TOUCH MY MOUTH

Today's reading: Jeremiah 1-6

"Then the Lord touched my mouth and said, See, I have put my words in your mouth!" Jeremiah 1:9 NLT

God,

Help me remember that You have touched my mouth, too.

In every conversation, let me share what You have filled me with--heart and mind.

Allow me to speak of You. With excitement. With clarity. With wonder.

Let me talk of the goodness of You, my God. Oh, there is so much I could say!

Give me boldness to bring You up in a conversation. Where ever  it is I am. Whoever I speak to.

Guide me with wisdom as to who needs to hear about Your love and mercy and forgiveness.

Let me be so filled with Your testimony that I don't have time or desire to speak idle words, unkind words, unnecessary words.

Let Your words flow from my mouth today, Lord.

-Amen

SO GLORIOUS

Today's reading: Job 25-26

"God is so glorious that even the moon and stars scarcely shine compared to him." Job 25:5 NLT

Remember when, as a child, you would attempt to stare into the sun?

It lasted only a few seconds--it was just too much to handle.

The brilliance.

The brightness.

The radiance.

It was more than we could take in and we would eventually have to close our eyes.

To think God's glory shines even brighter!

We can attempt to stare at Him, and it overwhelms us.

We can try to look into His goodness and might, but our eyes, or hearts, cannot take it in.

God is so glorious! 

 LIFE AND LIGHT

Today's reading: Psalm 36-38

"For you are the fountain of life, the light by which we see." Psalm 36:9 NLT

Life and light, the two gifts God gives us.

Life--true life, not just living. Not just being. Not just breathing. But life in all its abundance.

Sight--seeing things for what they truly are. Not just vision, but discernment. Not just being able to notice things, but being able to look deeply into the eternity of the matters at hand.

Only through God do we have both gifts.

Only by way of God can we pass these gifts on to another.

STANDING HERE QUIETLY

Today's reading: 1 Samuel 11-15

"Now stand here quietly before the Lord as I remind you of all the great things the Lord has done for you and your ancestors." 1 Samuel 12:7 NLT

How often do you pause in your day to consider all the blessings God has poured into your life?

For most of us, it's not often enough.

It's a practice that we, as Americans, tend to save for the Thanksgiving season--or maybe, if we're truly focused, the whole month of November. 

But shouldn't quiet amazement for God and all He has done be a part of our every day?

--In thanks for what the day before brought us through.

--In appreciation for all He has provided us.

--In gratitude for His promises to never leave or forsake us.

In this fast paced, planner filled, running from one appointment to the next, world we live in, let's stand quietly today and be reminded of all the great things the Lord has done for us.

THE PORTION I TOOK

Today's reading: Genesis 48-50

"Then Jacob said to Joseph, I am about to die, but God will be with you and will bring you again to Canaan, the land of your ancestors. And I give you an extra portion beyond what I have given your brothers--the portion I took from the Amorites with my sword and bow." Genesis 28:21-22 NLT

In this passage, Jacob, as in 'Abraham-Isaac-Jacob', was about to die and was speaking to his son, Joseph.

With his dying breaths he was extending a blessing to his son, a blessing that went above and beyond that which he would give to Joseph's other brothers.

It was a portion of the inheritance that Jacob has taken from his enemy and held on to for this moment in time.

He gifted Joseph with something he had fought hard to win...

Something he had risked life and limb to lay hold of...

Something that his enemy never intended to let go of...

Maybe, just maybe, you are able to pass along such a 'gift' to your loved ones.

An inheritance that cost you plenty...

An inheritance that the enemy never intended for you to procure...

An inheritance that breaks all generational curses and sets a new course for your life and the life of your family...

An inheritance that is undeserved, unending and unattainable by any means other than the Lord working in and around you...

An inheritance that will surpass any accumulated wealth, any stockpile of material things, any bank-full of money--all at the expense of your enemy!

 

 A JEALOUS GOD

Today's reading: 1 Corinthians 9-10

"What? Do you dare to rouse the Lord's jealousy as Israel did?.." 1 Corinthians 10:22 NLT

Paul writes to the church at Corinth about the fractious nature of serving idols.

