GUARDING MY EARS
Today's reading: Proverbs 7

"She seduced him with her pretty speech. With her flattery she enticed him." Proverbs 7:21 NLT

Like the simple-minded young man in this proverb, I must watch out for the silvery-tongued siren of temptation.

She calls out to me, too.

Even at this early hour.

Sometimes in regards to things I'm never, in a million years, tempted by.

She seduces me to lounge when I should be up and at God's business.

She lures me into conversations I needn't be involved in.

She baits me and hooks me with things that drag me down, make me turn my back on God and tarnish my witness for Him.

She entices me to not listen to God but to my own desires.

She tempts me to hold onto grudges my God-filled heart was never intended to harbor.

She leads me to believe no one, not even God, is looking out for my best interests.

I've got to watch out for her and her wily ways. She's tricky, that one.

HIS TIME
Today's reading: Psalm 75-77

"God says, At the time I have planned..." Psalm 75:2 NLT

When I cry out, Now, God, now!

He says, At the time I have planned.

When I provide Him with a great breakdown of scenarios, along with preferred timelines.

He says, At the time I have planned.

When I shake my fists expecting Him to act after my 'Amen'.

He says, At the time I have planned.

When I lay awake at night thinking He will visit me soon, allow peace to settle soon, give answers soon.

He says, At the time I have planned.

And in that, He is good. God is good, all the time.

NO TURNING BACK
Today's reading: 1 Kings 19-22

"Elisha then returned to his oxen, killed them, and used the wood from the plow to build a fire to roast their flesh. He passed around the meat to the other plowmen, and they all ate. Then he went with Elijah as his assistant." 1 Kings 19:21 NLT

I didn't have a lot of bridges to burn or amends to make when I was saved at age seven.

Let me be clear, I needed a Savior desperately, even at that age, but my list of transgressions might have been considered paltry in the eyes of some--but in the eyes of God, I was a sinner. A sinner, through and through. My deeds could not save me. My actions condemned me. My self-sufficiency left me facing death. My seven year-old sins were just as condemning as any sins found in any prison.

But at that small wooden altar in that little country church, I asked God to save me from my sins. I believed and still believe, all these years later, that He did just that.

I have nothing to go back to. Nothing beckons me from my past. I have no recollection of another life. I have no pull from previous living that might draw me away from Him. I have no ghosts from my pre-God years haunting my days and nights. I really never have lived without Him--although how closely I chose to walk has varied over the years.

And yet everyday I need to picture in my mind that very spot at the altar where I 'burned my plow and cooked my oxen'. I need the reminder of what He did for me, what I accepted and where my new life began. I sometimes have to drag satan back to that same place to remind him of who I am, too. I often ask God to remind me of the 'fire' that was started in me that day and the change that came over my life.

Do you have that place? Do you know the time and day when you turned from all you knew to all He offered?

We do not segment our lives, giving some time to God, some to our business or schooling, while keeping parts to ourselves. The idea is to live all of our lives in the presence of God, under the authority of God, and for the honor and glory of God. That is what the Christian life is all about.
-- R. C. Sproul

MARKED
Today's reading: Leviticus 7-9

"...Then Moses took some of its blood and put it on the lobe of Aaron's right ear, the thumb of his right hand and the big toe of his right foot." Leviticus 8:23 NLT

In accordance to God's instruction, Moses marked Aaron, and subsequently Aaron's sons, for service unto the Lord.

Moses placed a smear of blood on his ear--so that Aaron would always be the audience God needed, so that he would always be attuned to God's voice, so that obedience would come from his hearing God speak.

He smeared some blood on Aaron's right thumb--Aaron's predominant appendage, the instrument Aaron would use to perform a majority of the sacred duties God has called him to perform.

Moses then smeared blood on Aaron's big toe on his right foot. Must have been awkward. Must have been an unusual sign. Must have really meant something to God--or He wouldn't have had Moses do it.

Could it have been to set apart Aaron's feet for the journey he was about to take?

Might it have been as a visual reminder of the holiness Aaron was now called to walk in?

