NEEDING A NEW KING

Today's reading: 2 Kings 21-25

"Go to the Temple and speak to the Lord for me and for the people and for all Judah. Ask him about the words written in this scroll that has been found. The Lord's anger is burning against us because our ancestors have not obeyed the words in this scroll. We have not been doing what this scroll says we must do." 2 Kings 22:13 NLT

Dear United States of America,

With an election looming, let me remind us all of what we do not need...

We do not need a 'king' who will lower taxes.

We do not need a new leader who will tighten the borders.

We do not need a sovereign who is a worldwide superpower.

We do not need a national executive who knows the ins and outs of the Constitution.

We do not need a Commander in Chief who can rally the troops.

What do we need?

What does our nation stand in dire need of?

What do we truly require before our foundations crumble and our nation falls?

A leader who, like king Josiah, realizes that our nation is not doing what the Bible says we must do.

A 'king' who understands that our national leader must be the Lord.

A ruler who grasps the truth that he can only govern by following the will of God.

A person who values life, from its earliest form, as God given, God ordained and God purposed.

A president who desires to keep a cabinet of godly men and women who will hold him accountable in all areas of his life.

An elected official who stands in a place of authority for the people, representing the people, knowing he is no better than the people he serves.

A man whose own heart is led, guided, forgiven and sold out to the Lord.

That's what our country needs this election year.

Only in the hands of a man of that caliber, following the leading of a gracious God, will our nation rise to the ambitions desired by our founding fathers.  

HOLINESS

Today's reading: Leviticus 22-24

"Warn all the priests to follow these instructions carefully; otherwise they will be subject to punishment and die for violating them. I am the Lord who makes them holy." Leviticus 22:9 NLT

After giving them rule after rule, instruction after instruction, command after command, God reminds his people that it's not all about the checklist.

It's not all about the doing.

It's not all about the completing of tasks.

It's all about the reason they are doing it all--to honor the God who makes them holy.

Rules don't make us holy, they make us obedient.

Instructions don't make us holy, they make us compliant.

Commands don't make us holy, they make us dutiful.

It's the WHY we do WHAT we do because of WHO asks us to do it that makes the difference.

Following God's instructions carefully shows Him that our deepest desire is to please Him, honor Him and trust Him that His ways are best. 

Our best attempts at any Christian discipline cannot make us holy. Look good, maybe. Appear righteous, possibly. But holy--that's an attribute only God can bestow upon us! 

GOD'S HOUSE

Today's reading: John 1-2

"Then, going over to the people who sold doves, he told them, Get these things out of here, Don't turn my Father's house into a marketplace!" John 2:16 NLT

If Jesus stepped inside the front door of our churches today, what would His response be?

Would He feel at home? Welcomed? Worshiped? A part of the service?

Or would He be quickly ushered out? Not planned for? Too charismatic? Too preach-y? Too intolerant?

What would Jesus think of what we're 'selling' in our churches?

Oh, we're selling things...

Selling ideas as to how worship should look and feel.

Selling thoughts as to who and what is accepted in our midst.

Selling Sundays to the things that best capture our attention.

Selling ourselves to the idols that most suit our comforts and popularity contests.

Would Jesus find us investing in God's Word and proclaiming the Good News?

Would He see us striving to bring in the lost and the littles?

Would He know us as His own 

LOVE THEM THAT MUCH

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

Might I speak to the 'choir' this morning?

The fellas and gals who are up and getting ready for church...

The deacons, trustees, Sunday School teachers, nursery workers, church janitors, pastors, worship team members, welcome team greeters and the like...

We are preparing for our 'day'. Our 'shift'. Our 'go time'. 

We have geared up all week for Sunday.

We have the bulletins printed, the Sunday School lessons prepared, the sermons practiced, the power points in place and the smiles brushed and mouthwashed.

But are we ready for Monday? Or Tuesday?  Wednesday, Thursday, Friday or Saturday?

If we are going to share the Good News with those God brings to our church, like Paul, Silas and Timothy did, are we not also to share life with them, too?

That reaches into the week ahead.

How might we go beyond the Lord's Day into the Lord's week in order to reach more of the Lord's flock? 