He reviews with them, in chapter 10, a little history lesson as he discusses the failures of the Israelites as they wandered through the wilderness.

While they had a pillar of cloud before them, a pillar of fire behind them, the Lord with them and saw miracles of all sorts--they still chose to worship idols.

Still chose to worship idols?!

Might we be doing the same thing?

We have the inerrant Word of God at our fingertips...

We are free to worship publicly with brothers and sisters in Christ...

We are offered the gift of salvation through the blood of Jesus...

We have testimonies that display God's unending and relentless pursuit of our hearts...

And we still have tendencies to turn to idols.

To things that comfort us...

To things that make us feel secure...

To things that entertain us...

To things that numb us...

To things that we think we can control...

To things that turn our attention off of God...

What part/parts of your daily life might be rousing the jealousy of our God? What might you need to put away/put down/put out/put behind you--in order that your full attention be on your Savior?

ALREADY IN THE BOAT

Today's reading: Mark 3-4

"As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, Let's cross to the other side of the lake. He was already in the boat, so they started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed)." Mark 4:35-36 NLT

These are the verses preceding the known to everyone words, Peace, be still!

Disciples.

A boat.

Jesus.

As believers, we've probably read the passage hundreds of times. Heard many a sermon preached on this particular portion of Scripture. Maybe even remember the flannelgraph version presented to you as a child.

But this morning, I noticed an order of events I'd never seen before...

...He was already in the boat...

Jesus wasn't asking them to do something He wouldn't be with them in.

Jesus didn't ask them to go anywhere He wasn't going, too.

Jesus never requested something of his loved ones that they would have to do alone.

And He doesn't of us either.

If He asks us to head our boats into a storm--know He will be with us.

If He needs us to step into a situation--know we don't do it alone.

If He presents us with a scary season--know He is already there--in it, with us, orchestrating events that will change lives.

Jesus was already in the boat, what a peace giving thought!

 

SOON LORD, SOON

Today's reading: Isaiah 62-66

"The Lord says, People who never before inquired about me are now asking about me. I am being found by people who were not looking for me. To them I have said, I am here." Isaiah 65:1 NLT

Aren't we all ready for those we're praying for to 'finally and fully' turn to the Lord?

The loved ones who seem aloof to His judgement...

The friends who are good, but are not saved...

The neighbors who have disregarded the Gospel presented to them...

The church attenders who aren't sold out to the cause of Christ...

The prodigals who are wallowing in their pig pens...

The agnostics who won't see the goodness of God right before their eyes...

Soon Lord, let this verse come to a revival-like reality, soon! 

 AND WHEN

Today's reading: Job 23-24

"...And when he has tested me like gold in a fire, he will pronounce me innocent. For I have stayed in God's paths; I have followed his ways and not turned aside." Job 23:10-11 NLT

That's my prayer...

To be able to stand say, at the end of any trial, any storm or any doubt-filled season of my life--that I have not turned away from Him.

I want to continue to cling to Him, no matter what life brings my way.

I want to be able to endure the heat of the refining fire, because I know He controls the heat.

I want to absolutely trust Him with my life, because of the good plans He has for it.

I want to stand innocent before Him one day--not because I was perfect in all that I did, but because I accepted His Son's blood over my life and walked with Him daily.

TESTIFY

Today's reading: Psalm 33-35

"Then I will thank you in front of the entire congregation, I will praise you before all the people." Psalm 35:18 NLT

Do others know what all God has done for you?

The storms He has walked you through?

The dry seasons when He has kept you watered and flourishing?

Do they even know you are His? 

NOT SURE WHAT TO DO WITH GOD

Today's reading: 1 Samuel 6-10

"So they sent messengers to the people at Kiriath-jearim and told them, The Philistine have returned the Ark of the Lord. Please come here and get it!" 1 Samuel 6:21 NLT

Let's be honest, too much God makes people nervous.

It causes them to become uncomfortable in their skin.

It makes them stand up straighter, walk more worthily and love more deeply.

