SOUND OFF

Today's reading: Acts 1-2

"When they heard this sound, they came running to see what it was all about, and they were bewildered to hear their own languages being spoken by the believers." Acts 2:6 NLT

The mighty, rushing wind of the Holy Spirit filling the place where the believers were meeting has been talked about for centuries.

The fact that the noise and the tongues of fire fell upon the followers gathered in that place is the subject for many sermons, debates and discussions.

But did you know that the sound was heard by other believers that were not even in the building? It was heard by other Christ-followers living in Jerusalem?

Are there brothers and sisters in Christ hearing the 'noise of the Lord' coming from your home? From your workplace? From your church?

Society is full of folks sounding off for various causes, taking stands that require they up  the volume,  and having beliefs that are shouted from the rooftops.

Do they hear from God? Through us? Is the mighty, rushing wind of the Holy Spirit so powerfully at work in us that other believers hear the testimony?

 WHO REIGNS

Today's reading: Obadiah

"...And the Lord himself will be king!" Obadiah verse 21

It's time, Christian brothers and sisters, that we take a good hard look at who/what we have allowed to sit on the throne of our hearts.

It's time we evaluate our time and attentions, as to where both are largely spent.

It's time we drag our our 'wallets' to see to whom we are giving the majority of our funds.

Is it God?

Is He the one who reigns in our life?

Is the Lord receiving the majority of your energy?

Before we know it someone or something can be holding the reins of our life, making the decisions for us, leading us places we never intended to go.

Take a look. A good, hard look.

 TOO FULL

Today's reading: Proverbs 26-27

"Honey seems tasteless to a person who is full, but even bitter food tastes sweet to the hungry." Proverbs 27:7 NLT

How is it, that in a day and time when words like tolerance and acceptance are thrown around like candy on a parade route, that no one has any?

To be tolerant requires that you will not listen to another side.

To be accepting means you cannot accept other views.

We live in a world that craves love, not sharing it, but receiving it.

Craves hope, but cannot find what offers it.

Craves truth, but is too full of untruths there is no room for what will satisfy, what will change life, what will save.

When we're too full of the world, we don't realize we're hungering for God.

 KIND, MERCIFUL AND GOOD

Today's reading: Psalm 114-116

"How kind the Lord is! How good He is! So, merciful , this God of ours!" Psalm 116:5 NLT

How long has it been since you stopped and thought about God's kindness? His goodness? His mercy?

I challenge you to pause, if only for a moment, and consider Him...

Allow only God into your thoughts. His kindness. His goodness. His mercy.

Ponder. Meditate. Journal. Pray. Sing. Listen.

What a sweet way to begin your day.

What a calming exercise at day's end.

What a sanctuary to seek in the hustle and bustle of this present twenty-four hours.

 TAKING OUR POSITIONS

Today's reading: 2 Chronicles 6-10

"The priests took their assigned positions, and so did the Levites who were singing, 'His faithful love endures forever!' They accompanied the Levites who were singing with music from the instruments King David had made for praising the Lord. On the other side of the Levites, the priests blew the trumpets, while all Israel stood." 2 Chronicles 7:6 NLT

Can you imagine being in the crowd the day Solomon dedicated the temple he had built to the Lord?

The singing. The crowds. The bleating of sacrificial lambs. The celebratory shouts. The quiet as they leaned in to hear what the king had to say.

Can you imagine the pomp and circumstance? 

The protocol. The worship done in proper order. The priests in their garments.

Can you imagine the emotion? The awe? The relief of a job completed? The expectation of the Lord coming to rest in the temple?

I am sitting in thought this morning as I ponder this verse.

I, being from southern Illinois, American raised, English speaking, a world away from this type of worship and having limited knowledge of the happenings--would not have lacked anything that day!

I would have worshiped in spirit and in truth with my fellow believers.

I would have known, no translator required, to Whom they were singing.

I would have dropped to my knees in awe and raised my hands in joy with brothers and sisters of the One True God.

