ONLY IN YOUR NAME
Today's reading: Leviticus 21-22, Mark 6:1-13, Psalm 44

"You are my King and my God. You command victories for your people. Only by your power can we push back our enemies; only in your name can we trample our foes." Psalm 44:4-5 NLT

We won't win without God on our side.

Oh, we may advance a bit, become victorious in a few minor skirmishes and quite possibly hold the enemy's flag for a few brief seconds--but we won't win, not without Him.

We won't be able to subdue our enemy unless we allow God to do it through us.

No matter how strong we are.

Or how smart we are.

Or how many resources we believe to be at our disposal.

If He is not in it, it won't last.

If He is not your backbone, you won't stand strong.

If He is not your first line of defense, you're wasting your time--and quite possibly endangering the lives of others.

If He is not your only hope, you cannot expect to win and maintain victory.

So do it with God. What ever it is you are called to do, do it with Him.

ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT HIM?
Today's reading: Leviticus 20, Mark 5, Psalm 42-43

"She had heard about Jesus, so she came up behind him through the crowd and touched the fringe of his robe." Mark 5:27 NLT

If she hadn't previously met Him...

Or saw His ads on TV...

Or Googled Him...

Or found His flyer under the windshield wiper of her car...

Or had Him 'shared' or 'liked' onto her Facebook timeline...

Someone had to have talked about Him.

Maybe in the market.

Or outside the synagogue, because we know with 'her issue', she wasn't allowed in.

Or in the playgroup her kids attended.

Or at the community well.

Or sitting around drinking coffee.

Someone, somewhere, in some way, talked about Him.

Mentioned His name.

Discussed His miracles.

Praised His abilities.

Spoke highly of Him.

Told what He had done for them.

And because someone spoke of Him, she went in search of Him, found Him, was healed by Him and now encourages us to follow Him.

Doesn't that make you want to speak of Him today?

WATCHING MY WORDS
Today's reading: Leviticus 18-19, Mark 4:21-41, Psalm 41:5-13

"Do not use my name to swear a falsehood and so profane the name of your God. I am the Lord." Leviticus 19:12 NLT

Maybe you have trouble with cussing. Maybe those four-letter words just slip from your lips. Maybe your language has brought you embarrassment, regrets, and if you are from my generation, a few instances when soap has been applied to your mouth.

Let's put all that aside and think about this...

In our conversations. In our communications. In our use of the language we've been given, what are we doing with God's name?

Are we just using it to make emphasis?

Are we throwing it around like an adjective before an expletive?

Are we utilizing it in sentences like we do a long-lost aunt or uncle?

Are we making reference to God's name, but not in a personal way?

It is time we think about our use of the Lord's name. To think about the single fact that without Him we couldn't even speak the name.

Think about the power held in it.

The majesty attached to it.

The awe it should inspire within us.

The privilege we have to call upon it.

The holiness attributed to it.

The humility with which we should even whisper it.

The boldness with which we can speak it.

The message contained in it.

The fear it should strike within us for using it lightly, flippantly or errantly.

Great is the name of God--and we should be very, very careful when we use it!

FARMING
Today's reading: Leviticus 16-17, Mark 4:1-20, Psalm 41:1-4

"Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seed." Mark 4:3 NLT

There is a lot of discussion, commentary and theological information out there about this parable.

The seed is discussed. The soils are discussed. The yields are discussed. The applications are discussed. The historical data regarding the culture of the time is discussed.

What's seldom discussed is this...well, let me preface what I want to say with some facts.

I come from a farming family and have several farming friends. I am no expert, but here is what I know: good seed is important, the right soil is a huge benefit, God-sent weather and conditions are necessary, the elements are harsh, but what's most important is this...

The farmer farmed.

The farmer will never stand before God and be asked why the seed didn't sprout, the birds ate the seeds, why the weeds grew higher than the wheat or why the harvest didn't produce as much as expected.

God will ask the farmer if he farmed.

Did he farm?

Just like when we stand before God.

I don't know where God has you 'farming', what your 'fields' look like, what the 'germination period' might be on the Message you sow, but I know He has asked you to share His Good News.

