VALUABLES
Today's reading: Proverbs 7

I have no velvet ropes cordoning off my precious furniture. What I have is well used. Pretty and reasonably new, but well used.

There is no laser system guarding my jewelry case. Case? Well, that's a stretch of the imagination...it's really an un-used tackle box of Dale's that has those nifty little dividers. And to be quite honest, other than my engagement ring and a few other sentimental pieces, everything else has been found on clearance at Cato's or through Avon.

No high tech gadgety guards our entertainment center. To be quite honest, according to my son who is still very upset over our decision not to purchase television, all it's good for is the occasional censored movie we rent and the local PBS station line-up.

I have very little of value, except my Bible. The words. The notes I've written in the margin. The wisdom I've gained--and am still attempting to apply. The direction I've been given. The love I've found. The promises I've been offered. The encouragement I've received. The instruction I've had spoken to my heart. The friends I've made sharing it. The blessings I've had showered upon me from studying it. The peace I've gained from believing it.

Priceless.

"...Guard my teachings as your most precious possession." Proverbs 7:2 NLT

A SIMPLE THANK YOU
Today's reading: Psalm 75-77

"We thank you, O God! We give thanks because you are near..." Psalm 75:1 NLT

Do we? Well, do we ever just thank Him for sticking with us? Hangin around us? Not leaving us in our messes all alone?

Do we ever stop to thank Him for anything we can't hold in our hands?

Or do we forget? Do we overlook the blessing? Are we forgetting the fulfillment of His promise to never leave or forsake us?

A simple thank you, that's all.

REALLY WANT TO GIVE UP?
Today's reading: 1 Kings 19-22

"Elijah was afraid and fled for his life. He went to Beersheba, a town in Judah, and he left his servant there. Then he went on alone into the desert, traveling all day. He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die. I have had enough, Lord, he said..." 1 Kings 19:10 NLT

Oh, Elijah, do you really want to give up on the Lord? You're just a little worn out right now. Mentally, physically and spiritually exhausted. The victory at Mount Carmel took a toll on you. Jezebel does little in the way of encouraging you. You've separated yourself from your helper--and walked, intentionally, into the desert.

But give up? You said you've had enough. Are you sure?

You see, friend, when we give up on God, His way, service to Him, listening to His commands, seeking His face, striving to serve Him in all we do...we also give up on all He offers.

Are you willing to 'change team colors'? To move from the winning team to the team that will lose--for eternity?

Are you up to constant defeat? Dogged crisis? No hope? No peace?

Are you willing to give up on the blessings that come ONLY from His hand?

All right, enough about Elijah--what about you? Will you stick it out or throw in the towel?

MAKE-OVER
Today's reading: Leviticus 7-9

I want an extreme make-over. At its completion, I do not want to look anything like myself. I want jaws to drop, compliments to rain down, eyes to pop.

And how will it get done?

"...When you have followed these instructions from the Lord, the glorious presence of the Lord will appear to you." Leviticus 9:6 NLT

Time with God. Effort put forth to do His will. Obedience at all cost. Putting myself farther down the list than others.

I'll look differently. I'll speak with a changed mouth. I'll walk with a changed heart. I'll simply glow!

LITTLE MATTERS OF FAITH
Today's reading: Luke 15-16

"Unless you are faithful in small matters, you won't be faithful in large ones..." Luke 16:10 NLT

Maybe it's just me, but the size of your 'faith pill' depends completely on how personal the matter is to your heart. The more intimately it touches your life. The closer it is to 'where you live'.

Little matters of faith run the gamut of importance and size, scope and breadth.

What I am going through, in order to grow my faith, may seem very small to you--until you're faced with the same dilemna. Where I walked, in order to grow my testimony, may have seemed like a walk in the park--until you're in the middle of a very similar journey. What I learned in my leap of faith, may seem like just a drop in the bucket to you--that is, until you're learning the same lesson and trying to recall all of the information required for the 'big exam'.

I'm not sure what your little matter of faith is today, but I believe it's time I started looking at them as intently and as prayerfully as I do my own...would you do the same???

