PROFANING THE SABBATH

Today's reading: Nehemiah 10-13

"So I confronted the leaders of Judah, Why are you profaning the Sabbath in this evil way?" Nehemiah 13:17 NLT

Nehemiah had a tough calling on his life.

He was asked by God to participate in restoring God worship in the Temple and in the hearts of God's people who had been exiled over 70 years.

He, with God's leading, was 'righting the ship'.

He reminded them of God's laws.

He pointed out where they had allowed enemy practices into their lives.

He questioned their motives.

Then?

Then, he turned their attention to the issue of the Sabbath.

God's day.

A day set aside to honor, glorify and rest in the Lord.

A day that if carried out to the Lord's specifications, would bless and nourish God's people.

The problem was, they had allowed the Sabbath to become 'just another day'.

Just another day to shop. Just another day to work. Just another day to do anything they wanted to do.

God had been forgotten. He had been pushed aside. He had been disregarded. He had been ignored. His commands had been disobeyed. 

His day had been profaned--which means to treat something sacred as if it is not. Or to take all the reverence away from something special.

So I must ask you, because I've asked myself, What have you done with the Sabbath?

 

REASONS FOR CURSES
Today's reading: Deuteronomy 26-28

"But if you refuse to listen to the Lord your God and do not obey all the commands and laws I am giving you today, all these curses will come and overwhelm you:..The Lord will cause you to be defeated by your enemies. You will attack your enemies from one direction, but you will scatter from them in seven.." Deuteronomy 28:15, 25 NLT 

What's going on in your life?

Go ahead, I'll wait while you take a quick inventory--

How are things going for you?

Let me re-word that question...

If things aren't going well for you, is it because God is growing you, stretching some spiritual muscles you are going to be needing in the near future--or are you bringing a few curses upon yourself due to disobeying the Lord?

A quick list I've asked myself...

What am I refusing to do for the Lord?  A nudge? A command? An opportunity?

Where am I not handing Him the reins?

Where am I digging my heels in the sand and refusing to budge?

Who am I refusing to forgive because they haven't acted forgive-able?

What doesn't look like what I had in my mind so I'm waiting until it does?

What am I not liking because I cannot control it?

In a whole lot of instances, we are our worst enemy, we cause the biggest problems we have and we shut the door on God's abundant blessings because of our disobedience.

Hmmm, lots to think about! 

BE DILIGENT
Today's reading: 2 John

"Watch out, so that you do not lose the prize for which we have been working so hard. Be diligent so that you will receive your full reward." 2 John 8 NLT

How determined are you to live for Christ?

Are there Christian disciplines that you do every day, before anything else is done? Bible reading, prayer, study?

Is there a special time you have carved out of your 24 hours every day to spend just you and the Lord? Morning, lunch hour, while kids nap, evening?

Is there a day, each week, you have set aside to worship Him, pause and reflect on His greatness, gather with other believers? Sunday for most, but some of us work Sundays, so we can determine another day as His.

Be diligent in your desire to draw closer to the Lord. Don't waver in your determination to keep God center, upfront and most important.

I don't want to see you lose out on the prize that faithfulness can provide!

 

ASSUMPTIONS

Today's reading: Acts 21-22

"(For earlier that day they had seen him in the city with Trophimus, a Gentile from Ephesus, and they assumed Paul had taken him into the Temple.)" Acts 21:29 NLT

Paul, the deliverer of the Good News...

Paul, the minister of Peace...

Paul, the beloved, fiery preacher...

Had assumptions waged against him.

Yes, even Paul!

Ever had someone assume wrongly of you? It hurts. It stings. It breaks trust.

Ever assumed wrongly of someone? It hurts. It stings. It breaks trust.

How about, Christian friends, if instead of jumping to conclusions, we assume the best of someone?

Instead of listening to gossip shared, we stop it in its tracks.

Instead of believing the single still-shot of what we see, we realize there is usually more to the story.

Instead of assuming guilt, we pray.

Yes, instead of making assumptions, we make prayer requests to the Lord on behalf of the one we're starting to doubt.

Do people do wrong things--they do! Do sins occur--they do! 

Do I think we should excuse all we see--I do not, but I do believe we need to do more investigation than judging.

We must be careful of our assumptions!

THIS COMPLAINT

Today's reading: Revelation 1-6

"But I have this one complaint against you. You don't love me or each other as you did at first!" Revelation 2:4 NLT

It's got to be God! Really and truly--it's got to be God!

In His gracious favor. In His loving kindness. In His mercy. Exhibiting some of His immense patience.

Because I'd never noticed 'it' before.

Oh, I've read it at least once every year for 24 years. I've heard SO many sermons preached on it. I've even spent a year with BSF studying the book of Revelation.

But to have it shown to me this morning, is a gift.

You see, the verse says...'You don't love me or each other as you did at first!'

I've always heard about a waning love for God. I've been taught our love for God should only grow stronger and stronger. I've even  heard pastors tssk-tssk the church at Ephesus for allowing other things to come between them and the Lord.

But what I noticed this morning is that not only is God's complaint against the church for their watered-down love for Him--but also for each other.

Had you noticed that before?

Have you considered how you love others--in comparison to how you loved them when you first believed in Christ as your Savior?

Are you sharing the Good News like you did then?

Are you desiring that they know the Good Shepherd like you once did?

Are you as excited to share the Hope you've found as you once were?

I think I can answer for all of us--No.

We tolerate people, most days. We consider others, sometimes. We ask a quick prayer for God to bless them, when asked to do so.

But do we love each other like we used to?

Might that be the complaint God has against us?

  

SO EVERYONE CAN SEE

Today's reading: Song of Solomon 1-2

"He brings me to the banquet hall, so everyone can see how much he loves me." Song of Solomon 2:4 NLT

This single verse touches my heart every single time I read through Solomon's songs.

If every single day, I would consider the fact that God brought me into this world...

At this particular time...

In the location He has me in...

To be seen by the people I am in contact with...

In order that THEY may see how very much He loves me.

Can I say? GAME CHANGER!

Doesn't that put a spin on any and all 'inconveniences' you encounter?

Doesn't that make you reconsider the 'audience' you stand before?

Doesn't that completely turn your thoughts off of you--and on to the people He desires to show off in front of?

And the reason?

The reason is that He desperately desires them to want what you have with your Savior!

Let the world see how very loved you are by your Lord--every where you go!

 

MY FRIEND

Today's reading: Psalm 140-142

"I cry out to the Lord; I plead for the Lord's mercy. I pour out my complaints before him and tell him all my problems." Psalm 142:1-2 NLT 

A near and dear friend lets you vent.

Let's you spill your guts.

Let's you vomit emotions.

And still loves you.

Is not appalled by you.

Does not leave you.

That's what God is to me!

I have told Him some of the worst things, most hateful thoughts and sorriest emotions--and He remains close by me.

Nothing I've brought to His feet has He scoffed at, ridiculed me for or laughed at me!

His jaw has not dropped in utter disbelief of my sins.

He is my Friend.

GOD IS IN THE DETAILS

Today's reading: Nehemiah 5-9

I won't list all the names mentioned in Nehemiah 7, but there are a bunch!

And I'll admit to you, reading a list of names, biblical names to boot, at 5:00am is difficult to say the least.

But here is what I want you to know about this chapter--and other chapters like it throughout the Bible...

God is in the details.

He ordained that each and every individual's name be listed.

He was fully and entirely aware of their being.

He determined that their names be mentioned--when in history, where in the Scriptures, for what they did/didn't do.

He desired that we know these people.

Because He is in the details.

Of their lives.

And...

Of your life.

Reminders like this should stop us in our tracks...

Cause us to stand quietly in awe...

Force us to exhale all the stresses we have been storing up in our hearts and lungs...

Give us reason to sing His praises...

He created every detail. He has been in every detail. He is in every detail. He will be in every detail.

We cannot forget that!

DISHONEST SCALES

Today's reading: Deuteronomy 23-25

"Those who cheat with dishonest weights and measures are detestable to the Lord your God." Deuteronomy 25:16 NLT

We come to a portion of Scripture where verse upon verse is given to us in regards to how the Israelites were to live.

Hygienic instructions.

Social manners.

Temple and sacrifice rules.

Parenting tips. 

Judicial matters.

And dishonest scales.

Scales? Amidst all this 'important' stuff?

Honestly, I love the fact that God included each and every facet of living in His instructions to His people--and to us!

In all that we do, acknowledge Him.

The big stuff--society, worship and home. And when we go to the market!

It all matters to the Lord. It all adds 'weight' to our witness for Him.

Weigh honestly. In your dealing with others, in your judging of others, in your offering to others.

It's God's instruction--and it honors Him. 

CATCH A GLIMPSE

Today's reading: 1 John 4-5

"No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love has been brought to full expression through us." 1 John 4:12 NLT

How might you show the love of Christ to someone today?

Where might you be today that could use a little of Jesus's light brought into the room?

Who could you love as Jesus loves today?

Why wouldn't you share a little of Him, because He has done so much for you?

If nothing else happens this Christmas season, I pray I can love others.

I pray that He will be seen in my words, actions and intentions.

