DATE POSTED: Friday, December 22, 2023, and I was blessed to be at The Landing at Seven Coves, Willis, TX when God inspired me to prepare this devotional. My Footnote will tell you how to find, read or listen to any and all episodes that I have shared over the years.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE FROM THE Good News Translation (GNT) IS FOUND IN Hebrews 4:12-13

THE BIBLE TEXT IS: The word of God is alive and active, sharper than any double-edged sword. It cuts all the way through, to where soul and spirit meet, to where joints and marrow come together. It judges the desires and thoughts of the heart. There is nothing that can be hid from God; everything in all creation is exposed and lies open before his eyes. And it is to him that we must all give an account of ourselves.

APPLICATION OF THE WORD: Married couples tend to wear a wedding ring, perhaps not so much as a reminder of that special day they joined hearts and lives together before God, but often as a means of telling the opposite sex that they are set aside for another man/woman, so they are not available for courting or dating. In very open and trusting marriages, a couple can talk about their day, including anyone that tried to impose on their marital commitment. This develops trust and stronger relationships because of their openness. In our Christian walk, we tend to attend church, and hopefully a small group class, to learn more about Jesus and how others are impacted in the world, just like we are, and how they choose to deal with their challenges. Joining with a group will also help you stay accountable to them in very positive ways. Ever notice how one might get sick, and absolutely no one knows about it, unless you don’t show up to work the next day? In a group setting, we tend to look out for each other. However, in addition to interpersonal relationships, it is even more important that we stay accountable to the One who gave up His life, out of pure love for us, so that we might have eternal life in glory with God – the Father; Jesus – God’s Son; and the Holy Spirit – sent to us as the Comforter, when Jesus ascended into heaven. Yes, God knows everything about us, but how does that help us? In our Scripture today, we are reminded of one other aspect of the Triune God. For God left His precious Word – the Bible, as our guide book to not only show us the way to live, but also to teach us the ways and teachings of God. So now this all fits together, and makes a lot of sense. Accountability to God means that since He left His Word for our benefit, learning and direction, there will be no excuse for us to offer about not knowing what God expects of His children. I know many of you probably go to church, and you may even hear the Word of God preached, so you’re learning more about what God desires of you. As mentioned, Small Groups give yet another opportunity to learn more about God and how fellow members are applying the Word to their lives. But I believe that there was meaningful purpose in God providing His instructions in writing for us. It is said that men will tend to read instructions after their personal efforts fail to complete an assembly project!! But I believe that God wants us to look at His Word as an important part of our communion with Him each day. Prayer is available anywhere, and at anytime. But in addition to telling God about our thanksgiving, praises and needs, it is equally important for us to hear back from Him. And since the Bible is the ‘Living Word of God’, then it is vitally important that we hear from Him each day. However, our Scripture today warns us that as we read the Bible, we will receive a lot more than a pat on the back, but God will use His Word to open our hearts and clearly hear truth from Him. Some of what God says to us, will send us ‘over the moon’ with joy and happiness over the blessings that are ours in being a child of the King. However, since we are not perfect, we will also receive instruction for correction – both in our relationship with God and with each other. I highlighted a few words in our Bible text that helps to remind us how powerful and effective the Word of God is. Notice that we are not told how God’s response to us is based on His emotional state, like we often find in our spouse or close relatives. Nor is the Word vindictive, based on what we could have done better. I believe that suffice it to say, the Word of God is alive, active, and pointed in correcting us as needed in every aspect of our lives. Please consider joining me in reading this Book especially written for us by our Creator, Sustainer and soon coming King!

PRAYER BECAUSE OF THE IMPACT OF TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: Reading instructions offered to us by a loved one will tend to lead us into doing the things that help them feel better about us. But while this may be true in our earthy relationships, we will find that God went an even greater step in helping us correct our wrongs, and live according to His teachings, even if that doesn’t align with earthly beliefs and living. Thank You Lord for opening our eyes from a very important step – the heart and desire of our Creator and our Master who is preparing a home for us to spend eternity – in heaven, and without the distractions of earthly desires to please the world. At the time of our salvation, we promised to leave the ills of this world behind, and instead strive towards following You, obeying Your commands, reading Your Word and sharing Your love with a wicked and dying world. You teach us how to do all these things in Your Word, so please humble us to be reminded of small nuggets from Your Word every day. Please forgive us Lord when we transgress into letting the world lead Your child, for that obviously destroys our accountability to You. Please Lord, open our eyes so that we may see all that You have in store for us, and pierce our hearts so that we might become more focused on You, and not the world that we have brushed aside to better serve You. Others need to see Jesus, in order to change their living. Uncommitted believers will not do, for that allows too much of the world into the equation. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There’s another page on my website, entitled ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading or listening to this devotional, please go to this page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin or continue your walk with Jesus. If you would like to read more of my devotionals, or subscribe for a daily email containing each new devotional, please go online to NuggetsFromGodsWord.org. For my podcast, go online to Apple Podcasts or, using the Apple Podcast app, simply search for Nuggets From God’s Word to hear more episodes, or click ‘Follow’ to be notified of Podcast updates. Friends, please allow me to encourage you to find a church home nearby your home and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!