WATCH OUT FOR 'BUTS'

Today's reading: Numbers 13-16

"...We arrived in the land you sent us to see, and it is indeed a magnificent country--a land flowing with milk and honey. Here is some of its fruit as proof. But the people living there are powerful and their cities and towns are fortified and very large. We also saw the descendants of Anak who are living there!" Numbers 13: 27-28 NLT

The scouting party was back from their 40-day fact finding mission. A mission that sent them out to gather intel on the new land the Lord had given them.

They began their account by stating that God was right--it was a great place.

They continued their statement with regaling the land's bounty--with a sample of one cluster of grapes that it took two men to carry.

Their summary took a nosedive when they inserted 'but' into their report.

But--the people are powerful.

But--the cities and towns are strong and large.

But--we saw some Anakites and they are even bigger and stronger than we were told.

A new land. A large portion of real estate that was gifted to the Israelite nation. An awesome new start provided by God himself.

And they focused on the 'buts'.

Do we do that? Do we want all God has for us, but stumble over the effort it might take to accept His gracious gift? Do we question the logistics of what He tells us is ours?

Are we sure God is good, and kind, and loving and generous, but question what He sees as abilities in us as to how we might grab hold of His blessings and hang on to them?

What 'buts' are you struggling with? What 'buts' are keeping you out of your Promised Land? What 'buts' are allowing your residency to be in lack rather than in His fullness?

FOR EVERY GOOD THING

Today's reading: 2 Timothy 3-4

"All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right. It is God's way of preparing us in every way, fully equipped for every good thing God wants us to do." 2 Timothy 3:16-17 NLT

Reading these two verses points me to three separate thoughts...

1.  What Scripture is.

2. What is does.

3. What is allows us to do.

I think I've always focused on the first 2 points, but seldom consider the third.

I know my Bible is the active, living, true and appropriate word of God.

I also know it directs, convicts, guides and corrects.

But, to tell the honest truth, I struggle with the application process of the Word of God. I tend to want to hold the reins when it comes to what I do with its power.

I don't want to do that anymore.

I want to use it to prepare myself, to fully equip myself for every good thing God wants me to do.

I want to let its words soak down deep into my mind and spirit, changing my thoughts and moving me to do anything and everything the Lord desires I do.

Every good thing. 

GREEN PASTURES

Today's reading: John 10-12

"Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. Wherever they go, they will find green pastures." John 10:9 NLT

Lord, I've spent a few years in Your Word.

I can find just about any book mentioned within the pages of my Bible.

Why, when I was a kid, I was pretty proficient at the sword drills we used to play in Sunday School class.

I could even say I have sat under or taught just about every account in the Good Book.

But this morning, You surprised me!

I knew You are the gate--the only way to heaven.

I knew that through You is the only way to be saved.

But You threw in the simple fact that as Yours, where ever I go, because I am saved, all because I have believed in Your name--I will find pastures.

Green pastures.

All I need.

All I could want.

Satisfaction.

Everything to make like worth living.

You, with everything else You've done for me, didn't have to do that, too.

But You did, so--Thank You!

Knowing that gives me a reason to look into each and every situation, any and every season, all circumstances, and find the green pastures You promise me.

That's like putting on a new set of lenses in an old pair of glasses!

Thank You, Good Shepherd!

 

EVEN ON A TUESDAY

Today's reading: Hosea 8-14

"...Plow up the hard ground of your hearts, for now is the time to seek the Lord, that he may come and shower righteousness upon you." Hosea 10:12 NLT

I hope you are fully aware of the privilege you have, in Christ Jesus, to pray any time and any where for His forgiveness, direction and correction.

It needn't only be on Sunday.

Or when a pastor is on staff.

Or during regular church business hours.

It can happen on a normal Tuesday. 

On a regular work day.

In the middle of the week.

Even before the rest of the world has risen and shone.

God is there for you to find. He is there for the holy job of plowing up your hard heart in order to plant seeds of right living and right thinking. He wants to restore a relationship with you.

Any day of the week.

Today.

Seek Him. Allow Him onto and into the property of your heart for His restorative, reviving and remodeling works to be done.

Now is the time! 

THE LORD EXAMINES THE HEART

Today's reading: Proverbs 20-21

"People may think they are doing what is right, but the Lord examines the heart." Proverbs 21:2 NLT

It's not just our wayward, unchurched, non-believing friends and family that think they know what's best. While they truly believe they are doing great things, accomplishing wonderful tasks and reaching goals...all the while they remain mired in the thick, ick goo of sin and darkness.

But it's not just them.