THE LORD TOOK HOLD OF ME

Today's reading: Ezekiel 37-42

"The Lord took hold of me, and I was carried away by the Spirit of the Lord to a valley filled with bones." Ezekiel 37:1 NLT

Oh, the account of Ezekiel and the valley of dry bones!

I couldn't count the number of sermons I've heard, the number of Bible studies I've sat through, the number of podcasts I've had in my ear--all on the topic of God breathing His breath into the dry bones.

The stillness. The dryness. The lifelessness.

Then, the moving. The shaking. The rattling.

But this morning, none of that.

My focus is this: The Lord took hold of me.

How many times, feel free to put yourself in my place if the shoe fits, do I attempt to keep the Lord at arm's length?

How often do I try to keep God in my nice and neat Sunday box?

How hard do I attempt to limit God and His ways to what I am comfortable with?

How easily might it best be worded, I took hold of the Lord when I needed Him...when I wanted Him...when it would most suit me...when it best fit my plans?

But that's not when miraculous things happen, is it?

That's not when earth-shaking, soul-shaping, life-changing, mountain-moving, eternity-obtaining things occur!

It's only when God takes hold of us that His will is done, His ways are accomplished, His plans are completed.

My prayer for myself, and for you, is that today God takes hold of me. Wholly. Completely. With both hands! 

WORD SEEDS
Today's reading: Proverbs 13

"Good people enjoy the positive results of their words, but those who are treacherous crave violence." Proverbs 13:2 NLT

What harvest will you reap from the 'word seeds' you are planting today?

Complimentary? Encouraging? Edifying? Cheering? Strengthening? Correcting? Instructing? Loving?

Critical? Caustic? Dismissive? Disrespectful? Gossip-filled? Hateful? Condemning? Judgemental?

Every second someone steps out into eternity having just said something they will never get to apologize for, express regret over or ask forgiveness for saying.

Millions of people are impacted in adulthood by something spoken to them in childhood.

Dreams are sparked, or doused, by the words spoken by someone we admire, cherish or love.

We are incapable of knowing the scope of impact our words have on those around us. I believe it behooves us to harness the power of our conversations with love and God's guidance as we plant these 'word seeds' into the hearts of those we love.

 

WHEN BILLOWS ROLL
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

I don't know about the waves washing up against the little boat of your life--but I know God controls them.

A sea as still as glass surrounds you?

Maybe the ripples are calming.

Maybe the surf pound against your aging vessel in ways that leaves you doubting its safety.

Quite possibly the torrents are beginning to slosh inside your raft and you are bailing water out by the buckets-ful.

There is a huge possibility you see breakers and white caps on the horizon. There seems to be nothing you can do about their arrival but to batten down the hatches.

As a believer, you have a personal relationship with the One who rules the oceans. The very One who controls each and every wave.

Our God determines how high, how deep, how far and how wide each ripple of the ocean extends...what it will touch...where it begins...where it fades into nothingness.

Sure the crashing waves look daunting and fear-filled, if we look directly into them. But if we gaze intentionally and intently into the face of the One who controls them we can face the storms with a peace that passes all understanding.

We know the Master of the waves.

A SPLASH OF GOD

Today's reading: 2 Kings 16-20

"And though they worshiped the Lord, they continued to follow the religious customs of the nations from which they came." 2 Kings 17:33 NLT

The fifty-cent word for it is, syncretism, but the meaning is this: adding a splash of God to something in order to make it look good.

A prayer here.

A pastor there.

A church sponsorship.

A Jesus fish on a logo.

Our world, our churches, have gotten quite used to grabbing hold of the customs of the world and adding a little bit of Jesus to them in order to make them look good.

A short devotion at the all day baseball games held on Sundays.

A dismissal of worship services in order for families to have time together.

A time of entertainment instead of instruction during a Wednesday night prayer meeting.

God cannot and will not be stirred into something and diluted down. 

His holiness will always rise to the top. His righteousness will always convict and correct. 

God will not share the stage with another--in the world or in our hearts.

 

CLEANED UP AND READY

Today's reading: Leviticus 19-21

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

I have a few special Christmas platters that I use only in the month of December to display special cookies or candies that I have made.

These crystal platters are for special occasions. For holidays.

They aren't my every day go-to's. You wouldn't see me serving my Monday meatloaf on them.

That being said, I don't put them away dirty--thinking I will wash them up when I get them out to use when the holidays roll around.

