ALTARS OF REMEMBRANCE

Today's reading: Joshua 21-24

"So we decided to build the altar, not for burnt sacrifices, but as a memorial. It will remind our descendants and your descendants that we, too, have the right to worship the Lord at his sanctuary with our burnt offerings, sacrifices and peace offerings. Then your descendants will not be able to say to ours, You have no claim to the Lord." Joshua 22:26-27 NLT

The tribes of Reuben and Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh had chosen land on the other side of the Jordan River. The land, they found, to be suitable for their flocks and herds. But they helped the remaining tribes conquer and settle the Promised Land before they went back to live on their pieces of land.

This altar they build, as stated in the morning's passage, was a reminder--to them and to the rest of Israel.

That they were all one family.

That they were God's children.

That they had the privilege and charge of worshiping with them in the Tabernacle.

Maybe we need a few of these altars in our churches today.

Monuments that remind us of God's grace and mercy extended to ourselves--and to those who aren't like us?

Piles of rocks that call to our memory that the same blood of Jesus saved us as saved 'them'?

Reminders that in God's sight we're all the same, we're all His and we're all sinners needing a Savior?

Because there are days we forget. There are times we hold too tightly to our religions to remember our loving God. There are moments in time when we set ourselves on pedestals that rise just a smidge higher than the pedestals of others.

 THAT VERY DAY

Today's reading: Genesis 16-19

"That ended the conversation, and God left Abraham. On that very day Abraham took his son Ishmael and every other male in his household and circumcised them, cutting off their foreskins, exactly as God had told him." Genesis 17:22-23 NLT

I've always heard of the faith of Abraham.

I've read the many accounts of his decision to trust the Lord.

This morning, I see it in action. I see Abraham not waver, not hesitate, not think it over--I see Abraham act in faith to what God requests of him.

On that very day...

Abraham didn't confer with friends. He didn't sleep on it. He didn't choose to do a Google search or a Facebook poll. He didn't, according to this passage, even question it. 

He did it.

Abraham didn't allow time to change his mind, people to convince him he had heard the Lord wrong, reasoning to dull his decision to obey.

He did it.

May we do the same!

When God speaks to us, I pray our only response will be obedience.

Quick obedience. Immediate obedience. Speedy obedience.

Not obedience based upon all we understand about the situation, but obedience entirely based on the fact God asks--and we desire to obey His will.

I pray that over my choices today, each and every one of them.

 DON'T LOOK ANY FARTHER

Today's reading: Matthew 11-12

"John the Baptist, who was now in prison, heard about all the things the Messiah was doing. So he sent his disciples to ask Jesus, Are you really the Messiah we've been looking for, or should we keep looking for someone else?" Matthew 11:2-3 NLT

Very easily John could have assumed that since he remained in prison, that this Jesus fella wasn't the Messiah.

After all, the Messiah was stepping in as a mighty victor, right?

The Messiah was coming to set all things in order, isn't that what they'd been led to believe?

The Messiah would turn the political powers on their head, isn't that so?

The Messiah, as they had studied in the Torah, would 'ride in on a white horse' and set the world to the proper order--allowing the Jews to rise to the top?

But John remained in prison--for preaching about this same Messiah!

John asked, Do I need to keep looking for the Messiah?

No, John, you don't.

And we don't either!

No matter the current state of our circumstances. No matter the weight of burdens on our shoulders. No matter the condition of the world around us--Jesus is the Messiah.

Our Hope. Our Joy. Our Peace. Our Salvation.

We needn't look any farther.

 WHO HOLDS THE REINS?

Today's reading: Romans 7-8

"...But if the Holy Spirit controls your mind, there is life and peace." Romans 8:6 NLT

I'm doing a quick, prayerful assessment of my heart and mind this morning as I think over the volumes spoken in this small portion of this verse.

I'm pondering conversations I've had--with others and with myself.

I'm questioning intentions with which I have served--and been served.

I'm asking myself to consider the 'why's' and 'how's' of the things I'm agreeing to do--and those I've said 'no' to.

I'm reasoning over how I spend my time, my energies and my resources.

I'm reflecting on all that vies for my attention throughout the day--and night--and while I sit under the teaching of the Word.

I'm analyzing what steals my joy, robs me of peace and destroys my faith.

Who, or what, is controlling me?

