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

I have a friend who has been diagnosed with cancer.

I believe she'll beat it.

I am certain this chapter of her testimony will be filled to the brim with godly reactions and miraculous happenings.

I know, in the depths of my heart, that people will be led towards Christ because of her attitude and witness throughout this ordeal.

How do I know?  Have I seen her medical records?  Is she a superwoman of faith? 

I know because she has bee faithful in the small matters of her faith.  She has trusted God completely to wash away her sins.  She has steadily walked the path of godliness--over molehills, and now over a mountain.  She has lived each day trusting God with what she needed.

She'll be faithful throughout this--because she's been faithful in the small things!

DUSTY AND DRY
Today's reading:  Ezekil 13-18

It's dusty and dry here.  The grass crackles as you walk across the yard.  Large cracks are found in the pastures.  Plants are twisting and dying without rain.  Everything looks weary and thirsty.

I expect to see tumbleweeds tumbling across the yard.  Or cactus sprout up as sentinels in the sky.  Or our town's name to be changed to Dry Gulch.

But it's nothing compared to what could happen...

"And I will make the land desolate because my people have been unfaithful to me, says the Sovereign Lord."  Ezekiel 15:8 NLT

We still have the hope of rain coming our way.  Rain that will nourish, enliven and promote growth and green.

Without God, we have nothing.

We have no hope for the day in which we live.  No hope for tomorrow.

Desolation comes when we separate (our choice alone) ourselves from our Creator.

I can handle going without rain as long as He deems it--but I cannot, will not, go without Him!

RIBBONS
Today's reading:  Proverbs 7

"...Guard my teachings as your most prized possession.  Tie them on your fingers as a reminder.  Write them deep within your heart."  Proverbs 7:2-3 NLT

How many ribbons do you have 'tied around your finger' to remind you of something important?

--To pick up the dry cleaning.
--To grab a gallon of milk as you pass the grocery.
--The meeting you must attend at 7:00pm.
--The card you should send.
--The time you should set aside each day for your husband, your children, your job, exercise, yourself.

Have you run out of fingers?  Run out of ribbon?

First things first, Christ has always told us:   Him.

When we guard His words as treasures, everything else is re-prioritized into thei correct slots.  Time is found.  Stress is reduced.  Peace surpasses.

So, of all the ribbons tied around your fingers--is what He says represented by any of them?

HOLY
Today's reading:  Psalm 75-77

"O God, your ways are holy..."  Psalm 77:13 NLT

Not always understood.

At times, not easily swallowed.

In regards to timing, mystifying.

Holy.  Always holy.

I needed the reminder.  Did you?

CONVENIENCE
Today's reading:  1 Kings 19-22

"King Ahab had a palace in Jezreel, and near the palace was a vineyard owned by a man named Naboth.  One day Ahab said to Naboth, Since your vineyard is so convenient to the palace, I would like to buy it to use as a vegetable garden.  I will give you a better vineyard in exchange or if you prefer, I will pay you for it.  But Naboth replied, The Lord forbid I should give you the inheritance that was passed down by my ancestors."  1 Kings 21:1-3 NLT

A simple exchange.  A decision based on convenience.  An even swap.  A great idea.

I don't know about your dealings with satan, but his 'deals' are never bargains!

He's offered me peace and rest on lazy Sunday mornings.  What do I get in return for missing church?  A messy, unlovely week filled with chaos and a stinky attitude.

He urges me to choose the 'easy way out'.  And the reward?  Nothing of eternal value.  No patience developed.  No faith grown.  No feeling of accomplishment.

He's tried to sell me on the fact that he knows best.  That he 'has my back'.  That he's the only one looking out for me.  And the invoice total?  Well, it's always higher than I'd expected--or had the funds to pay.

Satan's on the lookout for folks willing to trade what Christ is doing for what he promises he can do.  He's in the business of buying out estates, robbing people of their inheritance, trading treasures for junk.  He's looking for people who haven't a clue as to the value of all they possess.

He's not looking for you, is he? 

