LIVING IN THE LIGHT

Today's reading: 1 Thessalonians 4-5

"But let us who live in the light think clearly, protected by the body armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation." 1 Thessalonians 5:8 NLT

Don't allow the news to determine your day.

Don't let unlovely people set your attitude for your week.

Don't be governed by the actions of the ungodly.

If you are Christ's, then you have a light inside you that cannot and will not be extinguished!

Live in the light, not in the darkness. 

 WHERE ARE YOU LOOKING?

Today's reading: Luke 23-24

"The women were terrified and bowed low before them. Then the men asked, Why are you looking in a tomb for someone who is alive?" Luke 25:5 NLT

The angelic beings redirected the gaze of the women wanting to attend to Jesus' body.

He asked them a simple question: Why are you looking in a tomb for someone who is alive?

It's a good question for us to ask ourselves...

-Why are we looking for God on one day a week, when He cannot be contained in all of eternity?

-Why are we looking for relationship with our Creator in religious rules, when He is the One who offers us freedom?

-How can we think we will find godliness in politicians, when the God we serve cannot be governed?

-How can we hope to understand Him, when His ways and means cannot be fathomed?

-Why do we look for Him in a church house, when all of creation cannot hold Him?

Just where are we looking for Him?

 THEN

Today's reading: Ezekiel 37-42

"...Then you will know that I am the Lord. You will see that I have done everything just as I promised. I, the Lord, have spoken." Ezekiel 37:14 NLT

Maybe, like me, you're praying.

You're hoping. 

You're leaning. 

Maybe you're watching for signs of change.

You're digging into the Word for solace.

You're believing.

You're tiring of the wait.

God promises it will all be worth it.

His will will come to pass and it will amaze us. It will leave us knowing, without a doubt, that it's Him.  It will be better, bigger and more wonderful than we had ever dreamed.

So, let's continue to wait for the 'then'.

 INHERITANCE

Today's reading: Proverbs 13

"Good people leave an inheritance to their grandchildren, but the sinner's wealth passes to the godly." Proverbs 13:22 NLT

I've already claimed a great deal of my family's inheritance.

Not in money.

Not in real estate.

Not in expensive jewels.

But in a Christian legacy. Not only from my parents but also from both Mom's side of the family and from Dad's.

Examples to follow.

Names to be proud of.

Reputations to maintain.

Godliness to mimic.

Faithfulness to continue.

I am so very thankful for my family's Christian legacy.

Maybe you didn't get that from your parents or grandparents. I'm very sorry about that. Here's the thing, they did leave you something...the opportunity to change your generation and the generations to follow!

 A REMINDER

Today's reading: Psalm 87-89

"O Lord God Almighty! Where is there anyone as mighty as you, O Lord? Faithfulness is your very character." Psalm 89:8 NLT

The thunderstorm and lightning show early this morning tells the truth of this verse.

No one but God can gather the clouds, piling them one on top of the other, then allow them to break into raindrops!

No one but God can make the thunder rumble across the dark sky!

No one but God  can light up the sky with streaks of lightning!

This morning's stormy reminder to me of exactly who God is was just what I needed.

 HEAD TO CHURCH

Today's reading: 2 Kings 16-20

"When King Hezekiah heard their report, he tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and went into the Temple of the Lord to pray." 2 Kings 19:1 NLT

"After Hezekiah received the letter and read it, he went up to the Lord's Temple and spread it out before the Lord. And Hezekiah prayed this prayer before the Lord..." 2 Kings 19:14 NLT

When tragedy strikes, is your first response to head to church?

When bad news comes? When you hit a rough patch? When your world falls out from under you, do you choose to worship?

Do you choose to gather with believers? Join in praise with sisters and brothers in faith?

Or do you stay home?

Refuse to attend?

Hole up, under the covers?

Hezekiah gives us a good example at this point in his life--head to church!

Pack up all your hurts, fears, worries and doubts and fellowship with believers.

Gather together in His house.

Stand under His roof, singing His songs, sitting in His presence, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together.

Because that's where God wants us.

 SET APART

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

Honestly, I spent a whole lot of my early life trying to fit in.

Trying to be 'enough' to hang with the cool kids.

Attempting to involve myself in activities that made me popular.

Giving too much concern about the sideways glances of folks whose morals I didn't like or believe in.

I wasted a lot of time and energy and tears trying to fit in where I was never, ever, intended to belong.

As God's daughter, I am not to fit in anywhere on this earth.

I am not to be 'like everyone else'.

I'm not even supposed to get really comfortable during this journey through life.

Because I am set apart.

