THINK ABOUT IT
Today's reading: Exodus 12, Matthew 18:1-20, Psalm 26

"But if anyone causes one of these little ones who trust in me to lose faith, it would be better for that person to be thrown in to the sea with a large millstone tied around the neck." Matthew 18:6 NLT

This morning I'm talking to the believers.

The ones who have experienced God's saving grace.

Those washed in His blood.

I'm begging you to stay the course.

To keep walking in godliness.

To continue on the path of righteousness.

No matter how tired you are. No matter how many times you've been hurt by a fellow Christian. No matter what it is you're going through. No matter how hard it is. No matter how little good you see it doing.

Please, stay with it.

Why? Because someone younger, in age or in their faith, is watching you.

They need to see someone continue on when it's hard, when it's lonely, when it doesn't seem like it could possibly be worth it. They need to see that going on is what's best.

They don't need another example of a believer leaving the church because they've been hurt by someone in their own pew.

They don't need to hear another story of infidelity within the church walls.

They don't need the recounting of another fall from grace.

They don't need another hypocritical Christian story being played over and over at the water cooler at work.

Stay with it for what you owe God and what you'll receive---but also stay with it because someone else's faith could be compromised.

And wouldn't that be a heavy load to bear?

OH, THE STORIES THEY'LL TELL
Today's reading: Exodus 10-11, Matthew 17:10-27, Psalm 25

"Then the Lord said to Moses, Return to Pharaoh and again make your demands. I have made him and his officials stubborn so I can continue to display my power by performing miraculous signs among them. You will be able to tell wonderful stores to your children and grandchildren about the marvelous things I am doing among the Egyptians to prove that I am the Lord." Exodus 10:1-2 NLT

I have a little exercise I want you to participate in this morning.

Picture in your mind, no names please, the person/loved one/friend/family member/co-worker that you've been praying will come to the Lord.

The one that's been on your heart and mind for a long time.

That soul who God whispers in your ear on a regular basis.

The one who has pushed Him away too many times to count.

Yes, that one!

Now place that person into the verses for today.

Yes, put their names in the place of Pharaoh's and his officials.

Did you do it? Did you insert their name? Did you 'write' them into the verse?

What a thought!

It very well could be God is allowing them to resist, to push away, to refuse Him time and time again--only to have it all end with a marvelous story of God's grace, patience, love and mercy.

Every refusal is another page in their testimony.

Every time they don't choose God is another chapter in their story.

So?

So, keep praying!

When they come to mind, pray. When God lays them on your heart, pray. When you see them, pray. When they turn and run the other way because they know you're going to talk about God, pray. When they choose the world over God again--and again, and again, pray.

Because He hasn't given up.

LISTEN CAREFULLY TO THIS
Today's reading: Exodus 7:25-9:35, Matthew 17:1-9, Psalm 24

"If you refuse, then listen carefully to this..." Exodus 8:2 NLT

I've been caught off guard with a snippet of the conversation between God and Moses and Pharaoh this morning.

God could have made Pharaoh let the Israelites go...

God could have made Moses make Pharaoh let the Israelites go...

God could have but he allowed Moses and Pharaoh to play their own parts, to fulfill their own roles, to make their own heart-led decisions.

And He does it for us.

He lets me be me. He lets me be disobedient me. He lets me be dealing with the discipline of not listening me. He lets me be think I know better me.

I needed the reminder that when I refuse to listen to Him, there will be consequences.

There will be things I want to do separate from the Lord, but...

There will be things He asks me to do that I think too hard. I can choose not to do them, but...

There will be times I just don't understand why in the world God is asking me to do something and I dig in my heels and refuse, but...

There will be choices I am called to make that are not easy, fun or socially approved, but...

I want this morning's verse to ring in my ears!

IF you refuse, then listen carefully to this...

A NORMAL DAY
Today's reading: Exodus 5:22-7:24, Mathew 16:13-28, Psalm 23

"Pharaoh returned to his palace and put the whole thing out of his mind." Exodus 7:23 NLT

I kind of giggle at this verse.