Who, or what, holds the reins to my actions, thoughts, deeds and words?

If it isn't the Holy Spirit, then I have handed the control over to those who will not, cannot and don't have a desire to help me at all.

 THE PAIN OF HEALING

Today's reading: Isaiah 19-22

"The Lord will strike Egypt in a way that will bring healing. For the Egyptians will turn to the Lord, and he will listen to their pleas and heal them." Isaiah 19:22 NLT

Ever thought about the pain of healing?

For example, a medical test reveals that a person has a tumor. A tumor that is cause for concern, but previously undetected by the person. No pain. No discomfort. No symptoms.

This tumor is a medical hazard and needs to be removed. Doctors say it will grow and lead to more complications, possibly cancer, eventually death. It needs to be removed surgically. Skin and muscles cut away. Stitches. Nerve endings left to mend. Pain will be involved.

This type of healing pain is tolerated. Appreciated. Considered a God send.

Why isn't it considered the same when God removes from our lives things that aren't good for us?

Why don't we appreciate the pain of healing in our spiritual walks?

Why do we often prefer to keep the cancerous sin instead of allowing God to surgically remove it with His loving guidance, the commands of His Word, the help of fellow believers?

What pain are we willing to endure to be more Christlike? Any at all?

GODLESS HOPE

Today's reading: Job 7-8

"...The hope of the godless comes to nothing." Job 8:13 NLT

We watch the unbelieving lean against their abilities, their piles of money and their knowledge.

We cringe as the unsaved tip towards their 'personal truths'.

We shudder to think of the outcome of those who don't trust God as they careen toward the pits of hell with their self-centeredness, their self-righteousness and their independence.

Their hope holds no water. It's a parachute with a hole in it. It's a life-preserver carved from a rock. It's a train with no tracks. As Job says, it comes to nothing.

But ours?

We who believe in God, His promises, His Word, His unchanging characteristics?

Our Hope holds more than we will ever be able to fathom, ever be able to unpack, ever be able to understand!

It will unfurl before us in ways we never expected, never dreamed, never imagined.

It will fill every nook and cranny of every need we have presented to God and waited for Him to fill.

Are you hoping in the Lord today?

 STILL RULES
Today's reading: Psalm 9-11

"But the Lord is in his holy Temple; the Lord still rules from heaven. He watches everything closely, examining everyone on earth." Psalm 11:4 NLT

The news reports war, violence, disease and unrest.

The world is full of chaos, distress, seemingly dominated by dark powers.

The circumstances around you reek of decay, deception, disappointment.

But the Lord?

The Lord still rules from heaven!

Nothing, absolutely nothing, goes on without His notice, without His purpose, without His being able to turn things around and use it for the good.

Our God has not been defeated, disarmed or dismissed from the goings-on of this world...this world He created, maintains and rules over!

 DRINKING DEEPLY

Today's reading: Isaiah 12-17

"With joy you will drink deeply from the fountain of salvation!" Isaiah 12:3 NLT

Oh, has this verse got me thinking this morning!

I'll not ask of you, but for me--well, for me it's got me evaluating just how deeply I am choosing to drink of God's glorious gift of salvation to me.

Am I taking just dainty, lady-like sips on Sunday as the pastor speaks the Word?

Am I rationing out my believed portion like a cowboy in the Badlands with many miles to go before the next cool cup of water?

Am I taking a drink while holding my nose, not caring for the requests God makes of my receiving this gift--to forgive as I've been forgiven, to love as I've been shown love, to share as it was shared with me?

Am I using a straw to partake of this refreshment? Am I allowing it to pass through someone else to me--like a grandparent or a parent who served the Lord wholeheartedly, and now I'm attempting to hang on to their coattails?

Or am I drinking deeply of the joy found in salvation from sin and death?

Am I gulping noisily...

Am I slurping up every single drop...

Am I guzzling each opportunity presented to me to experience another facet of God's love...

Am I swigging it down, knowing there's more where it came from...

Am I knocking it back knowing it's exactly what I need for the moment...

With joy you will drink deeply from the fountain of salvation!

That's exactly what I want to do with this amazing gift God has given to me.

 CITIES OF REFUGE

Today's reading: Joshua 16-20

"The Lord said to Joshua, Now tell the Israelites to designate the cities of refuge...They must allow the accused to enter the city and live there among them." Joshua 20:1-4 NLT

Cities of refuge are a popular topic these days as immigration, papered and non-papered, is a current event.

