ORDERED
Today’s Scriptures
11 “Just then three men who had been sent from Caesarea arrived at the house where we were staying. Acts 11:11 (NLT)
Today’s TO DO
Remember to be patient.
Everything God does is fitting and in order. Nothing is ever out of line. The Good Father never leaves anything unfinished. As Peter was getting his mandate to minister to the gentiles, the men who would take him to them were being sent. Remarkably, by the time the three men arrived, Peter’s vision was complete, and he had clarity about his mission. The gentiles did not arrive a minute too soon. God made sure Peter had the mandate, gentile assistants as well as fellow disciples to help him to get the work done.
Therefore: Walk wisely and slowly. Remember to be patient. God allows your life to progress in an ordered manner. Just look at how the seasons change, and at how nature obeys the sound of The Creator’s voice. Likewise, the tides that rock your world will yield to The King. Go through the process and learn the lessons that can be gleaned along the way. Your victory will not be late!
#ojacore #SoleFood #survivingasasurvior #3fold #biblestudy #bible
GODSENT
Today’s Scriptures
5 “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: The good figs represent the exiles I sent from Judah to the land of the Babylonians. 6 I will watch over and care for them, and I will bring them back here again. I will build them up and not tear them down. I will plant them and not uproot them. Jeremiah 24:5-6 (NLT)
Today’s TO DO
Appreciate where you are realizing that even exile can be Godsent.
God had allowed King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon to exile a large number of officials and citizens from Judah. The Lord then gave Jeremiah a vision followed by a reassuring message explaining His intentions for the expatriates who were understandably afraid and distraught. Turns out, God intended to watch over the refugees and eventually bring them back home to Jerusalem. The group of people that had remained in the city were going to suffer much and eventually perish. Who would have thought that homelessness would be Godsent?
Therefore: Appreciate where you are realizing that even exile can be Godsent. Hindsight is 20/20 but we do not possess hindsight. Therefore, faith should be our superpower. Our God has both foresight and hindsight. Trust that He will always position you where you need to be at the right moment. Then, walk with the confidence of a surefooted victor.
#ojacore #SoleFood #survivingasasurvior #3fold #biblestudy #bible
JUSTICE BLOWS THROUGH
Today’s Scriptures
18 In that day the deaf will hear words read from a book,
and the blind will see through the gloom and darkness.
Isaiah 29:18 (NLT)
Today's TO DO
Understand that storms birth a renewed landscape that is worth exploring. (Storms birth the change that you have been praying for)
Isaiah 29 begins with the worst kind of news. War and bloodshed were declared over Jerusalem. However, The Lord immediately explained His intension to deliver His people from their enemies. Unfortunately, sin, insolence and idolatry had taken root among His people. Though Jerusalem would momentarily fall to her enemies, God promised that He would elevate her to beauty, purity and grandeur. More importantly, The Lord would rid the Holy City of the internal rot that had sprouted.
Therefore: Understand that seasons of hardship frequently birth the change that you have been praying for. Give The Lord free reign over the solution. Unfortunately, to uproot weeds you must break through dirt, otherwise, they will just return. The mess that creates is unpleasant for a minute, but the benefits are yours to keep. God is Just! When His justice blows through, the ones He loves reap beauty, purity and grandeur.
#ojacore #SoleFood #survivingasasurvior #3fold #biblestudy #bible
LIVE
Today’s Scriptures
8 And since we died with Christ, we know we will also live with him. Romans 6:8 (NLT)
Today's TO DO
Live out loud.
Jesus died once and for all. He was raised attaining victory over the power of sin and death for you and for me. This is the best news ever! We may feel defeated when mountains tower over us time and time again. Frequently problems may seem immovable. However, remember that Jesus defeated the grave on your behalf.
Therefore: Live out loud. The flesh my shake, but let your spirit quickly remind you of the victory that you possess. Sin and death can no longer control you. Addiction is defeatable. Poverty must flee. Let peace be your companion and joy be your shield. Because of Christ’s victory over the grave, you have the freedom to embrace the beauty of each day and live.
#ojacore #SoleFood #survivingasasurvior #3fold #biblestudy #bible
AMBASSADOR
Today’s Scriptures
18 Anyone who rebels against your orders and does not obey your words and everything you command will be put to death. So be strong and courageous!” Joshua 1:18 (NLT)
Today's TO DO
Be strong and courageous.
