The Weekly Word: What God Desires
The weekly verse
the weekly question
What are you doing with your opportunities?
“Because of the loving devotion of the Lord we are not consumed, for His mercies never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness!”
Lamentations 3:22-23 (BSB)
“Tamam” is the original Greek term from which we derive the word “consumed” in this passage of Scripture. One of the more complete definitions of the word gives us an understanding of “being finished or brought to an end”. Meaning, our life is kept from coming to an end because of the unending love & mercy of The Lord.
God’s mercies are new every single morning. God’s mercies are fueled by His love for us through Christ Jesus (Romans 8:39). And His mercies are opportunities. Each day is an opportunity to turn away from the idol of “self” and find Life in His Spirit. Each day is an opportunity to become more like Christ. Each day is an opportunity to grow closer to the perfect presence of God.
“Surely goodness and mercy and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, And I shall dwell forever [throughout all my days] in the house and in the presence of the Lord.”
Psalms 23:6 (AMP)
the weekly Consideration
“And the man said to me, “Son of man, look with your eyes and hear with your ears, and fix your mind on everything I show you; for you were brought here so that I might show them to you. Declare to the house of Israel everything you see.”
Ezekiel 40:4 (NKJV)
Beginning in Ch. 40, the prophet Ezekiel is given another profound vision experience with The Lord. Ezekiel is shown very detailed specifications of a new temple, and it’s his job to relay this information to the rest of God’s people.
One of God’s primary intentions is to use Ezekiel’s testimony to bring a heart-conviction to the people, so they turn away from their sinful lifestyles & become reawakened to God’s call “to live holy and set apart” (Ezekiel 43:10-12). And as the vision continues to unfold, another revelation is given.
“After this, the man brought me back around to the east gateway. Suddenly, the glory of the God of Israel appeared from the east. The sound of his coming was like the roar of rushing waters, and the whole landscape shone with his glory
…I fell face down on the ground. Then the Spirit took me up and brought me into the inner courtyard, and the glory of the Lord filled the Temple. And I heard someone speaking to me from within the Temple...”
Ezekiel 43:1-3, 5-6 (NLT)
In a posture of surrender & humility, Ezekiel is raised by The Spirit & begins to see & hear as the glory of God now fills the Temple. At the very least, this reveals a prophetic picture of the indwelling Presence of God’s Spirit in us, the temples of the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 3:16).
If we’ll “look with our eyes, hear with our ears, and fix our minds on what God shows us” (Ezekiel 40:4), we’ll recognize what He has to say. We’ll find that just as God intended for His people to heed His call for holiness then, God’s call still rings forth from the Presence of Jesus within.
the weekly challenge
do what god desires
After laying siege against Jerusalem in Daniel Ch. 1, King Nebuchadnezzar took captives from Judah’s royal families. Daniel & his three friends (Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah) were among those captured, and these men were selected as potential candidates for the king’s royal service. Regarding the preparation of these men for service, King Nebuchadnezzar sent the following message to his chief of staff:
“Select only strong, healthy, and good-looking young men,” he said. “Make sure they are well versed in every branch of learning, are gifted with knowledge and good judgment, and are suited to serve in the royal palace. Train these young men in the language and literature of Babylon.”
Daniel 1:4 (NLT)
This “training” was a calculated clinic in which these men would be fully indoctrinated into Babylonian culture. Over the course of a 3-year process, they’d be immersed in all things pertaining to Babylonia—including a change in their daily diet & the names which formally identified them as children from the Tribe of Judah.
“But Daniel was determined not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king. He asked the chief of staff for permission not to eat these unacceptable foods. “Please test us for ten days on a diet of vegetables and water,” Daniel said.
“At the end of the ten days, see how we look compared to the other young men who are eating the king’s food. Then make your decision in light of what you see.” At the end of the ten days, Daniel and his three friends looked healthier and better nourished than the young men who had been eating the food assigned by the king.”
Daniel 1:8, 12-13, 15 (NLT)
Daniel understood that God’s people were meant to “dine differently” than the rest of the world, and as such, he was determined to not defile himself. Daniel’s example is a reminder to all followers of Jesus. We’re reminded that we’re not meant to consume all the world has to offer & consequently be made in its image. But instead, we’re to be conformed to the image of Christ.
Like Jesus, “we have spiritual food that many know nothing about” (John 4:32), and our true nourishment comes by living a life that fulfills the work that God has set forth (John 4:34). This life is a time of testing, and we’re to turn away from that which would defile our ability to grow & excel in God’s grace. And through Christ’s Spirit, we’re to live with an unrelenting determination to do what God desires.
we pray this week’s edition of “the weekly word” blesses you & the lives of those around you!
be a blessing
If any of our posts have been a blessing to you, please share as the Lord leads you!
*direct link to this week’s post: What God Desires
Prayerfully consider partnering with ThinkOne9
Our Mission is:
To help Believers grow stronger & deeper in their relationship with Jesus.
To advance His Kingdom by encouraging & edifying the Church.
To share the Good News with people who don't know Jesus as their Lord & Savior.
Thank you for partnering with us to move this mission forward. Whether you choose to donate one-time or become a reoccurring donor, thank you for any support you’re led to give!
You can support our ministry using Donorbox or GiveSendGo (see below).
*Our ministry (LiveOne9) is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
Donorbox
Select an amount (or write your own)
Choose to give one-time, weekly, monthly, or annually
Click the green “Next” button
Finalize your donation details to support ThinkOne9!
Give Send Go:
Visit our campaign website here
Click the red “Give” button
Enter your amount & donor details
Click the red “Continue” button
Finalize your donation details to support ThinkOne9!
Keep growing in your walk with Jesus
On your phone, text the keyword THINK to the number 77222.
Each week we publish a new Christ-centered message, you’ll receive one free text message with a direct link to the post.
Prefer Email updates?
Enter your email address in the form below & you’ll be able to read each new message from the convenience of your inbox.