JOY AHEAD
Today's reading: Ezekiel 41:1-43:12, 1 Peter 1:1-12, Proverbs 22:1-9

"So be truly glad! There is wonderful joy ahead, even though it is necessary for you to endure many trials for a while." 1 Peter 1:6 NLT

Hang on.

Yes, just hang on, Christian brother or sister.

It's tough now.

It's hard going.

The storm rages. The waters are deep. The situation is harrowing. The nights are long and dark. The burden is heavy. The disease is wearying. The doubts are lingering. The hope is waning. The fear is building.

But if you hang on, joy is coming.

God doesn't say when...but if He says it's coming...it's coming!

He can be trusted.

BROUGHT HERE
Today's reading: Ezekiel 40, James 5:7-20, Proverbs 21:25-31

"He said to me, Son of man, watch and listen. Pay close attention to everything I show you. You have been brought here so I can show you many things..." Ezekiel 40:4 NLT

As you sit around your Thanksgiving table, pause for a moment.

Think of where God has you.

Is it on the backside of a storm?

In the middle of a wave-tossed sea?

Heading into a nor-easter?

God has you where you are for a reason--to see Him.

To see what all He has done...

To see all He can do...

To see all He is...

Stop where you are today long enough to pay close attention.

You have been brought 'here' so He can show you many things.

ENEMY OF GOD
Today's reading: Ezekiel 38-39, James 4:1-5:6, Proverbs 21:19-24

"You adulterers! Don't you realize that friendship with this world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again, that if your aim is to enjoy this world, you can't be a friend of God." James 4:4 NLT

What are your goals for this life?

To be rich and famous, accumulating wealth and possessions along the way to the grave?

To live a life of ease and comfort, never suffering, never needing to complain until death steals you away quietly and peacefully in your sleep?

To gather funds and resources that will leave your children, their children and their children never wanting for a thing?

Or is it to be like Jesus?

To want what He wanted--to do the Father's will.

To desire that lost sheep be brought to the Good Shepherd.

To have a drive to see souls saved from the pits of hell.

To know this world is not your home, heaven awaits.

We can't love this world and serve God--it won't work.

If we do this Christian thing right, we aren't going to fit in.

We won't be famous in the eyes of the majority of society.

We probably won't amass wealth for use on this planet.

We might not be liked, understood or listened to.

But how we live will determine whose friend we are, the world's or God's.

READY TO HEAR
Today's reading: Ezekiel 36:16-37:28, James 3, Proverbs 21:9-18

"This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I am ready to hear Israel's prayers for these blessings, and I am ready to grant them their requests." Ezekiel 36:37 NLT

Ever thought about God leaning forward just waiting for us to ask?

Sitting on the edge of His mighty throne anticipating us requesting His help, His grace, his favor?

He is always ready and waiting to hear from His.

To hear 'praise' come from our lips.

To hear 'help' whispered from our desperation.

To hear 'thank you' resounding from our full hearts.

To hear 'I need Thee, O, I need Thee', sung from the depths of our souls.

He is waiting, always waiting, to hear from us.

Why do we make Him wait so long?

CAUSE US TO LIE DOWN
Today's reading: Ezekiel 34:11-36:15, James 2, Proverbs 21:1-8

"I myself will tend my sheep and cause them to lie down in peace, says the Sovereign Lord." Ezekiel 34:15 NLT

My eye and heart have hovered over the phrase, 'cause them to lie down', this morning.

I am acquainted with the idea of God tending to us as a Good Shepherd--the lush fields, the clear and still water, the safe place to graze...

But to think about Him 'causing us to lie down'?

Making us stop?

Urging us to rest?

Insisting that, for a while, we pause?

Asking us to stop serving, doing, ministering to allow our bodies, hearts and minds to recuperate and heal?

That's just what He does, isn't it?

By allowing illness to slow us down to a standstill.

By letting plans crumble.

By changing well laid out plans.

By telling us to simply, 'Wait'.

He asks us to rest, from our services or for our upcoming battles.

He causes us to lie down in peace.

Knowing He knows best.

Knowing His timing is better than our own.

Knowing He will use this downtime to help us succeed, prosper and reach more for Him than we could ever do without the respite.

So when He asks you to 'Rest', do it.

WISE SPEECH
Today's reading: Ezekiel 29-30, Hebrews 12:14-29, Proverbs 20:1-18

"Wise speech is rarer and more valuable than gold and rubies." Proverbs 20:15 NLT

There is an exorbitant amount of talking that goes on--wise words, however, less prevalent.