Joshua was stepping into a major leadership role. Walking in the shoes of Moses would have been a tall order for any man, let alone this young man who had served as Moses’ assistant. However, God had chosen Joshua as the man who would lead His people into The Promised Land. The Lord charged Joshua to be strong and courageous as he walked out his new mandate. You see, being a leader should have less to do with the prestige of office but should be more inclined towards the grind of keeping the machinery of your system moving. For Joshua, this literally meant life or death. He was not only a prophet, but the leader of a military system. Joshua had to be bold and courageous enough to transition from being an apprentice to ordering the execution of noncompliant warriors.
Therefore: Be strong and courageous. You are faced with difficult decisions daily. Leadership does not only come with a badge or a corner office. In your sphere of influence, you are serving as a leader. Your presence there should make a difference. Remember that you are Christ’s ambassador. You can lead someone else to have a more positive outlook on life just by taking a moment to have a conversation or to lend a listening ear. Be strong and courageous, you can lead someone to Christ by your love!
#ojacore #SoleFood #survivingasasurvior #3fold #biblestudy #bible
APART FROM THE CROWD
Today’s Scriptures
10 So I was angry with them, and I said,
‘Their hearts always turn away from me.
They refuse to do what I tell them. Hebrews 3:10 (NLT)
Today's TO DO
Build your own faith story with a solid unshakable foundation rooted in The Word of God. Do not rely on someone else’s faith to get you through the hard times.
After their emancipation from Egypt the Israelites wondered in the desert for forty years because of their faithlessness and idolatry. Though God was initially ready to usher them into their Promised Land, they continually demonstrated a lack of trust and faltering respect for their Redeemer. Ultimately their blatant disregard for God’s Sovereignty, their incessant grumbling about The Father’s provisions and their failure to live up to their end of the covenant that they had agreed to with The Lord led to them perishing in the desert. The unfortunate thing was that the sin of the group became everyone’s fate.
Therefore: Set yourself apart from the crowd by wholeheartedly trusting The Savior. God saved Noah despite his life in an ocean of sinful faces because he was found worthy. Noah’s redemption proves that faith still counts for something. Establish your own love story with The Lord so that your name will stand out in His heart and mind. Be the faithful remnant. Even if everyone else turns away from righteousness in these hard times, cling firm to your first Love. Put your hope in God because He will never let you down. The covenant of unfailing love will never disappoint you or leave you in despair. There is always a home and acceptance in the name of Jesus.
#ojacore #SoleFood #survivingasasurvior #3fold #biblestudy #bible
WHAT WILL THEY SAY?
Today’s Scriptures
6 And the foreman replied, “She is the young woman from Moab who came back with Naomi. Ruth 2:6 (NLT)
Today's TO DO
Guard your name.
Ruth chose to do work that she had not been hired for in a city full of strangers. This brave young lady needed to scrape up leftover grain behind paid harvesters so she could provide food for herself, and her mother-in-law. In a world where a woman would be cared for by a parent or husband, the widowed duo had to depend on the kindness of landowners who availed their sheared fields for her gleaning. On this day, when Boaz, the landowner, noticed an unknown young woman picking through his property he asked his foreman who she was. Though Ruth was a foreigner, her good works preceded her. The loving kindness with which she treated her mother-in-law won her favor with Boaz and ultimately led to her establishment in this borrowed land.
Therefore: If they asked who you are, what would they say about you? When your name is spoken, what descriptors are attached to it? Your name is all you have. It is your legacy. Your name carries your testimony. Guard it!
#ojacore #SoleFood #survivingasasurvior #3fold #biblestudy #bible
Dorothy Nyabadza OJACORE
WISDOM DEMANDS IT
Today’s Scriptures
11 Wisdom will multiply your days
and add years to your life. Proverbs 9:11 (NLT)
Today's TO DO
Choose to learn from your mistakes.
Everyone has a bad day now and again. Frequently, some of the unfortunate events we run into are from our own mistakes or poor decisions. To err is human. Thankfully, God is Gracious. He will forgive us for all the sins we are willing to confess and accept responsibility for. All that remains then is for the process of healing to begin.
Therefore: If you have sinned, accept The Father’s forgiveness and begin the process of forgiving yourself. Then, choose to learn from your mistakes. Wisdom demands it! This process of falling and learning develops the virtue of wisdom which will multiply your days by protecting you from the deceiver the second time. Pass on these life lessons to the young in the faith so that they do not have to make the same mistakes that you did. To the wise comes the gift of endurance and the gladness of The Heavenly King.
#ojacore #SoleFood #survivingasasurvior #3fold #biblestudy #bible
THE PROMISE KEEPER
Today’s Scriptures
21 And the LORD was pleased with the aroma of the sacrifice and said to himself, “I will never again curse the ground because of the human race, even though everything they think or imagine is bent toward evil from childhood. I will never again destroy all living things. Genesis 8:21(NLT)
Today's TO DO
Remember that God keeps His promises.
