BEYOND THE TOUGH TIMES

Today's reading: Joshua 21-24

"So be strong! Be very careful to follow all the instructions written in the Book of the Law of Moses. Do not deviate from them in any way. Make sure you do not associate with the other people still remaining in the land. Do not even mention the names of their gods, much less swear by them or worship them. But be faithful to the Lord your God as you have done until now." Joshua 23:6-8 NLT

Remaining faithful in the tough times is easy.

Your hands are tied.

Your abilities are exhausted.

Your prayers are adamant, fervent, trusting.

But in the good times?

Well, in the good times, our faith sometimes slips away.

Unneeded.

Unnoticed.

Unnecessary.

Stay strong beyond the tough times!

As a pastor I know once said, We're all either JUST coming out of a tough season, JUST getting ready to head into a tough season or we feel like we've JUST been dumped in a tough season.

Our faith is needed at all times, don't ever forget it!

 FINAL WORD

Today's reading: Genesis 16-19

"That ended the conversation, and God left Abraham." Genesis 17:22 NLT

Ever wish God's conversation with you, about a certain topic, issue or need, would continue?

You want more details?

You feel as if you need more confirmation?

You had a long list of questions?

You want to hear Him say it again--and again, and again?

I'm sure Abraham had plenty of questions after God told him all He was planning on blessing Abrahan with.

But God ended the conversation.

God said what He wanted to say. He provided the details He needed to provide. He gave the instructions He needed to give.

Abraham was asked to obey. (Genesis 17:9)

Maybe you're hearing crickets in response to you asking God to speak more, say more, provide more...could it be He's waiting on you to do your part before He provides any more information?

Hop to it! As the next step requires, He will speak to you. 

 JUST A REMINDER

Today's reading: Romans 9-10

"For if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." Romans 10:9 NLT

Do you ever forget how easy salvation was to attain on our part?

Confess that you have sinned and need a Savior.

Believe that our Savior was given to us by God, was allowed to die on the cross by God, and was raised again by God's power.

We too often complicate the gift of salvation.

We wrap it up in appearances. We douse it with posture and prayed words. We limit it to place and pew.

This gift can be accepted by the least of us, the dirtiest of us, the most distanced of us and the most pious of us.

I needed that reminder today, thought you might, too.

 PART OF THE CROWD

Today's reading: Matthew 8-10

"Large crowds followed Jesus as he came down the mountainside." Matthew 8:1 NLT

Would you have been part of the Jesus crowd?

Oh, before you shout out a loud, "Yes", let me ask you a few questions...

Would you have followed Him up the mountain in the first place? The rough patches of terrain? The steep climbs? The thorny bushes you might have had to trudge past?

Would you have bothered to even find your hiking boots in the back of your closet? Taken the time off work? Put aside favorite hobbies and pastimes in order to follow after Him?

Would have have joined the crowd with those jeering and mocking at you? The unbelievers? The ones making fun? The ones who were staunchly against Jesus?

Would you have even been on the mountain with Jesus, let alone followed Him back down?

 HEALING

Today's reading: Isaiah 19-22

"The Lord will strike Egypt in a way that will bring healing. For the Egyptians will turn to the Lord, and he will listen to their pleas, and heal them." Isaiah 19:22 NLT

When I think of promoting healing, to be quite honest--I don't think about someone striking me.

A sucker punch to the gut, not what I would think would be sound medical treatment.

A slap to the face, not the most sound health improving treatment I can think of.

And yet, I know that there are times when a doctor takes a patient into the surgical suite to remove a cancer before it gets out of hand.

I have heard of an appendix being removed before it ruptures, infecting the entire body.

I personally have been placed under the knife in order to remove an unruly gallbladder.

So why wouldn't we think God will sometimes have to do 'surgery' in order that our hearts and minds be more spiritually sound?

Will it hurt? Probably.

Will the healing process last longer than you think you can endure? There's a good chance of it.

Will it be worth it? Yes, a resounding Yes--if God is the one holding the scalpel and attending to you with His gracious, merciful and loving bedside manner!

So make an appointment with God to have the things removed from your life that are hindering your walk with Him.

 THINKING OF US

Today's reading: Job 7-8

"What are mere mortals, that you should make so much of us? For you examine us every morning and test us every moment." Job 7:17-18 NLT

To think God thinks of us is overwhelming.

In Job's case, it was negatively overwhelming. He would have just as soon been overlooked because of all the turmoil and tears it brought to his life. 

