HEALTHY
Today's reading: 2 & 3 John, Jude

"Dear friend, I am praying that all is well with you and that your body is as healthy as I know your soul is." 3 John 2 NLT

Healthy-to be sound, to be well; free from disease or pain; enjoying vigor.

Did you know some of the healthiest people I know are battling life-changing diseases?

How can it be, you ask?

It's a matter of the heart!

They have peace.

They have trust in the Lord.

They have assurance of His abilities and His plan for them.

They have no doubt, whatsoever, that God is with them, for them and in them.

That gives them soul-health, and that's what will get them up and over the mountains they may be facing.

The thing is, they hadn't waited to attain it until a diagnosis came along.

You probably shouldn't either.

Do all you can at the Father's feet to get your soul healthy.

Become wholly His.

Let go of what's dragging your heart down.

Because, honestly, we don't know what the next telephone call will tell us.

SENDING
Today's reading: 1 John

"God showed how much he loves us by sending his only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him." 1 John 4:9 NLT

Send-to cause to go; to propel or throw in a particular direction; to drive, order or request to go.

Apostello- Greek, to order one to go to a place appointed.

Until this morning I'd never thought about God sending Jesus to us as He sends us to the world.

To speak of Truth.

To be the hands and feet of Love.

To live in Peace.

To walk in the Light.

To be Salt.

To proclaim the Gospel.

To be like Jesus.

Jesus was sent as a missionary to a dark, dying world. 

So are we!

WATERED
Today's reading: Ezekiel 46-48

"Then the man brought me back to the entrance of the Temple. There I saw a stream flowing eastward from beneath the Temple threshold..." Ezekiel 47:1 NLT

"...For they are watered by the river flowing from the Temple..." Ezekiel 47:12 NLT

Watered- to have been moistened, sprinkled or soaked with water; to have been supplied with water.

I don't know where you attend church on the Lord's Day.

It doesn't matter to me the denomination.

Or the type of music played.

Or the Bible translation usually used.

Or if your pastor speaks wearing a three-piece suit or jeans and button-down.

What I need to you make sure of is that at every service the Spirit of God waters you and flows forth from the doors of your church!

That God's Word is preached--in all it's power and might!

That God's Word is believed--to be true, alive and life-changing!

That God's Word is being followed--by everyone from the preacher to the janitor to the pew-sitters!

That God's Word is being allowed to work--in all aspects of the church and its ministries!

That God's Word is being protected--from the outside influences of the world and by the well-meaning churchfolks who would like to water it down to make it more palatable to the public!

That God's Word is being poured out so greatly on you that Monday is different, your family is changed, your workplace is affected, your neighborhood is better, your bad habits are dropping like flies and your witness is shiny and glowing!

So, check your church. Make sure it's watering you. Make sure you are attending often enough to 'get wet' with the Word of the Lord.

Is there a river of life flowing from the threshold of your place of worship?

PERSPIRE
Today's reading: Ezekiel 43-45

"They must wear linen turbans and linen undergarments. They must not wear anything that would cause them to perspire." Ezekiel 44:18 NLT

Perspire-to emit matter through the skin.

Sweat-to labor or exert oneself so as to cause perspiration.

Talk about God being in the details!

God didn't intend for his priests, those ministering in His presence, to break a sweat.

Because of being nervous...

Or worried...

Or overworked...

Or stressed out...

Or afraid...

Or having inner turmoil that keeps the body in chaos...

Or harboring thoughts that keep our heads spinning and our hearts racing...

Friends, we are His priests.

We are, at all times, in His presence.

So--don't sweat it!

WALL
Today's reading: Ezekiel 40-42

"So the area was 875 feet on each side with a wall all around to separate the holy places from the common." Ezekiel 42:20 NLT

Wall-a high thick masonry structure forming a long rampart or an enclosure chiefly for defense; a masonry fence around a garden, park or estate; a structure that serves to hold back pressure (such as from water or earth).

Walls are in the news these days.

I'm not sure what your stand is on the one the media constantly talks about, but there is one I believe we need to agree on as Christians.

