Who am i

Reading: Numbers 34-36 and 2 Corinthians 3

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:1,Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, as some do, letters of recommendation to you, or from you?

Thoughts: How often do we loose perspective on who God called us to be and who he sees. It is just as easy to get puffed up as it is to think we are no good. We need to keep our perspective and listen to the voice of God speaking through Holy Spirit and His word. Who are we listening to, those who speak hurt pain and condemnation into our lives or those who speak love, joy, and encouragement? On the other hand who are we being the one who speaks life or death?

Prayer: Father God you are the one who knows us better than we know ourselves and yet you sent your son to die for us anyway, I thank you for all you have done and all you are doing. I ask that you help me to keep your perspective on who I am and not who I think I am or who the world tells me I am. 

That lot shall be his!!

Reading: Numbers 33, Psalm 65, and 2 Corinthians 2

Scripture: Numbers 33:54, You shall inherit the land by lot according to your clans. To a large tribe you shall give a large inheritance, and to a small tribe you shall give a small inheritance. Wherever the lot falls for anyone, that shall be his. According to the tribes of your fathers you shall inherit. 

Thoughts: I was drawn to the second to last sentence of this passage in Numbers, it is easy to look at the abundance of others, or our perception of abundance. In the USA we typically view abundance as more than we have, many nations view the poor here as rich. We each have a different perspective on where that abundance line is, but we each have a lot that was granted to us large or small. God has given it to us and he can adjust what he gave us. 

Prayer: Lord God, you own it all, you lead us and guide us, you pour out you peace and joy on us. I thank you for that which you gave me to steward. I thank you that you are molding me and growing me, I ask that you continue to refine me help me of remove the dross in my life and be purified. 

What Rights?!?

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

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

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

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

Are we institutionalized?

Reading: Ezekiel 21-22 and Galatians 4

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

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

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

November 4 Setting your mind????

Reading: Jeremiah 32-33 and Romans 8

Scripture: Romans 8:6, For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.

Thoughts: We all have fleshly desires, some are created by God for survival and procreation, others are tools that have been twisted into desires by the evil one. The most common one of these is money, it is a tool for commers, money allows us to convert the works of our hands and mind into other thing we need for survival. When we get to the point where we are seeking money for the sake of having more, or that old phrase “keeping up with the Jones.” Are we living to work or are we working to live? For me there was a time where I think I was living to work, in the fact I was working as many hours as I could to get as much money as I could to get more things, as well as living on credit. Today I am fighting to not work too much but needing to pay my bills and take care of a family I still work more then I would like and I’m tired when I am home. When I started focusing on God and looking at my spiritual life I started to see even in the tight budget and crazy world swirling around me I found all the provision and peace I needed. Our flesh is always going to want more and always change what it wants when we get what we thought we wanted, but the peace of God is always there always filling us we just need to learn to tap into it.

Prayer: Father God, you are the creator of all things, you are the great provider and you pour your peace over us. I thank you for all that you are doing in my life, the molding and refining to grow who you have called me to be, I thank you for the provision that you pour out upon us. Giving us what we need when we need it and even at times the things we want. I thank you that you are always with us pouring your love into your lives that we may pour it out to others. Help me to keep my focus on you and seek your spirit and turn from the fleshly desires that only fulfill for a time. 

We are racing?

Reading: Jeremiah 11-12, Psalm 97, Acts 23, and 2 Corinthians 7

 

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: Over the last few years the divide between the left and the right has been getting so massive that instead of living together and living the the knowledge that there are other with different views on things, we are almost at war. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 9:26-27 “So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.” Paul is reminding us to train and work ourselves to be ready for the race where Jeremiah is telling we are going to have greater trials and if we are struggling with these how are we to overcome the bigger things God has before us. 

 

Prayer: Father God, you are my strength and my shield, you glory shine and declares you majesty. I thank you that you are always leading and guiding me, you are preparing me for the trials that I’m not yet in. I thank you for the molding and refining, for the provisions and blessing you pour out on us and lead me in. I ask that you help me to not be wearied but the men that I may run with the horses. 

Charged with rioting

Reading: Jeremiah 3-4 and Acts 19

Scripture: Acts 19:32&40, Now some cried out one thing, some another, for the assembly was in confusion, and most of them did not know why they had come together. 40 For we really are in danger of being charged with rioting today, since there is no cause that we can give to justify this commotion.

Thoughts: It has been interesting to see how over the last several years with the increase of protest and demonstrations around the country, that when the media is there covering it, that half the time if not more when they ask the participants what they are protesting, they will get several answers. What was going on back in Acts 19 was just the same way there was one person who was pouring so much unrest into the situation that it became a mob. As followers of Christ, we are not to create a mob of disorganized people shouting against the different things that we are against, We are called to share God’s Love and the Gospel that we have a way to get into right standing with God thought the reconciliation offered though His Son. Are we going to be a part of a mob screaming and yelling and not getting anything done other that possibly having collateral damage and pushing people further from a Father calling to them? 

