BE VERY CAREFUL
Today's reading: Joshua 21-24

"For the Lord has driven out great and powerful nations for you, and no one has yet been able to defeat you. Each one of you will put to flight a thousand of the enemy, for the Lord your God fights for you, just as he has promised. So be very careful to love the Lord your God." Joshua 23:9-11 NLT

Let's put ourselves in the shoes of the Israelites.

They've just finished a forty mile trek.

They've seen miracles on a daily basis, from the dried up Red Sea, to the fiery wall, to daily carry-out of bread and fowl.

They've defeated enemies twice, three-times, ten-times their size.

They've finally stepped foot onto land promised to them, land flowing with milk and honey.

And now they're standing distracted as Joshua speaks...

They've heard all these things before.

They know the spiel.

They believe there is no way in the world that they will ever turn their backs on God.

Sound familiar?

We think we won't, after all He has done for us, and we do.

We promise we're His, after all He has paid for our souls, and we wander.

We make vows to Him, and He comes through on His end, and we fail to follow up on our end.

We stand with the congregation making statements of faith and trust in the Lord, then our idols lead us to spiritual adultery.

We need a daily, if not hourly, reminder that we must be very careful to love the Lord our God.

Our lives depend upon it.

A CHANGE OF NAME
Today's reading: Genesis 16-19

"What's more, I am changing your name. It will no longer be Abram (meaning exalted father); now you will be known as Abraham (father of many), for you will be the father of many nations." Genesis 17:5 NLT

I'm sure deep down in his heart, Abram thought, 'This is really funny, Lord'.

'The name I've lived with has haunted me--me, childless me, my whole life. And now you add to that name? Really, Lord?'

'What do I tell me people when they ask, So, how many children do you have, oh father of many...?'

Thinking about this turn of events in Abram's life has given me pause.

It's made me re-think my own name(s).

No, not the one typed up on my birth certificate, but the ones I am known by--or call myself.

Maybe it's time they change.

Maybe today's the day I'm no longer known by certain monikers...

Maybe for you, too.

Maybe we're no longer known by the addictions that hold us tightly.

Maybe it's time we are not called by the past choices we've made,

Maybe we're no longer known as victims, but as victors.

Maybe we're no longer known as parents of prodigals, but as parents of children whose lives are held firmly in God's hands.

Maybe our names change today from 'Faithless' to 'Faithful', from 'Sinner' to 'Saint', from 'Doubter' to 'Believer'.

THAT CONCERNED
Today's reading: Romans 9-10

"My heart is filled with bitter sorrow and unending grief for my people, my Jewish brothers and sisters. I would be willing to be forever cursed--cut off from Christ!--if that would save them." Romans 9:3-4 NLT

Am I as concerned as this for my loved ones, friends and complete strangers to come to know my Lord?

Would I give up what I have with God, so that they might have it?

Might I give up my mansion so they may have one?

Had Christ's blood only been able to spare one person--would I have stepped aside in line?

Praise be to God--His love is not limited, His grace is not rationed, His saving power is not capped!

And yet, may you and I have hearts that break for the lost to know Him.

I WANNA BE A MATTHEW
Today's reading: Matthew 8-10

"As Jesus was going down the road, he saw Matthew sitting at his tax-collection booth. Come, be my disciple, Jesus said to him. So Matthew got up and followed him." Matthew 9:9 NLT

He didn't ask to finish out his shift.

He didn't call Human Resources and consider his compensation package.

He didn't discuss it with co-workers.

He didn't pull out his ledger scroll and begin listing the pro's and con's.

He didn't quickly scan his home budget to see if this job move would best benefit his family.

He didn't busy himself with another customer, ignoring what Jesus asked.

He got up and followed Him.

He left his paperwork behind.

He left his change purse on the table.

He left a letter of resignation unwritten.

He left with Jesus.

I wanna be a Matthew.

I don't want to think and re-think things until the calling has passed me by.

I don't want to wonder if what He offers is better than what I have.

I don't want to be sitting at my desk while God's work is going on around me.

I don't want to be left out.

I wanna be a Matthew.

