LIVING OUT LOUD
Today's reading: 2 Kings 1-5

"One day Elisha went to the town of Shunem. A wealthy woman lived there, and she invited him to eat some food. From then on, whenever he passed that way, he would stop there to eat. She said to her husband, I am sure this man who stops in from time to time is a holy man of God. Let's make a little room for him on the roof and furnish it with a bed, a table, a chair and a lamp. Then he will have a place to stay whenever he comes by." 2 Kings 4:8-9 NLT

Makes me think, will someone know I'm God's without me telling them?

Without my Christian T-shirt?

Without my cross necklace?

Without my Bible under my arm?

Without my most recent church bulletin sticking out of my pocket?

Without my Jesus fish lapel pin?

Without them having seen me drink out of my Philippians 4:13 coffee mug?

Without knowing I have a boldly printed yard sign inviting them to church?

Will they see Him in me without me saying anything at all? Will they hear Him in my words, even if my words aren't direct quotes from Scripture? Will His love flow through me in the most ordinary of circumstances? Will they notice God in me when I don't know anyone is looking?

And how might my life be blessed by someone who does notice God in me? 

DISTINGUISH
Today's reading: Leviticus 10-12

"You are to distinguish between what is holy and what is ordinary, what is ceremonially unclean and what is clean." Leviticus 10:10 NLT

To distinguish.

To discern. To be able to separate. To know. To divide. To differentiate. To discriminate.

Oooh, wait--to discriminate? To discriminate in 2015?

That's politically incorrect. That's punishable by law--at least the laws of society. That's a social no-no. 

And yet we're told to do it so that we might live for a holy God.

Might I understand that if we're not discriminatory we're not living righteously?

UNDER RENOVATION
Today's reading: Philippians 3-4

"...But I keep working toward that day when I will finally be all that Christ Jesus saved me for and wants me to be." Philippians 3:12 NLT

If there were to be a sign, a label, a scrolling marquee or a tattoo that I would choose to advertise my life, it would have to be--Under Renovation.

I'm not who He intends me to be--yet.

I'm not all He expects me to be--yet.

I'm not 'all that'--yet.

I'm up at at it every day with a deep down desire to improve where He needs me to improve, to correct where He needs me to correct, to expunge what I need to be rid of, to repent of what I've done--blatantly or without knowing.

I want my life to be a constant renovation project of God's.

I want the improvements He wants for me. I want the demolition to take place that He needs me to undergo. I want to stand before Him on the day appointed for me and receive His acceptance and entrance into His home for me.

Today's problem area to tackle:  Making sure I'm seeking His renovations for myself, prayerfully and wholeheartedly--and not eyeballing everyone else and determining theirs!

HAVING A MASTER
Today's reading: Luke 15-16

"No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money." Luke 16:13 NLT

Money is not the only contestant vying for God's place in your life.

There is comfort.

There is position.

There is security.

There is pride.

There is identity.

But the thing is, money helps us to maintain most of those gods. Helps us keep those little gods in place. Fed. Satisfied--or temporarily satisfied.

And He is right, you cannot serve both. Your mind cannot be completely on the two masters controlling your heart. One will get more of your time, your affections, your attention.

Today I'm reviewing who I am being mastered by.

You, too?

A BEAUTIFUL CHRISTIAN LIFE
Today's reading: Ezekiel 13-18

"In this way, the people of Israel will learn not to stray from me, polluting themselves with sin. They will be my people, and I will be their God, says the Sovereign Lord." Ezekiel 14:11 NLT

After spending a few days in a national park, I've come to a new appreciation of pollution.

Especially the sin that pollutes a life.

It saps strength.

It dirties beauty.

It trickles in to the lives of others.

It touches future generations.

It keeps us from enjoying heavenly places.

So--Give a hoot! Don't pollute!

