Worthy Devotions - Daily Christian Devotional » Life

Isaiah 35:1-2 The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the LORD, and the excellency of our God.

One thing I absolutely love about Israel is that fruit grows everywhere in abundance. Delicious citrus fruit, mango, pomegranate, grapes, cactus fruit, avocado — and much much more! It’s common to see people people pick and eat it as they walk by. And it doesn’t taste like your average western fruit either. It seems to be especially sweet. It must be because God has blessed the land it’s grown upon!

Today marks the Jewish holiday of Tu B’ Shvat and the beginning of the new year for trees. It is customary to plant trees and partake of the fruits of the Land to commemorate the occasion. God has declared that fruit shall blossom from the desert of our dry land here in Israel and boy, has it ever!

I love this passage. It reminds me that even the dry desert areas in our lives can come to life! The Lord declares that He will restore the years the locusts have eaten! No matter how desolate we’ve been, this is the time to blossom!

Our lives are meant to flourish in the Lord! Let’s ask Him to touch us in a special way this season. May we spring to life and blossom abundantly. May that which was once dead spring to life and may everyone around us may see the evidence of the glory of God!

Phillipians 4:8-9 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

Need I say any more?

Let’s start feeding the good wolf, that we might flourish for the Lord and do great things for Him! There’s so much work to be done!!

Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

A friend sent us this powerful story.

There once was a boy who had a very bad temper. His Father gave him a bag of nails and told him that from now on, each time he lost his temper, he must hammer a nail into their beautiful white picket fence. The first day the boy drove in thirty-seven nails.

Over the next few weeks, he learned to control his anger — the number of nails he hammered daily gradually dwindled down. He discovered it was easier to hold his temper than to go outside and drive those nails into the fence. When he told his father about this, he suggested that the boy now start pulling out a nail for each day that he was able to hold his temper. Finally, the day came when the young boy was able to tell his father that all the nails were gone.

That evening, he took his son by the hand and led him to the fence. He said, “Son, you have done well but look at the holes you’ve made here. Our beautiful fence will never be the same. When you say things in anger to the people you love, they leave deep, ugly holes just like these. It won’t matter how many times you say I’m sorry, the wound will still be there”.

I think this is a good reminder for us today. Our tongue is a powerful force! With it, we need to be bringing words of life and encouragement to those around us! There’s so much work to be done!

Isaiah 64:4 For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.

Last night, after being on the road for nearly four months, I finally got to sleep in my own bed. And boy, it sure was nice! It’s always great to get home, isn’t it? Well, if it’s that nice to get to our earthly homes after a long journey, can you imagine what it’s going to be like to get to our glorious eternal home? I want to share the following illustration a friend sent me. I believe it will truly bless you.

A sick man turned to his doctor one evening, as he was preparing to leave the examination room and said, “Doctor, I am afraid to die — tell me what lies on the other side, will you?”

“I’m really not sure,” said the doctor.

“You don’t know? You, a Christian man, don’t know what’s on the other side?”

Suddenly, there came a sound of scratching and whining at the door. As the doctor turned the handle, a dog sprang into the room and leapt on him with an eager show of gladness.

Lovingly bending down and holding the cute pup, the doctor turned to his patient and said “Have you met my dog? I do apologize; He usually comes and sits with me in my office when I work late.

After a short pause, he continued. “He’s actually never been in this room before. He didn’t know what was inside. He knew nothing except that his master was here, and when the door opened, he sprang in without fear… I know little of what is on the other side of death, my friend, but I do know one thing… I know my Master is there and that’s I all I need.”

We may not know exactly what we will find in that glorious home that awaits us, but those of us who know the Lord Jesus, know He’s there! Be encouraged today! Our long journey here will end in our loving master’s arms.

1 Peter 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

I remember when our little girl, Elianna, was just starting to nurse. Her mother’s milk was the very essence of her growth. Would you believe that now, even at the ripe age of two, that Elianna still has much respect for that milk and asks for it often!

I am reminded of the story of Ruth. Naomi and her husband left Bethlehem in search for food in Moab. Ironically enough, Bethlehem means “house of bread” in Hebrew. Sadly, while they were on their quest for bread in Moab, Naomi’s husband and two sons died. So Naomi went searching for bread, in a place other than Bethlehem (her house of bread) and ended up losing her whole family.

What can we learn from Naomi? Very simply– Messiah who is the very Word of God is our Bread of life and there is really nowhere else to turn for our essentials. We risk losing everything we have if we veer to the right or to the left and go looking.

Thankfully, as soon as Naomi heard, “The Lord has visited His people again, there’s bread in Bethlehem!” she immediately returned along with Ruth. We must stay focused on the Word - for within the Word we can find a source of nutrition that will sustain you no matter what happens.

Let’s never forget the basics of our walk with the Lord, and always be as newborn babes desiring lots of the sincere milk of the Word that is our source of nourishment.