WHOLEHEARTED

Today's reading: Ecclesiastes 11-12

"Give generously, for your gifts will return to you later." Ecclesiastes 11:1 NLT

I've worked retail for almost 29 years of my life.

The assortment of customers approaching my counter over the years if quite eclectic and varied, to say the least.

Quite varied!

But I love it!

I truly enjoy making each person feel at home, welcomed and appreciated when they are in our store.

I get to 'love on them' as I sell them paint, nails or lumber.

I am afforded the opportunity to minister to them for the length of that transaction, even when God, the Bible or morality isn't mentioned in the conversation.

I have become a better customer because of my time behind the sales counter.

Same is true of my Christian walk.

This verse reminds me of it--that I will get what I sow--I will receive what I give--I will be served in the same way I choose to serve.

NEVER ALONE
Today's reading: Psalm 137-139

"You both precede and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head." Psalm 139:5 NLT

God walks before me.

God walks behind me.

God walks with His hand of blessing on my head, as a parent with a small child.

But what gives me the most comfort, what eases my soul and gives peace to my heart, is that God is in me. Never apart from me. His Spirit resides in me.

I am never alone.

BEGINNING
Today's reading: Nehemiah 1-4

"Then I told them about how the gracious hand of God had been on me, and about my conversation with the king. They replied at once, Good! Let's rebuild the wall! So they began the good work. But when Sanballat, Tobiah and Geshem the Arab head of our plan, they scoffed contemptuously..." Nehemiah 3:18-19 NLT

The pastor spoke from Nehemiah on Sunday.

The radio personality mentioned Nehemiah yesterday in his drive-time devotion.

This morning, God reminded me, through Nehemiah, of how important the work is that He has for me--regardless of what goes on around me.

You see, my excitement can be contagious.  It can stir others. It can draw folks in. It can encourage. It can be a shining example. It can cause an influx of volunteers. It can spark interest and service.

Or it can be scoffed it.

It can be questioned.

It can be scrutinized, criticized or deflated with just a few words from the peanut gallery.

But when I remember how God's gracious hand is on me, how He softly and tenderly spoke to my heart about what it is He desires me to do, I push aside the scoffers and press on.

I get back to the 'wall', my portion of it, my area to which I've been assigned, my spot I can work on in a way no one else can.

BEFORE BATTLE
Today's reading: Deuteronomy 20-22

"Before you go into battle, the priest will come forward to speak with the troops. He will say, Listen to me, all you men of Israel! Do not be afraid as you go out to fight today! Do not lose heart or panic. For the Lord your God is going with you! He will fight for you against your enemies, and he will give you victory!" Deuteronomy 20:2-4 NLT

I needed this pep talk.

I am pretty sure what will happen throughout the day laid out before me...

-Things might not go as I have planned and I will need the reassurance that God is with me!

-I will probably have to bite my tongue in an effort to maintain friendships, respect among others and a good witness to the lost world.

-Others may push my buttons. The very buttons that might cause me to react in ungodly ways, say unkind things or cast judgemental and unloving looks their way.

-My enemy will place obstacles in my path that keep me from walking an easy path.

-I'll become afraid. Vey afraid. And I'll need the words of these verses.

KEEP ON
Today's reading: 1 John 1-3

"So you must remain faithful to what you have been taught from the beginning. If you do, you will continue to live in fellowship with the Son and with the Father. And in this fellowship, we enjoy the eternal life he promised us." 1 John 2:24-25 NLT

I don't know how many years you have under your belt as a Christian.

It might be many. It might be few. It might be a brand new label you're wearing.

No matter how long, or how short, a time it's been--keep on!

Don't throw in the towel.

Don't give up on it.

Don't allow another's words or actions cause you to want to quit.

Don't hang it all up because of a church, a pastor or a tough time.

You must remain faithful--it's the only hope we have!

THIS JESUS
Today's reading: Acts 17-18

"...This Jesus I'm telling you about is the Messiah." Acts 17:3 NLT

Paul spoke to people who had been looking for a very long time.