MARKED DIFFERENCE
Today's reading: Ephesians 4-6

"With the Lord's authority, let me say this: Live no longer as the ungodly do..." Ephesians 5:17 NLT

God's children should be 'standing out' in the crowd.

Our language ought to be different from the world's--not only the words we use, but also the hope we infer, the peace we instill and the promises we claim.

Our homes should be different--not only in what we have, but also in what we busy ourselves with, what we consider important and what we do with our time.

Our work ethics ought to be different--not only when we are being supervised, but anytime we are at task.

Our decision-making process should be different--all we choose based upon eternal value, godly instruction and future effect.

As His, we should be causing a stir as we shake salt and beam light into a lost and dying world. There should be nothing about us that ties us to this world, other than our addresses!

CAPTIVE
Today's reading: Proverbs 5-6

"An evil man is held captive by his own sins; they are ropes that catch and hold him." Proverbs 5:22 NLT

The Lord and I have talked this morning. Well, He has spoken to my heart and I have just cried, but a conversation none the less. What has He told me? He's divulged to me that 'evil' men aren't the only ones being tied down by sins, there are some seemingly good Christian gals being held back, held down and held up by issues of the heart.

I'm pretty sure He was talking about me. I'm certain He was.

Pride looks like a lovely ribbon, but it encumbers me.

Personal plans and ambitions look like blue ribbons of organization, but they trip me up and cause me to stumble.

Improper motives look like filigreed gold chains of decoration, but they begin to pinch, tighten and cut off circulation.

My past, the good, the bad and the ugly, looks like a good strong rope keeping me from slipping off the edge of some deep cliffs, but they also hold me back from accomplishing what He's saved me to be doing.


That's just me. That's just the tip of the iceberg. That's just a portion of our conversation and a glimpse into what had me in tears.

What about you? What's got you tied down?

EVALUATION
Today’s reading: Psalm 72-74
“Then I realized how bitter I had become, how pained I had been by all I had seen. I was so foolish and ignorant--and I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you. Yet I still belong to you, you are holding my right hand. You will keep guiding me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny. Whom have I in heaven but you?..” Psalm 73:21-26 NLT
A day of self-evaluation.
Yesterday I spent a lot of wasted time moaning and groaning, complaining and griping, detailing and listing the faults of others. What annoyed me, what pushed the wrong buttons, what got under my skin.
But today? Today, I’m spending a little time with God in regards to the things about me that rub Him the wrong way.
I’m a brat. I’m a spoiled princess. I’m a catered-to, expect-a-lot-more-than-I-deserve, never-want-to-break-a-sweat, hand-it-to-me-on-a-silver-platter kind of gal. I’m a griper. I’m a me, me, me kind of person.
And that disgusts me. And it disgusts my Savior.
And this morning, He reminded me of it all…all I am and all He offers me. And after our little talk, I have little to complain about!

SUBSTITUTES
Today's reading: 1 Kings 14-18

"In the fifth year of King Rehoboam's reign, King Shishak of Egypt came up and attacked Jerusalem. He ransacked the Temple of the Lord and the royal palace and stole everything including all the gold shields Solomon had made. Afterward Rehoboam made bronze shields as substitutes, and he entrusted them to the care of the palace guard officers." 1 Kings 14:25-27 NLT

I have a bit of a sweet tooth. And to tell you the truth, 'sugar substitutes' just don't do anything for me. Give me white table sugar sprinkled generously over bland, good-for-you cereal, brown sugar that caramelizes on cinnamon rolls or over the top of pineapple upside-down cake, even honey over a lightly buttered piece of toast. But the artificial sweeteners, you can have!

You can try to sell me on the imitations. Sweet n Low has an awful whang. Splenda gives me headaches. Nutrasweet is bitter. And you can try to tell me the Stevia stuff is real, but I'm not buying it because I want the real stuff and the real stuff only! If I begin craving chemicals designed to taste like sugar, I'll grab one of those options first--until then, pass the sugar bowl.

