DATE POSTED: Sunday, December 31, 2023, and I was blessed to be at Kyle, Texas 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 New Living Translation (NLT) IS FOUND IN Isaiah 22:1; 11; 13;

THE BIBLE TEXT IS: This message came to me concerning Babylon—the desert by the sea: Disaster is roaring down on you from the desert, like a whirlwind sweeping in from the Negev.
This message came to me concerning Edom: Someone from Edom keeps calling to me….
This message came to me concerning Arabia…..

APPLICATION OF THE WORD: God used one of His major prophets to warn many nations of the things that need some attention to better align them with His commands, teachings and will for them. I bolded just three from the Bible passage I studied today, but the theme was the same, and it provoked enormous thought in my mind about the things that God might impress upon our hearts about our respective countries. We can’t change the world, and we definitely can’t personally bring about change in our country. But as children of the King, I believe God would have us yearn for a heart like His. I believe that God is concerned enough about the disobedience, disrespect, and disloyal attitudes of our people that He wants us to make this a priority in our prayer lives, and that we try in every way to teach everyone in our circle of influence what it is that God wants from them and us. We are faced with the beginning of a brand new year, thankfully. What better time to make new commitments to be the face and image of Jesus in everything we say or do. To ensure that you don’t accept this idea in a blanket fashion without thought and direct concern, I would suggest that you take a few moments to think about the variances you see in your own life, your home, your church, your workplace, your city, state and country, from what God commands in His Word. This is not intended to bring a judgmental attitude on yourself, but rather, to show you at minimum, the things that God would have you pray for. You won’t see everything, because God knows our hearts, our very thoughts, and the things done in hiding, but I believe you will assimilate a list long enough to lead you into endless prayer for this new year. I trust that you will consider joining me in this challenge dear friends. Plead for a heart like Jesus who is concerned about the unsaved who are heading into eternity without being convinced of a living Savior who prepared a way for them to make Heaven their eternal home.

PRAYER BECAUSE OF THE IMPACT OF TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: It is so easy for us to throw our hands up in despair because of everything we see as evil, or in total disobedience to God’s Word. But Lord, I thank You for declaring through Your prophet Isaiah how harshly You will deal with those who refuse to accept You. You saved us, especially when we’re so unworthy. Thank You Lord Jesus for loving us. I respectfully ask now that You give us a heart like Yours and not give up on those in our circle who need You. May we be Your hands and feet in every aspect of our life, til You come and take us home to be with You. 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!