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.

Incense before the Lord

Reading: Jeremiah 13-14, Psalm 141, and Acts 24

Scripture: Psalm 141:2 Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice!

Thoughts: When the Tabernacle was first introduced, Israel was commanded to keep incense always burning, and the regular evening sacrifices. As I read this and thought about it this is a call to have constant prayer in our lives. I know in Western culture, we were encouraged to busy ourselves to the point that things like prayer get left behind. Like the Steven Curtis Chapman song says, “Let us pray, like breathing out and breathing in, when we finish start again, let us pray.” Prayer should not be something we just do at meals and in the mornings and nights, it needs to be a part of everything we do, it is an ongoing conversation with God at all times. This is one of my biggest challenges, I struggle with keeping God at the forefront of my mind and letting my work and daily worries get in the way of seeking and worshipping God all day. Let my prayer be like the incense of the temple always before God.

Prayer: Lord God, you are worthy of all my praise and all my affection. You are the great I AM you own the cattle on a thousand hills. I thank you that you remind me of where I was and where you are calling me to. That there are progress and growth. I thank you for all your provisions and blessings. I ask that you continue to guide me so that I may steward those things that you have placed in my care. I place my family and finances in your hands.

You can do it!!!

Reading: Jeremiah 11-12, Psalm 97, and Acts 23

Scripture: Jeremiah 12:5, If you have raced with men on foot, and they have wearied you, how will you compete with horses? And if in a safe land you are so trusting, what will you do in the thicket of the Jordan?

Thoughts: After Jeremiah had been asking God, “How long is this going to go on” and lamenting over how those who are not following God are prospering. God comes back with If you weary from running with man how will you compete with horses? This is not an admonishment on how we are going but a reminder of what we are capable of with God’s power and authority on our side. When it comes to our situation of living in an RV as our house was built and our land was prepared, in my own power I would have only made it a few months, yet at this point, we are sitting at 17 months living in this travel trailer. It is God’s power and grace that have sustained me and allowed my wife to work through my problems in this small space. We also have had financial things come up in a way where we do not know where the money is coming from and we watch God change hearts and multiply things we did not know were there. God knows our abilities and what we are able to do, both with and without him and he calls us to do more than we think, and lean into him. Are you leaning into God or only into your own power and understanding?

Prayer: Father God you are my strength; you are the power through which I can do all things. I thank you for giving freely and abundantly. I thank you for the grace you grant me and my family. I thank you for the work you are doing in my heart. I ask that you continue to work in me. I give up my anxiety and anger and put on your peace and understanding.

Tongue Training

Reading: Jeremiah 9-10, Psalm 100, and Acts 22

Scripture: Jeremiah 9:5, Everyone deceives his neighbor, and no one speaks the truth; they have taught their tongue to speak lies; they weary themselves committing iniquity.

Thoughts: “They have taught their tongues to speak lies,” When I first read this passage it blew my mind, I had never thought about my tongue being taught. Then James 3:3-5 draws the compassion between a horse and its bit, and the ship and its rudder, and how the tongue can spark a great blaze, for most of my life through example, and letting my emotions guide my tongue. I have taught my tongue to be harsh and cutting, even to the ones I love. Now in my forties with a wife and children I need to break the habits and retrain my tongue. I can also see that I have been training my children’s tongues, they have the same harsh cutting tongue that I have been showing them for years. When we train our tongue in the harsh cutting ways as James says it leads our body in the same way and can easily move to a place where we hurt someone. When we train our tongue to worship and praise; to have kind tones and words; to lift up and encourage we will shine God’s light and love brighter than we ever thought. What are we training our tongue to do?

Prayer: Lord God, you are so wonderful, you are worthy of all honor and praise. I confess my inadequacy, that I have trained my tongue to be harsh and cutting. I need your help to retrain my tongue so that I can speak life and love into my wife, my children, my coworkers, and the world around me. Take the coal of your refining fire and touch my mouth that it may burn away the evil I have taught it that you may rebuild it in your image.

