FILTER YOUR WORDS

Today's reading: Job 25-26

"Then Job spoke again: How you have helped the powerless! How you have saved a person who has no strength! How you have enlightened me to my stupidity! What wise things you have said! Where have you gotten all these wise sayings Whose spirit speaks through you?" Job 26:1-4 NLT

Job's friends failed to use the 'three-part word filter; Mrs. Maynard taught us girls about a long time ago in Sunday School class.

Is it true?

Is it kind?

Is it necessary?

Job's friends, had they thought through their sage advice, considered its effect or even prayed before opening their mouths, they would have been much better friends to Job than they proved to be.

The same is true for us.

Let's be a little more considerate of our words. Let our thoughts, even the best advice and wisest counsel and important sayings, filter through the three questions Mrs. Maynard left me with...

Is it true?

Is it kind?

Is it necessary?

If what you have to say doesn't pass the test, hold off saying them.

 STEPS

Today's reading: Psalm 36-38

"The steps of the godly are directed by the Lord. He delights in every detail of their lives." Psalm 37:23 NLT

The saying goes, 'A journey of a million miles begins with one step.'

Ever thought about this: God chooses to give us step by step directives, He does not provide us with the entire script of our lives.

One obedient choice at a time.

One leading by the Holy Spirit at a time.

One command at a time.

One step at a time.

We think we would like the entire game plan laid in our laps, but if it were--how many of us would throw in the towel after the first few pages?

God knows what He is doing, no doubt!

DISOBEDIENCE

Today's reading: 1 Samuel 11-15

"How foolish! Samuel exclaimed. You have disobeyed the command of the Lord your God. Had you obeyed, the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. But now your dynasty must end, for the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart. The Lord has already chosen him to be king over his people, for you have not obeyed the Lord's command." 1 Samuel 13:13-14  NLT

What exactly was Saul's big crime? His act of disobedience? His blatant sin?

Not waiting.

His instructions were to let Samuel, the priest, prophet and judge, minister to Saul and his troops before heading out to war...but he couldn't wait.

Sound familiar?

A little too familiar?

What exactly are you and I missing out on because we aren't trusting God enough to wait?

What are we forfeiting in our haste to see things happen?

What blessings are we choosing to pass up because we are in too much of a hurry?

 LEAVING FAITH

Today's reading: Genesis 48-50

"Soon I will die, Joseph told his brothers, but God will surely come for you, to lead you out of this land of Egypt. He will bring you back to the land he vowed to give to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob." Genesis 50:24 NLT

Do you believe God's promises strongly enough that even if you don't see them come true you know they will?

You see, it would be almost 400 years after Joseph's death before his people exited Egypt. Four. Hundred.  Years.

His ancestors had heard the account of Joseph's life. They've been told the stories. They, being an oral history type of people, had talked and talked about how God had led Joseph to save his people.

But believing for 400 years?

That's what Joseph left them with. Faith.

Faith not in their bloodline, their numbers or in their current residency--but faith that God would.

I want to be the kind of person that leaves this life believing God for all I've yet to see.

And I so badly want to be that kind of person that I will share my faith with others--my legacy of faith.

 SPIRITUAL TRAINING

Today's reading: 1 Corinthians 9-10

"All athletes practice strict self-control. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize." 1 Corinthians 9:25 NLT

Have you trained for your Sunday prize?

Prayed for your pastor?

Your worship leader?

Looked into the Word, either as a daily routine or to get your Sunday School lesson done?

Laid out clothes for this morning's preparations?

Set your alarm for a time that leaves you plenty of travel minutes--so you're not turning into the church parking lot on two wheels?

It takes strict self-control, to live like Jesus. It takes effort. It takes determination. It takes a deep desire to go against what comes naturally and seek out what is godly.

We can do it--or we wouldn't be instructed to do so.

 GREAT CALM

Today's reading: Mark 3-4

"When he woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the water, Quiet down! Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm." Mark 4:39 NLT

I can't give commands our big, farm dog always obeys.

I am not able to control the mop of hair on my head most days, even with  the strongest spray or a flatiron.

I don't have tight reins on my mouth--and even less on my eyebrows, which raise or lower with my feelings.

But God?

God has the control.

All control.

Limitless control.

Nothing it out of His realm of power.

 THIS IS WHAT GOD SAYS

Today's reading: Isaiah 61-66

"Therefore, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: You will starve, but my servants will eat. You will be thirsty, but they will drink. You will be said and ashamed, but they will rejoice. You will cry in sorrow and despair, while my servants sing for joy." Isaiah 65:13-14 NLT

If you have God in your heart, Jesus' blood covering your sins and the assurance of salvation, you are different from 'them'.

