ASKING RIGHTLY

Today's reading: 1 Kings 1-4

"Give me an understanding mind so that I can govern your people well and know the difference between right and wrong." 1 Kings 3:9 NLT

Solomon asked for God's insight into living a life pleasing to God.

Not to know why God does what He does.

Not to know when God would do what He promised He would do.

Not to advance Solomon's agenda or to give Solomon a leg up.

He asked for God to guide him so that he could honor Him.

Solomon became the wisest man to live. Only because he asked rightly.

It makes me want to reevaluate what I ask for, how I ask for it and the reasons I ask.

REARVIEW MIRRORS

Today's reading: Exodus 33-36

"As my glorious presence passes by, I will put you in the cleft of the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed. Then I will remove my hand, and you will see me from behind, But my face will not be seen." Exodus 33:22-23 NLT

I've stood where Moses stood...

Not beside the Red Sea.

Or in front of Pharoah.

Or as a leader of over two million people.

I have seen the backside of God.

I've seen where He has passed before me.

I've seen Him in my rearview mirror.

I'll admit, I had asked to see Him face-to-face.

I have asked  Him to allow me to see His fingerprints, big and bold.

I have asked Him to let me watch Him move mountains and change hearts right before my eyes.

But He choose to let me see what He feels I can handle--His shadow. His presence. His autograph. His answers.

And it is then I realize He has sheltered me in the cleft of the rock. He has kept me from too much. He has given me what is best for my faith and for His glory.

So, I continue to trust Him. Even if I only see Him in my rearview mirror.

ONLY TWO LABELS

Today's reading: Galatians 1-3

"There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female. For you are all Christians--you are one in Christ Jesus." Galatians 3:28 NLT

In a world where labels define everything about us--

From our size...

To our ethnicity...

To our political beliefs...

To our birth decade...

To our social status...

It's relieving to know, in Christ, there are only two labels--saved or unsaved.

If you know Him as Savior and Lord, you are saved.

If you do not, you are not.

It's that simple.

It's that profound.

It's one of two labels for you--Christian or not-Christian-yet.

You choose, no one else chooses for you.

 BEING PHARASAICAL

Today's reading: Luke 5-6

"One Sabbath day as Jesus was walking through some grain fields, his disciples broke off heads of wheat, rubbed off the husks in their hands, and ate the grains. But some Pharisees said, You shouldn't be doing that! It's against the law to work by harvesting grain on the Sabbath." Luke 6:1-2 NLT

I want you to take a challenge with me this morning. This day before our Sabbath...

Prepare your heart, mind and soul to not be pharisaical tomorrow when God moves in your church service in new and exciting ways.

Maybe the song service will be interrupted with an altar of prayer, trust God.

Maybe the pastor will be led to a different sermon than the worship folder has eluded to, trust God.

Maybe someone new will sit in 'your pew', trust God--and welcome them wildly!

Maybe a new family with rowdy kids will be in your service, trust God--and thank Him for bringing new life into your congregation.

Maybe a soul will be won during Sunday School hour and not at the altar, trust God.

Do not, I repeat, do not become pharisaical in your ideas of how God should ordain a worship service. Let Him move. Let Him work. Trust Him!

 DESTROY THE NATIONS

Today's reading: Jeremiah 42-46

"Fear not, Jacob, my servant, says the Lord, for I am with you. I will destroy the nations to which I have exiled you, but I will not destroy you. But I must discipline you; I cannot let you go unpunished." Jeremiah 46:28 NLT

Feeling a little like the nation around us is being destroyed?

Safe places are no longer safe--schools, grocery stores, churches?

Laws no longer protect the littlest, the most helpless, the most in need of protecting?

Ridicule falls heavy on the shoulders of those doing right while accolades befall those mocking God's laws?

Remembering we're not home, yet, might help.

Remembering we're called to expect these trials and troubles might help.