LYING AWAKE
Today's reading: Isaiah 18-22

"...I grow faint when I hear what God is planning; I am blinded in dismay. My mind reels; my heart races. The sleep I once enjoyed at night is now a distant memory. I lie awake..." Isaiah 21:3-4 NLT

This passage is spoken by the prophet Isaiah. He is referring to how he was losing sleep over the prophecy God had given him about Babylon. The thoughts couldn't leave his mind. It kept him awake. He wasn't able to shake what he knew would come to pass, according to God's own words.

It made me think.

If you and I were to think about it, really think about it, really and truly think about it--shouldn't the promises God has given us keep us awake, too?

If we were to anticipate as much as we fret?

If we were to expect His answers to come as much as we need them to arrive?

If we were to hope in His words as much as we fear what we see?

Shouldn't we be kept awake at night with just our minute knowledge of His love for us?

Would we lie in bed with our eyes wide open thinking about the prodigals returning home, the pain leaving and the spirit of the Living God flowing through us as we go through our day?

Would our eyes be searching the ceiling tile as we think back over our day and the opportunities we might have missed to see Him at work?

Would sleep elude us as we pondered just how loved we are?

Sure, we can lose sleep over what we fear and dread, what may or may not occur--but as His dear children, shouldn't our excitement for our Father keep our slumber disrupted, too?

MERE MORTALS
Today's reading: Job 7-8

"What are mere mortals, that you should make so much of us?" Job 7:17 NLT

Lord,

I've been thinking about myself...

How undeserving I am of Your gifts.

Of Your love.

Of the life You have given me.

I'm recalling all the times I fail You, and yet You still are with me.

I let You down but still feel the enormity of Your love.

My weaknesses are evident.

I am incapable of ever even beginning to repay Your kindnesses and grace.

Your blessings, which are many, pour into my life in an unending flow--and I shake my head wondering why in the world You would do so much for me.

A mere mortal.

An imperfect human.

A spoiled brat.

A huge screw-up.

And yet You love me. You bless me. You give me grace. You shower me with mercy. You provide me Your Son. You guide me with Your Spirit. You fill my heart with Your presence. You are preparing an eternal home for me with You.

Me, a mere mortal.

Thank You.

MERCY
Today's reading: Psalm 9-11

"Lord, have mercy on me.." Psalm 9:13 NLT

Growing up, my favorite thing to do in school was vocabulary.

Most every year, teachers would assign us a list of words which we were to look up and write out the definition.

Some years we got to use the gradiose dictionary sitting in a prime area of the classroom. The pages yellowed. The weight enormous. The words vast.

Other times, the dictionaries in the back of what ever book we were using would work just fine.

I'm still like that.

I want to know if what I think the word means and how it is defined are the same. Online dictionaries help, lexicons prove useful, the old Dollar Tree dictionary I keep for purposes just like this.

Like today.

I paused on the word 'mercy'.

Here is what I have found among my references...

mercy-be gracious, show favor, pity, show consideration

Yes, just what I thought. How very nice. But those definitions didn't strike at my heart, so I read on...

mercy-compassion shown to an offender

Oh yes, that's getting a lot more personal. This word truly is speaking to my heart. My long list of offenses quickly crossed my mind, But I continued...

mercy-to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior

That's it! That's why 'mercy' stopped me in my tracks this morning and gave me time to pause and consider how enormous this word truly is. An inferior, that is truly me in regards to my Savior! Knowing what He did knowing who I am--amazing!

I'm not one to change the words of the Bible, but here is my prayer this morning based upon this portion of Scripture...

Lord, continue to have mercy on me.

TAKING POSSESSION
Today's reading: Joshua 16-20

There is no specific verse this morning as I have been pouring over the entire text of Joshua 14-20.

There is a lot that happens in these chapters. A lot that I, or another, might tend to skim over and not take apart.

Here is what I've seen...and remember, I'm no theologian. I'm just a gal who gets up each and every morning to seek out what God would speak to me.

Twelve tribes of Israel took off on this forty year journey of miraculous happenings, unbelievable provision and tests of obedience.

