BUT YOU THOUGHT

Today's reading: Ezekiel 13-18

"But you thought you could get along without me, so you trusted instead in your fame and beauty. You gave yourself as a prostitute to every man who came along. Your beauty was theirs for the asking! You used the lovely things I gave you to make shrines for idols, where you carried out your acts of prostitution. Unbelievable! How could such a thing ever happen?" Ezekiel 16:15-16 NLT

The world tells us to 'trust our gut'. To follow our inner leading. To let our instincts guide us.

Where has that gotten you?

Me? For myself? In my life?

I've found it to be a pot-hole filled road. A vacation on the wrong side of town. A trip to Regret-ville.

We cannot get along without the Lord.

Not for long. Not in a good way. Not and see it end well.

All we need, He has. All we want, He holds. All we desire, He carries in His plans for our lives.

Pause and pray for a while today in regards to where it is you might be saying, although probably not out loud, 'Lord, I've got this.'

MOST PRECIOUS POSSESSION

Today's reading: Proverbs 7

"Follow my advice, my son; always treasure my commands. Obey them and live! Guard my teachings as your most precious possession." Proverbs 7:1-2 NLT

What sit on the 'special shelf' of your heart?

What do you hold guarded under lock and key?

What defines you, gives you worth, labels you?

May the answer for all of us be, God's Word!

That we hold it that dear.

That we revere it so deeply.

That we cherish it greatly.

That we obey it wholeheartedly.

 

RECALL

Today's reading: Psalm 75-77

"I recall all you have done, O Lord; I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago." Psalm 77:11 NLT

Let's be honest...

With all that's going on, with all the unanswered prayers, with all the sin in the world, our first response is to recoil. To suddenly flinch back in fear, horror or disgust.

But to recall God's glory? To make the decision to remember all He's done? To move past the response instinct to the recall action?

For a while today...

Yes, in the midst of all of this...

Choose to recall all God has done!

Make the decision that for a time, even in the storm that's raging, to think about the miracles God has performed.

Choose to recall, not recoil. 

ENOUGH STRENGTH

Today's reading: 1 Kings 19-22

"So he got up and ate and drank, and the food gave him enough strength to travel forty days and forty nights to Mount Sinai, the mountain of God." 1 Kings 19:8 NLT

Would you use your last ounce of strength to get into God's presence?

Your last bit of 'oomph'?

Your final breath?

How determined are we, as believers, to be in the presence of our Lord?

We spend our energy and resources on everything else.

We wear ourselves out working...

We exhaust ourselves with entertainment...

We tire ourselves out socially...

We lose sleep updating ourselves on social media...

Are we as willing to sacrifice in order to meet with our Creator, our Redeemer, our Friend?

I'm going to spend some time looking over my calendar, my planner and the widget on my phone that tracks where I spend my time--and then compare it to how much of my strength I've dedicated to getting to the 'mountain of God'. Dare to join me?

 

ME, FIRST

Today's reading: Leviticus 7-9

"Then Moses said to Aaron, Approach the altar and present your sin offering and your whole burnt offering to make atonement for yourself. Then present the offering to make atonement for the people, just as the Lord has commanded." Leviticus 9:7 NLT

Most of us have grown up attempting to squelch the 'me first' attitude within us.

'Me first', we mouthed as wee children.

'Me first', we spoke as elementary age kids.

'Me first', we mumbled as teenagers.

'Me first', we say many times as adults--except for when it comes to repentance and setting things right with the Lord.

The altar is where, sadly, we step back and say, 'You first'.

And that's not what Scripture says we are to do.

We are to confess OUR sins to the Lord.

We are to make OUR amends with God in prayer each day before we present requests and asks of Him.

We are to make sure OUR trespasses are forgiven before seeking forgiveness from others.

Be the first one at the altar of His mercy.

Every day.

In every prayer. 

EVERYTHING THAT HAS HAPPENED

Today's reading: Philippians 1-2

"And I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News. For everyone here, including all the soldiers in the palace guard, know that I am in chains because of Christ. And because of my imprisonment, many of the Christians here have gained confidence and become more bold in telling others about Christ." Philippians 1:12-14 NLT

Oh friend, today I pray that we can all look deeply enough with God-lenses to see that everything that has happened in our lives has helped to spread the love of Christ.

