VALID CRITICISM

Today's reading: Proverbs 25

"Valid criticism is as treasured by the one who heeds it as jewelry made from finest gold." Proverbs 25:12 NLT

Ever been corrected? By a parent, a teacher, an employer, a fellow employee or a close friend, or the pastor as he presented his sermon?

How did you respond?

Did you blow up? Place blame? List a long line of excuses? Did their criticism, valid criticism, cause you to throw in the towel? Maybe you stuck your fingers in your ears and sang loudly, LaLaLaLa,

Or did you do as this wise proverb instructs and tie the correction around your neck like a necklace or around your wrist like a bracelet or around your finger like a ring?

Did you use the constructive criticism as an adornment to your life? An accessory? An enhancement to your spirit?

If you are blessed enough to have a friend who is willing to correct you when you are wrong (or approaching wrong at a high rate of speed), a pastor who will preach the Word of God in regards to a sin, or an employer who desires you to achieve --you are as blessed as a woman who owns a lot of fine jewelry!

Accept valid criticism as you would a tiny, black velvet box filled with ornamentation for your life.

 

EVERYTHING

Today's reading: Psalm 111-113

"Everything he does reveals his glory and majesty. His righteousness never fails." Psalm 111:3 NLT

Oh, I'm guessing you are already attempting to find 'loopholes' in the EVERYTHING this psalm mentions.

-But what about cancer, Malinda?

-How about when children are hurt, you ask?

-What about the state of our world?

-Why has my son gone off the deep end after being raised in church?

I get it...boy, do I get it.

Things don't always look glorious and majestic.

They don't always have right-ness stamped on them.

We cannot always see God in the tough stuff.

But if we look hard enough...

If we desire eyes to see, really see, Him...

If we would but gaze at God and glance at our problems (a phrase I was just recently introduced to)...

If we would magnify the Master, not the mountain...

We would see Him revealed in it all.

In everything.

Or in our response to everything!

 

SACRIFICES

Today's reading: 2 Chronicles 1-5

"King Solomon and the entire community of Israel sacrificed sheep and oxen before the Ark in such numbers that no one could keep count!" 2 Chronicles 5:6 NLT

The scene that day had to be spectacular.

The excitement in the air had to be palpable.

The noise had to be deafening.

The worship had to be so thick, as my Grandma would say--you could stir it with a stick.

The sacrifices, the sheep and oxen, were being sacrificed right and left. Not in a willy-nilly fashion but in a somber, dedicated and honorable way. Shepherds were willingly giving up their prized lambs to the Lord. Farmers were offering their 'work horses' in honor of the God who held their hearts.

The people's awe of Him flowed like the blood from the sacrificial animals.

The people's reverence of Him built in crescendoes of praise.

The people's thanks to Him was seen on the faces of the worshipers.

And God accepted it all. He received it in His heart. He watched as His people were doing what He created His people to do!

What sacrifice might you make unto the Lord today? He generously accepts far more heart-held things than sheep and cattle. 

 

BLOCKING YOUR WAY

Today's reading: Numbers 21-24

"...I have come to block your way because you are stubbornly resisting me." Numbers 22:32 NLT

Check your attitude.

Really, check your attitude.

In those areas where you are failing, flailing, running up against a brick wall--check your attitude.

Are you doing what pleases God?

Are you doing what God wants, or what you want?

Are you doing everything you are doing with the right heart motives?

God doesn't test people, but He allows occasional quizzes that reveal what's truly in our hearts.

If you are experiencing a 'talking donkey', a roadblock or feel like you're stuck in a puddle of glue and cannot go any farther--spend some time with the Lord, asking Him to check your attitude.

 

PEACE BE WITH YOU
Today's reading: John 19-21

"That evening, on the first day of the week, the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! Peace be with you, he said." John 20:19 NLT

In the middle of their fear, Jesus showed up.

He didn't wait until they had settled themselves, calmed their nerves or boldly shook their fists at the enemies surrounding them.

He arrived in their need.

He will for you, too.

You don't have to get your ducks in a row...

Or your doubts under control..

Or your addiction erased...

You just have to look for Him.

And accept the peace He offers. 

SALVATION

Today's reading: Titus

"For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people." Titus 2:11 NLT

I have presented you with clever quips.

I've given you many quotes.

