IT ISN'T FOR US
Today's reading: Isaiah 47:1-49:13, Galatians 3:19-29, Proverbs 3:27-35

"I will rescue you for my sake--yes, for my own sake!.." Isaiah 48:11 NLT

God is telling the nation of Israel that when He steps in to rescue them from their troubles, it will be to bring Himself glory and to bring them back to Him.

It is, after all, all about Him.

From the sunrise each morning, to the opening of each flowery bud, to the single solitary drop of rain that falls, to the lone cell or the twinkling star--it's all about Him.

So when He steps in to answer your prayer requests, which He has heard, be sure, it will have everything to do with Him--His receiving the glory, His having drawn someone back to His side, His saving grace being revealed in a grand way or His beautiful mercy being put on display.

It's always about Him.

BUT THEN
Today's reading: Isaiah 41-42, Galatians 1, Proverbs 2:16-22

"But then something happened! For it pleased God in his kindness to choose me and call me, even before I was born! What undeserved mercy!" Galatians 1:15 NLT

Paul says to his friends in Galatia...

You have heard what I was like...

How hard I tried...

How I was the most religious among them...

But then something happened!

For Paul it was on the road to Damascus.

For me it was at a small wooden altar on an Easter Sunday in a little country church.

For my son it was a Sunday evening, after church, kneeling down beside the sofa in our family room.

For others it was in their car.

In a hospital bed.

In a deer stand.

In a Sunday School classroom.

During a Vacation Bible School lesson.

While at church camp.

At grandma's house.

While in the beautician's chair.

God can change our lives in an instant.

He can save us anywhere.

From anything we have done.

We can go from destined to hell and death to bound for eternity and life with the simplest and most sincere of prayers.

God, forgive me for all I've messed up. All the things I've done wrong. All the sins I've committed. All the bad thoughts I've thought. All the horrible choices I've made. I'm sorry. I can't undo any of them. I believe you sent Jesus for just those things. For people just like me. To pay these debts I cannot pay. Even though He never did anything wrong. He died on a cross for my sins. He was buried in a tomb. He rose again on the third day because of the power within Him. The power that can forgive sins and change lives. That's the power I need. That's the something I need to happen in my life. Would you do that for me, God? For me?

HIS VASTNESS
Today's reading: Isaiah 39-40, 2 Corinthians 12:11-13:14, Proverbs 2:1-15

"Who else has held the oceans in his hand? Who has measured off the heavens with his fingers? Who else knows the weight of the earth or has weighed out the mountains and the hills?" Isaiah 40:12 NLT

I don't know what kept you awake last night.

Or has your stomach in knots.

Your heart in turmoil.

Your mind growing doubts like a greenhouse.

I don't know what it is you are keeping from your praying friends, because it's 'too small a matter'.

Or because it's embarrassing.

Or you're too ashamed.

Or because it's 'that again'.

I am unaware of what our enemy has convinced you is outside our Father's abilities, capabilities or sensibilities.

I don't know what the big, fat liar has told you so many times you are believing it to be true.

There is a lot I don't know, but this I do know...

My God is big.

Big enough to handle what it is you are going through.

Strong enough to carry what it is you are struggling beneath.

Loving enough to want to take it from you--if you will only give it to Him.

Who else is that big?

YOUR THORN
Today's reading: Isaiah 37-38, 2 Corinthians 12:1-10, Proverbs 1:27-33

"...But to keep me from getting puffed up, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from getting proud." 2 Corinthians 12:7 NLT

It's not known exactly what Paul's 'thorn' was.

Scholars haven't narrowed it down to a medical disease, a debilitating ailment, a mental hindrance, a chronic illness, a character flaw or a genetic disability--but he had something that kept him at God's feet for the strength he needed to keep going. To keep serving. To keep from throwing in the towel. That kept him from becoming proud.

May we all have that 'thing'.

That nagging sin that daily has us seeking Him for help.

That tendency that always has us winding up at His feet for forgiveness or for fortitude or for the fight to continue.

I don't know what yours is, but I know what mine is.