The good things--like a family legacy of Christianity and devotion to the Lord, raising children who know and serve the Lord, participation in godly ministries and outreaches and how we have remained faithful and true to God. Blessings, privileges, God-sized miracles placed smack dab in the middle of your life.

But also, the bad things--how we have overcome tough times in faith, the times when our mission fields were waiting rooms and doctors' offices, the moments when we came to the end of ourselves but found He was more than enough to carry us through and the stormy seasons we've endured. Things you didn't like, didn't want, would never ask for and certainly would not want to repeat in a million years!

Maybe, like me, you've not used each and every one of those opportunities to share Jesus.

Maybe you did well to make it through.

Maybe it took looking back on some things to give you a perspective to see God in them at all.

Well, that provides new opportunities, now doesn't it?

 

NOT LOOKING TO BE REPAID

Today's reading: Luke 13-14

"Then he turned to his host, When you put on a luncheon or a dinner, he said, don't invite your friends, brothers, relatives and rich neighbors. For they will repay you by inviting you back. Instead invite the poor, the crippled, the lame and the blind. Then at the resurrection of the godly, God will reward you for inviting those who could not repay you." Luke 14:12-14 NLT

I'm challenged this morning to look for the opportunities God places in front of me to bless those who 'fly under the radar'.

Not necessarily folks who don't have two nickels to rub together.

Or people who aren't healthy enough to do specific tasks.

Oh, they need our attention, too--but today I want to be on the look out for people who I might never meet again. 

Behind the scenes kind of souls.

Quiet and seldom noticed.

Human beings that are outside of my sphere of friendship, comfort and maybe even, culture.

They are out there.

They are what Jesus refers to in other passages as 'the least of these'.

Thing is, the 'least of these' aren't always impoverished, homeless, unkempt men and women. The least of these might be wearing suits and ties, drive fancy sports cars and hold down full time jobs.

The folks I'm looking for today won't be able to repay me with a smile or a reimbursement or even a thank you.

I look forward to the challenge!

LIVING AMONG REBELS

Today's reading: Ezekiel 7-12

"Again a message came to me from the Lord: Son of man, you live among rebels who could see the truth if they wanted to, but they don't want to. They could hear me if they would listen, but they won't listen because they are rebellious." Ezekiel 12:1-2 NLT 

Ezekiel, a prophet in the Old Testament, lived among people who didn't want to hear what God had to say.

He spoke, preached, warned and gave object lessons--an they still chose not to heed God's warnings.

Sound familiar?

We, too, live among rebels.

People who are too busy for God.

People who 'know better' than God.

People who don't hold God in the high regard they should.

And yet...

Ezekiel was asked by God to continue sharing the message of hope, warning them of the consequences of their sin and pointing them to a personal relationship with their Creator.

He wasn't given an out because of the rebels he lived among. He wasn't excused from sharing the love of God. He wasn't exempted from a tough job because the people he spoke to made the job harder.

Neither are we.

NEITHER ARE WE.

 WHEREVER YOU WALK

Today's reading: Proverbs 5-6

"My son, obey your father's commands, and don't neglect your mother's teaching. Keep their words always in your heart. Tie them around your neck. Wherever you walk, their counsel can lead you. When you sleep, they will protect you. When you wake up in the morning, they will advise you." Proverbs 6:20-22 NLT

Our family buried my uncle yesterday.

He had lived 88 years, serving the Lord, loving his family and working with his hands.

To think that this morning, his children will be called upon to live out these verses.

All the advice he had given...

All the words he had spoken...

All the examples he had lived out before them...

All the things he had done to raise them, love them, direct them and point them to the Lord, will need to be pulled from the archives of their hearts.

The things they had stored up.

The life lessons they watched and recorded in their spirits.

May we all be careful to acknowledge that every day, every given moment, as long as we live and breathe--we are both the teacher and the student in life.

Don't neglect this precious place in which we live as we instruct others in faith choices and learn from those who walk with our Lord.

I THOUGHT

Today's reading: Psalm 72-74

"Then one day I went into your sanctuary, O God, and I thought about the destiny of the wicked." Psalm 73:17 NLT

I'll admit that upon reading this verse, my mind stopped about three-quarters of the way through it...

'Then one day I went into your sanctuary, O God, and I thought...'

That's where my focus ended.

That's where my attention took a swerve.

That's where I believe God spoke to me.

You see, when I go into His house--the one where I worship with other believers AND the one where I pause for the morning in my prayer chair--I seldom, if ever, just think.

I praise.

I confess.

