Welcome to another day the Lord has made that we should rejoice and be glad in. (Psalms 118:24)

We’ll close out the week recognizing the intentionalness and effectiveness of God’s word.

Today’s scripture, Isaiah 55:8-11 (NKJV) declares…
[8] “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD. [9] “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts. [10] “For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, And do not return there, But water the earth, And make it bring forth and bud, That it may give seed to the sower And bread to the eater, [11] So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.

Consider…
The final word for this week is that God’s word will fulfill its purpose and plan.

That purpose and plan is detailed in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NLT)…All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. [17] God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

Those details inspired me to come up with, God gave us…
Wisdom for
Obtaining His
Righteous
Decrees

I should note that a Divine Decree (God’s Will) is God’s eternal, unchangeable purpose governing the universe, including His plan for salvation, creation, and all events.

That reminds me of Ephesians 1:4-10 (NLT)…Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. [5] God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. [6] So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. [7] He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. [8] He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding. [9] God has now revealed to us his mysterious will regarding Christ—which is to fulfill his own good plan. [10] And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth.

As I read God’s eternal intentionality, I recognize His word isn’t a bunch of haphazard random shares to entertain us, but rather an organized strategically written reveal of mankind’s sinful depravity desperately needing God’s grace-full Divinity to be with Him in eternity.

Recall, John 1:14 (NKJV) testifies…And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

John is my favorite of the four gospels because of language like this verse. While the other gospels focus on Christ humanity, John focused on His Diety.

The Word (Jesus Christ) becoming flesh, means God’s word became alive so we could hear God clearly and directly, rather than through the interpretations of others.

Most of us, I know I do, love quoting John 1:1 (NKJV)…
[1] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

But the Holy Spirit showed me a companion scripture we may not readily associate, which is Hebrews 4:12-16 (NKJV)…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. [13] And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. [14] Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. [15] For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. [16] Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

You see God’s written word (Bible), physical Word (Jesus) are both the voice of God in unison speaking to us. As a matter of fact, the third part of the trip is the Holy Spirit who explains what they both have said.

The Holy Spirit referenced Jesus’ words in John 14:24-26 (NLT) for confirmation of my understanding. Jesus said…Anyone who doesn’t love me will not obey me. And remember, my words are not my own. What I am telling you is from the Father who sent me. [25] I am telling you these things now while I am still with you. [26] But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.

That means the Bible, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are all repeating and explaining what God said! To discount any of them, is to misunderstand all of Him.

Which reminds me, of the word choices Paul uses in Ephesians 4:20-24 (NLT)…But that isn’t what you learned about Christ. [21] Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, [22] throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. [23] Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. [24] Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.

Two observations come to mind…

• We learn from the Word (Jesus)
• We’re renewed with the word by the Holy Spirit.

Jesus, the Word, taught us obedience is the key to living in God’s love. He said in John 15:9-12 (NLT)…
[9] “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. [10] When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. [11] I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! [12] This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you.

And the Bible echoes God’s preference of obedience in 1 Samuel 15:22 (NLT)…But Samuel replied, “What is more pleasing to the Lord: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.

Also the Holy Spirit reminds us through Paul in Philippians 2:5-8 (NLT)…You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. [6] Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. [7] Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, [8] he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.

Do you see the obedience congruency through the W(w)ord?

That’s just one example, but the Bible is replete with others.

The bottom line is God gave us His…
Wisdom for
Obtaining His
Righteous
Decrees

…so that we can fulfill His plan and purpose for us.

2 Peter 1:3 (NLT) declares…By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.

I believe God’s W(w)ord is a prominent piece of everything needed for living a godly life.

That’s because Romans 5:18-21 (NLT) explains…Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone. [19] Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many will be made righteous. [20] God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant. [21] So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God’s wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

The key is living life through Christ (the Word).

Colossians 3:1-10 (NLT) explains…Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. [2] Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. [3] For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. [4] And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory. [5] So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. [6] Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming. [7] You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world. [8] But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. [9] Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. [10] Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.

Where do we learn to know our Creator? From the W(w)ord.

Full transparency, one of the reasons I copy and paste scripture, especially some of the longer passages, is because God says what I am thinking or understanding better than any cleaver phrasing I can concoct. The Divine purpose of Daily Blessings is focus on and be inspired by God’s word in living a godly life, until we’re fully transformed to live with Him in everlasting life.

So today, as you read, hear or hopefully share God’s word remember, it’s good all by itself. It doesn’t need our seasoning or finite reasoning, it just requires our obedience, trust, and faith to do what it/He says to accomplish what God intended when He shared it.

Today’s song is…
Your Word

Blessings 4HG (1 Corinthians 10:31)