a lamp and a light

The passages read today in the One Year Bible were: Genesis 48-49; Matthew 15:29-16:12; Psalm20:1-9; Proverbs 4:20-27

THE PASSAGES THAT SPOKE TO MY HEART

Let my name be named
And he blessed Joseph, and said, God, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac did walk, the God which fed me all my life long unto this day, The Angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; and let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth. ~ Genesis 48:15-16

Ephraim – His seed shall become a multitude of nations
And when Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand upon the head of Ephraim, it displeased him: and he held up his father’s hand, to remove it from Ephraim’s head unto Manasseh’s head. And Joseph said unto his father, Not so, my father: for this is the firstborn; put thy right hand upon his head. And his father refused, and said, I know it, my son, I know it: he also shall become a people, and he also shall be great: but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his seed shall become a multitude of nations. And he blessed them that day, saying, In thee shall Israel bless, saying, God make thee as Ephraim and as Manasseh: and he set Ephraim before Manasseh. And Israel said unto Joseph, Behold, I die: but God shall be with you, and bring you again unto the land of your fathers. ~ Genesis 48:17-21

No sign except the sign of the prophet Jonas
“A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.” ~ Matthew 16:4

Beware the doctrine of Pharisees and Sadducees
”How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees? Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.” ~ Matthew 16:11-12

Some trust in chariots and some in horses
Grant thee according to thine own heart, and fulfil all thy counsel. We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners: the Lord fulfil all thy petitions. Now know I that the Lord saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand. Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God. They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright. ~ Psalms 20:4-8

Keep they heart with all diligence
My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. ~ Proverbs 4:20-23

Oh Father, Help me always to remember Your beautiful Name. Help me to seek not so much that my name be remembered but that our name be always attached to Yours. Help those around me to know You as they get to know me. That it is be said that someone served the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob (and Melissa) that they would know that they know the God I served was You and You alone. The One True and Living God. Help me today as I begin this day to go forth with Your praise on my lips, Your Word in my heart, and Your Glory surrounding me and all that I am called to do. I ask this in Jesus’ Name. Amen! Amen!

Todays Bible passages in the One Year Bible were – Genesis 46:1-47:31; Matthew 15:1-28; Psalm 19:1-14; Proverbs 4:14-19

The Passage that Spoke to My Heart

Every shepherd was an abomination to the Egyptians. Shepherds or ministers today are fast becoming an abomination to this world, and yet as in Joseph’s day, being obedient to that call will be what protects, sustains, and grows the Kingdom of God.
And it shall come to pass, when Pharoah shall call you, and shall say, What is your occupation? That ye shall say, Thy servants’ trade hath been about cattle from our youth even until now, both we, and also our fathers: that ye may dwell in the land of Goshen; for every shepherd is an abomination unto the Egyptians. ~ Genesis 46:33-34

Joseph fed his family from the bread he had stored. Jesus commands us to feed others with the bread (the Word) we have stored in our hearts,
And Joseph nourished his father, and his brethren, and all his father’s household, with bread, according to their families. ~ Genesis 47:12

It is not what goes into your mouth, but what comes out of your heart – spoken through your mouth – that defines who you are!
“Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people drawers night unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand: Not that which goeth into the mouth defiled a man; but that which comets out of the mouth; this defileth a man.” ~ Matthew 15:7-11

Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable, O Lord
The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward. Who can understand his errors? Cleanse thou me from secret faults. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer. ~ Psalm 19:7-14

If there is wickedness in my heart, I will stumble (and won’t even know why)
But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble. ~ Proverbs 4:18-19

Thoughts and observations
In today’s passages in Genesis, we learn how the children of Israel (70 in all) got to Egypt. They were saved there and prospered there. They increased in numbers and grew into a great nation there, but they would also be enslaved there for 400 years!

In Matthew, Jesus quotes the book of Isaiah. That prophecy spoken by Jesus from Isaiah in many ways sums up the ministry of Jesus. He is trying to call the truth out in people’s lives.  And the truth is born out in how they conduct themselves, not in what they say. Because what they said showed incredible hypocrisy, control, and hiding. That kind of echos back to Genesis 3 – when Adam and Eve were naked and ashamed. From that moment in Genesis 3, humans have been hiding and putting a false front out there, while the truth remains hidden in the darkness of our hearts. Here Jesus is calling out the truth. He asks them to unite what they say with who they are, not who they pretend to be.

So what was the Scripture in Isaiah that Jesus was quoting? It was Isaiah 29:13 but verses 14 and 15 are so relevant to what Jesus said and what I am mediating on today.

Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid. Woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the Lord, and their works are in the dark, and they say, Who seeth us? and who knoweth us?  ~ Isaiah 29:13-15

It was Jesus’ ministry and is no less relevant today. The world we live in now is naked, ashamed, and hiding. We try to present a perfect version of ourselves, but it is exhausting. Why can’t we just relax and be made perfect…for real…so we don’t have to hide?.So we can be true and reveal the Kingdom of Heaven that is among us?

