March 30, 2019 What am I hearing?!?!?

Reading: Numbers 4, Psalm 21, and John 21

Scripture: John 21:12, Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." Now none of the disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord.

Thoughts: We are to know God and know the Lord. Just as the disciples were able to know that Jesus was talking to them by being told to fish the other side of the boat, we should be able to discern God’s voice in the mist of all the noise around us. Let us sit and have a meal with the Lord he is calling us to start our day with him. Let us all make a point to set aside time first thing to spend time with God he wants to start the day and continue all day with you.

Prayer: Father I long to be in your presence. I thank you for the strength to get up and see you. Open my heart to your voice and the direction you have for me. I thank you for the provisions and blessings you pour out on us each day. I ask for your wisdom for my family and those around me. Help me to hear your voice and listen when you tall me to speak.

March 27, 2019 Step by Step you lead me

Reading: Numbers 1 and John 18

Scripture: Numbers 1:45-46, So all those listed of the people of Israel, by their fathers' houses, from twenty years old and upward, every man able to go to war in Israel all those listed were 603,550.

Thoughts: In one of the most boring and mundane books of the Bible, what will be come a list of men and their sons we get here we start with we have 603,550 men who are able to go to war. So I love the magnitude of the number of people who would be in this people group as they are traveling through the desert. We start with the fighting men then their wives and conservatively we will say that they have 2 kids (being that some of the fighting men sons my be fighting men).  Being that for a few years Pharaoh killed all the male children for a time and we are not counting the levites at all we are looking at a group of people about 2.4 million people traveling in the desert. It astounds me to think about what it would take to move a city the size of LA or Chicago (population 2.5 million). Not only is it next to impossible under human standers during this time they were creating the Tabernacle and fallowing every time the pillar of God would move or settle. God’s nation of Israel was able to listen and travel not knowing where they were going and relying on God for the Mana each day to live why can’t we do the same?

Prayer: Father you are so wonderful. I thank you for the blessings and the provisions that you give us each day. I am amazed by the how you brought your people out of Egypt and us out of the muck of our lives and yet we still will turn to other things. I thank you for the vision of a direction in my life. I see to know more and ask for the refining that is needed and the light to the next step in this direction. I long to be deeper in love with you and striving in your will. Open my eyes to the next step and help me to have the strength and fortitude to fallow your leading.

March 20th 2019 Waiting

Reading: Leviticus 16-17 and John 11

Scripture: John 11:5-6, Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was.

Thoughts: For most of my life when I would hear this passage I was confused because, if Jesus loved Lazarus even as much as humanly possible, wouldn’t he do everything in his power to fix the problem. Just as we would do everything we can to help a sick or dying family member or friend. But it said he stayed two more days. I struggled with this but this morning the thought that knowing if he was there he would have done something just as any of us would. Knowing the Glory that would point to the Father and prophecies that it would fulfill. Jesus was about his Fathers work even in waiting. God’s timing is nearly never our timing. When we are asked to move we need to go but when we are asked to wait we must wait God has a plan and we don’t get the entire map because something that looks like a detour now may be the refining we need for later.

Prayer: Father I thank you for refining me. I thank you for the blessings and provisions you pour out and the give us the opportunities to share you blessings with others. I ask for your directions and purpose for this day.

March 19 2019 Believe in something

Reading: Leviticus 15, Psalm 103, and John 10

Scripture: John 10:37-38, If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me; but if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.

Thoughts: I know I try to listen and do as God calls and directs me. Each day I try to love as our Lord Loves. We are going about his works, we are touching lives and affecting those who are around us. There may even be those among us who have been apart of miracles happening. All we can do is point to the Lord and give him the praise and honor. Just as the Father and Son are one we have been filled with the Holy Spirit to do His works so if they do not believe us pray they see and believe the works done through us.

Prayer: Father, I love you and thank you for your love and the works you do for in and around my life. I thank you that I get the opportunity to be apart of your works and your plan. I thank you for the provisions and blessings you pour out on us each day and the direction and wisdom that you give us. I ask for your continual opening of my eyes and ears to hear your word and the words you have for others and help me get out of my own way so that I can be used more effectively in your plan. I ask for healing and restoration for all those who need it.

