BRINGING GUILT
Today's reading: Deuteronomy 23-25

"...You must not bring guilt upon the land the Lord your God is giving you as a special possession." Deuteronomy 24:4 NLT

These are instructions to the Israelites as they begin to inhabit their Promised Land. The land given to them from God. As a special gift. For their home.

He wants them to realize the enormity of this prize. He wants them to honor it. He wants them to come to grips with the love with which it was given.

He wants them to maintain its integrity.

I see that in all He has given to me...

The family He's blessed me with.

The home He's given me.

The church He's called me to be a part of.

The job He allows me to minister in.

The neighborhood He's called me to live out Christianity inside.

The community He's asked me to be a part of.

I must not bring guilt upon any of it. Because they are all gifts from Him. They are blessings straight from God's hand.

I don't want to dirty any of it with my own sins, make light of it's value in my heart, leave any of it untouched by His grace, refuse to acknowledge any of it as anything but expressions of His mercy in my life.

What about your 'land'?       

THIS
Today's reading: 1 John 4-5

"God showed how much he loved us by sending his only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love..." 1 John 4:9-10 NLT

This verse makes me want to be a computer genius who could illustrate my devotion for today.

I wish I could animate some emojis.

I want so badly to be able to make flashing arrows and be able to draw your eye, and thoughts, to what I see this morning.

I'd have you read verse nine, then I'd apply my mad computer skills to the word 'this' as it points back to verse nine! I'd have you read verse nine again, and once again direct your attention as you approach verse ten to verse nine.

THIS (God's gift to us), friends, only THIS, is real love!

It's not the emotion we have for pizza, our kids or a favorite sweater.

It's not the stuff that sells Hallmark cards, roses in February or makes millionaires out of coffee-chain owners.

THIS, God's sacrifice of His only Son, is real love!

What are you doing with it?

ENCOURAGING
Today's reading: Acts 19-20

"Along the way, he encouraged the believers in all the towns he passed through..." Acts 20:2 NLT

I can imagine Paul in almost a different church every Sabbath.

New faces. Varying styles of worship. Different personalities.

And he encouraged in every one.

Makes me think about my plans for tomorrow.

I want to worship in song.

I want to hear God's Word proclaimed.

I want to pray with my Christian brothers and sisters.

I want to fellowship with other believers.

I want to gather as a united front against our enemy, satan.

But encourage?

Never really thought about it that way, but I want to do it.

And I don't know if it comes from an unselfish heart or not. You see when you encourage another, you are encouraged.

HE DOES NOT CHANGE
Today's reading: Malachi

"I am the Lord, and I do not change..." Malachi 3:6 NLT

Maybe your Thanksgiving table was different this year.

-A new addition to the family, little or big.
-A seat that was empty this year.
-A tension in the air that was never there before.
-A peace falling over the home where you celebrated that is new to the scene.

No matter how, there is probably some way your holiday is different from last year's.

Isn't it reassuring to know God doesn't change?

He's the same God who blessed Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

He's requiring the same allegiance from us as He did from Gideon.

He's changing lives today just as beautifully as He changed Saul's.

He's touching people.

He's accepting people.

He's still holy--and we cannot approach Him but through the blood of Jesus.

Nothing has changed about God.

THANKFUL FOR HIS WAYS
Today's reading: Ecclesiastes 11-12

"God's ways are as hard to discern as the pathways of the wind, and as mysterious as a tiny baby being formed in a mother's womb." Ecclesiastes 11:5 NLT

We can look back over our life and scratch our heads in wonderment of how God worked out what He did, when He did and how He did.

We can look into present situations and have no clue as to what He will or can do to straighten things out.

We can worry over the future, what we don't understand or what scares us and harbor concern over whether or not He will come through for us.

But today?

Today look around the table at what He's done.

The faces.

The hearts.

The family.

His ways are mysterious and hard to discern until you look closely. Until you look deeply. Until you look with thankful hearts.

Seeing where He will go or what He will lead us through is hard, seeing where He is and has been is very, very easy.

