I Have Spoken

Reading: Ezekiel 35-36, Psalm 77, 1 Timothy 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 a bit of a nerd/geek the thing that caught my eye and made this passage stand out is toward the end of the passage. “I have spoken” drew me in with a saying I recognized from the Star Wars show The Mandalorian. Kuiil would answer almost every question of direction with this quote “I have spoken.” Yet, as I looked at this passage and those around it Ezekiel is speaking of the promise God is making to restore the things that were stolen but this would not come about until we are cleansed of our iniquities. I’m sure there are many thoughts on when that is and if that is referring to Israel or all of creation. This promise will be a light to the world that they can not deny, saying He has rebuilt ruined places and also talked about desolate places being like Eden. Then closes this entire thing with the declaration “I Have Spoken.” Are we listening and believing that He is Lord God and that what He says will come true? No matter if it is a Word for the nation, for the state, for the county, for the city, or just for you if God spoke it, it will be so. Number 23:19 talks about how God is not a man that he lies or a son of man that he may change his mind. He has spoken and it will come to pass.

Prayer: Lord God, your ways are higher than my ways your knowledge greater than any on earth. You spoke all things into existence; you knew us before we were born. I thank you for seeing me and knowing me. I thank you for the blessings and provisions that are coming. Your love knows no bounds. I thank you for being here with us leading and guiding. Fill us to overflowing that we can pour out your love and grace on those around us.

Watching the watchmen.

Reading: Ezekiel 33-34, Psalm 114, 1 Timothy 2

Scripture: Ezekiel 33:6, But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, so that the people are not warned, and the sword comes and takes any one of them, that person is taken away in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at the watchman’s hand.

Thoughts: Who are the watchmen in your life? Watchmen are those people who call sin, sin. They are the ones who are out there warning people of the consequences of their actions. Charlie Kirk was a watchman, he was willing to stand up for Christ and call out sin. Not only do we need watchmen in our lives who can call us out when we have sin or when something is attacking us. We also need to be watchmen for others.

Prayer: Father God I thank you for those men in my life who act as watchmen and point out where I fall short. I ask that you send more and deepen the relationship so that we can call each other out when things go astray. I ask that you help me to stand in the gap and speak love and truth to this world. Not condemning but to be a light on those things that are not of you. Help us all to call sin, sin that we may be repentant.

Are we cursed?

Reading: Lamentations 1-2, Psalm 79, and Philippians 1

Scripture: Lamentations 2:17, The Lord has done what he purposed; he has carried out his word, which he commanded long ago; he has thrown down without pity; he has made the enemy rejoice over you and exalted the might of your foes.

Thoughts: As I read this, I think about how things today are getting progressively worse. When you look at what it looks like for a nation to be under the curse of God in Deuteronomy 28 there are many parallels that can be seen in this country. Specifically on the west coast of the United States I have seen the difficulty in buying a home and the raising up of the immigrants that is talked about in verse 30 it says, “You shall betroth a wife, but another man shall ravish her. You shall build a house, but you shall not dwell in it. You shall plant a vineyard, but you shall not enjoy its fruit.” It feels like the Lord is doing what he said he would do. Yes, this was written in Lamentation weeping over what was happening to Israel at the time, but this is a word for now as well. Our nation was founded on Christian principles but as I have watched this nation over the course of my life it has fallen deeper into the throes of self-centeredness and debauchery. Are we fighting to root out the evil and sin in our nation or are we going to let it quietly overcome and fully curse our home?

Prayer: Lord God, I thank you that you give us warnings and promises in your word. I thank you for your discernment that we may understand the promises for when we follow and when we stray. I thank you that you are leading and guiding me. I thank you for the insight on where I do not measure up and the opportunity, I have in you to grow and overcome those obstacles. I ask for your strength and boldness to speak where you call me to say.

You have that on right?

Reading: Jeremiah 42-44 and Ephesians 6

Scripture: Ephesians 6:18, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

Thoughts:  When we talk about the Armor of God, we tend to only talk about the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of readiness, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit. Yet so often we forget what comes in verse 18. I see there being two sections of armor first being those things you have always on, and second those things that you do something with. Praying is the last thing in the list of do statements about the armor, the take up applies to the shield helmet, and sword, those you take up as you run into battle but the one thing that Paul says is to pray always. We often think that when there is no attack we can take everything off and relax, but we need to be prepared for the battle we do not see. Keeping on the belt shoes and breastplate, ready to take up the shield helmet, and sword, but also covering everything we do with prayer. Keep alert keep your armor on and ready for the battle and cover the King’s Army with prayer.

