our guardian until Christ, in order that we could be justified by faith.24So then, the law became our guardian until Christ, in order that we could be justified by faith.25But afterHere “after” is supplied as a component of the participle (“has come”) which is understood as temporal faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.25But afterHere “after” is supplied as a component of the participle (“has come”) which is understood as temporal faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.26For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus,Or “For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God through faith”26For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus,Or “For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God through faith”27for as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.27for as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.28There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.28There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.29And if you are Christ’s, then you are descendants of Abraham, heirs according to the promise.29And if you are Christ’s, then you are descendants of Abraham, heirs according to the promise.

1 Thessalonians 4:17 (LEB)

Then we who are alive, who remain, will be snatched away at the same time together with them in the clouds for a meeting with the Lord in the air, and thus we will be together with the Lord always.17Then we who are alive, who remain, will be snatched away at the same time together with them in the clouds for a meeting with the Lord in the air, and thus we will be together with the Lord always.

2 Peter 3:10 (LEB)

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will disappear with a rushing noise, and the celestial bodies will be destroyed byHere “by” is supplied as a component of the participle (“being burned up”) which is understood as means being burned up, and the earth and the deeds done on it will be disclosed.10But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will disappear with a rushing noise, and the celestial bodies will be destroyed byHere “by” is supplied as a component of the participle (“being burned up”) which is understood as means being burned up, and the earth and the deeds done on it will be disclosed.

2 Peter 3:11 (LEB)

BecauseHere “because” is supplied as a component of the participle (“are being destroyed”) which is understood as causal all these things are being destroyed in this way, what sort of people must you be in holy behavior and godliness,11BecauseHere “because” is supplied as a component of the participle (“are being destroyed”) which is understood as causal all these things are being destroyed in this way, what sort of people must you be in holy behavior and godliness,

2 Peter 3:12 (LEB)

whileHere “while” is supplied as a component of the participle (“waiting for”) which is understood as temporal waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed byHere “by” is supplied as a component of the participle (“being burned up”) which is understood as means being burned up and the celestial bodies will melt as theyHere “as” is supplied as a component of the participle (“are consumed by heat”) which is understood as temporal are consumed by heat!12whileHere “while” is supplied as a component of the participle (“waiting for”) which is understood as temporal waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed byHere “by” is supplied as a component of the participle (“being burned up”) which is understood as means being burned up and the celestial bodies will melt as theyHere “as” is supplied as a component of the participle (“are consumed by heat”) which is understood as temporal are consumed by heat!

2 Peter 3:13 (LEB)

But according to his promise, we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness resides.13But according to his promise, we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness resides.

Revelation 22:6-21 (LEB)

The Time of Fulfillment is NearAnd he said to me, “These words are faithful and true, and the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his slaves the things which must take place in a short time.”6The Time of Fulfillment is NearAnd he said to me, “These words are faithful and true, and the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his slaves the things which must take place in a short time.”7“And behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”7“And behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”8And I, John, am the one who heard and who saw these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed these things to me.8And I, John, am the one who heard and who saw these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed these things to me.9And he said to me, “Do not do that!“do not see to it” I am your fellow slave, and of your brothers the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God!”9And he said to me, “Do not do that!“do not see to it” I am your fellow slave, and of your brothers the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God!”10And he said to me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near!10And he said to me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near!11The one who does evil, let him do evil still, and the defiled, let him be defiled still, and the righteous, let him practice righteousness still, and the holy, let him be holy still.”11The one who does evil, let him do evil still, and the defiled, let him be defiled still, and the righteous, let him practice righteousness still, and the holy, let him be holy still.”12“Behold, I am coming quickly, and my reward is with me, to repay each one according to what his deeds are!12“Behold, I am coming quickly, and my reward is with me, to repay each one according to what his deeds are!13I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”13I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”14Blessed are the ones who wash their robes, so that their authority will be over the tree of life and they may enter into the city through the gates.14Blessed are the ones who wash their robes, so that their authority will be over the tree of life and they may enter into the city through the gates.15Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers and the sexually immoral people and the murderers and the idolaters and everyone who loves and who practices falsehood.15Outside are the dogs and the sorcerers and the sexually immoral people and the murderers and the idolaters and everyone who loves and who practices falsehood.16“I, Jesus, sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”16“I, Jesus, sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”17An Invitation to RespondAnd the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And the one who hears, let him say, “Come!” And the one who is thirsty, let him come. The one who wants, let him take the water of life freely.Or “without cost”17An Invitation to RespondAnd the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And the one who hears, let him say, “Come!” And the one who is thirsty, let him come. The one who wants, let him take the water of life freely.Or “without cost”18A Final WarningI testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues written in this book.18A Final WarningI testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues written in this book.19And if anyone takes away from the words of this book of prophecy, God will take away his share of the tree of life and from the holy city that are written in this book.19And if anyone takes away from the words of this book of prophecy, God will take away his share of the tree of life and from the holy city that are written in this book.20The one who testifies about these things says, “Yes, I am coming quickly!” Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!20The one who testifies about these things says, “Yes, I am coming quickly!” Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!21The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all.Many manuscripts add “Amen”; some manuscripts add “the saints. Amen”21The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all.Many manuscripts add “Amen”; some manuscripts add “the saints. Amen”

