EYE-OPENING
Today's reading:  Zephaniah

"...They claim to follow the Lord, but they worship Molech, too.  So, now I will destroy them!"  Zephaniah 1:5 NLT

We holler from the rooftops that we serve the Living God!

We 'Amen' with the loudest of them during the church services!

We wear the Christian t-shirts!

We have the bumper stickers and the Bible covers!

We donate to the missionaries spreading the Gospel overseas!

We shake our heads in protest to the breaking of God's commandments!  Adultery, murder (of the born and the unborn), lying (unless it's to our boss or to keep from hurting an other's feelings) and gossip (Well, it's true, isn't it?).

And yet we worship other gods.

We let them in the front doors of our homes, or at least through the portal of the television set on a nightly basis.  We allow things of temporary consequence to take time away from our families and our worship time.  We throw money, and more importantly, time, into things that do nothing for the spiritual health of our families.

Is it destroying us?  Bit by bit, yes.

It's skewing the minds of our kids--what we preach to them goes against what we're allowing them to think is okay if seen on TV.  It's tearing our families apart--are sports really more important than Sunday worship?  It's quite all right for a missionary to travel overseas--but we hold a grudge against the neighbor across the alley because of property rights.

Are we worshiping other gods?

It's eye opening to think about it!    

WAIT FOR BEAUTY
Today's reading:  Ecclesiastes 3-4

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

I received the bag of tulip bulbs last night and hope to get them planted this evening.  They'll be beautiful, but right now, they're just brown onion-y looking bulbs.  I will just have to wait.

I have dear Christian friends who are going through yucky times right now, times no one would wish on their enemies.  A beautiful time is coming if they'll wait on Him to do what He's promising to do for them--and they strive to do their part in it all.

 I think we tend to believe that as God's kids and as we're doing His will, things will be beautiful and easy.  That's not what this verse says.  That's not what Solomon came to discover.  That's not what is promised.

'For its own time', is the thing to remember.  Not for our predetermined time.  Not for the most convenient time.  Not for time that would look the best.  Not always for now.

'For its own time'.

Just wait for the beauty, dear friends.

MY BOY
Today's reading:  Psalm 125-127

"Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him."  Psalm 127:3 NLT

There is a young man in our home who I think the world of.  He's smart.  He's tall.  He's funny.  He's handsome.  He's social, actually speaks to adults when spoken to--and can strike up a conversation with them, too.  He's helpful.  He's a fine Christian fellow.

Does that mean there aren't days when our horns lock or our attitudes brush against each other's like fingernails on a chalkboard?  No.

Funny thing about this 'gift' of mine...I wouldn't trade him for the world, but wonder, on the rougher days, what bid a roving band of gypsies might make me for him!

I am quite sure that no matter the age of your 'gift' (but especially sure if they are also around 14), you have to remind yourself that you have too much invested in them to return them to the hospital for a refund on your money!

My 'gift', according to Strong's Concordance, is of the same word origin as God's gift of the Promised Land to the Hebrew children.  It is something no one else could give.  Something marked as being possessed by no one else.  Something set aside to be given to a specific person for a specific reason.  A special portion, in this instance, property, specifically and specially given by the Lord to His people.

He's mine, by issue of God.  He's mine, similar character traits bear witness to that.  He's mine, our grocery bill attests.  He's mine, he looks too much like me and acts too much like his father to deny it.  He's mine, his room is in far too much disarray for him to be at home anywhere else.

My gift.  My boy.  My special portion from the Lord.    

CLEANING UP
Today's reading:  2 Chronicles 29-32

"...Purify yourselves, and purify the Temple of the Lord, the God of your ancestors.  Remove all the defiled things from the sanctuary."  2 Chronicles 29:5 NLT

'Lord, prepare me to be a sanctuary.'

It means cleaning up my act so that my church is not dirtied by any sins in my heart.

It means Lysol-ing my attitude.

It means GermX-ing my self-given rights and expectations.

It means fumigating my plans.

It means purging my grudges.

It means doing more about anything lurking or lingering in my head that will nourish evil thoughts.

It means washing my hands of any entertainment that may keep my mind from being holy at all times.

It means I have a lot to do, with God's help, before the next time the church doors open!