I would have shouted, in my native tongue, His faithful love endures forever!

STANDING UP

Today's reading: Numbers 25-28

"Phinehas son of Eleazar and grandson of Aaron the priest turned my anger away from the Israelites by displaying passionate zeal among them on my behalf..." Numbers 25:11 NLT

Phinehas is known for standing up for the Lord, for refusing to allow sin to enter his camp and for having a fervor about what was right and wrong--and because he chose to live out his beliefs, he stopped a plague from completely wiping out the wandering Hebrews.

What might our godly fervor stop?

What might our desire to see God lifted up begin?

What might our godliness and excitement for worship change in our homes, our churches and our country?

Few of us have the same excitement for God that we have for a winning ball team.

Even fewer of us are willing to stand out in the crowd for standing up for the Lord.

But if we started to burn with zeal for God? What might happen? How many lives might be changed? How might our world turn around and take notice of the One who created it?

 HE KNOWS

Today's reading: Hebrews 1-4

"Since he himself has gone through suffering and temptation, he is able to help us when we are being tempted." Hebrews 2:18 NLT

He knows.

He knows how it feels to be alone.

To be rejected.

To have ungodly offers placed in front of Him.

He knows what it's like to be rejected, treated poorly and hated.

He knows.

He knows how it feels to be found guilty when innocent is what you are.

Whatever it is you are going through, He knows how you feel, how you can exit the temptation, how you can faith your way through it.

He knows.

 WHAT'S NOT WRITTEN

Today's reading: John 19-21

"And I suppose that if all the other things Jesus did were written down, the whole world could not contain the books." John 21:25 NLT

Ever thought about all the things Jesus might have done--that were never recorded in the Bible?

The additional healings He performed?

The miracles done in remote villages in Israel that no one saw?

The people whose lives Jesus changed that 'didn't make the Scriptures'?

One cannot help but find Jesus to be amazing when reading what's written about Him in the Bible, but imagine all the other things He did that were never recorded!

 HE'S NOT FORGOTTEN YOU

Today's reading: Amos 5-9

"I will firmly plant them there in the land I have given them, says the Lord your God. Then they will never be uprooted again." Amos 9:15 NLT

I don't know what our enemy is whispering in your ear, but know this: God has not forgotten you!

If a loving and just God will continue to remember the nation He placed His mark upon, watch them turn from Him time after time, see how they trade His goodness for slavery, exchange His blessings for curses--and still love them till the end of time, know He won't ever turn His back on you.

You, the very one He sent His one and only Son to die for!

You, the child He created, purposed and planned to have spend eternity with Him.

You, the adopted and beloved of His chosen people.

He's not forgotten you.

Tough times might come. Hard days will arrive. Seasons of hurting, pain or emptiness will show up in your life. 

Correction may occur. Discipline may be needed. Refining may happen to make you into who He has planned.

But He's not forgotten you.

If you are rooted in Him, you will not be uprooted!

 YOUR ENEMIES
Today's reading: Proverbs 25

"If your enemies are hungry, give them food to eat. If they are thirsty, give them water to drink. You will heap burning coals on their heads, and the Lord will reward you." Proverbs 25:21-22 NLT

Sadly, our Christian culture has tended to get the cart before the horse in regards to this verse.

We want to 'kill em with kindness', not serve them up love.

There is a tendency to want to end up on the top of the heap, to look like the better man, to show them how its done.

None of those attitudes match up with the attitude of Christ.

Christ served.

Christ gave.

Christ helped.

Christ moved to the back of the line.

How would things change in this world, in our country, in our neighborhoods, in our churches and in our homes if we just began to love people like Jesus loved people?

No agenda.

No ulterior motive.

No teaching them a lesson.

No heaping of burning coals on their heads.

