INTRIGUED
Today's reading: Psalm 137-139

"You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb." Psalm 139:13 NLT

Medical things intrigue me. What goes on beneath the surface of our skin amazes me. How systems, organs and such work together to make me is so interesting.

Like how miles and miles of capillaries, veins and arteries function as one unit.

Or how our heart pumps involuntarily our entire lives.

Or how germs or bacteria are fought within our bodies.

Yes, things like that leave me scratching my head in amazement and wonder...so why can't I believe He has everything else about my life well in His control?

My future?

My plans?

My purpose?

If God so chooses to work on the intricate inner parts of me with such precision and detail, won't He do the same with the externals?

DO NOT, DO NOT!
Today's reading: Deuteronomy 20-22

"...Do not be afraid as you go out to fight today!..." Deuteronomy 20:3 NLT

Obstacles will be placed in your path by your enemy--do not be afraid!

Temptations will surface and rage at your weakest points--do not be afraid!

Darkness may very well overshadow you--do not be afraid!

Your attempts will be misconstrued and taken out of context--do not be afraid!

Failure may occur--do not be afraid!

Plans may not come to fruition--do not be afraid!

Friends, and family, will let you down--do not be afraid!

Things will happen, things will fail to happen. People will surprise you, in good ways and in bad. God will be with you every step of the way, whether you see Him or not! Satan will try his best to thwart every effort you make to choose godliness, but he will not win if you do not allow him to.

Stay strong. You've got a battle ahead of you, but you don't have to be afraid--God's right beside you.

GOING TO CHURCH
Today's reading: Acts 19-20

"Then Paul went to the synagogue and preached boldly for the next three months arguing persuasively about the Kingdom of God." Acts 19:8 NLT

Some of Paul's toughest critics might well have been in the pews those three months he held a revival meeting.

Your pastor's mission field might possibly be the one he sees from his pulpit today.

Our churches are filled, when they're filled, with unbelievers who have met the Savior of their lives.

Doubt it?

Are there folks in your congregation (I'm not even speaking about your own issues) living half-heartedly? Robbed of blessings? Empty? Filled with doubt and fears that have no place in the hearts and lives of His children?

As you step inside the doors of your church this morning--go prepared in prayer. The Holy Spirit very well may fall on your church this morning, will you be the one who invited Him?

BLOOD, SWEAT & TEARS
Today's reading: 2 Peter

"So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Doing this you will never stumble or fall away." 2 Peter 1:10 NLT

Are you working your tail off trying to be worthy of Christ's sacrifice for you?

Are you looking for any spot He's working in or about and joining Him there?

Do you fidget while waiting for the next opportunity to serve, worship or bow before Him?

Are you excitedly anticipating where it is He will use you next?

Don't just sit around gathering dust--work for the Master!

REMEMBERING WHO
Today's reading: Zechariah 8-14

"...This message is from the Lord, who stretched out the heavens, laid the foundations of the earth and formed the spirit within humans." Zechariah 12:1 NLT

I have to tell you, I sometimes forget Who it is speaking the messages of the Bible to me.

I fail to remember the vastness of His power, the immensity of His abilities and the scope of His love.

I tend to forget how timeless His messages are--to whom He's spoken over the generations.

I needed the reminder this morning that my notes of encouragement, my messages of conviction and urgings to contine on in His work comes straight from the One who has done all, knows all and is all!

ONE DAY?
Today's reading: Ecclesiastes 9-10

I've decided already this morning: one day of thanksgiving is not enough!

I'm not talking about preparing a meal, eating the delicacies or visiting with family--I'm talking about the thankfulness!

One day out of 365 will never alot me enough time to thank God for all He's done for me. One day will never stretch out long enough to enable to list each and every blessing He's bestowed on my life--and to be able to thank Him for them. One week wouldn't do it. One month couldn't contain them all. The entire year would still not be enough time.

So I'm deciding to live a life of thanksgiving. Every day thanks. Every moment in realization that He is too good to me!

FOR HE IS GOOD
Today's reading: Psalm 134-136

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever." Psalm 136:1 NLT

Does our God stop you in your tracks?

Does He cause your jaw to drop?

Are you amazed by Him?

Does He know? Have you told Him?