Prayer: Father God, I thank you that you made a covenant with us, and we have the authority to take up your armor and be a part of your army. I am in awe of your creation and the majesty in it. I thank you for your provisions in my life, for my job that provides for our needs. I thank you for the blessings you pour out on us, giving us vehicles to get around, food in abundance, and the strength in our bodies to do the things that are required of me. I ask that you help me to continue to steward those things you have put in my control well that I may honor you with all I have. Help us all always to have your armor on, help us to stay vigilant, and cover all things in prayer.

How are you treating your body?

Reading: Jeremiah 40-41, Psalm 38, and Ephesians 5

Scripture: Ephesians 5:28 In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.

Thoughts: After two failed marriages I must look back and see where my fault was in those marriages. First, I was too selfish. Yes, I am still selfish today, but I have also learned how to put my wife before myself. I spent many years in search of self-gratification only looking for the things that fill my wants and needs. That is in part what caused those marriages to fail. Two, I could not love those women the way they deserved to be loved. Here Paul is calling us to love them as we love ourselves, there are other places where we are exhorted to love as Christ loved the Church. When loving ourselves we take care of all our needs, we look to find pleasure in this world, sometimes to the detriment of our health. If we look at loving our wife as Christ loved the church, that is a sacrificial love, a Love that is willing to give up everything to save and serve the one He loves. I know that part of my failure as a husband was that I could not put my wife’s needs first and looking back I do not know if I could have laid my life down for those women or stood between them and the attacks that could come. We need to walk in the headship that God has placed on us, not a controller but the source. God did not say He was the controller of the church he said he is the source and we are called to be the head of the family as He is the head of the church. What are we pouring out into our family, is it Love, honor, grace, and mercy or are we filling our homes with selfishness, strife, control, and fear? I struggle with pouring the right things into my family I still fail, yet God continues to work in me that I may be the husband and father that my wife and children deserve.

Prayer: Father God, you are the example I strive to emulate, your love knows no bounds. I thank you that you are the Good Good Father and that you are worthy of all praise. I thank you that you have brought into my life imperfect men who are still shining your light and love into their families and the world. I thank you for bringing me into that family that I can be poured into so that I can pour into others. I ask that you continue to open my eyes to see the things I need to remove and help me to find the necessary help to remove those things from my life.

Today is the day

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

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

Thoughts: Woke up this morning, living in an RV for almost 20 months. Before I could get in the shower, I needed to swap out the propane for heat and hot water after it ran out overnight, then after getting my shower and getting dressed I had to step outside again to dump the black tank. All this before 4 AM and breakfast. Yet God still gives me the ability to laugh about this situation. God has provided for my family of four and a dog to have a roof over our head, food in our bellies, and transportation to where we need and want to go. God has blessed us so much. Our plans may have been to be in our home a year ago, but God knows what we need, knows when we need it, and has His plans for us that are better than any, we could dream up ourselves. We need to rejoice and be glad on the day the Lord made. We need to remember that Joy is not a feeling it is a choice. Happiness can come and go with your situation but when you choose to have joy and rejoice in all situations, we shine God’s involvement in our lives and others notice. Bring the Joy.

Prayer: Lord God, you are the Joy of the World. You made this day, and I thank you for it. You created all things you provide all things; I thank you for the provisions and blessings you pour out on us. I thank you for the roof over my head, for my job that provides for my family. I thank you for my family and the growth I am experiencing both as a husband and father. I thank you for growing me every day.

Just the Tip!?!?

Reading: Ezekiel 23-24 and Galatians 5

Scripture: Galatians 5:12, I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves!

Thoughts: Sarcasm and exaggeration are so common today that sometimes it is difficult to see. As Paul was speaking to the Galatian church about the group of people who were intent on making all the Christians follow the Law that Jesus came to fulfill. They were telling them that they needed to be circumcised to be saved. Christ fulfilled the Law and threw his sacrifice we no longer need the sign of the old covenant we no longer need to bring goats and sheep to use their blood to cover our sins. Christ was the perfect lamb who covered the sins of the World. Paul is calling out those people trying to add rules and regulations to what Christ did. It seems to me that Paul is saying that if you are pushing the circumcision to show you are more holy than maybe you should do more than just trim the foreskin. We were brought into God’s family through the perfect life and sacrifice of Jesus not by walking out any set of rules and regulations set forth to show us that we cannot measure up to the requirements of perfection that God calls for. Only by accepting the gift of Christ’s blood covering in us can we have a connection and a right relationship with God.

