These days, many people receive daily devotionals via multiple and varied digital formats. Especially popular these days are items delivered through smart phone apps such as “Instagram” “Pinterest”, and “Twitter”, as well as social networking sites such as “Facebook”. (Note the buttons linking to these various sites accompanying this page.)
Similarly, a few years ago, equally reflecting the times, a popular series of devotional books was titled “Instant Messages from God”. These were available in editions for both boys and girls.
Kudos to all the authors out there who are keeping up with the times as each successive generation of technology is released. As had been said many a time, the method may change; but the message remains the same.
I myself am still more of an e-mail guy. In fact, somewhere in my library, I believe I still have a copy of one of the first ever devotional books to capitalize on the digital transformation. It is titled “I Read It in an E-mail” (or something to that effect). The author simply collected up a series of devotional thoughts that had made the rounds in the early days of e-mailing, added commentary, and then assembled them in a printed book format.
Being old school, to this day, I still use e-mail for a fair amount of my communication. Accordingly, I receive lots of devotionals and similar materials via e-mail. And on occasion, some of them are pretty good.
One such thought I recently received is a case in point. It was sent to me by a church member. Given its relevance to our current world situation, I thought I would simply post it here for my blog today. I hope it speaks to you as it did to me.
QUARANTINE
The Latin root of the word "quarantine" is "forty".
So what does the Bible say about 40?
The flood lasted 40 days.
40 years Moses fled Egypt.
40 days Moses stayed on Mount Sinai to receive the Commandments.
Exodus lasted 40 years.
Jesus fasted for 40 days.
Lent is 40 days.
40 days for a woman to rest after giving birth.
A group of theologians thinks the number 40 represents "change”. It is the time of preparing a person, or people, to make a fundamental change.
Something will happen after these 40 days. Just believe and pray. Remember, whenever the number 40 appears in the Bible, there is a "change".
Please know that during this "quarantine" rivers are cleaning up, vegetation is growing, the air is becoming cleaner because of less pollution, there is less theft and murder, healing is happening, and most importantly, people are turning to Christ. The Earth is at rest for the first time in many years and hearts are truly transforming.
So, during this time, enjoy it with your loved ones and return to the family altar together. Family prayer is a great blessing. Through prayer you will see the changes God can work in you and in your home. Christ promises us that everything works together for the good for those who love God: Romans 8:28!
Remember we are in the year 2020, and 20 + 20 = 40.
Also, 2020 is the year of the United States Census. Jesus Christ, the savior of the world, was born during a census.
Lastly, 2020 is perfect vision. May our sight focus on the Lord and living according to His perfect vision for us knowing He holds us in the palm of His hand.
May these days of "quarantine" bring spiritual liberation to our souls, our nation, and our world.
The best is yet to come.
Trust in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit!
Well said and worth saying! It is obvious that God can and will do a lot in a forty-day period. He has done so many times in the past. And I hope and pray that He uses this current quarantine period to do some good things in our lives. Perhaps even in some ways we never imagined.
SOURCE: Ass stated above, I received this via e-mail from a friend. I have researched its origins; but have not as of yet been able to determine just who the author was. It is also available on social media. See for instance: https://www.facebook.com/1stfruitsmobiledetailing/posts/2581275782087543.
NOTE: According to Webster’s dictionary, a “quarantine” is literally a forty day period, originating when ships suspected of carrying passengers with the plague were held for such a period in the harbor before being allowed to disembark persons and/or goods. Obviously, such actions helped to ensure the ongoing health of the general population. Cf.: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/quarantine.
SEE ALSO: https://www.etymonline.com/word/quarantine. Apparently, the Venetians introduced the concept of quarantining as early as the fourteenth century.
Similarly, a few years ago, equally reflecting the times, a popular series of devotional books was titled “Instant Messages from God”. These were available in editions for both boys and girls.
Kudos to all the authors out there who are keeping up with the times as each successive generation of technology is released. As had been said many a time, the method may change; but the message remains the same.
I myself am still more of an e-mail guy. In fact, somewhere in my library, I believe I still have a copy of one of the first ever devotional books to capitalize on the digital transformation. It is titled “I Read It in an E-mail” (or something to that effect). The author simply collected up a series of devotional thoughts that had made the rounds in the early days of e-mailing, added commentary, and then assembled them in a printed book format.
Being old school, to this day, I still use e-mail for a fair amount of my communication. Accordingly, I receive lots of devotionals and similar materials via e-mail. And on occasion, some of them are pretty good.
One such thought I recently received is a case in point. It was sent to me by a church member. Given its relevance to our current world situation, I thought I would simply post it here for my blog today. I hope it speaks to you as it did to me.
QUARANTINE
The Latin root of the word "quarantine" is "forty".
So what does the Bible say about 40?
The flood lasted 40 days.
40 years Moses fled Egypt.
40 days Moses stayed on Mount Sinai to receive the Commandments.
Exodus lasted 40 years.
Jesus fasted for 40 days.
Lent is 40 days.
40 days for a woman to rest after giving birth.
A group of theologians thinks the number 40 represents "change”. It is the time of preparing a person, or people, to make a fundamental change.
Something will happen after these 40 days. Just believe and pray. Remember, whenever the number 40 appears in the Bible, there is a "change".
Please know that during this "quarantine" rivers are cleaning up, vegetation is growing, the air is becoming cleaner because of less pollution, there is less theft and murder, healing is happening, and most importantly, people are turning to Christ. The Earth is at rest for the first time in many years and hearts are truly transforming.
So, during this time, enjoy it with your loved ones and return to the family altar together. Family prayer is a great blessing. Through prayer you will see the changes God can work in you and in your home. Christ promises us that everything works together for the good for those who love God: Romans 8:28!
Remember we are in the year 2020, and 20 + 20 = 40.
Also, 2020 is the year of the United States Census. Jesus Christ, the savior of the world, was born during a census.
Lastly, 2020 is perfect vision. May our sight focus on the Lord and living according to His perfect vision for us knowing He holds us in the palm of His hand.
May these days of "quarantine" bring spiritual liberation to our souls, our nation, and our world.
The best is yet to come.
Trust in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit!
Well said and worth saying! It is obvious that God can and will do a lot in a forty-day period. He has done so many times in the past. And I hope and pray that He uses this current quarantine period to do some good things in our lives. Perhaps even in some ways we never imagined.
SOURCE: Ass stated above, I received this via e-mail from a friend. I have researched its origins; but have not as of yet been able to determine just who the author was. It is also available on social media. See for instance: https://www.facebook.com/1stfruitsmobiledetailing/posts/2581275782087543.
NOTE: According to Webster’s dictionary, a “quarantine” is literally a forty day period, originating when ships suspected of carrying passengers with the plague were held for such a period in the harbor before being allowed to disembark persons and/or goods. Obviously, such actions helped to ensure the ongoing health of the general population. Cf.: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/quarantine.
SEE ALSO: https://www.etymonline.com/word/quarantine. Apparently, the Venetians introduced the concept of quarantining as early as the fourteenth century.