TODAY
Today's reading: Leviticus 7-9

"...Tell them to present all these offerings to the Lord because the Lord will appear to them today." Leviticus 9:4 NLT

If I knew God would show up in my life somehow today, might I live it differently?

Would I follow His commands more closely?

Would I love more deeply?

Would I sacrifice more genuinely?

I am aware He will be in my day. I have no doubt. I expect to experience Him.

So how shall I live?

PRAYING
Today's reading: Philippians 1-2

"I pray that your love for each other will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in your knowledge and understanding." Philippians 1:9 NLT

I am praying that you are growing in the Lord.

I pray that for my son.

For my Sunday School gals.

For those on my pew...and those across the church...and those in your church.

I pray it for my Wednesday evening Bible study-ers.

I pray it for a young man in prison.

I pray it for myself.

YOUR REPUTATION
Today's reading: Luke 13-14

"When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, Woman, you are healed of your sickness! Then he touched her, and instantly she could stand straight. How she praised and thanked God!" Luke 13:12-13 NLT

'How she praised and thanked God!'

She had a lot, a whole lot, to thank and praise Him for.

So her life,her actions, her worship showed it.

What about us?

Could it be said of us?

What are our lives saying about the saving/healing/loving grace He has poured in to our lives?

GODLIEST NATION
Today's reading: Ezekiel 7-12

"...and you will know that I am the Lord. For you have refused to obey me, instead you have copied the sins of the nations around you." Ezekiel 11:12 NLT

If the good ole USA is still considered one of the most godly countries on earth, what does that say about the other nations?

Our newspapers are filled with disgusting accounts of our sins.

The televisions tout what we've come to accept as entertainment.

The relationships we allow our hearts to get into tell others we think we know better than the Lord does.

I believe, that although we may at one time have been considered the godliest nation, we are copying the sins of the nations around us.

And it won't end well if we continue down that path.

MY OWN WAY
Today's reading: Proverbs 5-6

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

God is a gentleman.

There have been numerous times when He steps back and let's me tackle a situation after having heard me say...

...I've got this, Lord.

...Let me fix this problem I've gotten myself into.

...You seem to be too busy, let me do it.

...Here's how I'd go about taking care of this issue.

...Move aside, Lord--I'm here now.

...Let me! Let me! Let me!

...Here's what I want to happen, God.

And He lets me face it head on. And He stand back and watches. And He is willing, time after time, to open His arms and let me come running back with the broken pieces scattered at His feet.

He loves me enough to let me do things my way--and enough to take over and amaze me when I step back and watch Him work.

ALONE
Today's reading: Psalm 72-74

"Bless the Lord God, the God of Israel, who alone does such wonderful things." Psalm 72:18 NLT

The word 'alone' jumps off the page at me this morning.

He does it alone.

The glory goes to Him alone.

I do not need witty words.

Or a stunning sales pitch.

Wisdom that impresses.

Abundant resources.

A smile that dazzles.

I need to follow the example of His Son and buckle up for the ride He's allowing me to go with Him on.

It's not me, it's Him alone.

THE ZAREPHATH MIRACLE
Today's reading: 1 Kings 14-18

"Then the Lord said to Elijah, Go and live in the village of Zarephath, near the city of Sidon. There is a widow there who will feed you..." 1 Kings 17:8-9 NLT

I cannot help but think as I read this account, what side of a miracle might I be on today?

Will I have the belly rumbling for food, or hold in my cupboards the few drops of oil and piddly amount of flour necessary for His power to shine?

Will I be holding my last few dollars, or someone's last ray of hope? 

Will I expect God to show up or overlook His fingerprints?

What role might I play in a miracle today--will I be a vessel He works through, or might I be the recipient of His wonderful grace?

How will I be used today?

DISCOVERING
Today's reading: Leviticus 4-6

"When they discover their sin..." Leviticus 4:14 NLT

"When he becomes aware of his sin..." Leviticus 4:23 NLT

What we discover about ourselves isn't always pleasant.

