So happy you’ve decided to visit daily devos! This is where short reads are added for today’s hungry, and often harried souls! Breeze through quickly if your time is limited. Saunter with solace if you are leisurely browsing. Whether you have only a few minutes or time to linger, be sure to reflect on the thought-provoking questions and challenges included to encourage your spiritual awareness and growth.
Notice what God said to Israel’s leader, King Solomon, after he built a house for the Lord:
ADONAI said to him: “I have heard your prayer and your petition that you made before Me. I have consecrated this House, which you have built, to put My Name there forever, and My eyes and My heart will be there every day.
“As for you, if you will walk before Me as your father David walked—in integrity of heart and uprightness, doing all I commanded you, keeping My statutes and My ordinances— then I will establish the throne of your kingship over Israel forever, as I promised your father David saying: ‘You shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel.’
“But if you or your sons will indeed turn away from following Me—not keeping My mitzvot [commandments] and My statutes that I set before you—and go and serve other gods and worship them, then will I cut off Israel from the land which I have given them, and this House which I have consecrated for My Name, I will cast out of My sight. So Israel will become a proverb and a byword among all peoples. 1 Kings 9:3-7 TLV
Did you notice the entire nation of Israel would suffer if Solomon or his sons turned away from following God? Indeed, the responsibility of leadership is weighty. As we fill leadership roles, will others be burdened or blessed by our decisions?
You must fear the LORD your God and worship him and cling to him. Your oaths must be in his name alone. Deuteronomy 10:20 NIV
To fear God is to worship Him and to cling to Him. #faith #warrior #jesus #SoulSnack
Why is such a small but mighty word. Understanding the why of something helps bring clarity and often allows us to make more informed choices. For example, have you wondered why God desires our obedience?
Be careful to obey all these regulations I am giving you, so that it may always go well with you and your children after you, because you will be doing what is good and right in the eyes of the Lord your God. Deuteronomy 12:28 NIV
Why obey God? So that it will go well with us and our children. And now that we are better informed, having an answer to why, may we choose to follow God’s commands.
And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you? He requires only that you fear the LORD your God, and live in a way that pleases him, and love him and serve him with all your heart and soul. Deuteronomy 10:12 NIV
Yes, these words were written to ancient Israel, but those who heed them also reap the benefits. #faith #warrior #words #fear #bible #believers #jesus #SoulSnack
The fear of the LORD leads to life: Then one rests content, untouched by trouble. Proverbs 19:23 NIV 1984
To be untouched by trouble sounds amazing, right? But we have troubles, so how can this be true? Jesus said:
“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 NIV 1984
RESOURCE Seahorse: Consider this resource available on Amazon (search tanja dufrene), a light hearted devotional to help develop a daily routine of time with Jesus.
So obey the commands of the LORD your God by walking in his ways and fearing him. Deuteronomy 8:6 NIV
Obeying God’s commands is as simple as walking in His ways and fearing Him. #faith #fear #Jesus #SoulSnack
Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, He [Jesus] gave thanks and broke them. Then He gave them to the disciples to set before the people. They all ate and were satisfied … Luke 9:16-17 NIV 1984
Often when this event is read, we focus on the large crowd that was fed with so little food. Yet have we overlooked the first miracle that Jesus broke only five loaves and two fish and had enough to give to the disciples? Let us not overlook the seemingly small miracles and blessings in our lives today. From the faithful rising of the sun to our ability to rise and live another day, may we be thankful.
From the rising of the sun, to the place where it sets the name of the LORD is to be praised. Psalm 113:3 NIV 1984
