ALWAYS KNOWN

Today's reading: Psalm 137-139

"You chart the path ahead of me and tell me where to stop and rest. Every moment you  know where I am." Psalm 139:3 NLT

In a great big world...

Amidst the crush of millions of people...

Feeling very insignificant and small...

Not sure if you and your life are even noticed...

You are!

God knows exactly who you are and where you are and what He has for you to do.

He created you for here and now and the sphere of influence you have within your community, your tribe, your mission field.

Do not ever doubt that He doesn't know you!

 HONEST ANSWERS
Today's reading: Nehemiah 1-4

"Hanani, one of my brothers, came to visit me with some other men who had just arrived from Judah. I asked them about the Jews who had survived the captivity and about how things were going in Jerusalem. They said to me, Things are not going well..." Nehemiah 1:2-3 NLT

If you know anything about the book of Nehemiah, about Nehemiah himself or about the amazing task Nehemiah and the Jewish people undertook--then you know this is an amazing book!

How God speaks through Nehemiah. How God chooses to use Nehemiah. How God enables Nehemiah. How God speaks to us through the book of Nehemiah.

But how great all of this is is based solely on the fact that when asked, some people gave honest answers.

Had Hanani and his friends provided Nehemiah with the 'Sunday school answer' in regards to how things were going, the tide would never have turned.

They had to be open about the problems they were facing.

They had to admit they were unable to fix things on their own.

They had to open up about their disappointments and discouragements.

That, friend, took bravery. 

It took trust.

It took being at a spot, a rather low spot, and knowing the prayers and help from another is all you have left.

It's an example for us!

As members of a body of believers, we've got to stop attempting to handle things on our own. We've got to stop buying into the lie that we're strong enough individually. We've got to get to the point in our Christian walks that we are leaning on God--and on the people of God He surrounds us with.

So, the next time someone asks how you are--be honest.

 NOT IF, BUT WHEN

Today's reading: Deuteronomy 20-22

"When you go out to fight your enemies..." Deuteronomy 20:1 NLT

"Before you go into battle,.." Deuteronomy 20:2 NLT

It's not a matter of IF you will fight, Christian...it's a matter of WHEN.

There will come a time you will battle on your knees. In prayer. Remembering and proclaiming each every promise of His you can recite.

There will come a time you battle your own will. If you should, If you shouldn't. If you can. It it will be beneficial to your walk with the Lord.

There will come a time you take a stand on a dividing line drawn in the sand. A stand on the side of the Lord. Against family members. Against dear friends. Against other believers. Against the not-yet saved.

You will be forced to fight for every belief you have at some point in your Christian walk.

 WE'VE NOT MADE IT YET

Today's reading: 1 John 1-3

"So don't be surprised, dear brothers and sisters, if the world hates you." 1 John 3:13 NLT

Believing family, don't feel bad if you don't 'fit in'...

Don't 'belong'...

Haven't found your 'place' in this world...

Because, well, because we've not made it home yet.

This world isn't home.

The age you live in isn't your eternity.

This body of believers is not who you will spend the remainder of your heavenly days worshiping with.

 FEEL THEIR WAY

Today's reading: Acts 17-18

"His purpose in all of this was that the nations should seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him--though he is not far from any one of us." Acts 17:27 NLT

Got a list of folks you are praying will 'feel their way toward' God?

Loved ones who are vising the far country?

Close friends who are good, kind, the best--but not saved?

Let's pray even harder for them to fall into His presence. To step into His influence. To draw close to our Father.

 CHRISTMAS CARD

Today's reading: Zechariah 8-14

"...Your king will bring peace to the nations. His realm will stretch from sea to sea and from the Euphrates River to the ends of the earth." Zechariah 9:10 NLT

Why haven't I ever seen this verse on a Christmas card?

Peace on Earth in wrapped up neatly in these words, flourished with a bow.

Our King will bring peace--ah, blessed and sought after peace.

Our King holds the entire world in His hands--safety, security, at the top of everyone's Christmas list.

A new verse for a new Christmas season!

 DEEP DIVE

Today's reading: Ecclesiastes 9-10

"Give thanks to the Lord for He is good..." Psalm 136:1 NLT

This morning I am deep-diving into thankfulness.

More than a shallow appreciation.

Greater than a passing gratitude.

Even as I sit here at my computer, I'm overwhelmed by God's goodness to me...

I have a mind that can compute the letters strewn together to make words in His Book.

I have nimble finger, that although may send an occasional typo, can fly across the keyboard and express thoughts about what He speaks to me.

I have electricity to power the computer, lights to light my way to my Prayer Chair, a furnace that keeps me toasty and warm as I snuggle up in God's Word.

