Inside and out

Reading: Exodus 12-13 and Romans 2

Scripture: Romans 2:29, But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.

Thoughts: As I read this, I was reminded of the groups that claim the name Christian but do not have the fruit that comes with the relationship with Christ, like the group that years ago got lots of publicity for protesting at veteran funerals, concerts, and dance clubs. Paul was pointing out that it is not the physical act of circumcision that creates the faith. Rather our faith and the position of our spirit will be recognized by God. When our hearts and spirit are not aligned with God then like in 1 Corinthians 13:1 these things become just noise. God is after a relationship, not just deeds done to appease. Who we are inwardly will reflect on the outside but just because we look the part outwardly does not mean that is what is on the inside. Who are you inside and out?

Prayer: Father God, I thank you that you are working in my life so that I better reflect your love and grace to the world around me. I ask for your wisdom, help me to recognize the signs of the times help me to know what is best for my family and those around me. Help me let go of the anger and resentment that I have. Fill me so that I can fill others lead me and guide me through this time.

AAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!

Reading: Exodus 2-3 and Acts 25

Scripture: Exodus 2:24, And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob.

Thoughts: As I was reading and came to the line “and God heard their groaning,” my mind went to the fact that no formal religious practices for worshiping God had yet been established. Yet God heard and listened to those groanings that were not based on tradition. In Matthew 11:29 we are told to take Christ’s yoke when we are heavy laden. What is our groaning looking like today? Are we just complaining to our coworkers and friends about the problems we have or are we laying them at the feet of Jesus and taking up his yoke? How often do we try to trudge through the situation and complain to whoever will listen? Take it to God He wants to take our burdens.

Prayer: Father God, I thank you that you hear our groaning that you long to comfort us, and take our yoke from us. I thank you for your Covenant that grants us the exchange of all things that we can walk in your power and authority. I ask that you help me to see when I’m taking up my yoke again and not leaving it at your feet. Help me to see the path to take to be the man you need me to be.

Preservation

Reading: Genesis 50, Exodus 1, Psalm 140, and Acts 24

Scripture: Genesis 50:2, And Joseph commanded his servants the physicians to embalm his father. So the physicians embalmed Israel.

Thoughts: As I was reading this the embalming stood out, and I thought about the embalming that the Egyptians did, many of those Pharos are so well preserved that thousands of years later there is still skin, bone hair, and teeth left. But the preservation of Israel before it was a nation was a man and God; through Joseph, the man and the nation were preserved. Even after nearly 2000 years from the destruction of the temple in 70AD and the establishment of it as a Sovereign nation in 1943, Israel was preserved. God’s chosen people retained their identity despite lacking a nation of their own. God preserved those of the old covenant how much more will He do with those who are a part of the new?  

Prayer: Father God, I thank you for preserving me, I thank you that you have found me, and that you are calling me into a deeper relationship with you. I thank you for the corrections and disciplines that you bring to me. I ask that you help me to heed the correction that I may be molded into the man you call me to be. I thank you for your love and for your peace and I ask that it fill me to overflowing that I may love those around me. Help me be the salt that helps preserve the world around me.

God can use them!!!

Reading: Genesis 48-49 and Acts 23

Scripture: Acts 23:35, he said, “I will give you a hearing when your accusers arrive.” And he commanded him to be guarded in Herod’s praetorium.

Thoughts: No matter where you are and what side of the fence you plant your flag, there will always be someone on the other side. We tend to think that if someone is on the other side of the fence, they are so wrong that God could not use them. Or because they don’t believe the way you do that they are against God’s plan. But Cyrus who was a foreign king and not a believer in God allowed Isaiah to return to Israel and rebuild the Temple and even paid for it. Then Here Paul was being protected from the religious leaders by the unbelieving Roman leader. When doing God’s work and furthering His kingdom we will be attacked. Both those who oppose us and those who God brings beside us may not come from where we expect. Be in the Word, seek God’s revelation about the situation. Who knows where your allies may come from.

Prayer: Father God, I thank you that you bring us allies when we are being attacked, I thank you that you have given us your armor through the covenant and the promises. I thank you that you are working in my life and helping me to release my anger and walk in your peace. I thank you for your provisions, and I ask that you help me steward the blessings you have placed in my hands so that we can live in the abundant life you have for us.

How to get Citizenship!!

Reading: Genesis 46-47 and Acts 22

Scripture: Acts 22:28, The tribune answered, “I bought this citizenship for a large sum.” Paul said, “But I am a citizen by birth.”