UNDERSTAND
Today's reading:  Deuteronomy 7-9

"Understand, therefore, that the Lord your God is indeed God.  He is the faithful God who keeps his covenant for a thousand generations and constantly loves those who love him and obey his commands."  Deuteronomy 7:9 NLT

An old Sunday School teacher of mine told me, When you come to a 'therefore' in the Bible, stop.  Look intently.  Look deeply.  Look all around it.  You have to find out what it is 'there for'.

In today's verse, it's asking us to understand that God is who He says He is.

It's asking that we know.

That we keep in mind.

That we experience Him in His fullness.

That we realize to Whom it is we pray.  Upon Whom we depend.  On Whom we rest.  In Whom we have our hope.  Because of Whom we have the blessed promise of salvation.

Do you know it?  Do you know God that intimately?  Personally?

Do you understand?    

IT IS ABOUT YOU
Today's reading:  James 4-5

"So humble yourselves before God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."  James 4:7 NLT

You've heard the saying, It's not about me.

Well, not to cause any commotion or disruption--but it is about me.

And, you.

It's about humbling ourselves.  Throwing ourselves at God's mercy.  Realizing we're nothing and He's everything.  Pushing aside the need and desire to place blame on anyone and everyone else--your parents, your preacher, your music director's choice in music, your job, your health, your kids, etc.

It's about seeing that we resist the devil.  Knowing what temptations we have.  Staying away from the places/things that trigger those evil desires.  Not depending upon anyone else to re-arrange their own lives to help you in your own struggle against sin.

So, you see, it is about us.

We have a mighty and loving Savior who has provided us salvation, power, grace and love--but we have to be willing to take Him up on His offer!

So, friends, it is about us!

OUR CALL
Today's reading:  Acts 9-10

"And the voice replied, I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting!  Now get up..."  Acts 9:6 NLT

This was Saul/Paul's call to the ministry.  Paul the great evangelist.  Paul the spreader of the Gospel.  Paul the God-inspired writer of a majority of our New Testament.  Paul the world changer.

'Now get up', was his first order to obey.  His first command to follow through on.  His first assignment.  His first opportunity to serve His Lord and Savior.

Our calls are no different.

He tells us to 'get up'.

Get up from the gutter you may have fallen in.

Get up from the mess you've made--or have had made for you.

Get up from the pit you've dug for yourself.

Get up from your crumbled pedestal.

Get up from your comfortably cozy bed.

Get up from your couch.

Get up from your pew.

And when does He tell us to do it?

Now.

HIGH PLACES
Today's reading:  Habakkuk

"The Sovereign Lord is my strength!  He will make me as surefooted as a deer and bring me safely over the mountains..."  Habakkuk 3:19 NLT

What high places must you travel over today?

Is it a high road you must take with someone hard to get along with, un-Christlike or knows it all?

It is an obstacle placed in your path by life, circumstances or poor choices?

Is it a temptation or life-long struggle you're needing to overcome?

Is it a heart filled with bitterness, anger, embarrassment?

Is it mediocrity in your walk with God?

Some places seem higher than others.  Some high places you can hop over in a single bound, others require strapping on your climbing gear and preparing to sweat.  No matter the size, they're keeping your path from being smooth and easily walked.

No matter the high place He's calling you to go over today, if He is with you, you will travel safely and surely over it!  

VERY WISE
Today's reading:  Ecclesiastes 1-2

"For the greater my wisdom, the greater my grief.  To increase knowledge only increases sorrow."  Ecclesiastes 1:18 NLT

Scholars tell me this book was written by Solomon in his old age.

After he had built an architectural wonder.

After he had made treaties with kings from many nations.

After he had amassed fortunes upon fortunes.

After he had collected quite a harem of wives and concubines.

And he states, after all that, that he is grieved.  Grieved to find out nothing matters, as it says several times in chapters one and two.  Grieved to know if 'this' is all there is, then 'this' is quite lacking.

What's not understood is that during Solomon's constructing, kingdom building, bankrolling and romancing--he had allowed God, the same God who had allowed him to do what he had done, to be pushed to the wayside.

Solomon began, blame is placed in his many wives from many foreign nations, to be put on the back burner and idol worship to consume his heart and mind.

So for him to be a little depressed at the end of his life is understandable.  He had wasted his life if at the end of it, God was not first and foremost.

What about us?  Is how we're choosing to spend our precious minutes going to leave us feeling rewarded at the end of life--or defeated, depressed and desperate?  Are we keeping God at the forefront of our priorities?

