Light and dark, hate and love

Reading: Nehemiah 9-10 and 1 John 2

 

Scripture: 1 John 2:9-11, Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling. But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

 

Thoughts: In a world of extreme connection we see many of the things in this world that were once a local issue. Yes, we all have biases that were taught to us by those around us. Over the last several years we have empowered the victims to the point that nothing is wrong and if I don’t accept everything thing someone thinks makes me a bigot. John is reminding us that we need to not only be the light but live in the light, where we will love those whom we disagree with. We are allowed to disagree and we are given the word of God and Holy Spirit to recognize and discern sin. Not to condemn or judge because the is not our job that is God’s job. Are we walking in the light or because of biases or racist tendency are we walking in the dark. No matter who you are or what you have done you are loved but if there is unrepented sin in your life that will cause separation from God. 

 

Prayer: Father God, you know me, you know my victories and my failures, you know the hairs on my head and the days of my life. I thank you that you are pouring your love and peace over us, I thank you that you are always molding and refining me. Put me through the fire to remove the impurities in my life help me to grow in my relationship with you and be the father and husband I am called to be. Open the doors that need to be opened and close those that will distract from your plan. 

A people scattered

Reading: Esther 3-6, Psalm 126, and Hebrews 13

 

Scripture: Esther 3:8, Then Haman said to King Ahasuerus, “There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom. Their laws are different from those of every other people, and they do not keep the king’s laws, so that it is not to the king’s profit to tolerate them. 

 

Thoughts: As I was reading this portion of Esther, that book of the Bible does not mention God but you watch Him move throughout it. Haman a man of great power who has the signet ring of the King developed a hatred for Mordecai and by extension his people. Haman brings before the king this group of people who live and worship differently and tells the know not to tolerate them. Even within the church there are differing opinions on things. I see it we are to present the Gospel and God’s love and speak where the word of God speaks and be silent what it is silent. Holy Spirit will work in the lives who diligently seek God and through Holy Spirit will mold us and make us into the men and women we are called to be. God it the final judge and the only question is will he see your scarlet robes or have you been washed clean by Christ Jesus? We are set apart for such a time as this.

 

Prayer: Father God, you lead us and guide us every day, we are a people who are scared all over this world. I thank you that you are leading and guiding us, you are modeling and refining us into those you call us to be. Father help us to have the boldness to walk in your will, to seek your path even if it will cost us our lives or livelihoods. You are our provider and our deliverance. I ask that you fill us with your love, joy, and peace, as we seek to bear your fruit.  

Called for such a time

Reading: Zachariah 7-9, Psalm 25, Hebrews 8, and 1 Peter 2

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:21, For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.

Thoughts: Peter here was talking about the call that each of us are called to, the great commission. We are called to do good and spread the Gospel yet there will be those who will suffer for it. Just like in Ester we are each called to such a time as this were we are to stand for something. When we are not willing to stand and not willing to take the suffering that may come for standing for what the Bible teaches where else are we going to compromise. I would like to say there is nothing anyone could do or threaten that would cause me to step back from my stance on who God is and my belief in Him and His Son Jesus the Christ and Messiah. I stand with my Savior and in the teachings of His word, read the Bible every day and meditate on it. 

Prayer: Father God, you are the beginning and the end, you know what is to come and the strife that is coming for us. I thank you that you give us a discerning spirit that leads us and guides us as we walk in this world and strive to not be of this world. I thank you that you are leading and guiding me, that you are molding and refining me to be the man you have called me to. I ask for your strength and perseverance to overcome my own fears and trepidations as I strive to walk out your will. Give me the strength to stand firm in the face of great suffering. 

What Rights?!?

Reading: Daniel 9-10, Psalm 50, and Hebrews 2

Scripture: Psalm 50:16-17, But to the wicked God says: “What right have you to recite my statutes or take my covenant on your lips? For you hate discipline, and you cast my words behind you.