We, as His, sometimes do the right things for the wrong reasons.

We attend out of obligation.

We give to look good.

We crack open our Bibles in order to tick something off a list.

But when we pause and ask God to examine our hearts, He sees the 'why' of our 'what'.

Today I'm pausing to ask Him to look deeply into what I'm 'doing for Him'. I'm asking that He examine my heart for anything that needn't be there. 

Because, in all truth, there are some great things I am doing, but there are some days I'm not so sure that why I am doing them still relates to Him.

Might that apply to you?

AS FOR ME-- I WILL PRAISE THE LORD

Today's reading: Psalm 102-104

"...As for me-- I will praise the Lord!.." Psalm 101:35 NLT

Oh, how I want this to be my resolve.

When I don't feel well--I will praise the Lord.

When I don't understand all that's going on--I will praise the Lord.

When I don't like the wait--I will praise the Lord.

When I don't see His hand at work--I will praise the Lord.

As for me--I will praise the Lord!

WHY I CAN PRAY BOLDLY

Today's reading: 1 Chronicles 15-19

"O my God, I have been bold enough to pray this prayer because you have revealed that you will build a house for me--an eternal dynasty! For you are God, O Lord. And you have promised these good things to me, your servant." 1 Chronicles 17:25-26 NLT

David asked God to do as He had promised in David's life, in his family and in his kingdom.

It was a  bold prayer. It was an audacious prayer. It was a gutsy prayer.

But David wasn't praying out of reverence of his own power...

Or out of certainly in his own abilities...

Or by way of David's might...

He prayed God's promises right back to Him!

We can do the same.

We can pray as boldly as David prayed because God has promised us the exact same things He promised David.

Today's the day we stop praying weak, anemic, powerless prayers for ourselves, our families and our churches.

Let's pray in the boldness of the Lord's ability to answer each and every one of the promises He has made!

MOVING WITH THE CLOUD

Today's reading: Numbers 9-12

"Whether the cloud stayed above the Tabernacle for two days, a month, or a year, the people of Israel stayed in camp and did not move on. But as soon as it lifted, they broke camp and moved on." Numbers 9:22 NLT

Lord,

I want to camp out under Your cloud.

I've given a great deal of effort to serving You, growing in You and seeking hard after You--but right now, today, here in my prayer chair, I want to start camping out under Your cloud.

Like the Israelites did.

Eyes on You. Waiting on You. Expecting You. Looking to You each day.

And like them, I want to wait You out. I want to be content in sitting under Your cloud until You say, 'Move'. And not budging until You say.

I want to camp out under Your cloud as I sit with my Bible, as I write out my prayers, as I study over your Word, as I worship in the pew.  I want to follow Your lead in regards to conversations, Christian disciplines and day-in-day-out responsibilities.

I don't want to move until Your cloud lifts and I need follow You elsewhere.

I also want to be content in the waiting--whether it be minutes, hours, days or years. I want to trust You so implicitly that I know the length of times matters little in comparison to blessing to come.

Yes Lord, I want to camp out under Your cloud!

Today, tomorrow and forever.

-M

WITH HIS HELP

Today's reading: 2 Timothy 1-2

"With the help of the Holy Spirit who lives within us, carefully guard what has been entrusted to you." 2 Timothy 1:14 NLT

Did you know God did not save you from an eternity in hell just to turn you over to your own devices to live for Him?

He sent the Holy Spirit to help, guide, direct and lead us into godliness, righteousness and lives that look more and more like Jesus's.

Have you prayed for the Holy Spirit's help to guard your gift of salvation? To have His help in incubating the love of God in your words and deeds? To seek His guidance in how to live out the Jesus life before the world?

Our Holy Spirit is a vital tool in our walk with the Lord. He is a true gentleman, not pushing Himself off on us, but willing, more than willing, to step in and help when we ask.

The Holy Spirit's help will be what makes our lives impactful, powerful and legacy-making!

LIVING WATER

Today's reading: John 7-9

"On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, If you are thirsty, come to me!" John 7:37 NLT

If you didn't know Jesus said these words standing in a geographical location that was considered desert-like, then the words about thirst and water would fly right past you.

But knowing he stood in an arid climate...

Knowing every drop of water was collected and cherished...

Understanding that wells were valued...

Grasping the fact that an average rainfall would only amount to 14 inches...

In a time when turning a tap wasn't an option...

The words mean more.

Jesus spoke to the basic need of any and every man, woman, boy or girl standing in that Temple area that day.

He invited each and every one within the sound of His voice, and those of us reading it today, to come to Him for refreshment on a cellular level.