Is He getting the best of us--and in turn are we better because of Him?

IF IT HAD NOT BEEN
Today's reading:  Psalm 122-124

"The waters would have engulfed us; a torrent would have overwhelmed us.  Yes the raging waters of their fury would have overwhelmed our very lives."  Psalm 124:4-5 NLT

Did you get it?  Would have...would have...would have.

Oh, yes, you need to know what precedes this section of Scripture.

Simply this,

"If the Lord had not been on our side--"  Psalm 124:1 NLT

We seldom read the Bible, or any other books, backwardly.  We don't start in the final chapter and work our way through to the preface pages. We almost never want to know what happens in the end, then unravel the plot from that point.

But as Christians, we sometimes have to, need to really, see what we've come through in order to fully appreciate all God's done for us.  We need the view from the rear view mirror to make us value His presence, His grace and His protection.  We need what hindsight offers.

We need to look back sometimes to realize all that 'would have' happened to us, if it had not been for the Lord on our side!

NO MORE
Today's reading:  2 Chronicles 25-28

"...We cannot afford to add to our sins and guilt..."  2 Chronicles 26:16 NLT

The army of Israel had gone about things the wrong way.

Victorious, yes.  In God's way, no.

The leaders gathered together and decided that enough was enough.  They would dig their hole no deeper.  They would not add any more sin and guilt to their already blackened records.  They wanted no more of the Lord's wrath.

Oh, that we would do the same.

That we would take the time to stand in the Lord's presence and realize the blackness of our sins.  That we would block all else from our hearts, minds and ears but His voice.  That we would realize the debt of sin He has already paid for us--and want to place no more on His sinless head. That we would relish the freedom His redemption has provided us.

We cannot afford to add to our sins and guilt.

BITTER DAYS
Today's reading:  Deuteronomy 4-6

"When those bitter days have come upon you far in the future, you will finally return to the Lord your God and listen to what he tells you.  For the Lord your God is merciful--he will not abandon you or destroy you or forget the solemn covenant he made with your ancestors."  Deuteronomy 4:30-31 NLT

What will it take for you to finally return to the Lord?  Wholeheartedly?  Without wavering?  No doubting or fear involved?

Bitter days?

Suffering?

Tribulations of many kinds?

Dire straits?

Anguish?

Trouble?

Distress?

He will be waiting.  He is merciful.  He will let you choose what you want to experience in your life and step back until you choose the best He offers.

What are you in the middle of today?  Bitter days or a renewed, refreshing, reviving relationship with God?

MY ANGER
Today's reading:  James 1-3

"Your anger can never make things right in God's sight."  James 1:30 NLT

I know what it's like to be angry.  To be mad.  To be hot under the collar.

From things done to me.  Things done to those I love.  Things that embarrass me.  Things that are down-right wrong, in all senses of the word.

It stews in me at times.  It bubbles over and out my mouth at times.  It settles all over my face.  It changes my heart, and not in a good way.

I'd never thought about my anger not being able to 'make things right in God's sight'.  I guess I thought I could valiantly fight these battles for Him, not thinking about the heart attitude I was having to maintain in order to hold my grudge or spur me on.

He doesn't need me to take vengeance out on anyone, any group or on any topic.  My sudden impulses do nothing to aid Him in being more God, and certainly doesn't do anything for me being more like Him.

My anger doesn't 'help' God.  My anger doesn't 'help' me.  My anger doesn't 'help' the cause of Christ, no matter how grounded and sure and deserving the basis of it may be.

But my love can.

ARE YOU SHARING?
Today's reading:  Acts 7-8

"...He preached the Good News there and in every city along the way until he came to Caesarea."  Acts 8:40 NLT

Where ever he went, Philip preached about Jesus.

He was so filled, heart and mind, with all Jesus had done for him, he couldn't keep it to himself.

So he had to share.  He had to testify.  He had to evangelize.  He had to offer hope to the hopeless souls he came in contact with.

Not just an interesting story.

It's an example for us to follow!

IS YOUR ENEMY?
Today's reading:  Nahum

"I am your enemy! says the Lord Almighty..."  Nahum 2:13 NLT

God was speaking to Ninevah.

Yes, Ninevah.  The city Jonah finally went to.  The city that was horribly bad, then sincerely repented.  The city that, after a while, turned back to its evil ways.

