A WORTHY OFFERING

Today's reading: Leviticus 22-24

As I'm reading through Leviticus, I come across the subtitle, Worthy and Unworthy Offerings.

This portion of Scripture, Leviticus 22:17-33, gives the priests the specific instructions in regards to which animals can be offered to the Lord and which ones can't. The list is quite detailed. It's quite long. It's quite exclusive.

To be acceptable, an animal must...

-not be female.

-have no physical defects.

-cannot be blind.

-can't be injured.

-cannot be mutilated.

-cannot have a growth of any sort.

-has no open sores or scabs.

-not be from a foreigner.

What a comprehensive list! Think how few animals fit the bill. 

As an Israelite traveling to Jerusalem to offer sacrifices, would one take several animals with you--in case one wasn't up to snuff, one got injured on the way, one died?

I have to tell you, just reading this list exhausts me. The effort made to be right with God. The details required. The hope that what you present is deemed acceptable.

And...

I'm so glad Jesus was our worthy sacrifice!

He was all that was required. He was enough for me, you and everyone else. He paid the price for every one of our sins.

Worthy is the Lamb who was slain!

THINK CLEARLY

Today's reading: 1 Thessalonians 4-5

"But let us who live in the light think clearly, protected by the body armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation." 1 Thessalonians 5:8 NLT

Believers, let's start thinking with our heads and our hearts, and not with our feelings.

Let's make decisions based on the facts of God's Word and the purpose of witnessing to those who don't yet know Him.

Let's respond in ways that glorify and honor our Crucified Savior.

Let's speak out of hearts that are filled with grace because our Lord has been so very gracious to us.

Let us think clearly in regards to opinions, politics, reactions and preferences.

Let's allow God to be so in us that He flows out of us with every thing we say and do--confident that the One who saved us can keep us, use us and give us opportunity to shine for Him! 

CHECK YOUR FRIENDSHIPS

Today's reading: Luke 23-24

"Herod and Pilate, who had been enemies before, became friends that day." Luke 23:12 NLT

The common denominator in Herod and Pilate's new friendship was that they had condemned and rejected Jesus.

How sad.

To have a friendship that, at its center, was based upon turning their backs on a True Friend.

I would gasp in disbelief. I might even shake my head in the shame of it all. I could even tssk-tssk their choices, but I'll be completely honest--some days I do the same thing.

As sad as it is, there are days when my choices bend me towards the friendship of the world and not of Christ.

My words, at times, betray any relationship I have with my Savior.

My fears do not portray the trust my best Friend's track record should instill in my heart.

How quickly, in tough times, inconvenient times, rough times, and times that don't go my way, I turn my back on the friendship I have with my Savior.

And when I do? When I choose another friend?

I'm left with the likes of a Pilate, or a Herod.

KNOWING HIM THAT WELL
Today's reading: Ezekiel 37-42 

"Then my people will know that I am the Lord their God--responsible for sending them away to exile and responsible for bringing them home. I will leave none of my people behind." Ezekiel 39:28 NLT

Do you know God well enough to understand the conviction of sin AND the peace a repentant heart provides?

Have you seen God allow consequences to draw you away from Him AND know the wooing love of your Savior winning you back?

Do you completely understand the enormity of Jesus's sacrifice on the cross on your behalf AND grasp the humility required to accept His precious gift of salvation?

Do you know God that well?

GODLINESS

Today's reading: Proverbs 13

"Godliness helps people all through life, while the evil are destroyed by their wickedness." Proverbs 13:6 NLT

You hear, every once in a while, about death bed confessions.

Moments at the end of a person's life in which they turn their hearts over to the Lord, before slipping off into eternity.

Hooray for them! To have settled with the Lord their sins and accepted His gift of salvation before it's too late.

But as the proverb this morning states, godliness-being led by God, directed by God, imitating God's Son, and living to please God-benefits a person the entirety of their life!

Godliness helps a person when they are young, not to make choices that leave life-long consequences.

Godliness helps a person as they 'adult', setting boundaries that lead to an honorable life.

Godliness helps a person when life throws them a curve-ball, one that might otherwise completely knock the props out from under you if not for faith.

Godliness helps a person when standing for right, needing to be courageous and when enemies attack.

Godliness is what will get a person from birth to death-- and beyond! 

