THE SIMPLEST OF INSTRUCTIONS

Today's reading: Acts 7-8

"The Holy Spirit said to Philip, Go over and walk along beside the carriage." Acts 8:29 NLT

The simplest of instructions.

Philip could have rejected Spirit's leading.

Philip could have come up with a laundry list of excuses as to why he shouldn't.

Philip could have suggested many other more capable men to do what God was asking.

Philip could have put it off until a later time.

Philip could have started planning what he would say, the verses he would quote, the conversation starter he might need to use.

But Philip took the first step in the simplest of instructions.

'Go over and walk along beside the carriage.'

So he went over and walked along beside the carriage.

And he heard the man reading from the book of Isaiah.

Philip's obedience in the smallest of things offered him an open door to a conversation with a man that would eventually lead to his baptism--and this man leaving Philip's company rejoicing. Rejoicing in the fact that the Lord placed someone in his midst that could help him to know Him better.

What's the simplest instruction God is giving you today?

FORTRESSES WILL FALL
Today's reading: Nahum

"And you, Ninevah, will also stagger like a drunkard. You will hide for fear of the attacking enemy. All your fortresses will fall. They will be devoured like ripe figs that fall into the mouths of those who shake the trees. Your troops will be as weak and helpless as women. The gates of your land will be opened wide to the enemy and set on fire and burned." Nahum 3:11-13 NLT

What exactly did God have against Ninevah?

Well, they were violent people. They were the epitome of cruel. Their practices against enemy countries were atrocious.

 And? And, they worshiped idols.

Oh, God had given them plenty of opportunity to turn to Him. He had sent Jonah. He had sent Nahum. He had allowed prophets to speak truth into their culture and country. 

All to no avail.

So wrath was coming.

All they had depended upon was about to crumble.

Their tactics were about to fail miserably. Their strength was about to be sapped.

They were now standing against the Lord, against whom they had sinned, and they would not be left unscathed.

Idols and false gods lead us all into thinking this 'moment' will never come. They lull us into a false sense of security. They encourage us to continue trusting them as they start circling the drain. Depending on anything or anyone other the Lord will leave us high and dry at some point in our lives.

It's a good time, using the backdrop of Ninevah, to consider what we are leaning on. Where we are attempting to gain our strength. How far we are from where God desires we be.

Don't be a Ninevah.

SURPASS THEM ALL

Today's reading: Proverbs 31

"There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!" Proverbs 31:29 NLT

As a believer, brother or sister, how are you choosing to surpass those around you in how you live, work, speak and interact?

Is there a marked difference between you, and say the unbeliever in the next cubicle--

Or between you and the other soccer mom/dad...

Or between you and the other driver at the intersection...

How are you surpassing all others simply because you have the Living God dwelling inside of you?

Is there a difference at all?

If you don't see a difference, chances are they don't either. 

MY HELP

Today's reading: Psalm 120-121

"I look up to the mountains--does my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord, who made the heavens and the earth!" Psalm 121:1-2 NLT

Where is it you are looking for help?

Strong friends?

Close family members? 

Your local church congregation?

The newest author?

An up and coming program?

Membership in a particular club/group/class?

Maybe, just maybe, you're looking deep within yourself for all the help you need. Your willpower. Your inner strength. Your talents.

Others have let you down. Didn't show up. Didn't come through. Didn't do what was asked of them.

Those closest to you have broken their promises. Their vows. Their word.

The world has knocked you down and depressed the breath out of you. Mentally. Physically, Emotionally.

You, we, I, won't find the help we need outside of the Lord.

The One who created us helps us.

The One who made this world we live in helps us.

The One who sent His one and only Son helps us.

Why spend our time, spin our wheels, exhaust ourselves, looking for help anywhere else?

Our help comes from the Lord, who made the heavens and the earth! 