I pray that I look for opportunities to share the love of Christ.

I ask that He enable me to love the 'least of these' and those who aren't as lovable.

Oh, it's not a gift I am giving to myself. Or to them.

It's how I can honor God--my Christmas present to Him!

A GREAT REVIVAL

Today's reading: Acts 19-20

"The story of what happened spread quickly all through Ephesus, to Jews and Greeks alike. A solemn fear descended on the city, and the name of the Lord Jesus was greatly honored. Many who became believers confessed their sinful practices." Acts 19:17-18 NLT

These two verses tell us what happens when a few people get excited about God.

Lives change.

Conversations are altered.

Choices are modified.

Sins are no longer tolerated, accepted or ignored.

News spreads.

Others begin to notice.

And before you know it, an entire city is different.

We call it revival.

Might it start with you?

 

WEARYING THE LORD

Today's reading: Malachi

"You have wearied the Lord with your words..." Malachi 2:17 NLT

While Malachi was written to the priests of Israel, in regards to their neglectful worship--might his words also apply to us today?

The prophet told the people that they were 'flat wearing out the Lord' with their words.

The vows they took.

The promises the made.

The oaths they spoke.

The words wore God out, because He saw no follow through!

He saw their lips moving, heard the words they spoke, but saw little to no action.

It's surely made me think.

I can say all the right things...

I can quote the Bible verses...

I can testify...

But am I doing what I say I will do?

Am I following the Lord's commands?

Am I  honoring Him with my actions--or merely wearying Him with my words?

GOD'S WAYS

Today's reading: Ecclesiastes 11-12

"God's ways are as hard to discern as the pathways of the wind, and as mysterious as a tiny baby being formed in a mother's womb." Ecclesiastes 11:5 NLT

Thinking too much about 'why' in relation to God's ways, leaves us scratching our head!

What He does, amazes us...

It sometimes humbles us...

Sometimes convicts us...

Sometimes makes us question His goodness.

It is in those times that we must move our thoughts from the 'why' of God, to the WHO of God.

Tough times happen, God is always good.

Bad things occur, God is always good.

Sad things come to pass, God is always good.

Not all things are good, but God is!

YOU KNOW

Today's reading: Psalm 137-139

"...Every moment you know where I am." Psalm 139:3b NLT

What a comfort it is, Lord, to know You know where I am at all times.

When I am not sure--You know.

When I feel unknown to anyone else--You know.

When I hide from You because of my guilt and shame--You know.

When I stand wobbling on a pedestal I've built for myself--You know.

You always know where I am because You love me.

That amazes me...

Because I know all the reasons why You shouldn't.

Because I think 'if You truly knew me', You wouldn't.

But every moment You know where I am.

And, as Your child, You are with me.

What solace. What comfort. What peace.

Thank You.

-Amen. 

OPPOSITION

Today's reading: Nehemiah 1-4

"Sanballat was very angry when he learned that we were rebuilding the wall. He flew into a rage and mocked the Jews, saying in front of his friends and the Samaritan army officers, What does this bunch of poor, feeble Jews think they are doing? Do they think they can build the wall in a day if they offer enough sacrifices? Look at those charred stones they are pulling out of the rubbish and using again!" Nehemiah 4:1-2 NLT

Christian friends, do you have a few 'Sanballats' in your life?

Are there folks dismissing your faith, diminishing your zeal and discouraging you any way they can?

What are you doing with their jeers and mockery?

I pray, for you and for myself, that the enemy's taunts provoke us--to continue!

Not to give up.

Not to quit.

Not to throw in the towel.

May their doubts be wood for our fire!

May their insults add fuel to our spiritual engines!

May their lack of conviction be what bolsters ours!

Pick up your Bible, again today. Kneel, again today. Stack bricks in your walls of faith, again today. Ignore their insults, again today. Lean on God, again today!

ENJOYING THE SPOILS

Today's reading: Deuteronomy 20-22

"...You may enjoy the spoils of your enemies that the Lord your God has given you." Deuteronomy 20:14 NLT

As you sit at your Thanksgiving table, I pray you know this...

As His child, no matter how 'newly adopted' you are or if you have had a good, long life with Him...

...enjoy all that's around you!

Spend some time thanking Him for the process through which you've accumulated all your blessings.

Ponder the hard times He walked you through and the spiritual muscles you've exercised.

Consider how many chapters of your testimony you'd have erased--and how many blessings you would be missing today had God handed you that 'eraser'.

Think lovingly about the people who have poured into your faith--and those who have caused you to dig deep into your relationship with the Lord in order to tolerate them.

Many of us will be surrounded by the spoils of our enemy.

We will be seated, perhaps, next to 'what the enemy meant for evil'.

I believe, if we will consider it all long enough, we will all have to say...

Oh Lord God, You have been too, too good to us!

 

GOD IS LIGHT

Today's reading: 1 John 1-3

"This is the message he has given us to announce to you: God is light and there is no darkness in him at all." 1 John 1:5 NLT

If it's a message as simple as that, why aren't more of us sharing it?

God is light and there is no darkness in him at all.

Twelve, life-changing, hope-giving, joy-spreading words.

One sentence that can impact eternity for someone you meet.

A message that can open doors to conversation, prompt investigations of the heart, whet the appetite for more about this light-bringing Savior and lead to salvation.

Sharing this message is how we shine our 'little lights 'in a very dark world.

It's how we use our 'little lights' to walk each step of our faith journeys.

It's how we show those surrounded by the darkness and deception of the world a new way.

It's how we continue the ministry John gave us when he wrote this letter.

Go shine your 'little light' by letting people know God is light and in Him there is no darkness.

 

LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT HIM

Today's reading: Acts 17-18

"So Paul, standing before the Council, addressed them as follows: Men of Athens, I notice you are very religious, for as I was walking along I saw your many altars. And one of them had this inscription on it--To an Unknown God. You have been worshiping him without knowing who he is, and now I wish to tell you about him." Acts 17:22-23 NLT

Paul stood where we stand today, amidst a whole lot of religious people.

Those who are knee-deep in religious practices, religious disciplines and religious speech.

And just as true as in Paul's day, these religious acts leave those around us as empty as ever.

Because religion doesn't accomplish anything in the heart.

It checks off boxes.

It completes the list.

It does all there is to do to impress those around us.

But religion doesn't fulfill.

Paul desired, that day in Athens, to introduce these religious men to God. The One True God.

What about you? Are you busying yourself with 'church stuff' but don't have time for Jesus?

Are you signed up for every single church committee, but don't have time to spend in prayer and in God's Word?

Are you ticking off the boxes in a religious experience, but don't know, really know, this Unknown God you say you are serving?

Give up religion for relationship.

Get to know God, as Savior, Friend, Comforter, Shepherd and Life.

 

JEWELS IN A CROWN
Today's reading: Zechariah 8-14

"When that day arrives, the Lord their God will rescue his people, just as a shepherd rescues his sheep. They will sparkle in his land like jewels in a crown." Zechariah 9:16 NLT

Zechariah spoke of a time when the Messiah would come and make a way for people to have a right standing with God.

When he spoke, Jesus's coming was still almost 500 years in the future.

But he believed it would happen.

He trusted it would come to pass.

He knew a Savior was the only hope.

Jesus has come.

Jesus fulfilled Zechariah's prophecy--and so many more.

Jesus was born from a virgin, lived a sinless life, was condemned, killed on a cross and rose again.

All for us.

All to make a way for us to have a relationship with our Creator.

Do you know Him?

Is He your Salvation?

Have you accepted His gift of forgiveness?

Are you sparkling in the land like a jewel in a crown?

 

SHARPEN YOUR AX

Today's reading: Ecclesiastes 9-10

"Since a dull ax requires great strength, sharpen the blade. That's the value of wisdom; it helps you succeed." Ecclesiastes 10:10 NLT

I don't know how you view Sundays.

It might be that it's just another day to you. One to add to Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, etc.

It might be a day filled with more things to do than you can shake a stick at. Get the kids ready for church, get a pot roast in the oven for after church, make copies at the church copier for Sunday School lessons, drag the life-sized construction paper Goliath you made in your garage to church for the kids' sermon and/or wrestle your littles into scratchy, uncomfortable clothes that you hope remains clean until church begins. (Whew, sorry for that long, run-on sentence, but isn't that how some Sundays are?)

It might be a day when you choose to sleep till your internal alarm clock goes off.

What I pray Sunday is to you, is a day to 'sharpen your ax'.

To get to a Bible-believing church in order that your strength is restored, your faith is renewed and your desire to serve the Lord is revived.

Because life is hard, bumping up against others leaves us bruised and being Christlike doesn't come naturally.

Going through your week without a Sunday-re-fuel is like attempting to chop wood with a dull ax. It can be done, but it takes more strength than you usually have to give.

Engage in a Bible study class that allows you to participate in topics and scriptures that fortify your heart for the week ahead. Soak in a worship service that is all about God, not the singers or the songs, the smoke or the lights, but about Him. Listen, truly listen, to the Word spoken in the form of a sermon--presented eloquently or poorly, it's still the Lord speaking and it can touch your heart.

Make an effort to sharpen your ax!