I have shared with you many a tale from our farm and my simple life.

I have hit 'send' on far too many mis-spellings.

Today?

Today, I want to make sure you know about the gift of salvation.

The prophesied birth of a virgin born Savior.

The perfect life lived by the Messiah.

The cruel death on a cross of the Lamb.

The resurrection of the Son of God.

Do you know about it? Have you accepted this priceless gift personally?

It's not a matter of a sprinkling in your childhood.

Or a certificate of membership at a specific church.

Or even a string of perfectly attended Sundays.

This gift doesn't get passed down from generation to generation.

It isn't even anything to do with a baptism.

It's all about a prayer...

Lord Jesus, I repent of my sins and surrender my life. Wash me clean. I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. That he died on the cross for my sins and rose again on the third day for my Victory, I believe that in my heart and make confession with my mouth, that Jesus is my Savior and Lord. Amen

BE CAREFUL

Today's reading: Amos 1-4

"The Sovereign Lord has sworn this by his holiness: The time will come when you will be led away with hooks in your noses. Every last one of you will be dragged away like a fish on a hook." Amos 4:2 NLT

While the prophet Amos was offering Israel a warning in regards to where their choices would eventually lead them, don't think for a moment that these words aren't for us, too.

The children of God kept ignoring their sins--sound familiar?

The Israelites kept selling themselves to foreign gods--sound familiar?

The people of the Lord insisted on knowing better than the God who made them--sound familiar?

The chosen ones of Israel turned again and again against God's commands--sound familiar?

Amos told them, and I believe he's telling us, the time will come when you won't know enough to come to your senses and turn back to the Lord.

Lord, help us never cross that line. Help us to not be led so astray from you that we cannot/will not see our way back. Help us to take to heart all the warnings you send our way as we walk this path of life. Amen

WINGS OF A BIRD

Today's reading: Proverbs 23-24

"Don't weary yourself trying to get rich. Why waste your time? For riches can disappear as though they had the wings of a bird." Proverbs 23:4-5 NLT

Few of us will leave amassed fortunes behind.

None of us will be buried with our piles of money.

No matter how hard we work.

No matter how many hours we put in.

No matter how good we are at saving or investing.

We can, however, impact the future.

We can leave a mark on those coming after us.

We can pass on a legacy that might possibly last for generations.

In our faith walks.

In the Gospel we live.

In the godly love we pour out.

In our Christianity.

If we want to work hard at something...

If we want to stockpile wealth that will endure long after we have died...

If we want to make an impression that is indelible...

Live for God now. Put your full self-heart, soul, mind and strength-into living for God!

 

ARMS OUTSTRETCHED

Today's reading: Psalm 108-110

"...I will sing your praises among the nations. For your unfailing love is higher than the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds." Psalm 108:3-4 NLT

Maybe you played the game with your children, or grandchildren. The one where you state, 'I love you this much--', and stretch your arms out as wide as you can.

Maybe you had the book by Sam McBratney that rhymed along with the tale of Daddy Nutbrown Hare as he told Little Nutbrown Hare, 'Guess how much I love you?' 

Maybe, no matter your age or stage in life, it's time you revisited your childhood in regards to how very much God loves you!

His love for you is higher than the heavens--no matter what you've done!

His faithfulness to you reaches to the clouds--no matter how unfaithful others in your life have been!

He loves you to the moon, which He created, and back!

He whispers in your ear, 'I love you enough to give you my Only Son.'

Let your heart see God's arms outstretched showing you just how much He loves you!

WHAT IS, IS HIS

Today's reading: 1 Chronicles 25-29

"Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O Lord, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as the one who is over all things." 1 Chronicles 29:11 NLT

I guess I needed the reminder...

I'm going to assume I was beginning to forget and needed retold...

I'm going to go so far as to believe it is no coincidence... 

You see, I heard this quote yesterday:

'What is, is His.'

And now to have this verse, this specific verse, jump off the page of my Bible this morning?

God's reminding me of who He is.

What is, is His.

Greatness, power, glory, victory, majesty!

Everything here, everything there.

Over all things.

What an amazing, astounding, incomparable God we serve!

INHERITANCE

Today's reading: Numbers 17-20

"And the Lord said to Aaron, You priests will receive no inheritance of land or share of property among the people of Israel. I am your inheritance and your share." Numbers 18:20 NLT

If God were ALL you were ever to receive, would He be enough?