 

MAKING PEACE
Today's reading:  Leviticus 7-9

"If you present your peace offering as a thanksgiving offering, the usual animal sacrifices must be accompanied by various kinds of breads--loaves, wafers and cakes--all made without yeast and soaked with olive oil."  Leviticus 7:12 NLT

I guess I'd always assumed 'making peace' required me doing little more than ignoring the problem, holding my tongue and going with the flow--just to keep from rocking the boat.

I know the Lord wants us to be a peaceful sort, standing up for what's right when required, but getting along, for the most part, in order to draw more to Him.

Here I read that my peace-making skills require much, much more.

I've got to, not only, lay down what's bugging me on the altar of sacrifice, but also whip up some baked goods...

Put out some effort.

Kill them with kindness.

Give more than I'll ever hope to receive.

Pray.  Put up with.  Pray some more.  Plate up some cookies!  

HALF-DONE
Today's reading:  Phillipians 1-2

Feeling incomplete?  Not whole?  Half-done?

You look at your life and decide it looks more like a half-baked, still gooey in the middle, unfrosted cake, not the bakery window display you'd always dreamed of being.

You feel like the half-knitted scarf that's been laying in the bottom dresser drawer awaiting the last few knit and purls.

You look back over the story of your life to discover that you do read like a book--a book that's had some chapters, especially the ones towards the end where the knight in shining armor rides in and rescues you, are torn out.

Maybe you're feeling like God's forgotten to finish you up, has left out a few very important details or will be leaving you un-done.  You needn't fear!

"And I am sure that God who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on that day when Christ Jesus comes back again."  Phillipians 1:6 NLT

In His time you will be a masterpiece.  In His time you will be complete and not wanting for anything.  In His time you will look back over the story of your life and realize it's one of the bestsellers He's written.

He will finish you up--you're His pride and joy!

DOUBLED OVER
Today's reading:  Luke 13-14

"One Sabbath day as Jesus was teaching in the synagogue he saw a woman who had been crippled by an evil spirit.  She had been bent double for eighteen years and was unable to stand up straight.  When Jesus saw her he called her over and said, Woman, you are healed of your sickness!  Then he touched her and she could stand straight.  How she praised and thanked God!"  Luke 11:10-13 NLT

One question for you:  How's your posture?

Are you doubled over in pain from worry, fear or doubt?

Are you bent in half from the weight of the burdens, sins of your past or labels put on you by others?

Are you humiliated  by what you've done, so much so you refuse to stand straight and tall, able to look others in the eye?

Jesus straightens things out.   

PRECEDING
Today's reading:  Ezekiel 7-12

"...Then they will truly be my people, and I will be their God."  Ezekiel 11:20 NLT

The conjuction 'then' leads us to believe something occurred in the lives of these people that led them to a closer, more intimate knowledge and dependence upon God.

We're right in that assumption!

Wickedness, idolatry and sinfulness had driven a wedge between the original believers--such a wedge that God's only solution was to separate them from Himself.

Captivity, depravity and immorality ran rampant.

Until God stepped back in and cleaned house.

For Jerusalem it took many years of pain and suffering to draw them back, just what will it take for us?

What will precede the 'then' of your walk with God?  What happenings will bring about your full and unwavering commitment to Him?

MY WAY
Today's reading:  Proverbs 5-6

"...If only I had not demanded my own way!"  Proverbs 5:12 NLT

Does God ever laugh at you?

I mean really laugh--guffaw, roar or get down on His hands and knees in a belly-busting giggle?

 Has He snickered as you stood your ground on what you wanted, what you needed, what you desired?

Has He listened to your prayers and tried to suppress an out and out laugh?  Hearing what He believes to be wisdom and knowledge beyond His own?  Being issued orders and timeframes for your prayers to be answered?

Has He laughed to Himself as you stood wringing your hands as you watched life unfold, knowing something bigger and better was to be given you tomorrow?  Is it all He can do some days to keep from revealing the whole surprise of your future because He knows how very much you'll love it?

Our own way, most times, gets in the way of His.  He is patient and kind to tolerate our immaturity and disbelief.  He is loving to attend to our fears and concern.  He is full of laughter watching His children try to do His job! 