I have them washed up, wrapped in their tissue paper, stored in their special cabinet, on stand-by for their ordained purpose. Ready and waiting.

I think that's what God intends with His use of the word 'holy' in regards to our lives.

He desires that we live in a way that, at a moment's notice, we are usable.

He wants us to walk among this world in a manner that's prepared and ready to shine for Him.

He doesn't want us to have to run to the church house to get cleaned up, dressed up, suited up and armored up for the mission.

He doesn't want us to have to call up the pastor to pray over us, find a baptistry for us to get dunked, locate a 24 hour Christian bookstore in order to purchase the latest and greatest Bible translation or be able to link someone to the newest online believer's app.

He wants us living for Him.

Set apart.

Holy.

Not just pulled out of a cabinet for special occasions!

 

A SIGNBOARD

Today's reading: Luke 23-24

"A signboard was nailed to the cross above him with these words: This is the King of the Jews." Luke 23:38 NLT

The simplicity, and the complexity, of the signboard of the cross has caused me to pause this morning.

The King James Version of this verse says Pilate had this signboard written in Hebrew, Greek and Latin so that all passing by Jesus would know who he was. Without a doubt. No wondering. No question.

Today the sign hanging on the cross might read this...

This is the King of the girl who got saved at age 7 at Union Free Will Baptist Church.

Or...

This is the King of the young wife who rededicated her life after her dad's accident.

Or...

This is the King of the new mom who found the Living God in the pages of her Bible.

Or...

This is the King of the gal on a little farm in southern Illinois whose fingers fly over a keyboard with excitement over what she wants to share with others about the Gospel.

Or...

This is the King!

 WHAT'S IMPORTANT 

Today's reading: Colossians 3-4

"Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things." Colossians 3:2 NLT

I have to admit, my mind doesn't prioritize heavenly things.

It doesn't come naturally.

Things of eternal nature aren't what's before my eyes day in and day out.

But when I pause and consider that eternity is what truly matters...

Eternity is my reward...

Eternity is my hope...

Eternity is where I will spend time with my Lord and Savior...

Well, I believe it deserves a whole lot more of my attention that it gets. 

And the importance of it should weigh a lot heavier in the conversations I have with others. 

Things here are of less importance when placed on the scales with eternity.

SOUND THE ALARM

Today's reading: Ezekiel 31-36

"...When I bring an army against a country, the people of that land choose a watchman. When the watchman sees the enemy coming, he blows the alarm to warn the people." Ezekiel 33:2-3 NLT

It's time we sound an alarm, believing brothers and sisters!

It's not up to a presidential candidate to proclaim the problem.

It's not up to a political party to issue a statement.

It's not up to a lobby group to pepper the airways with ads.

It's up to God's people to lovingly let people know that the current path we're on is leading our nation into the pits of hell.

Laws that okay murder. Allowances that let young children determine which gender they 'feel' they are. Exemptions on one man/one woman marriages. Governmental placement, and provision, for illegal aliens.

How could any of those choices lead anywhere but downhill?

Let's be the watchmen God wants us to be.

Let's read our Bibles and share what we find in its pages.

Let's listen to our pastors and restate God's message.

Let's share the Gospel--the Truth--the Way.

Let's warn the people.

 

LOVING CORRECTION

Today's reading: Proverbs 11-12

"To learn, you must love discipline; it is stupid to hate correction." Proverbs 12:1 NLT

Ever been 'schooled'?

It's the current slang for having learned a lesson the hard way.

I think we've all been there, worn the red-face of it and now are on the other side--knowing more than we did.

Most of our 'schooling' is going to come with a fair share of discipline. Not the kind of discipline your grade school principal doled out at the end of a paddle, but the determined commitment to learn or achieve a new skill or habit.

In knitting it might require some tedious knits and purls, a whole lot of unraveling mistakes, and picking the knitting needles up again and again.

In dieting it might take some early morning wake-ups for walks, pushing past the desire to eat a donut, and making salad a choice over an entire pizza.

In our Christian walks this discipline, in an order to avoid being corrected, includes picking up our Bibles, bowing our heads and listening more intently to God's voice.

In just about everything in life, there is an easy way to learn something and a hard way.

Most times, we are the ones choosing which way we will gain a new bit of knowledge.

