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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Job 40-42; Psalm 150; Revelation 22

Another year of reading through the Bible ends today and something wonderful continues. What was a daily Christian obligation (something good girls and boys do) has become an invitation to enter into something sacred and holy. This more or less daily occurrence is a time when my inner compass is mysteriously, often imperceptibly reoriented to true north. Self absorption loses hold when faced with the fierce love of God. His steadfast grace washes over me day after day and transforms the shoreline of my being.

God’s authority stands firm. Period. My world may get rocked and my vision may cloud. Natural disasters, wars, death and even death come, but God has it covered:

“Who then is able to stand against me? Who has a claim against me that I must pay? Everything under heaven belongs to me.” Job 41:10-11  

Job gratefully replies, I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted.” Job 42:2

God invites me to peer into a beautiful vision of who He is and what He has done. This is my future:

“Then an angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing 12 crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.” Revelation 22:1-3.

Can this be? Does what happens in heaven start here on earth? As I get glimpses of who God  is, am I eventually transformed so that others look past my human weakness to see “his name on my forehead?”

Jesus extends his hand and offers this invitation:

Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may go through the gates into the city.  Revelation 22:12-14

“The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’  Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.” Revelation 22: 17. 

Lord,  I take up your invitation to follow you into this day.  Keep my eyes fixed on you are so that self absorption and doubt melt away in the light of the wonder and power of who you are. Let me delight and rejoice in you.  Amen.

 “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.” Psalm 150:6

Kathy