A SMALL THING
Today's reading: Numbers 13-16

"Then Moses spoke again to Korah: Now listen, you Levites! Does it seem a small thing to you that the God of Israel has chosen you from among all the people of Israel to be near him as you serve in the Lord's Tabernacle and to stand before the people to minister to them?" Numbers 16:8-9 NLT

A small thing? A trivial matter? A petty role to play?

Really?

Who, having played a role in your coming to Christ, would you consider inconsequential? Replaceable? Unnecessary?

If satan is attempting to lure you in to thinking that what you are doing for Christ is a small thing, quit listening to him!

You have been selected by the God of Israel to play the part He has created you to play. To reach the people only you could reach. To live and share the testimony written specifically and lovingly for you.

There are no small things when it comes to our God! 

IN THE LAST DAYS
Today's reading: 2 Timothy 3-4

"...in the last days there will be...They will act as if they are religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. You must stay away from people like that." 2 Timothy 3:1-5 NLT

Maybe you've seen it. Maybe you're heard about it. Maybe you're a part of it.

Churches and church people who are...

...more concerned with their Christian service than being Christlike.
...focused on schedules instead of souls.
...pushing attendance and not attention.
...preaching out of tradition rather than in true worship.
...worried more about the outside than the inside.
...intent on their programs, not their people.
...desiring to please the church and not Christ.
...gathering the masses but not ministering to the hearts.
...advertising books and not the Book.
...wanting an audience instead of awe and wonder.
...focusing on the appearance and not their content.

Stay away, it tells us. Turn around if that's the direction we're headed. Stop and repent if we're a part of it. 

AN OPPORTUNITY
Today's reading: John 10-12

"Then he told them plainly, Lazarus is dead. And for your sake, I am glad I wasn't there, because this will give you another opportunity to believe in me..." John 11:14 NLT

Maybe you aren't seeing God in the situation you're struggling with right now.

Maybe your prayers are seemingly going unheard.

Maybe, just maybe, you're thinking God has left you to 'handle this' on your own.

Or it's an opportunity.

A handed to you from God, opportunity.

To trust a little more.

To have a little more faith.

To prepare yourself for a miracle He's about to do.

To believe in Him, even when you can't see Him, more than you did yesterday.

MANY ALTARS
Today's reading: Hosea 8-14

"Israel has built many altars to take away sin, but these very altars became places for sinning!" Hosea 8:11 NLT

I can imagine they had sincere intent when they built the altars to pagan gods.

I believe they thought it would help them to serve the One True God.

I think these folks were a lot like us...

We have programs that are intended to reach the lost and dying world.

We have churches that are supposed to be hospitals for the hurting.

We have Bible studies that are meant to train in godliness and righteousness.

We commit ourselves to attend church.

And after a while...

Our programs become shallow and merely entertaining.

The church turns into a wrestling ring where grudge matches are held and more people are hurt than helped.

And our Bible studies become coffee clubs, gossip groups and house parties where the conversation is focused more on worldly things than Him.

Our attendance is easily excused based upon the 'season' we're in--like baseball season, vacation season, work too many hours season, soccer season.

Yes, I think Hosea's world was a lot like ours.

WAR HORSES
Today's reading: Proverbs 20-21

"The horses are prepared for battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord." Proverbs 21:31 NLT

I can see the muscled necks of the battle horses gleaming in the morning sun. They've been groomed till they shine. Their manes and tails have been braided to make them aerodynamic, their hooves trimmed and rasped. The bridles, straps and cinches have been tightened and checked. The stirrups adjusted. The horses stand ready, grained and aware of the task at hand.

I can also see my best attempts shining like trophies on a shelf. My well thought out plans. The verses I've looked up. The prayers I've prayed. The scenarios I've determined might occur. The responses I've rehearsed.

And in the case of both the war horses and my best efforts, it boils down to the truth in this verse...

"...the victory belongs to the Lord."

It's not about horsepower or my abilities, it's about Him.

I needed a reference point to re-focus my attention upon.

I needed a reminder after a few heart-sinking defeats.

I needed a wake-up call for my pride and ego.

GRACIOUS AND MERCIFUL
Today's reading: Psalm 102-104

"He has not punished us for all our sins, not does he deal with us as we deserve." Psalm 103:10 NLT

 Here's what I am overwhelmed with this morning...

God, in His grace and mercy does not punish me to the extent I deserve to be punished, and yet Jesus died on the cross and bore the pain for every sin I have or will commit.

Every sin.

The ones I'm unaware of.

The ones I hope you're unaware of.