But in most of our lives, we are humbled to know our Creator has us on His mind. We are giddy to think He pulses through our veins. We are ecstatic to ponder the very notion that He forms our lungs, fills our lungs and uses our lungs to praise Him.

We are brought low to think of all the ways He blesses us. All the gifts He provides. All the ways He watches over us, protects us, guides us, loves on us, desires for us ONLY the best.

Like every morning when He, or our alarm clock, rouses us from slumber to greet a new day! A new day prepared by Him, prepared for Him, prepared for Him to receive the glory through--and we are allowed to be that conduit.

Or in every choice we're called to make, He is on the edge of His kingly seat waiting to see if we will pick Him! Pick Me, he leans in..Pick Me! Choose that way, He whispers, it's the best way for you!

So this morning think about God thinking about you. Allow the very thought to fill your spirit, to touch your heart, to direct you towards Him.

ORPHANS

Today's reading: Psalm 9-11

"...The helpless put their trust in you. You are the defender of orphans." Psalm 10:14 NLT

I think we're all orphans of some sort or fashion.

Maybe you've lost your parents. Maybe you never knew your real parents. Maybe your parents were known to you, but they lacked godly parenting skills.

But maybe, just maybe, you are an orphan of another sort...

One left to their own with a pile of broken dreams, dashed hopes and plans that never came to fruition?

What you thought your purpose was, has left you.

Where you thought you were going, has been changed.

Who you thought you were to spend life with, has gone another way.

Left alone...usually with 'baggage'.

But God, is our defender, fellow orphan!

He hasn't left us, although I'm sure we've both felt days when we didn't see Him with us.

He has gotten us this far, even though you're not sure you want to be here...now...having endured all you've endured.

He is with us! 

He is always with us, our Defender, our Friend, our Father.

 

 SURROUNDED

Today's reading: Joshua 16-20

"The second allotment of land went to the families of the tribe of Simeon. Their inheritance was surrounded by Judah's territory." Joshua 19:1 NLT

Is your testimony, like mine, surrounded by the impact of praying family, godly church members and God-sent friends?

Oh, our individual faith walks are individual. They are unique. They are personal. And when it comes down to our standing before our Lord and Savior, it will be entirely up to us.

But, if like me, you have had to much godly wisdom and teaching poured into your faith, you feel like the tribe of Simeon surrounded by the tribe of Judah.

Folks who have built protective walls around your walk with the Lord. People who have prayed hedges of thorns around your poor choices. A 'great crowd of witnesses' cheering you on every step of the way.

Take a moment and thank God for this 'surrounding'. And if you can, thanks those who surround you!

 WILL BE

Today's reading: Genesis 12-15

"Afterward the Lord spoke to Abram in a vision and said to him, Do not be afraid, Abram, for I will protect you, and your reward will be great." Genesis 15:1 NLT

Let's be honest, Abram is a model wait-er. 

He waited on a place.

He waited on a son.

He waited on a promise.

He waited on a God who could have snapped His holy fingers and allowed all to happen in an instant.

He waited on a God who was perfectly able to turn the world inside-out to accomplish all He had promised.

He waited on a God who had the power to fix everything, everyone and every place with a mere spoken word.

But God asked Abram to wait.

Wait for the answers.

Wait for the right time.

Wait for the reward.

Maybe this very same able, capable and powerful God is asking you to wait, too.

He's asking that of me.

And in the waiting, I'm finding Him to be faithful.

I'm finding Him to be my Protector.

I'm finding out more about my Friend than I ever knew before.

So I will wait--and continue to believe that my reward will be great!

 NO REASON

Today's reading: Romans 7-8

"And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love. Death can't, and life can't. The angels can't, and the demons can't. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can't keep God's love away." Romans 8:38 NLT

I don't know what excuse you are using not to go to church this morning--but it cannot be that God doesn't love you!

It says clearly that there is no reason, what so ever, that He doesn't love you.

So maybe, just maybe, you think that the church folks won't love you.

Well, there is a good possibility of that. Being the entire lot of them are imperfect. Being that they don't know your heart. Being that they might not even know you. So their opinions, their attitudes and their love shouldn't stop you.

Maybe, it's that you don't love yourself. You know way too much about you, your issues, your choices and your past to ever love yourself again. You, don't count. You are too biased and too imperfect yourself to form a godly or trustworthy opinion.

So, go. Just go.

Go to God's house. Allow the Spirit of the Lord to love you. Allow yourself to worship Him, as your way of loving Him back.

