TURN US AGAIN

Today's reading: Psalm 78-80

"Turn us again to yourself, O God..." Psalm 80:4 NLT

"Turn us again to yourself, O God Almighty..." Psalm 80:7 NLT

"Turn us again to yourself, O God Almighty..." Psalm 80:19 NLT

The psalmist asks, as we often do, repeatedly, for God to turn us back to Him.

To place us back in His presence.

To put us back to right with Him.

But let's remember, it's more than a physical relocation.

It's more, much more than changing our direction.

It's a matter of changing our hearts--or we'll end up distancing ourselves from Him again. And again.

I believe it's time, for me, to ask this...

Turn me to You, God. Yes, again. But this time--would You mind if I take the time and make the effort to bind myself to You in some way that makes it harder to wander again? Can I somehow or someway ask You to keep me from straying? To put me on a leash? To put me in a fenced in area? Ground me, if You will? You see, Lord--and You should know--I'm not to be trusted with my own thoughts, feelings, emotions and will. Self-control? Let's just say it's best if You take over. So, would You turn me to You again--and keep me there?

 BEQUEATH AND BEQUEST

Today's reading: 2 Kings 1-5

"When they came to the other side, Elijah said to Elisha, What can I do for you before I am taken away? And Elisha replied, Please let me inherit a double portion of your spirit." 2 Kings 2:9 NLT

Oh, I am thinking this morning of those I have lost in life of whom I would have asked the same blessing.

The godly saints who could have gifted me with some of their wisdom.

The praying grandmothers who could have passed on some of their unwavering faith.

The church friends who saw their prodigals come back from far countries carrying the postmarked cards of their momma's prayers.

The former pastors whose wealth of Biblical knowledge far surpassed anything I could ever hope to attain.

The godly characters of some dear church ladies who touched my life in so many ways.

Oh, the things I would have loved to have been blessed with from their lives!

 BECAUSE

Today's reading: Leviticus 10-12

"...You must be holy because I am holy." Leviticus 11:43 NLT

These chapters hold within them a whole lot of rules.

Quite a few things to do.

List upon list of do's and don't do's.

The chapters can be summed up in this single verse...and in this old hymn:

"To Be Like Jesus, To Be Like Jesus
All I Ask To Be Like Him;
All Through Life’s Journey
From Earth To Glory
All I Ask To Be Like Him;

To Be Like Jesus, To Be Like Jesus
All I Ask To Be Like Him;
Not In A Measure But In Its Fullness
All I Ask To Be Like Him."

 EVERYONE

Today's reading: Philippians 3-4

"Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do..." Philippians 4:5 NLT

Imagine, at all times, that you are on Candid Camera.

Do you remember that old show?

It's important to think that all your actions, those you think are seen and those you don't think are, are noticed.

The ones done in your home.

The ones done around town.

The ones done on Sunday.

The ones done throughout the week.

Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do--where ever you do it.

 FALSE PROMISES

Today's reading: Ezekiel 13-18

"...And you have encouraged the wicked by promising them life, even thought they continue in their sins." Ezekiel 13:22 NLT

Oh, it's nice to encourage.

It's helpful to cheer another on.

It gives a smile when we sprinkle sunshine and lollipops on another's day.

But truth is what corrects. What directs. What heals. What provides true love.

 CALL UP YOUR SISTER

Today's reading: Proverbs 7

"Love wisdom like a sister..." Proverbs 7:4 NLT

If you don't have a sister, you are missing out on one of life's finest blessings.

I, myself, have been gifted with three of the best!

So when I read this chapter in Proverbs, I giggle. This chapter points directly to my 'gals'.

You see, the writer discusses making sure that in life you have wisdom in your life as close to you as a sister, or a close family member, so that when choices come your way, you will always make wise decisions.

Or to put it in words you might use on a daily basis...Call up your sister!

The ones who will tell you like it is.

The ones who will listen intently to the problem at hand.

The ones who love you unconditionally.

The ones who know your weaknesses, your shortcomings, your buttons.

The ones who know your previous potholes and detours on the path towards godliness.

But most importantly, the ones who will not withhold or sugarcoat the truth as God gives it!

You've got to have sisters, whether by blood or by God's grace.

 CAN'T SLEEP

Today's reading: Psalm 75-77

"You don't let me sleep. I am too distressed even to pray!" Psalm 77:4 NLT

Ever had one of those sleepless nights?

