ALWAYS LOVED
Today's reading: Jeremiah 29-31
"I am as likely to reject my people Israel as I am to do away with the laws of nature!" Jeremiah 31:36 NLT
To know I am as loved, despite my sins, flaws, failures and inadequacies, as surely as the sun will come up each morning is assuring!
To know that I will always be cared for...
Always thought of...
Always protected...
Always His...
And that it will never change, as surely as the sun rises and sets.
STORMS
Today's reading: Job 35-36
"The thunder announces his presence..." Job 36:33 NLT
Too often when we see the distant lightning strikes, hear the low rumble of thunder and begin to watch as the clouds pile one on top of another, fear starts to well up in our hearts and minds.
Will the wind damage?
Will the waters rise too high?
Will the power go off?
Will someone get hurt?
But when I read this verse, it tells me that the thunder doesn't just announce a storm approaching, but it announces His appearance on the scene!
Shouldn't that give me different questions?
Will He find me doing what He has asked?
Will He find me faithful in my service to Him and to others?
Will He see that I'm using the gifts He has provided me?
Will I see Him at work and join Him wholeheartedly?
Will I get to see His mighty hand move in some way?
It's a rainy day here. As I listen intently for the rumbling thunder, I'm also listening for Him--and will be watching for His presence in my day.
DON'T GO IT ALONE
Today's reading: Psalm 51-53
"...I will wait for your mercies in the presence of your people." Psalm 52:9 NLT
Ever noticed how long a wait seems when you are by yourself?
Whether it's in a waiting room, at home listening for the phone to ring or watching the mailbox for an expected word. Time passes like slow molasses when you wait by yourself.
However, when you have folks around you, it passes more quickly.
You have distractions.
You have company that keeps your mind off the wait.
I think that's why the psalmist, David in this instance, knew he needed to not be alone in his wait for God's hand to move and his enemies to be defeated.
David didn't need solitude--he knew that's where depression lingered.
David didn't need alone time--he knew that's where discouragement slept.
David didn't need to sequester himself--he knew that's where his hope would shrivel up and die.
David needed the light, the encouragement, the excitement and the life that God's people would provide him during the wait.
So do you.
WHEN WE REALIZE
Today's reading: 2 Samuel 5-9
"And David realized that the Lord had made him king over Israel and had made his kingdom great for the sake of his people Israel." 2 Samuel 5:12 NLT
It wasn't during the coronation ceremony.
Or as he made a covenant with the leaders of Israel before the Lord.
It wasn't as he stood with the troops he led.
Or as his reknown and fame rose.
It wasn't even as he walked the halls of his newly built palace.
It was at the moment God allowed that he realized who he was in God, why he was in the position he was in and what God was asking him to do that it all clicked.
Maybe it's the same for you.
You've been at the altar. Been baptized. Sat through years of Sunday School classes, sermons and series of Bible studies. Maybe you have served on several committees, attended church your whole life--but it's just now clicked as to Whose you are.
On Whom you can call.
By Whose power you can pray.
In Whose shadow we walk in.
By Whose name we will be known.
It's only when we we realize it can we do great things for Him!
EVENTUALLY
Today's reading: Exodus 17-20
"At the Lord's command, the people of Israel left the Sin Desert and moved from place to place. Eventually they came to Rephidim, but there was no water to be found there." Exodus 17:1 NLT
God could have, using His God-sized powers, transported the two-million plus Israelites, to their new homeland in the blink of His majestic eye. Poof, there they'd be.
He could have had them skip over the forty years of wandering.
He could have obliterated the enemies in the Promised Land, preparing the environment for the new inhabitants with the swipe of His mighty hand.
He could have with the puff of His mighty breath blown away all the trouble in their path and allowed them to walk victoriously within just a few days into their new homeland.
But that wasn't His plan.
He had work to do in their hearts before He could allow them to settle in their new homes. Idols to remove. Self-centeredness to scrub away. Prideful thoughts to wash clean. Independent natures to tame.
Maybe, just maybe, that's why you and I aren't where we'd like to be quite yet either?
Or where He's wanting us to be?
WHAT WE KNOW
Today's reading: 2 Corinthians 4-5
"We know that the same God who raised our Lord Jesus will also raise us with Jesus and present us to himself along with you." 2 Corinthians 4:14 NLT
How many of your worries would cease if you would choose to remember that the same God who raised Jesus from the dead was in control of your circumstances?
The same God who created the world?
The same God who took care of Noah and the boatful of animals?
The same God who stood with Daniel in the fiery furnace?
The same God on whom Elijah called on Mt. Carmel?
The same God who made a change in Saul on the road to Damascus?
