BURST
Today's reading: Luke 19-21

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

Burst-to break open, apart or into pieces; to give away from an excess of emotion; to emerge or spring suddenly.

Jesus knew what happens when people were around Him. When folks stood in His presence. When watchers become worshippers. When hurting become healed. When the lost get found. When the morning comes and sorrow is replaced with joy.

Things well up.

Emotions are magnified.

Praise just bubbles up...and out.

PERSPECTIVE
Today's reading: Luke 16-18

"He replied, What is impossible from a human perspective is possible with God." Luke 18:27 NLT

Perspective-the angle or direction in which a person looks at an object; point of view.

It's comical to think we can see things from God's view point.

And yet, we try.

We try to understand things from our position on this green/blue orb.

We attempt to time things to work out in the time frame of our hours, days and years.

We live in expectation of what we're capable of working out, muddling through or conjuring up in our finite minds.

And God looks from heaven above over our plans and laughs.

We don't have His perspective.

MORE
Today's reading: Luke 13-15

"If you want to be my followers, you must love me more than your own father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters--yes, more than your own life. Otherwise you cannot be my disciple." Luke 14:26 NLT

More-greater; additional; further; to a greater degree.

Fill in the blank:

I love Jesus more than ____________.

What would your 'blank' hold?

What simple things might you be willing to fill the 'blank' with?

What would you be unwilling to place on the 'blank'?

What could you not place on the 'blank' in all honesty?

Because what ever we cannot place in the 'blank' completely changes the sentence to read:

I love ________ more than Jesus.

NEIGHBOR
Today's reading: Luke 10-12

"The man wanted to justify his actions, so he asked Jesus, And who is my neighbor?" Luke 10:29 NLT

Neighbor-one living or located near another; fellow man.

Wanting to justify our actions is not just a biblical issue, now is it?

We want God to write us a note of exemption.

We want Him to find us a loophole in the fine print.

We want Him to okay our poor behavior based upon our circumstances or the poor attitude of another.

But He didn't and He doesn't.

We are not excluded from loving fellow man-the good, the bad or the ugly.

IMMEDIATELY
Today's reading: Luke 7-9

"She came up behind Jesus and touched the fringe of his robe. Immediately, the bleeding stopped." Luke 8:44 NLT

Immediately-without the interval of time.

I have some dear friends who just this week walked on the same street they believe this occurrence in Scripture happened. I guarantee, from personal experience, hearing this account will never be the same for them again!

It hasn't been for me.

To have heard the verses read, on the same street.

To press in as a crowd toward our 'teacher', on the same street.

To see our leader wearing a similar prayer shawl with fringe, on the same street.

But this morning, my head and heart stopped on the word, 'immediately'.

That's how very powerful my God and His Son are!

Without the interval of time, He changed this woman's circumstances, health and heart.

Time is of no importance to Him.

So while I wait on Him to do what He deems best in my life, I know the clock doesn't tick for Him. A timer isn't counting off the seconds, minutes, hours or days. A day is not circled in red on His calendar.

What takes a while for me, is always immediately for Him...for when He does it, it's done!

CREDIT
Today's reading: Luke 4-6

"Do you think you deserve credit merely for loving those who love you? Even the sinners do that!" Luke 6:32 NLT

"If you only love the lovable, do you expect a pat on the back? Run-of-the-mill sinners do that." Luke 6:32 MSG

Credit-the balance in a person's favor in an account; influence or power derived from enjoying the confidence of another or others; good name; esteem; source of honor; recognition; acknowledgement.

I don't know about you, but two filmstrips of faces just flashed across my mind as I read this portion of Scripture.

I see the lovable faces on one of the spools of film. The smiling. The related. The cute. The pleasant. The easy to get along with. The faces of those who are loving and who love me right back. Beautiful, lovely people.

Then the other filmstrip plays. Dark and grainy. No re-touching on any of the frames. No photo-shopping to remove any unwanted warts, moles or frowns. The faces of folks who are short with me in their words and in their tones. The grimacing. The grumpy. The hard to get along with. The demanding. The always-needing, never-giving. The mugs of folks I find it hard to love because they are less than lovely.

And I want credit from God for loving the ones on the first set of faces?