Father, transform me through Your Word today. Holy Ghost change me, I pray. Convict me of the meditations of my heart that are not of You and help me to line my actions and words up with Your perfect Word so that they are acceptable in Thy sight. I ask this in the Holy and Beautiful Name of Jesus! Amen!!!POSTED IN

Every morning I during my time of prayer and devotion, I read the One-Year Bible. Today’s passages were Genesis 44:1–45:28; Matthew 14:13-36; Psalm 18:37-50; and Proverbs 4:11-13. Following are a few of the Scriptures that stood out to me today and the thoughts I had as I read them.

God Prepares a Way for Me to Be Fed
And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt. Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life. For these two years hath the famine been in the land: and yet there are five years, in the which there shall neither be earing nor harvest. And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt. ~ Genesis 45:4-8

As He has Fed Me From His Word and Commands That I Also Feed Others
And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick. And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals. But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat. ~ Matthew 14:14-16

God Protects, Provides, and Shows Unending Mercy to His Anointed Ones
It is God that avengeth me, and subdueth the people under me. He delivereth me from mine enemies: yea, thou liftest me up above those that rise up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man. Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O Lord, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name. Great deliverance giveth he to his king; and sheweth mercy to his anointed, to David, and to his seed for evermore. ~ Psalms 18:47-50

He Has Given Me Wisdom, Instructed Me, and Led Me (His Instruction is LIFE)
I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths. When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble. Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life. ~ Proverbs 4:11-13

Thank you for Your Word today, Father. Your Word is my Bread, my Purpose, my Protection, my Provision. It is my Instruction and through it I am given Wisdom and Understanding. Truly Your Instruction is LIFE!!!

¹Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? ²The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his anointed, saying, ³Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. ⁴He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derisions. ⁵Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure. ⁶Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. ⁷I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day  have I begotten thee. ⁸Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. ⁹Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel. ¹⁰Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth. ¹¹Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. ¹²Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.   ~ Psalm 2

In Acts 4, the church in Jerusalem faced a crisis. Authorities commanded the Christians not to preach in the name of Jesus. The first response of the church was to pray and when they prayed they prayed boldly! That should be the response of every church and also every believer.

And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. ~ Acts 4:31

These early Christians based their prayers on Psalm 2, acknowledging the authorities’ hostility to Jesus while agreeing with the Father’s promise to His Son to receive all nations (the heathen) as His inheritance. Their prayers were bold. They asked God, not to protect, but to empower them to be witnesses in the face of all that came against them. They even asked the Lord to confirm their message with signs and wonders.

God’s answered their prayers. He shook the building, filled them with the Holy Ghost, and they immediately began to speak the Word of God with boldness. Within weeks of this prayer meeting, even their enemies said that they had filled Jerusalem with their teaching.

Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us. ~ Acts 5:28

When will the Church today pray such prayers? When will we as individual believers? To do so, we must be a people more interested in growing the Kingdom of God for Jesus’ sake, than our own comfort. We must be more concerned about advancing the cause of Christ than our popularity or bank accounts.

As they prayed, the building shook but so did the circumstances. Are you willing to pray bold prayers that stir the heart of God to shake things? What if the things He shakes first is you? What if He first must shake you so that He can shake the church so that He can shake the World? Will you yield and stay in unity even so? The early believers did and they were not only helped, shaken, and filled – AS THEY PRAYED – but they were empowered to serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.

Heavenly Father, teach me to pray the Word like the early believers. Please help me to lay aside all fear and apprehension. Help me to pray and preach as they did, with boldness. Lord, help me not to worry about hostility and opposition but to pray in the face of it. Help me not to seek comfort and protection, so much as I seek You. Shake us, Lord! Shake the churches once again with Your power, shake the two or three gathered together in one accord, shake me as I seek Your face alone in the prayer closet!!! Fill me again with Your Holy Ghost so that I may proclaim the word of God and the Gospel of Jesus Christ boldly. Help us, shake us, fill us today that we may be used of You. Empower us all today that we might serve You with fear and rejoice with trembling. Oh Father, let Your Kingdom come in our lives of prayer, as it is in Heaven. I ask this for Your Glory and in Jesus holy and precious Name. Amen! Amen!

I have been journaling since I was a child but only blogging publicly since the fall of 2017.

Like many things we do, blogging has proven to be awkward and uncomfortable. But, in these last three years, I have gained readers from 134 of the 195 countries of the world. The latest person to join me is from Lesotho. Have you ever heard of it? I hadn’t. It is a tiny African country surrounded by the country of South Africa.

While I have many readers from the USA, the majority are not from the United States. In 2017 most were from Brazil. In 2018 – Canada, 2019 – India, and in 2020 it was France (followed closely by China). I suppose they might enjoy the personal journaling and Bible verse pictures I create, but most come to my website to read the Bible Studies or devotions or for prayer. They are searching for something from the Word of God.

To me, that’s amazing!!! And while it is not about numbers, the numbers do tell a story of their own. What’s their story???

Psalm 2:8 – Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen (the nations) for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.

Jesus also said, Go ye therefore, and teach all nations. (Matt 28:19)

So, I have asked for the nations and I have asked for them all. Sixty-one nations to go!