Where you are.

With who He places you around.

How you, and only you, can.

The seeds are not up to you. The rocky soil is not yours to be held accountable for. The harvest is out of your hands.

Just farm.

THEY'RE WATCHING
Today's reading: Leviticus 15, Mark 2:13-3:35, Psalm 40:9-17

"Jesus went into the synagogue again and noticed a man with a deformed hand. Since it was the Sabbath, Jesus' enemies watched him closely. Would he heal the man's hand on the Sabbath? If he did, they planned to condemn him." Mark 3:1-2 NLT

It's Sunday, and they're watching.

The neighbors to see that you are on time to leave for church...

The gas station attendant as you pull in and fill up the tank on the way to the Lord's house...

The drive-thru employee who hands you your breakfast sandwich on your way to church...

The ones you leave at home, who don't go with you, who choose to stay behind...

They're all watching.

Let them see you excited about worship, ready to be in the Lord's presence, anticipating the Holy Spirit showing up in your service.

Let them hear kindness in your voice as you prepare to serve your Lord in your various ministries, no matter how rushed your Sunday morning is, how slow everyone else is moving or how late you might be running.

Let them see a smile on your face as you are allowed the privilege of worshiping. Not a grimace. Not a cut-and-paste grin. Not a frown of dissatisfaction. A genuine, from the heart smile.

It's Sunday, and they're watching!

WHEN I GET TO HEAVEN
Today's reading: Leviticus 14, Mark 1:40-2:12, Psalm 40:1-8

"Four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. They couldn't get to Jesus through the crowd, so they dug through the clay roof above his head. Then they lowered the sick man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus." Mark 2:3-4 NLT

When I get to heaven, I don't want to be found in pristine condition.

I don't want my 'church clothes on', my hair perfectly fixed or my make-up in proper order. A proper manicure isn't necessary and neither is a pair of cute shoes.

I want to be a mess. A working mess.

Grubby, sweaty, dirt under my nails and the muscles in my arms flexed from having spent a life carrying people to Jesus. Knees calloused and worn from time spent in prayer. Hands blistered and worn from serving. A heart continually broken for those who don't know my Jesus--yet.

That's what I want.

I want to arrive face-to-face with God, worn out from doing all I could for Him and for those He placed in my world.

RIGHT AWAY
Today's reading: Leviticus 13, Mark 1:29-39, Psalm 39

"Simon's mother-in-law was sick in bed with a high fever. They told Jesus about her right away." Mark 1:30 NLT

Straight to you, Lord, that's where I want to go when I discover a need, a problem, a hurt or a situation where I can't do a thing.

Straight to You.

Not to Google. Not to a trusted advisor. Not to my co-worker. Not to my friend. Not even to my pastor.

Straight to You.

Right away.

Before my mind allows the problem to be enlarged by my imaginations.

Prior to weeds of fear taking over and choking out Your promised hope.

In front of the common cures, holistic treatments, old wives' tales and remedies that can/should be administered.

Even in front of my own attempt to journal it out-- complete with a to-do list, an appropriate time table of events and a check list of my plans of how to fix it.

Straight to You.

Because only then will I be able to see it in focus. Be able to approach it with Your guidance. Minister to the need with Your love, Your compassion, Your power.

Only then will You tell me whether or not I'm needed to do something, or step back and watch You work.

I want to go to You with the problem, right away!

TOO MUCH THINKING
Today's reading: Leviticus 11-12, Mark 1:1-28, Psalm 38

"Jesus called out to them, Come, be my disciples, and I will show you how to fish for people. And they left their nets at once and went with him." Mark 1:17-18 NLT

Of all the things I've read in my Bible, this account, these two verses, catch me off guard each and every time I read them!

What were these fellas thinking?

No two weeks notice?

No, 'Let us think this over and get back with You'?

To meet a complete stranger and go with Him?

To leave their livelihood for no paycheck and no roof over their heads?

To leave all they'd ever known, all they'd ever thought of knowing?

Without checking the risks, reading the ratings, looking at the economic projection or scanning the internet for reviews?

