HIS HANDS ARE NOT TIED

Today's reading: 2 Corinthians 11-13

"...Christ is not weak in his dealings with you; he is a mighty power among you." 2 Corinthians 13:3 NLT

I don't know what you think you've messed up or what you believe our enemy is keeping God from doing in your life--God is not weak!

His ways cannot be thwarted.

His blessings cannot be withheld.

His love will not be swept under the rug.

His plans will come to fruition, with our help or without.

God is not weak!

Our enemy likes to feed us the lie that a whole heap of a lot depends upon us--and it does in regards to our submission, our obedience, our willingness. But a whole heap more depends entirely, utterly, completely and distinctly upon the mighty, mountain moving, earth shaking and life changing power of our Lord!

His power is what gets everything done. He merely allows us to come along for the ride!

PRAYING LIKE JESUS

Today's reading: Luke 3-4

"One day when the crowds were being baptized, Jesus himself was baptized. As he was praying, the heavens opened, and the Holy Spirit descended on him in the form of a dove. And a voice from heaven said, You are my beloved Son, and I am fully pleased with you." Luke 3:21-22 NLT 

I have a new 'prayer closet'.

As a matter of fact, this is my first morning spending time with the Lord, and with you, in it.

I want this new place to be a place of refreshment for me, a place of discernment for me, a place where I can put all else aside and hear from the Lord.

I want to be able to read my Bible in peace and quiet contemplation.

I hope to use my time in this space to hear God's voice and to speak to Him on behalf of others.

I want to use this special room for the kind of prayer that Jesus prayed the day He was baptized. Prayer that opens up heaven and grabs God's attention. Prayer that pleases my Father. Prayer that moves God to engage the Holy Spirit around about me in visible ways, as it did with the dove.

That kind of prayer is what I want to happen in this new room--but I also know it will require that my 'prayer time' extend to the rest of my day as well...

-in how I respond to others.

-in what I take from the Scriptures and apply to my life.

-in how I choose to take the Lord with my into my day.

-in the words I hear and in the words I speak.

-in the 'yes-es' I say to Him throughout the day.

-in the 'no-s' I tell myself.

Jesus kind of prayer extends far beyond the specified walls of a prayer closet and into the everydayness of my life.

Your life, too.

FRIENDS LIKE THAT

Today's reading: Jeremiah 37-41

"So Ebed-melech took the men with him and went to a room in the palace beneath the treasury, where he found some old rags and discarded clothing. He carried these to the cistern and lowered them to Jeremiah on a rope. Ebed-melech called down to Jeremiah, Put these rags under your armpits to protect you from the ropes. Then when Jeremiah was ready, they pulled him out. So Jeremiah was returned to the courtyard of the guard--the palace prison--where he remained." Jeremiah 38:11-13 NLT

An odd story...

A prophet. A leading politician. An old dried up well. A bunch of rags. A rescue.

Jeremiah had been wrongly imprisoned and left to die in an old cistern.

Ebed-melech, a palace official who feared God more than he feared men, knew this was wrong and gathered a few friends for the mission to rescue this prophet of God.

My take-away?

Live your life in such a way that people see what you do right, how you stand for God, that you are blameless (not perfect)--and you will always have friends supporting you!

Friends that lift you out of miry pits.

People who stand up for you in conversations.

Gals, or guys, who pray for you.

Fellow believers who will stop gossip about you because of their love for you.

We all need godly friends--friends who know where to find rags and discarded clothes!

DO YOU HAVE THE ANSWERS?

Today's reading: Job 39-40

"Then the Lord said to Job, Do you still want to argue with the Almighty? You are God's critic, but you have the answers?" Job 40:1 NLT

Maybe you don't like how things are going for you.

Quite possibly your plans have been pushed aside for God's purposes.

There's a high probability that what you want is not close to what you have.

And you're questioning God about it.

Well, to use God's word to Job, Do you have all the answers?

Sure, you know what you think you want.

You even have a grand plan of how things should work out.

