SABBATH
Today's reading: Leviticus 22-24

"You may work for six days each week, but on the seventh day all work must come to a complete stop. It is the Lord's Sabbath day of complete rest, a holy day to assemble for worship. It must be observed wherever you live." Leviticus 23:3 NLT

I think I've figured out why so few of us enjoy Mondays...

Why they are feared like the plague...

Why they are approached with fear and trembling...

Why they are the butt of so many jokes, memes and crazy-haired animal posters...

I think it's because we're not spending Sunday in the way in which it was intended.

Now, I'm not going to argue the Sabbath, Saturday or Sunday, issue with you. Let's suffice it to say, God gave us six days to work--and a day to rest.

Did you rest yesterday?

Or was it another day, with worship thrown in?

Are Sundays different in your house than other days?

They should be.

Oh, He gave those laws to people in a different world, in a different time...oh, really?

Think He didn't know we'd use that excuse? Think the people at that day and time worked less than we do? Think that may be why He put in the verse, 'wherever you live'?

I think it's for us. Then and now.

Go ahead, make plans, prepare for this next Lord's Day to be what He intended it to be. Then see if Monday doesn't go a little better for you!

MORE AND MORE
Today's reading: 1 Thessalonians 4-5

"Finally, dear brothers and sisters, we urge you in the name of the Lord Jesus to live in a way that pleases God, as we have taught you. You are doing this already, and we encourage you to do so more and more." 1 Thessalonians 4:1 NLT

I just had to stop there.

My eyes and heart were drawn to the simple phrase, more and more.

In our walks with God, we cannot think we have hit the ceiling, plateaued or topped out.

There is no settling into your Christianity--it's constant growth, constant improvement, constant striving to live in a way that honors God's sacrifice for you.

So this morning, dear brothers and sisters, go out and do what's right, live for Jesus, witness, love, extend mercy, shower grace, live in freedom like you did yesterday, but today do it more and more!

TO BE LIKE JESUS
Today's reading: Luke 23-24

"Then Jesus shouted, Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands! And with those last words he breathed his last." Luke 23:46 NLT

Oh, to be like Jesus.

That in the midst of pain, I could shout out my trust in God.

That with all my energy spent, I could use my last ounce to proclaim Him.

That while in deepest grief, I could state aloud that I trust in God's plan for me.

That while feeling all alone, I could but speak knowing I am heard.

That with my dying breath, I could call out to the only One who holds me.

Oh, to be like Jesus.

NO ONE LEFT BEHIND
Today's reading: Ezekiel 37-42

"Then my people will know that I am the Lord their God--responsible for sending them away to exile and responsible for bringing them home. I will leave none of my people behind." Ezekiel 39:28 NLT

When God says He'll leave none of us behind, you might as well have your backpack on and your sandals strapped to your feet--because you'll not be left behind!

You're not going to be left behind in a pit of pity and despair.

You're not going to be left behind with guilt and shame burdening your shoulders and your heart.

You're not going to be left behind fighting your enemy on your own.

You're not going to be left behind because of your past.

You're not going to be left behind because He loves someone else more than He loves you.

If you're His, and you want to--He is a gentleman and will not force His way on you, He'll take you along to greater heights than you ever imagined you'd go!

GIVING UP TO GET
Today's reading: Proverbs 13

"It is pleasant to see dreams come, but fools will not turn from evil to attain them." Proverbs 13:19 NLT

This passage is marked in my Bible with a date almost exactly 8 years ago.

As I thought about that time in my life, I remembered just what I was doing at that season.

And I remember exactly why this same verse spoke to my heart.

I'm reminded of something I accomplished because of God's help, my determination to follow through and my choice to give up a few things in order to get something else I wanted.

It was important to me then.

It was important enough to stir me into action.

It was important enough to me to weigh options to see what might get me closer to a goal.

Maybe you have something you want to attain, achieve or finally do. Chances are, like Solomon writes in our proverb today, you're going to have to give up something to attain it.

JUST A REMINDER
Today's reading: Psalm 87-89

"...Where is there anyone as mighty as you, Lord?.." Psalm 89:8 NLT

When the skies darken and the lightning and thunder start, I remind myself--where is there anyone as mighty as you, Lord?

When the doctors give us news we didn't expect and certainly never wanted, I remind myself--where is there anyone as mighty as you, Lord?

When the day is filled with people who use foul language, hateful tones and sarcasm as their calling card, I remind myself--where is there anyone as mighty as you, Lord?

When I can't...truly can't do anything about a situation, a heartache, a circumstance, I remind myself--where is there anyone as mighty as you, Lord?

