LOOK INTO THEIR EYES

Today's reading: 2 Corinthians 4-5

"So we have stopped evaluating others by what the world thinks about them..." 2 Corinthians 5:16 NLT

No matter who walks in your church doors--love them.

Despite what they wear, or don't wear, say, or don't say--love them.

Whether or not they know who they are, think they are someone they're not or come with preconceived notions about who you will be towards them--love them.

Look them squarely in the eyes--and love them.

Because, Christian brothers and sisters, it's not about what the world thinks about them, it's all about what Christ has asked us to do.

 DESERTING JESUS

Today's reading: Mark 13-14

"Meanwhile, all his disciples deserted him and ran away." Mark 14:50 NLT

Really, disciples, really?

When things don't go your way...

When things don't go down the way you thought they should...

When things don't look good...

When things scare you...

You desert the One who can correct the problem, change the situation, undo the unlovely, calm your fears?

I cannot even believe you would do such a thing...and yet, sadly, honestly, repentantly...I see a whole lot of you in me.

 REPEATED THEME

Today's reading: Jeremiah 22-26

"But stop using this phrase, 'prophecy from the Lord.' For the people are using it to give authority to their own ideas, turning upside down the words of our God, the living God, the Lord Almighty." Jeremiah 23:36 NLT

Yesterday's verse spoke to my heart about the need for us to be in the Word of God, and today's? Well, today's verse gives a prime example as to why we need to do just that!

We have to know God's Word in order to tell when we are being told a lie about it.

We have to have enough of the Bible in our hearts and heads and lives to be able to distinguish when its words are being twisted, manipulated and being wrongly used.

We have to spend time in the Holy Bible so that the Holy Bible can infiltrate our thoughts and intentions.

Too many people are taking bits and pieces of the Bible and using it to suit their intended purposes.

Let us, God's children, be so well versed in His Word that we can spot counterfeit messages a mile off!

 OPEN UP YOUR BIBLES

Today's reading: Job 33-34

"So let us discern for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good." Job 34:4 NLT

There are a whole lot of ideas, statements, theories and movements attracting our attention these days.

There are groups of people who want to sway you to their side and are willing to lie, cheat and steal in order to do it.

There are facets of the population who are blinded by their sins and want you to put a blindfold on so that you aren't seeing what they aren't seeing.

And then, well only by God's amazing grave, then there is the Word of God.

The truth. The path. The light in the darkness.

Available to us.

Written in all versions so that anyone can understand it.

Filled with God's instructions, decrees, encouragement and accounts.

Are we in it regularly? Are we comparing what we hear and see in the world to what it says on its pages? Are we using it as the 'guidebook' God intended it to be?

 WHAT AM I TRUSTING?

Today's reading: Psalm 48-50

"There is no need to fear when times of trouble come, when enemies are surrounding me." Psalm 49:5 NLT

Ever packed for a trip and had to condense and compact what you could take into a smaller suitcase or carry-on bag?

You stand over the pile of clothes you think you might need and ponder each and every piece--is it necessary or not?

You keep some, you push some aside. What's most important matters. All else there is no room for.

Fear is a piece of our human baggage that as Christians we need to push aside. To leave out of our heart full of emotions. To toss from all the things going on in our heads. To choose to have no room for in our lives.

Because if we allow it, it grows. It takes over all good thoughts. All true thoughts. All godly thoughts.

So check your 'suitcase', what's in there?

 TWO KINGDOMS

Today's reading: 2 Samuel 1-4

"That was the beginning of a long war between those who had been loyal to Saul and those who were loyal to David. As time passed David became stronger and stronger, while Saul's dynasty became weaker and weaker." 2 Samuel 3:1 NLT

There are still, these thousands of years later, two kingdoms at war around us.

Good and evil.

God and Satan.

We could hide in fear of this battle. We could cower. We might even give up, waving a white flag.

Or we can know, in the depths of our hearts, that God continues to win each and every battle He is involved in!

Our prodigals will be brought back!

Our lost loved ones will be saved!

God's will will be carried out!

Right will prevail!

Satan will grow weaker and weaker while God becomes glorified among the nations.

 JUST STAND

Today's reading: Exodus 13-16

"But Moses told the people, Don't be afraid. Just stand where you are and watch the Lord rescue you. The Egyptians that you see today will never be seen again." Exodus 14:13 NLT

Fear is not of God.

As a matter of fact, God expects His children to stand in the face of scary things--believing He will deliver them from it or through it.

He doesn't want us balled up under the covers.

He doesn't not want us hiding out.

He doesn't want us running for our lives.

