Author: bidcstark

“The people of Israel who had returned from the exile and all those who had renounced the filthy practices of the nations living in the land in order to seek Adonai the God of Israel.”
Ezra 6:21 CJB

When we return unto the LORD, we have to give up the filthy practices of the world around us! What filthy practices? It maybe giving into negative activities on social media or getting caught up in news stories, to name a few things!

“Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from deceiving talk; turn from evil, and do good; seek peace, go after it!”
Psalm 34:13-14 CJB

Understand, it is real easy to fall into the trappings of the world, the best way to keep the world from affecting us, is by being in His word!

“I treasure Your word in my heart, so that I won’t sin against you.”
Psalm 119:11 CJB

Today, let’s remove the foolishness in our lives and fill it with the goodness of the LORD!
Have a blessed day in Him!

“But the eye of their God was on the leaders of the Judeans, so they didn’t stop them until the matter could come before Daryavesh (Darius) and reply in writing be received.”
Ezra 5:5 CJB

No matter what is going on, good or bad, realize the eyes of the LORD are upon us!

“The eyes of Adonai are everywhere, watching evil and the good.”
Proverbs 15:3 CJB

So let’s not get all caught up in the trappings of the world! Riots, protests and political foolishness, but, instead get caught up in the LORD!

“This has come from Adonai, and in our eyes it is amazing.”
Psalm 118:23 CJB

Today, don’t be distracted by the craziness of the world, know the eyes of the LORD are on all things and He has it covered!
May your day be filled with the shalom of the LORD!

“Then the people of the land began discouraging the people of Y’hudah (Judah), in order to make them afraid to build.
Ezra 4:4 CJB

Here we see that the children of Israel had enemies trying to stop them and discourage them! We have the same situations happening to us today!

“Don’t be amazed, brothers, if the world hates you.”
1 John 3:13 CJB

Understand we can’t expect the world to love us while we are loving the LORD and serving Him! We are not supposed to be part of the world, we are supposed to be set apart (Holy).

“If you belonged to the world, the world would have loved its own. But because you do not belong to the world-on the contrary, I have picked you out of the world-therefore the world hates you.”
John 15:19 CJB

Today, remember, that the LORD has pulled us out of the world to serve Him! So don’t be surprised when we have difficulty in the world!
Have a blessed day knowing you belong to the LORD who loves you!

“But you would not go up. Instead you rebelled against the order of Adonai your God.”
Deuteronomy 1:26 CJB

We all need to be careful of rebelling against the LORD. The LORD wants us to go forward in Him, sharing His good news, but instead we can and do get distracted! How? Social justice movements, politics and social media can all be distractions!

“The eyes of Adonai are everywhere, watching the evil and the good.”
Proverbs 15:3 CJB

The LORD knows and sees everything and has it all under control. Nothing happens that He doesn’t know about! What we need to be doing is share His Good News of Salvation!

“He alone is my rock and salvation, my stronghold; I won’t be moved.”
Psalm 62:6 CJB

Today, don’t get distracted with all the craziness happening in the world! But, instead be fixed and focused on the LORD and sharing His salvation!
Have a blessed day praying and seeking the LORD!
Shabbat Shalom!

“They sang antiphony (responsively), praising and giving thanks to Adonai, for he is good, for His grace continues forever toward Israel. All the people raised a great shout of praise to Adonai, because the foundation of the house of Adonai had been laid.”
Ezra 3:11 CJB

After over seventy years of captivity and hardship the people of Israel are excited about the rebuilding of the temple! When we see the LORD doing great things we should be filled with His joy!

“He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.”
Job 8:21 CJB

When we look to the LORD and see the great things He is doing we can’t help but be filled with His joy, even if you can’t see it.

“God thunders wonderfully with His voice, He does great things beyond our understanding.”
Job 37:5 CJB

Today, no matter how hard or difficult things may be, remember, He is doing great things! So today let’s just praise Him, knowing He is doing great things!
Have a blessed day!
Shabbat Shalom!