JESUS
Today's reading: Job 25-26

"How can a mere mortal stand before God and claim to be righeous? Who in all of earth is pure?" Job 25:4 NLT

The answer is Jesus.

...that's how I know I'll hear 'Welcome home, enter in' when I reach heaven.

...that's how a education-less, nobody from a little town in southern Illinois has been able to reach around the world with her writings.

...that's how I can lay my head down at night knowing my sins are forgiven and the scales are not weighing heavily in favor of my guilt.

...that's how I can experience peace amidst the howling winds of a storm.

...that's how any effort on my part to preach the Good News of the Gospel can be taken by the Holy Spirit, molded and made into something that can attract others to my Savior!

Without Him, I would be nothing.

Jesus. Jesus!

HE KNEW
Today's reading: Psalm 36-38

I didn't really need(want) another convicting verse of Scripture. I didn't want a deeply theological mind-bender. To tell you the truth, I didn't even want to have to struggle with another mile-long biblical name.

God knew that and provided just what I needed...

"But the Lord just laughs..." Psalm 37:13 NLT

Barely audible snickers. Belly-hurting guffaws. Snorting hoots. Uncontrollable giggles. Fall on the floor and feel like you're going to wet your pants laughter.

Just what does He laugh at, you're asking?

Mostly, me. My plans. My suggestions. My deadlines. I keep Him in stitches at all I come up with, all I claim to know and all I try to 'take off His hands'.

But He laughs at other things, too. Dandelions growing in the cracks of a concrete parking lot. Doctors scratching their heads at errant diagnosis. Insurance agents walking around and around crashed vehicles no one should have walked away from. Politicians who believe they are doing His job.

He also laughs at satan and his ill-thought-out plans. Like the plans he makes to draw me away from the Lord. Like the obstacles he litters along my path, just wanting me to slip up. Like his co-conspirators placed at the most stressful moments of my day. Like the lies he wants me to believe.

God laughs, friends...only because He knows the truth about me, about others and about satan and his future. No, only because He IS the Truth!

REMINDERS
Today's reading: 1 Samuel 11-15

"Now stand here quietly before the Lord as I remind you of all the great things the Lord has done for you and your ancestors." 1 Samuel 12:7 NLT

Samuel was asking his constiuency to pause and reflect on the Lord's provisions. He asked them to stop what they were doing and recall from whence they came. He challenged them to bring their minds to a halt as he recalled the great things of the Lord.

How often do we stop and do the same thing?

How often do we bow in reflection and not in anticipation?

How long has it been since we approached Him in thankfulness, not in solicitation?

How much of our time are we humbled by remembering His great works in our lives--not expecting anymore from Him than He's already done?

From where He has brought us, from who we used to be, from what enemies He has rescued us from, wouldn't it serve us well to recall and praise Him again?

SO HE CAN
Today's reading: Genesis 48-50

"...Bring them over to me, and I will bless them..." Genesis 48:9 NLT

You did make the effort to have your kids in the Lord's house yesterday, didn't you?

You did place them under the sound of His Word? Enable them to hear of His grace, mercy and love?

You did make sure your charges were encouraged and enriched by the hymns of faith sung by a choir of believers?

Anytime we make the effort to place our loved ones before God, He can bless them. It just takes a little effort on our part..but don't you think it's worth it?

EFFORT
Today's reading: Mark 5-6

"Jesus realized at once that healing power had gone out from him, so he turned around in the crowd and asked, Who touched my clothes?" Mark 5:30 NLT

In the crowd filling the pews, parking lots and classrooms of America's churches today--will Christ ask, Who touched my clothes?

Will the effort have been made to seek out the Healer?

Will steps be taken to go to where He is being taught, preached and believed?

Will, at the end of the day, He have shown up in any churches because of our faith bringing Him with us?

ATTACHED TO THINGS
Today's reading: 1 Corinthians 7-8

"Happiness or sadness or wealth should not keep anyone from doing God's work. Those in frequent contact with the things of the world should make good use of them without becoming attached to them, for this world and all it contains will pass away." 1 Corinthians 7:30-31 NLT

I watched a few minutes of a nationally known talk show yesterday. The hostess, a woman of great success, had opted to take 316 of her most loyal viewers on an all-expense paid trip with her to a country across the sea.

I do not begrudge her spending her money as she sees fit. To tell you the truth, I cannot imagine having as much as she has to spend.

What I wonder is if she, and in turn if I am, using the 'spot' God has placed her in to proclaim His Word, fulfill the purpose He created her for and remembering the importance of a relationship with the Savior of the world?