The same God, friends...the same God!
THIS
Today's reading: Mark 13-14
"...This will be your opportunity to tell them about me." Mark 13:10 NLT
For the disciples, 'this' included martydom. For you and I, 'this' might include inconveniences, diagnosis we don't like, people who rub us the wrong way and tough times.
What ever our 'this' might be, it's our opportunity to tell them about God.
Let's use the opportunity wisely.
OUR NATION
Today's reading: Jeremiah 22-26
"For the land is full of adultery, and it lies under a curse. The land itself is in mourning--its pastures are dried up. For the prophets do evil and abuse and abuse their power." Jeremiah 23:10 NLT
Yesterday was Earth Day.
Trees were hugged. Glaciers were praised. Rivers were honored. Mountain ranges were glorified. Flower-strewn meadows were applauded.
Big companies were criticized for their waste water practices. Litter-ers were flogged. Nuclear waste makers were strung up by their fingernails. Those who don't prevent forest fires were hunted down by Smokey the Bear and reprimanded.
All the while the Creator was shunned. His commands were ignored. His laws disobeyed. His ways completely passed over as old-fashioned.
Maybe that's why scientists have found the world to be warming, or cooling, depending upon which one you listen to?
Might that be why fields are having a hard time keeping up with production for the growing population?
Could that be why our rivers and streams aren't as crystal clear as they once were?
Is our land in mourning for what its inhabitants are choosing to do? Like Israel in Jeremiah's time?
NEW T-SHIRT IDEA
Today's reading: Job 33-34
"Look, you and I are the same before God. I, too, was formed from clay. So you don't need to be afraid of me. I am not some great person to make you nervous and afraid." Job 33:6-7 NLT
I'll be the first to admit that Job's friends offer little in the way of quote-worthy tidbits. But every once in a while, they all hit on a topic that is heading in the right direction--before they dangerously veer off a steep, self-righteous, condemning cliff.
Case in point: today's verse.
All Christians who want to approach those skeptical of us need t-shirts with this verse printed on it.
A neutral zone. A common ground. A reminder, for them and for us, that we are all imperfect humans.
Non-believers think we think less of them.
Non-believers tend to have an errant believe that we look down on them.
Non-believers feel as if we lord our righteousness over them like we have earned it or deserve it--and if we are, boy are we ever wrong in that assumption.
We are the exact same as they are--except for one choice: choosing to accept the gift of God's salvation.
LOTS OF PAGES
Today's reading: Psalm 48-50
"For that is what God is like. He is our God forever and ever, and he will be our guide until we die." Psalm 48:14 NLT
I noticed something while reading this verse.
Sure it was an odd thing to notice, but those who know me, know I do things like that.
Psalm 48:14 is on page 874 of my Bible.
I consider it quite appropriate that after 873 pages of account after account, page after page, miracle after miracle and word after word about God--it's finally written, 'that is what God is like'.
But hold on, dear friend, my Bible continues on for another 1,174 pages telling of His greatness!
I'm a wordy person. I like to think I could 'fill a book' with what all I could write about the Lord...but do I?
Do I share what He has done?
Do I mention His greatness in conversation?
Do I speak of His help as I talk to co-workers, friends and family?
Does anyone at all know how wonderful I think He is?
Sadly, I'm wondering, this morning, if I would even need as much paper and ink as I am thinking I would need.
GOD LED
Today's reading: 2 Samuel 1-4
I think I get it now.
Why it is David is referred to as a 'man after God's own heart'.
In these few chapters, I see why it might be.
Saul is dead. David is finally in position to step into power as rightful and appointed king. After years of being hunted down, wrongly accused, being considered an enemy to the king and having to live in hiding.
And yet, he still petitions God as to how and when and with what attitude he should step into his new role.
That's a person who has a God-heart.
That's a lesson we should all learn.
FRESH EVERY MORNING
Today's reading: Exodus 13-16
"Then Moses told them, Do not keep any of it overnight. But, of course, some of them didn't listen and kept some of it until morning. By then it was full of maggots and had a terrible smell. And Moses was very angry with them." Exodus 16:19-20 NLT
Maybe your tank was filled up in worship service yesterday. Great!
Maybe they sang and played your favorite songs. The pastor spoke on your favorite Bible account. The Spirit spoke to your heart. Your burdens were lifted. You were encouraged. You were set free. You were challenged. You were convicted and set right with God.
I pray all those things!
But today is a new day, you cannot carry those things over.
God is fresh every morning. His mercies new each daybreak.
Crack open your Bible today.
Get on your knees today.
Sing a song of praise today.
Confess your sins today.