Go this morning out of a response to His love for you. For no other reason than that!

 STANDING BEFORE THE ALTAR

Today's reading: Matthew 5-7

"So if you are standing before the altar in the Temple offering a sacrifice to God, and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there beside the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifices to God." Matthew 5:23-24 NLT

I believe the prompting of this verse is that we follow God's lead WHEN He leads us to do it.

Even if we're in the middle of something.

Even in the middle of something good, holy or all about Him.

He knows the effort to which we went to be in the place we are. He knows the struggle it was even get 'your sacrifice' dragged down to the altar in the first place. He knows the importance of the specific time He asks you to obey.

Let's get in the habit of just doing it. Then. No matter what.

Our sacrifices will still be where we left them--and if they aren't? Well, if they aren't, we'll have a greater sacrifice to give--the sacrifice of praise and the offering of obedience!

 THAT KIND OF CHRISTIAN

Today's reading: Isaiah 12-17

"In the place of the dead there is excitement over your arrival.." Isaiah 14:9 NLT

Are you the kind of Christian that when you step into an environment, a situation, a workplace or a church, those in hell celebrate because they know there is a probability that no more of their loved ones will join them where they are?

Ever thought of that?

That the people writhing in the pits of hell, no matter their backgrounds or former choices, do not want any one else to experience what they are enduring.

So when a Christian, a true God believer, arrives on the scene where someone they care about can hear about God--and a way out of hell, they are ecstatic!

Because, unlike what we will not be privvy to when we are in heaven (no tears, no sorrow), I think hell will be the opposite. Those in the depths of an eternity without God will see and know and experience just enough to make their damnation that much more painful.

Be the one who can lead someone to an eternal life with Christ.

Be someone who brings peace, joy and love into a room.

Be a sent-from-God ray of hope to a lost and dying world.

 THE STRONG ONES
Today's reading: Job 5-6

"But I do not have the strength to endure. I do not have a goal that encourages me to carry on." Job 6:11 NLT

My piece of advice for today: Check on your strong, godly, never wavering friends.

The ones who are always giving, never taking.

The ones who are always first to help, but never accept a hand.

The ones who tell you that everything's fine, but down deep, you know better.

The ones who know the Bible inside and out, have their own personal copies of the Scripture written in, highlighted, marked and memorized, but tend to believe it more for another than themselves.

The ones you, and so many others, lean heavily on, and are bent over with the burdensome loads of so many.

Just check in on them.

Send them the card.

Shoot them the text.

Offer to pray for them, with them, over them.

Because even the strongest among us grow weary.

 BECAUSE HE IS JUST

Today's reading: Psalm 6-8

"I will thank the Lord because he is just; I will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High." Psalm 7:17 NLT

Ever stopped to thank God for conviction?

For the uneasy feeling that comes when you walk headlong into a sinful situation?

For His spirit making you feel uncomfortable for wrong things said, for actions unbefitting a child of God, for thoughts that IF ever discovered would embarrass the life out of you?

For pausing and rethinking a knee-jerk reaction?

For leading you away from what will not be in your best interest, and certainly not in the best interest of your testimony?

God is just, which means, He is the very essence of what is right and fair.

Just is merely one of His great characteristics. One He lovingly and longingly wants added to our own hearts and minds...and He will help us do just that, one feeling of conviction at a time.

 NEVER TOO OLD

Today's reading: Joshua 11-15

"When Joshua was an old man, the Lord said to him, You are growing old, and much land remains to be conquered." Joshua 13:1 NLT

Plenty of birthdays had rolled around for our hero Joshua, but God was not done with him!

Sure, he could have 'retired' from his duties after the grand victory over Jericho--but there were still things wanted him to be a part of.

Not 'do', but be a part of.

Maybe you're thinking you are too old to 'do' much for the Lord. You are wrong!

There are still plenty of areas God wants you to influence.

There are still many ministries you can support and participate in.

There are still lots of lost souls out there needing to hear your salvation story.

It's not about being able to 'do' anything, it's about being a part of what God's already doing.

 MY SECURITY

Today's reading: Genesis 8-11

"As long as the earth remains, there will be springtime and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer, day and night." Genesis 8:22 NLT

Maybe you place your peace of mind in having a stack of $100 bills in the bank.

Or you rest your head each night knowing our government holds all things in place.

Or that science and technology are keeping our world, and your life, in a nice order.