Prayer: Lord God, you are the one in control, you lead us and guide us in all we do. You have offered us a way back into relationship with you. I thank you that you are molding and refining me that I may be a better reflection of you. Help me to get out of the crowd and stand for you in the ways you have called me to stand. You have a purpose of each of us and I ask that you help me to see that and walk in it. 

When the poop hits the fan.

Reading: Micah 5-7 and John 1

Scripture: Micah 7:7, But as for me, I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me.

Thoughts: When everything is going well it is easy to, glorify God and say he is in control. But when everything starts to spiral toward the drain, are we still glorifying God? Micah had just been writing about not putting trust in neighbors and that our enemies would be within our homes and families, then to say, “I’m looking to God.” When the proverbial poop hits the fan of our life and get slung everywhere, where are we are we looking? Are we looking at the mess that is now all over our lives or are we keeping our eyes on the one who can wash us clean no matter the stain that the world is trying to inflict on us? As the world falls in on us, we need close friends who we can count on to point us to God when we are getting overwhelmed. My men are my Foxhole the men who are in the trenches with me and would be on their way when something happens. Let us find our foxhole that points us to God. 

Prayer: Father God, you are the beginning and the end, you have known my failing and my victories, and you call me any ways. I thank you for the men you have placed in my life who I walk with. Help me to grow in depth of relationship with them that we may be those men who no matter the time will drop everything and be there to help, and point our brothers to you as we walk through that poop splattered room. 

Rejoice and be glad

Reading: 2 Kings 1, 2 Chronicles 18-19, Psalm 70, and Revelation 13

Scripture: Psalm 70:4-5, “May all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you! May those who love your salvation say evermore, “God is great!” But I am poor and needy; hasten to me, O God! You are my help and my deliverer; O Lord, do not delay!

Thoughts: Over the last few days we have been reading in Kings and Chronicles about Ahab and how he was not listening to God through his true prophet, and in the end even without wearing his robes he was shot and killed by a random shot from a bow. Then in Psalm 70 David starts by crying out to God for deliverance from whatever was bothering him. Here in the end David promotes what Ahab didn’t do, saying to seek and rejoice in God. When we humble ourselves and seek God he is faithful to deliver us, it may not be the way we think it would be. Like at the beginning of 2020 I could not see how we would survive with my hours cut. But because of the reduces hours we got on assistance for medical and over the last year we have had two surgeries and one of the kids had seizures, that on our old insurance would have left us with huge medical bill but instead God allowed us to walk through a trial to get deliverance form other things. 

Prayer: Lord God, you are the one who is in control of all things, you own the cattle on a thousand hills. You are my provider and my strength. I thank you for the molding and refining you do in me. I ask that you pour your blessings our on us and help us to see your love every day. 

Loud fools and whispered wisdom!!

Reading: Ecclesiastes 8-10, Psalm 150, Jude, Luke 18

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 9:16-17, But I say that wisdom is better than might, though the poor man’s wisdom is despised and his words are not heard. The words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools.

Thoughts: Over the course of the last several years there have been several topics that permeate into the media most every day, from the loud group leaders telling us one set of facts and opinions about what ever given topic, and the quieter group yelling the other side of those given topics. We are bombarded with each group telling the other they are wrong about something. Leading up to this passage was a story about a powerful king coming against a small town. Are we listing to the loud fools who seem to be looking for a fight or is there whispered wisdom that God is speaking to us through his word?

Prayer: Father God, I thank you for all the wisdom and knowledge that you give us and make available to us. I ask that you help us to have discernment and wisdom that we can hear and follow that whispered wisdom and not focus on the loud fools. I also as for the boldness to stand up for your truth and oppose those who go against you, your statutes. 

Praising the wicked.

Reading: Proverbs 28-29, Psalm 48, and 2 Peter 3

 

Scripture: Proverbs 28:4-5, Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law strive against them. Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the Lord understand it completely

 

Thoughts: Who are we making famous? Who are we making known as house hold names? Politicians who lie and cheat to get into office then claim some sort of faith when all their policies and platforms go against that “faith.” Career criminals who are high on drugs who die when resisting arrest. Let us seek the lord and understand justice.

 

Prayer:Father God, help us to walk in you ways, help us to see and recognize when we are praising something other than you. Let us not make famous the wicked. 

