ROCKS
Today's reading: Genesis 32-35

"Jacob set up a stone pillar to mark the place where God had spoken to him. He then poured wine over it as an offering to God and anointed the pillar with olive oil." Genesis 35:14 NLT

I love Jacob's idea of marking the place where God spoke to him. 

Imagine every time you walked past. Or being able to give someone directions based upon where the stone was--and the testimony you could share when that door opened. Think about the generations of Jacob's family that would be able to reference a particular place to their granddaddy and the legacy of his walk with the Lord.

So what about us?

Could you place a rock beside the chair where you spend your morning Bible time?

At a specific place on the altar at church?

In your car?

Beside your bed?

In a hospital/doctor office waiting room?

On your lawnmower?

Oh, do not doubt God wants to speak to you. Listen for Him--and mark the places where it happens. It will be a great inspiration to you--and to others!

May we busy ourselves placing stones of remembrance all day long.

 EVERY SPIRITUAL GIFT YOU NEED

Today's reading: 1 Corinthians 1-2

"Now you have every spiritual gift you need as you eagerly wait for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Corinthians 1:7 NLT

If you have been saved. 

Born again by the power of Jesus' blood.

If you have asked for and received God's gift of salvation.

Freed from the bondage of sin.

Then you, yes, you, have every spiritual gift you need to live for Christ and love others as He has called you to do.

It's not a matter of being a Christian long enough. Or have taken the right Bible study classes. Or own the correct translation of the Bible.

It's not even a matter of the right church. The correct age. The godly legacy you bring to the table.

It's about the power of God in you.

Given to you when you sought Him.

Provided to you by His purchase on the Cross.

Instilled in you when you prayed the prayer of salvation.

So live! 

For Him. Through Him. With Him. Honoring Him. Continually seeking Him. Growing more and more like Him. Drawing others to Him. 

 ONLY LOUDER

Today's reading: Matthew 20-22

"The crowd told them to be quiet, but they only shouted louder, Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!" Matthew 20:31 NLT

I know what the world is telling us, Christian brother and sister...

Be quiet. Be tolerant. Be careful not to overstep. Be able to support your beliefs in a laboratory. Be perfect if you're going to claim Christianity.

Are you doing what they've asked...or are you only getting louder?

Louder in how you love the unlovable?

Louder in your beliefs, even if you don't say a word?

Louder in your godly disciplines, when no one notices or cares or thinks along the same lines you think?

Louder in your faith which you yourself cannot entirely understand but know that you know that you know?

Is what the world is telling you making you shrink down or speak up?

 WHAT HAS HE SAID?

Today's reading: Isaiah 40-44

"Do not tremble; do not be afraid. Have I not proclaimed from ages past what my purposes are for you? You are my witnesses--is there any other God? No! There is not other Rock--not one!" Isaiah 44:8 NLT

Faced with a trial--it's all a matter of remembering what He has said!

Coming up against a cold, harsh, wintry season--it's all a matter of remembering what He has said!

Feeling broken, bruised, left for dead by the world and so-called friends--it's all a matter of remembering what He has said!

Feeling unworthy?

Feeling unloved?

Feeling, well, feeling nothing at all?

It's all a matter of remembering what He has to us in His Word.

Get into it and let it get into you.

It's from Him and for us--every single word of it!

 RECALCULATE

Today's reading: Job 15-16

"What has captured your reason? What has weakened your vision?" Job 15:12 NLT

Do you remember GPS systems that blurted out, RECALCULATING! RECALCULATING!, when you turned opposite of their designated instructions?

Spiritually, I believe we need the same audible reminder.

There are things that 'capture our thoughts' and 'weaken our vision' and cause us to stray off the godly path God desires us to walk.

Thoughts that lead us on detours.

Events that cause us to doubt.

Fears that distract.

Circumstances that leave us blindsided.

But those things only happen when our eyes are off Jesus. 

When our focus wavers, our reason is captured by our enemy and our vision is weakened.

Watch, today, where you are looking!

 A CLOSE FRIEND

Today's reading: Psalm 21-23

"Even when I walk through the dark valley of death, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me." Psalm 23:4 NLT

Oh, the things you can do with someone standing beside you!

When you were a child, holding a grown-up's hand allowed you access to many places you wouldn't have been allowed to go on your own.

As a kid, with a friend beside you--the sky was the limit! Challenges, dares, encouragement to go above and beyond what one might do alone.

