Author: Melissa Lynne

Deuteronomy 28:1-68; Luke 11:14-36; Psalm 77:1-20; Proverbs 12:18

Is the Light in You Darkness?
Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness. If thy whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle doth give thee light. – Luke 11:35-36

Blessed Shalt Thou Be
And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth: and all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God. Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field. Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep. Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store. Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out. The LORD shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways. The LORD shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto; and he shall bless thee in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. The LORD shall establish thee an holy people unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, and walk in his ways. And all people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the LORD; and they shall be afraid of thee. And the LORD shall make thee plenteous in goods, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy ground, in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers to give thee. The LORD shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow. And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the LORD thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them: and thou shalt not go aside from any of the words which I command thee this day, to the right hand, or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them. – Deuteronomy 28:1-13

Thou Art the God that Doest Wonders
Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God? Thou art the God that doest wonders: thou hast declared thy strength among the people. Thou hast with thine arm redeemed thy people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah. – Psalm 77:13-15

Tongue of the Wise is Health
There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health. – Proverbs 12:18

Deuteronomy 26:1–27:26; Luke 10:38-11:13; Psalm 76:1-12; Proverbs 12:15-17

His Peculiar People
This day the LORD thy God hath commanded thee to do these statutes and judgments: thou shalt therefore keep and do them with all thine heart, and with all thy soul. Thou hast avouched the LORD this day to be thy God, and to walk in his ways, and to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and to hearken unto his voice: and the LORD hath avouched thee this day to be his peculiar people, as he hath promised thee, and that thou shouldest keep all his commandments; and to make thee high above all nations which he hath made, in praise, and in name, and in honour; and that thou mayest be an holy people unto the LORD thy God, as he hath spoken. – Deuteronomy 26:16-19

Lord, Teach Us to Pray
And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples. And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. – Luke 11:1-4

And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? – Luke 11:9-13

Thou, Art to Be Feared
At thy rebuke, O God of Jacob, both the chariot and horse are cast into a dead sleep. Thou, even thou, art to be feared: and who may stand in thy sight when once thou art angry? Thou didst cause judgment to be heard from heaven; the earth feared, and was still When God arose to judgment, to save all the meek of the earth. Selah., – Psalm 76:6-9

Listen to Godly Counsel
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise. – Proverbs 12:15

Deuteronomy 23:1–25:19; Luke 10:13-37; Psalm 75:1-10; Proverbs 12:12-14

It is Not About You!
He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me. – Luke 10:16

Important to remember that the message we carry is not about us. It’s not about someone accepting us and following our footsteps. When someone rejects the message we share, it isn’t about us either. According to Jesus, a person who rejects us or our message is rejecting God. Rather than trying to care for our hearts when we face opposition, we should turn all of our attention toward God. Imagine the rejection God feels daily. Imagine how the Name of His beautiful Son is defamed daily. Imagine the blame He takes for things He has nothing to do with every single day. God sent His Son to die for us, and yet we as a whole love darkness more. It’s heartbreaking. It’s not we who have been rejected; it’s God. Have you ever considered that God not only cares for us but wants to be cared for by us? Maybe we all should spend time with our heavenly Father today for no other reason than to love Him.

If You Vow a Vow…
When thou shalt vow a vow unto the LORD thy God, thou shalt not slack to pay it: for the LORD thy God will surely require it of thee; and it would be sin in thee. But if thou shalt forbear to vow, it shall be no sin in thee. That which is gone out of thy lips thou shalt keep and perform; even a freewill offering, according as thou hast vowed unto the LORD thy God, which thou hast promised with thy mouth.  – Deuteronomy 23:21-23

Promotion and Demotion Comes From God
For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another. – Psalm 75:6

Our Mouths Can Get Us in So Much Trouble
The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble. A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth: and the recompense of a man’s hands shall be rendered unto him.– Proverbs 12:13:14

Deuteronomy 21:1–22:30; Luke 9:51–10:12; Psalm 74:1-23; Proverbs 12:11

Something to Meditate On
For God is my King of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth. – Psalm 74:12

In Psalm 74, David is crying out and praying to God, recalling all the things he has done in the past. Following the verse above, David details each time God comes to rescue the people of Israel.

It tells me the importance of detailing every victory, every answered prayer, every time God has saved me…detail by detail.

This Being Good Friday – (Read this passage)
And if a man have committed a sin worthy of death, and he be to be put to death, and thou hang him on a tree: his body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged is accursed of God;) that thy land be not defiled, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance. – Deuteronomy 21:22-23

On the cross, Jesus Christ became the curse, that in Him, when He arose from the grave, that curse would be broken from the lives of those that came to Him and believed.

Lord make me hate my sin more and live my life with thoughts of the cross and our Savior who took my place on that cross. Let thoughts of Him be on my heart always.

A Good Friday for us but was a dreadful one for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

John 19:31 –  The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.

