May 28, 2020 What Baggage are you hiding in????

Reading: 1 Samuel 10-12 and Matthew 6

Scripture: 1 Samuel 10:22, So they inquired again of the Lord, "Is there a man still to come?" and the Lord said, "Behold, he has hidden himself among the baggage."

Thoughts: We are all called to do something. We all have our own particular set of skills that God has given us so we can accomplish that which we are called to. I am still in the middle of figuring out what my calling looks like. I know I am to teach, and we have been called to a time of quieting and training. I normally have been teaching 5^th and 6^th graders in our children’s ministry, but I don’t think that is the end. Here Saul was hiding from Samuel and maybe trying to hide from God. The Bible does not say why he is hiding, be it fear or nerves he was hiding from God’s calling. Saul hid in the baggage, I ran from God or at least put him on the furthest back burner there is for about 11 years. It took going through 2 divorces and God bringing the 2X4 up-side my head to discover that I was not where I was meant to be. What baggage are you hiding in and what calling are you hiding from.

Prayer: Father, you are so wonderful, you call us continually seeking none be lost. Your creation shines your greatness and your glory. I thank you that you are seeking us. I thank you for the provisions and blessings you pour out on us. I thank you for my family and my band of brothers who are in my foxhole ready to battle with me. I thank you that you are our banner and my armor. I ask that you help me to overcome the things that are holding me back from your calling.

May 27, 2020 Okay, if that is really what you want?!?!?!?!

Reading: 1 Samuel 8-9 and Matthew 5 

Scripture: 1 Samuel 8:6-7, But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, "Give us a king to judge us." And Samuel prayed to the Lord. And the Lord said to Samuel, "Obey the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me from being king over them. 

Thoughts: I have heard many complaints about the state our would is in. The complaints range from global to local. God loves us, wants the best for us, and will do anything for us including letting us go to do our own thing. This was one of the examples of God saying “Okay, if this is really what you want” (Authors Paraphrase) As we live in a fallen world and little by little of the course of a couple thousand years, things that are deplorable to God and the largest portion of humanity of the time have now become part of the norm and in some cases pushed to be the new normal. Israel was called to have God as their King and they wanted to be like the world and have a King. Not only have I seen the change in the would in just the last 39 years of my life, I have also seen the change in what many churches are saying it is Okay. Are we following God and his Word and voice or are we listening to the world and saying we want what they have? 

Prayer: Father you are the great redeemer, you call us as we walk away but will not hold us that we cannot go our own way. I thank you that you see me as worthy of continued calling after and that you know me. I thank you for my family and those who are as family. I thank you that you are leading and guiding me. I thank you for your love, blessings and provisions that you pour out every day. Open my eye to your glory. I ask that you help me forsake the things that brings us apart and hold onto the things that bring us closer and shine your love in this world.

May 26, 2020 What are your spoils of war???

Reading: 1 Samuel 4-7 and Matthew 4

Scripture: 1 Samuel 5:3-4, And when the people of Ashdod rose early the next day, behold, Dagon had fallen face downward on the ground before the ark of the Lord . So they took Dagon and put him back in his place. But when they rose early on the next morning, behold, Dagon had fallen face downward on the ground before the ark of the Lord , and the head of Dagon and both his hands were lying cut off on the threshold. Only the trunk of Dagon was left to him.

Thoughts: Just like us the people of Ashdod took home the spoils of war in this case the Ark to The Covenant knowing that this represented Yahweh the had enough reverence to this item to place it with their god. I love how God made Dagon to bow before him to the point of removing his head and hands showing that this is no god. When we overcome something in our lives are we giving it a place of reverence because of what it was or because of who help us to overcome it. I know in my life when I have held onto things after being told that “as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.” Psalm 103:12 When I have held onto things they have this tendency to become chains and snares again. After God showed his power by making their god fall before him then gave them tumors they gave it back and sent it with a sacrifice. When we overcome something we need to not keep that trophy on the wall but celebrate and send it packing on that trip as far as the east is from the west. 