These cities offer a place for the immigrating to rest while their cases are investigated, decided upon and settled.

They are not a new idea dreamed up by sitting politicians. As we see in today's portion of Scripture, they go back a very long time!

What I'm wondering this morning is this...

Are our churches 'houses of refuge'?

Are we welcoming the displaced? The accused? The orphaned? The ostracized? The homeless?

Are those in need, physically, emotionally and spiritually, finding rest with us, peace with us and love from us?

Are the people society has deemed less than, downtrodden and unable to be rehabilitated finding out about Jesus when they step foot in the doors of our churches?

Or are we going to let the government handle them? Their parole officers be their family? The world shelter them?

If our churches are no more than social clubs for the elite, well dressed, well adjusted and well mannered, are they really churches at all?

I believe it was Max Lucado who said, Churches are to be hospitals for the sick, the healing and the healed, not just Las Vegas stages for the upright to perform upon.

 WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE
Today's reading: Genesis 12-15

"You have given me no children, so one of my servants will have to be my heir. Then the Lord said to him, No, your servant will not be your heir, for you will have a son of your own to inherit everything I am giving you." Genesis 15:3 -4 NLT

The problem is, for Abram and for us, is that we can only see things from earth's side.

Abram only saw a servant, no children.

We see the physicalities of our problem, the mountain before us.

Abram saw an empty branch in his family tree, no sons.

We see our limitations, our inabilities, our lack of control.

But God?

God sees from heaven's side!

He sees what is going on in the heavenly realms on our behalf.

He sees what's orchestrated to happen in the next 24 hours, next week, next month, next year.

He sees without limitations. Without barriers. Without restraint.

He sees things we cannot dream.

He sees things we cannot fathom with out human minds.

He sees things that will open doors of applause and praise for His glory, not merely our convenience.

Our problem is that we only see with human eyes. Our blessing is our Father sees with eyes that have always been, will always be and are.

 THE MERCY OF JESUS

Today's reading: Matthew 8-10

"When Jesus arrived at the official's home, he noticed the noisy crowds and heard the funeral music. He said, Go away, for the girl isn't dead; she's only asleep. But the crowd laughed at him. When the crowd was finally outside, Jesus went in and took the girl by the hand, and she stood up! The report of this miracle swept through the entire countryside." Matthew 9:23-26 NLT

Want to know about Jesus's mercy?

We needn't look any farther than this portion of Scripture.

The crowd.

The mockers.

The scoffers.

The naysayers.

Those who didn't believe this carpenter's son from Nazareth could do a thing with a little girl's dead body.

You see, I am overwhelmed by the mercy Jesus shows in this moment by not calling them out after the miracle is done.

He didn't ask them to repeat their forecast of the situation.

He didn't bring them before the family and point out the error of their ways.

He didn't mention them again in this account.

But they knew, for the rest of their lives, exactly what they saw that day. Their expectations of it. Their dismissal of this Son of God. Their doubt in the power of the Messiah.

Jesus, as surely as He extended His power over death in regards to the little girl, extended mercy to these doubters.

God, we praise Thee for Thy mercy,  ’Tis so great and so profound! In our weakness and our failures;   With its greatness it abounds. We adore Thee! we adore Thee!   With such mercy we’ve been crowned!

 WHILE WE WERE
Today's reading: Romans 5-6

"But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners." Romans 5:8 NLT

Maybe you had to memorize this verse in Awana.

Or in learning the Romans Road to salvation.

Or maybe for extra points in Sunday School or church camp.

Maybe you've only recently come across this verse and its meaning, and its thoughts, are completely foreign to you.

Well, it baffles us all. Or, it should.

While we were, gets me every time.

God didn't wait to send Christ to the cross or into my life once I had it all cleaned up and looking tidy.

He doesn't wait for us to have a desire to attend church and get into His Word.

He won't make us straighten up and fly right before considering us to be His.

While we were in the depths of despair and needing a Savior, Christ died for us.

Ahead of time. In time. 

While we were...

 ASKING QUESTIONS
Today's reading: Job 5-6

"All I want is a reasonable answer--then I will keep quiet. Tell me, what have I done wrong?" Job 6:24 NLT

The question is as old as time...Why do bad things happen to good, even godly, people?