Prayer: Father God, I thank you for sending your Son. I thank you for making a way for me to have a relationship with you. You are worthy of all praise and adoration. Your ways are higher than our ways, your knowledge is so much greater than ours. I thank you for the provisions and blessings you pour out on us. I thank you for the refining you are doing in my life. Help me remove the things in my life that are not of you. I thank you for the people in my life who are helping me recognize those things.

Not My President

Reading: Ezekiel 2-5 and Romans 13

Scripture: Romans 13:1-2, 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. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.

Thoughts: No matter what side of the political spectrum you are on, I have heard the phrase "Not My President." No matter if you voted for that person elected or not or if there is another form of authority over you, we are subject to that authority. We must remember that just because they are in authority and God put them there does not mean they are good. God used many foreign evil kings to bring discipline to Israel; there could be a discipline or an awakening being done through this and all we can do is serve God. God is putting those authorities in place for a reason, we may not understand but we are subject to it. Even when we do not agree with the current authority if we break the laws set forth by that authority there will be a judgment. Christ was judged, but a corrupt system put him to death and later Peter said, "we must obey God rather than men." showing we are not to be doormats to be walked on. Following God will have a cost and sometimes that cost can come from the authorities whom God put in place. Follow God and his Word no matter what the consequences are even if it is judgment.

Prayer: Lord God, your ways are higher than my ways, you know the troubles of this world. I thank you that there is a purpose for all things. I thank you for your provisions and blessings that you are pouring out on us. I ask that you help me to walk out your ways and seek you. Help me to stand up for you. I pray that there is a plethora of evidence against me when they come to charge me with being your follower.

Spiritual Worship

Reading: Jeremiah 51, Ezekiel 1, and Romans 12

Scripture: Romans 12:1, I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

Thought:  Growing up I always thought of worship as just singing to God. I stand and sing the songs during service which was my act of worship. As I grew in understanding that is one of the smallest parts of worship. The English word comes from weorthscipe, meaning "worthiness" or "state of being worthy." So, if we worship something or someone, we are showing the worth of that thing or person. Our spirit wants to show God His worth. Paul addresses this when he said to present a sacrifice, the people of that time knew sacrifices living in a sacrificial system. Yet, a living sacrifice and it being our own bodies can seem odd. Paul says, "by the mercies of God," leading me to feel that part of this sacrifice will be linked to our comforts and desires. Are we putting ourselves into uncomfortable situations to share the gospel? Are we giving up some of our wants and desires to be generous to God and others? 

Prayer:  Father God, you are worthy of all praise, my worship pales in comparison to what you deserve. I thank you that I have the ability to worship you. I lay my life before you. Help me to show your worth in all that I do.

Irrevocable.

Reading: Jeremiah 51 and Romans 11

Scripture: Romans 11:29, For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.

Thoughts: I thank God that His gifts and callings are irrevocable. I know that I have felt that His calling had been taken from me, that His gift was gone and I would lose all I had. This passage is a great reminder that no one can take God’s gifts and callings from us. That does not mean that He will shove them down our throat. The thing with gifts is that first we must receive them until we accept His gifts and that includes the gift of His Son’s sacrifice we have nothing. Also, we can return that gift. Just like returning that odd Christmas or birthday gift we do not have to keep it. Revelation 3:5 says that He will not blot out our name from the book of life but that does not mean that we cannot choose to remove it ourselves.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for your calling and gifts in my life. I stand in awe that you would know me and receive me. I thank you for the provisions that you pour out on me and my family. I thank you for my family. I ask that you help me to recognize those things in my life that distract me from you and those things that lead me into temptation and sin. Please help me to remove those things that take me away from your presence.

Justified and Saved

Reading: Jeremiah 39, 50 and Romans 10

Scripture: Romans 10:10, For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.

