FOR HIS SAKE
Today's reading:  Isaiah 45-50

"I will rescue you for my sake--yes, for my sake!  I will not let my reputation be tarnished, and I will not share my glory with idols!"  Isaiah 48:11 NLT

I was wrong again.  It's not all about me.  The blessings.  The rescues.  The words spoken softly to my heart.  The doors slammed solidly in my face.  The detours re-arranging my well-laid plans.  The ideas planted in my heart that I just cannot shake.

They aren't and weren't about me.

They're all about Him.

About His glory.  About Him receiving the praise.  About Him being who He is--good, gracious, merciful and loving.

It's all about Him!

 

WISH I COULD
Today's reading:  Job 17-18

"Maybe you'd all like to start over, to try it again, the bunch of you.  So far I haven't come across one scrap of wisdom in anything you've said."  Job 17:10 MSG

The words are Job's.  Said to friend, well, so-called friends, that is.

They struck a chord in my heart this morning.

They very well, oh, so very well, could be something any one of my friends might say to me.

My intentions are to speak and act in godliness at all times.

Intentions and follow-through are miles apart with me.

Oh, that I wish I could start all over again with so many conversations and advice.

That I could un-speak so many words.

That I could erase the speech bubbles that might hang over my head like a cartoon character's.

Sure makes me think about what I'll say today. 

So much so, in fact, that I'll close for now and pray about how my conversations today might be filled with scraps of wisdom!

MY LIFE
Today's reading:  Psalm 24-26

"To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul."  Psalm 25:1 NKJV

Another psalm to ponder this Wednesday. 

You can have my soul, Lord.  The part of me that's left when I'm done breathing.  The part of me that is deep down inside me.  The part of me that lives on once I've been accepted into Your kingdom.  That part is easy to hand over to You, Lord.  

But to read it in another translation...

"O Lord, I give you my life."  Psalm 25:1 NLT

My life?  To give you the living, breathing part of me?  The part that I allow to be governed by emotions, outside influences and circumstances?  The part of me that I am advertising for You by each word, thought and act?  The 'skin' that people see--people, I'm to be winning for you? 

That's harder.

That requires more intention on my part. 

That will warrant a real change in what I do and say, if I offer it wholeheartedly and genuinely.

That affects the here and now--today.

Oh, it's not that I don't want You to have it...but given how it looks most days, would You really want it? 

 

NO KING
Today's reading:  Judges 17-21

"In those days there was no king of Israel.  People did whatever they felt like doing."  Judges 17:6 MSG

"At that time there was no king in Israel.  People did whatever they felt like doing."  Judges 21:25 MSG

Twice it's mentioned.

Two times God chose to let us know what the problem was.

Not once, but twice, He gave us the warning.

If we do not have a King, we're headed in to trouble!

Our country needs a King.  One that saves, redeems, forgives and restores.

Our homes need a King.  One that influences dads and moms to live godly lives as examples.

Our churches need a King.  Not just a pastor or a preacher.  Not just a great song leader or an outstanding Sunday School co-ordinator.  We need a King in our church that governs and directs the goings-on, so that eternity can be sought for souls headed for hell!

I need a King.  On my own, I'm incapable of making godly choices.  Without one, my allegiance varies from emotion to emotion.  I need a King to guide and guard me, to save me from myself!

UNWORTHY
Today's reading:  Genesis 32-35

"I am not worthy of all the unfailing love and kindness you have shown to me, your servant."  Genesis 32:10 NLT

I know how Jacob felt as he knelt down beside his brother, Esau.

I know the embarrassment that probably stained his cheeks.

The humiliation that probably raised his blood pressure.

The deep desire to be forgiven that brought him to his knees.

The fear of rejection that had his heart racing.

I know what it's like to have to apologize and hope for forgiveness.

I know what it's like to say the exact same words of Genesis 32:10 to my Savior!

 

CONFOUNDED
Today's reading:  1 Corinthians 1-2

"...God has made the wisdom of this world look foolish."  1 Corinthians 1:20 NLT

The wisest scratch their heads as they try to understand how God works.

In the medical field they study and re-study x-rays, cat scans and MRI's to find malignancies that have been prayed away.

In the scientific realm they celebrate the discovery of stars that are as old as Genesis.

In theological circles they attempt to uncover the depths, heights and reaches of God's grace and are left confounded by His promises.

God's way make our ways look foolish, even the smartest among us.  His ways surpass, override and astound us.

