TODAY OR TOMORROW
Today's reading:  2 Timothy 3-4

"As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God.  The time of my death is near.  I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful."  2 Timothy 4:6-7 NLT

Might I, on my death bed, be able to say the same things.

Might I, today--not knowing when my life will end and my eternity begin, be able to say the same things!

I want my legacy to leave no doubt in people's minds that I was a fighter.  That I fought to stay close to God.  That I fought against satan and his attacks.  That I fought to make sure my loved ones knew my Lord and Savior.

I want my eulogy to state that I've finished the race and know without doubt that my reward at the finish line is great.  I don't want mourners at my funeral, I want folks willing to celebrate my 'graduation'.

I my family and friends to be able to say I was faithful to the end.  Regardless of pain.  In spite of life's twists and turns.  Despite my imperfections and feeble attempts.

As for me, I want today to be about action verbs--fighting, finishing, remaining!  

WORDS OF CHRIST
Today's reading:  John 10-12

"Jesus told her, Your brother will rise again.  Yes, Martha said, when everyone else rises, on resurrection day."  John 11:23-24 NLT

A lesson to be learned:  Never underestimate Jesus' words!

When He says we shall be free, He means free.

When He says we will have joy, He means joy.

When He says we have the power to overcome, He means overcome.

When He says we are His, He means His--no one else's!

What words of Christ's are you underestimating or downsizing in potential?

WHO HE IS TO YOU
Today's reading:  Hosea 8-14

"For my people are determined to desert me.  They call me the Most High, but they don't truly honor me."  Hosea 11:7 NLT

Am I calling God my Friend, but sharing every hurt, disappointment and notable news bits with everyone else (Facebook, Twitter or texts) but Him?  Am I find that at the end of the day, I've not found the time to talk to my Friend about the good, the bad or the ugly in my life?

Am I calling God my Master, yet refusing to follow His lead, His directions, His ways for my life?  Am I chomping at the bit to do what He wants or what makes me happy?

Am I calling God my Savior, but thinking deep down I'm saving myself by doing all the good things I'm doing?  Can I at any given time list off a grand report of all I'm doing or how good I am?

Am I calling God my Comforter, but seeking that comfort from other sources?  Am I consoling myself with food, a healthy bank account or a good life?

Am I calling God the Holy One, but bringing into His midst the garbage of my attitude or the stench of my grudges?  Am I forgetting how holy He is and how unworthy I am to have the privilege of even being in His presence?

Am I, by how I'm living, calling Him by the right names?  

GOD'S MATH
Today's reading:  Proverbs 20-21

"Whoever pursues godliness and unfailing love will find life, godliness and honor."  Proverbs 21:21 NLT

Looking for God?

You'll find more, much more, than just Him.

Love that never leaves you.  Life that only begins when this body dies.  Honor that sets you apart as His, and different from the world.

It's just like God to give us more, way more, than we look for, seek after or even know we want!

GOING BEYOND
Today's reading:  Psalm 102-104

"Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget all the good things he does for me.  He forgives all my sins and heals my diseases.  He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies.  He fills my life with good things..."  Psalm 103:2-5 NLT

All that I am--Not what I'm wanting to be.  Not what someone else is and I'm not.  Not who I once was!

Forgives--Wiped clean.  Removed from my record.  From scarlet red to white as snow.

Heals--Maybe now, most certainly, without any doubt, then!

Redeems--He counted the cost and found me to be worth every 'penny'.

Crowns--No longer a servant but a family member of regard.

Fills--Not just enough.  Not just a little.  Not just barely.  Filled to the top and running over!

Oh, may I never forget all the good things He does for me!

HOW I WORSHIP
Today's reading:  1 Chronicles 15-19

"But as the Ark of the Lord's covenant entered the City of David, Michal, the daughter of Saul, looked down from her window.  When she saw King David dancing and leaping for joy, she was filled with contempt for him."  1 Chronicles 14:29 NLT

I've read it before.  I've heard it preached.  I've been told worship is personal, even in a crowded church.  My worship won't look like yours, and yours won't look like mine.

Michal's issue, and really I'd never noticed it before, is what she brought with her to 'church' that day.

She was Saul's daughter.  Her daddy had been replaced on the throne by the man standing before her jumping up and down for joy.  There's a huge difference between being princess and being queen!