Nations that do not obey.

Reading: Jeremiah 7-8 and Acts 21

Scripture: Jeremiah 7:28, And you shall say to them, ‘This is the nation that did not obey the voice of the Lord their God, and did not accept discipline; truth has perished; it is cut off from their lips.

Thoughts: The United States was founded on biblical principles, and Israel was formed from a family seeking after one God. Both ebb and flow on how well they follow God. Through prophets, nations are warned of their departure from the calling and direction God laid out before them. I feel that this warning that Jeremiah was posing was not just for Israel and for that time. I feel that this warning is to our nation and to us personally. When we allow the world to influence us into becoming someone who does not listen to God and over time as each person ignores the discipline, so goes the nation. It is our job to continually redirect ourselves and those around us by pointing to God. We need to constantly be seeking Him who created us and shining His light into the world. Truth is perishing around us every day. The truth that God created male and female is being pushed out to encompass the various sins that people want to be accepted. Stand firm on God’s truth and who he calls us to be in His Word.

Prayer: Father God, you are the creator of all things, and you declared it was good. I am in awe of how nature cries of your greatness and so many still deny that you exist. I thank you for your grace and mercy. I thank you for your provisions. I thank you for my family. I long to hear your voice. I ask that you open my eyes and ears so that I can follow after you better. Help me to steward what you have given me well that I can honor you with all I have.

I need to do WHAT???

Reading: Jeremiah 5-6 and Acts 20

Scripture: Acts 20:22-23, And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me.

Thoughts: When you hear that a hard task or situation is coming, what do you do? I know that most people will do everything they can to avoid or postpone that situation. I would love to have not lived in a travel trailer for the past 18 months. We knew that there would be hardships and challenges, selling our home and moving into a 32-foot trailer. We also had our plan for this time, and it was not this long or had as many detours as we have had. Paul was told that going to Jerusalem would involve imprisonment and affliction, yet he also knew that he was to go to Rome. We knew we would have a home on the family property; we sold our house in town in March of 2024 and today we are still waiting for a delivery date for our house. We may not have the house yet, but we have a home in a cramped approximately 300sqft. Are you putting off what God has called you to because it looks hard in our human eyes? Or are we running toward the fame knowing God sent us and he will equip us for what he called us to.

Prayer: Lord God, only you know what is truly in store for us. I thank you that you will equip us and teach us through these hard times. You have called us to be a part of your plan that you have set forth from the beginning. I thank you that you have a part for me and for deeming me worthy to fight in your army. I thank you for your provision and blessings. Help me to step boldly in your way and shine your light in this dark world.

Run Away???

Reading: Jeremiah 3-4 and Acts 19

Scripture: Acts 19:9, But when some became stubborn and continued in unbelief, speaking evil of the Way before the congregation, he withdrew from them and took the disciples with him, reasoning daily in the hall of Tyrannus.

Thoughts: I know that there have been times when things got tough; instead of digging in and pushing through, I would often give up and leave. That is the easy thing to do, just walk away. Paul as he did started in the synagogue speaking to the Jews but when they were moving against him and the Gospel of Jesus, he didn’t pack it in like it was said in an earlier chamber, “may your blood be on your own head” Acts 18:6. As he removed himself from the Synagogue he took those who believed and became disciples with him to the hard to Gentile teaching the hall of Tyrannus. This was not a retreat from the fight it was jumping from the pan into the fire; Paul and the disciples headed straight into the next battle. When we have done all, we can do we sit down and lick our wounds, or do we see the victory of how far we came and start marching for the next battle that God has pointed out.

Prayer: Father God, you are the great strategist, you have already won the war and defeated the enemy. I walk in your victory and seek my part in the battles that continue to rage around us. You are the great I AM and deserve all the glory and honor. May your kingdom come and your will be done. Help me to curb my anger and aggression, so that I may not hurt those I love, but rather use it as a tool for protection and victory in your name.