While you watched friends fill their barns and homes with blessings from the Lord, and your hands remained empty but your heart full--would He be enough?

When friends get answer after answer to their prayers and yours remain unanswered, but you have peace--would He be enough?

If you received nothing else in this life except for the gracious gift of salvation--would He be enough?

Priestly, believing friend--is He enough? 

THE WORLD'S SIN
Today's reading: John 16-18

"The world's sin is unbelief in me." John 16:9 NLT

If we were to take a quick poll as to what the biggest, worst, most common sin committed by the world--would it be unbelief?

Might it have been suggested that the prevailing sin might be:

-Murder.

-Idolatry.

-Stealing.

-False witness.

-Covetousness.

-Sexual immorality.

All problematic. All committed on a too-regular basis. All sins.

But, I believe, Jesus is telling us that unbelief in God is what leads us to commit every other sin.

IF we truly believe God is who He says He is, these other sins would not have room in our hearts and minds.

IF we truly believe God is who He says He is, these other sins would be appalling to us.

IF we truly believe God is who He says He is, these other sins would have no roots in our lives.

Do you believe in God? Is your life, is your sinlessness, telling the world you believe in Him? 

RIGHT TEACHING

Today's reading: 2 Timothy 3-4

"For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to right teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever they want to hear." 2 Timothy 4:3 NLT

I pray you pray.

Not just over your meals.

Or for those who are sick and in the hospital.

Or for our country.

All needful, very needful.

But I pray you pray for your pastor to be bold, to be outspoken, to be led by the Spirit and to present to you and your congregation of believers right teaching from the Word of God.

There are a whole lot of preachers out there--there are fewer who preach from the Bible, what the Bible says, in ways God leads to people who are assembled by the Lord.

So, pray for your pastor.

You don't want, don't need, won't grow under, one that preaches whatever it is you want to hear. 

PERHAPS EVEN YET

Today's reading: Joel

"Who knows? Perhaps even yet he will give you a reprieve, sending you a blessing instead of this terrible curse. Perhaps he will give you so much that you will be able to offer grain and wine to the Lord your God as before!" Joel 2:14 NLT

A reprieve from God.

A cancellation of punishment.

A postponement of discipline.

A stay of execution.

From the Lord.

The one who every sin is ultimately against.

The King whose world we are ruining by our choices.

The One True God who deserves our wholehearted devotion and worship.

The very One who loves us enough to forgive us when we pray to Him, turn back to Him and seek His face.

Perhaps even yet he will give you a reprieve!

COMMONALITIES

Today's reading: Proverbs 22

"The rich and the poor have this in common: The Lord made them both." Proverbs 22:2 NLT

There are a whole lot of divisive things in our world today.

Religion. Politics. Rights. Choices. Backgrounds. Preferences. 

I believe, in Solomon's God-given wisdom, he is asking us, as followers of Christ, to look past those things into the eyes of another soul created by God.

Can you do that?

When someone is taller, shorter, heavier, skinnier, louder or more quiet than you?

When a person is more sure of themselves, less settled than, richer, poorer, darker or lighter than you are?

When another hates more, loves more, believes differently, behaves differently, works harder or doesn't work as hard as you do?

Strip away all the labels, all the titles, all the masks, all the descriptive terms--and we are all left standing, side-by-side, looking like masterpieces created by God.

Take away all preconceived notions, rap sheets, Facebook posts and what so-and-so told you about --and we all remain soul-holding vessels loved by God.

My take-away for the verse? I need to look deeper. Not glance. Not assume. Not make a quick judgement. Look deeper into a heart made by God--my mirror image, one might say!

HOW HARD DO I SEARCH?

Today's reading: Psalm 105-107

"Search for the Lord and for his strength, and keep on searching." Psalm 105:4 NLT

I'll tell you, this verse has convicted me. It has made me pause. It's given me reason to sit and think.

You see, I don't search for the Lord.

There, I said it.

I don't search for the Lord.

Not in an active sense, that is.

I notice Him in the sunrises and sunsets.

I acknowledge Him in the answered prayers.

I refer to Him when I evade a wreck or a fall by the skin of my teeth.

I expect Him to show up in church.

But search for Him? Look for Him? Make an effort to find where He is and join Him there?

