CONFRONTING JESUS

Today's reading: Mark 7-8

"One day some Pharisees and teachers of religious law arrived from Jerusalem to confront Jesus." Mark 7:1 NLT

My usual routine is to read through the suggested daily Bible portion, then return to the verses that 'jumped off the page' at me. Consider them a little more thoroughly. Write about what God speaks to my heart.

This morning, however, I couldn't get past the first verse.

The audacity of the Pharisees and religious teachers!

Who in the world do they think they are?

To confront Jesus? To approach Him with questions about His motives? To appear to need an explanation from Him as to what He was doing?

Why does the mere thought of their boldness raise my blood pressure and square my shoulders?

Is it because I feel Jesus needs help defending Himself? No.

Is it because I feel these men of the church are ignorant of what's correct in regards to religion? No, if anyone, they knew--or at least should have.

Is it because I saw myself in their boldness?

In their impudence?

In their brazenness? 

While I have no right whatsoever to question God's ways, God's timing or God's will--I find myself approaching Him with a confrontational attitude at times.

Like I need an answer.

As if I deserved a response.

Feeling as if He owed me an explanation.

Assuming He has forgotten who I was.

Reminding Him of my desire that He serve me--with a few of His own verses in hand!

See why I had to stop at verse one this morning?

The 'little Pharisee' in me caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror of Scripture and needed to make some changes before continuing on! I needed an attitude adjustment. I needed to be reminded of rank and file--who I am and who God is.

(I pray you don't have a clue as to what I'm talking about. That you cannot understand the audacity of myself and the Pharisees. That you 'would never' stoop so low.

But if you do understand...

If you can relate...

If you, too, see yourself in the passage--pause and pray. Pause and repent. Pause and re-adjust your position before the Lord! Pause and let Him pour into you His spirit!)

SCARECROWS

Today's reading: Jeremiah 7-11

"There stands their god like a helpless scarecrow in a garden! It cannot speak, and it needs to be carried because it cannot walk. Do not be afraid of such gods, for they can neither harm you nor do you any good." Jeremiah 10:5 NLT

How many 'scarecrows' do I have set up in the garden of my life?

'Scarecrows' that I am leaning heavily upon?

That I use to validate my identity? 

The 'scarecrow' of money that makes me feel secure.

The 'scarecrow' of church membership that makes me look good on Sunday.

The 'scarecrow' of goodness that gives me a mask to hide behind.

The 'scarecrow' of plans I have in place to insure my way at all costs.

While one might think using the term 'scarecrow' makes it a little less ungodly, it doesn't.

These 'scarecrows' are carried around with me...

They speak to my insecurities and lack of faith...

They get propped up in my life where my trust is lacking...

They are seemingly harmless, until they take over and I find them holding the reins to my life...

They take the place only ever intended for God to hold in my heart, mind and life...

I'm asking God to help me knock down 'scarecrows' today. Every. Single. One.

 HE DETERMINES

Today's reading: Job 27-28

"He made the winds blow and determined how much rain should fall." Job 28:25 NLT

This week alone there have been, according to the local weather channel, over 700 weather watches/warnings issued!

Thunderstorms.

Flash floods.

Tornadoes.

Lighning.

Hail.

We have had over 8 inches of rain in just the last 3 days.

So when I read the words of Job this morning, I am assured--we'll only get what God ordains!

He orders the winds--where and how hard they will blow.

He sets a limit on the rain that will fall--and where it will fall.

Even in the storm, we can see that God's power is at work. Always. Completely. Without question!

TRY

Today's reading: Psalm 39-41

"O Lord my God, you have done many miracles for us. Your plans for us are too numerous to list. If I tried to recite all your wonderful deeds, I would never come to the end of them." Psalm 40:5 NLT

Has the Lord been good to us? Absolutely, He has!

In innumerable ways? Yes, oh yes!

But shouldn't we, despite the enormity of the task, attempt to list our reasons to thank Him?

Shouldn't we try?

Wouldn't it be worth some effort?

Might it take a long time to list all the things He has done? Yes, but wouldn't the effort required to even attempt such a task be worth every ounce of time and energy?

If you are thankful for all He has done for you, tell Him!