GUILTY AS CHARGED
Today's reading:  Matthew 20-22

"Jesus replied, Your mistake is that you don't know the Scriptures, and you don't know the power of God."  Matthew 22:29 NLT

Guilty.

Guilty as charged.

I have not dug deep enough into the Scriptures.

I have not sought out to find the treasures hidden in the Word.

I have not stepped out on faith bravely enough to experience the power of God.

I have not personally taken His promises to heart.

I am guilty as charged, Lord.

Change me.  Let me know the Scriptures.  Let me be a conduit for Your power to work through!

SELECTED FROM THE LOT
Today's reading:  Isaiah 40-44

"...You have been chosen to know me, believe in me and understand that I alone am God.  There is no other God--there never has been and there never will be."  Isaiah 43:10 NLT

Okay friends, maybe you're feeling like a small fish in a very large pond.

Feeling overlooked?

Under appreciated?

'Just' one of the many?

Me, too.  Me, too!

But look at what He's telling us this morning--we've been chosen!  We've been picked for His team!  We've been selected to be on His side for the battle!  We've been asked to wear His jersey and His Son's blood!

And since He's not come back yet and He's still calling folks to be His--and this thrills me--it shows He's not picking us because we're all there is left!

You remember how that feels, don't you?  Second grade.  Third grade.  Seventh Grade.  High School PE class.  Red Rover.  Basketball.  Tag.  Baseball.  Choosing team mates, I was usually a consolation prize to the team captain picking last.  My lack of athletic abilities placed me last in the lot of kids to be picked.  My name was usually called after hearing the words, 'I guess I get Malinda.'

It's the same today.  I've little to offer.  My resume is short, and sad.  I am puny and of little help.  My disabilities outweigh my abilities.  My track record says it all. 

But I'm chosen!  I AM CHOSEN!  I am chosen by God!!

And so are you!

THAT VERSE AGAIN
Today's reading:  Job 15-16

"Are God's promises not enough for you, spoken so gently and tenderly?  Why do you let your emotions take over, lashing out and spitting fire."  Job 15:11-12 MSG

I've been writing devotions for 11 years now.

I've been using the same Bible reading schedule that whole time.

Every year, and some of you who have followed my devotions for a while know, God leads me to stop on this very verse.

Because I need it.

Because it's so jam-packed with truth.

Because it's an area I struggle with.

Because He loves me so.

He tenderly delivers His Word to me in teaspoon-sized morsels that I can digest.  He carefully and lovingly allows me to re-visit the verses I need to develop a taste for.  He spoon feeds me His Word--even the verses that may be offensive or distasteful to me.

Like this verse.

The very verse we're on again this morning, God and I.

And as I look over the past year, month, week and twenty-four hours--I've still not gotten it!

But I will.  You see, He's not leaving me undone--and I'm not leaving His side!  This verse will one day play out in my words, actions, responses and reactions--because He loves me!

A NEW LOOK
Today's reading:  Psalm 21-23

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want."  Psalm 23:1 NKJV

I have it memorized.  Have had since childhood.  Wants versus needs, I think as a grown-up I know that.

"The Lord is my shepherd; I lack nothing."  Psalm 23:1 NIV

I think my heart knows that.  He is God, after all.  He is One of unlimited resources.

"The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need."  Psalm 23:1 NLT

I should be satisfied with that knowledge--but needs, Lord? 

"God, my shepherd!  I don't need a thing."  Psalm 23:1 MSG

I'll be honest, I'm not really sure I can pray that.  Sincerely, that is.

To pray knowing that if He chooses not to answer in the way I hope, He is sufficient?  To ask realizing that His will is best, but understanding that having Him is all I need?  To believe He is enough if I receive nothing else?  To rest assuredly on the fact that He is mine, regardless of my heart's yearnings or how badly I desire healing?

It's a new look at an old verse for me. 

DIDN'T EVEN KNOW IT
Today's reading:  Judges 12-16

"Then she (Delilah) cried out, Samson!  The Philistines came to capture you!  When he woke up he thought, I will do as before and shake myself free.  But he didn't realize the Lord had left him."  Judges 16:20 NLT

He didn't even know it.

He didn't feel any different.

He didn't look any different.

He didn't act any different.

How and when did it happen?

It happened in small stages as he made choices that didn't please God. 

Spur of the moment choices.  Choices made based on lust.  Revenge filled choices.  Refusing to listen to the advice of his godly parents kind of choices.  Choices that made him look good among his friends.

