WELL, WOULD HE?
Today's reading: Job 17-20

"Then Bildad the Shuhite replied: How long before you stop talking?.." Job 18:1-2 NLT

The words were spoken by Bildad to Job, but could the same words be used by God to us?

How long before you stop talking...and start listening?

How long before you stop talking...and just enjoy time in My presence?

How long before you stop talking...and start doing what I told you to do a week ago?

How long before you stop talking...and realize it's My words that matter, not yours?

How long before you stop talking...and begin noticing all I've done around you, for you, in you and through you?

I know I've been convicted of being 'too talkative' in the Lord's presence.

I need to start listening.

I need to pause in His presence.

I need to just be still and know.

Would He be saying the same thing to you? Well, would He?

REMIND ME
Today's reading: Job 13-16

"Look, I have seen many instances such as you describe. I understand what you are saying. I know as much as you do..." Job 13:1 NLT

Job's friends had a lot to say. Some helpful. Some hurtful. Some full of wrong doctrine. Some of the things, I'm pretty sure, they were simply reminding Job of.

Have friends that do that to you?

Maybe a conversation goes like this...

Well, when I was going through a similar situation you gave me this verse...

Or...

Remember when you told me...

Or...

Hey, didn't you give me this piece of advice and tell me to trust God with...

Or the true friend who will say...

Get up and get your faith back in action! You know good and well that you believe God can...

Maybe we are a lot like Job, we know--we just need the reminder.

Is it time you surrounded yourself with godly friends who will bring to your remembrance all God promises to do? All He has said He will do for you? All you know, just aren't believing with your whole heart at this time in your walk?

IN THE MIDST OF EVERYTHING
Today's reading: Job 9-12

"You gave me life and showed me your unfailing love. My life was preserved by your care." Job 10:12 NLT

What if--In the midst of everything bad, discouraging, disappointing and doubt-filled in our lives, we were to stop, as Job did, and re-state God's love and provision?

Really, what if we were to do that?

To stop the dreading and fretting and re-focus on how He is the one holding everything together for us.

To cease from crying, even if for a moment, and life our faces up to say 'thanks'.

To, for a while, push aside the pain and hurt in these bodies we carry around and really, from the heart, tell Him how great He is.

To pause long enough to take our own pulse--and remember He causes our hearts to beat, our lungs to fill and our bodies to function.

Job did.

In the middle of everything he was enduring...and I think it made a world of difference for him.

GO TO GOD
Today's reading: Job 5-8

"My advice to you is this: Go to God and present your case to him. For he does great works too marvelous to understand. He performs miracles without number." Job 5:8-9

Disclaimer: Not all words spoken and recorded from Job's friends can or should be taken to heart. This one portion, is sound advice...so read on.

When you are hurt, go to God.

When you are broken, go to God.

When you are mistreated, overlooked, disappointed or harmed by another's sin or lacking attempts, go to God.

God can do great things with your circumstances...or with your heart while the circumstances change.

His ways can amaze us.

His works can leave us speechless.

His answers to our prayers can take our breaths away.

His answers can also make us pause as we wait for Him to do said works.

Pause long enough to remember His miracles are performed to bring Him glory and to draw us closer to Him.

So, friend, go to God.

IN ALL THIS
Today's reading: Job 1-4

"In all this, Job did not sin by blaming God." Job 1:22 NLT

"...So in all this, Job said nothing wrong." Job 2:10 NLT

I don't doubt Job was sad.

Maybe even mad.

Disappointed.

Hurt.

Questioning.

Angry.

Broken.

Doubt-filled.

He had lost so much. He had so much grieving to do. He had been given no time in which to prepare for any one of these losses, much less all the losses he incurred.

But it tells us that he chose not to sin.

Not to sin in his anger.

In his sorrow.

In his pain.

In his grief.

In his fear, wondering and dread.

What an example for us to follow!

We can experience each and every emotion God has placed within our human hearts and heads--and still not sin.