GREATNESS OF THE LORD

Today's reading: Psalms 134-136

"I know the greatness of the Lord--that our Lord is greater than any other god." Psalm 135:5 NLT

As you make preparations to gather with your church family tomorrow for worship, and I truly hope you are making such preparations, consider this...

You aren't going to 'learn anything new'.

You aren't going to 'be captivated by surprising revelation'.

You aren't going to 'be schooled in a new way of thinking or believing'.

You are going to gather in order that the name and praises of our Lord to lifted up!

We know the greatness of the Lord--and Sundays are perfect times to applaud Him.

We know the greatness of the Lord--and church houses are the perfect places to gather and proclaim all we know.

We know the greatness of the Lord--and with other believers is the perfect group in which to unite and extol His great characteristics.

If we're going for any other reason, we're missing out on the opportunity to share what we know about His greatness! 

THE GRACIOUS HAND OF THE LORD 

Today's reading: Ezra 6-10

"...the gracious hand of the Lord..." Ezra 7:6, 7:9, 7:28, 8:18 NLT

If I read it once in my Bible time, my interest is piqued.

If I read it twice in my daily Bible readings, I take note.

If I read it three times in my Scripture passage for the day, I sit up a little taller in my prayer chair.

If I read it the fourth time, FOUR TIMES, over the course of a few of the pages of my Bible, I consider it something I am not to take lightly.

So this morning I am considering the gracious hand of the Lord.

On my life.

On my testimony.

On my faith walk.

On my day.

On my outreach to others.

On my mountain-sized pile of blessings.

And, on my list of prayer needs/wants/requests.

God's mighty hand is on me...and all things to do with me.

The gracious hand of the Lord was on Ezra--he knew it and others knew it about him.

I'm praying the same for my life!

SETTING YOURSELF APART

Today's reading: Deuteronomy 16-19

"When you arrive in the land the Lord your God is giving you, be very careful not to imitate the detestable customs of the nations living there." Deuteronomy 18:9 NLT

Do the people around you know you aren't of this world?

That this earthly orb is not your home?

That you are a citizen of another country--another celestial country?

As believers we cannot blend into society.

How we live, what we do, the things we say and the stands we take cannot imitate the detestable customs of the world.

We cannot laugh at what makes the ungodly giggle.

We should not participate in the sin of the unsaved.

We must not participate in the world to such a degree that they ever believe we are part of them.

That's going to mean a different language...

Different viewpoints...

Different entertainment...

Different speech...

Different schedules...

Different goals...

Different values...

Different ways of living...

Being a Christian is about being as different as we can be from the unsaved--and about being so loving about it that the unsaved want what we have!

So, are you easily recognizable as being from (and going to) somewhere else?

  

CONTROL
Today's reading: 2 Peter

"...For you are a slave to whatever controls you." 2 Peter 2:19 NLT

What holds the reins to your life?

Not who, but what?

What fills your mind...

Is a constant thought...

What is an ever present 'thing' in your head...

That, that is what you are a slave to.

For drug addicts, it is the euphoria the next hit provides.

For alcoholics, it is the next smooth gulp.

For food addicts, it is the next sugar high.

For control-freaks, it is the next carefully followed plan designed and carried out by them on their time frame.

For those who desire drama, it is the next pot they can stir up.

For pornography addicts, it is the next bit of skin they see.

For smokers, it is the next puff.

We all have something that constantly vies for control of our hearts and minds. We have that one thing that is always battling against God having the ultimate place of priority in our lives.

Are you letting 'it' control you?

Are you a slave to anything but God?

WHO HAD BEEN

Today's reading: Acts 15-16

"But then some of the men who had been Pharisees before their conversion stood up and declared that all Gentile converts must be circumcised and be required to follow the law of Moses." Acts 15:6 NLT

How is it the ones who are saved by grace, forget to give grace?

Like their sinfulness was deserving, but no one else's is?

As if their conversion required less of God's power than another's?

Friends, if you have been saved by grace (and if we are Christians, we have been), extend grace.

Pass out grace to the yet-to-be-saved.

Give grace to the not-yet-believers.

Offer grace to those who aren't in the family of God--yet.

Gift grace to your future brothers and sisters in Christ.

These men in Acts reverted back to who they were BEFORE Jesus saved their souls, they forgot the change in their hearts and lives, they failed to remember their salvation was a free gift offered to them by God. And they repeated old habits by thinking 'law keeping' was more important than 'grace giving'.

We were all once sinful Pharisees...we cannot forget that! 

AROUND AND INSIDE

Today's reading: Zechariah 1-7

"For I, myself, will be a wall of fire around Jerusalem, says the Lord. And I will be the glory inside the city!" Zechariah 2:5 NLT

A very important piece of real estate in Israel bears the title, City of God.

Wars have been, are being and will be fought over this portion of land.

Why? Because it has God's name on it, the fire of God around it, and the glory of the Lord inside it.

That's what makes it vital. That's what makes it controversial. That's what makes it desirable. That's what makes it powerful.

Can the same be said of the piece of real estate beating inside your chest?

Does your heart bear the seal of a Savior?

Does the fire of the Lord burn within you?

Does the glory of God shine around you--in all you do, in what you say, in your countenance?

Are there being wars fought day in, and day out, over the property of your heart?

Remember, at all times, Whose you are and to Whom you belong!

WISDOM

Today's reading: Ecclesiastes 7-8

"How wonderful to be wise, to be able to analyze and interpret things. Wisdom lights up a person's face, softening its hardness." Ecclesiastes 8:1 NLT

Want to have a face lift without the cost or pain?

Looking for a way to remove some wrinkles and make your appearance more child-like?

Wishing you have a glowing complexion?

Seek God's wisdom.

Look deep into His Word on a regular basis.

Use what you find in the pages of the Bible to erase frown lines, reduce anxious crow's feet and to reduce the scowl not knowing brings to most of our faces.

I WILL NOT...

Today's reading: Psalm 131-133

"Lord, remember David and all that he suffered. He took an oath before the Lord. He vowed to the Mighty One of Israel, I will not go home, I will not let myself rest. I will not let my eyes sleep nor close my eyelids in slumber until I find a place to build a house for the Lord, a sanctuary for the Mighty One of Israel." Psalm 132:1-5 NLT 

How determined are we to make sure God 'finds a place' in our day?

A few moments of solitude with Him.

A period of time where we are focusing on Him.

A closet where we can listen to Him.

Are we willing to 'take an oath', like David did, in order that the Mighty One receives a time slot in our schedule?

Make a decision that re-arranges our planners to make room for Him?

-Canceling something.

-Getting up earlier.

-Staying up later.

-Postponing social media until time has been spent in our Bible.

-Fewer outings with friends.

-Not signing our kids up for every activity available. 

Where might you 'take an oath' and determine not to rest until a place is found for the Lord in your busy life?

STIRRING HEARTS

Today's reading: Ezra 1-5

You'll notice in Ezra 1 that our God is in the heart-stirring business.

He led King Cyrus to 'let God's people go' and he moved His own people to make an almost 800 mile trip back to Jerusalem after 70 years of captivity.

God stirred the heart of a king that was not a believer in the One True God.

And He stirred the hearts of people who knew Him, knew of Him, knew all about Him--but had disobeyed Him.

Those would be some hard hearts to stir, don't you think?

An enemy of God...

A power hungry monarch...

A man whose identity had been built on conquest and accumulation of people and things...

A nation who had thumbed their nose at the Lord who had declared them to be His...

A people who had settled in and, to a degree, given up hope of ever going home...

A segment of the Jewish population who had never seen the great city of Jerusalem at all...

This chapter has made me double-down on my prayers to the Lord. I've been bold enough to ask Him to do some more 'stirring of hearts' in the lives of loved ones--and in my own heart.

I desire to see big things done around me. Big things that ONLY God can accomplish.

Lord, stir hearts--I'm praying!

 FIVE SIMPLE STEPS

Today's reading: Deuteronomy 13-15

"Serve only the Lord your God and fear him alone. Obey his commands, listen to his voice and cling to him." Deuteronomy 13:4 NLT

1. Serve only the Lord your God. 

In all that you do, all that you say, all that you have the greatest intentions to accomplish--do it for Him. Let your life worship Him in living!

2. Fear Him alone.

Remember, this type of fear is not a cowering, disabling type of fear. It's the awe of God that causes you to think of Him at all times and to remember, continually, who He is--and who you're not!

3. Obey His commands.

This goes beyond the 'Big 10' listed in Exodus. It includes many we find written in red in the New Testament, as well.

4. Listen to His voice.

There are a whole lot of voices vying for your attention in life--lean in and listen for and to His!

5. Cling to Him.

With both hands. In complete and utter dependence. For life itself. 

Five simple steps that will change your life, change your world and change your outlook.

CHECK YOUR WILLINGNESS

Today's reading: 1 Peter 4-5

"...For if you are willing to suffer for Christ, you have decided to stop sinning." 1 Peter 4:1 NLT

None of us like pain.

Especially not when the pain involves denying one's self pleasure, free will or getting what we want.

But WHEN we determine to seek God above all else, there may be some pain involved in regards to the things of the world that we will need to give up.