TOO BLESSED
Today's reading: Ezra 6-10

"...I felt encouraged because the gracious hand of the Lord my God was on me." Ezra 7:28 NLT

I've been challenged since about summer by a book I read. The book, 'One Thousand Gifts', has me journaling or writing down the blessings of God I come in contact with each day. Little things, big things, surprising things, things I've overlooked for years.

I am amazed by all He does for me! Just like Ezra was all these years ago.

The book stresses that our relationship with God, our communion with Him, is solidly based in the thanks we give Him. The thanks He so richly deserves, but we so easily forget to give.

Things I've noticed and written down in my 'gifts book'?

...watermelon juice dripping down a little boy's chin
...cartoon-looking clouds in a robin's egg blue sky
...the red of a garden grown tomato
...the snores of a hard-working husband
...a prayer meeting on the parking lot of a lumberyard
...the smell of freshly tilled ground
...a card from a friend

Is this act of journaling given me some deeper spiritual insight? Oh, I don't know. I cannot tell you it has done anything more for me than to take my eyes off of what I might not have and focus them on all He's already provided. Do I feel closer to God because of my 'list'? Yes, I really do. I'm seeing Him in more places and acknowledging Him more readily.

What a week for you to start your own list!

MEMORY
Today's reading: Deuteronomy 16-19

"Remember that you were slaves..." Deuteronomy 16:12 NLT

I believe it's time for an old-fashioned testimony service! It's time those of us who have been washed by the blood, redeemed of our sins and cleansed from all unrighteousness stand up and make a public announcement as to who we were and how good He is!

I'm not who I used to be. Bitterness, anger, fear and hate used to fill my heart. Looking out for 'me' was my past-time. My opinions and the statement thereof were my occupation. My plans, and my plans only, were what I was committed to.

But God, in His goodness, has taken me, worked on me, molded me into a closer semblance of His Son and is slow to anger when I slip up!

I remember who I once was--and it sickens me. I recall, vividly, how I once behaved, spoke and whittled away my days on things of less than eternal value--and I'm ashamed. I used to be bound by doubts, wonderings and every passing 'help-yourself' scheme.

But today, I'm no longer a slave! And remember that makes all He's done so much more amazing!

Can I hear someone testify?

HE'S THE ONE
Today's reading: Acts 17-18

"...This Jesus I'm telling you about is the Messiah." Acts 17:3 NLT

Paul spoke to people who had been looking. He spoke to people who were in need. His sermons and conversations centered around the fact that his listeners sought answers, solace and help. And Paul, speaking of Jesus, told them he had their answer!

We needn't keep looking as the Jews do. There will never be another who fulfills prophecy to the extent Jesus Christ, infant born in Bethlehem, child growing up in Nazareth, son of a carpenter did.

And still does today.

Whatever you might be searching for, you'll find in Jesus: companionship, peace, comfort, joy, purpose, love, salvation, eternal life.

This Jesus I'm telling you about is all you need!

I KNOW
Today's reading: 1 Peter 4-5

"Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about what happens to you." 1 Peter 5:7 NLT

I know it's You, Lord. You're the one doing it, allowing it to happen, attempting to focus my attention where You need it to be.

Today, You've highlighted, underlined, spotlighted and boldly printed the word, 'all'.

Could it be because 'all' is not what I've been giving You in regards to my worries and cares? Yes, You're right--as usual.

I tend to hold back on, to keep to myself, a few doubts and fears I have.

No! No, it's not that I don't think You can handle them. No, it's not that I think You're incapable. No, it's not that I've not read that I'm precious to You--redeemed for the price of Your Only Son's blood.

Why I do it is a mystery, even to me. It never works out well. It seldom ends with less than a caustic attitude, a headache and usually stomach issues.

All, huh? Well, I'm going to give it a try. All...wow, what a change in lifestyle for me!

CELEBRATE
Today's reading: Zechariah 1-7

I do not suffer from low self-esteem, but I can honestly tell you--I am a nobody.

No degrees. No titles. No highly honored positions.

There is no reason what so ever that Christ would have ever, and I mean ever, died on the cross for me--but He did!

And that's reason to celebrate!

"The Lord said, Shout and rejoice, O Jersusalem, for I am coming to live among you." Zechariah 2:10 NLT

Jesus, Son of God, has chosen, by my invitation, to live in my heart. God has allowed His blood to wash away my sins and pay the debt for my grievances.

Today I shout and rejoice along with Jerusalem because He has come to live among the likes of me--and you!