I want to be acknowledged by God for 'doing my duty'?

I want a pat on the back from God for loving the kind and considerate around me?

I want to show up in heaven to a round of applause for loving the easy?

How dare I?

I needed this verse this morning.

I needed it badly.

NOTICE
Today's reading: Luke 1-3

"For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and now generation after generation will call me blessed." Luke 1:48 NLT

Notice-attention; heed; aware; mindful; regard.

Some might think it forward and arrogant of me to say, 'I know just how Mary felt'. But I do.

Awed by the fact that the Creator even noticed me!

Amazed that the God of the universe was aware I even existed, that I had anything at all He could use for furthering His Kingdom, that I was capable of any job He deemed perfect for me!

Flabber-gasted that in my lowly state, He would visit me. That He would step down from His presence and stand before me. That He would allow me to be so near Him I could feel His breath, notice the beat of His heart, hear Him speak!

Humbled that although I am not needed by Him, I am loved by Him!

God took notice of me. Me!

PUNISH
Today's reading: Leviticus 25-27

"However, if you do not listen to me or obey my commands, and if you break my covenant by rejecting my laws and treating my regulations with contempt, I will punish you..." Leviticus 26:14-16 NLT

Punish-to impose a penalty on for a fault, offense or violation; to deal with roughly or harshly; to inflict injury on; to chastise.

None of us enjoy punishment, paying consequences or being treated badly in response to poor choices on our part.

None of us.

But to imagine tough times, rough days and harsh discipline not from the evil world we live in, but straight from the hand of God--that's unthinkable.

None of us could bear it.

And yet we do. Daily.

We make choices that go against His will for us. We take deliberate action against His wishes. We disregard His commands, by commission or by omission.

And He punishes us.

And it hurts. It's uncomfortable. It breaks our hearts. It's not anything we enjoy.

And honestly, He doesn't enjoy it either. But He must do it. He told us He would, so He has to carry out His word. As much as He would prefer we not choose for Him to do it.

Because He loves us...that deeply.

REST
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

Rest- repose; sleep; freedom from activity or labor; peace of mind or spirit; something used for support.

Did you read the definition?

Go on, read it again.

I believe we've all known, since childhood, that our Sabbath is a day of rest-of a slower pace, of ceasing from labors, for the purpose of giving us a peace of mind and spirit.

But did you read the final thought? Something used for support.

Do you see your day of worship as a support for the rest of your week? For your emotions? For your mental health? For your physical needs? A fulfillment of needs?

The Lord's Day is to be all that when we make it all about Him.

He will, when honored correctly and whole-heartedly, support us, hold us up, equip and enable us to do all He leads us in to doing.

If and when we make His day about Him.

I challenge you to review your Sabbath-who is it more about?

APART
Today's reading: Leviticus 19-21

"You must be holy because I, the Lord, am holy. I have set you apart from all other people to be my very own." Leviticus 20:26 NLT

Apart- at a little distance.

I'll tell you, this definition seems a little anemic in regards to how truly different God intends us, His children, to be.

He, I don't believe, doesn't just want us residing across the tracks, in a certain neighborhood or in a cluster of homes on a cul-de-sac away from down town.

He doesn't just want us in a separate cheering section at the ballgame, an off-to-the side booth at the restaurant or in a meeting hall off the main road.

Here is what the verse says in the King James Version Translation:

"And ye shall be holy unto me: for I the Lord am holy, and have severed you from other people, that ye should be mine." Leviticus 20:26 KJV

We, believers in the saving power of Jesus' blood, are not just 'at a little distance', we have been severed from the pull, the influence and the sinful consequences of this world.

Chains broken.

Ropes cut in two.

Shackles unlocked.

Our identities verified as being His, not mistaken for still being of this world.

And because of this?

Because of this, we should be holy!

LIFE
Today's reading: Leviticus 16-18

"...I have given you the blood so you can make atonement for your sins. It is the blood, representing life, that brings you atonement." Leviticus 17:11 NLT

Life-the quality that distinguishes a vital and functional being from a dead body; a sequence of physical and mental experiences that make up the existence of an individual.

In Levitical times the blood of sacrificial animals was what atoned for sin, covered iniquities and allowed the God-folk to follow His rules.