Thoughts: I know that there are Christians all around the world being persecuted and killed for their faith. Currently, in the United States, we still have the freedom to speak without fear of prosecution and are safe to show our faith. I can wear clothing that points to God, and I can walk down the street and share the gospel. Yet we do not. Paul is telling us how to be saved, by believing and confessing. Here we have been groomed to believe that we cannot say anything about God. We are given a spirit of fear, a feeling of inadequacy, or even not feeling like we know what to say. All those excuses are lies told to us by the evil one. If we do not confess before others, the Bible says Jesus will not confess us before the Father. Let us be bold, let us remove the excuses from our lives, and share with the world what Jesus did for you.

Prayer: Lord God, I thank you for sending your Son to pay the price for my sins. I am in awe that your love is so great that even if I were the only one who needed it you would have sent Him anyway. I thank you for your provisions and blessings in my life. I ask that you help me to remove the thoughts of inadequacy, remove the fear of rejection. I thank you for the tools you have given me I ask that you help me to raise the priority of learning and using the tools you have given me.

By flesh or promise?

Reading: Jeremiah 34, 37-38 and Romans 9

Scripture: Romans 9:8, This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring.

Thoughts: Most of the world is not descendants of Abraham or Issac. Paul is making the case that through Christ we are adopted into the family of God that has the covenant with Him, but also that some were born into the family who have rejected Christ and are the branches being pruned that the grafted in branches may bear fruit. In the previous verse, he said we are named for Israel. Originally Jacob (deceiver), Israel had his identity changed when he had an encounter with God. This is telling me that we are not just our parents' children, or what our name is. When you look at a group of people who all have the same name there are almost always similarities in who they are. In the western world most do not name their children thinking about the meaning but in other parts of the world, the meaning of names is important. Jacob being the “deceiver” or king Jabez being “will cause pain” these a just a couple of examples. My name means “God will increase,” When we encounter God are we going to be grafted in or pruned away? And are we living up to or down to the names our parents gave us? With that in mind, what is the name that God has given you, is he confirming what your parents gave you, or does he have a new one for you?

Prayer: Father God, you are so wonderful, you knew us before we were in our mother's womb. You know the hairs on our head and the trials we are walking through. I thank you that you know me and for calling me friend and adopted son. I thank you for my name that I know and if there is any other make it known to me. I thank you that you are with me and for leading and guiding me. I continue to seek your wisdom that I may steward those things you have placed in my life. I thank you that you have grafted me in, that I may I bear fruit. Help me so that when life squeezes me that you are what comes out and not my anger.

Consequences Smonsequences

Reading: Jeremiah 32-33 and Romans 8

Scripture: Jeremiah 32:42, For thus says the Lord: Just as I have brought all this great disaster upon this people, so I will bring upon them all the good that I promise them.

Thoughts: It is easy to focus on the grace and mercy of God, or the blessings and prosperity that are promised. Yet, we need to remember God is also just. In this Passage God is reminding Israel that He did bring about the disaster yet through His justice Israel was still under the promise made to them. We have promises made to us that we have in store but because of the justice that must be served there are consequences to our sins. One promise is that our name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life when we accept Jesus as Lord and Savior and just because we are saved from the wailing and gnashing of teeth that comes from the separation from God, we still have the consequences of our actions. We are given free will we have the choice to seek God or follow the world. God will not stop us from choosing to sin and receiving the consequences. If I decide to spit into the wind God will not keep it from blowing back into my face. We need to keep in mind that when you have unrepentant sin in your life God will let you experience the consequences and maybe disasters that come from the choices we make.

Prayer: Lord God, I thank you for your blessings, for your grace and your mercy. I thank you that you are leading and guiding me. I ask for forgiveness for the sins in my life. I ask that you help me see them, learn how to remove them, and overcome the temptations that will come.

Its killing me.

Reading:  Jeremiah 30-31 and Romans 7

Scripture: Romans 7:10-11, The very commandment that promised life proved to be death to me. For sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and though it killed me.