I have a Bible in my hands, an ancient text that is near and dear to my heart, legal to have in the beautiful country I live in and a background of generation after generation who has leaned mightily on its words.

I have a houseful of love and I can see from my front door another houseful of blessings.

I'm swimming in an ocean of God's favor.

Oh, friends, I'm deep diving into this thanks-filled day, do the same!

 PSALM 136

Today's reading: Psalm 134-136

"Give thanks to the God of heaven. His faithful love endures forever." 136:26 NLT

The entire psalm reminds us to give thanks to the Lord.

To express to Him our gratitude.

To let Him know we so appreciate all He has done.

To tell the world we value His gracious hand upon us.

Not because He answers every prayer as we prescribe.

Not because He gives relief the moment we whisper 'amen'.

Not because our prayers tickle His ear.

But because His faithful love endures forever.

His love--for us.

Forever.

Give thanks!

 EMBARRASSSED TO SAY

Today's reading: Ezra 6-10

"When these things had been done, the Jewish leaders came to me and said, “Many of the people of Israel, and even some of the priests and Levites, have not kept themselves separate from the other peoples living in the land. They have taken up the detestable practices of the Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Jebusites, Ammonites, Moabites, Egyptians, and Amorites. For the men of Israel have married women from these people and have taken them as wives for their sons. So the holy race has become polluted by these mixed marriages. Worse yet, the leaders and officials have led the way in this outrage." Ezra 9:1-2 NLT

Dear Church Folks,

Are we living in ways that honor and glorify God?

Are we striving to have lifestyles that point to God?

I'm not asking are we perfect--because that's not possible. But are we trying with all that's in us to live godly lives? Are we paying tribute by our every breath to the God who has saved us, set us apart and plans an eternity with us?

It's not up to the unsaved to draw folks to Him.

It's not up to the world to evangelize, minister to and share testimonies of God's greatness.

It's up to us.

And if we're not doing it, if we are the polluted, taking part in detestable practices, then I'm embarrassed to say--we're failing at the one thing we've been called to do.

 IN PROPORTION
Today's reading: Deuteronomy 16-19

"...Bring him a freewill offering in proportion to the blessings you have received from him." Deuteronomy 16:10 NLT

What would you bring the Lord in proportion to the blessings He has given you?

Would a fleet of semi trucks be able to haul it all to the altar?

Would a convoy of moving vans possibly transport all you would want to offer Him?

Would a flotilla of cargo ships hold all you 'owe' Him in reverence, awe and worship?

No, for me either.

The world doesn't hold enough to offer Him.

My bank account, although all provided by Him, seems insufficient to purchase the needed items for worshiping my Lord.

The oceans wouldn't be able to hold all I feel I should thank Him for.

So I give my prayers as a response.

I give Him my ear as a gift.

I offer Him my heart and mind as tokens of my appreciation.

And still, I owe Him so much more!

 GET TO KNOW HIM

Today's reading: 2 Peter

"As we know Jesus better, his divine power gives us everything we need for living a godly life. He has called us to receive his own glory and goodness!" 2 Peter 1:3 NLT

Get to know Jesus!

Spend more time in the Word.

More time on your knees.

More hours of your day listening for Him to speak.

The more we know of Him, the more around Him we are, the more like Him we wlll be!

 GREAT JOY

Today's reading: Acts 15-16

"And there was great joy throughout the church that day as they read this encouraging message." Acts 15:31 NLT

Imagine a church setting where what the 'preacher' presented was accepted with great joy and seen as encouragement?

That all listening were moved in positive ways.

That everyone sitting on the pews accepted and rejoiced at what they heard.

Sounds near to impossible, doesn't it?

Because people get their feelings hurt by the minister's words.

Folks are put off by his tone.

Long-time church attenders don't think he should be talking about such things, or have a checklist of things he hasn't yet preached about.

And some people, well, some people just don't like the message he brings. Because it gets a little too close to their sins. Asks too much of their hearts and minds. Spotlights a shortcoming of theirs.

But when the message is given by the Holy Spirit, presented through a man led by the Holy Spirit, based upon the Word of God and attended to by folks led by the Lord--joy and encouragement come from its hearing.

Today's verse will make me listen with Holy Spirit anointed ears tomorrow as I sit on the pew.

 FINGERS IN THEIR EARS

Today's reading: Zechariah 1-7

"Your ancestors would not listen to this message. They turned stubbornly away and put their fingers in their ears to keep from hearing." Zechariah 7:11 NLT

If, like me, you know folks who are standing in the absolute presence of God and refusing to notice Him, disregarding the circumstances He has allowed or as the Scripture says, are literally putting their fingers in their ears as not to hear Him--then these words are for you!