Revelation 22:18 (LEB)

A Final WarningI testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues written in this book.18A Final WarningI testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues written in this book.

Revelation 21:3 (LEB)

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling of God is with humanity, and he will take up residence with them, and they will be his people and God himself will be with them.Some manuscripts have “with them as their God”3And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling of God is with humanity, and he will take up residence with them, and they will be his people and God himself will be with them.Some manuscripts have “with them as their God”

January 10, 2021 by hldude

It’s Right In Front Of You

“It’s Right In Front Of You”

Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV

Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.

Last year, I remember a funny moment when I went to find something in the pantry at home. I looked for it and made a comment about not finding it. My oldest daughter comes to join in at the pantry door, looks right in front of me, grabs it and says, “Dad, it’s right here in front of you!” as she laughed. I think I said something to the effect of “Of course! You find it right away!” as I laughed as well.

We have all had our fair share of times in life when we look for so long for something and someone else somehow happens to come to our aid and finds it almost immediately! How can that be? How in the world can we so often miss what’s right in front of us? How can we be that blind? We look everywhere, but……how carefully are we really looking? Are we looking quickly and missing what is right in front of us? Many times we are.

In the past years, when we’ve asked our girls to find something in their rooms, we have often joked that they go to the door, glance quick and come back saying they can’t find whatever we asked them to look for.

As I mention these examples, I think about the things God puts right in front of us so often that we miss. He is daily putting reminders all around us and so often we are so focused on the things we want to see and our own agendas that we totally miss exactly what He has clearly put in our path. We get so set on our own thinking, our own agendas and our own ideas and we completely miss the great blessings God has put in clear view for us.

I know that we have all been very consumed in one way or another this past year and even into the New Year, with uncertainty and chaos that has been in our lives. It’s been easy to focus so much on all the chaos and fear that easily settles in our path and forget that God is abundant with His constant blessings.

Sometimes, it’s so easy to dwell on the past and former things in our lives and we lose sight of what is right in front of us that God wants us to see. Some of us are great at dwelling on the past and that blinds us to what God is trying to show us now. God is making a way if we will just stop trying so hard in our own ways and focus on Him. If we just slow ourselves down to take a deep breath and let Him lead, we will be so surprised at what we find right in front of us.

As we continue into this New Year, why don’t we become better at letting Him lead, slowing down, and letting Him open our eyes more to what is right in front of us. His blessings are all around us! Do we see them?

Weekly Devotional Blog Site www.zwdevotions.com

Isaiah 43:18-19 (LEB)

“You must not remember the former things, and you not must consider the former things.18“You must not remember the former things, and you not must consider the former things.19Look! I am about to do a new thing! Now it sprouts! Do you not perceiveOr “know” it? Indeed, I will make“put” a way in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.19Look! I am about to do a new thing! Now it sprouts! Do you not perceiveOr “know” it? Indeed, I will make“put” a way in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.