Prayer: Father, you are so wonderful you take care of all our needs and lead us into the promised land. I thank you that you do separate us from out sins as far as the east is from the west. I thank you for my family. I thank you for your provisions and blessings that you are pouring out. I ask that you help me to release those things I am holding onto that are not letting these transgressions be thrown into the sea.

May 25, 2020 I am not Worthless!!!

Reading: 1 Samuel 1-3 and Matthew 3

Scripture: 1 Samuel 1:16, Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for all along I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation.

Thoughts: There have been many times where I have judged people and I know I have been judged myself. When we are in a place of great torment and suffering, are we crying out to God and seeking him or are we listening to those who do not have a clue what we are going though. Our Father in heaven knows what we are going through and knows how to comfort us and lead us thought the valleys that we wander into, are we big enough to lay down our control and let him head.

Prayer: Father you are the author of our salvation and the giver of all. I thank you that you are the one I get to turn to. I thank you for my family and the provisions and blessings that you are pouring out on us. I ask that your healing touch come down upon the world and your supernatural health pour over those who call on your name. I ask for your grace and understanding as we do not always know what others are going though just as they don’t know our struggles.

May 24, 2020 Call Me Bitter

Reading: Ruth 1-4 and Matthew 2

Scripture: Ruth 1:20, She said to them, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me.

Thoughts: I love the story of Ruth, this Moabite woman who would have every right to walk away from Naomi, but she chose to stay by her side and support her mother-in-law and in turn become the great grandmother of King David. I spent some time going over the reading for today and then it came to me where Naomi was saying stop calling me my given name but call me bitter. How often are we able to praise God in the good times and worship him when we are all together but the moment that we are in the fire, stuck in our homes alone or with people who we are struggling to get along with, do we forget to worship, praise, and dive into the Word. When the world is pouring fear and doubt into us ever day are we leaning into him who will lift us up or are we diving into the bitterness and letting the world dictate who we are?

Prayer: Father God you are so wonderful, your grace abounds even when I struggle. Your glory shines in the darkness of the deceit and fear. I thank you for your love and the provision and blessings you pour out on us. I thank you for my family and those who are as family. I ask that you help me to choose hope and joy that you give and not wallow in the bitterness and despair the world provides.

May 23, 2020 One man

Reading: Judges 20-21 and Matthew 1

Scripture: Judges 20:11, So all the men of Israel gathered against the city, united as one man.

Thoughts: We are the children of God just as Israel is, as the Church are we uniting as on man against those things that beak God’s heart. We have the armor of God available to us every day and at any time as long as we remember to put it on. These men in Judges we coming together against a city who had gone bad enough that they were molesting people to the verge of death this was the norm to them. What had been becoming a norm in our world today that we need to rise up against as a united man. We need to stop looking at the things that drive us apart and start focusing on the things that bind us together as a family.

Prayer: Father God you are the creator and the orchestrator of the outcome. You have won the war and you have won the battle. You are the Lion of Judah. I thank you for my family and those close to me I thank you that you are in control. I thank you for your provisions and blessings you are continuously pour out on us. I thank you that you gave us your armor and that we are worthy to bear your name though the sacrifice your son made. Lord break my heart for what breaks yours and lead me in your ways.

May 22, 2020 The struggle with the fine line between a Hand out and a Hand Up

Reading: Judges 17-19 and 2 Thessalonians 3

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 3:10, For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.

Thoughts: This passage is making me think more then anything. Living in the Portland Metro Area of Oregon, there is a large homeless population. As a Christian there is a part of me that wants to help and find ways to give a helping hand to help bring someone back to a place where they can flourish. I also struggle with the knowledge that there are many who are just like what this passage says, “not willing to work” and the political groups that are pushing to have more and more just given to them. We are to be the hands and feet of God.