It's a wall we build to keep unholy, sinful, ungodly things out of our lives.

This kind of wall signifies the line we will not allow ourselves to cross in order to maintain godliness and Christlikeness.

Some of my walls may have to be built higher than yours in regards to certain temptations and lures. A few of my walls have to be built tall enough to not even allow my mind's eye to see what's on the other side. A few of my own personal walls aren't as high, more like curbs, to remind me of their presence.

Yours may look different than mine.

The thing is, we all need walls to separate the common from the holy.

Let's check our walls for gaps.

Inspect our walls for breaches.

Investigate our walls for ones that need fortified, added to or begun.

HOME
Today's reading: Ezekiel 37-39

"I will make my home among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people." Ezekiel 37:27 NLT

Home- one's place of residence; a personal dwelling place.

Think about this...

A 'home' can be a small bungalow, a rustic cabin, a craftsman-style duplicate in a subdivision, a beachside condo or a multi-room mansion.

A 'home' can be in the country, in the city, in the middle of nowhere, in the tallest of apartment buildings on the busiest street.

A 'home' according to the Hebrew translation of the word can range from a shepherd's hut to an animal's lair to the Tabernacle.

A 'home' is also your heart.

Has God made Himself at home in your heart?

Is He as comfortable there as He is at your church?

Are you?

SEARCH
Today's reading: Ezekiel 34-36

"For this is what the Sovereign Lord says, I myself will search and find my sheep." Ezekiel 34:11 NLT

Search-to look into or over carefully or thoroughly in an effort to find or discover something.

It's a simple question with a heart full of thought put in to it...

Are you one of the found or are you still one He is searching for?

ALARM
Today's reading: Ezekiel 31-33

"Son of man, give your people this message: When I bring an army against a country, the people of that land choose a watchman. When the watchman sees the enemy coming, he blows the alarm to warn the people. Then if those who hear the alarm refuse to take action--well, it is their own fault if they die." Ezekiel 33:2-4 NLT

Alarm- a signal that warns or alerts; sudden sharp apprehension and fear resulting from the perception of imminent danger.

It's seldom, if ever, bright flashing lights or sirens that tell me I'm headed down a slippery slope.

It's never been a message in the looming clouds that tell me danger is ahead on the path I've chosen.

As a matter of fact, it's never even been the booming voice of God from heaven.

It's usually an unsettled feeling in my heart.

Or a twinge in my conscience.

Or a heaviness in my soul.

Or an awake at night kind of remorse for an action done, or left undone.

My watchman warning me of impending doom is hardly ever a person...but it's the Holy Spirit.

And it's up to me to listen to His warnings--or continue on my own way.

ACCESS
Today's reading: Ezekiel 28-30

"...You had access to the holy mountain of God..." Ezekiel 28:14 NLT

Access-permission, liberty or ability to enter, approach or pass to and from a place or to approach or communicate with a person or thing.

I have a whole lot to be thankful for today!

A healthy family.

A warm home.

A Bible-preaching church.

Godly friends.

A job I like.

But this morning in the Lord's message to Ezekiel, I realize what I am MOST thankful for...

Access to the holy mountain of God.

I can talk to Him anytime.

I can go before Him at any point in my day.

I am welcomed into the presence of God Himself.

What a heart full of thanks I have this morning!

KNOW
Today's reading: Ezekiel 25-27

"...Then they will know that I am the Lord." Ezekiel 25:11 NLT

"...Then they will know that I am the Lord." Ezekiel 26:6 NLT

Know- to perceive directly; to have an understanding of; to be aware of the truth or factuality of.

I've noticed this phrase several times while reading through the book of Ezekiel.

'...Then they will know...'

The use of the word 'then' tells me something has to happen to show 'them', so they will 'know'.

Do you realize every moment of your testimony has been written so that someone will see God in it?

Every page.

Every chapter.

Even, and especially, the chapters you would have NEVER written for yourself!

Just so someone might know He is the Lord.

To perceive personally how very much He loves.

How very powerful He is.

How merciful He can be.