God's got the same preferences. Do you honestly think He was thrilled with bronze shields sitting in the Temple when gleaming, priceless gold ones were what He intended? Do you think He accepted the coppery colored metal as an acceptable alternative to the importance and awe-inspiring shine of gold?

Do you think He willingly accepts the substitutes we pass off on Him?

The half-hearted service? The sorry attempts at conversation with Him? The excuses we present in exchange for obedience?

We serve in areas we're comfortable in, ignoring where it is He has asked us to shine.

We mutter prayers in emergency situations, choosing to ignore the fact He wants a day-long, intimate running conversation.

We attend worship, instead of participating in it.

High speed ministry, when He wants us still and quiet before Him.

Substitutes?

PROCEDURES
Today's reading: Leviticus 4-6

Chapter 4 of Leviticus gives us specific detail as to what procedures must be followed when presenting a sin offering. One notices mention of a priest, a sacrifice, blood and effort on the part of the one sinning. Deliberate or unintentional, a procedure needed to be followed to seek forgiveness through the act of making a sacrifice.

God followed the procedures.

Christ offered Himself sacrificially.

The blood of the Lamb was spilled.

We need only seek, accept and turn from evil ways to receive eternal life.

Heaven will only be gained through the procedure of accepting Christ as our personal Savior. One way and only one!

MESSAGE DOESN'T CHANGE
Today's reading: Luke 13-14

"No, and I tell you again that unless you repent, you will also perish." Luke 13:5 NLT

Jesus was speaking to Pilate when He spoke these words. Pilate, the most powerful man in the world at time. Pilate, the leader of all. Pilate, the head honcho. Pilate, the man sitting at the top of the 'heap'.

And Jesus? He spoke the same words to him that He spoke to each and every other person He had met in His ministry. He did not hold back any punches. He did not alter the message or change the presentation.

We need to follow His example.

Our friends need to hear that sin is sin and not turning away from it will lead them to hell. The good friends that live with their boyfriends. The dear friends that know they should be in church but are pulled in so many other directions on Sunday morning. The close friends whose addictions lead them farther and farther from life.

Our family needs to know that the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life. Our brothers and sisters who have wandered away from Christ. Our aunts and uncles who seem to think religion is worthless. Our parents who have been burned by another Christian and refuse to darken the doors of a church house again.

They need to know the same message Christ preached. No changes. No addendums. No re-writes. No moderations.

The simple truth--unless you repent, you will perish.

BURSTING FORTH
Today's reading: Ephesians 1-3

"I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the wonderful future he has promised to those he has called. I want you to realize what a rich and glorious inheritance he has given to his people." Ephesians 1:18 NLT

This is a prayer I have circled in my Bible for my son, for my loved ones, for myself--and for you.

Paul's words are just what I would say, if I were as well-spoken, to those I so desperately want to come to the full realization of God's goodness and love.

I pray it for those who do not yet know Christ as Savior, but I also pray it over the lives of those who have not been enlightened to the extreme love He has shown us as His children.

Today, dear friends, I want His light to burst forth in your hearts, minds and souls. I want you to see things as you have never seen them before, experience life as you never dreamed possible and spread His love and grace to those you could only facilitate through a miracle.

I want you to be who He believes you are. I want you to live in the way He has enabled you to live. I want you to see what can only be seen through the covering of His Son's blood!

ME, FIRST
Today's reading: Ezekiel 1-6

"...Son of man, let all my words sink deep into your own heart first. Listen to them carefully for yourself." Ezekiel 3:10 NLT

I get the notes from you in regards to how you have been able to pass along the daily devotions to others. I receive your e-mails thanking me for sharing what I've written instead of keeping it to myself. I read the thank-you's for giving you a laugh. I open the correspondence you send that simply says, Amen.

I'm glad God led me in to the ministry of 'writing' and posting on the world wide web. I'm daily in amazement that He speaks to me, at all, let alone in such grand ways on some mornings! I'm thrilled I can help another. And, well, I hate to admit it, but I LOVE doing it! And the accountability? Well, knowing someone else might need what He's speaking to me keeps my nose in the word and my heart open to His guidance.