BIRDS OF A FEATHER
Today's reading:  Psalm 72-74

"Truly God is good to Israel, to those whose hearts are pure.  But as for me, I came so close to the edge of the cliff!  My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone."  Psalm 73:1-2 NLT

Asaph, the writer of this psalm, was not out hiking when his cliffside dilemna happened.  No, he was referring to a time in his life when he questioned God, questioned the prosperity of the wicked and questioned whether or not his commitment to God was worth it all.

Asaph and I are alot alike.

I have to keep a tight rein on my thoughts.  If I give heed to the ideas that race through my head I am overwhelmed and overcome with fear, doubt and worry.

Seeds of discontent sprout quickly in the fertile soil of my heart and head.  What can in the morning be a barren field can be overcome with tangling vines and deep-rooted weeds by day's end.  My path towards righteousness can become overgrown, I can lose my way and before I know it, I'm teetering on the edge of a cliff--like Asaph.

So I must cling to God.  I must keep my eyes trained on Him.  I have to, without a doubt, have to monitor what I allow myself to think about, stew over and harbor in my head.

You see, cliffs are everywhere.  Only God will keep me from slipping off the edge of one of them!  

  

CAMPING OUT
Today's reading:  1 Kings 14-18

"So Elijah did as the Lord had told him and camped beside Kerith-Brook."  1 Kings 17:5 NLT

Elijah, the great man of God.  Elijah, the conduit through which miracle upon miracle were performed.  Elijah, the mouthpiece, legs and hands of God.

Elijah, the camper?

To sit and camp along the banks of a creek would be one of the last things I would want God to ask of me.

The mosquitoes.  The snakes.  The sleeping on the ground.  The entire 'roughing-it' philosphy is lost on me.  The twiddling of my thumbs as nature creeps by at its slow pace.  The limited number of things you can cook and eat on a campfire.

No, thanks.

But God does ask us to 'camp out' at times, doesn't He?  He asks us to sit still and wait as He prepares hearts, minds and events that will answer our prayers.  He asks us to slow down and enjoy the scenery as He guides us through new paths of our faith walks.  He asks us to trust in Him and not in ourselves.  He places us in desolate places that force us to watch for Him.  He quiets our environment at times so we can hear His voice.

Elijah camped out--and I can, too, if that's what God needs me to do.

SACRIFICIAL BULLS
Today's reading:  Leviticus 4-6

Lord, you certainly have a sense of humor.

Having just returned from a 10-day trip to Wyoming, the land of geysers, buffaloes, cowboys and 5-to-1 more cows than people, You have me reading about the sacrificial bulls required for sin offerings.

I saw a lot of cows!

I mean, a lot. 

As many as I saw, though, I probably didn't see enough to have covered my sins.

I'm so glad Jesus died on the cross for me.  So glad He was willing and perfectly able to offer Himself once and for all for any sin I might have/could have/did commit. 

Thank you, Lord!

LAMENTING
Today's reading:  Lamentations

I'll admit, my daily Bible time was a little less than encouraging this morning.  I mean, Lamentations?  Tears.  Grieving.  Mourning.  Sorrow.

Uggh.  I have to say, I was wanting something a little more spirit-lifting.

And then God, in His goodness, reminded me that at times we need to be reminded of just how bad it could be!

As His children we suffer.  That being said, our suffering, on its worst days, is not as bad as it might be if we were to choose to step outside His will--as did Jerusalem at the time of Jeremiah's writings.

We have the safety of His wings to run to, if we so choose.

We have His tower of strength and protection, if we so choose to run to it.

We have His promises to lean on, if we choose to listen and believe Him.

We have the promise of eternal life, if we choose to accept it.  

Maybe Lamentations was just what I needed to read this morning!

CRYING OUT
Today's reading:  Proverbs 2-3

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

Ever thought about crying out for understanding?

We shed tears when we need help.

We bellow out when our feelings have been hurt.

We boo-hoo over what's unfair in life.

But to energetically seek to understand His will?  To ask fervently for His understanding to fill our minds?   To desperately desire to see what's going on through His eye?

It's time we seek Him and His wisdom.

