BARE MINIMUM
Today's reading: Isaiah 1-6

If I were a fish, I'd be hooked.

If I were a rat, I'd be trapped.

If I were a criminal, I'd be caught.

If I were not covered with His grace and adorned with His mercy, I'd have looked over it completely...thankfully, He's taking care of me and opening my eyes to things I've overlooked for years! What's He's revealed, I am in awe of. The words He's spotlighted, have settled on my heart and has given plenty of reason for me to ponder them--and pass them along to you.

"Stop putting your trust in mere humans..." Isaiah 2:22 NLT

Do you know what words Merriam-Webster uses to define the word 'mere'? Being nothing more than. A synonym? Bare.

I've allowed 'barely there church folks' to ruin an opportunity to worship, instead of honoring God because of Who He is.

I've succumbed to the considerations and critiques of people who are nothing more than sinners saved by grace, like myself, instead of measuring my worth and attempts against His measuring stick--Christ's blood.

I've been stopped dead in my tracks, trying to be obedient, by mere humans displaying jealousy in the form of spiritual maturity and tradition, instead doing what He's asked me to do.

I've hit the 'delete' button on numerous occasions, instead of sending just what He spoke to me about--because I was afraid it would be taken as too personal, too preachy, too judgemental, instead of honoring Him.

I've settled. I've back-pedaled. I've given up. I've thrown in the towel. I've washed my hands of it all. I've huddled bruised and beaten in a pew. I've watched my blessings go to others. I've felt the sting of discipline. I've fallen and stayed down. I've had my feelings wadded up and tossed in the trash. All because I've carelessly placed my trust in mere humans.

But today? Today,I've sent the devotion on, but I'm trusting God, not mere humans, to accept what I've written and learned from time in His Word.