How gracious He is.

How in control of all He is.

So I urge you to continue living through your testimony with the anticipation of someone coming to know that He is the Lord!

GAP
Today's reading: Ezekiel 22-24

"I looked for someone who might rebuilt the wall of righteousness that guards the land. I searched for someone to stand in the gap in the wall so I wouldn't have to destroy the land, but found no one." Ezekiel 22:30 NLT

Gap-a break in a barrier; a separation in space; an incomplete or deficient area; a break in continuity.

Ever wondered why you are where you are?

Why you are going through what He has you going through?

Why you are surrounded by the folks you are surrounded with?

Why what's happened in your life has happened?

Why you are in the office He has you in?

The family?

The church?

The neighborhood?

If you are a believer...one who believes without a doubt that Jesus was born of a virgin, lived a perfect life, died a cruel death and rose again after three days...you can rest assured God has you where He has you to fill a gap.

A place where godliness was weak, or non-existent. A hole in His wall of righteousness. A spot where someone like you will do just what He wants done.

He needs you where He has you.

If you are not a believer. If you have not accepted God's gift of saving grace. If you think you're doing just fine without this Jesus-guy.

Well, if that's you--He has you where He does so one of His followers can touch your life!

REPLY
Today's reading: Ezekiel 19-21

"On August 14, during the seventh year of King Jehoichin's captivity, some of the leaders of Israel came to request a message from the Lord. They sat down in front of me to wait for his reply." Ezekiel 20:1 NLT

"And it came to pass in the seventh year, in the fifth month, the tenth day of the month, that certain of the elders of Israel came to enquire of the Lord, and sat before me." Ezekiel 20:1 KJV

Reply-to respond in words or writing.

Let's say you are like me and are a Christian.

That you believe in the power of God.

That you trust in prayer.

That you have faith that God can and will do what He pleases.

Let's also say you share those beliefs with others.

You let them know your life is built on faith.

Your hope is in God.

You believe prayer to be powerful and effective.

Let's now say you have a friend who is in need.

Desperate need.

Gut-wrenching, life-altering, brought-to-their-knees need.

And they come to you for a reply from the Lord.

The same God you've been touting all these years.

The same Savior you've spoken about on numerous occasions.

The same Creator/Healer/Sustainer/Friend that they've heard you refer to as having all the answers.

And they camp out at your desk, on your couch, in the passenger seat of your car--and wait for an answer from your God. They take a day off from work just to be with you when He speaks. They cancel all appointments as they watch you for any sign of a response from heaven. They sit beside you with a pen in hand and a notepad on the ready. They lean in to hear your every word.

Would you believe He will answer as much as they will?

Sure takes the idea of 'I'll pray for you' to a different dimension, doesn't it?

STRIP
Today's reading: Ezekiel 16-18

"Then I will give you to your lovers--these many nations--and they will destroy you. They will knock down your pagan shrines and the altars to your idols. They will strip you and take your beautiful jewels, leaving you completely naked and ashamed." Ezekiel 16:39 NLT

Strip-to remove clothing, covering or surface matter from; to deprive of possessions; to make bare.

I don't know about you, but I've lived this verse.

I've wandered off God's path...

I've struck out on my own...

I've followed the lure of the idols my enemy has set before me...

I've disregarded the Holy Spirit's warnings, just to get what I thought was offered...

And I have been left stripped bare and alone, lacking more than I set out to find.

Idols lie.

They offer more than they can give.

They assure fun, but can offer no joy.

They promise a great time, but are lacking of hope and peace.

So here is a warning from a friend: Stay with God!

No matter what the enemy offers, stay with God.

DISCOURAGE
Today's reading: Ezekiel 13-15

"You have discouraged the righteous with your lies, when I didn't want them to suffer grief. And you have encouraged the wicked by promising them life, even through they continue in their sins." Ezekiel 13:22 NLT

Discourage-to deprive of courage or confidence; to hinder; to dissuade or attempt to dissuade from doing something.

May I just share one of my favorite CS Lewis writings...