Without completing a pie chart color-coding your options?

Listing the pro's and con's on a spreadsheet?

No appointment with their accountant about possible losses in their IRA's, CD's, money markets or 401K's?

I'll tell you what I've discovered--they weren't thinking. Not with their heads, but with their hearts. With the core of their being. With the inner part of them created specifically and precisely by their Creator.

They heard the call of their Lord. Their Master. Their Savior. Their Friend. Their Salvation. Their Hope.

And when you hear Him, you move towards Him--no matter what you're currently involved in, no matter the portion of the worship service you're sitting through, no matter where you are, no matter who it is you are surrounded by, no matter if you understand it or not, no matter your age or your education or your theology, no matter your level of fear of the future or shame from your past--you go to Him.

And He welcomes you.

And He provides all the needs you ever thought you would ever have.

And He will do the thinking for you, if you'll let Him!

And it will be SO very worth leaving all you had for all He has for you.

WRITTEN IN HIS BOOK
Today's reading; Leviticus 9-10, Matthew 28, Psalm 37:27-40

"...Come, see where the body was lying." Matthew 28:6 NLT

"When they saw him, they worshiped him--but some of them still doubted!" Matthew 28:17 NLT

Three years ago this week I stood beside the empty tomb in Jerusalem.

I've had my photo album out looking through the pictures. I've had my journal out re-reading my notes from each of those miracle-filled ten days.

I've re-visited my time in the Holy Lands on this anniversary of my visit.

But this morning, I see myself in His Book. I see myself written into the Scriptures.

I stood beside the empty tomb they believe Jesus once lay in.

I stood beside the Sea of Galilee.

I stood inside the pit where they believe Jesus may have been held the night before His crucifixion.

I stood beside the rock outcrop they believe to be Golgotha.

And I have stood in His presence, seen Him at work, worshipped Him--and still doubted.

It's not that I doubted that He could...it's just that I wonder some days if He would for me.

Would He move on behalf of the list of prayer requests I lay before His feet each morning?

Would He act in ways that I know He can, for the people I love and problems I have?

Would He show up powerfully, majestically and most worthy to be praised in regards to the fears, hurts and unknowns that I carry to His throne?

Would He be faithful to finish what I believe He started?

Would He do for me what I've seen Him do for others--and comfort me when His answer for me doesn't look like theirs?

Would He hear my prayers, even when they are prayed wrongly, selfishly, more like plans presented for His approval than seeking His will?

Would He allow me grace once more?

I don't get it--I have stood in His presence, worshiped Him--and still find myself doubting.

I'm seeing myself in the Scriptures today. Maybe, even though you didn't travel with me three years ago, you are seeing yourself, too.

A CONSTANT REMINDER
Today's reading: Leviticus 7:22-8:36, Matthew 27:51-66, Psalm 37:7-26

"Next Moses presented the second ram, which was the ram of ordination. Aaron and his sons laid their hands on its head as Moses slaughtered it. Then Moses took some of its blood and put it on the lobe of Aaron's right ear, the thumb of his right hand and the big toe of his right foot. Next he presented Aaron's sons and put some of the blood on the lobes of their right ears, the thumb of their right hands and the big toe of their right feet. Then he sprinkled the rest of the blood against the sides of the altar." Leviticus 8:22-24 NLT

As believers we know we have been bought with a high price. Sealed for eternity. Purchased by the blood of Christ.

But what difference would it make in our day if we had the visual reminder of that sacrifice...

What if every time we looked in the mirror we saw Christ's blood on our right ear?

What if with every act we went to do, we saw Jesus' blood on our right thumb?

What if everywhere we went, we saw the blood of our Savior on our big toe?

Would it completely change how we saw ourselves? What we did? Where we went?

It's there.

Christ's blood.

It's on us if we have believed in His as our Savior, asked Him to forgive our sins, follow Him as best we can every day of our lives.

It should be a visual reminder for us--and for those who know us, meet us or come in contact with us!

Jesus' blood should be evident in our life!