Twelve tribes crossed over the Jordan River in to the land promised to Abraham many years prior.

What I'm noticing this morning, and this may not be news to you, but of the twelve tribes, five tribes were given land conquered, cleaned up and cleared of all bad influences by the fighting men of Israel.

Seven tribes were given parcels of land still containing inhabitants, influences and infectious idolatry, to claim for themselves.

I don't guess I'd ever noticed.

Or didn't care.

Or hadn't been ready to realize what He's showing me before now--which is this.

Some of our battles can be fought with Christian brothers and sisters at our sides. They can link arms with us and go into the heaviest battles. They can feel the pain of the enemy's attacks as surely as we can. They can walk, step for step, every mile of the trudging journey.

And some of our battles, though covered in the prayer of others, must be fought on our own.

Some possessions require sweat equity--our own personal sweat equity.

It's not that godly men and women wouldn't help us in any way they could, it's just that in some instances, no one can take possession of unconquered territory but the one who will inhabit it.

Maybe you are fighting that battle right now. Folks from your church are cheering you on from the sidelines. You're being told they are holding you up in prayer. Their encouragement pours in via mail, text messages, pats on the back and smiles...but they aren't in the battle over this 'section of land' God has promised ONLY to you.

Keep fighting.

Do not give up or give in.

Trust that what He has promised is worth every ounce of yourself you could ever give!

You'll be so glad you did when you are finally able to firmly place your stake in the dirt of this new territory.

TAKE A WALK
Today's reading: Genesis 12-15

"...the Lord said to Abram,..Take a walk in every direction and explore the new possessions I am giving you." Genesis 13:14-17 NLT

I can just imagine Abram taking that walk.

With every step I can see him look up into the sky and ask, 'This is mine, too?'

From atop every hill he would pray, 'This, too, Lord?'

I can see him stop every few miles and question, 'And here?'

In every shadowed valley, beside every stream, with the winds whipping his hair and robe in the high places, where he could see for miles and miles, where he could only see the rock formations before him, he asked--just to make sure.

What would you have done?

How would you have reacted to the gift of this land?

When would it fully sink in, that all you could see was being given to you?

My prayer for myself, and for you--that it will become very real in our hearts today. That we will know victory is ours. That we will believe all things are possible. That we will see all He has already accomplished and signed over to us in deed and trust. That we will accept the blessings laid out before us.

Take a walk.

Look at all He has given you!

WHAT I KNOW
Today's reading: Romans 7-8

"I felt fine when I did not understand what the law demanded. But when I learned the truth, I realized I had broken the law and was a sinner, doomed to die." Romans 7:9 NLT

"For not there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus." Romans 8:1 NLT

I think, for me, one of the greatest explanations of these two verses come from the following snippet I copied from a website...

Conviction is known in the Bible as Godly sorrow. God's Word tells us that Godly sorrow is what leads us to repentance (Romans 2:4). Condemnation tells you, "You are such a failure! Look at what you did!" while conviction tells you, "Come to me... and I will forgive you!"

God placed within me, at salvation, the Holy Spirit which helps me keep track of my heart condition, allowing me to feel conviction when a sin permeates my relationship with God. He desires me to set our relationship to rights.

Satan wants to condemn me, belittle me, help me dig a deeper pit. Satan is content with me having sins separate me from my God.

It is up to me as to which I choose to listen to.

FRUIT
Today's reading: Matthew 5-7

"Yes, the way to identify a tree or a person is by the kind of fruit that is produced." Matthew 7:20 NLT

Living and working in my very small hometown has many advantages.

I know most everyone who comes in the lumberyard.

If I don't, I know their parents, their grandparents or a close relative of theirs.

I know where they live, what they do and usually where they attend church.

I know if their kids go to school with my young man.

There is a disadvantage, too.

I know their history.

I know their parents, their grandparents or close relatives of theirs.

I know what they've done in life.

What we know about people, the truths and the rumors, can warp our consideration of them in a detrimental way.

I'm reminded with this verse that I must identify a person by the fruit they produce--not the fruit produced by their errant cousin or during a time in their life when their choices were not led by the Holy Spirit.

