PAUSING TO CELEBRATE

Today's reading: Leviticus 22-24

In reading about the festivals ordained by God, I realized something...

Christians today do very little pausing to celebrate.

To remember.

To recall all God's done for us.

Oh sure, we're busy fighting the good fight, carrying out programs, livestreaming our services and buying all the cute Christian T-shirts, but are we pausing to celebrate?

Are we grinding to a halt and placing thoughts of Him squarely in the forefront of our minds?

Are we putting aside all we believe to be important to lift up the One thing that matters?

These festivals were scheduled because God knew how busy life would get.

These festivals were commanded because God knew how easily we might forget all He had done.

These festivals were required because God was well aware of how exhausted we would become without that planned for pause.

I'll ask you what I've asked myself--Am I pausing to celebrate the Lord?

 DO SO MORE AND MORE

Today's reading: 1 Thessalonians 4-5

"Finally, dear brothers and sisters, we urge you in the name of the Lord Jesus to live in a way that pleases God, as we have taught you. You are doing this already, and we encourage you to do so more and more." 1 Thessalonians 4:1 NLT

I'd have to look back over my blog posts, but I have probably given pause to this verse each and every year I come across it. 

It's my spiritual reset reminder. It's my take inventory verse. It's my determine my improvement from last year to this point in the Bible.

You see, IF we are living for Christ on a daily basis, this verse asks us to up our game. To increase our intentions. To do so more and more.

More grace.

More patience.

More love.

More joy.

More peace.

More stepping through doors to witness.

More simply sharing what God's done for us.

Let's do so more and more.

 PARTICIPATION

Today's reading: Luke 23-24

"Herod was delighted at the opportunity to see Jesus, because he had heard about him and had been hoping for a long time to see him perform a miracle." Luke 23:8 NLT

There is a whole lot of Herod in us all.

How's that, you ask?

Well, to be quite honest, we're all about the celebrity of Christ...

The wonderment of the Lord...

The gift-giving abilities of Jesus...

But like Herod, we want to stand back and watch the miracles--but have not participation in them!

We want things changed in the snap of a godly finger, but don't want to put the sweat equity into it.

We want things turned around with the touch of His hands, but don't want to wait on it to happen.

We want what's best for our lives, contentment, joy and peace--and we know He hold all those things, but we don't want Him to have to make in changes in us, our lifestyles, our convictions or our habits.

See? We are kinda like Herod. We want to experience Jesus from a distance, not up close!

 I WILL

Today's reading: Ezekiel 37-42

"So now the Sovereign Lord says: I will end the captivity of my people." Ezekiel 39:25 NLT

It's not going to be us who break our chains.

It won't be the believers or the unbelievers that cut the cords used by Satan to bind us.

It isn't going to be the great prayers prayed by the church that open prison doors and set captives free.

It will be God.

All God.

Just God.

By God.

God alone.

 LIGHT AND JOY

Today's reading: Proverbs 13

"The life of the godly is full of light and joy, but the sinner's light is snuffed out." Psalm 13:9 NLT

How do you enter a room?

Are you the kind of person that arrives, your demeanor shouting, 'Here I am!'?

Or are you the type of person who appears in a room, your countenance beaming, 'Ah, there you are!'?

I believe as Christians, little Christs, we can bring light and life, joy and peace into each and every situation we find ourselves in. Well, maybe can, is too weak a word--we should bring light and life, joy and peace into each and every situation.

It's our choice. It's a matter of revealing to those around us Who we carry within us. 

It will be based upon how much time you have spent with your Author, Shepherd, Redeemer and Friend.

Take notice today of the 'air' you bring into a room. A business meeting. Your workplace. Your home. Your local grocery store.

 THE ONE WHO RULES

Today's reading: Psalm 87-89

"You are the one who rules the oceans. When their waves rise in fearful storms, you subdue them." Psalm 89:9 NLT

This morning in my prayer chair, while the sun still hides beyond the horizon, the fellas are still sound asleep and the day has yet to begin, I see it...

Six words that will set the tone for my day.

Establish my steps for the next 24 hours.

Remind me of what I know--and what I do not know.

'You are the one who rules...'