Slowly Samson turned from God, and slowly, but painfully, God allowed him to go.

And this morning, as Scripture verifies, Samson woke up to find where his choices had taken him--to a very lonely, weak and bound place.

What about my own choices?  Are they steadily drawing me closer to God, or farther away?     

SETTING UP BOUNDARIES
Today's reading:  Genesis 28-31

"Laban continued to Jacob, This monument of stones and the stone pillar that I have set up is a witness, a witness that I won't cross the line to hurt you and you won't cross this line to hurt me.  The God of Abraham and the God of Nahor (the God of their ancestors) will keep things straight between us."  Genesis 31:51-52 MSG

Do you need a pile of rocks that will remind you of how to behave, speak and react as a Christian should? 

Are there topics, memories or shortcomings you need not bring up in the conversations you have with others--things that are ammunition against another?  Rumors you've heard?  Suggestions you could plant in the hearts of others? 

Are there people that ONLY God can help you love, minister to and tolerate?

Why don't you set up a pile of rocks?

Put it in your driveway.  Set it at the end of your sidewalk.  Place them on your desk at work.  Stack them at the front door of your house, your workplace or your church.

Put them some where you'll see them, see them and remember. 

Not a boulder sized pile, well, unless your tendencies are that big!  But what about a little pile of pea gravel or aquarium rock--or even a few pieces of gravel from the road outside your house.

Do what you can to remind you that God, if we seek Him--if we really seek Him, will keep things straight between us and who ever it might be that's pushing our buttons!  

DOING SOME PACKING
Today's reading:  Romans 15-16

"...We must not just please ourselves."  Romans 15:1 NLT

I have some packing to do this morning.

No, we're not changing houses or addresses--it's just that I need to get out of the way.

I need to pick up and move.

I need to re-locate.

I need to allow someone else my place in line.

I need to put my self second and others first.

There are many of my opinions, my ways, my preferences and my plans that need to be carefully and prayerfully placed in shipping crates for another time and another place.

It's time, high time, I look into what someone else needs...thanks, Lord, for the reminder! 

MADE A DIFFERENCE
Today's reading:  Matthew 17-19

"Jesus called a little child to him and put the child among them."  Matthew 18:2 NLT

We don't know who the child was.  We aren't sure if it was a boy or a girl.  We don't have a clue as to whose child it was.  We have any idea to what magnitude that child's life was changed because of that moment with Jesus.

I should keep that in mind as I minister to the little ones at church tomorrow.

Their ministry is just as important, if not more so, than anything we say or do for the grown-ups.

We're putting them, each Sunday morning, Sunday night and Wednesday night, in Jesus' lap.

He will touch them--in ways we may never know!

He will reach them--even the ones we have the hardest time loving!

Knowledge of Him will be with them their whole lives--if we do our job and place them in His presence with our teaching and our love!  

LAY IT ALL OUT THERE
Today's reading:  Isaiah 34-39

"After Hezekiah received the letter from the messengers and read it, he went up to the Lord's Temple and spread it out before the Lord.  And Hezekiah prayed..."  Isaiah 37:14-15 NLT

Maybe you've not gotten a physical letter from your enemy and there's a threat to your faith that is just as real.

Maybe you've been given some news or have gotten some information that has turned your world upside-down and right-side-out and you're feeling very nauseous from the ride.

Maybe someone has let you down, sold you out or out and out lied to you and you don't know who to trust anymore.

Lay it before the Lord, just like Hezekiah did!

Spend some time in good old-fashioned prayer spilling your guts and pouring out your heart to the One who can help you.

Lay it all out there. 

He won't be surprised.  He won't scratch His head wondering how to go about fixing things.  He won't let you down!

MY ONLY HOPE
Today's reading:  Job 13-14

"Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him..."  Job 13:15 NKJV

Job wasn't understanding all God was allowing.

Maybe you don't either.

Job was scared to death of how much worse it might get before it began to get better.  If it was going to get better.

Maybe you are, too.

Job was broken, hurting, questioning and feeling very alone among his friends.

Maybe you know just how he was feeling.

Job decided to tell his friends, his enemies and himself that God was still his only hope.  No matter what had happened.  Despite what might still come his way.  Regardless of the outcome. 

Maybe that's what you need to be saying, too. 

Out loud.  Good and loud.  So everyone around you knows.  To convince yourself.  To remind yourself.  To strengthen yourself.  To let your enemy know in Whom you're trusting.