KEEP PLEADING

Today's reading: Psalm 87-89

"O Lord, I cry out to you, I will keep on pleading day by day." Psalm 88:13 NLT

I consider myself to be a persistent person.

Well, maybe more of a routine-oriented person, you might say.

Except when it comes to praying.

The important prayers that is--prayers for the salvation of loved ones, prayers for a closer walk with the Lord, prayers for my church and my nation--and Israel.

And the listening part of prayer.

Especially, the listening part of prayer.

Am I persistent, pleading one might say, in leaning in to listen for God's side of my prayer conversation?

No, I am not.

I spout off the needs I have...

I speak words of praise for who He is...

I thank Him for all He's done...

I tell Him where I've messed up...

But seldom, if ever, do I stop long enough and listen for His reply--His directives--His responses.

Today I'm going to plead with myself to practice the pause needed to hear Him speak to me.

Prayer is not a one-sided conversation, I tend to forget that.

BUT NOT AS MUCH

Today's reading: 2 Kings 16-20

"He did what was evil in the Lord's sight, but not as much as the kings of Israel who ruled before him." 2 Kings 17:2 NLT

We live in a 'not as much' society.

A society where we say...

Maybe I did sin, but my sin wasn't as stinky as theirs.

Yes, I chose to follow my heart rather than God, but did you see them ____?

Sure, I did ___, but it wasn't as bad as their ____. 

Friend, did you know (or did you need reminding) that when we stand before God, we'll not be answering for anyone other than ourselves--and our answer will be a simple, YES or NO...

Do you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior?

God will not grade our sins, prioritize our foibles, weigh out our mistakes. 

He will ask...

Do you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior?

He won't ask about 'them'. He won't compare your rap sheet against theirs. He will ask you, point blank...

Do you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior?

So today, with all eyes on your own heart...

Do you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior?

FOREIGNERS

Today's reading: Leviticus 19-21

"Do not exploit the foreigners who live in your land." Leviticus 19:33 NLT

Living in the greatest country in the world leaves our nation as a goal for so many people.

People who have it hard in their homeland.

People who fear for their lives in their native countries.

People who cannot get out of a social class, a political oppression or an extremely low lifestyle where they were born.

So they reach out to our nation. They seek asylum. They seek refuge. They seek what the American dream offers.

I choose not to get political here, but I will get biblical...

Do not exploit the foreigners who live in your land. 

You'd never, you say?

I think we do when we badmouth a 'group' and don't base our assumptions on the individual.

I think we do when we assume 'they' are only worthy of low income positions or menial tasks.

I think we do when we consider ourselves to be even a smidge better than they.

I think we do when we crack jokes, make unkind comments or refer to them in a less than kind way.

When God gave the Israelites the command not to exploit the foreigners in the new land they were entering, He intended that they treat them with human decency and in a godly manner--in an attempt to win some of them over to Him.

Aren't His words true for us today?

TROUBLES

Today's reading: 1 Thessalonians 1-3

"...But, of course, you know that such troubles are going to happen to us Christians." 1 Thessalonians 3:3 NLT

Believers, especially those living in the comfort, convenience and blessing of first world countries like our own, tend to forget that troubles are what we should expect in life.

Disappointments, inconveniences, storms, hard times and bad things.

Why?

Because this world is not our home.

It's never been meant to be.

Life is a series of days, months and years of traveling on foreign soils. 'Camping out' on our way home. Roughing it, if you think about it, before we get to heaven.

So let the disgruntled moments of your life remind you of where it is you're going, instead of allowing yourself to become perturbed, hateful and rude.

Let the hard to swallow times in life steel you for what's to come--no sorrow, no pain, no tears!

 

WORN OUT FROM TRYING

Today's reading: Luke 21-22

"Watch out! Don't let me find you living in careless ease and drunkenness, and filled with the worries of this life. Don't let that day catch you unaware, as in a trap. For that day will come upon everyone living on earth." Luke 21:34-35 NLT

When the Lord returns...

When you finally meet your Savior...

When you stand before God...

Will you be worn out? Exhausted? Drained? Dog-tired? Tail dragging?

And what will it be from?

Will it be from worrying? Keeping up with the Jones's? Playing catch up? Keeping plates spinning?

My prayer, actually--Jesus's prayer, is that we will enter heaven worn out from trying to bring others with us!