HE STAYS THE SAME
Today's reading: 2 Chronicles 21-24

"Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years. But Jehoram followed the example of the kings of Israel and was as wicked as King Ahab, for he had married one of Ahab's daughters. So Jehoram did what was evil in the Lord's sight. But the Lord was not willing to destroy David's dynasty, for he had made a covenant with David and promised that his descendants would continue to rule forever." 2 Chronicles 21:5-7 NLT

Just another reminder that God, our unchanging, holy, covenant keeping God, does not sway, waver, change His mind or renig on His promises!

The promise He made to David, He kept. 

It's the same in our lives, too. 

As His, He promises to always be with us. No one or no thing can change that!

He had made a covenental promise to fight for us. There is no enemy too strong, big or mean!

He will always provide a way out for us so that we might not sin. Always--in every circumstance!

He is God enough to make sure that each and every one of His promises do not depend upon, rely upon or are carried out based upon anyone else but His righteous self.

No one, including you, can mess up God's promises for you!

MAYBE TODAY

Today's reading: Deuteronomy 1-3

"The Lord our God helped us conquer Aroer on the edge of the Arnon Gorge, the town in the gorge, and the whole area as far as Gilead. No town had walls too strong for us. However, we stayed away from the Ammonites along the Jabbok River and the towns in the hill country--all the places the Lord our God had commanded us to leave alone." Deuteronomy 2:36-37 NLT

The city of Aroer is considered the first conquest the Israelites would make in their new land.

After a very long walk...

After a very long time...

After many, many instructions...

Their first taste of victory in attaining all God had promised them.

Had they turned tail and ran back to Egypt, they would have missed out on all this.

Had they given up and camped out in another town, they would have missed out.

Had they disobeyed God in regards to who they should, and shouldn't, war against, they would have missed out.

It took hard work, obedience, many steps, tough times, long days, short nights and believing in God's promise.

Maybe today is the day you will see breakthrough on what you've been asking God to do in you, for you, through you.

Maybe today is when you need to carefully and personally evaluate whether or not you are following His directions or going your own way--hoping He will follow along and bless your efforts.

Maybe today is the day you will win the victory over a sin you have battled, a thorn you were born with or a trial you have been enduring--something you have turned over to God on numerous occasions. Waiting. Obeying. Listening. Believing.

Maybe today.

BY FAITH

Today's reading: Hebrews 11-13

"By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God's commands, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen." Hebrews 11:3 NLT

I heard an old, very old preacher once say...

If you can believe Genesis 1:1, In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth, then you have faith.

Because understanding the entire universe was formed by God's very word, holds together in His powerful hands, and is loved enough for Him to have sent Jesus--then we have faith.

Faith to trust in God's plan of salvation.

Faith to believe God is for you, never against you.

Faith to know God hears your prayers and will answer them in His time and way.

Faith to surrender your plans to God and have peace in all He has planned for you.

Faith to know heaven will be our home and eternity will be spent in His presence!

 

INTERNAL GRUMBLINGS

Today's reading: Acts 5-6

"But as the believers rapidly multiplied, there were rumblings of discontent..." Acts 6:1 NLT

Put yourself in the era of the early church.

Against all odds--threats, persecution, shunning--the church grew by leaps and bounds.

People believed in the risen Lord. House churches busted at the seams. Jews and Gentiles worshiping together. The Gospel spread like wildfire.

The enemy, not Rome, couldn't contain it. Satan couldn't shut it down. The deceiver was not able to squelch the fire burning in the new believers.

So he stirred up discontent among them.

Inconveniences.

Comparisons.

Small issues of little value.

Little things that took their focus off of God and placed it on themselves, their needs and their wants.

Doesn't he do the same thing today?

Today, in a time when we can reach around the world with the Gospel, he causes internal grumbling, inside issues and personal beefs to stem the flow of God's saving grace.

Insider problems arise causing believers to stumble before ever leaving the church house.

Personal preferences cause offenses that slow down the spreading of the Good News.

And all the while, our enemy just smiles.

Church, let's put aside our petty grievances and link arms for the mission at hand--presenting Jesus to the ends of the earth!