Prayer: Father God you are the great provider, you pour out your grace and mercy, you meet the needs of all whom you call yours. I thank you for my family and the blessings they bring to my life. I thank you for your provisions and blessings you are pour out. I ask that you help me to see the how and where to help to bring your children home and point this world to you. Help me to have a discerning spirit to open my eye to the war that is waging around me.

May 21, 2020 This is the END

Reading: Judges 14-16 and 2 Thessalonians 1-2

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3, Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,

Thoughts: Almost every time something catastrophic or something that appears extra-biblical happens those who believe that “this” is the end times. I have seen it personally several times. The most notable times were after September 11^th 2001 and the Pandemic of 2020 in witch I’m writing this in the middle of. I am seeing lots of good during this people helping each other and supporting each other but there has also been lots of panic from all sides it seem like there are people saying that this is from God there are those saying this is one of the seals talked about in Revelation. Yes, the world is changing due to this pandemic but we need to listen to God and those we know are hearing from him and not be blown around by the whims of those who control the media and seek their own gain.

Prayers: Father you are the way the truth and the life, you are the light to my path and you guide me in all I do. I thank you for your love and mercy. I thank you for my family. I thank you for your provision and blessings that you pour out on us all. I thank you that you are watching over us. I ask that you open our eyes to your truth and not be blinded by the bombardment of our minds by the media.

 

May 20, 2020 Comes on like labor pains?!?!?

Reading: Judges 11-13 and 1 Thessalonians 5

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:3-4, While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief.

Thoughts: The peace of the Lord is the only place where we can find peace in the middle of this pandemic. We are in uncertain times and a place where the governments are trying to control everyone in the name of public safety. There is so much mixed date out there about what is going on. Up until late February we were being told we were safe then as this passage said the “sudden destruction,” our lives got flip upside down in a matter of days. We are not in the dark God is our light God leads and guides us though times like this. If we were listening God was speaking before this hit telling of something coming. Let us not stick our heads into the dark or listen to the false promises of peace from the world and grow deeper in the strength, understanding, and peace that Only God can give.

Prayer: Father you are so wonderful, you are the peace I long for and strength I need. I thank you that you pour those out on us every day. I thank you for my family and those who are as family. I thank you for your provision and blessings you pour out on us every day. I ask that you help me to lean into your peace and strength and dwell in your light. Help me to overcome the snares that and trials that come at me.

May 19, 2020 I need control

Reading: Judges 9-10 and 1 Thessalonians 3-4

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:4, that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor,

Thoughts: I have this tattooed on my wrist in a place where I see it every day. The first reason I got it was in memory of my older brother who based away partly due to a lack of control in his life and was moving that direction. I was getting into drinking and drugs and everything that comes with that world. Yes, this passage is mostly about sexual immorality in context but I feel that this encompasses everything. So not only is there Paul’s reminder to stay pure sexually but also to keep ourselves in control and hand over our struggles to God he will give us the strength to overcome.

Prayer: Father you are the strength when I’m weak you are the help that I need. I thank you that you help me to overcome and continue to help me overcome. I thank you for you provision and blessings you pour out on us. I thank you for bringing my family together and helping us to learn form each other. I ask that you continue to help me to keep control over my body and honor you in all I do.

May 18, 2020 What Faith!?!?!?

Reading: Judges 7-8 and 1 Thessalonians 1-2

Scripture: Judges 7:7, And the Lord said to Gideon, “With the 300 men who lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hand, and let all the others go every man to his home.”

Thoughts: When reading this as much faith that would have been bolstered by hearing God and knowing what to do hearing that you are going to be having approximately 98 percent less troops to go defeat this huge army would have freaked me out. Gideon started with 32 thousand and left with three hundred. I work on machinery and if most of my tools were going and I was only allowed maybe 2 or 3 I would not feel highly effective. But how can we show God’s love and power in overcoming things if we do not let God effectively tie our hands behind our backs and say, “I will take it from here.” I know that my first instinct would have been no way am I sending home the first 22 thousand looking down at the 135 thousand, let alone letting another 9,700 go after they drank from the river. Not only are we needing to remember that God is our strength and the one who makes the plans, We also need to remember to relinquish command of ourselves and point to the one who deserves the glory.