And you have a great deal of know-how on what would make your life much easier--or prettier--or more comfortable.

But do you have the answers?

Do you know how one piece of your life's puzzle in the wrong place would affect so many other areas of your life--and the lives of those around you--and the impact He purposed you to have in His Kingdom?

Do you have all the answers?

I don't. 

You don't. 

We don't.

Until we do, and that is laughable, we'd be best to leave it all in God's mighty hands!

 

THIS STORM

Today's reading: Psalm 57-59

"Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy! I look to you for protection. I will hide beneath the shadow of your wings until this violent storm is past." Psalm 57:1 NLT

There is no place safer than in God's care.

When the winds whip and howl...

When the thunder booms...

When the lightning dances with spark across the sky...

When the waves crash...

When all around you shakes and sways against the power of the storm...

God remains.

Still. Stalwart. Secure. Steadfast. Stationary. Safe.  

HARD PRAYERS

Today's reading: 2 Samuel 15-19

"...David prayed, O Lord, let Ahithophel give Absalom foolish advice!" 2 Samuel 15:31 NLT

I heard a quote one time that said, 'Until you're praying hard prayers, you're not really praying.'

We open the pages of Scripture today to see David having to pray a hard prayer over his beloved son, Absalom.

Absalom had turned against his father--and against God.

David knew that the only way Absalom would be defeated was if God had a hand in it.

David prayed a hard prayer over his favored boy-- Lord, give him bad advice.

Advice that would cause Absalom's defeat.

Counsel that would lead him to destruction.

Guidance that would reveal God's perfect plan.

Those prayers are hard to pray and even harder to watch unfold in the lives of those we love.

But how else will sinfulness be halted and the glory of God revealed?

Who in your life needs a few hard prayers prayed over them?

 

YOUR PART

Today's reading: Exodus 25-28

"The Lord said to Moses, Tell the people of Israel that everyone who wants to may bring me an offering. Here is a list of items you may accept on my behalf: gold, silver, and bronze; blue, purple, and scarlet yarn; fine linen; goat hair for cloth; tanned ram skins and fine goatskin leather; acacia wood; olive oil for the lamps; spices for the anointing oil and the fragrant incense; onyx stones, and other stones to be set in the ephod and chestpiece." Exodus 25:1-7 NLT

Imagine approaching the finished Tabernacle and seeing the piece of fine linen you had donated hanging on one of the bronze posts.

Think about noticing your prized onyx stone sparkling in the chestpiece of the priest as he walks by you.

Consider the blood, sweat and tears you poured into the flock of rams you raised, fed, nurtured and gave to the tanner for making the skins needed for the outer covering of the Tent of the Lord.

Ponder the blisters you received as you chopped the acacia trees for the structure to be built upon.

Contemplate how thrilled your great-grandmother might have been to know the gold bangle she had bequeathed to you was now melted and spun into gold thread embroidering the curtains swaying in the breeze.

Wouldn't it give you a sense of belonging? A feeling of investment? A visual reminder that you are a part of the bigger, grander, greater Kingdom of God?

I'm sure it did each and every one of the Israelites that had given what they had and what they could to the Lord.

And it does for us as we give to Him out of our storehouses of blessing. The storehouses He has stocked.

LIFE GOALS

Today's reading: 2 Corinthians 9-10

"...Our goal is to stay within the boundaries of God's plan for us..." 2 Corinthians 10:13 NLT

There are a whole lot of valedictorians across the nation  polishing up the speeches they will give at their respective graduation ceremonies.

They want to be witty. They want to be straight forward. They want to give speeches that will be remembered and that will honor their memory for years to come.

They want to inspire. They hope to guide. They will fill their listeners' ears with encouraging words.

None more encouraging and success-building than the words in today's Scripture.

Shouldn't it be our goal, each and every one of us, to live inside the boundaries God has planned for us.

Not to push the envelope and venture outside of His will.

Not to end our lives having come short of achieving all He has for us in this life.