There is no way, absolutely, no way in the world that once Pharaoh heard God's/Moses'/Aaron's words, saw the staff turn into a snake and watched the Nile turn from water to blood that he went back to his palace and 'put the whole thing out of his mind'.

No way!

Oh sure, maybe he went about conducting his daily business.

Maybe he continued to meet with the dignitaries and ambassadors scheduled in his day.

Maybe he sat down and ate his royal lunch with his royal utensils served to him by his royal staff on his royal china--but I don't think it sat as well as it usually did.

I don't think his meetings had his full attention.

I don't think he was functioning at his usual one hundred percent.

Because the words of God, the works of God and the will of God don't leave us that easily.

They leave an indention on our hearts.

They leave a fragrance floating around us.

They linger in our minds.

And for me, that gives me peace.

It reminds me that I can't wander away and neither can the ones for whom I am praying, sharing God's love and inviting to church!

The unsaved on my list cannot get away from Him.

No matter how hard they try.

No matter how sure they are that they have 'put the whole thing out of their mind'!

SIT DOWN
Today's reading: Exodus 4:1-5:21, Matthew 15:29-16:12, Psalm 22:22-31

"So Jesus told all the people to sit down on the ground." Matthew 15:35 NLT

Maybe it happened this way...

All day long, during the healings, the teachings and the ministerings, Jesus kept an eye on the little boy with the sack lunch. Maybe He scruffed his hair in passing. The little guy, indistinct, quiet, unknowing.

But the time came for the miracle.

Do you think Jesus was excited about what was going to happen? Oh, sure, this was just a tiny flex of His God-sized muscles, but excited to see the looks on their faces?

Do you think He thought ahead to all the Sunday School classes that would hear the account, all the coloring pages throughout history that would record this day, all the scrap crafts that would be cut, glued and colored through out time in honor of the five loaves and two fishes?

I'm not sure.

But this I know, Jesus knew it would knock the socks off the folks on the hill that day--so He asked them to sit down.

Find a seat, folks, you're about to see a miracle!

Get a good solid foundation underneath you, because what you're about to see will blow you away!

Settle in seekers, this is going to amaze and astound you!

Maybe, just maybe, that's where He has you today--sitting.

But not just sitting...sitting and waiting for His miracle to begin.

He is preparing you to be blown away by His provision, His love, His ways.

LEFT ON GOD'S DOORSTEP
Today's reading: Exodus 2-3, Matthew 15:1-28, Psalm 22:1-21

"I was thrust upon you at my birth. You have been my God from the moment I was born." Psalm 22:10 NLT

It's been God and I for a very LLOONGGG time.

My first foray into the world, except for the trip home from the hospital, was to church.

He has had to put up with me from the beginning of--well, me.

And that's okay.

It's so okay, in fact, I'm doing it with my own child.

My parents couldn't have raised me without God's help, and I only realized that once I had a small boy placed in my own hands 18 years ago.

Yes, it's been God and I for a long time--and it's going to continue!

HANGING BANNERS
Today's reading: Genesis 47:27-49:28, Matthew 13:44-58, Psalm 20

"May we shout for joy when we hear of your victory, flying banners to honor our God. May the Lord answer all your prayers." Psalm 20:5 NLT

The simplest text caused me to want to 'fly banners to honor God' yesterday evening.

It wasn't that I'd won the Publisher's Clearinghouse sweepstakes.

Or that my name was drawn for the $100 of free groceries.

Or that the bank had found an error in my favor of $3 million dollars.

Any of those would have been cause for celebration, but that's not what I got.

"Praise report, I've felt pretty good today!!!" is what I received.

It was news to my ears!

It was an answer to prayer!

It was a reason to praise God!

Because I know the friend who sent it had been having a very rough patch. A string of tough days. A series of ups-and-downs that has left him, and his family, exhausted. I know the words were heartfelt and God-honoring.

'Pretty good' is reason for me to hang the party banners and celebrate God hearing us!

There are always reasons to fly the banners of praise--ALWAYS!

Some days you have to look deeper for them, listen longer for them, search more widely for them or stop long enough for them to be noticed.

Choose today as the day to look for reasons to fly banners of praise!