And it keeps me before the Lord. On my knees. Humbled. Needy. Broken.

That's probably why I have it.

GETTING YOUR NOSE IN THE WORD
Today's reading: Isaiah 34-36, 2 Corinthians 11, Proverbs 1:23-26

"Search the book of the Lord, and see what he will do. He will not miss a single detail..." Isaiah 34:16 NLT

This is one of my favorite verses in the entire Scriptures.

It sums everything up.

It condenses the Book.

It states, in one simple statement, how trustworthy God's Word truly is.

Because it can be trusted.

It can be taken to the bank.

It can be leaned upon.

It will always be found to be reliable.

It has been found to be unchanging.

Go ahead, search it, just see what all He will do!

WHAT I SEE
Today's reading: Isaiah 31-33, 2 Corinthians 10, Provers 1:10-22

"The trouble with you is that you make your decisions on the basis of appearance..." 2 Corinthians 10:7 NLT

Guilty!

Yes, I am guilty of this.

I see a problem.

I assess the problem.

I base the answer to the said problem upon what I 'see' I can do about it.

My possible options. My abilities. My resources. My checkbook balance. My skillset. My gifts. My personal strengths. My acquaintances who can help me with the problem.

Wouldn't it be faith if I made decisions based upon what I didn't see...what I believed?

What I trusted God could do?

What I took Him at His word on?

What I turned over to Him and left in His care to do with as He would, when He would?

WHAT HE IS
Today's reading: Isaiah 24:1-26:19, 2 Corinthians 7, Psalm 148

"But to the poor, O Lord, you are a refuge from the storm. To the needy in distress, you are a shelter from the rain and the heat. For the oppressive acts of ruthless people are like a storm beating against a wall, or like the relentless heat of the desert. But you silence the roar of foreign nations. You cool the land with the shade of a cloud. So the boastful songs of ruthless people are stilled." Isaiah 25:4-5 NLT

I don't know what you need God to be for you today, but He will be it.

He will rescue, if you need saving.

He will be a deliverer, if you need delivered.

He will administer healing, if that's what you need...and now is when He believes you need it for His glory to most evidently be seen.

He will be the One solid thing in your world of topsy-turvy, upside-downy things, if an anchor is what you want.

He will be the loudest cheerleader you will ever have.

He will be the one whispering in your ear when a quiet voice is what's required.

He will be your shield on the battlefield.

He will remind you of His words when His words need to be spoken or remembered.

He will be your friend when you feel very alone in a crowded room.

He will be your treasure chest of riches when the bank says your account is empty.

He will be your shelter in the storm.

He will be your umbrella in the shower.

He will be your pal when you want to put aside the umbrella and stand in the raindrops and splash in the puddles!

That what He is...and so much more!

AT JUST THE RIGHT TIME
Today's reading: Isaiah 20-23, 2 Corinthians 6, Psalm 147:12-20

"For God says, At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you." 2 Corinthians 6:2 NLT

I'm reading a book by Jen Wilkin about the attributes of God.

The characteristic I'm stymied by...stumped by...stopped in my tracks by...is that God is eternal.

Not something I can wrap my human mind around.

I exist in frames and dimensions of minutes, days, months and years...He does not.

So when it says in His Word that 'at just the right time, I heard you', I have to consider that that 'right time' probably does not correlate with the 'right time' I have written down in my planner.

I think Solomon wrote it best, 'He has made everything beautiful in its time.' (Ecclesiastes 3:11) It doesn't state, in any version I have found--and I have surely looked at several--'He has made everything beautiful in my time.'

So, let's trust Him, friends.

To have heard us.

To save us.

To know the perfect time for both!

STARS
Today's reading: Isaiah 17-19, 2 Corinthians 5, Psalm 147:1-11

"He counts the stars and calls them all by name." Psalm 147:4 NLT

It's reassuring to me to know that while God is caring for the over 400 billion stars He has formed in our Milky Way galaxy, He is also caring for me!

