GATEKEEPERS

Today's reading: 1 Chronicles 25-29

"These divisions of the gatekeepers were named for their family leaders, and like the other Levites, they served at the house of the Lord. They were assigned by families for guard duty at the various gates, without regard to age or training, for it was all decided by means of sacred lot." 1 Chronicles 26:12-13 NLT

Silly question, but how many doors are at your house of worship?

Seriously, think about it--how many different ways are there in which people attending your church might get inside to hear about the Lord, receive the Good News about Him, or meet Him at an altar of salvation?

At our church there are, if I have counted correctly, there are eight doors.

Eight points of entry.

Eight possible places for our church folks to meet and greet regular attenders--and newcomers.

Can one person be at all eight doors?

Of course not, it takes a team of people, a church-full of people, willing to meet and greet those coming in at every single doorway.

We all have the same job, but at different locations, with different opportunities, in our own individual ways of doing it.

My question to myself this morning, as I read about the gatekeepers in David's ministry: Am I keeping the gate I have been called to serve?

Am I giving my heart and soul to ministering the way He has asked me to minister?

Am I striving to accomplish all I can in my 'doorway' so that others, in their 'doorways', can do the same?

We're on the same team, friends--serving the same God--desiring the same outcome--that people will know our Savior!

Are you at 'your' door?

HOLY GIFTS
Today's reading: Numbers 17-20

"...But be careful not to treat the holy gifts of the people of Israel as though they were common. If you do, you will die." Numbers 18:32 NLT

God was giving Moses instruction on how to rightly accept the gifts brought to the Tabernacle by the Israelite people.

Gifts from the flock, gifts from the field, gifts from their wallets, were all given in the building up, maintaining and worship done in the house of the Lord.

God specifically told Moses to treat each and every gift, from the largest to the smallest, as holy--never as just a common, every day, run of the mill, offering. Doing so would result in death.

Fast forward to today...

What if...now this is just a 'what if' I'm proposing--the reason so many churches are dying, so many houses of worship are closing up shop, so many are falling away from the church--is because we are treating our gifts (abilities, talents, purposes) as common?

Are we wasting away spiritually because we don't see our aptitude in being warm and friendly as something God can use in His church?

Are we frittering away dollar after dollar to accumulate material possessions, when the work of the Lord is needing a donation?

Are we using up our words through the week in useless banter, when we could be speaking to people about Jesus?

Are we singing to the world's audience in order to gain applause, or are we making joyful sounds to the Lord and helping lead His people into worship?

Are we investing hours of our day making sure our kids can kick a ball, tumble on a gymnastics mat or score highest on an upcoming test, but don't make sure they spend time getting to know Jesus?

What you can do, the abilities God has given to you, are to be used to magnify God. You have been given holy capabilities. You have been ordained as priests in His temple to do what only you can do.

That is important. That is vital to the growth and continuance of the Church. That is eternal work in regards to your spiritual life.

Do not treat your gifts as uncommon.

 

BUT THEN

Today's reading: Titus

"One we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled by others and became slaves to many wicked desires and evil pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy. We hated others, and they hated us. But then God our Savior showed us his kindness and love. He saved us, not because of the good things we did, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins and gave us a new life through the Holy Spirit." Titus 3:3-5 NLT

I don't know your story. I'm not sure where you've come from, what you've done in life, what it might be you're currently struggling with.

I don't know how long you've been a Christian or if you even are.

What I do know is this--

We can all have a 'but then' moment.

A new start. A do-over. A date marked on the calendar of our life that begins a new chapter, a new page, a new you.

Think He won't do it for you--He will!

Think He can't do it because of the mess you've made--He can!

Think this kind of stuff is just for 'good people'--He doesn't see it that way, at all!

Think it's too good to be true--it is, but it works!

Think if He knew your 'whole story' He would take back His offer--He won't!

Today can be your 'but then' day. The day you start living life--truly living life, not just breathing in and out, but inhaling and exhaling the goodness of God.

Admit you need a Savior--someone to save you from the penalties of sin. Believe Jesus died on the cross for your sins--He did, you can read about it in Matthew 22:32-56 and 1 Peter 3:18. Pray and ask God to forgive what you've done-He will--all of it. Tell someone about His graciousness in forgiving your sins and making you a new person in Him!