They cannot stop Him.

They cannot ignore Him for very long.

They will not, easily or comfortably, maintain that stance for very long.

One cannot ignore God.

 THE VALUE OF SORROW

Today's reading: Ecclesiastes 7-8

"It is better to spend your time at funerals than at festivals. For you are going to die, and you should think about it while there is time. Sorrow is better than laughter, for sadness has a refining influence on us." Ecclesiastes 7:2-3 NLT

Happiness seldom allows us insight to realign our priorities.

Ease doesn't usually give us reason to pause and reconsider.

Laughter is not usually something that cleanses our soul.

Sorrow, grief and tears, however, tend to make impacts on us that we would never sign up for--but need in order to live lives refined in His image.

In sorrow we feel God nearer to us.

In sad times we lean more solidly on Him.

Through tears we have to intentionally fix our gaze on Him for focus and clarity.

So we should, in its proper order of emotions, appreciate sad times for what they can do for us.

JUST WHO DO I THINK I AM?

Today's reading: Psalm 131-133

"Lord, my heart is not proud; my eyes are not haughty. I don't concern myself with matters too great or awesome for me." Psalm 131:1 NLT

As surely as I didn't think this verse was for me--sadly, it is!

I didn't consider myself proud or haughty, until God in His loving way exposed a few things to me that called for me to reconsider who this was written for...

Why, God, I ask--like me, in my lowly, humble role as a human should expect an answer from God!

When, God, I plead--like I think He owes me any explanation whatsoever of what He's doing and the time clock He is doing it on!

How can this happen, God, I cry out--like my miniscule mind could comprehend any explanations the Creator of all could ever provide me!

What in the world are you doing, God, I question--like where I am on this tiny green and blue orb allows me any scope or position to understand all He organizes, coordinates, orchestrates and juggles at any one millisecond!

So, in His quiet speaking to my heart, I find this verse is for me. For the times I forget just who I am and just who He is.

 

 THINGS UNCHANGED

Today's reading: Ezra 1-5

"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." Ezra 1:5 NLT

The elections are over and sadly nothing seems to have changed.

Promises were spouted.

Changes were promised.

Revitalization was whispered in our ears.

But things remain unchanged.

Could it be because we were trusting in men to do the changing?

In Ezra this morning I see where God stirred the hearts of His people--and things started changing.

He spoke to the preachers and the deacons and the church folks in a way that got them up and going, moving and shaking, repenting and wanting to evangelize by way of rebuilding the Temple.

Oh, that He would do that today!

Church people, I'm asking God to stir us up. To move our hearts. To crawl inside our cozy and comfortable selves and do a re-model that we cannot remain quiet about.

I want God to start making a change!

 FEARING THE LORD

Today's reading: Deuteronomy 13-15

"...The purpose of tithing is to teach you always to fear the Lord your God." Deuteronomy 14:23 NLT

The practice of tithing I have been well aware of since early childhood. 

It was discussed in our home, it was practiced in our home and it was considered quite important in our home.

Praise be to God, we have continued that Christian discipline in our own home-through even the leanest of weeks.

But even in knowing what I do about tithing, I was surprised to see this morning the real reason for it.

The purpose is not to fill the church offering plates.

It's not to bankroll for future building needs.

It's not to keep me from attaining too healthy a balance in my checkbook.

It's to keep me fearing the Lord.

Fearing as in being in awe. Fearing as in revering to the uttermost. Fearing as to knowing my lowly status in comparison to His.

I'm to fear Him more than I fear not getting other bills paid.

More than having a comfortable cushion in the account.

More than being free to purchase what I want when I want in the quantities I want.

Tithing, giving God His first, teaches priorities.

It's an act of worship.

NOT BEING INVITED

Today's reading: 1 Peter 4-5

"Be happy if you are insulted for being a Christian, for then the glorious Spirit of God will come upon you." 1 Peter 4:14 NLT

Not invited to the party because of your beliefs? Kudos, to you!

Not asked to the after hours assembly because of your morals? Hooray for you!

Not included in the off-color jokes with the other co-workers? Yeah, for you! 

If you are standing out, that's great!

If you are noticeably different, that's wonderful!

If you aren't swimming downstream with the majority, that's even better!

If you are insulted for being Christ-like, then you are doing what's being asked of you!

Keep up the good work.

 SENT OUT BY THE HOLY SPIRIT

Today's reading: Acts 13-14

"Sent out by the Holy Spirit, Saul and Barnabas went down to the seaport of Seleucia and then sailed for the island of Cyprus." Acts 13:4 NLT

If you've ever, like me, wondered how in God's great big world the 'Bible heroes' did what they did, I believe the answer is in this verse.