When I've messed up again, when temptations have led me to sin, when my choices do not reflect a daughter of the King and I have to go running back to You for your mercy, I remind myself--where is there anyone as mighty as you, Lord?

When I look at where He has me, who He has blessed me with, the opportunities He has gifted me, I remind myself--where is there anyone as mighty as you, Lord?

I needed the reminder.

You, too?

PAYING THE ENEMY
Today's reading: 2 Kings 16-20

"Then Ahaz took the silver and gold from the Temple of the Lord and the palace treasury and sent it as a gift to the Assyrian king." 2 Kings 16:8 NLT

It struck my heart this morning as I read this passage of Scripture how very easily I can fall into the sin of using my God-given talents and gifts and abilities to serve the enemy.

I can waste the precious time God has allotted me chasing after things that are of no eternal value.

I can spend my energy running on the gerbil wheel of life only to find out I'm too worn out to serve Him--the very One who made me.

I can botch opportunity after opportunity to love my family well because I am chasing after what the world says I should be doing/caring about/looking like/wearing/being.

I don't want to take all that is God's and feed it to the always hungry but unappreciative idols of my life.

A STOMACH ISSUE
Today's reading: Leviticus 19-21

"You must carefully obey all my laws and regulations; otherwise the land to which I am bringing you will vomit you out. Do not live by the customs of the people whom I will expel before you. It is because they do these terrible things that I detest them so much." Leviticus 20:22-23 NLT

As you head out the door this first day of the new week, take note of what God spoke to the Israelites as they headed into their Promised Land...

Listen to me, God says.

Do just what I tell you to do--no more, no less.

There are consequences for disobedience. Just think of God with a stomach issue--ick!

Remember what you've seen me do to the people that don't love Me, don't serve Me, don't honor me with their lives.

Don't be 'one of them'.

It will not be as easy to stand out as a Christian as it will be to fall into the customs of the world. We'll be influenced far more by the one who don't follow Him than by the ones who do. Our heads will hear voices shouting at us starting even before we hit the workplace door. Our hearts will be lead to make a thousand decisions between right and wrong before we ever clock in. Our feet will be tempted to walk the winding path instead of the straight and narrow several times before we even get the first few hours of the new workweek under our belt.

Stand strong!

Don't be like 'them'!

It won't end well.

NOT A FAILURE
Today's reading: 1 Thessalonians 1-3

"You yourselves know, dear brothers and sisters, that our visit to you was not a failure." 1 Thessalonians 2:1 NLT

Lord, did I ever need this reminder!

I've got two weeks full of opportunities to tell folks about you, and already the lies, the doubts, the fears and the inadequacies are filling my head faster than the Bible points I'm wanting to make sure to present.

I've already begun comparing myself to the dynamic Bible teacher I sat under this weekend, and have come up markedly, enormously markedly, short.

I've awoken from sleep fearing I quote the wrong verses while standing before my audience.

I've started shaking my head in agreement with the voices that tell me I'm probably not the most experienced or educated gal for the job.

And then I open my favorite Book and find Your love letter to me.

I read between the words of what Paul, Silas and Timothy penned to hear this...

'Daughter, if you speak of Me, My love, My gift of salvation and My grace, you'll not be a failure.'

Oh, thank You, Lord!

I can do this, because You are all I know. You have made me what I am. You have saved me from what I was. You have bought me and claimed me as Yours.

That's what I'll share...and I'll succeed at it!

NOT HIS PLAN
Today's reading: Ezekiel 33-36

"As surely as I live, says the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of wicked people. I only want them to turn from their wicked ways so they can live. Turn! Turn from your wickedness, O people of Israel! Why should you die?" Ezekiel 33:11 NLT

It's not God's plan that any should rebuke His gift of salvation and spend an eternity in hell.

He went to far too great an effort and sacrifice for us to think that!

He cares.

He cares enough to have sent His Only Son to rescue us. To redeem us. To stand in for our punishment.

All He asks in return is that we turn from our sins...and live!

DEEP ROOTS
Today's reading: Proverbs 11-12

"Wickedness never brings stability; only the godly have deep roots." Proverbs 12:3 NLT

Deep roots provide a firmly anchored base.

I've needed that this week.

News surprises.

Diagnoses catch you off guard.

The future sometimes scares the bejeebers right out of you!

But I have God.

I will not be shaken. I will not allow the news to make my spirits fall. My faith will not be overthrown. My hope will not be dislodged. My life has not slipped out of the control of His ever loving hands. I have the assured promise that He knew what all was headed my way and He has not been caught off guard.