The things we ache to do, but won't build our faith.

The old habits we find so deeply rutted into our day, that it challenges us to do it another way.

The built in responses we feel no longer advertise the new life we live.

The communities we no longer feel comfortable in.

The prying of our tight grasp from around things we realize aren't really in our control.

If we are willing to hurt a little in order to be more Christ-like, then we have stopped sinning.

Check your comfort level...I'm checking mine.

IN THIS MAN JESUS

Today's reading: Acts 13-14

"Brothers, listen! In this man Jesus there is forgiveness for your sins. Everyone who believes in him is freed from all guilt and declared right with God--something Jewish law could never do." Acts 13:38-39 NLT

In Jesus there is forgiveness.

That is a life-changing, earth-shaking, head-turning, eternity-capturing truth.

And IF that were all we find in Jesus, that would be more than enough. But it isn't!

In this man Jesus there is hope.

There is peace.

There is joy.

There is love.

There is acceptance.

There is redemption.

There is security.

There is power.

There is blessing.

Brothers and sisters, listen! In this man Jesus there is...all you will ever need! 

CONSIDER

Today's reading: Haggai

"This is what the Lord Almighty says: Consider how things are going for you!" Haggai 1:7 NLT

You must admit, noticing where God places an exclamation point is important.

He's telling the returning exiles to take a self-assessment.

To do a quick inventory.

To evaluate how things are going for them.

In their case, God had been pushed to a back-burner, and they were experiencing a mediocre, at best, life.

Consider how things are going for you!

Might the same charge be necessary today? Might we need the same soul-deep evaluation? Might we need to honestly judge where our priorities have been arranged?

If we are dry spiritually--what might need done?

If we are lacking peace--what might need let go of?

If we are struggling to grasp hope-what might we need to re-focus upon?

If we are without joy-what might be sucking it out of us?

Consider how things are going for you--and re-adjust as directed by the Lord!

ARGUING WITH GOD

Today's reading: Ecclesiastes 5-6

"Everything has already been decided. It was known long ago what each person would be. So there's no use arguing with God about your destiny." Ecclesiastes 6:10 NLT

I have this 'friend' who likes to argue with God.

About who He made her to be...

About the His time frame not aligning with hers...

About the temptations that consistently plague her...

About giving up her own will for His...

And the arguing? It's futile. It wears her out. It makes her bitter, leaves her emptied and causes her to have a stinky attitude.

This 'friend of mine' forgets that God has ordained her for this time, for the place she currently lives in and for the mission He had in mind for her to complete when He first thought of her.

So why argue?

Why fight it?

Why choose to question?

Why, indeed?

When all He has planned will be for my, I mean her, good...

When what He has purposed will bring about godliness in my, I mean her, character...

When who I, I mean her, will be when the finishing process is completed, will be amazing...

Why argue? 

COUNTING ON THE LORD

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

Counting on the Lord...

I think I know what that means, it means I know God will.

Is that all?

Let's dig a little deeper into the word used in the original Hebrew writings.

To 'count on the Lord' means to wait on, look for, hope, or expect.

It's multi-faceted.

It requires more than just thinking the Lord will do what He says He will do.

It's building a life upon the trust you have in Him...

It's believing, wholeheartedly, that 'it' will come to pass...

It's eagerly anticipating when He will perform...

It's speaking it in our conversations-not 'if', but 'when'...

It's taking the next step because you know, you know, that He will do His part...

Are you counting on the Lord to that degree?

WHEN HE PRAYED

Today's reading: 2 Chronicles 33-36

"And when he prayed, the Lord listened to him and was moved by his request for help. So the Lord let Manasseh return to Jerusalem and to his kingdom. Manasseh had finally realized that the Lord alone is God!" 2 Chronicles 33:13 NLT

I'm a visual learner.

Sure, I love listening to sermons, podcasts and talks--but give me a picture to focus on and things seem more real!

Like the visual I keep in my mind about how God chooses to listen...

I believe He, in all His splendor and majesty, sits on His throne leaning forward just waiting to hear every word cried out to Him.

Half in his seat, half poised for better listening...

Slightly inclined in anticipation and expectation...

Inclined to hear the slightest whimper, the lowest guttural sob or the sobs of agony...

For when that one prays.

For when that one finally realizes that He alone is God.

For when that one tires of time spent in the pigsty.

For when that one confesses their sins to the One against whom those sins were committed.

For when that one admits they aren't in as much control as they thought they were. 

I see, in my wildly imaginative mind, God holding the universe together, receiving glory and honor and praise from heavenly residents AND leaning forward in His throne to hear the prayer of a repentant heart.

Don't you just see it?

FOR YOUR GOOD

Today's reading: Deuteronomy 10-12

"And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you? He requires you to fear him, to live according to his will, to love and worship him with all your heart and soul and to obey the Lord's commands and laws that I am giving you today for your own good." Deuteronomy 10:12-13 NLT

1. Fear Him.

2. Live out His will.

3. Love and worship Him.

4. Obey His commands.

Four charges God makes of those who want to be His. Four requirements. Four boxes to check.

To make Him feel better about Himself? No.

To impress the world we are called to live in? No.

To provide Him with fans and followers? No.

For our own good.

For us to be able to experience the life He wants us to have, living out the purpose He has for us.

Will He be honored through it? Yes.

Will the world notice a difference and be called to question their way of living? Yes.

Will it make us better disciples of Him? Yes.

Will we experience blessings, peace, joy and hope? Yes, a hundred times, Yes!

Once again, all for our own good!

MORE AND MORE

Today's reading: 1 Peter 1-3

"God the Father chose you long ago, and the Spirit has made you holy. As a result, you have obeyed Jesus Christ and are cleansed by his blood. May you have more and more of God's special favor and wonderful peace." 1 Peter 1:2 NLT

If you believe God chose you before you were created...

That the power of the Holy Spirit has made you holy...

That the cleansing blood of Jesus has forgiven you of all your sins...

That heaven will be your home for eternity...

Then you can believe, rest on, trust in the fact that more and more of God's special favor and wonderful peace are available to you!

As if salvation weren't enough, He offers more.

More than a religious moment.

More than a future destination.

More than a clear conscience.

He offers Himself to you for every day of your life. 

More and more...more than enough...more than you can imagine...more than what anyone else can offer you!

PRAYING

Today's reading: Acts 11-12

Acts 12 gives us the account of King Herod Agrippas attempting to stop the growth of Christianity by imprisoning Peter.

While Peter sat overnight in prison, chained between guards, the house church was praying.

Praying fervently.

We are told that a bright light shone, an angel appeared, and Peter was led out of the prison.

As Peter arrived at the home of John Mark's mother, where the believers were meeting, he knocked on the door...

The young girl who answered the door, quickly ran to tell the pray-ers that their 'answer' stood at the door, but they didn't believe her.

Is it that they didn't believe God would answer?

Is it they didn't think He would answer so quickly?

Is it that they didn't think God would answer in this way--by actually placing Peter back in their midst?

That's a lot to think about.

In regards to God's abilities.

In relation to the expectations I place upon my praying.

In the expectations I attach to my prayers.

Makes me ask...What am I doing to prepare for the answers I am asking God for? 

TAKE NOTE

Today's reading: Zephaniah

"How terrible it will be for rebellious, polluted Jerusalem, the city of violence and crime. It proudly refuses to listen even to the voice of the Lord. No one can tell it anything; it refuses all correction. It does not trust in the Lord or draw near to its God." Zephaniah 3:1-2 NLT

Mirror verses.

It's probably not a phrase you've heard, because I made it up.

It refers to verses in Scripture that place a mirror in front of me, allowing me time and intentionality in looking deep into my own heart and mind.

While the verses themselves refer to Jerusalem and the prophet Zephaniah's plea to her, I see myself.

Refusing to listen...

No one can tell me anything...

Refuses correction...

I could easily read over this portion of Scripture, having said I've done my Christian discipline for the day, or I could stop and listen.

...To the Lord speaking to my heart.

...To the correlations between Jerusalem and myself.

...To the outcome of continuing to do what, sadly, comes naturally to me.

...To how the Holy Spirit wants to address, correct and proceed.

I'll be quite honest, it's easier to use my Bible as a magnifying glass in the lives of others than as a mirror to my own failings. But these times before the mirror of the Lord, prove His love for me, His desire to see me grow in His image, His forgiveness and His grace.

What will you do with the 'mirror verses' you come across?

A TIME FOR EVERYTHING

Today's reading: Ecclesiastes 3-4

"There is a time for everything, a season for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest." Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 NLT

Do you, like me, forget that there is a time for everything?

Especially when the time is waiting.

Think about it...

While not specifically mentioned by God, through Solomon, while there IS a time for planting and there IS a time for harvesting...do you realize what has to happen in the time in between?

Waiting.

Waiting for the seeds to sprout.

Waiting for the first leaves to appear.

Waiting for the plants to develop.

Waiting for the growth.

Waiting for the fruit to be produced.

Waiting for ripening.

There is a whole lot of waiting that happens in between steps.

Are you rushing through the 'waiting season'?

Are you pushing past the lessons to be learned while you wait?