So there was table after table filled with all the tools of Satan.  There was envy over here.  Pride was over here.  Jealousy was over here and sexual temptation over here.  Greed was over here. 

Over on one side table, there was just a very small box, and inside the box was a very, very worn tool.  No sizzle, nothing compared to the other tools.  As the demons begin to roam around the garage sale and figure out which tool they wanted to use to move up the ladder in Hell’s kitchen, and be superstars for Satan, they noticed that pride and envy and sexual temptation, the price tags were actually pretty reasonably priced.

But then they went over to this one little box, they opened it, and it was so worn.  The price was just off the charts.  The demons got together, and being a good group that lies to one another often and loves to negotiate, they said to Satan, “This doesn’t make any sense.  These things that we see really bring people down aren’t very expensive.  This tool over here, it’s exceedingly worn and way too expensive.  What is that tool?” 

Satan says, “That’s discouragement.  The reason it’s so well worn is because it’s the one I use more than all the others combined.  When I use all those other tools, some of those Christians are fairly sharp.  They figure out I’m behind it.  But when I use discouragement, often they have no idea that it’s me behind it.  I get them to give up on their marriages.  I get them to give up on God.  I get them to give up on ministry.  I get them to give up on commitments they’ve made.  I get them discouraged and they end up right where we want them, but they never know that I was the one behind it all.”

Watch for satan's tools being used on you! Especially the one that comes in a small, well-worn box.

WANT
Today's reading: Ezekiel 9-12

"Again the message came to me from the Lord: Son of man, you live among rebels who could see the truth if they wanted to, but they don't want to. They could hear me if they would listen, but they won't listen because they are rebellious." Ezekiel 12:1-2 NLT

Want-to be needy or destitute; to have or feel a need; to fail to possess the required amount.

All day long we live and work around folks who don't want what Jesus has provided.

They decline to hear about His love for them.

They refuse to listen to you give an account of His sacrifice on the cross.

They refute claims that He rose from the dead after three days.

Don't take it personally...they just aren't at the point in their lives when they are desperate for Him!

Right now they are believing they have what they need. They think their lives are full of what matters. They see Jesus as an unnecessary accessory to their lives.

Be there for them when the bottom drops out of their worlds.

When they find out all they've accumulated will never be enough to fill the ache of a sin-sick soul.

When the one they love breaks vows.

When their health fails.

When they realize they are in desperate need of a Savior!

That's when they will listen.

That's when they will realize all they had ever wanted is wrapped up in the life and love of a Baby born in Bethlehem.

SERIOUS
Today's reading: Ezekiel 5-8

"Then when they are exiled among the nations, they will remember me. They will recognize how grieved I am by their unfaithful hearts and lustful eyes that long for other gods. Then at last they will hate themselves for all their wickedness. They will know that I alone am the Lord and that I was serious when I predicted that all this would happen to them." Ezekiel 6:9-10 NLT

Serious-of or relating to a matter of importance; not joking or trifling; not easily answered or solved; having important or dangerous possible consequences.

God is serious about sin.

About how far it takes us away from Him and His wonderful plan for our lives as His children.

About how hurt we will be from playing with it.

About how much it will eventually cost us.

About the consequences sin leaves behind. Consequences that remain after forgiveness occurs. Consequences that touch lives--ours and those around us.

Are we as serious?

SINK
Today's reading: Ezekiel 1-4

"Then he added, Son of man, let all my words sink deep into your own heart first. Listen to them carefully for yourself. Then go to your people in exile..." Ezekiel 3:10-11 NLT

Sink-to go to the bottom; to become engulfed; to soak or become deeply absorbed; to cause something to penetrate.

Ezekiel received a word straight from God to speak to the exiles in Babylon.

To his fellow Jews.

To ones who had sinned against God--even after repeated warnings.

But if you'll notice, instead of God telling Ezekiel to 'Sic'em', He asked him to do something first...

God asked Ezekiel to let the Word penetrate his own heart.

God asked Ezekiel to listen to the Word.

Ezekiel was a godly man.

He was the prophet of the day.