WHAT HE GAVE FOR ME
Today's reading: Leviticus 5:14-7:21, Matthew 27:27-50, Psalm 37:1-6

"Then Jesus shouted out again, and he gave up his spirit." Matthew 27:50 NLT

Jesus gave up His spirit for me.

He permitted His life to pass from His body in order that I might live in Him.

He let go of His very breath so that I might breathe in freely the gift of His salvation.

He laid aside His own for mine.

The Romans didn't take it, thought they like to think they did.

The soldiers couldn't have demanded it, swords, whips and brutality aside.

The crowds didn't force Him to do it, even though He heard their jeers, their shouts, their false accusations.

No one made Him...

He did it for me.

WHO HE IS
Today's reading: Leviticus 4:1-5:13, Matthew 26:69-27:26, Psalm 36:7-12

"For you are the fountain of life, the light by which we see." Psalm 36:9 NLT

Oh, the things we can see if we choose to use the Light the illuminate!

We can see hope in the most dreary of situations.

We can see peace in the middle of utter turmoil.

We can see love in a dark, angry, cruel world.

VASTNESS
Today's reading: Leviticus 1-3, Matthew 26:36-68, Psalm 36:1-6

"Your unfailing love, O Lord, is as vast as the heavens; your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds." Psalm 36:5 NLT

Ever had the privilege of going to a place where things just seem bigger/grander/more numerous?

Wyoming for the wide blue skies?

The coastline?

A southern Illinois prairie for the night sky?

An evening meadow for a firefly light show?

If you've ever stood upon a mountain and looked for miles or stood in a desert and saw nothing but sand as far as you could look, you have had the moment our psalmist has had.

God's love reaches farther than we can see!

It stretches out wider than we can reach our arms!

It goes higher than our wildest imaginations can allow us to go!

It goes deeper, oh so much deeper, than we can fathom!

As vast as the heavens, is His love for us!

SURROUNDING YOURSELF
Today's reading: Exodus 40, Matthew 26:1-35, Psalm 35:18-28

"...Let them continually say, Great is the Lord, who enjoys helping his servant." Psalm 35:27b NLT

You've got to surround yourself with godly people!

It's vital.

It's necessary.

It's what is going to get you through this life!

The kind of people who will remind you that God is good, when your circumstances stink...

...when the pain is unbearable.

...when the answers remain outside of your grasp.

...when your world is seemingly upside-down.

...when His plans look nothing like the ones you had submitted to Him.

The kind of people who will tell you over and over that He loves you and has His best planned for you, even when it doesn't feel like it...

...or it doesn't look like it.

...or you don't want to hear it.

You need the kind of friends that can believe it for you until you can for yourself. And then? Then you'll get to return the favor to them when their tragedy strikes, their faith wavers or their boat is caught in a storm.

Surround yourself with folks who continually tell you, Great is the Lord!

LOOKING FOR THE LEAST OF THESE
Today's reading: Exodus 38-39, Matthew 25:31-46, Psalm 35:9-17

"And the King will tell them, I assure you, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!" Matthew 25:40 NLT

There are few things I can do for God.

I cannot paint a sunrise for Him.

I am unable to carve a mountain and litter it with trees.

I cannot organize a group of cells into a soul shelter complete with a beating heart and fill that being with praise for Him.

But I can obey Him and look for the 'least of these'.

I can be on constant watch for those considered smallest in size, amount of wealth, importance, dignity, authority, rank and estimation of men.

I can be on the look out for the overlooked.

The unseen among us.

The just as worthy but easy to miss.

I can look for the opportunities to minister to God Himself when I find the least of His brothers and sisters.

Oh, that He would open my eyes to see them clearly!

INTEREST
Today's reading: Exodus 35:30-37:29, Matthew 25:14-30, Psalm 35:1-8

"Well, you should at least have put my money in the bank so I could have some interest." Matthew 25:27 NLT

This same account is what we touched on in our Sunday School class this last week.

The question was asked, Which of the three servant do you think you are more like?

At times, I truly believe we could be any one of them.

The go-getter.

The do-the-very-best-I-can.

And the bury-er. The sitter. The one who sits out because they are SO desperately afraid I will mess things up for God.