Remembering that He remains in control, even when it feel like there is no control at all, might help.

Remember God's track record always benefits His people should keep us going.

Remembering His love for us should help us go on.

 ONLY A CHAPTER

Today's reading: Job 41-42

"Then he died, an old man who had lived a long, good life." Job 42:17 NLT

I've read the book of Job approximately 20 times in my yearly Bible readings.

I've studied the book of Job with my Sunday School gals, deeply and intently.

I've heard about poor Job my entire life.

But this single verse, I'd never read--never noticed until today!

Job's life was summed up as long and good.

Job's. Job's! Job's?

I'm not quoting a commentator. I'm not referring to text written by another author. I'm not even offering my opinion on Job's life. I'm simply stating what God's Word says.

A good, long life.

That's not how we usually refer to Job. That's not the connotation we place upon conversations regarding this woeful soul. That's not the labels most of us would apply to his story.

It makes me think how vitally important it is to have God as your friend. So much so that at the end of your life, no matter how you're regarded, what you've accomplished, what you have endured or what you have accumulated--if you have God, you have lived a good, long life.

Our entire story begins with God forming us in our mother's wombs and ends with us standing before Him--everything else is merely a chapter, or even a page, of that story.

One written by God. Autographed by God. Published by God.

 NOT UP TO ME

Today's reading: Psalm 60-62

"With God's help we will do mighty things, for he will trample down our foes." Psalm 60:12 NLT

Maybe you heard a loud, drawn out and relieving sigh of relief early, very early, this morning. It was me.

All the way from my little farmhouse, in my quiet living room, while sitting in my prayer chair--you probably heard me sigh.

Because I needed the reminder this morning...that it's not all up to me.

As a matter of fact, what I can do is so miniscule, it seems like nothing.

But teamed up with God? When I come alongside Him? On the projects and tasks He has asked me to do--and enables me to do?

Well, then I am unstoppable!

I am mighty.

 PERSONALIZED

Today's reading: 2 Samuel 20-24

"...The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the strength of my salvation and my stronghold, my high tower, my savior and the one who saves me from violence." 2 Samuel 22:2-3 NLT

I find great comfort and example in how David chooses to personalize God.

As a king, he could have deferred to God's help in sovereign matters--casually mentioning his name in a state of the union address.

As a shepherd, he could have assumed God was too, well too much of just about anything, for a lowly shepherd. Too powerful, too mighty, too holy, too honorable.

But David chose to take God at His word and made Him his own. 

Not a random power. Not a generalized notion. Not a far-off helper.

My God. My rock. My fortress. My savior. My shield. My stronghold.

Do we do the same?

Is He yours? Truly? Wholly? Undeniably? Without question, yours?

 ON THE ALTAR

Today's reading: Exodus 29-32

"This is what you are to offer on the altar..." Exodus 29:38 NLT

These words jumped off the page at me. 

If one reads on, one would find the prescribed sacrifices for burnt offerings, thanks offerings, fragrant offerings and confessional offerings.

Listed are lambs, flour, wine, bullocks and such.

I don't have any of those. Well, I probably have some flour. If Pillsbury would do. But for the most part, I don't have what's asked for.

Nothing to put on the altar for God.

Except maybe tears.

Or broken dreams.

Or dashed hopes.

Or intentions that were good, maybe not godly, but good.

Or my plans.

The sacrifice I would be able to offer is certainly lacking when compared to what was asked of the priests serving under Aaron, but...God accepts what I bring!

He sees each and every offering I make through the blood of Jesus.

He sees my greatest sacrifices and my measly ones.

He sees me on the days I can barely crawl to the altar and on the days when I don't want to approach the altar at all because I am too sinful.

He knew, all those years ago, that I would have nothing to bring Him. Nothing worthy. Nothing right. Nothing pure. Nothing perfect.

So He sent Jesus for me.

Praise God!