It's comforting to realize that His hand extends to the farthest reaches of space, so far in fact it would take us 70,000 years in our fastest space craft, to tend to the smallest star, and He is still as close to me as the breath I draw!

It's amazing to find out that of the stars I study in the night sky...the small twinkling lights of the night...the mere specks in the velvety blackness...there are some that are 100 times more massive than our own sun, He continues to govern them with His might. As He does every circumstance of my life!

It provides solace for my soul to think He cares for me even more than He does the stars--me, a created in His image creation, a blood-bought member of His family, a rescued sheep of His flock, a prodigal welcomed back to His table, a branch grafted into Him, a blind beggar who has been given sight to see Him.

He knows me by name, too.

IN HIS PLAN
Today's reading: Isaiah 14-16, 2 Corinthians 4, Psalm 146

"The Lord Almighty has sworn this oath: It will all happen as I have planned. It will come about according to my purposes." Isaiah 14:24 NLT

Today will come about exactly as God has ordained it.

No surprises.

Nothing catching Him off guard.

No sudden changed to His plans.

Yesterday's emergencies don't change what He has laid out for you today.

You can still trust Him with all of it.

Every minute of today.

Every second.

They are all going to fall into place according to His plan and His purpose.

BEYOND DISCOVERY
Today's reading: Isaiah 11-13, 2 Corinthians 3, Psalm 145

"Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise! His greatness is beyond discovery!" Psalm 145:3 NLT

We were challenged last night at church to know God better.

More deeply.

With more intimacy.

On a more personal level.

And the challenge issued was to read, at least, 7 minutes in the Bible each day for 7 days.

I'm in.

He is worth it.

So very worth it.

And I know I'll be blessed.

And maybe, just maybe, at the end of 7 days I'll look more like Him.

WHERE I AM NOW
Today's reading: Isaiah 3-5, 2 Corinthians 1:1-11, Psalm 143:1-6

"I think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and completely overwhelmed, and we thought we would never live through it. In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we learned not to rely on ourselves, but on God who can raise the dead. And he did deliver us from mortal danger. And we are confident that he will continue to deliver us." 2 Corinthians 1:8-10 NLT

I don't know what God walked you into, up to, through or around this past year but He had a reason for it.

I don't know the valley you walked through, the storm you endured or the long, dark night you tolerated.

I don't know the extremes He took you through.

But I know this, He has gotten you this far.

He has brought you to here and now.

He has provided enough of Himself, His power, His strength and His might to see you through to today.

Maybe you never thought you would be here.

Make it.

Live through it all.

But, praise God, you have.

And don't you know Him on a deeper, more intimate level, than you ever did before?

Oh, the things you have learned about God.

THEN I PRAY
Today's reading: Isaiah 1-2, 1 Corinthians 16, Psalm 142

"I look for someone to come and help me, but no one gives me a passing thought. No one will help me; no one cares a bit what happens to me. Then I pray to you, O Lord, I say, You are my place of refuge. You are all I really want in life." Psalm 142:4-5 NLT

The more one finds out about people, the more we realize how very human they are.

They cannot always be there when we need them.

Their flaws show up.

Imperfections rise to the top.

Chinks in even the best suits of armor appear.

Oh, it's not that they don't try. Or want to. Or don't help at all. Or haven't been placed by God in to our lives.

But let's face it, no one really cares for us like Jesus.

No one else can.

We were made to need Him. No substitutes.

PREPARING FOR GLORY
Today's reading: Song of Solomon 5-8, 1 Corinthians 15:35-58, Psalm 141

"Our bodies now disappoint us, but when they are raised, they will be full of glory. They are weak now, but when they are raised, they will be full of power." 1 Corinthians 15:43 NLT

I have a friend who gearing up for a doctor visit in which some unwanted plans are having to be discussed.

I have a cousin who I sit with through a chemo treatment this afternoon.

I have a brother in Christ who is still struggling to regain strength after a journey through surgeries, treatments and recovery.

I have a saint from church who is waiting on the results of a few medical tests.

Our bodies disappoint us. They are weak. They can let us down.

But when they are raised...

