HE IS WITH YOU
Today's reading: Jeremiah 22-26

"Am I a God who is only in one place? asks the Lord. Do they think I cannot see what they are doing? Can anyone hide from me? Am I not everywhere in all the heavens and the earth? asks the Lord." Jeremiah 23:23-24 NLT

I have to remind myself...

He is not tied up with the child suffering from leukemia.

He is not busy dealing with the drug addict slipping into a coma.

He is not distracted by refugees searching for a new home.

His attention is not garnered only to the theologians and pastors.

His thoughts are not only on those who 'have it all together'.

He is not restrained by any of the character qualities or flaws we are.

He is with us at all times, in all places, in all ways and in greater depth than we could ever fathom.

He is as concerned for you as He is for anyone else.

He sees your needs and knows how He can supply them!

LISTENING
Today's reading: Job 33-34

"But God speaks again and again, though people do not recognize it." Job 33:14 NLT

Lord, I want to hear You.

All day.

In all things.

I don't want so many things going on around me that Your voice is drowned out.

I don't want to be so blatantly sinful that I disregard what You say.

I don't want to dismiss the smallest of Your whispers.

I want to hear when You say, Go this way.

I want my ears bent to You saying, Not now, wait.

I want to be fully attentive when You simply say, I love you.

I know You speak...it's just that I so desperately need ears that listen.

A WALKING TOUR
Today's reading: Psalm 48-50

"Go, inspect the city of Jerusalem. Walk around and count the many towers. Take note of the fortified walls, and tour all the citadels, that you may describe them to future generations. For that is what God is like. He is our God forever and ever, and he will be our guide until we die." Psalm 48:12-14 NLT

I've been to inspect the city of Jerusalem.

(That still sounds far-fetched for a gal like me to get to say! Even this year later, I could pinch myself for having had the opportunity!)

It spreads out for what seems like miles and miles.

The towering walls. The winding streets. The narrow passages. The beautiful churches. The golden-topped dome. The gardens. The hills. The valleys. The older section and the newer thriving city. The stone walkways. The art-deco city bridge that looks like a stringed harp.

We were led through streets on foot. We traveled through parts of the city on a bus. We looked out our hotel window. We viewed from a scenic overlook.

There was so much of it to see.

I needed a guide--or I'd have gotten lost.

It went on and on, and being from a small, quaint rural town, it was overwhelming.

I believe that's what God wanted to remind me of this morning--that He is overwhelming.

There is more to Him than I will ever experience and what I do know of Him, stretches my heart and mind.

PUTTING DOWN OUR SWORDS
Today's reading: 2 Samuel 1-4

"Abner shouted down to Joab, Must we always solve our differences with swords? Don't you realize the only thing we will gain is bitterness toward each other? When will you call off your men from chasing their Israelite brothers?" 2 Samuel 2:26 NLT

There is right and wrong.

There are stands that must be taken.

There are times when we must do/say what we must do/say regardless of how it might be accepted.

But it's not all the time and it's not every day.

No, I'm not saying we need to back down from our morals. That's not it at all!

What I get from reading this passage today is that sometimes we need to allow God to step in and do the work.

No words. No swords. No hard feelings. No bitterness. No winners. No losers. No wrong attitudes. No muscles flexed. No angry stares. No sides.

Prayer.

Simply, prayer.

A clean-cut, few words, prayer...

Lord, help me to be righteous, not just right. Amen

IN PREPARATION FOR A MIRACLE
Today's reading: Exodus 13-16

"The Lord continued to strengthen Pharoah's resolve, and he chased after the people of Israel who had escaped so defiantly." Exodus 14:8 NLT

What?

God pushed Pharoah to go against the Israelites? He nudged him? He encouraged him? He gave him the idea, the power and the determination?

The enemy?

That's hard to swallow. Even with a spoonful of sugar, that's a tough bit of medicine to take. That's not even something I want to think about.

The enemy?

But when we read just a verse or two farther, we find it happened for a reason.

A reason known to God. A part of His plan. In preparation for a miracle.

The Red Sea would have never needed to be parted if not for God stirring up Pharoah's heart.

The two million children of God would never have walked on the dry land of a sea-bed.