But to be in the center of His will and plan for who He created us to be, those He purposed us to reach for Him and honoring Him all along the way.

It's a goal for us all, no matter how long ago we walked across a stage wearing a graduation cap and gown.

STAYING

Today's reading: Luke 1-2

"He stayed at the Temple until his term of service was over, and then he returned home." Luke 1:23 NLT

Are you an impatient person?

Do you want things done, and want them done right now?

Do you struggle with waiting?

Same.

This verse, in the middle of the account of Zechariah, Elizabeth and the soon-to-come John the Baptist, reminds me that sometimes, waiting is just what God wants.

You see, Zechariah received a visit from an angel.

This angel gave him great news.

This angel's news was so good, Zechariah couldn't hardly believe it.

As hard as the angelic information was for him to process, he still had a job to do--priest.

So Zechariah stayed put. He fulfilled his allotted duties and served his 'tour of duty', then went home to share with Elizabeth all the angel had said.

Don't you think it was hard for him to wait? Hard for him to stay? Hard for him to focus on what it was he was supposed to be doing?

Sometimes God gives us grand ideas, spectacular concepts, wonderful plans--and then asks us to wait for Him to give us the 'green light'.

At the proper time...

When all the pieces are in order...

When the appropriate people are in place...

Maybe you are in this 'staying' place. Rest assured, you haven't been forgotten. His plans are greater than yours. You can wait it out. It's going to be good! 

DAY AND NIGHT

Today's reading: Jeremiah 32-36

"Then this message came to Jeremiah from the Lord: If you can break my covenant with the day and the night so that they do not come on their usual schedule, only then will my covenant with Davis, my servant, be broken. Only then will he no longer have a descendant to reign on his throne. The same is true for my covenant with the Levitical priests who minister before me. And as the stars cannot be counted and the sand on the seashores cannot be measured, so I will multiply the descendants of David, my servant, and the Levites who minister before me." Jeremiah 33:19-22 NLT

Feeling as if God has forgotten all about you?

You, His redeemed...

You, His child...

You, His chosen...

You, His beloved...

Not a chance!

As a believer, follower, disciple, son or daughter, He has not and will not ever forget about you.

These verses remind us of that!

No more than we could ever break God's covenant in a way that would stop the sun from rising and setting or the moon from rising in the night sky, could we ever be forgotten by our Lord!

So settle it in your mind--God has not forgotten about you.

He can't.

He won't.

He hasn't!

GOD'S VOICE

Today's reading: Job 37-38

"God's voice is glorious in the thunder. We cannot comprehend the greatness of His power." Job 37:5 NLT

Whether it be in the rolling thunder of a storm or in the quiet of an early morning, God's voice is glorious.

Comforting.

Convicting.

Guiding.

Revealing.

Instructive.

Correcting.

His voice booms with power and yet it also soothes with peace.

May we all stop long enough in our day ahead to pause and listen for His voice. 

THIS I KNOW

Today's reading: Psalm 54-56

"...This I know: God is on my side." Psalm 56:9 NLT

I cannot explain to you the theologies of the Bible.

I cannot debate the doctrines of Scripture.

I cannot put into words the relationship I have with my Savior.

But, this I know: God is on my side!

It's a statement of faith I repeat to myself often.

It's a heartfelt knowing I stand on.

It's a testimony of absolute dependence upon His grace and mercy,

This I know: God is on my side! 

YOU ARE THAT MAN

Today's reading: 2 Samuel 10-14

"Then Nathan said to David, You are that man! The Lord, the God of Israel, says, I anointed you king of Israel and saved you from the power of Saul. I gave you his house and his wives and the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. And if that had not been enough, I would have given you much, much more. Why, then, have you despised the word of the Lord and done this horrible deed?.." 2 Samuel 12:7-10 NLT 

Nathan was speaking to David about his sins.

The details are there in Scripture--lust, adultery, murder.

But the real sin, the sin that David committed, the sin that David was being faced with was this: he didn't think God was enough.

He didn't think all that God had given him was enough.

He needed 'one more thing'.

