SOMETHING NEW
Today's reading: Isaiah 43

"But forget all that--it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do a brand new thing. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness for my people to come home. I will create rivers for them in the desert!" Isaiah 43:18-19 NLT

As you scan social media feeds, you may well have seen folks posting huge milestones on their pages...

Pounds lost.

Marathons run.

Debts paid off.

Degrees earned.

Hooray for them! What huge accomplishments! We all know the energy, determination and control it took to accomplish each and every one of those celebratory highs.

But part of you, maybe a large part of you, is jealous, depressed and downright angry because all you seemed to accomplish these last 364 days was to keep your head above water.

To stay in church.

To remember to pray.

To not give up and throw in the towel of life.

Those things are worth celebrating as well! You didn't stop. You didn't give in. You didn't quit!

So to all of us ending 2025, no matter which side of the camp we are in, this verse is vital!

You see, if you watched as the Lord did a whole lot in your life--or if you feel as if you and He accomplished very, very little--we get to forget all that and look forward to all He has in store for the new year and for us.

My prayer for you is this--that you will keep your eyes on Him. All day today. All day tomorrow. All the days of the new year that will 'hatch' as the ball drops tonight at midnight.

He is good. He is worthy of all our trust. He will do a new thing in all of us IF we continue to walk beside Him.

THROWING CARGO OVERBOARD

Today's reading: Acts 27-28

The next day, as gale force winds continued to batter the ship, the crew began throwing the cargo overboard. The following day they even threw out the ship's equipment and anything else they could lay their hands on." Acts 27:18-19 NLT

Paul and his fellow travelers were in the storm of their lives.

It wasn't just an overnight storm that popped up, sprinkled upon them and dissipated.

This storm, within the next verse or so, was said to have lasted 14 days.

That's a very long storm.

That's a very long time to 'be holding your breath' waiting for God to do something.

What did they do?

They tossed overboard anything and everything that couldn't help them in the storm.

They rid themselves of amenities. They threw out little gods that apparently were of no use to them. They parted ways with any and all valuables that couldn't save their lives.

Here is my prayer, after having read about Paul and his traveling companions...

Lord, let us let go of anything but You as this new year approaches. Let us part ways with anything that we're clinging tightly to that will not help us through the upcoming 365 days. Let us see 'things' for what they are, and hold ever so tightly to the Master of the winds--You! Let us not be distracted by the accumulation of wealth we have gained, but assured in the faith we have in You. There may be storms in the new year, let our ships be ready to ride out the waves with You. Amen. 

BOOK OF LIFE

Today's reading: Revelation 18-22

"And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire." Revelation 20:15 NLT

Particular detail is being made to make sure our names are on end-of-year documents.

We check, and double-check, our Social Security numbers, addresses and how our names are spelled on paperwork that will help us in the next few months to file our taxes.

We are triple-checked in at the doctor's office by them asking for our names, date of birth and a verification of our addresses.

Are we as fastidious about make sure our names, and the names of our loved ones, are written down the Lamb's Book of Life?

Are we secure in have prayed a prayer of salvation that places our eternity in His hands?

Are we adamant about a moment in time when we asked our Lord and Savior to forgive our sins and cleanse us from every wrong?

Are we sure, doubly sure, that we know the Lord--and He knows us as His?

This information needs to be verified and confirmed before it's too late. 

No one can do it for us, no one can certify your relationship with God other than you.

Is your name written in the Book of Life

"Father God, I love you. I believe in you. I need you. I'm sorry for my sins. Sorry about the way I've lived. Sorry for shutting You out. I want You in my life. I surrender. I yield. I receive Jesus as my Savior and my Lord. I believe He died for me. He rose from the dead. He's alive today. Come into me. Take me just the way I am. Now make me everything You want me to be. I believe I'm saved. I'm on my way to heaven, and I'm going to enjoy the trip. Amen."

AS FOR MY OWN VINEYARD

Today's reading: Song of Solomon 7-8

"Solomon has a vineyard at Baal-hamon, which he rents to some farmers there. Each of them pays one thousand pieces of silver for its use. But as for my own vineyard, O Solomon, you can take my thousand pieces of silver. And I will give two hundred pieces of silver to those who care for its vines." Song of Solomon 8:11-12 NLT

We are wrapping up a season of giving this week.