Thoughts: As Paul talked about how the Law made sin known, verses 10-11 jumped out at me. Looking at the Law in general from the 10 commandments to all the hundreds of Levitical laws that were to guide the nation, these laws were to lead them into life and prosperity. Yet, like many things meant for good the evil one will twist them for his own use. The law was meant to point out the sin that we could turn from it; the evil one uses it to condemn us calling us into the death that comes from separation from God. Sin is always looking for a way to infiltrate our lives and make us focus on our shortcomings, inadequacies, and failures. Jesus was the only one who was able to fulfill the law and take on our sins, every year the Jews would come seeking to fulfill the law with the blood of sheep and goats, but Jesus was able to cover sin completely without the need for continual sacrifices. Do not let sin deceive you, our sins were nailed to the cross with Jesus, He took the wages that we earned so that we could stand before our Father washed clean.

Prayer: Lord God, I thank you that you did give us the Law that we have a way to recognize what sin is. I thank you that even though we deserve death, you have given us a way to come to you and live. I thank you for your grace and mercy given to us through your Son. I ask that you help me to better recognize the sin in my life so that I can cut it out, that I can be a light to the world around me.

Comfort that is not comforting.

Reading: Jeremiah 28-29, Psalm 17, and Romans 6

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11, For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Thoughts: I feel that this passage has a tendency to be overused and misused. I see so many using this verse to try and comfort someone in times of loss or pain, trying to comfort them with the thought that God has a plan. There can be comfort in the knowledge that God has a plan, but I can promise that is not something someone wants to hear in the midst of their pain or loss. When you look at the context of this verse and what is going on, there was a "prophet" who was disagreeing with Jeremiah. Jeremiah was telling Israel to build homes and settle in you will be in Babylon for 70 years and this other prophet was saying they would go home in 2 years. This passage was a comfort in the knowledge that there is an end but not that their situation was going to change soon. When we sold our house and moved into a travel trailer our plan was six to eight months and we would be in our house on the property we bought. Nearly twenty months later our house is to be delivered in the next few days, but we will still not be able to live in it for a while longer because of work that needs to be done to finish things to get the approval from the county that everything is done and done properly so we can move into the house. Israel and the lying prophet had plans to briefly stay in Babylon, yet God knew the land needed rest and his plans included them to be there for much longer than they wanted. Yes, God has plans for us, welfare, and hope but His plans very rarely look like ours.

Prayer: Lord God, I know you have plans for me, plans for welfare and not evil, to give us a future and a hope. I thank you for having the plan. I thank you for being a part of your plan. I thank you for my family and the provisions you give us. I ask that you help me walk in your plans.

See yourself as righteous???

Reading:  Jeremiah 21;24&27, Psalm 33, and Romans 5

Scripture:  Romans 5:7-8, For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

I thought it was interesting that the words used in these verses first the word "scarcely" the Greek word molis can also be translated as with difficulty, hardly, not easily, i.e. scarcely, very rarely. Then the word for "righteous" was dikaios in addition to the meaning of innocent, faultless, guiltless. They also can have the meaning of those who seem to themselves to be righteous, who pride themselves to be righteous, who pride themselves in their virtues, whether real or imagined. When we translate this passage with the first meaning  I was thinking what would it be difficult to die for a righteous person they have done no wrong? But if we use the second translation I could see it being very difficult to lay down my life for someone who thinks they can do no wrong. Especially when there is the comparison to what seems like a greater (however small) willingness to die for a good person. In the eyes of God, we are filthy rags that are good for nothing. Yet He was willing to send His Son to the cross to wash us clean. 

Prayer: Father God you are so wonderful. Your grace abounds and drenches us in love. I thank you for sending your Son that I can be grafted into your family, that I can call you ABBA, Daddy. Your loving kindness knows no bounds and envelops my life. I pray that I can honor you all my days. I ask that you bring to mind those things in my life that need removing and help me to find the help I need to remove them. 

Which was as good as dead.

Reading: Jeremiah 48-49 and Romans 4

Scripture: Romans 4:19, He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead ( since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s womb.

Thoughts: I feel like a resounding gong sometimes; I know that what I am writing is for myself as well as if any other person reads this. I know that I struggle with my self-image, whether it is feeling like I am unable to do something, or if it is waiting for something we heard God say was to come. Abraham waited 25 years for his son whom God promised. It is easy to get discouraged or frustrated when you do not see the answers you are looking for or the timing is not what you think it should be. Abraham’s faith was as strong at 100 as it was when he made the covenant with God. Every day I need to remind myself that God is faithful, and I need to remember to place Him first in my life. When I put things in the proper order, all things fall into place. When I seek God and focus on Him my relationship with my wife and my kids are blessed. Stop allowing yourself to consider your situation as anything other than the next step in God’s plan. Sometimes because we are sinful beings and we live in a fallen world the path may be detoured but God still has a plan and a place for you.