Could it have been to remind Aaron of where he walked, people, not only his sons, would follow?

Might the smear of blood reminded Aaron, and the congregation that day, that God would be walking beside them each and every step?

Christian friends, we have been marked. We have been set apart as holy, called and accountable. We wear Christ's blood on our hearts--and our ears, and our thumbs, and on our big toes!

SELF-CHECK
Today's reading: Philippians 1-2

"Your attitude should be the same that Christ Jesus had." Philippians 2:5 NLT

If I'm looking to see if my attitude is as good as or is better than my neighbor's, I'm looking to the wrong standards.

If I'm thinking I can have an attitude just like my pastor's, I'm thinking all wrong.

If I'm pretty sure my attitude is far superior to that of an unsaved heathen, I'm pretty sure my attitude is wrong.

If I'm wondering what I can do to improve my attitude, what ten steps I can take, what magazine article hold the key to my maintaining the right attitude, I'm all wet.

My attitude must be the same as Christ's.

That's a pretty tall order, but it's do-able.

With His help. If I truly desire to have His help.

FRUIT PRODUCERS
Today's reading: Luke 13-14

"Then Jesus used this illustration: A man planted a fig tree in his garden and came again and again to see if there was any fruit on it, but he was always disappointed. Finally, he said to his gardener, I've waited three years, and there hasn't been a single fig! Cut it down. It's taking up space we could use for something else. The gardener answered, Give it one more chance. Leave it another year, and I'll give it special attention and plenty of fertilizer. If we get figs next year, fine. If not, you can cut it down." Luke 13:6-9 NLT

Today, as I read this portion of Scripture, I have the overwhelming feeling of gratitude and thankfulness.

You see, Jesus has on so many occasions, pleaded with His Father on behalf of this little fig tree.

One more chance...

Give her another opportunity...

Let her try again...

I shouldn't have been given the first chance, and yet His mercy allowed it.

I haven't deserved consecutive opportunities to produce fruit for Him.

And yet, I've been given today.

IN EXILE
Today's reading: Ezekiel 7-12

"...the people still left in Jerusalem are talking about their relatives in exile, saying, They are far away from the Lord..." Ezekiel 11:15 NLT

Whether they are living under the same roof as you...

Or will sit beside you at the next family gathering...

Or you will see at the family reunion held once a year...

Or you only keep in contact with via the internet...

Regardless of whether they live in the same town, on the same block or in another state...

We all have folks we love, family and not, who are in exile.

They are still apart from God.

They are still being held captive by their sins and their choices of lifestyle.

There is a great wall of division between their lives and true love.

They have been taken captive and held hostage by satan's lies, deceits and tricks.

They are far away from the Lord.

For now.

IF I WOULD
Today's reading: Proverbs 5-6

"...If only I hadn't demanded my own way! Oh, why didn't I listen..." Proverbs 5:12-13 NLT

Quite possibly you, like I, have a long list of things that could have gone better or easier or have been avoided if only I hadn't wanted my own way.

It's seldom that I have the knowledge in front of me as to what I need to do, it's just that I choose to not follow through--or exhibit wisdom.

'My own way' has gotten me into a heap of trouble, in pickles I never wanted to be in and in situations where apologies were needed to mend relationships.

If only I hadn't demanded my own way...

Oh, why didn't I listen...

PITY
Today's reading: Psalm 72-74

"He feels pity for the weak and the needy, and he will rescue them." Psalm 72:13 NLT

I'll admit, this self-sufficient gal doesn't like the idea of someone feeling sorry for me! I don't like pity parties and I don't like what seems like charity being sent my way. Pity is defined as a strong feeling of sadness, sympathy or disappointment.

But...

When I think of who I am in comparison to Who He is, I feel very, very sorry for myself!

I cannot hold the planets in place.

I have never been able to form mountain ranges.

I have not the ability to craft bone, tissue, muscle and souls from strands of DNA.

I cannot manufacture the air I so desperately need to survive.

I am incapable of creating seeds, causing them to sprout and bringing forth food from the dirt.