Her daddy never would have done that.  Her daddy never would have looked so silly.  Her daddy would have remained composed and in complete control.  Her daddy never would have acted like that--making her look so hum-drum and 'un-spiritual'.  Her daddy never would have allowed anyone to know he wasn't 'all that' and that he depended on God for anything.

Nothing that day had a thing to do with David and his style of worship.  Everything centered on Michal and her heart.

Makes me think, and re-think, about my heart issues each and every time I step foot into a worship service...  What do I need to leave at home?  What issues do I need to let go of completely in order to worship rightly--and be encouraged by the worship of others?  Who do I have problems with that might be keeping me from whole-heartedly praising who He is?  Do I have contempt in my heart as I sing His praises or worship His name?  

MY FAMILY
Today's reading:  Numbers 1-2

"So the people did everything just as the Lord had commanded Moses.  Each clan and family set up camp and marched under their banners exactly as the Lord had instructed them."  Numbers 2:34 NLT

With a 13 year-old in the house, there is often times a discussion going on as to why our family does things the way we do, believes the things we do and refrains from the activities we do--in comparison to other families we know.

Other Christian families.

Other Christian families we attend church with.

Other Christian families we attend church with who we believe have the same convictions we have from reading the same Bible we do.

But there are differences.

My response?

I am attempting to raise a banner, a banner only denoted for my family, over us as we march along the road of faith.  A banner marking us as His.  A banner, a family crest, one might say, specifically assigned to our home.

I'm not carrying your banner over my house.  You're not called to carry ours over yours.  We are called to serve, to the very best of our abilities--and with all our hearts, minds, souls and strength, the One True God.  And that is going to look a little different from house to house.


     

PAUL'S CONVERSION
Today's reading:  2 Timothy 1-2

"This letter is from Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by God's will, sent out to tell others about the life he has promised through faith in Christ Jesus."  2 Timothy 1:1 NLT

I've always wondered about the secret to Paul's success.  How he did what he did.  How he endured what he endured.  How he had the strength to do what he did.  How his words could be so skillfully written that these thousands of years later they are still impacting.

I've read about him.

I've studied his life.

I've even looked into what was provided him as a scholar before his Damascus Road transformation.

Today I've found the key to living a life like Paul's...

...by God's will...

Paul followed God's leading.  Paul did what God asked of him.  Paul sought to please the Lord.  Paul put aside Paul's wishes, hopes and dreams in a life-long pursuit of God's will.

It's how Paul did what he did and reached who he reached and endured what he was asked to endure.

It's our key to success, too.

GRAMMAR LESSON
Today's reading:  John 7-9

"And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."  John 8:32 NLT

A very common verse.

An oft quoted verse.

A simple verse packed with potential and promise!

Take the words 'will set you free', for example...

From the Greek word, eleutherosei meaning free, freedom, freed

It's actual meaning is only used once in the Bible, in this verse.

It's of the future indicative tense.

It's a verb, so there's action leading up to it, inside it and coming from it.

Isn't that what freedom, especially the kind God's Word offers us, means?

But we have to know it, the Truth that is, and allow it to work inside our hearts.

Aaaah, freedom!

HE IS WATCHING
Today's reading:  Hosea 1-7

"I wanted to heal Israel but its sins were far too great.  Samaria is filled with liars, thieves and bandits!  Its people don't realize I am watching them.  Their sinful deeds are all around them; I see them all!"  Hosea 7:1-2 NLT

Israel had been freed.  Israel had been given a new, promising, land flowing with milk and honey.  Israel had been given first hand knowledge of God's power through miracle after miracle.  Israel had been selected as God's chosen people.  Israel had been provided with prophets who proclaimed the word of God.

Israel had been given an easy set of rules to follow.  Israel had battles fought for them.  Israel won wars they shouldn't have won.  Israel was given great men to lead them.  Israel was set apart.  Israel took lands from people larger in number, stronger in might and more skilled in war.

Israel had it all handed to them on a silver platter.

And they forgot about their God.

It's shameful.  It's heartbreaking.  It's beyond belief.  It's hard to understand.

It's a very sad thing when a nation forgets God is watching their every move.

You've not forgotten, have you?  

PLANS
Today's reading:  Proverbs 19

"You can make many plans, but the Lord's purpose will prevail."  Proverbs 19:21 NLT

For a planner-toting gal like myself, this verse always jumps off the pages at me.