The Duck and The Sword

Reading: Jeremiah 1-2 and Acts 18

Scripture: Acts 18:6, And when they opposed and reviled him, he shook out his garments and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”

Thoughts: The Gospel of Jesus Christ is offensive. The Gospel tells us that nothing we can do can get us to Heaven, that we are sinners, and that only through Jesus can we get to Heaven. I suspect that nobody likes being told they are not good enough. When sharing this offensive news there are bound to be those who will oppose and revile us. This is a great reminder that there are times to be a duck, in the sense that like a duck with a water drop on its back, we need to just let it roll off. Even though we are letting things go, we need to stay aware and keep our Armor on and our Sword at the ready. I have been reading/listening to fantasy novels and as these heroes get ready for battle one of the things they do is to clear their sword (if I’m remembering my term correctly) which is moving the sword in, out, and around in its scabbard a little. This is to make sure that when the time comes to pull their sword it does not get stuck. In “The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe” Aslan tells Peter, “Never put your sword away dirty.” In the heat of or after a battle anything that was on that sword is now in the scabbard and as it dries your sword can get stuck. A sword stuck in its scabbard is little more than a club. We are also not to neglect keeping our swords clean and sharpened. Between battle and in the calms we need to keep those swords(The Word) sharpened and practice with them that when that battle comes not only do we have an effective tool but we are prepared to use it.

Prayer: Lord God, you are worthy of all praise and honor. You are the alpha and omega. I thank you for paying me any attention. I am in awe that you know me and the hairs on my head. I thank you for the provision and blessings you pour out on us. I ask that you continue to mold me and make me into the man you call me to be. Open my eyes to my faults and failures so that I can seek forgiveness and restoration. Please help me to take the steps needed to remove the impurities in my life and fill them with things of you.

Turning the wold upside down.

 Reading: Zephaniah 1-3 and Acts 17

Scripture: Acts 17:6, And when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also,

Thoughts: I love this turn of phrase, “These men who have turned the world upside down.” When we look at Jesus’ ministry, he was the first to turn traditions and culture on its head. After around 1500 years of only having a cold law to guide them. Jesus brought life and love. Showing the value of all not just those who followed the law. The law said “tooth for a tooth” or in how I would say it, “Turn about is fair play” or “if you can’t take it don’t dish it out.” Jesus said to “turn the other cheek” I have recently heard a couple of different perspectives on this verse. First, after being hit on the cheek you were hit on is hot, you are now angry you are hot. In this instance turning the other cheek could mean to use your calm cool and collected side not the hot angry side. The second view focuses on a word in the verse in Matthew 5:39 Jesus “But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.” And the word focused on was right. In that culture, they would limit the use of their left hand because of what they used it for. So, the only way someone could be struck on the right side by the right hand when people are facing one another is with a backhand. As far as I under the meaning of a backhand has not changed, it has always been a very demanding and disrespectful hit. So, in this perspective turning the other cheek is saying, hit me like an equal. Both perspectives turn the culture of the time on its head. Let’s shine God’s love to the world around us and let it be said of us that we turned the world upside down.

Prayer: Lord God you are so wonderful. I thank you for all you are doing in my life. I ask for boldness to speak when you tell me to speak the strength to be silent when you say be silent, and the wisdom to hear and listen. Help me to be a light to this broken world that your loving kindness can be known.

Whose are you?

Reading: Habakkuk 1-3 and Acts 16

Scripture: Acts 16:38-39, The police reported these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Roman citizens. So they came and apologized to them. And they took them out and asked them to leave the city.

Thoughts: Paul and Silas had been beaten, thrown in jail, and had stuck around after God opened the doors to the prison for them during a prayer and worship session, allowing them to preach to the Jailer and not only save his life but his soul. These two didn’t worship because of who they were but because of whose they were and where their citizenship was. They knew they both had citizenship in Heaven and Rome. It is so easy to listen to the world and forget who we belong to. We were bought for a price. We have also been given full citizenship and authority in Heaven. The world wants to beat us down; tell us we are no good and take our authority away. Stop listening to the evil one spewing lies about you and remember what God says about you and where your citizenship lies.