Presents were offered.

Gifts were presented.

Offerings were made to represent love and care.

But in all that, what did we give to the Lord?

What can we willingly, and wholeheartedly, give Him?

What means the most to us? What requires a hands-off approach once we gift it to Him?

What will we trust in His capable hands?

 A NEW SONG

Today's reading: Psalm 149-150

"...Sing to the Lord a new song..." Psalm 149:1 NLT

Think about your recent prayers of thanksgiving.

Are they the same things repeated over and over?

Is it your prayer list on repeat?

Are your thanks coming out in rote and repetition?

Maybe it's time to sing to the Lord a new song!

Make an effort, every day, a few times a day, to thank God for something different...

Something unusual...

Something funny...

Something that might usually be overlooked, and thanks never expressed for...

Something that you make an effort to see/hear/feel...

Sing to the Lord a new song in response to all He does for you!

WINNING OVER YOUR ENEMIES

Today's reading: Esther 6-10

"In every city and province, wherever the king's decree arrives, the Jews rejoiced and had a great celebration and declared a public festival and holiday. And many of the people of the land became Jews themselves, for they feared what the Jews might do to them." Esther 8:16-17 NLT

Is how you live winning anyone over to the Lord's side?

Oh, I'm not talking merely about your Sunday-self, I'm asking about your Monday through Saturday interactions with the world around you.

The Jews in Esther's time were fighting for their lives against their enemies. A death warrant had been placed upon them and God's intervention allowed Esther to step in, for such a time as this, and present the king with an edict that would allow them to protect themselves.

It's how they reacted to God's provision that won people over to their Lord.

What about you?

Would anyone want the Lord you have on your side?

 

GO TELL IT

Today's reading: Luke 2

"The shepherds went back to their fields and flocks, glorifying and praising God for what the angels had told them, and because they had seen the child, just as the angel had said." Luke 2:20 NLT

The shepherds couldn't keep quiet about the Baby that first Christmas night.

The wonder of who He was filled them.

The awe of all He accomplished stirred them.

The hope He offered spurred them.

The grace (that they would be chosen to meet this wonder) moved them.

The excitement of getting to meet Him poured out of them.

What does this special, God-sent Baby do to you?

 

HEARING THE BELLS

Today's reading: Jude

"May you receive more and more of God's mercy, peace and love." Jude verse 2 NLT

This Christmas Eve morning, as I read the words of Jude, I am ashamed to say I've not paused long enough this Christmas season to receive all God has for me.

I've hustled and bustled.

I've skipped merrily from Christmas party to Christmas program to cookie swap to holiday meals.

I've shopped, I've bought, I've wrapped with abandon.

But I've not slowed down to consider the greatness of what this season celebrates...

Jesus.

He came so that I could receive more and more of God's mercy, peace and love.

He came so that I could be made right with God.

He came so that my eternity could be secured in His act of salvation on the cross.

And with Christmas less that 24 hours away, I could have easily sailed right past celebrating Him.

What a gift this morning's verse is to this holiday-weary soul!

WHAT YOU'VE EXPERIENCED

Today's reading: Acts 25-26

"...And the Lord replied, I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting. Now stand up! For I have appeared to you as my servant and my witness. You are to tell the world about this experience and about other times I will appear to you." Acts 26:15-16 NLT

While we all would consider the Apostle Paul's calling a very special one...

One that reached the world...

One that stirred the hearts and lives of nations...

One that gave us several books in the Holy Bible...

One that allowed the Messiah to be preached to us Gentiles...

His calling is not at all different from ours.

We are all asked to share our experiences and interactions with the Lord with others.

We are to tell the world how He has saved us...

How He has allowed us access into His holy family...

How He has promised us eternity with Him in heaven...

How He has changed us...

How He has spoken to us through His Word...

It's not a difficult task. It's not a task assigned to those wearing suits and standing behind pulpits. It's not a task that was given only to a zealous Pharisee of the strictest order whose life was changed on a dirt road in Damascus--it's do-able and it's our task, too!
 

CHRISTMAS CAROLS
Today's reading: Revelation 12-17

"And they were singing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb:

    Great and marvelous are your actions, Lord God Almighty.

    Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations.

    Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name?

    For you alone are holy.

    All nations will come and worship before you, 

    for your righteous deeds have been revealed." Revelation 15:3-4 NLT

Radios blast Christmas carols. Spotify plays Christmas songs for me as I do housework. The song leader led us in Christmas worship music yesterday at church.

'Tis the season to be singing about the Baby in the manger, the Gift of Jesus and the generous nature of God towards humankind.

One doesn't expect to hear a carol in the verses of Revelation, but there it is. A song from Moses about the giving characteristic of our Good Father.

Lyrics speaking of the greatness of our Almighty God.

From Genesis to Revelation, and every book in between, we are reminded of the greatness of our God! 

 

SICK WITH LOVE

Today's reading: Song of Solomon 5-6

"Make this promise to me, O women of Jerusalem! If you find my beloved one, tell him that I am sick with love." Song of Solomon 5:8 NLT

I've recently watched a movie about a woman whose life was turned upside down by an accident. This accident left her in a condition that left her unable to speak, walk or care for herself.

She went from being independent to entirely dependent upon her caregivers.

If that ever happens to me, would you do something for me?

Would you continue to let the Lord know I love Him...

I trust Him...

I believe in Him...

I consider Him to be my best friend.

Let Him know if I can't.

GLANCING OUT THE WINDOW

Today's reading: Psalm 146-148

"Praise the Lord from the heavens! Praise him from the skies!" Psalm 148:1 NLT

This morning as I sit in my prayer chair reading the words of Psalm 148:1, I glance out the window to an eastern sky just awaking for the day.

The outline of a treeline is highlighted in the reds and oranges of what is just starting of this beautiful December day.

Light from dark.

Colors from black.

Morning from night.

Today from yesterday.

Reasons to praise the Lord!

The psalmist must have seen such a morning when he penned these words! 

MY MAIDS AND I

Today's reading: Esther 1-5

"Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai, Go and gather together all the Jews of Susa and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night and day. My maids and I will do the same. And then, though it is against the law, I will go in to see the king. If I must die, I am willing to die." Esther 4:15-16 NLT

I used to think I wanted a maid.

Now this 'maid talk' is based purely on my 1970's education through television...

Rosie on the Jetson's.

Florence from the Jefferson's.

Alice from the Brady Bunch.

Aunt Bee from Mayberry.

Someone who would have a hot meal on the table, the floors vacuumed and mopped, and my bed sheets crisply starched...with a little fun banter along the way!

But these days, I'm desiring the type of maids that Queen Esther was afforded.

Not those who waited on her hand and foot in the palace of Susa...

Not those who would dress her in her royal gowns...

Not even those who would provide her smallest needs...

I want the kind of maids, sisters in Christ, who will pray for me!

Friends who will take my burdens to the Lord for me, with me and beside me.

You see, I can do the dishes and vacuum--but in regards to prayer, I always need help.

Those are the kind of 'maids' I want in my life today!

ENEMY OCCUPATION
Today's reading: Deuteronomy 29-31

"When we came here, King Sihon of Heshbon and King Og of Bashan came out to fight against us, but we defeated them. We took their land and gave it to the tribes of Reuben and Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh for their inheritance." Deuteronomy 29:7-8 NLT

Oh, my heart!

To think about fighting our enemy so victoriously and completely that we not only receive what God has promised us, but also take what the enemy had possession of and have it for the next generation!

Where might that be for you?

An addiction to break?

A relationship to mend?

A promise to stand on?

Where might you, today, right now, here, as you currently are, stake a claim on enemy occupied land?

Let's determine today to make the enemy foot the bill for the growing of our faith and the legacy of godliness we might leave to those who follow in our footsteps! 

CARE FOR THE LORD'S WORKERS

Today's reading: 3 John

"Dear friend, you are doing a good work for God when you take care of the traveling teachers who are passing through, even though they are strangers to you. They have told the church here of your friendship and your loving deeds. You do well to send them on their way in a manner that pleases God. For they are traveling for the Lord and accept nothing from those who are not Christians. So we ourselves should support them so that we may become partners with them for the truth." 3 John 5-8 NLT 

I stand in awe of the missionaries that leave home and family to spread the Good News to the uttermost parts of the world.

