YOUR THINKING

Today's reading: Romans 11-12

"...but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is." Romans 12:2 NLT

I'm a checklist kind of gal.

Never do I feel like I accomplish more and am more efficient than when I can mark things off my checklist.

Laundry--done!

Dusting--done!

Meal planning--done!

But to God, it's more than a checklist. It's more than a list of things to do. It's more, way more, than anything I can do with my hands.

He wants to change my thinking.

He desires that my thoughts line up with His. That my imaginations be founded on His truths. That my dreams include His purpose for me.

And that cannot be done via checklist!

It's not usually a physical matter whatever.

It's a constant mental wrestling match--one where you cannot tag out.

I'm working on lining my thinking up with His. I'm attempting to check each thought. I'm trying to grab hold of each idea that comes to my mind and measure it against His Word.

I'm trying...check!

 STOP LOOKING

Today's reading: Matthew 11-13

"Are you really the Messiah we've been waiting for, or should we keep looking for someone else?" Matthew 11:3 NLT

I'm here to tell you: You can stop looking for anything or anyone other Jesus.

He's all you need.

He's more than you've ever wanted.

He's beyond your wildest dreams.

He's above your highest expectations.

YOU CAN STOP LOOKING!

No one and nothing else will fill you, fix you, complete you, change you or save you from yourself.

 FIXED

Today's reading: Isaiah 23-28

"You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, whose thoughts are fixed upon you!" Isaiah 26:3 NLT

What, or who, are your thoughts fixed upon?

To what thought or idea or fear does your mind constantly revisit?

Is it a problem you are having? An issue needing resolved? A nagging doubt in your mind?

Or is it God?

To fix, or stay as it says in the King James Version, our minds on God means to lean everything upon Him. To let Him support it all. To allow Him to be the foundation for all thoughts to rest upon.

That's a solid foundation.

Until He is our first thought, we won't have peace.

'Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarm...leaning, leaning, leaning on the Everlasting Arms.'

 GOD'S EYES
Today's reading: Job 9-10

"Are your eyes only those of a human? Do you see things as people see them?" Job 10:4 NLT

In this portion of Scripture Job is making a plea to God. He is laying it all out before his Creator. He is holding nothing back and uses no filter in what he says.

And God understands.

Job asks, and I'm really not sure if he is asking God directly or asking a rhetorical question for Job's own benefit, if God's eyes are as 'short-sighted' as man's.

Oh, praise God, they are not!

God sees more.

Sees farther.

Sees beyond.

Sees deeper.

Sees more clearly.

Sees past circumstances-both present and past.

Sees individually.

Maybe you are questioning if God 'sees' your issue today. The answer is YES.

He sees more than you do.

 RESCUED

Today's reading: Psalm 12-14

"But I trust in your unfailing love, I will rejoice because you have rescued me." Psalm 13:5 NLT

Child of God, even in the middle of hurt...

In the midst of a storm...

In the darkest of nights...

In pain...

In the bleakest of seasons...

In the hardest of times...

In the loneliest of days...

In what feels like the enemy's camp...

In what seems to be His silence...

As His, you have been rescued.

Your moment of salvation rescued you from all your enemy could throw at you, all the long nights you might have to endure, all the seasons of pain you might walk through and all the valleys you would trudge along.

You are rescued.

 CHOOSING

Today's reading: Joshua 21-24

"But if you are unwilling to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve..." Joshua 24:15 NLT

Joshua was relaying to the settling tribes of Israel God's words to them.

The children of God has traveled, tried God, turned back and forth to God more times than a windmill and Him rescue and provide for them innumerable times.

Now God was giving them a choice.

The same choice He gives us.

Me or it.

Either we will worship God or something, or someone, else.

And it happens when we do not deliberately, specifically, intentionally and wholeheartedly make the choice for God.

Our natural bent won't be towards God, as much as it should be.

Comfort won't lead us to choose God, as much as it should.

Intellect won't point us to God, as much as it should.

Society won't direct us to God.

Our churches cannot be depended upon to always carry us to God.

It's a choice. It's a series of choices. It's a lifetime of choices.

And it's always our choice to make between God or another god.

Choose today whom you will serve--but choose wisely.

 THREE DATES

Today's reading: Genesis 16-19

"Is anything to hard for the Lord?.." Genesis 18:14 NLT

This is under lined in my Bible.

And highlighted. Although the highlighting has turned from a bright, neon yellow to a faded, yellowish-brown.