He was God's chosen fellow.

And still Ezekiel needed God's Word to sink down deep into his heart--to penetrate Ezekiel's heart so deeply that it changed Ezekiel.

Before he ever spoke a word to the 'sinners'.

Things haven't changed, fellow believers.

Our time in the Word isn't intended to be just for loading up our arsenal of things to tell the lost world, sins to point out, topics for which we can point fingers.

It's to change us.

Before we will EVER change the world, God must change us.

Makes me see my time in my Bible in a different light.

EVERY
Today's reading: Psalm 147-150

"Let every created thing give praise to the Lord, for he issued his command, and they came into being." Psalm 148:5 NLT

Every-being each individual or part of a group without exception.

I don't know about you, but when I realize no one and no thing is exempt from praising God, I am ashamed.

Embarrassed over my choice to complain and groan, rather than praise and glorify.

Ashamed about my decisions to play the wanting/needy child, when I have had so many of His blessings poured out on my life.

Financial status doesn't give me a free pass.

Poor health doesn't hand me an exemption.

A bad childhood doesn't grant me immunity.

A dirtied past doesn't get me out of doing what I was created to do.

My purpose is to praise God.

Without exception.

HELPER
Today's reading: Psalm 143-146

"But happy are those who have the God of Israel as their helper, whose hope is in the Lord their God." Psalm 146:5 NLT

Helper-one who gives aid or assistance or makes a task more pleasant or bearable.

Ooh, I love that definition!

To think of God being my helper...

To think of Him giving me aid or assistance...

To think of Him making what I need to do more pleasant or bearable...

The trials I walk through. The tasks I'm called on to complete. The people I am asked to witness to. The hardships I am ordained to endure. The victories I have been given to taste. The situations I am privy to walk through just to encounter His power and might.

God is my helper!

MOMENT
Today's reading: Psalm 139-142

"You chart the path ahead of me and tell me where to stop and rest. Every moment you know where I am." Psalm 139:3 NLT

"You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every single moment was laid out before a single day had passed." Psalm 139:16 NLT

Moment-a minute portion or point in time; a comparatively brief period of time.

Not the tiniest portion of time passes without God knowing what you are doing, where you are and what state your attitude is in.

Your circumstances never surprise Him.

The emergencies that arise in your life never catch Him off guard.

Never for a moment has God blinked, turned His head or been out of the loop of your life.

Every moment of your life He has okayed, ordained, allowed and been present in.

Including this very one!

LIFT
Today's reading: Psalm 128-134

"Lift your hands in holiness, and bless the Lord." Psalm 134:2 NLT

Lift-to raise from a lower to a higher position; to raise in rank or condition.

Lord, allow me to put into words what You've put into my heart!

Down and out?

Discouraged and fatigued?

Exhausted and exasperated?

Needing a change of location? A heart remodel? An attitude adjustment?

Lift your hands in praise!

A simple act of honoring God with uplifted hands, where ever you are, can change your position, your rank and your condition.

Thinking too much about what's missing in your life? Lift your hands and praise Him for all He has given you!

Mind bogged down with the latest news, worries, fears? Lift your hands and praise God for how He has proved Himself faithful throughout the generations--and in your own lifetime!

Tired? Don't have the energy to take another step, another treatment, another blow from the enemy's hands? Lift your hands to the One who has brought you this far, given you this much and believes in you as much as He does!

Lift your hands!

TRAP
Today's reading: Psalm 120-127

"We escaped like a bird from a hunter's trap. The trap is broken, and we are free!" Psalm 124:7 NLT

Trap-something by which one is caught unawares.

Ever had to set a mousetrap?

It is a tense situation requiring the utmost of attention. It takes a steady hand. Your most up-to-date pair of reading glasses. It takes attention to detail.

Or...

SNAP!!

Once you've been 'bitten' by a trap like that, you don't soon want to return to play with it, do you?

So, I'll ask you a few things I've asked myself:

Ever walked back into a sin-filled situation that God had removed you from?

Slipped back into a habit of sin?

Started hanging around 'old neighborhoods'?

