The Godly Way

This is what the Lord says: “Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls.


But you reply, “No, that’s not the road we want!” Jeremiah 6:16

A Sabbath Reflection
The world tells us to seek the best and the biggest, it shouts to us pursue power and prestige, don’t stop until you are the best. The way of the world tells us we must be political correct, accepting the behaviors and lifestyles of all people. The world tells us if we move too slowly we will lose out. We are to trust no one and consider ourselves and our needs before the needs of our neighbor. The world encourages us to seek our own glory and give credit to no one. The world teaches selfishness, greed, lust, and impurities this is the path we are to take. Perfection in all we do be it good or bad is the goal. We are to go for the glory and claim it s our own, this is the mandate of the world we live. The consequence of this mandate is a restless, confused; un-joyful soul traveling a path full with superficial treatments for wounds which never heal.
It time to stop and shut out those voices which lead to a path of destruction. There is a voice your soul is longing for, it is restless because it is fighting to hear the voice of truth, the voice which will bring peace, the voice which leads to a righteous quietness. There is no better time than today during your Sabbath, your Holy Rest than to quiet your thoughts, rest your spirit and take your heart into the presence of a Holy God and listen.
This is what the Lord says, “Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls. You are standing at the crossroad and it is time to decide which way I will go, who will I be? Will I take the path of the world and settle for a superficial joy or will I take the old godly way and have an everlasting joy? Will I pursue the love and the righteousness of God? The old godly way says I will be obedient to the laws, and statues of God, His commands are my guide. The narrow path is my choice, the path paved with love, grace, mercy, poverty in selfishness, power and prestige; I will choose the path where my heart and soul is lifted to God in praise and worship. My worship is real it flows from my innermost being, my very essence. My praise is seen in the life I live, one committed to God and His ways; His way of loving and giving, His way of pouring out compassion and His way of being faithful to holiness. The godly ways of old says I trust God and His path is the road I will choose; the path where all idols are cast away because I will put nothing before my God. I stand at the crossroads and my soul is uneasy, seeking peace, my soul is anxious and troubled seeking a loving calmness. My soul is very restless seeking the voice of Truth. I look to the left, than behind me, and I ponder the road in front of me, and I search the horizon my
eyes see a blue sky with patches of white fluffy clouds, my thoughts go back to the ways of old; The Lord went a head of them. He guided them during the day with a pillar of cloud. The Lord told Moses “I will come to you in a thick cloud. And the glory of the Lord settled down on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it for six days. On the seventh day the Lord called to Moses from inside the cloud. Then the cloud covered the Tabernacle, and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle. Moses could no longer enter the Tabernacle because the cloud had settled down over it, and the glory of the Lord filled the Tabernacle. Now whenever the cloud lifted from the Tabernacle, the people of Israel would set out on their journey, following it. (Exodus 13: 21, 19:9, 24:15-16, 40:34-36) My feet began its’ journey walking on the “right road” they do not reject the path of old, the godly ways and my soul finds rest as it follows the path of Truth. Then Jesus said, “come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart and you will find rest for your souls. (Matthew 11:28-29)

Sabbath Prayer
Father God, when life makes my soul restless and I reach the crossroads let me stop, look and ask You to lead me in the old godly way. The way of righteousness, let me always choose the path which leads to you. Father let me always see You in the cloud which goes ahead of me, let me quiet myself enough to her Your voice and let me walk in Your truth, casting aside the ungodly truths of this world. Jesus be the voice I put my trust and let my soul never quiet itself until it is resting in Your care. In Your Name Jesus my peace I pray. Amen

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Sunday Dinner

Sabbath Scripture
“My food,” said Jesus “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work”. John 4:34

Sabbath Reflection
As a child Sunday dinner was the biggest dinner of the week, it was more special than supper because extended family usually gathered at one of grandmother’s houses. Family traveled in from the city, brothers sisters, in-laws talked about the past weeks’ events and cousins played childhood games and bonded. The meal was not really important to us as long as there was enough when we were called to the dinner table. Our food on Sundays was the joy of being with family and unknown to us at the time, creating memories to share with our own kids one day. Our food was the comradeship of family, and love poured out by “big mama” and ”Papa”.

One day Jesus and the disciples had been traveling from Judea to Galilee, the disciples went into the village to get food; Jesus continued on until He reached a well where He sat down alone to rest as He was weary and tired. In spite of His tiredness Jesus saw a work needing to be completed as a thirsty and hungry spirit approached the well. Here He feed the spirit of a woman from Samaria. The Samaritan woman had been in need of some real nourishment for years. Her food had consisted of bad decisions, wrong choices, poor judgment, loneliness, hiding, and avoidance. Her life didn’t consist of Sunday dinners and when Jesus offered her a life time of fulfillment (Sunday dinners) she could only focus on the short term results, (supper) no longer having to put herself out there for ridicule and judgment. Because she couldn’t imagine her life as Sunday Dinner it took her a while to recognize the authentic food Jesus was offering. How long does it take us to recognize the true and lasting food Jesus offers? How often do we lower His Sunday dinner to supper? How often do we fail to recognize His poured out love as food for our very souls?

