DATE POSTED: Tuesday, April 23, 2024, and I was blessed to be at Advent Christian Village, Dowling Park, FL 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 Easy-to-Read Version (ERV) IS FOUND IN Isaiah 48:12-13

THE BIBLE TEXT IS: “Jacob, listen to me! Israel, I called you to be my people. So listen to me!
I am the Beginning, and I am the End. I made the earth with my own hands. My right hand made the sky. And if I call them, they will come to stand before me.

APPLICATION OF THE WORD: For those who have accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, I believe the Bible is clear in identifying us as ‘children of God’. As such, I believe that God calls out to us in much the same way as He did to Israel. In fact, so much so that I believe the Holy Spirit implored me to substitute a few words to help receive a personal message from God today, and I implore you to do the same. Here’s my example for verse 12: ‘Ed, listen to me! Village Church, I called you to be my people. So listen to me….’. Friends, I’m afraid that way too often we read God’s Word as a history, or story book, and therefore lose touch with the impact that God intended for us through the challenges He chose to share with us. I am in full agreement that these verses were intended for the Israelites, but when God’s book was given to us for teaching, edification, and drawing unto, or closer to our Maker, then I try to look deeply into the message of each verse as to how it might also apply to me. I believe these are two of those verses, for we seem to have lost sight of who God truly is. Yes, He is the great Healer, but He’s not available to us as our ‘Genie’ to call on when every little illness or serious disease comes upon us. But He is One that we develop a personal relationship with and who gives comfort for every little ‘bump’ in our road. He’s One who anticipates our joy’s and thanksgiving when we recognize who helped us get over those bumps. Remember, even while we were sinners without any hope of heaven, Jesus, God’s only Son, freely died a very cruel death so that we who accept Him as Lord, might seek forgiveness of our sin, through Jesus, and live eternally in Heaven with Him, His Father and the Holy Spirit. So of course I am convinced that God was here before all time began, and He will be here until the end of all time, just as He confirmed through His Son in Revelation 22.13 when the intent of these same words were once again given to remind us of His supernatural power and His mighty omnipresence. So dear friends, I pray that you will be reminded that we not only serve One who is better than any friend; more understanding than any teacher/preacher we ever had; more knowledgeable and more of a Healer than the best doctor we ever paid; and more loving and caring than any other relationship ever before developed, but He is also One who always was, and always will be, King, Lord and Master of our lives and this universe. He alone is worthy of our honor, praise and thanksgiving, dear child of God! Do you know Him and have accepted Him as Lord of your life? At the point of your death, or His unannounced return, opportunities to accept Him will end. Please consider no further delays, listen for His call and accept Him as your Lord and Savior today, won’t you? In my Footnote, I have provided Biblical tips on how you might do this, but also know that a local Bible teaching pastor or myself would be happy to introduce you to our Lord as well.

PRAYER BECAUSE OF THE IMPACT OF TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: Precious Lord, thank You for drawing us to Yourself and for all that You have promised to us as children of the most high God! Please soften the heart of those who will happen across this devotional today, and even those who receive it every time I post another episode. May this be the day that they stop attributing Your voice to ‘hearing things’; ‘coincidences’; ‘pie in the sky’; or ‘happen-chance’ and may they know without a doubt that they are being summoned by the Master to ready their soul for eternity, regardless of their age or circumstances. 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!