For as many things as you can think of.

As often as you can.

Try to let Him know you have appreciated being the recipient of His blessings! 

PREPARED LIKE DAVID

Today's reading: 1 Samuel 16-20

This morning as I read through the beginning of David's life as God's appointed one, I am encouraged!

You see, David was placed by God into various positions to learn, to grow and to experience what it would eventually be like as God's king over the Israelites.

His being the youngest of several brothers taught him about the importance of unity, gave him tenacity and undoubtedly grew in him true grit.

His occupation as shepherd provided him time to hone his skills at quiet time with the Lord, listening for the Lord's guidance and of course, battle tactics in regards to the lions and bears that attempted to snatch from his flock.

His friendship with Jonathan provided David with an insider's look at happenings around the palace--the good, the bad and the ugly.

His musical talents, at possibly mom's insistence that he learn to play the harp, provided David with solace, Saul with entertainment and us the psalms! 

As I think over all I have been exposed to in life, all I am in the process of enduring and all I have learned, I can't help but believe God is at work in making me into who He wants me to be.

Fully equipped.

Entirely able.

Some experience gathered.

A testimony written.

God is with His people--in the big things and in all the little things leading up to the big things!

 STANDING AT A DISTANCE

Today's reading: Exodus 1-4

"The baby's sister then stood at a distance, watching to see what would happen to him." Exodus 2:4 NLT

I can see Miriam peeking over the tall river grasses.

I can imagine her weaving strands of the bulrushes as she watched the little baby-filled ark bob in the Nile waters.

I can picture her keeping a close eye on the little vessel as it approached the bathing princess.

Was she appointed to keep an eye out for the little fella? Or did she sneak off down to the river to watch what her mom and dad's God would do in this situation?

It's made me think about all the people standing on the riverbank today.

Waiting to see what God will do...

Watching to see how we will react...

Wondering if this 'faith' of ours will sink or float...

Spectators to our walk with the Lord.

An audience of not-yet-believers.

On-lookers on the verge of committing their lives to the Christ we serve.

They're watching as we pray through tough seasons.

They're surveying our response to the diagnosis we just received.

They're gawking as we pray prodigals out of far places.

They're staring as we turn our habits, addictions and sinful tendencies over to the Lord--again and again and again.

We can't usually see them watching us, but they're there.

They are very, very interested in what our God will do!

MOST HELPFUL GIFTS

Today's reading: 1 Corinthians 11-12

"And in any event, you should desire the most helpful gifts..." 1 Corinthians 12:31 NLT

Paul has just devoted a chapter of his letter to the church at Corinth to the topic of spiritual gifts.

Gifts that show the Holy Spirit at work in the world we walk, talk, live and work in.

Gifts that point to the goodness of God.

Gifts that draw men to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

The thing is, Paul ends this chapter in stating we should desire the most helpful gifts.

The ones that will work best in the circle of influence we are in.

The gifts that speak to the crowd you will witness to.

The gifts that will most greatly impact your family, neighborhood and community.

Do we do that? Do we desire the most helpful gifts?

Or do we want the ones that bring the most applause?

The most stage time?

The most notoriety?

What an impact we would have on our lost and dying world if every morning we asked God...

Lord, give me the gifts that will be most helpful to the people You will place in my path.

UNTIL JESUS
Today's reading: Mark 5-6

Mark 5 gives the account of a man who was possessed by demons.

It says of this man,

"Whenever he was put into chains and shackles--as he often was--he snapped the chains from his wrists and smashed the shackles. No one was strong enough to control him." Mark 5:4 NLT

No one could help him.

No one could subdue him.

No one could give him rest from his demons.

No one, that is, until Jesus!

We all have 'things', or legions of things, that leave us seemingly out of control.

Addictions that rule us.

Habits that lead us.

Personality traits that guide us.

Sins that keep us from opening up and sharing our lives with others--for fear they will find out.

We think we won't find help.

We think we can't change.

We don't see how things will ever be different.

The answer to our problem: Jesus.

Jesus saves.

Jesus delivers.

Jesus calms.

Jesus settles.

Jesus redeems.

Jesus heals.

Jesus, when you seek Him, will be found to be enough, more than enough!