RIDING THE CLOUDS
Today's reading:  Psalm 66-68

"Sing praises to God and to his name!  Sing loud praises to him who rides the clouds.  His name is the Lord--rejoice in his presence!"  Psalm 68:4 NLT

What a word picture--God riding the clouds.  Reining them in the direction He intends.  Managing their wills.  Determining their course.  Creating them for His purposes and ruling them with His power.

Not just the wispy, summer clouds. 

Or the puffy, billowy clouds.

But also the storm clouds.  The thunderheads.  The cumulo-nimbus that bring about rain, lightning and thunder.

He rides them all.  They are all under His control.  Fear not.

THINK AGAIN
Today's reading:  1 Kings 5-9

What did it take to build the temple Solomon was in charge of overseeing?

Money.  Resources.  Talents.  Skills.  Able bodies.  Willing hearts.  Lumberjacks.  Olive farmers.    Wheat farmers.  Gold miners.  Prayers.  Silversmiths.  Seamstresses.  Hard workers.  Bakers.  Stone masons.  Decorators.  Organizers.  Sculptors.  Wood carvers. 

There were lots of people involved in the building of the Temple.

There are lots of people needed in the building up of your church, too.

You are needed.  No matter what skill you possess or don't, God needs and wants you on the team!

So what can you do?

Where can you serve in your church?

How can you participate in the upcoming explosion of godliness that's about to happen within the walls of your place of worship?

Think you can't help?  Think again!

A NEW OPPORTUNITY
Today's reading:  Exodus 37-40

"Moses proceeded to do everything as the Lord had commanded him."  Exodus 40:16 NLT

Moses is remembered as a giant of the faith.  His life bore the imprints of one walked with God.  How he lived, how he led and how he trusted remain as examples to each of us today.

His integrity came not from his lineage or his palace raising. 

His strength was not born into him or gained from discipline exerted.

His success came only in that he did, to the best of his abilities, what God asked him to do.

Today is a new opportunity for me to follow in Moses' footsteps.

I want to impact the world for my Savior.  I know the Good News that needs to be spread.  I have experienced the peace that passes understanding and the joy that fills the most empty spaces.

In order to accomplish those tasks, I must do what God leads me to do.

WERE SLAVES
Today's reading:   Galatians 4-6

"And that's how it was with us before Christ came.  We were slaves to the spiritual powers of the world."  Galatians 4:3 NLT

Do you know Christ as your personal Savior?

Have you accepted His gift of salvation and eternal life?

If today were your last day on earth, would tomorrow find you walking the streets of pure gold looking for the mansion God has prepared for His child?

If you've answered 'yes' to any of the above questions, you are no longer a slave to sin!

Nothing holds you back.  Nothing stands in your way.  Nothing separates you from the love of God!

Fears cannot overwhelm you.

Worries can be left at His feet.

Doubts can be traced to the nail scars in His hands...the ones placed there for you.

You were, past tense, a slave to the spiritual powers of sin--but no more! 

UNWORTHY
Today's reading:  Luke 7-8

This morning has me reading the account of the Roman officer's faith in Jesus.

You know the one...

His favorite slave was very sick.  He sent missives out to find Jesus.  He believed Jesus need ony speak words of healing--no actual visit was required.

The Roman officer of whom Jesus said, 'I've not seen faith like this in all of Israel.'

The officer whose slave was completely healed.

The Roman who has set an example for me to follow.

Believe in Him--not only in seeing and touching Him, but believe in Him.

Trust in Him--not just in His presence.

Have faith in Him--not only in what He can do, but mostly in Who He is and how very much He loves you.

      

SOMEONE'S SOMEBODY
Today's reading:  Jeremiah 47-52

"The people of Israel and Judah have been wronged.  Their captors hold them and refuse to let them go.  But the one who redeems them is strong.  His name is the Lord Almighty.  He will defend them..."  Jeremiah 50:33-34 NLT

To remember Whose I am gives me strength.

To recall by Whose blood I have been forgiven, redeemed and given eternal life gives me hope.

To remind myself of my enemy's weaknesses and my Lord's strengths empowers me.

To relive in my heart and mind daily that I am Someone's somebody enables me to hold my head up high.

To relinquish the day-to-day battles to my Knight in shining armor frees me up to reach more damsels in distress for Him.