Category: Devotionals

“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!

“Whoever there is among you of all His people, may his God be with him! He may go up to Jerusalem, in Judah, and build the house of Adonai the God of Israel, the God who is in Jerusalem.”
Ezra 1:3 CJB

No matter who the leaders in the world are, remember, God is still in total control! The LORD will use our situations no matter good or bad to glorify His desires!

“Adonai is my shepherd; I lack nothing. He has me lie down in grassy pastures, He leads me by quiet water, He restores my inner person. He guides me in right paths for the sake of His own name.”
Psalm 23:1-3 CJB

Life can be hard, we may feel like we are being held captive by disease, government or finances no matter what situation we may be in, God is guiding!

“Thus says Adonai, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: I am Adonai, your God, who teaches you for your own good, who guides you on the path you should take.”
Isaiah 48:17 CJB

Today, understand the LORD is using everything going on around us to guide us, teach us and to see His holiness in everything!
May your day be richly blessed!

“Here is what Koresh (Cyrus) king of Persia says: Adonai, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms on earth, and He has charged me to build Him a house in Jerusalem, Judah. Whoever there is among you of all His people, may Adonai his God be with him! He may go up….”
2 Chronicles 36:23 CJB

Even Cyrus, admits it’s the LORD who gave him victory and the LORD also instructs him to allow the Jewish people to go back to Jerusalem to build the temple of the LORD! Remember Israel has been in captivity for seventy years at this time and here we see the grace of the LORD allowing them to go back!

“But I can enter Your house because of Your Great Grace and Love; I will bow down toward Your holy temple in reverence for You.”
Psalm 5:7 CJB

Throughout scripture we see example after example of people blowing it, sinning against the LORD! We also see the LORD always extending His grace and mercy! He does the same for us also. Why? Because He loves us and desires us to be with Him, it’s just that simple so we should want to walk in His ways!

“Adonai will always guide you; He will satisfy your needs (not wants) in the desert (life), He will renew the strength in your limbs; so that you will be like a watered garden, like a spring whose water never fails.”
Isaiah 58:11 CJB

Understand we all blow it and sometimes we end up in captivity, but the LORD always shows us His grace when we call out to Him!
Have a blessed day in Him!