Tired from serving. Drained of all that's in us. Dog-tired from seeking out the lost. Tail dragging from having done all He has asked of us to do.

Take a moment to evaluate your current status. If you are tired and weary--what's it from? Is what's exhausting you of eternal consequence?

KEEPING SHEEP

Today's reading: Ezekiel 31-36

"Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds, the leaders of Israel. Give them this message from the Sovereign Lord: Destruction is certain for you shepherds who feed yourselves instead of your flocks. Shouldn't shepherds feed their sheep? You drink the milk, wear the wool, and butcher the best animals, but you let your flocks starve. You have not taken care of the weak. You have not tended the sick or bound up the broken bones. You have not gone looking for those who have wandered away and are lost. Instead, you have ruled them with force and cruelty. So my sheep have been scattered without a shepherd. They are easy prey for wild animals. They have wandered through the mountains and hills, across the face of the earth ,yet no one has gone to search for them." Ezekiel 34:2-6 NLT

Did you know we are all, as God's chosen, called to be shepherds?

Not just the pastors or the deacons. Not merely the Sunday School teachers and prayer group leaders.

As sheep that have been cared for by the Good Shepherd, we are placed in a position to shepherd others.

Lost and wandering sheep.

Sick and hurting sheep.

Errant and willful sheep.

Old and young sheep.

Sheep that don't want to be rescued and sheep that don't know they are lost.

Through shepherding we are given the opportunity to pour out what God has poured into us.

We are provided enough for ourselves and plenty to share.

Are you shepherding a few sheep? Does your sphere of influence include some sheep in need of kind words, biblical counsel, wisdom or godly advice?

Look for sheep throughout your day!

DISPENSE BANDAGES

Today's reading: Proverbs 11-12

"Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing." Proverbs 12:18 NLT

As you head out the door to church this morning, I would like you to consider this...

There will be far more people needing the healing your words can bring, versus those that need corrected of their sins.

Let's choose to pass out bandages today instead of advice, critiques or commentary.

-Maybe to the single mom who has gone through a battle royale to get her kids to church.

-Or the widower that's trying it on their own for the first time in many years.

-To the new face at church that doesn't know when to sit, when to stand, where to go and which pew isn't 'owned'.

-To the gal who sits by herself each and every week.

-To the couple whose life events have lit up the social media page, the prayer request line and the gossip group.

-To the kids-age Sunday School teacher who is still at it after many years.

-To the pastor--oh, so many things are said to the pastor--make sure what you say bandages and doesn't wound.

Pass out bandages today among your congregation. I'm pretty sure they're needed! 

SO

Today's reading: Psalm 84-86

"O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask your aid." Psalm 86:5 NLT

Might I take a few liberties with this verse?

Oh, I'm not changing the wording...

Or the content...

Or the grammatical pauses...

Allow me to change the capitalization...

O Lord, you are SO good, SO ready to forgive, SO full of unfailing love for all who ask your aid.

O Lord, you are SO good, SO ready to forgive, SO full of unfailing love for all who ask your aid.

Isn't He just?

Isn't He SO good, SO forgiving and SO full of love?

For me, I have to stop and ponder the words of Scripture a little longer some days. I have to push aside any notion that the God of the Bible is just another person. I have to remind myself of Whom I am reading, of Whom it is referring to, of Whom is speaking to me through the pages of words.

Linger over a passage today. Stop long enough to reconsider it from the Holy Spirit's viewpoint. Don't just read your Bible, let it read you.

 

TREASURES IN THE TEMPLE

Today's reading: 2 Kings 11-15

"Joash and his nurse remained hidden in the Temple of the Lord six years while Athaliah ruled over the land." 2 Kings 11:3 NLT

I see two things in this account of little Joash, who would become a godly leader in Judah's history...

1. Only the bad rulers don't frequent the Temple of God.

Sadly, the very men who carry the heaviest loads in our countries are the ones who appear to care little for their walks with God. Too busy? Too tired? Too overwhelmed? Too prideful?

2. Treasures are hidden in the Lord's house.

Millions of dollars are spent each year on self-care, entertainment and bar tabs. Families are going broke keeping their kids busy in sports and clubs. Adults are feeling the loneliest in the most crowded of place.

All the while, the house of God holds the treasures that will lead us in governing any and all area of our life and unlock a wealth of happiness in our hearts.