You toss and turn. You notice every single hour on the clock. You cannot get comfortable. You cannot turn off your mind. You cannot close the shutters of your eyes and drift off to sleep.

Maybe the world keeps knocking at the door of your thoughts. The happenings of the day are on repeat in your head. The conversations or events on instant replay.

Or your planner pages loom large.

Or fears grow the later it gets. Worries enlarge with the moonlight. Doubts arise as the sun sets.

Whatever the reason, sleep eludes you.

You wonder why in the world God isn't granting you a peaceful night's sleep?

Maybe it's so you and He can talk...or better yet, so you can listen.

Might it be He has heard plenty of your requests for a while and would like to provide you with some responses?

Could it be He has some things He would like to speak to you about in regards to those burdens you have been carrying around?

Maybe, just maybe, He thinks you need to hear Him whisper assurances, sweet assurances into your heart?

It could be He isn't letting you sleep...

He isn't even allowing you the words to pray...

So you can listen, just for a while.

 REMEMBER

Today's reading: 1 King 19-22

"Elisha left the oxen standing there, rand after Elijah, and said to him, First let me go and kiss my father and mother good-bye, and then I will go with you! Elijah replied, Go on back! But consider what I have done to you." 1 Kings 19:20 NLT

Elijah knew the questions, doubts and concerns young Elisha might face upon returning home with his news and his new calling.

His excitement over his new ministry could quickly be doused by buckets of interrogations.

Ever been there?

When God spoke something to your heart?

Gave you a ministry?

Sparked a calling in your heart?

Spurred you on to do something for Him?

Then someone rained on your parade...

Someone quickly provided you with a list of why it would never work...

Gave you a run-down of reasons it would never fly...

Told you it had never been done before...

Quite possibly Elijah had walked that path before and wanted Elisha to beware. He wanted him to remember that the cloak, or the mantle had been passed, and his new role had been assigned.

Maybe today you need that reminder, too.

Remember Who has called you.

Remember Who you will be working for.

Remember Whose payroll you will be ultimately paid from.

Remember Who you will stand before and hear the words, Well done!

 EVERYTHING

Today's reading: Leviticus 7-9

"So Aaron and his sons did everything the Lord had commanded through Moses." Leviticus 8:36 NLT

Oh, that we would desire to do everything as God commands.

To speak only what He asks.

To do just what He bids.

To repent of what He pricks our hearts for.

To share the Good News that He has given to us.

To not take matters into our own hands.

To not try to alleviate Him of His heavenly duties.

To not play God in the lives of those we love.

To not push or pull the hands of time into what we believe to be better for us.

But to do everything as God commands.

And then to stand and bask in the glory of it all.

 REALITY CHECK

Today's reading: Philippians 1-2

"Your attitude should be the same that Christ Jesus had." Philippians 2:5 NLT

What a goal to aspire to!

What a challenge to meet!

What a ring to reach for!

What a test to study for!

We shouldn't check ourselves against anyone around us, the temperature of the circumstances, the social norms or the crowd pressing in on us--we should always check our attitudes against Christ's.

Is our attitude Christ-like?

 THEY ARE WATCHING

Today's reading: Luke 13-14

"One Sabbath day Jesus was in the home of a leader of the Pharisees. The people were watching him closely, because there was a man there whose arms and legs were swollen." Luke 14:1-2 NLT

They were watching Him closely.

To see if He would do the right thing.

The right thing by the Pharasaical law.

The right thing by the man.

The right thing by the custom of the day, it was the Sabbath, after all.

The right thing by the manners of the home in which He was a visitor.

The right thing by God.

There are so many people watching us. People we don't know. People who are not believers--yet.

Watching to see how we respond to every day annoyances, emergencies, irritations, frustrations, confrontations, aggravations.

They are watching to see the Jesus come out in us.

 THOSE SPARED

Today's reading: Ezekiel 7-12

"But I will spare a few of them from death by war, famine or disease, so they can confess to their captors about how wicked they have been. Then they will know that I am the Lord!" Ezekiel 12:16 NLT

When that time comes.

(Assuming we are not already in that time.)

It will take a deep-seated heart survey to know if you are the one spared to do the evangelizing--or the one needing the warning laid out before.

That's a sad, but honest truth, friends.

Sin has a way of blinding us to its filth, to its stench, to its far-reaching entanglements into our lives. 

Let's be very careful of how we are living...

And how we are accepting the honest, loving and edifying words of godly friends.

Maybe, just maybe, they are seeing something in our lives that we are refusing to see.