Think about it...

Of all the State of the Union addresses presented over the years, only a handful of quotes can be given that are memorable and noteworthy.

Of all the commencement speeches spoken over the ages, only a smattering of their time in the spotlight will be remembered in history.

Of all the eulogies given beside gravesides, how many do you recall?

Of all the outstanding sermons you've heard, can you quote much of any of any one?

Of all the things your grandparents or parents taught you about life, what can you remember?

Wise words are rare, priceless treasures that are seldom unearthed.

Let's listen for them today. And if given the opportunity, let's administer them with great care, much prayer and God's leading.

THE KINGDOM WE WILL RECEIVE
Today's reading: Ezekiel 27-28, Hebrews 12:1-29, Proverbs 19:22-29

"Since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be destroyed, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe." Hebrews 12:28 NLT

I don't know what it is you are throwing your time, effort, money and energies into--but let me ask you, is it worth it?

Will it have eternal impact?

Will it reap dividends that far exceed your lifetime?

Will its results be everlasting?

If you are putting your heart, mind, soul and strength into your faith walk, then your answer can be a resounding, YES.

Time with the Lord. Effort put forth to study the Bible. Energy put into praying. Money given to the church. Days spent devoted to Him. Those are all things that will not be taken from you--or your family--or your part of the world He has placed you in.

Re-evaluate where you are spending your precious time...is it on things that have eternal impact? Or just things?

HIS PLANS
Today's reading: Ezekiel 24-26, Hebrews 11:32-40, Proverbs 19:15-21

"You can make many plans, but the Lord's purpose will prevail." Proverbs 19:21 NLT

I've gotten my new daily planner.

I've broken open the plastic wrapper.

I've thumbed through the brand new pages.

I've located a pen that fits neatly in its side pocket.

I'm ready for all the plans I'm going to make in the new year...

And the plans God has for me.

I'd write His down first, but He doesn't always give me heads-up.

For some reason, He doesn't feel as if He needs to check my calendar before sending things my way.

He doesn't mind seeing me 'white-out' some plan I had in order to see His will be done.

He isn't into consulting me as to when a season of learning more about Him might best suit my mood or schedule.

And honestly, I'm glad about that.

You see, my plans, my ideas, my appointments and my agenda have all to do with making my life more comfortable, easier and less stressful. His ways, His thoughts, His ordained moments and His will have everything to do with making me more godly. More like Jesus. More of an impact in this world He placed me in.

So--I'll hand Him the pen and my planner. And I'll trust Him.

WHAT IS FAITH?
Today's reading: Ezekiel 23, Hebrews 11:1-31, Proverbs 19:9-14

"What is faith? It is the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen. It is the evidence of things we cannot yet see." Hebrews 11:1 NLT

Maybe you memorized this verse in Vacation Bible School. Or Sunday School. Or in s small group Bible study. Or at church camp. Or have it hanging on a wall. Written out on an index card at your computer. On a t-shirt, perhaps.

It's a verse the majority of us know...or do we?

Faith is the evidence of things we cannot yet see.

Faith is believing there is a heaven, when we've never set foot on a street of gold or walked by a crystal river.

Faith is the hope of seeing saved loved ones again, even after the memory of their last touch has faded from our senses.

Faith is knowing, without doubt, that all God has promised will come to pass--for yourself, for your prodigal, for your future, for your joy to be made full, for eternity.

Faith is braving the storm that will end..some day, some time, with some powerful pages of your testimony written in its fury.

Faith is the assurance that even when we cannot see, God can and does and has and will.

HIS DAY
Today's reading: Ezekiel 20-22, Hebrews 10, Proverbs 18:18:18-19:8

"And I gave them my Sabbath days of rest as a sign between them and me. It was to remind them that I, the Lord, had set them apart to be holy, making them my special people." Ezekiel 20:12 NLT

Did you use yesterday as an opportunity to remind yourself that you are His?

By gathering for worship in His house? By fellowshipping with fellow believers? By making the effort to give the day to Him?

If not, won't you please make plans to do it next Sunday?

Please?

It's what makes the difference in our Christian walks.

It's what distinguishes us as part of His family.

It's what fuels us for the charge He has given us to reach the lost for Him.

It's what sets us up for victory in the battles we will face.

It's what gives us the encouragement we need to continue on in the fight.

It's what our Heavenly Father, who knows what is best for us, desires us to do.

Go ahead and clear your calendar of everything but Him next Sunday. Make it all about God--He did.