I am unique.

I am made for a better place.

Oh, I'm not saying that out of vanity, pride or haughtiness--I'm only saying what my Father has said about me!

 APPLAUD THE FAITHFUL

Today's reading: 1 Thessalonians 1-3

"So we have been greatly comforted, dear brothers and sisters, in all our own crushing troubles and suffering, because you have remained strong in your faith. It gives us new life, knowing you remain strong in the Lord." 1 Thessalonians 3:7-8 NLT

This morning as you step into your sanctuary and settle yourself into your pew, look around.

Don't, this week, look for newcomers--potential new believers.

Oh, I'm not saying they are not vital to a growing church, but...

Look for the faithful.

Look for the faces that are there every single Sunday, rain or shine, good times or bad.

Notice the faithful ones.

The ones whose life stories propel you forward.

The ones who are stones in your worship foundation.

Applaud the faithful.

 PRAY

Today's reading: Luke 21-22

"There he told them, Pray that you will not be overcome by temptation." Luke 22:40 NLT

Do you think to pray about your temptations before you head out the door?

Or like me, do you tend to pray in '9-1-1' mode after you been lured by temptation, have fallen into it and have quite possibly rolled around in it for a while?

Jesus said to pray that we not be overcome by temptation.

That shows me a few things...

-Temptation is headed my way.

-Temptation has the strength to overwhelm/overcome me.

-Prayer is my weapon against it.

So, friends, why aren't we praying about it before it ever happens?

 WHEN THE BOTTOM FALLS OUT

Today's reading: Ezekiel 31-36

"But when all these terrible things happen to them--as they certainly will--then they will know a prophet has been among them." Ezekiel 33:33 NLT

There are the folks you witness to that brush you off like a buzzing mosquito.

There are the folks to share Jesus with that disregard you as they might a mentally challenged person muttering the same things over and over.

There are the folks you desire to come to know the Lord that are cynical.

There are mockers. There are the ones who have been bruised or scarred by the church itself.

God advises Ezekiel, as He does us, keep sharing Him.

Continue to evangelize.

Do not stop talking about your Savior!

There will come a time, for every single person, when the bottom falls out and they will be grasping for Him wildly.

Be there--not to gloat.

Not to say, I told you so.

But be there, to toss them the life preserver again--Jesus!

 BLESSINGS
Today's reading: Proverbs 11-12

"Upright citizens bless a city and make it prosper, but the talk of the wicked tears it apart." Proverbs 11:11 NLT

I'm convicted to admit that I cannot recall the last time I spoke highly and favorably and with pride in regards to our country.

So much on the news and in social media has tainted my view of our government, its politics and our leaders.

Too often I'm quick to jump on the bandwagon of criticizing what's being done in our capital and less likely to applaud the freedoms it affords.

My words can speak blessing over our country. My compliments can built it up. My pride in it can become infectious.

But it's going to have to be intentional. It's going to have to be heartfelt. It's going to have to override my propensity to see the negative instead of the positive.

Want to join me in speaking blessings over our country?

 TURN TO US AGAIN

Today's reading: Psalm 84-86

"Now turn to us again, O God of our salvation..." Psalm 85:4 NLT

Ever thought about why the psalmist might have felt as if God had turned His back on him?

Was He silent in regards to his prayers?

Was He distant in providing comfort and presence?

Was he left alone to his own devices and choices?

If you've ever felt God's presence, been warmed by His peace, been filled with His joy, you notice when it's not there.

You miss it.

You ache for it.

You search for it.

You want it back--and you're willing to keep asking for it until the Lord turns His face back toward you.

 REPAIRING THE TEMPLE

Today's reading: 2 Kings 11-15

"...Don't use any more gifts for your own needs. From now on, it must all be spent on getting the Temple into good condition." 2 Kings 12:7 NLT

I'm thinking of what it might look like if God's people set about repairing God's Temple.

Not just the building, but the Church.

The name of the Church in the community.

The impact of the Church in politics.

The importance of the Church in our families.

The use of the Church as a hospital for the sick and a sheepfold for the wandering lambs.

Maybe it's time we took this 2 Kings verse to heart and began to use our time and talents and tithes to repairing the Church instead of gathering one day a week for fellowship, for entertainment, for social interactions.

How might we offer our gifts to build up the Church instead of for our own use?

 FOR MYSELF
Today's reading: Leviticus 16-18

"Then Aaron will present the young bull as a sin offering for himself..." Leviticus 16:11 NLT

Before the Levitical priests were able to offer up any sacrifices for anyone else, they had to make sure they themselves were prepared.