It took a lot of blood.

Daily sacrifices. Weekly sacrifices. Monthly sacrifices. Seasonal sacrifices. Special holy day sacrifices.

For us, it took Jesus' blood.

Once and for all.

One perfect Man's blood to give us life.

Life, the characteristic that distinguishes us from the dead.

"There is power, power, wonder working power...in the precious blood of the Lamb."

DEFILE
Today's reading: Leviticus 13-15

"In this way, you will keep the people of Israel separate from things that will defile them, so they will not die as a result of defiling my Tabernacle that is right there among them." Leviticus 15:31 NLT

Defile- to make unclean or impure; to corrupt the purity or perfection of; to violate the sanctity of; to sully or dishonor.

I read the words in this section of the Old Testament and want to go wash my hands: infection, defile, unclean, contagious, impure.

I could quite easily disregard today's Scripture as old fashioned, from another time or irrelevant to today and now--or I could see just what I asked God to show me...Himself.

He shows me in this reading that He so desires me to be able to be near Him. To be 'clean' enough to be in His presence. To have nothing between us.

He shows me that in how specific, detailed and unmistakable He was in giving direction for keeping His children from being defiled. How He desired them to be separate from things that would bring dishonor to us--and to Him.

That's not changed.

It cannot change.

He, His laws and His love for us are unchanging!

DISTINGUISH
Today's reading: Leviticus 10-12

"You are to distinguish between what is holy and what is ordinary, what is ceremonially unclean and what is clean." Leviticus 10:10 NLT

"...so you can distinguish between what is unclean and may not be eaten and what is clean and may be eaten." Leviticus 11:47 NLT

Distinguish-to perceive a difference in; to mentally separate; to mark as separate or different; to make noteworthy or remarkable; discern.

God asks no less of us than He asked of the desert-wandering children...to distinguish.

To separate what is good from what is better, what is better from what is best and what is best from what is holy.

It's not always easy. The lines are not always drawn in the sand and the images clearly defined in black and white.

It's not always what everyone else is doing. We may stand out when we distinguish right from wrong according to God's leading.

It's not always comfortable. Making something noteworthy or remarkable, excellent or praiseworthy,  requires some effort.

It's not going to come naturally. Being holy isn't wired into us--that's why we so desperately need a Savior!

But when we do make a separation , when we see the differences, when we follow His direction and push aside the ordinary, the unclean and the unholy, His blessing will follow.

COMMANDED
Today's reading: Leviticus 7-9

"Moses announced to them, The Lord has commanded what I am now going to do!" Leviticus 8:5 NLT

Commanded-to have directed authoritatively; to have exercised with a dominating influence; to have dominated as from an elevated place.

What a difference it would make in my life if before I did or said anything I, like Moses, stood and made this announcement...The Lord has commanded what I am now going to do!

Because it was true...

Because I had sought His counsel before muttering a word...

Because I was so in tune with Him that my reactions were merely responses to His leading...

Because He had complete authority over my, my plans, my ways, my attitude...

Because I placed Him in such an elevated place of importance in my life. Even above myself...

What a difference it should make, because as Christians-people who are proclaiming God as their leader, we are saying to the world, "What I'm doing is what God's told me to do."

Hmm, that's certainly something to chew on this morning.

GO OUT
Today's reading: Leviticus 4-6

"Remember, the fire must be kept burning on the altar at all times. It must never go out." Leviticus 6:13 NLT

"The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar, it shall never go out." Leviticus 6:13 KJV

Go out-quenched, extinguished.

Leviticus 4-6 tells us that morning and evening burnt offerings were sacrificed in this Tabernacle church.

Twice daily the sins of the nation were laid upon this altar, seeking God's forgiveness and restoration to Him.

Sins fed the flames.

Wrong-doings kept the coals red.

Trespasses nourished the fire on the altar.

I think of the altars in our churches today.

They are used for thanksgiving. Used for seeking God's direction. Used to lay burdens upon. Used to re-group, to re-prioritize. Used to lift up others in prayer.

But is the fire on the altar fed by our seeking forgiveness for our sins? Are its coals banked by our repentance, true heart-breaking repentance? Do our tears of sorrow for wrongs we have committed against the Lord and others nourish the flames on the altars in our houses of worship?