April 21 Great Endurance

Reading: Deuteronomy 5-6, Psalm 64, 2 Corinthians 6, and Mark 8

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:3-6, We put no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love

Thoughts: As I was reading this, I could not help but think back on the events of 2020 and how so many of the major cities across the US were being burned. When many Christ followers are being persecuted because we stand up for what the Word of God says and that it is contrary to what Big Tech, Major Media, and celebrities we are the ones being called all the slanderous things and being told that if we do not become like them, we are the problem with the country. Paul is reminding us that we need to be ready for the hardships and that we are to overcome it by the Holy Spirit and those things that He brings to us. 

Prayer: Father God you are so good, you give us through your Spirit the ability to overcome all affliction that comes our way. You give us a way out of our temptations. Grow us in your knowledge and power that we may be ready for every trial that comes our way. 

Refocused by fear.

Reading: Genesis 50, Exodus 1, Psalm 140, Acts 24, and Matthew 17

Scripture: Psalm 140:12-13, I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and will execute justice for the needy. Surely the righteous shall give thanks to your name; the upright shall dwell in your presence.

Thoughts: Fear and anger are the two easiest emotions and state of mind to get into. Over the course of 2020 the world was placed into a state of fear. The fear of COVID has cased otherwise rational people to become hoarders and drove people into angry rages over whether of not to wear masks. There are passages all over the Bible telling us not to fear and that we are not to sin when we are angry. After crying out to God for most of this Psalm he comes down to accepting that God with maintain him and execute justice. We are to give thanks and worship in His presences in the middle of adversity. 

Prayer: Lord God you are so wonderful, you take care of all our needs and lead us to green pastures. You are worthy of all praise and worship. I ask that you help us to keep our eyes on you and not let the worry and fear that the world brings to weight us down. Help us to rise up in your name to spread your love and the Good news. 

Beginning or the end?

Reading: Genesis 1, Luke 1 and Jude 1

Scripture: Jude 1:18-19, They said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.” It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit.

Thoughts: Here at the beginning of the year especially after one that had been as difficult as 2020 we normally talk about resolutions and things we plan on doing this next year. I had some of those thoughts, but I also know that the date has no real impact on the situation. Here on January 1, reading Jude it is talking about the end times or at least the later days of the church age, those people who are scoffers and ridicule us for following after God, they are going to try to tear down the church. We are daily watching a world seek after their own desires and passions and in doing so they are creating division not only in the church but in the world. The racial divide is growing not because more white people hate people of color but because our history is being removed and people are being told if we don’t put people of color over the white people then we are racist. The ungodly people who are devoid of the spirit will cause division. Here in a new year let us love and remember that all men are created equal. 

Prayer: Father God, you are in control, you are the one who created all men and all men are created in your image. Help me to remove any prejudices that have built up in my mine and heart and conform my heart to yours. I thank you for all you are doing in my life, the molding and the refining. I thank you for the direction you have given me I ask that you help me to understand the steps and move. I thank you for my family. I thank you for your provision and I thank you for the new year to continue in your ways. 

What can you take away from 2020

As I was listing to some podcast one brought up an interesting thought, almost everyone is excited to be done with 2020, the year of the pandemic, being stuck in our homes, some not able to work, and a crazy election cycle that in some opinions is not done yet. I have heard this year being called the year from hell, and many churches spent time going over the end times things in scripture. Every year we move a year closer to when Jesus will return, whether it will be in our lifetime or another 100 generations is not for me to know. No matter when He returns our hearts need to be ready. After going though such a trial as 2020 has been for most of us and we are all talking about leaving behind so much of 2020, my question is what are you taking forward with you?

The first thing that I am taking with me is a better understanding that God’s plans are higher than mine. I started off this year fighting for a raise including looking at a change in work, so that I may be able to reduce the number of hours I work so I could focus more on my family. I was approved for the raise that would have made life easier, then a wage freeze took effect and my hours we reduced, I still have not seen the pay increase. With this happening we were approved for state insurance and food stamps freeing up a substantial mount of my checks that have allowed us to continue to pay all our bills. After that we had several large medical issues come up that would have left us with huge medical bills if we had still been on my company supplied insurance. 

The second thing is my reliance on God and understanding that it is all his and I am, but a steward and he will take care of us. Understandably when all my overtime was taken away, I was getting between 5-10 hours a week, I was stressed but I also had a faith I did not know where it came from, every two weeks I would come and adjust my checking account leger and look at the predicted bills and the estimated income and seek more and more negative numbers coming, yet every bill was paid. We always had food whether it was from a food bank, gleaners’ group or using the meager amount given to us on out food stamp card. Even when bills out of the blue came there was always an influx somewhere that got it paid. God is always taking care of the birds and the flowers and are we not more valuable than those.