I ask.

Then I ask some more.

Then I ask for even more than that.

I never just think.

Ponder.

Reflect.

Meditate.

Sadly, even in the presence of God, I don't stop.

I don't stop considering the circumstances around me.

Or the needs I want to see met.

Or the many, many ways I fall short of honoring Him.

I sure don't think about the wicked and their destinies and how I might be a part of their detour.

I want to begin simply being in His presence, thinking about Who it is I'm sitting before, considering deeply the privilege and the power of the throne where I'm bowed low. 

SUBTRACTION NOT SUBSTITUTION

Today's reading: 1 Kings 14-18

"He banished the shrine prostitutes from the land and removed all the idols his ancestors had made." 1 Kings 15:12 NLT

King Asa can be applauded for taking a stand against idolatry and attempting to draw the people of Israel back to God.

He tried.

He really tried.

He cleaned house, he straightened things up and he set about restoring godliness.

But the thing is...

What we're all guilty of...

What never works...

When it comes to the heart, it's never about subtraction, it's about substitution.

If we take something out of our heads, hearts, lives (subtraction), it will be filled in with something else.

Asa didn't institute God worship as a substitute for idol worship.

Everyone is made with a deep down desire to worship. A desire to worship some thing or some one.

While King Asa's attempts were noble and nationwide, they were short lived and soon the people turned back to what had previously held important places in their hearts--idols.

We all need to fill in God things in the places we're pulling out godless things. We need to begin godly habits where we remove ungodly habits.

It takes effort, but it's about substitution, not subtraction.

THE SIN OFFERING

Today's reading: Leviticus 4-6

"When any of the people become aware of their guilt in any of these ways, they must confess their sin and bring to the Lord as their penalty a female from the flock, either a sheep or a goat. This will be a sin offering to remove their sin, and the priest will make atonement for them." Leviticus 5:5-6 NLT

It's not a matter of 'if', but 'when'.

When we choose to go against God's law, God's leading or God's heart, we sin.

Confession is a heartfelt admission of the guilt we feel for dishonoring God with that sin.

But since the Cross...

Because of Jesus's ultimate sacrifice for us...

We, in our guilt and repentant state of heart, don't have to wrestle a goat or lamb to the Temple for a priest to offer in our stead.

We can talk to God.

We can seek His forgiveness and grace.

We can approach the throne of His holiness and power and make amends because of Jesus!

 

GET RID OF

Today's reading: Ephesians 4-6

"Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of malicious behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you." Ephesians 4:31 NLT

'Get rid of'...

'Put away from'...

'Be removed'...

Just how does one 'do' that?

How does one get rid of emotion, feeling and deep-seated sentiment?

It's not as easy as a surgical procedure to remove the infected area.

Or a matter of having enough positive vibes to make it happen.

It doesn't even help to know all the verses, King James English or otherwise, that tell you to do it.

So how does it get done? How does one rid one's self of bitterness, rage, anger and the like?

Well, it will only happen when we determine to prioritize peace.

When we want a settled heart more than we want to hang on to whatever sinful feeling we are justifying filling our lives with.

When we don't just 'wish it away', but spend time in prayer each and every time the emotion rears its ugly head.

When we consider the Cross. 

Let Jesus's work on the cross- the example He set for us, the lengths He went to, the love He showed in that single act-be our example to follow.

This verse isn't asking us to conceal how we feel...

It's not even asking us to not feel...

It's asking us to confront it, replace it and trust Him with it.

It's not easy....but neither is carrying the baggage of those negative emotions around all day!

 

REAL LIFE

Today's reading: Luke 11-12

"Then he said, Beware! Don't be greedy for what you don't have. Real life is not measured by how much we own." Luke 12:15 NLT

Are you content?

If you attained nothing more in life than what you have now--would you be utterly and completely satisfied?

It would be easy to say that 'in this day and time' we all struggle with materialism, but by Jesus himself speaking these words to the crowds that followed Him, I ascertain that it was a problem then, too.

We all know real life isn't measured by the number of things you have, but do our actions align with those beliefs?

Are we more driven to getting more, having more, accumulating more than we are to spend time in prayer?

Are we more excited about a new deposit of Amazon packages on our front porch than we are about getting in the Word?

Are we more intent upon scheduling time to play with our 'toys' than we are attending worship?

Real life is not measured by how much we own. 

It's truly not.