Thoughts: We are Matthew 7:20 that we will know a tree by its fruit, just like being able to know apple, pear, and orange trees apart by the appearance of their fruit, by what we produce and what those around us produce we will see where their hearts are. Then in the Psalm today I was reminded of all those whom we see claiming the benefits and the covenants and yet we watch them produce fruit that does not reflect that what they are claiming. There are those in all stages of their walks with God and we are all saved by grace, but we are also all called to bear fruit in accordance with the gifts and calling on our lives. When we are walking in the Lord and striving to be more like him, the fruit will reflect those of Galatians 5:22-23 and less like the works of the flesh in verse 19-21 of the same chapter. We need to be aware and decerning of the fruit that we are being tossed into a salad with, when some ones rotten stuff gets in with the fruit God is working in me the hole things gets contaminated. Just because some one knows the Bible does not mean that they are doing God’s work. Let us seek not to just recite the statutes and covenants but to seek after God in a way that we can be a part of those statutes and covenants. 

Prayer: Father God, you are above all things, you own the cattle on a thousand hills and you know the hairs on my head. I thank you that you are leading me and guiding me. I thank you that you are molding and refining me that my fruit is more of you and less of me. help, me to reflect who you are and grow into the man you have called me to be. Open my eyes and pour your discerning spirit upon us that we can walk in the light and not be distracted by the darkness around us. 

Dry bone Army

Reading: Ezekiel 37-38, Psalm 44, and 1 Timothy 4

Scripture: Ezekiel 37:10, So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived and stood on their feet, an exceedingly great army.

Thoughts: We are called into spiritual warfare, as Christians we are going to be fighting against the principalities and powers that come against us. As a Christian in the United States, it is very easy to allow the world to influence us until the beliefs of the church mirror the beliefs of the world around us. We are becoming the dry bones that may make it into heaven by the grace and mercy of God but may not hear that fraise we all want to hear when we get to heaven “Well done good and faithful servant.” We get focused on the “do nots” and the “live at peace with everyone” we forget the things we are called to do Jesus told us that we are going to do these signs and greater signs, We are told to go to all the nations and bring the Gospel. Yet we sit at home and doing our 9-5 and worrying about our 401k and our bank accounts. An army is not just an invasion force, they are Ambassadors in that they may be the only face of a nation that the locals will ever see. They are protectors protecting the innocent from the enemy, no matter if it is in a foreign land where they are protecting people from an evil there or if it is from home protecting those around them and their nation. Are we going to rise up letting God bring these dry bones back to life and breath into us as an army to protect our heavenly citizenship? 

Prayer: Lord God, you are the one true king, you are gracious and merciful and Just. Your creations should of your glory and a long to linger in your presence. I thank you for the calling you have placed on me and the molding and refining you are working in my life. I ask that you knit this dry bones together and breath a new life into this warrior. 

Rebuilt that nations know God!!!

Reading: Ezekiel 35-36, Psalm 77, 1 Timothy 3, and 2 Thessalonians 3

Scripture: Ezekiel 36:36, Then the nations that are left all around you shall know that I am the Lord; I have rebuilt the ruined places and replanted that which was desolate. I am the Lord; I have spoken, and I will do it.

Thoughts: As I was reading Ezekiel today and he was talking about God destroying and rebuilding Israel and how God said that the others nations will know that He is God because of the rebuilding. It is the same with us, no matter if we have come from a broken home and walked in the brokenness of the world all our lives when we fully seek God every day we will start reflecting God in our lives and we will be rebuild. Not everyone had the dramatic testimony of I was the violent gang member doing drugs and now I am this strait-laced Christian story. After growing up in the church I found myself getting into bad relationships and even being a contribution to the bad in the relationships including two divorces and living with someone. God used those situations and times where I tossed my relationship with God not just to the back burner but completely off the stove. I was obsessed with being needed and wanted in a relationship. When God got back ahold of me and with the help of a wonderful woman and a church community that helped me to find what I was looking for in God has helped me grow and move from the desolate and ruined man that I was to someone who seeks God as much as he can. Our lives like Israel will show the nations around us the He is Lord. 