 

JESUS

Today's reading: Micah

"But you, O Bethelehem Ephrathah, are only a small village in Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel will come from you, one whose origins are from the distant past. The people of Israel will be abandoned to their enemies until the time when the woman in labor gives birth to her son. Then at last his fellow countrymen will return from exile to their own land. And he will stand to lead his flock with the Lord's strength, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. Then his people will live there undisturbed, for he will be highly honored all around the world. And he will be the source of our peace." Micah 5:2-5 NLT

Micah, hundreds of years beforehand, spoke the name of Jesus--without speaking His name!

He prophesied a king.

He spoke of a deliverer.

He proclaimed restoration through His sacrifice.

He called him a shepherd.

He told of his authority to unite the world.

He stated he would be our peace.

All without speaking His name.

What does your life say about Jesus--even when you don't whisper His name?

DANGEROUS TRAP

Today's reading: Proverbs 29-30

"Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but to trust the Lord means safety." Proverbs 29:253 NLT

In a world where 'likes', followers, amassed contacts and 'thumbs ups' equate our value, worth and validity, we need to be aware how dangerous that kind of approval can be.

Trusting God means that we believe, fully and wholeheartedly, what His Word says.

When it says we are loved to the extent He would send His one and only Son--we can believe it!

When it says His forgiveness saves us to the uttermost--we can trust it to be true!

When it says He will repay evils done against us--we can know, for certain, that in time and in His way, it will be recompensed!

When it says eternity is the reward for those who believe in and trust Him--we can take that assurance to the bank!

But when we determine who we are, how valuable we are to society and how popular we are among other sinners--we set ourselves up to be caught in a dangerous trap.

One that is ever evolving. One that controls the controller. One that changes on a whim. One that lures with poisonous bait.

But to trust the Lord--that is our peace...our hope...our joy...our safety.

LYING TO MYSELF
Today's reading: Psalm 119

"Keep me from lying to myself; give me the privilege of knowing your law." Psalm 119:29 NLT

Scripture is the 'level' we hold all thoughts, deeds, words and tendencies up against in order to know right from wrong.

The more of the Bible we know, the more apt we are to recognize evil from godly.

Without God's Word, we are left to our own devices. Faulty devices, at best. Fickle devices that change with every circumstance, every emotion, every whim. Skewed devices that tend to leave us looking better than others.

But we have to get His Word into us. We have to spend time in it. We have to soak in it. We have to be changed by it.

 

SPIRITUAL COUNSEL
Today's reading: 2 Chronicles 16-20

"But Jehoshaphat asked, Isn't there a prophet of the Lord around, too? I would like to ask him the same question." 2 Chronicles 18:6 NLT

King Jehoshaphat, in the middle of political negotiations, asked for additional counsel.

Spiritual counsel.

He took into consideration what he knew.

He listened to what King Ahab shared.

He heard what the religious leaders of Samaria told him.

But he needed to hear from God, from God's people, from folks who esteemed God's Word and leadership.

What about you?

Where do you gather your 'intel'?

To whom do you go for advice?

Do you have a circle of godly, God-fearing, God-honoring, God-led, friends who will tell you what He has to say, not just what you want to hear?

 SOMETIMES IT IS ABOUT YOU

Today's reading: Numbers 33-36

"While they were camped near the Jordan River on the plains of Moab opposite Jericho, the Lord said to Moses, Give the following instructions to the people of Israel: When YOU cross the Jordan River into the land of Canaan, YOU must drive out all the people living there. YOU must destroy all their carved and molten images and demolish all their pagan shrines. Take possession of the land and settle in it, because I have given it to you to occupy. YOU must distribute the land among the clans by sacred lot and in proportion to their size...But if YOU fail to drive out the people who live in the land, those who remain will be like splinters in your eyes and thorns in your sides. They will harass you in the land where you live. And I will do to YOU what I had planned to do to them." Numbers 33:50-56 NLT

I cannot tell you the number of sermons, blog posts and devotions I have read about the Christian walk 'not being about you'.

While it's true. It's ALL about Christ and what He has done for us.

There is some measure of our faith walks that are entirely up to us.

Comparable to God's instructions to the Israelites as they entered the new land.