You see, Ninevah was teetering on the edge of collapse and being conquered by its enemies.

Or at least who they thought was their enemy--the ones in scarlet uniforms, riding in glittering chariots, carrying spears (2:3-4).

Their real enemy, as well as their real savior, was the Lord.

Huh?

Ninevah wasn't really fighting against an enemy army, but against the Lord.  Their problem, their biggest problem, wasn't the soldiers stationed around their teetering city walls, but the Creator--who they were choosing to deny.

As loving, protective and safe as our God can be, He is also jealous.  He can put roadblocks in your path.  He can place mountains in your way.  He can allow you to suffer from the consequences of choosing sin.  He can send hard times your way in an effort to get attention, and in turn your heart turned back to Him.

All because He loves us.

So, who is your enemy?  In the battles you're fighting today--who is your enemy?  Is it satan tempting you to sin or is it God attempting to re-direct your heart and your path?  Is your struggle based on outside forces, or is it a heart-war going on between the One who loves you the most and yourself?  

WILL IT FIT?
Today's reading:  Proverbs 31

"She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs with no fear of the future."  Proverbs 31:25 NLT

For years, the Proverbs 31 woman and I have had a love/hate relationship.

You see, I'd love to be her--but when compared to her, I hate what a vast difference there is between us.

She does so many things well.  She doesn't bear the consequences of laziness--in any area of her life, if I read it correctly.  She is enriches her husband's life.  She only speaks when her words will be wise and kind.

See why I have issues with her?

She and I are on completely different ends of the spectrum.  Excellence v. completion.  Hard worker v. sporadic.  Enriching v. draining and straining.  Wise speaker v. flappy lips.

And to add insult to injury, she's probably a size 2.

Uggggh.

But strength and dignity?  Thankfully, it's not sized and hung on a rack. She and I could wear the same thing!  I don't have to worry if it will fit.

I understand strength--physical and spiritual, I've seen my muscles develop over the years.

Dignity?  Well, the commentary refers to it as a 'beautiful ornament'--and I sure do love me some great accessories!  Nothing accents like a well-placed piece of jewelry or a scarf--except for dignity.  It's a great bauble to wear no matter your outfit.

Like today, for instance.  Today I'm wearing jeans and a t-shirt--and dignity.  Folks may, for a brief moment, mistake me for her!  

 

HIMSELF
Today's reading:  Psalm 120-121

"The Lord himself watches over you!  The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade.  The sun will not hurt you by day, nor the moon by night."  Psalm 121:5-6 NLT

The Lord Himself watches over me.

Wow!

The Lord Himself watches over me.

What a thought!

The Lord Himself watches over me.

He's certainly got His hands full!

The Lord Himself watches over me.

I must be loved.

The Lord Himself watches over me.

Why should I ever doubt, fear or be troubled?

The Lord Himself watches over me.

Hmmm, shouldn't I live accordingly?

The Lord Himself watches over me.

There are days He's disappointed.

The Lord Himself watches over me.

Today, the Lord Himself will be watching over me!

ABANDONING THE CHURCH
Today's reading:  2 Chronicles 21-24

"They decided to abandon the Temple of the Lord, the God of their ancestors, and they worshiped Asherah poles and idols instead!.."  2 Chronicles 24:18 NLT

What made them to make such a decision?  Who brought up the idea at all?  What sequence of events led up to this choice being made and accepted by the body of believers?

To ignore the church?

To let it go when it had once been such an integral part of their lives?

To leave it behind in pursuit of something shinier, prettier, easier, more popular?

To neglect the part of their lives that  craved worship of their Creator, settling for worship of carved idols of stone, wood or rock?

To blatantly disobey God?

How could they?

How could we?

What's drawing us further and further away from God?  What are we settling for?  Being distracted by?  Allowing to take the place of worship, whole-hearted worship?  What are we seeking when we're not seeking Him?

Don't think for a moment it couldn't be us.

 

ARE YOU REFUSING?
Today's reading:  Deuteronomy 1-4

"But even after all he did, you refused to trust the Lord your God, who goes before you..."  Deuteronomy 1:32-33 NLT

I have a few things on my prayer request list that are seemingly going un-noticed by God.  I've not seen any 'movement' or restoration.  I've not seen anything change or my heart changed about them.