Our friend Job is seeking an answer to that very question in regards to the loss of his family, his flocks and his footing of faith.

Why?

Why did God allow it?

What did I do wrong that would cause such discipline?

Who does God think I am to be able to stand under such pressure?

Been there? Done that?

I think the answer that has been determined, mined out, settled on this this: God does as He pleases in an effort to bring more people to Him.

His ways are much broader in scope than ours.

His vision reaches much farther than our self-focused eyes can see.

His plan far surpasses the grandest ones we can dream up.

So, for those of us asking--What have I done wrong to deserve such?

Maybe, just maybe, it's not at all about you.

 MAJESTIC

Today's reading: Psalm 6-8

"O Lord, our God, the majesty of your name fills the earth!" Psalm 8:9 NLT

Merriam Webster says majesty is, sovereign power, authority, dignity; a greatness or splendor of quality or character.

Perfect word for the Lord, wouldn't you agree?

No one ranks higher.

No power is greater.

No one stands in authority over God.

No one, living or dead, has ever matched His characteristics.

No specific word-- great, wonderful, amazing, outstanding--can completely encompass His very being.

The enormity of our Lord's name fills the earth.

The mountains shout His majesty.

The skies relate to us His vastness.

The delicacy of a flower petal tell us of His attention to detail.

The salvation of a sinner tells of His love for mankind.

The provision for His saints speaks of His care.

The whisper of His name calls all of heaven's armies to attention.

O Lord, our God, the majesty of your name fills the earth!

 LIST OF CONQUERED KINGS
Today's reading: Joshua 11-15

"The following is a list of the kings Joshua and the Israelite armies defeated..." Joshua 12:7 NLT

I don't know if you've ever read the list of conquered kings provided to us in Joshua 12:7-24, but I urge you to do it.

Most of the names you won't recognize.

Some of the names you won't be able to pronounce.

Few of the names will have much significance to you--socially, politically or geographically.

But the list?

The fact that God chose for a list to be included in our pages of Scripture?

That's huge!

It shows us just what God can do. It shows us the lengths He will go to for His people. It shows just what can happen when we obey God and go to battle as He instructs.

All that to say this: I'm starting me a list!

I am taking an journal of mine and making a victory list.

I'm going to include each and every thing God does for me.

The right choices He helps me make.

The temptations He helps me resist.

The attacks by the enemy that He helps me fight.

The times I want to give up and give in, but He renews my strength.

Doubtful there will be any kings on my list, no large wars to log, no enemy armies to jot down--but every defeat of my enemy has been, is being and will be granted to me by the hand of God.

I'm taking my pen in hand and starting my list...

THE KID IN ME

Today's reading: Genesis 8-11

"I have placed my rainbow in the clouds. It is the sign of my permanent promise to you and to all the earth." Genesis 9:13 NLT

The kid in me still pauses long enough to look for a rainbow after a cloudburst.

I scan the sky.

I look across our prairie.

I stop to see if God has chosen to remind me of His promise.

I'm not so worried about flooding.

But my heart truly melts when I see His bow painted across the sky.

He doesn't have to do it.

None of us completely grasp how it happens.

And it's not every rainshower.

But when the 'Roy G. Biv' colors appear in the sky, the kid in me jumps for joy because our God has remembered us once again! 

 REALIZING MY NEED
Today's reading: Matthew 5-7

"God blesses those who realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is given to them." Matthew 5:3 NLT

There are days when I get up and all goes well.

I beat the alarm clock in my rising and shining.

The hair cooperates.

My attitude is pleasant and kind.

The dog doesn't jump on me with his muddy paws on my way to the car.

But then there are days...

Days when nothing goes right at all.

The blare of alarm shakes me from my slumber.

The hair has a mind of its own.

My attitude is stinky, unlovely and unkind.

And the dog? He covers me with mud, slobbers and dog hair.

Those are the days I know I need a Savior. Which days? Both!

When nothing goes right. When plans shatter. When my nerves are stretched and frayed. When it takes a God as big as the one I serve to make me into His image.

And when everything goes smoothly.

When the birds sing and the sun rises, I need a Savior.

When the day goes well, and I errantly believe it has anything at all to do with my actions or attitude.