You see, regardless of whether I ink or pencil what I think will/should/is supposed to happen into my calendar, it is God's will as to what will be done.

And that's okay with me.

Especially considering what I know now to be the extent of God's message in this verse.

The Hebrew word for 'plans', as used in this passage, means the same as intentions.  Not too bad, one might say.  There are a lot of good things we intend to do.

Sadly, the definition goes on to include words such as plots and schemes.

Hmmm.

What are my real plans?  Motive behind them?  What's my heart attitude in regards to the plans I jot down in my planner--and what are His thoughts on those attitudes?

His plans will prevail--I'm so glad of that!

EXALT HIM!
Today's reading:  Psalm 99-101

"Exalt the Lord our God!  Bow low before his feet, for he is holy!"  Psalm 99:5 NLT

Exalt...

-to raise someone or something to a higher level.
-to praise someone or something highly.
-to raise in rank, power or character.
-to elevate by praise or in estimation.

Giving God my praise has absolutely nothing, nothing, to do with a single thing He has ever done for me.
 
It has, by definition, everything to do with placing Him on a pedestal (one oft times occupied by me), recognizing His power (and, in turn, my weaknesses) and expecting more of Him than what I sadly limit Him to.

The estimation part of the definition is what I struggle with the most.  What I expect of God is based solely on my own abilities and my human view of things.  I plan scenarios in my mind, and pray accordingly.  I think through all that could be probable and expect Him to take the easiest route.  I place on Him the limitations I have on this earthly body and the resources at my disposal.  What He can do, on the other hand, far surpasses anything I could ever dream up in this wildly imaginative mind of mine.

This morning I have to make a choice as to whether or not I am exalting God as He so deserves.

And as I do, I feel myself falling to my knees before a holy God.

IS IT WORTH IT?
Today's reading:  1 Chronicles 10-14

"So Saul died because he was unfaithful to the Lord.  He failed to obey the Lord's command, and he even consulted a medium instead of asking the Lord for guidance.  So the Lord killed him and turned his kingdom over to David son of Jesse."  1 Chronicles 10:13-14 NLT

We have all sinned and stand desperately in need of a Savior.

Saul's sins are published.  Saul's judgement is stated.  Saul's choices separated him from God for eternity.

My sins are no different than his.

Your sins are no different from mine.

Are they worth hanging on to for eternity?

Are they worth the separation from God that they'll cause?

SET APART AS HOLY
Today's reading:  Numbers 5-8

I've read this morning where God gave his people instructions as to what/who/how/when they should live in order to be holy and set apart as His people.

The list is exhaustive.   The list goes on and on.  The list seems, seems mind you, impossible and impractical for 2014.

But He is a holy God who demands respect and awe and honor.  And while the customs and practices involved in Numbers 5-8 seem quite antiquated, the need for us to be a different people following a different set of rules, striving to live a different kind of life remain.

So after having read the day's Scripture, I've got to pause and allow God to speak to me about how He wants me to be different, set apart, designated as His.

I'll state first and foremost it begins with me accepting Him as my personal Savior.  Believing He died on the cross, rose again and His forgiveness of my sins is the ONLY way to heaven.

But beyond that...  

Will it be in what I say or don't say?  Will it be in what I laugh at or don't?  Will it be in what I tolerate or allow?  Will it be in the limits I put on the world entering my home?  Will it be in the tight reins I put on myself?  Will I refuse to harbor things in my heart that He speaks clearly against?

I am as set apart as the Israelites.  He is as deserving of my life honoring Him in 2014 as He was as the Israelites began entering Canaan.  He has given me commands to follow, rules not to break, convictions to live out in my life...am I doing what He has asked?

TRUE RELIGION
Today's reading:  1 Timothy 4-6

"Yet true religion with contentment is great wealth."  1 Timothy 6:6 NLT

True religion-a personal relationship with your Creator and Savior.

Contentment-satisfaction.

Wealth-assets.

Is that how we view the Christian walk?

Are we focused on what it truly means to worship and serve and love the One and Only God?  Or are we sidetracked and distracted by the efforts and the trappings of the church?  On the immensity of the privilege?

Are we satisfied with Him?  Is He enough?  Do we need more than He is, more than He offers us?

Is He our grandest treasure?  Is He our security?  Is He our most important resource?