As an adult, someone beside you might mean a spouse--oh, the places you will go with a husband or wife. Or with a lifelong friend--oh, the things you can get into with a nearest and dearest. Or with a fellow sojourner on this walk of faith--oh, the times you have shared on your knees.

But with God? With God you can go farther, deeper, more wildly loved than with anyone else.

Even the tough, hard, dark, shadowy and scary places.

He is, believing friend, close beside us.

 FIND OUT

Today's reading: Judges 12-16

"The leaders of the Philistines went to her and said, Find out from Samson what makes him so strong and how he can be overpowered and tied up securely..." Judges 16:5 NLT

Samson had it happen.

Job had it happen.

Maybe you have had, or will have it, happen.

Those around you want to know what makes you the Christian you are.

So they will try to trip you up. Or try to make you lose your cool. Or push your buttons.

It's frustrating. It's hurtful. It's annoying. It's traps too often we fail into.

But, friend, be glad, EVER SO GLAD, they've even noticed there is 'something about you' at all!

Allow God to be seen clearly when they being to dig into your life.

Let His mercy be what they uncover.

Let the love of God, that has saved you and remade you, be what they come up with when they look into the real you!

 PILE OF STONES

Today's reading: Genesis 29-31

"This pile of stones will stand as a witness to remind us of our agreement, Laban said." Genesis 31:48 NLT

Do you need reminders?

Strings tied on your finger. Post-it notes littering your desk. Alarms set on your phone.

We all need visuals that stir our memories as to what we've promised to do, what we need to pick up when we go to the store or where we might need to be at a specific time.

Laban knew the importance of a reminder and built up a pile of stones for the occasion of peace.

Maybe you need a pile of stones in your line of sight.

To remind you of a problem you have given to God for safekeeping.

A hurt you have forgiven and refuse to pick up again.

A promise you are clinging to during a waiting season.

A temptation you are choosing to step away from.

A simple pile of small stones. On a windowsill. At your front door. On your coffee table. On your desk. In front of your television.

Let them be a reminder to you of Whose you are and what He can do!

 DO THEY KNOW?

Today's reading: Romans 15-16

"But everyone knows that you are obedient to the Lord. This makes me very happy. I want you to see clearly what is right and to stay innocent of any wrong." Romans 16:19 NLT

Do folks know you are obedient to Christ?

By your words?

By your actions?

By your faith-filled attitude?

Or do they hear godless words slip into your speech?

Do they see you take revenge, act in anger, retaliate?

Do they hear fear, worry or hopelessness in your conversation?

The gift of salvation is a personal matter between you and God, but it's fruit will be very noticeable by others.

 SHRINES

Today's reading: Matthew 17-19

"Peter blurted out, Lord this is wonderful! If you want me to, I will make three shrines, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah." Matthew 17:4 NLT

I have heard this portion of Scripture preached on several occasions. 

Some pastors have spoken about Peter overlooking just spending time with Jesus.

Others mentioned the fact that monuments shouldn't be built or erected for anyone but God himself.

Still others pointed out Peter's most noticeable character flaw...blurting out.

My take?

Well, this morning I honestly believe in Jesus' kindest words He is telling Peter, and us...

Be the shrine.

Being the shrine is more heartfelt and honoring than building one.

 WHAT ARE YOU TRUSTING IN?

Today's reading: Isaiah 34-39

"Then the Assyrian king's personal representative sent this message to King Hezekiah: This is what the great king of Assyria says: What are you trusting in that makes you so confident?" Isaiah 36:4 NLT

Christian brother or sister, the world should be wanting what we have in the Lord!

Not our fellowship on Sundays.

Or our colorful array of Christian tshirts.

Or the church-y bumper stickers we display on our cars.

We shouldn't be wanting them to want our Bible-based internet sensation video entertainment.

Or even our foot-tapping, hands-clapping music.

They should be wanting the confidence we have in our salvation.

In our relationship with the Living God.

In our assurance of heaven after this life ends.

In our sins having been forgiven.

In the fact that we do not EVER walk alone.

In knowing that every one of our prayers are heard.

In the truth that we have a Father, a Son and a Holy Spirit loving us, having died for us and rose again and interceding for us.

That's what people watching us should want, the confidence we have in our God!

 UNWISE REQUESTS
Today's reading: Job 13-14

"Remove your hand from me, and don't terrify me with your awesome presence." Job 13:21 NLT

These words were spoken by Job.

Broken. Hurting. Distraught. Helpless. Shattered. Job.

He thought things were bad, so he prayed this prayer.