'Mess things up for God'--what a funny thought!

As if I could. That's assuming I would have within my whole being the ability to do such powerful things. It's also going on the assumption that what God has set in order some un-schooled gal from southern Illinois can un-do. It is also me thinking, wrongly thinking, that I know better.

Case in point: my lack of evangelistic outreaches.

I don't mention God often in conversations with strangers. I'm afraid I won't know what to say. Might offend them. Would turn them off God completely when they see/hear me screw up. Won't have the answers if they have follow-up questions. Might look weirder than I actually am.

I'm called to do it, but I don't. I'm commanded to do it, but I don't. I have mountains of reasons to do it, but I don't.

And God doesn't earn interest.

No, not interest, like the small percentage of money added to a large sum of money in a bank, but interest--as in something that arouses attention.

I am keeping God from earning the interest of others when I don't mention Him.

And I am keeping Him from those who need Him.

STOCKPILE YOUR OIL
Today's reading: Exodus 34:1-35:29, Matthew 25:1-13, Psalm 34:8-22

"The Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. The five who were foolish took no oil for their lamps, but the other five were wise enough to take along extra oil." Matthew 25:1-4 NLT

How ready am I to wait for the Lord to show up?

To see Him step in and change circumstances?

To watch as He re-adjusts my attitude and heart?

To see a prayer request answered in a mighty and amazing way?

I approach God believing He can, trusting He wants to, knowing nothing is too hard for Him--but am I prepared to wait it out?

Sure, He can make immediate changes. He can snap His God-sized fingers and the cosmos begin to swirl in a different direction. He can stop time completely if He wanted. He can remove cancer cells right before doctors' eyes. He can bring prodigals to their right minds before they even purchase a map of the far country.

But if He needs me to wait, do I have enough oil to keep my little light burning?

Do I stockpile enough faith to believe that no matter how long it takes, it will be worth it?

Do I contain enough joy, bubbling-from-my-heart joy, to get me through until His answer arrives?

Am I willing to believe until it happens?

FREE
Today's reading: Exodus 32-33, Matthew 24:29-51, Psalm 34:1-7

"I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me, freeing me from all my fears. Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces. I cried out to the Lord in my suffering, and he heard me. He set me free from all my fears. For the angel of the Lord guards all who fear him, and he rescues them." Psalm 34:4-7 NLT

What hope for a gal with a prayer list on her mind at all times!

What peace it gives no matter how long or how very deep my needs are, God hears me and sets answers into motion before I say 'Amen'!

What excited anticipation is mine to know that what I leave with Him will be worked out in order that He receive the highest praise!

What relief to know that my going to my Father, no matter how many times, brings no shame!

My God hears my broken heart and holds the key to unlock me from the chains of fear that can surround me!

Thank you, God!

EXPECTATIONS
Today's reading: Exodus 30-31, Matthew 23:37-24:28, Psalm 33:13-22

"Then you will be arrested persecuted and killed. You will be hated all over the world because of your allegiance to me." Matthew 24:9 NLT

And you thought the struggle with conviction over your sin was the hardest part of this Christianity thing?

Or the walk to the altar at the end of the church service?

Or knowing someone was praying you to Jesus--and you weren't sure you wanted what He had to offer?

Or that what you thought you'd have to give up wasn't worth it?

Knowing Jesus, truly, down-deep-in-your-heart kind of knowledge, is hard in this world.

You won't be liked.

You won't be listened to.

You won't have a lot of friends, true friends.

You won't be taken seriously.

You won't be considered intelligent.

You might not even be considered for some jobs.

You might find yourself excluded from a lot of things.

Few folks will ever consider you to be 'cool'.

We are on a mission to tell this world about Jesus, His saving blood, His hope, His way, truth and life--and this world doesn't want a thing to do with it.

And that's not easy!

And if you've spent any time at all in your Bible, you know that's just what God has told us from the beginning.

But do you know what? That doesn't change our charge to spread the Gospel.

Did that just blow all your expectations out of the water?