God loves us enough to uncover things down deep in our hearts.

Things we don't know about. Things we'd just as soon no one else knew about. Things we think we hide from others. Things we think we've taken care of ourselves. Things that fester. Things that separate us from Him.

And He offers us hope.

He offers us reconciliation.

He offers us forgiveness and cleansing.

He offers, do we accept?

THINKING
Today's reading: Ephesians 4-6

"Don't act thoughtlessly, but try to understand what the Lord wants you to do." Ephesians 5:17 NLT

It sounds just like one of the many items from the list of instructions I sent with my World Changer yesterday morning as he left on his mission trip.

It is good advice.

Where I struggle, and I do struggle...is not thinking too much about something.

I sometimes 'think things to death'.

I over-analyze.

I over-think.

I stew and I study.

I want to act thoughtfully in all I do, attempting to understand what the Lord wants of me.

But there is a line. A limit.

Finding that limit, knowing the boundaries, thinking and getting things done--that's the struggle.

MORE
Today's reading: Luke 11-12

"...how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him." Luke 11:13 NLT

I'm so glad God doesn't choose to give just enough of Himself to any of us.

He overflows.

He abundantly fills.

He overwhelmingly satisfies.

He amazes us with grace.

He bubbles joy into our lives in amounts that astonish us and puzzle others.

He doesn't just give a sprinkling or enough to barely get by--He gives freely!

THEN YOU WILL KNOW
Today's reading: Ezekiel 1-6

"But I will let a few of my people escape destruction, and they will be scattered among the nations of the world. Then when they are exiled among the nations, they will remember me. They will recognize how grieved I am by their unfaithful hearts and lustful eyes that long after other gods. Then at last they will hate themselves for all their wickedness. They will know that I alone am the Lord and that I was serious..."  Ezekiel 6:8-10 NLT

What will it take for some people to realize God is serious?

How hard will they have to be hit? How low will they have to sink? How alone will they have to feel? How many others will they hurt in the process?

How desperate will they become? How dead will they be? How long will they wait?

How long did it take you?

You do know God is serious, don't you?

COUNTDOWN
Today's reading: Proverbs 4

"Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. Mark out a straight path for your feet, then stick to the path and stay safe. Don't get sidetracked, keep your feet from following evil." Proverbs 4:25-27 NLT

I'm on a mission to accomplish something by a set date.

I have 248 days to reach the goal I have set.

It sounds like a long time away--some days. On other days, it seems like just around the corner. 

I can choose to postpone what I'm wanting to do, or I can jump in right now with 248 days remaining.

I choose to start now.

I choose to make choices, every day choices, that lead up to my goal.

I could put off doing what I want to do until the week before, but that would be setting myself up for failure. Each day I mark off the calendar is another 24 hours I have been pursuing my challenge.

It's like that in our Christian walk, too.

We can put off serving/worshiping/attending church/witnessing/praising until our schedules allow, or until we have a better grasp on life or when the kids get older.

And when we do, we hear the clock ticking. 

We need to set godliness as our ultimate goal, and make decisions in that direction every minute of every day.

MY PRAYER
Today's reading: Psalm 69-71

"O God, you know how foolish I am; my sins cannot be hidden from you. Don't let those who trust in you stumble because of me, O Sovereign Lord Almighty." Psalm 69:8-9 NLT

That's my prayer for this week.

Well, it's my prayer a lot of weeks out of the year, but for two weeks especially, this being one of them.

It's Bible School week.

I'm awarded the blessing of presenting the Bible lesson to the kids attending--and I don't want to mess up!

I don't want to mis-speak. I don't want to change His words. I don't want to plant false hope or hold back anything the Holy Spirit leads me to speak. I don't want to take it lightly or make it so philosophical that the kids cannot grasp it.

I don't want my sins, and they are many, to cause any one of these kids (or the adults helping them) to stumble.