The ones I refuse to admit.

The ones I've laid at His feet--over and over again.

The ones others believe I need to lay at His feet.

I should be a spoiled child banished to her room without supper for days or months on end. I should be told by my Heavenly Father to sit in the corner and think about all I've done. I should be placed in 'time out' until my attitude changes. I should be grounded. Spanked. Receive the penalty of death for the sins I've committed.

Wait...I'm not saying there are not times I am punished in that way, but His love has so covered the multitude of my sins that I can honestly say, as the psalmist did, He does not deal with me as I deserve.

And for that, this wild child of His is forever grateful!

IN THE PROCESS
Today's reading: 1 Chronicles 15-19

"He confirmed it to Jacob as a decree, to the people of Israel as a never-ending treaty: I will give you the land of Canaan as your special possession. He said this when they were few in number, a tiny group of strangers in Canaan." 1 Chronicles 16:17-19 NLT

Sometimes His promises come when we are 'small in number'.

When the clouds are the darkest.

When the waves are the highest.

When the way seems the least likely to produce an enjoyable walk.

But He promises.

And He walks us through the growth, through the passages, through the times when we could fail, through the days when we don't have the strength--because He knows that in the process of grabbing hold if His promises, we will find out more about Him.

Haven't you? Aren't you?

CAN'T DO IT ANY LONGER
Today's reading: Numbers 9-12

"I can't carry all these people by myself! The load is far too heavy!" Numbers 11:14 NLT

Moses was crying out to God about the burden the over one million Israelites were becoming to him.

They complained.

They griped.

They disobeyed.

They mumbled and grumbled.

They wanted more than he could give them.

They had legitimate problems, day to day life provides those whether you're going on a 40 year hike or not.

It was getting to be a very heavy load for him to bear.

I get that. Really, I do.

I think of all the people I try to carry myself.

The ones who don't know my Lord yet.

The ones who have been bruised by their brothers and sisters in Christ.

The ones who are grasping wildly to hold on to the world and grab for godly things at the same time.

The ones who 'don't need this religion I'm touting'.

The ones who I drag kicking and screaming to the throne of the Lord each and every day in my prayers.

It gets to be heavy.

It gets to be too much of a load to carry.

Then I remember. I'm supposed to bring those 'loads' to the Lord and leave them there--not continue to pile one up on another until I have a whole pile I'm toting around. Not adding one more to my backpack. Not picking up the strays someone else left behind. Leave them there. Mention them to my Father and trust Him to have heard me. Not attempt to be God for them, or the Holy Spirit for that matter.

'Leave it there, Leave it there, Take your burdens to the Lord and leave it there.'



 

CHAINED
Today's reading:2 Timothy 1-2

"I am suffering and have been chained like a criminal. But the word of God cannot be chained."2 Timothy 2:9 NLT

Why can't the Word of God be chained?  Because of the power held in it, the promises throughout it and the people who live it!

ALONE WITH JESUS
Today's reading: John 7-9

"When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman." John 8:9 NLT

I've been dragged out in public by my accusers.

My sins have shone on me like a spot light.

I've had fingers pointed in my face.

I've hung my head low as my list of sins have been read aloud.

I've watched as folks picked up stones.

I've also been left alone with Jesus at the end of the day.

It's not that He didn't know. It's not that I wasn't guilty. It's not that what I did was an easy thing to overlook. It's not that I wasn't embarrassed and disgusted by what I'd done.

It's just that with Him, forgiveness flows freely, grace covers completely and rocks drop quietly to the ground as my accusers slip away.

SWAYED
Today's reading: Hosea 1-7

"My people of Israel mingle with godless foreigners, picking up their evil ways..." Hosea 7:8 NLT

I've always heard the saying about being 'in the world, but not of the world'.

I've always thought it applied to big, newsworthy things. The worst of sins. The blatant slaps to God's face.

But to see the word 'mingle'?

That's a word that denotes a surface relationship, a passing thought, an informal association.

Or so I thought.

It's an action word. It's a word that relates to bringing people together. It's a word that shows me how easily I can influence another--and how easily they can influence me.

It's a way sin can easily slip in, unnoticed, quietly and supposedly harmlessly.

TAKING A STAND
Today's reading: Proverbs 19

"Zeal without knowledge is not good; a person who moves too quickly may go the wrong way." Proverbs 19:2 NLT

What are you currently taking a stand on?

Where is it you have dug in your heels?

Have you drawn a line in the sand?

Are you steadfast and unmovable in regards to something everyone else is against?

Have you studied about it? Prayed about it? Asked God about it? Paused and thought about it?