I cannot remind my heart to beat.

I cannot on days when my behavior is peak save myself from the sins I allow into my life.

I haven't got it in me to impress God in the least.

I'm so glad God felt sorry for me and sent His Only Son.

We're all weak, needy children depending heart, soul, mind and body on our Father!

WHO AM I SERVING?
Today's reading: 1 Kings 14-18

"Then Elijah stood in front of them and said, How long are you going to waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him! But if Baal is God, then follow him! But the people were completely silent." 1 Kings 18:21 NLT

It's an easy choice, you say.

Of course God, is God, and you will serve Him, you proudly proclaim.

There is no one else for you, you admit.

But if I were to word it this way...

If the Lord is God, then follow him! But if ______ is your god, then follow him!

What's filling in the blank in your life/heart/mind?

We all have something that pushes God out of His rightful position and into a secondary spot.

Is it control? Is it admiration from others? Is it security in the form of what you have or what you have attained in life? Is it a drug of choice-illegal, prescription or easily prepared at your kitchen counter? Is it an old habit that you cannot break?

I'm thinking this morning about what is in my 'blank'.

Are you now thinking about yours?

REAL REPENTANCE
Today's reading: Leviticus 4-6

"²⁷ “If any of the common people sin by violating one of the Lord’s commands, but they don’t realize it, they are still guilty. ²⁸ When they become aware of their sin, they must bring as an offering for their sin a female goat with no defects. ²⁹ They must lay a hand on the head of the sin offering and slaughter it at the place where burnt offerings are slaughtered. ³⁰ Then the priest will dip his finger in the blood and put it on the horns of the altar for burnt offerings. He will pour out the rest of the blood at the base of the altar. ³¹ Then he must remove all the goat’s fat, just as he does with the fat of the peace offering. He will burn the fat on the altar, and it will be a pleasing aroma to the Lord. Through this process, the priest will purify the people, making them right with the Lord, and they will be forgiven." Leviticus 4:27-31 NLT

I'm bothered this morning by what I've read.

Not the details of it.

Not the cruelty of it.

Not the, what we now see, as the archaic style of it.

I'm bothered by the lack of effort, intensity and participation I put into repenting of my own sins.

Would I be less likely to repeat sins if I had to go through the process described above?

Would I be more apt to stay away from sin and its consequences if I knew I must perform all the duties listed in today's reading?

Might I take the severity of my sins more solemnly if I had to perform the rituals needed to have my sins forgiven?

Would there be more of an impact, a life-changing impact, made when I turned from sin in the manner described? Before the priest? Before the congregation?

I'm afraid I make light of Jesus' sacrifice for me. I don't always value what He paid for my forgiveness. I take very much for granted the salvation He bought for me. I easily throw out an 'I'm sorry, Lord' and go on my way. I tend to like the cleaner, easier, quieter, more private way of dealing with my sins.

But friends, there is blood on my hands--His.

FITTED PARTS
Today's reading: Ephesians 4-6

"Under his direction, the whole body is fitted together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love." Ephesians 4:16 NLT

We've all had a toothache that affected our day.

We've all attempted a long walk with a sore toe, a stiff ankle or a swollen knee.

We've all tried to ignore a stomach issue and continue on with what we've been asked to do.

We get things done, but sometimes our body parts don't make it easy to accomplish it in a timely or pleasant manner.

Same is true when we walk into church today.

We'll have some folks, body parts if you will, who are hurting, broken, swollen with pride or bruised, making it a malfunctioning body of believers.

Watch for those who are limping and give them a hand.

Look out for those who seem to be having trouble with their eyesight and re-direct their focus to God's Word and God's grace.

Be aware of those who are doubled over in pain and see if you can help carry their burden.

Be sensitive to those who have had hurts inflicted upon them by well-meaning church folks, bandage them with true Christian love and affection.

Encourage those who are just tired and worn out.

And, by all means, accept the help another gives to you. Don't allow pride or a self-sufficient attitude to keep you from receiving a blessing God enables another to give you.