The third thing I am taking from 2020 in the understanding of the need for community. When this year first started, we had plans of gathering and campouts and retreats that almost all got completely tossed out the window. Where I live we were told we cannot go to church we can not gather together in small groups because you bring more than one or two people over you exceed the mandated gathering limit. As the year started we had felt a need for a house church but not wanting to leave our home church we started inviting people over to watch our churches live stream and then our church started groups so that people could have community and we started one and have been meeting in our home having dinner and having church community. God is trinity and is a social by nature of being trinity, we are made in his image and need that community. 

Yes, there may be losses and holes that are now in are hearts from this last year, there may be new hurts or old ones that have resurfaced and unfortunately, we will take those with us into the rest of our lives but what will you take from this year that will remind you to go deeper with God and strive after him. 

Don't forget to remember!!!

Reading: Malachi 3-4, Psalm 78, 1 John 5 and 3 John 1

Scripture: Psalm 78:42-43, They did not remember his power or the day when he redeemed them from the foe, when he performed his signs in Egypt and his marvels in the fields of Zoan.

Thoughts: We so easily forget. As much as I feel like I would not forget the things like crossing the red sea or being fed mana, I realized it is not about forgetting it about not remembering. The difference in my eyes and that I think the Psalmist may have been saying here is we get too caught up in our day to day lives that we forget to spend time remembering the things God has done for us. I feel it appropriate that this passage stood out to me here at the end of 2020, for many of us an extremely difficult year, between a pandemic, new mandates and restrictions, job losses and to top it all off the election that would not end. There has not been any big miracles in my life I have heard from others but I have seen God’s had though out this year. The thoughts about starting a home church that has led us to hosting a group in our house that is still part of our local church creating great community, the fact that between loosing my overtime and not getting a raise that I was promised that we were able to get on the state insurance that cost us nothing making it so that we could pay our bills without having large medical bills as we have had several large medical issues come up over this last year including a miscarriage of twins. God uses what the enemy has meant for evil for the good of those who love him. I am not saying life will be all sunshine and roses, but God has provided in ways we never saw coming. It is not about forgetting the great things of God is about not forgetting to keep your thoughts on him and giving him all honor and praise. I choose to remember the good that he brought about from the evil in this would. 

Prayer: Father God, you are so good to us, you provide all thing and turn those things meant to harm us into good, your love and mercy abound over us. I thank you for the molding and refining you are doing in me every day. I thank you for those who have brought into my life, new friends who have become life family and those who are not part of your family. I thank you for my family and our health the ability to continue on. I thank you for your and in the mist of all that is going on. I thank you for your provisions and blessings you have given us over this year and ask for the provisions and blessings over the next year. 

Wild fire

Reading: Ezra 9-10, Psalm 28, James 3, and 2 Peter 1

Scripture: James 3:5, So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!

Thoughts: Living where I do this last year, I was directly affected by the forest fires. Not only did our family loose things but communities where we had been just days before had, now have been reduced to nothing more than the remnants of a foundation and maybe a fireplace still standing. It is one thing to see these fires on the TV but walking the devastation after something like this breaks your heat. Our tongues can and will cause devastation like these forest fires, all it takes is a spark in the wrong place at the wrong time to start these fires. Just like that spark a wrong word spoken in anger can lead to devastation in someone’s life, we do not always think about the power in our words. Are your words watering the forest to bring new growth or are they a spark seeking to find that pile of dry brush?

Prayer: Lord God you are the one who raises up and brings down, you are the one who provides all things. Your grace and mercy abound in all things. I lay my fiery words and attitude at your feet. I thank you for your refining and molding you are doing in my life, I thank you for those who you bring into my life to help me to seek after you more. I thank you for my family and friends. I thank you for your provisions in these times of uncertainty and that in that uncertainty we are in our hands. I ask that you help us to use our tongues to build up and not tear down. 

Church Killer

Reading: Zechariah 13-14, Psalm 80, Hebrews 10, and 1 Peter 4

Scripture: Hebrews 10:24-25, And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Thoughts: Over the years I have watched many local churches stop growing and even get to the point that the only people still there are those who are too old or set in their ways to search for a church that is not dying. In 2020 I faced a new dilemma, the government in the state where I live has been putting restrictions on how we are able to come together. Because of these restrictions it has killed many small churches who could not adapt. As much as people were neglecting to come together before this new culture of stay at home has increased the problem possibly 1000 times. We are social beings by creation, God being triune is in constant community and were created in his image. No matter if you see the end being days away, years away, or millennia away, the Day draws closer. We are called to stir up and encourage one another in love and good works. God first Life second where are your priorities? 

Prayer: Father God, you are the great encourager, you stir the hearts of those who are yours. I lay my own agendas at your feet and ask for your directions. I thank you that you are always encouraging us even when we do not listen. I thank you that you are the one who leads and guides us. I thank you for my family and those around me pointing to you. I thank you for your provisions and blessings. I ask that you help me to see your next step help me to know where to go and doors to walk though.