Prayer: Lord God, your mercies overwhelm me, your loving kindness overflows. I thank you that you know me and know the hairs on my head. I thank you that I get to be a part of your work. I ask for your strength and wisdom as I walk through this storm. I thank you that you are here with me and that you hear the groaning of my heart where my words are not enough. Open my mouth to speak your words, open my ears to hear your voice. Speak through your servant.

The ease of evil

Reading: 2 Kings 23, 2 Chronicles 35, and Acts 15

Scripture: 2 Kings 23:31, Jehoahaz was twenty-three years old when he began to reign, and he reigned three months in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Hamutal the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah. And he did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his fathers had done.

Thoughts: Josiah had just spent his time as king cleaning up and removing all the idols and bringing the nation back to seeking after God. Just after his death his son takes over and in three months, he did what was evil in the sight of the Lord. This is a prime example of how seeking God and building our relationship with Him takes a lifetime, yet chasing the things of this world only takes a moment to lead you astray from God’s plan. The United States was founded nearly 250 years ago on Biblical principles. Just in my lifetime I have watched how the depravity of a hundred years ago is now acceptable in public. We have been so desensitized since the free love movement of the 60s and sexual sins being played out on TV. Today you are almost unable to find a show that does not have something that the Bible says is evil, and some of these kids' shows are so blatant that even I feel gross when I have seen them. Seek God and His kingdom every day, we can not keep ourselves from idols and evil on our own we need a fresh outpouring from Him every day.

Prayer: Lord God, I struggle with words to praise you and worship you, you are Holy and worthy, your grace abounds and your mercy never ends. Your creations cry out your greatness and wonder. I thank you for all you have done and all you are doing. I thank you for your loving kindness. I thank you for your provisions and the blessings you pour out on us. I thank you for my family and friends. I ask that you help me to seek you daily and shun the evil of this world. May your kingdom come and your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Just keep swimming…Just keep swimming

Reading: 2 Kings 22, 2 Chronicles 34, and Acts 14

Scripture: Acts 14:7, and there they continued to preach the gospel.

Thoughts: Paul and Barnabas were teaching and there were leaders, both Jew and Gentile who stirred up the people against them. After leaving due to the threat of stoning this passage says, “and there they continued to preach the gospel.” In the United States, we are insulated from much of the persecution and threat of death because of what we believe. How far are we willing to go when faced with death? My pastor used the example of going downtown and preaching the gospel if aliens and most people will not blink an eye at it. But the moment you preach the gospel of Christ you will get hate. Let us make up our minds now to continue to preach the gospel of Christ no matter what they due to us.

Prayer: Lord God, you are worthy of all praise and worthy of all my life. I commit that I will stand for you no matter what. You give and you take away. All I have is yours, my family, my things, my finances all belong to you. I ask that you give me wisdom to steward them well, to lead them well. Help me to be your light.

Lincoln Log Towers

Reading: Nahum 1-3 and Acts 13

Scripture: Nahum 3:12, All your fortresses are like fig trees with first-ripe figs— if shaken they fall into the mouth of the eater.

Thoughts: As I read this passage I hear the warnings of Nahum that what was being built was not on a firm foundation. We are being pursued by a roaring lion, seeking to devour us so that we will not be effective for God. When we build on our own no matter how good an architect we are in comparison to what God has for us and his plans we are only working with Lincoln logs. What looks like a fortress to us is easily knocked down. We need to come alongside God’s plan and work under His plan and that fortress will not fail.

Prayer: Father God, you are our strong tower, what you build no man can tear down. May your will be done. I strive to walk in your plans and seek your ways. Help me build with you your fortresses that we can overcome the evil one. I put on your armor so that I can be effective in your army. Help me to see where I'm lacking and grow in your ways. Help me to remove the sharp edges of my life.