YOUR HAND
Today's reading: Psalm 137-139

"You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord. You both precede and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head." Psalm 139:4-5 NLT

With tomorrow's holiday, I realize I am supposed to wax poetic and render you some words that will inspire, emote and humble you. Maybe you're expecting something you can print off and pass out to friends with a Thanksgiving blessing. Maybe you opened up your email wanting something inspirational and life-changing.

I get that, but here's what I have...

Lord,

I am full aware of your hand of blessing on me.

I cannot look, hear, smell, taste or touch without seeing all You have provided for me.

I know You are with me. I have experienced, first-hand, You going before me and following behind me.

I have to admit today's verse is what surprises me the most about Your love for me--that You know, even before I say it, what I'm going to say. And You love me anyway?

That's something for this loud-mouthed gal to be thankful for!

Another thing, Lord?

That hand of Yours that rests on my head, Your blessing hand? Is there any way You could slide it off my head and across my mouth more times than You do? Just to keep me from spewing unkind, untrue or unnecessary words? To keep my opinion to myself? To keep the condescending tone inside my head? To prevent me from mis-representing You in any way by what I say?

I mean, You do know what's about to come out (Your words, not mine)--don't You want to save us both some embarrassment?

Thanks and amen,
Malinda 

THE PATIENT PRAY-ER
Today's reading: Nehemiah 1-7

Nehemiah.

The name evokes awe. The account of his life stands as one to be admired. He's been called the wall-building, bending God's ear man.

He was a pray-er. Not just a before mealtime pray-er, but a from the bottom of his heart and about everything he did, pray-er.

I've always assumed, because he talked and walked with God, his prayers were answered immediately...and therefore gauged my own prayers (and the answers I'm still waiting for) against his and came up lacking. Sorely lacking.

But this morning God shone a light on a few words that reminded me that praying has less to do with the pray-er than it does about Him.

The first few lines of chapter one begin with, 'In late autumn...' That's when Nehemiah became aware of the trouble in Jerusalem. The last verse of chapter one tells us he prayed immediately for an opportunity to go before the king and seek help.

As I sometimes do, I jumped to the conclusion that because by the first verse of the second chapter he was standing before the king, holding his royal cup, his prayer was answered immediately.

But the first verse of chapter two says, 'Early the following spring...'

In my estimation that is a span of approximately, now this is based on the seasons in southern Illinois, at least 4 or 5 months. I'm thinking October to March or November to April.

Two thousand years ago or today, that's not immediate.

That encourages me.

That tells me that my own prayers need not just be persistent and based upon God's will--but also patient.

I'm going to keep praying. I'm going to keep seeking God in regards to some requests I'm wanting to see answered. I'm going to keep trusting that He will answer--in His time, in His way, in the season He believes to be best.

THE RAGING WAR
Today's reading: Deuteronomy 20-22

"When you go out to fight your enemies and you face horses and chariots and an army greater than your own, do not be afraid. The Lord your God who brought you safely out of Egypt, is with you...Do not lose heart or panic. For the Lord your God is going with you! He will fight for you against your enemies, and he will give you victory!" Deuteronomy 20:1, 4 NLT

There is a good chance that in comparison to the actual enemy you battle, war-ready horses and chariots would be like taking a walk in the park.

Maybe you're not even having to leave the house to fight your battle.

Quite possibly your battlefield moves with you, always present. Never giving you a break.

God is with you.

We are called to attend, to suit up for and to fight in these battles, but they are not battles we are called to win with our own resources.

He will.

Each and every time.

Without fail.

He wants you there to see how tough the battle was, how hard He fights for you and how victorious He is.

So, suit up. Prepare your heart and mind for battle. Walk out on to the battlefield. Prepare to be hurt. Plan on seeing the victory come at the hands of your Savior!

REALLY LOVE
Today's reading: 1 John 1-3

"Dear children, let us stop just saying we love each other, let us really show it by our actions." 1 John 3:18 NLT

Really showing our love. That's a very tall order some days.

When we don't feel like it. When they don't deserve it. When our feelings have been hurt beyond repair. When our heart is showing on our face and everyone can tell.

And yet, we are asked to do it.

For our brothers and sisters. For ourselves. For our church. For Him.

