ARGUING WITH THE ALMIGHTY

Today's reading: Job 39-40

"Then the Lord said to Job, Do you still want to argue with the Almighty? You are God's critic, but do you have the answers?" Job 40:1 NLT

This verse could be written as such...

Then the Lord said to Malinda, Do you still want to argue with the Almighty? You are God's critic, but do you have the answers?

Don't laugh. 

I'm sure you do it, too.

From our single dimensional view point, we question, doubt and critique God's timing, choices, ways and abilities.

From our self-built pedestals, we believe we know more than Him.

From the middle of our messes, most of them produced by our own choices, we doubt His goodness and His love for us.

We dole out advice to our Creator like we do the neighbor kids coming for Halloween treats.

But do we have all the answers?

Do we see everything, for all time, into the hearts of others OR with perfect vision?

Do we even have the capacity to know the things we only think we know?

I believe God can ask each of us the same questions He asked Job...

Do you still want to argue with Me?

Do you have all the answers?

 

THIS, TOO

Today's reading: Psalm 57-59

"For your unfailing love is as high as the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds." Psalm 57:10 NLT

God's faithfulness reaches to the clouds--that's quite a distance!

But maybe, just maybe, you are wondering if it reaches far enough for your 'this'.

'This', that's heavy on your heart.

'This', that's got you awake at night, churning in your belly and distracted from all you are called to do.

Is His faithfulness enough to reach into, over, around and beside your 'this'?

Can He handle it?

Is He aware of it?

Will He do something about it?

Without even knowing what 'this' might be in your head and heart, I can say 'YES'!

Yes, His faithfulness will be seen in 'this'. If you look closely enough. If you determine to see it. If you keep your eyes focused on Him and not 'this'.

STEALING HEARTS

Today's reading: 2 Samuel 15-21

"So in this way, Absalom stole the hearts of all the people of Israel." 2 Samuel 15:6 NLT

Absalom, King David's rogue son, was setting up a coup to dethrone his father.

This young prince wanted everything his father was given by God--but didn't want to follow God in order to have it.

So he set about wine-ing and dine-ing the people of Israel. He sold them a bill of goods. He shook hands and kissed babies. 

And it says, according to Scripture, it worked. God's Word says he 'stole the hearts of all the people'.

Satan does the same with us, doesn't he?

He makes things look good. Disguises disobedience as a better idea. He offers what he cannot follow through on. He lures us away from the Lord one insignificant choice at a time.

Beware of his tactics. Guard your heart. Be on the lookout for all the ways he is attempting to steal your heart.

He is a liar, a thief and a murderer--don't expect anything less from him than evil!

BUILDING A SACRED RESIDENCE

Today's reading: Exodus 25-28

"I want the people of Israel to build me a sacred residence where I can live among them." Exodus 25:8 NLT

A sacred residence for the Lord to live in?

A place for Him to dwell--close to us, in us, around us?

A home in which He will reside?

Sounds great! Sounds fitting! Sounds like an honorable thing to do!

But the verses leading up to this charge speak of sacrifice.

Of giving up something.

Of donating to the process, the cause, the task.

Of gifting something to the Lord, for His use, for His glory, for His praise.

Of granting possession of that which you might hold dear.

Can you do that? Will you do that? Are you doing that?

It's not done by bringing gold, silver, ram skins, olive oil and spices to the house of the Lord. It's done choice by choice, decision by decision, act after act of seeking to live for Him in this world, as we prepare for the next.

Building a sacred residence is what we were placed here for.

EVEN EVIL SPIRITS OBEY HIM

Today's reading: Luke 3-4

"Amazed, the people exclaimed, What authority and power this man's words possess! Even evil spirits obey him and flee at his command!" Luke 4:36 NLT

Maybe, since it's Monday, you are pumped up from a God-filled worship service yesterday.

Possibly you are stoked from some time spent in prayer and contemplation.

It could be that you are excited about the new mercies God has granted you this beautiful morning.

Or--you are flailing, down, defeated and burdened because you've forgotten that 'even evil spirits obey Him'.

It's something very important to remember.

It's life giving, chain breaking, door opening and spirit filling!

It gives potential back to a life bogged down, it provides hope in very dark situations, it offers grace upon multiplied grace!

When we pause to remember exactly who Jesus is and the power He possesses, we can be amazed, awed and full of anticipation! 

WHAT HARMONY?

Today's reading: 2 Corinthians 6-8

"What harmony can there be between Christ and the Devil?" 2 Corinthians 6:15 NLT

I don't know if you are attempting to mix church and the world, or good with evil or godliness with ungodly behavior--how's it going for you?

Is it sitting well in your spirit?

Are you proud, at all times, of how you live?

Is it a lop-sided life you live? One side outweighing the other?

We cannot mix Christ and Satan in our lives. 

Satan continues to want more and more--and Jesus?

Jesus won't share a heart with another--He's that jealous for you.

Be very aware of the harmony you are attempting to maintain between two opposite forces.