Because sin is a choice we make. Emotions, well emotions are reactions to what's going on around us--but sin, is our choice.

What will you choose in all this?

CELEBRATE
Today's reading: Esther 6-10

"He told them to celebrate these days with feasting and gladness and by giving gifts to each other and to the poor. This would commemorate a time when the Jews gained relief from their enemies, when their sorrow turned into gladness and their mourning into joy." Esther 9:22 NLT

Sadly, I spend so much time praying about all I'd still like to see God do that I fail miserably at celebrating all He has done.

Why is that?

When I've gotten down on my knees and asked the God of the universe to hear my prayer, to do a mighty work, to release me from the chains of trials, to step in and take over--and He does, why am I not throwing a party? Marking the date down on my calendar to remember? Telling the world?

There are holidays set up for some of the craziest things--hot dog day, donut day, sweet potato day, dogsitter day--why can't I make my own special days to memorialize special things God has done for me.

Such as...

Good diagnosis Day.

I noticed a flower in the middle of my storm Day.

Provision that could come only from His hands Day.

I got a card in the mail on the day I really needed it Day.

The bills were covered for another month Day.

I slept through the night without worrying about all that's going on around me Day.

He spoke to me through His Word Day.

I could go on. And I'm sure you have several you might add, too.

Let's start celebrating all God's done with our own special holidays!

SEEKING ADVICE
Today's reading: Esther 1-5

"When it was Esther's turn to go to the king, she accepted the advice of Hegai, the eunuch in charge of the harem. She asked for nothing except what he suggested, and she was admired by everyone who saw her." Esther 2:15 NLT

If I am to stand before the King...

If I am to be a representative of Him at all times and in all circumstances...

If I have been adopted into His family, given His inheritance, provided with His name and redeemed through His Son's blood...

If I have been asked to tell everyone I meet about Him...

Would it not behoove me to seek counsel from those closest to Him?

Esther did.

I'll put down Facebook. Push aside Google. I'll only use Pinterest for recipe ideas. I'll seek advice only from those whose lives I admire because of their godliness. I'll turn to the Bible more.

Because when it's my turn to stand before the King, I want His approval!

DOING OUR JOB
Today's reading: Nehemiah 11-13

"The Levites who had returned with them were Jeshua, Binnui, Kadmiel, Sherebiah, Judah and Mattaniah, who with his associates was in charge of the songs of thanksgiving." Nehemiah 12:8 NLT

Just thinking...

Had I been born a male. Born a Levite. Born in this time period. Born to be a servant in the Temple in charge of thanksgiving songs.

How well would my job get done?

Because I'll be honest here, too many times I probably wouldn't choose to sing with thanksgiving in my heart.

Because of circumstances.

Because of others.

Because of feelings.

As I think of these men, their interaction with each other, their social circles, their close contact with so many others that came and went in the sanctuary and outer courts--people watched them, I'm sure. Watched them to see how they lived their lives and how their lives lived would play out in the songs of thanksgiving they wrote, composed, performed and presented.

Friend, as children of God, we're in the same boat!

Folks are watching us. All the time. During all seasons of our lives. With every bad diagnosis, poor choice, sad happening, middle-of-the-night phone call. They are watching. And whether you want to accept it or not, they are watching closely.

To see if we continue to sing praise. To hum thanks. To practice what we preach. To see if our Monday through Saturday lives measure up to what we want to look like to them on Sunday.

We are called to live out a life of redemption, salvation, hope, grace and trust. And to make our life songs mirror those truths!

MAKING AN EFFORT
Today's reading: Nehemiah 8-10

"...All the people paid close attention to the Book of the Law." Nehemiah 8:3 NLT

"On October 9 the family leaders and the priests and the Levites met with Ezra to go over the laws in greater detail." Nehemiah 8:13 NLT

I must admit, I'm a little convicted at the thought of what effort people in Bible times went to in order to understand more deeply the Scriptures.

If you'll just think about it, it was an attempt just to survive in those times--grow your own food, walk everywhere you go, enemy armies always at the borders, diseases without medications, the list could go on.