Had you thought all along that telling others about the saving grace of Jesus would come easily, would be readily accepted or would always end in a handshake and a few verses of Amazing Grace? Or that if it wasn't brought up in a conversation, it wasn't meant for you to share? Or that people would come looking for you to talk to about sin, hell and God's wrath?

We're still called to share. All day. Every day. In every conversation. Where ever we are. With who ever it is He places us.

Just do it.

NOT WHAT IT SHOULD LOOK LIKE
Today's reading: Exodus 29, Matthew 23:1-36, Psalm 33:1-12

"This is the ceremony for the dedication of Aaron and his sons as priests:.." Exodus 29:1 NLT

I guess because yesterday God had my attention on Aaron's priestly robes, today's ceremony instructions caught my eye.

I read about the work put in to Aaron's tunic, robe, ephod, chestpiece, sash and turban. Some wrinkled, little, grayed Israelite grandmothers spent a whole lot of time working on them! After all the detailed needlework, I'm sure their reading glasses prescription had to be bumped up in number.

But the ceremony involved baked bread, livestock, oil, butchering, blood, internal organs and fire.

Imagine the smells.

Imagine the sounds.

Imagine the mess.

I think I was okay with the ceremony until I read that they were to pour oil over Aaron while he was dressed in his uniform.

Then they were to sprinkle blood, mixed with some oil, on Aaron and his sons and on their clothes.

Good clothes.

Special clothes.

Custom made clothes.

'Sunday' clothes made by someone's grandma!

What would I have done? I would have planned a service that involved singing, Scripture reading, prayer and maybe light refreshments after. There might have been some table decorations. Some special guests. Lovely proofread papers to hand out that gave the order of events for the special day. Maybe, just maybe, even some velvet ropes around the guest of honors as they wore their new clothes.

Neat. Orderly. Clean. Respectful. Sanitary. Comfortable. Inviting. Cozy.

But here is my take-away: God's idea of dedication won't always line up with our preconceived notions.

It's a messy business. If done right, there will be blood, sweat and tears. People will hear, see, maybe even smell the fact that you have been set apart by His Son's work on the cross.

So, priest-friend, you can go into the trenches with your priestly garments on as easily as you can sit on the church pew. You can give a hand to the one in the gutter as well as the one greeting as you walk in church. You can give a cup of water to the needy as well as the little one in the church nursery.

Our garments were made for getting dirty doing His work!

A NEW WARDROBE
Today's reading: Exodus 28, Matthew 22, Psalm 32

"Make special clothing for Aaron to show his separation to God--beautiful garments that will lend dignity to his work." Exodus 28:2 NLT

Aaron was ordained as the first priest. His role was specifically given. The expectations high. The purpose was to be a mediator between the people and God.

And God dressed him for success.

People, every one of the 2.2 estimated million, knew who he was by what he was wearing.

And they respected his position.

Aaron's wardrobe was sewn with great detail. Patterned after God's specific design. Unique to the point that no one else, no one at all, wore the same thing.

Imagine the pride, the honor, the awe, the utter humility, the feeling of worth, Aaron felt as he put on each and every piece of his uniform.

We have the same clothes in our closet.

We have the opportunity to put on the robes of righteousness God made for us. We can pull out of our closet grace, mercy, compassion and humility. We can chose to wear love, grace and patience.

But it's our choice to put it all on. And what we wear impacts how we will live.

We can react like the world, or we can stand out in the crowd.

We can blend in, or be beacons.

We can allow life to taint us, or we can be the salt that seasons it.

We can blow up, or we can bless.

We can throw fits, or we can be found blameless.

We an be good, or we can be godly.

What will you wear today? Will what you've chosen to wear bring dignity to your role as priest, believer, child of God?

COLORS OF JOY
Today's reading: Exodus 26-27, Matthew 21:28-46, Psalm 31:19-24

"Across the inside of the Tabernacle hang a special curtain made of fine linen, with cherubim skillfully embroidered into the cloth using blue, purple and scarlet yarn." Exodus 26:31 NLT

It hit me this morning...why did God put such detail into the Tabernacle?

A nomadic tent?

Amidst a group of dusty, weary, often murmuring campers?