(I urge you to read over Ezekiel 20 and the charges brought against Israel for turning to idols and violating the Sabbath day. It certainly puts a greater priority on the Lord's Day than we tend to.)

LOOKING FOR VICTIMS
Today's reading: Ezekiel 18-19, Hebrews 9:11-28, Proverbs 18:8-17

"Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour." 1 Peter 5:8 NLT

No, today's verse is no where to be found within the listed verses...but it's where my heart is. I guess I'm a rebel like that--and God is good like that!

Let's get this little bit of information out in the open: The enemy hates us.

He is not for us.

He does not want to see us prosper.

He is not cheering us on, rooting for us or desiring that we succeed.

He is not interested in us living a life of joy, peace, love or even comfort.

He came to steal, kill and destroy.

That being said, he is always on the lookout for a victim.

A straggler.

A wounded sheep.

A lonely one.

A bruised individual.

Someone who is vulnerable.

Today, don't be his victim.

Yes, we can make that choice.

We can make sure we don't buy into his lies, allow him into our thoughts, let him string us down paths of doubt or corner us in a crowded room.

We can surround ourselves with praying friends, expose his lies to the light of God's truth and steer clear of his haunts--also knows as our tempting grounds.

Don't be a victim today.

And when tomorrow comes, repeat.

THE MOST HOLY PLACE
Today's reading: Ezekiel 16:44-17:24, Hebrews 8:1-9:10, Proverbs 18:1-7

"By these regulations the Holy Spirit revealed that the Most Holy Place was not open to the people as long as the first room and the entire system it represents were still in use." Hebrews 9:8 NLT

There is a term I have fallen in love with, it is 'thin places'.

It has nothing to do with body image, scales or building sites and everything to do with godliness.

A 'thin place' is a common place where there is undeniable connection to the Sacred.

My prayer chair is a 'thin place'

My car has been a 'thin place'.

Our couch has been a 'thin place'.

A 'thin place' is a place where God meets you and there is no mistaking it!

A time when you aren't in the church building but you are having church.

An occurrence in your every day routine that leaves God's fingerprints on your life.

A place where you know, without doubt, that Immanuel lives--is with you.

A moment when the living, breathing, slicing, cutting, healing, mending, impacting Word of God is pulsing in your veins.

To think there was a time in history when this Most Holy Place was reserved only for a specified priest from a specified tribe who could only visit on a specified day of the year.

Not any more! We have been welcomed, because of the blood of Christ, in to this Most Holy Place.

In to His presence. To His side. Beckoned to His feet. To partake of His company. To soak Him in with our very beings.

In the common everyday-ness.

This morning I am praising God for 'thin places'.

THE POWER TO BLESS
Today's reading: Ezekiel 15:1-16:43, Hebrews 7, Proverbs 17:23-28

"And without question, the person who has the power to bless is always greater than the person who is blessed." Hebrews 7:7 NLT

Let's do a quick scientific study...

An experiment of sorts...

A kind of survey...

A poll...

A show of hands...

Who gets more of your conversation, attention, time, energy and thoughts...God or your problems?

Before the data is collected and the results are tallied, I'm going to make an educated guess: our problems.

They're talked about. They're posted on our prayer chains. They are discussed in our small groups. They are whispered at our altars. They are published on social media. They are matters of conversation over cups of coffee, tea, cocoa and backyard fences.

Is God talked about as much?

Ouch.

Today's verse talks about the 'bless-er' being greater than the blessed or the blessing, what a reminder of how our conversations are revealing the twisted natures of our hearts.

We've got things out of order.

What if for today, let's just say as a part of our 'science experiment', we begin to talk more about the greatness of God than the enormity of our problems?

What if we began praising the Blessed One rather than spout off our desired list of blessings?

What if we praised instead of presented prayer requests?

What if for today we made it all about Him?

A LITTLE POLISH
Today's reading: Ezekiel 13-14, Hebrews 5:11-6:20, Proverbs 17:13-22

"Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God's promises because of their faith and patience." Hebrews 6:12 NLT

God,

This morning I'm asking you to give me a little 'spit shine', as my grandma's used to call it.

I want You to polish me up.

You see, Lord, I don't want to continue through life dull or indifferent, lacking spark, less than lustrous. I don't want to be caught, at the end of my life, having done anything but trust You wholeheartedly.

I want my faith in You to shine!

LIFTED
Today's reading: Ezekiel 11-12, Hebrews 4:4-5:10, Proverbs 17:6-12

"Then the Spirit lifted me up..." Ezekiel 11:1 NLT

Ever experienced a 'spiritual pick-me-up'?