And I sure hope folks will do the same kindness for me!

THERE IS
Today's reading: Isaiah 12-17

"In that wonderful day when the Lord gives his people rest from sorrow and fear, from slavery and chains..." Isaiah 14:3 NLT

The passage refers to a time in Israel's history when its people come back to the Lord, when their enemies are quieted and there is peace in the land.

This same passage made me think of heaven.

And an old, old song...

'There is coming a day,
When no heart aches shall come,
No more clouds in the sky,
No more tears to dim the eye,
All is peace forever more,
On that happy golden shore,
What a day, glorious day that will be.'

A day when bodies don't wear out.

When diseases don't gnaw.

When disorders don't distort.

When hearts are healed.

When pasts no longer keep us chained down.

When emotions are replaced with awe of our Savior.

Hallelujah, there is coming a day!

RIGHTS
Today's reading: Job 5-6

"Don't I have a right to complain? Wild donkeys bray when they find no green grass, and oxen low when they have no food." Job 6:5 NLT

I've found something very interesting this morning.

Very interesting, indeed.

The words, 'Don't I have a right?' caught my eye.

In a land and in a time when entitlements are expected by young and, let's be honest, old, the very thought of what 'we're truly due' intrigues me. It's a topic of conversation often discussed in our teenager-holding home.

So I dug a little into the Word.

I pulled out my King James Bible, just to see what light it might shed on this verse.

Wasn't I surprised?

"Doth the wild ass bray when he hath grass? or loweth the ox over his fodder?" Job 6:5 KJV

The oldest translation we have of the Scripture doesn't mention a thing about our rights!



.

I TRIED
Today's reading: Psalm 6-8

"End the wickedness of the ungodly, but help all those who obey you. For you look deep within the mind and heart, O righteous God." Psalm 7:9 NLT

I don't always say the right thing.

I don't always keep quiet at the appropriate time.

I don't always do what my well-intentioned heart tells me.

I'm not always on time--with what I do and with that I say.

I don't always allot time well.

I don't always keep my true feelings off my face and out of the matter at hand.

I don't always refrain from rolling my eyes or allowing my body language to tell all I'm thinking.

I don't always...but I try.

I try to act upon the godliness God placed in my heart at my salvation.

I attempt to obey His perfect will.

I really and truly want to please Him in all I say and do.

So, I'm glad, deeply and wholly glad, that God looks deep into our hearts and minds to see our best intentions.

Not our mistakes.

Not our screw-ups.

Not our sins of omission.

He looks at His dear child and says, Well, she tried.  

SAND ON A SEASHORE
Today's reading: Joshua 11-15

"All the kings responded by mobilizing their warriors and uniting to fight against Israel. Their combined armies, along with a vast array of horses and chariots, covered the landscape like the sand on the seashore. They established their camp around the water near Merom to fight against Israel. Then the Lord said to Joshua, Do not be afraid of them. By this time tomorrow they will all be dead..." Joshua 11:4-6 NLT

It could have happened that this vast army made a surprise attack.

God could have told Joshua, There is this battle I need you to fight.

God could have kept Joshua from seeing the army covering the landscape.

But He didn't.

He chose to let Joshua see every single soldier, horse and chariot.

Might it have been so that in the end, when the last horse was crippled and the last chariot burned, that Joshua would know without a single doubt, that it was all God?

Sometimes God withholds things from us. He keeps us from seeing the entire picture. He shields our eyes and heart from what He is doing behind the scenes.

And some days? Well, some days, He places the enemy smack dab in front of us to see with our own two eyes. To see how very big he is. To see how it seems he is everywhere. To see how many facets of our lives the enemy invades. To feel his foul warm breath breathing down our necks. To know the huge job ahead.

All so we will know, when the battle is over and we stand victorious once again, that it is ALL Him!

I don't know what He is allowing you to see today on the landscape before you, but it is all in His control. Do not be afraid!

The grand design of God in all the afflictions that befall his people is to bring them nearer and closer to himself. -- Thomas Brooks

LEAVE THE BOAT
Today's reading: Genesis 8-11

"Then God said to Noah, Leave the boat, all of you." Genesis 8:15-16 NLT

The world is a scary place.