I'll tell you, I've looked at it with a different set of lenses this morning...hoping you do, too.

WHAT WOULD YOUR ANSWER BE?
Today's reading:  John 5-6

"...Philip, where can we buy bread to feed all these people?.."  John 6:5 NLT

Jesus knew before He even asked.

How He kept the excitement to Himself is beyond me.

Why He didn't let them in on what He was about to do makes me wonder.

Maybe, just maybe, He wanted to see what their expectations were.

He places us in the same position each and every day, doesn't He?

Where will the money come from to pay all these bills?

How will we ever make it now that the company is closing its doors?

Cancer?  Really, cancer?

How could they have walked away from the church, I raised them in it and they know Jesus?

How could she have said that to me?

Our response to any and all of these questions rely on our faith in God.

What are your expectations?

  

YOU ARE LOVED
Today's reading:  Daniel 7-12

"The the one who looked like a man touched me again, and I felt my strength returning.  Don't be afraid, he said, for you are deeply loved by God.  Be at peace; take heart and be strong!  As he spoke these words, I suddenly felt stronger..."  Daniel 10:18-19 NLT

Daniel was standing on the banks of the Tigris River when he had this vision.  He was still a prisoner of the Babylonians and still under control of King Cyrus.  He still, as it tells us in today's passage, faced fear and struggled with doubt.

Daniel, the great man of the lions' den, needed God's reminder just as much as any of us need it today!

We need our strength returned.

We need our zeal bolstered.

We need to be reminded of God's love for us.

We need to get up and get at doing what it is God's called us to do.

PRESCRIPTIONS
Today's reading:  Proverbs 17-18

"A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person's strength."  Proverbs 17:22 NLT

You hold in your hand a prescription pad.

You know the kind--the king doctors used to carry around in their lab coat pockets.  The pad they'd scribble your prescription on and you'd take it to the pharmacist to have filled.

Maybe you've never seen one.  Maybe your doctor does it all electronically anymore...either way, imagine with me.

From the moment you walk out your door, if not before, you begin administering meds to the people you come in contact with.

Some of your prescriptions will hurt them even more than they're hurting.  Your words will cut them to the quick.  Your attitude will drive them further into a pit.  Your lack of encouragement will drive a nail in their coffin.

Some will improve their condition and set them on a road to recovery.  A few of your words will give them the boost they need to climb out of a pit.  Maybe, just maybe, your words will be as a life-giving fountain watering their dry hearts--causing flowers of joy to burst out!

Either way, you're doling out something.

Which will it be?

A FRESH, NEW THING
Today's reading:  Psalm 96-98

"Sing a new song to the Lord!  Let the whole earth sing to the Lord!"  Psalm 96:1 NLT

"Sing a new song to the Lord, for he has done wonderful deeds."  Psalm 98:1 NLT

Lord,

Is what I praise You for, what I say to You, what I ask of You--is it stale?  Is it repetitive?  Has it become the 'same-old, same-old' from my lips to Your ears?

Am I like the pre-schoolers who use their 'God is great, God is good...' prayer as a stand-in for any time prayer is needed?  Am I speaking praise to You by rote?  Has my time spent talking/listening (Yes, I'm still working on that, Lord!) become habitual and routine instead of vibrant and intoxicating like it should be?

The psalmist reminds me that each and every day, each and every prayer I should be singing a new song to you.  Something fresh, something I've just uncovered about You, Your grace, Your love for me, Your presence.  I should be singing some new reason to glorify Your name.

There's not a moment of any given day You have not provided for me--or walked me through.  For that, I owe you a new, a fresh, new song of praise!

There is a new song in my heart this morning, Lord!

UNFAITHFUL
Today's reading:  1 Chronicles 5-9

"...The people of Judah were exiled to Babylon because they were unfaithful to the Lord."  1 Chronicles 9:1 NLT

I have a favorite Bible I use while at my prayer chair each morning.  Friends and I loving refer to it as my 'Tennessee Bible' because I was introduced to it through my younger sister who got her first one while she was in college in--wait for it, Tennessee.

It's a New Living Translation Life Application Bible.  It's the one i recommend to new Christians--or older ones wanting a new friend.  It's marked.  It's hi-lited.  It's got references inked in its margins.  It's my favorite for study.  The easiest for me to use, things seems to be easier to find in your trustworthy Bible.  It's also got some great commentaries at the bottom of each page.