PICKED UP
Today's reading: Ezekiel 1-6

"Then the Spirit lifted me up..." Ezekiel 3:12, 14 NLT

This morning, this is my prayer for you...

That the Spirit lift you up.

-Up and out of the shadows of fear.

-Up and out of the pit of depression.

-Up and out of the gutter of helplessness.

-Up and out of the grasp of the enemy's lies.

-Up and out of the state of complacency.

I pray that your soul be encouraged, revived, restored, reminded and renewed by the Spirit placing its 'hands' on you and picking you up.

It's what we all need.

 

A FATHER'S ADVICE

Today's reading: Proverbs 4

"My father told me, Take my words to heart. Follow my instructions and you will live." Proverbs 4:4 NLT

It's no coincidence that today, Father's Day, God has me in a chapter labeled, A Father's Wise Advice.

I won't go so far as to wrongly assume we have all had great, godly fathers. I won't even paint a picture that leads us to think we have all even had nice fathers. 

But we have all had fathers.

Fathers that we can learn something from. Fathers whose lives will teach us lessons. Fathers who we can mimic or fathers we can use as 'what not to do' role models.

Blessed are those of us with good, God-led dads, but also blessed are those of us who were given the gift of life by men who did not pour into our lives their influence and impact.

 

 THE RIGHT PASSION

Today's reading: Psalm 69-71

"Passion for your house burns within me, so those who insult you are also insulting me." Psalm 69:9 NLT

What are some of the things you get worked up about?

Politics? Rights? Sports? A hobby?

What an impact the Church would make if our passions were united, consolidated and merged for God, His kingdom and godliness!

What stirred us up would be living for Jesus...

What got our blood boiling was the offensiveness of sin--our own and that of others...

What moved us and motivated us was a desire to see people know our Lord...

What set us off was what bothers God...

We are an easily inconvenienced, riled and irritated people, but I'm not sure it's usually about the right things.

LISTENING?

Today's reading: 1 Kings 10-13

"He had warned Solomon specifically about worshiping other gods, but Solomon did not listen to the Lord's command." 1 Kings 11:10 NLT

In reading about Solomon I see myself.

Oh, not in the wisdom that the man had...

Or in the mounds of money he gathered...

Or in the grand palace he had built for himself...

Where I see Solomon in my life is the fact that disobedience comes awfully naturally to my heart and mind.

After all the instructions God had given him...

After all the promises God had made him...

After all the blessings God had bestowed upon him...

After having been made king over God's chosen people...

Solomon thought he knew better.

Solomon thought he knew better!

Solomon thought he knew better?

That, friend, is where I find myself with 'Solomon characteristics'.

I think...

Just this once...

One little bit...

This time, but not again...

Solomon, and I, both thought/think we are in control--when all the while God knows we aren't capable of controlling anything--at all!

THE HARD PART OF SACRIFICE

Today's reading: Leviticus 1-3

I'm reading this morning about the effort, time, expense and mess that was involved in Old Testament sacrifices.

There were details given that ensured what was offered would be found pleasing to the Lord.

It wasn't easy. It required following instructions. It took strength and might to wrangle an animal to the Temple. It provided no room to fudge on giving to the Lord what was needed.

There was, no doubt, blood, sweat and tears involved.

As I read through the passage, knowing full well I probably couldn't/wouldn't be able to follow all the directives, I am ever so glad One Sacrifice was provided for me!

Jesus offered himself up.

Jesus provided what was needed to cover my sins.

Jesus willingly laid down his life for me.

Jesus paid a debt owed by all of humanity in his one act of love.

WHILE

Today's reading: Ephesians 1-3

"But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so very much, that even while we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God's special favor that you have been saved!) Ephesians 2:4 NLT

No matter the situation God found you in when you were saved...

-the darkest, deepest gutter.

-the childlike excitement of a child at the end of a Vacation Bible School lesson.

-the hard sought and hard won battle between your will and His.

-the pig pen of a prodigal journey.

-the altar call ending a Sunday morning service or a hellfire and brimstone revival meeting.

Where ever it was, who ever you were, how ever He found you--He did His work WHILE you were in the state of need.

Not after you had cleaned up your act.

Not following a transformative season of self-improvement.

Not on the tail of a grand heart and soul remodel of your own doing.

While.

While you were dirty, smelly and covered in sin.

While your desires didn't line up with His, your ways didn't glorify Him and your heart didn't have the want-to.

While...