Yes, I know we have had a Lamb sacrificed once and for all for our sins, but that great gift in itself should keep us wanting to remain clean, remain holy, remain cleared of all trespasses against Him--to keep the fire on the altar from ever going out.

OFFERING
Today's reading: Leviticus 1-3

Offering-the act of one who offers; something offered.

Offer-to present as an act of worship or devotion; to present for acceptance or rejection; to present in order to satisfy a requirement; to make available.

These first few chapters of Leviticus talk about burnt offerings, grain offerings and peace offerings.

Practices that seem foreign to us. Rituals requiring more effort and determination than a lot of us would care to put forth. Traditions that pre-date our grandparents and our denominations.

But it's important to understand them.

It's vital that we see sin as something that must be dealt with, forgiveness sought and relationship restored.

What struck me was the portion of Merriam-Webster's definition that states, 'to present for acceptance of rejection'.

That places value and importance on our own offerings to God. We tend to believe God will accept what we 'throw at Him' because He is God--not so!

He can accept or reject what we present to Him.

He can deem it an honorable attempt at worshiping Him, or see it as a distraction from what truly needs done, which is our hearts being changed.

He can see through the ritual right down to the marrow of our intentions.

What I offer Him today will be more carefully thought over, more intentional, more heart-felt than ever before.

KING
Today's reading: Mark 13-16

"A signboard was fastened to the cross above Jesus' head, announcing the charge against him. It read: The King of the Jews." Mark 15:26 NLT

King-a male monarch of a major territorial unit; one whose position is hereditary and rules for life; a paramount chief; one who holds a preeminent position; if capitalized, God, Christ.

Pilate and his soldiers were not the only ones to flippantly referred to  Jesus as 'King'.

A lot of us do it.

A lot of us call Him the King of Kings, not realizing our definition and regard for the position we ascribe Him means little to us.

The definition reminded me of His rank...in the world, and in my heart; His permanence...in the world, and in my heart; and His purpose...in the world, and in my heart.

I own nothing, therefore, I cannot rule over anything.

I have no authority, therefore, I cannot rule.

I am no one, therefore I cannot rule.

I need a King...and God provided one for me!

DIFFERENT
Today's reading: Mark 10-12

"But among you it should be quite different..." Mark 10:43 NLT

Different-partly or totally unlike in nature, form or quality; not the same; distinct; unusual; special.

Christ followers,

Are we more like Jesus, or the world?

Do folks see us standing out in the crowd by how we live, what we say and the things we do?

Are we spending more time in our Bible, allowing it to transform us--or time blending in?

Are we sincerely asking 'What Would Jesus Do?' or following the world's phrase, 'Just Do It'?

I agree, it's a lot to think about this Sunday morning. It's going to take personal reflection and an intimate investigation to get the real answer-for each one of us.

SECRET
Today's reading: Mark 7-9

"Then Jesus left Galilee and went north to the region of Tyre. He tried to keep it secret that he was there, but he couldn't. As usual, the news of his arrival spread fast." Mark 7:24 NLT

Secret- kept from knowledge or view.

When Jesus, God or the Holy Spirit are on the scene, there is no keeping it secret!

This verse reminds me that I need to be looking for their work in my daily surroundings. In my home. In my workplace. In the places I shop. In the car as I travel to and fro.

CARE
Today's reading: Mark 4-6

"Jesus was asleep in the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. Frantically they woke him up, shouting, Teacher, don't you even care that we are going to drown?" Mark 4:38 NLT

"...Master, carest thou not that we perish?" Mark 4:38 KJV

Care-to feel trouble or anxiety; to feel interest or concern.

Does He care?

When we cry out in the darkest of our nights, does He care?

When we sit at the side of a sickbed, does He care?

When our hearts are broken into a million pieces, does He care?

When our sins tell us we cannot go back to Him again, does He care?

When our plans are crumbled, dreams are dashed and our strength is gone, does He care?

When silence is all we get when we plead for direction, does He care?

The question isn't, Does He care? The question is...Do I believe He cares?

He has told us we are loved by Him.

He has told us He would never leave or forsake us.

