YOUR LITTLE LIGHT
Today's reading: John 1-2
"The light shines through the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it." John 1:5 NLT
Is your little light shining?
Oh, it's not just a kids' song...it's a Christian discipline.
If Christ lives in you, it's going to be seen by those around you.
Where you work.
In what you say.
In how you live.
In the things you do.
Let it shine.
This dark world needs the light of Christ that shines through our flawed vessels!
FRUIT PRODUCTION
Today's reading: Ezekiel 43-48
"All kinds of fruit trees will grow along both sides of the river. The leaves of these trees will never turn brown and fall, and there will always be fruit on their branches. There will be a new crop every month, without fail! For they are watered by the river flowing from the Temple. The fruit will be for food and the leaves for healing." Ezekiel 47:12 NLT
The productivity of our faith, or the 'hand-on' of our Christian walks is referred to as our fruit, or what our lives bear out.
According to this verse, that all is watered from our time spent in God's house.
Worshiping.
Praising.
Hearing God's Word preached.
Studying together.
Being held accountable by one another.
Serving alongside brothers and sisters of faith.
Laughing and crying together through life's seasons.
It's vital to our fruit production. It's essential. It's the only way we'll be able to gain strength and momentum to produce the bumper crops of ministry and service God intends us to have in this life He has given us.
THINKING
Today's reading: Proverbs 14-15
"The godly think before speaking; the wicked spout evil words." Proverbs 15:28 NLT
For a gal who talks, and talks a lot...this verse is high-lighted, circled, underlined, post-it noted and book marked in my Bible.
It's important that I not only have it marked in my absolute favorite book in the whole, wide world--but also have it marked in my heart.
To let its words mark my speech.
Since the first time I've read this verse, am I thinking more than talking?
Am I pausing for prayer before offering an opinion, a remark or a retort?
Am I cautious as to a comeback, an answer or a quick response?
Because if God's words aren't changing my life and how I live I am not allowing them to do the work in me He intends.
THRILLED
Today's reading: Psalm 90-92
"You thrill me, Lord, with all you have done for me! I sing for joy because of what you have done." Psalm 92:4 NLT
Ever paused long enough to let the goodness of God in your life thrill you?
Literally wash over you and thrill you?
To think about all He has done for you...
All He has given to you...
All He may have kept you from...
How His ways are higher than yours...
How His plans are grander than even your best laid ones could ever be...
To push aside what you'd like to see Him do, and rest in what He has done for you.
Even if you just stopped and pondered your salvation...you would have to be thrilled!
FOUND
Today's reading: 2 Kings 21-25
"When the king heard what was written in the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes in despair...We have not been doing what this scroll says we much do." 2 Kings 22:11-13 NLT
What would it be like to have a political leader so moved by the Word of God that he makes a public profession of repentance and a national act of change?
To have the laws of our government so moved by God that constitutional changes be made, laws be re-written and policies be brought into effect?
To have men, and women, make and keep vows of office that are stirred by godly conviction and moral direction?
It takes you and I being moved by what the Bible says. Living lives marked by its commands. Led by its statutes. Refusing to break its rules. Inspired by its authority. Leaning on its understanding. Trusting in its promises. Knowing its truths. Voting its principles.
UNTIL
Today's reading: Leviticus 22-24
"They put the man in custody until the Lord's will in the matter should become clear." Leviticus 24:12 NLT
In the middle of all the levitical instruction regarding holy days and festivals, we find this example of just punishment.
A sort of Biblical commercial of sorts.
A pause in the heavy reading.
An intermission.
Something to interrupt our thought and set our minds back on why all these instruction are placed in the Bible in the first place.
God.
It's all about Him.
Every moment of the day. Every breath we take. Every command He gives. Every act of obedience He asks us to offer Him.
This very verse reminds us that this grand and glorious, deserving of all our praise God, can still be expected to answer when we seek Him for direction in regards to what we need to do, how we are supposed to act, which step we need to take next.