A NEW LOOK
Today's reading: Luke 11-12

"And so I tell you this, keep on asking, and you will be given what you ask for. Keep on looking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened." Luke 11:9 NLT

I'll guess I've known this verse for a good forty of the forty-five years I've been alive.

It's a well-used verse. It's been sermonized. It's been put on posters. It's been memorized. It's been studied. It's been dissected and discussed by Christian circles.

I've seen the painting.

I've seen the t-shirt.

I've seen the coffee mug, the mouse pad and the bumper sticker.

What I see this morning is new...

Ask also means to desire.

Seek means to crave something enough to put effort forth to get it.

Knock means to hit something in order to get another's attention.

When I crave God's will in my life...When I desire to know and follow His plan more than anything in my being...When I hit my knees in prayer to the Almighty knowing He is my only hope...then I will receive more than I ever wanted!

WHEN I SEE HIM
Today's reading: Ezekiel 1-3

"...This was the way the glory of the Lord appeared to me..." Ezekiel 1:28 NLT

We all see God's glory in different ways, in various experiences and in a myriad of seasons of our lives.

Just this morning...

-I saw God's glory in the rising sun.

-I saw the Lord's greatness in the stumbling first attempts of a barn kitten to walk with newly opened eyes.

-I saw the Creator's handiwork in the petals of an Asiatic lily speckled with dew and growing beside the garden.

-I saw His love for me in the pages of His Word. His Word. His love. Opened up to me!

-I saw a new dimension of the Cross as I sat and contemplated the freedom salvation has offered me.

-I saw the wonder of my Lord in the very fact that He would stoop down and visit me this morning.

Where will you see Him today? You're looking, aren't you?

EYE ON THE PRIZE
Today's reading: Proverbs 4

"Getting wisdom is the most important thing you can do!..If you prize wisdom, she will exalt you..." Proverbs 4:7-8 NLT

I'll admit, for a lot of my years I've prized being right more than being wise.

And when I was right, it did happen on occasion, the prized feeling didn't last very long at all. It was a constant battle to remain right, to stay ahead of what was right, to always be right. It was something that puffed me up for a while with pride, but soon burst my bubble as I was also on many occasions  wrong--very wrong, dead wrong.

But being wise, and I do feel as if I am attaining wisdom tiny bit by tiny bit, is a greater feeling.

It's a feeling that goes deeper.

It's a feeling that lasts beyond the issue.

It's a feeling that settles and calms.

It's a character trait that impacts more lives than my own.

I've got to keep my eye on the prize of wisdom.

OVERWHELMED
Today's reading: Psalm 69-71

"...I am overwhelmed by how much you have done for me." Psalm 71:15 NLT

It's one of those days.

It's one of those days when the words from the Word mean more.

It's one of those days when the blessings seem more blessed.

It's one of those days when His holiness seems holier than usual.

It's one of those days when surveying all He's done overwhelms me with all He's done.

Overwhelm, by definition, is to affect someone very strongly or to cause someone to have too many things to deal with.

This morning in my prayer chair, I am affected very strongly by God's love for me.

This morning in my prayer chair, I have been caused to have too many things to deal with--things He has given, taken, released, blessed, allowed, kept me from and promised me.

I sit in His presence, overwhelmed.

INSISTING
Today's reading: 1 Kings 10-13

"The Lord had clearly instructed his people not to intermarry with those nations, because the women they married would lead them to worship their gods. Yet Solomon insisted on loving them anyway." 1 Kings 11:2 NLT

I don't think I've ever really connected with King Solomon.

-a man
-a very, very wise man
-a rich man
-a very, very rich man
-a man of power

You can see why I've never really associated with him. We have few, if any, things in common.

That was until I re-read this verse.

'Yet Solomon insisted...'

I believe that means he allowed the gals to invade his mind, take captive his thoughts and override any and all common sense (or God-given wisdom) he had been allotted.

I believe they were all he could think about.

I suppose day and night his thoughts focused on what he could not/should not have.

I guess he was eaten alive with what should have been out of his reach and off his radar.

I get that.

Been there.