But I'm not preaching. I'm attempting to not tell you what to do without re-arranging my heart, too. I'm not hitting send before all that's written pricks my own heart, points out areas where a lot of work is needed or I myself have found something I need to confess to my Savior.

It's going through my heart first. Then my head. Then my fingers. Then the computer. Then to you. Then back to me to attempt to live out as best I can!

CARDIO CARE
Today's reading: Proverbs 4

"Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do." Proverbs 4:23 NLT

Heart health is an important topic. Cardio care tops the list of things God and doctors want us to focus on.

Allow me to share a few tips...

1. Avoid tobacco products-Inhale deeply clean air. Suck in pure, life-giving oxygen. Set aside habits and addictions in exchange for His way of living.

2. Exercise regularly-Walk, run, jog, stroll, witness, share, speak, raise your heartrate by doing things that are a little outside your comfort zone.

3. Eat healthily-Feed regularly on good stuff. Watch fat intake. Limit sweets. Feast daily on His Word.

4. Keep a healthy weight-Don't allow yourself to become bogged down by carrying things/pounds you weren't meant to carry.

5. Regular check-ups-Allow the doctor to see you on a regular basis. Set aside time for small problems to be nipped in the bud. Place yourself in God's presence regularly and often.

Start today living a 'heart-smart' way!

REAL REASON
Today's reading: Luke 11-12

"Do you think I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I have come to bring strife and division." Luke 12:51 NLT

Kind of blows the whole idea "Let There Be Peace On Earth" tries to sell us, doesn't it?

Real change. Lasting change. Life-altering change, stirs things up, turns things upside-down and leaves separation and division.

A change in healthy eating? A change in habits? A change in tradition? A change in who our master is?

God did not intend for His Son's suffering and dying on the cross to allow us an easy route into heaven--He wanted to shake us up, turn us completely around and allow us to see the changes needed to enter into a love relationship, and eventually into heaven! He does not offer several ways, but One Way.

We, as His followers, will stick out in society--or at least we ought to! We, as His children, will live differently, speak differently, act differently--and those differences will separate us from ones not in His family. We, as His marked ones, will generate a lot of controversy, discussion and yes, sometimes, strife, as we attempt to draw all others into His Kingdom.

Peace? Peace can only come after the separations and divisions have been made and we stand before Him hearing the words, Well done--come on in!

PAID IN FULL
Today's reading: Galatians 4-6

This week marked the anniversary of the 1944 Invasion of Normandy. In honor of that momentous day in our history, several radio and television programs re-visited that moment in time. I heard such an interview this week with Dr. Dobson while he was standing on the shores of Normandy.

Dr. Dobson asked the historian how in the world the United States of America could ever repay the debt they owed to the men who fought that June day. The man's reply? He didn't consider it a 'debt', what those men gave was a gift. Debts can be repayed, gifts are given as such.

Like Christ's death on the cross for our sins.

"God sent him to buy freedom for us..." Galatians 4:5 NLT

We couldn't begin to return the favor. We haven't the wherewithall to repay what was done. We don't have the time to give back.

A gift, pure and simple.

GREAT IT HIS FAITHFULNESS
Today's reading: Lamentations

"Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each day." Lamentations 3:23 NLT

Nothing worse than stale mercy, is there? Day-old grace? Last week's commitment? Old favor?

Every morning. The moment your feet hit the floor. Before the blinds are raised, the coffee's brewed or the teeth are brushed, He has provided us with new mercies! Brand-new mercies. Mercies grand enough, great enough and deep enough to cover all the past, present and future. A gift sitting on the end of our beds. A present just outside our front door. A package wrapped each morning in His Son's sacrifice and love.

Great is Thy faithfulness, oh God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever wilt be.

Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

HOW HE MEASURES
Today's reading: Proverbs 2-3

"He grants a treasure of good sense to the godly. He is their shield, protecting those who walk with integrity. He guards the paths of justice and protects those who are faithful to him. Then you will understand what is right, just and fair; and you will know how to find the right course of action every time." Proverbs 2:7-9 NLT

The closer I walk, the more I'll understand? The godlier I am, the safer I'll be? The depths of my belief determines to lengths to which He will prove His faithfulness? The nearer I draw to Him will be evident in my choices and my reactions?