Oh friend, how much worse his predicament could have become had God granted his request!

God heard Job's request. God understood how Job could ask--from his perspective, from his hurt, from his level of knowledge.

But God chose to do what was best for Job, not just what Job wanted.

Imagine if God had removed His hand from Job's life?

As tough as it was, Job still had God on his side.

As heart-breaking as it was, Job still had God's presence guarding him.

As hopeless as it felt, Job still had his Redeemer.

Today we have the Holy Spirit who intercedes, who 'rewords' our requests and presents them to God. He takes what we ask and whisper it into God's ear as we should have prayed it. The Spirit takes our grocery list of wants and condenses it to what we truly need.

 MOONLIGHT

Today's reading: Psalm 18-20

"Lord, you have brought light to my life; my God, you light up my darkness." Psalm 18:26 NLT

I don't know about where you live, but the last few nights the moon has been so very big and so very bright.

Bright enough I awoke during the night thinking we had left a light on...but, no, it was the moon shining through the slats of the blinds.

That's what God does...brings Light to darkness.

He shines when nothing else is...or will...or can.

He makes visible what we need to see...when we need to see it.

Even in the dark of night.

Lord, You have brought light to my life!

 A STRONG TOWER

Today's reading: Judges 7-11

"But there was a strong tower inside the city, and the entire population fled to it. They barricaded themselves in and climbed to the roof of the tower. Abimelech followed them to attack the tower. But as he prepared to set fire to the entrance, a woman on the rood threw down a millstone that landed on Abimelech's head and crushed his skull." Judges 9:51-53 NLT

God refers to Himself as a strong tower.

We, His people, are welcome to run to it, to live in it, for safe keeping.

But are we merely living in His safety--or are we attacking our enemy from the vantage point He has provided us?

Are we retiring--or resting up for the next battle?

Are we cowering in the corner of His tower of safety--or are we cheering those running to it to not give up?

Are we kicking back and vacationing in His fortified presence--or are we using what He has shown us to fight the enemy from this high and secure place?

Safely in His tower of refuge we can pick up our individual millstones, hurl them over the edge, and they will land squarely on our enemy's head.

So pick it up!

 BIRTHRIGHT

Today's reading: Genesis 24-27

"Look, I'm dying of starvation! said Esau. What good is my birthright to me now!" Genesis 25:32 NLT

Esau was hungry (physically) when Jacob approached him.

He wasn't operating on a 'full tank', one might say.

Sound familiar?

When satan approaches you, are you filled up on God's Word?

Are you able to tell him where to take his lies and accusations, based upon what you ingested from time in the Bible?

Are you running with a full tank (spiritually) because you have made time to bow in God's presence and be filled with the Holy Spirit?

Our birthright states we are conquerors--are you living that out?

 PERSONALLY
Today's reading: Romans 13-14

"...Why do you look down on another Christian? Remember, each of us will stand personally before the judgement seat of God." Romans 14:10 NLT

I'm only going to share this because I truly believe you need to know it.

I don't want you surprised by the statement.

I don't want the truth of it sneaking up on you.

Here goes...

You will bump into some folks today who do not share the same thoughts and convictions as you.

Oh, it's true.

Yes, even at church!

There might possibly be someone who you find it hard to tolerate--even on the same church pew as you sit.

Their understanding of the Bible might not line up with yours.

Their ideals and convictions might not measure up to the ones you carry in your heart and mind.

Do not look down on them!

Forget the differences...

Put aside the argument...

Lay down the animosity...

Focus on this: you, and that other person, will one day stand before God for your own 'stuff'.

Don't take anything more before God than you absolutely must!

 PLAINLY

Today's reading: Matthew 14-16

"From then on Jesus began to tell his disciples plainly that he had to go to Jerusalem, and he told them what would happen to him there. He would suffer at the hands of the leaders, and the leading priests and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, and he would be raised on the third day." Matthew 16:21 NLT

Through His Word, God continues to speak plainly to us.

Are we listening?

Do we know, from reading our Bibles, what to expect out of life?

Are we aware, from time in the Scripture, what's coming?

Do we know, from having studied His writings, what it is He expects out of us?

He speaks plainly, are we slowing down to read every word?

 READ THE WORD
Today's reading: Isaiah 29-33

"That is why the Lord, who redeemed Abraham, says to the people of Israel, My people will no longer pale with fear or be ashamed. For when they see their many children and material blessings, they will recognize the holiness of the Holy One of Israel. They will stand in awe of the God of Israel." Isaiah 29:22-23 NLT

I love it when God refers us to His Word.