It's unnatural.

It's a little awkward.

It's somewhat anxiety-producing.

It's personal.

It's convicting.

It's at that moment of discomfort, we must assess our hearts...

We must ask God to make changes.

We must request that the Lord remove our sins.

We must pray that God gets to the bottom of our conviction.

God wants to get much, much closer to us than we currently allow Him to be. He desires to crawl into our hearts and lives and make earth-shaking changes. He created us to long for Him as much as He loves us.

What will you do when God gets too close to you?

GIVING BLESSINGS
Today's reading: Genesis 44-47

"Then Joseph brought his father, Jacob, and presented him to Pharoah, and Jacob blessed Pharoah. How old are you, Pharoah asked him. Jacob replied, I have lived for 130 hard years, but I am not nearly as old as many of my ancestors. Then Jacob blessed Pharaoh again before he left." Genesis 47:7-10 NLT 

Here's what I want us to do today...

When in positions of any sort today, look for ways to bless someone.

If you are in line at the customer service counter, look for ways to bless the customer service representative.

If you are selling your wares to a customer, look for ways to bless them-whether they buy from you or not.

If you are being helped by a doctor or nurse, ask God for a way to bless their day while you are in their presence.

If you are busy about your home, ask God for eyes to see ways in which you can bless those in your household-ways beyond the usual tasks of laundry, meal prep and taxi service.

Pharoah held in his possession what Jacob and his family needed that day- land, food, employment and acceptance. Jacob, however, in his needy position held God in his heart and was able to bless from the abundance he experienced.

Look for ways to bless any and all you can.

NOT AN ABSOLUTE RULE
Today's reading: 1 Corinthians 7-8

"This is only my suggestion. It's not meant to be an absolute rule." 1 Corinthians 7:6 NLT

Paul, writer of so many God ordained things, tells his audience, and us, that there are some things he adheres to that are not hard and fast rules, but what works for him and his Christian walk.

Decisions he has made that help his faith to remain strong and steadfast.

Choices he has come to and crossed over that enable him to remain faithful.

But he isn't giving them as commandments to follow or instructions needing to be kept.

He merely offers suggestions.

We can do that, Christian friends.

We can talk amongst ourselves and discover what works, and what doesn't.

Then we can share our findings. Here are a few ideas...

-morning devotion times

-accountability partners

-prayer journaling

-no television

-a certain translation of Scripture

-being involved in small group Bible studies

What we need to be very, very careful about is considering anything other than God's Word to be God's determination on how or why to do something. There are plenty of things He asks us to do, and we should be doing--and then there are those things that we get to do, personally, that help us fan the flames He has ignited inside us.

 

KNOWING GOD IS PLEASED

Today's reading: Mark 1-2

"And a voice came from heaven saying, You are my beloved Son, and I am fully pleased with you." Mark 1:11 NLT

Ever wished for a voice from heaven confirming your choices, your path, your decisions?

As a grown-up, sometimes I think it would be quite helpful to be given a grade for the day--a grade that would denote if I were on the right path, or standing in great need of improvement.

Maybe even being issued a gold star for accomplishments throughout the day.

Or coming across a verse that says, Atta boy!

It's usually the days I am rushing through that I need the assurance the most.

The days when I pray haphazardly...

The days I drop my list of needs with Him and go...

The days I bow my head momentarily...

The days I merely perform a mental checklist...

Today I'm slowing down.

I'm stopping in my tracks.

I'm pausing to pray.

And to listen.

SILENT WATCHDOGS
Today's reading: Isaiah 56-61

"For the leaders of my people--the Lord's watchmen, his shepherds--are blind to every danger. They are like silent watchdogs that give no warning when danger comes. They love to lie around, sleeping and dreaming." Isaiah 56:10 NLT

We have livestock guardian dogs on our little farm.

They are big. They are intimidating. They are barkers.

A run away leaf flitting from our neighbor's yard to our own will send them in to fits of barking.

A bird flying over their 'assigned area' will lead them to alarming us of the intruder.