Prayer: Father you are the great I am, you know what is coming and how well prepared we may or may not be. You care the orchestrator of our victory and we must walk in it. I thank you that you are leading and guiding us each day. I thank you for my family and my foxhole brothers, I thank you for your provisions and blessings that you are pouring out on us. I ask that you help me to overcome my want to control things and let you lead.

May 16, 2020 Who's Glory???

Reading: Judges 3-4, Psalm 14, and Colossians 3

Scripture: Judges 4:9, And she said, "I will surely go with you. Nevertheless, the road on which you are going will not lead to your glory, for the Lord will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman." Then Deborah arose and went with Barak to Kedesh.

Thoughts: There have been many times where I have heading into a project or an interview or anything head strong and thinking this would give me something to brag about. I would not be surprised if Barak had some of those same thoughts when he went to Deborah to hear from God though this Judge. To be told you are not going to get the honor of killing this king but a woman is had to hurt because the opinions and thoughts they had of women at that time. Are we doing things for our glory or his what are we seeking when we go into battle?

Prayer: Father you are the one who deserves all the glory and all the praise, your glory shines upon the world. I thank you for your provision and blessings I open my hear to your guidance. I ask you help me to keep you as to whom I’m to point to, you are my provision and my strength. Help me to give you the glory and honor you deserve in the battles you have called us to and help me find my place in your plan. 

May 15, 2020 Unite

 Reading: Judges 1-2, Psalm 133, and Colossians 2

 Scripture: Psalm 133, Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the Lord has commanded the blessing, life forevermore.

 Thoughts: I this time of isolation, where we are encouraged to stay home and avoid touching and gathering, unity seems to have fallen out the window. Some of the things that come to mind when thinking about unity are the unions and the armed forces. The unions use the unified plan of those involved to keep the employees and the companies working together and both happy. The armed forces have to have a plan when they go into battle otherwise they will be defeated. We are at war and if we don’t have unity in the church and those whom can gather around each of us we will fall.

 Prayer: Father you are so wonderful I fall on my face before you and linger in your presence. I thank you for all you have done and the healing and health you are pouring out on us. I than you for your provision and blessings that are being poured out each day. I ask that you help us to see what unity we need to foster and how to become more united we you and each other though out the church.

May 14, 2020 whom do you serve?

 Reading: Joshua 23-24, Psalm 99, and Colossians 1

 Scripture: Joshua 24:15, And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord , choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

 Thoughts: I have read Joshua many times and the verse hundreds of times even having it in my wedding, and when we bought a home it was already on the wall. It is easy to let a passage like this get to the point that it is just part of our day to day life when it is around us every day. Today when going through Joshua it hit me that this was toward the end of his life, he was between 60-80 years old when Moses died and he led Israel into the promised land and then a few verses later it says he was 110 when he died. For some reason I thought it was said earlier. Here after they had taken most of the promised land and he had told them that God was going before them to take the land. That is when he tells them to choose. We are still at war; we are battling to take the land promised to us in our lives. We need to be sure to choose every whom we are seeking, God or the world.

 Prayer: Father you are the one who paves the way and moves obstacles. I thank you that you are the one that opens eyes and ears, you are the one who heals and gives health. I thank you that you are the provider and blesser of those who call on your name. I ask that you help me to walk in your ways and open my eyes to your path and my ears to your voice.

May 13, 2020 What are we building????

 Reading: Joshua 21-22 and Philippians 4

 Scripture: Joshua 22:12-14, And when the people of Israel heard of it, the whole assembly of the people of Israel gathered at Shiloh to make war against them. Then the people of Israel sent to the people of Reuben and the people of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh, in the land of Gilead, Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, and with him ten chiefs, one from each of the tribal families of Israel, every one of them the head of a family among the clans of Israel.