Prayer: Father God, you are so wonderful, you know the grains of sand and the stars above, you hold us in the palm of your hand and yet you care about us and our lives. Your creation shouts of your glory. I thank you that you are a God that rebuilds and calls up. I thank you that you don’t count us unworthy you call us all and you seek a relationship with us all. I thank you that you are working in my life, I have come a long way yet there is still more to do. I thank you that you do rebuild and you mold and refine each and every one of us if we let you. I ask that you help me to be moldable and softened that you can work in me. 

Standing up

Reading: Daniel 3-4, 1 Timothy 1, and 2 Thessalonians 1

Scripture: Daniel 3:16-17, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king.”

Thoughts: We are always needing the reminders in our lives that we need to stand up for what we believe. In western society and with the ever-widening divide that is being created by the narratives of one side verses the other and are being exacerbated by the echo chambers created on the internet. Are we getting into the Word of God every day seeking Him and asking to be led by Holy Spirit? We need the discernment to walk in this world and be willing to take whatever persecution will come our way. Here in the United States, we have been granted the freedom to speak and worship as we will, but there are those who are working to remove those freedoms. Even the freedoms we once enjoyed are being taken from us, we like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego need to be willing to stand up and say no more. We each need to listen to Holy Spirt and seek the path we are to take, there are some called to stand, there are those called to support. We may not be currently persecuted like those in other countries but if we don’t stand for God now that persecution will come here. Get in the Word every day and seek your place in Gods plan for this world. 

Prayer: Lord God you are in control, you lead and guide us. Your plan has been set in place since the beginning of time. I am blessed to be apart of what you are doing and the work you have for me to do. I ask that you continue to work in me, mold me and refine me into the spiritual warrior you have called me to be. 

Walking in inconvenience

Reading: 2 Kings 25, 2 Chronicles 36, Ephesians 4, and 1 Thessalonians 5

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16, Rejoice always

Thoughts: Over the last few weeks, I have been struggling, I interviewed for a position on October 10 offered the position and told that I would hear something withing 3-4 weeks I thought that was a little long but went with it. When reaching the end of the time I had not heard anything I contacted them and was told there was a hiccup and that I should hear from someone by November 29, luckily it didn’t take that long. It had its how hiccups like me being given one date for a phone call and the person calling me another. Finally I got the official offer and a start date of January 10 a full 3 months after my interview. In going though all things I got away from journaling and missing some of my time with God letting myself get distracted with things on social media. Then in reading I came across the shortest verse in the Bible, probably not the one you are thing of, Jesus wept (ἐδάκρυσεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς) may be the shortest in English but in the original language the shortest is a command that we should all want to and strive to keep and have as part of our daily lives. Rejoice always (Πάντοτε χαίρετε) is a short and powerful command that will change our outlook on life dramatically, when we spend our time focusing on the bad and the inconvenient that is going on, Like being told that because of a hiccup that you have a month and a half left at a current position, or if you were someone with out work that you had that much more time without income. What would happen if we found reasons to rejoice even in the middle of disappointment and inconvenience? Even though we may be having struggles and disappointments there are wondrous reasons to rejoice. 

Prayer: Father God, you are so wonderful, you own the cattle on a thousand hills, you created all things and yet you still know the hairs on my head. You know what I need before I do and you set things in motions to take care of all things. You work all things for the good of those who are called according to his purpose. You are with us as we walk through hardships and trials, you are our comfort and shield. I thank you for all that you are doing in me, I thank you that you are molding me and guiding me, that you are refining me and forging me into that witch you call me to be. I ask that you pour your peace and mercy on me as I continue in the place I am ready to leave. Lord I ask that you bless those who are loosing me as a worker and those who are gaining me. May your timing for the move be a blessing to all. 