Someone walking (for exercise) down the road will cause them to alert us to 'imminent danger'.

And the neighborhood cat walking just outside of their boundary lines--what a commotion!

Unless they are sleeping.

And when they are sleeping, nothing rouses them.

They slumber. They snore. They drool. They stretch out. They lay oblivious to the world at large.

Are we like that, Church?

We are spending our time barking at the wrong things--and sleeping through the issues God wants us to be fully aware of?

Are we raising our voices to indecencies committed against us while the world is slipping off into a dark, hot, God-less eternity?

Are we arguing gray areas and not spreading the Gospel message?

Are we silent watchdogs worn out from the wrong fight?

EVANGELISM

Today's reading: Job 21-22

"Listen closely to what I am saying. You can console me by listening to me." Job 21:2 NLT

Christian brothers and sisters,

In our hurry to follow the Great Commission--

In our excitement to share the Romans Road--

In our speediness to proclaim the Good News--

Maybe, just maybe, we need to begin with listening.

We have a world full of people who need to get some things off their chests.

Some folks who don't have a shoulder to cry on.

Person after person who needs a trustworthy ear to share their hurts with.

Maybe it's time we start listening more.

Allow ourselves to step through the door God opens into their lives by merely pausing long enough to hear what it is they have to say.

It's what Job needed. 

IN THE MORNING
Today's reading: Psalm 30-32

"...but joy comes in the morning." Psalm 30:5 NLT

We've had a very long night waiting out severe weather here on the prairie.

Thunderstorms, tornado warnings, winds howling, hail and rain.

We've kept the TV on for weather reports.

We've gathered flashlights.

We've made sure our 'safe spot' was ready for us if needed.

We've listened as things crashed around us outside.

We've spent time on the front porch looking at the night sky.

And now?

Now we await the sunrise.

We wait for a glimpse of what was done in the dark.

We stand together as a family, safe and sound--waiting for the first sight of all God kept us from.

We're rejoicing that 'joy comes in the morning'.

The sun always rises!

The dawn always breaks!

The day always begins again!

The Lord always lets us see Him! 

 DEALING WITH GOD

Today's reading: 1 Samuel 1-5

"At that time Israel was at war with the Philistines. The Israelite army was camped near Ebenezer, and the Philistines were at Aphek. The Philistines attacked and defeated the army of Israel, killing 4,000 men. After the battle was over, the troops retreated to their camp, and the elders of Israel asked, “Why did the Lord allow us to be defeated by the Philistines?” Then they said, “Let’s bring the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord from Shiloh. If we carry it into battle with us, it[a] will save us from our enemies.” So they sent men to Shiloh to bring the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, who is enthroned between the cherubim. Hophni and Phinehas, the sons of Eli, were also there with the Ark of the Covenant of God. When all the Israelites saw the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord coming into the camp, their shout of joy was so loud it made the ground shake! “What’s going on?” the Philistines asked. “What’s all the shouting about in the Hebrew camp?” When they were told it was because the Ark of the Lord had arrived, they panicked. “The gods have[b] come into their camp!” they cried. “This is a disaster! We have never had to face anything like this before! Help! Who can save us from these mighty gods of Israel? They are the same gods who destroyed the Egyptians with plagues when Israel was in the wilderness. Fight as never before, Philistines! If you don’t, we will become the Hebrews’ slaves just as they have been ours! Stand up like men and fight!” 1 Samuel 4:1-9 NLT

This is one of my favorite passages of Scripture that deals with our enemy--and his fear of our great, big God!

If you take a minute or two to read these nine verses, you will see...

1.That the enemy is scared to death of God.

2. That the enemy knows God's track record.

3. That the enemy knows when God steps on the scene, their defeat is inevitable.

4. That the enemy cannot afford to lose us, we're his slaves.

The thing is, we know as much as the enemy knows--and yet, we don't live like we believe it.

We think the enemy is too powerful for us--wrong!

We think the victories of God are limited to Bible times and Bible people--wrong!

We think that this time God might not follow through--wrong!

We think that when we choose sin we remain in control of the enemy, we hold the reins, we are in the driver's seat--wrong!