Thoughts: I know there is a large controversy in the United States about some people's citizenship. There are those whose family goes back to the founding of the nation there are those who went through the process of getting that citizenship. Some came to the nation to have a baby so that the baby would be a citizen. And then some falsely claim citizenship. Paul was the tribune both had the same rights, yet one did nothing to get them and the other paid for them. When it comes to having citizenship in heaven there is only one way to get it, it must be paid for. But there is no way that we can pay what is required. Jesus paid for the adoption fees by his death and resurrection. I claim my citizenship of heaven though accepting that I was adopted into God’s family, grafted into the tree of life that I may bear fruit.

Prayer: Father God, you are worthy of every breath I breathe, or every praise I can sing. You are worthy of it all. I thank you for calling me, sending your Son that I may be adopted into the Family of God. That I may have citizenship in heaven and have the authority granted as children of God. I ask that you help me to continue to walk in your ways. I ask for forgiveness for not forgiving myself and releasing the hurt and pain that I have been holding onto. I ask that you help me release these things that are not of you. I release them to you.

Tell me your story.

Reading: Job 41-42, Genesis 11, and Acts 3

Scripture: Acts 3:8, And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.

Thoughts: What is your story? This lame bagger has his story; he told it by jumping and walking around in the temple he had been sitting in front of for years. We all have a story to tell, where were you when God called you out of your past? We were given the Great Commission, the thing that I feel is the most important part is how I look at the word commission; I see it as a co-mission we are in a partnership with God to share the good news and the best way to do that is to share, this is where I was and this is where I am now. Tell your story.

Prayer: Father God, I can’t thank you enough for bringing me out of my own mess. I thank you for sending those people to speak into my life and help me to see how far I slid when I chose to walk away from the church. I thank you that you are with me and you speak through me and my muddled words.

How much passion

Reading: Job 39-40 and Acts 2

Scripture: Acts 2:12-13, And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.”

Thoughts: How do you look when you are doing God’s work? The apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit and could not stop themselves from spreading the Gospel. These men were so animated and passionate about what they were saying that there were spectators who thought they were drunk. Are we passionate about the work of God and those things He has called us to, or have we become complacent in God’s love that we have lost the passion of the Gospel? Let us seek the passion and the love we first had.

Prayer: Lord God, I thank you for all you do, I thank you for your provisions and blessings. May your will be done and not mine. I ask for help finding the love and passion I have lost over the years. Open my eyes to your plans and my part in them.

Only He knows

Reading: Job 38-38 and Acts 1

Scripture: Acts 1:6-7, So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority.

Thoughts: We can be so short sighted, the disciples lived in a time where they were seeing their kingdom of Israel being oppressed and ruled over by Rome, they wanted Rome to be overthrown and Israel to be its own kingdom again. Not understanding that the Kingdom of God is not one of earth but the Kingdom of Heaven. Not only were they asking from the wrong kingdom no one but the Father knows the day and time. Are there things that we are asking for even though we really do not know what we are asking? Let us seek His will and His blessings on those things before us. 

Prayer: Lord God your ways are higher than our ways, your thoughts are higher than our thoughts. I thank you that you love me and call me your own. I ask that you help me to be aware of the signs but not to read too much into them. Your timing is not our timing we strive to reach all who are lost in what time we have left.

Story time

Reading: Job 36 and Luke24

Scripture: Luke 24:35, Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.

Thoughts: These men ran back to Jerusalem to tell the other disciples what had happened. They shared how oblivious they were to who was walking with them. And how it took having a meal with Him for it to click in their minds who it was they were speaking to. We all make mistakes, and we all do not recognize God working in our lives. We just need to remember that sharing our experience could help others grow closer to God.

Prayer: Lord God, you are so good, I struggle to adequately praise and worship you. I ask that you help me to share your love and my experience with that love to the world around me. Help me to be a light in this dark world. Help me to reveal your love and light to this world. 

Justice, Mercy, and confession.

Reading: Job 35, Psalm 6, and Luke 23

Scripture: Luke 23:41, And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.

Thoughts: For most of my life I can honestly say that I glossed over many of the things said happened during and around the crucifixion of Jesus. I have been reading a book (Gold from Golgotha) that focuses on what Jesus said, and, in turn, as this passage came up, things stood out a little more. Specifically where one of the thieves said, "We are receiving the due reward of our deeds." This man confessed he was a sinner and confessed that Jesus was who he said he was. Later asking to be remembered in His kingdom. We are all called to confess both our sins and our faith in Jesus and who He is. Let these confessions always be on our lips.