Sadly, no. I don't put forth the effort.

I don't go the extra mile.

I don't hunger and thirst enough for Him to go above and beyond in order to be in His presence.

But I'm going to start!

I'm going to begin putting in some sweat equity in my walk with the Lord. I'm going to start going after Him in hot pursuit. I'm going to seek Him until I find Him--not just take the easy route and let Him show up where He will.

What about you? How much effort do you put into searching for the Lord?
 

THE SIN OF A CENSUS

Today's reading: 1 Chronicles 20-24

"But Joab replied, May the Lord increase the number of his people a hundred times over! But why, my lord, do you want to do this? Are they not all your servants? Why must you cause Israel to sin?" 1 Chronicles 21:3 NLT

David had finally become king over Israel.

He wore the crown. He had the support of the people. He stood in the role God had anointed him for many years prior.

Then a seed for an idea was planted in his head. A census.

There is nothing sinful, unbiblical or ungodly about a head count...unless there is a strain of pride involved in the counting.

David wanted to know the extent of his personal power. He desired to know how many people served him. He wanted to know the 'balance in his bank account'. He sought to hold a balance sheet in his hand that accounted for every man old enough to fight.

So without God's approval, he called for a census.

His friend, and trusted adviser, Joab called him out on it. And not only called him out on it, he called what David was about to do, a sin.

A sin!

That's harsh. That's specific. That's hard to ignore.

But David did ignore it. And David, and the people of Israel were punished for it.

My prayer, for myself and for you, is that we surround ourselves with godly people who will call us out. Who will use their position in our lives, their influence on our minds and their closeness to our hearts to call sin sin. Folks who will help us in our spiritual walk with the Lord, not just be a spectator from the sidelines.

And that we will listen.  

And turn from sin.

THE SPREAD OF DISCOURAGING REPORTS

Today's reading: Numbers 13-16

"But Caleb tried to encourage the people as they stood before Moses. Let's go at once to take the land, he said. We can certainly conquer it! But the other men who had explored the land with him answered, We can't go up against them! They are stronger than we are! So they spread discouraging reports about the land among the Israelites. The land we explored will swallow up any who go to live there. All the people we saw were huge." Numbers 13:30-32 NLT

There is a very good likelihood that within the next 24 hours, or less, you will meet at least one 'Caleb' and at least one or two of 'the other men'.

'Caleb's' will edify, promote, encourage and bolster you to the extent that you believe they should be wearing cheerleader costumes and carrying pompons.

The 'other men'? The other men will rain on your parade, pull the plug on your dreams, pop the balloon of hope you carry and, on the worst of days, kick you while you're down.

'Caleb's' will push you to advance in your faith walk. The 'other men' will tell you every sin you've committed, remind you of your past and make you feel as if it's not worth the effort.

I cannot tell you who to choose as friends, but I know who I would choose for myself. Who I do choose for my acquaintances, my friends, my tribe--'Caleb's'!

How does one find these types of encourager-s? Well, the best way to find one is to be one!

STAY JOINED

Today's reading: John 13-15

"But if you stay joined to me and my words remain in you, you may ask any request you like, and it will be granted." John 15:7 NLT

Let's get this out in the open...

This is not a 'Genie in a lamp' kind of verse.

It's not a matter of doing the Christian stuff and getting your wish list filled.

It is, however, a matter of the heart and mind.

When we stay joined to Jesus--through Bible time, prayer time, listening time, worship, obedience, service and commitment--what we want will change, and He will grant our heart's desires.

Because we will request only what He desires for us.

We will want only what will bring Him glory and honor.

We will seek after only those things that will draw us closer and nearer to Him.

So, let's stay joined.

On the days we don't see any progress--stay joined.

On the days we don't hear Him whisper--stay joined.

On the days we don't see any of Him in us--stay joined.

On the days we don't want to do it another day--stay joined.

Just stay joined to Jesus! 

 HE REMAINS FAITHFUL

Today's reading: 2 Timothy 1-2

"If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself." 2 Timothy 2:13 NLT

No matter what you've done...

Or failed to do...

Or had a bad attitude about...

Or wish you had never thought about...

God remains faithful.

His love for you does not change.

His desire to give you eternal life with Him does not change.

His holiness, goodness, kindness and faithfulness do not change.

Come to the Father!