He says to stand...to stand and watch Him work.

Will you do that today?

 MORE AND MORE

Today's reading: 2 Corinthians 1-3

"...And as the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him and reflect his glory even more." 2 Corinthians 3:18b NLT

It's a cooler spring morning here on the farm.

A morning when I could have snuggled deeper under the blankets and allowed the plans for the day to rush ahead without me. A morning when I could very easily set myself up at my own little god and worship the day away focusing on myself.

But today's the Lord's Day!

The day, as today's verse leads me to believe, I get to be made more and more like Him.

By my choice to honor the Lord's Day.

By my choice to push aside self for Him.

By my choice to have an attitude of gratitude,

By my choice to follow through on commitments and opportunities to support and serve at our house of worship.

By my choice to worship with my brothers and sisters in Christ,

By my choice to follow His example and join others in His house.

Already, and I'm not even at church yet, He is making me more and more like Him!

 MERCHANDISE

Today's reading: Mark 11-12

"When they arrived back in Jerusalem, Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out the merchants and their customers. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the stalls of those selling doves, and he stopped everyone from bringing in merchandise." Mark 11:15-16 NLT

What are you planning on taking with you to church tomorrow?

Oh, I mean other than your Bible--what else?

Something Jesus would prefer you didn't have there? Something He would throw out?

Jealousy for someone who sings better than you? Someone who has the 'perfect' family with them on the pew? Someone who holds the position you wanted?

Bitterness for someone who has mispoken to you? Someone who has said more than they should about their own opinion? Someone who has brought the Word of the Lord to you privately, but it didn't set well?

Preferences for how things should be run? The kind of music you prefer? The lesson curriculum you think should be studied? The color of the carpet?

My prayer for myself and for you, is that we bring nothing with us to church (other than our Bibles), but have open arms to receive all He wants to send us home with!

 YOUR CHOICE

Today's reading: Jeremiah 17-21

"Tell all the people, This is what the Lord says: Take your choice of life or death!" Jeremiah 21:8 NLT

What a loving God we have that allows us to choose.

What a gentlemanly God we have that allows us to choose.

What a what-is-He-thinking God that allows us to choose.

We are not hard-wired to always choose Him.

He knows that.

We are not born with the innate desire to fill our lives with godly choices, put others first or worship anyone but ourselves. 

He knows that.

So when He allows us to do the choosing, and when we choose Him--that is true worship!

He knows that.

 SELF TEST

Today's reading: Jo 31-32

"Have I ever tried to hide my sins as people normally do, hiding my guilt in a closet?" Job 31:33 NLT

Just last night I was bombarded with television ads touting the effectiveness and ease of a few new at home medical tests you can do for yourself.

From the convenience of your own home...

From the privacy of your living space...

No doctor office or hospital required...

And these tests are important! They are early screening for some pretty serious medical conditions. Illnesses and diseases which, if caught early, can allow treatment to be very successful.

Another home test, or self test, we can do? One that will get to the bottom of our heart issues? One that will allow us intimate access to the Lord?

A self examination like the one Job put himself through in Job 31.

He asked himself every question he could think of. He presented circumstance after circumstance to compare how he should have responded versus how he did respond. He thoroughly investigated his motives, his actions and his attitudes.

Dare we do the same thing?

Do we expose all there is of us, to God's eye? To our awareness? 

Maybe it's time we did a few more self tests, and not just the medical ones our doctor's recommend!

 A ROUND OF APPLAUSE

Today's reading: Psalm 45-47

"Come, everyone, and clap your hands for joy! Shout to God with joyful praise! For the Lord Most High is awesome. He is the great King of all the earth." Psalm 47:1-2 NLT

There has been plenty of reason as of late for me to give God a standing ovation.

A 'Well done, Sir.'

A high-five.

A round of applause.

What's He done?

He's been in the hospital room with our family.

He's provided monetarily.

He has painted the evening sky with such detail and in such vivid colors that the most talented artist would have to stand in awe.

He has opened His Word up to me--Me!?

He has chosen to give me ears to hear the birds singing before the dawn.

He has allowed me the privilege of smelling the first grass clippings of the year and the smell of freshly plowed dirt.

Oh, the wonderful ways He has shown Himself to me, proved Himself to me, worked within me, given of Himself to me.

Bravo, Lord! Bravo!

 THE WAITING ROOM
Today's reading: 1 Samuel 26-31

Six chapters, out of many others, that give an account of David waiting his turn for the throne.

The throne he has been promised.

The throne he has been anointed to sit upon.