I was rooted before. I am rooted now. I will continue to be rooted!

RE-READ IT
Today's reading: Psalm 84-86

"...With my whole being, body and soul, I will shout joyfully to the living God." Psalm 84:2 NLT

"With all my heart I will praise you, O Lord my God, I will give glory to your name forever." Psalm 86:12 NLT

Whole?

All?

The words have jumped right off the page and into my head this morning, Lord.

They've stopped me in my tracks, causing me to pause and evaluate my worship of You.

Am I giving you all of me? Am I worshiping with my whole being, body and soul?

Am I distracted when I step into Your presence? Are my thoughts elsewhere when You want to speak to me? Do the shiny things of the world catch my attention when my eyes should be completely on You?

I cannot give you half my time, half my heart, my half-hearted attention--because when I do my allegiance is split.

Thank You for speaking to me about it. Show mercy on this wayward child. Re-direct my thoughts to be completely on You.

And thanks for allowing me to re-read these verses.

BUT
Today's reading: 2 Kings 11-15

"He did what was pleasing in the Lord's sight,..but he did not..." 2 Kings 15:3-4 NLT

I've found a few verses in today's Scripture reading that begin and end just like the verse above.

The 'he' varied.

What they 'didn't do' varied.

'Who' was affected by it varied.

It all made me think...

Just owning a Bible doesn't fix my problems.

Just attending church doesn't right all the wrongs I've done.

Just owning Sunday clothes doesn't make me godly.

Just writing a daily blog doesn't make me...well, it doesn't make me anything.

I don't want it ever to be said of me that I did what was pleasing to God..but.

THINGS HAVE CHANGED
Today's reading: Leviticus 16-18

"As Aaron enters the Tabernacle, he must take off the linen garments he wore when he entered the Most Holy Place, and he must leave the garments there." Leviticus 16:23 NLT

Just another fact pointing to how things have changed since Jesus came, died and rose again!

If you and I choose to 'take off' what we wore to church yesterday, we're doing the world a huge dis-service and not fulfilling His commission.

If mercy got on you at church yesterday, wear it to work.

If you were showered with love as you heard God's Word preached, shower it on another today.

If you fell in to forgiveness while in the Lord's house, let it show in how you deal with others today.

If peace settled over your heart while worshiping, don't brush it off and put on your heavy garments of discontent this morning.

Don't be hanging up your 'church clothes' until next Sunday...that's what they used to do.

FOR THE LORD
Today's reading: Colossians 3-4

"Work hard and cheerfully at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people." Colossians 3:23 NLT

What a verse to pin to our shirts, write on our mirrors and memorize in our heads and hearts!

'Whatever' is a very largely encompassing word, don't you think?

It includes doing laundry--even folding it and putting it away.

It includes peeling potatoes--even when it's the whole 10-pound bag.

It includes wiping noses--even when the noses are not related to you by blood.

It includes picking up a paper or two off the sanctuary floor--even when it's not your own.

It includes giving our employers a good 40-hour week--even when they don't make it easy to do it cheerfully.

Because it's all for the Lord.

To bring honor to Him.

Because He has placed you in each of those circumstances to praise Him with your service.

And yes, I'll need you to remind me of it--often!

VOCIFERATE
Today's reading: Luke 19-20

"He replied, If they kept quiet, the stones along the road would burst into cheers!" Luke 19:40 NLT

I've found a new word.

Vociferate.

It's a 'five-dollar word', according to friends who judge words on their sound, their quantity of letters and how very, very seldom you might use them.

It's a word that makes you sound smart when you insert it in to conversation.

It's a word that sounds high and mighty, but when I looked up its meaning in the dictionary, it means to utter loudly, shout, bawl, bay, bellow, cry, holler, roar, thunder or yell.

I understand the meaning when one puts it into those terms.

Had the crowds that Palm Sunday kept quiet with their praises, Jesus tells us the rocks themselves would have hollered out about just how wonderful He is.

They wouldn't have just chanted like monks in a monastery or did a nice solemn responsive reading as some churches do. They wouldn't have organized their voices as a symphony or responded in four-part harmony.

They would have given it all they had. Like a newborn calf who bawls for its mother. Or as an old coon hound that bays below the tree he has a raccoon tree-d in. Or as a very sports-minded grandpa bellows at a ballgame as he watches his offspring dribble down a court inching in on a basket. Or as the clouds bump together in a summer storm causing the rumbling thunder that shakes the very earth. Or as a hurt child cries out for their mother.