The Bible would have been blank a page or two of history and workings of God.

So, here's my take on it...

When I see my enemy rising up, gaining strength, pushing me to the limits of my faith--I better be watching for the miracle to come!

God is for me. God is with me. God is beside me. God is in me...that is miracle potential!

YOU CAN BE SURE
Today's reading: 2 Corinthians 1-3

"You can be sure that the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ." 2 Corinthians 1:5 NLT

Few of us face actual religious persecution.

Maybe we've been laughed at because of our beliefs. Maybe we have been the focus of a joke or two. Maybe we've been left out of many office parties. Maybe our extended, or close, family members ridicule us for our commitment to God.

But no guns have been pointed to our heads.

No family members of ours have been killed because of our belief in God.

We've not had our homes burned to the ground.

We're not having to meet at night in someone's basement with a page of the Bible.

And yet we do suffer for Christ...in our own ways.

Our hearts break for someone to know the Lord personally. Our deepest desire and drive is that His church grow.

You can be sure that He will comfort you.

MIRACLES UNNOTICED
Today's reading: Mark 11-12

"Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their garments over it, and he sat on it." Mark 11:7 NLT

Even the un-churched can probably names a few of the miracles Jesus performed...

Walking on water.
Feeding 5000.
Making the lame to walk.
Allowing the blind to see,
Raising Lazarus from the dead.

Most miracles don't go unnoticed. Some do.

In our daily lives, miracles upon miracles occur.

What made me think of that? This passage.

Do you realize the miracle that took place as they helped Jesus up on that young donkey?

If you've ever watched a Western movie, you do. If you've ever had much to do with animals, especially horses, you do. If you've ever worked with young (children), you do.

The gentle ride on the donkey was a miracle that usually goes unnoticed in this passage.

The donkey should have attempted to buck Jesus off. He could have attempted to balk at the attempt of being led down a crowded, noisy street. He might have just laid down on the street refusing to go anywhere with these strangers, or away from its mother.

But a tiny miracle occurred. One that led to a day in the life of Christ we have all come to know, value and refer to.

What miracles might go unnoticed in your day?

CHECK YOUR SHOES
Today's reading: Jeremiah 17-21

"These can be counted on but not my people! For they have deserted me and turned to worthless idols. They have stumbled off the ancient highways of good, and they walk the muddy paths of sin." Jeremiah 18:15 NLT

Have you checked your shoes lately?

They tell a tale of where you've been walking.

MY MOUTH
Today's reading: Job 31-32

"No, I will say my piece. I will speak my mind. I surely will. For I am pent up and full of words, and the spirit within me urges me on. I am like a wine cask without a vent. My words are ready to burst out!" Job 32:17-19 NLT

My mouth can get me in to a lot of trouble.

I have lots to say. Some of it important and relevant, some of it edifying and encouraging, some of it opinion and unnecessary.

I get what Elihu meant by being about to burst with what he felt he needed to say. I've felt that feeling.

I also know all these years later, with as many copies of the Bible have been published, that maybe like me, Elihu wish he hadn't said what he did.

To have what you say written on the annals of history?

To know for generations and generations what you have said will be known?

To think past the moment and the need to speak?

It's a lesson for me this morning...maybe for you, too?

WE WILL NOT FEAR
Today's reading: Psalm 45-47

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will we not fear, though the earth do change, and though the mountains be moved into the heart of the seas;" Psalm 46:1-2 Hebrew-English Bible

'Though the earth do change'

Nothing is as it used to be.

But we need not fear.

God is.

WHAT WE CANNOT SEE
Today's reading: 1 Samuel 26-31

"When Saul saw the vast Philistine army, he became frantic with fear." 1 Samuel 28:5 NLT

Your enemy may stand nose-to-nose with you today.

Your greatest fear may come to life right before your eyes.

You may be handed a lab result that scares the life out of you.

You may watch metal crumple and glass break and life taken.

What we see, like what Saul saw, may make us frantic with fear...but we have hope.

We know, as Christians, it's what we don't see that strengthens us!

God is not always visible, but is always with us. His hands are constantly moving behind the scenes, even when we don't see Him at work.

Faith is the part of our soul that keeps us going when fear attempts to overwhelm.