When the disciples arrived they were concerned about Jesus eating, knowing He must be hungry they tried to persuade him to eat and Jesus responded “My food,” said Jesus “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work”. Jesus teaches us to move beyond the cares of this world; the physical food (supper) for which we rely to a deeper place, to everlasting food (Sunday Dinner). Food which will quench all hunger, only what we do for the Father will last. Jesus was saying my nourishment comes from a different place; I am filled by my connection with the Father. It fills me to please the Father when I please Him my hunger is satiate. In fact I just ate, I just brought a woman lost, living in darkness to a woman found and running in the light. This is my food to save the lost, to take away condemnation, to show you the God of truth. Our food should be on the things God
has instructed us to do, completing the assignments He has given and following His words for living. When we incorporate Jesus’ attitude and beliefs into our lives our vision changes and we see beyond earthly needs and goals we reach into the spiritual, for God desires those who worship in spirit. Reaching into the spiritual I pray in the spirit seeking God’s truth. I spent time in God’s word gleaming His lessons and directions, than I find I am no longer satisfied by earthly food, it only fills for a little while; it is only when I am living God’s will, fulfilling His plans for my life am I truly filled. The world will continue to try and persuade me to eat its food (supper) and my response prayerfully will be my food is to do the will of my heavenly Father and complete His purpose and plans for my life (Sunday Dinner).

Deeper Personal Reflection
Am I still feasting on supper or have I move to Sunday Dinner
In the spiritual what is your food?

Deeper Personal Study
John 4

Sabbath Prayer
Father God may I always choose food which brings You glory. May I always choose food which will minister to others, planting seeds of love, showing others Your truth. Fill me with thy Holy Spirit and lead me in the way everlasting. In Jesus Name Amen

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It is Finished

SABBATH SCRIPTURE
Jesus said, “It is finished.” Then He bowed His head and released His Spirit. John 19: 30

SABBATH REFLECTION
Jesus life was not taken, it was freely given. He gave it for you and me. “When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.” Romans 5:6

Jesus fulfilled God’s plan for salvation. He became the sacrificial lamb, meeting all God’s standards for sacrificial offerings. For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, 1Peter 1:18-20

We all have been taught and know the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23
And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth. John 17:3

God so loved us He gave His one and only son, the Christ; Jesus so loved the Father He was made us His passion by becoming obedient even unto death. What can we do to repay this debt? All we can offer back to God is a heart of gratitude, wrapped in obedience. So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life - your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life - and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you. Romans 12:1-2


SABBATH PRAYER
Lord my heart is overflowing with love for you because You have loved me so completely. You gave me Your very best gift, Your very own Son. He went through an agonizing death so I could be reconciled to You. He brought me fellowship, He brought me intimacy. He gave His all for me. Lord my pitiful thank you is not enough, so I ask You to fill me with Thy Holy Spirit to lead me to giving all of my body to You, a living and holy sacrifice. Father God help me to fully embrace all You have done for me by being obedient to Your every command as Christ my Lord my Savior, my Redeemer has model for me. In Jesus magnificent and awesome name I give praise, worship and offer this prayer. Amen

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Spiritual Sundays---Redeemed

Sabbath Scripture
O Lord, thou hast pleaded the causes of my soul; thou hast redeemed my life. Lamentations 3:58

Sabbath Prayer
O Lord thy God, the time draws close where I move to remember all You have done for my soul, You O lord have redeemed me. Prepare me O Father by speaking to my heart and to my soul those things You would have me to do to reflect my gratefulness for Your Passion. You willingly suffered and endured for my salvation, may I freely give back to You by living holy and righteously that Your Name be glorified, Father God help me make this my passion. Jesus in Your Name I pray.

Sabbath Learning
The soul is rebellious, full of pride and seeks to have it own way. It cries for peace, joy, love, comfort, relationship and yet it often turns from the very One who can answer the cry. This is just what the nation of Israel did, they rebelled against God, forgot His commandments and He judge them. Even earlier there were two who had fellowship with God, who experienced His peace, joy and love up close in a way that few have been given the opportunity to know. Adam Eve and the Israelites gave away control of their souls and walked in disobedience. The result God judged them and their souls couldn’t handle it. Adam and Eve blamed the crafty serpent and the Israelites blamed Moses, at the time of Lamentations they blamed their forefathers and said they were suffering for their sins. Whom do we blame when we are walking in disobedience, when we forget those commands God has given us to protect and guide us. The easiest and most acceptable answer is that crafty serpent; the devil. We give him too much credit; truly it is our own rebellious soul we should look. Lord I don’t want to admit or accept I still walk in rebellion in spite of all I know of You and in spite of all You have done for me. Lord I don’t want to accept my soul still wants to have it own way. The truth is the soul will always want to have it own way. A greater truth, God will always look upon our sin and judge us guilty; He has no choice for He is holy. Therefore God had to give us a way to stay in fellowship with Him. He had to develop a plan which would answer our souls’ cry. He searched and in His great wisdom knew He was the only answer and He prepared the way; Jesus. Jesus made us the center of His life. He followed every command from the Father and made us free. We became His passion and He didn’t waver, all the way to Calvary He walked to redemption.