She's certainly using the things of the world to touch the lives of others. Will the ways in which she impacts those lives be for eternal consequence or momentary film footage?

INCESSANTLY
Today's reading: Isaiah 62-66

"Give the Lord no rest..." Isaiah 62:7 NLT

Incessant prayer.

Prayer that is unceasing, continual, constant.

Night and day. Uninterrupted. Routinely.

Frequent. Habitually.

Are you prayers like that? Do you attack heaven like a well-armed, well-rest, well-strategized army? Are your prayers reaching God's ears on a continual basis?

Do you care enough about the outcome to pray in that manner?

Is there enough at stake to make the effort?

Do you believe enough in the power of God to put in the time, sweat and tears?

Will anything keep you from 'giving God no rest' regarding the matters of your heart?

THE HARD PART
Today's reading: Job 23-24

"If only I knew where to find God, I would go to his throne and talk with him there. I would lay out my case and present my arguments. Then I would listen to his reply and understand what he says to me." Job 23:2-4 NLT

Job mentions finding God, approaching His throne, providing Him with his list of complaints and then doing one of the hardest things there are to do...stop to listen and understand.

Wouldn't you agree?

Hearing is easy. If you have ears, you're capable of hearing.

Listening and understanding? Hard!

We'd prefer to leave our wish lists at God's feet, spout off our requests--and run off, believing He'll do just what we've asked. That's not exhibiting faith, that's being demanding and aloof to the responses a Mighty Savior demands we make to His holiness!

Are you making the time to stop and listen to the Lord? Are you finding out what heart issues need immediate attention? Are you understanding the hardest of His decisions?

ALONE
Today's reading: Psalm 33-35

"Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope in you alone." Psalm 33:22 NLT

Surround us...

Like a warm, well-worn blanket stitched in love.

Like a sentry, armed to the hilt, against our enemy.

Like a black velvet box in a jeweler's case.

Like a field of ankle-high grass on a blue-sky day.

Like a mother in a rocking chair.

Like a cool breeze on a hot summer afternoon.

Why?

Because You are all we have. Because You are our only hope. Because, well, because You want more for us than what we have settled for.

IT'S TRUE
Today's reading: 1 Samuel 6-10

The saying that's been going around as of late is true: It's not about me, it's all about Him!

It's a timeless truth. The Bible reveals that to be so...

"Samuel was very upset with their request and went to the Lord for advice. Do as they say, the Lord replied, for it is me they are rejecting, not you..." 1 Samuel 8:6-7 NLT

The folks you know that ignore your invitations to church, shun your mention of the Gospel and make light of your decision to live for Christ, are not doing those things against you. They're rejecting God.

It's all about Him!

No one is exempt from His holiness and the conviction that comes when we stand up against it. There is no one who can honestly tell us they don't believe in God, everyone does--what they do with Him is another story.

Be very careful about taking it personally. It's not about you. Continue to share, that's what He's asked you to do. Keep inviting, it's your calling as one of His. Never stop living for Him, they notice!

PROSPER & POPULATE
Today's reading: Genesis 44-47

"So the people of Israel settled in the land of Goshen in Egypt. And before long, they began to prosper there, and their population grew rapidly." Genesis 47:27 NLT

Chronologically, this is after the brothers threw Joseph into a pit.

After they sold him into slavery.

After a false accusation by Potiphar's wife.

After a stint in prison.

After all of this, Joseph was once again surrounded by his family--prospering and populating the new land.

And you?

Where you're at now is not nearly as important as where you will be when His plan for your life comes to fruition!

THE LORD'S DAY
Today's reading: Mark 3-4

"Then he turned to his critics and asked, Is it legal to do good deeds on the Sabbath, or is it for doing harm? Is this a day to save life or to destroy it?.." Mark 3:4 NLT

Just what will you use your Lord's Day for?

Will you speak words of healing--or will your words become seed for decay in another's heart?

Will you serve joyfully, willingly and excellently in your 'spot' today--or will you grumble, moan and complain the whole time?

Today is not just another day of the week. Today will never be repeated or done over. Today is marked by the Lord as a day to remember, serve and worship Him wholeheartedly.

What will you do with the Lord's Day?

THIS SORT OF THING
Today's reading: 1 Corinthians 5-6

"How terrible that you should boast about your spirituality, and yet you let this sort of thing go on. Don't you realize that if even one person is allowed to go on sinning, soon all will be affected?" 1 Corinthians 5:6 NLT

Am I a carrier of the disease of sin within my family?