I have had times in my own life when I have 'known better than the Lord'. Times when I thought I could handle it, even after He tells me I cannot. Times when the idea looked and sounded too good to be true, and yet I pursued with a bloodlust.

If you continue to read, the women led Solomon astray. This wise man.

This wise man who had been warned, yet took matters into his own hands.

A lesson for this poor, uneducated farm girl!

IMPERFECT OFFERINGS
Today's reading: Leviticus 1-3

It doesn't take long reading in Leviticus to realize how desperately we needed a Savior. The specifics of the offerings required leaves my head spinning and my organizational mind on a list-making rampage.

I would have never made it in the sacrificial offering period of God's world.

Case in point:

I'm in charge of the animals this week while my husband and teenage son are on a mission trip.

Me.

Me, the one who grew up with animals and honestly wanted no part of them then, or more so, now.

But here I am the responsible party left behind to care for the livestock.

I'd have never been able to raise a perfect animal for the Lord. Certainly not one that would meet all the requirements needed to cover the blackness of my sins. And then corral it, catch it, carry it or lead it to the Tabernacle. Fiasco in the making!

And the offerings from the land?

My twenty green plants are more weeds than beans!

I do try. Those pesky weeds pop up overnight. They mock me as I rush out the door to work or to another appointment. They multiply throughout the day and are brought to my mind as I lay my head down to sleep at night. I know they keep my plants from attaining maximum potential, I know.

God wouldn't accept anything from my garden. They wouldn't be up to snuff. They would be small, bug-bitten and possibly wrapped in weedy vines. Insufficient for the sins I rack up on a daily basis.

And the baked items God asked them to present to Him as acceptable sacrifices?

I burned a frozen pizza last night! Not completely, but around the edges. I got busy sorting laundry and such and forgot it was in the oven. How might I ever attempt to present a baked item to the Lord? One that would be found worthy of Him? One that might suffice as a sacrifice for being me?

I am so, so glad God sent His Son to die on the cross for me. My One and Only Sacrifice. My Lamb. My First Fruits. My Bread of Life.

A HOLY TEMPLE
Today's reading: Ephesians 1-3

"We who believe are carefully joined together, becoming a holy temple for the Lord." Ephesians 2:21 NLT

I'm not sure where you'll be worshipping this morning.

A quiet country church down a wooded lane?

A mega church that is televised to the far ends of the earth?

A Spanish speaking mission church around the world from where you were raised?

A home church that is growing a family at a time?

A house of worship with a different denomination across the door than my own?

To God, if we are believing in the virgin birth, death and resurrection of Jesus, we are in the same temple.

The sermons may vary, but will come from the same inerrant Word of God.

The pastors may differ in style and presentation methods, but if they are preaching what they have been given from God, we are hearing the same thing.

So let's prepare our hearts to worship together today--separately.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
Today's reading: Luke 9-10

"...While everyone was marveling over all the wonderful things he was doing, Jesus said to his disciples, Listen to me and remember what I say. The Son of Man is going to be betrayed. But they didn't know what he meant. Its significance was hidden from them, so they could not understand it, and they were afraid to ask." Luke 9:43-45 NLT

Jesus can get overlooked in our attempt to watch all He is doing around us.

Jesus can be silenced when we busy ourselves in listening to what all is being said by those around us and the world.

Jesus can seem beyond our understanding when we take Him only on the surface level.

Jesus can be a bit scary, especially when we fully fathom who He is and who we are not.

But with a little more attention, a little more time, a little digging and a little more belief in the fact that He has given us privilege into His presence, we can hear Him loud and clear.

FILTERED
Today's reading: Lamentations

"Can anything happen without the Lord's permission?" Lamentations 3:37 NLT

I would venture a guess that you, like me, has not always seen eye to eye with God.

Maybe it wasn't willful disobedience, but rather a moment when what He was doing completely surprised you--and not in a good way.

You didn't understand His choices.

You didn't like His plans.

You wanted no part of the circumstances He allowed into your life.

And yet, when we consider that all things that happen are filtered through Him, His love, His great plan for His people, before it ever reaches us, there is peace.