His will is searchable and knowable.
His ways are for us to follow.
He asks us, He expects us, to pause and listen for His direction.
TO HIS OWN
Today's reading: Luke 23-24
"...he asked, Why do you doubt who I am?" Luke 24:38 NLT
In my Bible, these words are written in red. That tells me, Jesus spoke them. Jesus, himself.
In the verses surrounding this verse, Jesus is speaking to His disciples. His closest. His people. His nearest and dearest. Those who knew Him best.
And He asks them this question.
He isn't asking this question of the non-believers. Or of the ones who haven't seen His miracles. Or of those who haven't partaken of the banquet He provided from a sack-lunch. Or of those who didn't see a blind man healed. Or of those who hadn't been sea-sick from a storm-tossed lake and suddenly made calm.
He was speaking to His people.
And in His Word, He is asking the same of us...
Why do you doubt who I am?
DON'T WRITE THEM OFF
Today's reading: Ezekiel 39-42
"Then he asked me, Son of man, can these bones become living people again?" Ezekiel 37:3 NLT
Reading this verse this morning, and knowing where the Lord's question was leading, took my heart and mind directly to another passage I have had dealing with this week...
I've spent time in Vacation Bible School, where I have had the privilege of providing the Bible lesson to the littlest among us each evening. Five times a night!
Wednesday's lesson was about Jesus feeding the 5000 from John 6.
The verse that kept jumping off the page at me, and I'm going to assume it was preparing me for today's scripture reading, was verse 6...
"He asked Philip this question to test him. Jesus already knew what he planned to do."
I think the same can be said of today's reading. God isn't really needing Ezekiel's answer in regards to the dry bones.
Or ours in regards to some of the 'dry bones' we might see on a daily basis.
The ones we see or assume are dried up from drug use.
Or mis-spent youth.
Or a rash of poorly chosen choices.
Or broken vows.
Or socially acceptable but not God ordained lifestyles.
Or any other sin.
God doesn't need our opinion of the 'dry bones' standing before us, and certainly neither do they...He wants our hands and feet and the 'dry bones'--well, the 'dry bones' need our prayers and our love!
WATCH YOUR STEP
Today's reading: Proverbs 13
"Whoever walks with the wise will become wise; whoever walks with fools will suffer harm." Proverbs 13:20 NLT
We could easily discount this verse as unnecessary if we don't hang out with the wrong crowd of folks, but--
Have we considered the influence social media is having on our thoughts?
Have we thought how much what we're listening to on the radio is playing in to what we believe?
Have we taken into account how very effected we are by the day's news reports?
It's not always who we 'walk', but also who we are 'led' by.
HIS FAITHFULNESS
Today's reading: Psalm 87-89
"Your unfailing love will last forever. Your faithfulness is an enduring as the heavens." Psalm 89:2 NLT
Ever thought about this...
The same sun that rises predictably each morning and sets softly each evening has done so for many, many generations.
Your great-great-great-great grandparents watched it occur.
The people you read about in the Bible watched it happen.
The sun that Genesis refers to as the one God spoke into existence, well that's the exact same one.
So if something of His creation, like the sun, is as dependable as it is, don't you believe He can be trusted?
Great is Thy faithfulness
Great is Thy faithfulness
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me
Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father
There is no shadow of turning with Thee
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be
Summer and winter, springtime and harvest
Sun, moon, and stars in their courses up above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love
HE WON'T SHARE
Today's reading: 2 Kings 16-20
"These new residents worshiped the Lord, but they appointed from among themselves priests to offer sacrifices at the pagan shrines." 2 Kings 17:32 NLT
The Lord we serve is big. He is gracious. He is forgiving. He is merciful. He is kind. He is willing to overlook our sins. He is not willing to share our hearts with others!
It will not work for us to think, even for a moment, that we can worship Him with our attendance, voices, money and attention on Sunday but pay our allegiance to other gods throughout the week.