In this verse, He tells us to be reminded of Abraham.

And how can we do that? By looking back over Genesis. By opening our Bibles. By re-reading what all God did for Abraham, the promise He kept, the purpose He had, the people He would cause to fill the earth.

IF ONLY we would always turn to our Bibles!

Among the pages are found encouragement.

Within its cover is found direction and guidance.

There are miracles to eat and examples to follow.

We have no reason to pale or fear--because we have our Bibles to read, absorb, believe, hold, stand on, learn from and love!

 COURAGE AND HOPE

Today's reading: Job 11-12

"You will have courage because you will have hope. You will be protected and will rest in safety." Job 11:18 NLT

When reading the account of Job, one seldom finds helpful or encouraging words spoken by his three friends. Seldom. Hardly ever.

Their words cut Job, wounded him, accused him, barraged him, angered him and ridiculed him.

But in this morning's reading, although wrapped up in a package of sandpaper presented by Zophar, I find a simple truth...

We will have courage because we have hope.

It's not all about how well we do something.

Or how often we do something.

Or with the flair that we do something.

Or that with the heartfelt assurance of our abilities that we do something.

It's ALWAYS because we have hope in our God.

That makes us courageous.

It spurs us to speak the Gospel to another--knowing it squarely places the outcome in God's hands.

It allows us to parent in godly ways--knowing the harvest of our children's souls are up to Him to produce.

It encourages us to do more than we ever thought possible--because He has no limits.

Having hope makes us courageous and our courage is built firmly and securely on our Hope!

 ALWAYS WITH ME

Today's reading: Psalm 15-17

"I know the Lord is always with me, I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me." Psalm 16:8 NLT

What a verse to breathe in and breathe out.

In the best of times...when the sun is shining, the birds are singing and the flowers lining our paths are a sweet aroma.

In the worst of times...when the dark clouds roll in, the shadows loom larger than life and the circumstances we find ourselves in stink...truly stink.

In the mediocre times...when we're so-so, when we're functioning on habit not heart, when we are alive but not living life to its fullest.

In all those times, the Lord is with us.

We need to remember that.

We need to bank on that.

We need to live that truth out in ever minute of every day.

 LIFE LESSONS

Today's reading: Judges 1-6

"The Lord left certain nations in the land to test those Israelites who had not participated in the wars of Canaan. He did this to teach warfare to generations of Israelites who had no experience in battle." Judges 3:1-2 NLT

Life lessons are tough, but once you bear the bruises, callouses, scars and memories from them--they are lessons that are never forgotten.

What would any of us truly know of God's goodness, character, kindness, love, mercy, grace or forgiveness had we lived this life with no trials, troubles, temptations or testings?

Some of us have learned the power of prayer from hours spent on our knees.

Some of us know just what it feels like to feel death come to life in our own bodies.

Some of us know how tightly we must cling to Jesus to get through sinful desires.

Some of us know the restorative power of God's love because we have tasted it.

Some of us know the exact distance of the far country and the warm hug of a loving Father who has run from the porch to meet us.

I praise God for the 'certain nations' He has chosen to leave in our lives so that we will know the experience of battle.

 LAUGHING WITH OUR HANDS IN THE AIR

Today's reading: Genesis 20-23

"And Sarah declared, God has brought me laughter! All who hear about this will laugh with me. For who would have dreamed that I would ever have a baby? Yet I have given Abraham a son in his old age!" Genesis 21:6-7 NLT

I'm thinking about my list of prayer requests and wondering when I'll ever laugh out loud about them?

When God will completely tickle me in how He chooses to answer...

How I will chuckle at my impatience and His impeccable timing...

What twists and turns it will take to cause unbelievers to smile as they hear my story...

Who of my praying friends will be laughing with me, our hands in the air in praise...

 THE PROMISE IS OURS

Today's reading: Romans 11-12

"...And you Gentiles, who were branches from a wild olive tree, were grafted in. So now you also receive the blessing God has promised Abraham and his children, sharing in God's rich nourishment of his special olive tree." Romans 11:17 NLT

This single verse has caused me to read the Old Testament with different lenses.

It's not about a foreign people.

It's not just about a far off land.

It's not about some wildly different customs.

It's not just the family line of someone I'm so far removed from that they seem distant.

Because of Christ's work on the cross, my acceptance of His salvation, Him having grafted me in--it makes the Bible a story for me to find myself in!

The promises of Abraham are mine.