And yet, they made the time and took the initiative to get into God's Words--just so they would know Him better.

I thought of how easily I shrug off the opportunity.

I find I'm too busy to attempt it.

I get to the end of my day and find I've not made the effort.

As easy as my life is...

With grocery stores providing my food as simply as a few clicks on my phone, driving my car to a designated pick-up and popping the button for my trunk to open and for them to put said groceries in the trunk.

Or just to call up the pizza guy and have a hot meal delivered right to my door.

Or to just have to push a few buttons on a washing machine to get clean clothes--not having to scrub them in the creek on a rock.

Or just turning on a faucet for clean drinking water.

Or living in a country that is safe, healthy, airconditioned, comfortable...need I go on?

And I don't make the time to study God's Word more deeply?

THIS MORNING'S COMMUTE
Today's reading: Nehemiah 4-7

"Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me." Psalm 51:10 NLT

I followed our town's street sweeper on my way to work today.

For a few blocks and one or two stop signs, I was the vehicle right behind him.

It was fun watching him maneuver around parked cars, get right up to the curbs with his whirling scrub brushes and leave a swept clean path for me right up my lumberyard parking spot.

It was almost like I had a personal escort on my way to work.

A chauffeur of sorts that cleared the path and provided me a clean slate on which to start the day.

A street sweeper!

God does that for me, too. Well, when I ask Him to.

He goes ahead of me.

He sweeps up, wipes away and cleanses me of any sins I present to Him.

He gifts me with a clean slate, of sorts, each day with the sunrise.

And He slows me down, by street sweepers and other means, to see all that He does.

What will He use to catch your attention today?

THE AUDACITY
Today's reading: Nehemiah 1-3

"Please remember what you told your servant Moses. If you sin, I will scatter you among the nations. But if you return to me and obey my commands, even if you are exiled to the ends of the earth, I will bring you back to the place I have chosen for my name to be honored." Nehemiah 1:8-9 NLT

Nehemiah was praying and had the audacity to 'remind' God of His own words.

He repeated God's own promise to Him.

He restated Scripture, before Scripture was even bound together in a single book.

I love it!

Sure, one might think it bold.

Or presumptuous.

Or rude.

Or one might believe it goes along with what God had asked of them all along...to know Him through what He had said. To take His words with belief and hopeful expectation.

Nehemiah knew enough of God to know what He had said, His promises, His warnings, His hope.

Do you?

Have you been in your Bible enough to know what God promises and what He doesn't?

Do you know enough of His own words to pray them back to Him when your heart is heavy?

Today is a good day to start looking deeply into His truths so you can pray them right back to God.

STATEMENT OF FAITH
Today's reading: Ezra 8-10

"And there by the Ahava Canal, I gave orders for all of us to fast and humble ourselves before our God. We prayed that he would give us a safe journey and protect us, our children, and our goods as we traveled. For I was ashamed to ask the king for soldiers and horsemen to accompany us and protect us along the way. After all, we had told the king, Our God protects those who worship him, but his fierce anger rages against those who abandon him. So we fasted and earnestly prayed that our God would take care of us, and he heard our prayer." Ezra 8:21-23 NLT

I'll ask you the very same question I've asked myself after reading this portion of Scripture...

When was the last time I made a public statement of faith?

Honestly, when did I last proudly and loudly proclaim what I believed God would or could do?

When was the last time I spoke His truth out loud over my situation or any one of my prayer requests?

When did I last say, out loud and with certainty...

My God has this!

I believe God is going to work this out!

I don't like what I'm currently going through, but I know God is at work--because He promises He is!

My Deliverer will deliver me from this or He will strengthen me to walk through it!

I'm watching for His hand to open doors!

My prodigal will return to Him and serve Him mightily!

Sure, I can say these things while I sit comfortably in my prayer chair, with my Bible opened on my lap, while the rest of the house is quiet and I've yet to confront my enemy in this day...

