TRIGGERS
Today's reading: Deuteronomy 24-25

"Never forget what the Amalekites did to you as you came from Egypt. They attacked you when you were exhausted and weary..." Deuteronomy 25:17-18 NLT

Today they're called, 'triggers'.

Things that cause you to pause and  take note of one's surroundings, feelings, prior experiences and use that information to make wiser, more informed decisions than during the time before.

In the case of the Israelites, it was the Amalekites. It was weariness. It was during a time when their faith in God was lacking--and their faith in themselves soared.

God asked them to remember that time. Remember that feeling. Remember those circumstances. Remember those people.

Maybe He is asking you to take note today.

Of how you feel.

Of how busy you have allowed yourself to become.

Of where your focus is.

Of whose, or Whose, strength you are depending upon.

Of what's going on around you that reminds you of a time just before you did a downward spiral and fell flat on your face.

Never forget. Don't dwell, but never forget. It's a learning curve He is allowing us all!

DID YOU MAKE A VOW?
Today's reading: Deuteronomy 21-23

"When you make a vow to the Lord your God, be prompt in doing whatever you promised him. For the Lord your God demands that you promptly fulfill all your vows. If you don't, you will be guilty of sin." Deuteronomy 23:21 NLT

Have you promised something to God, and haven't followed through on it?

Like a vow made during an illness? Your own or the sickness of a child's? Words spoken while a fever spiked, a surgery lingered or the doctor's scratched their heads?

During a stormy, dark season? A 'if only you would make it through' kind of promise? While you were bailing water? Cringing beneath claps of thunder and bolts of lightning?

An agreement you offered to God if He would only give you 'that' job? That girlfriend or boyfriend? That baby you now hold in your arms? That opportunity? That second chance?

There is a very good chance, if you are reading this blog, you made it through...

There is a high likelihood that the horribly dark season ended...

There is a great probability that IF God didn't give you what you wanted, He gave you something greater and better and more glorifying of Him...

So, have you done what you promised Him?

OUR PART
Today's reading: Deuteronomy 19-20

"The Lord your God will soon destroy the nations whose land he is giving you, and you will displace them and settle in their towns and homes." Deuteronomy 19:1 NLT

This verse consists of two thoughts, separated by a comma.

First part: God will destroy.

Second part, our part: We will displace.

I don't know about you, but I've wasted a lot of time and energy attempting to do God's job.

Trying to defeat satan.

Striving to gain a victory.

Working myself into a tailspin that shows I have succeeded over evil.

That's not my job. And not only that, it's a job that's already been done!

My job, according to this verse, is to pack up any bits and pieces left of the enemy's former life in mine that are left behind.

I am to displace. To box up. To remove any sign. To disinfect. To clean house.

I am to get rid of any and all traces of my enemy, my enemy who God has defeated, and live.

That sounds a whole lot easier, now doesn't it?

SPIRITUAL INVENTORY
Today's reading: Deuteronomy 16-18

"When you arrive in the land the Lord your God is giving you, be very careful not to imitate the detestable customs of the nations living there." Deuteronomy 18:9 NLT

Here are some questions I believe God has asked me this morning as I've read through this passage of Scripture...

-Am I behaving in a way that makes me set apart from the world I live in?

-Are my words different from those around me?

-Could someone identify me as a Christian after only a short time of knowing me?

-Is there more of the world in my life than there is God?

-Do folks know I'm different?

-Are my conversations littered more with 'me, myself and I' or with praise for God?

We've all heard the saying, 'A Christian is to be in the world, but not of the world.' Meaning we are to be impacting, not impacted. We are to stand out not blend in. We are to influence not be influenced.

I believe, for me, and maybe for you, too, it's time we did a little spiritual inventory to assess if we're more like them or more like Him.

AGAINST HIM
Today's reading: Deuteronomy 12-15

"When the Lord your God destroys the nations and you drive them out and occupy their land, do not be trapped into following their example in worshiping their gods. Do not say, How do these nations worship their gods? I want to follow their example. You must not do this to the Lord your God..." Deuteronomy 12:29-31 NLT

'You must not do this to the Lord your God'.