Prayer: Father God I thank you that you do have a plan for my life and that you are working all things for the good of those you are yours. I thank you that even in the midst of the pain and suffering you are with us and that you are growing us. Help me not to focus on the situation that I am facing but focus on you and the path you have laid before me.

Who you were and what you did.

Reading: Jeremiah 45-47, Psalm 86, and Romans 3

Scripture:  Romans 3:23-24, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,

Thoughts: When working through a Bible reading plan like the one, I am working through I end up reading some portions of scripture a couple of times mainly the New Testament. Some of the passages like Romans 3:23-24 can lose some of their punch after reading them so many times. I need the reminder not necessarily where I came from but who I was before. On my own, I am not able to come before God but through the gift of redemption in Christ I can stand before God. I know that it is not in me to be giving, kind, and selfless, but through the continual renewing and repentance of who I was, I am becoming more like God and able to be generous and kind. If you have watched a toddler or had one you know that selfishness is something we are born with some of the first words they learn are “NO” and “Mine” All have sinned and fallen short of the perfection that God requires to be in his presence. But God made a way through His Son that we are clothed in His righteousness and can come into his presence. Do not focus on who you were or what you have done but remember you have been redeemed and brought back into His presence.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for your love and for making a way for us to return to your presence. I thank you for sending your Son so that I could know you. You are worthy of all honor and praise. Your love endures forever. I ask for forgiveness for the times I have fallen into temptation. I turn to you and seek your help to walk with you and not seek my own way. I thank you for my family and the blessings you have poured out in my life, I thank you for the opportunity to steward a small part of what is yours.

Little Christ

Reading: Jeremiah 26, 35-36 and Romans 2

Scripture: Roans 2:3-4, Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?

Thoughts:  I know that I will not escape judgment, there are sins in my life. Like Paul, I do the things I do not want to do, and I do not do the things I want to do. I do my best not to judge others for the sins they struggle with, yet we are to call out the sin in others' lives so that they can repent and return to God. This does not mean that like the world thinks, all things are permissible and that we all have our own truth. Paul asked, “Should I sin more that grace may abound?” We are to emulate Christ. Christian means 'little christ,' which was originally a derogatory term for early Christ followers. We are to reflect Him in all that we do be like a little Christ a reflection of Him. Yes, we will fail, yet we are to continually get back up, turn back to God, and seek Him. His great grace and loving kindness are calling us to repentance instead of condemning us as the world does. Though I struggle with anger and lust, they do not define me, and I have to be reminded that I’m not condemned by them, but I do need to strive to be more like Christ when those temptations arise.

Prayer: Lord God, your patience overflows with me, every day I take two steps forward and one step back. I lay my life at your feet; I lay my anger and lust down on the cross. I praise you with all I have, even when it feels inadequate. I thank you for the work you are doing in me. I thank you that as the potter you continue to work me into the vessel that you need me to be. I ask that you help me see the progress and the steps to come.

Approval and Practice

Reading: Jeremiah 23&25 and Romans 1

Scripture: Romans 1:32, Though they know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.

Thoughts: After a long list of things that bring judgment from God, there is this passage, “Though they know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.” I see this in many churches today, just in the verses preceding that bring up everything from gossip, and homosexuality, to envy and murder. There are those “churches” that will not speak against the things God speaks against, and others actively promote some of the things that God speaks against. I know that even the most trivial on the list like Gossip may be spoken against from the pulpit but is not enforced and has a tendency to run rampant even in the most faithful church. When we read the Word of God we need to be sure what we are reading is accurate, there are so many translations out there that have twisted the translation or paraphrased it to say what the translators want. When you have a good translation if your church teaches something besides what is in the Word it may be time to find somewhere that does not add or subtract from God’s Word.

Prayer: Lord God, you are the Way the Truth, and the Life. Your Son is the only way to you. I thank you for the forgiveness that you gave me through the sacrifice of your Son. You are the beginning and the end. I thank you for leading me to a church that teaches your Word and does not add or take away from any of your commands, your precepts, or your teachings. I thank you that you are leading and guiding me. I ask that you continue to open my mind to a better understanding of your Word as I read and seek you every day.