 Thoughts: When someone does something to me my first thought is almost always, “they are going to pay.” I could see how after all this time at war that a group started doing something odd it would need to be investigated. Israel went to see what was going on, they did just send a spy they gathered an army then sent God’s representative and the heads of the houses to see talk to them. When we have a disagreement how often do, we skip over this particularly important part? We gather our army and drive right into battle when maybe the issue you though to you saw was not an issue at all. We need to remember that when ever we come into a situation that looks like a conflict bring God’s representative and have a conversation. Instead of something being destroyed maybe there is something to be built between us.

 Prayer: Father you are the great bridge builder, the architect of this world, you lead us and guide us in our endeavors. I thank you that you are a part of all I do. I thank you for my family and those close to me. I thank you for your provisions and blessings you are continually pouring out. I ask that you help me to keep my anger under control and to lead in love. I ask that this anger and with me and not pass to my children help me to learn to overcome so my children may have that victory as well. Help me to always remember to bring you are your representative with me into every conflict or potential conflict.

May 12, 2020 Where O where have you gone?

Reading: Joshua 19-20, Psalm 53, and Philippians 3

Scripture: Philippians 3:16, Only let us hold true to what we have attained.

Thoughts: As I ponder what Paul is writing to the Philippians, Paul mentions all the reasons he could boast and to count it all as nothing. We are all striving for the goal, the call to daily be transformed by God to be more like Him. We are all a work in progress and as long as we let God do that work and strive to grown in him, he will continue to do that work. Just as Jesus said in Revelations 3:20, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” If we are not letting God into our lives and allowing the changes to happen, they will not. He will not force us to change or change us without our consent. Being that we are all in process only hold onto what you have attained but strive for God’s goal.

Prayer: Father you are so wonderful, you know me and my needs, you shin a light one the next step and wait for our faith to step into it. I thank you that you do shine the light. I thank you that you have felt me worthy to steward the family you gave me. I thank you for the provisions and blessings you pour out on us that we know whom our strength comes from. I ask that you help me to see the light and help me to have the faith to step out in it. Open my eyes and heart to take the steps needed.

May 11, 2020 Who are you listening to????

 Reading: Joshua 16-18 and Philippians 2

 Scripture: Philippians 2:2-3, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

 Thoughts: I sit here with Paul’s words echoing in my head, first be of one accord and of one mind, yet we have this tendency to look to the hundreds and maybe even thousands of different new sources and all seem to lean a different directions but majority are sowing nothing more than fear. As new studies come out about this Pandemic depending on the source we are ether being told everyone is going to die if we do not hide ourselves away in our homes and do nothing or we are being told it is all a conspiracy. I try to only listen to the antidotal evidence that is being presented but all groups have backers of some sort so even that is not always trustworthy. What we can do is Trust the Word of God and life as we are called to live, loving one another and placing others needs above our own wants and needs.

 Prayer: Father you are the same yesterday today and forever, you are the one I run to. I thank you that you watch over me and know the hairs on my head. I thank you that you are taking care of my family. I thank you for your provisions and your blessings that you are pouring out on everyone. I ask that you help me to seek being of the same heart and mind with you and your Church.

May 10, 2020 He is not done with me yet????!!!!