Imagine doing something harmful against God?

Spiteful against the Lord?

Intentionally against Him?

We wouldn't dare, you say...

And yet, we do.

When we put our idols before Him.

When we worship what we create, purchase or have birthed.

When we believe, because of our enemy's lying thought-seeds, that it won't hurt anyone but ourselves.

But it is an offense against God.

A sin against Him.

We shouldn't do that!

WITH YOUR OWN EYES
Today's reading: Deuteronomy 9-11

"You must love the Lord your God and obey his requirements, laws, regulations and commands. Listen! I am not talking now to your children, who have never experienced the discipline of the Lord your God or seen his greatness and awesome power. They were not there to see the miraculous signs and wonders he performed in Egypt against Pharoah and all his land. They didn't see what the Lord did to the armies of Egypt and to their horses and chariots--how he drowned them in the Red Sea as they were chasing you, and how he kept them devastated to this very day! They didn't see how the Lord cared for you in the wilderness until you arrived here. They weren't there to see what he did to Dathan and Abiram ( the sons of Eliab, a descendant of Reuben) when the earth opened up and swallowed them, along with their households and tents and every living thing that belonged to them. But you have seen all the Lord's mighty deeds with your own eyes!" Deuteronomy 11:1-7 NLT

Here is my take on today's portion of Scripture...

When I celebrate what I've seen God do in my own life, what I have witnessed with my own eyes and I attempt to live a life worthy of one who has had such blessings poured over me--those I love and long to see come to know the Lord, as I know Him, will be touched.

REMEMBER PHAROAH
Today's reading: Deuteronomy 5-8

"Perhaps you will think to yourselves, How can we ever conquer these nations that are so much more powerful than we are! But don't be afraid of them! Just remember what the Lord your God did to Pharoah and to all the land of Egypt." Deuteronomy 7:17-18 NLT

Put it on a post-it note at your desk--Remember Pharoah!

Write it out on an index card and tape it to your dash--Remember Pharoah!

Make it your screensaver--Remember Pharoah!

Set a text message to alert you every hour or so--Remember Pharoah!

Rent a billboard on the route you take to work--Remember Pharoah!

Hire a plane to pull a huge banner across the sky--Remember Pharoah!

Put a message on the bathroom mirror--Remember Pharoah!

Re-program your passwords on all your electronic devices to 'Remember Pharoah'!

Do what it takes to remember that in regards to the stronghold you are battling to be released from, the captivity you are fighting against, the habits you are desperately wanting to break and the chains you so want to fall from your heart and mind--God has done mighty works before and He will continue to do them again and again for His people.

Remember Pharoah!

TAKING PLUNDER
Today's reading: Deuteronomy 3-4

"...We destroyed all the people in every town we conquered--men, women and the children alike. But we kept all the livestock for ourselves and took plunder from all the towns." Deuteronomy 3:6-7 NLT

Here's what I plan to do today...

And I base it on what God had the children of Israel do...

And I think you can do it, too...

It's going to happen during the battles God walks me through.

The ones He brings me to but knows, with His help, I can win.

The ones in which my enemy truly believes he has an upper hand.

The ones when the deceiver tells me all sorts of lies.

When he attempts to trick me.

When he tries to convince me that I won't make it.

It's then, and gloriously then, that I'm going to take something from him!

Plunder.

Something that will encourage me on my next part of the journey.

Something that he thought he'd use to trip me up, and now I'm using as a stepping stone.

I'm uncovering some treasure he thought he had hidden too deeply for me to ever find.

I'm standing on God's promises and putting him under my feet.

I'm taking him down and I'm making him pay the bill!

REPORTS
Today's reading: Deuteronomy 1-2

"They picked some of its fruit and brought it back to us. And they reported that the land the Lord our God had given us was indeed a good land." Deuteronomy 1:25 NLT

Maybe you need to hear this today...

Maybe you're wondering if it's all worth it...

If it's worth the struggle...

If it's really going to be worth the sacrifice...

The pain...

The hours of prayer...

The breaking of old habits and choosing of new ones...

Just like the two scouts who searched out the Promised Land, saints of God tell us over and over again--It's a good land!

