Author: bidcstark

“Don’t call me Na`omi [pleasant], she answered them; call me Marah [bitter], because Shaddi has made my life very bitter.”
Ruth 1:20 CJB

We, too, can feel this way. Somehow God has made our lives bitter! This is the farthest thing from the truth!

“I went out full, and Adonai has brought me back empty. Why call me Na`omi? Adonai has testified against me, Shaddai has afflicted me.”
Ruth 1:21 CJB

Like Naomi, we don’t know what God is really doing, we just see the present situation we are in, and at times it doesn’t look good! But our God always has a better plan on what is next!

“For I know what plans I have in mind for you, says Adonai, plans for well-being, not for bad things; so that you can have hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11 CJB

Today, we all must look to Adonai for our hope and future. Don’t get bogged down in your present situation!
Have a blessed day looking to Adonai for your future and your hope!

“The people came to Beit-El and stayed there before God till evening crying out and weeping.”
Judges 21:2 CJB

Here in this last chapter of Judges we see the people weeping and calling out to God! By the end of this chapter they will be rejecting Him and ignoring Him! Before we judge, we should reflect on ourselves!

“Commit your way to Adonai; trust in Him, and He will act.”
Psalm 37:5 CJB

The problem we see around us, even among believers, is people do what is right in their own eyes!

“At that time there was no king in Israel; a man simply did whatever he thought was right.”
Judges 21:25 CJB

We have to remember we always have a King and He is Adonai, creator of the universe, who is with us at all times!
Today, let’s be looking to Him for everything!
Have a blessed day in Him!

“He answered, I have been very zealous for Adonai the God of armies; because the people of Israel have abandoned your covenant, broken down your altars and killed your prophets with the sword. Now I’m the only one left, and they’re after me to kill me too.”
1 Kings 19:14 CJB

We also can feel just like Elijah, that we are the only one’s serving Adonai, going through life’s battles all alone! But that is the farthest thing from the truth. We have many brothers and sisters out there not bowing to the Ba`als of the world!

“Still, I will spare seven thousand in Israel, every knee that hasn’t bent down before Ba`al and every mouth that has not kissed him.”
1 Kings 19:17 CJB

What we need to be doing when we feel like are getting attacked or feel alone, is to pray for our brothers and sisters, asking Adonai to protect and encourage them also!

“When Job prayed for his friends, Adonai restored his fortunes; Adonai gave Job twice as much as he had before.”
Job 42:10 CJB

We all have difficulties in life and so do others around us! The best thing we can do for ourselves is to pray for others! Why? Because it takes the focus off of us and puts us into contact with Adonai, who is the only one who can make things happen!
Today, spend time with Yeshua, praying for others!
Shabbat Shalom!

“The army of Israel began by going up to Beit-El, where they asked God, Who should go up first to attack the army of Binyamin? Adonai said, Y’hudah first.”
Judges 20:18 CJB

The problem I see here is Israel didn’t ask God if they should go up against the tribe of Benjamin, but instead asked who should go first! We always should ask God before we do things and wait for His reply!

“I cry aloud to God, aloud to God; and He hears me.”
Psalm 77:1 CJB

Our prayers and calls to Adonai should always be should we go, should we do or should we speak! Israel had already made the decision to go without getting an ok from God!

“As high as the sky is above the earth are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.”
Isaiah 55:9 CJB

Today, we all need to spend time asking God for direction before we decide to just go or do!
Have a blessed day calling to Adonai!
Shabbat Shalom!

“On arrival at his house, he got a knife, took hold of his concubine’s body, cut her up into twelve pieces, and sent them to all the regions of Israel.”
Judges 19:29 CJB

This has to be one of the most horrible passages in the Bible, in my opinion! What it does show us is when we allow the world to dictate how we live. We end up doing extremely detestable things!

“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who change darkness into light and light into darkness, who change bitter into sweet and sweet into bitter!”
Isaiah 5:20 CJB

As extreme as the passage in Judges 19 is, unfortunately we see just as much evil happening around us today! What is the answer? Yeshua!

“Yeshua said, I AM the WAY-and the Truth and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me.”
John 14:6 CJB

Today, realize that the only really good thing in the world is Yeshua! We all need to cling to Him in every situation!
Have a blessed day looking to Adonai!