I'm not asking for perfection. That isn't possible. What I ask for is a double portion, a heaping helping, an overflowing in to my life, work of God's grace.

Not for me.

Well, not just for me, but also for the ones who might hear about Him for the first time this week. For the ones whose hearts are fertile and ready for the seed of the Gospel to be planted. For those who need to know my Savior and Friend. For those who will take what they hear each night of VBS home and share it with an unbelieving parent or friend. For those who are not yet my little Christian brothers and sisters.  

That's my prayer.

THE EFFORT OF WORSHIP
Today's reading: 1 Kings 10-13

"So on the advice of his counselors, the king made two gold calves. He said to the people, It is too much trouble for you to worship in Jerusalem. O Israel, these are the gods who brought you out of Egypt! He placed these calf idols at the southern and northern ends of Israel--in Bethel and in Dan. This became a great sin..." 1 Kings 12:28-30 NLT

Worship should require some effort.

To make sure your heart and mind are in the right frame, requires effort.

To make sure your offenses and those you have offended are taken care of, requires effort.

To pick up your sorry self and set if aside for Him to be the main focus, requires effort.

To have studied the Word in such a way that you know if what's being said from the pulpit is according to God, requires effort.

To leave behind anything, or thoughts of anyone, that might distract you from worshiping God, requires effort.

To align your eyes on Him instead of the circumstances, requires effort.

To take your eyes off the people leading worship, requires effort.

To become a part of worship not just a spectator, requires effort.

Beware of those making worship easy for you. Real worship requires sacrifice. Real worship requires intent. Real worship requires attention to details. Real worship requires effort.

OFFERINGS
Today's reading: Leviticus 1-3

The first three chapters of Leviticus deal with the proper offerings to be brought to the Lord.

It deals with offerings from the herd and offerings from the field.

The goats out in our pasture are sad looking.

My gardening skills, even at this early part of the season, are lacking.

And to bake something from the grain I've harvested, that's laughable and not the kind of burnt offering He left instruction for.

He knew that.

When He began time, He knew that's how it would be.

When He determined the policy and privilege of sacrifices, He knew nothing I could or would bring would be enough.

So He sent Jesus!

Oh, how glad I am that Jesus came and offered a one-time, all that was needed, offering for me-- because I'm up a creek without a paddle when it comes to having something to offer.

PAST TENSE
Today's reading: Ephesians 1-3

"Once you were...You used to...All of us used to...We were...we were..." Ephesians 2:1-3 NLT

I absolutely love the fact that what I used to be, I am no longer in Christ!

The mistakes and sins of my past, are just that--past.

The labels satan applied to me are no longer applicable.

What I was does not dog me today.

The places where I went wrong I am no longer held accountable.

My hopeless past is in the shining light of a present Hope!

What about you?

NOT EVEN
Today's reading: Luke 9-10

"Then he sent them out to tell everyone about the coming of the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick. Don't even take a walking stick, he instructed them..." Luke 9:3 NLT

A walking stick?

Of all the things Jesus might have told them not to pack in their rucksacks, a walking stick?

But He knew them--and He knows us.

Too well.

He knows if there is something other than Him to lean on, we'll lean on it.

Sad, but true.

BOUND TO HIM
Today's reading: Lamentations

"He has walled me in, and I cannot escape. He has bound me in heavy chains." Lamentations 3:7 NLT

I'll fess up. I can never find Lamentations in my Bible. Off to the Table of Contents for me this morning.

There, I've spilled my guts.

But wait, there is more I could tell you about me...

I'm not overly thrilled with God and this 'self-control' thing He has given us(or has seemingly failed to give me).  Self-control and free will are not working for me.

So, when I read this verse about God hemming Jeremiah (and the city of Jerusalem) in and not letting them out--I kind of liked the idea.

I'm not good left to my own devices.

I'm not to be trusted.

I don't have it in me to behave, believe, be the best He wants me to be.