It's worth our time in the valleys to enjoy the mountaintop experiences with God!

It's worth our time in the storm-tossed ships to savor the presence of the Lord in our midst!

It's worth the time spent on our knees to know the feeling of being held tightly to His chest!

It's worth doing it one more day, even if you don't see the results, because He is at work!

It's worth believing what He says over what our enemy whispers!

It's worth the tears!

Just ask someone who has traveled with God for any length of time if it's worth it, I believe they will give you a good report. One that boosts your morale. One that encourages you to continue on. One that reminds you that the 'fruit' is amazing and indeed it's a good land!

SETTLING IN
Today's reading: Numbers 33-36

"Take possession of the land and settle in it, because I have given it to you to occupy." Numbers 33:53 NLT

As the Israelites approach their Promised Land, we know, since we've read ahead in their story, that there will be times they lose it to enemies, are pushed out of it by enemies, are removed from it by their enemies.

Would it be because they hadn't settled in? Put down roots? Staked a claim on it with their minds and hearts?

Isn't that why we lose the blessings of God in our lives?

We don't settle in to what we know, good and well, we don't deserve.

Like forgiveness? We allow our enemy to rob of us of its assurance. And its magnitude.

Like freedom? We let our enemy chain us up again and again with what we've been loosed from.

Like doubt? We allow our enemy free reign in our minds with his half-truths and partial lies.

What if we settled in to who we are in Christ? What if we became, living, breathing, speaking, who He says we are? What if we laid hold of each and every promise He has given to us? What if we staked a claim, and refused to budge, on Him?

I believe it would make a whole heap of difference in this current life as we await our Promised Land.

CHOOSE YOUR ARMY
Today's reading: Numbers 30-32

"So Moses said to the people, Choose some men to fight the Lord's war of vengeance against Midian. From each tribe of Israel, send one thousand mend into battle." Numbers 31:3-4 NLT

Out of the projected two million Israelites, God asked the people to select an army of twelve thousand fighting men.

A mere percentage of the population.

A small portion of the available men.

A cross section of the community.

Don't you know they selected wisely? Were quite specific in their choices? Made very sure the men they chose were of top quality, excellent health and as strong as oxen?

Kind of like when we, and I hope you have, select a group of pray-ers for your battled against the enemy.

Sure anyone can pray--but when its' your heart involved in the war, don't you want someone who has a known track record for getting hold of God?

Don't you choose another believer whose faith far surpasses your own, whose trust in the Lord is encouraging, whose walk is one you wouldn't mind mimicking?

Don't you want someone who is going to go the long haul with you? To the end? To see the answers the Lord will bring about?

Don't you select the folks who will hold your nose to the grindstone, get you up off your tail end and hold you accountable to what they know you desire?

I have my 'gals'. The ones who know my story, my heart's desires, my sins and my prayer requests. I've selected each of them for specific qualities and for individual godly traits. I know they have my back. Beyond that, I know they have the ear of my God!

I have the privilege of having a whole lot of Christian friends and acquaintances, believing co-workers and neighbors, God-fearing family members and a large church fellowship...but I choose a small army to pray with me on my battles.

You have your army, don't you?

WHAT I PLACE ON THE ALTAR
Today's reading: Numbers 27-29

"The Lord said to Moses, Give these instructions to the people of Israel: The offerings you present to me by fire on the altar are my food, and they are very pleasing to me..." Numbers 28:1-2 NLT

I don't know if you are as blessed as I am to attend a church where the altar is used, really used, as it's intended.

It's a very common occurrence to see folks gathered in prayer at the altar before church begins, be moved to the altar for needs during the music portion of our worship service and to seek the altar for affirmation, strength and guidance at the close of the sermon.

Our altar has been used on Sunday mornings and Sunday nights. It's been visited by our church family on Wednesday evenings. There are even times when during the week some of our folks stop in to spend time at the altar alone, in the darkness of the sanctuary.

I love it!

And according to what has jumped off the page at me this morning, God does, too!

It feeds Him.

Our needs, thanks and praise, brought to the altar and placed before a loving God are very pleasing to Him.

At times a desperation for direction drives us to our knees before Him.