March 18, 2019 We are the Light.

Reading: Leviticus 14 and John 9

Scripture: John 9:4-5, We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.

Thoughts: We have Christ in our hearts and in out lives, and we are exhorted to do the work while it is still day, night is coming. With Chest in our lives we are the Light and we are a part of what keeps the day here. Though the death and resurrection of Christ Jesus we are his light and his love to the world. The evil one will throw every trick and distraction he knows at us to get us to let that light burn out or cover it up and not share it. As that light into this world we are to do his work and keep the day here. When there is no longer any of us doing his work and being his light there will be no more day and no work will be able to be done. Let us shine into the world, and turn off the dark.

Prayer: Father, you are so wonderful. I thank you for the work that you have done in me and work you are continuing to do. I thank you for the provisions and blessings you have poured out on me and family and all who walk though the door of this home. I ask for the strength and wisdom needed to get through the trials and tribulations that are coming. You are my rock and my deliverer. I thank you for your light to take that next step and the strength and knowledge to know where to place my foot.

March 14, 2019 What are you looking at?

Reading: Leviticus 7-8 and John 5

Scripture: John 5:10, So the Jews said to the man who had been healed, "It is the Sabbath, and it is not lawful for you to take up your bed."

Thoughts: I have been in churches and around Christians who will sit there and point their fingers at different people who have different sins in their lives and tear down these people just as these Jews did do this man that Jesus told to take up his bed and walk. It is so easy to look at being a Christian at a list of do’s and Don’t’s. When we are in that mindset Christianity becomes a religion of traditions and not a Relationship with God the Father. God loves us all as sons and daughters even the sinners. We have to remember that is where he found us and redeemed us. Also we need to remember that when he finds us and adopts us into his family that he loves us so much that he will help us to change our hearts so that we are not striving after the sin but striving after him.

Prayer: Father, you are so awesome I humbly fall at your feet. I thank you for coming after me and sending your son to redeem me from my sins. I thank you for the provisions and blessings you have for us each day and the opportunity to see you and touch others for your sake. I ask that you help me to grow closer to you and shed more of my sinful nature and cloth myself in your righteousness.

March 13, 2019 Walking by Sight

Reading: Leviticus 5-6 and John 4

Scripture: John 4:48, So Jesus said to him, "Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe."

Thoughts: We are called to live by faith and not by sight, I don’t know how many times I have felt like I was trying to do just the opposite. I have been know to try to barter with God in that I will have greater faith or something if he only show me something greater than what I have seen. In the last few years as I have gained greater understanding of God’s love and who I am in him I have started seeing and been apart of miracles. Are we going to be those who keep saying show us so we will believe or are we going to believe and watch the miracles happen?

Prayer: Father I thank you that you are a miracle working God and that I have been apart of Miracles that you have done. I thank you for the provisions and blessings you pour out on us each day. I ask for increased faith, grow my faith.

March 10th God Shaped Hole

Reading: Exodus 38-39 and John 1

Scripture: John 1:38, Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, "What are you seeking?" And they said to him, "Rabbi" (which means Teacher), "where are you staying?"

Thoughts: How do we answer the question “What are you seeking?” I know that during my life I  have had times that what I was seeking was just something to fill a hole that I didn’t know what shape it took. There was times for going to drugs, alcohol, and relationships to try to fill that hole. Later I learned that I know what fit in that hole. Growing up in the church I had the answer and after a time and going through hard times I took that God shaped puzzle piece and put it on a shelf, and proceed to try to fill it with things of the world. After about 12 years of running and not listening to what God had for me I herd him again. I finished Bible college 15 years after high school I have a wonderful God centered wife and family. I have one question, Do you know where Jesus is staying tonight?

Prayer: Father, I thank you for always seeking me and pursuing me. I am in awe of the love you have for me even when I place you on a shelf and walk away. I thank you for the provision and blessings you pour out on us each day and how you take care of us and touch our lives. I ask that you continue to open my eyes and ears to your purpose and your direction for my life.

March 9th Too Much, Too Much!!!!!!