He told us, as His children, we have nothing to fear.

He has told us He hears.

He has told us we would have trials and tribulations in this world, but that He has overcome them all.

So, do we believe He cares?

BELOVED
Today's reading: Mark 1-3

"And a voice came from heaven saying, You are my beloved Son, and I am fully pleased with you." Mark 1:11 NLT

Beloved-dearly loved; dear to the heart; esteemed; favorite; worthy of love.

I'm not surprised God speaks the word 'beloved' when He speaks to Jesus.

Jesus--the perfect One, the sacrificial Lamb, the Redeemer, the Savior of the world, the Son of the Most High God, the bright and morning Star, the Prince of Peace, one of the triplets of the Trinity.

What surprises me is that this same term, 'beloved', He speaks over me!

He says in Scripture that I am also His dearly loved.

That I am dear to His heart.

That because of His love for me, I am esteemed.

One of His favorites.

Worthy.

I am God's beloved!

SETTLED
Today's reading: Exodus 37-40

"Then the cloud covered the Tabernacle, and the glorious presence of the Lord filled it. Moses was no longer able to enter the Tabernacle because the cloud had settled down over it, and the Tabernacle was filled with the awesome glory of the Lord." Exodus 40:34-35 NLT

Settle-to place so as to stay; to establish in residence; to make quiet or orderly; to fix or resolve conclusively; to arrange in a desired position; to come to rest.

Imagine that day as the glory of God came to rest on the accumulated, organized and crafted assortment of yarns, metals, tanned hides, skills and offerings...

Can you see the look in the eyes of the Israelites as what they had given came to life?

That the bronze mirrors the young women had donated now reflected God's light?

That the gold bracelets, now hammered into threads and sewn into the priestly clothing, was transformed?

That the hours of painstaking needlework, metal work and carving now breathed in the very breath of God?

That now out of all the things these children of the Most High God offered, He had a place to rest, to reside, to stay? A place He deemed worthy.

Oh, that I would give all I have in order that God take it, transform it, breathe into it and settle over it!

PASSIONATE
Today's reading: Exodus 34-36

"You must worship no other gods, but only the Lord, for he is a God who is passionate about his relationship with you." Exodus 34:14 NLT

Passionate-easily aroused to anger; capable or, affected by, or expressing intense feeling.

I'll admit the first half or Merriam-Webster's definition for 'passionate' caught me off guard.

I knew passion had to do with intense feelings, but I'd never thought about anger being one of them.

So I dug deeper...

The words used in the King James Version of this verse doesn't refer to God as passionate, it refers to Him as jealous.

Jealous, as in not bearing to have any rival.

That opens up a new dimension to how very much He loves me. How truly He desires to have me heart, mind and soul. How very much He intends good for me, and not harm.

I am loved passionately and with a jealousy that cannot be rivaled--that makes me view today and the choices I will make with different eyes.

HELPS
Today's reading: Exodus 31-33

"The Lord then gave these further instructions to Moses: Tell the people of Israel to keep my Sabbath day, for the Sabbath is a sign of the covenant between me and you forever. It helps you to remember that I am the Lord, who makes you holy." Exodus 31:12-13 NLT

Help-to give assistance or support to; to make more pleasant or bearable; to be of use to; to benefit.

What did you do with your Lord's Day?

How did you spent its twenty-four hours?

How did you honor Him with it?

The importance of a day of rest is slipping away from us generation by generation, year by year, activity by activity.

That's sad.

He never intended His day to be like the others...busy, planned, filled to the max, scheduled with mundane activities, just another day.

It's especially sad to think that this day set apart from all the others was intended to help us.

To help us remember that He is Lord.

To help us remember the covenant He made and upholds between us.

To energize us.

To strengthen us.

And we brush it away? We make it less than what it was intended to be? We use it to serve us instead of using it to honor Him?

SPRINKLE
Today's reading: Exodus 28-30

"Then take some of the blood from the altar and mix it with some of the anointing oil. Sprinkle it on Aaron and his sons and on their clothes. In this way, they and their clothing will be set apart as holy to the Lord." Exodus 29:21 NLT

Sprinkle-to scatter in drops or particles; to scatter over; to scatter a liquid in fine drops; to rain lightly in scattered drops.