ALL I AM

Today's reading: Psalm 84-86

"...With my whole being, body and soul, I will shout joyfully to the living God." Psalm 84:2 NLT

Remember the picture Bible you had as a child?

The one an artist's rendering of Adam and Eve in the garden...Noah standing beside the ark...Daniel surrounded by lions...shepherds surrounding the manger...little kids sitting on Jesus's lap...Jesus hanging on the cross?

The pictures painted a scene that made the Bible account come alive right before your eyes.

If I were an artist, if I held in my hand a paintbrush or some magnificently colored markers, if I had a blank page in my Bible across from this single verse, here is what I would include for shouting joyfully with our whole being, body and soul...

The kids I see at Vacation Bible School this week!

The whole-face smiles. The little fists full of offering coins. The sweaty heads of hair throwing water balloon after water balloon. New friends arm and arm walking down church hallways. The glue-y fingers. The faces with bits of snack smeared all over them. The eyes wide with wonder as another Bible account is shared. The erratic lines of them going from one part of the church to another. The volume of their singing voices. The wiggling, ants-in-their-pants anticipation of another evening full of Jesus. The still and quiet as they bow their heads in prayer to the Jesus who they truly, without a doubt, believe loves them. 

Isn't that exactly what the sons of Korah meant when they wrote about how we should celebrate Jesus?

Is that how you do it?

A DELIVERER
Today's reading: 2 Kings 11-15

"Then Jehoahaz prayed for the Lord's help, and the Lord heard his prayer. The Lord could see how terribly the king of Aram was oppressing Israel. So the Lord raised up a deliverer to rescue the Israelites from the tyranny of the Arameans. Then Israel lived in safety again as they had in former days." 2 Kings 13:4-5 NLT

I don't know about you, your current circumstances or the state of your faith walk, but for me--these verses were what I needed:

1. The Lord hears!

2. The Lord sees!

3. The Lord delivers!

He waits for me to reach the end of me and call out to Him.

He knows what's going on in my world, in my head and in my heart.

He provides all I need. All. Not just a smidge. Not just a bare minimum. Not just enough to let me scrape by. All I need.

That stirs my hope this morning. And I pray it stirs yours, as well.

STANDARDS FOR THE PEOPLE

Today's reading: Leviticus 16-18

"Then the Lord said to Moses, Say this to your people the Israelites: I, the Lord, am your God. So do not act like the people in Egypt, where you used to live, or like the people of Canaan, where I am taking you. You must not imitate their way of life." Leviticus 18:1-4 NLT

The world says, imitation is the highest form of flattery.

(Mind you, according to these verses, God said it first.)

Who do you mimic? Whose life do you fashion your own after? Who is your role model?

We cannot follow the ways of the world, our 'old man', as Paul calls it.

We also cannot imitate the world we live in, as it's not our home.

We follow after the example of our God!

Perfectly? No way!

Intentionally? Yes!

We pour over His Word looking for His instructions.

We dig into the life of His Son, Jesus, as to how he did it while here on earth.

We allow the Holy Spirit free rein in our hearts and minds as it guides us into all right living.

And when we do it? When we do it, we will stand out in the crowd. We will be salt in a flavorless world and light in a dark time.

EXHAUSTED FROM GRIEF

Today's reading: Luke 21-22

"At last he stood up again and returned to the disciples, only to find them asleep, exhausted from grief." Luke 22:45 NLT

We find, in this portion of Scripture, Jesus have spent heart-wrenching, blood-sweating, intimate time in prayer to God.

He concludes his praying to find his disciples sleeping.

I never noticed it before, but they were sleeping because they were, exhausted from grief.

They were mentally, physically and emotionally tired from all Jesus had told them would come to pass.

Their bodies were drained.

Their heads were swirling.

Their hearts were broken.

And in all that, Jesus still had asked them to pray.

Not for him, but for themselves.

He knew prayer held the power, the promises and the potential to get them through the next hard time they would experience.

I'm guilty of falling asleep on the job as well.

Sometimes mental strain allows me to doze off.

On occasion I'm worn out from doing, going and being.

Some days I am exhausted from maneuvering the world I'm called to live in.

At times I'm beaten to a useless pulp because of the fears and worries running rampant in my head.

Other times I'm plum tuckered from attempting to be God.