A moment when all seemed dark and gray, but the sun broke through and the birds once again began singing?

A time when the storms raged, the boat rocked on the waves and the water splashed onto the deck in greater quantities than your little bucket could bail, but then it all stilled?

A season of testing and turmoil that brought you a harvest of peace?

That, dear friend, was when the Spirit lifted you up.

The Spirit picked up your weary soul and gave it the respite needed.

The  Spirit lifted the heavy weight off your shoulders--and your heart.

The Spirit, maybe just maybe, changed circumstances, but most definitely changed your heart about them.

The Spirit send a much needed friend with much more needed words.

The Spirit provided a light for the next step.

The Spirit soothed a festering sore on your soul.

I'm praying that today the Spirit lifts you up. In some way. In an area where it's needed the most. In a manner that points your face towards God in praise.

A VERSE FOR EVERY DAY
Today's reading: Ezekiel 8-10, Hebrews 3:1-4:3, Proverbs 17:1-5

"That is why the Holy Spirit says, Today you must listen to his voice..." Hebrews 3:7 NLT

If there were a verse we might need to read every single day, this might be it.

A gentle reminder.

A quick review.

A loving nudge in the right direction.

Because He loves us.

Because He desires the best for us.

Because He knows us so well.

Because He knows on our own we're hopeless.

Because He is who He is.

THE PERSON FOR THE JOB
Today's reading: Ezekiel 1:1-3:21, Philemon, Proverbs 16:1-9

"I am sending you to the people of Israel, but they won't listen to you any more than they listen to me! For the whole lot of them are hard-hearted and stubborn. But look, I have made you as hard and stubborn as they are. I have made you as hard as rock! So don't be afraid or fear their angry looks, even though they are such rebels." Ezekiel 3:7-9 NLT

It's been said of me that I have a bit of a hard head. A stubborn streak. An independent nature.

Maybe it's true.

I don't like being told I can't do something.

I seldom settle for 'it's probably too hard for you'.

And for the love of Pete, don't ever tell me 'someone like me could never do something like that'.

So when I read this passage of scripture about Ezekiel, I thought to myself...this guy and I are a lot alike!

Especially in regards to what God has called us to do for Him.

God asked Ezekiel to speak to the people of Israel...the people who had not been listening to God, the people who had turned away from each and every command He had laid before them, the people who thought they knew a better path than the one God set before them. Those people.

And God told Ezekiel, these folks are stubborn and hard-hearted and that they wouldn't listen to him.

That information right there is enough to put a halt in any and all plans one might have to succeed for the Lord...but God goes on to tell Ezekiel that He had things in order.

Ezekiel, God told him, it will be okay--you see, I have made you as stubborn and as hard-hearted as they are...you are just the right fella to reach these people. I know you won't give up on this task. I know you will be as diligent, determined and dogged as they come.

I love that!

You see, God has presented me with a desire in my heart that it's going to take a lot of prayer, a lot of trust and a whole lot of leaning on His understanding to ever see it come to fruition...but I'm just hard headed enough to stick with it, because I am believing Him for it!

What stands against me better know that, too.

I won't go down without a fight.

I won't stop just because someone else thinks I should.

I won't believe the lies my attackers throw at me.

I will not allow the obstacles to stop me, oh, they may slow me down, but they will not stop me.

I'm not going to trust someone else to do what I believe He has asked me to accomplish with my strengths, my abilities and my faith.

I won't give up when it gets hard, tough or takes too long--my heart is set on seeing this through to the end I believe God has promised in His Word.

I'm just that hard-headed...but I'm seeing that maybe, just maybe--in this instance, that's a good thing!

AGAIN
Today's reading: Lamentations 3:39-5:22, Titus 3, Proverbs 15:27-33

"Restore us, O Lord, and bring us back to you again! Give us back the joys we once had!" Lamentations 5:21 NLT

Are you the vibrant Christian you were when you first got saved?

Are you as apt to be speaking of the Lord? Telling of His goodness? Sharing your testimony as you were when it was new, fresh?

Are you consuming the Bible as you did when you first believed? Is it as exciting? As refreshing? Are you as hungry to find out its truths as you were when it was first opened up to you?

God hasn't changed.

His Word has not lost its luster.

Why aren't we asking daily for God to fill us with the thrill and enthusiasm of newly saved Christians? Why don't we ask Him each morning to give us the still-wet-from-baptism excitement that we all once had?

Why don't we ask Him to restore us to our First Love? To bring us back to Him? To rekindle the spark we once had for the Lord?