And dated. '01-10-02'

I must have been in this same portion of Scripture that date in 2002. And it must have hit home. It must have settled in my heart and head to the depth that I felt I needed to mark it--so I did.

I looked up another date in regards to this verse. It's in regard to when it would have been said by the Lord to Abraham in regards to Sarah laughing--and scholars say about 1,900 years before Christ was born. So about 3,921 years ago.

It was a valid question 3,921 years ago. It was something my heart needed asked 19 years ago. And it stands before me as a validation of my faith today.

Three dates that I can stand on, attest to, trust in...Is anything too hard for the Lord?

 MISDIRECTED ZEAL

Today's reading: Romans 9-10

"I know what enthusiasm they have for God, but it is misdirected zeal." Romans 10:2 NLT

In this portion of Scripture Paul is talking about Jews, but if I could I'm going to apply it to some folks we know--today and maybe a little closer to home.

It's those folks who you and I know who would make excellent Christians.

They have excitement. They have energy. They have enthusiasm. They have spunk. They have grit. They have a way with words. They have a charm about them. They have a knack with people.

It's just that they don't use it for godly things.

They spend those resources elsewhere. They, as I heard an older church lady say it, 'put their fruit into bad tasting pies no one needs to be eating'.

But if these people were to be won over to Christ? If there lives were to be changed by the saving blood of Jesus? If they were to experience the salvation of God's only Son?

Then that misdirected zeal would be a monumental asset to the Kingdom!

Keep praying to that end--and witnessing to that end--and living a life that leads them to that end--and believing God's ability to work in and through all things.

 A CENTURION'S FAITH

Today's reading: Matthew 8-10

"Then Jesus said to the centurion, Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would. And his servant was healed at that moment." Matthew 8:13 NIV

I've heard people say that want the faith of Abraham.

The faith of Job.

The faith of Daniel.

The faith of Paul.

I've even heard folks admire the faith of Mary, the Samaritan woman and Rahab.

But this morning, this dark early morning--I want the centurion's faith.

The kind of faith that believes--and it happens.

The kind of faith that is in step with God's will.

The kind of faith that moved this soldier to seek Jesus out, approach Him with a need and believe that the need was met because it now was nestled in His caring hands.

That's the faith I want!

 CLAIMING VICTORY

Today's reading: Isaiah 18-22

"When I raise my battle flag on the mountain, let all the world take notice. When I blow the trumpet, listen! For the Lord has told me this..." Isaiah 18:3-4 NLT

These verses surely caught my eye this morning as I thought of how surely we all want victory over one thing or another in our lives.

We want to stand on that mountain and claim out victory by putting our flag in the territory formerly owned and inhabited by our enemy.

We want the world to see us standing proudly and victoriously.

We want to make sure they all hear our victory shouts.

But did you notice what preceded all the conquest?

Did you see what the victor had done prior to claiming his prize?

Did you read far enough into the Scripture to see how the challenge was even accomplished?

He had talked to the Lord.

He had listened to what the Lord had to say.

He had followed the Lord's advice.

He had sought out the Lord's counsel prior to making the attack.

What good advice for us!

Too many times we tend to rush in and take over. Or expect God to follow us into our well-laid out plans. Or to be there to pat us on the back for a job well done. Or to rescue us when we've totally screwed things up.

How about we start going to Him first?

 SHATTERED BY DREAMS

Today's reading: Job 7-8

"If I think, My bed will comfort me, and I will try to forget my misery with sleep, you shatter me with dreams. You terrify me with visions." Job 7:13-14 NLT

Ever been shattered by a dream?

I think it would be safe to say we all have had at least one or two dreams that have shattered in front of us, leaving us broken, hurt and grieving what we thought was going to happen.

But have you ever been shattered, mentally, physically or emotionally, by a dream coming to fruition? A dream coming true? A dream playing out just like you envisioned it would? And it having more to it than you ever dreamed? More involvement than you ever expected? More investment than you ever banked on? It enveloping you more than you have ever imagined?

Maybe, just maybe, in this instance Job was referring to having dreamt beside his ashpile about some friends coming to comfort him--dream shattered.

Maybe he was hoping for someone other than God to sit with him--dream shattered.

Maybe he was thinking if only he had somebody to 'talk over' his feeling with he would feel better--dream shattered.

Maybe he was thinking back over the years where he dreamed about having a happy, healthy family around him--dream shattered.