A bull offered for their own sins.

A ceremony presenting themselves before God as holy, obedient and clean.

Then..and only then...could they pray for others.

Are we doing that in our individual prayer times?

Are we standing before God, asking Him to examine our hearts and actions?

Are we asking Him to find us worthy to ask anything, anything at all, for another?

Yes, Jesus died on the Cross as our One and Only Sacrifice, but are we keeping close tabs on our sins? Are we laying them before Him daily? Are we seeking His convicting power to keep our hearts and lives clean?

So we can pray for others.

 THINGS ABOVE

Today's reading: Colossians 3-4

"Let heaven fill your thoughts. Do not think only about things down here on earth." Colossians 3:2 NLT

Oh, if only heaven would fill our thoughts!

If things down here mattered less than what's in store for us.

If what circumstances we find ourselves in were of less importance than eternity with our Father.

If current events paled in comparison to the assurance of 'Well done, good and faithful servant'.

If today was seen as a mere stepping stone and tomorrow as not guaranteed.

 GOD PLANTED A TREE

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 NLT

Maybe it's the kid in me, but I love the account of Zaccheus.

I'm not sure if it's how my Mom/Sunday School teacher told the story to us four little girls.

Or the intrigue of the flannelgraph picture presented to me on the standing easel in a church basement.

Or may a pastor made the report of Zaccheus come alive as I listened sitting on a church pew.

But I love it!

What I love most is that God made a way for Zaccheus to come in contact with Jesus.

He planted a tree.

I've just wrapped up week one of two weeks of Vacation Bible School. There is nothing more needful of God's handiwork than VBS.

He places the volunteers in the right classes. He inspires the ladies to buy up and plate up the snacks. He organizes the enthusiasm and energy of the music directors. He moves the curriculum developers to put together lessons that intrigue and instruct. He grants patience and love to those working with the wiggliest of kids. He plants the Bible accounts in the hearts and minds of these kids that will stay with them a lifetime!

Just like He chose to plant that sycamore tree.

 NO LONGER TEMPTED

Today's reading: Ezekiel 25-30

"Then Israel will no longer be tempted to trust in Egypt for help. Egypt's shattered condition will remind Israel of how sinful she was to trust Egypt in earlier days. Then Israel will know that I alone am the Sovereign Lord." Ezekiel 29:16 NLT

What's it going to take for us to stop trusting anything or anyone other than God?

Will it take a mighty fall on their part? Because it's coming. Imperfections will emerge. Fault lines will appear. Inadequacies will be seen. Dependability will be found to be lacking.

Will it take a mighty fall on ours? That's coming, too. We're frail. We're incapable. We're easily swayed onto the wrong track. We lack insight. We lack foresight. We lack the wisdom needed to properly govern our lives.

Nothing, absolutely nothing, holds us up more securely, loves us more dearly, can do more for us, has the entire universe held firmly in check, than our Sovereign Lord.

The day is coming when we will come to realize it, how hard will we have to fall to learn the lesson?

 TURN OFF THE FLOW

Today's reading: Proverbs 10

"Don't talk too much, for it fosters sin. Be sensible and turn off the flow!" Proverbs 10:19 NLT

Here's a challenge for you for this beautiful summer day...

Listen more than talk.

Choose to take moments throughout your day to imagine your mouth as a freely, flowing faucet. And intentionally turn it off.

Just to listen.

In an effort to lend an ear to a friend.

Long enough to hear the whole story.

To quite possibly hear the real problem, not the perceived one.

There is no telling what you will hear when you 'turn off the flow'.

 OUR STRENGTH

Today's reading: Psalm 81-83

"Sing praises to God, our strength..." Psalm 81:1 NLT

Sad to admit, but sometimes I forget that God is my strength.

I am quickly reminded when the checking account I was leaning so heavily upon is drained...

Or my health takes a drastic dive...

Or a friend lets me down, painfully down...

Or the plans I so painstakingly plotted out are dashed...

It's then I am refocused on the simple fact that God is my strength.

In His strength my heart beat for the first time.

In His strength my lungs filled with praise for my first breath.

In His strength my soul found forgiveness and eternity.

In His strength my lips share the Good News of His love for me.

God is my strength, I will do well not to forget that! 

 DON'T BE AFRAID

Today's reading: 2 Kings 6-10

"Don't be afraid! Elisha told him, For there are more on our side than on theirs!" 2 Kings 6:16 NLT

Maybe our enemy is telling you it's no use. Or that it will never change. Or that you are the only one praying.