Presented

Reading: Ezekiel 27-28, Ephesians 1, and 1 Thessalonians 2

Scripture: Ephesians 1:11, In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,

Thoughts: When reading this verse I was going to look into the word for counsel but ended up accidently pulling up the word for purpose, the Greek word was prothesis and eight times it was translated as purpose but also it has been translated four time as Shewbread or setting fourth of things or to place in view. The Shewbread or Showbread were the twelve loaves that were offered every sabbath in the temple. This bread was offered regularly to God placing it in view of God. Paul is taking this practice that these Jews would have known and saying we are as the showbread Christ has taken us into the temple of Heaven and laid us out like the show bread before God. We have been washed clean by the Blood of Christ but we still have a tendency to pick up that we have been told to lay down. So, what are we holding onto in our lives that is being shown to God?

Prayer: Father God, we are unworthy to me in your presence, yet you sent your Son to come and be the payment that I may be in your presence. I thank you that you are working in my life cleaning the spots and blemishes that I have put on over the years. I thank you that you call me to be your son and that I get to walk with you. I ask again this day to be cleaned the washed again as things creep into my life I ask that you help me to focus on you and seek your guidance for my life. 

Rejoice and be glad

Reading: Ezekiel 25-26, Psalm 118, Galatians 6, and 1 Thessalonians 1

Scripture: Psalm 118:24, This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Thoughts: We so often get wrapped up in the little things of day-to-day life let us stop and rejoice and be glad in what God has done in our lives. 

Prayer: Father God, you are so wonderful, your creation shouts of your glory, I rejoice in the work you are doing in my life the pleasures and joy pour out on me. I thank you and praise you. 

Flesh or Spirit

Reading: Ezekiel 23-24 and Galatians 5

Scripture: Galatians 5:19-21, Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Thoughts: When reading Galatians 5 the big focus from childhood has been on the fruit of the spirit, the who we should be when Holy Spirit is living in us and calling us to closer relationship with God. But shortly be for that well known passage is another list, this list is what will become abundant in out lives when we are not focusing on God and his will. Even if we overlook the big controversial ones at the beginning of the list from Sexual immorality to sorcery, we get down to things that we are seeing all over the world in all media sources no matter what side of the political conversation you are on. So, the question lies in, are we causing the enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, and envy or are we as Romans 12:18 says, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” When we look at this list of things that are signs of living in the flesh how is God calling you to work though things we struggle with or is he calling you to walk with someone to help pull them from that mire? 

Prayer: Father God, you know every hear on my head and every misstep that I have taken yet you love me and call me yours. I thank you that you do call me and lead me every day. I thank you that you are molding and refining me. you are removing the things of this world from my heart and replacing them with kingdom things. I thank you that you have brought people into my life to call me our on my shenanigans and point me back to you. I ask that you continues to work in my life and lead and guide me in your path. 

Are we institutionalized?

Reading: Ezekiel 21-22 and Galatians 4

Scripture: Galatians 4:31, So, brothers, we are not children of the slave but of the free woman.

Thoughts: Paul is reminding us of the freedom that Christ redeemed us from. Through the adoption into God’s family, we are made to free even though we tend to walk back into our slavery. There is a term for those who have been released from prison and don’t know how to cope with the freedom they have been granted, they are institutionalized, there are those that it is such an issue for them they will do a new crime to go back. Many Christians can find themselves in the same boat, we have spent so much time in the clutches of sin and taking the chains of our past with us we don’t know what to do with the freedom that we receive in Christ. Not that we are to sin more, but we are free from the guilt and condemnation of the chain we have caried with us for so long. Are we institutionalized by the sins of this world or are we striving forward into the calling The Father has placed in our lives? 

Prayer: Father God, creator of all things, almighty God, you are so wondrous. I thank you that you have called me and that you are leading me every day. I thank you that you are molding me into the man you call me to be, helping me to put down the chains of my past and walk in your grace and mercy. I ask that you help me to continue to strive after you every day.

What is getting in your home?

Reading: Ezekiel 19-20 and Galatians 3

Scripture: Ezekiel 20:7, And I said to them, “Cast away the detestable things your eyes feast on, every one of you, and do not defile yourselves with the idols of Egypt; I am the Lord your God.”