Sent out by the Holy Spirit...

These folks did what they did, with the courage they did it with, during the trials they had to endure, in the power and might of the Lord--because they were sent out by the Holy Spirit!

They weren't motivated by fear.

They weren't moved by the masses.

They weren't made to.

They weren't set out to seek vengeance.

They didn't voice their own opinions.

They didn't ONLY go to the ones they preferred, liked or related to.

They were sent out by the Holy Spirit. To do His work. In His way. At the time He ordained. To the people readied.

Are we seeking that kind of commission?

 CONSIDER

Today's reading: Haggai

"This is what the Lord Almighty says: Consider how things are going for you!" Haggai 1:5 NLT

After an early morning search through the pages of my Bible for the elusive book of Haggai, I found this morsel.

Something for me to chew on.

Something for me to think about.

Something for me to share.

Something for me to carry with me throughout the day.

How are things going for me? For you?

If things are going well, am I (you) praising and thanking God accordingly?

If things aren't going well, am I (you) in step with the Lord? Are things settled between He and I? Are there sins I'm committing and choosing not to repent of?

So, lots to think about this morning.

How are things going for you?

 HOARDING

Today's reading: Ecclesiastes 5-6

"...Riches are sometimes hoarded to the harm of the saver." Ecclesiastes 5:13 NLT

May I ask, what blessings might you be keeping to yourself?

Allowing to remain 'under wraps'?

Hoarding to your harm--and to the harm of those around you?

Might it be your testimony? How you came to know the Lord. The depths, lengths and heights He went to to find you?

Could it be you are keeping to yourself a skill or talent? One that might bless the church you attend or the group of folks you worship with? Something you thoroughly enjoy doing--but others seldom want to sign up for?

Maybe your 'riches' are your ability to talk to anyone. I mean ANYONE. Are you using that skill, that gift, that talent for God's kingdom? Are you using it for God's favor? Are you sharing Him at all times with everyone?

Our blessings are not intended to be hidden away, never seeing the light of day. They were given to us as a gift--one that is best shared.

Share your riches today!

 WHAT AM I COUNTING ON?

Today's reading: Psalm 128-130

"I am counting on the Lord; yes, I am counting on him. I have put my hope in his word." Psalm 130:5 NLT

Nothing like being placed smack-dab in the middle of a spiritual inventory at 5:30 am.

That's exactly what this verse did to me.

It gave me pause.

It caused me to think.

It made me search my soul for the truth behind the question, What am I counting on?

And honestly, it's not always the Lord.

I lean heavily on many other things: my abilities, seemingly good people, money, etc.

Why?

That's just what I asked myself!

Why, when each and every one of those things have left me still wanting, still needing, lacking in some way.

So this morning as the sun decides to rise and the morning breaks to dawn and this gift of a day begins, I want to place my hope in the Lord.

All of it.

For everything.

At all times.

 REFORM

Today's reading: 2 Chronicles 33-36

"...The Lord's anger has been poured out against us because our ancestors have not obeyed the word of the Lord. We have not been doing what this scroll says we must do." 2 Chronicles 34:21 NLT

The mailbox is full of political ads.

My cell phone has received numerous calls from politicians wanting my vote.

There are signs in yard. Signs in front of businesses. Signs along the sides of the road.

It's Election Day.

Folks are hoping for reform. 

Sorry to say, but they aren't going to find it in anyone listed on their ballots.

Our only hope of turning our country, our states, our cities and our little communities around is to begin to follow God's Law.

To do what the Bible tells us to do.

To love like Jesus does.

But it's not going to change overnight.

It's not going to realign itself in a matter of days.

It won't sweep the country in a revival type change.

It will only start one person at a time.

One Christian living Christlike.

One believer believing.

One who is born again so desiring to see another born again that they follow God's letter to a T.

One decision for obedience at a time.

Not one vote. Not one swipe of a pen in a voting booth. Not one visit to election headquarters.

It's going to change when we start doing what the Bible says we need to do.

I vote for that!

 STRENGTH

Today's reading: Deuteronomy 10-12

"Therefore, be careful to obey every command I am giving you today, so you may have strength to go in and occupy the land you are about to enter." Deuteronomy 11:8 NLT

I'd never seen it before. Never noticed it. Never once thought about the reasons behind it--until this morning.

When God provides commandments, rules, charges and requests--it's not to make more of Him, it's to make more of us!

Obedience to what He asks builds us up.

Strengthens us.

Make us wiser.

Makes us more able to stand against our enemy.