 MEETINGS

Today's reading: Psalm 111-113

"Praise the Lord! I will thank the Lord with all my heart as I meet with his godly people." Psalm 111:1 NLT

I don't know about you, but I truly enjoy gathering on the Lord's Day with my brothers and sisters in Christ. The hugs, the handshakes, the laughter, the tears, the rolling of burdens from hearts to the shoulders of men and women who will help another carry their loads, all such good medicine for my soul.

But, as I'm reminded with this morning's verse, I meet God's people in other places, too.

The providential meeting in the aisle at WalMart.

The much needed visit at the local coffee shop.

The bumping-in-to at the local grocery store.

The scheduled Zoom meeting.

The water cooler.

Today I'm going to be more on the lookout for these God-sent meetings with His people. And when I happen into one of those appointments, I'm going to praise Him for it!

 THE EXTRAVAGANCE

Today's reading: 2 Chronicles 1-4

I'm reading this morning about the elaborate Temple Solomon built for the Lord.

Over 150,000 workmen. Forests-full of trees. Ton after ton of gold.

All for this purpose...

"...to honor the name of the Lord my God. It will be a place set apart to burn incense and sweet spices before him, to display the special sacrificial bread, and to sacrifice burnt offerings each morning and evening, on the Sabbaths, at new moon celebrations, and at the other appointed festivals of the Lord our God..." 2 Chronicles 2:4 NLT

Not to honor himself.

Not to leave a fine monument to his greatness.

Not to display his greatness, his riches or his abilities.

Solomon chose to extravagantly honor the Lord.

He chose to build a place where incense was burned to worship, sacrifices were made, times set apart as His.

The effort Solomon went to and the great lengths he went to convict me.

My own efforts to build, in my own life, a place worthy of God pale in comparison.

While God is not asking me to worship Him as Solomon did, He is requesting that my life be a testament to my love for Him.

What am I building?

What am I using for His glory?

How am I honoring Him with my life?

 COMPROMISE

Today's reading: Numbers 21-24

"Then King Balak told him, Come with me to another place. There you will see only a portion of the nation of Israel. Curse at least that many!: Numbers 23:13 NLT

Balaam had been told by God to ONLY do what God told him to do.

King Balak knew that. He had been told that. He listened as Balaam blessed the nation of Israel, King Balak's enemy.

So King Balak did what any 'on-his-way-out' king would do--he suggested a compromise.

Just a little...

Only a small part...

A tiny portion...

Maybe, just maybe, your enemy satan is trying the exact same tactics with you.

He's asking you to fudge on your stance.

He's suggesting that you bend the rules of your beliefs.

He's placing seeds of doubt where God says, Do not fear.

Miniscule suggestions. Tiny detours. Minute changes.

Do not trust him!

 LOVE THEM LIKE JESUS

Today's reading: Philemon

The small, but mighty, book of Philemon contains verse after verse on instruction in loving people like Jesus loved them.

Despite their pasts.

In spite of their choices.

Ir-regardless of their labels.

Philemon, the more mature Christian, is asked by Paul, the great evangelist, to forgive, to love on, to mentor and to accept back into the church a fellow named, Onesimus.

Philemon and Onesimus had a back story.

They had issues.

They had a past.

Onesimus had disrespected Philemon.

And now, Paul, asks Philemon to forgive and move forward with Onesimus.

Tough ask. Big ask. 

Would you? Could you? Have you? Are you trying to?

Jesus has. For each and every one of us.

In reading Philemon's little book, let's consider that God is asking us to do the same, to love them like Jesus!

 JOB COMPLETED

Today's reading: John 16-18

"I have told them about you..." John 17:6 NLT

Often times we are tuned in to the last words of Christ while He is on the cross.

Important words.

Impactful words.

But as we read Jesus' prayer in the days leading up to the cross, we find something just as powerful and dynamic.

He is ready to go back to glory with God because He has completed His task...To tell.

Interestingly, that's the exact same task we have been given.

The same mission we have been assigned.

The same ministry we have been charged with.

If you're breathing, if your heart still beats, you are still being called to task.

To do the work you were purposed for.

To complete the job given you as a believer.

To tell.

Who might you tell today?