I cannot even begin to doubt that He has not heard.  He promises He does.

I cannot allow myself to think the things I'm burdened about don't touch His heart, too.  I know they do.

I won't even think it's a matter of me having used up all my 'wishes'.  His power extends over everything.  His might is limitless.

I will not lose my trust in Him.  He's done too much.  His track record is too good.  His role in history proves to me that what is on my prayer list is well within His abilities.

All I need to do is look back over all He's done for me, for you, for the people in the Bible, and know He will when He believes best.

I will trust Him.  Today.  Tomorrow.  Next week.  Next year.  On this list of prayer requests and on the next list I start!

WHAT WILL YOU DO?
Today's reading:  Hebrews 11-13

"It was by faith that..."

It's the beginning of fourteen of the forty verses in Hebrews chapter 11.

An amazing list of deeds done in the name and strength of the Lord.

An awesome account of what people can do when they go beyond themselves and take everything on what God says.

-an offering giver.
-an ark builder.
-a trail blazer.
-a very old set of new parents.
-a king's adviser.
-a baby floating on the river.
-a group of Red Sea walkers.
-a former woman of ill repute.
-a million or two wall crumblers.

Makes me wonder what I can do when I step out of what's comfortable and obey God.  Where will He take me?  What will He allow me to be a part of?  Who will He be able to reach because I did something in faith in Him--not in myself?

What will you do?

WORSHIP
Today's reading:  Acts 5-6

"...Meanwhile the believers were meeting regularly at the Temple, in the area known as Solomon's Colonnade.  No one else dared join them, though everyone held them in high regard."  Acts 5:12-13 NLT

As you prepare for tomorrow's worship services, are you determining to be a spectator or a participant?

Are you so filled with God's love, so overwhelmed by His graces, so in awe of His mercy that you couldn't help but meet with believers?

Or will you take a backseat?  Afraid to let go?  Scared to worship how you believe you are called to worship because it isn't like someone else does it?

Worship God in a way that makes others hold you in high regard--not in order to get their admiration, but because He so deserves your whole hearted service.

Worship in a way that's as personal as your relationship with Him.

Worship as a whole only after you have spent time, precious time, worshiping Him individually in your prayer closets.

HE'S GOT IT
Today's reading:  Micah

"But this is what the Lord says, I will reward your evil with evil, you won't be able to escape!.."  Micah 2:3 NLT

A two-fold lesson for me this morning...

Part 1:

Retaliations I need to leave in the hands of my God.  Bitterness, anger and that all too common feeling of I'll-get-you-back-if-it's-the-last-thing-I-do, need to be left in His apt hands.

It takes up too much of my time when I think of those things.  It takes up too much room in my heart, room set aside for God only.

Part 2:

I've probably got some things coming.  Repayments on evil I've doled out.  Probably not the vicious, sinister kind you're thinking when you read this verse but what about...bad attitudes towards others, record-keeping of wrongs done, snubbing, ignoring or gossipping about another.  What about grudge-holding or that ever popular I'll-never-trust-them-again seed that grows into hatred and chokes out love?

God's got my back.  There are so many things I need to leave up to Him, like pay-backs to others!

OH, SOLOMON
Today's reading:  Proverbs 29-30

"There are three things that amaze me--no, four things I do not understand:  how an eagle glides through the air, how a snake slithers on a rock, how a ship navigates the ocean, how a man loves a woman."  Proverbs 30:18-19 NLT

Dear King Solomon,

The same things stump me as well, and yet I am not, nor will ever be declared the 'wisest on Earth' as you have been.

I greatly admire your work.  Your topics are down to earth yet you call us to look at most of them with eternal value, not on a day-to-day scale.

The problem I have is how in the world you were able to limit your writing to just four amazing things.  Did your scribes get hand cramps at this point?  Did your 'editor' limit you to a certain number of words?  I scratch my head wondering how sheltered a life you lived not to mention a few mind-boggling sights...

-a dandelion growing through a crack in the sidewalk.  Okay, maybe you didn't have sidewalks back then and if you did, your palace gardener probably made short work of any and all weeds.  Their persistence amazes me.

-a newborn baby.  Surely, even in the age you reigned, where men didn't have many dealings with small children, you saw one of your own.  To see their tiny fingers.  To smell the unmistakable smell of baby.  To see their rosebud lips.  Their creation, their arrival, their intricacies amaze me.