EVERY PART
Today's reading: Genesis 46:1-47:26, Matthew 13:24-43, Psalm 19

"Jesus also used this illustration: The Kingdom of Heaven is like yeast used by a woman making bread. Even though she used a large amount of flour, the yeast permeated every part of the dough." Matthew 13:33 NLT

Ever feel like a very, very tiny speck on this great, big, spinning green and blue orb?

Ever felt like the role you have been given is a very small one? One that may have been written just for you, but seemingly unimportant in the greater plot?

Felt insignificant in a world of folks who excel, exceed, express themselves and who live up to greater expectations than ever dreamed?

Those feelings are not from God.

God has placed you where He has placed you.

He has placed you when He needed you.

He has surrounded you with the folks who need Him to permeate their lives via you.

You have been hand-picked for this job. Selected from many millions of DNA make-ups for the task. Chosen to work where you work with the skills you have. Appointed and anointed to serve Him where He believes you will make the greatest impact. Created to serve in this capacity!

Like the small amount of yeast in a recipe of bread dough.

SAFE AND SECURE
Today's reading: Genesis 44-45, Matthew 13:10-23, Psalm 18:30-50

"He makes me as surefooted as a deer, leading me safely along the mountain heights." Psalm 18:33 NLT

Oh, what a loving God we have!

He enables us to do what is impossible.

He allows us to be amazed.

He walks with us through some awful times.

He steadies us as we stand where He has asked us to stand.

Some days it's on top of a mountain that provides us with a panoramic view. Sunshine. Wildflowers. Snowy peaks. Blue sky. Bird songs filling our ears.

Some days on the crest of a wave surrounded by a stormy sea. Feet wet. Scared. Filled with doubts. Thunder ringing in our ears.

Some mornings we find ourselves surveying a battlefield where He has done His mighty work...or where we will see His mighty work done.

Some nights He has us at the tippy-top of the highest height of a roller-coaster we never wanted to ride, never bought a ticket for and never would have allowed ourselves to get strapped into--ever.

But where He has us, He has us securely.

He has us in a safe place.

He has us walking where He needs us, enduring what He believes we can, doing what is only possible with Him and growing into who He wants us to become.

Oh, how He loves us!

DELIGHTED IN ME
Today's reading: Genesis 42-43, Matthew 13:1-9, Psalm 18:16-29

"He led me to a place of safety; he rescued me because he delights in me." Psalm 18:19 NLT

"He brought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me." Psalm 18:19 KJV

Are you cramped in your cell?

In the small, dark, confining place you've been held captive?

The damp, wet, dreary, rat-infested area of your heart and mind?

The cold chains, the solid bars, the heavy weights--are they getting to the point you cannot stand them any longer?

Let God release you.

Allow Him to break the chains, unlock the shackles and swing wide the door.

Then step out into the wide, open space He desires you to live--in His grace.

Where you can stretch your wings and soar...

Where you can breathe deeply of His mercy...

Where you can be who He created you to be...

Where you can see all He has created...

Where praise is the only response...all the time...ever.

HE HEARD ME
Today's reading: Genesis 41, Matthew 12:30-50, Psalm 18:1-15

"But in my distress I cried out to the Lord; yes, I prayed to my God for help. He heard me from his sanctuary; my cry reached his ears." Psalm 18:6 NLT

I don't often feel as if I'm heard.

Oh, it's not that I am not loud-mouthed or opinionated.

It's just that sometimes what I have to say doesn't seem to settle into the thoughts of the ones I'm speaking to.

Cases I can turn your attention to: a teenage son, a husband and friends who have to hear about my complaints and consistent prayer requests so often I sound more like Charlie Brown's teacher than she does.

But here is what keeps me going...

Keeps my faith alive...

Continues to drive me to my knees on behalf of my needs, the needs of my family and the needs of friends...

After al these years still has be banking on the power of prayer...

God hears me!

THEY NOTICE
Today's reading: Genesis 39-40, Matthew 12:1-29, Psalm 17

"Potiphar noticed this and realized the Lord was with Joseph, giving him success in everything he did." Genesis 39:3 NLT

Christian friend, people notice.

Maybe they don't see success in every area of your life, success as the world defines it, but they see something.

They hear your well-thought-over responses.

