MY OWN WAY

Today's reading: Proverbs 5-6

"...and you will say, How I hated discipline! If only I had not demanded my own way!" Proverbs 5:12 NLT

Point 1: The exclamated (!) verses in the Bible always catch my eye.

While most verses are statements, or factual, or imperitives, when there is an exclamation point at the end, it denotes emotion, excitement and enthusiasm.

Things that truly catch my attention. 

Point 2: I can relate to the words of this proverb.

I'm stubborn. I'm controlling. I'm demanding. And to be quite honest, I prefer my way.

Point 3: This verse states a whole lifetime of truth into two sentences.

There is a reason for rules and when the rules aren't followed, consequences ensue.

It's certainly got me thinking this morning about the things for which I've demanded my own way. Things I refused to budge on because I knew better. Things I refused to let go of because it had led me to believe it did something for me nothing else could. Things I truly believed I could control and am now controlled by.

My prayer this morning is that God would remind me of this verse when I jerk away from Him and say, I can do this myself.

I CAME SO CLOSE

Today's reading: Psalm 72-74

"But as for me, I came so close to the edge of the cliff! My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone." Psalm 73:2 NLT

As we sit and pause over this dilemna, we might be lead to wonder what in the world the psalmist had done that left him dangling precariously over the edge of this 'cliff'?

What horrific sin had he committed that left him on the heels of disaster?

What commandment had been broken?

What carnal act had him on the precipice of death?

What vile deed was filling his soul with dread?

Let's read on to the next verse to find out...

"For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness." Psalm 73:3 NLT

A thought? Envy? Desiring what another had?

It wasn't on my list of 'sins' when I was considering his possible wrongs.

But maybe, just maybe, if we would consider how slippery the slope of our thoughts can be, we would also realize how close we get to the edge of sin?

Thoughts left unchecked can lead to inner turmoil.

Thoughts left loose to wander can lead us to wrong ideas.

Thoughts not held up against the truth of God's Word can cause us to believe lies.

Thoughts not reined in can lead us to actions that are sins against God.

Do you see how powerful, important, divisive and impactful our thoughts can be?

Let's watch them closely. Let's keep a short leash on them. Let's keep them prayerfully brought before our Lord for His attention and correction.

 

MAKING OTHER GODS

Today's reading: 1 Kings 14-18

" You have done more evil than all who lived before you. You have made other gods and have made me furious with your golden calves..." 1 Kings 14:9 NLT

I believe, Church, that we have a tendency to think that gods are things that are already established and 'set up' in places of honor.

We think they are the little trinkets that we bow down and worship.

We tend to believe they are formerly established sins that others lead us to worship.

But God tells Jeroboam in this passage that he, and the people of Israel, had made other gods.

In my personal opinion, that means more than manufactured them. More than carved them out of pieces of wood. More than fashioned them out of gold or silver.

They made them idols in their hearts before they ever made images for their hands to hold.

Isn't that where our sins begin?

When our thoughts are not held captive, or constantly up to the standards God has set for us, they lead us down wrong paths, to make wrong choices, to worship wrong saviors.

It's got me thinking this morning about what/who I have made into gods and placed before the One True God...and how very important it is for me to watch my thoughts and my heart!

 UNINTENTIONALLY

Today's reading: Leviticus 4-6

"Then the Lord said to Moses, Give the Israelites the following instructions for dealing with those who sin unintentionally by doing anything forbidden by the Lord's commands." Leviticus 4:1-2 NLT

Ever unintentionally sinned? Didn't realize you were doing it? Didn't know it was a sin? Didn't have the spiritual maturity to know better?

Well, this chapter is for you--if you lived back in Old Testament times, that is.

This chapter gives you the run-down of the steps to be forgiven of your unintentional sin. From the sacrifice to bring, to the steps the priests must take in preparing the animal, to the rituals required in the processing of the offering.

Ever thought about unintentional sins? Do they ever cross your mind? 

Most of us, I'll include you here with me, spend a whole lot of our time being convicted of, confessing and turning our backs on the sins we commit intentionally.

The ones we do because we feel like doing them. The ones we do as reactions to others' poor, or stupid, choices. The ones we act on in order to fulfill the desires of our 'old man'. The ones we do because, well, we are human.

This morning's foray into the Old Testament and its procedures make me realize that Jesus came to die for all my sins--intentional and unintentional.

That's quite a scope. That's quite a display of power. That's quite a love!

 LOVE ME MORE THAN...