BUT WHEN THEY ARE RAISED...

Our new bodies will be full of glory and full of power.

Imagine the healthy glow we will have from basking in the light of God's presence.

Consider living, really living, and never having to consider testings, diagnoses or medical interventions.

Just think about new spiritual bodies what will last us through eternity.

Oh, the joy to come!

LITTLE FOXES
Today's reading: Song of Solomon 1-4, 1 Corinthians 15:12-34, Psalm 140:9-13

"Quick! Catch all the little foxes before they ruin the vineyard of your love, for the grapes are all in blossom." Song of Solomon 2:15 NLT

I think we would all agree that the best time to fix a problem is when the problem first arises?

Before it gets out of hand?

Before it becomes a stronghold?

An addiction?

Before it completely entwines itself into one's life?

So why don't we 'catch the little foxes'?

Stop them when they are small?

Eradicate them the moment we realize there is the possibility of an infestation?

What little foxes are you tending to instead of catching and removing from your life?

WHAT WE KNOW WE NEED
Today's reading: Ecclesiastes 9:13-12:14, 1 Corinthians 14:23-15:11, Psalm 140:1-8

"Since a dull axe requires great strength, sharpen the blade. That the value of wisdom; it helps you succeed." Ecclesiastes 10:10 NLT

If we know the Bible will help us in dealing with each and every relationship of our day--why don't we pick it up and read it?

If we know the Bible will help us in dealing with unlovely co-workers who sit around our cubicle--why don't we pick it up and read it?

If we know the Bible will help us in our marriages--why don't we pick it up and read it?

If we know the Bible will help us in raising our children--why don't we pick it up and read it?

If we know the Bible will help us in growing our churches--why don't we pick it up and read it?

If we know the Bible will help us become more like Christ--why don't we pick it up and read it?

It's requiring more strength and more effort to live without the Bible that it requires to pick it up and read it.

So why don't we pick it up and read it?

UNDERSTANDABLE WORDS
Today's reading: Ecclesiastes 7:1-9:12, 1 Corinthians 14:1-22, Psalm 139:19-24

"I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. But in a church meeting I would much rather speak five understandable words that will help others than ten thousand words in an unknown language." 1 Corinthians 14:18 NLT

I know about the simple life lived here in this tiny house.

I am knowledgeable on raising a tall teenager.

I have an up-close relationship to the goings-on here on this little farm.

I am aware of the happenings in my small hometown.

I have my finger on the pulse of house I worship I attend.

So those are the things I talk about.

With those around me.

With you.

I could dive off into theological discussions and would find myself quickly over my head.

I could jump into debates about religion and denomination and soon find they are fights I am unable to defend.

I could talk historical data, archeological finds and Hebrew but you would very quickly know I had borrowed the information from Google or the latest MSN article or a thick concordance.

So, like Paul, I will talk about what I know that I know that I know, where I have seen God at work and how I have watched Him change circumstances around me through prayer and Christian discipline.

And I pray He uses each and every one of my words!

HE THINKS OF ME
Today's reading: Ecclesiastes 3:16-6:12, 1 Corinthians 12:27-13:13, Psalm 139:7-18

"How precious are your thoughts about me, O God! They are innumerable! I can't even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up in the morning, you are still with me!" Psalm 139:17-18 NLT

As He holds together the galaxy, He thinks of me.

As He monitors the tide, telling it just how far it can go, He thinks of me.

As He rolls one season skillfully and beautifully into the next, He thinks of me.

As He fashions one snowflake after another for the first snow of winter, He thinks of me.

As He forms cells, begins a heartbeat and knits the newest baby together piece by piece, He thinks of me.

As He causes the seed to swell and germinate down in the dark soil, He thinks of me.

As He orchestrates the light show put on by the bugs of summer, He thinks of me.

As He watched His Son give up His life on a cruel cross, He thinks of me.

What a nice thought...to be thought about.

EVERY MOMENT
Today's reading: Ecclesiastes 1:1-3:15, 1 Corinthians 12:1-26, Psalm 139:1-6

...Every moment you know where I am." Psalm 139:3 NLT

One of my favorite lessons with the little ones used to be when I talked about all the places God is.