There are times when the stands we take are wrong. Yes, wrong. Rushed into and not thought about, wrong.

We've got to slow down and get God's opinion before we put on the t-shirt, walk in the rally or sit down in protest.

It may not be our stand to take. It may not be our time to take the stand. It may not be where God wants you spending our energy or using our talents. It may not, at this time or in that way, bring Him glory.

CONSEQUENCES
Today's reading: Psalm 99-101

"O Lord our God, you answered them. You were a forgiving God, but you punished them when they went wrong." Psalm 99:8 NLT

I'm afraid there are a lot of Christians who do not believe in consequences.

They think as long as the proper prayer is prayed, the correct amount of Bible verses are quoted and the appropriate time served in the church nursery will erase anything held against them.

That's not what a loving God does.

He forgives, but He does not erase consequences.

It may just be me, but I think it's an erred way of thinking that our churches are swaying towards.

If we're wrong, we will pay the penalty. If we go against God's laws, we will be held accountable. If we disobey His Word, there will be consequences. If we disregard His commands, there will be pain.

He loves us, that's true. He forgives us, that's foundational. He allows us to learn from our mistakes and bear the consequences of them so that we can gain wisdom and strength, that's just.

MIGHTY MEN
Today's reading: 1 Chronicles 10-14

Chapter 11 of 1 Chronicles is the detailed account of David's elite army of fighting men. It lists The Three, which to me sounds like a World Wrestling Federation tag team. It names the Thirty, which sounds like a mob syndicate. And it lists the remaining mighty men, by name--what an honor.

It's the era's Who's-Who of the strongest, the bravest and the most valiant.

I didn't live during that time.

I won't be faced with what those mighty men had to deal with...

"...He once used his spear to kill three hundred enemy warriors in a single battle." 1 Chronicles 11:11 NLT

"...This is an example of the exploits of the Three." 1 Chronicles 11:19 NLT

"...Another time, armed with only a club, he killed an Egyptian warrior who was seven and a half feet tall..." 1 Chronicles 11:23 NLT

What I need to remember this morning, before I write myself off an a 90-pound weakling compared to these men, is that God is in me, just like He was in them.

I can do the hard stuff.

I can stand strong.

I can defeat enemies.

I can fight the battles He calls me to fight.

I have the power of the Living Christ dwelling within me!

I am one of God's mighty warriors. I am a member of His elite fighting team. I have been inducted, by the blood of Jesus, into His army of believers.

The few. The proud. The saved. 

SPECIAL PLACE
Today's reading: Numbers 5-8

"On the day Moses set up the Tabernacle, he anointed it and set it apart as holy, along with all its furnishings and the altar with its utensils." Numbers 7:1 NLT

A special place.

An anointed place.

A holy place.

A place where God resided and the children of Israel could step into His presence.

A church. A church?

Or do we hold our 'houses of God' in the same light? Are they set apart and holy? Are we intrigued by the Spirit it houses as we step inside its doors? Are we preparing ourselves to sit upon its pews, serve in its classrooms or worship in its Holy of Holies?

Is there a sense of awe? Are our children taught its significance? Are we humbled to gather in its walls?

Or is it just a building, a meeting place, a community center, when it should be set apart and holy?

BACKPACK PRAYER
Today's reading: 1 Timothy 4-6

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love and self-discipline." 2 Timothy 1:7 NLT

High school begins this week for our family.

My little fella (5'11") will be entering the big school and soaking in all it has to offer.

I believe he will minister to other kids there. I believe he will experience new things. I believe he will learn in new and exciting ways. I believe he will make new friends and solidify old friendships. I believe he will have a great time. I believe he will be a blessing to his teachers.

He, or I, needn't be afraid.

He, or I, needn't be timid.

He, and I, can go into this new season of life with power, love and the self-discipline provided us by the Holy Spirit at work in our lives.

Lord, may this verse permeate our week ahead and the school year to follow. Amen.

I AM HERE!
Today's reading: John 5-6

"...but he called out to them, I am here! Don't be afraid." John 6:20 NLT

He's said the same words to me.

Not while I was literally in a boat.

Or actually on the Sea of Galilee (not yet, anyway).

Not that I've heard out loud, or especially loud enough to hear over the wind and the crashing waves.

But I've heard Him speak it to my soul.

Alone at night.

By myself in a doctor's office.

After a life-changing phone call.

When my forehead was furrowed and my palms were sweaty.

As storms billow above.

As waters gathered at my feet.

As my heart pumped out of my chest.

He spoke and I heard.
  