In the middle of the toughest times, God is still our ONLY hope.  He is all we have.  He is all we need.  He is all there is.  He is...well, that about sums it up--HE IS!

   

OH, HOW I LOVE JESUS
Today's reading:  Psalm 18-20

"...he rescued me because he delights in me."  Psalm 18:19 NLT

Oh, how I need these words this morning!

No one likes to be around me all the time--especially me. 

I'm opinionated, loud, bossy, rude and overzealous.  I tend, and that's being very generous, to want my way.  I like my plans to go as I've planned them.  I prefer comfort and ease.

I'm a spoiled brat.  A princess with an attitude.  A child who tends to believe she was born with entitlement.

So to think He delights in me is amazing.

To know that He saved me from my enemies, from the pits of hell, from an eternity without Him and from myself some days, causes me to shake my head in wonder at the depths of His love for me.

"...I stood there saved--surprised to be loved!"  Psalm 18:19 MSG

JUST LISTEN
Today's reading:  Judges 7-11

"That night the Lord said, Get up!  God down into the Midianite camp, for I have given you victory over your servant Purah.  Listen to what the Midianites are saying, and you will be greatly encouraged.  Then you will be eager to attack."  Judges 7:9-11 NLT

I can imagine it's the middle of the night.

I can hear in my mind what Gideon has been telling God since about the time the campfires had died down and the soldiers had begun snoring...

Lord, only 300 men?

God, I don't think I can do this?

Lord, do you realize how many of 'them' there are?

God, why did you send the others back to camp--don't we need them?

God chose to use the enemy itself to soothe Gideons frazzled nerve and shaking hands.

So Gideon walk with the Lord down into the Midianite camp.  The big camp.  The camp that stretched on for what seemed like miles.  The camp littered with all the artillery of the time and with soldiers big enough to play pro football.

That's where God told Gideon to listen.  Not talk.  Just listen.

The Midianites were talking about Gideon's God.  They were sharing stories of all they'd heard about Him.  They were talking amongst themselves about the pickle their commanding officer, Purah, had gotten them into.

When Gideon stopped whining, complaining, crying and mumbling--he heard his enemy shaking in their boots. Okay, sandals.

He hadn't heard that until he chose to listen.

He didn't receive the encouragement he so desperately needed until he did what God wanted him to do.

So today?  Amidst the raging battle, with the army surrounding you, while you're knee deep in trouble--listen.

You'll probably hear satan's knees knocking!    

PLAINLY SEE
Today's reading:  Genesis 24-27

"They replied, We can plainly see that the Lord is with you..."  Genesis 26:28 NLT

Can the folks you come in contact with tell that you're one of His?

Not by how smoothly life is running for you right now.

Not by the healthy glow on your face or the lack of pain in your eyes.

Not by the amassed wealth in your account.

Not by how perfectly you live life.

Not by how you seem to experience nothing but sunshine-y days.

Not by how every word you speak is Scripturally referenced.

Can they tell it by your heart?  By how you respond?  By how you peacefully deal with the chaos going on around you?  By how you put them first?  By how you praise God's name--even when it's still raining?  By your commitment to your God, your family and your church? 

Can they tell your Lord is with you?

PERSONAL ACCOUNT
Today's reading:  Romans 13-14

"Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God."  Romans 14:12 NLT

We'll all have a turn at standing before God.

The questions He asks will not be about how Sister So-And-So treated you or how Brother This-And-That managed his own life.

You'll be asked about how you lived your life--and I'll be asked about how I lived mine.

You will not be penalized for what you were not given, but how graciously and honorably you handled what you had.

You will not be handicapped for not being give the personality of another, but on how you managed/reined in/glorified the personality God gave you.

You will not be judged on how others behaved, but on how you reacted to their sins, and the personal sins you chose to let alone or deal with.

We'll each have a turn to stand before God and give account of how we've lived life.

Are you preparing yourself today for that moment?

SCRAPS
Today's reading:  Matthew 14-16

"She replied, That's true, Lord, but even dogs are allowed to eat the scraps that fall beneath their masters' table."  Matthew 15:27 NLT

Read the account.  It starts in verse 21 and continues through verse 28.

It should touch your heart.

It should make you feel, at least, a little more grateful.

It might bring you to the realization that all we've received from the hand of God is a bountiful, merciful gift.

Gifts not intended to be given to us.

Gifts we have received because the ones He had originally chosen decided to turn their backs on Him.

Enjoy your scraps today! 