It won't work out well for you!

 NOT AT ALL FOR HIM
Today's reading: Jeremiah 32-36

"They will be my people, and I will be their God. And I will give them one heart and mind to worship me forever, for their own good and for the good of all their descendants." Jeremiah 32:38-39 NLT

If you think the preparations, plans and pulling things together for tomorrow's worship is all to benefit God--you're wrong.

If you think the time and effort you put into getting to church is to honor the Lord--you're wrong.

If you think the moments you spend in your Bible, the minutes you spend in prayer and the times you choose a godly discipline over flying off the handle is to make our Savior look good to those around you--you're wrong.

It's not at all for Him.

It is all for us--and for the legacy we will leave our children and our children's children.

It's to get us through this tough life and into the next one.

it's to allow us the blessings He has afforded us and the privilege of sharing the Good News with others.

It's to participate in His love, receive His love and be fully aware of His love.

It's not at all for Him.

STORM WARNINGS
Today's reading: Job 37-38

"The clouds turn around and around under his direction. They do whatever he commands throughout the earth." Job 37:12 NLT

The last few days our radios, televisions and cell phones have been busy keeping up with the weather alerts issued for our area.

Thunderstorm warnings. Tornado watches. Flash flood warnings. Take shelter--take shelter.

The news programs now show the aftermath of the severe weather.

Trees down. Houses damaged. Creeks overflowing their banks.

Interviews with people who have witnessed funnel clouds and those who have lost homes to the winds.

And then this verse--that every cloud is at His command. 

That's hard to fathom, when it doesn't turn out well.

It's hard to fathom, when the clouds form the fluffy 'bunny rabbits' we lay on the grass and admire.

It's just hard to fathom that God, with all else He has going on, stirs the clouds with His fingers and send them where He wishes.

Hard to fathom.

Reassuring.

Amazing.

Awe inspiring.

WICKEDNESS WITHIN IN THE CITY

Today's reading: Psalm 54-56

"Its walls are patrolled day and night against invaders, but the real danger is wickedness within the city." Psalm 55:10 NLT

Maybe, like me, you seemingly have fewer external faith battles to fight than others.

Folks look at you like nothing phases you, nothing distracts you from your commitment to the Lord, nothing knocks you off your path.

But maybe, just maybe, like me, you battle more internal wars than anyone would ever understand.

Your mind is, at times, your worst enemy.

Your thoughts invade your 'faith space'.

Your doubts wreak havoc on your peace.

You can agree with the psalmist who knows a little something about internal battles, or as he says it, 'wickedness within the city'.

The continual questioning, the constant reasoning, the incessant banter with my thoughts versus 'thus saith the Lord'.

Sure, I might look strong on the outside, with few things ruffling my feathers--but inside? Inside there is a constant war raging that keeps me bent low at God's throne, leaning heavily on my Savior and crying out for my Father at all times.

What's 'within the city' is, most days, harder than what's outside it.

WHEN IT IS YOU

Today's reading: 2 Samuel 10-14

"Then Nathan said to David, You are that man!.." 2 Samuel 12:7 NLT

Nathan risked life and limb to give God's message to David about David's sin with Bathsheba.

He could have been killed.

He could have been banished.

He could have disobeyed God and let this little issue of David's slide under the radar.

But he discussed the sin with David, in a loving manner--a manner in which brought David back into fellowship with God through forgiveness.

So, here's my question...

When you are 'that man', how do you respond?

When someone calls you out on a sin?

When a godly friend says they notice 'something'?

When the words of Scripture sear like a hot poker?

Do you get mad? Do you refuse to see? Do you lash out at the messenger? Do you unroll your long list of excuses?

Or do you take the sin to God for His cleansing and forgiveness--and thank the friend for their love and obedience in helping you to see? 

ENEMIES

Today's reading: Exodus 21-24

"But if you are careful to obey him, following all my instructions, then I will be an enemy to your enemies, and I will oppose those who oppose you." Exodus 23:22 NLT

You don't want God to be your enemy--and your enemies don't want God to be theirs!

Siding with God.

Obeying God.

Following closely to God.

Listening for God.

Being saved by God.

Those are ways in which we know God is always for us, and never against us.

It's when we do those things, wholeheartedly, we can rest assured God will give us success--and give our enemies defeat in every attack they try against us!

A LITTLE MORE STORING

Today's reading: Luke 1-2

"Then he returned to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them; and his mother stored all these things in her heart." Luke 2:51 NLT

I believe we live in a day and a time when we could all do a little more 'storing in our hearts' and a little less sharing on social media.

Do we need near and dear friends to share prayer requests with--absolutely!

Do we need close personal confidantes with which to vent and resolve issues--we sure do!

Do we need godly members of our church family to lift us up in times of need--a resounding, Yes!

Do we need to air all our dirty laundry, day-to-day interactions and meaningless rants in regards to social injustices, social snubs and social faux paus--NO!

Store a few things in your heart, friends.

At least until you've thought them through...