Friends, I think it would serve us well to believe at least as much about our God as the enemy does!

IN YOUR OWN PRISON

Today's reading: Genesis 40-43

"The next morning Joseph noticed the dejected look on their faces. Why do you look so worried today? he asked." Genesis 40:6-7 NLT

The cup-bearer and the baker had both had dreams. Disturbing, leaving them with questions kind of dreams.

They apparently, that day in the prison, wore their look of angst on their faces.

Probably not an uncommon look for a prison.

Probably not an out-of-the ordinary emotion to be felt.

Here's the thing: God gave Joseph the eyes to see it.

And the heart to ask about it.

And the gift to help.

ALL IN THE PRISON!

Joseph wasn't there doing prison ministry--he was there as a prisoner!

In his own prison, he helped.

Serving his own sentence, he cared for others.

Behind bars, he chose to give a hand, not sit and sulk.

It's made me ask myself, What am I doing?

We all have a 'prison' or tough time we're going through. One that leaves us needing, wanting and hurting--but can't we serve others during it? Can't we lift our downcast eyes to notice the needs of others? 

Joseph did.

THE CONTAGIOUS NATURE OF MY SIN
Today's reading: 1 Corinthians 5-6

"How terrible that you should boast about your spirituality, and yet you let this sort of thing go on. Don't you realize that if even one person is allowed to go on sinning, soon all will be affected?" 1 Corinthians 5:6 NLT

Before reading, slowly and intentionally reading, this verse, I could have given you an entire list of reasons why my sin was my sin and you didn't need to worry about it.

-It only affects me.

-What I do in my own life is my business.

-You take care of you and I'll take care of me.

-I'll stand before God with my 'stuff', not you.

Perhaps these are all true statements. Factual in nature...but missing the mark of what Paul is telling us in this passage.

My sins are contagious.

They are 'catchy'.

They very well may start with me, but before long--they will infect everyone around me.

How, you ask?

Well, eventually I'll okay my sin for you.

In a matter of time, I'll commit my sin publicly because it will be so rooted in my life.

Before long I may even invite you into my sin.

Or, and this is quite possible, I will become so convicted about my sin that I withdraw from life--from interacting with you. I'll no longer wish to have godly influence in my life. I will hide in the darkness of my enemy's lies.

The effects are widening.

The effects are maddening.

The effects are encompassing.

My sins are contagious. So are yours.

Let's make sure we deal with them through Jesus!

 

 FOR THEM

Today's reading: Matthew 26-28

"Very early in the morning, the leading priests and other leaders met again to discuss how to persuade the Roman government to sentence Jesus to death." Matthew 27:1 NLT

I don't know much about the fellas that met that early morning.

No names are given.

No reasons are provided.

What is told to us is that these were influential guys.

They were men who were held in high esteem in their communities.

They were schooled in the scrolls of God.

But not schooled enough...

Their reasons were tainted with sin.

Their lives were full of bitterness and hatred.

Their actions were conniving and murderous.

Would it have made a difference to them to know Jesus had already decided he would die?

Would they have done things differently had they known about Jesus's night at the Garden of Gethsemane?

Would they have been in such a hurry to commit this crime against one who had already given his will over to God?

Would they have had changes in their hearts to know Jesus was dying FOR them?

 MONDAY, MONDAY

Today's reading: Isaiah 51-55

"For I am the Lord your God, who stirs up the sea, causing its waves to roar. My name is the Lord Almighty. And I have put my words in your mouth and hidden you safely within my hand. I set all the stars in space and established the earth. I am the one who says to Israel, You are mine!" Isaiah 51:15-16 NLT

I'm not sure of your opinion of Mondays, but I love them!

I am pumped up from yesterday's worship...

My spiritual tank has been refilled...

I have received encouragement from Christian brothers and sisters...

I have heard the Word of the Lord spoken over me...

I have gotten to sing some of my favorite worship songs with friends and family...

I am ready for the week ahead!

And if what I received yesterday wasn't enough, God speaks to me this morning through His Word.