Why?

Because He deserved/deserves praise! Then and now.

Let's praise Him loudly and clearly, friends.

DEAR FRIEND
Today's reading: Ezekiel 25-30

"They will plunder your riches and merchandise and break down your walls. They will destroy your lovely homes and dump your stones and timbers and even your dust into the sea. I will stop the music of your songs. No more will the sounds of harps be heard among your people." Ezekiel 26:12-13 NLT

Dear Friend Who Is Thinking About Throwing In The Towel On This Christian Life,

I know you're worn out from trying.

I understand you're struggling against natural bents and old habits.

I get that you've been bruised and beaten down, maybe even by the people in the church you're supposed to be a part of.

I see that you feel as if you've made two steps forward then three steps back.

I also know you know He is your only hope.

I know from whence you come.

I know the power of the salvation that grabbed you, cleaned you and held you close.

I know you don't want to give up on another thing, especially one that you truly believe is the best for your life.

I urge you don't give up. The world holds nothing for you. Old ways hold empty, oh how well you know, promises.

I guess you're who I thought of when I read today's verses. I don't want to see satan rob you again. I don't want to see you trade eternity for momentary comfort or excitement. I don't want you walking through life without the 'music of your songs'.

Keep on, won't you?

Hold on today to His love and promises. Forgive another saint. Look beyond the other hurting and imperfect souls on your pew. Fight today's battle today, leave tomorrow's for tomorrow.

I'm praying you stay strong and in the family!

SAVING A LIFE
Today's reading: Proverbs 10

"The words of the godly lead to life..." Proverbs 10:11 NLT

How exciting to face another 24 hours knowing I may save a life?

No, I'm no skilled surgeon.

Or a trained paramedic.

Or a brave firefighter who would be willing to rush into a burning building.

I may not even be called upon to perform the Heimlich manuever or CPR.

I may not need to rescue a fellow employee from a falling can of paint, the sometimes-paper-eating copier or a disgruntled customer.

But I might speak life into someone.

Not 'life' like God did when He created Adam, but life that encourages, draws them from depression, edifies or pats them on the back.

That is a life-giving breath of fresh air.

You and I have both received those life-saving gifts at some point in our lives, and today we may be able to gift another with it!

SITTING IDLY BY
Today's reading: Psalm 81-83

"O God, don't sit idly by, silent and inactive!" Psalm 83:1 NLT

You can't tell me you've not had the same thoughts...

God, aren't You going to do anything?

Where are You, Lord?

Don't You care for me and what's going on?

Are You doing anything?

And yet we know...without a doubt...when we pause long enough to gather our thoughts...when we hear Him speak to our hearts...that He is always at work!

We know the galaxies are still hanging on His very word.

We know our days are numbered, ordained and filtered by Him.

We know hearts beat, blood courses and lungs inflate and deflate according to His design.

We know no one goes unnoticed by Him. Not one single heart is without His name written on it.

We know we are all loved enough to have a Sacrifice sent for our sins.

What we don't know is how often He has stepped in and we've not noticed.

We don't know where His hand of protection has guarded our very lives.

We don't know His timetable, when He believes the time to be right.

We don't know the number of hearts and minds He is setting into place for a miracle to be accomplished.

We don't know Him completely, His ways are higher, wider, grander and greater than ours.

So, remind yourself this morning, that He is not sitting idly by. He is at work--in a mighty way!

EXPECTING PEACE?
Today's reading: 2 Kings 6-10

"King Joram demanded, Do you come in peace, Jehu? Jehu replied, How can there be peace as long as the idolatry and witchcraft of your mother, Jezebel, are all around us?" 2 Kings 9:22 NLT

Apparently this morning God has provided me a time of soul-searching. He has slowed the hectic pace of a usual morning down to a crawl and allowed me to sit and savor His Words in an unusually quiet way.

He has chosen to point out this obscure verse and has given me pause to consider it...

He has me thinking, should I be examining my heart more closely? What am I allowing to crowd into it? What is receiving my service and my attention, if not Him?

Should I be expecting His peace to surround me if I'm not fully in His will? Are un-confessed sins keeping me from experiencing all He has planned for me? Are there little idols set up in my life?

What does He think of how I am currently living for Him? How I am ministering to Him? In what ways I worship Him? Am I seeing my every moment as a gift from Him, to be used for His glory?

Are there any twinges of bitterness, jealousy or hate infecting my witness to others?

Jehu simply told King Joram not to expect peace amidst sinful living--it's got me thinking.

MONDAY REMINDERS
Today's reading: Leviticus 13-15

Ah, nothing like a Monday morning.