I'd be a much better Christian if He could control me like a robot, lead me around on a leash, give me fewer options--but that's not what love is, is it?

He loves me just enough to let me be me and opens up His arms when I mess up and come running back for forgiveness.

He loves you that much, too.

TREASURE
Today's reading: Proverbs 2-3

"Cry out for insight and understanding. Search for them as you would for lost money or hidden treasure." Proverbs 2:3-4 NLT

If I had misplaced a penny, I'd probably not lose sleep.

On the other hand, if I had mislaid the money for our house payment or the electric bill--I'd scour the premises, re-trace my steps, turn every pocket inside out and flip the couch cushions twice or three times in search of it.

The difference?  The value.

Am I valuing God's leading enough to search high and low for it? Do I put as much effort into seeking His way as I do complaining, grumbling or fretting over the situation at hand?

If I were to place on a value on God's guidance, what would it be?

BEING CARRIED
Today's reading: Psalm 66-68

"Praise the Lord; praise God our Savior! For each day he carries us in his arms." Psalm 68:19 NLT

I don't consider myself a complainer, but this morning I have to admit, I'm tired.

I don't seem to have the 'want to'.

I cannot seem to muster the desire to get up and go.

I am not feeling like rising and shining for anyone, much less the Lord.

I am too tired to give Him my all today.

I'm not looking forward to being a light in a dark world, salt in a tasteless society or a voice crying out in unhearing place.

I don't even want to eat healthily and I most certainly didn't want to spend the time I spent on that satan-sent elliptical.

There, I've said it.

But praise God. Praise my wonderful, all knowing God, who sends verses like the one this morning.

It's not my strength I go in today. It's not my muscles I stretch. It's not my words. It's not out of my love I give. It's not on my own power I go out into the world. It's not for temporal purposes I go out and smile and speak and shine.

He carries me.

In His strong, never tiring arms, He carries me.

Watch out world, I'm coming at you--thanks to the power and might of my God!

SETTING UP HOUSE
Today's reading: 1 Kings 5-9

"It was in midspring, during the fourth year of Solomon's reign, that he began the construction of the Temple of the Lord..." 1 Kings 6:1 NLT

The date is marked for history. It was a turning point for the followers of the Most High God. It was a place where He would reside, where He would guide them, where He could be worshipped. It was monumental in size, in architecture and in the obedience His people showed in following His instructions.

Do you remember the date you set up house for God?

If you're married, maybe it was the day of your wedding vows.

Maybe not.

Maybe it was years down the road before it became important to you.

Maybe when you were faced with insurmountable obstacles.

Maybe it happened when a devastating illness walked through the doors of your home.

Maybe it occurred when you brought home that bouncing baby boy.

Maybe it hasn't happened.

Maybe you've not set yourself and those within the walls of your home aside for Him.

Today would be a great day. Today, the 2nd of June, 2015, the year of our Lord, would be a great date to begin building up your house for Him. 

HOW WE GO ABOUT IT
Today's reading: Exodus 37-40

"So the people of Israel followed all of the Lord's instructions to Moses. Moses inspected all their work and blessed them because it had been done as the Lord had commanded them." Exodus 39:42 NLT

I'm seeing this verse in a different light this morning.

I'm not focusing on the work they did. The craftmanship. The skill. The hours of labor and toil.

I'm not seeing the finished product. The beautiful Tabernacle. The ornate embroidery. The gold. The curtains.

What I'm seeing is the blessing.

The blessing that didn't come from a job well done or a sanctuary that gleamed in the desert sunlight.

I'm seeing that the obedience was rewarded. I'm noticing that it wasn't what was made or how it was made that mattered to God--but that it was made following His instructions.

They just wanted to do what He asked. They'd never made a Tent of meeting before, and they needed desperately to follow His every instruction--much like us living a Christian life.

If obedience to Him governed how we go about everything we do, would it make a difference in our life? In the lives of others?