Sons of lookers.

Grandsons of lookers.

Great-grandsons of lookers.

Generations of folks who had been waiting for the Messiah, the Deliverer, to show up on the scene and rescue them from bondage.

Paul told them, He has come.

But they didn't believe him.

They continued to look.

They continue to look today.

Dear friend, this Jesus I'm telling you about is the Messiah.

He is the Answer you've been searching for.

He is the Way you've wanted to find.

He is the One who will deliver you from bondage.

He is the Sacrifice yours sins need.

This Jesus.

ONLY HIM
Today's reading: Zechariah 8-14

"And the Lord will be king over all the earth. On that day there will be one Lord--his name alone will be worshiped." Zechariah 14:9 NLT

Little gods will be pushed aside.

Praises will no longer be spent on tiny figurines or grand statues.

Hearts will no longer be distant from their creator.

God will be the worshiped King.

Oh, what a day, glorious day, that will be!

STANDING BEFORE HIM
Today's reading: Ecclesiastes

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

If my blessings stopped right here and right now, I'd still have to testify that I have had a blessed life.

God has poured into my life loving people, wonderful opportunities, comfort and health.

And for that I am thankful.

It has absolutely nothing to do with my level of godliness or wisdom.

It has everything to do with His plans for my life.

I know that because I know great Christian people who have had rough lives.

Very rough.

Bad childhoods.

Poor health.

String after string of heart-breaking events.

Catastrophe.

Lives of struggle.

This is what is the hope for us both--this life is not all there is!

No matter what happens here, no matter the life we live, no matter the ease or discomfort of our time on earth, heaven awaits us.

So, no we don't know whether God will show us favor beyond offering us His Son for salvation or not, but we do know He offers that--and that's enough to be thankful for!

NIGHT SHIFT
Today's reading: Psalm 134-136

"Oh, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord, you who serve as night watchmen in the house of the Lord." Psalm 134:1 NLT

That stirring in the middle of the night.

That thought that won't leave, even though the clock says it's time to be sleeping.

That person who is on your mind to the extent that sleep eludes you.

That burden that you carry for another, all through the day, and all through the night.

That heart desire that keeps you from closing your eyes and sleeping.

The night shift.

The time when our thoughts can rest completely on God, His abilities, His promises, His truths, His presence.

The span of our day when no other things jockey for attention, it can be just God and us.

The night shift.

How many things have been set into motion, prevented, prayed into reality or placed securely and peacefully in to the hands of God during this time? How many illness have been healed? How many prodigals kept safe? How many souls brought into His kingdom?

If you work the night shift, thank you.

If you've been touched by another working the night shift, thank God.

THANKSGIVING LIST
Today's reading: Ezra 6-10

The kids are writing what they are thankful for down on construction paper leaves.

The social media pages are filled with 'I'm grateful for...' threads.

Church billboards have cute little sayings about thankfulness on them.

Devotions are being written to direct our thoughts and minds towards all we have to thank God for.

And in the pages of this old book, named after an aged prophet (I really have no clue as to how old Ezra was--it's just I once knew an old, old man by the name of Ezra--I guess it takes my mind there), about a time in history, I find what we all need to be truly thankful for...

"For we were slaves, but in his unfailing love our God did not abandon us in our slavery. Instead, he caused the kings of Persia to treat us favorably. He revived us so that we were able to rebuild the Temple of our God and repair the ruins. He has given us a protective wall in Judah and Jerusalem." Ezra 9:9 NLT

I am thankful that I am not who I once was.

I am thankful He did not leave me in my slavery to sin.

I am thankful that not a day goes by I don't see His blessings poured into my life.

I am thankful that I live where life is good.

I am thankful for the Holy Spirit living in me that causes me to want to improve my Temple on a daily basis.

I am thankful for His protection!

MOVING IN
Today's reading: Deuteronomy 16-19

"The Lord your God will soon destroy the nations whose land he is giving you, and you will displace them and settle into their towns and homes." Deuteronomy 19:1 NLT

I won't speak for you, but here is what I have seen happen in my own life...