But will I put my faith into words and proclaim it over each and every situation I am in? Will I speak His truth over all my circumstances? Will I make a statement of faith in God, not in my abilities or understandings?

Will you?

ENCOURAGED
Today's reading: Ezra 5-7

"...I felt encouraged because the gracious hand of the Lord my God was on me..." Ezra 7:28 NLT

Encouragement is support, confidence...hope.

I pray you feel encouraged today because you are doing just what God is asking you to do, just where He is asking you to do it.

I'm asking that you are doing no more and no less than His will.

I pray that you feel His hand on you--guiding you, supporting you, directing you, keeping you from harm.

Because encouraged is how I believe God wants His children to live.

Strengthened by Him.

Trusting in Him.

Filled with His hope!

A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD
Today's reading: Ezra 1-4

"Then God stirred the hearts of the priests and Levites and the leaders of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the Temple of the Lord. And all their neighbors assisted by giving them vessels of silver and gold, supplies for the journey, and livestock. They gave them many choice gifts in addition to all the freewill offerings." Ezra 1:5-6 NLT

Let's get a few facts out of the way here...

Fact #1 The children of God were being held captive in Babylon.

Fact #2 This captivity had lasted 70 years.

Fact #3 God had instructed the Israelites to set up homes, establish communities and continue to worship and serve Him as best they could in hostile territory.

At this point in the book of Ezra, we're in a space in time when the captives were being allowed to return to Jerusalem and the Israelite households were telling their neighbors goodbye.

I'm noticing this...

And I'm applying it to our current situation in regards to being homebound, quarantined and being asked to keep from worshiping corporately...

They chose, despite circumstances, to be good neighbors. How do I know that? If they had been poor neighbors, chances are they wouldn't be loaded down with gifts as they returned to Jerusalem.

They made the decision to 'bloom where they were planted'. What tells me that? Same thing!

It's sure making me think about my attitude, my efforts and my faith during this trying time we're in.

Am I making it more insufferable by what I say and do or am I lifting the spirits of others?

Am I being a good neighbor, even from a safe distance?

Is my 'neighborhood' improved because I live there? Serve God there? Worship from home there?

If I were asked to move to another place, would folks miss me, wish me well and shower me with gifts that would help me minister in the next neighborhood I would settle in?

Ezra has me thinking this morning...

TAKE HEED
Today's reading: 2 Chronicles 35-36

"The Lord, the God of their ancestors, repeatedly sent his prophets to warn them, for he had compassion on his people and his Temple. But the people mocked these messengers of God and despised their words. They scoffed at the prophets until the Lord's anger could no longer be restrained and there was no remedy." 2 Chronicles 36:15-16 NLT

I want to make doubly sure I am hearing what God has to say to me.

Whether it's through the pages of His Word.

Or in the sermons my pastor presents.

Or by what the godly men and women I choose to have as dear advisors tell me.

Or in the quietness of my prayer time when I stop talking and just listen for Him.

I want to hear the Lord speak because I know what He says He says because He loves me and loves His church.

I believe He still speaks today.

And since He is still speaking, I know it's important that I take heed.

ENCOURAGEMENT
Today's reading: 2 Chronicles 32-34

"He may have a great army, but they are just men. We have the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles! These words greatly encouraged the people." 2 Chronicles 32:8 NLT

I don't know what you're staring down this morning.

An army attacking...

A diagnosis leering...

A pink slip looking you squarely in the eye...

Another news report that incites fear...

An empty chair at the dining room table...

One more Sunday when you are unable to meet and worship with your/His people...

These are all rough, rotten things. Things that depress, scare and discourage us.

But, friend, God is still with us!

The problem looks big. The diagnosis is scary. Society is in a pickle. Hurts hurt. We're all missing out on our corporate worship...but we have the Lord.

I pray we can find encouragement in that, because that's what He desires we do.