Lots of things happen which are out of our control.

Violence.

Disease.

Emotions.

Evil.

I see why God had to tell Noah, his wife, his sons and his sons' wives, to get out of the boat. I can imagine they were perfectly content with staying in their safe and sound vessel. I can guess they were still hearing the sheets of rain hitting the roof of their floating home in their ears. I can easily assume they remembered the ridicule they received from neighbors and friends.

He has to tell me sometimes, too.

It would be easier to stay at church on Sunday rather than face the world.

It would be easier to stay at home some days of the week rather than deal with the public.

It would be easier to stay in bed some mornings rather than deal with myself.

But we need to leave the boat in order to populate a world with Christians.

The ark is not our mission field--the world is!

UTTERLY HELPLESS
Today's reading: Romans 5-6

"When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners." Romans 5:6 NLT

You and I were never so helpless as we were before inviting Christ into our hearts.

We were never so desperate as that moment before we accepted His forgiveness and grace.

We were never so low as we knelt that day, where ever it may have been for you, to receive His gift of salvation.

Have there been times since each of our conversion experiences that we have felt as though the bottom has dropped out of our worlds and nothing or no one could ever fix all that's going wrong--sure, there have...

But at our very lowest, the lowest we could ever be in our lives, He came.

He came to us!

GOD'S WAYS
Today's reading: Matthew 3-4

"Then Jesus was led out into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit to be tempted there by the devil." Matthew 4:1 NLT

In regards to this verse and so many things that happen around us, one can quickly shout out, How could a loving God do such a thing?

How could He put Jesus into such a spot?

How could He allow small children to be sick?

How could He allow so much suffering to happen to one godly family?

How? How? How?

I don't have the answers.

I do know He is a great and loving God Who sees things we do not, Who knows us in ways we do not know ourselves, Who looks deeper into the future than we ever could, Who know our strengths better than we do.

I like best how my Bible notes stated it...

'A person who has not shown true obedience if he or she has never had an opportunity to disobey...Remember your convictions are only strong if they hold up under pressure!'

God could have us living in a thorn-less rose garden. He could having us walking on an earth that never had cloudy days. He could have made us robots who never experience emotion, pain or love. He could have us living life alone, never bumping into another. But oh, what a lifeless life that would be.

I guess it's best summed up this way, God knows best!

SEEING THE LIGHT
Today's reading: Isaiah 7-11

"The people who walk in darkness will see a great light--a light that will shine on all who live in the land where death casts its shadow." Isaiah 9:2 NLT

This promise was given during a very dark time in Christian history.

A time when God's people were targets.

A time when the Temple was ridiculed.

A time when hope was seemingly snuffed out by the enemy.

It was during this very dark time a promise was given--a promise of Light.

Light came in the form of a Baby in a manger.

A Galilean Who could heal.

A Friend of fishermen Who could calm the winds and waves.

A Jewish man Who spoke the words of God without a doubt in His heart.

A perfect Lamb among those needing a sacrifice.

The Light came and died for us on a cross. This Light rose again to save and empower us. This Light filled us with Himself as He cleansed us from our sins.

Now it is up to us to shine forth that Light.

'This little light of mine--I'm gonna let it shine!'

POOR JOB
Today's reading: Job 3-4

"I cannot eat for sighing; my groans pour out like water." Job 3:24 NLT

Poor Job.

His children have died.

His servants have been killed.

His business ventures have stolen by his enemies or have gone up in smoke.

He sits for seven days among friends in his sackcloth and ashes, racked with sobs, attempting to figure out why all of this has happened.

He doesn't know what to say. He cannot form words at this point. His mind is torn between all that he feels and the simple truths that he knows.

Maybe you've been at that point.

Nothing you could say, if you could say anything, would fix it, help it or correct it.

Satan would like us to believe it is at this point we are hopeless.

Satan lies!

God hears us.

He especially hears when the words won't flow, the prayers won't come out and the hurt is immense.

God hears us.

He hears when the sobs are from your gut, when the utterances are between screams and the prayers stop at, 'God...'.