Your reactions are different.

Your hopes are different.

Your outlook is different.

Your thoughts are different.

Your living is different.

Your drive is different.

Your impact will be different.

If the world cannot tell a difference in you, there is a problem.

 PAUSING

Today's reading: Job 23-24

"...I would go to his throne and talk with him there. I would lay out my case and present my arguments. Then I would listen to his reply and understand what he says to me." Job 23:3-5 NLT

Laying out our complaints before God comes quite easily.

Presenting our arguments almost seem natural.

But listening to His reply and understanding His response?

Boy, that's hard.

Well, not hard--but not something we tend to lean into as naturally.

But if we stop.

If we pause.

If we put everything on silent, including ourselves, for just a while in His presence.

If we truly listen for Him to speak to us...oh, what a difference it would make in our walks with Him.

 A REMINDER

Today's reading: Psalm 33-35

"The Lord merely spoke, and the heavens were created. He breathed a word, and all the stars were born. He gave the sea its boundaries and locked the oceans in vast reservoirs." Psalm 33:6-7 NLT

In case your heart needed the reminder, like mine did...

This is the Lord to whom we pray.

This is the God in whom we trust.

This is the Creator of our very beings--and Creator of those we love so dearly.

This is the Savior of our souls.

This is the Redeemer of all we've messed up.

This is the Friend on whom we can count.

This is the Way, the Truth and the Life.

 HOPE

Today's reading: 1 Samuel 6-10

"...And I am here to tell you that you and your family are the focus of all Israel's hopes." 1 Samuel 9:20 NLT

To set the scene, Samuel has just anointed Saul as king over Israel.

He's the king they asked for.

He's the king they chose over God's best for them.

He's the fella that looks the part--taller and more handsome than any of the other men in Israel.

He's just what they wanted.

He's going to fill a role that makes Israel "just" like their neighbors.

SPOILER ALERT: Saul is going to let them down.

Israel's hope was in Saul, his ways, his will, his reign, his abilities.

Israel will be sorely disappointed.

As are we when ANYTHING other than God is the focus of our hope.

If God is not our hope, we will be left wanting. Every time.

 FAMILY RESEMBLANCE

Today's reading: Genesis 44-47

"The news soon reached Pharoah, Joseph's brothers have come! Pharoah was very happy to hear this and so were his officials." Genesis 45:16 NLT

You and I, whether we want to or not, are making a name for our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Are you acting in ways that make others want to know other believers?

Do you go about your job in a way that would make your employer want to hire another Christian?

Are folks encouraged and influenced by your God-walk to the point they have had a change of mind about 'church people'?

We have been given the prime opportunity, and charge, to show Jesus to the world...how we go about it makes it easier, or harder, for other little-Christs.

BE CAREFUL

Today's reading:1 Corinthians 7-8

"But you must be careful with this freedom of yours. Do not cause a brother or sister with a weaker conscience to stumble." 1 Corinthians 8:9 NLT

What will you do today to build another Christian up?

What will you do to cause a weaker Christian to stumble?

It can all happen in an instance. Either one.

Ask God to guide your day, your choices, your opportunities, your evangelism...your living.

 YOUR REASON

Today's reading: Mark 1-2

"But he replied, We must go on to other towns as well, and I will preach to them, too, because that is why I came." Mark 1:38 NLT

I don't know if you know why you were placed where you are, when you are and how you are.

I believe we all struggle with 'knowing'.

We aren't here for the comfort of it all. Or to be wildly impressed with current events. We aren't even here to live life being waited on hand and foot.

We are here to tell others, in our circles of influence, about God.

Sure we are all given titles or labels, but whatever those may, or may not, be--we need to be including our heavenly Father in our conversations, in our ministrations, in our living out loud.

 

 YOUR LITTLE LIGHT

Today's reading: Isaiah 56-61

"Arise, Jerusalem! Let your light shine for  all the nations to see! For the glory of the Lord is shining on you. Darkness as black as night will cover all the nations of the earth, but the glory of the Lord will shine over you. All nations will come to your light. Mighty kings will come to see your radiance." Isaiah 60:1-3 NLT

This little light of mine...I'm gonna let it shine!

This little light of mine...I'm gonna let it shine!

This little light of mine...I'm gonna let it shine!

Let it shine...let it shine...let it shine.

Friend, if Christ is in your heart, your light is not as little as you might think. It can change the darkness looming over the soul of another. It can change the darkness of a tough day. It can change the darkness of any conversation you are pulled into. It can change the darkness of this world.