And yet, if you will continue reading the book of Job--you will find Job gets through this season and finds that God is enough. Even when shattered dreams come to mind. When rough times come. When hard seasons linger on for days, weeks, months at a time.

And He will be for you, too.

 I WILL BE FILLED WITH JOY

Today's reading: Psalm 9-11

" I will be filled with joy because of you, I will sing praise to your name, O Most High." Psalm 9:2 NLT

The sun has yet to light up the morning sky.

The TV new crew has yet to tell me how the world has behaved overnight.

The new powers have yet to transition into the Oval Office.

The timeclock has yet to be punched and the tone set for the co-workers and myself.

And yet...I will be filled with joy!

Why? How?

Because, friend, my joy is all because of God!

It's nothing to do with those around me, circumstances or current events.

My joy is in the heartbeat I feel given to me by the One who created me, prepared a way to save me from my sins and leads me into all righteousness.

That's why and how I will be filled with joy!

 SEEING JERICHO RUBBLE
Today's reading: Joshua 16-20

"The allotment to the descendants of Joseph extended from the Jordan River near Jericho, east of the water of Jericho, through the wilderness and into the hill country of Bethel." Joshua 16:1 NLT

Allow me some artistic license here as I think about where God placed the tribe of Joseph in His allotment of the Promised Land.

According to this passage, He placed them in view of the rubble of Jericho.

The Jericho they had all walked around.

The Jericho they had all 'shouted down'.

The Jericho they had witnessed God's glory taking victoriously.

The Jericho whose walls were so thick no army could over take them.

And now this tribe was living, settling and raising their families within view of the ruins of this great city. Or at least the pile of stone that was left of it.

Imagine the faith-building that provided! 

Might you have held your morning devotions at a window facing the rubble each morning?

Would you have told your children, your grandchildren and your great-grandchildren about God's mighty work as you took them on a picnic to the ruins?

Well, are you doing the same thing with the 'ruins' He has in your life?

Maybe it's a scar from the past. Or a testimony. Or a child you now hold. A new life. A safe and secure home. A church family that has adopted you--and you have adopted them.

God has probably placed you where you can see some of the works He has done in your life as a reminder of His greatness--are you seeing them as such?

 INHABITED AREAS

Today's reading: Genesis 12-15

"Traveling through Canaan, they came to a place near Shechem and set up camp beside the oak at Moreh. At that time, the area was inhabited by Canaanites. Then the Lord appeared to Abram and said, I am going to give this land to your offspring..." Genesis 12:6-7 NLT

God didn't give the offspring of Abram uninhabited land.

He didn't find a place on the map that was specified as 'Unclaimed'.

He didn't go to the local deed office and see which sections of land were unclaimed.

He decided and covenanted that the best land, the prime real estate, no matter who it was currently owned by, was going to belong to His children!

And He has done it for each of us, too.

There are victories He has taken back from our enemy.

There are endings to stories that He is re-writing.

There are bills He is paying.

There are mistakes He is working together for the good of future happenings.

There are relationships He is changing behind the scenes and within hearts.

There are blessings He is in the process of procuring for you that may seem too wild to even dream about.

There are things He may eventually give you that currently are being held in the hands of others.

But if God deems they are to be yours, then they will be yours-in His time and in His way and to His glory.

 I AM CONVINCED

Today's reading: Romans 7-8

"And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love. Death can't and life can't. The angels can't, and the demons can't. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, and even the power of hell can't keep God's love away." Romans 8:38 NLT

Are you convinced?

Sold out?

One hundred and ten percent for sure that you cannot be separated from God's love?

Because if there is the slightest bit of doubt--

The least amount of questions--

The slightest lack of assurance--

Your enemy will jump on it and enlarge it, fertilize it and cause it to grow at an enormous rate.

But with the assurance, you are powerful. You are steadfast. You are capable of standing strong in the most trying circumstances and against satan's most vicious attacks!

 NO 'AMEN'

Today's reading: Matthew 5-7

"Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be honored. May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done here on earth, just as it is in heaven. Give us our food for today, and forgive us our sins, just as we have forgiven those who have sinned against us. And don't let us yield to temptations, but deliver us from the evil one.*" Matthew 6:9-13 NLT

*Some manuscripts add For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

I've added the italic emphasis that my New Living Translation Bible has included.

It's not often I notice the emphasis--but I am so glad I did today.

You, see, this is my favorite Bible.