He notices those things.
He won't share us with others.
He will outbid them for our affections each and every time.
He has gone farther, paid more and given to a greater extent for us than any other god will ever give.
So, be reminded, He will not share us with another.
STANDING OUT
Today's reading: Leviticus 19-21
"You must be holy because I, the Lord, am holy. I have set you apart from all other people to be my very own." Leviticus 20:26 NLT
Believing friend, if we aren't sticking out in society for our beliefs, by how we live and by the choices we make...we aren't living the holy life God has called us to live.
If people aren't seeing a difference in us, in the words we use, in the lifestyles we support, in the places we go...we aren't the set apart people He has called us to be.
TO BE LIKE JESUS
Today's reading: Luke 21-22
"He walked away, about a stone's throw, and knelt down and prayed, Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will, not mine." Luke 22:41-42 NLT
If there is a point in Jesus' life I want to replicate, to live out, to model--this is the scene, this is the act, this is the lifestyle I want to mimic.
I want God's will in my life to override my own.
I want what I want to be second, to God's desires.
I want to be like Jesus.
I realize it's going to take going against everything within me.
Everything I naturally desire.
All I would carnally seek for myself.
God promises to help me with that.
Here is what's humming in my thoughts this morning...
'To be like Jesus, to be like Jesus!
My desire - to be like Him!
All thru life's journey from earth to glory,
My desire - to be like Him.'
A MARKED DIFFERENCE
Today's reading: Ezekiel 31-36
"I will cause my people and their homes around my holy hill to be a blessing. And I will send showers, showers of blessings, which will come just when they are needed. The orchards and fields of my people will yield bumper crops, and everyone will live in safety. When I have broken their chains of slavery and rescued them from those who enslaved them, they they will know that I am the Lord." Ezekiel 34:26-27 NLT
I don't know about you, but I want to be one of those known to live in 'that neighborhood'.
The ones marked by God's blessings. The ones showered by His goodness. The ones living, walking and near Him. I want to be well within His provision. I want my testimony of redemption to be on my lips and at the headline of my life.
I want everyone to know if there is anything good about my life, it's all from the Lord I love and serve!
INCONVENIENCED
Today's reading: Proverbs 11-12
"No real harm befalls the godly, but the wicked have their fill of trouble." Proverbs 12:21 NLT
As believers, we have to remember that this world is not our home--and these present problems, trials and burdens are merely inconveniences.
No real harm befalls us here when we compare it to eternity with God!
OH, TO HAVE THAT HEART
Today's reading: Psalm 84-86
"Teach me your ways, O Lord, that I may live according to your truth! Grant me purity of heart, that I may honor you." Psalm 86:11 NLT
Every morning I wake up and ask God to be with me throughout the day.
To guide and protect me.
To lead me.
To direct my path.
To put His hand over my mouth.
To show me the paths He would have me travel.
But--
Then I get up and out of bed, and I take the reins from His ever capable hands and resume the control, the leadership, the managerial role, the master of my life--and expect Him to follow along.
It doesn't work well. Not well at all.
I want the heart David had when he asked God to teach him His ways.
I want the spirit David sought to maintain when he asked God to grant him a life that honored Him.
I want the attitude David lived that sang out, 'All to Jesus I surrender, All to Him I freely give.'
RELIGIOUS REFORM
Today's reading: 2 Kings 11-15
"Then Jehoida made a covenant between the Lord and the king that the people that they would be the Lord's people. He also made a covenant between the king and the people. And all the people of the land went over to the temple of Baal and tore it down. They demolished the altars and smashed the idols to pieces, and they killed Mattan the priest of Baal in front of the altars." 2 Kings 11:17-18 NLT
Can you imagine that type of religious reform sweeping across our country?
A preacher taking such a stand?
A political leader following suit?
The voting vocal following along and making it happen?
What a difference it would make!