Are you wasting your days wrapping up one season and wanting to hurry up and get into the next?

There is a season for everything, including waiting.

Might I go so far as to add...

There is a reason for everything, including waiting.

PLANTING IN TEARS

Today's reading: Psalm 125-127

"Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy." Psalm 126:5 NLT

Trials to triumph.

Testing to testimony.

Heartache to hearts filled.

Our tears, especially those cried out in prayer to the Lord, do not go unnoticed.

They are kept.

They are treasured.

They are sparks that start the fires of change, revival and salvation.

Cry out to the Lord in prayer...tears water the garden of His heart! 

TRICKLE DOWN

Today's reading: 2 Chronicles 29-32

"At the same time, God's hand was on the people in the land of Judah, giving them a strong desire to unite in obeying the orders of the king and his officials, who were following the word of the Lord." 2 Chronicles 30:12 NLT

What happens when one person starts leaning hard into the Lord? Others are impacted.

Revival is often referred to as a wave that washes over, but I'm not so sure that a more apt description might be a change that trickles down.

For example...

When a momma or daddy begin to draw close to the Lord, it trickles down on the family.

When a pastor gets stirred up by the Holy Spirit, it trickles down into the congregation.

When a leader turns his heart and mind to his Creator, it trickles down onto those he is called to lead.

Our lying, cheating, stealing and conniving enemy, wants us to believe that on our own we cannot make a difference. 

He lies!

Listen more closely to God.

Spend more time in prayer--speaking and hearing.

Get your nose in the Word and the Word in your heart.

Tell others about what you hear, see, feel from your time following Christ.

Your heart change can make a difference. 

NO MIDDLE GROUND

Today's reading: Deuteronomy 7-9

"Understand, therefore, that the Lord your God is indeed God. He is the faithful God who keeps his covenant for a thousand generations and constantly loves those who love him and obey his commands. But he does not hesitate to punish and destroy those who hate him." Deuteronomy 7:9-10 NLT

In a day and age where people prefer to live in the gray areas, this might be a hard portion of Scripture to swallow.

These two verses simply state that you will either LOVE God or HATE him.

There is no middle ground.

No neutral territory in which to live your life.

No gray area.

If you don't love God, you hate him.

It's not that you consider God. Or that you tolerate God. Or even, that you believe there is a God. It has nothing to do with your allowance of others to serve God. Or that you accept him.

Either you love him, or you hate him.

This is not a decision upon which you can be impartial, nonpartisan or open-minded.

Either you love him, or you hate him.

What's your life saying your choice is on that matter of God?

EARNEST & RIGHTEOUS

Today's reading: James 4-5

"...The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and wonderful results." James 5:16 NLT

Powerful prayers that provide wonderful results? Yes, sign me up!

Isn't that what we all want--prayers that are answered, answers that are life changing and lives that are changed in ways that honor the Lord.

But it takes earnest praying and righteousness.

If, like me you think you know what those are but could use a refresher, read on...

Earnest-resulting from or showing sincere and intense conviction about.

Being earnest is being desperate, being determined, being willing to do what's necessary to get what you need.

Too often we are lazy pray-ers. We want, sure we want, but we don't want badly enough to dig in and pray hard, pray long, pray intently and pray Scripture.

Righteous-being morally upright and in good standing with God, which involves God's perfect character and His standard for human conduct.

Friends, I will admit I prefer to be right rather than righteous. Wrong attitude to have! Righteous is living in a godly way, an intensely godly way--because you walk so closely with God.

We tend to be pray-ers that want to receive our entire laundry list of desires, but never pause long enough to check our desires against His character, His plans, His purpose or His glory. We want because we want, not because we want to be made more like Him with every prayer.

Earnest and righteous pray-ers are rare treasures. They aren't scattered liberally throughout our churches, but when you see one you know it! God's desire is that there be more James 5:16 prayer warriors than there are--won't you strive to be one?

Are the prayers you're praying worth the extra effort?

WALKING AROUND

Today's reading: Acts 9-10

"Peter traveled from place to place to visit the believers, and in his travels he came to the Lord's people in the town of Lydda. There he met a man named Aeneas, who had been paralyzed and bedridden for eight years. Peter said to him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you! Get up and make your bed! And he was healed instantly. Then the whole population of Lydda and Sharon turned to the Lord when they saw Aeneas walking around." Acts 9:32-35 NLT

The Lord certainly changed Aeneas's life, wouldn't you agree?

From bed-fast to bed-maker.

From laying around to walking around.

From invalid to evangelist.

From invalid to evangelist?--and yet the passage says nothing about him saying a word!

Friend, whether we quote Scripture or invite someone to church, we are influencing those around us.

By how we walk through this life, we are being given the opportunity to reach people for Jesus.

Our reactions and responses, our gestures, our countenance, they can all point people to the One who has changed our lives!

Walk out your salvation.

WAITING TO SEE
Today's reading: Habakkuk

"I will climb up into my watchtower now and wait to see what the Lord will say to me and how he will answer my complaint." Habakkuk 2:1 NLT

How sure are you that God's going to answer your prayers?

Sure enough, you'd 'climb up to your watchtower and wait'? 

Do you believe enough that you speak in terms of 'it's already in the works'?

Assured to the point that you 'watch the horizon' for signs of the answer?

At peace with your request because you know it's as much His will as it is your want?

That's how sure Habakkuk was that God had heard and that God would answer.

I want that!

I want to pray and then believe, really believe, it's going to be.

I want a faith that is so sure of Him that it pushes any doubts of my own aside.

I want to know His Word well enough that I can quote it back to Him, and myself, as needed.

I want to climb up to my watchtower and wait to see what all He is going to do in regards to each and every prayer I have presented to Him! 

NOTHING TRULY CHANGES

Today's reading: Ecclesiastes 1-2

"Generations come and go, but nothing really changes." Ecclesiastes 1:4 NLT

Do you realize that there are no 'new sins'?

The same sins that were committed thousands of years ago are being repeated today.

The. Same. Sins.

Sure, today they're televised, published and Facebook-ed, but the sins are not new.

There haven't been any new ways to disobey God.

And, there is still the one and only way to find forgiveness for those sins--Jesus.

So, Solomon had it right, nothing really changes!

SUNDAY'S COMING

Today's reading: Psalm 122-124

"I was glad when they said to me, Let us go to the house of the Lord." Psalm 122:1 NLT

It's only Saturday and I am already looking forward to time in the Lord's house tomorrow!

The fellowship, the music, the Spirit, the Word...I can't wait.

It's not always been like that.

Nope. It's not.

There was a season of my life when I didn't want to attend, and took every excuse not to attend. The gathering didn't do much for me. The Lord wasn't in 'it'.

But now?

Now I fill up daily upon God, and that leaves me wanting more.

Could I experience God at home? Yes, and I do.

But with His people!

In His house!

A group of us singing His praises!

Pews full of us hearing the Word spoken over us!

Congregants leaving the church ready to pour into the lives of others, planning to live by Jesus's example!

Ooh, I can't wait for Sunday! 

GODS
Today's reading: 2 Chronicles 25-28

"When King Amaziah returned from defeating the Edomites, he brought with him idols taken from the people of Seir. He set them up as his own gods, bowed down in front of them, and presented sacrifices to them! 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 25:14-15 NLT

I have to admit, I have 'Amaziah tendencies'.

I find cast-off, defeated, little gods that others have disregarded, and set them up for me to worship.

The religious nature within me urges me to do it. The part of me that wants to be seen as 'doing something' rises up. The box-marking desires of my personality keep me at it.

And yet, these gods don't do a thing for me.

They didn't do a thing for their previous owners.

They can't.

And when the realization comes to me, I box them all up, drag them to the foot of the Cross, and ask for God's forgiveness through His Son, Jesus.

I wish I could tell you that I don't pocket some of them, for later use. I would love to tell you it has only happened once and I learned my lesson after that. But I won't, because I can't.

Little idols have a tendency to draw our hearts and eyes away from our only hope--God. But verses like these, shine a spotlight on their inadequacy to help me in any way, shape or form.

Check your pockets--got any little gods that you're rubbing for good luck, bowing to or waving over your needs?

 JUST OBEY THEM

Today's reading: Deuteronomy 4-6

"Do not add to or subtract from these commands I am giving you from the Lord your God. Just obey them." Deuteronomy 4:2 NLT

Our Creator certainly knows our tendencies, doesn't He?

When He gave the Israelites, and us, his rules and regulations, He chose to plainly state that we must not lean into our pattern of trying to add to or take away from what He had said.

He knows we like to dig so deep that we seem busy about religious things--and all the while are ignoring the command itself.

He is fully aware of our propensity to adorn God's Word with our own decorations--to make it more user friendly.

He understands our innate traits that lead us to debate, discuss and disagree--traits that bring about chaos, feuds and denominations.

So He stated simply, Just obey them.

How different might our world be if we just obeyed.

Just obeyed.

Just. Obeyed. 

 WHATEVER

Today's reading: James 1-3

"Don't you remember that our ancestor Abraham was declared right with God because of what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see, he was trusting God so much that he was willing to do whatever God told him to do. His faith was made complete by what he did--by his actions." James 2:21-22 NLT

Oh, to have the faith of Abraham!