Am I infecting those within my church with the pandemic of sin?

Are the 'sorts of things' I'm allowing to go undiscussed between the Lord and I causing me to be a Typhoid Mary among my Christian friends?

Is it the doubt I allow to overcome my faith? Is it the prayerlessness I allow to be pushed out of my life and time by other less important things? Is it the attitude I carry with me like a chip on my shoulder?

I'm thinking this morning about how my spiritual health affects those around me. Is there anyway I could live that would change my impact on the world?

It's going to start with prayer. Heart-felt, on my knees, confiding and confessing prayer!

LIGHTS
Today's reading: Isaiah 56-61

Is the song, This Little Light Of Mine, as much a part of your childhood as it was mine? Did you sing it nice and loud as a child? Did you holler a resounding 'no' when it came time to answer whether or not we'd hide our lights under a bushel basket? Did you huff and puff demonstrating how satan wants to snuff out our light?

There are days when I wish I had never learned the words or the tune of that little diddy. Please, hear me out...

I'm convicted by the fact that my 'little light' is, on the best of days, sporadic and weak.

I'm heartsick to know my 'flame of righteousness' is easily blown out by the draft created by a passing doubt or fear.

I'm ashamed to say there are a lot of days my light is at most a fraction of a spark.

Oh, yes, you can quote the fact to me that I am but a reflector of the light of the Lord. You can preach the old sermon about me being a vessel of His light. You can even quote the verse in Phillipians that I can do all things because of His light and love and strength.

There's still this issue I deal with: I'm a faulty reflector, a too small bulb, a teensy-tiny ember and the kind of gal who allows the pitch-forked enemy to douse my attempts to glow.

And still I am chosen to shine for Him. His choice. His selection to do His work, to glow for Him!

"Darkness as black as night will cover all the nations of the earth, but the glory of the Lord will shine over you. All nations will come to your light. Mighty kings will come to see your radiance." Isaiah 60:2-3 NLT

JUST A REMINDER
Today's reading: Job 21-22

"God is so great--higher than the heavens, higher than the farthest stars." Job 22:12 NLT

God is so much greater than your problems!

God's plans are so much greater than your wildest dreams!

God's ways are many times greater than the best plans you've made!

Just a reminder, friends--just a reminder!

BITS & BRIDLES
Today's reading: Psalm 30-32

"The Lord says, I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. Do not be like a senseless horse or mule that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control." Psalm 32:8-9 NLT

A day in my life on Edgell Acres would bore some, would tickle others and would scare a few of you to death.

Whether it's putting on my pink rubber boots and mucking my way out to the chicken coop to collect eggs or wrestling a 140 pound chocolate lab at the end of a leash, my day is filled with intrigue, excitement and well, what's left after an animal leaves the immediate area.

I guess that's why this verse really hit home with me. Attempting to change the mind and will of a determined animal is not the easiest of tasks. As I say that I can just imagine God giggling at the thought of the troubles I seem to have in comparison to the troubles He has with the flock He deals with on a daily basis!

Being guided, advised and directed by the Lord seems a lot less painful than needing to be disciplined into the place He needs me to be.

Running ahead of Him, being dragged along behind or having a nasty swat on the backside to re-direct my actions are options to be chosen...Walking beside Him, that's what I choose!

ASSUMPTIONS
Today’s reading: 1 Samuel 1-5

"As she was praying to the Lord, Eli watched her. Seeing her lips moving but hearing no sound, he thought she had been drinking. Must you come here drunk? he demanded. Throw away your wine!" 1 Samuel 1:12-14 NLT

Careful, very careful, fellow believer as to the assumptions we make about those using the altar.

Don’t presume to know. Don’t judge. Don’t try to preside as Holy Ghost over the actions of your brothers and sisters in Christ.

As a matter of fact, here's a good rule of thumb--the farther we are from the altar ourselves, the more assumptions we’ll make!

So, move a little closer to the feet of Jesus.

COUNTDOWN
Today’s reading: Genesis 40-43

“They remained in prison for quite some time, and Potiphar assigned Joseph to take care of them.” Genesis 40:4NLT

In a prison of your own, are you? The shackles chafe? The chains clank? The food stinks and the décor is painfully dreary?

Go ahead and serve! Minister! Love! Rejoice! Praise! Put forth the effort to draw someone, by means of your testimony and sacrifice of praise, into His kingdom!

