Do your actions reflect faith in the power of God’s Word?

 17 Feb 26

Today's devotional: taken from YouVersion, Devotions on F.I.R.E. Year One

Readings:

Leviticus 24

Leviticus 25

Mark 1:23-45

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1). 

Do your actions reflect faith in the power of God’s Word?

The Israelites were to work their fields for six years, “but in the seventh year there shall be a Sabbath of solemn rest for the land” (Leviticus 25:4). God anticipates the following question, so He asks it: “What shall we eat in the seventh year, since we shall not sow nor gather in our produce?” (Leviticus 25:20). He answers the question, “Then I will command My blessing on you in the sixth year, and it will bring forth produce enough for three years” (Leviticus 25:21). Similarly, we are to trust God with our finances today. Paul writes in the context of giving, “He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully” (2 Corinthians 9:6). 

Employment Point: Honor God’s Word, trusting Him to supply your needs as you give.

———————-

Reflections

“For six years sow your fields, and for six years prune your vineyards and gather their crops. But in the seventh year the land is to have a year of sabbath rest, a sabbath to the Lord. Do not sow your fields or prune your vineyards.”

‭‭Leviticus‬ ‭25‬:‭3‬-‭4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

• this reminds me of the Lord’s creation where He too rests on the seventh day. It speaks to me how important the Lord views our rest time as well. He specifically commanded the Israelites to rest. Like there is a time to work and a time to rest. 
• I also believe the time to rest is also a time of training-especially in waiting, patience and faith.

““ ‘Follow my decrees and be careful to obey my laws, and you will live safely in the land. Then the land will yield its fruit, and you will eat your fill and live there in safety.”Leviticus‬ ‭25‬:‭18‬-‭19‬ ‭NIV‬‬

• Our Lord may ask us to do certain things but He never overlooks the fact that we may have lack and He always provides. Here, it is stated that His people will eat their fill if they follow His decrees and obey His laws. He does not only provide, He blessings overflow!
• In application, we may think that it is difficult for us to give or provide but always remember that the Lord never shortchange us.

“for the Israelites belong to me as servants. They are my servants, whom I brought out of Egypt. I am the Lord your God.”Leviticus‬ ‭25‬:‭55‬ ‭NIV‬‬

• Passage talks about to return in Jubilee. Its like telling us too to return to the kingdom of Heaven when the time comes. But we are just not sure when the jubilee will come. Here we also see how God protects His people (Israelites) that He mades laws for it and declares that “for the Israelites belong to me as servants. They are my servants, whom I brought out of Egypt. I am the Lord your God.”Leviticus‬ ‭25:55‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an impure spirit cried out, “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!””Mark‬ ‭1‬:‭23‬-‭24‬ ‭NIV‬‬

• often times when I read the bible talking about the devil or impure spirits knowing God, it feels like sarcasm in my face. They, who are our enemies know who God is. Even they recognises authority. But do I know who God is? Truly? Do I recognise His authority over me? The devil trembles with fear, because they know what power our Lord holds. Do we?
• Until here, I just felt that many times we have taken our Lord for granted. Ignoring His warnings even. Where is that reverend fear in us? The enemies are so sure.. what about us?

“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.”Mark‬ ‭1‬:‭35‬ ‭NIV‬‬

• many would have read this verse and got reminded that it is important to pray. For me it is also a reminder that our quiet time with the Lord takes precedence over other things. All things can wait. But the Lord should be our first priority. It is therefore important to seek the Lord first before we begin our day, and commit our day to Him.

““See that you don’t tell this to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.” Instead he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news. As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places. Yet the people still came to him from everywhere.”

‭‭Mark‬ ‭1‬:‭44‬-‭45‬ ‭NIV‬‬

• this is what people commonly put it as trying to be a smart Alec. Obedience is important. The man meant well but due to his disobedience, it costs Jesus His ministry. He could no longer enter a town openly.
• It is a reminder to self that good intentions though good will also need to come through the Lord, seeking His wisdom and discernment. For example, we cannot simply tell a pre-believer that they will go to hell if they don’t believe in Jesus without providing any context. Messages from Jesus are always delivered with love, gentleness and wisdom. This is something that I too am still learning. As I do realise that sometimes good intentions can appear as derogative or even offensive when used in an inappropriate situation. So always pause before action. Do not be too quick to act.

————————

The Initiative against Discouragement

BY OSWALD CHAMBERS

February 17

An angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” — 1 Kings 19:5

When the angel came to Elijah, the prophet was in a terrible state, huddled under a bush in the wilderness, afraid and miserable and wanting to die: “‘I have had enough, Lord,’ he said. ‘Take my life’” (1 Kings 19:4).

How did the angel respond? He didn’t give Elijah a vision or an explanation of Scripture; he told him to get up and eat. When we are feeling discouraged, we often turn away from ordinary activities. But most of the time, when God comes to us, he doesn’t bring visions. He gives us the inspiration to do the simplest, most natural things— things we would never have imagined he was in. As we do them, we discover him there.

Discouragement is an inevitable part of human experience. It’s in the nature of a rock to never be sad, not of a human being. If we were never sorrowful, we would never be overjoyed. We have a capacity for delight and sadness both, and it is only normal that we should be brought low by certain things.

In times of difficulty, our safeguard lies in doing what God asks of us, however small and insignificant his request may seem. If instead we try to block out our sadness, if we ignore it or push it down, we will only succeed in deepening it. But if we sense intuitively that the Spirit wants us to do something and we do it, our sadness begins to lift. Immediately we arise and obey; we enter a higher plane of life.

Leviticus 21-22; Matthew 28

WISDOM FROM OSWALD

There is no condition of life in which we cannot abide in Jesus. We have to learn to abide in Him wherever we are placed. 

———————-

Reflections

From the morning that we woke up He is there. Even when we are asleep He is there. He is there when we are working, walking, eating, studying and doing anything. He knows every bit and is in every bit of our lives.

The problem with difficulties is that we dwell a lot on the challenges but never about who we are and who He is. When we are in the pits, looking up to Him can provide leverage and raise us higher. Even in the darkest nights, our Lord can turn it into a bright cherry day full of joy and hope. 

I remember how He asked me to minister to someone when I was in my lows. It’s interesting how when the focus changes, my emotions and mentality also changes. I was definitely lifted up in my spirits despite me almost reluctant to do it. He proves that His power indeed has the ability to transform and change, only if we are willing to take that step forward.

Let’s pray:

Heavenly Father, firstly thank You for bringing us through the whole of last year. As we celebrate and enter into a new lunar calendar, we just want to be thankful and grateful for all Your blessings, grace, guidance and mercy towards us. Thank You Lord for filling us with Your love, joy, peace and hope. We ask that You continue to protect us and our loved ones and to anchor us in our faith when the journey gets tough. Help us to remember Your goodness and always give thanks, pray and grow in journey in You. 

All praises be to You O Lord 🙌🏻❤️