BUT NOW
Today's reading: 2 Chronicles 29-31

"Our ancestors were unfaithful and did what was evil in the sight of the Lord our God. They abandoned the Lord..they turned their backs on him...They also shut the doors to the Temple...they snuffed out the lamps. They stopped burning incense...Our fathers have been killed, and our sons and daughters and wives are in captivity. But now I will make a covenant with the Lord, the God of Israel..." 2 Chronicles 29:6-10 NLT

I don't know what's been done to you.

Or not given to you.

Or has been handed down to you.

Or has been overlooked on your part.

I don't know how you've been mis-used.

Abused.

Ignored.

I don't know what sordid details your story held.

What labels have been applied to your life.

What dysfunctions your family claimed as their own.

What mistakes you made...and repeated...and repeated.

I do know this...

There is now.

Now you can make a covenant with the Lord.

Now, right now, today, an be your new start.

WHAT CAN THEY DO?
Today's reading: 2 Chronicles 25-28

"This made the Lord very angry, and he sent a prophet to ask, Why have you worshiped gods who could not even save their own people from you?" 2 Chronicles 25:15 NLT

What can gods do for you?

Look around, or look in to your own life...

Are gods helping in any way, shape or fashion?

Have the gods provided you with a single thing?

Did the gods you can hold in your hands create you, form you, place a beating heart inside you within a few days of your conception?

Do you notice anything they do for the ones you watch worshiping them?

I'm asking God this morning to reveal to me the gods I have placed on altars of my life. The things I am worshiping. The things I'm trusting in. The ideas or notions I have placed in more important spots in my heart and mind than God.

CANNOT BE GRANDFATHERED IN
Today's reading: 2 Chronicles 21-24

"...Ahaziah was given a decent burial because the people said, He was the grandson of Jehoshaphat--a man who sought the Lord with all his heart..." 2 Chronicles 22:9 NLT

How nice. How kind. What an honor.

But what good will it do him when he stands before God?

None.

None what so ever.

Because we don't take credentials, references or witnesses when us when we stand before God.

We aren't grandfathered into God's presence.

He doesn't base our entry upon our daddy's name.

We don't get in because of the family we've come from.

We get in based upon knowing Jesus as our personal Savior.

That's the only question that will be asked of us.

Do you know my Son?

It's not going to be about what we've done...or not done...or given to the church...or the services we've attended...or the church we're a member of...

It's all about whether we've accepted Christ and His salvation.

Have you?

Are you His and is He yours?

When you die, regardless of the fancy funeral they provide for you or the life you've lived with the name you were given, will you be in or out of heaven?

INSTEAD OF TAKING A POLL
Today's reading: 2 Chronicles 17-20

"So King Ahab summoned his prophets, four hundred of them, and asked them, Should we go to war against Ramoth-gilead or not? They all replied, Go ahead, for God will give you a great victory! But Jehoshaphat asked, Isn't there s prophet of the Lord around, too? I would like to ask him the same question." 2 Chronicled 18:5-6 NLT

I think I can speak for most of us in saying we want to live in God's will.

But how often do we seek Him out to find out just what that will might be?

We turn to friends for advice.

We seek out counsel from Google.

We watch the media for what's trending.

We make our lists of pro's and con's, gather our bits of knowledge and make our best guess-timate.

But seek God?

Stop? Pray? Quiet ourselves? Listen? Expect to hear from Him? Not go any farther until He leads, opens a door or writes on the wall?

REQUIRING SOME EFFORT
Today's reading: 2 Chronicles 12-16

"But whenever you were in distress and turned to the Lord, the God of Israel, and sought him out, you found him." 2 Chronicles 15:4 NLT

God does so very much for us that sometimes we forget we have to do a few things in order that our relationship flourish and grow.

He saves, but we have to accept His salvation.

He rescues, but we have to call out to Him.

He redeems, or buys us back from the slavery we've sold ourselves into, but we have to seek His help.

He restores, but we have to be willing to quit returning to what broke us in the first place.

We have a part to play in our friendship with God, a much smaller part than His, but a part none the less.

It requires some effort, but it rewards us immensely!