Today's reading: Luke 13-14

"Great crowds were following Jesus. He turned around and said to them, If you want to be my followers you must love me more than your own father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters--yes, more than your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple." Luke 14:25-26 NLT

I truly believe this is a portion of Scripture that we each need to personalize in order that we truly understand what following Jesus will look like for us.

How would you fill in the blank of the following sentence:

If you want to be My followers you much love me more than ______.

What would fill in your blank? Who might you be loving more than Jesus? What might be taking His place in your life? What is getting more of your attention than Him?

I cannot answer for you, and you cannot answer for me.

ALONG WITH

Today's reading: Ephesians 1-3

"He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding." Ephesians 1:8 NLT

Kindness, along with wisdom and understanding!

Along with...

In addition to...

As well as...

Together with...

Or as I see it with my spiritual eyes this morning, to top it all off!

I'm overwhelmed with the kindness He has showered on me, but to be reminded this Lord's Day that not only did He give kindness, but He gave wisdom and understanding--to me!

Oh, what a good Father we have! 

THEN YOU WILL KNOW

Today's reading: Ezekiel 1-6

Scattered throughout the verses of these six chapters are the words, Then you will know that I am God.

God speaks to Ezekiel in an effort to bring Israel back to Him. To have them repent. To have them turn away from their idols.

God predicts war, displacement, famine, death and desolation.

All in an effort to get their attention firmly and securely on Him.

But He also tells Ezekiel to let the people know that in bringing them back to Him, they will know He is the Lord.

In the love that He shows.

In the patience He affords.

In the salvation He offers.

What will it take for you to know He is the Lord?

DON'T LOSE SIGHT

Today's reading: Proverbs 4

"Don't lose sight of my words. Let them penetrate deep within your heart, for they bring life and radiant health to anyone who discovers their meaning." Proverbs 4:21-22 NLT

Letting God's Word penetrate deeply in your heart requires some effort on our part.

We've got to make the time for it. Not 'take the time', but make the time. We make time for the things that are most important to us.

We've got to digest it. Not just skim. Not just listen to a preacher talk about it. Not just read a great Christian author's thoughts on it. We've got to get into it--and let it get into us.

We've got to believe it. Believe it so intimately, intensely, wholly, that our entire lives are governed by it.

We've got to keep it in front of us, no matter what. No matter how hard the portion of Scripture appears to be. No matter how many times we've read a certain account. No matter whether we feel it applies to us or not.

Don't lose sight of God's words. Let them penetrate deeply. Breathe in the life and radiance they will bring. 

CRYING OUT

Today's reading: Psalm 69-71

"Save me, O God, for the floodwaters are up to my neck." Psalm 69:1 NLT

"O God, don't stay away..." Psalm 71:12 NLT

Maybe you're in a time of crying out in prayer.

Asking.

Begging.

Requesting that the Lord step in and do, well, do something.

But all you hear is silence.

Crickets.

Nothing.

Our psalmists knew the feeling.

They had history with God, so they knew He could.

They had the promises of God, so they knew He would.

They had the presence of God, so they curled up on His lap and asked--and asked--and asked.

They had the faithfulness of God, so they knew He wanted to because they knew His love.

What they didn't have was evidence of God moving on their behalf.

Is that where you are today? 

You're believing He can, He will, He wants to, but you aren't seeing a thing.

Our only hope during these 'silent times' is to keep talking to Him. Keep seeking Him. Keep asking Him.

We have to stay close enough to Him that even the slightest move on His part will move mountains in our lives. 

 

BE CAREFUL

Today's reading: 1 Kings 10-13

"The Lord had clearly instructed his people not to intermarry with those nations, because the women they married would lead them to worship their gods. Yet Solomon insisted on loving them anyway." 1 Kings 11:2 NLT

"In Solomon's old age, they turned his heart to worship their gods instead of trusting only in the Lord his God, as his father, David, had done." 1 Kings 11:4 NLT

As I read over the life and downfall of King Solomon, I have to pause.

Solomon, being the wisest man in the world, fell for the Enemy's tricks.

Solomon, having all he could ever want or need, fell for the Enemy's temptations.

Solomon, having the hand of the Lord blessing his reign, fell for the Enemy's lure for more. 

Solomon, being handed the throne of God's people, fell for the Enemy's lie that there was more to be had.

Solomon, having heard the voice of God fell for the Enemy's whisper of doubt.

And it wasn't that he was too immature to know better.

It wasn't that he lacked for a thing.

It wasn't that he hadn't seen and experienced the goodness of God.

It's just that he wanted his own way.

Sound familiar?

SACRIFICE
Today's reading: Leviticus 1-3

The first three chapters of Leviticus are reviewing God's laws for sacrifice.

In detail.

