RE-ARRANGING
Today's reading:  Philippians 3-4

"I once thought all these things were so very important, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done.  Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the priceless gain of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord..."  Philippians 3:7-8 NLT

At age 42, I can honestly say my priorities have been somewhat re-arranged since my childhood years, my teen years, my early adulthood--and even from within the past year,.

What I once thought was so very important, as Paul put it, is worthless.

What I've found to be an abiding factor, an enduring hope, an eternal consolation is what Christ has done for me!

I know that, and yet, I struggle on a daily basis with its depth and length and scope.

My priorities are in constant need of re-arranging.  I allow invaluable things to take up my time.  I allow fear to take over where hope is desperately needed.  I allow satan's lies to rob me of victory in Jesus.  I allow worldliness to steal from me the commodity of godly living.

I'm going to spend some time in prayer/re-arranging.

 

 

EXPOSED
Today's reading:  Luke 15-16

"Then he said to them, You like to look good in public, but God knows your evil hearts..."  Luke 16:15 NLT

Guilty, Lord.  Guilty, as charged.

I have known all along that I could not fool you, and yet I tried--boy, did I ever try.

I would polish the exterior.  I would apply the smile.  I would talk the talk.  I would be present, if only in body, at all the proper things.

I attempted to act the part.  I knew my lines well enough to perform almost flawlessly.

I would try to control the emotions that are constantly evident in my eyes and on my face.

To think of it, I doubt I've pulled the wool over any one's eyes.

Least of all, You. 

ONE MORE CHANCE
Today's reading:  Luke 13-14

"Then Jesus used this illustration:  A man planted a fig tree in his garden and came again and again to see if there was any fruit on it, but he was always disappointed.  Finally, he said to his gardener, I've waited three years and there hasn't been a single fig!  Cut it down.  It's taking up space we can use for something else!  The gardener answered, Give it one more chance.  Leave it another year, and I'll give it special attention and plenty of fertilizer.  If we get figs next year, fine.  It not, you can cut it down."  Luke 13:6-8 NLT

I immediately thought of the folks who will sit in our pews tomorrow that have been given one more chance to hear God's plan of salvation.  Another invitation.  Another altar call.

I thought of those sitting in our congregations that know just how important that one more chance is, they're living proof of His mercy.  They've been in the far country and He has brought them back.

I thought of those Christian brothers and sisters of mine who are holding on to things God has asked them to give up.  Bitterness.  Hatred.  Unforgiveness.  My fellow pew-sitters are who are being asked to give someone else another chance in regards to a hurt, a heart break, a broken promise.

I thought about myself.  How I desperately need the Holy Spirit to intercede on my behalf with God about my lack of fruit, my uselessness, my needing one more chance to prove I was halfway worth the effort, care and blood.

Then, I thought about you.  Do you need one more chance?  Do you need to give one more chance?  Have you been given one more chance--and are you using that opportunity to the best of your abilities?
   

OUR CHOICE
Today's reading:  Ezekiel 7-12

"But as for those who long for idols, I will repay them fully for their sins, says the Sovereign Lord."  Ezekiel 11:21 NLT

The old saying says it like this, Sin will take you farther than you ever planned on going, cost you more than you'd ever wanted to pay and keep you longer than you'd wanted to stay.

What the old saying fails to mention is that it's our choice that leads to the sin that hurts us, breaks us and dirties us.

We get what we want out of life. 

If we want idols, we get idols and all the nothingness they can do for us.  We also get the ramifications of the sins idols lead us to commit, or omit.

If we want God, we get God.  To the fullest.  Without distraction.  At all times.  For eternity.

What are you choosing today? 

LOOKING AHEAD
Today's reading:  Proverbs 5-6

"For these commands and this teaching are a lamp to light the way ahead of you..."  Proverbs 6:23 NLT

A lamp to light the way ahead of us.

Not to spotlight errors, sins and regrets of the past.  Not a light that allows us to focus on what's already done, what's never going to be erased from our memories, what haunts us.

Not just for today's steps, but hope for tomorrow's journey.  The light of anticipation.  The brilliant rays of expectation.  The slightest rays of morning light after a long night's battle.

God is a forward thinking God.

Are you? 

LOOKING AT THE STARS
Today's reading:  Psalm 72-74

"Both day and night belong to you; you made the starlight and the sun."  Psalm 74:16 NLT

Summer is the best time for sitting out in the lawn chair and staring at the stars and our little farm seems like the very best place to do it.  Nothing to block your view.  No streetlights.  Houses are few and far between.  The frogs are croaking in the pond across the road.  The night birds sing as dusk settles.  Even the neighbor's dogs quieten down and allow us a moment or two of solitude and peacefulness.