Who might come across your path that needs to know your Savior?

Who could you introduce to Jesus today?

 LOADED DOWN

Today's reading: Amos 1-4

"So I will make you groan as a wagon groans when it is loaded down with grain." Amos 2:13 NLT

The Lord had spent many years, sent many prophets, gave many signs and provided many opportunities for the Israelites to turn from their gods and follow Him wholeheartedly.

He COULD have made them, but He desired their honest heart's worship rather than subservience.

So He allowed them to reap the harvest of their decisions.

He let them pile, on their hearts and minds, as much as they wanted--and what better picture of this than a loaded grain wagon!

A wagon creaking with the weight of the harvest. A wagon groaning with the pressure of the heaviness. A wagon loaded, sometimes, to capacity and beyond just to get that one last combine-ful.  A wagon bursting at the seams with what's reaped. A wagon that's squatting low on its axles and tires. A wagon that's draggin;.

When we carry too much, when we carry more than we're 'equipped' for, when we carry what's not ours to carry, we will groan. And moan. And break down.

From the discomfort.

From the awkwardness of it.

From the pain.

Check the load you're carrying. Is it over and above your 'weight limit'? Is it more than God's ever asked you to bear? Are you carrying around more than you were ever intended to carry? Are you groaning under the weight of sins that are weighing heavily on your heart?

 LISTEN AND BE WISE

Today's reading: Proverbs 23-24

"My child, listen and be wise..." Proverbs 23:19 NLT

Some are known to be wise by what they say.

Others are known to be wise by what they do, the things they invent, the things they bring about.

But I want to be known as being wise because I listened.

Because I paused long enough to hear.

Because I took the time to understand what fell on my ears.

It's going to take a lot of work. It's going to require the rest of my life unlearning current propensities. It's going to be a complete overhaul of my prior character.

But in the end, whether it be what God has to say to me or what others tells me, I'll be wiser because I have stopped to hear.

 ALL ABOUT HIM

Today's reading: Psalm 108-110

"God has promised this by his holiness..." Psalm 108:7 NLT

It's important to be strong in our faith.

It's vital to our Christian growth to participate in regular church attendance.

It's fruit, the evidence people see, when we serve the Lord with gladness.

Praying matters greatly.

But all of it, every single bit of it, is backed by the promises of God.

We do it because He asks us--and He rewards us because He is holy.

It's all about Him.

He lets us participate in worship, but it's all about Him.

He allows us to come alongside Him in ministry, but it's all about Him.

He hears our prayers, but the answers are all about Him.

He loves seeing us stand on His promises, promises that are all about Him!

 GATEKEEPERS

Today's reading: 1 Chronicles 25-29

I'm reading this morning about the gatekeepers David established to monitor the comings and goings in Jerusalem, the Lord's city.

These appointments were deliberate, they were intentional, they were well thought out and they were to be generational.

There were 4,000 God fearing Jewish men who were selected for this task based on their bloodlines.

We, friends, have been selected for the same job--based on Jesus's blood covering our hearts and lives.

We are to monitor what comes and goes across the gates of our minds, through the passageways of our eyes, across the threshold of our thoughts, through the doorways of our ears and into our hearts.

How are you doing at your job?

Are you letting things slide? Are you allowing trespassers costumed as harmless visuals? Are you turning your back on what you should be stopping at the gate?

Some of us are not only gatekeepers for ourselves, but also gatekeepers for children put in our care, for new Christians we are mentoring or lost loved ones who are watching us very, very closely.

Think today about the things crossing through the gates you've been called to keep. Think hard. 

 DOOMED OR RESUSCITATED

Today's reading: Numbers 17-20

"Then the people of Israel said to Moses, We are as good as dead! We are ruined! Everyone who even comes close to the Tabernacle of the Lord dies. We are all doomed!" Numbers 17:12-13 NLT

When new folks walked in the doors of your church yesterday, how were they greeted? How were they welcomed? How were they received?