CARRIED OUT
Today's reading: 2 Chronicles 8-11

"So Solomon made sure that all the work related to building the Temple of the Lord was carried out, from the day its foundation was laid to the day of its completion." 2 Chronicles 8:16 NLT

I'm sure Solomon's work force had rainy days--but they carried on.

I'm sure they had days when the sand from the surrounding area blew so hard on them it felt like it would scrub the skin off them--but they continued.

I'm sure the sun beating down on them baked them to a leathery crisp--but they didn't stop.

I'm sure while friends and family vacationed on the Mediterranean coastlines and they continued working it was hard--but they stayed the course.

I'm sure while the details were done and the progress seemed so achingly slow it was difficult--but they pressed on to complete the task at hand.

It's what we must do, too, in regards to the Lord's work.

Rain or shine. Sunny days or dark nights. Heat or cold. Rejections or acceptance. Appreciation or disregard. Health or pandemic...we must continue sharing God's Good News.

Jesus started it, we need to keep it going!

WHETHER OR NOT
Today's reading: 1 Chronicles 5-7

"...All the priests who were present had purified themselves, whether or not they were on duty that day." 1 Chronicles 5:11 NLT

I think of all the reasons, or excuses, we like to give God as to 'why' we can't or don't or won't live for Him at all times.

Why we won't witness...

Why we won't stand up for what's right...

Why we won't step in...

Why we won't volunteer when the pastor needs a position filled...

Why we won't serve...

Why we won't join a ministry team...

These priests, even on their day off, stepped in to be purified for God's service.

So, maybe it wasn't on the Sabbath.

They wanted to be a part of the advancement of His kingdom, no matter the shift they worked.

They wanted to see God glorified, whether or not they would ever stand behind the pulpit or pray the prayer.

They came and were purified because they were priests, plain and simple.

So are we.

"But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people, that you should show forth the praises of him who has called out of darkness and into his marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9

So step up to His throne and be purified today, for whatever job He has for you, for when He needs you to be ready, for those He needs you to minister to!

USING IT FOR GOD
Today's reading: 2 Chronicles 1-4

"Solomon took a census of all foreigners in the land of Israel, like the census his father had taken, and he counted 153,600. He enlisted 70,000 of them as common laborers, 80,000 as stonecutters in the hill country and 3,600 as foremen." 2 Chronicles 2:17-18 NLT

Just like his father, Solomon took a census. Only this census was to count all the leftover 'ites' living in the land of God.

You remember, the '-ites' don't you? The Amorites, the Girgashites, the Hittites, the Hivites, the Jebusites and the Perizzites. The tribes of people who had inhabited the Promised Land before Moses, Aaron and the Israelites arrived.

Well, some of these people remained in the land when Solomon took over power.

So he put them to use.

He made them work for the people.

We can do that, too.

The history our enemy has left us with--we can use it to glorify God!

The story line that led us up to God's throne and forgiveness--we can use it to lead others to the Lord!

The obstacles our enemy throws in our way--we can use them as stepping stones to climb higher to God!

The lies satan tells us--we can identify them, refute them and bring them into the light of God's Word and His truth!

We can make it all work for us, for the glory of the Lord!

BECAUSE HE SAID SO
Today's reading: 1 Chronicles 27-29

"When David took his census, he did not count those who were younger than twenty years of age, because the Lord had promised to make the Israelites as numerous as the stars in heaven." 1 Chronicles 27:23 NLT

Have you registered for the 2020 census? Signs are up reminding us to do it. Ads are on television. I've even gotten a prerecorded message on my cell phone stating the importance of filling out the census forms.

So it tickled me to see a census mentioned in today's reading.

David took a census. He shouldn't have, but he did.

He did it to count the fighting men in his kingdom.

But today's point is that he didn't count the young men, or boy children.

Why?

Why didn't he want to know what his army would look like in a few years?

Why didn't he want to be fully aware of how many future fighting men were being raised up?

Why didn't he want to know the security level his country would see in the years to come?