A trust that was deeply rooted in the WHO of God, that the WHAT of God was without question.

Abraham didn't wake up one morning with that kind of faith. He didn't inherit it from his father or grandfather. He wasn't given a special card to carry that allowed him to have faith that reached farther that most of ours.

He chose faith.

He made the decision, every day--and with every decision, to trust who he knew God to be.

Abraham's faith was not in what he was able to do. It was not in what he knew he could easily, or with a little determination, accomplish.

Abraham's faith wasn't in his surroundings, his talents or his circle of friends.

Abraham's faith was fully and entirely grounded in who he knew God to be!

And that, dear friends, is what pushed him to say 'yes' to the Lord, go where the Lord wanted him to go, believe for years that a son would arrive and hope for a promised land/

If that's what you want--that kind of faith, then choose it.

You needn't wait for it to fall into your lap. You must not depend upon your pastor to bless you with it. You can't even read your Bible enough to lay hold of it.

You choose it.

Will you trust God, or not?

EVERYWHERE PREACHING

Today's reading: Acts 7-8

"...A great wave of persecution began that day, sweeping over the church in Jerusalem, and all the believers except the apostles fled into Judea and Samaria...But the believers who had fled Jerusalem went everywhere preaching the Good News about Jesus." Acts 8:1-4 NLT

Most of us will never experience religious persecution.

It's the truth. 

We might face religious discrimination or religious hazing, but not true religious persecution--the kind that would make us flee our homes and run for our lives.

The new Christians did.

Their decision to follow Jesus put a bull's eye on their backs.

It moved them, geographically, and moved them, spiritually, to take their testimonies on the road!

New surroundings did not stop their sharing of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Hard times did not silence them from sharing what Jesus had done in their hearts and lives.

Discomfort did not tie their hands in regards to giving to others the best gift they had ever received--the gift of salvation.

So what's stopping you?

Tell the world about your Jesus.

Share the ins and outs of your story of salvation, redemption and sanctification (a fancy church word that means growing to be more like Jesus).

Talk about what it's like to live for a King who will rule eternally.

Express your excitement and anticipation of being promised a home in heaven.

No matter where you are. No matter how easy, or hard, it might be for you.

The world needs to know!

 

CHOOSING A SIDE
Today's reading: Nahum

"The Lord is good. When trouble comes, he is a strong refuge. And he knows everyone who trusts in him. But he sweeps away his enemies in an overwhelming flood. He pursues his foes into the darkness of night." Nahum 1:7-8 NLT

Whether you realize it or not, you are choosing a side with every single choice you make.

Will God be your leader, guide and refuge?

Or will you choose yourself, your abilities and your preferences--and in turn choose to be an enemy of the One who can help you most? 

We cannot do both. We cannot straddle the fence. We cannot attempt to swing back and forth between options. We cannot trust and fret at the same time.

We will either be His--or be His enemy.

MY HELP

Today's reading: Psalm 120-121

"I look up to the mountains--does my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord, who made the heavens and the earth!" Psalm 121:1-2 NLT

What decision/problem/choice/situations looms before you?

God is there to help you.

To guide you.

To counsel you.

You do not need to handle it on your own, Google advice or even poll your friends on Facebook.

God is your help.

The one Who created the heavens and earth will not be stumped by your situation! 

FOLLOWING THEIR ADVICE

Today's reading: 2 Chronicles 21-24

"Following their evil advice, Ahaziah made an alliance with King Joram, the son of King Ahab of Israel..." 2 Chronicles 22:5 NLT

Do you remember as a child using 'they are all doing it' as an argument when asking Mom and Dad for permission to do something?

If your parents were anything like mine, their response was, 'Well, who are 'they'?'

Seldom if ever could I provide them with a good list of names. 'They' usually ended up being one, single solitary friend. Maybe two friends, if it was a real enticing offer.

Ahaziah took the advice of 'them' and made an ungodly alliance that cost him his life--and left another scar in Judah's history.

Ahaziah held office because of God. He sat on a throne God had promised to Ahaziah's great-grandfather, David. He continued a line of kings God had covenanted to maintain.

But God is not whose advice Ahaziah sought.

He asked counsel of men who tickled his ear, bowed to his role as king and would eventually lead him to make ungodly alliances with countries that didn't serve God.

But not God.

Why do we do that?

Why do we ask around, or Google for answers, but won't ask advice of our Creator, Redeemer and King?

Might it be because we know what He will tell us...

Because we know what the right answer is...

Because we have heard Him tell us before, but we chose not to obey...

 

THEN ALL OF YOU

Today's reading: Deuteronomy 1-3

 "I said to you, ‘You have now reached the hill country of the Amorites that the LORD our God is giving us. 21Look! He has placed the land in front of you. Go and occupy it as the LORD, the God of your ancestors, has promised you. Don’t be afraid! Don’t be discouraged!’22“But you all came to me and said, ‘First, let’s send out scouts to explore the land for us. They will advise us on the best route to take and which towns we should enter.’23“This seemed like a good idea to me, so I chose twelve scouts, one from each of your tribes. 24They headed for the hill country and came to the valley of Eshcol and explored it. 25They picked some of its fruit and brought it back to us. And they reported, ‘The land the LORD our God has given us is indeed a good land.’26“But you rebelled against the command of the LORD your God and refused to go in. 27You complained in your tents and said, ‘The LORD must hate us. That’s why he has brought us here from Egypt—to hand us over to the Amorites to be slaughtered.Deuteronomy 1:20-27  NLT

After 40 years of wandering.

After watching, first hand, the miracles of God in providing manna, quail, the Red Sea, a pillar of cloud and a pillar of fire.

After observing that their shoes did not wear out.

When they stood on the border of the wilderness and the Promised Land-

Instead of thanking God.

Instead of praising God.

Instead of stampeding into the land in order to receive all the Lord had provided.

Instead of believing what God said.

They said, First let's...

Let us send out scouts--to see that it's really as good as You say it is.

Let us think about the people living there--they are too big, too strong, too many.

Let us consider whether or not we can do what's necessary to keep this land God has given to us.

Standing on the edge of all that God had promised.

Having arrived at the destination they had been straining to reach for 40 years.

About to step into what had been given to them generations before.

We are so like them!

All that God offers, we doubt.

All that God desires to give, we question.

All that God has promised for us, we become incredulous to.

All that God has done, we forget.

Maybe it's time we take a leap of faith and take our first step across the border into what it is He has led us to!

APPROVED

Today's reading: Hebrews 11-13

"What is faith? It is the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen. It is the evidence of things we cannot yet see. God gave his approval to people in days of old because of their faith." Hebrews 11:1-2 NLT

I've known what faith is, based upon this Scriptures definition, since I was a child.

We had lessons on it in Sunday School.

We sang songs about it in Vacation Bible School.

We colored pictures, we read accounts in the Bible, we even had flannelgraph boards depicting what faith is.

But what I've noticed this morning is the second verse...

God gave his approval to people in days of old because of their faith.

God's approval.

For believing God...

For trusting in what He said...

For living out what He promised...

Faith is going forward based upon God's promises--even what you don't see a thing pointing in that direction.

When it's still dark.,,

When events do not line up...

When it only gets harder, instead of better...

When your eyes cannot see what your heart wants to believe...

When you have to trust Him because you don't have it in you...

That's the point at which God approves us as faithful, as His faithful.

 

WOULD I DO IT?

Today's reading: Acts 5-6

"...They called in the apostles and had them flogged. Then they ordered them never again to speak in the name of Jesus, and they let them go. They apostles left the high council rejoicing that God had counted them worthy to suffer dishonor for the name of Jesus. And every day, in the Temple and in their homes, they continued to teach and preach this message: The Messiah you are looking for is Jesus." Acts 5:40-42 NLT

Arrested. Beaten. Ordered.

Which one of those things would have kept you from sharing the message of Jesus, raised and righteous?

What keeps us quiet today--in a country of free speech, international access and border-less possibilities to share Jesus?

Peter and the disciples faced imprisonment, pain and possibly death, and still shared the Good News.

We won't share because we might be inconvenienced, embarrassed, harassed or labeled. We keep quiet as not to be seen as judge-y, holier than thou or religious. We hold our tongues believing that it's the pastor's job to talk about Jesus.

I'm praying today that the power of the Holy Spirit, the same power that wouldn't let Peter stay quiet, would fall on me. On you. On all those who claim the blood of Christ over their lives.

Why?

Because the Messiah, Savior, Redeemer, Deliverer, Friend, Comfort, we are all looking for is Jesus!

  

INTERNATIONAL DISPUTES

Today's reading: Micah

"The Lord will settle international disputes. All the nations will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. All wars will stop, and military training will come to an end." Micah 4:3 NLT

If you are scanning the news channels waiting for word of peace, you are looking in the wrong direction.

If you are tuned into the latest world politics expecting an announcement of worldwide peace, you won't see it.

If you are leaning towards one party or another, one peace treaty or another, one military move or another, to bring peace, you are about to find out they won't provide what you are looking for.