Most of us have heard the story of Noah. The people around him had grown in their perversions and their disregard of The Law of God was unparalleled. Things were so bad that when God surveyed the earth, Noah was the only man worth saving. Therefore, God instructed Noah to build an arch after which a tremendous flood overtook the earth. Every living organism was destroyed. In today’s text, the flood waters had receded, Noah, his family and all the animals had finally disembarked the arch. Noah built an altar where he sacrificed burnt offerings before The Lord. It is then that God made the promise of preservation of life. We continue to enjoy this promise today.
Therefore: When God makes a promise, He keeps it. Even though there have been many periods in history when humans were cruel and downright evil, God did not destroy the earth. Do not let the nature of the times that you find yourself in discourage you. You will not be destroyed! Keep your feet grounded in The Lord and watch Him provide the arch that will keep you afloat. God is the Promise Keeper. You cannot be consumed!
#ojacore #SoleFood #survivingasasurvior #3fold #biblestudy #bible
EXPECT TO BE ENCOURAGED
Today’s Scriptures
The Lord is exalted over all the nations,
his glory above the heavens.
Who is like the Lord our God,
the One who sits enthroned on high,
who stoops down to look
on the heavens and the earth?
He raises the poor from the dust
and lifts the needy from the ash heap;
he seats them with princes,
with the princes of his people.
He settles the childless woman in her home
as a happy mother of children.
Praise the Lord.
Psalms 113:4-9 (NIV)
Never forget that The Good Father is right where you are! He is Magnificent and Majestic, yet Loving and Intimate. He sees you.
#survivingasasurvior#ojacore#SoleFood#biblestudy#3fold#bible
OUR WAY
Today’s Scriptures
9 Then he said, “You skillfully sidestep God’s law in order to hold on to your own tradition. Mark 7:9 (NLT)
Today's TO DO
Consider the truths you have learned about the will of God from His Word before you make decisions. (Choose The Jesus Way over tradition.)
Jesus was speaking to the Pharisees about their hypocrisy. They were so concerned about their traditions that they frequently overlooked the Ten Commandments. In this case, the Pharisees were grumbling over His disciples’ failure to wash their hands adequately prior to eating bread. Jesus went on to explain that substituting God’s laws with traditions and man-made ideas was vanity. God looks at the heart. Unfortunately, the church of our day is guilty of similar downfalls. With so many Denominations, Non-Denominationals, Mega-churches, Pentecostals, Non-Pentecostals, and the list goes on, each group has their own way of doing things.
Therefore: Be careful that your way of living does not hinge on traditions set and perpetuated by men. Having traditions is not detrimental as long as “our way” does not infringe on God’s Way. Consider the truths that are in The Word of God when you make your decisions so that you do not follow blindly. Know what is biblical and walk away from the customs that will anger God. The life that you live is your worship and should be holy and acceptable to your King. Let your way be His Way!
#ojacore #SoleFood #survivingasasurvior #3fold #biblestudy #bible
WHAT PLEASES
Today’s Scriptures
14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. James 1:14 (NIV)
Today's TO DO
Do life in moderation.
God is Love. His will for you is good, therefore, He will not tempt you. Instead, it is our adversary, lucifer, who pursues us. He has one agenda. The devil seeks to devour our potential and our provisions. Unfortunately, he has been hunting down the children of The Most-High God since creation. He will never tempt you with bait that you will never bite. The serpent will only dangle the apple that whets your appetite. The very thing that you struggle with will be your Achilles heel. Our scripture describes it as being, “dragged away by their own evil desire,” because the things that please us will be the very poison that the liar will try to use to destroy us.
Therefore: Do life in moderation. Sin creeps in when we elevate anything above our God. Idolatry and addiction have an extraordinarily strong correlation. Lucifer will never be happy with your contentment, so he will tempt you to indulge a little more. Remember, you are his target, and his mission is to destroy you. Even a good thing, if not managed with wisdom and obedience to the voice of The Holy Spirit can consume and overrun you until you no longer fit into your life as you knew it. The Good Father is pleased when you enjoy the blessings that He has bestowed upon you. However, make sure that what pleases you does not ultimately take you down!
#ojacore #SoleFood #survivingasasurvior #3fold #biblestudy #bible
THE LIBERTY OF BOUNDARIES
Today’s Scriptures
So Jacob took an oath before the fearsome God of his father, Isaac, to respect the boundary line. Genesis 31:53b (NLT)
Today's TO DO
Trust that the boundaries that you see before you are for your good.