 HE CAN SEE

Today's reading: Proverbs 5-6

"For the Lord sees clearly what a man does, examining every path he takes." Proverbs 5:21 NLT

How quickly we forget that God sees every single thing we do.

Not only every thing, but He sees beyond each and every thing to what each of those things will lead to.

He sees that far.

That deeply.

That wide in scope and height.

He sees in dimensions we cannot fathom.

That being said, don't you think it is wise for us to follow His leadings?

 RECALIBRATING

Today's reading: Psalm 72-74

"Both day and night belong to You; You made the starlight and the sun. You set the boundaries of the earth, and you make both summer and winter." Psalm 74:16-17 NLT

Do you have a GPS?

The one we have is an older model and when it needs to reset or realign its bearings it says, 'Recalibrating! Recalibrating!'

During it's time of refocusing, it does nothing else. It gives no direction. It provides no instruction. It points in no particular way.

It's having to find it's satellite, is my assumption. It's signal. It's 'true north' so that its instructions can be accurate and dependable.

We need to do the same thing!

I thought of that when I read today's verses.

It's elementary to think about God owning night and day, the stars and the sun. It's child-like to get down to the basics of Him creating the world and the boundaries of it--but isn't that just where we need to be at times?

Don't we all need to get back to that particular reset? That True North?

To remember that we are not in charge.

To remember that all is firmly and securely in His hands.

To remember how long it has been governed by Him.

To remember the amazing statistics of His track record--and the appalling poor quality of our own.

To remember who He is and who we are not.

It's time we 'recalibrate', and I think these verses are a good place to start.

 CAMPED OUT

Today's reading: 1 Kings 14-18

"So Elijah did as the Lord had told him and camped beside Kerith Brook." 1 Kings 17:5 NLT

God had told Elijah to go to the creekside and wait for the brook to dry up, for ravens to bring him food--one bite at a time and be prepared for His next instructions.

And Elijah did it.

Not only did he do it, but he camped out on what God said was going to happen.

Elijah set up camp.

This prophet pitched a tent and prepared to wait for God to do what He said He was going to do!

He positioned himself to wait it out, no matter how long it might take, for God's word to be fulfilled.

What an example for those of us who 'visit' God's promises.

For those of us who might hang His promises on our walls in an effort to let the world know we believe them.

For those of us who lift our hands and praise Him for them on Sunday.

For those of us who read about them in His Word.

For those of us who can write them out in a Hallmark card to hurting friends.

But camp out on them?

Believe wholeheartedly they will come to pass?

Know, without a doubt, they are going to happen?

Trust because He said so it is so?

Take it to the bank and write a check on it?

For goodness sakes, most of us don't even have a tent!

 IF

Today's reading: Leviticus 4-6

"If any of Israel's leaders does something forbidden by the Lord his God, he will be guilty even if he sinned unintentionally." Leviticus 4:22 NLT

I'm not going to compare Israel's religious leaders to our American politicians in an effort to stir up debate or open doors of theological dissertation.

I know they are two separate entities.

Two distinct groups.

Two very different times.

Two unique callings.

But...

In both instances there arises the issue of power lending one to believe they are above the law, even the law of God.

It's true--or God wouldn't have had to put these very words in the Bible.

But let's look a little deeper...

Before we chalk every mega-church pastor or elected official into the same category, I want to draw your attention to God's wording.

He begins the verse with the word, If.

If, it happens.

If, it should come to pass.

If, you should find one who has done this.

If, this occurs.

That means there is a possibility, not a set-in-stone outcome.

We don't need to assume because they hold office, in a church or in Washington DC, they are sneaky, crooked or up-to-no-good.

It does mean they need our prayers--maybe even more.

 

 GOD'S EXAMPLE

Today's reading: Ephesians 4-6

"Follow God's example in everything you, do, because you are his dear children." Ephesians 5:1 NLT

Having been raised in a large Christian family in a very small town, my expected reputation preceded me where ever I went.

When I was in school, there was a perceived level to which I was to perform.

When I was out and about in the community, there was a level of sense I was expected to have.

When I entered the workplace, there was a lingering expectation of my work ethics that had been genetically passed down from generation to generation.

It's been exciting to play a role in carrying on the family name.

The same is true in God's family.

We are His representatives--in every thing we do!

It doesn't and shouldn't matter if anyone around us knows we are His, we are still ambassadors to the world chosen by Him.

Represent Him well.