Other times, it's an overwhelming need to praise Him for who He is.

Some days, it's through the fire we drag our weary, needy bodies to His altar, seeking what only He can give to refresh, revive and restore.

Once in a while, it's to present a need on behalf of another. With another.

Or to just sit quietly in His presence, pulled up close to His side, assured of having His ear.

Time at the altar--I've always thought it was for me, but now I find out it's for Him, too.

GEARING UP FOR ATTACK
Today's reading: Numbers 25-26

"Then the Lord said to Moses, Attack the Midianites and destroy them, because they assaulted you with deceit by tricking you into worshiping Baal..." Number 25:16-18 NLT

If the Lord spoke to you today about taking a stand against your enemy, on which front would you attack first?

If He said He wanted you to deal with what lures you away from Him...where would you start?

If He asked you to annihilate what causes you to wander from His truths...what would you have to get rid of?

If He spoke to your heart about what sins, though well hidden from public view, are separating you from Him...what would you be praying about?

Would it be our phones?

Our computers?

Our hobbies?

Our idols?

Our time-wasters?

Our habits?

Our crazy, too-full-for-God schedules?

Today is as good a day as any to begin removing the 'Midianites' from your life. They've tricked you long enough. They've lured you far enough away. They've stolen your heart. They've lied to your face. They've drawn you away from God...it's time to attack and destroy them!

ONLY WHAT GOD GIVES
Today's reading: Numbers 22-24

"Balaam replied, I have come, but I have no power to say just anything. I will speak only the messages that God gives me." Numbers 22:38 NLT

Oh, friends, if ONLY I would take a page out of Balaam's book.

To say only what God led me to say...

To say only what God approved of me saying...

To say only what God asked me to say...

And to say it all only when God asked me to do it.

How my time would be freed up--freed up from apologies, freed up from prayers of confession, freed up from making amends, freed up to share His love and His Word and His message!

TURN YOUR EYES UPON JESUS
Today's reading: Numbers 19-21

"Moses and Aaron turned away from the people and went to the entrance of the Tabernacle, where they fell face down on the ground. Then the glorious presence of the Lord appeared to them..." Numbers 20:6 NLT

Moses and Aaron had had it up to 'here' with the Israelites.

They had hurt them, murmured against them, complained unceasingly, were disobedient, were rebellious, were ungrateful and were a handful to try to lead in a godly way.

So Moses and Aaron did what only they could do about the situation...they turned to God.

They didn't throw in the towel.

They didn't lower their own standards.

They didn't believe about themselves what the rebellious bunch was saying.

They went to church and sought God.

Exactly what we have to do when we're hurt. Broken. Misunderstood. Overlooked. Lonely. Ignored. Skipped over for an opportunity. Lied to. Sad. Angry. Bitter.

We have to turn our back on the world and turn our eyes to Jesus. We have to get to His house and get more and more of His grace and mercy.

'Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace'

AGAIN...AND AGAIN
Today's reading: Numbers 16-18

"But the very next morning the whole community began muttering again against Moses and Aaron..." Numbers 16:41 NLT

Less than twenty-four hours after watching God perform a earth-opening, men-swallowed-by-the-ground, guilty-parties-wiped-out kind of moment, the Israelites are right back at what they were doing prior to God making His statement.

It sometimes seems beyond me what they did and how they reacted to God during their forty year journey, until I look closely at my own life.

Until I turn the spotlight on myself.

Until I take a good, hard look in the mirror.

Because I have chosen to turn right back to sins God had forgiven me of...

Right back to the wicked ways that had led me away from Him...

Right into the traps my enemy always has set up for me...

Right into the stinkin' thinkin' that allows me to believe lies over truth...

Right into the same pits God had pulled me out of just moments before...

God was with them. God is with me.

God showed them mercy, abundant mercy. God shows the same, if not more, mercy to me.

God desired that they obey Him. Simply obey. He asks no more, and no less, of me.

God forgave them over and over, but still allowed the consequences of their sins to weigh heavy on their lives. He does the same for me, but with more grace that I should ever be allowed.

Oh, I'm no better than an Israelite--except I have the blood of Jesus washing over me!