It's a good time to ponder the simple fact that our Heavenly Father rules over the dark nights as well as the bright, sunshiny days.  The twinkling stars are as much His as the sun.  The night sounds are made by animals He created alongside the ones who roam the daylight hours.

Nighttime is controlled by His hands.  The time of sunset and the designated hour of sunrise.  The number, and names, of the stars.  The position of the earth to the moon.  The quiet is ruled by a silent 'Shhh' from His mouth. 

What a blessed peace to know He rules at all times of the day, and of the night. 

GIVE HIM ALL YOU HAVE
Today's reading:  1 Kings 14-18

"But she said, I swear by the Lord your God that I don't have a single piece of bread in the house.  And I have only a handful of flour left in the jar and a little cooking oil in the bottom of the jug.  I was just gathering a few sticks to cook this last meal, and then my son and I will die."  1 Kings 17:10-11 NLT

This is all I have.

This is all I can do.

This is all I could bring.

This is all I could afford.

This is all the time I have to offer.

Don't you think God knows? 

Don't you think, if He can create all that's around us out of nothing, He can do something spectacular with your little?

Go ahead, give it to Him, step back and watch!  

HOW EASY
Today's reading:  Leviticus 4-6

Upon reading the chapters in Leviticus this morning about the sin sacrifices, I'm reminded of just how easy Christ has made it for us to be cleansed.  Just reading through the practices and rituals have tired me.  Imagining being responsible for knowing which animal to bring for which sin or how much grain to provide the priests for one to be made right.

How easily we can turn and repent.

How easily we can come straight to the source of our salvation.

How easily it is for us to develop a relationship with our High Priest.

How easy it is to love God for all He has done for us! 

MAKE HIM PROUD
Today's reading:  Ephesians 4-6

 "And do not bring sorrow to God's Holy Spirit by the way you live.  Remember, he is the one who has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption."  Ephesians 4:30 NLT

I've been asked to do something today that puts my stomach in knots.

It's not that the 'doing' part scares me, it's something that comes all too natural to me, it's just that I don't want to do it wrong.  I don't want to embarrass myself.  I don't want to embarrass others.  I don't want to dishonor God by doing it the wrong way.

Then it hit me--shouldn't that be my concern each and every day?  Not just on the days when the spotlight might be on me or the attention focused in my direction.

I want to make my Dad and my Heavenly Father proud in all I do--today and tomorrow!

WHAT I NEED
Today's reading:  Luke 11-12

"He will give you all you need from day to day if you make the Kingdom of God your primary concern."  Luke 12:31 NLT

Lord,

All I need?  You'll provide all I need when I make eternal things my main interest?  There won't be anything lacking if I place You and Your work as my center and my goal.

That's all fine and dandy, but, well, but takes the focus off of me.

I'm sure I'm not the only one who is a bit self-centered and determined that my way, my ideas and my comfort are what's most important.

And you tell me to put You and serving You above myself?

It'll be hard.  It'll be unnatural.  It'll be re-learning a new way and attempting to change 42 year-old habits.

But I believe You.  I believe You wholeheartedly.

You've never failed to fulfill a single word of Your promises!

JUST WHAT WILL IT TAKE
Today's reading:  Ezekiel 1-6

"...Then they will know that I am the Lord."  Ezekiel 6:14 NLT

We're a little slow.

Daft.

In desperate need of remedial helps.

What is it going to take for us to be 100%, wholeheartedly, without-a-doubt convinced that He is Lord?

What circumstance must occur?

What wall must we hit?

What valley must we walk through?

Because everyone will come to know it at one time or another--I think it should be now, I think today is the best time it could happen.

CARING FOR YOUR HEART
Today's reading:  Proverbs 4

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

I am no doctor.  I do not play one on TV.  I am probably a bit too squeamish for such a profession, but I do know this...our hearts matter.

Let your heart skip a few beats and see how you feel.

Allow an artery to get clogged, slowing down the heart's functioning ability, and see how that goes for you.

Try ignoring a heart attack.

See if a stroke doesn't throw you for a loop.

Or, worst yet, allow bitterness, unforgiveness, anger and unrepented sins to lie around in your heart for a while.

Try to enjoy the full life God has intended us to have harboring grudges and scheming revenge.

It won't work.

Our hearts, the workings and the emotions of them are vitally important to our living.

Check your heart today. 

OVERWHELMED
Today's reading:  Psalm 69-71

"I will tell everyone about your righteousness.  All day long I will proclaim your saving power, for I am overwhelmed by how much you have done for me."  Psalm 71:15 NLT

Being overwhelmed usually has a negative connotation attached to it.

We're often swamped with problems, devastated by circumstances, drowning in sorrows or crushed with stress.

But our psalmist has chosen, yes it is a choice, to be overwhelmed by all God had done for him.

Shouldn't that overwhelm us?

Shouldn't all God has given to us knock our socks off each and every morning?