UNKNOWN GOD
Today's reading: Acts 17-18

"...I notice that you are very religious, for as I was walking along I saw your many altars. And one of them had this inscription on it--To an Unknown God'. You have been worshiping him without knowing who he is, and now I wish to tell you about him." Acts 17:22-23 NLT

I've told you about the high school field trip last week to the sculpture park, the art museum and to the Basilica Cathedral. What I'd held in to this point is what happened at the church...and it's been hard to hold, but upon reading this portion of Scripture, I thought it time to tell...

Keep in mind, I'm having to keep an identity under wraps and not reveal too much.

My son has attended school with another student since kindergarten. This student is a lovely person, very friendly, very mannerly and always very pleasant. I have been privileged to come to know this child's parents over the years.

This student's family is from another country and follow a religion very foreign to me. Very foreign to me. I've spent a few hours over the past 10 years or so talking to the mom about general subjects and at times our personal worship practices. Nothing deep, just passing conversations.

At the beautiful cathedral we stopped at, this same student told me they'd never been in a church before. That's hard for me to understand. Fifteen years old, having been in the United States since an infant, living in a small town and never been in a church?

I made comment that I had been in alot of churches but never this one, and I knew they would really enjoy it. I also gave this student the opportunity to walk with me if it would make them feel more comfortable. The student did for a while, then wandered off with other students.

As we were in line to board the bus to leave the cathedral, this student approached me...

I asked if they had had a good time. Yes, it was beautiful.

I asked if it was informative. Yes, I found out alot of things.

I asked what all they saw. I went to the gift shop they replied.

In a box held in the student's hand was what they had purchased. I asked about it. I was told it was a small ceramic sculpture wrapped in bubble wrap for the trip home.

I said don't unwrap it, just tell me what it looks like.

I was told it's a family. A man, a woman and a baby.

My skin got goosebumps.

I said do you know who they are?

No, I was told.

The father's name is Joseph. The mother's name is Mary. The baby is Jesus.

At that point I looked into the student's eyes and said, That baby grew up to be my Savior and Redeemer. Their eyes lit up.

At that point a large group of kids came up and called out to this student.

The conversation was over...maybe.

I had the opportunity to tell a student at a school-sanctioned event about Jesus. I couldn't tell this student the whole story. I couldn't explain all I knew. I couldn't lead this child in a prayer of salvation.

But I believe a seed was planted.

I cannot wait to see this student again!!!

Who might you be able to tell about our God today.   

FINISH THE TASK!
Today's reading: Zechariah 8-14

"This is what the Lord almighty says: Take heart and finish the task!.." Zechariah 8:9 NLT

This dingy, dark, falling apart world is full of quitters.

It's littered with people who have given up and thrown in the towel.

The ones working the hardest are exhausted because there is no one sitting on the bench to give them a break.

I'm determined finish the task God has given me. The task of being a light in a dark world and salt to the lives of those needing godly seasoning.

Is it hard? You better believe it!

Is it always fun? Nope.

Do I sometimes feel like giving up? Yes, no doubt about it, yes.

But then I think about all the people over the past years that I've proclaimed Him to, who I've touted the benefits of following God to, who I've reached in Sunday School, Bible School and with a crazy blog--and I realize His words today are for me!

I don't want a small child coming back to me in their adulthood and find me not serving and believing. I don't want to be caught no longer in the faith. I don't want to be found later in life not having continued in the beliefs of this Bible I hold so dear. I don't want it to ever be said of me, 'What about all you told us about Him?'

I want to be a finisher. I'm going to tough it out. I'm going to do all He asks. I'm planning on being who it is He has created me to be--and trust Him.

IN THIS LIFE
Today's reading: Ecclesiastes 9-10

"This, too, I carefully explored. Even though the actions of godly and wise people are in God's hands, no one knows whether or not God will show them favor in this life." Ecclesiastes 9:1 NLT

So good, and bad, may fall both into the lives of godly folks and outright sinners.

We've all seen it happen.

We've watched, while scratching our heads, as a too-sad-to-understand story line unfolds in the life of a saint and a downfall is dropped into the life of a scoundrel.

It makes no sense.

None what so ever.

But my focus this morning is not on the fairness of it, the right or wrong of it, the ability to understand it--my eyes went directly to the last three words of this verse...

"...in this life."