SOLOMON'S SAYINGS
Today reading: Ecclesiastes 7-8

"Being wise is as good as being rich, in fact, it is better." Ecclesiastes 7:11 NLT

Could they cash that at the bank? Was Solomon silly enough to believe the world, even at his time, ran on anything else but money? Did Solomon's wisdom make him the richest man in the world, or did all Solomon's wealth make him smarter?

And how might it apply to us?

Well, most of us would agree that the most of the things that pull at our purse strings, the things that stretch us financially, the things that cause our hearts and pocketbooks discomfort come from less than smart choices on our behalf.

A poor purchase? A line of extended credit that wasn't really necessary? A house bigger than our lifestyle required? A faster, fancier vehicle? Several purchases on the credit card? A financed vacation?

Maybe, Solomon was right--wisdom is more important than money. If we used our God-given, sought after what God's best, might we be richer in so many ways?

INVITATIONS
Today's reading: Psalm 131-133

Preparations are already being made for this Sunday's service. Once Wednesday night's prayer meeting is over, the pastor will buckle down and seek God's will as to the message He needs him to present. The song leader will be in prayer as to what songs God would like to be worshipped with. Folks are already inviting un-churched friends and family members to join them for the service. The janitor has already made his/her plans as to what day will work best to vacuum the floors and shine up the glass on the doors. Sunday meals are already being planned out.

But will God be invited to many churches this Sunday?

"Arise, O Lord, and enter your sanctuary..." Psalm 132:8 NLT

The church is only a building, a fancy building, without God's presence. No good thing, no matter the level of benevolence, can be done with His participation. Lives can be altered by people, but saved from an eternity in hell only by God.

As you make your preparations for the upcoming Lord's Day, consider inviting Him into those plans!

A GREAT BIG SPOON
Today's reading: Ezra 1-5

"Then God stirred the hearts..." Ezra 1:5 NLT

I have varying sizes of spoons in my kitchen. Teaspoons for daintily stirring sugar into my cup of tea, soup spoons for getting mouthfuls of chili to my mouth without spilling a drop, tablespoons for serving up side dishes and great big wooden spoons for mixing up batches of cookies or stirring big pots of pasta.

Do you think God uses various sized spoons for His heart-stirring?

Tiny spoons to re-direct thoughts towards Him and His ways? Medium sized spoons for instilling a mission in one's heart? Big, God-sized spoons for stirring up one's heart toward receiving His gift of salvation?

I'm praying that God do some stirring in my life. I want to see my heart bent more towards His service and His ministry. I desire His stirring in my soul to such a degree that anything I want for myself, or have schemed or plotted for, to be set aside for His work. I plan on asking Him to stir His 'big wooden spoon' in the direction of my unsaved loved ones and friends.

What I might stir up usually brings about trouble, what God 'stirs-up' is wonderfully wonderful!

SPECIAL
Today's reading: Deuteronomy 13-15
Would a crown upon your head make you walk more gracefully?
Might a gown of the finest silk or a suit of the most expensive fabric cause you to hold your head a little higher?
Would the title, Duke, Duchess, King, President, Supreme Most Important One set a little self-confidence into your stride?
How about this...
"You have been set aside as holy to the Lord your God, and he has chosen you to be his own special treasure from all the nations of the earth." Deuteronomy 14:2NLT
You are 'all that', by what my Bible says! Because of His sacrifice for your life, you can hold your head up high and walk with confidence and assurance because of Whose you are. Your past, your genetics, your former associations pale in comparison to who He has made you into.
Do not allow satan to sell you the lie about being worthless, un-needed, less than or of little importance...because that's not what God says about it!

FAMILY CIRCLE
Today's reading: Acts 15-16

"Trembling with fear, the jailer called for lights and ran to the dungeon and fell down before Paul and Silas. He brought them out and asked, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? They replied, Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with your entire household." Acts 16:29-31 NLT

Paul and Silas knew one man's salvation experience could not be passed down like an inheritance to another, but they also knew the impact one man-or one person- filled with Christ can have on their household.

What about you? Are you the only believer in your family? Might you be the only one to bow your head in prayer at the Thanksgiving table? Will your prayers for your family be the only ones God hears?

Keep it up! You will, filled with the Holy Spirit, make an impact on your entire family. You will drop seeds of your faith in various places around your home and in due time, with God's annointing, those seeds will sprout.