When the answers don't come as I please or as soon as I please, I must remember He is the One who rules.

When life throws at me a barrel-full of monkeys, I must remember He is the One who rules.

When the storms of life gather on the horizon and attempt to toss my little boat hither and yon, I must remember He is the One who rules.

That truth, that phrase, that belief, that statement of faith will keep me solidly founded on His abilities, His sovereignty and His love.

 NOTICING

Today's reading: 2 Kings 16-20

"...While he was there, he noticed an unusual altar. So he sent a model of the altar to Uriah the priest, along with its design in full detail." 2 Kings 16:10 NLT

It's one thing to notice sin.

To cast a glance its way.

But to stop and gawk? To pause and ponder? To be delayed by its details?

We cannot do that!

We need to listen to the small voice telling us it's wrong, asking us to move on, reminding us of God's Word. We need to surround ourselves with folks who will lovingly push us along.

And we need to be the kind of people who, when our friends bring us the 'designs for a new altar', crumple the plans up and remind them of what's godly, true and right.

 SET APART
Today's reading: Leviticus 19-21

"So set yourselves apart to be holy, for I, the Lord, am your God." Leviticus 20:7 NLT

If you are a saved, born again believer, then you have been given the God-granted holiness by way of Jesus' blood and the gift of salvation.

If you are a saved, born again believer, then you have also been given the opportunity to stand out in the crowd. To swim upstream, per se. To not blend in with society.

Too many Christians are attempting to unite with the world to an extent that all lines are blurred as to what they believe. Sadly, fewer and fewer Christians are known for their 'different-ness'.

This morning as I read over this verse, I am convicted of the ways in which I am too worldly, too earth-bound. I'm spending too much time and energy settling in to this place, when I am just a traveler, heading toward another country, my home.

 RELATIONSHIP

Today's reading: 1 Thessalonians 1-3

"We loved you so much that we gave you not only God's Good News but our own lives, too." 1 Thessalonians 2:8 NLT

I heard the most poignant reminder yesterday about our Christian service...

Ministry is one sided--you give to give, not to receive.

Relationship is two sided--you give, you get, you give again, to get again.

Jesus had a large ministry--giving what couldn't possibly be returned to Him.

Jesus had a small number of people with which He had a relationship. The disciples. Mary, Martha and Lazarus. People who poured into Him. People who refreshed Him. People who cared for His heart as much as He cared for theirs.

Isn't that an example for us?

Minister all we can. To all we can. With all we have.

But also choose relationships. Live life with people who better you, fill you, speak life into you--and return the favor.

 PRAYING FOR ME

Today's reading: Luke 21-22

"Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to have all of you, to sift you like wheat. But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail..." Luke 22:31-32 NLT

I do not consider it coincidental that this same verse, one I was privileged to teach a VBS lesson on this week has shown up again in my eyesight.

As I spoke this same verse over the kids I taught, I stumbled over the words--the immensity of them, the personal aspect of them, the authority of them.

Jesus spoke to God directly mentioning specifically Simon's name.

To God.

Specifically mentioning Simon by name.

No more direct line than Jesus to God. No greater pray-er than Jesus. No one better to ask of the Father than the Son.

And this morning I'm pausing on this--that He speaks our names to God, too.

Whispers them into the ear of His Father, our Father, our Creator, our Redeemer, our Sustainer.

On our behalf!

 STANDING ALONE

Today's reading: Ezekiel 31-36

"And as for you, my flock, my people, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will judge between one sheep and another, separating the sheep from the goats." Ezekiel 34:17 NLT

Here's what I know...

When the time comes I stand before God for judgement, it will be me--only me standing there.

I'll not be able to bring the testimonials of friends, the references of my pastors or a large voting body of people who think I'm pretty okay.

I'll not be allowed a quorum of previously gone on saintly grandparents or former church members.

I won't even be given the opportunity to have my immediate family standing beside me, offering opinion--or providing justification.

It will be me and the Lord.

Just He and I.

My Creator and one He has created.

I also know this...

Jesus has spoken already on my behalf! He has already mentioned to my Judge that one day, when I was seven years old, I asked Jesus to forgive my sins, to wash me clean and white and to live forever from that day in my heart.