He offered Himself as the fulfillment of our most basic of needs.

Water.

Living Water.

 

WHAT SHOULD HE DO WITH US?

Today's reading: Hosea 1-7

"O Israel and Judah, what should I do with you? asks the Lord. For your love vanishes like the morning mist and disappears like dew in the sunlight." Hosea 6:4 NLT

In the Bible book that's written more like a soap opera than a Hallmark movie, we find God talking to the nations of Israel and Judah.

He knows the countries like He knows the back of His glorious hand.

He has grown them from one man to a nation. He has secured land that was not theirs but now has been given to them for eternity. He has loved them to extremes.

And still their hearts wander away from Him.

Their love for God 'vanishes like the morning mist and disappears like dew in the sunlight.'

What will I do with you? the Lord asks Himself.

I see myself in Israel's actions and I hear the Lord asking the same thing of me...

What will I do with you, Malinda?

When your will stands defiantly against what I ask of you?

When your wandering eyes lead you off the path that I have carved out for you to walk?

When the idols of the world catch your attention?

When you become impatient waiting on me to answer your prayers and you take matters into your own hands?

When you feel I am not enough and you bow again at the altars that left you bruised, lacking and without hope?

When the enemy places doubts in your mind about my faithfulness, my love and my abilities?

Just what will I do with you, Malinda?

Praise God--He will do with me just what He did with Israel, just what Hosea did with Gomer, He will lovingly take me back. He will walk with me through the consequences of my poor choices. He will restore my soul and re-focus my attention on Him.

What will He do with me? He will love me back to Him!

SELF-CARE

Today's reading: Proverbs 19

"To acquire wisdom is to love oneself; people who cherish understanding will prosper." Proverbs 19:8 NLT

The popular term these days is self-care.

It's the idea of making time for yourself, tending to your personal needs, treating yourself to occasional rest, treat or benefit.

According to Solomon, self-care is best attained by looking deep into the Word of God.

It's digging into the Bible for wisdom and direction.

It's keeping your nose in the Scripture because of all the many ways it will benefit you.

Self-care is an important part of our everyday life--especially when it comes to the Word!

KEEPING A PROTECTIVE EYE

Today's reading: Psalm 99-101

"I will keep a protective eye on the godly, so they may dwell with me in safety..." Psalm 101:6 NLT

The Lord's Day has rolled around and with it the challenge David gives us in Psalm 101:6...keeping an eye on the godly.

As you enter your sanctuary today, pause and look for those pillars of godliness that worship beside you.

Take note of their countenance.

Make an effort to listen to their responses to, How are you?

Watch for signs that they are carrying a load, bearing a burden or are weighted down with the weight of the world.

Keep an eye on the godly.

Does that mean we should walk right past those who don't-know-the-Lord yet? No!

Does that mean we shouldn't meet and greet the new-to-church? No!

It simply means we should keep our eyes open to the needs of the godly that God has placed around us.

Hold them up. Pray for them. Encourage them. Support them. 

CIRCLE OF ADVISERS
Today's reading: 1 Chronicles 10-14

"David consulted with all his officials, including the generals and captains of his army. Then he addressed the entire assembly of Israel as follows: If you approve and if it is the will of the Lord our God, let us send messages to all the Israelites throughout the land, including the priests and Levites in their tons and pasturelands, Let us invite them to come and join us. It is time to bring back the Ark of our God, for we neglected it during the reign of Saul." 1 Chronicles 13:1-3 NLT

David, not king, had some important spiritual matters to attend to before he took on any of the political challenges facing the nation of Israel.

He knew what a monumentous task it was--and called together a circle of advisers to help him seek the will of God.

An important move for a military powerhouse like David was.

He could have made the decision on his own, he had the right to as king.

He could have determined that his ways were best, he had the authority.

He could have made everyone else bow to his whims, he had the power behind his throne.

But he asked for their input, their advice, their prayers.

What an example for us today!

Any tough challenge, any life-changing decision, any consideration we are faced with--wouldn't it be best that we take it before the Lord and our circle of godly advisers? 

NAZIRITE VOWS

Today's reading: Numbers 5-8

"Then the Lord said to Moses, Speak to the people of Israel and given them these instructions: If some of the people, either men or women, take the special vow of a Nazirite, setting themselves apart to the Lord in a special way, . .This applies as long as they are set apart to the Lord." Numbers 6:1-8 NLT

You might be acquainted with Nazirite vows if you have read about the life of Samson--a man set apart for God's service and who abstained from cutting his hair or eating/drinking anything from the grape vine or touching a dead body.