Jacob and his father-in-law Laban established a pile of stones as a boundary between them. Each man vowed to stay on his side and agreed that they would never cross the boundary to harm the other. Without the establishment of the boundary pact, Jacob would have had to contend with the fear of Laban’s pursuit and retaliation. The interesting thing was that raising a pile of stones freed him to explore his new world under the covering of his God, as well as the blessing of his father-in-law.
Therefore: Dispel the notion that boundaries are always erected to confine and enslave. More often than not, when boundaries are set by responsible, thoughtful people who have your best interest at heart, boundaries will serve to protect and guide you towards purpose. When God sets boundaries, trust that they are always for your good! He sees where you are going. Unfortunately, you only see the present. Just like being a citizen of a nation is defined by boundaries on a map and affords you rights and protections, choosing to walk within the boundaries that The Holy Spirit directs awards you the covering of Grace. God’s covering gives you the liberty to thrive without fear because you know that He will set boundaries that will help direct your path.
#ojacore #SoleFood #survivingasasurvior #3fold #biblestudy #bible
SIMPLE RULE
Today’s Scriptures
7 For I solemnly warned your ancestors when I brought them out of Egypt, “Obey me!” I have repeated this warning over and over to this day, Jeremiah 11:7 (NLT)
Today's TO DO
Obey the voice of The Lord.
In those days, The Lord spoke to His people through the prophets. The Israelites had agreed to a covenant of blessings with The Lord when He rescued them out of Egypt. In return, they had promised that they would be faithful to The Lord. They had vowed to worship no other god but The Lord and in return, He would bless them and protect them. The Father had kept His end of the covenant, but the people of God had adulterated themselves to other gods. Though He had sent many prophets to remind them of their agreement and warn them of the repercussions of their sin they chose to disobey The Lord. Eventually, they lost their freedom and their home.
Therefore: Obey the voice of The Lord. You may be unsure of how to decipher God’s voice or, you may not know how to hear His voice at all. In our time, God speaks through His Holy Spirit Who lives inside of us. The first step, therefore, is to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Once you do this, The Holy Spirit begins His work of Love in you. God speaks in a still, small voice. He is not bossy or forceful. However, you will know the right thing to do in a situation. Obey that small voice! It’s a simple rule that is often hard to do. Do it anyway.
#ojacore #SoleFood #survivingasasurvior #3fold #biblestudy #bible
IN HIS TIME
Today’s Scripture
“But God gave him no inheritance here, not even one square foot of land. God did promise, however, that eventually the whole land would belong to Abraham and his descendants—even though he had no children yet.
Acts 7:5 (NLT)
Sometimes we have to wait upon The Lord. Do not be impatient. Hold on! God always honors His promises.
#survivingasasurvior#ojacore#SoleFood#biblestudy#3fold#bible
ACT LIKE YOU’VE BEEN FORGIVEN
Today’s Scriptures
7 But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming to watch him baptize, he denounced them. “You brood of snakes!” he exclaimed. “Who warned you to flee the coming wrath? 8 Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. Matthew 3:7-8 (NLT)
Today's TO DO
Once you have repented, change.
As we learned in my former post, The Father’s Love has always run deep. Before we ever called His name, Grace came first. With His life, Jesus paid the full price so that all who would humble themselves to confess their sins would be given a blank slate. The problem with the Pharisees was that they claimed to know everything about holiness, yet they demonstrated no love for the people they were supposed to minister to and no reverence for The Lord. The knowledge about The Law of God that they boasted about was clearly just head knowledge because it did not translate to change in their hearts.
Therefore: Let the knowledge of your newfound Salvation and Grace stir you to a life of relevance. Truly, as soon as you begin to act like you’ve been forgiven, everything will change. The things that used to hold you down should be nowhere in sight because Grace is Liberating. Feel free to burst at the seams because Grace shatters boundaries. Above all, God’s Grace is a fountain of Hope. Once you accept The Savior’s Love and Grace you can look forward to a sound future. The Holy Word of God assures you that Your God sees value in you, and should you choose to accept them, He has good plans for your life.
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11(NLT)
#ojacore #SoleFood #survivingasasurvior #3fold #biblestudy #bible
TRUTH
Today’s Scriptures
11 Notice what large letters i use as i write these closing words in my own handwriting. Galatians 6:11 (NLT)
Today's TO DO
Speak the truth without fear.