His word is all I need to enter in as a good and faithful servant of God's.

So standing alone won't bother me, because I know I'll not be!

 BEYOND THE BALLOT

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

Our nation has been God-blessed to have some amazing, courageous, upright citizens leading it over the years of its existence.

Men and women who rose to the challenge before them, did what no others had been called to do, exhibited follow through in the toughest of times and soldiered on to rally our nation.

So I ask you, what are you doing for our great nation?

Oh, our part goes far beyond the ballot box, raising the flag on Independence Day and standing while the national anthem is played.

Are you praying for our country?

Are you applauding godly men and women who are placing themselves in the public service arena?

Are you speaking kindly, respectfully and wisely when sharing your opinions of current and past office holders?

Christian friend, are you blessing and prospering your 'city', or tearing it apart with your words?

 HAPPINESS

Today's reading: Psalm 84-86

"Give me happiness, O Lord, for my life depends on You." Psalm 86:4 NLT

If you think about it, all that brings us joy has come from God's hand.

The gift of salvation.

The blessing of loved ones.

The promise of eternity with Him.

Our lives, mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually, depend completely on Him.

 NEVER ALONE

Today's reading: 2 Kings 11-15

"But the Lord was gracious to the people of Israel, and they were not totally destroyed. He pitied them because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. And to this day he still has not completely destroyed them or banished them from his presence." 2 Kings 13:23 NLT

Ever felt alone in this great big, sin-filled world?

Like a single, solitary soldier fighting for all that's good, right and holy?

Feel like you have such a big job to do, but no one else helps?

You are not alone.

You, if you are fighting for the Lord, may be part of a remnant, but you are not alone!

Hold up that sword of the Spirit, even though there are days it feels as if it's no bigger than a toothpick.

Stand behind the shield of faith God has given you, even and especially on the days when you think what you believe is no thicker than a piece of aluminum foil.

Continue to stay strong, even if you are shaking in your shoes of peace--because those shoes, have been placed on your feet by the Lord.

Look around you, other soldiers are there. Look hard. Look in the most unexpected of places. Look for the times when God places someone in your path, on your mind or beside you to encourage you to fight the good fight.

He will not leave us alone, ever.

 THE NEW COVENANT

Today's reading: Leviticus 16-18

"The Lord said to Moses, Warn your brother Aaron not to enter the Most Holy Place behind the inner curtain whenever he chooses, the penalty for intrusion is death..." Leviticus 16:2 NLT

There are a whole lot of days for which I am truly thankful for the New Covenant God made with His people through the shedding of Christ's blood on the cross.

So many laws fulfilled in His willingness to die for me.

So many sacrifices made with His one on the cross.

But this morning, and I don't think I've ever noticed it before, is the fact that we can go to God any time we want, need, desire, have to.

Until Jesus died on the cross, it was an intrusion with a penalty of death to approach God in His Holy Place.

Imagine that, friends? Having to wait to be summoned? Needing an appointment? Only getting to speak to the Lord on ordained, specified or predetermined days?

Oh thank you Jesus, for the blood applied to my life and to my sins! That blood, that act, that mercy-filled choice to die for me opened the door to God's throne room wide enough that I can step through it any and every time I need!

 ON THE PEWS

Today's reading: Colossians 3-4

"Let the words of Christ, in all their richness, live in your hearts and make you wise. Use his words to teach and counsel each other. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, let it be as a representative of the Lord Jesus, all the while giving thanks through him to God the Father." Colossians 3:16-17 NLT

The instructions, commands, recommendations and requests listed here are for us, believing friends.

If you look a little deeper into the words, they are for us within our church walls.

On the pews.

Towards our Christian brothers and sisters.

We sometimes forget, with the mandate to reach the world, that in doing so we must not step on the hearts of those around us with the same mandate.

Be patient and loving to your brothers and sisters in Christ. Be kind. Be always looking out for their best interests. 

Support your comrades at arms.

 MAKING HIS WAY

Today's reading: Luke 19-20

"Jesus entered Jericho and made his way through the town." Luke 19:1 NLT

Such a simple sentence. No more than a statement of fact. A historical notation. 