Shouldn't we be dumbfounded by the love He shows us, the mercy He extends to us, the grace He chooses to cover us with?

Shouldn't we be emotionally and mentally incapacitated by the power of His salvation over our sins?

Shouldn't we not know what to do with all the blessings God showers on us?

Bills and problems do pile up, I'll not deny that fact.  But if we were to pile them up against all God has done for us--let's be honest, His pile overwhelms! 

WHAT YOU KNOW
Today's reading:  1 Kings 10-13

"The Lord your God is great indeed!.."  1 Kings 10:9 NLT

What caused the Queen of Sheba, woman of many gods and peculiar religious beliefs, to make such a statement?

It was what Solomon knew.

Well, not really.

As Zig Ziglar states, 'No one cares how much you know, until they know how much you care.'

I'm sure Solomon's wisdom and wealth amazed the queen, but I truly believe the characteristics of God showing through in his words, actions, ruling power and wisdom are what truly led her to make the statement.

Could the same be true of us?

Is how we live, work, react or speak pointing folks to a great God?

If what we know, and are willing to share, glorifying the Lord as much as how we care?

FORSAKING THE ASSEMBLING
Today's reading:  Leviticus 1-3

"The Lord called to Moses from the Tabernacle..."  Leviticus 1:1 NLT

The Tabernacle was also known as the 'Tent of Meeting'.

A place to gather for worship and for instruction from the Lord.

A place to fellowship with believers.

A place to grow.

A place to share burdens across the shoulders of many instead of carrying them yourself.

Were you in church yesterday? 

Had Moses not been close to church, within a close proximity of the Tabernacle, he might not have heard what God said to Him.

Is God everywhere?  Yes, He is...but there's something profoundly special about His house.

Forsaking the assembling of ourselves together with other believers will make us a very weak link in a chain keeping the world from eternal damnation.

You don't want to be a weak link, do you? 

THERE'S POWER IN THE BLOOD
Today's reading:  Ephesians 1-3

"I pray that you will begin to understand the incredible greatness of his power for us who believe in him.  This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God's right hand in the heavenly realms."  Ephesians 1:19-20 NLT

Power, if you are a child of the Most High God, is available to you!

Power to introduce Christ and peace in to every situation you are involved with.

Power to quiet your enemies.

Power to do above and beyond what you're capable of doing--if it's what He has asked you to do.

Power to speak what He would have you say.

Power to step out of chains.

Power to defy your past and press on, with a renewed heart, to a brighter, God-filled future.

Power to calm your fears and set aside your doubts.

There is power in the Blood, the very same Blood you and I are cleansed and covered with!

WHAT DO YOUR WORDS SAY
Today's reading:  Luke 9-10

"Then he asked them, Who do you say I am?"  Luke 9:20 NLT

Whether you are asked point blank about Jesus or not, your words tell others what you think of Him.

Your complaints deny His blessings.

Your spoken fears defy His power.

Your doubt rules His word ineffective.

Your bondage voids His saving and freeing grace.

What are you saying about Jesus in what you say?

COULD BE US
Today's reading:  Lamentations

^" Jerusalem has sinned greatly, so she has been tossed away like a filthy rag.  All who once honored her now despise her, for they have seen her stripped naked and humiliated.  All she can do is groan
and hide her face.  She defiled herself with immorality and gave no thought to her future.  Now she lies in the gutter with no one to lift her out.  Lord, see my misery, she cries.  The enemy has triumphed.  The enemy has plundered her completely, taking every precious thing she owns.  She has seen foreigners violate her sacred Temple, the place the Lord had forbidden them to enter."  Lamentations 1:8-10 NLT

Here is the 'obituary' written for God's nation.

It clearly states her choices in the matter of turning away from God.

It bears witness to the simple fact that God did/does what He says He will do!

Couldn't it be us the verses are talking about?

Haven't we defiled ourselves?  Aren't we given to immorality?  Don't we find ourselves filthy and in the gutter at times?  Haven't we allowed our churches to be plundered by moral tolerance and the desire to be entertained?

It could be us in these verses.  It quite possibly is!

HEROES AND ROLE MODELS
Today's reading:  Proverbs 2-3

"Follow the steps of good men instead, and stay on the paths of the righteous."  Proverbs 2:20 NLT

Our kids aren't the only ones who look for role models, heroes and superstars.  As adults, we too, are always scanning the crowd for someone we could model our lives after.  Someone who has an immaculate house, a well manicured lawn, a dog that has been schooled in pristine behavior and children who could be on covers of magazines and topping their school honor rolls. 

Are we looking in the right places?  Are we tending to overlook folks who aren't quite as 'up' on the latest fashion, wear the newest 'do' or live in comfortable, if not admirable, ways?  Are we writing off the parents who don't sign up their kids for each and every sport, activity or camp?