My enemy has had the audacity to occupy parts of my life that he has absolutely no right to occupy.

He has the tendency to step in to parts of my head.

He plants seeds in my thoughts.

He digs up buried, and forgiven, sins of my past.

He lies to me.

He leads me to believe I am not enough, I am not able, I am not worthy of God's love.

This verse tells me, as the Lord told the Israelites as they approached the Promised Land, what I'm giving you is yours--no one else's.

So I'm taking me, my thoughts, my heart, my head, over--relieving satan of the duties he had been performing.

I'm displacing him and moving in!

I'm going to allow God's Word, God's promises, God's truths and God's love to live in the secret rooms satan has been staying in.

I'm asking God to remove all evidence of this former inhabitant and make Himself right at home.

GOD KNOWS
Today's reading: 2 Peter

Peter is talking to the Christians leaned in listening as his letter is read.

He's wanting them to know without a doubt that God is for them--even though the world around them seems to be against them.

He's making doubly sure that he instructs them in how to live.

He recounts to them the saving of Noah and his family.

He reminds them of how Lot was rescued from the fall of Sodom and Gomorrah.

Then he says what I believe you and I need to hear today...

"So you see, the Lord knows how to rescue godly people from their trials, even while punishing the wicked right up until the day of judgement." 2 Peter 3:9 NLT

God knows how to take care of you!

GETTING TOGETHER
Today's reading: Acts 15-1

"So the apostles and church elders got together to decide this question." Acts 15:6 NLT

How many churches have split over mis-handled problems?

How many families are broken because of mis-interpreted actions?

How many Thanksgiving tables will be sparsely filled due to unintended hurts?

Get together, folks.

Get together and talk things over.

Get together and attempt to understand.

Get together and make amends.

Get together, because it's so lonely to be alone.

GIVEN A CHOICE
Today's reading: Zechariah 1-7

"...I will let you walk in and out of my presence..." Zechariah 3:7 NLT

Allow me to set the scene: The Jewish people had been in exile for many years. During their time away from home, they had had no priesthood in place. Now that they were being called back to their homes, back to their old ways of worship, a prophet stood before them proclaiming God's message: turn from sin and turn to Me.

Along with this pep talk, this re-organization of life, this re-grouping, they were also given a message of what was to come--a new High Priest (verse 1), Jeshua (verse 1), a Branch (verse 8), One who would be given free access to God (verse 7)--a wildly impossible freedom according to the old ways of the law.

All that to say this...

Zechariah proclaimed that Jesus (Jeshua) would be given this freedom, He would have this access to God no one else ever had, He would be sent from heaven to perform tasks only the most elite of God had ever been asked to do, and He would be opening doors to the Most Holy Place to the commoners.

To you and me.

Because of Jesus, you and I can choose to be in God's presence or not.

Who wouldn't you gasp? You and I.

God's presence is piercing. It is illuminating. It is eye-opening. It is wonderful. It is overwhelming. It is heart-breaking. It is awe-inspiring. It is convicting. It is comforting.

And it's our choice to be in it.

What will you and I choose today?

IMPACT
Today's reading: Ecclesiastes 7-8

"A good reputation is more valuable than the most expensive perfume. In the same way, the day you die is better than the day you were born." Ecclesiastes 7:1 NLT

I have a friend.

A godly friend.

A wise friend.

A loving friend.

A beautiful friend.

A long-time friend.

Who has cancer.

Doctors say there is nothing else they can do. Her body is betraying her. Her strength is leaving. But her heart remains strong. Her love for her family and friends remains fierce. Her reason for living has not changed since her diagnosis--she wants to see her family under the saving grace of Jesus' blood.

The impact she is making right now is greater, stronger, more driven and intensified by the fact that she has been told she has fewer days than she'd ever dreamed. She is touching more lives now than she ever has--in more specific and deeper ways. She has found a courage in these days to broach subjects that may have been swept under the rug years ago.