You have the awesome responsibility and privilege of glowing with godliness in your home! And you have the promise of the Lord that your godly light will touch others!

FENCES
Today's reading: 1 Peter 1-3
The 'farmers' on this little spot of land have been hard at work building fence. And truth be told, the whole process seems a little more romanticized and simple reading it in a Louis L'Amour novel or watching John Wayne go about it in one of the westerns he's starred in!
But what's confounded me the most? What's made me scratch my head in wonderment? What's caused me the most questions? The animals walk the entire length of their new pasture looking for a way to escape!
They have all they need within the confines our their new home. Food and water are provided. Shelter, warm and cozy shelter I might add, have been provided. Good sturdy wire has been installed to keep predators, their enemies, out. And yet they look for breaks in the fence or weak spot in the wire!
Spiritual, isn't it?
God has given us parameters, borders, boundaries and rules to keep us safe, walking close beside Him and a guaranteed eternity--and we busy ourselves looking for loopholes, pushing the limits and wondering why we're struggling at what He intends to be enjoyable.
Fences? Are you fighting them or enjoying the freedom they provide you?

IS IT TIME
Today's reading: Haggai

"This is what the Lord Almighty says, The people are saying, The time has not yet come to rebuild the Lord's house--the Temple." Haggai 1:2 NLT

The prophet Haggai received these words from God almost 2,500 years ago. The people of his time were satisfied with the Lord's house laying in disrepair, defiled and unused. No one had the desire or inclinatis on to raise God up to His rightful place--in their hearts or in their communities.

Could the same be said today?

Fewer and fewer families are making Sunday a special day of worship in their homes. Businesses are refusing to close their doors on the Lord's Day. Many churches provide 'fast food drive-thru' services for their congregants who don't have the time.

Sad isn't it? And we wonder why God's being pushed aside by our schools, our government, our homes and our own personal convictions.

Is it time to rebuild the Lord's house--both our church houses and His spots in our hearts and homes?

MY LOT
Today's reading: Ecclesiastes 5-6

"...To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life--that is indeed a gift from God." Ecclesiastes 5:19 NLT

It's true, isn't it?

Who I am. Where I am. What I have. Who I'll be. Where I'll go. What I'll achieve.

To come to the realization that it's all based upon God's blessings is an eye-opening and heart-changing moment in time.

Age has little to do with it. Spiritual maturity deepens it, but does not define it. Genealogy affects, but cannot do it for us.

Will today be the day you receive your gift from God?

NEVER
Today's reading: Psalm 128-130

"From my earliest youth my enemies have persecuted me--let Israel now say--from my earliest youth my enemies have persecuted me, but they have never been able to finish me off." Psalm 129:1-2 NLT

Satan has whispered and satan has roared. Unsaved friends have laughed. Ungodly loved ones have mocked and jeered. Society has taken jabs, called me intolerant and dependent. My temptations have lured me away, dirtied my hands and heart and left me alone in the shadows. Their words have cut. Their beatings have hurt. Their accusations have bruised my heart and caused my mind, on more than one occasion, to wonder if I was right..but they've never, never, been able to finish me off!

My enemies have not seen the last of me or my Lord. My enemies cannot take a rest, let up or think for a moment that they've got me for good. My enemies, errantly, believe they've got me--but they don't. My God and I are traveling the path towards godliness. He is not going to leave me and no one, or no thing, will ever drag me away from Him!

What about you?

MY STUFF
Today's reading: 2 Chronicles 33-35

"Then Josiah contributed from his personal property thirty thousand lambs and young goats for the people's Passover offerings and a thousand bulls." 2 Chronicles 35:7 NLT

How would our worship services be different if we all gave a bit of our selves for His cause this Sunday?

Would His Spirit walk the aisles of your church, if you set aside your thoughts and preferences as to the music selected?

Might minds around us focus solely on the hour of worship if we chose to refrain from that extra cup of coffee or at least visit the restroom prior to church beginning?

Would lives be touched and changed for eternity, if you used a little of your own time to dig into the Word prior to the pastor's sermon?

Could it be newcomers to your church might feel more a part of the worship service if they saw you singing along with the choir--regardless of your abilities?

Would the pulse of your church be in beat with God's if only you were to leave a few of your 'things' at home and come simply to worship and adore Him?

Josiah gave what he had in order for his church family to have the worship experience of their lives...would we/are we willing to do the same?