Around you, if you're placing yourself in the right places as a Christian, are people who are godly, saintly and jam-packed with super hero qualities of faith in God.

Are we overlooking them because they seem a little old-fashioned?  Are they seemingly a little less involved in all the world's activities?  Do they appear to be a little less than caught up on the latest in Hollywood?  Do they refuse to miss out on godly things?  Have you watched as they chose best over better and better over good?

If you know some folks like that...chances are they are who you should be mimicking.  Their lives probably have a less stressful look about them.  Their hearts are probably a little more grounded in godliness than the hearts of other folks.  Their faces are most likely beaming with joy.

Follow their examples. 

IT'S OUR CHOICE
Today's reading:  Psalm 66-68

"Arise, O God, and scatter your enemies.  Let those who hate God run for their lives.  Drive them off like smoke blown by the wind.  Melt them like wax in fire.  Let the wicked perish in the presence of God.  But let the godly rejoice.  Let them be glad in God's presence.  Let them be filled with joy."  Psalm 66:1-3 NLT

Today's grammar lesson:  the word 'but'.  'But' is a conjunction used to signify a negation, to create contrast.

Christian brothers and sisters, if we're not creating contrast in our world--we're not living right.

Jesus stood out.

Christian martyrs stood out.

The 'stars' of the Bible stood out.

And us?

Are we acting differently than those we work with, work around, work to win for Christ?

Are we parenting differently?  Are we proving to our employers that we're different?  Are the sales clerks where we spend our money seeing a difference in us versus other customers?

We're placed on this earth to create a contrast...are we doing it?

PRAISE HIS NAME
Today's reading:  1 Kings 5-9

"...Not one word has failed of all the wonderful promises he gave..."  1 Kings 8:56 NLT

Lord,

It amazes me to think You have never once gone back on Your word. 

It awes me that all You speak, You bring to fruition.

It assures me that my tomorrows rest securely in Your hands.

The mere fact of it gives me courage to continue on with what You've asked me to do.

The immensity of it leaves me scratching my head and lifting my hands.

I praise Your name for Your faithfulness!

DRAW THEM IN
Today's reading:  Exodus 37-40

"And so at last the Tabernacle was finished.  The Israelites had done everything just as the Lord had commanded Moses...So the people of Israel followed all of the Lord's instructions to Moses."  Exodus 39:32, 40 NLT

The original church house was finished.  It was done exactly to God's specifications.  It was completed by His people, His priests and workmen.  Every pole, every stitch, every table, every garment--down to the underwear the priests wore, was done as God instructed.

And the result?

The result was that all of Israel was drawn in to following God.

Wouldn't you like to see that happen in the USA?

From what I read, it's going to take all of us, His children, doing exactly what He says to do.

Exactly. 

No fudging.  No re-vamping.  No tweaking.  No giving a nod to what would be more fun or entertaining.  No wishy-washy commitments.  No cliques among the church pews.  No pushing aside gathering to worship for other 'good' causes.

If we're going to reach the lost and dying world, we're going to have to do church right and with the right attitudes.  For ourselves and for the ones God's wanting us to reach! 

IT'S YOU, ISN'T IT?
Today's reading:  Galatians 4-6

"You were getting along so well.  Who has interfered with you to hold you back from following the truth?"  Galatians 5:7 NLT

It's some one's fault, that's to be noted up front.

It always is.

But who should we blame when our Christian walks wander off the prescribed path?  When our Bible time is pushed aside day after day and week after week?  When our prayer life becomes non-existent?  When missing another church service is easier this Sunday than last?  When our attitudes stick and our influence is less than godly?

Should we blame our pastors?

Our Sunday School teachers?

Our parents and our pasts, even though the majority of us are grown, make-our-own-choices adults?

Our society?

Or, hold on now, or should we place the blame where the blame lies...in ourselves.

We are the only ones capable of giving our time and attentions away.  We determine where to spend our time, what to do with what we know and who will set our attitudes for the day.

Hmmm, so when Paul asks whose fault it is we're wavering in our faith--does he already know the answer?   

Do we?

HIS CLOSEST FOLLOWERS
Today's reading:  Luke 7-8

In regards to Jesus' disciples, one could think they were extraordinary men.  It might be assumed that they were given to unique or outstanding talents or gifts.  It might be thought that they had airs of prestige in their very beings.

Or you could realize they were human and what set them apart as ones Jesus drew near because of what I found today...

"His disciples asked him what the story meant."  Luke 8:9 NLT

Simple words.  Clear cut information about who they were.  A very good idea for us to follow.

They didn't assume to know.

They didn't chalk it up to something they couldn't talk to Him about.

They didn't give up when something came their way they couldn't understand.

They didn't rely on their own wisdom, but drew on all they knew He knew.

Quite a good example for us to follow, don't you think?