Some came fearfully, afraid of shame.

Some came reluctantly, fulfilling an obligation.

Some came timidly, new to the church scene.

Some came in wounded, gaping sores, bruised and beaten by the world.

Did you love on them? Did you receive them with open arms and hearts full of love? Did you, for the length of time they were in your midst, offer them respite from the world?

I'm not sure how you will answer those questions, but maybe thinking on them will allow you a new opportunity next Sunday.

People shouldn't fear coming to church...no matter who they are!

 NOT MY CHOICE

Today's reading: Titus

"This letter is from Paul, a slave of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ. I have been sent to bring faith to those God has chosen and to teach them to know the truth that shows them how to live godly lives." Titus 1:1 NLT

Paul had been sent to proclaim the Good News to those God had chosen. Not the people groups Paul felt most at ease with. Not the demographics that Paul had more in common with. Not his nearest and dearest, not his closest friends.

It's the same for us.

God ordains to whom we will go.

He had plans and purposes for each and every stop we make, pause we take and conversation we engage in.

It's probably not where we think we're able to make the biggest impact.

It's not always our sphere of influence.

Should we live lives that impact those around us, we sure should!

But should we also realize that who we are called to minister to is ordained by God--absolutely!

Watch for opportunities to speak to people for Him. It might be in locations, chats and situations where you would least expect it.

 REMEMBER?

Today's reading: John 13-15

"Do you remember what I told you?.." John 15:20 NLT

When the storms howl, do you remember what Jesus said?

When the waves are coming over and into the sides of your boat, do you remember what the Lord told you?

When the sky is dark, the path is unlit and the way is unknown, do you remember what Scripture says?

When dreams have been dashed, hope seems all but lost and trials come in pairs, or in triplet, do you remember what God has spoken?

When your heart is heavy, broken, full of worry, do you remember what Christ said?

Remembering is an active choice of our will. Remembering is calling on what's already been placed in our hearts. Remembering is what He asks us to do.

Do you remember?

 APPLAUSE FROM THE CHURCH

Today's reading: Joel

"...There are no joyful celebrations in the house of our God." Joel 1:16 NLT

When was the last time your church gave God a 'round of applause'?

A 'standing ovation'?

A 'cheer' that could be heard in the courts of heaven?

When was the last time your and your brothers and sisters in Christ were so much in awe of God that it moved you to celebrate Him?

Not what He had done...not how He had answered...not what blessings He had provided...but Him.

Might it be time we plan for celebrations of the Lord in our houses of worship?

Could it be that's just what's lacking?

Would it be that those accolades of praise will be just what will draw people to Him?

 GETTING WHAT YOU GET

Today's reading: Proverbs 22

"Choose a good reputation over great riches, for being held in high esteem is better than having silver or gold." Proverbs 22:1 NLT

What are you saying about yourself without saying a thing at all?

Choices speak loudly.

Attitude says volumes.

How your time is spent shouts your priorities.

Where you allow your money to go announces what's important to you.

Getting what you get, making time for what you make time for, having what you have--they announce who you are well.

Think about it, what are you being known for?

 INNUMERABLE

Today's reading: Psalm 105-107

"Who can list the glorious miracles of the Lord? Who can ever praise him half enough?" Psalm 106:2 NLT

If I had unlimited notebooks, I could never jot down every miracle God's done or reason to praise Him!

If ink were given to me by the semi-truck loads, I could never write down all the attributes of His goodness to me!

If I were to take a sabbatical, do nothing but scribe word after word of His amazing acts of love for me, I would still never find the end to reasons to honor Him!

I think Greater Vision says it best in a few lines from one of their songs, I Could Never Praise Him Enough...

'But if I were to spend unending hours on my knees
Praising Him for everything
He's ever done for me… I could never praise Him enough'

His miracles are innumerable. Reasons to praise Him rise and fall and rise again, like the breath in our lungs.