They heed your carefully given advice.

They watch as you live in peace, in the middle of a raging storm.

Their ears catch the whispers of hope you speak of.

Their lives 'catch' some of the joy you live with.

They notice as you try again--and again--and again, desiring to be more godly.

They hear about your weekend plans to worship, to fellowship, to participate in life with your family and friends.

They may not know it's God, but they know it's something--and that something is going to lead, one of these days, to a conversation where you can share Him with them!

So let the simple fact that they notice spur you on and encourage you!

PRAYER REQUESTS
Today's reading: Genesis 37-38, Matthew 11:25-30, Psalm 16

"Judah said to the others, What can we gain by killing our brother? That would just give us a guilty conscience. Let's sell Joseph to those Ishmaelite traders. Let's not be responsible for his death; after all, he is our brother!" Genesis 37:26-27 NLT

I can see Judah persuading his band of brothers.

I can see him raising his eyebrows as he spoke to add emphasis.

I can see him, as one of the eldest, gathering up his chicks and making plans that were 'best for them'.

I can also see him twisting his 'Snidely Whiplash' mustache as he leaned in and snarled the words, '...After all, he is our brother!'.

It made me think of prayer requests.

Oh, you know I'm right.

It's not the requests that are whispered among tears, or written on tear-stained cards or mentioned in class through sobs.

I'm talking about the prayer requests we sometimes get tangled up in that might start as...

-Well, she brought it on herself, but we should pray--she is, after all, a sister.

-You didn't hear this from me, but Sister So-And-So needs prayer in the area of ___.

-God love her she's gotta get her act together and I'm thinking I'm the one to share what she needs God to do in her.

-Ring. Ring. Hello. Oh, girl, have I got a prayer request for you! I just got back from the grocery store and you'll never believe what I heard...

Be very careful in sharing prayer requests--your own and those of others. Be wise. Be selective. Be godly. Be sensitive. Be in it for the purpose of seeing God do a work!

Prayer is a very sacred honor, not a weapon wielded to make us look better to others and share the latest gossip.

INVITATION
Today's reading: Genesis 35-36, Matthew 11:7-24, Psalm 15

"Who may worship in your sanctuary, Lord? Who may enter your presence on your holy hill?" Psalm 15:1 NLT

The questions have been asked...and I know the answer!

I am so sure of the answer that I am like a fourth grader wriggling at their desk with their arm raised, shouting 'Ooh, I know...Ooh, I know!', 'Pick me, please, PLEASE, Teacher, pick me!'

I know the answer to the question David is asking and knowing the answer makes me giddy!

The answer is--Me!

I'm invited into His sanctuary.

I've been asked to spend time in His presence.

Because of anything good I've done? Heavens, no! Oh, heavens, no!

Only because of grace.

Grace invited an ill-mannered, dirt between her toes, raised on a farm, loud-mouthed gal like me to the party of all parties!

Grace cleaned me up from the top of my head to the bottom of my feet--just so I could be worthy to enter the throne room of the King! And not only enter, but to boldly approach the throne and share my needs and praises with my Creator and Friend!

Grace welcomes me to sit at His feet every morning, bed headed, un-make-upped, in jammies and with a whole lot of human-ness to be relieved of!

Grace has placed a card at God's banquet table with my name on it--and it's spelled right!

I never, and I mean NEVER, should have even been given a thought, let alone an invitation. I'm too, well, I'm too much of about anything you might want to fill in the blank with!

But I've been asked to worship in His sanctuary and enter His presence...and you have too, if you are a believer in His salvation and grace!

By grace alone!

NOT UNTIL
Today's reading: Genesis 32:22-34:31, Matthew 20:37-11:6, Psalm 14

"...But Jacob panted, I will not let you go unless you bless me." Genesis 32:26 NLT

What did God bless Jacob/Israel with that night after their wrestling match?

Was it with more sheep and cattle?

More boys for his family tree?

More silver?

More respect from the surrounding nations?

Changes in his circumstances?

Or was it, and I'd never even thought about it until this morning, a different attitude?

That's exactly what usually is given to us after a wrestling match with God--a change of heart.

A different perspective.

A new view.