 WON'T HE CARE FOR YOU

Today's reading: Luke 11-12

"Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won't we more surely care for you? You have so little faith." Luke 12:27-28 NLT

My peonies have budded, bloomed in all their stunning magnificence and now are brown and spindly as they wait their turn to be pruned back for their repeat performance next spring.

The day lilies are showing color as they await just a day or two more of summer's heat to burst open and display their orange hues against the humid blue skies, then they will wither and die.

The zinnias are growing in the garden. They are putting on leaves, shooting up in height. They are preparing to set buds which will fill the garden row with a rainbow of color and delight before setting seeds heads which will be dried and saved for next year's crop of flowers.

All the beauty. All the color. All the detail. All the display. For a few short days.

And to think, He cares for us so much more!

He will provide for us. He will walk with us. He will give us what we need and a whole lot of what we desire, too.

And to top it off--He prepares eternity for us. A home with Him. 

 THE REAL PROBLEM

Today's reading: Ezekiel 1-6

"Then when they are exiled among the nations, they will remember me. They will recognize how grieved I am by their unfaithful hearts and lustful eyes that long for other gods. Then at last they will hate themselves for all their wickedness." Ezekiel 6:9 NLT

Our problem isn't other gods.

Or unfaithful hearts.

Or lustful eyes.

Our problem is us. And the love we have for pleasing ourselves.

Until we come to the point we hate what we do to ourselves, in relation to what God wants to do for us, we are a miserable people.

We are our own worst enemies.

 BRIGHT SPOT

Today's reading: Proverbs 4

"The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn. which shines ever brighter until the full light of day." Proverbs 4:18 NLT

Believer, are you a bright spot in someone's day?

A spouse's? A co-worker's? A child's? A boss's? A fellow shopper? Another driver on the road? The other patient sitting in the waiting room with you? The customer service representative on the other end of the phone line?

With the Son of God living in us, we have the opportunity to shine where ever He has us.

We have the awesome privilege to make someone's day a little brighter.

Just by bringing a little bit of Jesus to the scene by how we smile, what we say, how we behave or in simply being there for them.

 MORE AND MORE

Today's reading: Psalm 69-71

"But I will keep on hoping for you to help me; I will praise you more and more." Psalm 71:14 NLT

I don't know about you, but my prayers don't always get answered by the time I say, Amen.

Yours either?

Does it sometimes take a while? Seemingly, a good long while? A long, very, very long while?

So what, dear Christian sisters and brothers are we to do to pass the time?

We are to praise God!

Praise Him!

Because nothing about Him changes.

His goodness remains.

His faithfulness is intact.

His love for us is unfailing.

His abilities continue to far exceed anything we can imagine.

His timing will always be impeccable.

His ways will be perfect.

So we praise Him

 ONE FINE THRONE

Today's reading: 1 Kings 10-13

"Then the king made a huge ivory throne and overlaid it with pure gold. The throne had six steps and a rounded back. On both sides of the seat there were armrests, with the figure of a lion standing on each side of the throne. Solomon made twelve other lion figures, one standing on each of the six steps. No other throne in all the world could be compared with it!" 1 Kings 10:18-20 NLT

I'm sure Solomon's throne was a beauty.

I've no doubt it sparkled in the sunlight.

It was surely a sight to behold.

But I know of one finer. Grander. More elaborate. More royal. Made of purer gold. Not fashioned by human hands. Not bedazzled with carved lions, but has seated upon it the Lion of Judah.

God's throne!

And it is approachable.

It is accessible.

It is where He desires I spend my time.

Bringing my requests.

Taking my praises.

 A MEAL WITH THE LORD
Today's reading: Leviticus 1-3

Leviticus 3 talks about the procedures for a Peace Offering, or in some translations, a Fellowship Offering.

From what I have read up on it, it included far more than just dropping an animal off at the Temple and turning it over to the priest on duty. There was participation involved. There were basic cooking skills shared. There were even parts of the meat given back to the one who offered the animal for sacrifice for his family to consume.

What a concept!

A meal with the Lord.

A potluck with God.

A dinner with our Savior.

There is nothing like sitting around the table, feasting, fellowshipping, recalling fond memories and having fun with people you love.

But to do it with the Lord?

To have fellowship with Him?

 MASTERPIECES

Today's reading: Ephesians 1-3

"For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." Ephesians 2:10 NLT

I'm a novice Instagram-er.

I find interesting things to snap photos of with my phone and post them to Instagram.