 WEIGHT OF THE KINGDOM

Today's reading: 1 Chronicles 20-24

"When David arrived at Rabbah, he removed the crown from the king's head, and it was placed on David's own head. The crown was made of gold and set with gems, and it weighed about seventy-five pounds..." 1 Chronicles 20:2 NLT

Can you imagine carrying around a seventy-five pound crown on your noggin?

The weight? The heft? The crick in your neck you might have at the end of the day?

The value, the mass, the burden of the kingdom would be constantly 'on your mind' as you strode about with your crown perched atop your skull.

Not healthy, you say? Not practical, you mutter? Not sensible, you scoff?

I agree. Wholeheartedly, I agree.

In balancing that massive weight, you'd be so distracted that you couldn't govern with your whole being. A pressure would be constantly upon you that diverted your attention and kept your mind off more important things.

Is that what happens when we attempt to govern our own lives? To rule as leader of our hearts? To think, errantly, that we're the kings of our own castles?

The weight of any earthly kingdom, or any heart realm, can only successfully be carried by God.

 STANDING OUT

Today's reading: Numbers 13-16

"But my servant Caleb is different from the others. He remained loyal to me, and I will bring him into the land he explored. His descendants will receive their full share of that land." Numbers 14:24 NLT

Let's imagine the Lord looked over the congregation you were a part of yesterday.

Let's pretend He was looking for one 'shining star' in the church house, one 'saint' for whom He could be most proud, one 'salty and well lit' believer who was taking Him wholly and fully at His word.

Would you have been selected?

Would your walk have been one that He couldn't help but notice?

Would the faith you exhibited this past week, or even yesterday, be so impressive that the Lord noticed?

Just like in the case of Caleb, the Lord is looking for prime opportunities to bless the socks off His children who exemplify godliness in their mission fields, faith in the hardest of times, love to the un-lovables, grace to those with whom they share the world with and peace that rest firmly in the power and might of the Lord.

Are you standing out in the crowd?

Does He see you going over and above, digging deeper and leaving ripples that impact farther, trusting and obeying?

God states in this passage that because of Caleb's outstanding trust in the Lord, Caleb AND HIS FAMILY would get a piece of the Promised Land.

So here is one last question: If it's not worth it to you to serve God with all you've got--would you do it for your loved ones?

 NEVER ALONE
Today's reading: 2 Timothy 3-4

"But the Lord stood with me and gave me strength, that I might preach the Good News in all its fullness..." 2 Timothy 4:17 NLT

I don't know what it is God's calling you to do for Him, but I will guarantee you this: He is not asking you to do it on your own.

Where He leads, He has already been.

What He makes as a request, He has already seen come to fruition.

Who He asks us to speak to, He has created for such a time as the one He is asking you to step into.

Why He asks you is up to Him, He has purposed you for this deed, act, word, time.

Do not buy into Satan's lie that you are alone in this--God is within you!

 DON'T YOU SEE IT?

Today's reading: John 10-12

But despite all the miraculous signs He had done, most of the people did not believe in Him." John 12:37 NLT

I don't know what it is you're doubting Him for, but stop.

Not just because I say.

Not just because you think I know something about your future.

But because you have seen too many things done to doubt.

You have seen, no matter your age, so many miracles that the Lord has done.

Too many things to doubt.

Way too many things to doubt!

 WHAT SHOULD I REQUEST?

Today's reading: Hosea 8-14

"O Lord, what should I request for your people?.." Hosea 9:14 NLT

Too often in our hurry to pray for someone, we forget to ask God's guidance in our prayers.

We tend to present God with a wish-list of what we'd like to see done, what they have asked for themselves or what would make our praying look mighty and powerful.

But what about what the Lord wants? What will bring Him the most glory and honor? What might we pray that would help us get through the situation and on to the lesson He would have us learn about Him?

I'm thinking I need to re-word my prayers.

I'm needing to invite the Holy Spirit into my prayer needs, my heartfelt requests and my desires.

Lord, what will you have me ask for? What will you have me hear You say? How will You lead my time spent with You?