A re-focusing of our priorities.

I don't know what you are currently wrestling with God about, but here is what I'm going to do--I'm going to ask God to change me.

If He does nothing else, change me.

And I'm not letting go of Him until He does!

NOT WORTHY
Today's reading: Genesis 31:22-32:21, Matthew 10:16-36, Psalm 13

"I am not worthy of all the faithfulness and unfailing love you have shown to me, your servant. When I left home, I owned nothing except a walking stick, and now my household fills two camps!" Genesis 32:10 NLT

Ever had one of those days when your blessings overwhelm you?

No, not in a bad way--oh, quite the opposite.

One of those days when you clearly see God's hand in all you have.

You specifically sense God's working in having given you the ones you love.

You, without a doubt, know it is God who has provided for you--your heartbeat, your home, your friends and your eternal salvation.

And it brings you to your knees.

In awe.

In wonder.

In admiration.

In gratitude.

I know just how Jacob felt as he looked over his traveling caravan. I know the heartfelt thankfulness he felt as he surveyed the works of the Lord in his midst. I know the feeling of unworthiness that crept over his heart as he considered all God had done for him. I know the feeling of ineptitude as he considered how little he deserved.

Boy, do I know!

PURE AS SILVER
Today's reading: Genesis 30:1-31:21, Matthew 10:1-15, Psalm 12

"The Lord's promises are pure, like silver refined in a furnace, purified seven times over." Psalm 12:6 NLT

A promise is a reason to expect something.

It is assurance.

It is trust.

God promises us so many things...

-to always be with us.

-to forgive us our every sin.

-to have a home waiting for us in heaven.

-to never give us more than we can handle.

God's promises have no loop holes, fine print or additional addendums that release Him from carrying them out in their entirety.

So grab hold of one of His promises and hang on for dear life! Believe in it! Trust in it! Take it to the bank!

WHAT CAN'T BE DONE
Today's reading: Genesis 28:10-29:35, Matthew 9, Psalm 11

"As Jesus was saying this, the leader of a synagogue came and knelt down before him. My daughter has just died, he said, but you can bring her back to life again if you just come and lay your hand upon her." Matthew 9:18 NLT

Do you seek God for the impossible?

The things that just cannot happen?

The needs no one on earth and nothing short of a miracle can supply?

Or do you just seek Him for the probabilities?

The good chances?

The quite possibles?

This man came to Jesus expecting nothing short of a miracle--and he got it.

This man presented his request to the only One who could help at that time.

This man went to the only place he could--and he got what he went after.

This man has nothing on us--we can do the same thing.

Maybe, just maybe, it's time we quit making anemic requests of the One who hung the stars in place!

ALWAYS ENOUGH
Today's reading: Genesis 27:1-28:9, Matthew 8:18-34, Psalm 10:12-18

"Esau said bitterly, No wonder his name is Jacob (he grasps the heel), for he has deceived me twice, first taking my birthright and now stealing my blessing. Oh, haven't you saved even one blessing for me?" Genesis 27:36 NLT

You don't have to look far to see someone who has more than you, has it easier than you, has better things than you or has better behaved children than you.

Their walk with God is well, more godly. Their time with God is more full. Their desire to serve God is stronger. Their commitment to God is more committed.

You've noticed. Oh, you've noticed.

You've held up their ledger against theirs and they appear to have more assets. You didn't feel short-changed until you noticed their 'wealth'. You never realized you didn't have it all until you realized your all doesn't look like theirs.

It seems like their blessings pile is larger, much larger, than your own.

Phooey!

Our blessings are not to be compared.

Our blessings are individualized.

Our blessings are personally selected by God for us.

Our blessings are not given out on a basis of first come-first served.

Our blessings are just that, our blessings.

We will have the ones He chooses to provide us.

We will have the ones we seek Him for.

We will have the ones He believes we can handle, when He believes we can handle them.

So quit looking at the blessings of others--and start thoroughly enjoying your own!

WHO IS HIDING
Today's reading: Genesis 25-26, Matthew 8:1-17, Psalm 10:1-11

"O Lord, why do you stand so far away? Why do you hide when I need you the most?" Psalm 10:1 NLT

Let's be honest this morning. Really honest.

