BUT AS FOR ME

Today's reading: Psalm 72-74

"But as for me, how good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do." Psalm 73:28 NLT

Where is it you have drawn a line in the sand in regards to your Christian growth?

What is your 'no matter what' discipline?

Do others know that even if nothing else gets done, you will have done _____?

It is those 'but as for me' statements that will grow our faith, draw us closer to the Lord and build up stepping stones that lead from one level of righteousness to the next.

You've gotta have them.

You have to have some firm boundaries in place in order that you will achieve personal growth in the Lord.

'But as for me' may look like...

-I won't open up Facebook until I've read in my Bible.

-I won't pick up my phone until I've spent some time in prayer.

-I won't let a day go by that I don't jot down something I'm grateful to God for.

-I won't miss an opportunity to worship the Lord with my brothers and sister in Christ.

 Set some goals for your spiritual growth. Determine a few things you will do each and every day in order to be nearer to the Lord. Start with baby steps--and watch how the Lord chooses to bless them!

ABIJAM

Today's reading: 1 Kings 14-18

"Abijam began to rule over Judah in the eighteenth year of Jeroboam's reign in Israel. He reigned in Jerusalem three years. His mother was Maacah, the daughter of Absalom. He committed the same sins as his father before him, and his heart was not right with the Lord his God, as the heart of his ancestor David had been. But for David's sake, the Lord his God allowed his dynasty to continue, and he gave Adijam a son to rule after him in Jerusalem. For David had done what was pleasing in the Lord's sight and had obeyed the Lord's commands throughout his life, except in the affair concerning Uriah the Hittite." 1 Kings 15:1-5 NLT

Think about the grace God poured out on David's family.

Just in these five verses we see that Abijam, a grandson of David, sat on the throne.

He was not a godly man.

He was in power only because God had promised David a dynasty.

God's grace does that. Then and now.

He pours out grace on those of us that are undeserving.

He gives grace to those of us with stained pasts.

He showers grace on those that come after us, as a legacy of our lives lived for Him.

Unmerited favor on those who follow, even imperfectly, after Him. Groundless grace that is bestowed because I am bold enough to believe He will give what He promises to give when I but ask.

I want that kind of grace to pour into my life--and into the lives of those who come after me.

MAKE ME AWARE

Today's reading: Leviticus 4-6

"If any of them sin by doing something forbidden by the Lord, even if it is done unintentionally, they will be held responsible. When they become aware of their guilt, they must bring to the priest a ram from the flock as a guilt offering. The animal must have no physical defects, and it must be of the proper value..." Leviticus 17-18 NLT

Ever had your mind changed, your attitude adjusted or been 'set to rights'?

That's what God does when He reveals to us our sins.

He chooses to make us aware of ways in which we sin against Him, and that's what every sins does, through conviction.

Some days it's in regards to things you are currently involved in--and no longer set well in your heart of hearts.

On other days, He will point out areas in which you need to lean harder on Him, less on the things of this world or places where you are veering hard towards the world.

And in some precious moments He might speak to you about things you did before you believed on Him as Lord and Savior. Things you didn't know, at the time, were sins.

However He chooses to correct us and whatever it might be about, we can know that it is for our own good and in order to bring Him glory.

Painful? Yes.

Uncomfortable? Absolutely.

Embarrassing? At times.

Worth it? You better believe it.

Lord, make us aware of our sins so that we can repent them to You and find your forgiveness!

THE REMEDY FOR UNRAVELING

Today's reading: Ephesians 4-6

"Always keep yourselves united in the Holy Spirit, and bind yourselves together with peace." Ephesians 4:3 NLT

United in the Holy Spirit and bound together with peace...sounds like the remedy for the feeling of unraveling that most of us feel at one point or another.

Loose ends fraying? Spend time in the Word.

Falling apart at the seams? Make time to pray.

Feeling undone? Give all your 'pieces' to the Creator who put you together in the first place.

Tangled up with emotions? Tell the Lord.