Depend upon it, it's what we cannot see but it's what we depend upon to keep going.

PURPOSE
Today's reading: Exodus 9-12

"But I have let you live for this reason--that you might see my power and that my fame might spread throughout the land." Exodus 9:16 NLT

Maybe you're having a tough time dragging your tail-end out of bed this Monday-morning after Easter.

You might not be wanting to go to work.

You might not have the desire to shower, dress and go out in to the world.

You might not even want to pick up your Bible for your own quiet time.

I get that.

But this verse reminds me that I drew breath, opened my eyes and heard the morning birds for a reason, two reasons really...

First reason--that I might see God's power! That's exciting. To know that just by getting up and watching the happenings of the day, I will see Him at work. That's worth getting up, don't you agree?

Second reason--that because of my life, my choices, my just getting out and about, God will be glorified! That's quite a reason to get up and going. To advertise for Him. To represent Him in this world. To allow His name to be raised up, glorified and worshiped. How is that for having a purpose?

So get up, friends. Go forth in to your day singing His praises and knowing your purpose far exceeds anything you may have originally thought!

IF NOT
Today's reading: 1 Corinthians 15-16

"And if Christ has not been raised, then your faith is useless, and you are still under condemnation for your sins." 1 Corinthians 15:17 NLT

If Christ has not...

If the Resurrection wasn't true...

If the Tomb could have held Him...

If Death had won...

If Easter Sunday didn't bring us the hope of salvation...

Then, all would be useless--but it's not!!

NO LONGER
Today's reading: Jeremiah 12-16

"So the Lord replies to his people, You love to wander far from me and do not follow in my paths. Now I will no longer accept you as my people. I will remember all your wickedness and will punish you for your sins." Jeremiah 14:10 NLT

But God is love, you offer as a rebuttal.

He would never turn His back on us completely.

It's His 'job' to love us as we are and always take us back.

Really?

What if today we took a step too far in the direction of our idols?

What if the path we chose completely sidetracked us?

What if our decisions today are so monumental that generations are touched by them?

What if the spiritual adultery we participate in today is the first 'taste' of an addiction?

Wander if you want to. Refuse to follow His lead. Do all the wickedness you can...but it will be at your own risk.

JUST A SMILE
Today's reading: Job 29-30

"When they were discouraged, I smiled at them. My look of approval was precious to them." Job 29:24 NLT

You'll go about your day attending meetings, waiting on customers, standing in lines, carrying on conversations.

You'll notice a few of 'them'.

They'll probably be behind the scenes, servile in nature, quieter and quite possibly unnoticed.

They are the ones needing a smile.

Not necessarily a Bible verse.

Or a sermon.

Or a condescending look.

Or a scolding.

Or a moral assessment of their circumstances.

Or a quick determination of their past/present/future based upon what they're wearing or doing.

Or a quick once over with your rolled eyes.

They need a smile--a from the heart, because you know they, like you, are created in the image of your God, smile.

It will remind them that they are worth the effort. That they are better than what the enemy is trying to tell them they are. That they are someone.

Just a smile.

A simple smile.

PURSUED & PURSUING
Today's reading: Psalm 42-44

"As the deer pants for streams of water, so I long for you, O God. I thirst for God, the living God. When can I come and stand before him?" Psalm 42:1-2 NLT

I can see the mighty stag barreling through the woods. I can see it leap over the fallen logs. I can imagine it rushing headlong into the brambles.

Pursued by a hunter. Running for its life. Escaping death with every pant of its lungs.

I can also see a small deer pressing further and further away from its homeland. Reaching out on its own. Seeking a drink of water. Fresh water. Cool water. On a long, hot summer day.

Pursuing what's most desperately needed. Parched. Dry. Thirsty. Seeking.

David knew well the feeling of both deer. As do I.

I have been chased by my enemy. Dogged. Followed. Seemingly trapped.

I have also sought after God and His presence with the same energy and desire. Needing Him.

And in both instances, He has found me. He has filled me. He has nourished and comforted and cared for me.

SEEK THEM OUT
Today's reading: 1 Samuel 21-25

"Jonathan went to find David and encouraged him to stay strong in his faith in God." 1 Samuel 23:16 NLT

It wasn't as simple as a text message or a phone call.