Wait a minute!

After reading the detailed, specific pattern, plans and designs for the priestly clothing, I cannot believe God would ask them to sprinkle blood all over them.

The fine linen cloth. The embroidery work. The specially dyed yarns. The gold chains. The chest piece holding the precious stones. The brilliant blue cloth. The gold bells. The pomegranates. The tassels. Even the special underwear.

Blood?

Staining blood?

The hard work. The time and effort. The attention to detail. The tired eyes of the older ladies who I am sure did some of the more intricate stitching.

And to sprinkle blood on it?

And yet it was God's command.

I think about my own life. How I want to keep areas of it 'clean' from His blood. How I am working so hard to 'fix' it on my own. How I know, down deep, that He's given me skills, talents, abilities, to keep it unstained for Him. The habits I've broken. The bad attitudes I've pushed aside, or so I thought.

And still He asks me to allow Him to sprinkle His blood over my hard work. Over my sequestered areas. Over my well thought out plans and ideas. Over my patched and plastered broken-ness.

Sprinkle me, Lord.

PLANS
Today's reading: Exodus 25-27

Plans-drawings or diagrams; methods for achieving an end; orderly arrangements of parts of an overall design or objective; detailed program.

My reading has me focused on the headings, or sub-titles, included in these chapters.

Plans for the Tabernacle...

Plans for the Ark...

Plans for the Table...

Plans for the Lampstand...

Plans for the Altar of Burnt Offering...

Plans for the Courtyard...

I see in my reading today that God had specific, well thought out, impeccable plans in place for building a worship center for His people.

A place where they could meet with Him.

A place where they could learn about Him.

A place where they could come to Him for forgiveness, grace and mercy.

Several times in this passage it is written that they are to be careful to build it all according to His plans.

The details, the precise measurements, the specific materials to be used, the order, the placement--it all amazes me with His specificity.

And awes me that His elaborate details flow into the plans He has for my life!

INFECT
Today's reading: Exodus 22-24

"Make no treaties with them and have nothing to do with their gods. Do not even let them live among you! If you do, they will infect you with their sin of idol worship, and that would be disastrous for you." Exodus 23:32-33 NLT

Infect- to contaminate with a disease-producing substance or agent; to corrupt; to cause to become sick, to spread to.

The current influenza epidemic is a topic of conversation where ever you go.

The television displays charts and graphs of where the bug is most rampant.

Schools send home notes about proper hygiene to help prevent the spread of germs.

Classrooms and churches have had a drop in attendance and doctors' office visits have spiked while everyone fights off the super-bug.

No one wants to be infected!

No one wants to be sick, incapacitated, unable to do what they want to do or to pass on germs of any type to another.

Except when it comes to sin.

We allow it.

We invite it into our homes. We purchase it at the stores. We watch it on the television. We let it grow in our hearts like bacteria growing on petri dishes in a science lab. We think we are stronger than the influences it might have on us.

None of us are immune. We have to take extra precaution not to catch the flu--or to be infected by sin.

CLIMBED
Today's reading: Exodus 19-21

"Then Moses climbed the mountain to appear before God..." Exodus 19:3 NLT

Climbed-having gone upward with gradual or continuous progress; to have increased gradually; to slope upward; to have gone upward or raised oneself especially by having grasped or clutched with the hands.

Moses made the effort, one step at a time, to place himself before God.

Gradually. Specifically. Intentionally. Methodically.

The process was a part of His worship of God. The effort he put forth built within him a desire to get to the Holy One of Israel. The inconvenience of his attempt proved its importance. The determination required, in part, validated his desire to know God better. The sweat and strained muscles were petty annoyances once at His feet.

It's shameful to say, but too many times, we want it easier.

We don't want to have to make the effort. Go through the process. Be inconvenienced. Take the time from our oh-so busy lives. We would prefer to fall into His presence than have to climb up to it.

And when we don't make the time, take the time, give the time, we are short-changed. Severely short-changed.

Climb the mountain today to be in His presence.

Carve out the time required to sit in silence at His feet.

Push other pressing matters aside so that you can spend a few minutes with your Father.

Refuse to let anything steal the time you are wanting to dedicate to Him.

Make the effort.