This morning I'm determined to wake up and pray.

Not only wake up, but stay awake and pray!

  

WHAT HAS HE HEARD?

Today's reading: Colossians 1-2

"We always pray for you, and we give thanks to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for we have heard that you trust in Christ Jesus and that you love all of God's people." Colossians 1:3-4 NLT

If Paul were our 'faith father' and regularly got reports on our spiritual growth and progress--what would he hear?

How would you score on your last trip to Walmart?

Your most recent stall in traffic?

Your participation in the latest church finance committee meeting?

Your patience with an elderly parent?

Your responses to a toxic co-worker?

Your willingness to sign-up for a church ministry?

In greeting the newest attenders to your church?

In your reaction to seeing 'Sister So-and-So' heading your way after services?

If Paul would give you high marks in loving all of God's people, celebrate!

If Paul would leave you with remarks like, needs improvement or unsatisfactory, spend some time in prayer.

We are impacting the world one choice at a time--inside, and outside, the church.

 WHEN YOU ARE GOD

Today's reading: Ezekiel 25-30

"Therefore, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: Because you think you are as wise as a god, I will bring against you an enemy army, the terror of the nations. They will suddenly draw their swords against your marvelous wisdom and defile your splendor!" Ezekiel 28:6-7 NLT

While these words were spoken to the king of Tyre, a few thousand years ago, there appears to be a whole lot we might take to heart...

Who do we think we are?

Do we really think the Lord needs our help?

What's our track record in comparison to His?

We've all been there.

Thinking we're 'all that and a bag of chips'.

Providing assistance to the Lord--in the form of heavy-handed suggestions as to how He should answer prayer, when it might be best for Him to look good and why our way is probably the best way.

It's in those exact moments that we also must remember how solidly flat we've fallen on our faces when we tried being a god.

How the enemy lured us, trapped us, tied us up and dragged us along with him for way too long.

How the messes we were in suddenly looked messier after we attempted to fix them on our own.

How brilliantly God stepped in and redeemed all we had done when we sincerely cried out to Him.

Let's remember today we are not little gods!

THE HOPES OF THE GODLY

Today's reading: Proverbs 10

"The fears of the wicked come true, so will the hopes of the godly." Proverbs 10:24 NLT

So with do you have?

Fears or hopes.

Which one rules your thoughts?

If fear is what fills your mind and heart, then fearful things will come to pass. Bad things. Nightmarish things.

But, if hope fills your thoughts?

If your heart and mind, eyes and ears, are tuned in to God in a hope-filled anticipation, the sky's the limit!

This goes way beyond a 'name it-claim it' type of mindset.

It's more, way more, than a positive thinking exercise.

A belief like this far surpasses anything a counselor, therapist or pastor can prescribe or pray over you.

It's a God thing.

When we choose to live for the Lord, every day and in every decision we make, we can hope for the promises He gives--in His time and in His way.

Isn't that exciting? Doesn't that thrill you? What a breath of fresh air! 

BUT NO

Today's reading: Psalm 81-83

"But no, my people wouldn't listen. Israel did not want me around." Psalm 81:11 NLT

The condition our hearts are in...

The mess our families are in...

The state our country is in...

The turmoil our churches are in...

If we dissected, autopsied and biopsied them, we would find that this verse sums up the problem--we just wouldn't listen.

Do I believe we could have another Garden of Eden with our simple obedience? NO. But I do believe a whole lot of the hurt we find our hearts aching over comes from our not listening to our Father.

Choosing our own way.

Thinking we know better.

Attempting to help Him out instead of being still before Him.

Believing His commands are mere recommendations, not rules for living.

Let's listen. Simple listen.

 

THEIR OWN KING

Today's reading: 2 Kings 6-10

"During Jehoram's reign, the Edomites revolted against Judah and crowned their own king." 2 Kings 8:20 NLT

I don't know much about the Edomites, other than they were enemies of God's people.

I couldn't show you, on a map, where Edom was located.

I won't even begin to explain the intricate relationship between Judah and Edom, through a common ancestor-Jacob.

I will tell you this: Edom is not different than we are when it comes to crowning our own kings.

We do it, too.

Instead of the One True King, we select flailing monarchs to rule our heads and hearts.

We choose money.

We select popularity.

We lean on comfort.

