Tag: gracious

Posted on

1.2.25.The Heart of Man

Genesis 4-7 Despair amidst Blessings

God saw that all of men’s hearts were evil “continually.” He regretted he had made them but two me stood out above them all: Enoch and Noah. Why did Enoch and Noah stand out? They walked with God and communed with God. God graciously took Enoch to heaven, but Noah had to live among men who were evil as a testament to them to see how to gain favor in the eyes of the Lord. There is a lesson here for us: God may keep you here to do His work OR He may take you home to heaven. 

There is one lesson that stands out: if a man/woman walks with God they will be blessed and protected from the ways of the evil one who roams about seeking whom he can devour. Another lesson is this: the hearts of men are known by God and as Jeremiah reminded us, the heart of men is deceitful continually. Only one thing can change the heart of men and it is if one has chosen to walk with God and let HIM change that deceitful heart.  Which heart is yours? 

Posted on

Are you listening?

Are we listening

Matt 11 Mercy not Sacrifice

Over and over, Jesus is gracious, but when the Pharisees continue to berate him, He speaks out and acts out for He is gracious. Why did Matthew paint such a contrast picture for his Jewish audience but to show them their heart. God sent His Son to save them but instead they reject Him. As it was then, it is today, nothing has changed when the heart is not changed. Matthew shows us the true heart of the Pharisees as a point to show us where our true heart is. Jeremiah wrote: “the heart is deceitful and desperately wicked,” [Jer 17:9] 

Jesus graciously reveals His power to save when he heals and instead of rejoicing, these Pharisees condemn and plot to kill him. They are like King Arab who was given the promise of saving himself and his kingdom, but chose to ignore Elijah and in the end he was killed on the battlefield. God desires mercy, not sacrifice, but like the Pharisees we want to “earn” our salvation and reject the beautiful words of peace by our Savior. 

Today, listen and heed the word of the Lord and be saved. Today is the day of salvation. What are you and I listening to; the voice of the enemy or the voice of the Lord? 

Posted on

A Letter from God to You

Are you feeling blessed today? God has written a love letter to you:

num 6 aaronic blessinga skyler-gerald-

Numbers 6:24-27 The Aaronic Blessing

“The Lord bless you and protect you; The Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you;  The Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.”’

Within this beautiful blessing prayer, the name of Yahweh was prominently displayed as coming from Him, not a person. The words bless, keep, gracious, countenance and peace are sent from heaven upon His people. These are the words that God desires to bestow upon His people. Later Jeremiah reminded the Israelites in captivity of God’s love. “I have loved you with an everlasting love. That is why I have continued to be faithful to you.” [Jer 31:3]

So how does that translate to NT believers who are Gentiles? We were a wild olive shoot but are grafted in among the Israelites. This blessing is for us as well.

Today as you go about your daily routine stop and pray this blessing this way:  Father, bless me and protect me, make your face shine upon me and be gracious to me; lift up your face upon me and give me peace. Claim this promise from Jeremiah and make it personal. Father, I know you have loved me with your everlasting love and you have been faithful to me. With this upon our mind step forth into your work with His blessing upon you because you are His child!

What’s a letter without a signature? God adds his:

I will put my name upon you and bless you.

 

 

 

 

Optimized by Optimole