Paul spoke out loud without fear. He was addressing a very heated topic for the early church. There was a faction among the ranks that had been preaching that salvation had to be accompanied with circumcision. In this letter, Paul was emphatic about the truth that Christ’s work on the cross was enough for salvation. In his writings, the apostle Paul sets a clear example of how to speak the truth in love.
Therefore: As you are confronted with decisions that challenge your belief system, choose to speak the truth in love. Defending what you believe is not hurtful if you do it from a position of love. Remember that Jesus died to seek and save the lost. The Father’s Love could not stand separation from a dying world anymore, so He sent His only Son to die for its redemption. Therefore, you must approach your world with that same unconditional love. As you do this, you will live a more peaceful, fulfilled life and you will watch your stress levels ride low.
#ojacore #SoleFood #survivingasasurvior #3fold #biblestudy #bible
GAMEPLAY
Today’s Scriptures
18 You must reply, ‘They belong to your servant Jacob, but they are a gift for his master Esau. Look, he is coming right behind us.’” Luke 3:5-6 (NLT)
Today's TO DO
Create plans for the things you hope to accomplish.
Jacob had stolen his brother’s blessing. After twenty years of living in a foreign land, he was ready to return home and ask for his brother’s forgiveness. However, to avoid a lethal confrontation with his brother Esau, Jacob planned well. He produced a detailed strategy that would soften his brother’s heart so that their eventual reunion would be cordial. Jacob sent servants with gifts as peace offerings ahead of him. After several encounters with these heartfelt apologies, Esau understood that his brother was sorry for what he had done. As Jacob had hoped, Esau forgave him, and he was able to receive a warm welcome from his long-lost brother.
Therefore: Make detailed plans for your endeavors and you will optimize your output. Every gameday needs a gameplay! Then, commit your plans and your works to The Lord and the things you hope for will be established.
Commit your actions to the Lord,
and your plans will succeed. Proverbs 16:3 NLT
#ojacore #SoleFood #survivingasasurvior #3fold #biblestudy #bible
CITY BUILDING
Today’s Scriptures
19 The towns of the Negev will close their gates,
and no one will be able to open them.
The people of Judah will be taken away as captives.
All will be carried into exile.
20 Open up your eyes and see
the armies marching down from the north!
Where is your flock—
your beautiful flock—
that he gave you to care for?
Jeremiah 13:19-20 (NLT)
Today's TO DO
Honor God by choosing to be humble.
God blesses the work of our hands. Unfortunately, as the fruits of our labor increase, there is a tendency to take all the credit for the net worth we build. Forgetting that Our Heavenly Father is The Source of every good thing is the first indicator that pride is setting in. For the people of Judah, the cities they had built were about to fall to shambles as they were on the verge of an invasion. Jeremiah delivered the news that because of their pride, they were about to be carried into exile by their former allies.
Therefore: Honor The Lord by choosing a life of gratitude and humility. Remember, just because you build a city, it does not mean you get to keep it! It is God’s Grace and Mercy that holds everything together and keeps your enemies at bay. The Father blesses us with the capacity to generate wealth, He breathes health into our bodies and protects our possessions. Let 2025 be the year that you walk with ordered perspective.
#ojacore #SoleFood #survivingasasurvior #3fold #biblestudy #bible
BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU ASK FOR
Today’s Scriptures
15 He will take a tenth of your grain and your grape harvest and distribute it among his officers and attendants. 1 Samuel 8:15 (NLT)
Today's TO DO
Trust God’s will for your life.
The Israelites had a covenant of blessing with The Lord. Their vow was that God would be their only Lord and King. In turn, God would bless them and provide for their every need. Suddenly, however, the people of God decided that they wanted an earthly king. The prophet Samuel was charged with ensuring that they understood the measure of oppression that a king would inflict. But the people would not take heed. They wanted what they wanted! Sadly, they went on to suffer much at the hands of the kings that ruled over them. Idolatry became a permanent fixture as the kings cemented their control by isolating the people from their God. At an inflection point, the Israelites were taken captive to Assyria. The house of Judah suffered a similar fate for their sinful departure from communion with The Lord. They were eventually exiled to Babylon by king Nebuchadnezzar in 597 BC.
Therefore: Be careful what you ask for! Remember that you only see what is in front of you but, God sees the whole picture. When God says, “no,” or “not yet,” trust His will for your life. Understand that forcing doors open may lead you to exile. The Father’s plans for you are always good and they lead you to a place of hope and purpose. Sometimes things that look good are not necessarily good for you. Trust and obey.
#ojacore #SoleFood #survivingasasurvior #3fold #biblestudy #bible