Makes us more believable in the eyes of those we are called to witness to.

He doesn't need us to make Him more God. He doesn't need us to make Him look better. He doesn't need us to make His power more well know, sought after or more appealing.

He asks us to obey so that we will be made stronger.

He's asking for our benefit.

 BUT YOU

Today's reading: 1 Peter 1-3

"But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are a kingdom of priests, God's holy nation, his very own possession. This is so you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light." 1 Peter 2:9 NLT

Look around you.

Notice all the personality quirks, unlovely dispositions and erratic behaviors that annoy the life out of you.

Bad behavior. Unkindness. Disloyalty. Bitterness. Anger.

Now re-read the verse.

Go ahead, re-read it.

There should be a stark contrast between you and 'them'.

There should be light and day difference between you and an unbeliever.

There should be telltale signs that you are truly a chosen people, a priest, a holy nation, God's very own possession!

If there isn't, well...

 RELIEF

Today's reading: Acts 11-12

"So the believers in Antioch decided to send relief to the brothers and sisters in Judea, everyone giving as much as they could." Acts 11:29 NLT

In this account the church folk collected needed food stuff for an area being hit with a great famine. They fulfilled the most basic of needs, using the hands of God to accomplish the task.

What are we doing to give relief to others?

To those facing mentally challenging times, are we giving kind words?

To those experiencing physical ailments, are we giving a helping hand?

To those drowning in doubts and fears, are we giving them the Lifesaver we know and are saved by?

To those who are quietly aching, are we simply giving the benefit of the doubt--being kind no matter their response, loving no matter their actions, pausing no matter the packed schedule we have?

God has given us much, plenty really, are we using what we have to the relief of others?

 PURIFIED LIPS

Today's reading: Zephaniah

"On that day I will purify the lips of all people, so that everyone will be able to worship the Lord together." Zephaniah 3:9 NLT

Nothing lights a fire under me quicker than foul language.

Four letter words get my goat!

The misuse of one's ability to speak and choosing to use curse words gets me riled like nothing else.

That being said, reading this verse gives me assurance that the Lord will do a work.

Why, you ask? Because if this gal can control her language, then anyone else can, too!

Oh, it's not curse words that slip so easily out of my mouth, but sarcasm, snide, rude and critical words. Words that cut. Words that wound. Words that waste precious breath and a moment's time of another's hearing them.

But one day...

One day, our lips will all be singing His praise in unison.

One day, our words will be harmonious in lifting up His glorious name.

One day, our tongues will reveal the joy He has poured into our lives.

Until then, well until then, I'll wage my war against bad words in a godly, loving manner.

 HIS TIME

Today's reading: Ecclesiastes 3-4

"God has made everything beautiful for its own time..." Ecclesiastes 3:11 NLT

The autumn leaves are beautiful and crisp.

But my once vibrant garden, is dead and shriveled.

The creeks are running full again.

But the field lay picked and bare.

The seasons come and go, and with them varying degrees of beauty. What once was, isn't. What is, wasn't that long ago.

The same is true for our lives--and God's choice of timing in them.

This chapter may hurt, ache, leave you grieving, but the next? The next chapter may have you celebrating, bubbling with joy and singing songs of thanks aloud.

Everything, our lives included, are beautiful in His time.

For His purpose.

For His glory. 

 WHAT AMAZING THINGS

Today's reading: Psalm 125-127

"We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy. And the other nations said, What amazing things the Lord has done for them." Psalm 126:2 NLT

Imagine the scene...

Pagan nations. Neighboring countries. Across the border enemies.

And they notice what all God has done?

They speak up about the greatness of the Lord?

They sing His praises?

It makes me wonder IF the ungodly around me are noticing more of God's handiwork in my life than I am.

Could it be possible that they are singing His praises more loudly than I? 

 SOMETHING TO DO

Today's reading: 2 Chronicles 29-32

"Now when the festival ended, the Israelites who attended went to all the towns of Judah, Benjamin, Ephraim and Manasseh, and they smashed the sacred pillars, cut down the Asherah poles, and removed the pagan shrines and altars. After this, the Israelites returned to their own towns and homes." 2 Chronicles 31:1 NLT

I'm interested to read that after their 'church service', God's people didn't rush off to the local eating establishment, off to get their errand list done or home to mow the grass--they did what God was asking them to do.

The worship they participated in moved them to do something for the Lord.

Do our services do the same?

Are we stirred to reach out to the lost?

Are we moved to give abundantly?

Are we pushed to encourage or help another?

Are we convicted to start something, or stop something?

Are we brought to our knees in repentance?

Just how are our worship services influencing our lives, and the lives of those around us, once we leave them?