I would list a variety of places, like church, home, school, the playground, et cetera, then ask them to begin naming places.

Oh, the fun they had in doing that.

A little hand would go up and then I would hear...

The moon!

The bottom of the ocean!

Walmart!

Grandma's house!

McDonald's!

Invariably we would have at least one saying through a giggle, Bathroom!

My favorite part was watching their eyes and I confirmed that, Yes, God was with us in each and every one of those places--even the bathroom!

As an adult, don't we also need the reminder?

Just think, for a moment, the places we tend to forget He is with us...

The doctor's office!

The funeral home!

The valley!

The living room as you watch TV!

The bed as we lie wide awake with fears!

The car!

The dark, quiet night!

Every moment He knows where we are--because He, too, is there.

JUST ENOUGH ENCOURAGEMENT
Today's reading: Job 40-42, 1 Corinthians 11:2-34, Psalm 138

"When I pray, you answer me; you encourage me by giving me the strength I need." Psalm 138:3 NLT

I had the weirdest dream last night.

I dreamt I attempted to help a friend out by doing her job for a day.

A job, I assured her, I could handle.

A job I had watched her on several occasions do with ease and finesse.

I had people skills, I told her as I stated my case.

I had years of retail experience, I reminded her.

So, in my dream, I showed up at her work place and put on her waitressing apron for my shift.

And within thirty minutes of starting I was fired.

I had spilled food on customers. I had messed up several orders. I had made some folks mad enough to leave. I became hateful, rude and cynical. I had exasperated patrons--and myself.

Me, the people person.

Me, the one with years of experience.

So to read this verse this morning, I am relieved.

Today, because I trust Him, I know He will give me the strength I need to do my job while I live my life, not someone else's!



I woke up from the dream in a sweat!

REQUESTS OR DEMANDS
Today's reading: Job 37-39, 1 Corinthians 10:14-11:1, Psalm 137

"Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell me, if you know so much." Job 38:4 NLT

The Lord and I were talking this morning.

Well, I was talking--and He, well He was listening, like the gentleman He is, to my goings-on.

I spoke in regards to the list of requests I still held in my heart.

The things I needed Him to do.

The people I needed Him to change.

The circumstances I just knew would be prime opportunities for Him to step in to and make a scene.

I offered Him suggestions.

I laid out my plans for Him to approve and to follow.

I gave well thought out suggestions.

I pretty much laid out a game plan and asked Him to follow.

Then I read this verse.

And I got quiet.

Very quiet.

SAVED
Today's reading: Job 34-36, 1 Corinthians 9:19-10:13, Psalm 136:10-26

"He saved us from our enemies. His faithful love endures forever." Psalm 136:24 NLT

I don't know how long you have been a child of God...

A very long time?

A few short years?

Since Sunday's altar service at your church?

Maybe, just maybe, that moment in your life hasn't happened yet--but God has been speaking to your heart about it. (My recommendation: Accept all He offers! Grab Him up with open arms! Believe Him wholly, whether you understand it all or not. Settle the question over your eternal home and your place in His family today!)

No matter how long you have been His, this verse should excite and calm you.

He has saved us from our enemies.

The enemies that come from our childhood.

The enemies that follow us around on a day to day basis.

The enemies that will show up on our doorsteps tomorrow, quite unannounced.

He has saved us from them all!

Nothing will come against us today that isn't covered by the blood of Jesus poured out over our lives.

Nothing.

MIRACULOUS GOD
Today's reading: Job 31-33, 1 Corinthians 9:1-18, Psalm 136:1-9

"Give thanks to him who alone does mighty miracles. His faithful love endures forever." Psalm 136:4 NLT

Pause long enough today and you will see a miracle of God.

Something beyond human possibility.

Something that goes past natural amazement.

Someone who has beat odds, come back from the fight of their life, surrendered slavery for freedom.

Miracles are all around us--and God alone is the One who deserves credit for them.