Begun to respond to temptations from way back?

Got comfortable playing around sprung traps?

Here is a recommendation from a friend: Don't play around old traps!

You've been freed from them.

You've been forgiven, if you are a child of God, of your mistakes regarding them.

You've been given a calling that is higher than them.

So why ever go back?

Why risk it?

BALANCE
Today's reading: Psalm 119:89-176

"My life constantly hangs in the balance, but I will not stop obeying your law." Psalm 119:109 NLT

"My soul is continually in my hand, yet I do not forget thy law." Psalm 119:109 KJV

Balance-physical equilibrium; a stability produced by even distribution of weight on each side of a vertical axis.

Every choice is a choice to live for God--or not.

A decision to be made between a blessing and a curse.

A choosing among life or death.

It is a constant balancing act, of sorts.

Our soul, our very being, lies in the palm of our hands with each choice we make, ready for someone or something to take it.

Yes, even the smallest decisions--because we know they lead to the bigger choices we make. It starts way before we would ever choose to steal. To lie. To murder. To turn our back on God.

I'm challenging myself to carefully attend to my choices today. To monitor each one carefully. To take a moment 'to chase my decisions to their end' before I make a move. To seek God's advice.

Because it's a balancing act.

REVIVE
Today's reading: Psalm 119:1-88

"I lie in the dust, completely discouraged; revive me by your word." Psalm 119:25 NLT

"Your promise revives me; it comforts me in all my troubles." Psalm 119:50 NLT

Revive-to return to consciousness or life; to restore from a depressed, inactive or unused state.

I'm not sure where my blog post will find you this morning.

On top of a mountain, arms raised, whooping and hollering in victory? Moving forward? Trudging along? Humming a hymn? Helping another? Shutting satan down before he gets the first lie whispered into your ear?

No?

How about...

Flat on your back in the gutter, beaten, bruised, worn out from the struggle? Deflated? Depressed? Feeling unnoticed? Invisible? Unnecessary? Overwhelmed?

Open your Bible.

Really.

Yes, I know you tire of hearing me say it will help...but it will help!

It will give your strength. It will provide you with a breath of fresh air. It will cause your heart to beat wildly in anticipation for all God wants to do for you.

God's Word restores us. The Bible brings life back to our weary, worn out souls. Scripture shines a light of hope on our depressed conditions. God's promises breathe life into our tired lives.

Just a few verses.

Just a couple minutes of your day.

Try it, I believe you'll find it helps! I believe you'll be changed!

(Not sure where to read? How about Psalm 23, Psalm 103, Psalm 63.)

UNFAILING
Today's reading: Psalm 116-118

"Praise the Lord, all you nations. Praise him, all you people of the earth. For he loves us with unfailing love; the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord!" Psalm 117

Unfailing-not failing or liable to fail.

(Fail-to lose strength; to fade or die away; to be unsuccessful; to disappoint.)

When the enemy causes you to doubt whether God can, remember God is as strong today as He was when He spoke the world into being, when He split the veil in two and when He forgave your multitude of sins.

When the enemy makes you wonder if God is still alive, remember He always has been, He is and He always will be!

When the enemy plants fear in your mind as to if God can, remember He has never been unsuccessful at anything He does.

When the enemy makes you think God will let you down, remember He never has. He never will. He cannot disappoint!

God's love for you is unfailing.

Unfathomable, isn't it?

ALL
Today's reading: Psalm 110-115

"All he does is just and good, and all his commandments are trustworthy." Psalm 111:7 NLT

All-the whole amount, quantity or extent of; as much as possible; every member or individual component of.

If we were to fully grasp, and fully believe, that ALL God does is just and good, we would be freed from worry.

From doubt.

From wondering.

From questioning.

We would know all that ever came our way, ever happened, ever came to pass was filtered through Him and given to us to see His goodness.

All.

SNAPPED
Today's reading: Psalm 107-109

"He led them from the darkness and deepest gloom; he snapped their chains." Psalm 107:14 NLT

Snapped-to have broken suddenly with a sharp sound.