It wasn't a matter of walking next door or a quick drive across town.

Finding David wasn't an easy thing to do. David was a skilled in not being found unless he wanted to be.

It took effort on Jonathan's part...

It took effort to find David in the wilderness.

It took effort to go the extra mile.

It took effort to go against what Jonathan knew would make his father Saul irate.

It took effort to work up the courage to go out and encourage one of God's chosen men.

It took effort to give up his own needs of the day to uplift another.

And I think I can't do the same for another Christian brother or sister?

I don't make the effort to shoot of a text, place a phone call, ring them up on the phone, walk across the church, drop a letter in the mail?

How much effort are we, yes, I'll lump you in here with me this morning, making to encourage others in their walks of faith?

DISCOURAGED
Today's reading: Exodus 5-8

"So Moses told the people what the Lord had said, but they wouldn't listen anymore. They had become to discouraged by the increasing burden of their slavery." Exodus 6:9 NLT

A burden so heavy you cannot imagine living life with out it.

An addiction so tightly constricting your life you cannot imagine a day with out it.

A past so vividly colored you cannot imagine a future not ruined by it.

A slavery to bound with chains you cannot even remember the taste of freedom.

A hope so distant that you cannot feel the flicker of it in your heart any longer.

We've all been there. We've all faced seemingly insurmountable mountains, changes needing made that seem impossible and struggles that never seem to end.

But discouragement is the tool of our enemy, not the helping hand of our Lord.

Never stop looking for the ray of hope!

Never give in the lie that your current condition is what you deserve!

Never stop listening when God's people shower you with encouraging words!

SEEING CLEARLY
Today's reading: 1 Corinthians 13-14

"Now we see things imperfectly, as in a poor mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God knows me now." 1 Corinthians 13:12 NLT

Lord,

I don't understand a lot of the things You have allowed into my life.

Some things leaving me scratching my head.

Some circumstances leave me wondering, and I'm ashamed to say this, how much I am loved by You.

There are times I cannot see how in the world, or in the heavens above, You can fix the situation I have walked into.

But this verse tells me there will be a time I see things as You see them. I will understand them from Your perspective. I will see beginning to end. I will have that Ah-ha moment.

Or I will forget them all when I am standing face to face with You!

FIXING MY THOUGHTS
Today's reading: Mark 7-8

"And then he added, It is the thought-life that defiles you." Mark 7:20 NLT

I can wear the Christian t-shirt, but if my mind isn't focused on God, it's no use.

I can sign up for every church committee, but if my mind isn't focused on God, it's no use.

I can carry my Bible everywhere I go, but if my mind isn't focused on God, it's no use.

I can attend every church service, but if my mind isn't focused on God, it's no use.

I can quote a lot of Scripture, but if my mind isn't focused on God, it's no use.

My thought-life will lead me towards godliness or towards wordliness.

OUR ENEMY'S PLOT
Today's reading: Jeremiah 7-11

"Then the Lord told me about the plots my enemies were making against me." Jeremiah 11:18 NLT

Plot, a verb means, secretly planning to do something usually illegal or harmful.

Our enemy, satan, is plotting against us--at all times, in many ways and in subtle and not so subtle circumstances.

How much clearer does God need to make it for us to understand than in John 10:10...

"A thief comes to kill, steal and destroy..."

Or in 1 Peter 5:8...

"...The devil is your enemy, and he goes around like a roaring lion looking for someone to attack and eat..."

Do not think for a moment that anything leading you away from God is good for you, the best for you or anything that will bring you success!

God has told us all about our enemy and the plot he has against us...what will we do with that information?

HE IS IN CONTROL
Today's reading: Job 27-28

"He made the winds blow and determined how much rain should fall. He made the laws of the rain and prepared a path for the lightning." Job 28:25-26 NLT

When satan causes me to doubt that God cares...

When circumstances overwhelm me.

When how I feel overrides what I know to be true...

When doubts invade my mind...

When no one with arms can comfort me...

When life seems topsy-turvy, upside-down and spinning recklessly...

God is still in control!

My God, the One who allows the wind to blow slightly or mightily. My God, the One who knows just how many drops of rain are needed for the dandelion, the field of wheat or the ocean. My God, the One who directs each and every bolt of lightning...He is in control!