"But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners." Romans 5:8 NLT

 

WHO DO YOU SAY I AM?

Today's reading: Luke 9-10

"Then He asked them, Who do you say I am?.." Luke 9:20 NLT

 How would you answer the same question, friend?

Great Physician, after a good report at the doctor's?

Friend, while the world seems to keep you at arm's length?

Savior, as you are new to faith?

Father, as you have leaned heavy into His loving arms?

Who we say He is is important.

It's important to us. It's important to those who are watching us.

But is who we say He is backed up by how we live? What we say? How entirely we trust Him?

Is the One True God the only One who has our hearts?

Is the Good Shepherd depended upon completely with every care we have?

Is the Savior capable of saving us to the uttermost, or are there still some areas you don't believe He has rescued you from?

Is the God of Peace the God of your peace, or just everyone else's?

Who does your life say God is to you?

Do we live based upon who He says He is, or are we living by who we 'feel' He is at the moment?

Let's spend some time today looking into our answer to that question. The honest answer. The proved by our life answer.

WONDERFULLY GOOD
Today's reading: Lamentations

"The Lord is wonderfully good to those who wait for him and seek him." Lamentations 3:25 NLT

How has it worked for you to rush ahead of God and try to 'help' Him with what He is up to?

He doesn't need our assistance...

He doesn't require our aid...

He doesn't ask for our hand in His plans--only our faith and obedience.

When we pause...

When we pray...

When we scour the Scriptures...

When we follow the leading of the Holy Spirit...

It's then that we see where He is at work and join Him in it, or where we step into peace that carries us through.

The Lord is wonderfully good to those who wait for Him and seek Him!

Where is it you need to prayerfully sit back and watch expectantly?

What areas of your life do you need 'to take your hands off' and put your faith entirely in Him?

CRY OUT

Today's reading: Proverbs 2-3

"Cry out for insight and understanding." Proverbs 2:3 NLT

God could have unscrewed the tops of our heads and filled them with all the wisdom we would ever need at the altar where we prayed the prayer of forgiveness and asked Him to be the Savior of our lives.

He could have.

But He didn't.

He desires that we seek after Him with urgency, intensity and desire.

He wants us to want to know the best way to live a life that glorifies Him.

So He asks that we cry out.

That we look for the answers.

That we scour the Scriptures.

That we spend time on our knees.

Not just sit and soak it in.

Not just arrive at church and expect the pastor to fill us in.

Not just believe singing a few praise and worship songs will insure a deposit into your wisdom account.

Make the effort.

Cry out for wisdom and understanding!

 

PRAYER & PRAISE

Today's reading: Psalm 66-68

"For I cried out to Him for help, praising Him as I spoke." Psalm 66:17 NLT

While my Bible states that the author of this particular psalm, and this particular verse, is unknown--we do know this: he was full aware to Whom he prayed and he provides us with a great template for our own prayers.

You see, this psalmist stresses the idea that God HAS what we need because He IS what we need. Prayer, and praise while we are praying, states that.

-Help me, great Deliverer.

-Fix the situation I've gotten myself in, my Redeemer.

-Hear me, One who is everywhere and in everything.

-Guide me, Good Shepherd.

-Save me, Savior.

-Be near me, Friend.

-Do a mighty work, Creator and Sustainer.

When you pray for your needs, restate to God just who you know Him to be. It's not at all that He needs the reminder--but maybe you do!

 WITHOUT THE SOUND

Today's reading: 1 Kings 5-9

"The stones used in the construction of the Temple were prefinished at the quarry, so the entire structure was built without the sound of hammer, ax, or any other iron tool in the building site." 1 Kings 6:7 NLT

Imagine a construction project the size of Solomon's Temple being built without anyone hearing it?

No clashing of pick against rock. No sound of ax against timber. No sound of hammer against nail.

And still every day, there was progress. One stone being set upon another upon another upon another.

Isn't that how God chooses to work in a whole lot of our heart's requests?

We don't see our prayers being answered...

We don't hear much to rejoice over in regards to our hearts being lightened of its burdens...

We don't always catch a glimpse of God at work...

But silently?

Behind the scenes?

Out of our eyesight?

In ways we know nothing about?

In realms far too other-worldly for us to comprehend?

Battling against spirits that intend evil and harm against us?

God is at work.

God is orchestrating, renovating, creating, redeeming and building hopes that give us a future and Him all the glory!