When everyone I meet is blessed by my words and deeds, because it's not me--it's my Savior!

Blessed are the ones who realize their need for Him--that's me!

I need Him, oh how I need Him--no matter the day!

 ONLY ONE GOD

Today's reading: Romans 3-4

"There is only one God, and there is only one way of being accepted by him. He makes people right with himself only by faith, whether they are Jews or Gentiles." Romans 3:30 NLT

If you are rising and shining this morning and intent on heading to your house of worship in order to fulfill an obligation or duty in order to be made right with the Lord--just go back to bed.

If you daily mark off your checklist of Christian disciplines in an effort to look good to God--throw away your list.

If you give to the poor, clothe the naked and provide for the widows so that when it comes times to enter heaven you'll be given a 'pass'--stop what you're doing.

There is only one God and there is only one way of being accepted by Him...

Through the saving power of the blood of Jesus!

Believing Jesus came, died and rose again.

Admitting to the fact that you, indeed, are a sinner needing a Savior.

Confessing to everyone around you that you have been forgiven and saved by the Son of God.

No committee. No volunteer list. No charitable contribution.

Faith.

Simply and completely by faith.

 LIKE EVERYONE ELSE

Today's reading: Isaiah 7-11

"The Lord has said to me in the strongest terms: Do not think like everyone else does." Isaiah 8:11 NLT

Set apart.

Standing out.

God intends His people to be in the world but not of the world. In the world but not like the world. In the world but not bound by the world.

And how, in the world, do we do that?

How do we live here without the influence, the stench, the impact and the attractions of the world touching us?

It starts with what the Lord told Isaiah in this morning's verse--we don't think like they think!

We don't think our hope lies in a certain political party being in office.

We don't think our riches are stored up in banks, bonds and bucketfuls of gold.

We don't think healing comes from doctors.

We don't think peace is held in the hands of certain nations or rulers of nations.

We don't think our good acts will get us into heaven.

We don't think ourselves any better than or worse than any other created individual.

We don't think ourselves to be sufficient, perfect or trustworthy.

If we're thinking like the world thinks, we're headed for a whole heap of a lot of trouble.

Do not think like everyone else does.

 PLANT

Today's reading: Job 3-4

"My experience shows that those who plant trouble and cultivate evil will harvest the same." Job 4:8 NLT

I don't think I've ever 'read' this verse. But on reading it, I was reminded of an encounter I have had in the past year...

The conversation was had across a coffee shop table.

It wasn't that she was that much older than me.

I don't think her spiritual walk had many days longer than my own.

But her words, in regards to my prodigal, surely and soundly reached out and touched my heart.

She asked simply, If you plant tomato seeds, what will you get?

Tomatoes, I replied.

If you plant corn seeds, what will grow? she continued.

I said, Corn.

What did you plant in the heart of your boy as he was growing? What seeds did you sow into his life? What songs did you teach him? What stories did you share with him?, she softly said as she leaned in for a response.

I planted Jesus, I told her in a whisper.

Her simple reply...Then wait for Jesus to show up.

I don't know what you've planted, good or bad, Jesus or evil. One you can lean into and wait for the reward, the other? Well, the other needs repented of and amends made, as you continue to walk with the Lord in a newness of life.

 LISTEN TO THIS

Today's reading: Psalm 3-5

"You can be sure of this: The Lord has set apart the godly for himself. The Lord will answer when I call to Him." Psalm 4:3 NLT

I love those verses in the Bible that I can quote to my enemy and he has to stop in his tracks!

The 'get behind me, Satan', kind of verses.

The Scriptures that slap a knockdown on his attempts to sway, convince or tempt me.

Like this morning's verse...

Enemy, you can be sure of this: The Lord has set me apart as His. The Lord, the God of angel armies, the King of kings, the Creator and Sustainer of the universe, will answer when I call out to Him!

To borrow a phrase, Them there's fightin' words.

I don't have to come up with powerful words.

I don't need to remember noun, verb and adjective.

I just need to speak what God's already spoken.

And believe in the power of His statements.

 CONSULTING THE LORD

Today's reading: Joshua 6-10

"So the Israelite leaders examined their bread, but they did not consult the Lord." Joshua 9:14 NLT

Ever read Joshua 9?

It's the account in the Bible where the people of Gibeon deceive the Israelites.