Galatians 3:13-14 – Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Sometimes You Just Have To Wipe the Dust Off
And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you: and heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say, Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. – Luke 10:8-11

As you work for the Lord, be content with what you are given. Some households are poor, and others are wealthy. Disciples must be content. They are to be offered sustenance, not luxury.

Shaking the dust of a town off one’s sandals was a Jewish tradition symbolizing removing every bit of Gentile defilement from themselves following contact with unbelievers.

A Time to Work and A Time to Play
He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding. – Proverbs 12:11

There is a time to be carefree and a time to be serious; there is a time to work and a time to play. But, the one who is so easygoing and chooses not to take some things seriously – to play when it is a time to work – will miss their opportunity to understand what God is trying to say or do in, through, and around their life. To be satisfied with bread, you have to work first.

Deuteronomy 18:1–20:20; Luke 9:28-50; Psalm 73:1-28; Proverbs 12:10

Stop Talking and Hear Him
And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering. And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias: who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem. But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him. And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias: not knowing what he said. While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud. And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him. And when the voice was past, Jesus was found alone. And they kept it close, and told no man in those days any of those things which they had seen. – Luke 9:29-36

I would love to have seen Peter’s face. I am sure that when he first saw God’s glory on Jesus as He stood alongside Moses and Elias, he had a wave of fear. So, he did what we do. He just started talking. And the Bible says that he did so, not knowing what he said. But immediately, God intervened and said those beautiful Words, “This is my beloved Son: hear HIM!” God reminds Peter to hear and follow Jesus! That is great instruction for us, too. Don’t listen to others or even your own thoughts if they conflict with what God has said.

When A Prophet Speaks
And the LORD said unto me, They have well spoken that which they have spoken. I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him. But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die. And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken? When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him. – Deuteronomy 18:17-22

Good instruction about the Words God gives to His prophets and those He doesn’t. I have a few thoughts about this topic. In this time, we have seen people come against prophets not for speaking a wrong word but for repenting because they feel the word was wrong. People are mad that someone repented. So they liked the word, but they despise the repentance. What? We are called to love one another, not to destroy a brother for what is going on in their heart and feel they need to repent. If you feel the unction to tear down someone for repentance, then that comes from the accuser of the brethren. If you have partnered with him please check yourself! The enemy seeks to divide us!!!

His Counsel Guides Me
Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand. Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. – Psalm 73:23-26

That I May Declare All Thy Works
But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works. – Psalm 73:28

Be Kind to Your Animals
A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel. – Proverbs 12:10

This verse shows how God feels about the animals He created. He said to regard the life of your animals.

Regard – Protective interest, care, attention, and consideration

Deuteronomy 16:1–17:20; Luke 9:7-27; Psalm 72:1-20; Proverbs 12:8-9

He Only Doeth Wondrous Things
Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things. And blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen. – Psalm 72:18-19

The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended. – Psalm 72:20

When I read this last verse, I thought how David seems to be declaring the place he began as David, the son of Jesse, and the place where he will end, as David, the son of Jesse. All of the things in his life are because of and for the glory of the Lord God. It was God who took a young boy and set him where He set him and used him for His purposes and His glory. What more could David say than of his life than he said in these verses?

What more can I say of my life. Where God brought me from, where He has brought me to, where He will bring me in the future?  May my prayer and my heart song, today and every day, be as David’s.

Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things. And blessed by His glorious Name forever: and let the whole earth be filled with His glory. Amen and Amen!

Write the Law, Read the Law, Keep the Law
And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book out of that which is before the priests the Levites:  and it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear the LORD his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them: that his heart be not lifted up above his brethren, and that he turn not aside from the commandment, to the right hand, or to the left: to the end that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he, and his children, in the midst of Israel. – Deuteronomy 17:18-20

The kings were instructed to write the law in a book, keep it, and read it every day. Why? So that they can learn the fear of the Lord. The fear of the Lord will help kings to keep the law and not deviate from it. What excellent instruction for us as well. Write the Word down, read the Word, and keep the Word that we too may learn to fear God and keep and do all God instructs!

Who Do You Say that I Am?
And it came to pass, as he was alone praying, his disciples were with him: and he asked them, saying, Whom say the people that I am? They answering said, John the Baptist; but some say, Elias; and others say, that one of the old prophets is risen again. He said unto them, But whom say ye that I am? Peter answering said, The Christ of God. – Luke 9:18-20

Who do you say that I am? This is a question we each will have to answer. Because we have grown up knowing the correct answer, there is only one way we can answer honestly, which is how we live our lives. Are we sitting at the feet of Jesus to hear, learn, and follow His commands because we know Him and love Him? Or are we listening from a distance, and at test time looking at someone else’s life to copy for the correct answer or pulling from what we have merely memorized. We sound like we know Him, but then we go off into our day doing as we please. We know the correct answer, but we don’t live it day-by-day?

Honor?
He that is despised, and hath a servant, is better than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread. – Proverbs 12:9

To honor oneself is not honor at all. It is the direct opposite. Give honor where honor is due and there is only one that truly deserves our honor and praise.

Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things. And blessed be His glorious Name forever: and let the whole earth be filled with His glory. Amen and Amen!

Deuteronomy 13:1–15:23; Luke 8:40–9:6; Psalm 71:1-24; Proverbs 12:5-7

Go in the Strength of the Lord God
But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more. My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness and thy salvation all the day; for I know not the numbers thereof. I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD: I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only. – Psalm 71:14-16

The Lord Your God Proveth You
If there arise among you [Israel] a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder, and the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them; thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. – Deuteronomy 13:1-3

Prove – to establish the existence, truth, or validity of; to demonstrate as having a particular quality or worth; to show oneself to be worthy or capable; to test the truth or genuineness of

She Shall Be Made Whole
While he yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue’s house, saying to him, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master. But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole. – Luke 8:49-50

Whole – free of wound or injury or defect or impairment; being healed; physically, mentally, emotionally sound

I Want a House that Will Stand
The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit. The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them. The wicked are overthrown, and are not: but the house of the righteous shall stand. – Proverbs 12:5-7

Deuteronomy 11:1–12:32; Luke 8:22-39; Psalm 70:1-5; Proverbs 12:4

My Help and My Deliverer
But I am poor and needy: make haste unto me, O God: thou art my help and my deliverer; O LORD, make no tarrying. – Psalm 70:5

Be Not Snared By Following Them
When the LORD thy God shall cut off the nations from before thee, whither thou goest to possess them, and thou succeedest them, and dwellest in their land; take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before thee; and that thou inquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? even so will I do likewise. Thou shalt not do so unto the LORD thy God: for every abomination to the LORD, which he hateth, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods. What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it. – Deuteronomy 12:29-32

Show How Great Things God Hath Done
Then the whole multitude of the country of the Gadarenes round about besought him to depart from them; for they were taken with great fear: and he went up into the ship, and returned back again. Now the man out of whom the devils were departed besought him that he might be with him: but Jesus sent him away, saying, Return to thine own house, and shew how great things God hath done unto thee. And he went his way, and published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him. – Luke 8:37-39

A Virtuous Woman
A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones. – Proverbs 12:4

Deuteronomy 9:1–10:22; Luke 8:4-21; Psalm 69:19-36; Proverbs 12:2-3

What Doth the Lord Require?
And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, to keep the commandments of the LORD, and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good? – Deuteronomy 9:12-13

What does the Lord thy God require: To fear Him; to walk in His ways; to love Him; to serve Him with all thy heart and soul.

Of course, that brings to mind another familiar verse.

He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? – Micah 6:8

What Pleases God?
I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving. This also shall please the LORD better than an ox or bullock that hath horns and hoofs. The humble shall see this, and be glad: and your heart shall live that seek God. – Psalm 69:30-32

A song of thanksgiving to our God will please Him more than anything you can sacrifice before Him.

Root of the Righteous
A man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.  – Proverbs 12:3

The root of righteousness is firm! It is a sure foundation that holds you steady in the place God has placed you. This foundation is made strong by God’s Word, prayer, and praise, and worship.

Secrets will be Exposed
For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad. Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have. – Luke 8:17-18

Eventually, every secret will be made known.

Heavenly Father, Thank You for this beautiful day and another day to honor, worship and praise You. Please help me to keep my focus on You and You alone as I move through this day, that You may be pleased and my roots may grow stronger in You! I ask this in Jesus’ precious and holy Name. Amen!

Deuteronomy 7:1–8:20; Luke 7:36–8:3; Psalm 69:1-18; Proverbs 12:1

HE is God, the Faithful God
Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations – Deuteronomy 7:9

Man Doth Not Live But By Every WORD
And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no. And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live. – Deuteronomy 8:2-3

I need Your Word today, Father! Your Word is my Bread, and I am so thankful for all that has proceedeth out of Your mouth. Help me, to love Your Word more, to understand what You provide today, and to meditate on it day and night that I might walk it out for YOUR GLORY!

He Spake Within Himself
Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner. And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on. – Luke 7:39-40

We don’t have to utter a word because, either good or bad, Jesus knows every word in our heart before it comes out. Help me, Lord, to not think thoughts of wickedness but help me to think on your word and thoughts of faith, hope, and love – thoughts of You, JESUS!

My Reproach
I am become a stranger unto my brethren, and an alien unto my mother’s children. For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me. When I wept, and chastened my soul with fasting, that was to my reproach. – Psalm 69:8-10

Reproach – to bring into discredit; to express disappointment in or displeasure with

Learn to Love Reproof
Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish. – Proverbs 12:1

Reproof – Critique or correction, especially gentle; disapproval

Brutish – carnal; showing little intelligence or sensibility

My Prayer Today
Hear me, O LORD; for thy lovingkindness is good: turn unto me according to the multitude of thy tender mercies. – Psalm 69:16