Or is it?

If we truly believe God's Word is authored, inspired and used by God to bring about salvation, restoration, repentance and revival--then we have to take each and every word as important.

We must take note of all that we come across in Scripture. We need to notice more. We need to slow down and read more deeply than we usually do.

Like 'how' Jesus made His way through the town of Jericho.

Doubtful He walked through like we walk through a store.

Doubtful He walked through like we walk through the front door of our church and find a pew.

Doubtful He walked through, just walked through.

I believe His presence was impactful.

I believe His power was noticeable.

I believe His demeanor was inviting.

I believe His personality was magnetic.

I believe His words were kind.

I believe His smile was radiant.

I believe His tone was settling.

Oh, that every where we went...

Every door we walked through...

Each and every place we spent time...

Would become holy ground like the places where Jesus walked.

Because they should--we carry Him within us.

 FOUNDATIONS DESTROYED

Today's reading: Ezekiel 25-30

"...Their wealth will be carried away and their foundations destroyed..." Ezekiel 30:4 NLT

What are you building your life upon? What 'stick' are you using to measure your success?

Foundations built of money will crumble away--or worst yet, there will never be enough money to satisfy.

Footings of achievements will topple--someone will always do more than you and your body will eventually fail to do all you want it to accomplish.

Underpinnings of lineage won't hold up--your ancestral faith is a fine legacy, but it is not a solid basis for your own personal walk with the Lord.

We must carefully evaluate what it is we're building a life upon. Nothing but the Lord is a dependable understructure!

 LEGACIES LEFT

Today's reading: Proverbs 10

"We all have happy memories of the godly, but the name of the wicked person rots away." Proverbs 10:7 NLT

Do you have fond memories of a godly grandmother?

Did you have a 'stand-up' kind of guy for a grandfather?

Was your childhood filled with church folks who loved on you like you were their own?

No?

Let's put this verse into a different perspective...

Whose life are you depositing beautiful memories into?

Are you being an example of godliness to those around you, who will come after you?

Are you filling the life of another with your testimony?

 LOVE THEM THAT MUCH?

Today's reading: Psalm 81-83

"Utterly disgrace them until they submit to your name, O Lord. Let them be ashamed and terrified forever. Make them failures in everything they do, until they learn that you alone are called the Lord, that you alone are the Most High, supreme over all the earth." Psalm 83:16-18 NLT

I don't know it for a fact, but the idea of tough love didn't arise in the early 80's like most of us are led to believe.

No, I think it began with the words Asaph penned, through the Holy Spirit's guidance, in these verses.

Real love doesn't just overlook their sins, their godless actions, their hate-filled attitudes.

If you truly love someone, you want God's best for them. Not just ease. Not just success. Not just to be tolerated or accepted just as they are.

If you love them enough, you'll pray calamity on their lives until they come to know the Lord and serve Him wholly. You'll pray that obstacles and hedges of protection will keep them from living a sinful life. You'll pray that their dreams and hopes will fall flat until their hearts and minds are focused on their Creator.

Asaph gives us a directive in regards to the real meaning behind tough love.

Do you love your unsaved loved one this much?

 SHARE IT

Today's reading: 2 Kings 6-10

"...This is not right. This is wonderful news, and we aren't sharing it with anyone!.." 2 Kings 7:9 NLT

For a brief moment I want you to think about all you know about the Lord.

Maybe what comes to your mind is His grace--riches bestowed upon your life at Christ's expense.

Maybe you think about the love you have found in Him--a love you had looked for in all the wrong places prior to meeting Jesus.

Maybe it's the peace you experience--the peace that passes all understanding.

The joy? The joy that bubbles up within you, despite the goings-on around you.

Those things you've just thought about, those things you praise God for, those things you wouldn't have without His blessing--are you sharing those things with others?

With the lost? The dying? The sin-sick?

Are you attempting to pass out this 'cure' to the ill of heart?

Or--are you keeping it all to yourself?

CLEAN OR UNCLEAN

Today's reading: Leviticus 13-15

A phrase repeated in these three chapters is this: This is how the priest will determine whether these things are ceremonially clean or unclean.

What pressure that put on the priests!