God hears us.

As surely as God heard Job, God hears us.

Keep sobbing. Keep groaning. Keep crying. Keep falling to your knees. Keep calling out His name.

BEING BULLIED
Today's reading: Psalm 3-5

"Lead me in the right path, O Lord, or my enemies will conquer me. Tell me clearly what to do, and show me which way to turn." Psalm 5:8 NLT

We've all seen the depictions of the neighborhood bully hanging out in the alley waiting to collect the day's milk money.

He uses force.

He uses fear.

He uses threats.

He uses his size.

He uses his reputation.

He uses intimidation.

As grown-ups we now know the bully has matured and milk money is but mere pocket change to him.

The bully shows up in our workplace in the embodiment of an overbearing boss, a condescending co-worker or an executive from higher-up whom you've never met but signs your paycheck.

The bully might also be an old habit that continues to show up during your weakest times. Or when you've experienced a mountaintop experience.

Or a disorder you're fighting with all that's in you, but it's still too big for you pin down and be declared the winner.

As adults being hounded by bullies, I am so glad we can turn to God each and every time our bully shows up in the alley of our lives!

God can re-direct us to take another route home. He can give us words that douse fires our bully wants to set. He can also give us strength to stand up to our bully, in love, with courage, with Him backing us all the way.

God takes care of our bullies--if we just let Him.

An honest man with an open Bible and a pad and pencil is sure to find out what is wrong with him very quickly.     - A. W. Tozer

I HAVE GIVEN YOU
Today's reading: Joshua 6-10

"Now the gates of Jericho were tightly shut because the people were afraid of the Israelites. No one was allowed to go in or out. But the Lord said to Joshua, I have given you Jericho, its king and all its mighty warriors." Joshua 6:1-2 NLT

I don't often challenge you this early in the morning, but today I feel I must.

Just to drive home the message. Just to make sure you see what I'm seeing. Just to solidify what God is speaking to me.

Go ahead and get your Bible.

Dust it off if you must. Run out to the car and get it from the back seat if you have to. Locate it under all the stuff you dumped at the front door as you came home from church Sunday. Carefully turn the pages of your well-worn weapon of faith.

Reading it off your smart phone won't do this morning...I want you holding God's Word in your own two hands. I want you to experience turning the pages, Feel the weight of the Book. I want you to physically see from where these words come.

Okay, got it?

Let's continue.

You will find today's verse located safely and snugly in the first part of chapter six.

You will see, according to the print in front of you, that there is a promise spoken by God to the Israelites about Jericho.

What I want you to see right now, with your own two eyes, while holding this precious treasure in your hands is when God spoke these words to His children...

It wasn't after Jericho's defeat.

It wasn't after the twenty-five verses of Joshua 6 that document the specific instructions followed prior to the walls tumbling down.

It wasn't after the twenty feet tall, twenty-five feet thick walls were laying on the ground in piles of gravel.

It wasn't after the treks around the great city.

It wasn't even as a reminder of great things done.

If, while holding your Bible you'll notice, it was spoken before the first march began, before the first horn was blown, before the first shout was bellowed, before a single rock in that wall began to quake.

Before.

That's powerful, dear friends!

God was speaking to the Israelites about what He was going to do through them. Before the first obedient task was undertaken.

Does it or does it not, and you may want to put your Bible down and lift up your hands in praise at this point, give you an excitement that is unsurpassed about what all He has promised you?

Before you taste the first bite of victory. Before you experience the first steps of freedom. Before you see your enemy crumbled at your feet. Before you feel victorious...

EXACTLY
Today's reading: Genesis 4-7

"So Noah did everything exactly as God had commanded him." Genesis 6:22 NLT

"So Noah did everything exactly as the Lord had commanded him." Genesis 7:5 NLT

When it's in there twice I have to realize it may be intended for me to notice, wouldn't you think?

Noah did exactly as the Lord had commanded him.

No tweaks to God's plan.

No 'Noah-spins' on any of the instructions.

No short-cuts.

No elaborate additions to the ark blueprints.

No taking license with what God 'intended'.