And in order to get that 'one more thing', he connived, he stole, he coveted and he killed.

The question God has laid on my heart this morning is this...

How often am I 'that man'?

How many times, in any given day, do I feel God isn't enough and take matters into my own hands?

When is it I 'steal, kill, lie and destroy' the relationship with my Father in order to get something He has that's just out of my reach?

He has given me enough. More than enough. And He is willing to give me more, much more...but in my impatience and self-centeredness, I often am not willing to wait for Him to give it and I try to take it on my own.

I need to see where I am 'that man' and seek God's forgiveness. Do you as well?

NO MORE BRIBES
Today's reading: Exodus 21-24

"Take no bribes, for a bribe makes you ignore something that you clearly see. A bribe always hurts the cause of the person who is in the right." Exodus 23:8 NLT

Wanting to verify that I knew the definition of a bribe, I consulted Mr. Webster.

Bribe-money, favor or other consideration given in exchange for one's influence against what is true, right or just.

How quickly I said, in my heart, I don't take bribes!

I'm not like a politician selling my votes to the highest bidder.

I'm not being swayed to one side or the other of a trial.

I'm not having my decisions purchased by anyone--

Or am I?

How often does my enemy 'bait' me with comfort, entitlement or ease throughout any given day?

How many times, in any given day, does what he offers cause me to ignore what I clearly see, know or want?

How little does it take for that 'roaring lion' to hurt the cause of Christ in my life by offering a 'quick fix' or a 'just once' or a 'you deserve it'?

This verse, and slowing down to chew on it, has opened my eyes to the bribes I am letting bruise my walk with the Lord.

No more bribes for me, thanks.

 

PROVING OURSELVES

Today's reading: 2 Corinthians 6-8

"We have proved ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, our sincere love, and the power of the Holy Spirit." 2 Corinthians 6:6 NLT

How do people know you are a believer, follower, redeemed of the One True God?

Is it by the number of Bibles you have on a bookshelf, or in the backseat of the car?

Is it by the variety of Christian t-shirts you wear around town?

Is it by the verses you have memorized or the doctrines you can debate?

By the church committees you are on? The frequency of your attendance at church? The checks you write to the ministries your house of worship support?

Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians that our proof is in our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, our sincere love and the powerful works of the Holy Spirit within us.

This single verse is making me wonder if anyone knows of my relationship with the Living God based upon my actions, my attitude and my attention to others.

This 'checklist' is a harder one to pull off in society than being busy about the Father's work.

This evidence is more about what's going on in my heart, than what I'm doing with my hands or have stockpiled in my home.

May we all consider just how it is others know, really and truly know, of our personal walks with the Lord.

TELL THEM

Today's reading: Mark 15-16

"It was early on Sunday morning when Jesus rose from the dead, and the first person who saw him was Mary Magdalene, the woman from whom he had cast out seven demons. She went and found the disciples, who were grieving and weeping. But when she told them that Jesus was alive and she had seen him, they didn't believe her." Mark 16:9-11 NLT

Mary Magdalene saw the empty tomb and received the command from the angel (Mark 16:7) to go and tell that Jesus was risen from the dead. 

The angel did not tell her to convince everyone that Jesus was alive.

The angel did not tell her it was up to her to persuade anyone of Jesus's resurrection.

The angel did not give her pointers about how to win them over or bring them around to her way of thinking with 3 easy steps.

The angel did not even give her stamped affidavits that confirmed Jesus's life in order that she satisfy any fact seekers.

The angel told her to tell them.

To tell them what she saw.

To tell them was she was told.

To tell them that the tomb was empty!

Tell them is our command today.

We get anxious, nervous and sweaty palmed when we consider that we might have to convince someone of something we cannot fully grasp ourselves--but our command is merely to tell!

Tell the world that your Savior lives. Tell the lost that you once were lost, too--but are now saved to the uttermost. Tell those you love about the One who loved you enough to die on a cross for you.

Just tell them!