You see, at this time, not only did these important rules set God's people apart from other nations, it also was their health code.

Sadly, however, these priests could only determine health or unhealthiness from the exterior, or visible--and I think we can all agree, that is only part of the story. 

Could your pastor determine your mental health from a quick handshake on Sunday morning?

Might he be able to ascertain your spiritual health from whether or not he saw you carrying your Bible to your pew?

Would he be able to evaluate your emotional well being from watching you sing in the choir?

I'm very glad God is the one who determines our cleanliness now. He sees inside and out. He sees what we attempt to hide and what we expose to the world. He knows the intentions of our hearts and the attitudes we conjure up.

Our Priest is the one who determines for us what is clean or unclean.

 GOING OUT

Today's reading: Colossians 1-2

"This same Good News that came to you is going out all over the world. It is changing lives everywhere, just as it changed yours that first day you heard and understood the truth about God's great kindness to sinners." Colossians 1:6 NLT

Never has a verse been so applicable to what I know to be ahead in my week!

You see, tomorrow evening I begin the first of two weeks of Vacation Bible School.

It's an exciting time. It's a busy time. It's a wearying time. It's a rejuvenating time. It's a once in a lifetime kind of time for some kids.

You see, in reading today's verse, I'm taken back to my childhood days and VBS.

It's where I learned the most about Jesus.

That one week a year, surrounded by other noisy and active kids, eating peanut butter crackers and purple koolaid, singing songs, memorizing verse--and making such an impact on me that these 40+ years later I'm still as excited as I was then.

It's God's Good News going out all over the world.

It's God's Good News changing lives, as it changed mine.

It's God's Good News approaching the sinners and refusing to leave them as they met them.

Oh, how very important this verse will be to me this week--as I juggle job, family, rushing out the door, presenting Bible lessons that intrigue, capture the attention and plant seeds in the hearts of kids I may never ever meet again!

 CHURCH HURT

Today's reading: Luke 17-18

"I am warning you! If another believer sins, rebuke him; then if he repents, forgive him. Even if he wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, forgive him." Luke 17:3 NLT

No hurt hurts like a 'church hurt'.

Nothing cuts deeper, feels worse or has effects that last as long as a hurt received in a church.

A church. 

A place where the world thinks all is well, everyone is Christlike and peace flows like the water from a tap.

But church hurts hurt. A lot.

Jesus' words in Luke 17 tell us what to do in regards to those who hurt us in church--and surprise, surprise, it doesn't say leave the church, never to return and make a staunch stand against ever going to another church for the rest of your life.

It says to forgive. It doesn't say to ignore the sin. It doesn't say to pretend it never hurt. It doesn't require us to act like nothing ever happened.

No matter how many times it occurs.

Might I pose this question to you: How full would our churches be today IF this instruction from the Lord was followed out?

 THEN
Today's reading: Ezekiel 19-24

The phrase 'Then you will know that I am the Sovereign Lord' is repeated several times in these six chapters. Usually at the end of a solemn, tough prediction of judgement God has made against those who go against Him.

The final phrase, however, turns to this thought, 'Then they will know that I am the Lord'.

God's judgement on us is personal, but God's judgement on us is also used to show others the hand of the Lord.

Think of times in your life when God has had to put His foot down...the realization you came to, the sudden end you experienced to your thoughts of being in control, the discipline you received for disobeying Him--it taught you a lesson, didn't it?

Maybe, just maybe, it taught a lesson to those watching you live through it, too.

God's like that. Nothing is wasted in His hands!

 ADDING LIFE TO YOUR YEARS

Today's reading: Proverbs 8-9

"Wisdom will multiply your days and add years to your life." Proverbs 8:11 NLT

Think godly wisdom isn't the fountain of youth? Think again!

Godly wisdom will allow you to live with no regrets, live with no need of apologies, live with joy, peace, hope and love. Led by God, you will experience life as He intends, receive blessings He desires to give and be surrounded by His presence at all times.

Godly wisdom will give you better vision, more acute hearing and increased cardiac health. When God is who you seek, God is who you listen for and God is who is in you, you'll thrive.

Maybe that won't add years to your life, but it will add life to your years!