The Gibeonites were doomed for destruction by God's order as the children of Israel took possession of the Promised Land.

But the Gibeonites were tricky. They schemed and planned and manipulated and lied--and found themselves in a peace treaty with the very ones who were supposed to eradicate their entire population.

All because the Israelites inspected their bread, but didn't confer with God.

Might I say, it's kinda the same thing we do today.

We see what Facebook recommends.

We check out Pinterest for any and all suggestions.

We Google for advice.

We seek out friends who can help us in decision making.

But we won't check with God.

We don't spend time pouring over His Word in order to find the answer we need.

And when we go that route?

When we choose convenience over God?

When we choose what's socially acceptable over what God has called us to do?

Well, we find ourselves in a 'deal with the devil.'

 BUILDING AND WAITING

Today's reading: Genesis 4-7

"Finally, the day came when the Lord said to Noah, Go into the boat with all your family, for among the people of the earth, I consider you alone to be righteous...One week from today I will begin forty days and forty nights of rain..." Genesis 7:1 NLT

I don't know how long it took Noah and his boys to build the ark.

It was a huge task in a time when there were no power tools, Home Depot's or machinery to help in the production and construction.

It had to have taken a very, very long time.

But as I read the account today, I believe the 'longest' period of time had to have been the seven days God had Noah and his family sitting in the ark waiting to hear the first raindrops.

Waiting.

Just waiting.

Closed in. Cooped up. Shut out from the world.

Was it a time of rest? Probably not, the animals all needed fed as they waited for the 'cruise' to begin.

I believe it took as much faith to stay in the ark those seven days as it ever took to cut down the first tree for the building of the ark.

God sometimes asks us to take the big steps--then wait.

Sometimes He allows us to work up the courage and faith to do what He asks--then we have to wait for His answer.

Waiting is tough, but I have faith in God that it serves a monumental purpose.

It prepares us for the flood of blessings that come with obedience.

 GOOD REASONS

Today's reading: Matthew 3-4

"Then Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John. But John didn't want to baptize him, I am the one who needs to be baptized by you, he said, so why are you coming to me? But Jesus said, It must be done, because we must do everything that is right. So John baptized him." Matthew 3:13-15 NLT

As followers of Christ, we're provided opportunity after opportunity to serve Him with our hearts, hands and heads.

We walk into doors He has opened.

We are given spheres of influence orchestrated by Him.

We are led by His Spirit to go places, to be around people, to have access to things.

That being said, we also have a whole lot of reasons why we don't obey Him in these instances.

Good reasons.

Mighty good reasons.

Like John had.

I mean, if ever there was a 'good reason', John surely had it--he wasn't worthy to baptize Jesus.

That declaration showed wisdom, humility and honesty on John's part.

But Jesus countered his reason with truth--we must do everything that is right. Or God ordained.

Obedience trumps reason.

Service overrides sacrifice.

Godliness is greater than understanding.

Today when God asks me to do something for Him, I want to push aside all the reasons why I can't or why I shouldn't and just say 'yes'. Want to join me?

 CANNOT GET AWAY FROM IT

Today's reading: Romans 1-2

"For the truth about God is known to them instinctively, God has put this knowledge in their hearts." Romans 1:19 NLT

We all know folks who are attempting to erase God from their lives, trying to dismiss Him from their being, striving to write them out of any future dealings in regards to their hearts and to their days here on earth.

It's almost comical that they would attempt to do this to the One who created them.

...Who formed them.

...Who knew them before they were known.

...Who causes the systems of their bodies to work without thought.

God will always be with them. In them. Orchestrating the world around them.

There is no place they can run. 

No place they can determine as their getaway from the Lord.

He is instinctively in their hearts.

 CHECK YOURSELF
Today's reading: Isaiah 1-6

"Why do you keep parading through my courts with your worthless sacrifices?" Isaiah 1:12 NLT

As your prepare for tomorrow's worship service, I ask you to come alongside me and think about a few things...

Why am I going?

Who am I going for?

What do I hope to get from going?

What do I believe my presence will add to the service?

The first Sunday of the New Year is a great time to check ourselves in regards to the attitude we have in regards to worship.

If God isn't the reason we're going, there's a problem.

If worship isn't the intended purpose of your pre-church efforts, re-think your reasons.