A peace that passes all understanding.

A LITTLE EFFORT
Today's reading: Proverbs 2-3

"Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding." Proverbs 2:2 NLT

Maybe you were told the Christian life would be a cake walk. An easy stroll through life. A walk down a path lined with roses and soft breezes.

Maybe that's what you were told and now you're finding out the truth of the matter.

The Christian life, lived to its fullest, growing at God-speed and touching the lives of others requires effort.

Like in today's verse...

Two verbs telling us we need to do something: tune and concentrate.

Or as the King James Version puts it...

'...incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding.'

Effort.

Something to do on our part.

A little labor.

Some elbow grease.

Time out of what we want to do in an attempt to capture what He offers us.

Effort put forth to achieve greatness is a lot easier than the effort required to stay afloat with out Him!

PRAISE GOD
Today's reading: Psalm 66-68

"Praise God, who did not ignore my prayer and did not withdraw his unfailing love from me." Psalm 66:20 NLT

God hears me!

Not because of anything I can accomplish on my own--but because of His love for me!

Not because I deserve it--quite the contrary!

Not because He owes me anything--He has already given me far more than I deserve!

Not because I hold in my hands the secret to prayer--most of mine are jumbled messes I depend upon the Holy Spirit to untangle and present to my Father.

I praise God this morning for being merciful, gracious and all-ears.









   

MAY THEY KNOW
Today's reading: 1 Kings 5-9

"May people all over the earth know that the Lord is God and that there is no other God." 1 Kings 8:60 NLT

The unsaved may never choose to pick up a Bible and read the accounts of God's greatness.

They may never choose to visit a church and hear the pastor speak from the Word.

They may never thumb through a religious tract about the Romans Road to salvation.

They may never investigate the story behind the lyrics of a Christian song.

There are a lot of things they may never do, but here is one thing they do on a regular basis: they bump into us.

God's people.

His messengers.

The very same children He has chosen to spread His Good News to the world!

Those of us who believe in the resurrected Christ and His saving power...

Like my Dad while he fishes at the lake.

Like a friend of mine who is completing a sentence in jail.

Like a dear gal I met who has been called with her family to be missionaries in a far off land.

Like a prayer partner of mine who loves on the little ones God has placed in her public school classroom.

Like a retired friend of mine who is taking a quilting class.

Like a gal I know who never meets a stranger.

Like my pastor who preaches and plumbs.

Like my sister who nurses folks back to health.

Like my teenage son who plays a louder kind of Christian music than his mother enjoys.

Oh, friends, that they may know that God is God because they have bumped into us!

HE IS IN THE DETAILS
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 him." Exodus 39:42-43 NLT

Today's reading encompasses a lot of the details about how the Tabernacle was built.

It gives us dimensions, materials, colors and intricate design descriptions.

It describes the design layout of the building. It gives specifics regarding the utensils and adornments in the Tabernacles itself and it even goes so far as to describe the special clothing made for Aaron and the priests--right down to their underwear.

Why all the details? Why is it necessary in the Bible? Why in the world would we need to know all this?

Here is why: God is in the details.

He wants us to know He is involved in our lives down to the second, not just to the lifetime we live.

He has created us, intricate beings, to point to the fact that His creation astounds and amazes.

He majors in the details of our lives so that we will know how very truly, deeply, intimately and vastly we are loved by Him.

NO LONGER SLAVES
Today's reading: Galatians 4-6

"Now you are no longer a slave but God's own child. And since you are his child, everything he has belongs to you." Galatians 4:7 NLT

The definition of a slave, according to Mr. Webster, is someone who is legally owned by another person and is forced to work for that person without pay, a person who is strongly influenced and controlled by something.

I have always understood the 'owned by another person' aspect of slavery, but the part about being 'strongly influenced and controlled' has my head thinking...

There are a lot of us who are slaves and don't realize.

Sure we know who we are. Sure we proclaim our freedom out loud. Sure we can come and go as we please. But our minds are controlled, strongly influenced, by other things.