What extreme efforts do you make to be in the Lord's house each week? Is it scheduled in ink in your planner? Do other things get pushed around Sunday mornings so you'l have time to worship, lean on other Christians and learn?

There are churches out there that need you--and there is a church that you need!

Go find the Treasure your local church holds.

 

SCAPEGOAT

Today's reading: Leviticus 16-18

"He is to lay both of his hands on the goat's head and confess over it all the sins and rebellion of the Israelites. In this way, he will lay the people's sins on the head of the goat then he will send it out into the wilderness, led by a man chosen for this task." Leviticus 16:21 NLT 

There's a good chance our ears would burn and turn red in shame to hear all that was spoken over the scapegoat used in Tabernacle times.

The sins of individuals, the sins of families, the sins of a nation bent upon desiring all God had to offer them and gathering up little gods along their travels.

There would be confessions of pride, anger, jealousy and lying.  There would be admissions of adultery, murder and stealing. There would be acknowledgements of regret over sins committed and practices disregarded.

Spoken out loud these sins would be called what they were, the ugliness of them would be exposed and the truth would be revealed.

And then the goat, being led by a selected individual, would be led out of the community and into the wilderness carrying all those sins upon him.

Verbal confession.

Visual association.

Audible acknowledgement.

Spiritual release.

God knew the value of it all and loved us enough to provide this opportunity to us through His Son, Jesus.

 PASS IT ON
Today's reading: Colossians 3-4

"After you have read this letter, pass it on to the church at Laodicea so they can read it, too. And you should read the letter I wrote to them." Colossians 4:16 NLT

I'd never thought about it, but had the church at Colosse chosen NOT to pass along this letter to Laodicea, and to the next church, and to the next church, and to (eventually) folks traveling to settle America--I would never have ever been exposed to its teachings.

They could have held on to something near and dear to their hearts.

They could have cherished it to the point of keeping it under lock and key.

They could have prized it on a level that wouldn't allow it beyond a glass case in a special room.

Because, if you think about it, letters were treasures in this day and age. Consider the effort it took for a letter to be delivered and reach its destination intact. Consider the infrequency of mail. Think about how much time and effort went into getting a letter to where it needed to go.

This letter from Paul would have been a possession of the highest regard. The church receiving this note knew the regard Paul had for them by even writing a letter to them at all. They valued being thought of, remembered and counseled.

And then to be asked to pass it on?

To another house-church?

To people who might not appreciate it as much as they did?

To the Laodiceans--with their rival business, rival football team, with their ways that differed from those of the Colosse church?

But this treasure had to be passed on in order for it to eventually reach me!

What gift are you hoarding?

Is it your talent? Your possessions? Your enthusiasm for the Lord? Your testimony?

Pass it on!

ZACCHEUS

Today's reading: Luke 19-20

"Zaccheus quickly climbed down and took Jesus to his house in great excitement and joy. But the crowds were displeased. He has gone to be the guest of a notorious sinner, they grumbled. Meanwhile, Zaccheus stood there and said to the Lord, I will give half of my wealth to the poor, Lord, and if I have overcharged people on their taxes, I will give them back four times as much!" Luke 19:6-8 NLT

I've sang about Zaccheus for about as long as I've been able to talk.

I've heard about Zaccheus since I could sit and listen.

I've seen the account of Zaccheus on Sunday School cards, flannelgraph and acted out on a country church stage.

I've read about Zaccheus since I could read.

But today?

Today I noticed a very important word in the life of Zaccheus. A word that gave me pause. A word that the entire account hinges on...

Meanwhile...

Did you notice it...

Meanwhile...

It means, 'at the same time, or in the intervening time.'

While the people were grumbling about Jesus going to Zaccheus's house...

While the crowds were quibbling over Zaccheus's worth...

While the crowds were bemoaning the fact that Jesus chose Zaccheus AND Zaccheus chose Jesus...

While all that was going on, Zaccheus was present in Jesus's presence.

The murmuring didn't stop him.

The complaints didn't sway him.

The ridicule didn't keep him from giving his life, and his wealth, to the Lord.

Meanwhile...

What's stopping us? Who are we listening to? How are we allowing 'them' to douse the fire Jesus places in our bellies?