When I was in high school the popular Christian thing was the 'power lifter team'.

It was a bunch of big, burly Christian men who gave presentations at churches and school about the power of God.

They were impressive to look at. Bulging muscles. Defined biceps. They would wow the crowd with their strong man demonstrations.

One of their signature feats of strength was to tear in half a 'New York City-sized' telephone book with their bare hands.

It certainly brought ooh and aahs from the crowd.

I did it once.

Yes, I tore a thick phone book in half...After I baked it for 6 hours in a very low oven--as instructed on the internet.

I guess the baking process brittled the pages and sure enough, with my own bare hands I tore it in half for a Children's Church lesson.

And yes, I got the amazed response. (Granted my audience consisted of 1st-4th graders.)

I thought about the process I had to go through in order to do that feat of power when I read about God snapping my chains of bondage.

God didn't have to work at it. He didn't have to strain.  He didn't have to tug and pull for hours on end. He didn't have to 'bake the chains in the oven' to get them to the point at which He could break them at their weakest link.

He snapped them clean in two when He saved me! When I think back, I can almost hear the sound it made at that small altar at that little country church that Easter Sunday morning.

Immediately.

Instantaneously.

Lovingly.

Completely.

With more might, power and strength than the 'power lifter team' could ever dream of having!

DEEP
Today's reading: Lamentations 3-5

"But I called on your name, Lord, from deep within the well and you heard me! You listened to my pleading; you heard my weeping! Yes, you came at my despairing cry and told me, Do not fear." Lamentations 3:55-57 NLT

Deep-extending far from some surface or area; in a place of difficulty or distress.

If you allow Merriam-Webster to help you, like I did this morning, you'll find a word relating to the word 'deep' that really hits home.

A word that resounds.

A word that speaks to my soul, my heart, my circumstances.

It's a word that makes this verse come alive and become mine.

The word given is 'abyss'.

Jeremiah says God heard him from deep within the well.

Jeremiah actually spent time in a well. A real well. A dried up well. It was his prison for a time. It was not a figure of speech, it was real.

You've probably not spent time in the depths of a well, I know I haven't.

But in an abyss?

A dark, low, lonely place where no one can help you?

A place that has dragged your soul deeper and farther than you ever thought possible?

A valley that never sees the sun, hope or joy?

A place that is a far distance from where you'd have ever wanted to be, ever thought you'd spend time?

Friend, God can hear you from there!

Cry out!

Call His name!

Whisper that prayer!

Know you are never too 'deep' that He cannot hear you!

Your abyss is not beyond His boundaries!

PLUNDERED
Today's reading: Lamentations 1-2

"The enemy has plundered her completely, taking everything precious that she owns..." Lamentations 1:10 NLT

Plunder-to take by force, theft or fraud.

The prophet Jeremiah writes Lamentations as a funeral song for Jerusalem.

Jerusalem has fallen into enemy hands and has been completely and utterly destroyed.

The words he uses are personal.

The words he uses are descriptive.

The words he uses are dripping with his tears.

Because he knows, God has revealed to him, that what the enemy has taken was allowed.

The children of God allowed the enemy to walk in their city gates, to infect their homes, to contaminate their worship services, to get into their minds.

At first they were sold lies. Little doubts planted in their heads. Tiny questions that sprouted and grew.

Then they had what was theirs stolen. Slowly and steadily the enemy took more--and more--and more.

And now anything that remained was taken by force. Pried from their hands. Stolen from their Temple. Wrenched from their hearts as embarrassment, conviction and shame took over.

The enemy has not changed his tactics!

That's what he continues to do today.

He knocks discreetly at the doors of our hearts. He looks unintimidating. He looks harmless. He tells us what he offers is a little, tiny ray of hope.

He twists the Word of God. He adds, or takes away from, what we have read in our Bibles. He raises doubt on the darkest of nights. He lies to us about all we know to be true.

Then he steals. Our joy. Our peace. Our hope. Our assurance.

And we find ourselves plundered. Empty.

Don't answer the door when he knocks!