Maybe our enemy feeds you half-truths, which are lies, about the circumstances you find yourself knee deep in.  Or plants doubts in your mind as to things ever getting better.

Our enemy stays very, very busy working behind the scenes attacking our walk with the Lord.

But, don't be afraid!

Don't buy into his nonsense.

Don't believe him for a moment!

There are more on our side than on his.

Not only more believers praying for you than against you, but a bigger, stronger, greater, more loving God is on your side, too!

Don't be afraid.

 COULD NEVER AFFORD IT

Today's reading: Leviticus 13-15

"But anyone who cannot afford two lambs..." Leviticus 14:21 NLT

Those words...

That partial verse...

It's jumped off the pages of my Bible this morning and landed as squarely and solidly upon my heart as an Olympic gymnast completing their routine on the floor before the judges.

You see, I could not afford to pay for the sacrifices needed for the wrongs in my life.

I couldn't buy enough lambs to cover the debt owed by my sins.

I wouldn't be able to gather up enough turtle doves to offer the appropriate sacrifice for my faults and failures and flaws.

It's not that I'm that strapped for cash, but that my sins are too great.

Were too great.

You see, my sins were taken care of. Sacrifice made on my behalf. Someone, a blessed, perfect Someone, stepped in and paid all I owed for the debts my sins had accrued.

Jesus.

Jesus paid it all.

Jesus did that for me when I was unable to do it for myself.

And--He did it for you, too.

 THE REAL REASON

Today's reading: Colossians 1-2

"...for we have heard that you trust in Christ Jesus and that you love all of God's people. You do this because you are looking forward to the joys of heaven--as you have been ever since you first heart the truth of the Good News." Colossians 1:4-5 NLT

Take a moment this morning to evaluate why you do what you do for the Lord...

Is it to look good on Sunday's?

Is it to 'just fill a spot that needs filled'?

Is it to add to your spiritual resume?

Is it because Sister So-and So asked you, and no one, I mean no one, ever tells her no?

Or is it, and I truly hope it is, because once you tasted the goodness of God, you couldn't help but share it with everyone you meet!

 WHITEWASHING

Today's reading: Ezekiel 19-24

"...They repair cracked wall with whitewash!" Ezekiel 22:29 NLT

As I look around, I see a whole lot of whitewashing being done.

Laws are being made that aim to control gun violence. When in all reality, the issue isn't with the guns.

Motions are being overturned in regards to abortion. When, truth be told, it's not about the abortions at all.

Millions of dollars are being collected and distributed to help with drug and alcohol abuse. When, really and truly, the pills or powders or drinks aren't the real problem.

Groups are being formed to rally against human slavery. When the slavery issue isn't about, and never has been about, one person 'owning' another.

The 'whitewash' is covering up the real problem--a person's heart.

Heart issues lead people to kill others with guns. Or with knives. Or with vehicles. Or with bombs.

Heart issues lead people to devalue lives. Their own. Their child growing inside them. Their neighbors.

Laws and rulings and cardboard signs deal very, very little with the real issue. As a matter of fact, they merely slop whitewash over the top of it.

Heart issues need dealt with through God. Heart issues need dealt with individually before any group or community will be effected by it.

Heart issues need not be whitewashed.

 HIS WORD TO US

Today's reading: Proverbs 8-9

"My words are plain to anyone with understanding, clear to those who want to learn." Proverbs 8:9 NLT

Too many times I've heard it said that the Bible is too hard to understand. Too deep to get into. Too complicated to read.

Phooey!

It's written by God, that's a known fact, and while His ways and thoughts and wisdom is higher than ours, He has written it for us.

It's about some other-wordly things, that's for sure. But while there are ideas that go beyond our common knowledge and happenings that far exceed our wildest beliefs, He has written it to explain more of Himself to us--and through the Holy Spirit's nudging, we can catch on.

It's a gift to be opened. Spoken to men through out time and written down by scribes of a different age, but oh so applicable to today! It was for our grandparents' grandparents and it's for us!

IF we want what it offers.

IF we put in the time digging into it.

IF we desire to be filled with His wisdom and to know about Him what there is to know.

IF we want to understand it on the level He believes we can.

 ALTARS TO OTHER GODS

Today's reading: Psalm 78-80

"They made God angry by building altars to other gods; they made him jealous with their idols." Psalm 78:58 NLT

In what areas is God having to share a portion of your heart?

Oh, I get it, you don't have small shrines built in your home honoring little gods--but you're worshiping them all the same.

One doesn't need a small sanctuary set up with candles and token idols in order to have one's heart divided against our Creator.

One merely, most days, needs a thought.