Seek encouragement from your dearest Friend today.
Collect manna again today for your hungry spirit...manna that is just for today, and today alone!
FARTHER
Today's reading: 2 Corinthians 1-3
"...And as the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him and reflect his glory even more." 2 Corinthians 3:18 NLT
I don't know about you, but there are days that IF I were to be measured and found to be one millimeter more like Jesus than the day before I would be surprised.
Because on those days I don't feel any progress was being made.
No forward motion.
No improvement.
But if the Spirit of the Lord is within us, He is at work.
Shining in us, sprouting within us the seeds of faith, the fruit of the Spirit to a fuller harvest, the good works of God to an ordained ending, the hope of a Living God to fulfil His plan.
So on those days when you cannot see it, do not feel it, cannot believe it--trust His work, believe His Word.
POSITION
Today's reading: Mark 11-12
"Main in the crowd spread their coats on the road ahead of Jesus, and others cut leafy branches in the fields and spread them along the way. He was in the center of the procession, and the crowds all around him were shouting, Praise God!.." Mark 11:8-9 NLT
We know the account. We are reminded of it each Palm Sunday. We are always in awe of this crowd's determination to praise. Their demonstrative worship. Their creative way they brought glory to God in their midst.
How did they do it?
They started by making sure Jesus was in His proper place--in the center of their lives.
It doesn't work when He is on the outside looking in.
Or on the sidelines attempting to get a seat in your life.
Or as an accessory to your day.
Or trying to access a timeslot in your busy schedule.
Or in a separate vehicle attempting to chase you down the road of life.
Or in the pew at church while you are still at home in bed, or at the golf course or spending family time in the yard.
It's when He is in the center of your life He will always receive the praise He has coming to Him.
BEFORE AND AFTER
Today's reading: Jeremiah 17-21
"...Perhaps the Lord will be gracious and do a mighty miracle as he has done in the past..." Jeremiah 21:2 NLT
Just as in Jeremiah's time, people are asking for the exact same thing today.
But here is the problem: they fail to notice two things.
1. The problem that got them into the pickle of a problem they are currently in. Those can be found in the verses, chapters and books leads up to Jeremiah chapter 21. And in more current events they can be found on just about any new channel you might care to tune in to. For those of you who don't have the time to do all the reading, I can sum it up: they had turned away from God.
2. They choose not to follow up with what God asks in the verses and chapters that follow. His simple request. His formula for success. His plan for recovery. His roadmap to victory. His answer to their woes. His prescription for the illness. It's the same answer He is giving us today: turn back to Him wholeheartedly.
CHOSEN FOR US
Today's reading: Job 31-32
"What has God above chosen for us?.." Job 31:2 NLT
I know what's written in ink on my planner page for today.
What's scheduled.
What's on the agenda.
What's to do, what's needing done, where I need to be and what's needing picked up.
But what does God have in store for me?
Who will He have me bump into?
How will He rearrange my day?
My plans?
My life?
More important that what I've planned is this...just what has He chosen for me?
EVEN IF
Today's reading: Psalm 45-47
"God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear, even if earthquakes comes and the mountains crumble into the sea." Psalm 46:1-2 NLT
I've been noticing quite a few new Christian t-shirts on the market. Cute ones. To the point ones. Ones that capture a short part of a verse and hone in on its core.
...There's a third man in the fire...
...just like He said...
Be still...
Well, I found one that I believe would sell. Or, at least, I would buy one. I would purchase one because I need the reminded!
How about this:
God is...even if!
Because, He is.
Even if the world throws all it has at you, God does not change.
Even if your plans fall apart, God still is.
Even if your hopes and dreams are dashed, God remains.
What an assurance!
(I think there is a gal at church who does t-shirts--I'm going to talk to her about this idea of mine--well, of His!)
LAST OUNCE
Today's reading: 1 Samuel 26-31
"...But David found strength in the Lord his God." 1 Samuel 30:6 NLT
David wasn't just tired, he was bone-tired.
He was worn out from the fight.
He was weary from the battle.
He was struggling beneath the load of running from King Saul.
He was burdened down with the weight of the lives of his men, his men's families and his own family.
He was in a position in which his own were on the verge of turning against him.
What did he do with his last ounce of strength?
He turned to the Lord.
I pray you do the same.
With your last ounce of energy...
With your last thread of sanity...
With your last bit of hope...
With your last piece of whatever is left of you--turn to the Lord.
I believe you will be amazed at what you will find in Him!