NO WHERE TO GO BACK TO
Today's reading: Numbers 14-15

"Why is the Lord taking us to this country only to have us die in battle? Our wives and little ones will be carried off as slaves! Let's get out of here and return to Egypt! Then they plotted among themselves, Let's choose a leader and go back to Egypt!" Numbers 14:3-4 NLT

I had always known the Israelites grumbled.

And they moaned.

And they complained.

And they murmured.

And they were ungrateful.

But until this morning, I never realized they actually got together to make plans to return to Egypt.

To the hardship of Pharoah's reign.

To the life of slavery.

To the inability to worship God.

To a land that wasn't theirs.

To the 'old days'.

Really?

Hard for me to even fathom, because, well, I have nothing to go back to.

I don't have a life before Christ.

Nothing worth thinking about.

Nothing I could ever consider trade-worthy.

Nothing I spend my moments cherishing in my memory.

Nothing I would ever want to trade for what I have now--even on the toughest, stormiest, darkest days of my faith walk.

Nothing on that side of my life that compares with the riches and eternal reward in store for me with Him.

I'm sticking with God, no matter what, because He is all I have!

MIRACLES SURROUNDING ME
Today's reading: Numbers 11-13

"We remember all the fish we used to eat for free in Egypt. And we had all the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic we wanted. But now our appetites are gone, and day after day we have nothing to eat but this manna!" Numbers 11:5-6 NLT

I guess the Israelites never really grasped what a miracle their daily food delivery truly was.

I remember first hearing about their morning 'dew-y' food supply and thinking how cool God was for coming up with that idea. To tell the truth, I have always pictured manna as being frosted corn flakes littered on the desert ground for them to pick up and use in various ways. Frosted corn flakes--yum, one of my favorites!

Even now as an adult, to walk outside the door and pick up all we needed for the day--and not have to push a cart up and down crowded aisles, pay high prices and lug the bags of groceries in the house--only to put them away on new shelves and then use them in preparation of the next meal--what a miracle that would be!

But sometimes it's the miracles that surround us that we overlook.

The ones that are in our faces day in and day out.

The ones we have errantly begun to think were partially our doing.

Like the sunrise. Like being able to get out of bed. Like being able to push a grocery cart. Like having money in the account to pay for groceries. Like being able to choose frosted flakes or Fruit-Loops or raisin bran. Like being given the opportunity to love those who push your buttons most often. Like hope. Like grace. Like breathing.

This morning I'm reminded to watch for the miracles He has showered into my life. To celebrate them. To acknowledge them. To no longer take them for granted.

Or I'll be no better than the Israelites who complained about the manna.

CLOUDY DAYS
Today's reading: Numbers 8-10

"The Tabernacle was set up, and on that day the cloud covered it..." Numbers 9:15 NLT

It's been a very long, rainy and overcast winter here in southern Illinois.

Sure we've have a few warm, sunny days-but our cloudy days have far outnumbered the sunshine-y ones by a longshot.

So when I read this verse, my heart immediately went out to the Israelites...Bless their hearts, they're having an overcast day, too.

But I was wrong.

You see, when I re-read the verse, I found out that the cloud covering the Tabernacle, was the very presence of God. The guiding force of the Lord. The visible I Am. The Creator of the universe hovering near to them.

I immediately quit feeling sorry for them!

Maybe, just maybe, it's time I began to see our southern Illinois clouds in the same light.

-Seeing the beauty in the clouds He has formed.

-Noticing that in the slower speed of overcast days I have more time to ponder God's greatness and mercy.

-Pausing long enough to take note of today's rain assuring this summer's bounty.

-Allowing the droplets of precipitation to announce His presence in my otherwise normal day.

The clouds may cover my day, but God does, too. That's reason to celebrate!

WHAT WOULD I PLACE ON THE ALTAR?
Today's reading: Numbers 7

"The leaders also presented dedication gifts for the altar at the time it was anointed. They each placed their gifts before the altar. The Lord said to Moses, Let each leader bring his gift on a different day for the dedication of the altar." Numbers 7:10-11 NLT

As I read about what the tribes of Israel gathered to present to the Lord for the dedication of the Temple, I was intrigued.