The media outlets would have to report it. Laws would be changing right and left. The 'socially acceptable' would be turned on its head. The entertainment industry would no longer call the shots. The silent majority would now be heard. The church reclaiming its role in society. Our homes becoming what God had intended.
The thing is? It doesn't start with a preacher. Or a politician. Or a group. Or a church. It starts with me...and you.
'Until there is a revival in the three square feet of ground we live in, we'll never make a difference in our world!'
INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE ALTAR
Today's reading: Leviticus 16-18
I have to tell you, when I got to my prayer chair this morning and checked my daily Bible reading chart and found out I was in Leviticus this morning, I let out a sigh.
Not the kind of sigh that says, 'Boy, I'm glad I'm in Leviticus, kind of sigh'.
Or the kind of sigh that says, 'Aah, another day in Leviticus, I'm so glad', kind of sigh.
It, to be quiet honest, was the kind of sigh that might be interpreted in the King James Version as, 'Ugh, not Leviticus this morning--I needest something a little more upbeat this morning!'
But I did find something I want to share. Something profound. Something needful. Something to chew on.
It's in the subtitles, or the bold texts preceeding the chapters.
It's what came before chapter 16 in my Bible...
Instructions for the Altar
My prayer for you is this...
Your church's instructions for the altar is simple: Use it.
I pray the same thing for your altar at home.
Leviticus 16 goes on for 34 verses with explicit instruction as to what can or cannot be done at the newly constructed altar. How it could be used. Who could approach it. What needed done before even thinking about coming to the altar.
I hope your altars are open for business at all times. Available for all types of prayer--thanksgiving, needs, sorrows, heartaches, praises. For private worship. For families to gather and present problems. For friends to carry burdens to Jesus' feet for each other. For midnight prayer meetings. For morning pick-me-ups. For middle of the day appointments with the Lord. For leading folks to the saving knowledge of a personal Savior and Friend.
LIVE WISELY
Today's reading: Colossians 3-4
"Live wisely among those who are not Christians, and make the most of every opportunity." Colossians 4:5 NLT
I hope I catch you before you head out the door to church this morning. Because there is something very, very important I want to remind you of...
Your group of church folk.
Your church family.
Your body of believers--is not a perfect lot.
Oh, I am not pointing fingers, because the one I belong to is not either.
We make it that way when we join up with them.
But here is why I want to remind us of that fact this morning:
When we leave our assemblies today...
When we head into the restaraunts or into the Dollar General's to pick up hamburger buns or into the Mini Mart's to grab that gallon of milk--live and speak wisely among those who are not Christian--because you are telling them what they need to know about the rest of the folks in your church.
Live wisely, but more importantly, speak wisely.
Those who don't know Christ yet don't need to know about problems in your church.
Those who don't believe in God don't need to know if your Sunday School teacher talks too much.
Your waiter doesn't need to hear your complaints about your pastor.
Live wisely, fellow believers--especially when it comes to how we represent our churches, His church!
TOO SHORT
Today's reading: Luke 19-20
"He tried to get a look at Jesus, but he was too short to see over the crowds. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree beside the road, so he could watch from there." Luke 19:3-4 NLT
When I think about the loving forethought God had in regards to Zaccheus meeting Jesus, I get goosebumps!
He planned ahead for the encounter that day by planting a tree. A tree. A tree, folks.
We are not talking a few day's notice. Not even a few weeks, but years and years. A sycamore tree it says, and they are huge--which I believe this one was. Or at least it was in the Sunday School picture I have etched in my mind.
He made plans of that big of scale just so Zaccheus would come in contact with Jesus!
He did the same for me...
In that He arranged for me to have the parents and grandparents that I have that raised me to know the Lord. The church I have that has kept me walking with God. The opportunities I have been presented that have kept me before Him in prayer and study of my Bible. Oh, the 'trees' He has planted for me to access Him!
And I'm sure He has done the same for you, if you will think about it!