 Reading: Joshua 14-15 and Philippians 1

 Scripture: Philippians 1:6, And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

 Thoughts: Lately, I have been feeling more and more like I am not living up to what plan that God has form me. I went back to school and got my bachelor's degree and here I am turning a wrench to provide for my family. In the last spiritual gifting tests that I tool and the experience I have had after leaning into being a teacher. I was taking a break from teaching to support my wife and work on things. COVID happens. Now we are in the uncertain times, even though I am turning a wrench to make money I have to remember that God gave me that job and it is his provision that keeps me working. I know that I feel like I am meant for so much more God is not done with me yet and I am a work in progress. I do not feel like I need to ask other to be patient with me because most don’t know my calling, but I need to be patient with myself. There is work to do in me to get me to the place where I’m ready to walk in God’s plan. The biggest thing we need to remember it that we need to stop seeking God’s plan for me but seek how can I fit into God’s plan. God has a plan that he will fulfill with or without us and it helps put into perspective how important we are

 Prayer: Father you are so wonderful, your ways are higher than my way your thoughts are higher than my thoughts. I thank you for all you have done in my life and all you are still doing to refine and me into the man you call me to be. I thank you for your provisions and blessings you pour out each day. I thank you for the people in my life that help keep me on track. I ask that you continue to do a work in me and lead me and guide me each and every day.

May 9, 2020 What peace?

Reading: Joshua 12-13 and Ephesians 6

Scripture: Ephesians 6:23-24, Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible.

Thoughts: I have been inundated with propaganda of fear, I am constantly being fed information that can inform or scare the snot out of someone. I have been watching this would take this information and run into the fear and propagate it. The Government is doing this or that taking this right or that right, nothing they say is true or on the other side everything they say is true. Where is our discernment? God is pouring out his love and peace over us every day, we must make a point to accept it and share it with others.

Prayer: Father you are the calm in the storm, the peace in the midst of uncertainty, you are the banner that I run to. I thank you that you are pouring out your peace and love, I thank you that your pour out provisions and blessings on those who seek you. I thank you for my family and for your family that I have been adopted into. I ask that I open my heart to accepting and sharing your peace and love with those around me.

May 8, 2020 Who is standing on your neck???

 Reading: Joshua 10-11 and Ephesians 5

 Scripture: Joshua 10:24-25, And when they brought those kings out to Joshua, Joshua summoned all the men of Israel and said to the chiefs of the men of war who had gone with him, “Come near; put your feet on the necks of these kings.” Then they came near and put their feet on their necks. And Joshua said to them, “Do not be afraid or dismayed; be strong and courageous. For thus the Lord will do to all your enemies against whom you fight.”

 Thoughts: At this point in my life and the state of the world, and maybe because of what is being read here in Joshua I have been feeling more and more like a warrior. Lucky for me the warrior is in the spiritual not the physical because I am not in the best of shape. With feeling the call for warriors and that there is a battle brewing, are needing to train for the battle we are not yet in and daily put on God’s armor. We are told that we are victorious in Christ and we need to seek him and his strategy in the battle before us. How can we open ourselves to his plans?

 Prayer: Lord, you are the commander of multitudes and yet you still have a plan and a direction for me. I fall on my face in awe and wonder of your glory. I thank you that you are watching over me and lead us in your love. I thank you for my family and those that are as family. I thank you for your provisions and blessings. I ask that you open my heart, mind and eyes to the battle and the plans and how my life fits into your plan.

May 7, 2020 What is your after battle tradition??

 Reading: Joshua 8-9 and Ephesians 4

 Scripture: Joshua 8:34, And afterward he read all the words of the law, the blessing and the curse, according to all that is written in the Book of the Law.

 Thoughts: This is one of the many reasons I try to be in the word every day, There are days it is harder than others but I strive hard. After battle where they got kicked because there was sin, dealing with it then going back to stomp Ai. Now Joshua is giving everyone a reminder of the laws, and blessing and cursing that will come if they do or don’t follow the law and God. Most likely this would have been just the law (Leviticus or Deuteronomy). I need the daily reminders and filling that being I the word and seeking God brings to my day. We have this tendency to be forgetful beings, I know that I will remember the broad strokes of a story but I would remember every little bit, also The Word is alive and sharper then any 2 edged sward dividing soul and spirit. I need that daily interjection to help adjust where I am going astray and put me back on course.