God had a purpose for her the day she was born. A grand purpose. A life-changing purpose. A purpose that would be hers until she draws her final breath. A purpose her parents had no clue about.

She's living that purpose and I'm thrilled to watch her doing it with grace and wisdom and love.

I'm watching her live out the truth in this verse, the day you die (or the days in which you've been told death is coming) is better than the day you were born.

I'M NOT DAVID
Today's reading: Psalm 131-133

"Lord, my heart is not proud; my eyes are not haughty. I don't concern myself with matters too great or awesome for me." Psalm 131:1 NLT

I'm not David.

I'm not keen on sheep. I'm not musically talented. I'm not brave in the face of giants. I'm not a leader. I'm not a soldier. I'm not a person full of wisdom.

I'm not able to say I don't concern myself with matters too great for me.

That's the worst part.

I think about, stew over, ponder, fret, worry, focus on, allow to take over my mind, concentrate, give over to wild imaginations things that are above and beyond my ability to control or plan.

Like cancer. Or the future. Or understanding God's ways.

I want to be like David. Not the sheep-tending qualities, but the leave God's stuff in God's hands quality.

AS ONE PERSON
Today's reading: Ezra 1-5

"Now in early autumn when the Israelites had settled in their towns, all the people assembled together as one person in Jerusalem." Ezra 3:1 NLT

Oh, how I love this word picture.

I see a group of believers who have come home.

A group of followers who were committed to God.

Folks who had been many places, seen many things, committed many sins and had all had the precious grace of God poured out on them--so they gathered.

They came together with their scars from battle. Some healed over but very apparently there. Some with gaping wounds, from the enemy, from friendly fire and some self-inflicted.

They gathered as one team, all wearing the jerseys embroidered with "CHOSEN" across the back.

They came hobbling in, being carried by friends, in groups and some running as they had been for years. The hurt, the disabled, the never-gonna-quit.

They all had their stories. Their pasts. Their testimonies.

But they came together as one.

Oh, I love that!

TITHING
Today's reading: Deuteronomy 13-15

"...The purpose of tithing is to teach you always to fear the Lord your God." Deuteronomy 14:23 NLT

I'm believe wholeheartedly in the discipline of tithing. I've seen the blessings from it. I've watched as the 'mite' has been given and the 'storehouse' filled to overflowing. I've experienced, firsthand, the multiplication process God uses to bless the giving and the attitude behind it.

Where I struggle is tithing more than our paycheck.

When it goes beyond writing a check.

When it reaches farther into my heart and life than coins or currency can account for.

Like when I'm convicted about the time I tithe to Him.

Or the talents I choose to give a goodly portion of.

Or the space of my heart that He so desires to occupy.

Tithing means much more than the money, it's all about the life. Am I giving my appropriate portion to Him?

SHEPHERDING
Today's reading: 1 Peter 4-5

"Care for the flock of God entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly--not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God." 1 Peter 5:2 NLT

I don't know who you are called to 'shepherd' this morning as you go to your house of worship.

Maybe it's the babies in the nursery. The teenagers. The middle-schoolers. The retired folks of your church. The women.

Where ever He has you serving, serve well.

Shepherd well.

Not because 'shepherding' will make you rich or famous or important, but because you've been bought with a high price.

DIRECTING THEIR ATTENTION
Today's reading: Acts 13-14

"...We have come to bring you the Good News that you should turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made heaven and earth, the sea and everything in them." Acts 14:15 NLT

Paul and Barnabas were in the city of Lystra healing the sick and proclaiming the Good News of Jesus' birth, death and resurrection.

The people were so very amazed at their ministry that they began to worship them. The men of God. Gods in human bodies.

Paul and Barnabas quickly put an end to their plans.

They had to direct these folks' attention to God. By how they acted, by how they received thanks, by how they lived before them.

We have to do the same.

How we are living, loving, thriving and surviving must point to God and not to our abilities, our strengths or our resources.

People need to know the Good News of Jesus, not the so-so intelligence they have gathered about us.

