Devotions

“You are to count seven Shabbats of years, seven times seven years, that is, forty-nine years.”
Leviticus 25:8 CJB

Everything we see in the biblical world is done in a cycle! Six days you work one day you rest, six years you work the land then one year you rest the land and forty nine years goes by and the fiftieth you reset everything!

“For everything there is a season, a right time for every intention under heaven-a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to throw stones and a time to gather stones, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to discard, a time to tear and a time to sew, a time to keep silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.”
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 CJB

As we see there is a time and season for everything a cycle, everything begins and ends then starts all over again! If we look around us and are honest, we can see, there is coming an end to many things! The only thing that never changes or ends is the LORD!

“Yeshua the Messiah is the same yesterday, today and forever.”
Hebrews 13:8 CJB

Today let’s not get freaked out about what’s going on around us and know that things begin and things end! We don’t always need a answer for why, but realize, the LORD doesn’t end and that is where our hope needs to be wrapped up in His perfect ways!
Have a blessed day!
Shabbat Shalom!

“Adonai will roar from Tziton (Zion), He will thunder from Yerushalayim, the sky and the earth will shake. But Adonai will be a refuge for His people, a stronghold for the people of Israel.”
Joel 4:16 CJB

Even though we see a world around us in total chaos, people are scared and nervous! What we need to remember is the LORD is a refuge and a stronghold for His people and we are His people!

“For You have been a refuge for me, a tower of strength in the face of the foe.”
Psalm 61:3 CJB

What a comfort to know that the LORD has us covered and shelters us from all dangers! Realize many people around us don’t know the LORD! That’s why we who believe in the LORD need to step out and reflect His love and mercy!

“Proclaim with me the greatness of Adonai; let us exalt His name together.”
Psalm 34:3 CJB

Today, let’s be thankful of what the LORD has done and is doing for us! Then let’s share that comfort and peace with those who have none!
Have a blessed day!
Shabbat Shalom!

“The sun will be turned into darkness and the moon into blood before the coming of the great terrible Day of Adonai.”
Joel 3:4 CJB

As we look around us, we can see the world getting darker and seemingly more hopeless! But in the LORD we always have hope! Our problem can be that we spend too much time focusing on the darkness!

“But those who hope in Adonai will renew their strength, they will soar aloft as with eagles’ wings; when they are running they won’t grow weary, when they are walking they won’t get tired.”
Isaiah 40:31 CJB

Life can be hard and difficult, but if that’s what we focus on, we can fall into depression and complacency! We will always get weary when we stare at the mess, but remember our strength is in the LORD and that is who we need to focus on, not the government, the job, or even the man teaching about the LORD! But we need to be focused on the LORD!

“At that time, whoever calls on the name of Adonai will be saved. For in Mount Tziyon and Yerushalayim there will be those who escape, as Adonai has promised; among the survivors will be those whom Adonai has called.”
Joel 3:5 CJB

As we look at the book of Joel, we can see many parallels happening around us today! What we need to see is our need to follow the LORD!
Have a blessed day in Him!

“Yet even now, says Adonai, turn to me with all your heart, with fasting, weeping and lamenting.”
Joel 2:12 CJB

I believe some of what we see happening around us was allowed by the LORD to get us to focus on Him! Often times we need to be broken and falling apart to see that what we really need is the LORD!

“Tear your heart, not your garments; and turn to Adonai your God. For He is merciful and compassionate, slow to anger, rich in grace, and willing to change His mind about disaster.”
Joel 2:13 CJB

The LORD doesn’t want us to change our hair or clothing, He wants us to change our hearts and call upon Him! He really is all we need! When we are broken before the LORD and call upon Him and repent! He will forgive us and restore us!

“God, restore us! Make your face shine, and we will be saved.”
Psalm 80:3 CJB

The good news is when we are broken before the LORD, He will always be there hearing our cries and willing to forgive!
Have a blessed day knowing the LORD hears our calls!

“Hear this, you leaders! Listen, all who live in the land! Has anything like this ever happened in your days, or in your ancestors’ days?”
Joel 1:2 CJB

The book of Joel was written over 2500 years ago and it seems like we are living them now! Things are looking a bit crazy and out of control, but realize, the LORD is completely in control!

“Adonai, I cry out to you! For the fire has consumed the pastures in the desert, and the flame set ablaze all the trees in the fields.”
Joel 1:19 CJB

As the world around us seems to be burning and falling apart, we should look for the opportunities to share the good news of salvation!

“But it is good for me to draw near to God; I have put my trust in the LORD GOD, That I may declare all Your works.”
Psalm 73:28 CJB

Today, let’s be thankful that we have the word of the LORD that helps us make sense of the times we are living in! Let’s also realize, many people around us don’t. So look for those opportunities to share His Good News of Salvation!
Have a blessed day in Him!