 Prayer: Father God, you are so wonderful your glory shines though all your creations, your love envelops me and I long to linger in your presence. I thank you for your love and mercy, I thank you for my family, I thank you for your provisions and blessings I thank you for your word and that it is a continual reminder and revelations within. I ask that you help me to be that father I need to be and the leader you have called me to be. Open my heart to your leadings and your directions. I ask your healing and health on this world and those whom you call your own.

May 6, 2020 What is hidden in your tent???

Reading: Joshua 6-7 and Ephesians 3

Scripture: Joshua 7:11-12, Israel has sinned; they have transgressed my covenant that I commanded them; they have taken some of the devoted things; they have stolen and lied and put them among their own belongings. Therefore the people of Israel cannot stand before their enemies. They turn their backs before their enemies, because they have become devoted for destruction. I will be with you no more, unless you destroy the devoted things from among you.

Thoughts: As I read this, I started feeling like this is just as much for us (the USA) as it was for the nation of Israel. We have been seeking after many other things other than our relationship with God. As the men went up to take Ai, they were defeated because there was sin in the nation. There is great sin in our nation. We are being called to call out the sin and rise as God’s people and point our nation back to the one who created it all. Do not be afraid to stand and be bold, God has prepared a podium and a microphone that you are uniquely qualified to speak into.

Prayer: Lord, you are in control of all, you make all things work together for our good. I thank you that you have a plan for us and that you are guiding us but not controlling us. I thank you for my family and those who are as family. I thank you for your provisions and blessings in this time of uncertainty. I ask that you help kindle the fire of boldness in my heart and Break my heart for what breaks your and help me to break out of my complacency and speak out what you have for me to say.

May 5, 2020 Where are you going???

Reading: Joshua 4-5, Psalm 71, Ephesians 2, and Mark 16

Scripture: Psalm 71:3, Be to me a rock of refuge, to which I may continually come; you have given the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress.

Thoughts: The thing that stood out to me today was the little phrase “to which I may continually come,” I find myself leaning on my own understanding, and looking to my own strength to get me though whatever situation is coming my way. I need this reminder of where my help stability and protection come from and that I must go to it continually. During my time as the epitome of the Sunday morning Christian where I dressed well and cleaned myself us to go to church worship and listen to the pastor then would walk out the door light a cigarette in the car as I sped off to find the next thing that I thought would the hole in my life. I took face-planting on rock bottom and letting God help me back up instead of pushing him away and I got myself back up to see that I needed him. As we continually come to him in study and prayer seeking him we will begin to see what we saw as just a stone sitting there is the Cornerstone of a mighty fortress where we can come to recharge after a battle so that we can be ready for the next.

Prayer: Lord you are the Rock, the Cornerstone, and our Rally place. You are the place we can run to in our time of need. Lord I thank you for being that Fortress and Refuge around me. I thank you for my family and those who are as family. I thank you for your provisions and blessings you pour out every day. I ask that you help me to remember to come to you and to continually come to you as you are our strength and our comfort. Open our hearts to you and your leading.

May 4th, 2020 May the force be with you?

Reading: Joshua 1-3, Psalm 94, and Ephesians 1

Scripture: Joshua 1:17, Just as we obeyed Moses in all things, so we will obey you. Only may the Lord your God be with you, as he was with Moses!

Thoughts: It seemed fitting that this passage stood out to me today, as a fan of the Star Wars movies May 4th has become a time to be let your fandom flag fly. So, May the fourth be with you!!! With that out of my system…Moses just died, and Joshua is taking over his duties and the people of Israel are saying yes, we will follow you. Here they are seeing the leadership and authority move from one person to another. After Pentecost we were given the Holy Spirit to be our helper, our guide and our conduit to God. There are some churches and traditions the say something along the lines of, “The Lord keep you” or “The Lord be with you” I think we need to remind each other that we need to take God with us every where we go. He may be everywhere, but he will not manifest himself somewhere he is not welcome or asked to be. Let us take Holy Spirit with us and continually seek to seek God and his manifestation in our lives.