OOOH Shiny!!!

Reading: 2 Kings 21, 2 Chronicles 33, Psalm 75, and Acts 12

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 33:10-11, The Lord spoke to Manasseh and to his people, but they paid no attention. Therefore the Lord brought upon them the commanders of the army of the king of Assyria, who captured Manasseh with hooks and bound him with chains of bronze and brought him to Babylon.

Thoughts: Time and time again Israel would seek after God for a while then turn to the gods of the nations around them. In this instance, God was speaking and trying to draw them back into relationships with Him. Israel would have kings who would rule for decades and would lead the nation to or away from God. They would have lots of time to change the world. Today every four to eight years our president gets changed out and there are swings in how this country is looking. As children of God, we need to be listening. I know how hard it is to listen to the still small voice, especially with the world screaming at us to pay attention to it through our phones, tablets, and TVs. We have so much information and opinions about everything bombarding us every minute of the day, it is easy to tune out what God is saying. There are those whom God has called to step away from these distractions completely and others whom He asks to take a break or even find a way to limit it. What are you called to? How are you going to listen?

Prayer: Father God, you are the Way, the Truth, and the Life. You are the answer. I ask that you help me to see where I need to put limits, where I need to remove things, and if just a break is needed. You know how these distractions affect everyone. I long to stand in your presence. I praise you in the storm of my life. I praise your name, all honor and glory be to you. Let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Help us to walk in your presence so that we can shine your light and point to the one who made it all.

They just keep coming!!

Reading: Isaiah 65-66, Psalm 124, and Acts 11

Scripture: Psalm 124:6-8, Blessed be the Lord, who has not given us as prey to their teeth! We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, and we have escaped! Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

Thoughts: For the last two years I have been working on building a home on some land, and for the last 18 months of that time we have been living in a 32-foot travel trailer. Throughout the process, we have seen our ups and downs. There have been times when the issues seemed to be insurmountable, and we thought the time in the trailer was only going to be six months to a year. My wife is a stay-at-home mother, homeschooling our kids and we are constantly tripping over each other and have little storage. On top of the process and steps for the house, most recently we have both taken steps to deepen our relationship with God and to support others in their deepening. Just as we took those steps we were attacked. Car problems, issues at work, issues with the house all coming at us at once. We are feeling at the end of our ability, and we possibly have been for a while. Yet, as this Psalm says, we have not been given over as prey, the snares are broken, and we are escaping. Our help is from the Lord.

Prayer: Lord God, I thank you that you are our help, that in our times of need and when we don’t know what to do you are there with us. I are the great I AM you are the creator of all things. Let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. I thank you for the strength to overcome these challenges. I thank you for the blessings and provisions you have for us. Help me to honor you with all I do and all I am.

Traditional traditions

Reading: Isaiah 62-64 and Acts10

Scripture: Acts 10:14, But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.”

Thoughts: Peter was just shown a sheet full of what tradition and Mosaic law said was unclean and should not be eaten and was told to eat. We have all grown up in some sort of tradition and rules, some very lax and others strict. When we stand back and look at the rules and traditions we grew up with do we tell God, “I cannot” when he is saying to go. I grew up in a tradition that said that the spiritual gifts were for during biblical times and are dead, but today I walk in those gifts and am a part of a church that teaches proper uses and practices of those gifts. I am not going to say one group is right or wrong we each have to listen to what God is saying to us through His Word(The Bible) and make our choice on what He is calling us to. Speak life and unity not division and death.

Prayer: Lord God your kingdom come, your will be done, draw your children into unity, that in one voice we can call this broken world to you. I thank you that you sent your Son that I may have an abundant life. I thank you that you are providing for us. Help me to steward what you have for me well so that I can use it to grow your kingdom.

Who are we sharing with?

Reading: Isaiah 60-61, Psalm 111, and Acts 9

Scripture: Acts 9:15, But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.