The help He gave Daniel is mine.

The security He provided David is mine.

The direction and guidance He showed Moses is mine.

Grafting made it as much mine as it is theirs.

Oh, how He loves us!

 HOPE

Today's reading: Matthew 11-13

"He will not crush those who are weak, or quench the smallest hope, until he brings full justice with his final victory." Matthew 12:20 NLT

Oh, friends, God is so good!

He knows our limits.

He knows what spurs us on--leads us forward--gives us drive--encourages us to keep on.

He knows the end and what it will take to get us there more like Him, bringing more glory to Him, bringing more folks with us.

Oh, He is so, so good!

 TAKING ROOT

Today's reading: Isaiah 23-28

"The time is coming when my people will take root. Israel will bud and blossom and fill the whole earth with her fruit!" Isaiah 27:6 NLT

The time of year has come when my hands get itchy to grow something. Seed catalogs are beginning to arrive in the mail. My eyes are hungry for green, instead of brown and, thanks to this current winter storm, white.

I have a few avocado seeds wrapped up in damp paper towels, watching carefully for the sign of sprouts. I also have a small tray of lemon seeds germinating in my window sill. I have also sifted through my saved zinnia seeds in anticipation for spring and warm, moist dirt.

So I do not think it's coincidental that this verse jumps off the page of my Bible at me.

I believe due to current events, because of recent happenings, due to our lack of trust in almost anything else--our faith, Christian friends, should be taking root!

We should be anchored in the Bible.

We should be sending off new shoots in our outreach to others.

We should be sharing the harvest God is blessing our hearts with to the hungry and weary of the world.

Our churches should be full to overflowing-and His Word preached loudly and clearly.

Those around us should hear us humming, or singing to the tops of our lungs, praise.

God has kept us safe thus far, shouldn't that cause our roots to grow down ever more deeply into Him?

 WHO DARES?

Today's reading: Job 9-10

"...Who dares to ask him, What are you doing?" Job 9:12 NLT

Job knew, in the middle of all his sorrow.

Job knew, despite the pain and suffering he was enduring.

Job knew, although he was hurt deeply.

Job knew, questioning God was of no use.

Even if God were to choose to explain His ways to us, we could not fathom them. We could not grasp all the reasons why/how/when/who. We would have no way to see it the way only He can.

Maybe our question should be, instead of What are you doing, God?--What are you going to show me about Yourself?

 DO THEY KNOW?

Today's reading: Psalm 12-14

"Help, O Lord, for the godly are fast disappearing! The faithful have vanished from the earth!" Psalm 12:1 NLT

I've always said my greatest fear is dying--hang with me here, it's not just dying--dying, and having people read my obituary and when they get to the line that says, 'she was a faithful Christian and follower of God', they are stunned.

That they didn't know.

That this would be news to them.

That thought has scared me, worried me, pushed me.

But this morning, I read this verse. This verse that talks about the same thing, kind of.

You see, I may need to change what I'm afraid of...

What if the folks around me, my neighbors, friends and family, think the godly are disappearing and the faithful have vanished--and I am not even thought of? Not considered an exception to their assumption?

I cannot stand the thought of not being noticed as being His. In this life, or after I'm gone!

 EVEN THOUGH

Today's reading: Joshua 21-24

"You have not deserted the other tribes, even though the campaign lasted for such a long time. You have been careful to obey the commands of the Lord your God up to the present day." Joshua 22:3 NLT

May I ask?

Just how long is too long to wait for God's answer to prayer?

What's the length of time one should pray for a certain desire?

What might the expiration date be on hope?

If you've prayed for mere minutes and had a request answered, you are pumped! You are thrilled! You are sure of the Lord hearing you and you celebrate His answer!

If you prayed for a long time. I mean a looonnnnggg time. You know what I mean by asking these questions.

The tribes of Reuben, Gad and half-tribe of Manasseh were commended for sticking it out with the other tribes to conquer the Promised Land. They stayed till the end. They stood beside their brother Israelites until the credits rolled at the end of their documentary.

Will you do the same?

Will you be commended for 'praying it through'? Will you be applauded for having faith when faith seemed so far out of reach? Will you receive your 'Well done, faithful servant' from the Lord for never, ever, ever, giving up on what He could do?

It will be worth it no matter how long it takes. No matter how prayers are prayed. No matter how many callouses end up on your knees. No matter how many tissues you go through. No matter how many times you pray the same thing over and over.

'...even though the campaign lasted for such a long time...'