Me? Me, I'm not depending on any of that. Do I find them all to be useful? Helpful? Intriguing? And at times time saving? Sure, I do--but my hope and faith and trust and peace come wholly and securely in the Lord that assures the seasons, the atmosphere, the weather and the sun, moon and stars!

He promises the sun will always rise--the government cannot do that.

He promises that there will be planting seasons and harvest seasons--the scientists in the laboratories cannot do that.

He promises that we will get to experience the heat of the summer and the cold of the winter--the bankers on Wall Street cannot do that for us, no matter how high their stacks of cold hard cash are.

Only God.

Only God!

 CHOOSING TO REJOICE

Today's reading: Romans5-6

"So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God--all because of what our Lord Jesus Christ has done for us in making us friends with God." Romans 5:11 NLT

Are you choosing to rejoice?

Before the day begins...

Even before your first cup of coffee...

While you wait for the answer to that prayer you've been praying for years...

In the midst of a raging storm...

It's our choice to rejoice.

Our reason to rejoice lies in the fact that Jesus made us friends with God!

 PROOF

Today's reading: Matthew 3-4

"Prove by the way you live that you have really turned from your sins and turned to God." Matthew 3:8 NLT

The 'proof in the pudding' isn't your Sunday-self.

It's not the you that's dressed up, carrying your Bible, sitting in the pew while worship music swirls around you.

It's not the you sitting in the uncomfortable metal folding chair as you tell another Bible account to a bunch of wiggling, whining, ready for snacks, Sunday School littles.

It's not the you the pastor calls on to pray on Sunday morning.

The true proof of your relationship with God is your Monday through Saturday self.

The sitting in traffic self.

The cut off in traffic self.

The waiting in the drive thru self.

The cleaning up another cup of spilled milk self.

The picking up the phone and refusing to allow gossip to enter the conversation self.

So, if you think back over your week, Sunday excluded, is there any proof that you have turned from your sins and turned back to God?

 WHO IS HE TO YOU?

Today's reading: Isaiah 7-11

"For a child us born to us, a son is given to us. And the government will rest on his shoulders. These will be his royal titles: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6 NLT

What are you calling God these days?

Sure the day's verse was plastered all over your Christmas cards and in your thoughts as the nativity scene sat on the coffee table in your house, but what about now?

Do you know Him as your Wonderful Counselor--even when His counsel goes against what you want to do?

Do you know the might of God--even in the unanswered requests of your heart?

Is the hope of eternity with your Everlasting God spurring you forwards--even on the days when people rub you the wrong way?

Does the Prince of Peace rule in your heart--amidst the chaos of this earth?

Don't place God on a shelf to use and refer to on Sundays.

Don't resort to God as your 9-1-1 call in the midst of turmoil or fear.

Crawl into His holy lap and rest. Step into His throne room and make big asks. Lean into His always steadfastness and trust Him with all you don't know.

 A GOOD FRIEND

Today's reading: Job 3-4

Take it from a gal who has opened her mouth too many times and allowed to spill out more of what I thought than what God willed...

Be like Job's friends in chapter 2, rather than Job's friends in chapter 4 and beyond.

Sit with a loved one and listen.

Don't talk.

Don't offer advice.

Don't, in some instances, even quote Scripture.

Because your words, most times, aren't what's needed--it's your presence.

Your physical presence.

Not your wit. Not your wisdom. Not your funny attempts at bringing comic relief to the situation. Not your take on the current situation. Not your plan for making all things right.

Your presence.

So, sit down and be quiet.

 MY SHIELD

Today's reading: Psalm 3-5

"But you, O Lord, are a shield around me, my glory and the one who lifts my head high." Psalm 3:3 NLT

A shield is a weapon of defense carried by a soldier, one who is expecting hand-to-hand combat.

It's not the type of item a warrior would forget at home as he heads for the battlefield.

It's not etiquette of war for an enemy to allow the one he's fighting against a short time out so they can run home and get what they need to continue the battle.

So, do you have your shield?

Are you putting on the armor of God each and every day BEFORE the day begins?

Are you making sure you spend time with the God of Angel Armies, getting fitted for what lies ahead of you?

 DEAR CHURCH

Today's reading: Joshua 6-10

"But Israel was unfaithful concerning the things set apart for the Lord..." Joshua 7:1 NLT

The very ones God had entrusted with His name, His land and His purpose, had proven unfaithful. They chose other gods. They chose other ways than His. They chose to seek after their comforts rather than obey with their whole hearts.

Even after all He had done for them.

