March 26, 2023 – Day 85 One-Year KJV Bible Reading – Deuteronomy 5:1–6:25; Luke 7:11-35; Psalm 68:19-35; Proverbs 11:29-31
A Tree of Life
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise. – Proverbs 11:30
We must die to self to bear fruit that we might then plant a seed that would win a soul. The Bible uses the image of seeds and fruit for a reason. The seed is the Word, and it is planted and grows in our lives. If it is nurtured and watered, and pruned when necessary, it grows until it bears fruit. Fruit is ripe in its season, but it has to die for the seeds it bears to be planted again and bear more fruit. We must die to our desires and yield to death that we may have seeds gathered and planted that they might be harvested in the coming days. The harvest is coming from a tree of life. He that winneth souls is wise but before there is a tree of life there is a death.
Hear, Oh Israel
Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: and thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates. – Deuteronomy 6:4-9
The Hebrew word for hear is “Shema.” This word doesn’t stop at meaning “hear,” though. The meaning goes further to not only hear but to act because of the hearing.
Many of the Psalms begin with the word Shema. And the prayer in this passage is so important that it is not only called by the name Shema, but these verses are taught, recited often, and many even put them into a mezuzah and attach it to their front door.
Israel was not commanded to hear the Words of God only but to act on the Words as well. We are too!
No Greater Prophet
For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he. – Luke 7:28
John was great. Jesus said here that there was not a prophet greater than John. But as great as John was, this verse tells us that it is better to be the lowliest worker in the Kingdom than even the greatest of those that announce it.
We can take that as a lesson for today. As far as modern-day prophets, it is greater to take what that prophet speaks to you and walk it out for Kingdom purposes, even if it seems to be the most menial of tasks than to be the one that only speaks it.
He Loadeth Us With Benefits (Every Single Day)
Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah. – Psalm 68:19
This verse says that not only does the Lord give us benefits daily, but that He gives them in loads – he loadeth us with them daily.
Loadeth – to supply in abundance or excess
God, thank You for Your salvation and thank You for Your many daily benefits. Amid this day that will surely be busy, please help me to remain aware of Your presence in my life. In Jesus’ Name, I pray. Amen.