The Lord will settle international disputes.

His mighty hand will bring about peace. He will move in the hearts and minds of people. He will settle wars. He will restate the boundaries He has had set in place for many generations.

The Lord will do it.

Are you watching Him? 

There will be absolutely no doubt as to it being Him at work. No one will be able to explain it away. No party will be able to take credit for the final move. 

The Lord will settle international disputes--are you keep your eyes on Him?

SOLOMON'S WISDOM
Today's reading: Proverbs 29-30

"Every word of God proves true. He defends all who come to him for protection." Proverbs 30:5 NLT

Of all the things King Solomon knew...

Of all the information he gathered over the course of his rule...

Of all the books he read and literature he absorbed... 

Of all the scientific evidence he studied...

He found the Word of God to be true, and protective of those who depend upon it.

Every word.

True.

ANCHORED

Today's reading: Psalm 119

"Evil people try to drag me into sin, but I am firmly anchored to your law." Psalm 119:61 NLT

Did you learn Bible memory verses as a child?

For points? For candy? For the challenge of it? For competition?

Because your parents made you?

Interestingly, the pieces of candy we nabbed out of the 'prize bucket', the glow-in-the-dark cross we were given and the compliments we received for a job well done--well, they have all vanished.

But the words of the Bible?

They remain in our hearts and minds.

Probably, if you're anything like me, in King James Version English!

These are anchors that occasionally pop up to remind us of the long-lasting power of being in God's Word.

Maybe they show up in a conversation. Possibly a song reminds us of the words of a specific verse.  A sermon takes us back to the words we had memorized so long ago.

What a blessed gift it is to have this storehouse of verses banked in our minds.

And what a gift we have given if we have chosen to do the same thing with our children.

We have implanted, in their hearts, the same anchors.

Anchors that will keep them tethered to the Lord--no matter how far they drift.

Anchors that will be lifelines to God's goodness--when the world baits and switches at what is right or wrong.

Anchors that will keep them safe, lead them home, draw them back--from the enemy, from the far country, from the empty promises of life outside of Christ Jesus.

I'm so very thankful for the anchors of Scripture in my heart this morning! 

JAHAZIEL

Today's reading: 2 Chronicles 16-20

"...the Spirit of the Lord came upon one of the men standing there. His name was Jahaziel. son of Zechariah, son of Benaiah, son of Jeiel, son of Mattaniah, a Levite who was a descendent of Asaph. He said, Listen, King Jehoshaphat! Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid! Don't be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God's." 2 Chronicles 20:14-15 NLT

Here is what I have noticed in regards to this man named, Jahaziel...

His 'fathers' mattered.

His bloodline was important.

His history was important.

How do I know that--because it was recorded. His daddy, granddaddy, great-granddaddy and great-great granddaddy were mentioned.

Oh, sure, what he said mattered, too. But what he said was prefaced by who he was.

Did you catch that?

Only by knowing who he was, his background, his 'people', did his message carry weight.

So what do I do with that?

I pray for a Jahaziel to come into your life today.

Someone who you know to be godly. A person whose history shows God's track record. A brother or sister in Christ whose life has been saved by, led by, encouraged by and strengthened by the blood of their Father.

Does that make sense to you?

I don't want you listening to just anyone. Especially in regards to the tough times you might be going through. I want you hearing the truth, God's truth, from God's people.

I want a Jahaziel to come alongside you and build up your faith, remind you of God's truths, point you to His feet, cheer you on along your faith walk...in Jesus's name.

I pray that a Jahaziel steps in and steps up in your life. Someone with credentials. Someone with a trust that goes so deeply into the Lord that they will not and cannot be swayed. Someone whose bio shows exactly Who they have been leaning on in their life!

I'm praying for a Jahaziel to bless your life!

 MY ITINERARY

Today's reading: Numbers 33-36

"This is the itinerary the Israelites followed as they marched out of Egypt under the leadership of Moses and Aaron.  At the Lord's direction, Moses kept a written record of their progress. These are the stages of their march, identified by the different places they stopped along the way." Numbers 33:1-2 NLT

To think, the Israelite's journey, all 40 years of it, was documented, stop by stop.

I wish I had written documentation of my faith walk. Stage by stage. Lesson by lesson. Eye opening moment by eye opening moment.

I could look back and see...

-some things weren't as bad as I had 'worried' them to be.

-few things demanded the attention I gave them--attention that took my eyes off the Lord.

-very, very few things were worth the fear level I had attached to them.

-time gives me the perspective that I should have stopped and enjoyed certain 'detours' longer than I did.

-lessons come in the good times and in the bad times.

-I was never alone, never left to my own abilities, never without an audience to my faith and trust in the Lord.

The itinerary of my faith is not one I would have written, but also not one I would ever change. 

In the 47 years I have been walking with God, the path has been uphill and downhill, has been in rainy seasons and had plenty of sunshine-y days, has grown me, shaped me, honed me and amazed me. 

There have been times I have rushed ahead--and had to backtrack to find Him again, and times when I dug in my heels and refused to go any farther. I have given Him 'yes-es' immediately and have had times when I have had to have corrective discipline applied to my backside in order that I see things His way.

This walk with the Lord has proved to me over and over again that only He can be trusted to hold the map and lead the way!

So I'll keep walking beside Him--where ever it is He takes me!

ENTERING BOLDLY

Today's reading: Hebrews 8-10

"And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven's Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus." Hebrews 10:19 NLT

This verse is one of my favorites.

Why? Well, because of the 'word picture' I have of it in my mind. How I've applied its meaning to my life. The picture in my head of how it plays out in reality.

You see, to know I can boldly enter into God's presence sets my thought into full blown hyperspeed...

I can come bursting into the throne room of God's grace yammering on and on about my day--and He will listen to it all!

I can slink in the back door of the Most Holy Place and crawl up on my Daddy's lap to tell him all about what I've done wrong.

I can drag to His feet, mud and all, any doubts and concerns that I have been wrestling with--and He will soothe me fears. 

I can approach my Father, without appointment or protocol, and talk to Him about all that's on my heart.

I can tattle to Him. I can whine to Him. I can rattle non-stop to Him. Then He will send me back out to the world to minister for Him.

I can cry--not just sniffle, but sob in His presence. I can spew my emotions in front of Him. And He will still love me.

I can stand in front of Him with my arms crossed, mad as a wet hen, until He soothes me and changes my attitude, corrects my thinking and softens my heart.

I can repeat to Him his promises and remind Him of them.

I can shake my fist at Him, mutter my complaints, question His timing and He takes me into His arms and holds me tightly until the 'temper tantrum' has passed.

Why can I so boldly approach the God of the universe? Me? Little, ole me? Imperfect and far-from-holy me?

Because when I step into His presence, He doesn't see me. He sees the blood of His Son Jesus on me, allowing me entrance into His personal space!

HOW I AM KNOWN

Today's reading: Acts 3-4

"The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men who had had no special training. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus." Acts 4:13 NLT

What greater aknowledgement might one receive than to be known as 'one who had been with Jesus'?

An educational degree doesn't compare.

A stack of patents pending isn't comparable.

A grand monument inscribed with one's name cannot compete.

But to be seen as having spent time in the presence of the Lord? 

There is no greater honor in life.

Time spent with Jesus impacts one's words, deeds, responses, reactions, desires, relationships.

It intrudes upon one's thoughts, changes one's attitudes, increases one's awareness of those around us.

A daily time with the Lord will change the course of your day, the steps you might take and the lives of those to whom God might call you to minister.

Have you spent time with Jesus--are you ready for today's mission? 

MY RUNNING

Today's reading: Jonah

"Then he told them that he was running away from the Lord. The sailors were terrified when they heard this. Oh, why did you do it? they groaned." Jonah 1:10 NLT

Jonah didn't realize that when he laced up his tennis shoes to run from the Lord that others would be effected.

Nor do we.

There is 'fallout' related to disobeying the Lord. 

We must consider who else might be compromised when we choose to run from the Lord and what He is asking us to do for Him. We must weigh disobedience against the possible consequences. 

 

TENDER CONSCIENCE

Today's reading: Proverbs 28

"Blessed are those who have a tender conscience, but the stubborn are headed for serious trouble." Proverbs 28:14 NLT

Medical degree or not, we all have a way of soothing the hurts and bruises of the people we come in contact with.

Thoughtful gestures, kind words, hugs and smiles are 'tablets of healing' we pass out all throughout our day.

Are you conscience of the needs around you?

Are you slowing down to notice frowns, furrowed brows, tears?

Are you tuned in to tones of sadness, discouragement, frustration and hopelessness in the conversations you have with others?

Blessings come, according to God's Word, to those who have tender consciences towards others.

Want to be blessed? Notice others.

HIS UNFAILING LOVE

Today's reading: Psalm 117-118

"Praise the Lord, all you nations. Praise him, all you people of the earth. For he loves us with unfailing love; the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord!" Psalm 117

I often ask you to look at what the passage of the day says, but not today!

Today I am asking you to take a look at what it doesn't say...

It doesn't say, Would you praise the Lord?

It doesn't say, Would JUST the church praise the Lord.