In very specific detail.

I think of the congregant bringing his sacrifice to the Temple.

The process of selecting the most perfect animal. The struggle with getting it from the barnyard to the courtyard. The sweat and tears, as the penitent believer makes the effort to give to God what is needed to forgive a sin or bless a crop or ask for peace.

I think of the clueless animal. 

Chosen. Selected. Relocated. Dragged. Carried. Marked. Separated from its flock mates or herd. Exposed to the hustle and bustle of the Temple activities. 

Killed.

Its blood drained. Its body parted out. Its life offered to the Lord on behalf of another.

Sacrifices aren't something we think much of these days.

Sure, we think we give of our time or money to good causes. We give up a few hours each Sunday to gather with fellow believers instead of going to the lake. We throw a few dollars in the direction of good causes instead of another Starbucks coffee.

But if you truly pause on this portion of Scripture and think of what Jesus did for us when He willingly died on the cross--it should stop us in our tracks.

It should make us sick to our stomachs.

It should bring tears to our eyes.

It should bring repentance to our hearts.

It should bring an appreciation to our lives.

It should make us stop and calculate all He did for all we've done.

Think about the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross today. Let the immensity of the act change your life.

EVERYTHING

Today's reading: Galatians 4-6

"But we who live by the Spirit eagerly wait to receive everything promised to us who are right with God through faith." Galatians 5:5 NLT

Believing friend, what are you waiting for?

A smidge of God's blessings?

A little bit of the Holy Spirit's help? 

An occasional answer to prayer?

A sprinkling of blessings throughout the course of your life?

A little bit of Jesus?

Or, are you expecting the everything this verse refers to?

Everything God promises?

All the help of the Spirit?

The entirety of Jesus's power and might?

We, the sons and daughters of the Most High God, will get EVERYTHING He has promised us!

The whole kit and caboodle!

The entirety of His love!

The expanse of His favor!

The complete package!

EXAMINING OUR WAYS

Today's reading: Lamentations

"Instead, let us test and examine our ways. Let us turn again in repentance to the Lord." Lamentations 3:40 NLT

Jeremiah was lamenting, or passionately expressing grief or sorrow, in regards to how far God's people had fallen from His ways. Think that's not something we need to consider for ourselves and our current day and time?

In a world where blame-placing is the norm...

When the reasons we do what we do gets blamed on our parents, our teachers and our bosses...

When the wrong that we do is blamed on our political leaders, those in office and those who have been out of office for years and years... 

When pointing a finger and passing-the-buck is more widely acceptable than accepting blame...

I believe it's more than high time for us to stand before God and let Him examine and test our ways.

To ask Him for an evaluation.

To open up our hearts and minds before Him for His perusal.

To make sure what we're doing lines up with what He is asking us to do.

It's time we began to take our actions, and more importantly--our reactions, as accountable to ourselves, and ourselves alone.

ENTERING HER HOUSE
Today's reading: Proverbs 2-3

"Wisdom will save you from the immoral woman, from the flattery of the adulterous woman. She has abandoned her husband and ignores the covenant she made before God. Entering her house leads to death; it is the road to hell. The man who visits her is doomed. He will never reach the paths of life." Proverbs 2:16-19 NLT

What door knob do you wish you had never turned?

What doorway do you wish you had never walked through?

Which path do you regret ever taking?

God tells us through the words of Solomon's proverbs that every dead end road begins with a poor choice. Every sin that entangles us starts with a decision.

The first 'yes'. The first sip. The first try. The first purchase. The first look. The first excuse. The first lie.

'Entering her house leads to death'. Stepping through the threshold of a temptation brings with it the beguiling taste of 'her' addictive wares.

Watch for 'her' doorways today. Be on the lookout for all the ways 'she' seduces and intrigues. Be wary of 'her' persuasive talk and her wooing ways. 

Not doing so will detour your faith walk.

JUST WANNA PRAISE HIM
Today's reading: Psalm 66-68

"...Come, let us rejoice in who he is." Psalm 66:6 NLT

What if for today, we opted for praise?

To magnify, glorify, extol, shout, speak out, compliment, express adoration of and lift up the character of our Lord?

To tell Him how great we think He is--and not ask for a thing?

Could we make it a point to rejoice in who He is?

Without asking for a thing...

Setting aside our wants and needs...

Putting requests on hold...

Praying His attributes and not our desires...

I believe we all agree He deserves it.

 

FORGIVE

Today's reading: 1 Kings 5-9

"May you hear the humble and earnest requests from me and your people Israel when we pray toward this place. Yes, hear us from heaven where you live, and when you hear, forgive." 1 Kings 8:30 NLT

These two requests, that God hear and God forgive, were nestled snuggly and intentionally into the prayer Solomon prayed as he dedicated the grand Temple to the Lord.