It would be extraordinarily hard to believe, if it weren't still happening.

Church, I'm talking to the righteous few, the serving select, the bones of the body of believers--we're being unfaithful concerning the things set apart for God.

And our churches are hurting for it!

We're lax on our treatment of all things holy.

Like our Sundays.

Our Bibles.

Our church buildings.

Our altars.

Our evangelism.

Our love.

Our walks.

Our words.

Our gifts.

We have been given so much by the Lord, to be used for the Lord, in our most imperfect attempts to honor the Lord for who He is.

But we aren't taking all He's blessed us with seriously. We aren't stepping into the opportunities He presents us with boldly. We aren't believing what his Word says.

If you read on in chapter 7 of Joshua, you'll see what happened to Israel...let it be a warning to us all!

 OUR PRIORITIES
Today's reading: Genesis 4-7

"Cain replied to the Lord, My punishment is too great for me to bear! You have banished me from my land and from your presence; you have made me a wandering fugitive. All who see me will try to kill me." Genesis 4:13 NLT

I'd never noticed it before.

I've read the verse numerous times, but had never seen it.

In Cain's response to the Lord's punishment, you see Cain's heart.

The darkness of it. The twisted nature of it. The wrong priorities in it.

Do you see it?

He first mentions that God has banished him from 'his' land.

The land God had made. The land God had given him. The land that had, up until that point, produced a crop with little to no effort.

And then, only after stating what he believed he was entitled to, he mentions that he is sorrowful to hear he will be separated from God's presence.

His priorities are askew.

What's most important to him came to the forefront.

What mattered most in his heart was listed first--secondary things were added on the back of that list.

What about us?

Is God, and being in His presence, a priority to us?

Is it our only purpose for living, our reason for going on in life, is it what we live and breath for?

All else should be conveniences.

 REMEMBER

Today's reading: Romans 3-4

"We are made right in God's sight when we trust in Jesus Christ to take away our sins. And we all can be saved in this same way, no matter who we are or what we have done." Romans 3:22 NLT

Believer, I'm challenging you, as I'm challenging myself, to remember this very verse as we step into our houses of worship this morning.

You, or I, are no better or worse than any other human walking on this planet.

You, or I, were no better sinner or worse sinner than any soul you will bump into this next week.

You, or I, had no heavier sins, no blacker sins, no greater sins, than any single person who will approach His throne for forgiveness.

When we head to worship with those truths packed firmly in our hearts and minds, we cannot help but go with the intention of worshiping, wanting others to know the freedom of salvation or seeking to honor Him in all we could possibly ever do to attempt to thank Him for His gift to us!

 WHERE IS THE NEWBORN KING OF THE JEWS?

Today's reading: Matthew 1-2

"Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We have seen his star as it arose, and we have come to worship him. Herod was deeply disturbed by their question, as was all of Jerusalem." Matthew 2:2-3 NLT

The magi were wondering where the new king was, so they could worship him.

Few knew.

The politicians didn't know.

The religious elite going through their routines in the Temple didn't know.

The money-makers in the market place didn't know.

Could the same be said today?

Church, do we know where Jesus is?

Has He been packed up and placed in our storage closets until the nativity scene is dragged out again next Christmas?

Has He been pushed aside for more politically correct issues, responses or preferences?

Has He been sold out for convenience? For status? For entertainment?

Has He been removed from our pews, our worship services, our small groups, our evangelistic outreaches?

Church, just where is the newborn King--in your life?

 SCARLET

Today's reading: Isaiah 1-6

"Come now, let us argue this out, says the Lord. No matter how deep the stain of your sins, I can remove it. I can make you as clean as freshly fallen snow. Even if your are stained as red as crimson, I can make you as white as wool." Isaiah 1:18 NLT

If you've been in the church for any length of time, like me, your preferred word for crimson is 'scarlet'. It's what is used in the King James Version, it's what used in hymns, it's what's been referred to by a whole lot of pastors.

Scarlet. 

I found out a very interesting fact about 'scarlet' this week while listening to a Bible teaching podcast...

Scarlet was a color in ancient time that could not be bleached out, washed out or changed by the addition of another color.

Once it was scarlet fabric, it remained scarlet fabric.

No bleaching agent could lighten it. No addition of blue could turn it to a lovely purple. 

So, for God to speak through Isaiah and mention the scarlet stain of sin--and the ability of God to make a scarlet-stained life as white as wool, people had to notice.

Their ears had to perk up.