He tells me He is mine.

He reminds me of His immense power and creativity.

He has assured me that He is with me and that His words are in my heart.

He has brought it to my attention the power He holds.

And He has called me His!

Watch out week, I'm coming for you!

SEE HIM FOR MYSELF
Today's reading: Job 19-20

"I will see him for myself. Yes, I will see him with my own eyes. I am overwhelmed at the thought!" Job 19:27 NLT

In the early 1980's there was a PBS program called Reading Rainbow.

The host of the made-for-kids television show was Lavar Burton. He would present a different book each day in an effort to promote literacy. At the close of every day's episode he would make one statement--But you don't have to take my word for it.

He urged those of us watching in rapt attention to pick up books for ourselves and see if what he was saying wasn't true.

Job had the same idea in mind when he spoke of seeing God face to face.

Maybe he had heard read to him from the prophets.

Quite possibly he had sat through many a Sabbath services where the scrolls were read.

Could it be he had a background of God-fearing family that had spoke of God often and with much regard?

Job knew what he had heard, but couldn't wait to see God for himself.

What about you?

Are you taking a pastor's word for it?

Depending upon what you were told in Sunday School as a child?

Staking all you know and believe upon a page from your revered picture Bible?

Believing all you will ever need to know has come from the words written by the apostle John, Matthew or Luke?

Or do you daydream of the moment in time when you will see your Savior as He truly is?

We can ponder the powerful nature of the One whom we serve!

We can anticipate the awe our first meeting will entail!

We can attempt to conjure in our minds how it will all play out when we stand before our Maker!

We can try--but I don't believe our finite minds can grasp the enormity of the moment.

As a child of the Most High God, we don't have to take any one else's word for it--we have the hope and the promise of experiencing it for ourselves!

Does that overwhelm you, too? 

THE VOICE OF GOD

Today's reading: Psalm 27-29

"The voice of the Lord echoes above the sea. The God of glory thunders. The Lord thunders over the might sea. The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty. The voice of the Lord splits the mighty cedars; the Lord shatters the cedars of Lebanon." Psalm 29:3-5 NLT

I don't know if you have lost loved you are waiting for God to draw near...

Or prodigals wandering in far countries...

Or friends who won't listen to your testimony about the Gospel...

Know this: When God speaks, they will hear.

When He raises His voice, there will be no doubt as to what they are being called to do.

When He whispers their name, they will know it's Him.

His voice shakes the foundations of our hearts and calms the doubts of our minds.

I pray He speaks to those near and dear to us!

TRUE GRIT

Today's reading: Ruth

"So Ruth gathered barley there all day, and when she beat out the grain that evening, it came to about half a bushel. She carried it back into town and showed it to her mother-in-law. Ruth also gave her the food that was left over from her lunch." Ruth 2:17-18 NLT

The account of Ruth is often referred to a love story.

Or a redemption narrative.

Or a come-back account.

I believe it's a story about true grit.

Ruth had to be tough.

She had to be fearless.

She had to be relentless.

Nothing, nothing at all, about her life after was easy.

Marrying into a God-fearing family.

Being widowed.

Leaving.

Cleaving.

Working.

Sharing.

Trusting.

Dealing with a bitter mother-in-law.

Settling into a new home.

And yet, with God in her, she did not fail to provide us with a stalwart example of integrity and faith at work in a life dedicated to God.

May all of our stories be full of grit and determination to grab hold of all God has to offer us.

Who knows, we might inspire another generation with our example.

GRADING SINS
Today's reading: Genesis 36-39

"But Reuben came to Joseph's rescue. Let's not kill him, he said. Why should we shed his blood? Let's just throw him alive into this pit here. That way he will die without us having to touch him..." Genesis 37:21-22 NLT

How easy it is to validate sin in our life.

How quickly we grade sins, rank sins, evaluate sins based on the guilt incurred by committing them.

Whether Joseph had been killed OR placed in the pit as he was, sins were committed against him--and against God.

We would never kill someone, but we gossip about them.

We would never refuse to give a person a cup of cold water, but we withhold telling them about our Jesus.