 

NO LONGER TEMPTED

Today's reading: Ezekiel 25-30

"Then Israel will no longer be tempted to trust in Egypt for help. Egypt's shattered condition will remind Israel of how sinful she was to trust Egypt in earlier days. Then Israel will know that I alone am the Sovereign Lord." Ezekiel 29:16 NLT

Israel had turned to the country of Israel instead of the Lord. For help. For provisions. For protection. 

That relationship brought about hardships, idolatry and slavery as the Israelites became dependent upon Egypt and Egypt flexed its muscles as to their control of God's people.

Israel found out, by harsh reality, that anything other than God cannot be trusted!

For security.

For needs to be met.

For support.

May we learn from Israel's mistakes and survey, deeply inventory, what it is we're leaning on.

Now is the time to evaluate whether our hope rests firmly and securely in the Lord, or is it placed into the unworthy and incapable hands of another.

 

GODLY INDICATOR

Today's reading: Proverbs 10

"The godly speak words that are helpful, but the wicked speak only what is corrupt." Proverbs 10:32 NLT

Imagine for a moment, that the only indicator of your Christianity was in the words you spoke.

Not the number of church services you attend.

Or the committees you serve on.

Not even the Bibles and Christian t-shirts you own.

No ranking or high scores for the Christian wall art you have hanging in your house or the number of 'church dresses' hanging in your closet.

Just your words.

What you say.

How you speak to others.

The tone you use.

Not just your telephone voice or your chirpy welcome when you serve on the greeting team on Sundays.

Your every day conversations, comments and remarks--how might you you be judged?

SO I LET THEM

Today's reading: Psalm 81-83

"But no, my people wouldn't listen. Israel didn't want me around. So I let them follow their blind and stubborn way, living according to their own desires." Psalm 81:11-12 NLT 

What sadder words are there in the Bible than these?

What more telling words?

What more poignant words?

What more eye-opening words?

To know God loves us enough to let us do what we want...

To know God has more in store for us than we do for ourselves...

To know God's love for us isn't forceful, masterful or demanding...

To know God's love for us hurts Him as He watches us hurt ourselves...

He lets us do what we want.

He allows us free will to make choices.

He watches as we choose less than the best, other than Him and against what He has shown us to be good and holy.

He lets us...all the while knowing He really shouldn't...

OPEN MY EYES

Today's reading: 2 Kings 6-10

"Don't be afraid! Elisha told him. For there are more on our side than on theirs! Then Elisha prayed, O Lord, open his eyes and let him see! The Lord opened his servant's eyes, and when he looked up, he saw that the hillside around Elisha was filled with horses and chariots of fire." 2 Kings 6:16-17 NLT

Lord,

Open my eyes that I might see where You are.

In my everyday happenings...

In the prayer requests I'm bringing to Your throne...

In the messed-up world I live in...

In the quiet moments You and I share sitting at my prayer chair...

I want to see you.

I need to see you.

Because, well some days--I don't.

But I want to.

-Amen

THE REASON FOR IT

Today's reading: Leviticus 13-15

Aah, nothing like a few chapters on skin diseases and bodily discharge to get your faith kick-started on an early morning!

Not the uplifting devotion I had expected this morning, or hoped for.

But it's there.

All three chapters and 149 verses of it.

But towards the end of the read we find the reason for such detailed focus...

"In this way, you will keep the people of Israel separate from things that will defile them, so they will not die as a result of defiling my Tabernacle that is right there among them." Leviticus 15:31 NLT

These instructions, rules, regulations and commands don't come as a way for God to show off His sovereign muscles or universe-reigning power, but as God's way for us to remain pure, holy and usable in His kingdom!

To keep us clean.

To make sure we are the healthiest and best we can be.

To set us apart as 'vessels' worthy of His grand work.

To allow His Church to be a place of healing and safety for those we bring to Him.

WHAT ARE YOU FEEDING ON?

Today's reading: Colossians 1-2

"Let your roots grow down deep into him and draw up nourishment from him, so you will grow in faith, strong and vigorous in the truth you were taught. Let your lives overflow with thanksgiving for all he has done." Colossians 2:7 NLT

I will admit, I have to be very, very careful about what I allow to feed me--physically, mentally and spiritually.

Physically there are many quick, easy, grab and go offerings that don't provide the nutrients my God-created body needs.

Mentally there are many 'fillers' that I gravitate towards for accolades, for pats on the back and for security, all leaving me emptier than before.