Thoughts: I know that there have been many times that I have asked to hear God more. To know the next steps that I can walk them out. Yet, I also have heard God and like Ananias, said, “I do not want to go there.” We do not know what God is doing through our obedience. Saul may never have spread the gospel and written so much of what we call the New Testament if Ananias had not swallowed his fear and pride and gone to Saul. Where are we being sent?

Prayer: Lord, you are so wonderful, your grace is sufficient for me, and I thank you that you do pour it out on me. I ask your kingdom come and your will be done. I ask that you be reflected in my life. Help me to walk in your ways and leave myself behind. Open my heart to seek you more, to hear and walk in your ways. Help me to walk in your path that others may see your truth and light.

How much does that cost?

Reading: Isaiah 58-59, Psalm 5, and Acts 8

Scripture: Acs 8:18, Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money,

Thoughts: Growing up in the age of the televangelists of the 80s and 90s, there were countless times where I heard someone say Be healed and to confirm your faith in that healing give some amount of money. Or you will be blessed if you send us a contribution. The fact that these televangelists made as much money as they did shows that people are willing to pay for a blessing. Simon the Sorcerer was looking for the same thing, not only had his popularity waned due to the true power of God brought by the apostles he also saw them sharing the Holy Spirit through the laying on of hands. How often do we try to pay for something that is a gift? God wants to give us grace and mercy, yet it is easy to throw it in His face and say I want to pay for it. Whenever we try to add anything to the Gospel, we are trying to pay for our own way. Jesus plus anything says that what Jesus did was not enough and we have to make up the difference. What Jesus did was a gift and we just need to accept it.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for all you do. Thank you for the gift of your Son and the sacrifice He made on the cross. You are the way, the truth, and the life, the only way to the Father. I ask that you help me to walk with you, that I may be a part of your plan and a light to the world around me. Open my heart and my ears to hear your voice.

What are you seeking?

Reading: Isaiah 55-57 and Acts 7

Scripture: Isaiah 55:6-7, Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

Thoughts: I always need this reminder. We need to seek God while we still can. Romans 1:28 reminds us that we will be turned over to our sins if we do not repent and turn from them. I feel like if we have gotten to the point of being turned over to our own desires it will be very hard to turn around and start seeking God. We need to seek him when we can and with all we have so that we are not being led astray. The evil one does not try to get you to turn your back on God. However, just as a magnet near a compass can lead us away from true north, once we are a ways down the road, we start to see how far off course we are. Seek God daily that we can reset ourselves to the true north the (Lord my) Banner, that rally point.  

Prayer: Lord God, you are the banner, the rallying point that we need to reach. I thank you that you are the banner that I can fix my gaze on. That place to strive to. I thank you for the blessings and provisions that you have for us. I ask that you help me to be wise and steward them well. You are worthy of all praise and honor.

Dirty little mess

Reading: Isaiah 52-54, Psalm 102, and Acts 6

Scripture: Isaiah 52:11, Depart, depart, go out from there; touch no unclean thing; go out from the midst of her; purify yourselves, you who bear the vessels of the Lord.

Thoughts: In the Old Testament when I hear the vessels of the Lord it makes me think of all the things that the Levites had to carry for the tabernacle. And like when Uzza touched the Ark to keep it from falling because they had it on a cart and not being carried on the poles. They needed to be prepared to do the work. Isaiah is saying to purify yourself before you take up the vessels. We as the Temple of the Most High God, we need to be cleansed. Yes, when Jesus died on the cross and rose again three days later, he took our filthy rags and clothed us in white, but every day we make choices, and there are some that we need to lay at His feet, repent, and purify ourselves. What is in our lives that is disqualifying us from our calling that we need to turn from and leave it at the cross?

Prayer: Father God, I am not worthy to do your work on my own. I thank you for the forgiveness that You offer through Your Son’s sacrifice. I thank you that you are a loving father who forgives. I thank you for the blessings and provisions that you give us. I ask that you help me to steward them well. I ask that my anger and roughness be smoothed by your love. Lead me and guide me, Lord.