Torn in different directions? Ask God to make your very next step clear...then the next...then the next.

YOUR "YES"

Today's reading: Luke 11-12

"Anyone who isn't helping me opposes me, and anyone who isn't working with me is actually working against me." Luke 11:23 NLT

Got something God has asked you to do, and you are 'praying over it'?

Maybe 'praying over it' is a stretch. 

There is a very good likelihood that you are putting it off, shoving it to the side, attempting to ignore it or down right refusing to believe He would ask such of you.

Read this morning's verse again...

"Anyone who isn't helping me opposes me, and anyone who isn't working with me is actually working against me." 

Are you for the Lord--or are you silly enough to attempt to go against Him?

One choice will bring about rewards and blessings--the other, well, the other option won't end well for you.

Say "YES" to the Lord.

Sign up for what He's asking of you.

Join His team.

Work alongside Him.

Follow Him where ever it is He goes.

Your "YES" in this small thing may have a huge impact on His kingdom!

 

AT LEAST THEY WILL KNOW

Today's reading: Ezekiel 1-6

"They are a hard-hearted and stubborn people. But I am sending you to say to them, This is what the Sovereign Lord says! And whether they listen or not--for remember, they are rebels--at least they will know they have had a prophet among them." Ezekiel 2:4-5 NLT

Ezekiel was given a tough task, one he would be presenting to a tough audience.

But he had to do it.

He had to in order to obey the Lord.

He had to because he loved his people, as rebellious as they were.

He had to for himself, he needed to know he had done all he could to tell them what the Lord had to say.

What about you?

Are you telling the world about your Jesus? That he came to save us from our sins? That he offers an eternal future with him?

The world needs to know.

God has asked us to tell them about him.

You need to reach the end of your life knowing you told who you could, when you could, because you knew how it had changed your life.

What they do with the information is entirely up to them, but at least you will have told them.

Share the Good News! 

DON'T FORGET

Today's reading: Proverbs 4

"...Don't forget or turn away from my words." Proverbs 4:5 NLT

How firmly seated in your daily routine is time in your Bible?

Do you have a set time and place when which you dive into His Word daily?

Do you sporadically read a few verses when seeking wisdom or when you need a 'good verse' to write in a card or letter?

Do the Scriptures take a sabbatical through the week and you pick them up only as you head out the door to church on Sunday?

God tells us, through Solomon, not to forget or turn away from His words.

We need what He has to say.

We have reason to pour over His words.

We can learn from what the Holy Bible tells us.

Here is your reminder: Don't forget to pick up your Bible today.

PS...Might I make a suggestion? Close out of this screen right now and end your computer time until you've picked up your Bible. 

HELP ME, LORD

Today's reading: Psalm 69-71

"Don't let those who trust in you stumble because of me, O Sovereign Lord Almighty..." Psalm 69:6 NLT

Help me, Lord, not to cause anyone to question Your goodness.

Remind me, in any and every conversation, that I am representing You.

Provide me words, and deeds, that honor You in all places and at all times.

Back me up if you put me on a platform, so that I bring You all the glory.

Please, please, don't let me be a stumbling block in another's walk with You.

You are too worthy of all praise. You are too holy to be muddied by any attempts I could ever make to represent You. Your name is too good to be sullied by the likes of me.

~Amen

INSISTING ON OUR OWN WAY

Today's reading: 1 Kings 10-13

"Now King Solomon loved many foreign women. Besides Pharoah's daughter, he married women from Moab, Ammon, Edom, Sidon and from among the Hittites. The Lord had clearly instructed his people not to intermarry with those nations, because the women they married would lead them to worship their gods. Yet Solomon insisted on loving them anyway." 1 Kings 11:1-3 NLT

It's not that Solomon didn't know better.

It isn't even that Solomon didn't know the 'why' behind the instructions.

And in Solomon's case, it didn't even have to do with a lack, or wanting for anything--or anyone in this matter.

It all boils down to Solomon insisting on his own way.

And it eventually cost Solomon his kingdom.  

