Noted after reading John 6:59-71 and specifically from verses 25-40 when Jesus said that He is the Bread of Life is that many had a hard time understanding because they were thinking of physical food. Jesus explains that His flesh or victorious death on the cross brings eternal life that is real food and His blood shed on the cross is real drink. Those who accept this sacrifice of the body and blood receive eternal life.
The take-away this day is that the Father has enabled us, and we can apply our faith. We are enabled to share our faith at home, at work, in our leisure time, and in whatever we do. To set out each day making note of God’s presence, share it with others, and step ahead on the pathway to joy in this world and the next.
He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm. – Proverbs 12:20
As mentioned in “Walk in God’s Ways”, Manasseh did not walk with the wise and the result would be destruction and chaos for his people.
Life is a series of experiences that develops character and wisdom. Let us aim to help others along lives journey and be a good example by being a good parent, good employee, good friend, or good mentor as we walk in God’s ways.
The decisions we make have a big impact on the future. That’s why we need to be people of integrity and character. The best way to achieve this aim is to constantly be in God’s Word, ask for direction, and as the song The Way by Jeremy Camp points out follow Jesus!
To gain character and wisdom, we read God’s word. Today, we read 2 Kings 21. Remember that 15 years of life was added to Hezekiah after he had been told he would die. He had pleading with God in a prayer, and God gave him 15 bonus years. This impacted his family in a big way because the next king named Manasseh was born during these bonus years. Manasseh was only 12 years old when he became king.
Unfortunately, Manasseh did not follow the example of His father Hezekiah who had destroyed the high places (v. 3). Manasseh was a negative influence as he erected altars to Baal, sacrificed his own son in the fire, practiced divination, sought omens, and consulted mediums and spiritists (v. 5). As a result, disaster and chaos was brought upon Jerusalem.
To be a positive influence for others going forward, we can take the advice of my pastor from years ago named Steve Ramsdell who once said in a sermon, “The best way is God’s path. We can enroll in God’s school of wisdom and apply this wisdom in our life. The book of Proverbs is the textbook to the course”.
This day with You God, we gain wisdom from your Word, from sermons, and the experiences we go through. This wisdom gained is food for our soul. These lessons and the Holy Spirit speaking to us deep in our hearts help us step ahead to being a good parent, good employee, good friend, or good mentor as we walk in Your ways. Amen.
He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy. – Proverbs 28:13
From “Give God the Credit”, some takeaways are to be humble, kind, and have gratitude. In difficulty, we should have faith that God will set things up for less stress.
With God, we are never rejected but always accepted so let us face criticism in a tactful way as we humbly listen for constructive ways to act upon the evaluation.
In it all, let us confess our sin and praise the Lord for mercy. Let us celebrate today with the song Gratitude by Brandon Lake. After reflection and going to the Lord in prayer, think of actions that may need to be taken today.
What will be noted in today’s passage is that God has the power to heal and the power to even reverse the rotation of the earth. Some key points from today’s passage are to handle flattery as well as criticism with spiritual victory by giving credit to God.
Reading 2 Kings 20, Hezekiah was sick and was told he would not recover, so he prayed to the Lord. He was emotional, and in his prayer explained that he had been devoted to Him. Immediately, the Lord responded and told Hezekiah that he would give him fifteen more years of life for the purpose of defending the city against the king of Assyria.
God gave a sign to Hezekiah that he would be healed by reversing the shadow back ten steps on the stairway (v. 11). The only conclusion one can get for this is that the Lord reversed the rotation of the earth for this to happen, but God made it happen to confirm that He would do what He had promised.
Although Hezekiah stands well the tests of illness and danger, he doesn’t respond well to the temptation of pride. Later in the passage, he showed the envoys of Babylon all his silver, gold, spices, and fine olive oil – his armory and everything found among his treasures (v. 13). They were impressed but this was a mistake because in the future, Babylon would know exactly what he had and take the treasure.
Other takeaways from today’s passage are to always be humble, kind, and have gratitude. In difficulty, we should have faith that God will set things up for less stress. With God, we are never rejected but always accepted so let us face criticism in a tactful way as we humbly listen for constructive ways to act upon the evaluation. After reflection and going to the Lord in prayer, think of actions that may need to be taken.
These days Lord the lines between virtue and sin are blurred. They are blended together so it’s hard to distinguish. In today’s reading, Hezekiah had pride, but pride is a sin when we take credit for accomplishment. Instead, Lord let us give You the credit. We are not the center of the universe Lord, but You are. You control even the rotation of the earth, so we humbly come to you in prayer. With You Lord, there is no limit. You are unstoppable and with You Lord, we can handle the challenges we face. You can use us to do amazing things to fulfill Your purpose and for Your glory. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
This Day With God - A Spiritual Journey 