We elect the need for control.

We, too often, crown our own way over the way God has for us.

And in the end, well, in the end it doesn't ever fare well for us.

 

SEPARATE

Today's reading: Leviticus 13-15

"In this way, you will keep the people of Israel separate from things that will defile them, so they will not die as a result of defiling my Temple that is right there among them." Leviticus 15:31 NLT

I don't know if you've read through the processes and procedures God instituted for the Israelites in regards to skin diseases, mold in their houses and a woman's monthly cycle--but it's exhausting.

Details. Specifics. Proper order. Intricate processes.

And after all the instructions? God tells them/us why--to keep us separate from the world.

To keep us clean.

Holy.

Ready for His use at all times.

What are we doing today that keeps us 'on the starting block' and ready for His service?

What is He asking us to do today that will keep our heads, hearts, hands and homes ready to do His bidding?

What spiritual disciplines are keeping us so busy that we don't have time, or want to, to dip our toe in the cesspool of the world?

Here is the list I came up with for myself. If I make the time, and take the effort, to do these each and every day, I won't be tempted to become like the world...

Prayer.

Bible time.

Worship.

Being salt and light.

Speaking truth.

Forgiving others. 

Sharing the Gospel.

Encouraging others.

Praise.

Gathering with fellow believers.

What would you add? What helps you keep the right heart attitude and mind track?

DID NOT WANT THEM TO BE THEIR KING

Today's reading: Luke 19-20

Ever read a well-known passage of Scripture only to have a portion of it leap off the page? Like a new part had been written in since your last reading? A different angle of it you'd never seen before?

That's what has happened this morning as I read this small section of my favorite book in the whole wide world...

"He said, A nobleman was called away to a distant empire to be crowned king and then return. Before he left, he called together ten servants and gave them ten pounds of silver to invest for him while he was gone. But his people hated him and sent a delegation after him to say they did not want him to be their king. When he returned, the king called in the servants to whom he had given the money. He wanted to find out what they had done with the money and what their profits were." Luke 19:12-15 NLT

I had never 'seen' why it was the Master was leaving town: To become king of another empire.

But they didn't want him. 

They didn't want Him--as I see it, Jesus is telling his own story. A page out of his biography.

Those outside of His realm didn't want anything to do with Him.

Honestly, that makes the 'silver' He gave me to invest all that more important this morning.

What He has, He gives to His children--to make a profit with. To re-invest into the lives of those we love and those He has placed in our paths. 

What are you doing with the 'silver' He has given you?

PRICELESS GAIN
Today's reading: Philippians 3-4

"Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the priceless gain of knowing Christ Jesus as my Lord..." Philippians 3:8 NLT

What, if anything, are you stacking up again your relationship with Christ?

Better yet, what's getting more of your attention, time and effort than incubating your Christian walk?

Job?

Prince Charming? Princess All I've Been Looking For?

Your kids? (Yes, this can happen--our littles can quickly become idols.

Your weekend? (You 'deserve' a rest...It's the 'only' time we can take the boat out...I need 'me' time.)

Your offenses? (Someone's at fault for your decision not to worship corporately.)

Paul knew a good life, a life full of accomplishments, discipline and deserved accolades, but once he came to know Jesus--everything else paled in comparison.

Let's watch what we allow to come between us and time with the Lord, in His Word, on our knees and worshiping with fellow believers. Let's check our hearts for little gods we're setting up for worship in our hearts.

THE DIFFERENCE

Today's reading: Ezekiel 19-24

"Your priests have violated my laws and defiled my holy things. To them there is no difference between what is holy and what is not. And they do not teach my people the difference between what is ceremonially clean and unclean. They disregard my Sabbath days so that my holy name is greatly dishonored among them." Ezekiel 22:26 NLT

While one might quickly copy and paste this in a note to your pastor, wait a minute.

Pause long enough to remember what 1 Peter 2:9 says, we (those of us saved by the grace of God) are a royal priesthood, a chosen generation, a holy people.

So, fellow priest, what are we showing the world?

Are we living out God's commands?

Are we considering holy what God considers holy?

Are we honoring the Sabbath as He has instructed?

Are we living clean lives in a very dirty world?

I challenge myself, and you, to make sure that we are making a difference in our lives. That we choose to stand out. That we make the choice to live as the salt and light He has ordained us to be.