Disobedience always comes with a price.

Not only for Bible-time kings who were rich and had a penchant for women.

It happens in our own lives, too.

God will let you have whatever it is you want in life--but if what you want goes against His best for you, expect to pray the price.

Know something will extract the cost of that choice.

Be it spiritually.

Emotionally.

Mentally.

Physically.

Insisting on our own way will cost us at some point.

KNOWING OUR OWN STRENGTH

Today's reading: Leviticus 1-3

"Then, grasping the bird by its wings, the priest will tear the bird apart, though not completely. Then he will burn it on top of the wood fire on the altar. It is a whole burnt offering made by fire, very pleasing to the Lord." Leviticus 1:17 NLT

Before you say, My, what an unusual verse you have landed on this morning, Malinda...hear me out.

As servants of a good God.

As those who have been set aside to work for His kingdom.

As ones who are priests.

We have to be strong AND we have to know our own strength.

The Levitical priests not only served spiritually, but, as mentioned in this verse, they served physically.

They had to use their strength, and know their own strength.

Did you notice?

They had to tear the sacrificial turtledove or pigeon apart --but not all the way apart.

That took some strength and it took knowing when to rein strength in. Just enough, but not too much.

Do we do that as 'priests' today?

Are we serving wholeheartedly, but not going overboard?

Are we doing all we can, but not doing more than we should?

Are we giving our all, but not doling out too much in any one area so that we end up lacking in another?

It's all about knowing our own strength--and where we need God's governing power at work in our lives.

GOOD TIMES AND BAD

Today's reading: Ephesians 1-3

"When I think of the wisdom and scope of God's plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth." Ephesians 3:14 NLT

Good times, and not so good times, befall us all.

Our days are littered with highs and lows, blessings and niggling dreads.

Paul re-centers our minds in this single verse.

He reminds us that in the good times and in the bad, God's plan can be considered and trusted.

The wisdom and scope of His plans far succeed what we can fathom.

Pondering all He controls should drop us to our knees.

Recalling how vast His control is over all things, in heaven and on earth, can calm our fears, put fire in our bellies and give us cause to praise Him loudly and constantly.

I'm going to make the time throughout my day to think of the scope and wisdom of God's plan--and breathe a sigh of relief that it's not all up to me!

HE HAS SENT ME AHEAD

Today's reading: Luke 9-10

"The Lord now chose seventy-two other disciples and sent them on ahead in pairs to all the towns and villages he planned to visit." Luke 10:1 NLT

As I begin studying over the upcoming Vacation Bible School lessons, I am encouraged by this verse.

I'm not blazing a trail into the hearts and minds of these little people...

I'm not coming up with something new and exciting that will grab and hold their attention...

I'm not forging ahead with concepts that will remain in place only if I present them perfectly and with grand articulation...

I'm going ahead of Jesus.

He will be right along behind me correcting what I mess up, filling in where I left out and taking what the Word says farther than I ever could!

Do I need to prepare? Yes! Proper preparation prevents poor performance.

But it doesn't all hinge on me, my abilities, my acts or my perfection.

I'm going ahead of Jesus, sent where He has asked me to go, believing He will come along behind me to 'seal the deal' in hearts and minds in which I am privileged to plant the seed of the Gospel.

How exciting is that?

LOOKING IN VAIN

Today's reading: Lamentations

"We looked in vain for our allies to come and save us, but we were looking to nations that could offer no help at all." Lamentations 4:17 NLT

Jeremiah writes the book of Lamentations as his heart's sorrowful response to the fall of Jerusalem.

He lists the terrors this once mighty land endured. He tells of the horrific defeat they were now suffering. He weeps over the choices that led to this prophesied end. His heart aches over the fact that this 'city of God' was now a godless and forsaken land.

And in this single verse, he states the real problem. The issue that led them to the mess they were in...

They looked to the wrong things for help.

They looked into themselves, desiring to live lives that did not focus on the Lord.