We would never steal from a friend, but our hearts sometimes covet to the point we rob them of the blessing they have been given.

Sin is sin.

Little while lies, tall tales and blatant untruths...

Disregard for another, disrespect and murder...

There is little difference between 'killing them' and putting them in a pit.

One might keep our hands clean, but our hearts are dirtied all the same.

 

 WATCH YOUR BEHAVIOR

Today's reading: 1 Corinthians 3-4

"...You are acting like people who don't belong to the Lord." 1 Corinthians 3:3 NLT

Paul was reprimanding the church at Corinth for a hot topic dividing the church.

Church folks were arguing about which teacher was better, which spiritual father they claimed as best, which apostle was of highest regard.

Could have easily been about the color of the carpet, the type of music or the translation of the Bible--they were allowing something to divide them when they should have been drawing together.

We would never allow that to happen!

Would we?

Do we?

Every Sunday we allow personal preferences to keep us from unity with others inside our churches. 

Each church service we sit, talk, mingle and mix with those within our church houses that have common likes and dislikes as us.

We stay tucked into our comfort zones each worship service depending upon the greeters to take care of the new faces--and make sure they don't sit in our pew.

Not a Sunday goes by there are folks left on the margin of inclusion, feeling very alone in a crowded congregation.

Are we acting like we belong to Jesus when we allow that to happen?

REMAIN FOREVER

Today's reading: Matthew 23-25

"Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will remain forever." Matthew 24:35 NLT

The time will come when we cannot hold the Word of God in our hands.

Bibles will be banished, confiscated, gathered up and taken from us.

Scripture won't permitted in the public square or to be printed for the masses.

Couldn't happen, you say?

Never, not in our great nation, you mutter?

God's Word itself says it will come to pass.

Will you still have it hidden in your heart?

Will you be able to draw comfort from what you've memorized, experienced, read, heard and learned?

Are you so intent on being in God's Word that God's Word will remain in you forever? 

I don't believe God ever intended for the Holy Scriptures to be memorialized in a thousand libraries as much as He desired it be treasured in the hearts of man.

CHOOSE WISELY

Today's reading: Isaiah 45-50

"...You will get no help from them at all. Their hearth is not a place to go for warmth." Isaiah 47:14 NLT

Dear Adult Audience,

My prayer is that you are very, very particular about who your friends are.

Who influences you.

Who impacts your life.

Who you allow at your table.

We're influenced by the people we spend time with.

No, it's not just kids that fall at the weight of peer pressure--it's us, too.

Watch for folks who lead you into conversations that bash or gossip.

Beware of people who lean on you to sway your beliefs. Never in blatant ways. Never outright. Subtly. Slowly. 

Be cautious of those who you hear badmouth others, because at some point in time--you may be the topic of their conversation.

As Isaiah puts it, 'Their hearth is not a place to go for warmth.'

TRY AGAIN!

Today's reading: Job 17-18

"As for all of you, come back and try again!.." Job 17:10 NLT

I don't know what your life is full of right now...

Maybe it's brimming with blessings, good times and sunshine filled days!

Maybe you are bailing water out of a sinking ship!

Know this: if you are God's, satan can try to beat you, defeat you, break you and take from you all you have--but God will only allow him to go so far!

God has satan on a leash.

Believing friend, you can stand up, in the name of God, and tell satan he can try again, if he wants--because you are backed by God!

Try again--but the promises God made you will stand firm!

Try again--but your heart is held by its Creator!

Try again--but victory is already held by your Savior!

Yes, your enemy can try again, but it won't do him any good!

 

MY SOUL

Today's reading: Psalm 24-26

"To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul." Psalm 25:1 NLT

Here you have it, Lord--

The seat of my emotions.

The center of me.

The part of me that will live eternally.

My soul.

It's the control panel for all I do, think, say and believe.

It governs my actions and reactions.

My soul is the very best, and the very worst, of me.

But I want you to have it.

To have it as Yours.

To have it to rein in and spur on.

I lift it up to you, Lord--knowing the love and care You will put into it.