In a pit or not, you have plenty to celebrate. You have a gift to use.

You see, dear friend, you are on a countdown to when you’ll be sprung from the cell…you just don’t know which day you’re on or how many days your countdown began with.

AT ONCE
Today's reading: Mark 1-2

"And they left their nets at once and followed him." Mark 1:18 NLT

That's what I want to be able to do.

When Jesus calls me into a work, a ministry or a moment of repentance--I want to immediately respond.

But there are those strings I leave attached to 'things'. There is always the perpetual list of reasons why I can't. Doubt will rear it's ugly head and fill my thoughts with deterrants to Christ's call. I refer to my planner in order to see if I'm available.

But Simon Peter and Andrew dropped what they were doing and fell into step with the Savior. They put aside their jobs, their families, their comfortable boxes and followed at once.

And they were blessed. They saw miracles performed. They witnessed healings. They spent intimate moments with God's Son. They grew. They experienced a world flled with more, much more, than their fishing boats would ever allow them.

And that's what I want!

TIME WELL SPENT
Today's reading: 1 Corinthians 3-4

"So be careful not to jump to conclusions before the Lord returns as to whether or not someone is faithful. When the Lord comes, he will bring our deepest secrets to light and will reveal our private motives. And then God wil give to everyone whatever praise is due." 1 Corinthians 4:5 NLT

I'll venture a guess that verses like today's are some of the most widely known among the unchurched we're trying to reach. The 'judge not' verses seem to pop into just about every conversation we have with those we're wanting to touch with Christ's love.

They're probably right--to an extent.

This verse certainly tells me that I have quite a job on my hands just making sure what I'm doing is up to God's standards. I can busy myself with what I need to be doing without frittering away the moments in judgement of others.

But there needs to be a balance, doesn't there? We need to express the genuine concern in our hearts for those who are away from God, He asks us to do that, righ? We also need to keep our noses to the grindstone of godliness and righteous living. Knowing, by the Spirit's leading, what to do/what to say/what not to say and the right time for all of them is what's important.

Time well spent. That's just what we'll be judged on when Christ returns.

FORGOTTEN
Today's reading: Isaiah 51-55

Studiers of the gray matter say we only remember a small portion of what we hear. Those same scientists say the percentage rises slightly if it is something we read. They continue on to state that if we view, as in a movie, material those statistics raise even higher. But what we experience? What we feel with our hands and hearts--those things rarely leave our minds.

I thought of that as I read a portion of today's Scripture:

"...you have forgotten the Lord, your Creator, the one who put the stars in the sky and established the earth..." Isaiah 51:13 NLT

I must choose to remember God. Yes, it's an act of my will, not a natural response. I have to remind myself of all He's done, all He's capable of doing and all I can place in His hands with full confidence and faith.

I can hear what the pastor says, read what the Word states and view God in the lives of those around me...but what I must recall, on a daily basis, is what I've experienced in God's presence, what I've felt as I lean in closer and closer to my Creator, the things I cannot begin to describe.

My suggestion? Make those experiences with God occur on a daily basis. Allow time with Him, at His feet, on His shouder, at the foot of His cross, to be fresh on your mind. Do not rely on what occurred Sunday, at last year's revival or when you were a child to spur you on towards godliness--let each day place you in a position of awe and wonder as you meet with the One who placed the stars!

BEING JOB
Today's reading: Job 19-20

"But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives..." Job 19:25

Ever wished for someone else's life? The abundance they have? The ease they experience? The family that adores them (and picks up after themselves)? The job? House? Walk with God?

Maybe you've wished for bits and pieces of another's life to be interwoven with your own--your hair, but their car; your family, but their house; your relationship with God, but their checkbook?

Ever wished for Job's life? Even one day of it?

I do not want to lose my child, as Job did. I do not want to lose my health, as Job did. I do not want to lose my livestock, employees and wealth--well, certainly not the gal who comes in a straightens my house once a month and the paycheck I earn that allows me to pay her!

I want Job's commitment to God, without his experience. I want Job's determination to believe, without the heartbreaking reasons. I want Job's faith, without a walking through a test of fire to refine it.

Being Job? No, thanks.

Having Job's faith? Yes, a resounding yes!

CONFIDENCE
Today's reading: Psalm 27-29

"When evil people come to destroy me, when my enemies and foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will know no fear. Even if they attack me, I remain confident." Psalm 27:2-4 NLT

The definition of confidence? A feeling or consciousness of one's powers or of reliance on one's circumstances.