Spiritually I lean towards the checklist of Christianity to fulfill my deepest needs, and come up thirstier and hungrier than before grabbing my pen and check off my box.

But when I intentionally choose to draw nourishment from God?

When I make the concerted effort to choose Him over all else?

When I fill my body, head and heart with His truths and determine to follow His ways?

I am nourished.

I find I have all I need.

I find more than enough to accomplish all He has asked of me--and have enough left over to spill into the lives of others.

But I have to make the effort to feed on Him. To seek Him out. To draw on His powers, not my own.

Because He is the vine and I am the branch--completely dependent, entirely reliant and utterly sustained by Him! (John 15)

 

PERSISTENT PRAYER

Today's reading: Luke 17-18

"A widow of that city came to him repeatedly, appealing for justice against someone who had harmed her. The judge ignored her for a while, but eventually she wore him out. I fear neither God nor man, he said to himself, but this woman is driving me crazy. I'm going to see that she gets justice because she is wearing me out with her constant requests!" Luke 18:3-4 NLT

Persistence. Tenacity. Grit. Doggedness. Resolution. Constancy.

I don't know about you, but reading about this praying woman stirs my heart.

To ask.

To request.

To pray.

To keep seeking.

To continue knocking.

To be so determined in prayer and so dependent upon the One to whom I pray that I don't stop.

Until I get to heaven.

And when the Lord sees me standing before Him, he says...

Girl, you are a persistent one!

BROUGHT IT ON YOURSELF

Today's reading: Ezekiel 19-24

"You brought all this on yourself by prostituting yourself to other nations, defiling yourself with all their idols." Ezekiel 23:30 NLT

Don't you hate it when God uses lewd and vile descriptions of our sinful behavior?

When He chooses to 'call it as it is'?

When He wants us to know that the sins we are dabbling in are as black as the sins we condemn others for?

Prostitution.

Idol worship.

These aren't petty offenses.

These aren't sinful slip-ups.

These are sins that require deliberation, intention and all-in participation.

It's selling ourselves, body, mind and soul to the highest bidder--or even worse to one who offers things that aren't theirs to give.

It's trading the worship of God for the worship of ourselves.

We know better.

We are offended by it in the lives of others.

Yet we participate in these acts against our Lord and Savior without much thought and with little conviction.

Until He brings it up. Points it out. Calls it for what it is.

 

NOTHING I DESIRE

Today's reading: Proverbs 8-9

"For wisdom is far more valuable than rubies. Nothing you desire can be compared with it." Proverbs 8:11 NLT

If you've been on the church scene for any length of time, regardless of your denomination or music genre preference, you've probably heard the lyrics to this song...

Lord, You are more precious than silver;Lord, 

You are more costly than gold;Lord, 

You are more beautiful than diamonds;

And nothing I desire compares with You. 

This songwriter mimics the thoughts of Solomon as he asks us to seek wisdom above all else.

Prioritizing. Valuing. Ranking.

But not simply wisdom, or at least the kind that you gain from opening books, taking classes and obtaining degrees.

God's wisdom is what we need!

We need it for all we do.

Those who depend upon us need us to have it.

The world in which we live needs us to seek it and use it.

Let's spend some time seeking wisdom today in the form of a right, intimate and dependent relationship with the Lord.

SHINE ON US

Today's reading: Psalm 78-80

"Turn us again to yourself, O God. Make your face shine down upon us. Only then will we be saved." Psalm 80:3 NLT

Lord,

Place your loving hands upon our shoulders and re-direct us to You.

Lovingly speak into our ears, 'This way, child of Mine.'

Take the time to make Yourself known to us in the day ahead.

Give us an 'ah-ha' moment with which our entire focus is You--and You alone.

It's only when You step into our paths that we will be saved. Saved from the death and hell we deserve. Saved from the consequences of the path we're on. Saved from our selves.

Shine upon us, God!

Let the Light of your love and holiness light up the darkest corners of our lives. The places where we have let sin settle in. The corners in which we have begun to believe we've got our tendencies and desires on a leash.

Let us know You know all about those areas of our hearts that we have not allowed you to have.

Shine ever more brightly there, Lord.

Radiate the sins out of our lives.

Illuminate Yourself and draw us to You.