The one I use every morning. The very one I keep at my prayer chair. The one that's marked up, highlighted, dated and underlined.

And for that very reason, that distinct and personal reason, I'm glad this translation chose not to include an 'amen' at the end of this prayer example Jesus gave to me.

Because?

Well, because I don't see where a conversation with my Lord needs ever end.

No, 'Bye for now'.

No, 'Talk to you later, Sir'.

And to me, that's the gist of an 'amen' tacked on to a prayer. It's a period.

And the Lord and I don't talk like that. It's ongoing. It's never ending. It's continual. There is no 'amen'.

 HIS OATH
Today's reading: Isaiah 12-17

"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

Doesn't it give you backbone to know that nothing going on in this world has changed God's plans?

No wrongdoing on the part of the enemy, no surprise attack, no attempted upheaval, no carefully laid out plans have caught God off guard.

It puts grit into our faith.

It reminds us of the immense power He holds, the immeasurable expanse of God's reign, the all seeing knowledge He has of past, present and future.

It will all happen according to His plans.

Nothing changes that.

No one forces His hand.

THEY ARE AFRAID

Today's reading: Job 5-6

"You, too, have proved to be of no help. You have seen my calamity, and you are afraid." Job 6:21 NLT

A whole lot of commentary, sermonizing and discussion has been afforded Job's ill-equipped friends.

They have been 'brought up on charges' and found guilty and quite lacking in their handling of their friend Job's tough time.

I'm not here to say everything they did was right.

I'm not going to even agree with their theology.

What I will say is this: we have all been in their shoes--scared.

They were afraid for their friend. Afraid it wouldn't end well. Afraid their words would be of no help. Afraid what they would have to offer would only add insult to injury. Afraid their friendship would only increase Job's burdens.

They were also scared for themselves. What if they got too close? What if the afflictions were transferable? What if there were guilt by association? What if there were lessons to learn and the good Lord decided they, too, looked like good students for the classroom of life?

Been there?

I have been.

When a family member gets a diagnosis.

When a friend chooses a new path.

When, out of the blue, a storm strikes and devastation is left to clean up.

Being scared will sometimes cause us to give wrong advice, unkind words of wisdom or to skedaddle when our loved ones need us the most--all because we are afraid.

Job's friends are prime examples of that.

Ask God to help you with your own fears when helping another with their problems--or you, too, might end up being like one of Job's cronies.

GET YOU THROUGH

Today's reading: Psalm 6-8

"The Lord has heard my plea; the Lord will answer my prayer." Psalm 6:9 NLT

Maybe you don't need the encouragement....

Maybe you aren't standing in a storm, underneath a leaky umbrella, wearing galoshes that have holes in them, holding a flashlight full of dead batteries...

Maybe your faith-tank isn't on 'empty'...

Then you can disregard this verse, or pass it on to another who might need it.

I need it this morning to get through!

The Lord HAS! The Lord WILL!

THE LORD HAS! THE LORD WILL!

IS HE ENOUGH

Today's reading: Joshua 11-15

"But Moses gave no land to the tribe of Levi, for the Lord, the God of Israel, had promised to be their inheritance." Joshua 13:33 NLT

Oh, didn't it sound good when the tribe of Levi stood and agreed to the terms of the land allotments.

Didn't they sound religious and godly in accepting God as 'their portion'.

Weren't they holy in their sentiment.

I just wonder...

Were they enough like us that after they thought about it a while...

After they watched the other tribes for a few weeks...

After they caught a glimpse of the land the other tribes inherited...

If they started to chafe?

If they started to question?

If they began to think maybe, just maybe, they had been shortchanged?

Oh, they would never have put it that way--who would? 

But didn't they deserve...

Didn't they have rights...

Weren't they as hard a worker as...

Weren't they just as much entitled to...

Makes me think this morning as I ponder all God has given me and all He is to me, do I consider Him to be enough?

Do I see the blessings He has bestowed upon my life as blessings or are they merely stepping stones to something better, bigger, brighter?

Back to my real, niggling question--Is He enough?

I WILL REMEMBER

Today's reading: Genesis 8-11

"I have placed my rainbow in the clouds, It is the sign of my permanent promise to you and to all the earth. When I send clouds over the earth, the rainbow will be seen in the clouds, and I will remember my covenant with you and everything that lives. Never again will there be a flood that will destroy all life." Genesis 9:13-15 NLT

I will tell you this:

I am so very glad...

So very, very glad...