 STRONG

Today's reading: 2 Corinthians 11-13

"...Christ is not weak in his dealings with you; he is a mighty power among you." 2 Corinthians 13:3 NLT

Maybe you don't feel up to par this morning.

Aches and pains have you slowed down to a crawl.

Burdens weigh heavy on your heart and your shoulders.

Prayer requests are many, long, complicated, painful.

Your hands are tied.

Yours plans ended up lacking.

What a wonderful thing to know--God is not weak in His dealings with us!

He is not encumbered. He is not lacking. He is not beside Himself with worry.

He is a mighty power among us--working, loving, extending grace, making masterpieces out of our messes.

He is not weak in His dealings with us!

 LIFE

Today's reading: Jeremiah 37-41

"Because you trusted me, I will preserve your life and keep you safe. I, the Lord, have spoken." Jeremiah 39:18 NLT

Jeremiah was in a pickle.

He had good news and he had bad news--and the officials who had come to him only wanted to hear the good news.

How God was going to protect the people of Jerusalem did not look anything like He was protecting them at all. God was asking them to give up. To hand themselves over to the enemy army. To be taken hostage.

Rescue didn't look like rescue.

What a perfect reminder to me that God's ways don't look like my ways!

When He tells me He will give me life, it will exceed my wildest expectations of this current way of living.

When He tells me He will preserve me, it will inevitably and eventually not be here on this orb.

When He says He will keep me safe, it still might hurt, it might be painful, it might bring tears, but I will be safe.

He can be trusted and when He is, blessings will fall.

 DO YOU HAVE THE ANSWERS?

Today's reading: Job 39-40

"Then the Lord said to Job, Do you still want to argue with the Almighty? You are God's critic, but do you have the answers?" Job 40:1 NLT

Ever thought about the fact that when we question God's ways, we become His critic?

We give commentary, audible or not, of how He is doing.

We provide opinionated reviews of His plan, His process and His power.

We, for a moment, place ourselves on the same level as Him and offer unsolicited advice.

Just who do we think we are!

 HIGHER THAN THIS

Today's reading: Psalm 57-59

"For your unfailing love is as high as the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds." Psalm 57:10 NLT

I've quit watching the news.

It's discouraging. It's depressing. It's difficult to swallow.

Problems are big. Unease is palpable. The potholes seem to be awfully deep our country has fallen into. Sin runs rampant--not just in the streets or in our hallowed halls of justice, but in our hearts.

I have to remind myself often of the truth of today's verse.

That God is bigger.

That God's love exceeds our depravity.

That His faithfulness has proved itself over and over and over.

And that encourages me. It lifts my spirit. It brings a smile back to my lips and a song back to my heart.

FOR THE LORD HAD ARRANGED

Today's reading: 2 Samuel 15-19

"...For the Lord had arranged to defeat the counsel of Ahithophel, which really was the better plan, so that he could bring disaster upon Absalom!" 2 Samuel 17:14 NLT

Are you waiting for an answer to prayer?

God is arranging it.

Beyond what we can see. Above what we can imagine. Greater than we can dream. More than we can ask for. In ways we cannot fathom. On levels we cannot function or understand. In the hearts and minds of people we may not even know.

 PLACE OF RESIDENCE

Today's reading: Exodus 25-28

"I want the people of Israel to build me a sacred residence where I can live among them. You must make this Tabernacle and its furnishings exactly according to the plans I will show you." Exodus 25:8-9 NLT

Shame on us to think we can throw together a tent, a dwelling place, a life in which we can just slide God in as an accessory.

As He did in the time of the Israelites, whom He loved dearly, He asks us to build a permanent residence so He can be with us at all times.

But that home He desires has to be to His specifications--as God cannot just live anywhere or in any old thing.

He knows what He wants and He knows what's best for us.

Isn't it time we started working according to His plans? Building Him a temple of our hearts, minds and bodies that will be suitable for a King?