Because God said He would make the Israelites as numerous as the stars.

He believed God would do just what God said He would do.

There's a lesson in that for us!

God says He won't leave us--so there is no use wondering if He is there.

God says He will provide for us--so there is no use worrying how or when it will happen for us.

God says He will defeat our enemy each and every time--so there is no use of fretting over our own strengths and resources.

God says He will provide eternity for us with Him--so there is no need wasting our thoughts about tomorrow.

God says His people will always be His people--so there is no wondering if we can fall from His favor.

God says tomorrow is well cared for in His hands--so there is no use us fearing what it might hold for us.

God says, so we needn't worry our little heads over whether or not He will fulfil His end of the deal!

IN CHARGE OF THE TREASURIES
Today's reading: 1 Chronicles 24-26

"Shelomoth and his relatives were in charge of the treasuries that held all the things dedicated to the Lord by King David, the family leaders and the generals and captains and other officers of the army. These men had dedicated some of the plunder they had gained in battle to maintain the house of the Lord." 1 Chronicles 26:26-27 NLT

When I think of all these men had charge over, my mind goes wild. They were warehouse managers of the most varied possessions.

The things they had procured from hard-fought battle.

The loot they had gathered after chasing enemy armies off God's land.

The spoils of war gained from their victories following God into war.

I can see piles of gold, buckets full of silver, jewels of every color, shape and size. I can imagine the storehouses stocked full of armor, shields, swords and weaponry seized from tuck-tail-and-run foes.

But when I look deeper into the words of these verses, I'm reminded to look at all I'm in charge of, too.

The lessons I've learned from hard-fought battles.

The blessings I've gained from following God wherever He leads me.

Talents I've gained from His creative work in my being.

The material possessions I've been able to acquire at the devils' expense and God's love for me.

I have storehouse after storehouse to look after.

I have been given more than any one life should be afforded.

I have been blessed beyond measure by God's hand.

With careful thought and deep-seated devotion to God, I re-dedicate those things back to Him. For Him to use to minister in my life and in the lives of others. Blessings I can pass on. Gifts from God I can share. Talents I can harness in ministry. Experiences I can pull from in order to help another.

I'm a warehouse manager, too! And, dear friend, so are you.

DAILY OPPORTUNITIES
Today's reading: 1 Chronicles 20-23

"And each morning and evening they stood before the Lord to sing songs of thanks and praise to him." 1 Chronicles 23:30 NLT

The twenty-third chapter of 1 Chronicles lists the responsibilities of the Levites in the house of the Lord.

It specified from which clan the workers came, which tasks they were to each be responsible for, and their qualifications, being at least 20 years old.

They were asked to assist the priests, to do routine maintenance, to help perform ceremonies, bake the bread, and make sure the weights and measures were accurate.

But the task that caught my eye was the praise they were asked to give every morning and every evening.

They were required...no, not the right word. They were expected...no, not quite the right meaning. They were under obligation...no, that doesn't convey the right context. They were assigned the task...no, that doesn't deal with the heart of the matter.

They were given the opportunity. Yes, opportunity is the correct word. They were given the opportunity each and every morning to set the tone of worship for the day and again in the evening they were given the opportunity to tuck folks into bed with praise and thanks to God.

The same opportunities we are given.

Their praise and thanks had nothing at all to do with their feelings, their circumstances, their attitudes or their 'want-to's'. It had everything to do with God.

Who He was...

How big He was...

What all He had done...

Those reasons have not changed.

So why aren't we singing songs of thanks and praise when the sun comes up and when it bows its head beneath the horizon?

GOD'S TAKE ON ME
Today's reading: 1 Chronicles 17-19

"...You speak as though I were someone very great, O Lord God!" 1 Chronicles 17:17 NLT

God, You say I am strong--

You say I am victorious in all things that come against me--

You say I am valuable, an important part of this world You have created--

You say I am worthy of all You have done for me--

You say I am loved--

And with each proclamation of Yours, I feel as though I need to correct You with a '...maybe, but what about when I...'