STRONG TOWER
Today's reading: Proverbs 17-18

"The name of the Lord is a strong tower, the godly run to it and are safe." Proverbs 18:10 NLT

You've heard the song. You may even be humming a few bars of it right now. You've known this verse for years.

But do you know it?

Have you felt it in your very being?

Have you experienced it in the deepest part of you?

When your fears began to grow uncontrollably?

When news knocked the breath out of you?

While standing over a feverish child?

When your heart was broken over sin, yours or another's?

When your hands were tied and there was nothing else you could do?

When grace was all that was needed?

When the future scares and the past haunts?

Have you felt the truth in this verse? 

The meaning of the word "Christian" has been reduced to practically nothing. Surely, there is no word that has been so devalued unless it is the word "God" itself.   -Francis Schaeffer

HAPPY IN THE LORD
Today's reading: Psalm 96-98

"May all who are godly be happy in the Lord and praise his holy name!" Psalm 97:12 NLT

The Lexicon gives several synonyms for being 'happy in the Lord'...

-Joyful
-Cheerful
-Glad
-Merry
-Pleased

Those words cause me to pause and think about the attitude I'm conveying to the world as a Christian.

Am I...

-Joyful
-Cheerful
-Glad
-Merry
-Pleased

Oh, not in the world. Or in the things going on in the world. Or in the sins running so rampant. Or in the current events. Or in the state of affairs this country is in.

The verse says I should be glad, as one of His, because of Him.

Happy in the Lord--because of all He's done, all He's conquered, all He's promised, all He's in control of, all He's given me and because of all He is.

ONLY JESUS
Today's reading: 1 Chronicles 5-9

"Only Aaron and his descendants served as priests...They made atonement for Israel by following all the commands that Moses, the servant of God had given them." 1 Chronicles 6:49 NLT

I've met and come to know a whole bunch of pastors/preachers in my years.

Great men of God.

Great orators.

Great faith-walkers.

But I've not met one of them, nor do I think I ever will, that could make atonement for my sins.

It took Jesus.

The perfect Lamb.

The spotless Sacrifice.

The one and only Son of God.

CARRYING LOADS
Today's reading: Numbers 1-4

"Their duties at the Tabernacle will consist of carrying loads." Numbers 4:31 NLT

The Merarite clan of the tribe of Levi had an important job to do each and every time the Tabernacle was moved and reset in a new location.

It was as important as the priestly job.

It was as important as the job of the Ark carriers.

It was as important a job as the ones who set in place the curtains covering the Holy of Holies.

They were load carriers.

I know a few modern-day Merarites.

They are invaluable to me.

They are my prayer warriors.

My go-to-when-it-gets-too-hard gals.

My burden bearers.

They are the Christian sisters I call when the heaviness on my heart becomes more than I can carry on my own.

Carrying loads...it was an important job then--and now!

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

"So wherever you assemble, I want men to pray with holy hands lifted up to God, free from anger and controversy." 1 Timothy 2:8 NLT

I don't know about you, but I attend church with a bunch of imperfect people. They're just like me. With their best attempts, they fall short. They have issues with denying self. They have problems with following the rules set forth by God. We are a bunch of sinners saved by the grace of a loving God.

I believe that's why God had Timothy write these powerful words.

He knew we'd know each other well enough that worshipping would become more about each other and the sins we know about and less about Him.

And that's now how it should be.

It's about focusing on Him. On the glory due Him. On the worship owed Him. On the love we should be showering upon Him.

Not about the anger or controversy going on in our hearts and minds regarding our fellow man.

Holy hands lifted up for one purpose and to One. That's a tall order, but it's what He asks.

AN EXCUSE MAKER
Today's reading: John 3-4

"But sir, you don't have a rope or a bucket, she said, and this is a very deep well. Where would you get this living water?' John 4:11 NLT

The  Samaritan woman was an excuse make much like myself. She was logical and she was practical.

Those things don't work with a Living, Mighty, All-powerful, Creator God.

Like when I say...

The doctors have their reports. There is no way in the world he/she can get better.

There have been too many bad choices made for anything good to come from this.

God, it's how You created me--why should either of us be surprised when I sin in that area.

I know You're a busy God.

I know you have a lot of folks to attend to.

I really cannot expect You to hear every single one of my prayers.

Excuses.

God didn't need the Samaritan woman's excuses and He doesn't need mine!

MORE THAN ME
Today's reading: Daniel 1-6

"But suddenly, as he was watching, Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in amazement and exclaimed to his advisers, Didn't we tie up three men and throw them into the furnace?" Daniel 3:23 NLT

Lord,

The king saw more than the three Hebrews boys amidst the flames.