 DON'T DESTROY IT

Today's reading: 2 Corinthians 9-10

"...And I will not be put to shame by having my work among you destroyed." 2 Corinthians 10:8 NLT

Ever thought about how important our witness is to the world--when we don't think we're witnessing?

Paul spoke to the church at Corinth and stated that in all he did, he did not want to destroy his work among them. By word. By deed. By disregard.

We should consider the same challenge.

To the folks we're attempting to share Christ with and to the folks we don't even know are watching or listening to us.

-Like when we're on the phone with 'Bob' the telemarketer.

-Or when we're standing firm on the conditions of our warranty.

-Or in the customer service line wanting a refund.

-Or when the teller accidentally shorts you a few dollars and you must return to the bank.

-Or when the dog jumps up to greet dressed-for-church you with his muddy paws and wagging tail.

These are just a few of the times we can destroy our work among the unsaved. We need to be intentional about our reactions, our inconveniences and our responses to unsettling things.

Folks are watching. Folks are listening. Will they see Jesus in you?

 WRITTEN OFF

Today's reading: Luke 1-2

"...Don't be afraid, Zechariah! For God has head your prayers, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son!.." Luke 1:13 NLT

Here's the thing: I would guess at an estimated age of 70 plus years, Zechariah had kind of, shall we say, written off his earlier-in-life request for a child.

Wouldn't you have? Would have possibly quit asking? Would have considered God's answer to be, 'No'.

So when the angel appears in the sanctuary to this elderly priest, I'm assuming he guessed it for the answer to a much more recent prayer he had prayed.

All that to say this: God hears our prayers. God answers our prayers in His time and in His way.

We cannot ever forget that--no matter how long it might take!

 HE CAN BE TRUSTED

Today's reading: Jeremiah 32-36

"But this the Lord's reply: I would not more reject my people than I would change my laws of day and night, of earth and sky." Jeremiah 33:25 NLT

Ever had the privilege of being awake and outside just as the sun crested the horizon?

It's a God-sized display of His wonder. His creativity. His power. His promise keeping abilities.

There has never been a long night, a dark night, a stormy night, a sleep-deprived night after which the sun did not come up.

It always rises. 

It always sets.

Never have you not seen it happen--never will you!

And to think, today's promise reminds us that His promise to us is even greater to His heart than His promise to keep up with the laws of day and night, earth and sky.

I challenge you to catch a sunrise in the making--it will restore your faith!

 SCARED OF STORMS

Today's reading: Job 37-38

"God's voice is glorious in the thunder. We cannot comprehend the greatness of his power." Job 37:5 NLT

By the grace of God I have been delivered from a sick-to-my-stomach fear of storms. Only by His grace.

What He has replaced within me is an awe of His power.

Elihu, Job's friend, puts it best in today's verse.

If we stop, in the middle of any type of storm, we can hear God's voice.

Whether it be a storm of meteorological scope. Or one that stems from the doctor's phone call. Or that comes in the dark of a still, windless night. Or grips your heart for no reason...we can stop and listen for His glorious voice.

It tells us He is in control.

It tells us He cares for us.

It tells us there is nothing too big for Him to handle.

It tells us there is peace to be had.

It tells us there is a lesson to be learned.

It tells us to rest deeply in His love for us..

So listen in the middle of your storm, I believe you will hear the voice of God.

 GIVE

Today's reading: Psalm 54-56

"Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall." Psalm 55:22 NLT

I've look at a few Bible translations this morning--and they all say the same thing: I'm living this verse wrong!

I tend to tell God about my burdens.

I often cry out to God in regards to my burdens.

I mention them to Him and to His people for prayer.

I talk about my burdens.

I whimper, pout and fuss about my burdens.

I tend to invite God into the ways I tend to go about fixing my burdens.

But, I not 'give' them to the Lord.

I do not cast them upon Him like a fisherman casts his net upon the waters--fully releasing it and its potential.