EXPECTATIONS

Today's reading: 2 Kings 1-5

"But Naaman became angry and stalked away. I thought he would surely come out to meet me! he said. I expected him to wave his hand over the leprosy and call on the name of the Lord his God and heal me!" 2 Kings 5:11 NLT

Oh friend, aren't our tendencies the same as that of Naaman?

We expect.

We think.

We assume.

We forecast.

We reckon.

We imagine.

We calculate.

We put our preconceived notions and plans, devised in these finite minds of ours, onto an infinite God.

A God who thinks differently...

Acts supernaturally...

Has no limits...

Is all things, at all times, in all ways, is over all...

And then we are let down when He doesn't act like we believe He should?

Isn't that our fault? Isn't the 'let-down' all on our shoulders? Aren't we to blame when we set our expectations too low, too small or too un-miraculous? Shouldn't we remind ourselves that on our best days, with our wildest imaginations, dreaming the biggest dreams we can dream--we are still too small minded to grasp God's plan?

 

MY WAY

Today's reading: Leviticus 10-12

"Aaron's sons, Nadab and Abihu put coals of fire in their incense burners and sprinkled incense over it. In this way, they disobeyed the Lord by burning before him a different kind of fire than he had commanded." Leviticus 10:1 NLT

Remember the Frank Sinatra song, I Did It My Way?

Chart topping. Record breaking. Known by many.

He probably made millions of dollars 'doing it his way'.

Me?

When I go about doing things in the way I want, in the time frame I want, in the order I want--I usually end up with a big mess!

Today's reading has challenged my heart to pause and seek God out on what I want to do.

The best of things I want to accomplish...

The things I desire to do in revenge, in reaction, in response...

The things I don't think I can wait one moment longer to see come to pass...

The things I'm called to do something with but have no clue as to what to do...

Because these are all things I don't want to screw up--not sure that's a proper Bible-believing follower of Jesus term, but I do believe you get what I mean!

You see, more than just getting it done...

Or getting my way...

Or doing things in the manner I want them done in...

I want to do it 'His way'. Every time.  

HE'S ALL I NEED

Today's reading: Philippians 3-4

"I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little." Philippians 4:12 NLT

Philippians 4:12 is the seldom mentioned, often ignored Siamese-twin to the most popular 'I can do all things' verse scattered among the Christian population.

It's the impetus behind 4:13...

It's the truth behind 4:13...

It's the hope of 4:13...

You see, when Christ is all we have AND when we realize that Christ is the giver of all have AND we believe that Christ knows what we need AND when we need it--we can do all things with His help.

The secret to living a blessed life or a life depending on the answers to prayer like one depends upon the next breathe, is knowing Jesus is all we need.

That goes for the times when your plate is filled to spilling over AND when you scrape enough together to nibble on bread and water.

It's knowing He's all we need when we are surrounded by things, comfort and loved ones AND when we stand alone, sit alone, cry alone and walk alone on the darkest of nights!

Yes, we can do all things through Christ who gives us the strength we need, but it's imperative that we know He's all we need to start with!

 

THE OTHER BROTHER

Today's reading:  Luke 15-16

"The older brother was angry and wouldn't go in. His father came out and begged him, but he replied, All these years I've worked hard for you and never once refused to do a single thing you told me to. And in all that time, you never gave me even one young goat for a feast with my friends." Luke 15:28-29 NLT

The prodigal brother gets a lot of hype.

He's preached about.

He's referred to often, even in secular conversations.

He's used as a lesson in Sunday Schools, Bible schools and there's even a flannel-graph of him.

But the other brother?

The one who never wandered?

The one who remained at home?

What might be referred to as, the faithful one?

A few verses.

A few lines of poor publicity.

No regaling about his determination and commitment.

No long list of all he had accomplished in his brother's absence.

Just a telling of his heart attitude.

I believe the account of this other brother needs visited and re-visited by us faithful church-goers.

We should call to mind this fella's actions and attitudes when we are dismissed...

When we are overlooked...

When we are presumed upon...

When we aren't celebrated for staying the course...

When we don't get the applause, or the congregational handshake or even honorable mention...

Staying the course, with the proper attitude of course, will be rewarded by God.

He sees us. He knows. He credits our stick-to-it-ive-ness to our accounts with Him!

So wildly celebrate the brothers, and sisters, that come home--knowing full well that you will be celebrated one day, too!