Prayer: Father God, I long to linger in your presences, I want to watch you move in the lives of others and in myself. I fall on my face and worship you. I thank you that you are the great provider and that all our needs are met though you. I thank you for the blessings that you pour out even though I do not deserve it. I thank you for my family and those who are as family. I ask that you help me to desire to take you with me everywhere I go, Help me to walk in the authority you have for me to walk in and lead where I need to lead and follow where I need to follow.

May 3, 2020 Undimmed eyes, and vigor unabated!!!

Reading: Deuteronomy 33-34, Psalm 68, and Galatians 6

Scripture: Deuteronomy 34:7, Moses was 120 years old when he died. His eye was undimmed, and his vigor unabated.

Thoughts: I am getting near 40, mid-life crisis time, right? I know that in this time I have slowed down and found new aches and pains as we all do as we all do. Here at the end of his life, 120 years old (three times my age) it says his eyes were undimmed and his vigor was unabated, Moses at that age was still going strong, He was not reliant on his own strength or his own power his body by our standards should have been as good as dead, but God gave him is strength and power. Like Moses we are in covenant with God and in that covenant we are given the use of his strength power and the best part we are given his armor. When we are walking in that covenant and putting on the things that we are given in it we are unstoppable in this spiritual warfare. As it is said in Ephesians 6, Therefore put on the whole armor of God.

Prayer: Father, you have given us your strength and your power along with your armor. Help us to take it up and prepare ourselves for the battle we are not yet in. We may have been victorious or fallen in the last battle, but you are calling for us to train for the next so that we are ready. I thank you that you place people into my life to help me to see what battles I need to prepare for. I thank you for your provisions and blessings that you are pouring out. Help me to train better and lead better as you call me to.

May 2, 2020 Treating Him as holy???

Reading: Deuteronomy 31-32 and Galatians 5

Scripture: Deuteronomy 32:51, because you broke faith with me in the midst of the people of Israel at the waters of Meribah-kadesh, in the wilderness of Zin, and because you did not treat me as holy in the midst of the people of Israel.

Thoughts: When we look at the Hall of Faith, there Moses is among all the other great men, women, and acts that are there in Hebrews 11. Yet here we are being reminded that he was as human as the rest of us. So often we will put the pastors and preachers on these pedestals and raise then above everyone else, but they are human and capable of sin. God is telling Moses that he can’t go in because he broke faith and didn’t treat God as holy at this time. He was not told he does not get to be with God or that he is going to hell but he lost out on the benefits that God wanted him to have forty years earlier and the spies convinced the nation that they could not do it even though God said to take it. Are we not treating God as holy in the midst of our people/world?

Prayer: Father you are so wonderful that you know the hairs on my head and the days of my life. I thank you that your grace covers me, and your love envelops me. I thank you for my family and friends. I thank you for the provisions and blessings that you pour out on us. I ask for wisdom in using the provision you give us help me to be the steward that you have called me to be. Help me to walk in your ways that I may see your blessings and help me to morn and grow when I make a mistake.

May 1, 2020 Choose Life

Reading: Deuteronomy 29-30, Psalm 15, Galatians 4, and Mark 15

Scripture: Deuteronomy 30:19, I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live,

Thoughts: Moses was talking to Israel and reminding them of the laws that God had given them and promises he gave both to bless and to curse depending on if they followed him or not. Several thousand years later now we get to look back and see this as choosing life in Christ. We are still given the choice to choose between life and death, are we choosing life or chasing after the things of this world.

Payer: Father you are so wonderful and your creation shouts of your glory and you majesty. I thank you that you offer life and not just condemn to death. I thank you that you are the one who takes care of all thing you provide for the birds and the plants and you provide for us. I than you for that provisions and blessing you pour out. I thank for my family and those who are near and dear to us. I ask that you open our hearts and minds to those places where we choose death in our lives and open our hearts to release that death and accept your Life.