Amidst the thanks.

Among the reminder of God's own promises.

In the middle of promises made.

Solomon asks that God hears and, more importantly, that God forgives.

I believe we, too often, forget how very powerful God's forgiveness is.

We gloss over it.

We reduce it to a box we check off.

We consider it to be over and done.

But as I read it this morning, Solomon asks that God continue in His forgiving spirit.

That God be willing to forgive all those, even us, who for years to come will fail miserably short and deeply desire to be made right with God.

This morning I'm thinking of all the requests I make of God. All the praises I offer up on His behalf. All the moments I pray for the hearts and lives of friends and loved ones. And for my ever present need for His forgiveness.

Yes, Lord, hear me from heaven and forgive me!

 

GOD IS IN THE DETAILS
Today's reading: Exodus 37-40

A quick read of today's portion of Scripture reminds us of God's desire that we follow His instructions.

A slowed down read of today's portion of Scripture reminds us that God wants to be seen in the details of all He asks of us.

As in the building of the Tabernacle and all its furnishings.

We can see God in each and every feature of His earthly dwelling place.

We can find Him in every item used to worship Him.

We can observe His creativity in every particular request He made of those building His 'house'.

If we can see how specific He was in this task, why don't we notice His fingerprint in our daily lives?

In what He allows our lives to experience?

In what He permits into our testimonies?

In what He authorizes in order to build our character?

He is in each and every facet of our lives. From the formation of our very being in our mothers' wombs, to the time we are allowed in which to live, the people He ordains for us to live among and the opportunities He allows us to depend upon Him.

Are you seeing Him in the details?

HE IS ENOUGH

Today's reading: Luke 9-10

"Then he sent them out to tell everyone about the coming of the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick. Don't even take along a walking stick, he instructed them, nor a traveler's bag, nor food, nor money. Not even an extra coat." Luke 9:2-3 NLT

"Don't take along any money, or a traveler's bag, or even an extra pair of sandals..." Luke 10:4 NLT

When Jesus commissioned his disciples for the task of telling the world about Him, He chose to send them with one thing and one thing only--Himself.

The same is true for His followers today.

We're being asked to share the Good News with a lost and dying world and what does He want us to use in the task--Himself!

While we're wanting to accumulate skills, experience, spiritual maturity, a firmer knowledge of the Scriptures and maybe even have under our belts a course on 'soul winning', He asks us to go in His name.

To do what He asks using the power He has given us.

To give to the unsaved what He's given us.

We don't need one more thing. We don't need any more than Jesus. 

OUR PROMISES

Today's reading: Galatians 1-3

"And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and now all the promises God gave to him belong to you." Galatians 3:29 NLT

What exactly did God promise to Abraham? Let's see what Genesis tells us...

    1. land

    2. numerous descendants

    3. blessings

    4. blessings for all nations through him

So how do these promises play out in our lives?

    1. The ground you walk on, as a believer in Jesus's death, burial and resurrection, becomes holy ground!

    2. We are given opportunity to reach the world with the saving knowledge of our Savior.

    3. We will live a blessed life with Christ as our Lord.

    4. We will be able to bless the world when we will for Jesus. 

As a child of the King, you become an heir to all God has offered Abraham. Nothing God has is held back from you. Nothing God has promised is not yours for the believing and taking.

The prerequisite: You must belong to Christ. 

IDOLS

Today's reading: Jeremiah 47-52

"Compared to him, all people are foolish and have no knowledge at all! They make idols, but the idols will disgrace their makers, for they are frauds. They have no life or power in them. Idols are worthless; they are lies! The time is coming when they will all be destroyed. But the God of Israel is no idol!.." Jeremiah 51:17-19 NLT

How easily some of the blessings God has given me can become idols.

They fascinate me. They become fixations. Obsessions. They grab and hold all of my attention--then my time, then my affections, then my heart.

And it's never little small trinkets sitting on a shelf surrounded by candles and an altar.

It's comforts.

It's plans going my way.

It's when I seem to be in control.

Today's portion of Scripture reminds me to watch carefully for the things that slip into God's spot in my heart.

Spending time in prayer, more listening than talking, will allow God to pinpoint the areas where I have set up idols and worshiped them more, more intently, than I am Him.

He is jealous for my affection and adoration. He is worthy of my attention. He knows that anything else I set up will let me down, lead me astray and leave me high and dry in the end.

I want my eyes opened to the idols I am setting up!