The throne he has watched ruled by a man who was no longer God's chosen.

But here, this strong man of God, sits--waiting.

Running for his life.

Hiding from his enemy.

Fighting battles on his left and his right.

But waiting.

Maybe you find yourself waiting today.

For the role you truly believe God has called you to hold to be opened up to you. For the answer to prayer you know His Word promises. For the next step to be illuminated by His light. For the circumstances to change and you step into your new position.

Waiting is hard--if you JUST sit and wait.

Waiting can be very profitable if you use the time to build up your muscles, build up your reserves and build up your faith, build up your hours spent in His Word.

Make good use of your time.

The waiting room may very well be where God is allowing you to hone the skills you will need when it's your turn!

 

 WAILING

Today's reading: Exodus 9-12

"Then a loud wail will be heard throughout the land of Egypt; there has never been such wailing before, and there never will be again. But among the Israelites it will be so peaceful that not even a dog will bark." Exodus 11:6-7 NLT

Our farm dog is a barker.

He alerts us to trash trucks that rumble past our little farm, bicylists that are on the road in our area, neighborhood dogs who cross into his assigned territory, birds that fly too low over our house and devious leaves that flitter across our property.

I immediately thought of him sleep through the night of the Passover.

What peace there would have been on such a horrendous, life-changing, pre-cursor to deliverance night!

The blood smeared on the doorposts allowed the Israelite men and women to sleep without a care in the world. To rest up for their soon-to-be happening travels.

Sacrificial blood applied to their homes and lives brought peace in the middle of death and destruction.

As it does today.

For His believers.

For those washed in His blood.

For those marked by the Lamb's sacrifice.

 STILL IT'S GOOD NEWS

Today's reading: 1 Corinthians 15-16

Everyone dies because all of us are related to Adam, the first man. But all who are related to Christ, the other man, will be given a new life." 1 Corinthians 15:22 NLT

Your Easter bonnet has been stored.

The final pieces of Easter ham have been eaten.

The Easter lilies are finishing up their last hoorahs as petal after petal fall to the ground.

The Easter crowd will have dissipated from the sanctuary this Sunday.

But the Good News, the wonderful, life-changing, eternity-effecting Good News remains!

We who know Jesus have new life.

Not just a life.

Not just a temporary life.

Not just a life that will someday end at a cemetery.

But everlasting life!

Life with God because of Jesus' death, burial and resurrection!

 PRIVATE WORSHIP

Today's reading: Mark 9-10

"Leaving that region, they traveled through Galilee. Jesus tried to avoid all publicity in order to spend more time with his disciples and teach them." Mark 9:30-31 NLT

What if...

God is more interest in our private worship than our church attendance, our pack-a-pew-Sundays and our mega churches?

God wants more quiet time with you than time spent on committees, in group Bible studies and serving in the church?

God intends for this relationship with Him to be more about Him than about public displays of worship?

God intends our moments in our prayer closets to be even greater than our corporate worship, revivals or evangelism outreaches?

 INFLUENCERS

Today's reading: Jeremiah 12-16

"...You are to influence them; do not let them influence you!" Jeremiah 15:19 NLT

One hears a lot about 'influencers' these days.

People who set the fashion scene by their attire.

Men and women who determine, for their followers, the latest fads.

Artists who turn heads and change views.

This is not a new thing.

You see, God asked His people a very long time ago to be 'influencers'.

To stand out in the crowd.

To set the tone.

To make marks on history.

To impact the lives of the people around them.

He gave strict instructions to be the ones influencing--and not the ones being influenced.

So, if I may ask, how are you doing with that command?

 WHAT ARE THEY SAYING?

Today's reading: Job 29-30

"All who heard of me praised me. All who saw me spoke well of me." Job 29:11 NLT

These thousands of years later, we're still speaking highly of Job.

His choices, His responses. His faith.

Job himself speaks these words in regards to him self BEFORE the disasters began to occur. He says, in essence, You should have known me before!

God help us to be able to say the same.

May every trial leave us better, not bitter.

May every storm leave us soaked but sure.

May every long night leave us awakening to the brilliance of a new day--one others see us praising God in.

Our reputation among others matter. It's our calling cards for this Christian walk. How we are viewed by others will determine whether or not they allow us in to their lives to speak about Jesus.

Let is be said of us, All who hear of us praise us. All who see us speak well of us.

 VICTORY IN JESUS

Today's reading: Psalm 42-44

"It is you who gives us victory over our enemies; it is you who humbles those who hate us." Psalm 44:7 NLT

As Easter fades in the distance, do you remember the power of the Cross?