A SPARK
Today's reading: Haggai

"So the Lord sparked the enthusiasm of Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, Jeshua son of Jehoadak, the high priest, and the whole remnant of God's people. They came and began their work on the house of the Lord Almighty, their God." Haggai 1:14 NLT

If you were deep into the church in the 1980's. you probably heard this song at least once--or then thousand times...

It only takes a spark
To get a fire going
And soon all those around
Will warm up with it's glowing

That's how it is with God's love
Once you experience it
You'll spread His love to everyone
You'll want to pass it on

This song comes to mind each and every time I read about the stirring Haggai and the people had towards doing the Lord's work.

I'm praying for a spark.

One that starts in me.

Moves in my home.

Spreads to my church.

Circulates into my town.

Catches my country off guard and stirs it to make changes.

I'm praying God sparks something in me--something little that turns into something huge.

"Pray as if everything depended upon your prayer." -William Booth

LISTENING MORE
Today's reading: Ecclesiastes 5-6

"The more words you speak ,the less they mean. So why over do it?" Ecclesiastes 6:11 NLT

I'm choosing to listen more today.

To use less words.

To allow God to slow me down to a speed that gives me a chance to hear the other person--and to hear Him.

People will probably think I'm mad...or sick. What I'm doing is attempting to make my fewer words mean even more.

HE OFFERS FORGIVENESS
Today's reading: Psalm 128-130

"Lord, if you kept a record of our sins, who, O Lord, could ever survive? But you offer forgiveness, that we might learn to fear you." Psalm 130:3 NLT

If I held up my 'rap sheet' against that of another's I might, for an instant, be led to believe my sins were less than theirs.

I would be wrong.

Very wrong.

What overwhelms me this morning is that no matter what is listed against me, what ever my enemy drags up from my past--or from my not so distant past, to present as a reason for hopelessness, Jesus' blood covers!

He offers forgiveness to me. He offers it to you. He offers it to the folks who believe they've done too much, sinned too greatly or wandered too far. He offers it to a world who doesn't even know they need it. He offers it to the one we would all write off. He offers it to the ones who believe they're good enough on their own. He offers it like He has always offered it--freely, lovingly, graciously and mercifully.

IGNORING HIS WARNINGS
Today's reading: 2 Chronicles 33-36

"The Lord spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they ignored all his warnings. So the Lord sent the Assyrian armies, and they took Manasseh prisoner. They put a ring through his nose, bound him in bronze chains, and led him away to Babylon." 2 Chronicles 33:10-11 NLT

Maybe you jump up and get done each and every thing the Lord speaks to your heart, as soon as He speaks it, with enthusiasm, zeal and love.

You quickly put aside what ever it is He asks you to leave. You promptly remove sinful things from your life and heart. You speedily tend to correcting wrong attitudes, wrong actions and wrong thoughts.

Maybe, just maybe, you are that quick to heed God's direction.

Maybe, though, like a majority of us, you've ignored His warnings.

Oh, not deliberately.

And yet you have.

And now you know what it's like to be held hostage by something He had warned you about. You are a prisoner to what you thought you could handle. You are being led around life with a ring in your nose, bound in chains that hurt and are heavy and most days find yourself in places you never wanted to go. Places that He never intended you to waste your time.

Did you know that just because you've not listened before doesn't mean He won't give you another chance?

He did it for Manasseh.

It's when we repent, when we realize what we've done, how it's wronged God and how much we want to turn from those old ways, that He hears us and helps us.

So listen to Him today.

Hear what He has to say.

Do what it is He's asking you to do...and be free.

SET APART
Today's reading: Deuteronomy 10-12

"At that time the Lord set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the Ark of the Lord's covenant, to minister before the Lord, and to pronounce blessings in his name. These are still their duties." Deuteronomy 10:8 NLT

I believe God spoke to my heart the Easter Sunday when I was seven. At that time I believe He accepted my prayer of repentance and bestowed upon me the gift of His salvation. He met me at that wooden altar.