BUT GIVE ME A BLESSING
Today's reading: Exodus 9-12
"Pharoah sent for Moses and Aaron during the night. Leave us! he cried. Go away, all of you! Go and serve the Lord as you have requested. Take your flocks and herds and be gone. Go, but give me a blessing as you leave." Exodus 12:31-32 NLT
Pharoah reminds me remarkably of many of the unbelievers I meet.
They don't want any part of the God I'm offering them.
They don't want to hear about Him, at all.
They pass on the invitation to church.
They aren't at all interested in the new and exciting life He offers.
They don't want to hear how He has provided for me--again.
They have no desire to know how my life has been changed, transformed and renewed by His being invited in to it.
BUT...
They want the perks that might come from rubbing up against 'Jesus folk'.
Like the 'in' when it comes to needing prayers answered.
Or the 'direct line to the Big Guy' when they want a favor.
It's our opportunity to show them it is so, so much more!
SUNDAY...OR MONDAY
Today's reading: 1 Corinthians 15-16
"So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and steady, always enthusiastic about the Lord's work, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless." 1 Corinthians 15:58 NLT
Modern technology stumps me, in many ways.
Take this blog for example.
I type up my thoughts, hit the 'send' button and rely upon the powers of the world wide web to send it out to you fine folks at the stroke of a button.
Some of you tell me you receive it instantly, in the early morning hours when I send it.
Some of you, my parents to be precise, the ones who lives closest to me, across the field to be specific, tell me it doesn't arrive in their inbox until late that evening. Hmmm?
Maybe that's what this verse is telling us...
No matter when we get this verse...
The Lord's work, whether it's on an early Sunday morning as we prepare to open the church doors, teach a Sunday School lesson, preach a sermon, wipe a few church kids' noses in nursery, shake a few church-goers hands at the door, clean a few church bathrooms, or...
Later on a Sunday evening as we lay out work clothes for our first day of our work week, prepare school lunches for the new week ahead, plan out the hectic schedule of a new and busy week or get ready to punch in for another 40 hours...
We should be enthusiastic, because it's all work for Him.
How we do it reflects our time spent with Him.
Sunday...or Monday.
QUESTIONING THE LORD
Today's reading: Mark 9-10
"Some Pharisees came and tried to trap him with this question:.." Mark 10:2 NLT
We scoff at these leaders of the church for trying to grill Jesus, of all people, with moral queries.
But don't we do the same?
Really?
We ask if we aren't in the right in regards to our responses, knowing we are not, because of 'their behavior'.
We provide our reasons to Him, hoping for a 'get out of jail free card'.
We know the Word, His stance, His commands, and still try to ask Him to 'fudge' this one time on our reactions to the circumstances.
We try to trap the Lord with questions that might lead Him to excusing us from what He has already deemed right or wrong, but friend--there will be no trapping Him!
BECAUSE OF WHO YOU ARE
Today's reading: Jeremiah 12-16
"For the sake of your own name, Lord, do not abandon us..." Jeremiah 14:21 NLT
God, stay with us.
Not because of any good in us.
Not because there is any saint among us.
Not because we warrant any reward or blessing.
Not because You see in hope within our hearts.
But all because of of Who You are.
Because of all that You have promised.
Keeping in mind the sake of Your own name.
HANG IN THERE
Today's reading: Job 29-30
"I cry to you, O God, but you don't answer me. I stand before you, and you don't bother to look." Job 30:20 NLT
Job was hurting. Grieving. Broken. Feeling alone while surrounded by consolers.
What would I tell Job, if I were there with him?
What words of advice could I possibly give this man of sorrow?
Hang in there.
Hold on long enough for God to turn the next page.
Wait for the next chapter.
Stay tuned.
Just stay strong one paragraph longer.
Wait for it...
You see, we have the foresight of knowing how Job's story ends--he didn't. We know the blessings held in chapter 42. We know how Job's faithfulness to God was rewarded--he didn't. We know how true and loving God proves Himself to be--he didn't.
Maybe you have a friend who needs to be told the same things.
Maybe they need to be told to hang on. To hold tight. To wait for it. To stay tuned to what God might be up to.
Maybe you need to hear it.
STANDING BEFORE HIM
Today's reading: Psalm 42-44
"As the deer pants for streams of water, so I long for you, O God. I thirst for God, the living God. When can I come and stand before him?" Psalm 42:1-2 NLT
David craved God's presence.
From the depths of his being.
To feel His hand upon him.
To know His Spirit was leading him.
To taste His blessings around him.
To see Him at work in his life.
To hear His voice in the thunder and in the whispering wind.
To simply be in His midst. Where He was. Doing what He asked. Be where He commanded. Serving where He sent.
Do we have that same thirst? Hunger? Craving? Desire?