It doesn't say, Praise Him because of our unfailing love, our unwavering faithfulness, our enduring commitment to Him.

It says, Praise Him because He is wonderful, His love for us never changes, He is (with all that He is) faithful to us.

We don't have to come up with reasons to praise God--He is worthy, entirely and utterly, worthy of all the praises we can muster!

 

SEEING A CHANGE

Today's reading: 2 Chronicles 11-15

"The prophet Shemaiah then met with Rehoboam and Judah's leaders, who had all fled to Jerusalem because of Shishak. Shemaiah told them, This is what the Lord says: You have abandoned me, so I am abandoning you to Shishak. The king and the leaders of Israel humbled themselves and said, The Lord is right in doing this to us! When the Lord saw their change of heart, he gave this message to Shemaiah, Since the people have humbled themselves, I will not completely destroy them and will soon give them some relief..." 2 Chronicles 12:5-7 NLT

The king and the people could have declared a day of prayer...

They might have attended Temple more regularly...

They could have even voted a new law into effect that would have added to the Temple offering plate...

Instead?

Instead, they changed their hearts.

They humbled themselves.

They allowed the eyes of their hearts to be opened to their own sins.

They repented, which is being sorry for AND turning away from sin.

And God saw the change.

And God chose, after a time, to reward them.

I'm reminded this morning that God sees my heart--the intentions, the conscious acts, the deliberate choices, the willingness in what I do. Does He see that I am purposeful in staying away from yesterday's sins?

Does He see a change in my heart?

THE TRANSJORDAN TRIBES

Today's reading: Numbers 29-32

I'm intrigued by the account of Numbers 32, subtitled, The TransJordan Tribes.

It baffles me as to what might have led this group of 2-1/2 tribes to want the land on the east side of the Jordan River, instead of inhabiting the Promised Land.

Did they settle for less? 

Upon reading the chapter, they were willing to put the blood, sweat and tears into obtaining the land of Canaan--they just didn't want to live there.

After all they'd been through? 

Following a 40 year journey?

Knowing all they knew about the bounty and blessing of the land on the west side of the Jordan?

And God let them?

I have lots of questions about this arrangement. I can't wrap my head around the agreement. I just don't understand the 'how and why' of it all. But I've come to this conclusion:

God had a reason for His people to be there, or they wouldn't have been there.

Isn't that the point at which all of our unknowns should converge?

God has a reason.

And He doesn't need to explain it to us--as if He could!

LEARNING OBEDIENCE

Today's reading: Hebrews 5-7

"So even though Jesus was God's Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered." Hebrews 5:8 NLT

I'd never really thought about it, but Jesus taught us obedience by the hardships he endured during his 'tour of duty' on earth.

He could have told God, 'No, thank you', when it came to his earthly mission.

He might have become so intolerant of the human race, in his mere 33 years, that he wiped us all out with one spoken word.

He, understandably so, might have refused the pain of the cross.

But where would we be?

What hope would there be for us IF he had called the legions of angels instead of enduring punishment, crucifixion and death?

So friend, consider your own suffering. While not in the league of what Jesus endured, might it be a lesson for you in obedience?

Will you obediently trust God through it all?

Will you believe His promises even when you cannot see His hand?

Could you endure for the purpose of another coming to know your Lord and Savior?

Are you willing to learn obedience through the things you suffer?

 

DO NOT LEAVE
Today's reading: Acts 1-2

"In one of these meetings as he was eating a meal with them, he told them, Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you what he promised. Remember, I have told you about this before, John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit." Acts 1:4-5 NLT

Jesus was telling his disciples not to leave Jerusalem for their missionary journeys until the Holy Spirit fell upon them.

He was asking them to stay put until they had received what God had promised.

They were instructed not to take the next step until they were filled with God's power.

Those are good instructions.

Those are good instructions for us today!

Do not leave your house, until you've prayed that the Holy Spirit fill you.

Do not leave your church house until you are flooded with the Spirit's power.

Do not attempt to do anything, for Him or for yourself, without having the Spirit of the Living God empowering you.

 Why?

The task is too big. The enemy is too strong. The impact is too great. The mission is about life and death.

On our own we can't do it. In our own strengths we will fall short. Without the Spirit's leading we will do it to our own glory and honor. 

We are going out to tell the world about our Lord and Savior--

Take the Holy Spirit with you.

YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE

Today's reading: Obadiah

"You shouldn't have..." Obadiah verses 12-14 NLT

Obadiah, the prophet, was foretelling the land of Edom of their impending destruction.

God was going to exact justice on this nation for their unfair treatment of the Israelites.

The punishment was harsh. The fall out would be monumental. The consequences matched the offense.

You see, the Edomites were 'brothers' to the Israelites.

A quick history lesson tells us that Abraham had Isaac, and Isaac had Jacob--the father of the Israelites. What we fail to remember is that Jacob had a twin brother, Esau. Esau was the father of the Edomites.

It's helpful to know this as we read, and re-read, verses 12-14 about what 'brothers shouldn't do to brothers'...

What believers shouldn't do to believers...

What church members shouldn't do to other church members...

Gloating over hard times. Rejoicing at the suffering of others. Crowing over others as they suffer disaster. Plundering another's possessions. Looting their homes. Making ourselves rich at the expense of others. Killing. Capturing.

It's hard enough to battle what the enemy does outside the walls of our churches and homes, we cannot allow him to gain a foothold inside our sanctuaries!

Remember the 'you shouldn'ts'.

 

YOUR HEART'S REFLECTION

Today's reading: Proverbs 26-27

"As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the person." Proverbs 27:19 NLT

What are being seeing in regards to your heart?

Not your cardiovascular system, but your soul, the center of your being, the part of you that is linked--or not linked, with the Lord?

They catch glimpses of your heart in what you say.

They see your heart status in the things you do,

They sense the state of your heart in your reactions, your tone of voice and your comments about others.

Your heart condition is visible in times of anger, times of disappointment and in times of unplanned changes to your schedule.

Your heart is not hidden from the world, only to be seen by the latest technology, it's on full display to all around you.

How does it look? 

GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS

Today's reading: Psalm 114-116

"Not to us, O Lord, but to you goes all the glory for your unfailing love and faithfulness." Psalm 115:1 NLT

Thomas Chisholm knew what he was talking about when he penned the lyrics to a song that's still sung over 100 years later.

He knew the depth of the truths about which he wrote.

He knew the power of the theme of his song.

He knew the Lord of the message he was attempting to convey.

He knew it was nothing at all to do with him.

Or us today.

All the glory goes to the Lord for His faithfulness...

1. Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
   There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
   Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
   As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.
   • Refrain:
     Great is Thy faithfulness!
     Great is Thy faithfulness!
     Morning by morning new mercies I see:
     All I have needed Thy hand hath provided—
     Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
2. Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
   Sun, moon, and stars in their courses above
   Join with all nature in manifold witness
   To Thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love.
3. Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
   Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide,
   Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow—
   Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!
4. 
   

 

PRAYER OF DEDICATION
Today's reading: 2 Chronicles 6-10

"He prayed, O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you in all of heaven and earth. You keep your promises and show unfailing love to all who obey you and are eager to do your will." 2 Chronicles 6:14 NLT

King Solomon had built an ornate temple for the Lord's ark and Spirit to reside in.

On this day in our Bible reading, that Temple was being dedicated. 

As I read the first few lines of Solomon's dedication prayer, I'm led to believe his words, God honoring and God seeking, might help us all today.

Have you ever thought about, first thing in the morning, dedicating your day to the Lord?

Praising Him.

Thanking Him.

Reminding yourself of His desire that we serve Him, and Him alone.

Asking for an eagerness to do His will.

Our days start the moment our feet hit the floor--what if our first act of the day was to pray a prayer of dedication?

Giving the day to the Lord. Turning our attention to Him. Honoring Him before anything else gets in the way.

While Solomon's dedication festivities were grand and spectacular, even the most humbled prayer prayed in the wee hours of the morning, before the world wakes up, with sleep still in our eyes, can be heard by our Lord God!

 PRAYING FOR SUCCESSORS

Today's reading: Numbers 25-28

"Then Moses said to the Lord, O Lord, the God of the spirits of all living things, please appoint a new leader for the community. Give them someone who will lead them into battle, so the people of the Lord will not be like sheep without a shepherd." Numbers 27:15-17 NLT

Moses had to be exhausted at this point in his life.

A river bassinet. A childhood in the palace. Running away from home. A burning bush experience. A call of God. A stand before Pharoah. A 40 year long camping expedition with over 2 millions grumbly people.

And in the verses leading up to this portion of Scripture, God allows Moses to climb a mountain to SEE the Promised Land, but lets him know he will not be going into it.

Whew!

Moses's response?

Throw a fit? Kick the dirt? Curse the Lord, or the mumblers among him, or his calling?

No.

He asked God to send the right man to step into his role as leader.

I won't be so bold as to think I might ever think like God thinks, but consider this: Might this single moment in time, this response--could it have been the moment God knew Moses had been the right man for the job?

Moses didn't consider himself deserving. Or worthy. Or entitled.

He wanted a godly leader for the people as they stepped foot into the land of promise.

What a lesson for us!