I added emphasis to the times God placed responsibility solely in to the hands of His people--and what would happen if they didn't do their part.

Are we doing our part in our faith walks?

Are we digging in, bowing down, seeking out, sharing, loving, forgiving?

Or do we sit on the pew, or at the computer screen, expecting the Lord to pour His blessings upon us while we wait? Are we assuming the pastor will do the dirty work, then we swoop in on Sundays to collect the benefits of his efforts? Are we believing a prayer entitles us to sit and soak instead of receive and invest?

Sometimes, in this walk towards heaven, it is about us--what we're doing, or, what we're not!

TRUE RELIGION

Today's reading: Hebrews 8-10

"But this is a new covenant I will make with the people of Israel on that day, says the Lord: I will put my laws in their minds so they will understand them, and I will write them on their hearts so they will obey them. I will be their God, and they will be my people." Hebrews 8:10 NLT

God talks about a new covenant in this passage of Scripture. A new way of doing things that doesn't 'replace' the old sacrificial system, but in fact, fulfills it. 

You see, when God sent Jesus to earth as our once and for all time sacrifice, it changed the way 'religion' was done.

It wasn't a matter of obeying a long list of rules.

It was not longer about having the most perfect sheep, bull or doves to provide the priest.

It wasn't about arriving at the Temple on a specific day for a specific prayer time on a specific festival date.

It was about relationship.

This new covenant came about through Jesus's sacrifice and its impact on our hearts and lives.

When we walk in a relationship with our Savior, His Word is on our mind, He gives us understanding and He changes the very beats of our hearts.

So as I read this passage of Scripture this morning, I'm going to ask you what I feel God is asking me...

Am I walking in the new covenant, or in the old way? Is it a relationship with Jesus, or a religion?

TELL THEM ABOUT JESUS

Today's reading: Acts 3-4

"Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, Leaders and elders of our nation, are we being questioned because we've done a good deed for a crippled man? Do you want to know how he was healed? Let me clearly state to you and to all the people of Israel that he was healed in the name and power of Jesus Christ from Nazareth, the man you crucified, but whom God raised from the dead." Acts 4:8-10 NLT

Peter could have hunkered down amidst the mock trial he was enduring.

He didn't.

He used the gift of a captive audience to tell the world about Jesus.

He addressed the bigger problem--not that a man was healed, but that there is a worldly rejection of the truth.

He knew there were some in the crowd who were quite interested in the 'science' behind all that was going on.

He knew that they knew him to be a follower of the Way.

So he used the 'pulpit' he was given and began to explain...

Let me tell you about my Jesus!

Do you take the opportunity to talk about your Savior when you can? Do you mention His name in conversation? Do you re-direct the spotlight off of you and onto your Lord? Do you answer the critics with the truth of Jesus's life, death and resurrection? Do you 'take the stand' and tell them what God has done for you?

Tell them about your Jesus!

TRY AGAIN

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 you." Jonah 3:1-2 NLT

There on the beach...

After a long three days...

Covered in the vomit of a large fish...

We find Jonah being called by God--again.

To accomplish the original task.

To go to the aforementioned city.

To preach the words the words the Lord had given him.

Words that no doubt burned in Jonah's heart and mind.

God's calling on Jonah did not change in the transition from the Joppa seaport to the depths of the ocean to the sandy beach upon which Jonah now lay...

'Tell them about Me.'

No matter how many times we have disobeyed, messed up or attempted to run from the mission, our calling, as believers, remains the same...

'Tell them about Me.'

JUSTICE
Today's reading: Proverbs 28

"Evil people don't understand justice, but those who follow the Lord understand completely." Proverbs 28:5 NLT

What does it take to grasp the concept of justice?

It all starts with the judge.

For evil people, they know only human judges. Men and women who are, while educated in the laws of the land and attempt impartiality, human and imperfect.

But for the believer? We know the Judge. The One who knows all, sees all, cares for all, and is holy and blameless. The One who has established the dividing line between right and wrong and doles out discipline in an effort to draw offenders to Him for redemption. The Judge who performs his duties in all fairness because of His perfect nature.