Like today...

'Although not every person in Judah was unfaithful, the entire nation was carried away into captivity.  Everyone was affected by the sin of a few.  Even if we don't participate in a certain widespread wrongdoing, we will still be affected by those who do.  It is not enough to say, 'I didn't do it.'  We must speak out against sins in our society.'

Makes me think about what I'm allowing in my home, church, community and country.  What am I quiet about?  What am I allowing, though not participating in?  How am I delivering myself and others into captivity?

My eyes have been opened.  My heart has been pricked.  My thoughts are now on more important things.

A RIGHT HEART
Today's reading:  Numbers 1-4

"Appoint Aaron and his sons to carry out the duties of the priesthood.  Anyone else who comes too near the sanctuary must be executed."  Numbers 3:10 NLT

A little harsh you say?  Not something you'd expect from a loving God?  A too much religious zeal?

Not for a God worthy of worship and honor and all glory!

Anyone serving in the ministry, from the pulpit to the janitor's closet, must make sure they're where God has placed and called them to be.

For the sake of the church.  For the sake of themselves.

His calling, His mission, His evangelism is too, too important to rely on someone just 'holding a position'.  It requires more than someone just trying to fill some shoes or fulfill a duty.  It takes the right heart.  It takes a heart stirred and anointed for the task.

Is where you're serving in your church such a place?

REAL BEAUTY
Today's reading:  1 Timothy 1-3

"For women who claim to be devoted to God should make themselves attractive by the good things they do."  1 Timothy 2:10 NLT

There's a new beauty campaign that focuses on 'real beauty'.  It's calling for magazines to use only un-touched photos and to show people with less than flawless appearances.  It even asks that advertisers use fewer of the 20-something models and more of the women with a few years of experience on their frames.

Grandmothers.  Moms with stretch marks.  Cancer survivors--even the ones who haven't grown their hair back yet.  Women with scars.  Gals with birthmarks that haven't been surgically removed or altered for appearance sake.

I like it.

It is real.

I also believe it's along the lines of what God wants to declare as beautiful...the heart.

I would say most of us, if asked to list the most amazing people in our lives, wouldn't list a single physical feature or appearance trait.  We fall in love with the heart of the person.  We see when their heart extends to their eyes, their smiles and their works.

It's what real beauty is--and always will be!



 

CHOOSING
Today's reading:  John 3-4

"Their judgement is based on this fact:  The light from heaven came into the world, but they loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil."  John 3:18 NLT

It's based on our choice.

It's solely on our shoulders, based on whether we choose the Light or dark.

He loves us enough to give us the choice, the way out, the only hope, the eternal life--so what are we choosing?

  

THERE IS A GOD
Today's reading:  Daniel 1-6

"Daniel replied, There are no wise men, enchanters, magicians or fortune tellers who can tell the king such things.  But there is a God in heaven who..."  Daniel 2:27-28 NLT

King Nebuchadnezzar had dreamed a very disturbing dream.  After the dream, he rounded up all the wise men in his kingdom to decipher it's meaning.

None could, even at the threat of being put to death, but Daniel.

Although, it wasn't really Daniel who explained the dream-Daniel was just a vessel, a vessel willing to be used.

And Daniel's words rightly described the situation...there is a God.

Maybe there's no medicine that can fix your problem, there is a God!

Maybe there's no amount of money that can relieve you of your problems, there is a God!

Maybe there's no piece of paper or judge's ruling than can settle your heart and remove your problem, there is a God.

There is a God in heaven, all else matters little!
 

HIS SMILE
Today's reading:  Proverbs 16

"When the king smiles, there is life; his favor refreshes like a gentle rain."  Proverbs 16:15 NLT

Imagine being in the throne room.  Standing before your King.  Nervous.  Anxious.  Excited.  Honored.  Humbled.  Awed.  Scared.

Now take into your very being the moment He notices you standing in His presence.

Do you see His smile?

Favor.  Love.  Refreshment.  Acceptance.

He is smiling on you, dear friend.  

WHAT YOU'RE HEARING
Today's reading:  Psalm 93-95

"The mighty oceans have roared, O Lord.  The mighty oceans roar like thunder; the mighty oceans roar as they pound the shore.  But mightier than the violent raging of the seas, mightier than the breakers on the shore--the Lord above is mightier than these!"  Psalm 93:3-4 NLT

If you've been to the ocean, you know the sound.  The constant crashing of waves against rocks, the non-stop lapping of waves against the sand, the never ending whoosh of the ocean meeting the land.