During those times when the Lord seems so far away...

Those days when you are having to look so hard to see Him...

Those lonely, miserable, faithless times...

Do you really think God has moved?

Do you honestly think He is hiding from you?

Left you in the lurch?

Removed Himself from the situation?

He hasn't.

Here is what I believe happens more often than not...

We have so much 'junk' piled up, accumulated and hoarded around that we cannot see Him!

Oh, not sinful things.

Things like our best attempts to do it ourselves. Trophies. Placques. Certificates of effort. Because we've always heard that God helps those who help themselves.

Or the boxes of beliefs we have. Like the one labeled, 'Real Christians Shouldn't Be Having To Deal With This', or 'What Would Folks Think If They Knew About This'. Or my most used box, 'I Can Handle This On My Own'.

Or the tote bags bulging with dreamed up expectations, set-in-stone plans and my favorite-comfortable things. Things we are choosing not to part with. Things that have been placed upon us because of tradition or delegation.

Things that block our view of God. Where He has been the whole time.

It's when we begin throwing things away, donating them to Goodwill and climbing over the tops of boxes that were bequeathed to us by well-meaning friends and family members--we see He is with us.

He has been with us all along!

BUILDING WHEN THE SUN SHINES
Today's reading: Genesis 24, Matthew 7:12-29, Psalm 9:9-20

"Anyone who listens to my teaching and obeys me is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won't collapse, because it is built on rock." Matthew 7:24-25 NLT

I've worked at my hometown lumberyard for 26 years now.

Oh, the things I have learned about construction, without ever donning a pair of work gloves or picking up a hammer!

Like the simple fact that you start with a foundation. Sure, you wouldn't begin with the roof and work your way down. You start at the bottom and go up.

Or that you do it right as you go and you won't have to go back and re-do.

Or that you build when it's sunny and bright.

Maybe you've tried waiting until your world has fallen apart to seek God...

Or you are flat on your back and He is your only way up...

Or when you've exhausted all your own resources and need Him...desperately need Him...

Or you've found yourself searching for shelter in the stormiest, darkest night of your life...

I am no Bible scholar and I do not lead a perfect life, but this one thing I know--don't wait until the storms are raging to begin building your house upon the Rock.

Develop your relationship with God while the sun shines!

Seek Him in the daylight hours!

Establish a friendship with God that is not on an emergency based foundation!

Use the sunny days to build your faith in Him. It's what you'll need when the storm cloud begin to gather on the horizon and you hear thunder rolling across the prairie.

Build your house upon the Rock. Today.

CONVERSATIONS
Today's reading: Genesis 221-23, Matthew 7:1-11, Psalm 9:1-8

"Then the Lord did exactly what he had promised." Genesis 21:1 NLT

I'm a talker.

It's true. Much to my husband's chagrin, it's true.

I seldom if ever meet a stranger. I will talk about almost anything, once again, to my husband's dismay. Age, race, wardrobe choice or gender, it doesn't matter--if you will give me a moment of your time, I'll talk to you.

Today's verse, however,  has made me stop and think about what it is I'm saying.

Am I sharing enough about my God? My faith? My hope? My joy? My peace?

Am I giving out more information about myself than the One who has saved and redeemed me?

It's really got me to thinking...

What if, in every conversation, with every single soul I am purposed to spend some time with, all throughout my day, the people I talk to hear this:

Then the Lord did exactly what He had promised!

What if I tell them how He has been with me through a storm?

What if I tell each one how He has only given me what I could handle?

What if they hear, in the course of our conversation, how He has enabled me to do great things because I chose to obey Him?

What if I share with them another instance, and another, and another, of how He has answered my prayers?

My eyes will sparkle as I talk about how He has come through. Sure, they may leak a few tears in the telling, but they are tears of abundant praise.

My hands will move one hundred miles an hour as I use them to explain how He 'did it again'.

Oh, how I want my words to bring glory to what He has done!

Because every single day, in every single act, He has done exactly as He had promised!