I SAID TO MYSELF
Today's reading: Psalm 39-41

"I said to myself, I will watch what I do and not sin in what I say. I will curb my tongue when the ungodly are around me." Psalm 39:1 NLT

How many times have you said to yourself...

-Today's going to be different...

-I'm not going to...

-This day won't end without me having done...

-My mouth is not going to embarrass me today...

-My opinions and running commentary are going to remain in my head...

Okay, maybe it's just me.

I talk to myself.

A lot.

But I also talk to God. About those same things. And more.

And I believe, as surely as I hear myself, He hears me.

And He can tell my heart's desires, my soul's true intent, my desperate need for Him to step in and do a mighty work in me.

Thanks be to God, I am not walking this path of grace alone!

AND WHEN THEY SAY...
Today's reading: 1 Samuel 16-20

"Don't worry about a thing, David told Saul, I'll go fight this Philistine! Don't be ridiculous! Saul replied, There is no way you can go against this Philistine. You are only a boy, and he has been in the army since he was a boy!" 1 Samuel 17:32-33 NLT

Saul didn't know God was leading David.

Saul didn't know God was doing the fighting.

Saul didn't know Goliath could be felled by one small stone.

Saul didn't know the outcome of verse forty-nine.

Those who are discouraging you don't know a lot either.

They don't know how deeply and passionately God has placed that desire/dream in your heart.

They don't know you will succeed with His strength, not your own.

They don't know that this mission has been specifically set aside for you, by God.

They don't know the 'rest of the story', as Paul Harvey used to say.

They don't know a lot...your God, however, knows it all!

CATCHING OUR ATTENTION
Today's reading: Exodus 1-4

"When the Lord saw that he had caught Moses' attention, God called to him from the bush, Moses! Moses!" Exodus 3:4 NLT

In comparison to what surrounds us today, Moses had little in that desert near Sinai to distract him.

No television. No cell phones. No world wide web. No one. No traffic. No Sirius XM radio.

One would think it would have been quite easy for God to get his attention, but still yet, it took a burning/not burning bush.

But when he did catch Moses' attention, He spoke to him.

What would it take for God to really and truly have our attention? To be our main focus? To have our eyes, ears and hearts tuned 100 percent to Him?

Does it scare you to think of what it might be? Does it grab at your heart to think who He might use?

YOUR REASON
Today's reading: 1 Corinthians 11-12

"It's not the Lord's Supper you are concerned about when you come together." 1 Corinthians 11:20 NLT

What is your reason for getting up this sunshine-y morning, showering, putting on your best and driving to the Lord's house?

If it's not to worship and adore Him, you might as well stay home.

If it's not to gather with like-minded believers, just leave your pj's on and hang out in front of the TV.

If it's not to hear God's Word proclaimed, don't go to the effort.

If it's not to follow our Savior's example of assembling ourselves in an effort to be unified and in one accord, just go to a ballgame.

If it's not to promote a Bible preaching church with the expectation that lives will be saved because the Gospel is proclaimed, just go to Wal-Mart.

Paul spoke to the Corinthians about having the wrong reasons in their hearts about their worship services. Their reasons had become less than worshipful. Some of them had begun gathering for social reasons, not spiritual ones.

I think we need to re-think our reasons, too. Look deep as to why you are preparing for the Lord's Day--is it honoring Him?

STAY OR GO
Today's reading: Mark 5-6

"Those who had seen what had happened to the man and to the pigs told everyone about it, and the crowd began pleading with Jesus to go away and leave them alone." Mark 5:16-17 NLT

Jesus' work to free the man from his demons was not accepted well.

Sure the townspeople were amazed and astonished, but fear overwhelmed them and they pushed Jesus away.

We think, How could they do it? Why would they ever react in such a way? Don't they know?

And yet, we react in the same way...

When God speaks to our hearts about change, we balk.

When He convicts our hearts about a sin, we ignore it.

When our Savior pleads with us to come to Him, we put Him off--until a more convenient time.

When God Himself asks us to do something for Him, we find excuses, reasons, we list our inabilities.

We push Him away, too.

Sadly, we do.