LOSING NO TIME
Today's reading: 1 Samuel 21-25
"Abigail lost no time..." 1 Samuel 25:18 NLT
Abigail the level headed, wife of a fool will always be known for her quick thinking and wise words.
She was smart. She was kind. She was hospitable. She was charming. She was honoring.
She met an unlovely circumstance head on with grace.
She also did it on the fly--or at a moment's notice.
Or did she...
The thing about God's people is this: they are prepared their whole lives for moments like these.
This moment in Abigail's life was what God had been preparing her for.
Sure it happened without planning or forethought, without notice or heads-up...but God knew it was coming. He always knows it is coming.
So child of God, stay close to Him. Stay prayed up. Stay read up on His Word. Stay filled up with His presence. Stay ready in season and out of season. Stay settled up with Him in regards to your sins.
You never know when your moment will be!
OUT OF HIS MIND
Today's reading: Exodus 5-8
"Pharoah returned to his palace and put the whole thing out of his mind." Exodus 7:23 NLT
This verse refers to Pharoah being able to return to his palace and being able to completely put from his mind the entire first plague, the plague of water turning into blood, from his mind.
Hmmm.
Would you have been able to do that?
To not think about it?
To have seen it with your own eyes?
To have watched the rivers flowing red?
To have seen every water jar in the governed state filled with blood?
To see the fish dying, the water turning foul and not think about once you were home in your stately palace?
It reminds me of the folks who attended Easter church services yesterday out of obligation or invitation that sat through the service and are attempting to 'not think about what they heard'.
I'm sure it's hard, if they heard the Word of God preached.
They cannot get it out of their heads.
They cannot scrub it off their hearts.
They can't get it out of their ears.
They cannot undo it.
Praise God!
TRUE LOVE
Today's reading: 1 Corinthians 13-14
"Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance." 1 Corinthians 13:7 NLT
If Easter shows us anything, it's that love never gives up--never loses faith--is full of hope--and endures through the toughest of circumstances, including death.
That's what Jesus' love for us shows.
His living for us.
His love for us.
His power over death, hell and the grave for us.
His hope for us.
His salvation for us.
That's true love!
IN THE BOAT WITH YOU
Today's reading: Mark 7-8
"But the disciples discovered they had forgotten to bring any food, so there was only one loaf of bread with them in the boat." Mark 8:14 NLT
Let's look back a few verses and find that this verse falls right after the feeding of the multitudes.
Let's look forward only one verse and find that the next verse tells us that Jesus is in the boat with the disciples.
That being said...
The disciples were on the backside of a miracle. They were still fresh with the excitement from picking up the basketsful of leftovers. They were still probably talking amongst themselves about how the thousands were fed by little.
These same disciples were also seated in the same sailing vessel, and doubtful a very large one, with the Miracle Maker. The One who had blessed the tiny lunch sack. The very One who had multiplied the minuscule to feed the multitude. The very same One who had smiled at them as they watched the crowd settle back with full bellies and fuller hearts after being fed by their leader.
And they were looking at the single loaf of bread wondering if it would feed them all?
While He was in the boat with them?
In the same boat with them!
But friend, we do the exact same thing.
With our miniscule prayers. With our weak efforts. With our tiny funds. With our small amounts of hope. With our mustard seed-sized faith. With our used up, worn out, what's left strength...we wonder what we are going to do...while He is in the boat with us.
It's time we remember Who He is!
BRINGING IT ON OURSELVES
Today's reading: Jeremiah 7-11
"The Lord replies, This has happened because my people have abandoned the instructions I gave them; they have refused to obey my laws." Jeremiah 9:13 NLT
Ouch.
It's easier to think about God's wrath falling on 'those folks' than it ever is to think about it falling into our own laps, wouldn't you agree?
EVEN IN THIS
Today's reading: Job 27-28
"I will teach you about God's power. I will not conceal anything that concerns the Almighty." Job 27:11 NLT
If these words had been spoken by an evangelist stepping up to the pulpit, I might not have noticed them.
If these words had been said by a prophet recorded in the Old Testament, I might have just skimmed over the reading.
If these words had been written in red and recorded as given word for word from the mouth of Jesus, I would have considered them to be of great value--true and easily said.
But they came from Job.
In the middle of his trials.
While he was still sitting beside the ash pit.
Wearing his mourning clothes.
With sympathy cards, funeral casseroles and attempting-to-help friends still littered around him.
So these words hold some value.
They are spoken with grit and determination.
Job is telling us he is going to live for God through whatever God chooses to send his way.
That's a challenge on the easiest of days, a ultimate test on days like Job was living through.
Can you make that vow? Can you speak those words?