Silver platters, pound after pound of grain, gallons of olive oil, piles of incense, young bulls, goats, one-year-old lambs, mounds of gold, bushels of  flour and silver basins.

It made me look around the house wondering just what would I have taken.

Oh, I'd gladly herd up the livestock...every last bleeting, clucking or meowing one of them.

Or maybe a few canned goods from my pantry.

A bottle of olive oil I bought at the grocery last week.

Then I hesitated as I thought about donating my collection of grandma's Golden Wheat dishes to the Lord.

Or my soon-to-be thirty year old gold wedding band.

Glancing around the room, my eyes fell on the television...

Sure, I'd give God the TV. It's an inexpensive model we caught on sale at Walmart a few year ago anyway. I'd miss watching the Great British Baking Show and my guys might throw a fit for a while, but God could have it...

But I looked again.

My eyes rested on the reflection from the lifeless screen sitting on the entertainment center. I could see myself sitting in my prayer chair. I could see me in my usual morning spot. I could see me with my Bible open and my pen in hand. I could see me with my shower-wet head in my favorite spot in the house.

Me.

God doesn't want the farm animals. (I don't blame Him there, neither do I.)

God doesn't need the groceries I could provide Him.

My table service wouldn't be quiet enough to serve those in His banqueting hall.

He wants me.

He wants my heart. My hopes. My desires. My plans. My dreams. My fears. My energies. My life laid before Him on the altar of dedication for Him to use as He please.

Just me.

I can do that.

SPRING CLEANING
Today's reading: Numbers 5-6

"...Remove them so they will not defile the camp, where I live among you." Numbers 5:3 NLT

Maybe it's because I spent time cleaning out the linen closet and laundry room...

Or because I'm in hopes that the idea of a little 'spring cleaning' will push along this long, wet winter...

Or maybe, just maybe, it's an issue God is speaking directly to my heart about...

But this verse caught my eye.

It's time I did an inventory of what I'm allowing into my 'space'.

What's effecting, affecting and infecting me?

In God's words, what's defiling me.

It's time I took a good, hard and prayerful look at what's grabbing my attention, hi-jacking my thinking and dirtying up my holiness.

You, too?

FINAL RESPONSIBILITY
Today's reading: Numbers 3-4

"The area in front of the Tabernacle in the east toward the sunrise was reserved for the tents of Moses and Aaron and his sons, who had the final responsibility for the sanctuary on behalf of the people of Israel..." Numbers 3:38 NLT

As you are preparing this Saturday for tomorrow's day of worship, consider this: our pastors desperately need our prayers!

Their jobs go beyond just showing up with a twenty minute exhortation, three perfectly timed jokes and an assortments of quotes to get us through the worship service.

Their roles are bigger, much bigger, than that of 'head-honcho' of our houses of worship.

Their lives consist of more, a whole lot more, than the goings-on of the congregants in their fellowship of believers and their families.

The final responsibility of our churches, our tabernacles, rest upon their shoulders.

So, pray.

While you are gathering up your Sunday School books and Bibles for tomorrow's rush out the door, pray.

As you are laying our nicely pressed Sunday-clothes for tomorrow's stampede to the church, pray.

As you check your calendar to see where it is you're serving in your house of worship, pray for your pastors.

They need it because a whole lot of responsibility, the final responsibility, lies upon them.

CHOSEN FOR THE TASK
Today's  reading: Numbers 1-2

"These are the tribes and the names of the leaders chosen for the task..." Numbers 1:5 NLT

Out of over an estimated two million people, twelve men were selected to assist Moses and Aaron with a God-ordained census.

Twelve men out of two million.

The probability of being chosen for that task would be roughly 0.0006%.

Most of us probably wouldn't even have considered the chances worth filling out the application form, buying a stamp and mailing in our submission for the opportunity to have our names reviewed and thrown in the hat.

And yet these men were chosen.

Just like you have been chosen for the tasks that God has decided He wants you to do.

In your home.

In your workplace.

In your church.

In your neighborhood.

Of the millions, or billions, of people on the earth, He chose to place you where you are to do what He asks for those He has placed in your sphere of influence.