This vow is a fast of sorts. But more than a fast, too. It was a vow you might take for yourself OR your parents might take it for you, as in Samson's instance. They determined that by the Nazirite vow Samson would live his life--even before he was born!

It was in Moses's day, much like today, important when you said something--but it meant more when you followed through and did what you said.

I'm not so sure, as believers, a minority 'race' in this upside-down world, that there shouldn't be more of us taking vows to be set apart for the Lord.

To abstain from entertainment that promotes what God detests.

To refuse to give our hard earned money to organizations that do not promote godliness.

To allow anything on our calendars that pushes us away from worship.

To instill rules in our lives that promote Bible reading and prayer before anything else is done in our day.

Setting ourselves apart for the Lord in a special way places us in a very blessing-producing position. It shows God our heart's desire to draw closer to Him and it shows the world how important God is.

Nazirite-type vows are something we need to consider in our walks with the Lord--even today!

GOING TO THE EFFORT

Today's reading: 1 Timothy 4-6

"We work hard and suffer much in order that people will believe the truth, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people , and particularly of those who believe." 1 Timothy 4:10 NLT

I think of Paul as he wrote this letter to Timothy.

He wanted to encourage his young student to remain strong in his faith, but he also wanted this new disciple to know it wouldn't be easy.

Paul tried to explain to Timothy that living for the Lord would be hard, sharing his faith would be hard, remaining Christ-focused would be hard.

But attempting to live life without God, that would be harder.

We don't like doing hard things.

We don't want to inconvenience ourselves.

We are perfectly content to remain in our soft, cushy comfort zones.

And in doing that, in living for Christ inside those 'easy' boundaries?

Well, it shows we have little to no concern for the souls of those around us.

Paul knew how hard it was to spread the Gospel, but he also knew every ounce of effort he made would be grandly, richly, eternally rewarded by the Lord!

It's worth our effort, too.

BELIEVE
Today's reading: John 5-6

"They replied, What does God want us to do? Jesus told them, This is what God wants you to do: Believe in the one he has sent." John 6:28-29 NLT

Of all the things we can do to help ourselves, to help others, to help the world in which we live--believing in Jesus is what God desires of us.

Believe Jesus was born from a virgin.

Believe Jesus lived a sinless life.

Believe Jesus died on the cross for our sins.

Believe Jesus rose from the grave.

Believe.

Believe that believing in Jesus for salvation is the chief end of all humans God created.

Charitable work is nice.

Ministering is helpful.

Doing for others is kind.

But believing? Believing is what God has asked us to do.

All else advances from that single foundational command.

FORGETTING WHO HE IS

Today's reading: Daniel 7-12

"...Millions of angels ministered to him, and a hundred million stood to attend him..." Daniel 7:10 NLT

In Daniel's vision, he saw the Ancient One seated on the throne of heaven, ready to judge the world.

As I read Daniel's recollection of that sight, I'm reminded of the sovereignty, majesty, awe and splendor of my God.

Millions and a hundred million angels serve Him.

Not merely a royal entourage.

Not just a Secret Service attachment.

Not only a body guard and a few underlings.

Millions and millions of angels stand beside God at all times in order to minister to Him.

Did you need that reminder today? Did you need to reset your mind's eye on the Lord's awe-inspiring loftiness? Do you need a refresh on just Who it is you serve as a child of the King?

I did.

LAZINESS

Today's reading: Proverbs 17-18

"A lazy person is as bad as  someone who destroys things." Proverbs 18:9 NLT

I have to admit, this proverb, or wise saying, is a hard one to swallow.

Solomon has penned the words, but the Holy Spirit caused me to pause and consider the meaning behind the verse.

It's a verse that works to examine one's self. It, if applied correctly, allows a personal audit of habits and practices. It is a starting point for a personal inventory.

What am I putting off, and in turn destroying?

My health?

Tending to my home?

Friendships that I have let wither away?

Projects that I continually put off?

Or might it be reaching out to those lost in sin?

My laziness might very well be causing destruction in those areas.

Destruction that I cannot repair, that time cannot fix, that eternity will denote to my laziness.

SING TO THE LORD

Today's reading: Psalm 96-98

"Sing to the Lord; bless his name..." Psalm 96:2 NLT

Sing TO the Lord, this verse from Psalm 96 tells us.

TO the Lord, not about the Lord.

TO the Lord, not just at Him.

TO the Lord, not merely in His house.

Sing TO the Lord...

Will you do that today as you gather to worship?

Will you do that today as you proclaim His goodness on a week day?

Will you do that today as you are instructed by the Bible?

Sing TO the Lord; bless His name!