Oh, I hope that can be said of me.

That folks see more than me when I serve with a whole heart.

When I speak truth, truth that can free.

When I attempt to do something for another.

Oh, that they would see You with me, Lord.

Every time. In every thing I do.

THOUGHT GATHERING
Today's reading: Proverbs 16

"We can gather our thoughts, but the Lord gives the right answer." Proverbs 16:1 NLT

I am a thought-gatherer from a ways back.

Despite so many of my ill-spoken words, I do think over conversations and opinions before I unleash them on the world.

I am a lot, a whole lot, better than I used to be.

God has helped me.

There are days when what I'm wanting to say, what I have gathered in my thoughts, He allows me to say.

There are days when what I'm wanting to say He asks me to hold off on, for a while, for a more appropriate time.

There are days when what I'm wanting to say He tells me, in no uncertain terms, to just forget about it--don't say anything, zip it up and throw away the key.

When I listen, things go well.

When I spout, things do not.

I think I'll just continue gathering--and let Him sort them out!

RENEWED
Today's reading: Psalm 93-95

"When doubts filled my mind, Your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer." Psalm 94:19 NLT

When I failed myself--again...

When I caved and allowed the temptation to get the best of me...

When the way out You promised was hidden in a fog, or there in plain sight and I didn't take advantage of it...

When fears overwhelmed...

When what You could possibly do through me was more than I could fathom...

When I was disgusted with what little good I saw in me.

Your comfort, nothing I could conjure up on my own, nothing anyone else could offer me, Your comfort, gave me renewed hope and cheer.

Thank you, Lord.

GENEALOGIES
Today's reading: 1 Chronicles 1-4

Four chapters of genealogies.

Not exactly what I had needed to boost my spiritual level this morning.

I really could've used something a little more encouraging, thought-provoking and heart touching.

And then He revealed to me...

These are lists of people descended from other people.

People who share life-blood.

Folks who have touched the lives of many generations to follow.

Individuals impacted.

Offspring of invested time, effort and love.

Lives recording the touch of people who had gone before them.

It's going to make me re-think my dealings with the people I come in contact with today. It's going to make me pause. It's going to make me smile more sincerely, speak more kindly and offer a few more minutes of my time.

Who knows, but our God, who's genealogy of faith I might be written into today.

WALKING FREE
Today's reading: Leviticus 25-27

"I, the Lord, am your God, who brought you from the land of Egypt so you would no longer be slaves. I have lifted the yoke of slavery from your neck so you can walk free with your heads held high." Leviticus 26:13 NLT

Am I, as a blood-bought child of God, walking with my head held high, freed from anything that could entangle me?

Do I know the freedom He has bought for me?

Have I tasted it?

Have I walked in it?

Am I living it out?

Or am I one in the mass of people whose hearts and lives are owned by another--another thing, another addiction, another person or their choices?

WICKED WAYS
Today's reading: 2 Thessalonians

"He will use every kind of wicked deception to fool those who are on their way to destruction because they refuse to believe the truth that would save them." 2 Thessalonians 2:10 NLT

I've seen satan do it. You've seen satan do it.

He lies.

But not only does he lie, he wraps the lie so elegantly in half-truths (more lies) that it looks believable.

For example...

...I'm only living with him because of the kids. A piece of paper doesn't really matter.
...They deserve rights, too. They are in love, after all.
...They knew exactly what they were doing. I'm mad--and I have good reason to be.
...I'll just let them decide for themselves when they are older. I'll not push religion on them at this young age.
...Let them practice their own beliefs, we all have that right. Maybe they're right, too.

Little things that distract us from the truth. Ideas that take our focus off of 'thus saith the Word of the Lord'. Wicked ways that blind us, tie us up and will eventually send us to hell.

Watch out for satan!

NOT RECOGNIZED
Today's reading: John 1-2

"But although the world was made through him, the world didn't recognize him when he came." John 1:10 NLT

Imagine Michaelangelo not being recognized when he visited the Cistine Chapel.

Or Henry Ford when he toured a car assembly plant.

Or Bill Gates dropping by the Microsoft headquarters.

They didn't even recognize Him?

Was it because He came as a baby? Or from a family that wasn't well to do? Or from another town? Or with the pomp and circumstance of a warrior?

Or were they not wanting to see Him?

I believe there are days when that's my problem. I don't want to see where He is. I don't care to see Him in the eyes of others. I don't recognize His plan because it's different from the one I've wanted to come to pass.