I have no self-confidence.

No, I do not shy away from challenges. I do not spend my time huddled in a corner. I am not afraid to stand up, speak out or, when need be, take charge.

I do not doubt my God-given talents or abilities. I do not take for granted the creativity He used when designing me. I do not doubt the power available to me to do the work God has for me to do!

But self-confidence? Nope, not a shred of it!

Any belief, any belief at all, I have in Christ!

It's His track record I depend mightily upon. It's His strength I stand upon. It's the power of the Risen Savior gifted to me at the moment of my salvation that I claim dependence upon!

So, I do agree with David on the confidence issue--but my confidence is in God, and God only!

FAMILY REDEEMER
Today's reading: Ruth

"...Praise the Lord who has given you a family redeemer today!..." Ruth 4:14 NLT

I know, I know, the King James Version refers to Boaz, in the account of Ruth, as a kinsman redeemer--but I sure like the sound and thoughts behind this translation's choice of words!

Are you praising the Lord for providing a family Redeemer for your household today?

Are you fully aware of the blessings this Redeemer brings into your lives--present, and most certainly, future?

Are you consistent, persistent and committed to making sure generations of your family learn to love, worship and serve this Redeemer?

You do know Him personally, don't you?

INCENTIVE
Today's reading: Job 17-18

In a time when Christians are being pushed around and portrayed as fools in the media. In an age where toleration is appreciated, conviction to godly morals is offensive and pressure from high places of stardom make more of an influence than what comes from the pulpit...I have good news!

Well, I don't, God does..

"The righteous will move onward and forward, and those with pure hearts will become stronger and stronger." Job 17:9 NLT

The Christians (those really living it, not just claiming it as a title) are going to win! The church of the Living God will arise and honor Him! The remnant of believers living in the out of the way places will stand up and be counted.

God's Word will be promoted. God's way will prevail. God's judgement will fall on those who have mocked, sneered and attempted to downplay its importance to man.

So? So, I tell you all this so that you can, while watching the news or reading the paper, know that it may look as if we're 'behind in scoring in this last quarter'--but we're still going to win!

Onward and forward, Team Christ! Go, go, go!

OLDER AND WISER
Today's reading: Psalm 24-26

There's something to be said about the aging process: it has provided me with a whole heap of life lessons to refer back to when I choose to take matters in to my own hands, try to out-guess God or relieve Him of His duties or to plan everything according to my way of thinking.

You see, I've had (I'm using past tense in hopeful anticipation) my turn at being a 'stupid kid'. I've learned. I've experienced. I've tasted. I've recuperated. I've paid high prices. I've pleaded for re-do's. I've a bundle full of regrets.

And at the ripe age of forty, I come across a verse that assures me that even though my vision (my hearing and several parts of my being) is going, God's is not...

"Forgive the rebellious sins of my youth; look instead through the eyes of your unfailing love, for you are merciful, O Lord." Psalm 25:7 NLT

Thankfully, God sees me in regards to what I have the potential to become, what purpose He has for me to fulfill and how perfect I will be when I stand in His presence. He chooses not to recall my bone-headed mistakes, foolish teenage follies or attempts at taking charge of my own life.

That, for this aging beauty, is as refreshing and life changing as a drink from a fountain of youth!

LITTLE GODS
Today's reading: Judges 17-21

"Micah set up a shrine and he made a sacred ephod and some household idols. Then he installed one of his sons as the priest. In those days Israel had no king, so the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes." Judges 17:5-6 NLT

You wouldn't dare, you say to yourself. Idols? Statues to worship? Never--it's against God's law.

Did you notice what Micah's gods were called? Household idols. House related. Things around the house. Nothing elaborate. Not necessarily made of gold or silver. Things that distracted but didn't really look as sinful as what they were.

Are you still saying you wouldn't? Haven't? Couldn't?

The things I worship do not sit on an altar. The things that draw my attention away from God aren't always flashy. The idols I set up and spend time, effort and money on don't look like what Micah's might have looked like--but it's 2011, after all.

-The cleaners I use to make sure my house shines and looks as much like Sister So-and-So's does.

-The checkbook that I want carry a certain balance, a comfortable balance.

-The extracurricular events that a well-rounded family must be part of.

-The lawn that needs mowing on Sunday, always on Sunday, only on Sunday and every Sunday.

-The computer that steals my time away from beneficial things.

-The issues that I allow to ruin my day of rest and my focus on worship.

I'm going to guess our household gods look alot alike. Sad, isn't it?