If you think your attendance is so important that it will make or break the 'spirit of the service', I believe you need to do a little spiritual inventory.

It's more about giving praise, seeking to be in God's presence, learning from His Word and hearing what He desires to speak to our hearts than anything about ourselves.

Parading through His courts with our worthless sacrifices, what a word picture!

 WHAT ARE YOU IN IT FOR?

Today's reading: Job 1-2

"But take away everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face!" Job 1:11 NLT

If the Accuser were to talk to the Lord today about you, would he be able to say the same thing?

There are storehouses of blessing that come with serving the Lord.

There are instances of God's hand of protection keeping us safe from harm.

There are answers to prayer that bless our socks off.

But if we had none of those things? If salvation through Jesus's blood were the only thing we were ever given by God, would we still serve Him?

If the showers of blessings were to dry up, would He still hear our praise?

If bad times, heartaches and stormy nights came our way, would we still have reason to thank HIm?

 EVERYTHING

Today's reading: Psalm 1-2

"But they delight in doing everything the Lord wants; day and night they think about His law." Psalm 1:2 NLT

I looked up the definition to the word 'everything'.

I know what it means.

I understand the thought behind it.

I use the word in my own conversations and talking.

Know what I found the explanation to be?

Every thing.

Simple. Straight forward. No hard to understand words. Deep.

So when we, followers of the Lord, delight in doing everything the Lord wants, that means 'every thing'.

Every single thing He asks of us.

Every detail laid out before us in His Word.

Every time He presents us with an opportunity to serve Him, witness for Him, obey Him.

In every thing He will find us doing what He wants.

Every thing.

 FRIEND OR FOE

Today's reading: Joshua 1-5

"As Joshua approached the city of Jericho, he looked up and saw a man facing him with a sword in hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, Are you friend or foe?" Joshua 5:13 NLT

There are four things I notice in this verse, four things that I want to take with me throughout this remaining 364 days of the year...

1. Joshua went and surveyed his obstacle. 

He didn't let his wild imaginations get the best of him, he went out and got the facts. From facts we can progress with intention and surety.

2. Joshua had his chin up.

He could have been moping. He could have been cowering. He could have been mumbling and grumbling. But Joshua walked with his head up and saw what was before him, the opportunities.

3. Joshua went right up to this angel.

Joshua didn't send a delegation. Joshua didn't write a letter. Joshua went right up to the angel, the elephant in the room and started a conversation.

4. Joshua asked the most important question one can ask--Are you for me or against me?

Joshua didn't assume. Joshua didn't ignore. Joshua didn't percolate an opinion. He asked, point blank. Are you from God (for me) or are you from my enemy? 

I want to approach this year as Joshua approached this man of God. I want to see what my problem is, I want to keep my head held high, I want to approach the the situation head on and I want to determine, every thought, if it is from God or not.

 OVER THE DARKNESS

Today's reading: Genesis 1-3

"The earth was empty, a formless mass cloaked in darkness. And the Spirit of God was hovering over its surface." Genesis 1:2 NLT

As dark as the times seem in which we live.

As empty as our world seems of love, compassion, mercy and goodness.

As formless as our future seems to be.

We have to know, without a doubt, because He never changes, He hovers over the surface of this beautiful creation He formed.

He is always visible, if we choose to look for Him.

He is always near, if we choose to call out to Him.

He is always in control, if we choose to believe Him.

 WATCH FOR STARS

Today's reading: Matthew 1-2

"When they saw the star, they were filled with joy!" Matthew 2:10 NLT

Our Sunday School discussion this week was about the magi, their journey and the miracle of the star.

We discussed, at length, the creativity, the over-arching power required, and the simplicity of the star.

As I re-read the text this morning, on this first day of a new year--I am struck with the need to be more intentional in watching for 'stars'.

The 'stars' that direct me to someone who needs a shoulder to cry on, a listening ear or to hear the love of the Savior.

The 'stars' that point me in the direction opposite of a temptation.

The 'stars' that stop and hover over a place or a time when I need to slow down, to pause, to wait on the Lord.

The 'stars' that light up a dark time so that I can see the Lord's hand at work around me.

I want to be a 'star watcher' this year. I want to look for God's miracles around me--the bright and shiny ones AND the eensy-teensy ones, both from the hands of our Creator, Father and God.