SECOND CHANCES

Today's reading: Jonah

"Then the Lord spoke to Jonah a second time: Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh, and deliver the message of judgement I have given them." Jonah 3:1 NLT

I can't speak for you, but I, for one, am SO very glad I serve, and am loved on, by a God of second chances!

And third chances...

And fourth chances...

Well, you get the idea.

What sins I committed yesterday, if I have asked His forgiveness of--are forgiven.

Where I messed up--He gives me opportunity to try again.

When I have blatantly, willfully and with the disdain of a toddler throwing a tantrum, told the Lord on no uncertain terms, "No"--He lovingly places me back in the position to say, "Yes".

He knows I am imperfect. He knows there are days when my imperfections shine more brightly than the godliness within me. He knows I have a will of my own. He knows how strong that will is.

And yet He speaks a second time.

To me.

The strong-willed, hand on her hips, shaking her finger, shouting 'Absolutely not!', me.

 

WHERE IS YOUR TRUST PLACED?

Today's reading: Proverbs 28

"Trusting oneself is foolish, but those who walk in wisdom are safe." Proverbs 28:26 NLT

I'm not sure why I trust myself somedays.

My abilities are limited, to say the least.

My skill set is finite, to be honest.

My knowledge of future events, is nonexistent.

My view of all that's going on, is severely dialed in to what's currently going on before my very eyes.

So, why do I trust myself? My feelings, my emotions, my opinions, my plans?

Why don't I lean harder, longer, and with more intent, into the Lord?

Who knows all.

Who has created all.

Who holds all in His grand hands.

Who formed the past, is orchestrating the present and who has written the future.

I'm a fool to trust me!

HIS FAITHFUL LOVE

Today's reading: Psalm 117-118

"...His faithful love endures forever..." Psalm 118

Psalm 118 repeats the phrase, no the statement, no the fact, that 'His faithful love endures forever', over and over.

Why? Because it's true.

Nothing about His love has ever, will ever, nor can ever change.

As surely as the sun will rise.

As dependably as the moon will take the sun's place at day's end.

As consistent as the tides ebb and flow.

As true as the changing of the seasons.

His faithful love endures forever.

 

COURAGE

Today's reading: 2 Chronicles 11-15

"When Asa heard this message from Azariah the prophet, he took courage and removed all the idols in the land of Judah and Benjamin and in the towns he had captured in the hill country of Ephraim. And he repaired the altar of the Lord, which stood in front of the foyer of the Lords Temple." 2 Chronicles 15:8 NLT

Faith doesn't require the 'warm fuzzies'.

It doesn't come easily.

It isn't just poured on you like a summer rainshower.

It requires courage.

Courage to believe what God says when you cannot see it.

Courage to do the hard things not knowing what the outcome will be.

Courage to be the only one standing for what's right.

Courage to accept that God's ways won't always be appreciated or accepted.

Be courageous enough today to build up your faith muscles. 

NO MAN LEFT BEHIND

Today's reading: Numbers 29-32

"Then all the military commanders came to Moses and said, Sir, we have accounted for all the men who went out to battle under our command; not one of us is missing." Numbers 31:48-49 NLT

A motto that began during the French and Indian War among US Army Rangers states, No Man Left Behind.

Isn't it about time we took that motto to heart as we prayed, as we worshiped, as we progressed against the enemy's tactics?

No pray-er left behind.

No sojourner left behind.

No believer left behind.

It might mean we have to take more time from ourselves in order that we encourage and bolster the walk of another.

It might cost us some effort, some additional time on our knees and a few notes/texts/phone calls.

It might require us to think of ourselves less and fellow Christians more.

But in the end, it will be worth it! We will stand in heaven, singing praises to God, arm in arm with each and every brother and sister in Christ--because we chose to live out the phrase, No Man (Woman, Boy or Girl) Left Behind!