When we, as His children, remind ourselves that 'this' is not all there is--we can be comforted, if even for a short, painful time as we watch the plots unfold for our lives, knowing they've been written and appointed by God.

MY GOD
Today's reading: Psalm 134-136

"Their idols are merely thing of silver and gold, shaped by human hands. They cannot talk, though they have mouths, or see, though they have eyes. They cannot hear with their ears or smell with their noses. And those who make them are just like them, as are all who trust in them." Psalm 135:15-18 NLT

I don't depend upon a statuette perched on a shelf.

My hope doesn't hang on a cast reproduction of something or someone.

What gives me peace is not something that has been mass-produced or manufactured.

The One who changed me, forgave me, provides me with eternity is not merely human.

He speaks to my heart. He sees my future, He is my future. He hears when I call. He smells the fragrance of my feebly attempted sacrifices of praise.

In God, I trust.


 

PERSONAL INTEREST
Today's reading: Ezra 6-10

"Then they will be able to offer acceptable sacrifices to the God of heaven and pray for me and my sons." Ezra 6:10 NLT

King Darius had uncovered old documents stating the government was to assist in the rebuilding of the Temple.

He was adamant it be done.

He was specific in giving the orders.

He made it very plain that no one in his cabinet would stand in the way of the construction process.

He was even determined to foot the bill.

Was he religious? No.

Was he Jewish? No.

Was he even going to be allowed inside the Temple when it was completed? No, probably not.

But he knew the influence it would have on him, on his reign, on the lives of his sons.

So he supported the church.

The church is where folks turn when the bottom falls out of life. The church is where people turn when there is a catastrophe. The church is where people go when they find out the world offers nothing--no peace, no hope, no life.  The church is where people run when their lives turn upside-down.

We have to be ready, Church.

A FESTIVAL OF HARVEST
Today's reading: Deuteronomy 16-19

"...Bring him a freewill offering in proportion to the blessings you have received from him." Deuteronomy 16:10 NLT

Lord,

If this coming Sunday were to be the day set aside for me to honor You and the blessings You have poured into my life, then I have a list of things to do...

-I must lease a fleet of semi-trucks.
-I must rent as many U-hauls as I can get my hands on.
-I must borrow every single pick-up truck I know of.
-I must get several of those box-trucks many warehouses now use.
-I will have to hire some drivers.

You see, Lord, if I were to give back to You in proportion to all You have given to me--I'd need a convoy of trucks to haul in my offering!

I think I'm a thankful believer. I am very much aware of all You blessed me with. And yet, it renders me speechless when I come face to face with how to 'really' thank You for all You have done.

My heart is as full as my life this morning. I'm overwhelmed with the blessings You've provided.

In my wildest imaginations, I cannot come up with sufficient ways to show You my gratitude. I can't think of anything that would truly and completely give You the praise You deserve. I couldn't purchase/rent/borrow/lease enough trucks!

So, I'll attempt to live my life for you.

Your Grateful Child,
Malinda

CONTROL
Today's reading: 2 Peter

"...For you are a slave to whatever controls you." 2 Peter 2:19 NLT

You know what it is. That certain thing that keeps you from complete surrender. That thought, habit or sound-bite from your past that continues to keep you chained. Enslaved.

They vary from person to person, much like the chains of DNA. They are unique to each individual, and yet they are common to man--so common that we all required a Savior.

They bind. They chain. They tie us down. They keep us from rising. They dilute life. They fog the senses.

So, what is it? Your thing?

Want to give it to God?

TIMELESS
Today's reading: Acts 15-16

"We believe that we are all saved the same way, by the special favor of the Lord Jesus." Acts 15:11 NLT

I spent all of yesterday gawking over old things...

Mosaics, an art form from the 4th century, in beautiful cathedral built in 1907. A baldachino, an elaborate altar I've come to find out, using pillars of stone from seven different continents. Wooden pews that have only gained in a deep glow from all these years of use.

Walking through many corridors of art in a museum. There were paintings by Picasso and Monet--and many others I'd never heard of. Pieces of art preserved, maintained and valued. Security systems set in place to prevent us from just reaching over and touching them.

And this morning I'm in an old book. Sure, the one I hold in my hand was pulled off the printing press in 1996, but the original manuscript dates back thousands of years. Its pages reveal to me life in a different time and place. Its verses provide me with peace, joy and hope.