WHEN I LOOK
Today's reading: Genesis 19-20, Matthew 6:19-34, Psalm 8

"When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers--the moon and the stars you have set in place--what are mortals that you should think of us, mere humans that you should care for us?" Psalm 8:3 NLT

Maybe, just maybe, David wrote this psalm while he was still a young, fresh-faced shepherd boy.

He quite possibly jotted down the lyrics and set it to tune while sitting on a rock in the pasture at night.

He could have written these words as he was hearing the low grumble of a lion pacing around the flock and every shadow growing in size as the night became darker and darker.

His pen could have shaken as he listened to the unnerving night sounds.

Maybe it's then he chose to look up.

Into the night sky.

That's when he saw God's handiwork.

It's when he was reminded of the praise due God.

That might have been the point at which the lion quieted, the shadows revealed themselves for truth and the night sounds became more background music than fearful.

You and I need to take note!

We've got to stop focusing on the problems, the doubts, the fears and our failures.

It's 'when' we look at His creation He is revealed and our hearts are settled. 

OBEY AND REPEAT
Today's reading: Genesis 17-18, Psalm 7, Matthew 6:1-18

"Your part of the agreement, God told Abraham, is to obey the terms of the covenant. You and all your descendants have this continual responsibility." Genesis 17:9 NLT

I'll be honest here...

I'm not sure if Monday makes it easier to be a Christian, or harder!

It would not be stretching the truth to say I am pumped from great worship services yesterday. I'm still humming the praise music selected for our corporate worship. I'm still excited over seeing the altar used. I'm still full from seeing God move in our midst.

And yet...

I'm about to enter a world that wasn't touched by the Holy Spirit yesterday.

People I will meet will be grumpy and disgruntled. They will be hateful and spew hurtful words. They will be mean and prod me until I respond in an unlovely manner. They may or may not be easy to love.

And that's ok.

It's ok because my 'part' in this covenant I have with God has nothing to do with them...and everything to do with what He's done for me!

My end of the bargain is about my obedience. My reciprocating the love He has shown to me. My overlooking the sins of others in an effort to see them as Christ sees them. My remembering how unclean I was when He picked me up and cleaned me up.

And I need to do that for each and every person I meet.

Obey and repeat. Obey and repeat. Obey and repeat!

A STARRY NIGHT
Today's reading: Genesis 14-16, Matthew 5:21-48, Psalm 6

"The Lord then brought Abram outside beneath the night sky and told him, Look up into the heavens and count the stars if you can. Your descendants will be like that--too many too count!" Genesis 15:5 NLT

Imagine standing under the vast black velvet sky that night.

The quiet only interrupted by Abram's heartbeat pounding wildly in his ears.

The crickets and night animals completely silenced, waiting to hear what God had to say.

The stars, this being their 'night', shining brilliantly for the point they would be used to make.

The slow counting Abram began--One, two, three...oh it's useless, there are too many.

The audacity of the promise God was making. The bigness of it. The enormity. The impossibility of it all.

And all for Abram's trust.

His trust.

His heartfelt belief that God would do what God said He would do.

Maybe you're standing under a night sky right now. Quite possibly God has presented you with an opportunity too big for your own making, too elaborate for your own plans. Maybe He has asked you to begin counting the blessings that will come your way when you obey Him, and you can't because your mind doesn't work in those ways. Maybe He's just asking you to trust Him. Just trust Him.

How exciting!

It's your 'starry night'.

GRAY AREAS
Today's reading: Genesis 11-13, Psalm 5, Matthew 5:1-20

"Lead me in the right path, O Lord, or my enemies will conquer me. Tell me clearly what to do, and show me which way to turn." Psalm 5:8 NLT

A dear friend of mine says she always asks the Lord 'to speak to her in black and white with no gray areas.'

She wants God to leave no area to question, doubt, attempt to figure out on her own or try to fill-in-the-blanks.

I love that and I've adopted it as my own personal prayer!

You see, I've got too wild of an imagination to play in gray areas.

I'll look for things that aren't there...

I'll worry over things not meant for me to worry about...

I'll attempt to do what I'm not purposed to do...

I'll elaborate when He intends simplicity to be the star...

I'll leave to others what I don't think I want to do...

I'll slowly, but surely, turn the stage lights off of Him and onto me...