Simple as that.

Things I have noticed have been the sprouted rows of corn in our field coming up like little green soldiers, the intricately interwoven petals of my white peony bloom, the daisy I picked along the roadside on a walk I took down our road and even the water-colored sunset I caught a picture of out our front door just last night.

I'm attempting to capture the glimpses of God I see.

But one masterpiece I overlook on a daily basis is--me.

At first that sounds prideful and arrogant, but it's just what He calls me in His Word.

A masterpiece.

A creation made by a Master.

A one of a kind work.

A never to be replicated piece of art.

And you are one, too!

CROWDS

Today's reading: Luke 7-8

"...As Jesus went with him, he was surrounded by the crowds." Luke 8:42 NLT

We know who Jesus is.

But who was this 'he' Jesus went with?

It was Jairus. A leader of the local church who had went looking for Jesus. For what Jesus could do for his daughter. For Him to fulfil the faith he was so desperately clinging to.

Knowing the 'who's' has made me think...

If I seek Jesus...

Truly seek Him...

If Jesus goes with me...

Throughout my day...

Into every situation...

Where ever I go...

Others with follow.

Folks will be attracted to Him.

People will start to notice the changes in me--and the changes they want to see in themselves.

Crowds will follow Him because of my decision to seek Him out!

 IDOLS

Today's reading: Jeremiah 47-52

"...They make idols, but the idols will disgrace their makers, for they are frauds. They have no life or power in them." Jeremiah 51:17 NLT

Isn't that the truth?!

Each and every time I've chosen to lean against an idol of my own making, I've ended up flat on my face.

Embarrassed.

Ashamed.

More deeply in need than when I began my pursuit.

Hanging my head and going back to God for forgiveness--again.

Oh, I have been warned. Repeatedly.

I have the scars. Many of them.

I have heard the testimonials from others.

Idols aren't dependable. Ever.

Idols cannot help me. They don't have it in them.

My only hope is God. 

 EARTHQUAKES

Today's reading: Proverbs 2-3

"You need not be afraid of disaster or the destruction that comes upon the wicked, for the Lord is your security. He will keep your foot from being caught in a trap." Proverbs 3:25-26 NLT

It's certainly a God-thing that I read this verse after coming across the following quote just yesterday...

'Are you afraid of the earthquake? No, I rejoice to know that I have a God that can shake the world.' -Charles Spurgeon

Too often we let fear take over where awe and anticipation should be given free rein.

After all, nothing touches us that has not been filtered through God's hands.

No circumstance.

No happening.

No event.

No emergency.

No natural disaster.

No untimely thing.

No matter how out of control it seems to us, He is still completely and utterly in control of the whole situation.

I was needing the reminder--in a double dose, I guess!

 COME AND LISTEN

Today's reading: Psalm 66-68

"Come and listen, all you who fear God, and I will tell you what he did for me." Psalm 66:16 NLT

Christian brothers and sisters, if we are doing what we've been commanded to do, our days are spent looking for opportunities to share Christ with the lost and dying world.

We watch for doors that God opens in conversations with unbelievers.

We look for windows of opportunity to talk about our faith with those who are grasping for hope.

We attempt to walk out our faith in the marketplace in an effort to entice the lost sheep back to the fold.

And that is all well and good. It's what we're supposed to be doing. It's our greatest commission.

But in today's verse I noticed something...

'Come and listen, all you who fear God, and I will tell you what he did for me.'

Maybe, just maybe, we need to make sure we're also making time to encourage and bolster the faith of our fellow pilgrims?

Could it be we should make time to share some good news with another soldier of God's army?

Would a word of encouragement, a note of praise, a pat on the back or an atta-boy spur your partner in faith along for another few steps on their journey?

God has done great things for us, it's important that we share it amongst ourselves so we are enthusiastic and charged up to share it with the world.

 IN THE SILENCE

Today's reading: 1 Kings 5-9

"The stones used in the construction of the Temple were prefinished at the quarry, so the entire structure was built without the sound of hammer, ax or any other iron tool at the building site." 1 Kings 6:7 NLT

Just like the work of God's that we do not see...

There are plans being played out that we are unaware of...

Circumstances being orchestrated that we know nothing of...

Lives being touched in ways we haven't a clue...

Changes being made that we are not privy to...

Testimonies being written that we don't know yet...

We don't have to see it.

We don't have to hear about it.

We just have to trust that in His time, in His way He will accomplish all He wants to do.