Where we would have come up short, He has filled in with His loving forethought and grace.
LOVING GOD
Today's reading: Ezekiel 25-30
What a loving God I serve!
At this early hour, I am reminded.
In these, the wee hours of the day.
Before the dawn breaks.
Way before the sun even peeks over the horizon.
In The Word of God I see how very much He loves mankind--even His enemies...
Several times in today's reading, I have come across the words, '...Then they will know that I am the Lord.'
In today's reading it had to do with His dealings with those who were going again His people...
In other areas of the Bible it has been said in regards to how God has has dealt with His own...
But in both cases, it proves His love for us all. It solidifies His determination that we all come to Him through His Son.
He is such a loving God!
ENHANCED
Today's reading: Proverbs 10
"The earnings of the godly enhance their lives, but evil people squander their money on sin." Proverbs 10:16 NLT
If reading this verse doesn't make you think about your own life, about how you view your thoughts on your bank balance, your net worth, your assets and liabilities, your padded wallet, I'm not sure you truly read it...so go back and read it again.
I'll wait.
No, really, I'll wait.
Because while you are reading it again, it will give me time to ponder the depths and breadths of this proverb.
And ask myself a few questions...
Am I allowing money to be an accessory in my life...or do I cling to it as a necessity?
Is money an afterthought...or is it a constantly foreboding thought?
As a child of God, having Christ is my worth, my inheritance, my bankroll--anything else is an enhancement.
Am I living that truth out? Am I?
Are you?
SIC 'EM, LORD
Today's reading: Psalm 81-83
"Do to them as you did to the Midianites or as you did to Sisera and Jabin at the Kishon River." Psalm 83:9 NLT
Did you know Psalm 83 is considered an imprecatory psalm?
Imprecatory means a spoken curse.
In this psalm the author, Asaph in this case, asks God to pour out His wrath on the enemies of Israel. To rain down His fury on those opposing God's people. To sic 'em, Lord, as we would say it here in southern Illinois.
Funny thought, isn't it? To ask God to go get them? But it's not.
He asks us to turn our worries, our concerns, our problems with others over to Him to handle. And to leave them with Him.
In His sufficient hands. For Him to deal with as He sees fit. Relieving us of any need to take revenge or to seek restitution.
It shows we know He is sovereign. It shows we know He is powerful. It shows we know He loves us. It shows we know He knows the situation.
ALL HIS HEART
Today's reading: 2 King 6-10
"But Jehu did not obey the law of the Lord, the God of Israel, with all his heart. He refused to turn from the sins of idolatry that Jeroboam had led Israel to commit." 2 Kings 10:31 NLT
Jehu had become king.
And although he made some wise and seemingly godly choices, there were still some evil under currents guiding his heart.
He couldn't give his entire life over to the Lord.
There were still some areas he wanted to manipulate and manage for himself.
Some control he still wanted to maintain.
Some reins he still wanted his hands on.
Some say he still wanted to give.
Some changes he still couldn't, or wouldn't, quite make.
Sound familiar? Too familiar?
FLAT BROKE
Today's reading: Leviticus 13-15
"But anyone who cannot afford two lamps must bring one male lamb for a guilt offering, along with two quarts of choice flour mixed with olive oil as a grain offering and three-fifths of a pint of olive oil." Leviticus 14:21 NLT
The first several years my husband and I were married, we were broke--flat broke.
Bills were paid. We had food on the table and gas enough to get us back and forth to work and home. Our monthly trailer lot payment was paid.
But extra? We wouldn't have even known what extra was then!
So when I read this verse, I commiserate with the folks of the time who wouldn't have had the money for two lambs--or the single male lamb and the sack of groceries that would have been approved substitutes.
What would they have done?
How would they have ever been forgiven?
How would they have ever gotten their sins washed clean?
I'm so glad Jesus came for poor, lost sinners like me!
