This week’s Rose Petals devotional included Deuteronomy 30:19. It hit me like a ton of bricks! Then Hebrews 4:12 pierced my soul. I will begin with these Scriptures and then add some encouraging ones that took on new meaning after these two verses.

Deuteronomy 30:19 I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live;

What struck me is life = blessing, death = cursing. How many times have I spoken cursing to those around me rather than blessing? Am I the reason my children don’t have a relationship with Jesus and are not following the Lord at this point in their lives? Am I the reason my husband and his family have not surrendered to Jesus yet? I choose this day to speak blessing instead of cursing. I want my descendants to live as I live, in Christ Jesus, sealed for eternal life instead of eternal death.

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Yes, today the word of God proved its living, two-edged sword is still powerful. It pierced me, dividing my soul and spirit. I know my spirit is glad I make a choice to bless and speak life today. Not that I have not done it in the past, but today is a new start and I am asking Holy Spirit to remind me, guard my mouth and guide my tongue. It is a challenge when busyness gets in the way and I don’t take time for the Spirit to prompt me. It takes discipline and practice, so there’s no better time than right now to begin!

John 10:27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.

What a comforting Scripture this is! Jesus says if we are His, we do hear His voice. A sheep in the natural will only listen to its own shepherd. Even if the flocks mix in the field, they will each come out of the crowd of others and come to their leader when he calls; him and no other. Oh, that we should be so connected to our Lord and Savior, hearing His quiet voice and following His lead on the path that leads to life!

What does the Lord’s voice sound like? Like our own thoughts in our head, except they align with the Bible and what Jesus is like better than our own do. Join me in turning down the “ambient” noises around us and tuning in to our Shepherd.

We need to break out of the insignificant earthly life we’ve limited ourselves to and live in the Spirit each day. Here’s some encouragement for us all.

1 Timothy 4:10 For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe.

Notice the Apostle Paul told Timothy that the living God is the Savior of ALL men, especially those who believe in Jesus. Are we ready to labor and suffer reproach in order for many to come to Jesus and be saved? Remember, God’s will is that all men have a relationship with Christ Jesus.

Psalm 146:10 The Lord shall reign forever—
Your God, O Zion, to all generations. Praise the Lord!

Halleluiah! Our God reigns for all generations; let us praise our Lord and tell others the good news; bringing in the generations around us as we are able through Holy Spirit power, which lives in us. Remember, that’s the same power that raised Jesus from the dead!

Psalm 119:165 Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them. [KJV]

Note that this verse in the King James version says nothing shall offend those that love God’s law because they have great peace. Jesus taught us that the greatest law is love. God is love, so those who belong to Him should manifest this love, not taking offense no matter what another person is doing. The Spirit has been checking me when I think about those who are doing wrong. The Lord is asking me if I can pray blessing and the gift of salvation over them instead of praying death and destruction as the world does. I joyfully say yes!

I pray this has encouraged you. I have been repenting and blessed for the chance to do so as I’ve been reading my devotions this week. It is a busy week with each day packed with many ‘urgent’ things. I have to choose time to quiet myself and listen for His voice. It’s definitely worth it! Remember the Apostle Paul told us to labor to enter into rest? Even in his days on earth it was not easy to do. I’m so glad we have Holy Spirit and the Scriptures to encourage us on in this life. Shalom to you all, my dear readers! Thanks for joining me in my musings. Catch you next week; same spot, new topic.