That when the rainbow appears amidst the storm clouds and the Lord begins to 'remember', it is His goodness He is recalling, not my failures and faults.

He is bringing to mind His goodness and mercy.

He is remembering His faithfulness.

He is being reminded of His grace-filled acts of love.

It's His greatness the rainbow is an elegant portrayal of--and nothing at all to do with me, with us, with the human race in general.

SLAVE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

Today's reading: Romans 5-6

"...Now you must choose to be slaves of righteousness so that you will become holy." Romans 6:19 NLT

I'm thinking this morning about what my life would look like if I were to choose to become a slave to righteousness...

I believe I would see more discipline in my speech, my activities, my rest (yes, that's important) and my attention to godly details in my life.

I think I would be touching more lives than what I am currently doing. 

I know I would be thinking a whole lot less about me than I usually do.

I also think I'd be spending a lot more time listening for God's voice than spilling my thoughts on His shoulder.

VERY USEFUL

Today's reading: Matthew 3-4

"Get out of here, Satan, Jesus told him..." Matthew 4:10 NLT

Of all the important things Jesus has spoken in the Bible, none are as important as these words found in Matthew.

When we quote these words of Christ, we are speaking power.

We are speaking with authority.

We are speaking with dominion over an enemy who has been defeated.

When we speak these words directly to the source of our angst, doubt, fear and temptations, we are putting in place the power that lies within us through the Christ of Calvary...and our enemy must vacate the premises!

FACT CHECK

Today's reading: Isaiah 7-11

"Check their predictions against my testimony, says the Lord..." Isaiah 8:20 NLT

If in this past year of pandemic information and political campaigning I heard the phrase 'fact check' once, I am sure I have heard it a thousand times.

The gist of the meaning is that you sort out the truths from the half-truths, or the lies.

It's helpful information in regards to doing what's best for your health, in making your best choice in regards to placing your vote and, Christian brother and sister, filtering the thoughts and ideas that are allowed to settle in your mind.

Do a little fact checking.

As a matter of fact, I love how the Lord puts it in today's Scripture reading: check their predictions against My testimony.

What better background check might there be?

What straighter, more narrow, truer, more assuredly black and or white litmus test might there be than to hold it up against what the Lord says, who He has proved to be and what He promises will come to pass--promises based upon a stellar track record!

So when that thought or doubt or fear lights like a small seed in the fertile soil of your mind--check their predictions in regards to it against God's magnificent testimony.

POOR JOB

Today's reading: Job 3-4

"What I always feared has happened to me. What I dreaded has come to be." Job 3:25 NLT

When I think of Job and all that he endured, I cringe.

I cannot imagine the pain and suffering he endured so that I could learn from the book named after him.

I cannot fathom the intensity of hurt he experienced at the hand of God and at the hands of his closest, most well intending friends.

I cannot, for the life of me, allow for a moment the thought of any one of my worst nightmares coming to life--let alone all of them at once.

And yet, when I peer deeper into Job's life, I see more.

Much more.

I see greater grace.

A broader brushstroke of God's artistic license on the pages of His testimony than on anyone else's.

Yes, what he most feared happened--but what he never could have ever imagined happened, too.

The loss. The gain.

The hurt. The healing.

The taking. The giving of much, much more.

YOU CAN BE SURE OF THIS

Today's reading: Psalm 3-5

"You can be sure of this: The Lord has set apart the godly for himself. The Lord will answer when I call to him." Psalm 4:3 NLT

Maybe, like me, you needed some assurance this morning.

Some blessed assurance.

In a topsy-turvy world.

In a promise-breaking culture.

In a 'words mean little if anything' lifestyle.

We can be sure of the Lord!

He has set His children apart for His work, for His glory, for His plan, for His story to be written through, for His love to be exhibited through.

He will answer when we call out to Him. Every time. In His time. When He believes it is the right time.

Rest on that today. And tomorrow.

WORKING FOR YOU

Today's reading: Joshua 6-10

"But that day he made the Gibeonites the woodchoppers and water carriers for the people of Israel and for the altar of the Lord--wherever the Lord would choose to build it. That arrangement continues to this day." Joshua 9:27 NLT

Maybe you've prayed and prayed--and prayed and prayed and still that temptation or tendency remains.

God hasn't chosen to remove it from your life.

He hasn't allowed you to wake up, rub your eyes and VOILA! you are freed from it.