They looked to neighboring nations, hoping their military power, their appealing wares and their pocket gods might make them comfortable.

They looked to priests and leaders who were not living out the laws of the Torah, and who were dragging the people down with them.

They looked to people, places and things that could offer no help.

And all the while, God stood ready, willing and able to help them through it all.

What about you?

Where are you looking for salvation? For help? For hope? For guidance? For peace?

If you are not looking to the Lord, you are looking in vain at things that will offer you no help at all.

CRYING OUT

Today's reading: Proverbs 2-3

"Cry out for insight and understanding." Proverbs 2:3 NLT

Insight and understanding are important aspects of gaining wisdom from the Lord.

Insight refers to having a deep understanding of a situation, often coming from sudden realization or intuition.

Understanding, however, involves a more thorough grasp of a concept or idea through analysis, study or personal experience.

Insight is an 'off-the-cuff' understanding, but true understanding requires a level of investment--through time, effort and dedication to finding out.

Both are important in our walks with the Lord.

Both are gifts from God.

These gifts will help us walk through life holding tightly to the Lord's hand.

But these gifts are ones we must 'cry out' for. Ask for. Seek out. Request of the Lord.

In moments of immediate need and in the quiet times with our Bibles opened on our laps.

Cry out for insight and understanding, it will make you wise. 

FULFILLING MY VOWS

Today's reading: Psalm 66-68

"Now I come to your Temple with burnt offerings to fulfill the vows I made to you--yes, the sacred vows you heard me make when I was in deep trouble." Psalm 66:13-14 NLT

The Lord's Day has rolled around again.

I'll not moan and groan about how the week has flown by, or about all the things I'd hoped to do remaining undone.

I'll just say it's Sunday again--and I'm glad!

You see, with all the Lord has helped me do this week...

All the times He has answered the cries of my heart...

All the ways He has shown Himself faithful and true...

Giving Him my Sunday is the least I can do!

I'll go to the house of the Lord...

I'll serve in whatever capacity He leads...

I'll worship with my brothers and sisters in Christ...

All because He deserves it. And much more, but He deserves my attention on a day He has set aside for rest and worship.

I won't have burnt offerings in my hands, but I'll have a candle that's seemingly burning at both ends, and I know He will see my effort and hear my praise!

THE EYES AND EARS OF GOD

Today's reading: 1 Kings 5-9

"May your eyes be open to my requests and to the requests of your people Israel. Hear and answer them whenever they cry out to you." 1 Kings 8:52 NLT

Solomon, at the dedication of the Temple, asked that God's eyes and ears be upon him and the people.

What more beautiful prayer is there than that?

That God see all we need, and answer accordingly and that God hear all our prayers, our praises and our desperate pleas for His help.

Knowing He hears and sees all, we should rest assured that nothing, NOTHING, happens to us outside of His knowledge.

THE BRONZE WASHBASIN

Today's reading: Exodus 37-40

"The bronze washbasin and its bronze pedestal were cast from bronze mirrors donated by the women who served at the entrance of the Tabernacle." Exodus 38:8 NLT 

How big was this 'sink' and how many mirrors did it take to build it, I'm asking myself this morning.

How, after traveling 40 years through the wilderness, did these mirrors survive unbroken, I question.

And, why mirrors?

In doing a little research about this washbasin, I've found this paragraph that gives me some depth to the mystery...

'The Basin served as a constant reminder of the holiness required of those who minister before the LORD. It underscored the necessity of purity and the separation from sin, which is a recurring theme throughout the Scriptures.'

Nothing reminds you of who you are more quickly than a mirror.

Whether it's that first glimpse of the morning, intensive cosmetic updating or heading out the door for work, we check our mirrors.

We want to know what we look like. How good we look. What needs touching-up. Whether or not we are presentable.

But what if we turned our mirrors over to God for His use?

What if the mirrors we had weren't about how we looked, but how clean we are before the Lord or how we can serve Him?

What if our mirrors caused us to pause and look soul-deep instead of a passing skin-deep glance?