AS STERNLY AS NECESSARY
Today's reading: Lamentations 2:1-3:38, Titus 1:10-2:15, Proverbs 15:19-26

"...So rebuke them as sternly as necessary to make them strong in the faith." Titus 1:13 NLT

Would you pray that prayer for a loved one?

A prodigal?

A back-slider related to you by blood, familial or Christ's?

Do you love them enough to want God's very best for them, no matter the discomfort, the inconvenience or the discouragement He could place in their paths?

What about for yourself?

Would you dare pray that God make sin so unappealing to you that it puts you off?

That it makes you sick?

That is doesn't set well with your very soul?

As the salt flavors every drop in the Atlantic, so does sin affect every atom of our nature. It is so sadly there, so abundantly there, that if you cannot detect it, you are deceived. ~ Charles H. Spurgeon

YOKE OF CAPTIVITY
Today's reading: Jeremiah 52-Lamentations 1, Titus 1:1-9, Proverbs 15:10-18

"He wove my sins into ropes to hitch me to a yoke of captivity. The Lord sapped my strength and gave it to my enemies; I am helpless in their hands." Lamentations 1:14 NLT

The city of Jerusalem sits in desolation, crying over all opportunities she passed on to turn back to the Lord.

She sees how one poor choice led to another...to another...to another...and now the entire city lay in ruin and the inhabitants were held captive by Babylon.

She hears God's instructions ringing in her ears. She recalls each and every instruction He gave for her to turn back to Him. She can replay every word in which He warned her of her doom.

And still she chose sin over Him.

Captivity over freedom.

Slavery over inheritance.

Exile over security.

Helplessness over hope.

Death over life.

Friend, this is not just a biographical account of an ancient city, this is a warning to us as His followers.

He lets us choose.

He allows us the freedom to walk the path of our choosing.

He provides us with options--clearly laid out options with specifically noted consequences.

What are we choosing with every decision we make?

BUT THE LORD STOOD WITH ME
Today's reading: Jeremiah 51:15-64, 2 Timothy 4, Proverbs 15:1-9

"But the Lord stood with me and gave me strength,.." 2 Timothy 4:17 NLT

My Life Application Bible study notes say this about today's verse...

With his mentor in prison and his church in turmoil, Timothy was probably not feeling very brave. Paul may have been subtly telling Timothy that the Lord had called Timothy to preach and would give him the courage to continue to do so. God always gives us strength to do what he has commanded. This strength may not be evident, however, until we step out in faith and actually begin doing the task.

Maybe, just maybe, I have found you today in a not so courageous condition. Maybe your life is kinda of smelly right now, things are topsy-turvy and quite honestly, you are scared. It might be you don't feel surrounded by warriors of faith but more folks who are sucking the life out of you. Maybe your faith-tank is feeling terribly, horribly drained.

Friend, God stands beside you.

As He did for Timothy.

As He was doing for Paul.

As He has done for countless numbers of His children over the ages.

As He will continue to do until He has us standing beside Him in heaven.

So, go ahead, and do the hard thing. Do it again. And again, when necessary.

Trust He is beside you when you are doing what He is calling you to do.

NOT BECAUSE WE DESERVED IT
Today's reading: Jeremiah 48:1-49:6, 2 Timothy 1, Proverbs 14:7-22

"It is God who saved us and chose us to live a holy life. He did this not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan long before the world began--to show his love and kindness to us through Jesus Christ." 2 Timothy 1:9 NLT

If you're watching the news, there is controversy stirring regarding the coming to Christ of a celebrity.

I don't know the reasons. I don't know what purpose questioning his conversion has. I don't know why it's being doubted.

I also don't know which side is doing the stirring.

If it's the unsaved side--then I don't expect any better.

If it's the Christian community--shame on us!

This man claims Jesus as his Savior.

This man says God has forgiven his sins.

This man has publicly confessed to seeking salvation and finding it in the name of Christ.

This man admits he was a sinner, is not perfect and has been changed by Jesus' blood.

Christian brother or sister, how do you argue that point?

Were you not standing in that same spot at one point in your life?

Did you not pray the same prayer, seek the same forgiveness, receive the same change, claim the power of that same Blood?

Did Christ not die for you?

Who are you compared to him?

Were your sins easier for Him to forgive? Not as dirty? Not as sinful?

Is he still going to have to walk the walk, produce the fruit and continue to grow in godliness?

Won't you continue to have to do the same?

God's plan, long before this celebrity made his announcement--or before you made yours, was to show the world His love through Jesus.

You are part of that plan. So am I. So is he.