It's all you hear when you're there.

But maybe you're thousands of miles away from the ocean and you still hear a roaring.  Quite possibly you've swept all the sand off the bottom of your suitcase, but still hear a constant crash in your mind.  Is it you cannot rid yourself of the never ending battle against good and evil going on in your mind?

Are the chains of your addiction constantly clanking?

Are the ropes of poor choices beginning to cut off the circulation--ropes that once dangled freely and were not restricting?  Are you hearing them cutting into your skin minute by minute?

Are satan's lies, innuendos and sarcastic remarks drowning out any peace-filled words your Savior might be whispering to you?

Mightier than these is the Lord!  Mightier than these is our Lord!


 

HARD TO PRAY
Today's reading:  1 Chronicles 1-4

"There was a man named Jabez, who was more distinguished than any of his brothers.  His mother named him Jabez because his birth had been so painful.  He was the one who prayed to the God of Israel, Oh, that you would bless me and extend my lands!  Please be with me in all that I do, and keep me from all trouble and pain!  And God granted him his request."  1 Chronicles 4:9-10 NLT

I'm sure Jabez knew what he was doing when he asked God to be with him and keep him from trouble and pain.

I'm also sure he didn't fear asking God for blessings.

But when Jabez asked that God extend his land--enlarge his territory, according to King James?  Had he really thought that through?

Didn't he realize that when his territory was extended, his sphere of influence enlarged, more people would be involved?

Nice people, sure.  Kind people, no doubt.  Helpful, caring, loving people, sure.

But those aren't the only people in this world.  Are they?

When Jabez asked to be given more opportunities to reach out--did he think about the curmudgeons?  The grumps?  The always-rights?  The hard to get along with?  The never happy?  The always complaining?  The never happy?

If he hadn't thought it through, he might have quickly wished he had.

If he did think it through and still prayed the prayer believing God would instill him with the patience and love needed to work alongside that group--BRAVO, Jabez!  I have a lot to learn from you!    

OUR PART
Today's reading:  Leviticus 25-27

"I will walk among you; I will be your God, and you will be my people."  Leviticus 26:12 NLT

Aaah, another of God's promises.  An assurance of His presence and His blessing.  A comfort for our troubled hearts.  A 'Get-Out-Of-Hell Free' card of sorts.

But, as with most of the promises in the Bible, this one comes with a stipulation most of us want to/tend to/try to overlook.

"If you keep my laws and are careful to obey my commands..."  Leviticus 26:3 NLT

He promises to claim us as His, bless us as His and walk close beside us--if we do things His way.

That's not what love is all about, you say?

I believe you're wrong.  That's exactly what real love is--wanting the absolute very best for someone, not settling for anything less than that best and desiring to give them all you can (and more) for their efforts.

He truly loves us, hence the regulations.  

Are we truly loving Him?

YOU'LL BE ONE OF THEM
Today's reading:  2 Thessalonians

"...And you will be among those praising him on that day, for you believed..."  2 Thessalonians 1:10 NLT

No matter what's going on right now.

No matter how big the mountain seems.

No matter how long you've struggled.

No matter how many times you've asked--and have still had to wait.

No matter what others have told you.

No matter that you've not seen any headway or relief.

There will come a day you'll be praising Him-- not for what you've endured, what you've learned or what you've been spared from...just because of who He is!

Praising Him for who He is!

GOTTA KNOW
Today's reading:  Ezekiel 43-48

Several things stand out to me as I read this morning's Scripture passage, but none so vividly and loudly as this...

"For this is what the Sovereign Lord says..."

It's repeated several times throughout the five chapters.  It states, with no doubt to be left, that God has spoken something--therefore, it is to be heeded.

Hmmmm.

I believe we'll all agree that what God says is important.  I think we can concur that it would behoove us all to take heed of what He says.  I can probably speak for us all and state we need to follow His orders.

But that all begins with knowing them.

If we're going to believe everything He says, follow His every command, go where He sends us and accept the power He is willing to give us--we've gotta know what He is saying.

Not second hand.

Not via the mouth of a pastor, Sunday School teacher or an evangelist aired to millions.

We have to know the words of God by reading His Word.