When He knew something grander would be built that still couldn't contain Him?

Built during a 40 year lesson on living?

Maybe it was to see how closely the Israelites would follow orders.

Maybe it was just to fill up a few pages of the Book He knew would be in print one day.

Maybe it was to utilize a few of the older widow women who He felt needed jobs in order to feel a part of the community.

Maybe it was simply because God knew in the middle of that neutral palette of desert wilderness, a few splashes of color would be needed.

Color that would only be seen as they entered into this sacred place.

Color that would provide a little joy for the journey.

He still does that, doesn't He?

He provides the rainbow after the storm. The smile after the long day. The clouds that make you giggle as you see various things in them. The kids you pass on the playground. The neighbor's wave. The light on the porch.

The 'colors' of His presence are everywhere...be looking for them.

MAKE THE EFFORT
Today's reading: Exodus 24-25, Matthew 21:1-27, Psalm 31:9-18

"And the Lord said to Moses, Come up to me on the mountain..." Exodus 24:12 NLT

God could have told Moses to stay where he was and God would meet him there.

He could have asked Him to meet him on one of the plains they had crossed.

Or under a shade tree.

Or at the doorway of Moses' tent.

But God asked him to climb the mountain. The steep, rocky, effort-required mountain.

And He's asking the same of us.

To make the effort to find Him.

To put some time into being in His presence.

To show Him how much we need Him by how far we are willing to go to get Him.

Sure He could just show up on your front porch, at your desk, or meet you on your couch--but He asks you to come to Him.

To make a conscious exertion of our strength.

To make a serious attempt.

To give it a good try.

To get up a few minutes earlier to read your Bible.

To turn off the TV and pray.

To postpone social media in an effort to hear His voice.

To get to church for corporate worship.

He asks that we look for Him.

OVERCOME WITH JOY
Today's reading: Exodus 22-23, Matthew 20:20-34, Psalm 31:1-8

"I am overcome with joy because of your unfailing love, for you have seen my troubles, and you care about the anguish of my soul." Psalm 31:7 NLT

I have been hit in the gut with a situation that has dropped me to my knees in prayer.

One I didn't see coming.

One that kept me up until two in the morning.

One that would have been my greatest fear had I ever let my mind go so far on its own.

I'm hurt over it. Mad about it. Broken by it. Sad it has come to this point. Caught off guard by it.

It could very easily keep me in bed. Cause me to throw in the towel. Make me refute all I've ever believed. I could allow it to sit on my heart like an elephant-sized pile of bricks, completely disabling me.

Or, as I'm choosing to do this morning, allow myself to be overcome with joy because of God's unfailing love for me.

I can trust that He knows. That He cares. That He has not left my side. That He loves me as much now as He ever has.

BUILDING ALTARS
Today's reading: Exodus 20-21, Matthew 20:1-19, Psalm 30

"The altars you make for me must be simple altars of earth. Offer on such altars your sacrifices to me--your burnt offerings and peace offerings, your sheep and goats and your cattle. Build altars in the places where I remind you who I am, and I will come and bless you there." Exodus 20:24 NLT

If I built altars, or memorials to God, in each and every place where He reminds me of who He is, there would be thousands!

There would be a huge pile of stones beside my prayer chair.

A pile of stones beside the front door of our little farmhouse.

A pile of stones beside each and every one of my loved ones and friends.

Stones at the entry of my church.

My workplace.

The intersection where I was hit by another car and walked away.

The point on the horizon where I see the sun come up on our little farm each morning.

The spot near my back porch where the persistent tulip bulbs make their appearance ever cold, snowy spring.

The mailbox where I sometimes get those handwritten notes from God-sent friends...on just the day I need them.

In my pantry and closet as I look at the blessings He has allowed to come my way.

Oh, the places I'd be setting up altars. Friend, there would be piles of stones everywhere!

What about you? Where would there be a pile of stones? Where are the places were God has reminded you of who He is?