As you put away your best china and silver from your elaborate Easter meal, do you have still have the hope of that early Sunday morning?

As your enemy attempts to attack, belittle, destroy and steal all that's yours, do you recall the victory Jesus attained for us?

It is Jesus who gives us victory!

 DRAWN TO HIM

Today's reading: 1 Samuel 21-25

"Then others began coming--men who were in trouble or in debt or who were just discontented--until David was the leader of about four hundred men." 1 Samuel 22:2 NLT

David drew people to him because God was in him.

Jesus drew people to Him.

Christians should draw people to them.

They should have magnetic personalities.

They should radiate with care, concern, love and grace.

They should freely offer mercy, hope and forgiveness.

They should bubble over with joy.

And they should never be selective in who is attracted to the God they see and want to know more about!

 A CLEAR DISTINCTION

Today's reading: Exodus 5-8

"I will make a clear distinction between your people and my people..." Exodus 8:23 NLT

The Lord told Moses these words during the time of the plagues against Egypt and Pharoah.

He said, in these words, that there would be a clear distinction between the godly and the ungodly, between the believers and the unbelievers, between the children of God and the children of the world.

Does that dividing line still exist?

Do Christians differ from the world they live in?

Are there distinctions that set us apart?

There should be. Marked differences. 

In how we behave.

In how we speak.

In what we do when wronged.

In our attitudes.

In our reaction to hopeless situations.

In our lack of retaliation.

In our joy.

Making that clear distinction evident in our own lives is all we can do, but it is important!

BE A BUGLER

Today's reading: 1 Corinthians 13-14

"And if the bugler doesn't sound a clear call, how will the soldiers know they are being called into battle?" 1 Corinthians 14:8 NLT

You can handle your burden by yourself.

You can choose not to let anyone know your struggle.

You can opt to not bother anyone with your prayer request.

Or you can sound the alarm!

You can let your group of praying and believing friends know how they can help.

You can sound a clear call, so the other soldiers in your army of God will know they are being called into battle!

 

 PARTING COMPANY

Today's reading: Mark 7-8

"Jesus turned and looked at his disciples and then said to Peter, very sternly, Get away from me, Satan! You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God's." Mark 8:33 NLT

How often, because of your earthly-minded thinking, would you have been cast out of Jesus' presence?

Because you couldn't see an answer.

Because you wouldn't believe for an answer.

Because you shouldn't hope for an answer.

I, and maybe you, are too often guilty of seeing things from merely a human point of view, and and from what our Bible's tell us.

It's more than just believing He can and He will, it's also believing He promises to and He wants to.

 PROUD AS A PEACOCK

Today's reading: Jeremiah 7-11

"This is what the Lord says: Let not the wise man gloat in his wisdom, or the mighty man in his might, or the rich man in his riches. Let them boast in this alone: that they truly know me and understand that I am the Lord who is just and righteous, whose love is unfailing, and that I delight in these things. I, the Lord, have spoken." Jeremiah 9:23-24 NLT

Last year we gave a pair of young peacocks to some friends of ours for their little farm.

I received a video from her yesterday that showed their young male fully fanned out displaying the colors of his beautiful tail feathers.

He had beauty to share with the world, so he did.

You and I? Well, you and I have, if we know the Lord as Savior and Friend, more, much more to boast about than a young peacock!

We know the One who knows us intimately.

We know the One who created, stirs up and calms the storms--in the weather and in our hearts.

We know the One who watched as Adam and Eve sinned, but loved us enough to send Jesus.

Are you as proud as a peacock?

WISDOM

Today's reading: Job 27-28

 "But do people know where to find wisdom?.." Job 28:12 NLT

Pinterest has cornered the market on where folks go to find the latest recipe, decorating idea or hairstyle.

Facebook keeps us up to date on all the latest happenings in our families, our friends, our neighbors and people we don't know from Adam.

Google has millions of hits a day from folks searching for answers to trivial questions, medical information and factoids.

YouTube garners the attention of individuals wanting to see 'how-to' do something.

But wisdom?

Where do we go for wisdom?

The application of all we can learn and know?

Only to God.

To Him through prayer.

To Him through the Bible.

To Him through godly people.

Wisdom is our only hope in this information littered world.

Wisdom will be our defining mark as believers.

Wisdom will lead us to knowing, above all else, that God is God--and we are not!

 TOO MANY MIRACLES

Today's reading: Psalm 39-41

"O Lord my God, you have done many miracles for us. Your plans for us are too numerous to list. If I tried to recite all your wonderful deeds, I would never come to the end of them." Psalm 40:5 NLT

I've found a new favorite song. One that, lyrically, I can use the words as a testimony. One that, tempo-wise, I can hum in the best and worst of times. One that, theologically, I can back up with this morning's verse.