-the sunrise.  Were you a late sleeper, King?  Did your business dealings occur later in the day?  Did you ever see the water colored masterpiece of a sunrise--it's oranges, it's reds, it's yellows?  Few things more amazing!

-the Savior's love.  I will give you that one.  You were born too early.  Sure, you spoke with God and He granted your wish (wisdom), but you lived decades before Jesus was born in Bethlehem.  Years before the Bible (or at least the Jesus-part) was written.  Eons before one could know, personally know, the Messiah.  They've even written a song that comes as close as any other to explaining it--Amazing Grace.

You are right about the eagle, the snake, the sailing ships and love--but dear King, you missed out on a few amazing things, mostly Christ.

Sincerely,
An Avid Fan

MY PLANS AND HIS
Today's reading:  Psalm 119

Oh, so many nuggets in this one chapter!  What to write on?  What topic to choose?  What direction to take this morning?

Oh, yes, He certainly knows how to get this planner-toting gal's attention--by putting a verse in today's reading about plans!  Oh, He knows me.  Yes, He knows me!

"I told you my plans, and you answered..."  Psalm 119:26 NLT

Now in all reality, Ezra, the proposed writer of this psalm, probably was referring to his plans to present the Word of God to the people who had back-slidden.  It was a good plan.  He read to them from the Scroll located in the rubble of the Temple, reminding them of how they should be living and how they should be worshipping.

Maybe that's the plans Ezra was talking to God about.  If that's the case, Ezra got a resounding 'Yes' from God.

But what I'm thinking about are the plans I give to the Lord.  The ideas I have.  The rabbit holes my imagination runs down and around and back down and around.

I'll be the first to tell you, He listens.

I'll also be the first to tell you, I don't always get a 'Yes' or in 2014 terms, a 'You go, girl!'.

I tell God my plans and sometimes I get, 'No'.

I tell Him my ideas and sometimes I get, 'Wait a while, Little One'.

I tell Him my thoughts and sometimes I hear a chuckle from the Lord--sometimes I hear a great, big, godly belly laugh and a 'Really?  You sure know how to crack me up!'.

I tell Him my heart's desires and sometimes I get, 'Check your heart, Daughter'.

He hears me.  He listens to every word.  He is interested in what I have to say and where I believe He is leading me.  He wants me, desperately wants me to use Him as a sounding board before I run off and do what I've thought up.  The One who has time to keep nine (oh, okay, eight) planets in orbit, has time to listen to my plans and guide me through them--or away from them.

That's exciting, friends.  Very exciting!    

SHOWING UP
Today's reading:  2 Chronicles 16-20

"But you will not even need to fight.  Take your positions, then stand still and watch the Lord's victory.  He is with you, O people of Judah and Jerusalem.  Do not be afraid or discouraged.  Go out there tomorrow, for the Lord is with you!"  2 Chronicles 20:17 NLT

If all it might take is for me to show up to the battle-- I'm in.

If it's just a matter of attending-- I'll do it.

If I just get to be a spectator, not a gladiator-- sign me up.

If there is a promise that I'm not in it alone-- add me to the team.

If God's the one going to do the fighting-- I want to be first in line to see how He does it.

If there's no need to be afraid or doubtful--I'm your gal.

If it's a matter of standing in the victor's circle receiving my laurel crown or my gold medal or having the chains taken from my heart without doing anything but believing-- well then, here I go to the battlefield!

Today is going to hold victory for me!

REMOVE THE ENEMY
Today's reading:  Numbers 33-36

"But if you fail to drive out the people who live in the land, those who remain will be like splinters in your eyes, and thorns in your sides.  They will harass you in the land where you live."  Numbers 33:55 NLT

God is instructing His chosen people to remove anyone (enemies) and everyone (previous squatters) from the new land they were preparing to enter.

He knew His children could not live there peacefully with former residents around.

He knew they might become infected.

He knew there would be problems.

And He was right.

Same is true for you, dear Christian.  If you're allowing former tenants in your heart, then your heart is not fully God's--and you're setting yourself up for some property wars!

Fear and hope cannot reside in the same heart.

Doubt and faith will never make good neighbors.

Bitterness and joy cannot share a bedroom, a city block or an area the size of Texas.

What/who do you need to move out?  What/who needs chased off?  What/who do you need to run out of town?  What/who needs to see you hammer a 'No Trespassing' sign into your life?