Their interest had to have been peaked.

And for us today? Well, while we don't deal with the fabric dying process, we deal with the effects of sins--the guilt, the shame, the consequences, the weight, the penalty.

Allow God's loving touch to change your stained heart and make it as white as wool.

 ONLY THE GOOD?

Today's reading: Job 1-2

"But Job replied, You talk like a godless woman. Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad? So in all this, Job said nothing wrong." Job 2:10 NLT

I've seen posted on Facebook an old Irish statement that goes something like this:

As the New Year approaches, open up the front door to allow all of last year out and all of the New Year in your home.

As Facebook usually does, it's added a little something...

And with the year we've had--open up the windows, the back door and the garage door, too!

I'll agree, we've had a string of rough years. Pandemics, political turmoil, sin running rampant, weather happenings and down right weariness.

But as Job put so well, Are we only to accept the good things from the Lord and not the bad?

Oh, the things we've learned about the Lord through hard times, rough patches and long, dark nights.

He is so good to bless us, but He is equally as good to see us through--all that comes our way.

So today, spend a moment or two thanking God for the bad times, not that they happened, but that His faithfulness continued through them!

 HOLY LAUGHTER

Today's reading: Psalm 1-2

"But the one who rules in heaven laughs..." Psalm 2:1 NLT

My new yearly planner still crackles when I turn the pages.

The new pen I've chosen to use with it has just had the little plastic tip cover removed.

I've jotted down birthdays, anniversaries, upcoming doctor visits.

I've written in ink some goals I have for myself for the upcoming year.

But then? Then I come across this verse and realize all I have planned, all I want to accomplish, all I have in mind to do--God laughs at.

Because I don't know what today holds, let along tomorrow, next week, next month or the upcoming year!

Here's what I do know--even though God laughs at my plans, He will be with me in all of them. He will. Either leading me into them--or on the other side of them with a lesson, a healing hug or a switch to my backside.

This upcoming year holds not a single solitary second in which He isn't.

That gives me peace. Confidence. Assurance. Hope. Faith.

 BEFORE

Today's reading: Joshua 1-5

"No manna appeared that day, and it was never seen again. So from that time on the Israelites ate from the crops of Canaan." Joshua 5:12 NLT

I love it when I find a new morsel to chew on in my Bible reading.

Sure, I love being reminded of things I knew...but to find a new gem? Priceless!

Like this morning...

I knew in the first few chapters of Joshua, God's people crossed into the Promised Land.

I knew within a short dive into Joshua the Israelites fought the battle of Jericho...Jericho...Jericho.

But I had never noticed this morning's verse--that God fed them from the bounty of Canaan BEFORE they'd even fought the first fight, settled the first skirmish, waged the first war or battled for the first boundary.

He fed them 'milk and honey' in a land that was going to be theirs because He had already claimed it for them.

Before.

Before they'd walked too deeply into its borders.

Before they were handed a deed.

Before they began to build homes and grow their own crops.

God chose to feed them from the land, their land, His land, the Promised Land.

Before.

 REALLY?

Today's reading: Genesis 1-3

"Now the serpent was the shrewdest of all the creatures the Lord God had made. Really? he asked the woman..." Genesis 3:1 NLT

On day two of this New Year, I want to give you a challenge.

The mission, if you choose to accept it, will encompass the truth in today's verse, will require a little gumption on your part and will undoubtedly cause you to end the year in a much better place than where you started it.

The challenge: Stop listening to the serpent!

He still speaks today. He causes doubts and fears. He questions all we know to be true about God. He plants seeds of discord, bitterness and hate. He lies, cheats and steals.

So--for the remaining 363 days of 2023, check the return address on each and every thought that comes your way. 

If it sounds like it's coming from God--follow it. 

If it sounds like it might be coming from the shrewdest creature God ever created--return it to its sender!

 IMAGINATIONS

Today's reading: Romans 1-2

"Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn't worship Him as God or even give Him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. They result was that their minds became dark and confused." Romans 1:21 NLT

Welcome to a brand, spanking new year!

The old is behind us. The new lays before as a gift.

The challenge I'm giving myself, and you, is that we take to heart the truths in this single verse...

Let's, this year, find out who God really is!

Let's put aside the pictures we've conjured up in our minds as to His image, and stick our noses so deeply into the Word and into spending time in His presence that we find Him.

Find out how great His grace is!

Find out how wonderful His mercy is!

Find out how dearly loved we truly are!

Ready for the challenge...Go!