FINDING AARON'S AND HUR'S
Today's reading: Exodus 17-19, Matthew 19:16-30; Psalm 29

"Moses' arms finally became too tired to hold up the staff any longer. So Aaron and Hur found a stone for him to sit on. They stood on each side, holding up his hands until sunset." Exodus 17:12 NLT

Have you chosen to surround yourself with Christian people who are your Aaron and Hur's?

Do they know your struggles, your daily battles, your stumbling blocks well enough to keep your arms held up when you physically and spiritually cannot?

If your answer is yes, I'm so thrilled for you!

If your answer is no, then my heart breaks. You've got to be exhausted.

You need a personal prayer team.

A group of folks who know you well enough to tell you tough stuff and to encourage you in the best ways.

A select assortment of believers who can believe for you when you aren't able to believe for yourself.

A bunch of friends who pray for you in specifics.

A covey of confidantes that know your deepest darkest secrets and sins, and who love you anyway!

Ask God to point out who He wants on your team. Not everyone is qualified. Not everyone is trustworthy for this task. Not everyone believes as deeply as you need members of this team to believe.

Find your team--and pass out their jerseys!

THE SUN IS SHINING
Today's reading: Exodus 15-16, Matthew 19:1-15, Psalm 28

"The Lord is my strength, my shield from every danger. I trust in him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst into songs of thanksgiving." Psalm 28:7 NLT

Have you heard or read this little poem:

Thirty days hath September,
April, June and November;
February hath twenty eight alone,
And January hath seven hundred and forty-two!

It's been a long several weeks without much sun or warmth around these parts. Winter is seemingly dragging by, slowly, disturbingly and with a cold, brisk wind.

But today's forecast calls for sunshine and temps that are more like spring. And I couldn't be happier!

But then again, I should be happy no matter what--you see, the Lord is for me! The Lord is with me! The Lord loves me! The Lord has saved me! The Lord has heard my prayers! The Lord is on His throne! The Lord is at work around me! The Lord is mine!

It shouldn't require the sunshine, warmer temperatures or chirping birds to remind me of that. The thermostat shouldn't affect my heart. The weather forecast shouldn't determine how joy-filled I am.

And from now on, it won't!

Blessed be the Lord!

JUST STAND
Today's reading: Exodus 13-14, Matthew 18:21-35, Psalm 27

"But Moses told the people, Don't be afraid. Just stand where you are and watch the Lord rescue you. The Egyptians that you see today will never be seen again. The Lord himself will fight for you. You won't have to lift a finger in your defense!" Exodus 14:13-14 NLT

Have you heard of the game, 'Would You Rather...'?

It's a conversation starter/ice breaker kind of game where the players are provided ideas or options and the person who is 'it' chooses their preference.

It can be a choice between two good things, for example, 'Would you rather eat chocolate cake or cherry pie?', or two harder choices like, 'Would you rather spend 10 more minutes with a loved one who has passed on or spend 10 minutes talking with a famous Bible person (not Jesus)?'

The game is full of interesting topics, hard choices and leads to some very interesting conversations.

Today's reading reminded me of the game.

It presented me with a couple questions...

Would I rather--

-have to fight my way through an epic battle?

-or trust Someone to fight for me?

Would I rather--

-be in the ring?

-or show up and watch the fight? 

Would I rather--

-faithfully do only what's asked of me, no more and no less?

-or exhaust myself attempting to accomplish all I think I need to do to live a good life?

The Israelites were asked to 'just stand' and watch God fight for them.

Just stand.

Oh, I'm sure some of them wanted to fight Pharaoh's army. They were eyeing their goods looking for things that would work as weapons. Some wanted to swim across the Red Sea in an effort to get away. Some wanted to tear the hem of their robe, tie it on a stick and wave a white flag in defeat.

But all God asked of them was to stand--to stand and watch what He was about to do.

So this morning, would you rather continue doing all the exhausting things you're doing in an attempt to be the very best Christian ever, to fight the good fight, to run the race, to spend hours in your prayer closet, to join every ministry committee, to attend every Bible study, to bake a cake for every potluck, to greet every person in the sanctuary, to know every verse for every opportunity--or just stand in obedience and watch Him work in your life?

Which would you rather?