I do not transfer the weight of them off my shoulders and heart and onto His ever-so-strong being.

I do not let go of them completely so He can have them fully--I want my hands on it. I want to feel like I'm in control.

Just who do I think I am? What do I think I can do? How do I consider myself more capable than He?

It says 'give', so give is what I must do!

 MY OWN NATHAN

Today's reading: 2 Samuel 10-14

"So the Lord sent Nathan the prophet to tell David this story:.." 2 Samuel 12:1 NLT

This begins the account of Nathan talking to David about David's sin against the Lord in regards to Bathsheba.

It was a tough role for Nathan, as he didn't know how the king might react to his words.

But Nathan was obedient.

Nathan, I believe, was prayed up.

Nathan allowed God to give him the right words, the right story, the right way to open David's ears.

Nathan went into this interaction knowing ONLY God can change hearts.

Thinking about David's Nathan, has me thinking about the Nathan's God places in my life.

(I'm talking God-sent Nathan's, not Sister So-And-So with condemning words or Brother So-And-So with opinions and controlling character traits. God allows both in our lives. Each for specific reasons and particular lessons to learn about godliness in our lives.)

But the folks God sends to re-direct my heart...

The people whose lives are in step with the Lord in all areas...

The Christian brothers and sisters who are obedient to Him and love me...

Do I listen to them? Do I heed their warnings? Their suggestions? Their loving attempts to point out sins in my life?

What about the Nathan's in your own life?

 REST

Today's reading: Exodus 21-24

"Work for six days, and rest on the seventh. This will give your ox and your donkey a chance to rest. It will also allow the people of your household, including your slaves and visitors, to be refreshed." Exodus 23:12 NLT

Do you have the Monday blahs? Dreading the workweek? Have the arguments and debates already begun between you and your household--and it's only 6:00am?

I'm going to ask one thing of you--did you use Sunday to worship the Lord, to rest up, to allow yourselves to be refreshed?

Being that it's in the Bible, there has to be something to it.

If we were to begin using Sunday's as God intended, I cannot help but believe it would make a huge difference in the rest of our week.

 JESUS'S LOVE

Today's reading: 2 Corinthians 6-8

"You know how full of love and kindness our Lord Jesus Christ was. Though he was very rich, yet for your sakes, he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich." 2 Corinthians 8:9 NLT

Sermons today will be filled with references to the love of our mothers. And rightly so. Few loves are as deep, as lasting, as heartfelt or as fierce as that of a mom.

But this morning my reading has me thinking about the depths of Jesus's love for me.

He left all He had.

He left all He knew.

He left all that was comfortable.

He gave up His power.

He gave up His heavenly body for a human form.

He gave up His life for me.

The closest thing for us to compare on this earth to Jesus's love--is that of a mom.

 TAKEN CARE OF

Today's reading: Mark 15-16

"On the way they were discussing who would roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb. But when they arrived, they looked up and saw that the stone--a very large one--had already been rolled aside." Mark 16:3-4 NLT

Interestingly, I see myself in the 'tomb tenders'.

Oh, I wish I could say it was because I had lived in that day and time--but, no.

Or that I would have been brave enough to follow Jesus after his death, despite the possible consequences--but, no.

Or that I loved Him enough to want to tend to Him even after His death--but, no.

I see myself in the fact that the ladies were discussing their problem, the rock, and when they got to where Jesus was, they found it was already taken care of!

Oh, how many times I've done that.

I've sat and cried at His feet, and when I opened my eyes--and my heart--the answer was right in front of me.

Our solace, our hope, our answers, our reason to keep going, our strength lies in being in the presence of Jesus.

 CHURCH FOLKS

Today's reading: Jeremiah 29-31

"...Multiply! Do not dwindle away!" Jeremiah 29:6 NLT

Jeremiah was speaking a prophecy give to him by God. It was to the Jewish people who were about to be taken into captivity. These instructions were for the 'church folks' while they were in these troubled times.