They are watching?

Reading: 2 Kings 24, Jeremiah 22, Psalm 43, and Acts 28

Scripture: Acts 28:6, They were waiting for him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw no misfortune come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.

Thoughts:  After Paul was bitten by the viper and shook it off, he continued to work, doing what must be done. He did not dwell on what happened or have a pity party complaining about how bad things are. He worked to the glory of God, and as they watched him expecting him to die, they saw God’s work. We go through trials and tribulations and I know how easy it is to want to throw those pity parties and complain about what you are going through, when we do that we are not showing the strength and power of God. I try only to share the things that point to God’s power and glory. It is not in me to be loving and kind in the midst of overwhelming situations, and I know that even with the strength that God has given me I still fall into letting the emotions dictate my reactions and attitude toward the problem. When I take time to focus on Him and seek His wisdom, plans, and peace things go much better and I treat everyone with more love and kindness. What are others seeing when they look at you when you are walking through a storm?

Prayer: Lord God, creator of all things, you are worthy of all I have to give and so much more. I lay my life before you and thank you that you know me. You know the hairs on my head and the groaning of my heart. I thank you for my family and my friends. I thank you for those people you have placed in my life to call me out and be the iron to sharpen me. I ask that you use me in that same way and help others. Help me to be an example and share your love with those around me.

Worthy of all praise

Reading: Jeremiah 19-20, Psalm 146, and Acts 27

Scripture: Psalm 146:1-2, Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord, O my soul! I will praise the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.

Thoughts:  Why is it that I need these reminders to praise God? I get to see the majesty of his creation every day. I enjoy the family and friends that are in my life. I get to taste the abundance of the world around us. I get to smell the rain and the produce of the land. I get to experience His love and affection. I get to experience His rebuke and correction. I get to wake up every day with breath in my lungs. Without God and His loving kindness, His mercy and grace I would be nothing, and I would be going nowhere. I praise God for his love that would not let me stay where I was when I found him. God is worthy of it all and so much more than what I can give.

Evidence of What?

Reading: Jeremiah 17-18 and Acts 26

Scripture: Acts 26:29, And Paul said, “Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am—except for these chains.”

Thoughts: Whenever Paul had the opportunity, he would present the gospel, no matter what the situation he found himself in he pointed to God. I have heard it asked many times, “Is there enough evidence to convict you of being a follower of Christ?” We are on trial every day by our coworkers, the traffic you drive home in, our brothers and sisters in Christ, yet if there was a camera following us around would there be evidence of who we say we serve? There is no doubt in my mind that Paul would have the abundant evidence but looking at my life, I know that there are days weeks, and months where there was extraordinarily little evidence. I want that kind of evidence in my life.

Prayer: Lord God, you are worthy of all praise, you are worthy of my whole life. Your presence overwhelms my soul. I thank you for all you have done. I thank you for my family, I thank you for the provisions you pour out on us. I thank you for the wisdom and power to do your work. I ask that you help me to use those for your glory and honor. Help me to steward well those things that you have blessed me with. I place them all in your hands, it was all yours from the beginning.

Appeal to Heaven

Reading: Jeremiah 15-16, Psalm 10, and Acts 25

Scripture: Acts 25:11, If then I am a wrongdoer and have committed anything for which I deserve to die, I do not seek to escape death. But if there is nothing to their charges against me, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar.

Thoughts: I love this reminder of where my citizenship is, and that we have the right to appeal to our Lord. Paul as a Roman citizen had the right to appeal to Caesar and bring charges against Rome if a wrong had been done to him. Our appeal is not an accusation against God but a plea, a bringing of a situation to the higher power. One of the first flags used in the United States as we battled for our freedom from the British was the “Appeal to Heaven” flag. We have a higher authority to go to when the evil one comes accusing us. He has only come to steal, kill, and destroy and his power to do so only goes as far as we let it. Once we appeal to God and use the authority, He has granted us the evil one must flee. It does not mean he will not come back to attack again; just as when tempting Jesus, the evil one will return at an opportune time. Let us be in constant prayer and keep on the Lord’s armor.

Prayer: Lord God, you are so wonderful, your grace and mercy abound. Your love overflows in my life. I thank you for the covenant you made through your Son and that we have the ability to take up your armor. I ask that you help me remember always to have it on and to be ready to use it when needed.