Prayer: Lord God, you are the one and only God, who sent your Son to earth to be the mediator and the covering of our sin. I thank you for sending your Son. I stand in awe of your loving kindness and the grace and mercy you pour out on us. 

Who am I?

Reading: Job 34 and Luke 22

Scripture: Luke 22:31, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat,

Thoughts: I found it interesting that even though Simon had his name changed to Peter (The Rock) Jesus refers to him by his given name and states that Satan wants to test him. God has a name for each of us and we are called by that name, so the question is do we know that name that God calls us by and are we listening? Also, there will be times when Satan will call in those chips and want to test us, are we going to listen to the call of our old name or then one given to us by the creator of all things?

Prayer: Father God, you know the hairs on my head, you know the failures and victories of my life. You have given me a new name a new identity in your Son. I thank you for calling me and for having a place for me in your kingdom. I ask that you help me to remove the distraction of this world so that I can better hear your voice. Help me to know the name you have given me and listen to that call.

Is the end near?

Reading: Job 32-33 and Luke 21

Scripture: Luke 21:12, But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name’s sake.

Thoughts: Most people when looking at the end times talk about Revelation and Daniel both giving some interesting imagery and things that will happen. Here in Luke, Jesus mentions something that will happen and possibly could already be happening. People are being persecuted with physical violence against them all over the world. And it goes on to say that we will be delivered up to synagogues and prisons, this seems to be saying that there will be religious rules placed against us. I do not see these rules coming from within the Judeo-Christian community but I think it will be from the Islamic world. There are communities in the United States where the Islamic community has taken over and is requiring people to live by their laws and be judged by their courts. This sounds like those opposed to Christ taken into synagogues (mosques) to be judged. Let us not be unaware that the enemy is lurking, seeking an opportune moment to come to steal, kill, and destroy.

Prayer: Lord God, you are the creator of all things, you knew me before I was knit together in my mother’s womb. I thank you for the wisdom and knowledge that you give us. I ask that you help us to discern the schemes of the evil one so that we cannot be deceived. Open our eyes to your ways and your plans so that we can continue to overcome those schemes that are formed against us.

I don’t know!!!

Reading: Job 30-31 and Luke 20

Scripture: Luke 20:7, So they answered they did not know where it came from.

Thoughts: I know there have been times when I weighed the options for answering a question and chose to say, “I don’t know.” Even when I knew the truth or had an opinion on the question. These men knew how Jesus and the people would respond and did not want to pick a fight with either side. Do we try to play both sides with God? Are we trying to play dumb with the one who knew us before He knit us in our mother’s womb? I know I allow my anger to control my words sometimes and say things I do not really want to say and now my children are using some of those words that I should not say and all I get from them is, “I don’t know.” Let us seek God and His wisdom so that we can know why we are doing and saying those things that cause us to say, “I don’t know.”

Prayer: Father God, I stand in awe of how you can love me even when I fail. I thank you for your steadfast love. I ask for help understanding where my anger and harsh words come from. I long to lay down my anger and harsh words. Lord purify me, remove the dross of my life that I may reflect you.

Hang on It

Reading:  Job 29, Psalm 121, and Luke 19

Scripture: Luke 19:47-48, And He was teaching daily in the temple. The chief priests and the scribes and the principal men of the people were seeking to destroy Him, but they did not find anything they could do, for all the people were hanging on his words.

Thoughts: Because the crowds of people were hanging on every word and seeking what Jesus had, those in charge had no way to get to Jesus. Today so many people get their Sunday morning fix and then they are good for the week. That is if they have any connection to a local church or even God. There are so many distracting voices in the world today that it is easy to set God aside for some entertainment. When we hand on His every word it does not matter what they do to us there is no way for them to take Him from us.

Prayer: Father God, I thank you for sending your Son, that we may have a way back to you. I thank you that no one can blot out our name from the book of life. I thank you that He is the way the truth and the life, that he opens the way to you. I ask that you help me to seek you first and to hang on your every word that I may know you more. Lead me and guide me in your ways.

Have Mercy on Me

Reading:  Job 27-28 and Luke 18

Scripture: Luke 18:37-38, They told him, "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by." And he Cried out. "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"

Thoughts: This blind man had only heard that Jesus was going to pass by and started crying out for Him. The Pharisees, the priests, and the scribes saw and heard Him yet they cried out against Him. Are we crying out to Him as followers or are we so religious that we are not truly seeing what the blind man saw without seeing?

Prayer: Lord God you are the creator of all things; you know the hairs on my head and the days of my life. I thank you for calling me a friend for adopting me into your eternal family. I ask that you help me to know when I wonder and if I stray. Help me to want to cry out to you.