Here are the lyrics from 'Million Little Miracles' by Elevation Worship. I hope you enjoy reading through them!

All my life, I've been carried by grace
Don't ask me how 'cause I can't explain
It's nothing short of a miracle I'm here

I've got some blessings that I don't deserve
I've got some scars, but that's how you learn
It's nothing short of a miracle I'm here

I think it over and it doesn't add up
I know it comes from above

I've got miracles on miracles
A million little miracles
Miracles on miracles
Count your miracles
One, two, three, four, I can't even count 'em all

You held me steady so I wouldn't give up
You opened doors that nobody could shut
I hope I never get over what You've done

I wanna live with an open heart
I wanna live like I know who You are
I hope I never get over what You've done

It's not coincidence and it's not luck
I know it comes from above

I've got miracles on miracles
A million little miracles
Miracles on miracles
Count your miracles
One, two, three, four, I can't even count 'em all

Miracles on miracles
A million little miracles
Miracles on miracles
Count your miracles
One, two, three, four, I can't even count 'em all

I can't even, I can't even count 'em all
I can't even, I can't even count 'em all
I can't even, I can't even count 'em all
One, two, three, four, I can't even count 'em all

 TRIUMPH

Today's reading: 1 Samuel 16-20

"So David triumphed over the Philistine giant with only a stone and a sling. And since he had no sword, he ran over and pulled Goliath's sword from its sheath. David used it to kill the giant and cut off his head." 1 Samuel 17:50-51 NLT

Goliath was not the last, or only, giant to torment, threaten and intimidate God's children.

Giant temptations, giant doubts and giant fears run rampant today--yes, even in 2023.

So, Christian brothers and sisters, how do we fight them?

You can carry with you a stone and sling, if that's what you want. But we have been given stronger, mightier, handier and more proven tools--God's power and God's promises!

Are you stopping your giants in their tracks with the Word of the Lord? The very words which have spoken this world into existence, calmed raging seas and thrown enemy armies into chaos to the point they fight themselves?

Are you standing strong in the face of your giant on God's promises? The very promises that have proven themselves worthy of our trust for decades upon decades?

As surely as the enemy is going to show up in your day, you have available to you weapons to fight him.

Use them. Trust them. 

 MULTIPLY

Today's reading: Exodus 1-4

"So the Egyptians made the Israelites their slaves and put brutal slave drivers over them, hoping to wear them down under heavy burdens. They forced them to build the cities of Pithom and Rameses as supply centers for the king. But the more the Egyptians oppressed them, the more quickly the Israelites multiplied!.." Exodus 1:11-12 NLT

I don't know how hard our enemy is oppressing you...

I don't know what he is up to in your church...

I don't know the lengths to which he has gone to severely wound your family...

I don't know the seeds of doubt he has planted, watered and fertilized...

I don't know what stumbling blocks he has placed in your way...

But I do know this: you have the strength of God in you, and he will not win!

Just like in the days of the Israelite slavery--they chose to prosper. They chose to grow. They chose to stand tall. To walk in faith.

Choose to increase in every area Satan attempts to knock you down!

 MORE HARM THAN GOOD

Today's reading: 1 Corinthians 11-12

"But now when I mention this next issue, I cannot praise you. For it sounds as if more harm than good is done when you meet together." 1 Corinthians 11:17 NLT

Paul goes on, after this verse, to speak to the improper way the new church was conducting and participating in the Lord's Supper.

But might he, in today's church, address us in the same way in regards to our gathering together--that we are doing more harm than good?

Are we leaving the lonely feeling lonelier after our worship services?

Are we hurting the hurting more deeply?

Are we solidifying the doubts they might have about these 'Jesus people'?

Are we pouring salt in wounds?

This verse certainly has me thinking this morning as I prepare to attend worship services at my church... Will I leave better off than I arrive AND will I do more good than harm while I am there?

 WHAT TO DO WITH JESUS

Today's reading: Mark 5-6

"Those who had seen what happened to the man and to the pigs told everyone about it, and the crowd began pleading with Jesus to go away and leave them alone." Mark 5:16-17 NLT

When folks see Jesus in their midst they have one of two reactions...

One, they run to Him. Wide open. Wanting all He has to offer. Reaching out to Him with their whole hearts.

Or, two, they push Him away. Too afraid. Too intimidated. Too full of doubt.

What are you doing with Jesus?