Reading: Exodus 36-37 and Romans 16

Scripture: Exodus 36:3-5, And they received from Moses all the contribution that the people of Israel had brought for doing the work on the sanctuary. They still kept bringing him freewill offerings every morning, so that all the craftsmen who were doing every sort of task on the sanctuary came, each from the task that he was doing, and said to Moses, "The people bring much more than enough for doing the work that the Lord has commanded us to do."

Thoughts: Many out there think I’m too poor to give or the rich can give, especially when it comes to giving to the church. The staggering numbers of 10-25 percent of a congregation tithes. After Moses lead Israel out of Egypt they asked for the donations to build the Tabernacle. The Tabernacle as elaborate and ornate as it and it’s furnishings were it was just a tent for God. Moses asked for a free will offering of all the things needed for building the Tabernacle and after a time the workers came to Moses and said, “We have too much” and Moses had to go to the people and tell them to stop giving. Where is giving heart that God calls us to have today. We (Americans) are one of the richest nations in the world. I know I struggle with the idea that I don’t have a newer car and I live paycheck to paycheck but God takes care of me and he is the reason I have the things I do. A loving family, a home and transportation to where I need to go. We are so rich and need to share that with other. God says to test him many times to in both the old and new testaments but the one that always sticks out to me is Malachi 3:10, “Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.” As we give the 10th of what we bring in to God, He will make that 90% go further then we could make it go. Dave Ramsey and many others suggest Tithe, Save, then Live. My pastor also puts is this way “God First Life Second. Place God in the correct place in your life. God wants us to have an abundantly overflowing life with him. 

Prayer: Father I thank you for the wisdom and directions you give me with the finances and time. I thank you got placing people in my life that pour your love and wisdom into me and I get the opportunity to do the same for others. I long to share more then I need to live on, I ask that you continue to guide and give wisdom in how to give more and use less. As it have been said before all is yours God and we are the stewards of what you give us. Let us be the servant that grows your talents and not the one who hides it away.

March 8th I need to do what???

Reading: Exodus 34-35 and Romans 15

Scripture: Exodus 34:19-20, All that open the womb are mine, all your male livestock, the firstborn of cow and sheep. The firstborn of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb, or if you will not redeem it you shall break its neck. All the firstborn of your sons you shall redeem.

Thoughts: As I read this passage in Exodus my first thought went to my children thinking about my firstborn is my daughter but it says to redeem the firstborn of your sons. Being reminded of the first portion of this passage, “All that open the womb” we all belong to God. Some of us have run away seeking the joy and experience of a lifetime that the world claims is out there. As we become redeemed by the Blood of Christ we will find a Joy that surpasses all understanding even in the mist of loss and difficulties. 

Prayer: Father I thank you redeeming me and the reminder all is yours. As the stewards of what you have given to me, I place my children, my family, and my finances in your hands you can do abundantly more with it then I ever could think of. I ask you open my eyes and ears to your direction and your purpose. 

March 7th Who is doing What?!?!

Reading: Exodus 32-33, Psalm 1, and Romans 14

Scripture: Romans 14:11-12, for it is written, "As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.” So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.

Thoughts: I need the reminder from time to time that one day the book of my life will be laid before God the Father and the accuser will be there pointing out all the evil I have done and every time I fell. I am great full for the fact that the Lord Jesus Christ is going to be be there as our advocate saying I took that, and image of a drop of Jesus’ blood dripping onto my book where my lists of sins are and them vanishing and transforming into the righteousness that we walk in each day in his name. We have been bought with a price that we can not afford. 

Prayer: Father you are the one true King, I am in awe of you and the love you have for me and my life. I thank you for the men you have brought into my life and the brotherhood and connection that we have. I thank you for the provision and blessings you give us each day and every hour. You are the rock. I ask that the boldness I need and the strength that is not in me for your purpose each day bubble up within me to declare your name and not hide who I am.

March 6th Who's in Charge here???

Reading: Exodus 30-31, Psalm 132, and Romans 13

Scripture: Romans 13:1, Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.

Thoughts: This day and age I hear so many people complaining about the government. We must do our part and vote and be apart of the process. We are the hands and feet of the Lord and no one in authority has been placed there without God willing it. We can be apart of it and work under the authority that God has raised up or we can let the Lord’s plan work without us. 