THANKSGIVING IN MAY

Today's reading: Jeremiah 27-31

"By my great power I have made the earth and all its people and every animal. I can give these things of mine to anyone I choose." Jeremiah 27:5 NLT

Think of all our good, good God has given to you.

Consider the blessings He has bestowed upon your life.

Take time all throughout your day to thank Him--yes, in May, for all He has blessed you with.

We shouldn't wait until Thanksgiving to tell Him 'thanks'. His goodness is too great to be confined to one month of the year. 

ILLUSTRATIONS OF GOD'S RIGHTEOUSNESS

Today's reading: Job 35-36

"I will give you many illustrations of the righteousness of my Creator." Job 36:3 NLT

Ever thought about just how right (righteous) our God is?

Ever considered the ways in which He has shown His greatness to us, in our day to day lives?

Ever needed a list to remind you of how trustworthy and faithful He is?

How about this short collection of illustrations...

-God's perfect nature exhibits His righteousness.

-God's patience in dealing with humanity showcases His righteousness.

-God's gracious provision of salvation through His Son, Jesus, displays His righteousness.

-God's constant presence in our lives flaunts His righteousness.

-God's constant and continual control of past, present and future demonstrates His righteousness.

-God's redeeming love for all mankind reveals His righteousness against the backdrop of our sinfulness.

God's right-ness is what elicits worship in our hearts and lives. It's what convicts us and draws us into His perfect plan of salvation. It's what keeps us humbled before the King who welcomes us into His throneroom through prayer.

Praise the Righteous King!

 TEACHING

Today's reading: Psalm 51-53

"Restore to me again the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. Then I will teach your ways to sinners, and they will return to you." Psalm 51:12-13 NLT

The best teachers are those who provide information to you in such a way that makes you want more of it for yourself.

For me, it was Mrs. Morthland and her reading class; or Mr. Warren and his excitement over physical science; or Mrs. Blackwood and her enthusiasm over algebra--well, at least she tried.

Each of them (with the exception of Mrs. Blackwood) grabbed my attention and presented their facts in such a way that made me want to know all they knew, study what they studied and learn more about what they were so excited about.

Shouldn't it be the same for our Christian walks?

I want enough Jesus to make me thrilled, excited and overflowing with all He's done for me--so much so that I cannot keep it to myself!

Have you recently asked the Lord to restore the joy of His salvation over your life so that you can 'teach' His way to those who don't know Him yet?

 FAIR

Today's reading: 2 Samuel 5-9

"David reigned over all Israel and was fair to everyone." 2 Samuel 8:15 NLT

Ever said, even as an adult, 'This is not fair!'?

I don't know about you, but I usually say it when I don't get my way, in a whiney child-like voice and most often with a pouty lip.

To think about David, king of Israel, being fair to every one is hard for me to believe.

Because in so many instances, when life is fair to one person, it isn't to the other.

All issues cannot be divided evenly, like a cookie to be shared among kids.

All agreements cannot be settled to where both parties are tickled pink, the union and the worker seldom both get all they believe they deserve.

All parties do not leave every negotiating table having been given equal settlements.

Do you realize that ONLY God is fair?

Only He sees the whole picture, holds all the cards and knows how each and every story ends. He knows hearts and sees the intention behind each and every ask and action.

God is the exact reason it can be stated that David was fair to everyone--he was acting through the leading of God!

May we be known as people who seek Him out for guidance in each and every decision we make today and tomorrow--to His glory!

 WE CAN TRUST HIM

Today's reading: Exodus 17-20

"You have seen what I did to the Egyptians. You know how I brought you to myself and carried you on eagle's wings. Now if you will obey me and keep my covenant, you will be my own special treasure from among all the nations of the earth, for all the earth belongs to me." Exodus 19:4-5 NLT

Two reasons why we can trust the Lord?

1. History.

2. Ability.

He has...done so many miraculous, loving, sacrificial things for us!

He has...at His disposal all we could ever need, power over all things and absolute control!

I needed the reminder this morning, maybe you did, too.