Our belief in the justice system is directly related to our trust in the judge hearing the case.

Do you know the Judge? 

 HE HAS BECOME MY VICTORY

Today's reading: Psalm 117-118

"The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my victory." Psalm 118:14 NLT

On that Easter Sunday morning when I was 7, I came to know Jesus as my Savior and Redeemer.

Since that time, I have been blessed to have many other facets of the Lord shown to me as I lean on, grow in and learn about Him.

He has shown Himself to be a good friend. He has proven His ability in shepherding me in the right direction. He has provided hope, peace and joy as I turn to Him.

And while I have experienced these different levels of intimacy with Him, it's what He becomes each day that keeps me returning to His side.

This anonymous psalm writer knew this and expressed it as he explained that the Lord had become his victory.

An ongoing discovery. A never-ending revelation. A limitless exposure.

That's important to know because while His victory on the cross was once and done, and His victory over sin, death and the grave is accomplished, our victories on a daily basis lead us to finding Him to be what we need to defeat our enemy every single day.

Every. Single. Day.

AS LONG AS YOU

Today's reading: 2 Chronicles 11-15

"Then the Spirit of God came upon Azariah son of Oded, and he went out to meet King Asa as he was returning from battle. Listen to me, Asa! he shouted. Listen, all you people of Judah and Benjamin! The Lord will stay with you as long as you stay with him! Whenever you seek him, you will find him. But if you abandon him, he will abandon you." 2 Chronicles 16:1-2 NLT

How closely are you walking with the Lord?

Not is He following your lead...

Or, is He tagging belong behind you...

Or, is He following your plans...

Are you staying with Him? Are you seeking Him out each day, with every decision to be made, for every choice you face?

Or have you left Him behind to search out other gods?

Easier paths?

Your own purpose in life?

If you've wandered from His side, do not worry--He is right where you left Him. Waiting for you. Ready to take you back. Excited to forgive you and have you walk beside Him again!

 IN ADDITION TO

Today's reading: Numbers 29-32

"These special sacrifices are in addition to your regular monthly and daily burnt offerings, and they must be given with their prescribed grain offerings and drink offerings. These offerings are given to the Lord by fire and are very pleasing to him." Numbers 29:6 NLT

"...This is in addition to the sin offering of atonement..." Numbers 29:11 NLT

"...in addition to the regular daily burnt offering..." Numbers 29:16, 19. 22, 25, 28, 31, 34, 38 NLT

Ten times Moses specifies that special offerings are 'in addition to' regular gifts to the Lord as he writes about instructions for holy days.

While one might focus on the special-ness of these offerings, the foundation of those out-of-the-ordinary presentations would be the daily, routine gifts one presents to the Lord.

The day-in-day-out disciplines that show one's allegiance.

The habitual decisions to honor Him on a daily basis.

The routine offerings that are reminders of how deserving He is and how much one desires to obey Him.

The pattern of worship one displays regularly.

The practice of commandment following.

While the special sacrifices are given on holy occasions, in gatherings of believers, in seeking God for needful direction and favor--are our 'normal days' reflecting the same desire to give Him the honor He is due?

LIVING A MEDIOCRE LIFE

Today's reading: Hebrews 5-7

"...We are confident that you are meant for better things, things that come with salvation." Hebrews 6:9 NLT

I don't know how long it's been since someone has given you a pep talk, but that's what I want to do this morning.

I want to tell you that you are able--through Christ.

I want you to know you can do anything and everything God has called you to do--by His power.

I want you to be fully aware of your potential as a Christian, or 'little Christ', to impact the world--with the Gospel.

I want you to realize your calling as a child of the Most High King--because of the Lord's adoption.

I want you to know that ho-hum, blah and so-so are not what's intended for priests, soldiers, ministers of His grace--He has so much for you!

If you have accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior of your life, better things are set aside for you.

If you have received the gift of God's salvation from your sins, you are meant for more than living a mediocre life.

Pause and pray. Seek God. Allow Him to help you evaluate who you are, where you are and what you are doing for Him.