Thoughts: The Prophet Ezekiel was talking to some of the leadership of Israel who had come to him to see wat God had for them. After God having him remind them of the things their fathers had done and of bringing them out of Egypt then reminds them to stop seeking the gods of Egypt. Today our gods and idols are not stone and precious metals, our idols are then entertainment that streams into our homes and phones 24/7 365. Are we seeking the things that are glorifying God pointing us to the one who created all things or are we too busy watching the latest episode of what ever the latest show is? We need to have the discernment to see with out spiritual eyes and see the evil that is coming into our home and what we are allowing to get into our minds and the minds of our family especially if we have small children. If we are not teaching them right and wrong according to God’s Word and plopping them down in front of a screen for several hours a day who is teaching them more Mom and Dad who are doing their own thing when the kids are distracted by a screen or is the screen teaching them the qualities of the world? What are we letting into our eye that is making its way into our hearts and mind?

Prayer: Father God, you are the creator of all things you know the good and the evil, you have given us the ability to seek after all and you call us to your side to walk with you and to forsake all others. I thank you that you have called me, and that you continue to call me as I get distracted at times. I thank you for your provisions and blessings you pour out on us, I thank you that you are working in me that I can forsake the evil of this world. I thank you that daily you mold me and refine me further into the man you call me to be. I ask that you help me to have a discerning spirit when it comes to things in my home, help me to lead my family in your ways and in your truth. 

Dig out the entrance

Reading: Ezekiel 6-8, Psalm 117, Romans 14, and Colossians 4

Scripture: Ezekiel 8:8-9, Then he said to me, “Son of man, dig in the wall.” So I dug in the wall, and behold, there was an entrance. And he said to me, “Go in, and see the vile abominations that they are committing here.”

Thoughts: Ezekiel in his vision was taken to the temple, digging to enter into the temple he sees the abominations that is happening there. It happens more frequently than the Church would like to admit but local churches or leaders will sometime get lead astray. We are all human and we will all be tempted and sometimes we will fall to that temptation. Ezekiel was being shown atrocities happening in the Temple, today though the adoptions into God’s family we are made the temple, so not only do we need to continue to be discerning about what is bring taught in our homes, schools, and churches, but we need to continually be checking ourselves and having those people in our lives whom we are able to be open and honest with and will call us out on the trash we are letting into our lives. Hebrews 3:13 says “But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.” We need to come together not just for service once a week and call it good we are to be doing life together and holding each other accountable and encouraging each other in our walk with the Lord. Let us dig out the entrance into our hearts that we can see the abominations that we are letting reside there so that we can cast them out. 

Prayer: Father God, you are worthy of all praise and honor, your light cast out all darkness. Lord I open my heart to your light to break the chains and cast out all that does not belong in my heart. I thank you for the molding and refining you are working in my life and the growth you are calling me to. I ask that you help me to overcome my desires and seek after you. 

November 6 Should I stay or Should I Go now?

Reading: Jeremiah 39 & 50, Romans 10, and Colossians 1

Scripture: Jeremiah 39:9-10, Then Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard, carried into exile to Babylon the rest of the people who were left in the city, those who had deserted to him, and the people who remained. Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard, left in the land of Judah some of the poor people who owned nothing, and gave them vineyards and fields at the same time.

Thoughts: We have our spiritual marching orders from God the Father, just as those who were being invaded by the Chaldeans. In this situation there were those who listened to God, and those who listened to the king. Those who listened to the king we killed and caused the city and temple to be burned, those who listened to God were ether taken to Babylon or were left to tend the vineyards. God has called each and every one of us to walk in his plan. Are we listening to God or are we letting the world influence us into fighting those whom we are called to serve. 

Prayer: Lord God almighty, you oh Lord are the banner I cling to, the banner that I run to where are others fail you stand firm. You are the Rock of all ages. I lay my life before you and walk in your ways. No matter is if is into service, or war I will follow you. I thank you for the provisions you are pouring out on us. I thank you that you are molding and refining me into the man and father you are calling me to. Lead me and guide me in all that I do.