Maybe your 'thing' haunts you. Hounds you. Harasses you. Hangs around you. 

Maybe it's in your history and you cannot unwrite it.

You cannot undo it.

You cannot outrun it.

Okay, so maybe you can make it work for you.

Like Joshua did with the Gibeonites.

The Gibeonites tricked him into an alliance. Made him take an oath that he wouldn't do away with them. You can read about it in chapter 9.

So Joshua was stuck with them.

You get that, don't you?

But Joshua, led by God, put their presence to good use.

Ask God to help you do the same!

Maybe your 'thing' will be something that pushes you closer to God every time it shows up in your life.

Maybe your 'thing' will become a prayer prompt that will deepen your prayer life.

Maybe your 'thing' will become a conduit through which you will reach others.

Maybe your 'thing' will become a ministry tool or a page in your testimony that speaks to another's heart.

Maybe your 'thing' will be removed some day--but until it is, ask God to use it for His glory!

Let it chop wood or carry water for the altar of your Lord.

OUR RESPONSE

Today's reading: Genesis 4-7

"...When they grew up, Abel became a shepherd, while Cain was a farmer. At harvesttime Cain brought to the Lord a gift of his farm produce, while Abel brought several choice lambs from the best of his flock. The Lord accepted Abel and his offering, but he did not accept Cain and his offering. This made Cain very angry and dejected. Why are you so angry, the Lord asked him. Why do you look so dejected? You will be accepted if you respond in the right way. But if you refuse to respond correctly, then watch out! Sin is waiting to attack and destroy you, and you must subdue it." Genesis 4:2-7 NLT

I'd never read it before.

In all the times I'd read about Cain and Abel's offerings, I'd never caught the words God spoke to them.

Words He speaks to us.

It's not about the offering.

It's not about the presentation.

It's not about the process of getting the lambs or the ears of corn to the church for the Lord's Day.

It's all about our attitude when He responds to us.

Is our attitude wrapped up in comparison to another's acceptance or ability or performance?

Is our attitude wrapped up in our being okayed by those watching?

Is our attitude wrapped up in believing God blesses and responds well to each and every thing we do right?

Because God does what God pleases. God does what is best for us. God does what will bring Him the most glory. 

God wants our attitude in regards to His decisions to match that. Like He did Cain.

NOT BY DOING

Today's reading: Romans 3-4

"But now God has show us a different way of being right in his sight--not by obeying the law but by the way promised in the Scriptures long ago. We are made right in God's sight when we trust in Jesus Christ to take away our sins. And we all can be saved in this same way, no matter who we are or what we have done." Romans 3:21-22 NLT

Sure there are things we need to be doing as followers of Christ.

Sure there are steps we need to take to remain committed disciples of Jesus.

Yes, there are commandments we must follow in order that we show our obedience to God.

But, friend, we are made right with God by trust in His power to save us!

The hard part is His and His alone.

No fine print, no loop holes, no omitted clauses.

TREASURE CHESTS

Today's reading: Matthew 1-2

"They entered the house where the child and his mother, Mary, were, and they fell down before him and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh." Matthew 2:11 NLT

Let's notice the chain of events...

They sought out Jesus.

They bowed low before Him.

They worshiped Him.

They opened up their treasures and attempted to give Him all they considered valuable.

We sometimes get things out of order, don't we?

We expect Him to come to us?

We throw a weekly tithe check His way and expect blessings to fall on us from the act?

We honor and praise Him AFTER a great display of His work in our life?

Let's do it like the wise men did--wisely. 

And with our whole hearts.

And in a way that will for many centuries to come, be honored and remembered and set as an example for others to follow.

WANTING INSPIRATION

Today's reading: Isaiah 1-6

"If you will only obey me and let me help you, then you will have plenty to eat. But if you keep turning away and refusing to listen, you will be destroyed by your enemies. I, the Lord, have spoken!" Isaiah 1:19-20 NLT

Arising on this new of day of this new year, I was itching for a word of inspiration. I blessing gleaned from the Scriptures. A spurring on for the continued fight that continued even though the new planner has been cracked open and the calendar page turned.

And I found it!

Sure, God was speaking through Isaiah to the rebellious people of Judah, but I do believe we can sidle right up next to them and sit in on this ear-tugging message.

Listen to the Lord and obey Him.

Sound advice for starting off this new year.

Sage wisdom for us to follow.

Intentionally placed in my prescribed reading for this first day of 2021--for you and for me!

Happy New Year!