NOW DO THEM

Today's reading: John 13-15

"You know these things--now do them! That is the path of blessing." John 13:17 NLT

As Jesus was giving His disciples final instructions before heading to the cross, He says these words.

Words for them to take to heart. Words for them to live by. Words for them to remember.

Words for us. Today. Right now.

You see, Jesus knew we would be full of good intentions--but little follow through.

He knew we would want to honor and serve Him--but would allow excuses to throw up roadblocks of all kinds.

He knew we would be fully aware of things needing done in His name--but hesitant about us being the ones to actually do it.

He knew we would know the Scripture--but would, by reason of sin, avoid its mandates, charges and commands.

So He said to His disciples, and to us...now do them!

Doing them, the things He asks of us, is the path to blessing.

 

 GOD'S TRACK RECORD

Today's reading: Joel

"Don't be afraid, my people! Be glad now and rejoice because the Lord has done great things." Joel 2:21 NLT

When life overwhelms...

When circumstances loom...

When the storm clouds gather, the thunder rolls and the sun is hidden...

Don't be afraid--remember God's track record!

It might be scary now, but recall all our God has done.

Make it a point to remember all the amazing, miracle-filled, jaw dropping, out-of-this-world things God has done in tough times!

Use your Bible if you need a guide for this exercise. Take a moment to reflect on the testimonies of friends and loved ones. Look around your community of believers...or use your own life.

The Lord has done great things--and His amazing ways are not depleted, exhausted or expended. 

We have not tapped out His inexhaustible resources. We have not exceeded His abilities. We have not spent His wealth of power. We have not drained His deposit of grace. We have not used up our privileges in approaching His throne.

Don't be afraid, look to Him to do something God-sized!

PRACTICALITY & SPIRITUALITY

Today's reading: Proverbs 22

"Keep away from angry, short tempered people,..." Proverbs 22:24 NLT

How kind of God to warn us to stay away from people who might insult, hurt or verbally vomit upon us!

One might think He were more concerned with our physical and mental well-being than anything if you were to just read this verse. But let's look further...

"...or you will learn to be like them and endanger your soul." Proverbs 22:25 NLT

That took a turn, didn't it?

The Scripture shows us that while God is interested in our 'getting along well', He is more interested in our heart health.

He wants us to guard against anything that might impact our character, our soul, the hub of our actions, remarks and emotions.

Who are you becoming like? Watch the interactions of your closest friends--do you want to act like them? Do you want to use the words they use, take on the tone they use, be known for what they are known for?

 

REFUSING TO ENTER

Today's reading: Psalm 105-107

"The people refused to enter the pleasant land, for they wouldn't believe his promise to care for them. Instead, they grumbled in their tents and refused to obey the Lord." Psalm 106:24-25 NLT

While the psalmist who wrote this psalm is unknown, the account he refers to was, and is, well known to us.

Numbers 13-14 tells us of Israel's refusal to enter the Promised Land even after God's declaration of ownership, two of their scouting party acknowledging the greatness of it and the many signs and miracles of God's provision that led up to their even getting to the border of Canaan.

They still wouldn't enter.

They just couldn't believe.

They chose to stay in their tents--and grumble!

Sound familiar?

Does the account provided in Psalm 106, and the original scripture in Numbers, hit a little too close to home?

We need to be very intentional in believing God enough to walk in to our 'promised lands'.

We need to know, without a doubt, that we are who He says we are.

We need to trust His way, His will, His Word.

We need to be so convinced of Him that if He says, Jump, we jump!

Or opportunities will pass us by...

Or we will continue to be held captive by our enemy...

Or we will miss out on all He offers us...

Because we choose to sit in our shabby tents grumbling.

It's our choice.  

ISN'T THAT HOW OUR ENEMY WORKS?

Today's reading: 1 Chronicles 20-24

"Satan rose up against Israel and caused David to take a census of the Israelites." 1 Chronicles 21:1 NLT

Satan tempted David where he knew David was weak.

He whispered--how many serve you? He suggested--how mighty is your support? He leaned into David's heart and said--do you have more people than King So-And-So?

Isn't that how our enemy works?

Miniscule ideas grow.

Harmless thoughts go awry.

Neutral issues become lop-sided.

Good ideas go bad, so bad.

If you choose to read on in 1 Chronicles 21, you will see that God provided a 'stop' for David along this downhill slide.