And all that occurs, happens or falls in my lap? Well, those things I'll be seeing through different eyes, with a different focus, in light of much more important things!

CAN'T RISK IT
Today's reading: Psalm 66-68

"If I had not confessed the sin in my heart, my Lord would not have listened." Psalm 66:18 NLT

I'm a nobody in the world of high finance, politics, fortune and fame. I've not graced the cover of any magazines, been the quest speaker to any arena sized sell-out crowds or had people lining up to get my autograph, my advice or just a glimpse of me.

To some, I'm rather boring. Plain. No one special.

But my prayer life, on the other hand, is something very important.

I'm devoting myself to praying a strong-willed ten year-old towards godliness.

I'm determined to see souls come to know Christ because of what I can share of and in my own life.

I've set my sights on hugely miraculous things in my church family.

I have come to the realization that I have been placed, by God himself, into situations, places and opportunities pre-determined by Him to allow me to praise His name.

So this verse means a whole heap of a lot to me!

I cannot and will not allow sins in my life to keep me from doing these important tasks. I have to weigh holding on to grudges against what He has promised to provide. I get to choose between hatred or love in each and every conversation, regardless of who it is I'm talking about or to. Nothing, I mean nothing, can get in the way of my prayers being heard--most importantly myself!

THANKS
Today's reading: 1 Kings 5-9

God has put a lot of words, detail and time into recording the details of Solomon's temple. The measurements. The dimensions. The colors. The materials used. The workmen hired. The imports required to build this masterpiece.

Why?

To remind me of what a spoiled, rotten brat I am.

Really. He has taken notice to each and every effort put forth by the people of his country to contribute to serving God. Some God allows to be name specifically, some to be acknowledged by family name. He touts their workmanship and effort. He applauds their sacrifice. He spotlights their gifts.

And I'm humbled.

I walk into a spotlessly clean church. I sit in a comfortable and lovely pew. I am serenaded into His presence by people giving up sitting with their families to play instruments and have spent time in prayer selecting music. I hear folks sing special music they've spent time practicing. I am ministered to via the heartfelt and sometimes sweated over words of the pastor--the pastor who also holds down a full time job and maintains a family.

Need I continue?

The folks who have taken turns to allow me the privilege to sit in big church while the children are served. The bathroom facilities I am never afraid to use. The worship folders always available. The fellowship meals that never fail to leave me filled to the brim.

I applaud each and every worker in my church! Kudos to the ones who make my worship time possible--those in front and those behind the scenes. Thank you for serving God--and me!

THAT'S WHAT I WANT
Today's reading: Exodus 37-40

"Then the cloud covered the Tabernacle, and the glorious presence of the Lord filled it. Moses was no longer able to enter the Tabernacle because the cloud had settled down over it, and the Tabernacle was filled with the awesome glory of the Lord." Exodus 40:24-25 NLT

That's what I want--to be filled to overflowing so much that there's no room for me because His glorious presence is in 'the house'. I want there to be no room for my plans, my faults, my way because the awesome glory of the Lord fills my heart, my spirit and my head!

Push me out of the way, Lord. Scoot me over. Come on in!

Is it what you want, too?

IT MIGHT BE ME
Today's reading: Luke 9-10

"And how do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose or forfeit your own soul in the process?" Luke 9:25 NLT

I'll be transparent this morning. I've never really thought this verse spoke to my heart. I would conjure up snapshots in my head of people who might be 'poster kids' for this particular part of Scripture, but never was it a shot of me!

Judgemental of me? Perhaps. Conceited of me? Quite possibly. Wrong of me? Absolutely!

It's not just the multi-million dollar business man who sells his soul to the devil to reach the top faster.

It's not only the rock star who falls for the lies of satan.

It's not limited to the broken souls who sell themselves, because they feel unworthy.

It might be me.

Anytime I compromise, it might be me!

Choosing less than best. Selecting below what He provides. Making decisions based on how I feel, what I want or what's going to be easiest.