 ORDER OF EVENTS

Today's reading: Job 21-22

"If you return to the Almighty and clean up your life, you will be restored." Job 22:23 NLT

I believe a huge part of our faith is trusting God with His order of events.

Example? Today's verse.

Too many folks believe they need to 'clean up their act' before coming to the Lord. That's not what His Word says.

God wants us to bring all we have to Him--no matter how dirty, crumpled, broken or dark--and trust Him to help us with the clean-up.

Makes me think, soul search, what it might be I'm trying to polish up before giving to Him completely? What am I attempting to whitewash before handing over to Him? Where might I be sweeping things under the rug in an attempt to make the rooms of my heart more presentable?

 A FORTRESS
Today's reading: Psalm 30-32

"...Be for me a rock of safety, a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me." Psalm 31:2 NLT

Ever needed a prayer for tough times, for yourself or for a loved one? This may be it!

David, or in some Bible scholar circles, Jeremiah, wrote these words from a position in his life where he clung to God for rescue.

I don't think he was asking to be taken out of the game entirely.

Or to have all his problems erased.

Or to errantly live the carefree life some believe God's children are gifted with.

I believe our author was asking for God to place him where he might heal, have his energy restored, regroup.

I truly believe God honors those kinds of prayers!

Remind me, Lord!

Revive me again, God!

Give me your peace, Father!

Send someone alongside me, as an encourager and lifter of my spirits!

Hold this burden for me, Lord!

Maybe, just maybe, you're not needing prayers of this sort in your life right now--great! But maybe you can pray them over a friend, a fellow Christian, someone who needs to 'tap out' for a brief moment and meet God in the corner of their ring.

 A SPECIAL PORTION

Today's reading: 1 Samuel 1-5

"But he gave Hannah a special portion because he loved her very much, even though the Lord had given her no children." 1 Samuel 1:5 NLT

Bless Elkanah's heart, he tried.

He made a valiant effort.

He wrapped his gift in the sweetest of intentions.

But that extra portion he gave her, still didn't cut it. It didn't fill the emptiness in Hannah's heart. His gracious gift fell short of the blessing God was waiting to give her.

'Things' do that. They fall short. They come up lacking. They don't fill the empty spot.

ONLY God can do that.

Sure we attempt to stuff those empty places until they are bulging. We try to busy ourselves as not to notice the ache. We collect an assortment of titles, labels, commitments that gloss over the barrenness.

And we're still left with a hole in our hearts that ONLY God can fill.

Yes, bless Elkanah's heart for trying, but what he could offer was simply a bandaid on a gaping wound.

 RENAMED

Today's reading: Genesis 40-43

"Pharoah renamed him Zaphenath-paneah..." Genesis 41:45 NLT

Pharoah, the Egyptian king, gave Joseph a new name. An Egyptian name. A name that marked him as no longer being a slave, but a member of the powerful.

But...Do you know what his new name meant?

Zaphenath-paneah means 'God speaks and lives'.

What an odd choice for a non-Jewish, gods serving, foreign, keeper of Jewish slaves to pick.

Pharoah wouldn't have believed in God, the One True God.

He wouldn't have chosen to acknowledge Him.

He, in all honesty, had many policies in force that would push God out of the lives and day-to-day habits of his Jewish workforce.

But he must have seen more than he bargained for in this God-sent shepherd's son!

May the world rename us as Pharoah renamed Joseph!

I pray they see God in us, whether they want to or not!

I pray they hear God spoken in our words, whether we quote a single Bible verse or not!

I pray they cannot overlook God in how we live, react and trust!

 IS IT ME?

Today's reading: 1 Corinthians 5-6

"...Don't you realize that if even one person is allowed to go on sinning, soon all will be affected?" 1 Corinthians 5:6 NLT

The very best thing I can do before heading out the door for worship this morning is not fix my hair.

Or gather up my Sunday Bible.

Or paste on a smile from the time I walk in the doors until I leave.

It's not going to be raising my hands in worship.

Or having all the answers filled out in my Sunday School book.

The best thing I can do for the house of the Lord I call mine is to be sin-free.

To be rid of any single thing in my life that might leach off onto one of my brothers and sisters in Christ.

I cannot be a contagion in my church.

And that has to begin before I ever get there on Sunday morning.

 BEAUTIFUL JARS

Today's reading: Matthew 26-28

"Meanwhile, Jesus was in Bethany at the home of Simon, a man who had leprosy. During supper, a woman came in with a beautiful jar of expensive perfume and pour it over his head." Matthew 26:6-7 NLT

It's been a long night, but joy comes in the morning!