Sabbath Reflection
“Only a nail-scarred hand could pay the debt that sets us free. We are redeemed.”

What does Jesus nail scarred hands mean to you?
What does living redeemed mean to you.
What changes do you need to make to begin living as passionately for Christ as He lived and died for you?

Application
This Wednesday is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. Many will put ashes on their foreheads to show they belong to Christ. Many will move into a period of fasting. Consider what your ashes will be, move your ashes from your forehead and bring them to life. What will your ashes look like on you? If you are moving into a period of fasting determine where you want to be at the end of your fast. Identify the steps you need to take to get you there. Daily implement the steps.

Prayer of Change
Father God I no longer want to walk in ritualistic ways, engaging in activities because it sounds Christian. Lord I want to reflect Your holiness in my life please lead me to the place where I become real rather than ritualistic and my actions will reflect true change. Father let me see those places in my life which need Your touch. Father You are my Helper, help me to fast from those things which do not bring You glory. Help me to move the ashes from my forehead and put them in my heart where You will be reflected in all my ways, lead me to holiness. Father as I take this journey to see Calvary, Your passion for me and the world draw me closer, and bring me to Your Holy Temple renewed, refreshed, restored and resurrected with a passion to walk redeemed that You will be glorified. Jesus in Your Name I pray. Amen


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Spiritual Sundays

My Sabbath Prayer
You O’ Lord are my strength and my foundation. Lord through all generations You have been my home. Before the mountains were born, before you gave birth to the earth and the world, from beginning to end you are God. In your promises You said You will give me the desire of my heart, my heart desires your Holy Presence, bring my soul and my spirit to thy holy tabernacle and let me dwell in your arms. Guide me to Your face my father and reveal to me thy heart. Let Your Holy Spirit rain on me filling me with a passion to keep this Sabbath Holy, that You may be praised. In Jesus Name

My Sabbath Scripture
Powerful is your arm!
Strong is your hand!
Your right hand is lifted high in glorious strength.
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne.
Unfailing love and truth walk before you as attendants.
Happiness is mine when I hear the joyful call to worship, for I will walk in the light of your presence, Lord. I rejoice all day long in your wonderful reputation. I exult in your righteousness.
You are my glorious strength. It pleases you to make me strong.
Yes, my protection comes from the Lord, and He, the Holy One of Israel, has given me my king. Psalm 89:13-18 (paraphrased).

My Sabbath Meditation
When I give myself to the Lord I find I am lifted high in glorious strength. He holds me with His strong hand and His most powerful arm. He covers me from the foundation of His throne and I am righteous, walking in His truth, clinging to His unfailing love. I surrender and I am protected, He happily makes me strong able to handle all life throws at me; for His great power dwells in me, works in me through his own Holy Spirit and I rejoice all the day long, shouting, exalting, magnifying, praising and worshipping my Savior whose reputation cannot be brought down low for His words are true, standing firm and high. My God I cannot fail under these conditions. You Most Holy One has become my dwelling place, my safety, my home, my rest and my King and Lord.
I hear Your voice calling to me, I am in light, I walk in light, I am light, I am surrounded by light for I am in the light of Your Presence. I am in Your beauty, I see Your beauty I feel Your beauty, holiness falls on me I lift my hands high, I lift my soul high, I lift my spirit high I lift my worship high and it falls upon Your great throne becoming a sacred offering flowing into eternity.

Lord I love You, I adore You, I give you all praise, You are my holiness, my Lord and my God, my beginning and my end.
Lord I love You, I adore You, I give thanks for You, my holiness, my Lord and my God, my sure foundation. Lord I love you, I adore You, I give You all praise, You are my holiness, my Lord and my God, my bread of Life.
Lord I love You, I adore You, I give thanks for You, my holiness, my Lord and my God, my Prince of peace.

Lord I love You, I adore You, I give You all praise, You are my holiness, my Lord and my God, my Lilly of the valley, my Bright and Morning Star.

Lord I love You, I adore You, I give thanks for You, my holiness, my Shepherd, my green pastures , my still waters.
Lord I love You, I adore You, I give You all the praise, You are my holiness, my Lord and my God You are my Sabbath Rest.
Lord I love You. My Lord and my God.

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