Consider yourself chosen for the task.

Carefully chosen.

WALKING WITH US
Today's reading: Leviticus 26-27

"I will walk among you, I will be your God, and you will be my people." Leviticus 26:12 NLT

God's promise, if we choose to keep His laws and be careful to obey His commands, is to walk with us.

Not just when we are strolling around the park.

Or stepping it off in our neighborhood.

Or going up and down the pews in our local church.

But the term 'walk among you' refers to living, dying and experiencing all manner of life with someone.

Isn't that where you want Him?

Don't you want Him included in our first breath, our huffs and puffs through the tough days of life and when we exhale for the last time?

It's our choice: Keep His laws and be careful to obey His commands.

HE WILL PROVIDE
Today's reading: Leviticus 24-25

"But you might ask, What will we eat during the seventh year, since we are not allowed to plant or harvest crops that year? The answer is, I will order my blessing for you in the sixth year, so the land will produce a bumper crop, enough to support you for three years." Leviticus 25:20-21 NLT

God had just given Moses instruction regarding the seventh, or fallow year, year. and He knew the people would have questions.

They were not unlike us. Not unlike us at all.

How? Why? When? How much?

God knew they would want some insight in regards to this leap of faith He was expecting them to take.

His answer: I will provide.

His answer remains for us: I will provide.

He doesn't explain how He will do it. He doesn't provide us with a flowchart of the when's and amounts He will provide. He doesn't even give us a pencil-written plan for our perusal and allow us to make any amendments we think are needed.

He just provides.

When we trust Him, He will provide.

Or in His words... He will order His blessings for us.

MORE THAN JUST KNOWING THEM
Today's reading: Leviticus 22-23

"Therefore shall ye keep my commandments, and do them: I am the LORD." Leviticus 22:31 KJV

It's more than just having them memorized.

It goes beyond being able to locate them in your favorite study Bible.

It surpasses being able to quote them to others, book, chapter and verse.

It's about doing what God says.

Keeping His commands.

Obeying what He asks of us.

NO IDOLS
Today's reading: Leviticus 19-21

"Do not put your trust in idols or make gods of metal for yourselves. I, the Lord, am your God." Leviticus 19:4 NLT

You know, God instructs us here not to make metal gods for ourselves, but I don't believe His intents were to only stop us from making them out of metal...

He could have also said, don't make idols out of paper. The kind of paper that money is printed on. The kind of paper that we base a whole lot of our happiness, security and faith in. That's a paper idol.

He could have said, don't make idols out of wood. The kind of structural lumber our nice comfortable homes are made of. The homes we use to rate ourselves against our neighbors. That would be a god made out of wood.

He could have said, don't make idols out of others. No matter how admirable. No matter how godly-looking. No matter if you carried them for nine months and nursed them through every childhood illness in the book. They would be an idol made out of flesh.

Our instruction is not to make a god or an idol. Not to place our hope and trust in anything, or anyone, other than God.

It won't end well if we choose to disobey this command of His.

CAREFUL HOW WE LIVE
Today's reading: Leviticus 16-18

"Then the Lord said to Moses, Say this to your people, the Israelites: I, the Lord, am your God. So do not act like the people in Egypt, where you used to live, or like the people in Canaan, where I am taking you. You must not imitate their way of life." Leviticus 18:1-3 NLT

If we aren't to behave like we used to...

And we shouldn't imitate those around us now...

Then we must live as those who are 'other-worldly'.

Ones who are from and headed back to a distant, perfect place.

DETAILS
Today's reading: Leviticus 14-15

I'll be honest, upon rising this morning, Leviticus wasn't what I wanted to read.

I'd have preferred the power of Genesis...

Or the soothing assurance of Psalms...

Or the evangelism of Acts...

Or the kind instruction of the Timothy's...

But I got Leviticus.

And He spoke to me.

He spoke to my heart in that He, in all the hard reading, is in all the details of our every day lives.

That's what He wanted the Israelites to know when He gave them the instruction of chapters 14 and 15...that He would be there for them in the day-to-day happenings.

That's what I needed reminding of this normal Saturday morning.