REQUIREMENTS
Today's reading: Deuteronomy 10-12

"And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you? He requires you to fear him, to live according to his will, to love and worship him with all your heart and soul and to obey the Lord's commands and laws that I am giving you today for your own good." Deuteronomy 10:12 NLT

Lord, I'm sorry.

You see, as simple as your requirements seem, I have, well, I have littered what You've asked of me with fine print and alot of gray areas.

I fear you. I do. But I allow my mind to wander from how great You are to how little of your plan and purpose for me I understand.

I strive to live according to Your will, well I do when it's easy, when it's comfortable, when I can do it with little self-control.

Love You? Of course, I do. Worship You? Yes, oh yes. But whole heartedly? Do you grade on a curve? Do you allow for the circumstances of the moment? The season of life I'm in? The location, valley or mountaintop, I'm in?

Obedience, Lord? It does all come down to that, doesn't it? All you really ask of me is to obey. And if I do? If I choose to obey, all of the other requirements fall into place. Simply. Effortlessly. Naturally. Gratefully.

Once again, I'm sorry. You've spoken to my heart about where I am falling short--help me, Lord.

HIS FRIEND
Today's reading: James 4-5

"You adulterers! Don't you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again, if your aim is to enjoy this world, you can't be a friend of God." James 4:4 NLT

Cheating on God? Are your thoughts distracted by what the world half-heartedly offers to you? Are you swayed by good and evil, right and wrong, black and white?

We are placed here for a time. We are given this God-created orb as our temporary dwelling place.

We are loved, sought after, wooed and hopefully won over by the Creator of the universe--but are we true to Him?

WRONGLY ACCUSED
Today's reading: Zephaniah

"Its prophets are arrogant liars seeking their own gain. Its priests defile the Temple by disobeying God's laws. But the Lord is still there in the city, and he does no wrong. Day by day his justice is more evident, but no one takes notice--the wicked know no shame." Zephaniah 3:4-5 NLT

I've wrongly accused God of being 'out to lunch' on some the goings on in the USA. I've falsely allegated that He must be off sleeping somewhere to allow what happens to happen. I think, if only in my mind, that He must have sneezed and such glitches as abortion, religious persecution and same-sex marriages, all but flew under His radar.

But today's verse reminds me that none of that is possible. He is God. He is here. He is there. He is capable of being everywhere, all the time. Nothing gets past Him. No one pushes one over on Him. No surprises or emergencies where He is concerned.

So, I must look harder to see evidence of Him. I must be more diligent in trusting that He is about His business and focus on what it is He has called me to do.

ALL WE SEE
Today's reading: Ecclesiastes 3-4

"God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God's work from beginning to end." Ecclesiastes 3:11 NLT

We have in our minds pre-conceived notions about how things should work. For example, babies are born, experience life and grow into senior citizens; beautiful weddings occur, lifetimes are enjoyed and 75th wedding anniversaries are celebrated with large families and lots of friends; new jobs are attained and spots are cleared off on top of our dressers for the retirement watch they'll give us along with a fat check on a monthly basis.

But those are ideas of what we want to see. Sometimes babies get sick. Young people die. Diagnosis are bad. Vows are broken. Infertility is diagnosed. Pink slips arrive. Pensions are squandered.

God knows, sees and has planned the entire scope of our lives to bring us to our full potential and to bring Him the most glory. He is not surprised when tables are turned, our dreams are broken or the un-thinkable happens.

Trust His view of life. Believe in the scope of eternity He holds in His hands. Trust that He has 'it' all taken care of for you and yours.

KEYS TO SUCCESS
Today's reading: 2 Chronicles 29-32

"In all that he did in the service of the Temple of God and in his efforts to follow the law and the commands, Hezekiah sought his God wholeheartedly. As a result, he was very successful." 2 Chronicles 31:21 NLT

Can we in an age of busy-ness and distractions, serve God wholeheartedly? Can our worship be centered on only Him? Can our greatest attempts be to choose godliness in each and every decision we're faced with?

I believe we can. I do not, however, believe we do.

We can set aside our desires for His will. We can put away the baubles and trappings of the world to serve. We can focus our attention on His face rather than the advertisements plastered everywhere by the world.

We can serve wholeheartedly, but it's going to take all we have, all we can get and all the power He can give us to do it...but once we begin, we'll wonder why in the world we'd not done it before!