Like today's verse.

I'm in awe that I can stand in an old church, gaze upon old paintings and hold near to my heart a book written so long ago--but what really touches my soul is that I'm saved by the same power--the power of Jesus Christ, that it refers to!

The same power by which Saul/Paul was saved.

The same power that saved Peter, forgave Peter and drew him back in.

The same power that changed Zaccheus' life.

The same power that changed a centurion's life.

The same power that reached back and touched the woman with the issue of blood.

The same power that met a woman at a Samaritan well.

I've been saved by the timeless power of Jesus' blood!

Old things look new and exciting to me this morning.

WHY I DO IT
Today's reading: Zechariah 1-7

"The Lord Almighty sent me this message, Say to all your people and your priests, During these seventy years of exile, when you fasted and mourned in the summer and at the festival in early autumn, was it really for me that you were fasting?" Zechariah 7:4-5 NLT

Do I do what I do for You, Lord?

Do I gather with other believers for You?

Do I bow for you?

Do I serve to bring You glory?

Do I lead a godly life because of the benefits it brings, or for You?

Am I staying away from sin because You ask it, or is it because I've found it benefits me?

Or do I do what I do out of habit? Routine? To look good around others? Because it's always been done in a certain way and at a certain time?

Zechariah asked the people, and the priests, just what You asked him to ask--Just why are you doing what you're doing?

Thanks for asking me the same question this morning.

TAKE IT TO THE BANK
Today's reading: Ecclesiastes 7-8

"Being wise is as good as being rich; in fact, it is better. Wisdom or money can get you almost anything, but it's important to know that only wisdom can save your life." Ecclesiastes 7:11-12 NLT

Aaah, the value of age.

You see, there was a time, many years ago, that I wouldn't have agreed completely with this portion of Scripture.

Based on what I knew to be true...

...You couldn't walk up to the sales counter at any store and ask them to bag up your purchases because you were wise. No money exchanging hands. Wisdom being the only currency needed.

...Rich meant champagne (sparkling cider, in my case) and caviar(name brand cinnamon toast cereal, in my case) for breakfast every day in a monstrous mansion.

...Comfort, as in nice cars, nice clothes and no budgets, came from money--not from using the knowledge given to you.

But now?

Now I realize how right Solomon was!

Wisdom provides me with all I need--when I seek God's will and not my own.

Wisdom fills my stomach and warms my heart as I face the day surrounded by His blessings munching on generic cereal under a roof provided by Him.

Wisdom releases my mind from worries as I trust completely and solely on God.

Wisdom makes me aware of all I have.

Wisdom allows me to see the difference in temporary value and eternal value.

Yes, at this point in my life, I'll take wisdom over riches any day of the week!

AGENTS OF SALVATION
Today's reading: Psalm 131-133

"Your priests will be agents of salvation..." Psalm 132:9 NLT

"I will make its priests the agents of salvation;.." Psalm 132:16 NLT

Funny thing, Bible translations. How modern terms, at times, line up quite nicely--and at other times, there is little correlation between what was written thousands of years ago and what we say or understand now.

Take these verses, for instance.

In the King James Version, these verses state that the priests 'shall be clothed in righteousness'. In the New Living Translation, 'agents of salvation'.

Have these words been chosen because we, in 2015, don't know what clothing of righteousness look like? What would that uniform look like? Is the clothing of righteousness even made these days?

Have we come to accept the idea of 'agents' as something stalwart, steady, unmoving, completely backing their beliefs? Do you, like me, picture the dark suits, the dark glasses, the behind the scenes, sly movements of the agents we've watched on television? Do you think of someone representing another, an 'unknown'?  Do you think of a sold-out, no-matter-what-I'll-serve-till-the-end servant?

An agent of God dressed in clothing of righteousness--would that describe any one of us?

God has appointed this whole life to be all as a race or a battle; the state of rest, wherein we shall be so out of danger as to have no need of watching and fighting, is for another world.- Jonathan Edwards

CARD-CARRYING MEMBERS
Today's reading: Ezra 1-5

"Three families of priests--Hobaiah, Hakkoz and Barzillai--also returned to Jerusalem. (This Barzillai had married a woman who was a descendant of Barzillai of Gilead, and he had taken her family name.) But they had lost their genealogical records, so they were not allowed to serve as priests." Ezra 2:61-62 NLT

Maybe your Grand-daddy's daddy served in your church.

