Numbers 29; Psalm 73; Isaiah 21; 2 Peter 2

I cannot pass the call for intentional regular focused rest. I know I need rest from my ordinary work and some of that time I need to be crying out to God.

On the first day of the seventh month you are to gather for worship, and no work is to be done. On that day trumpets are to be blown. – Numbers 29:1 GNT

It is so easy to reject this call to rest, almost as easy for those who do not know Jesus to continue to reject Him. They simply cannot let go of making money. The only way they can lose “this god” (money) is to understand that Jesus is all they need for He is with them always, even when money fades. When I experience the right hand of God grabbing a hold of mine and hear His promise to never leave me, I really have no desire for the things of this world. I keep my eyes on  Jesus. He alone is worthy.

Yet I always stay close to you, and you hold me by the hand. My mind and my body may grow weak, but God is my strength; he is all I ever need. – Psalm 73:23,26 GNT

If I chose otherwise, I am on the slippery slope to destruction. It is only when I trust in Christ for my salvation that I receive God’s never failing goodness and grace. As I draw closer to Him I have so many testimonies to share of what God has done in my life. I know my times are in His hands and my future in eternity is secured for me in heaven.

When someone speaks about God’s judgement, some are awaken and some mock.

Someone calls to me from Edom, “Sentry, how soon will the night be over? Tell me how soon it will end.” – Isaiah 21:11 GNT

What I see is a door of hope being offered and it is my invitation to pray for mercy.

Father, I thank You for Your Word – it is truth. Keep me under the shadow of Your wing and guide me. I thank You for Jesus, for saving me. Keep me alert to anything that may draw me away from You – give me discernment. It was Your purpose to redeem me, adopt me and keep me from destruction. Help me share this gospel of grace and truth to others who will listen. Thank you for the stories of Noah that encourage me from not thinking too much about myself and keeps me humble enough to trust You completely. Even Lot was grieved for his generation – may my prayers be as his were. May I grieve for the lost. I want you to teach me how to walk this path of righteousness. Thank You for Your promise to rescue me from temptations and the trials that come my way. Protect my heart and my mind from worldly deception. Amen

 Erwin (evanlaar1922)

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Isaiah 4-6; Matthew 23

I know the Lord is good and you may rightly respond – all the time.

So why is it that I step away from Him, try to find my own way, enjoy my own pleasures and even find spiritual words, tasks and behaviours to justify such behaviour?

Have I really stopped thinking about Him?

I am the Lord All-Powerful! Israel is the vineyard, and Judah is the garden I tended with  are. I had hoped for honesty and for justice, but dishonesty and cries for mercy were all I found. At your drinking parties you have the music of stringed instruments, tambourines, and flutes. But you never even think about all the Lord has done. – Isaiah 5:7,12  CEV

I have run into many followers of Christ who say they would never do what the Israelites did crossing the desert to the promised land.  I have said – how could they have forgotten and so quickly, what the Lord had just done one day before?

The words are hardly out of my mouth and I have done the very same thing on the very next day.

There is one secret though that I have found, and it is the most real I can get in my relationship with Jesus.  I fess up right away, I get clean right away, I set things straight and ask for forgiveness.  There is one thing I do not want, will not tolerate and will not accept in my life – the absence of the Holy Spirit.  A hard heart will turn Him away every time.  At some point I would be afraid that I actually might not let Jesus rule my life one day should I keep rejecting His love.

Jerusalem, Jerusalem! Your people have killed the prophets and have stoned the messengers who were sent to you. I have often wanted to gather your people, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings. But you wouldn’t let me. – Matthew 23:37  CEV

Father, I know you care for me, You tend to my heart and whisper to me during the day.  You set up so many different ways to protect me in my walk.  Your love is felt as sweetly as the wind that blows around me when I walk and spend time in silent prayer with You.  I cannot believe though that I can, the very next day, not even think about You as I find myself busy, occupied, caught up in something so meaningless. But the beauty of it all is that I notice.  In noticing I can come and ask You to forgive me and You do.  Thank You for being so gentle and so present.  I love You.

Erwin (evanlaar1922)