But You know about all of those, don't You?

The greatness You see in me in Your Son's blood coursing through my heart, isn't it?

It's His value bestowed upon me at Calvary.

It's His victory over death, hell and the grave that I get to claim as my own.

It's Your love for Him that flows over into abundant love for me.

You do know me, just like You knew David.

CARRYING THE ARK
Today's reading: 1 Chronicles 13-16

"Then the Levites carried the Ark of God on their shoulders with its carrying poles, just at the Lord had instructed Moses." 1 Chronicles 15:15 NLT

Here is a truth: Before you can do the 'hard' stuff, you have to do the 'heart' stuff.

I think it's very evident in this verse...

The Levites had a monumental task at hand. To move the Ark of God back into Jerusalem.

It had to be done in a special way. It had to be done slowly and methodically. It had to be done in a manner that might seem over-the-top in its exactness and its precise level of obedience. It had to be done God's way, no other.

But these Levites had done the 'heart' work before hand.

So they knew that no matter how long it took, no matter how many individual steps were required, no matter how many times they would put it down to worship and pick it up to only go a few steps, no matter how heavy it got on their shoulders...they knew in their hearts that it needed done.

So they did it.

With their hearts.

What ever it is God is asking us to do today, we have to do it that way, too.

Get the 'heart' work done before the 'hard' stuff starts!

INSTEAD
Today's reading: 1 Chronicles 10-12

"So Saul died because he was unfaithful to the Lord. He failed to obey the Lord's command, and he even consulted a medium instead of asking the Lord for guidance." 1 Chronicles 10:13-14 NLT

The definition of instead is an alternative or substitute.

Makes Saul's choice sound even worse, doesn't it?

An alternative to God? A substitute for Him?

Maybe he asked advisors for their opinions. Maybe he sought out the will of the people. Tested the market for what was desired. Polled the people. Googl-ed. Facebook-ed. Phoned a friend.

Oh, wait, I've jumped centuries, haven't I?

But it's what we do, isn't it?

We seek out public opinion. We find specialists in the area we're needing to make decisions in. We look for friends who have similar issues. We search the world wide web for answers. We ask advice from church family.

Instead of asking the Lord for guidance.

What all have you substituted for the Lord? For His wisdom? For His ways for your life?

It's sure making me think!

BREAD BAKERS
Today's reading: 1 Chronicles 7-9

"And some members of the clan of Kohath were in charge of preparing the bread to be set on the table each Sabbath." 1 Chronicles 9:32 NLT

For someone who loves baking bread, this verse caught my eye.

But this wasn't just any bread.

The 'shewbread' or the bread offering was a very specific matter.

A special recipe. Specific ingredients. Certain size. A set number of loaves. An arrangement of loaves as instructed by God.

Every Sabbath, God told the Israelites in Exodus 25, this recipe was to be followed, the loaves baked and the offering presented to Him in His tent.

This family had a very special job to do. They were carefully chosen. They were given the task for generations.

It wasn't up to them to find a new recipe. To tweak the old recipe. To change the consistency, the flavor or the look of these loaves. They were not asked to do this task so as to impress their neighbors with their baking skills or their talents.

Chances are, each one of us have been given a specific task by the Lord, too.

One that we've been specially selected for. One that very well may highlight our talents...or cause us to strive to achieve excellence in something we struggle to do easily. One that we were created for, have life experience with or have a heart for.

Most of us, okay then, maybe just me, like to search Pinterest for ways to 'spice up our service to the Lord'. To find ways to make it look grander, bigger, more impressive. To bring a spotlight on it. To add flourish, pizzazz or a 'wow factor'.

But isn't that attempting to change the 'recipe' He has given us to work with?

And, for any of you who do any baking, changing the recipe doesn't always end well.

So today, in this verse about the bakers, I'm reminded to stick with what God has asked me to do. To do it well. To do it as instructed. To continue doing it until He changes the plan for my service to Him. To stick with the recipe!