No refusing any part of it because it was too hard, too messy or too embarrassing.

No postponing it until the neighbors, the mocking neighbors, went to bed.

No fiddling with the number of animals required, surely He only intended one elephant--two is t0o many, right.

No disregarding God's instructions when it came to allowing the snakes on the ark.

Oh...I'm sorry, I read myself a little too much into the passage.

I see why God chose to place both the verses in my path this morning. He all too well knows my tendencies.

I need to follow His commands to the letter--you, too?

TRUST HIM
Today's reading: Romans 3-4

"True, some of them were unfaithful; but just because they broke their promises, does that mean God will break his promises? Of course not!.." Romans 3:3-4 NLT

The people around us form the ideas we tend to have about God.

For those of us blessed with amazing, godly people in our lives--our view of God is that of mighty, loving and kind.

For those whose lives have been littered with hurtful, caustic, unloving people--that view is tainted, twisted and warped.

But there is this verse and the immense hope within its words!

God is not the people around us, even the greatest ones.

He will not let us down.

He will not break His promises.

He will not ever leave us.

TROUBLED
Today's reading: Matthew 1-2

"Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We have seen his star as it arose, and we have come to worship him. Herod was deeply disturbed by their question, as was all of Jerusalem." Matthew 2:2-3 NLT

My New Living Translation Bible says Herod was 'disturbed' by the question the Wise Men asked of him. When I look in the King James Bible, it says the king was 'troubled'.

Both are appropriate words.

Both are the responses we get when we ask where Jesus is among us.

The definition of the Greek word used to describe 'troubled' includes these words: to cause inward commotion, to take away calmness, to stir up, to strike one's spirit with fear and dread, to render anxiousness, to perplex the mind of one by suggesting scruples or doubts.

Am I right?

You ask someone where Jesus is in their life, and look for the reaction.

You ask a Christian leader where Jesus is in their ministry, and see the look on their face.

You ask a fellow believer where Jesus in in the day-in-day-out of their walks, and wait for the answer.

It usually troubles or disturbs us all.

To come face to face with the realization that He clearly isn't evident and someone has to ask about Him? Ouch!

STOPPED IN MY TRACKS
Today's reading: Isaiah 1-6

"You furnish lovely music and wine at your grand parties; the harps, lyres, tambourines and flutes are superb! But you never think about the Lord or notice what he is doing." Isaiah 5:12 NLT

Guilty as charged, Lord.

Thank you for pointing out another area where Your mighty work is required to make me into who You have created me to be--and to shine with Your image, not one I've created for myself.

You know me so well.

I rush into things. I attempt to do my best. I plan, re-plan and plan some more. I organize to the millisecond. I...

I...

I...

I... am the problem.

I don't pause long enough to think about what You want, where You are at work, what will bring the most glory and honor to You.

I am sorry.

I am embarrassed.

I am so amazed that You love me enough to bring this to my attention--and offer to work on my heart.

I want to throw the 'parties' in Your honor, not in my own.

I want to see where You are doing mighty things and join You.

I want to serve as You allowed Your Son to serve--even in the shadows where it's not seen.

I want to seek You out in all that I do!

MORNING SACRIFICES
Today's reading: Job 1-2

"When these celebrations ended--and sometimes they lasted several days--Job would purify his children. He would get up early in the morning and offer a burnt sacrifice for each of them. For Job said to himself, Perhaps my children have sinned and have cursed God in their hearts. This was Job's regular practice." Job 1:5 NLT

What a privilege to realize some of the folks I pray for each morning would have no one else praying for them if I weren't up bright and early and spending time in my prayer chair.

And I'm not saying that to boast--not at all!

I'm saying that because the realization of the 'sacrifice' of any time spent in God's presence has hit me full-force this morning.

When I give up the comforts of the warm, cozy bed in an effort to spend time with my Creator...

When I choose to leave the TV off and the Facebook un-scanned while I dig into Scripture...

When I select an appointed time each and every day, before the hub-bub of the day begins, to call on my Savior...

When I put aside the day's list of distractions and to-do's in an effort to center my focus on the importance of relationship with my Friend...