And those things are quite varied...

Fear. Security. Appearance. Reputation. Busyness. Wealth. Being right at all costs. Our appetites. Our habits. Our comfort. Anything that gets our time, attention, stresses us, drives us, weighs heavy on us, drives us.

Our church sings a song titled, No Longer Slaves and the chorus says this: 'I'm no longer a slave to fear, I am a child of God.'

I could fill in the blank to find out who truly owns me...I'm no longer a slave to _________, I am a child of God.

THAT'S FAITH
Today's reading: Luke 7-8

"...Lord, don't trouble yourself by coming to my home, for I am not worthy of such an honor. I am not even worthy to come and meet you. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed. I know because I am under the authority of my superior officers, and have authority over my soldiers. I only need to say 'Go' and they go, or 'Come' and they come. And if I say to my slaves, 'Do this or that', they do it. When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. Turning to the crowd, he said, 'I tell you, I haven't seen faith like this in all the land of Israel!'" Luke 7:7-10 NLT

Real faith is believing God is able, despite the circumstances, the conditions, the location or the depths of despair.

Real faith is knowing His power extends beyond any time, space or distance.

It's believing He is with teensy, tiny twins in a NICU a state away.

It's believing He travels a few hours away with a family of dear friends as they go to bury a nephew and comfort those he leaves behind.

It's believing He hears a missionary's prayer across the ocean.

It's believing He is at work in our nation's capital way across this beautiful land.

It's believing He will be present tomorrow at a Bible-preaching church  about 6 miles away.

It's believing He hears the prayers I pray from my prayer chair on a country road in the middle of no where.

Real faith is believing He is. Period.

TELL THEM
Today's reading: Jeremiah 47-52

"This is what the Lord says: Tell the whole world, and keep nothing back!.." Jeremiah 50:2 NLT

The entire purpose of the book of Jeremiah is to turn God's people away from their sins and back to God.

The entire purpose of the Bible is the same, wouldn't you think?

Through out its pages we are faced with the miraculous, the inspiring, the sad and the hopeful.

To get the full extent of God's Word we have to accept the whole thing, the easy parts, the hard parts, the parts that leave us scratching our heads and the parts our hearts and lives don't agree with.

We are also given the command to tell the world what the Bible says, all the parts.

The parts that are no longer considered politically correct.

The parts that go against certain now-acceptable lifestyles.

The parts that might cause someone to feel the least bit convicted.

The parts, church folks, that would give hope to the people that we wouldn't consider 'church material'.

We are to keep nothing back...in order that His Word might be preached and His salvation proclaimed!

HE WILL
Today's reading: Proverbs 1

"For they hated knowledge and chose not to fear the Lord. They rejected my advice and paid no attention when I corrected them. That is why they must eat the bitter fruit of living their own way. They must experience the full terror of the path they have chosen." Proverbs 1:29-31 NLT

It scares me to think God will allow me to choose my own path. My own way. My own plans. My own direction.

He will let me jerk my hand our of His and run across a street.

He will let me say 'no' to what He asks me to do.

He will let me run scared when I don't understand.

He will let me repeat the same mistakes over and over, never learning from them at all.

He will let me be hurt.

I am not responsible enough to be given such freedoms. I am not wise enough to be given full rein of my own life. I am not even loving enough to be given a chance at the heart or life of another human being.

This morning I am overwhelmed with how much He will allow me to do on my own and how grace-filled He is to reach out His arms to me when I come running back to Him, battered, bruised, scared and sorry.

WHAT I WANT
Today's reading: Psalm 63-65

"O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water." Psalm 63:1 NLT

Lord,

I honestly and wholeheartedly want to search for you with all that's in me. I want my life to be one that when it's over proclaims You to be the focus, the drive, the center of it.

I see what this world, even the greatest people I know, have to offer--and it leaves me thirsty.

I have yet to come across anything that satisfies me but You.

In Your gentle love and mercy remind me of my desire to be filled with You, especially when other 'fillers' seem to be more available, easier, more quickly latched on to.

You are my only hope, Lord.