Maybe your family was one of the founders of your local house of worship.

Maybe you've contributed to each and every building project since the turn of the century.

Maybe there's a wing of your church's complex named after you, or at least your family.

What if that were all erased, those records lost, those bits of history forgotten...

What if no one knew you, or about you, or which family you came from?

Would your life be sufficient proof of your relationship to God?

Would you be recognized as His, even if you'd lost your 'card'?

NINETY-EIGHT DAYS AWAY

The cat is out of the bag. It's been a tough critter to keep in there, I have to admit! I've been sitting on this news, this God-sized news, since mid-May.

Not knowing how to share it.

Not wanting it to sound boastful.

Not wanting to draw attention to myself.

Not wanting to rush in, like I have been known to commonly do.

Here it is, if you've not heard (read)...

In ninety-eight days I will be boarding an airplane and flying to Israel. The Holy Lands. The land where my Bible, and yours, came to be.

I will admit there are so many emotions welled up inside me.

Firstly, gratitude. A deep-seated desire to go on a trip like this had been growing inside my heart and mind for the past almost 7 years. Members from my church, Pittsburg Free Will Baptist, have gone a few times before and I struggled with being excited for each traveler--thrilled for them, yet inside burning with envy. It was a request only God and I knew about. It was beyond any and all abilities I had to make it happen, so I never shared it with a soul. But my parents, I truly believe, led by God have gifted me with the trip. And as a cherry on top of a hot fudge sundae might have, I'll be traveling with some very dear to my heart Christian brothers and sisters!

Secondly, anticipation. I want to soak it all in. All of it. ALL of it. I want to experience the whole experience! I want to take a million pictures. I want to journal every step we take. I want to blog across the miles. I want to go as a sponge ready to soak every ounce of the opportunity into my pores. I don't want to miss a single thing. I want to be awed. I want to be spell bound. I want to stand speechless in every nook and cranny of Israel. I want to be able to share all I've seen/done/tasted/touched/smelled/felt with so many others.  

Thirdly, anxiety. The thought of a 14 hour flight doesn't bother me. The fear of visiting a country in unrest doesn't keep me up at night. The very idea of attempting to pack for 10 days and keep it under fifty pounds is daunting but do-able, thanks to Pinterest! What I'm most anxious about is who I'll be when I return. I DO NOT intend to come back the same person. I want to be changed. I want to be filled. I want to be seeing with different eyes, loving with a different heart and beholding things, especially my Bible, in a different way. I want to be a better wife, mom, daughter, sister, Sunday School teacher, church member, Christian.

So, if you would, please pray.

Our flight leaves St Louis on Monday, February 15th, 2016. Our tour is jam-packed with things to do and things to experience. I hope to post an itinerary of the 10 days before I leave. I want you all going with me via this very blog. I'm intending to post each day, filling you in, letting you know, carting you all along with me in a sense. We will be returning to the US on Wednesday, February 25th.

There it is. My over the top, could only come from God, I've been holding it in for a looonnnngggg time news.

Rejoice with me over being a recipient of a blessing straight from the hand of God!

Ninety-eight days and counting,
Malinda    

PROVING GROUNDS
Today's reading: Deuteronomy 13-15

"...The Lord your God is testing you to see if you love him with all your heart and soul." Deuteronomy 13:3 NLT

The passage warns about idolatry.

It is very implicit in regards to what the children of Israel must do about things that tempt them to wander away from God.

Even the smallest things.

Even the tiniest of temptations.

Things will happen that draw our hearts away from God.

Good things.

Lives that unintentionally become crazy, hectic and godless.

Ministries that keep us from worship.

Rules and regulations that keep us from loving.

Abilities that keep you from giving Him all the glory.

We will all be faced with things that bear the marks of proving to God if He is our Lord, or not.

What might it be today? Who might it be today? How might it happen today? When might you be faced with it? Where will it occur?