EARTH SHAKING
Today's reading:  Isaiah 29-33

"Suddenly, in an instant, I, the Lord of Heaven's Armies, will act for you with thunder and earthquake and great noise, with whirlwind and storm and consuming fire."  Isaiah 29:5-6 NLT

Maybe what you're asking for is not earth-shaking.

Maybe you aren't asking for thunder and lightning.

Maybe the whirlwind and storm would draw too much attention to what you've been quietly begging Him for.

Maybe a quiet settling of your heart is what you're wanting.

However He chooses to answer, won't your world shake to its core?  Won't your world be turned upside down when He answers?  Won't your life be changed?

No bells and whistles are required, but if that is how He chooses, then so be it!

WHAT HE SAYS
Today's reading:  Job 11-12

"What he destroys cannot be rebuilt..."  Job 12:14 NLT

Like what doors He closes, we cannot open.

Or should want to.

Or will want to reap the consequences of.

Or cannot handle.

Or do not need.

When we learn to accept what He says as the final word, not a topic of debate and discussion, we can move on to the blessings of obedience.

PS...Nope, I don't know what you're going through--just know what He's spoken to me about!

BECAUSE I KNOW
Today's reading:  Psalm 15-17

"I am praying to you because I know you will answer, O God..."  Psalm 17:6 NLT

What I know is this--God hears me.

He doesn't always choose to answer when I want.

He doesn't always choose to answer how I want.

He doesn't always choose to answer with who I have asked help from.

He doesn't always choose to answer by sending me where I want to go.

But He answers.

In His way.  In His time.  Inside the realms of His vast knowledge of today and tomorrow.

He will answer you, too. 

INSTIGATORS
Today's reading:  Judges 1-6

"God's angel went up from Gilgal to Bokim and said, I brought you out of Egypt;  I led you to the land that I promised to your fathers; and I said, I'll never break my covenant with you--never!  And you're never to make a covenant with the people who live in this land.  Tear down their altars!  But you haven't obeyed me!  What's this you're doing?  So now I'm telling you that I won't drive them out before you.  They'll trip you up and their gods will become a trap."  Judges 2:1-3 MSG

The Israelites moved in.  They staked their tents in the Promised Land.  They were gung-ho about taking over control of their new territory.  They were willing to fight for what God had laid in their laps.

Until they met some of the natives.  Some of them, I'm sure, were really nice people.

Until they took note of some of the things they were doing, interesting things.

Until they decided that not everything and not everyone in this new land was bad.  Not godly, but bad.

It may have started with inviting a new neighbor over for supper.  It may have led to allowing their kids to play with some of the pagan kids.  It may have been a simple invitation to one of their temple services.

However it started, the Israelites chose not to get rid of all of the inhabitants of Canaan.  They chose to tolerate some of them.  They chose to include some of them.  They chose to be influenced by some of  them.

These same 'nice' people led them into sin and away from God.

Was it worth it? 

Before you answer, take inventory of what you're allowing in your own life.  What sin instigators are you allowing to take up residence in your head, heart and home? 

BEFORE I SPEAK
Today's reading:  Genesis 20-23

"And Abraham said, Because I thought, surely the fear of God is not in this place..."  Genesis 20:11 NKJV

Abraham, great father Abraham.

A pillar of Christianity.

A vessel God used mightily.

A believer in Yahweh.

This great man was found in a spot where his opinion led him down a wrong path.  He took over where God did not need him.  He placed himself in a position where his integrity was in doubt.  He thought he might 'handle' this situation between Sarai and King Abimelech on his own. 

I do that.

I jump before I investigate.  I speak before I think out what needs saying.  I make assumptions based on hearsay and not on fact.  I shake my fist when I should have bowed my head.  I spout opinion rather than Scripture.

God was able to use Abraham despite this sin, I pray He will still use me!

JUST THINK ON IT
Today's reading:  Romans 11-12

"Oh, how great are God's riches and wisdom and knowledge!  How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways!"  Romans 11:33 NLT

I know you are overwhelmed with all that's going on around you.

You're questioning the circumstances God has allowed.

You're hurting.

You're tired.

You're at just the right place and time to sit and think about all God does--and how superior His ways are from what ours would be.
 
He's amazed you before with how He chose to work things out.

He's astonished you with His provision at just the last minute on several occasions.

He's knocked your socks off when you thought everything was over and done.

You're at a very important time in your life--a time when He is about to make you privy to some of His thoughts and ways.  You won't want to miss out!