Nope, no gray areas for me. Give me specifics. Details. Step-by-step instructions. Fine tuned plans. Always in His time, never rushing in.

Tell me clearly, Lord--no gray areas, please!

HORSE THIEVES
Today's reading: Genesis 8-10, Matthew 4, Psalm 4

"Next the Devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him the nations of the world and all their glory. I will give it all to you, he said, if you will only kneel down and worship me." Matthew 4:8-9 NLT

My husband likes watching old westerns.

The tumbleweeds, the six-shooters, the ten-gallon hats and the horses. The tall, lanky cowboys, the bony-hipped, drive-worn cattle, the snake-bit cohorts and the tin cups of coffee served over campfires.

He thoroughly enjoys every aspect of them.

Me?

About the only thing I like about them are the horses.

The pintos, the dapples, the bays, the sorrels, the buckskins and the paints. The old nags and the feisty stallions. The ones that are rode bareback and the ones who pull the chuck wagons.

And especially the ones who are rescued from horse-thieves!

I never did like a horse thief. A fella who chooses to steal someone else's horse and attempt to sell it to another ranks pretty low in my books.

Satan is a horse thief.

Why even in today's account, he was attempting to sell Jesus something that wasn't his to sell. He presented Jesus the world and the glory that went with it--and it wasn't his to offer.

He still does it.

He attempts to tell me his comforts and ease can afford me peace...when peace isn't his to give.

He tries to make me believe that his ways, even though they go against God's, are the right way...when there is nothing right about anything he offers.

He convinces me that what he's saying is the truth...and the truth is not in him. Never has been, never will be!

Lesson for today: watch for horse thieves!

THE ONLY ONE
Today's reading: Genesis 5-7, Matthew 3, Psalm 3

"This is the history of Noah and his family. Noah was a righteous man, the only blameless man living on earth at the time. He consistently followed God's will and enjoyed a close relationship with him." Genesis 6:9 NLT

I have the God-sent blessing of working with some fine Christian folks. Brothers in Christ who exhibit patience, extend mercy and exude peace. Fellow followers who are examples to me in many Christian disciplines.

I know what a blessing it is to be surrounded by godliness.

Because there was a time I wasn't.

A time when I was seemingly the only Christian in the workplace. Or at least the only one who chose not to laugh at the crude jokes, jump on the bandwagon of the latest gossip, spend off-hours in places I didn't need to be and use language no one needs to use.

It was lonely.

But it couldn't have been as lonely for me as it was for Noah.

The only blameless man living on earth?

The one who stood out in the crowd?

The single person who chose to walk so closely to God that it was recorded in the Bible?

It couldn't have been easy.

But the best things seldom are!

You may be the only believer where you work, where you live, where you shop or where you spend your time. If that's the case--live so closely to Him that it shows. Enjoy your time with Him so fully that it touches the lives of others. Allow your walk with Him to influence those around you for the better.

They are the ones missing out--they just don't know it, yet.

WHO TOLD YOU?
Today's reading: Genesis 2-3, Matthew 2, Psalm 2

"The Lord called to Adam, Where are you? He replied, I heard you, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked. Who told you that you were naked? The Lord asked. Have you eaten the fruit I commanded you not to eat?" Genesis 3:8-11 NLT

Who told you?

What a great question to ask of ourselves when we're doubting...

When we're afraid...

When the task seems too large for our abilities...

When our muscles are too small...

Did God tell us to doubt Him?

Has He shown us in His Word that now is the time to be scared?

That for the first time in the history of ever, God has asked His child to do something He doesn't think they can do with His help?

So, who told you?

If it wasn't God, then I would question the source!

IN THE BEGINNING
Today's reading: Genesis 1-2, Matthew 1, Psalm 1

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." Genesis 1:1 NLT

If I can wrap my mind around the truth of Genesis 1:1...

If I can believe the first five words of the Bible...

If I can base every single question I have on the truth of that verse...

If I can return, when doubts assail, to the verse that begins the Bible...

I'll succeed in this new year.

I'll move forward with Him beside me.

I'll impact every person that comes in contact with me.

I'll end 2019 much closer to God than I'm starting it!