The ones who couldn't, at times, rub two pennies together--or ever enough pennies to pay for their own sins.
God looked ahead and saw our needs. He provided where we would come up short, very short.
CHOSEN
Today's reading: Colossians 1-2
"This letter is from Paul, chosen by God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus..." Colossians 1:1 NLT
I think it's vitally important that we remember that we are chosen by God to be where we are, doing what we are doing, ministering to whom we are called to minister to--
I am chosen to be a wife. A mom. An across-the-field daughter. A friend. A Sunday School teacher. A grain farm bookkeeper. A neighbor.
But most importantly, we are called to be His.
His child.
His redeemed beloved.
His bought at a price masterpiece.
So, in case you have gotten up today with the ho-hums, a case of the don't-care's, or are suffering through a season of the not-sure-of-my-calling...know this, you are chosen to be His!
STILL STANDING IN LINE
Today's reading: Luke 17-18
"One day some parents brought their little children to Jesus so he could touch them and bless them, but the disciples told them not to bother him." Luke 18:15 NLT
I'm an imagine-er.
I've got to picture the scene. The weather. The setting. What people are wearing. The sounds. The temperature. The looks on the faces of each person involved.
I can see Jesus-eyes filled with love and compassion. Hands gently touching the heads of each child after He scoops them up and onto His lap for a hug and a smile.
I can see the disciples impatiently looking at their watches. Wondering how much longer this line of noisy kids would possibly get. Thinking to themselves why hadn't they remembered to set up an offering plate. Giving Jesus the 'hurry up with this one' look as He lingered to listen to each child talk about their day.
I can see the parents beaming as they considered their mission not accomplished--but having just begun. Jesus' touch wasn't the end-all-be-all, but the launching pad for their children.
I can also see the faces of the parents who were told they wouldn't be able to see Jesus that day. That He was too busy. Too tired. That there were too many more important tasks for Him to take care of. I can see the stoic looks on their faces as they remained in line. Never budging. Never moving. Never batting an eye as they stood their ground--waiting to present their kids to the only One who could change their lives.
That's the parent I want to be!
I'm not backing down when society tells me 'church' isn't the answer. I'm not stepping away when the tournaments and little leagues lead me to believe they need our family on Sunday at the ballpark. I'm not getting out of line when the busyness of the week leaves only the day of rest to rest and play catch up-you see, that's my fault, not God's!
I look through the crowd to imagine which role I'd be playing that day. As you look through the imagined crowd, where would you find your role?
CONSEQUENCES
Today's reading: Ezekiel 19-24
"For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will surely hand you over to your enemies, to those you loathe. They will deal with you in hatred and rob you of all you own, leaving you naked and bare. The shame of your prostitution will be exposed to all the world. You brought all this on yourself by prostituting yourself to other nations, defiling yourself with all their idols." Ezekiel 23:28-30 NLT
What happens when we turn our backs on God? Turn to others idols? Choose to worships ourselves or others gods?
He lets us.
And in turn, He also lets us reap the sad and sorrow-filled harvest of those consequences.
Oh, it's not that He doesn't warn us against it by way of the Scriptures.
Or lead us away from it through the Holy Spirit's guidance.
Or that He doesn't provide us a way out if we would only open our eyes to see.
But He does let us choose.
He is a loving God who has designed and created us with a free will, one that can choose Him, or not.
A loving God who will sadly watch when we give ourselves over to less-than-His-best options for our lives.
A loving God who will offer us grace and mercy when we feel true repentance for those choices and turn back to Him!
WHERE SHE STANDS
Today's reading: Proverbs 8-9
"Listen as wisdom calls out! Hear as understanding raises her voice! She stands on the hilltop and at the crossroads." Proverbs 8:1-2 NLT
Wisdom sees where you are and calls you to join her.
She inspires you to climb.
To turn the right way.
To make one more step.
To take the high road.
Check the 'return address' on every thought to see from whom it has come!