Be the difference.

CHOOSE ME

Today's reading: Proverbs 8-9

"Choose my instruction rather than silver, and knowledge over pure gold." Proverbs 8:10 NLT

Take your thoughts back to early grade school...

Your favorite teacher has just asked a question--and you know the answer!

You are sure about the answer!

You are confident you can present to the class, in a clear loud voice, the answer she is looking for! And in doing so, get the smile from her that says, Well, done!

You sit wiggling in your little desk chair, your arm stretched high, whispering loudly to yourself--Ooh, ooh, choose me! Choose me!

Can you see God doing that when we stand at a crossroad? When we have a decision to make? When life presents us with options that aren't bad but are good, better and best?

Anthropomorphism is what that's called--giving God humanlike attributes. Attempting to make Him more like us so that we can understand Him a little better.

He wants us to choose Him, His way, His will and His love more than anything.

He knows that what He has for us will benefit us more greatly than anything the world will offer.

He knows which decision will lead to better choices tomorrow and next year.

He knows where each 'rabbit hole' leads before we ever come to it.

Choose Him today--you will only be benefited by the choice.

TURN US AGAIN

Today's reading: Psalm 78-80

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

Put Your hands on our shoulders and guide us back into Your will.

Tug on the reins of our hearts so that we will go in the direction You desire we go.

Steer our hearts and minds back to You by way of the circumstances around us.

Catch our eye again, Lord.

Lead us deeper into a relationship with You.

Only then will we be saved from ourselves. 

I WISH

Today's reading: 2 Kings 1-5

"One day the girl said to her mistress, I wish my master would go to see the prophet in Samaria. He would heal him of his leprosy." 2 Kings 5:3 NLT

The wife of Naaman had a servant girl.

Scripture tells us a little about her background--where she came from and how she came to be in Naaman's house.

It doesn't, however, tell us if this was the first time she mentioned her Lord OR if she had mentioned Him on numerous occasions and this was the first time anyone listened to her.

Maybe this young girl had persistence--and Naaman's wife finally tired of hearing about her God.

Maybe this young girl had grit--talking about her God in a foreign land filled with foreign gods,

Maybe this young girl had the love of the Lord in her for her fellow man--and spoke boldly in an effort to give him relief.

Maybe this young girl had the Spirit of God resting mightily on her--causing people to bend an ear when she spoke or want what she had. 

But she spoke. People listened. Naaman was healed. God was glorified.

I wish that for all of us...that we speak up, that others hear what we have to say, that hearts are healed and that our Lord is brought all the glory!

 JESUS MAKES US RICH
Today's reading: Leviticus 10-12

"If a woman cannot afford to bring a sheep, she must bring two turtledoves or two young pigeons..." Leviticus 12:8 NLT

Maybe you had noticed it, I hadn't.

Mary and Joseph brought a pair of turtledoves for Mary's purification sacrifice, as stated in Luke 2, to adhere to Levitical law.

I'd never thought about why doves until today.

It told us they were poor. Had they not been poor, they would have brought a sheep.

Mary and Joseph had nothing in the world, but Jesus.

Nothing of value. Nothing of worth. Nothing of benefit. Nothing of any quality. Nothing of any consequence on their own.

Like us.

Our only value comes through their Son.

Our only hope comes through their Son.

Our only way of escaping the penalty of death and the torture of hell comes through their Son.

In our poverty, if we have Jesus--we have all we need!

THE OTHER NINE

Today's reading: Luke 17-18

" Jesus asked, Didn't I heal ten men? Where are the other nine?" Luke 17:7 NLT

Ever just sat flabbergasted at all God has blessed you with?

Health. Wealth. Family. Salvation. Friends. Creation. His presence. I could go on.

This morning is one of those types of times--I'm weepy over all He has given me.

Especially as I read about the ten lepers.

Too many days I am one of ' the other nine'.

I fail to notice all He's done. I hesitate to thank Him. I accept all He gives as entitlement. I errantly believe I've had a hand in anything I've accumulated.

But this morning? 

I'm thanking Him.

I'm talking to Him about all I appreciate Him doing for me.

I'm pausing long enough to gaze on the Giver, not the gift.

I'm allotting more time in gratitude than in asking.

This morning I'm 'the one'.