-He gave courage to Joab to question David's plan and he gave wisdom to Joab in the words he used.

God loves us enough to place people like Joab in our lives in regards to thwarting Satan's efforts to make us sin.

Will we listen to them? Will we hear them out? Will we recognize them as counsel from the Lord? 

Or will we continue on the path that our head and heart lead us to go?

David's choice left 70,000 people dead. Innocent people. Uninvolved people. People who played no part whatsoever in this sin against the Lord.

What will your fall into temptation lead to?

 

WHAT WILL THEY THINK?

Today's reading: Numbers 13-16

"But what will the Egyptians think when they hear about it? Moses pleaded with the Lord. They know full well the power you displayed in rescuing these people from Egypt." Numbers 14:13 NLT

This portion of Scripture gives us one of the boldest prayers Moses ever had the audacity to pray to the Lord.

While God was at wit's end with the Israelites and their complaining--to the point at which He wanted to completely destroy them, Moses intervened. Moses talked to God on their behalf. Moses reminded God that these people were His--and the world was watching just what He would do with them.

Moses never said the children of Israel didn't deserve punishment, or that they were not guilty of being a complaining people. He simply reminded God of all He had done thus far to set them apart, to rescue them from Pharoah and to get them to where they were.

Would we dare pray such a bold prayer?

Would we go so far as to say...Lord, what will they think if you don't step in and take care of this? What will their opinion of You be if You stop here and don't completely and fully answer this need? How will they ever know they can trust You if You give up on the situation now?

Do we have the kind of relationship with God in which we can be this honest and forthright? Do we have the faith required to talk to Him in this manner? Do we believe in the majesty and sovereignty of God to the degree that moves us to pray audacious prayers? 

Maybe asking for that kind of faith should be our first prayer.

ACTORS AND ACTRESSES

Today's reading: 2 Timothy 3-4

"They will act as if they are religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. You must stay away from people like that." 2 Timothy 3:5 NLT

As children of the Most High God, we are granted powers, privileges and potential that we cannot fathom. We have been given abilities and strengths straight from the hand of God for living godly lives. All our Heavenly Father asks of us is possible with His help and guidance.

Paul warns Timothy in this verse to stay away from people who don't tap into that power. People who know the rituals and routines of living for Christ, but don't have the heart-deep relationship with Him.

The actors and actresses. The 'posers'. The religious.

Even, and especially, if those actors and actresses are the ones we see in our mirrors.

Let's all spend some time talking to, and listening for, God in regards to how genuine we are in our walks with Him. Make the time to ask Him whether or not our walks with Him are merely surface deep. Seek His opinion, and correction, in regards to how to stop playing the role, and becoming all He has for us to be.

Stay away from actors and actresses, they are only for entertainment, not for eternity!

 

TWO DAYS LATER

Today's reading: John 10-12

"Although Jesus loved Martha, Mary and Lazarus, he stayed where he was for the next two days and did not go to them." John 11:5-6 NLT

I'll guess, like me, you might be in that 'two day' window.

On hold.

Waiting.

You know you are loved--His Word says so and your spirit knows, but He remains at a distance in regards to answering your prayer.

It's a hard place. An unlovely place. A place that seems like a wilderness, a desert, a dark, deep valley and a raging storm in the middle of the night--all rolled into one.

Might I remind you, as I remind myself, He loves us.

As His, we are loved.

Do you believe it?

Do you truly know in your heart that God loves you?

Are you so fully convinced of God's great love for you that it will keep you through the next 'two days'?

WHERE PROSPERITY TAKES MY HEART

Today's reading: Hosea 8-14

"How prosperous Israel is--a luxuriant vine loaded with fruit! But the more wealth the people got, the more they poured it on the altars of their foreign gods. The richer the harvests they brought in, the more beautiful the statues and idols they built." Hosea 10:1 NLT

How easy it is, in comfortable times, to lean more on idols than on God.

To sit, like a child, with our 'toys and trinkets' around us feeling loved...

To consider all we have, and sigh with contentment...

To look over all the blessings we have in life, and busy ourselves counting them--not thanking the Blesser...

We tend to have feelings of entitlement, deserved-ness, inklings of all that we have being owed us.

In our most comfortable times, we tend to act like Israel did--pouring our wealth into our idols.

O God, please keep our eyes and hearts on you, not on our things!