Every choice I make is placed before me by God. He provides a way out that is good, that is pleasing to Him, that may need to be uncovered in prayer--but it's always there.

BUT THEN...
Today's reading: Galatians 1-3

"You know what I was like when I followed the Jewish religion--how I violently persecuted the Christians. I did my best to get rid of them...But then something happened..." Galatians 1:13-15 NLT

Paul's testimony is recorded several times in the Bible, but I have to tell you, this telling of it is my favorite...simply because of the wording used to convey the excitement, the intensity and the grace bestowed upon him at salvation. The way he leads listeners into the climax of the story. The lure he places in his telling of it that catches the reader and urges them to continue.

Why? Well, because as different as our pasts may be--he and I both were miraculously saved, graciously redeemed and carefully chosen to receive the gift of eternity with our Savior. Neither he nor I deserved anything but hell, but have been heaped with blessings, promises and mercy!

Sounds a lot like your story, too?

ONE QUESTION
Today's reading: Jeremiah 47-52

"...This is what the Lord says, What are you doing?.." Jeremiah 49:1 NLT

Blunt. Specific. Attention-grabbing. Personalized. Easily understood.

What am I doing? Not what do I have planned.

What am I doing? Not what I have done--past tense.

What am I doing? Not what my neighbor, the church or the gal at the end of the pew is doing.?

What am I doing? To further the Kingdom? To witness? To grow? To find more of Him, so I'll desire more of Him?

What am I doing?

HMMM?
Today's reading: Proverbs 1

"My son, if sinners entice you, turn your back on them!" Proverbs 1:10 NLT

All right Lord, that's just what I'm having to do. The one I thought to be my mission field, is pushing my buttons to the point that I may scream, hit, kick, punch or throw my Bible at them! The unravel my every attempt to witness. They shrug off every verse I aim in their direction. They contort my every stab at being a Good Samaritan. They catch me in every one of my faults, my failures, my slip-ups. I've heard about each and every hypocritical Christian they, or their extended family, have been spurned by.

The phrase, 'Kill them with kindness' has come to mind--give or take a few words!

A 'laying on of hands' is about to be a part of my evangelical technique!

Giving up is not in my way of doing things. Yours either, huh, Lord? But stepping back and re-assessing--yes, that's probably what's needed.

And here You're saying it's okay to step away from the 'project' for a while? It's all right to walk away, re-group and fortify my arsenal? It's well within Your approval to exclude myself from their life in order to listen more closely to You and Your plans for my ministry tactics?

Are you saying my staying within the boundaries and freedoms of godliness is as important to You as their salvation? Keeping my cool, exhibiting patience and not sullying Your name should rank as high as my charge to 'go out into all the world'?

Hmmm. Hmmm! Hmmm?

Can I ask one more thing, Lord? This person I'm attempting to reach for You? Do they know all this, too??

FOR MY FRIENDS
Today's reading: Psalm 63-65

"O God, listen to my complaint. Do not let my enemy's threats overwhelm me." Psalm 64:1 NLT

I could say this was for my friends who are struggling to keep satan defeated in their lives. It's the topics of our Facebook posts. It's the recurring theme of the text messages we send back and forth. It's the basis for our conversations. It's what 'comes up' when we meet, when we pray, when we cross each others' minds.

I could say it's for you, someone I may have never met. Someone who I'm pretty sure battles, on a daily basis, to ignore the enemy's taunts and tune in to God's voice of truth. Someone who, like me, has good days and bad days--and the worst days of your life far too often.

Or I could be honest, completely honest, and tell you this verse is just for me. I've had my ear bent by satan. I've fallen into just about each and every trap he's set as of late. I've focused on what he was telling me, knowing none of it was true. I've refused to slam the door in his face, and now he's camped out in the living room of my heart--eating popcorn in my most comfortable chair!

I needed the reminder that as much as God enjoys hearing my praise, my supplications, my confessions and my petitions...He hears mes when I need to complain. He desires that I seek Him out when the threats thrown at me batter and bruise my spirit.

The verse is undoubtedly for me...but you know me, I just can't keep some things to myself!