A doubt.

A fear.

A time to wait and think.

Then we are caught up in the trap of bowing to another god. One we can manipulate. One we can control. One we have fashioned to respond the way we want it to, until it's control takes over.

So, are we making God angry with our divided hearts and wandering minds?

 HAVING IT EASY

Today's reading: 2 Kings 1-5

"Now the leaders of the town of Jericho visited Elijah. We have a problem, my lord, they told him. This town is located in beautiful natural surroundings, as you can see, but the water is bad, and the land is unproductive." 2 Kings 2:19 NLT

Never until this morning did I see our country in this verse.

Maybe it's because yesterday celebrated our nation's freedom.

Maybe it's that I believe our land is the prettiest in the world.

Maybe it was the Lord speaking to me through His Word, like He said He will do--and like I asked Him to do.

But what I see is this...

We live in a nation that allows us religious freedoms. Most of us live in homes that are bursting at the seams with blessings and provision. We are surrounded by comfort, accessability and opportunity--but we are unproductive.

We have all we need, and more, and yet we are striving for the wrong things.

We, American Christians, should be the most prolific of religions because of our place and time and freedoms.

But we're not.

To have all we have. To have been granted the godly power we have been granted. To hold within us the answer the entire nation is looking for. To have been given the charge to share the Good News. And yet we are unproductive?

How very sad is that?

 JESUS SOLVED THE WHAT IF

Today's reading: Leviticus 10-12

"...The priest will sacrifice them, thus making atonement for her, and she will be ceremonially clean." Leviticus 12:8 NLT

Excuse my thought pattern this morning, but...

What happened in Old Testament times if your priest wasn't as holy as all that?

If he didn't do the sacrifice in the proper manner?

If he hadn't performed all his cleaning rituals before doing your sacrifice?

Would you be clean? Would your sins have been forgiven? Would you be 'good to go'?

Maybe it's a bunch of questions you think to be silly, but what if?

Thank God for Jesus!

He made us a way. He gave us simple instructions. He did all the hard stuff, perfectly. He accepted us and granted us adoption into His family as is.

Jesus solved the 'what ifs'.

 FAILING FORWARD

Today's reading: Philippians 3-4

"I don't mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection! But I keep working towards that day when I will finally be all that Christ Jesus saved me for and wants me to be." Philippians 3:12-13 NLT

I heard a new term this week and these verses surround it with biblical instruction.

The term is 'fail forward'.

It's the term used to speak encouragement to yourself when you've failed, and we all have--or will, that let's you know you haven't fallen back to the beginning of your efforts.

It's making a mistake from which you learn.

It's messing up, but not messing up as badly as you once did.

It's three steps forward and only one step back--but still pointed in the right direction.

It's something we as Christians need to be constantly doing. Because we're going to mess up our Christian walks. We're going to slip up and sin. We're going to screw up royally. But if we're 'failing forward', we're still headed in the right direction--to the foot of the Cross!

 I WAS ONE

Today's reading: Luke 15-16

"Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach. This made the Pharisees and teachers of religious law complain that he was associating with such despicable people--even eating with them." Luke 15:1-2 NLT

The teachers and preachers and upholders of the Scriptures were put off by the kinds of people Jesus drew to His side and into His lessons.

They raised their eyebrows. 

They looked down their Jewish noses.

They whispered unkind comments to one another.

They looked with disgust upon the people most needing to hear His words.

They neglected putting forth their kindest smiles and warmest greetings.

I take their actions and attitudes very personally--as I was one of the sinners and 'less thans' that Jesus drew to His side.

You, were, too.

It's only when we remember that we were one of those, that we can push aside any feelings of being better than another.

It's only when we recall the scornful looks and ungodly attitudes of the Pharisees that we can check ourselves and our own feelings against Jesus'.

It's good to be reminded of who we were so we can boldly and obediently follow through on who He intends us to be.

 SINFUL, SINFUL SODOM

Today's reading: Ezekiel 13-18

"Sodom's sins were pride, laziness and gluttony, while the poor and needy suffered outside her door. She was proud and did loathsome things, so I wiped her out, as you have seen." Ezekiel 16:49-50 NLT

I grew up thinking the city of Sodom (and Gomorrah) was the worst of the worst. Black. Dark. Sin-filled. Sin City, to borrow Las Vegas's title.

I knew there had to be some dark, dark sins going on for God to completely wipe them out as He did in Genesis 19.

But now?

To see their sins listed?

To know what all they were guilty of?

.Well, it makes me shudder for our nation.

United States of America, we need to straighten up!