Their dedication. Their faithfulness. Their courage. Their obedience.

But this time of the year? 

With Christmas trees up, Christmas programs being practiced and presented, Christmas parties being held and Christmas traditions being carried out...families gathering.

And they are a world away. 

They are in touch with family via Zoom or Skype instead of across the dining room table.

They are attempting to find ways to incorporate the Christmas feeling of 'home' on foreign soil.

They are stretched in their faith on these special days.

So it's vital that we support them!

In prayer.

In contact.

In monetary support.

In ways that let them know, we are their partners and they have not been forgotten.

BE ENCOURAGED

Today's reading: Acts 23-24

"That night the Lord appeared to Paul and said, Be encouraged, Paul. Just as you have told the people about me here in Jerusalem, you must preach the Good News in Rome." Acts 23:11 NLT

If you read the ten verses prior to today's selected verse, you might not feel as if things had gone so well for Paul.

When he preached he stirred up the masses.

When he spoke of Jesus he angered the politicians.

When he shared the Good News he upset the church leaders.

I'm pretty sure he went to bed that night wondering why in the world God had called him!

But God spoke to his heart. God chose to remind Paul of His calling on his life. God gave Paul encouragement for Paul's next step--Rome.

I pray He do the same for you!

I am asking God to encourage you in what He has asked you to do.

I am asking God to remind you of His grander purpose--especially if current events leave you questioning all you thought you knew to be right and true and God-led.

I am asking God to speak to your heart. To stir up His Spirit in you. To excite you for Him again today.

Be encouraged, friend! 

I'D LIKE TO TEACH THE WORLD TO SING
Today's reading: Revelation 7-11

"After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white and held palm branches in their hands. And they were shouting, with a mighty shout, Salvation comes from our God on the throne and from the Lamb!" Revelation 7:9-10 NLT

I'm a 70's kids.

I remember the Brady Bunch, Reading Rainbow and Little House on the Prairie.

I recall boxes of sugary cereal with toys down deep in the recesses of the crunchy bits, red Kool-Aid and reading to gain pizza coupons.

I even sent a mouse to college by collecting quarters!

But when I read this verse?

When I think about the sight this portion of Scripture describes?

I am taken back to the 'I'd Like To Teach The World To Sing' ads Coca-Cola would play every Christmas of my youth.

People of all colors, heights, widths, nationalities, singing the same song. About peace and cola.

Oh, the thrill of seeing that 'song' sung about Jesus! 

The throne will be a palette of colors. A melting pot of nationalities. A chorus of various languages.

All about Jesus--the Lamb on the throne.

So, to leave you with a little jingle in your head...

I'd like to teach the world to sing

In perfect harmony

I'd like to hold it in my arms

And keep it company

I'd like to see the world for once

All standing hand in hand

And hear them echo through the hills

For peace throughout the land

That's the song I hear

Let the world sing today

A song of peace that it goes on

And never goes away

JESUS'S ARRIVAL

Today's reading: Song of Solomon 3-4

I've read this morning about Solomon arriving in his decked out carriage, surrounded by 60 of his soldiers.

The very sight of it made people stop and stare--drop-jawed at the sight.

It had to be a spectacle. It must have been quite a scene. It was something to talk about!

Then I think about Jesus's arrival.

A dirty stable.

An audience of oxen, donkeys and sheep.

A jumble of fabric strips used to swaddle lambs.

A very, young scared mother delivering her first child.

An anxious father whose hands were too calloused to hold such a small gift.

Quite a spectacle, in its own right.

One to be talked about by angels, shepherds, stars and wise men...

And by us.

Jesus's arrival has given us plenty to share with others--the excitement, the wonder, the graciousness, the love, the peace, the joy, the awe...the Savior of the world!

 

GOD'S OPEN HAND

Today's reading: Psalm 143-145

"When You open Your hand, You satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living thing." Psalm 145:16 NLT

Do you fully grasp the graciousness of God?

The bounty He allows to pour from His hand?

The all encompassing nature of His generosity towards us?

If you do...

If you truly do...

...you will spend more time giving thanks than asking for anything!

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!