A HARD ROW TO HOE
Today's reading: 1 Peter 4-5

"So then, since Christ suffered physical pain, you must arm yourselves with the same attitude he had, and be ready to suffer, too. For if you are willing to suffer for Christ, you have decided to stop sinning." 1 Peter 4:1 NLT

I'm thrilled to report that according to this verse, and what God speaks to my heart about it, I'm not called to be perfect--just called to be uncomfortable with sin in my life.

But I have to admit, and if you've served Christ any length of time, I think you'll agree...

Denying one's self is unnatural.

Pushing aside temptation is hard to do.

Overruling the 'old man' is a constant battle.

Not giving in to satan's tactics will require a constant flexing of the muscles of self-control and a bending of the knees in prayer.

Not sinning, or continuing in sin to be precise, is going to be the hardest thing you'll ever do.

But when you do it, you're proving to yourself, to satan, to the witnesses of your faith and to God that you're determined to not make light of the work of the Cross.
  

FOR YOU
Today's reading: Acts 13-14

"Brothers--you sons of Abraham, and also all of you devout Gentiles who fear the God of Israel--this salvation is for us!" Acts 13:26 NLT

I notice a few things about Paul's words...

1.  He was excited to share the Gospel message. Notice the exclamation point?

2.  He was speaking to church folks. He could have assumed they knew. He could have gone on the assumption that they were 'good people'. He brought the message to the church people, who were supposed to know it already. He even spoke it to the blood-relatives of Christ!

3.  He included himself. He did not separate himself. He did not let them think he was exempt from the need of Christ's forgiveness. He was not selling them something he himself had not tasted for himself.

Makes me think about what I'm sharing. Who I'm sharing it with. With that intensity I'm sharing. Why I'm sharing what I'm sharing. If I'm sharing at all.

PROCRASTINATION
Today's reading: Haggai

"This is what the Lord Almighty says: The people are saying, The time has not yet come to rebuild the Lord's house--the Temple." Haggai 1:2 NLT

I don't believe I am a procrastinator.

When there is work to be done, I like to get the worst done first (Eat the frog, it's called).

I attempt to prepare things in advance.

I'm not a 'put-it-off' kind of person.

I'm even partially packed for a trip I am making 101 days from today!

But I read, and re-read, this verse and I've been convicted of some things I've been putting off...

Like when I'd prefer to know what's going on on Facebook instead of the Holy Book.

Or when what He asks me to do for another gets put off until a more convenient time.

Or the times I've postponed praying until I can 'get in my prayer closet'.

Or when I've needed to approach a friend in Christ with what I've done wrong and ask their forgiveness and I just don't feel like doing it now.

Or when breaking a stronghold might be easier to tackle another day--another week--another month.

Or when my own temple repairs need done but laziness creeps in.

So, I'm thinking this morning about becoming less of a procrastinator of spiritual things.

And that's something I really don't want to put off!
  

I'M LISTENING
Today's reading: Ecclesiastes 5-6

"As you enter the house of God, keep your ears open and your mouth shut!.." Ecclesiastes 5:1 NLT

I'll let you in on the routine I follow each and every morning.

-My alarm goes off at 4:45.
-I shower, dress and apply as much make-up as I deem necessary to keep the world from being offended by the 'real me'.
-I drink 24 ounces of water.
-I pray over my sleeping boy.
-I write in my prayer journal.
-I open my Bible to the day's reading.
-I put my Bible aside and bow in front of my prayer chair asking God to come into my time with Him.
-I read the Word, watching for things He points out to me.
-I open up my computer and share with you what He's spoken to my heart, or what's happened lately that ties in with the day's Scripture, or what He and I have decided we're to work on that day (and probably the rest of my life).

Today, I don't want to share.

I really don't.

It's too personal.

It was written for me--might as well have had my picture pasted beside the verse.

It got too close to my heart and is going to hurt, or at the very least be very unnatural and possibly uncomfortable, as I carry out what I believe He's asking me to do.

Keep quiet when I go to worship. Listen more when I go to church. Talk less, only I believe He spoke to my heart, MUCH less when I gather with my brothers and sisters in Christ.