Or cooled off from them happening...

Or given thought to the far-reaching ramifications of it being publicized...

Or until you are absolutely sure you know the entire story behind what's happened...

Or are in a better frame of mind...

Or evaluated who all will be involved in this fall out of your opinion...

Or if your comment, opinion or response is even really needed...

Or considered whether or not the whole wide world needs to know about it.

Store it in your heart a while so God can work on it--and work on you.

YOU DO YOU

Today's reading: 2 Corinthians 4-5

"For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in our bodies." 2 Corinthians 5:10 NLT

Heard the new catchphrase, You do you?

The meaning behind it is that we are all individual. We are all unique. We are all called to be someone, unlike anyone else.

It might also refer to the sins we will stand before God and give account of.

You will be judged for your sins. I will be judged for mine.

Individually. Personally. Uniquely.

I won't be standing in for the punishment you deserve and you won't be able to take on mine.

So, that being said, stop looking around at the goings-on of others. Cease and desist in the judgement of others. Resist from being judge, jury and executioner of those around you...

You do you.

DON'T DWINDLE AWAY

Today's reading: Jeremiah 27-31

"Marry, and have children. Then find spouses for them, and have many grandchildren. Multiply! Do not dwindle away!" Jeremiah 29:6 NLT

One might think these words from God through the prophet Jeremiah were given to people being blessed by God, found in favor of God's will and ways and people who God was proud of.

You would be wrong.

These words were spoken to the very people who had turned from God to idolatry. The very people who had thumbed their noses at the law of God and sought their own way. The same ones who quickly forgot that all they had, where they lived and who they were were because of God.

So they were headed into exile at the hands of a neighboring enemy nation. For a long time.

He asked them to settle in their hearts who the One True God truly was.

He asked them to settle where they were, Babylon.

He asked them to settle once and for all whose they were.

And then? After a while? Once they had learned the lesson God was attempting to teach them?

Then they would return to their homeland--and the plans God had for them at that point would be great!

Maybe your requests haven't all been answered. Maybe your prayers go seemingly unheard. Maybe you feel as if you are in a place of exile.

Make sure your heart is right with the Lord. Continue to turn to Him. Settle in your faith where you are while you wait for where He will take you from here.

BRIBED INTO SIN

Today's reading: Job 35-36

"But watch out, or you may be seduced with wealth. Don't let yourself be bribed into sin." Job 36:18 NLT

What's a bribe?

It's to persuade someone to act in one's favor, typically illegally or dishonestly, by a gift of money or other inducement. 

How many bribes do you accept in any given 24 hour period?

How many sell-outs does your enemy offer to you?

How often do you grab for what Satan offers, only to find it's merely a mirage?

Words like these, even spoken by an imperfect friend, should open our eyes to the truth of our enemy's tactics. This single verse should remind us that with every choice, there is a deeper decision being made. That there will be a consequence to pay for every action.

Our enemy has nothing to offer us. NOTHING.

It's sobering. It exposes the importance of being vigilant in our godliness.

Don't let yourself be bribed into sin...words for us all.

HIS WORK, NOT OURS

Today's reading: Psalm 51-53

"Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow." Psalm 51:7 NLT

"Soak me in your laundry and I'll come out clean, scrub me and I'll have a snow-white life." Psalm 51:7 MSG

Been thinking the 'sin-ridding' is all up to you?

Dependent upon your determination?

Resting solely in your level of self-control?

Completely in your hands?

That's not what this verse says to me.

God's the one doing the purifying, the washing, the transforming.

God's the one doing the soaking, the scrubbing and the renewing.

Do we have a part in it? YES!

We have to want to give up our sins--to be so sick and tired of them and their havoc that we want change.

We have to seek the Lord--to look to Him for forgiveness and change.

We have to make Him our response and our reaction--turn to Him first.

We can stop attempting to do it on our own, because that's not how it's done successfully, completely or with eternal value.

THE LORD WHO BURSTS THROUGH

Today's reading: 2 Samuel 5-8

"So David went to Baal-perazim and defeated the Philistines there. The Lord has done it! David exclaimed. He burst through my enemies like a raging flood! So David named that place Baal-perazim (which means 'The Lord who bursts through')." 2 Samuel 5:20 NLT

Every seen the Lord 'burst through'?

A situation?

A problem?

A need?

Have you witnessed Him showing up and setting things right? Barging in and bringing about the impossible? Appearing on the scene and bringing with Him the answers needed to completely settle the matters at hand?

Maybe you're needing to see Him do it.

Maybe you are in a spot that would be a prime place for Him to step in and 'show His stuff'.

Maybe you are sitting on the edge of your seat waiting to see just how He will answer your request.

Keep your eyes peeled!

God's answers won't always look like the ones we pray for. His ways won't always match up with what we believe He will do for us. The time frame God chooses to use may not fit into your schedule.

But when He moves...

When He chooses to do what only He can do...

When He 'bursts through'...

There will be absolutely no doubt about it being Him!