I've read and re-read this passage of Scripture. But this morning? This morning God spoke to me through it in a different way...

This woman's jar of worship was beautiful. It says so in my Bible. It doesn't say if the jar was ornate, gold, filigree, glass, the finest of pottery...it's just described as beautiful.

Guess what?

She could have brought it in a dishpan...

Or a chipped teacup...

Or in a bucket from her farm...

Or in her hands if she didn't even have a vessel...

Because what was beautiful wasn't the jar, it was the sacrifice. The desire to worship. The giving of what she had.

It was her taking the time to pour out her praise and honor and thanks to Jesus.

Let's do that--no matter how we have to bring it to Him!

If it's tear-stained, let's bring worship.

If it's dirty from our past, let's praise Him.

It it's not in a comparable container to the gal's beside you at the altar, let's present all of it to God.

Give Him all you have--and get it to Him by whatever means you can.

 BUT

Today's reading: Isaiah 51-55

"For the mountains may depart and the hills disappear, but even then I will remain loyal to you." Isaiah 54:10 NLT

"Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed, says the Lord, who has compassion on you." Isaiah 54:10 NIV

It very well might 'feel' like it, but know this...God remains faithful to you!

Loved ones may have abandoned your ship...

A spouse might have squelched on their vows...

Your closest friends might have turned tail and run...

Your church besties may turn out to be like Job's...

The world may be against you...

And maybe your dog has even stopped wagging its tail in your presence...

But God remains loyal to you.

In spite of all you've done.

Regardless of what you have failed at.

No matter how 'new' you are in your friendship with Him.

He is with you!

 WORDS

Today's reading: Job 19-20

"Then Job spoke again; How long will you torture me? How long will you try to break me with your words?" Job 19:1-2 NLT

Friends, let's be very, very careful with our words.

If they're not from God--let's refrain from saying them.

If they haven't been prayed over--let's not speak them.

If they aren't going to ease another's burden, but instead weigh them down--let's not utter them at all.

Words break people. Everyday words. Common words. Spite-filled words. Critical words. Fault-finding words. Blame-placing words. Hate-filled words. Well intentioned words that quickly sour in the ears and hearts of those we speak them to.

Let's allow God to rein our mouths. 

Let what He would say be what we say. Grace-filled words. Merciful words. Instructive words. Load-lightening words. Encouraging words. Loving words. Helpful words. Life-giving words. Words that spark a fire of godliness in another's heart.

That is, IF He leads us to say anything at all.

 STRENGTH & PEACE

Today's reading: Psalm 27-29

"The Lord gives his people strength. The Lord blesses them with peace." Psalm 29:11 NLT

Strength to do what He asks of us and peace to cling to when our hands are tied.

Muscles to get the job done and calm in the middle of a midnight storm.

Abilities to share with the world and serenity that is as unique to each of us as our fingerprints.

Talents to be utilized at the right time and right place and heart-filling trust as we watch for His next move.

Oh people, He has poured out His blessings on us by giving us strength and peace!

 GOD'S DAUGHTER

Today's reading: Ruth

"Now don't worry about a thing, my daughter, I will do what is necessary..." Ruth 3:11 NLT

Sometimes you just need reminded of who you are.

Today's verse does that for me.

Yes, Boaz was talking to Ruth...

Yes, it is a commentary from thousands of years ago...

Yes, I am merely listening in on a conversation...

But, God, in His loving and kind ways, spoke to me through the words.

Don't worry about a thing, my daughter, I will do what is necessary.

I needed to hear that. To be re-set with those words. To be set straight on my part--and His part. To be corrected as to who I am, and who I am not.

My Daddy says He will take care of it.

 MEANWHILE

Today's reading: Genesis 36-39

"Meanwhile, in Egypt, the traders sold Joseph to Potiphar..." Genesis 37:36 NLT

Ever thought about the 'meanwhiles' in your life?

The things happening while you wait to see answers to your prayers.

The goings-on that God is working in and amongst to bring Himself glory.

The people being changed in order that your heart's cry for God's will be accomplished.

The circumstances He is orchestrating.

The specific day, the particular hour, the pinpointed day and time when He will give you what you need, not necessarily what you want.

I love the idea of 'meanwhile'. It gives me hope. It provides me with a reason to keep on. It is a seed of anticipation for my heart!