When I move my morning with my Lord earlier and earlier into the day in an effort to make sure I'm starting off on the right foot, in the right frame of mind, with the right tools in my arsenal, with the right 'food' in my belly...

When I choose the discipline of obedience over the self-centered ways that come so very naturally to me...

God accepts my sacrifices.

God accepts my sacrifices!

ONLY ASK
Today's reading: Psalm 1-2

"Only ask, and I will give you the nations as your inheritance, the ends of the earth as your possession." Psalm 2:8 NLT

I can strain muscles working hard to accomplish what I want done.

I can work relentlessly, wearing out myself and all those around me.

I can put in long hours.

I can choose to never sit down.

I can schedule everything down to the minute and plan all my days.

Or I can do what God has instructed me to do...only ask.

Only ask.

Seems like the lazy way out, until I consider the amount of faith it takes for me to ask, to expect, to anticipate and to believe He will. There is where He desires I put in my effort.

Only ask.

THEY CAN TELL
Today's reading: Joshua 1-5

"Before the spies went to sleep that night, Rahab went up on the roof to talk with them...For the Lord your God is the supreme God of the heavens above and the earth below." Joshua 2:8-11 NLT

Rahab had heard about these God-people.

She'd heard the accounts of provision, guidance and victory.

She and the ungodly townspeople of mighty Jericho were shaking in their boots knowing these children of Yahweh were so close to their fortress.

Encroaching upon their comfortable lifestyles.

Having more than they had ever dreamed of having.

So I ask myself, and I'm asking you, too...

What are the folks around you saying in regards to your God and your walk with Him?

Are they believing God is mighty because of all they've heard you say about Him?

Are they beginning to be convinced of His greatness because of all they have seen you allow Him to do in your life?

Have they watched Him break some of your addictions?

Have they been perched on the sidelines as He gave you grace enough to pray instead or retaliate?

Have they seen Him make a change in your attitude?

Have they watched as you have refused, with His help, now to be drawn into ungodliness?

Have they witnessed you turning the other cheek in godly love?

Have they heard a new vocabulary come from your mouth--one of praise, versus condemnation?

As God's forgiven children, we are the new folks on the block--and we're bringing Him into the community He has us serving in.

What are our lives saying about Him?

  

MADE AWARE
Today's reading: Genesis 1-3

"Now, although Adam and his wife were both naked, neither of them felt any shame." Genesis 2:25 NLT

Adam and not-yet-named Eve felt no shame for what they had not been given, introduced to or provided by God.

Here is what they says to me...

I have no reason to feel embarrassed by what I cannot do, compared to another.

I have no reason to doubt my abilities because they do not measure up to another's.

I have no reason to feel inferior to another simply because my gifts are not the same gifts as theirs.

I have no reason to grade my blessings according to a standard our world has set.

Satan truly loves to plant seeds of discontent, doubt, fear and false-shame in to my head and heart.

I need to be very careful with each thought to determine from where it comes.

LISTENING
Today's reading: Romans 1-2

"Don't you realize how kind, tolerant and patient God is with you? Or don't you care? Can't you see how kind he has been in giving you time to turn from your sin? But no, you won't listen. So you are storing up terrible punishment for yourself because of your stubbornness in refusing to turn from your sin..." Romans 2:4-5 NLT

I asked God for a special message this morning.

One straight from Him.

One just for me.

One to grab hold of, cling to and live out for this new year.

I wanted something to spur me on, re-direct where I needed re-directing and let me know He hears my prayers.

He has come through!

Would I have liked something a little less convicting--yes and no. I'm assuming I needed just what He has shown me in His Word.

Would I have liked something a little less heavy--yes and no. I'm going to guess, because He knows the deep parts of my heart, there are some areas He and I need to work on in this coming year.

Would I have liked something a little less personal and more geared to an 'audience' rather than to my own issues--yes and no. I'm thinking He has done both, hasn't He?

When I was young, I was sure of many things. Now there are only two things of which I am sure: one is, that I am a miserable sinner; and the other, that Christ is an all-sufficient Savior. He is well-taught, who learns these two lessons.        John Newton