I also believe at that time, for His reasons, He set me apart as His own. To do work for Him. To worship Him. To reach others for Him. To show my love to Him by obeying Him. To bless the world with my life as He blessed me with His. To be different.

These are still my duties.

No matter how many years separate me from that Easter morning--these are still my duties, because He has set me apart!

WHAT WILL YOU DO?
Today's reading: 1 Peter 1-3

"...They stumble because they do not listen to God's word or obey it..." 1 Peter 2:8 NLT

If I attend worship service today just for the music or just to be seen--I'll stumble through the week.

If I stand before a group of women and present a lesson on worshiping God with our lives in an order to be thought of as a great orator--I'm going to stumble and fall.

If I present the lesson about Samuel choosing David over all his brothers as king to the littles in our church just to fulfill a responsibility--I'll stumble through the whole thing and in turn possibly lend to the stumbling of these little ones.

But if I go intending to hear God's Word...

To allow it to soak in to my heart and mind...

To let it change me...

To obey what it tells me to do...

I'll be doing what He's asked. I'll be showing God by my obedience just how much I love Him.

BELIEVED AND TURNED
Today's reading: Acts 11-12

"The power of the Lord was upon them, and large numbers of these Gentiles believed and turned to the Lord." Acts 11:21 NLT

These power-filled Christians were not sitting on their church pews.

They were not comfortable and reclined in their prayer closets.

They didn't have the means and the material to canvas the neighborhoods they were called to reach.

They were not in positions of authority.

These Lord-enabling Christians were running for their lives, flushed from their homes, attempting to 'make it' in foreign lands learning new languages and tip-toeing around new temptations.

And yet they were impacting the Gentiles.

In the midst of their discomfort.

Amid their persecution.

Despite their inconveniences.

So why aren't we?

GATHER TOGETHER AND PRAY
Today's reading: Zephaniah

"Gather together and pray, you shameless nation." Zephaniah 2:1 NLT

Zephaniah, son of Cushi, wasn't writing to the United States of America.

Where the majestic purple mountaintops, waves of grain and crystal clear lakes are scattered from sea to shining sea.

Where our forefathers came to escape religious persecution.

Where we can gather freely to worship.

Where just about anything is possible with hard work and God's hand of guidance.

Where we've twisted and contorted His laws to make them fit our wills.

Where we've determined choice and comfort are more important than a life.

Where we've chosen to allow atrocities to sell products, television spots and our kids on freedom of speech.

Where 'wrong and right' are no longer politically correct.

Where disrespect is the new form of heroism.

Zephaniah is writing to the people of Judah--but it just might not hurt for us to pay attention to him!

ON MY OWN
Today's reading: Ecclesiastes 3-4

"If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But people who are alone when they fall are in real trouble." Ecclesiastes 4:10 NLT

I cannot being to know what it is you're struggling with, how deep its influence goes or how far reaching this 'thing' may be in your life.

I do not know how many times you've placed it on the altar, at God's feet, in to His hands or turned your back on it altogether--only to have it back in your life within ten minutes.

I do not know how hard it is, how long you've fought against it or how embarrassing it may be.

Here's what I do know..God has not given it to you to handle alone.

He has given you godly friends to help you through it.

To pray.

To hold you accountable.

To listen.

To relate.

To remind you how very much God is for you.

To help you up when you fall again...and again...and again.

So continue to try it alone, if you want to--but it's not how God intends you to handle it.

PLANTING
Today's reading: Psalm 125-127

"Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy. They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest." Psalm 126:5-6 NLT

The Crying Farmer.

Maybe that's you.

Maybe that's been you.

Maybe that's going to be you in your very near future.

The tears flow as you present requests to God. As you lay burdens at His feet. As you give Him your heart's desires--and await His answers. As you name names, list hurts and seek His guidance.

He hears.

He promises, as our Heavenly Father, Sustainer, Provider, Deliverer, Comforter, Good Shepherd, Mighty Fortress, Friend and Savior--to answer with His best for each and every prayer seed you plant.

So prepare to sing!

Get your garden hods gathered up and your bushel baskets at the ready--a harvest is coming!