GOD OF DETAILS

Today's reading: Exodus 37-40

As I read through the verses that discuss the dimensions, weights, heights and quantities of the Ark, the Tabernacle furnishings and the clothing for the priests--I am amazed!

Lots of facts--yes.

Lots of information--yes.

Lots of bits of knowledge that I probably won't ever jot down in a card or use to build my faith--yes.

But as I read through each and every item listed and the specifications regarding them, I see that our God is the God of details!

From creation to Revelation, and every verse in between, He has specifically and intricately woven His attention to detail into the entirety of the Bible.

So why would we EVER doubt He isn't in the details of our lives?

Ever?

In the goings-on of our days. In the specifics of our decisions we are called to make. In the moment by moment activities of our faith walks.

The God of details is our God of our details! And why is that? So that He will have a place in every aspect of our lives!

"Then the cloud covered the Tabernacle, and the glorious presence of the Lord filled it. Moses was no longer able to enter the Tabernacle because the cloud had settled down over it, and the Tabernacle was filled with the awesome glory of the Lord." Exodus 37:34-35 NLT

CHILDREN OF THE PROMISE

Today's reading: Galatians 4-6

"And you, dear brothers and sisters, are children of the promise, just like Isaac." Galatians 4:28 NLT

Do you need a reminder this morning of just who you are? 

As a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, you are a child of the promise.

A child of the impossible.

A child of the King.

A child of the One True God.

A child of the Creator of the world.

A child of the Triune God.

A child with an inheritance not held in earthly boundaries.

A child with eternity in your future.

A child of the One who longs to give us exceedingly abundantly more than we might ever ask for.

A child unworthy, yet chosen.

A child who is a vessel of the love and spirit of God.

It's vitally important that we remember just who we are--so we can live just as we are called to live--in order that we might remind others of who they can be in Christ! 

WHO IS THIS?

Today's reading: Luke 7-8

"...And they were filled with awe and amazement. They said to one another, Who is this man, that even the winds and waves obey him?" Luke 8:25 NLT

The motley crew of disciples had already ridden some rough patches with Jesus...

Crowds wanting to crucify Him.

Priests looking down upon Him.

Towns completely disregarding His teachings.

But this boat trip? 

On this adventure they saw a facet of Jesus that had never before seen!

Healer--they had seen it.

Powerful speaker--they had heard His words.

Miracle worker--they had eaten some leftover bread and fish.

But the winds and the waves? Nature itself? Absolute control of the elements? Peace in the words He spoke?

Their words revealed the thoughts of their hearts--Who truly is this man?

And we? When we choose to look deeply into all He is doing around us, will ask the same question--Who is this man? 

 

THEN

Today's reading: Jeremiah 47-52

"Then the people of Israel and Judah will join together, says the Lord, weeping and seeking the Lord their God. They will ask the way to Jerusalem and will start back home again. They will bind themselves to the Lord with an eternal covenant that will never again be broken." Jeremiah 50:4 NLT

The Old Testament tells us of God's special mark on Israel--the people and the land.

It goes on to tell us about their decision to turn to gods other than the One True God.

They forfeited their relationship with God and chose instead captivity, deportment and exile.

But the words of their history doesn't stop there.

When they realize the error of their ways...

When they have been meted out the portion of their discipline...

When they turn back to the Lord...

They are restored to their relationship and their country.

That's not a story just for the Jews, it's our story, too.

When we realize the mess we've made...

When we are sick and tired of the problems we are bringing on ourselves...

When we turn to the Lord, our God and Savior...

He begins writing a new story for us that includes His forgiveness, grace, mercy and love!

 

 TURN MY BACK

Today's reading: Proverbs 1

"My child, if sinners entice you, turn your back on them!" Proverbs 1:10 NLT

It's not as hard as I think...

Saying 'no'.

It starts with an idea--one that usually doesn't settle well within my spirit.

Or a thought that seemingly hides in the shadows of shame.

Or an urge that I know doesn't need fulfilled.

Or a temptation that hangs before me with as much allure as Eve's 'apple'.

I know when it's sin.

That's not the problem.

Telling myself to just say 'no' is where I have the hang-up.

It's not easy.

It's not fun.

It's not a natural bent of mine to deny myself.

But if I just say 'NO'.

Or 'Nope!'

Or 'Not this time.'

Or even 'No way, Hosea!'

If I would just turn my back on the temptation, the thought, the idea or the opportunity...I'll be doing the will of God.