 ACTING

Today's reading: 1 Corinthians 3-4

"...You are acting like people who don't belong to the Lord." 1 Corinthians 3:3 NLT

I heard a Christian speak talk this week about the word 'hypocrite'.

She brought out a single, solitary point that made me cringe...

The ancient word 'hypocrite' was originally used in relation to an actor wearing a mask, or someone participating in a play portraying someone they were not.

Ouch.

And now to read this portion of Scripture?

I don't want to wear a mask.

I don't want to play a part.

I don't want to ever be confused with someone I'm not.

None of us, as Christians, should be.

 REWARD

Today's reading: Matthew 23-25

"If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward." Matthew 24:46 NLT

Keep at it, Christian friend.

No matter how hard it's been.

No matter what you're up against.

No matter the past you've dragged along with you into this journey of faith.

Keep at it.

The reward will be great. The reward will be amazing. The reward will be so very much worth it.

Your reward from God will not be based up 'them'.

It will not be doled out to you dependent upon your perfection.

It will not be allotted due to family history.

It's all up to you. Your walk. Your faith. Your perseverance. Your desire to please the Master of your soul.

 BOLD PROMISES
Today's reading: Isaiah 45-50

"I am the Lord, he says, and there is no other. I publicly proclaim bold promises. I do not whisper obscurities in some dark corner so no one can understand what I mean. And I did not tell the people of Israel to ask me for something I did not plan to give. I, the Lord, speak only what is true and right." Isaiah 45:18b-19 NLT

I sure needed this today.

I needed reminded that God proclaims BOLD promises.

He makes statements only He can uphold, follow through on, allow to happen.

Think about a few of His promises...

I will never leave or forsake you.

I will be faithful.

I will strengthen you and help you. 

Not a one of these promises are humanly possible, even by the greatest saint. Or the friend with the best of intentions. Or by a congregation of Bible-believers. Or by a fiercely loving momma.

Only God.

Only. God.

 WHERE IS MY HOPE?

Today's reading: Job 17-18

"But where is my hope? Can anyone find it?" Job 16:15 NLT

Job, the righteous, God-picked guinea pig, felt his hope slipping through his fingers.

He wasn't finding it in his circumstances.

Or his plans for his life coming to fruition.

He certainly was not seeing it in, or hearing it from, his pals.

He had lost hope in his body, it was letting him down.

Where is it, he asks.

Christian friend, I believe it's ok to have days when we have to look for our hope.

Times when we have to scour our hearts to find shreds of it.

Circumstances when all we have are traces of it, mere fingerprints sometimes.

Days when we need to cry out to God to show it to us because we've lost it completely.

Nothing in this world gives us hope. Nothing in this world restores our hope. Nothing in this world is our hope.

So when we have those seasons when our hope is frail, lifeless, anemic, hiding...we turn to God.

Which, correct me if I'm wrong, is hope.

He is our hope.

 OPEN WIDE

Today's reading: Psalm 24-26

"Open up, ancient gates! Open up, ancient doors, and let the King of glory enter." Psalm 24:7 NLT

"Open up, ancient gates! Open up, ancient doors, and let the King of glory enter." Psalm 24:9 NLT

I am thinking, and that usually leads to some wild imaginations...

Are you needing some oil on the rusty hinges of your heart and mind?

Have you 'secret rooms' that are kept securely locked from God's prying eyes?

Are you so full of blessings that you are about to bust...but keep the doors and gates from opening, afraid what you have is all you will ever receive.

Open up!

Open up!

 GOING TO WAR

Today's reading: Judges 18-21

"So the tribe of Benjamin lost twenty-five thousand brave warriors that day, leaving only six hundred men who escaped to the rock of Rimmon, where they lived for four months. Then the Israelites returned and slaughtered every living thing in all of the towns--the people, the cattle--everything. They also burned down every town they came to." Judges 20:46-48 NLT

I'm including an excerpt from my Life Application Study Bible in regards today's verses...

'...The effects of the horrible rape and murder should never have been felt outside the community where the crime happened. The local people should have brought the criminals to justice and corrected the laxness that originally permitted the crime. Instead, first the town and then the entire tribe defended this wickedness, even going to war over it.'

Sin, if not dealt with personally, can infect.

We see it across the sea in the war starting up.

We see it in our country in regards to the governmental officials that tend to self rather than constituents.

We see it in our churches when sin is allowed to fester and grow for the sake of attendance or community appearance.

We see it in our homes when godly morals are fudged upon to the extent God is forgotten and generations lost.

We see it in our own hearts--the ONLY place we are responsible for.

What wrong do you need to right in your heart? Start there...let's always start there!