Especially a Monday morning following a week of vacation!

And then to see that my Bible reading time has me smack dab in the middle of God's levitical laws concerning contagious skin diseases?

It's a tough read this morning, but I got through.

And I'm thinking about being 'contagious'.

Quite appropriate for a Monday.

The beginning of a new week.

The first day in the real world after worshiping with my church family.

A new planner page.

I certainly needed the reminder that I am to be the 'contagious one' in the dark, unsalted world God has me living in.

THROUGH HIS DEATH
Today's reading: Colossians 1-2

"...You were his enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions, yet now he has brought you back as his friends. He has done this through his death on the cross in his own human body. As a result, he has brought you into the very presence of God, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault." Colossians 1:21-22 NLT

I'll admit, I don't get up and around every morning smelling of holiness and feeling blameless.

But to read these verses this morning...

To think about what God did for me...

To attempt to ponder the sacrifice made...

To realize the power of change that fell over my life when I asked for His forgiveness...

To know where He brought me from and where I stand today--a friend of God's, welcome into His very presence...

To stand boldly and white as snow...

All through His death on the cross.

WILLFULLY TESTED
Today's reading: Psalm 78-80

"They willfully tested God in their hearts, demanding the foods they craved." Psalm 78:18 NLT

It almost sounds childish, in a strong-willed 4 year-old kind of way, to willfully test God.

To, for a moment, forget Who He is.

To shake your fist and point your finger at the Creator.

To take a stand, not just a stand but a standing with feet apart and hands on your hips kind of stand, against what He has asked you to do.

Oh, you think it's just about 'the foods they craved'? It goes much farther than that.

Might we replace those words with...

-the plans we've made.

-the ideas we have.

-the end results.

-the route we want to take.

-the ministry we want to run.

-the way we want everything to look.

-the ease and comfort we expect for our lives.

Sometimes we are the youngsters standing in defiance of Almighty God. Willfully testing Him in our silence and our procrastination. Thinking we know better for our selves than He.

TIMES TWO
Today's reading: 2 Kings 1-5

"And so it was, when they had crossed over, that Elijah said to Elisha, Ask! What may I do for you, before I am taken away from you? Elisha said, Please let a double portion on your spirit be upon me." 2 Kings 2:9 NKJV

Have you been blessed enough to know saints of God of whom you would ask for their 'double portion'? Parents? Grandparents? Aunts? Elderly prayer warriors? Deacons in your church?

Have you known, by watching and being impacted by their lives, that they truly have a relationship with the Lord that you'd like a part of?

Have you seen them stand on a mustard seed of faith and rise above mountains time and time again?

Have you watched as they carried joy in their hearts through the darkest of times?

Have you heard their testimony shouted from the rooftops, not from them but from others touched by them?

Elisha saw enough to want what Elijah had, in duplicate.

May that be the example we live for those watching us!

CLOSER AND CLOSER
Today's reading: Leviticus 10-12

"Then Moses said to Aaron, This is what the Lord meant when he said, I will show myself holy among those who are near me. I will be glorified before all people." Leviticus 10:3 NLT

I'm caught up on the words, '...I will show myself holy among those who are near me...'.

Meaning the closer I get to Him, the bigger He gets?

The more time I spend with Him, the more in awe of Him I'll be?

The more of Him I see, the more I'll want to see?

The more of Him I get in me, the more I'll want in me, the more others will see Him in me, the more Him I'll be sharing with the world?

That's exciting! It makes me want to drawer nearer and closer to Him every hour of this day He has given me!

ONE DAY CLOSER
Today's reading: Philippians 3-4

"I don't mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection! But I keep working toward that day when I will finally be all that Christ Jesus saved me for and wants me to be." Philippians 3:12 NLT

Had you followed me around yesterday you'd realized I'd not reached perfection. My attitude had a stinky aroma to it and no one around me could please me, including myself.

You might have heard sharpness to my words and sensed a lack of love in my attempts to serve others.

You might have watched as I attempted to do things several times, becoming more and more frustrated with each try.

You could have quite possibly heard me grumbling, bemoaning my tasks and criticizing more than I should have.

But all that is why I love mornings! Mornings give us all a new start.

Yesterday is over and today marks a new day...a day closer to being all that Christ Jesus saved me for and wants me to be!

I'm excited about that. You see, I've placed yesterday under the blood of Jesus--it's forgiven and cleaned from my record. I've apologized to those in my path of destruction from yesterday. I've moved on.

Today I'm closer, one day closer!