Splinters and thorns?  No, thanks.

CONSCIENCES
Today's reading:  Acts 8-10

"...the gifts and sacrifices that the priests offer are not able to cleanse the consciences of the people who bring them."  Hebrews 9:9 NLT

The writer of Hebrews is talking about why Jesus had to come to earth to save us--because the priestly system covered the outward acts of worship, but didn't deal with the heart issues.

We can do just about anything inside our church, in the name of service and worship, but our hearts and souls still be so cluttered with distractions and muddied with sin that the service is of no use to God.

The pastors across the country today can preach their hearts out.  They can quote directly and with God's blessing from the Word.  The teachers, nursery workers and janitors serving in our modern day temples can go about their jobs, singing to the tops of their lungs--and still have hearts that are left unchanged by God.

Will it happen to you today?  

SHARE WHAT YOU HAVE
Today's reading:  Acts 3-4

"But Peter said, I don't have any money for you.  But I'll give you what I have.  In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!"  Acts 3:6 NLT

Peter shared his faith.

It wasn't rehearsed.  It wasn't eloquent.  It wasn't something he poured over theologically so he'd hit all the important doctrines.  It wasn't a five-point sermonette.

It was personal.

It was historical.

It was from his heart.

He knew what Jesus had done in his own life.  He knew who he once was and who he was now in Christ.  He knew about the miracles--the ones he'd seen with his own eyes and the ones Jesus had done in Peter's own heart.

So he shared that.

You can do the same, can't you?    

IS IT?
Today's reading:  Jonah

"The Lord replied, Is it right for you to be angry about this?"  Jonah 4:4 NLT

I can see him pouting.

Sitting cross-legged under that scruffy-looking bush.

Watching the excitement from afar.  The celebrations of salvation.  The excitement about redemption.  The shouts of joy because mercy had been given.  He sees on the faces of people a new kind of grace.

And he is mad.

He is embarrassed.

He feels like he's been used...and not in a glorifying way.

God notices.

So he asks, Is it right for you to be angry about this, Jonah?  Really, is it?  With all that I've done--is anger the correct response?

And He asks me the same thing...

When my plans are thwarted.

When He uses me to begin a project, but not to be the one to bring it about to completion.

When someone else receives the glory.

When I question His timing.

When my way would have been so much nicer.

Yes, He asks me, too.

Does He ask you the same question?

OPEN UP
Today's reading:  Proverbs 28

"People who cover over their sins will not prosper.  But if they confess and forsake them, they will receive mercy."  Proverbs 28:13 NLT

"You can't whitewash your sins and get by with it; you find mercy by admitting and leaving them."  Proverbs 28:13 MSG

We all know people who like to justify their sins.

We've heard all their reasons, we've endured all their excuses...

It's just how I am.

It's how I was raised.

It's never going to change for me until _____.

It's all because of ________.

Well, if they would do _____, then I would be able to _____.

Sure, we know those folks--quite possibly, we are them.

Sin is sin.  No excuse will pretty it up or make it acceptable in God's eyes.

So, let's fess up!  Let's come clean!  Admit what we are doing is wrong--then don't do it again (forsake)!

REPEAT
Today's reading:  Psalm 117-118

"Give thanks to the Lord for he is good!  

His faithful love endures forever.

Let the congregation of Israel repeat:

His faithful love endures forever.

Let Aaron's descendants , the priests repeat:

His faithful love endures forever.

Let all who fear the Lord repeat:

His faithful love endures forever."  

Psalm 118:1-4 NLT

Just verses away from the verse marking the exact center of the Bible (Psalm 118:8) lies this gem.

It gets to the heart of the matter.  It settles once and for all that God is interested in the personal aspect of His relationship with us.  It shows that He knows us, really and truly knows us!

He says, in the simplest of terms...

This heartache will soon pass, My love for you lasts forever!

This season of discomfort will eventually end, My love for you lasts forever!

This pain will not last forever, My love for you will!

This turmoil you're living through will finally stop, My love for you lasts forever!

This time of upheaval you're experiencing will come to an end, My love for you lasts forever!

This life you're so wrapped up in, overwhelmed by and exasperated with will stop when your heart stops beating, My love for you lasts forever!

He loves us.  He wants us to know that.  He wants us to know, without any doubt, that will never change.