Maybe, just maybe, that's why mirrors were used to build this receptacle for the Lord--a place to stop and clean off the world as one prepared to step into God's presence with a servant's heart.

LOSING INTEREST

Today's reading: Galatians 4-6

"As for me, God forbid that I should boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world died long ago, and the world's interest in me is long dead." Galatians 6:14 NLT

There is no multiple choice quiz, or true/false examination, in regards to how deep your faith goes.

The lab cannot test your blood or DNA for those results.

Your pastor cannot check your 'spiritual temperature' each and every time you arrive at your house of worship.

Paul, however, gives us an indicator we can watch for...

Our interest in the world and its impact on us.

-How concerned are you with fitting in with the world?

-How important is it that you be admired, liked, honored or recognized by the world?

-How often are your actions, ideas and attitudes dictated by what will work best in the world around you?

-Are you more interested in pleasing those around you, or the Lord?

Questions like these will unearth the truths about where our allegiances lie--with a dying world, or with Jesus.

Take some time today to think about your answers to questions like these. Spend some time with the Lord asking Him to reveal your true interests--and whether they are in Him, or in the world.

 

JUST SAY THE WORD

Today's reading: Luke 7-8

"So Jesus went with them. But just before they arrived at the house, the officer sent some friends to say, Lord, don't trouble yourself by coming to my home, for I am not worthy of such an honor. I am not even worthy to come and meet you. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed." Luke 7:6-7 NLT

The Roman office who spoke these words will be highly commended by Jesus for his faith in just a few verses.

He knew Jesus's power.

He was aware of Jesus's authority.

He understood the healing Jesus held in his words, his touch and his presence.

And this man believed it to the extent that he told Jesus...

Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed.

That's faith, friends. 

I want that kind of faith.

The kind that is assured that even praying for something once, in the name of Jesus, it is done.

The type of faith that doesn't depend upon a specific test result or good reports from a doctor.

The faith that knows, without a doubt, that Jesus is on the scene, whether I see Him at work or not.

The faith that gives Him full rein, doesn't provide suggestions and leaves it all in His trustworthy hands.

The style of faith that prays as desperately for others as I do for myself.

The kind of faith that, from its roots, knows the answer Jesus provides me is unmerited, because of my unworthiness.

I want that faith.

I want faith that tells the Lord, Just do it from where You are--and I know it will be done!

OPENING UP HIS ARMORY

Today's reading: Jeremiah 47-52

"The Lord has opened his armory and brought out weapons to vent his fury against his enemies..." Jeremiah 50:25 NLT

I don't know if you are aware of this or not, but your enemy is God's enemy.

He takes, very personally, attacks against you.

He is full aware of our enemy's tactics, tricks, traps and talk.

So amidst these chapters speaking wrath against enemy nations, I find this single verse to be of huge comfort to me.

God has opened up His armory and brought out His weapons against our enemy!

Doesn't that put steel in your spine?

Doesn't that put a little grit in your will?

Doesn't that make you a little more courageous?

Our Lord has opened up His warehouse of weapons and will use them against our enemy, the Devil.

It's not up to us. Frail, weak, incapable, us.

He is the one who fights against our enemy and He will use every weapon in His arsenal to do it!

LISTENING TO HIM
Today's reading: Proverbs 1

"But all who listen to me will live in peace and safety, unafraid of harm." Proverbs 1:33 NLT

Proverbs are probabilities. Probabilities that Solomon collected from viewing life and living life.

While he had his own faults, and who among us don't have some, he knew that listening to and following the Lord was the safest, most peaceful way to live.

Does this mean that it will go well, smooth sailing, for anyone and every one who follows the Lord in all they do? No.

Does it mean that Christians will be safe from any and every disease, accident, fall or scraped knee? No.

Does it mean that in all that happens...if we have listened for His instruction and followed His way...our souls will rest safely in His capable hands and our hearts can be at peace no matter the storms of life?

YES!

Let's tune our ears into His voice today.