Prayer: Father I thank you for the opportunities to be apart of your plan and that you have a place for me. I thank you for the provisions and blessings you pour out on me and my family. I ask that you help me to see you directions and plans for me and your family. I seek where you have for me to work and what you have for me to do. I seek your purpose for us. 

March 5, 2019 Remember Remember

Reading: Exodus 28-29 and Romas 12

Scripture: Exodus 28:9-10 and 12, You shall take two onyx stones, and engrave on them the names of the sons of Israel, six of their names on the one stone, and the names of the remaining six on the other stone, in the order of their birth. And you shall set the two stones on the shoulder pieces of the ephod, as stones of remembrance for the sons of Israel. And Aaron shall bear their names before the Lord on his two shoulders for remembrance.

Thoughts: This weekend we had a guest speaker and spoke about how we are to lift up and take care of; the depleted, the depressed, and the afflicted. As I came to this passage this morning about the making the priests’ Garments and the stones of remembrance. For us we are not just remembering the history of the faith and what God has brought them through but now what God has done for us and as a remembrance of where we came from and to help lift up people and to take care of those depleted depressed and afflicted people because we have been them at some point and we are to help them out. 

Prayer: Father I thank you for all you have done for us and the wisdom that you give us in times of need. I thank you for your provisions and blessings that you for out on us each day. You have set forth how the priests of old were to bear the names and remember and now that you have brought us into your family and made us priests we have been given the same burden and I gladly lift those in need up and point them to you. 

March 4th 2019 Grafted in

Reading: Exodus 26-27, Romans 11, and Matthew 28

Scripture: Romans 11:8, as it is written,  "God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that would not see and ears that would not hear, down to this very day.”

Romans 11:24, For if you were cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, the natural branches, be grafted back into their own olive tree.

Thoughts: As we sit in opposition to God we will be left to our own choices and our own evilness. God is not going to force us to follow him. Just as Pharaoh started hardening his own hard to God’s word and later God hardened his hard, we if we run long enough we may be give the spirit of stupor. Not that we would be stupid or ignorant but we would no longer hear or feel God’s tugging on our hearts. As Paul spoke about grafting I am grateful that I am grafted into God’s family but I am also grateful that those who were in the family are allowed to be grafted back in. I am not part of the family/nation of Israel but Growing up in the church I had a faith and in my 20’s I ran from the Lord. I know the Joys of being regrafted into the family. 

Prayer: Father, I thank you that you are a God who pursues us and calls us into you. I thank you for your provisions and blessings that you pour out each day. I long to know you more and seek your plans and directions in the lives of me and my family. I ask that you touch the prodigals, have that still small voice speak to them that it is time to come home. Give us the grace and mercy to welcome them back and show them your love and not our own judgment. 

March 1st 2019 Where did all the good things go??!?!?

Reading: Exodus 22, Psalm 119:97-136 and Romans 8

Scripture: “For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!"”Romans 8:15 ESV

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 ESV

Thought: I alway love to hear the reminder that even as a sinful wicked person God sill wanted me and opened the adoption to bring me into the family. It took me accepting that gift of adoption for me to be brought into the family. He wants us all to be in his family and none of us to perish but he will not force us to love or walk in his ways. 

Coming across the passage of Romans 8:28 I felt that the stigma against this passage. This passage gets over used and missed used in time of loss and time of struggle. We as Christians, so often when we see someone hurting will through this passage out to, “help the hurting person.” What we don’t understand is to none christians and those in pain can cause people to turn away from God because it can seem like God is spiteful or even a god that is vengeful. I don’t see this passage a way to try to comfort these people. This shows the nature of God. Just like in Job where Satin had to go before God to ask permission to do things to Job we are under God’s wings. Because we are living in a fallen world trials, tribulations, and loss will happen in our lives. It is not about God stopping all bad things from happening but it's about us following him through those trials, tribulations, and losses and allowing him to show us the microphone that those trials, tribulations, and losses give us to share his word. 

Prayer: Father, You are so wonderful and you show us the way. I thank you for the blessings and provisions you pour out each day. You are my provider and my strength in time of need. You are my Joy in the mist of the pain and trials. I ask your direction and your plain for all I do. Open my eyes to your purpose for me, my family, and the your ministry what you have for me. Lead me and light the next step.