 TURN US AGAIN

Today's reading: Psalm 78-80

"Turn us again to yourself, O God. Make your face shine down on us. Only then will we be saved." Psalm 80:3, 7, 19 NLT

Still have ringing in your ears from the firecrackers? Still have stars in your eyes from the sparklers? Still have a few red, white and blue plates and napkins littered around your house from the festivities to celebrate the birthday of our nation?

I do not believe it to be coincidental that this day after I find a verse referring to restoration, revival and redemption.

Because our country needs exactly what this verse begs for--a rebirth!

We need brought back to the God of our forefathers.

We need to humble ourselves and bow to the God of our future.

We need to, instead of celebrating hundred years of freedom, repent and be born again as a nation and as a people.

We have wronged God with our laws, our allowances and our distractions.

We have turned our hearts against the very God who can save us, deliver us and allow us to succeed.

American brothers and sisters, we need to beg and plead with God that He turn us again to Himself!

 EVERYTHING IS FINE
Today's reading: 2 Kings 1-5

"...Yes, the woman told Gehazi, everything is fine..." 2 Kings 4:26 NLT

News flash: Everything is not fine with your Christians friends, your believing brothers and sisters and your church family.

Their response, 'I'm fine', is a pre-recorded response, a practiced line, an impulsive reaction to your question about how they are doing.

Chances are, it's your response, too--so you know, without a doubt, that what I say, and what the woman from Shunem said, is not factual.

We're all hurting from unanswered prayers, unrepented sins, distracted hearts and disgust for all that's going on around us.

So, we're not fine.

Not fine at all.

But if we want to continue answering in that way, if we want to keep ignoring the real issues, if we want to overlook the wounds of sin and satan--we can.

Or we can tell the truth.

We can be specific in our needs.

We can share our prayer burdens.

We can drop to our knees and repent of whatever it is we've been trying to keep in our closets.

We can gather together in prayer for our nation, for our families, for our churches.

Because, everything's not fine.

 REASONS

Today's reading: Leviticus 10-12

My reading this morning has me going through some of the chapters designating what's clean and unclean for the Israelite people during the time of Moses.

I've often wondered why God went into such detail with His list, but then I read the following reasons in my commentary...

1. To ensure the health of the nation.

2. To visibly distinguish Israel from other nations.

3. To avoid objectionable associations.

That was God's advice then--and to an extent, it's reasonable for us today.

To be healthy and vibrant, we must follow God's laws.

To be considered different, or set apart, we must choose to be distinguishable.

To keep from dirtying ourselves with the wrong things, we must step away from those things.

Those reasons and results have not changed over the course of centuries.

KEEP WORKING

Today's reading: Philippians 3-4

"...But I keep working toward that day when I will finally be all that Christ Jesus saved me for and wants me to be." Philippians 3:12 NLT

You aren't done striving as a Christian are you? Not thrown in the towel for the amount of righteousness you can attain? Not pushed aside your Bible because you've learned all there is to learn? Have you?

Well, have you?

Until we stand before God on judgement day, we all have lessons to learn, improvements to make and godliness to propigate in our lives.

It doesn't stop at the moment of salvation.

It doesn't cease to be needed at a certain age.

It doesn't just carry through your life.

It's a constant. It's a need. It's an important part of our Christian walks.

So keep working! 

 FROM ONE LITTLE SHEEP

Today's reading: Luke 15-16

"If you had one hundred sheep, and one of them strayed away and was lost in the wilderness, wouldn't you leave the ninety-nine others to go and search for the lost one until you found it?" Luke 15:4 NLT

I don't know about you, but this morning the immensity of this verse weighs heavily on my heart.

You see, I was a lost little sheep.

One that had wandered.

One that had been 'in the fold' but sought to find greener grass elsewhere.

So I know what it means to be sought after, to be tracked down, to be wooed back to the fold of my Shepherd.

And, if being a little lost lamb wasn't enough, I am the parent of one, too.

This same Savior, in His loving and kind ways, I believe will seek out that little lost lamb, too.

The lamb cannot wander outside of God's view, beyond the borders which God cannot cross or past the point of return to the Shepherd.

Oh, the love our Shepherd has for us!