He told them to, in an easy to understand translation, Keep on keeping on!

And I believe He is telling us the same thing today.

While we wind down this pandemic.

While our government seems to be in an uproar.

While the world seems to be heading to hell in a handbasket.

Church folks, we must continue to multiply--we cannot afford to dwindle away!

We need to keep sharing the Gospel.

We need to keep speaking Jesus into our conversations.

We need to continue hoping in this dark world, because ONLY our faith will direct some folks to Christ.

So friends, do not dwindle away!

 OUR TEACHER

Today's reading: Job 35-36

"Look, God is all-powerful. Who is a teacher like him?" Job 36:22 NLT

Job's friends had a whole lot to say to Job. Most of it, well, most of it should have been edited before ever leaving their mouths.

On occasion, like today's verse, they brought up good points--in poorly executed context, but good points none the less.

God is a great teacher!

He provides us lessons to learn from in good times and in bad. In blessing and in want. In mountaintop experiences and in low, dark, shadowy valleys.

He uses each and every opportunity, each and every day, each and every interaction to allow us to learn something about Himself, our self or those He has called us to love.

He is a good teacher!

ME

Today's reading: Psalm 51-53

"Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me." Psalm 51:10 NLT

This verse has given me pause this morning. It has led me to evaluate my prayers as of late. To think back over them. To consider what I've been praying. Here are some of the snippets from my most recent prayers:

Lord, change them...

God, are you gonna allow them to do this to me...

Sic 'em, Lord... 

Lord, You know they need an attitude adjustment...

I'm ever so eager to pray changes into another's life--but am I as willing to put 'me' in my prayers?

Am I asking God to change how I see others? How I respond to others? How I can look past others choices to their souls?

David, with all the power and might given him by God to be king over all Israel, stopped--and stooped long enough to pray for himself. 

That he be right with the Lord. That he be free from all sin and sinful thoughts.

David started with the three square feet he was ruler over and bent in prayer over that domain before he ever muttered a prayer for anyone else.

I want to follow his example.

 ALL THEIR MIGHT

Today's reading: 2 Samuel 5-9

"David and all the people of Israel were celebrating before the Lord with all their might, singing songs, and playing all kinds of musical instruments--lyres, harps, tambourines, castanets and cymbals." 2 Samuel 6:5 NLT

The people of Israel were participating in David's greatest feat thus far as ruler and king--bringing the Ark of the Lord to Jerusalem.

Pomp and circumstance. Ritual and religious. Pride and power.

But did you notice how they all did it? With all their might.

Makes me wonder--do we, ever, worship God with all our might?

Or do we worship with what's leftover at the end of a long week?

Or with what we believe we might be able to spare with a tough week looming ahead of us?

Or with half-hearted devotion?

Or with our attention diverted between so many glittery, distracting things?

With all our might. With everything that is in us. With all we have. With anticipation of all we hope to gain.

I want to worship with all my might!

 HANDS UP

Today's reading: Exodus 17-20

"As long as Moses held up the staff with his hands, the Israelites had the advantage. But whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites gained the upper hand." Exodus 17:11 NLT

I've read this account on numerous occasions.

I have the flannelgraph picture firmly etched in my mind.

But this morning, I see it from a different angle.

From an angle I can relate to.

Not with armed forces fighting it out on a plain.

Not with swords and bows.

But with my own battles--of the heart and mind.

And what I see is this: I've got to keep my hands lifted up in praise!

Praise is my defense. My weapon. My strength. My hope. My expression of faith. My battle cry.

When the enemy seems to be gaining the upper hand...I've got to check my praise posture!

When I'm going under water for what seems like the third time...I've got to lift my hands higher!

When I'm fearing every shadow around every corn...I've got to raise my hands in praise!

When I'm on top of the mountain...I've got to lift up both hands to praise God for my deliverance!