No, I'll not be going into church Sunday not speaking to anyone. That would be going against His desire that we be a family, a body, in one spirit with Him. I could hardly facilitate the Sunday School class I'm thrilled to be a part of. I thoroughly enjoy greeting new folks in our congregation.

But I believe I need to listen more and give opinion less. Listen more and provide fewer commentaries that I usually do. Listen more and offer His words, not my own. Listen more and cultivate the ministry of hearing what's said. Listen more and practice the art of conversation not of taking over the microphone. Listen more to what's being said and the heart issues behind it.

It can be summed up by me just listening more. Really listening.

I don't know what you'll do with what I'm sharing this morning. It doesn't matter to me. You might take it to heart as well. You might hold me accountable come Sunday. You might send me a report card after services as to how I did. You might pray for me--because you know me--because you know my propensity to fill in awkward quiet times with my incessant rattling--because you might have the same inclinations. You might notice I'm listening more and talking less, and that would thrill my heart!

COUNTING ON THE LORD
Today's reading: Psalm 128-130

"I am counting on the Lord; yes, I am counting on him. I have put my hope in his word." Psalm 130:5 NLT

I have an independent streak a mile wide and a yard thick. I admit, I don't like asking for help. I truly enjoy the blessing of being a help to someone, but to be helped--it hurts my pride.

That being said, I am counting on God for a few things above and beyond my abilities to do for myself, begin on my own or even believe enough to hope for.

I have some prayer requests between He and I that go deeper and farther than the abilities of my faith.

I have some mountains being moved that no one else around me even sees.

I'm waiting on Him to do a mighty miracle, because I know that's the only way my requests will be answered.

I'm needing Him desperately in regards to more than a few heart matters.

I'm counting on Him to come through. Again.

My hope, my only hope, is in Him.

BUT...
Today's reading: 2 Chronicles 33-36

"However, the people still sacrificed at the pagan shrines, but only to the Lord their God." 2 Chronicles 33:17 NLT

Lord,

I asked You for something to renew my mind.

I asked for You to provide me with something to change my thinking.
 
I asked You to give me a word to share, only after it touched my heart and soul.

I asked, and this was in the 'fine print' of my prayer--that what You opened in my heart not hurt too badly.

It did. It cut. It exposed. It spot-lighted a part of me that I'd just as soon have kept in the shadows.

Your Word has shown me how very easily I have allowed sin to settle in my heart.

How easily I can add a 'but' to any of my attempts and make them sound sincere and righteous.

The people in Manasseh's time kept their pagan shrines, but worshipped God there--thinking it would okay a slight bit of disobedience(2 Chronicles 32:12). The people thought if they'd put a 'church spin' on a wordly thing, it would make it look good in Your eyes. The rules You gave them they followed--mostly.

That opened my eyes to what I'm doing myself. What I'm trying to make permissible. What I'm trying to re-name. What I'm attempting to gussy-up and make godly. What I take a whack at thinking it's good enough, close enough or at least better than Sister So-And-So's attempt at it. What I know You are calling me to do but (oooh, there's that word), I don't do because I see the circumstances as not warranting full and complete obedience(You understand, don't You, Lord? I mean, if things were different. If it didn't involve You-know-who.).

When I read this verse, Lord, I saw that in so many ways my disobedience to Your commands screams, 'I know better than You!'

That's not sitting well on my heart. It's making me uncomfortable. It's exposing a naked truth--one I'd have just as soon kept the wraps on.

So, for giving me just what I didn't think I wanted in a package I'd just have soon not had to open--thank You, Lord.

Thank You.

CLING
Today's reading: Deuteronomy 10-12

"You must fear the Lord your God and worship him and cling to him." Deuteronomy 10:20 NLT

It's more than a friendly relationship.

More than a high five in passing.

Much more than the occasional 9-1-1 cry for help.

More than a cordial thank you.

More than a quick mention before eating.

More than a visit on Sunday.

It's an admiration. It's an awe. It's a relationship built upon the simple fact that we are in desperate need of a Savior!

KINDNESS
Today's reading: 1Peter 1-3

"Don't repay evil for evil. Don't retaliate when people say unkind  things about you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God wants you to do, and he will bless you for it." 1 Peter 3:9 NLT

Kill them with kindness the older folks would say.

Bless the socks off them.