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.

Dishonor on your whole family! Dishonor on you! Dishonor on your cow!

Reading: Isaiah 50-51, Psalm 58, and Acts 5

Scripture: Acts 5:41, Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.

Thoughts:  I know that it is easy to thrive when things are good and everyone likes you. In this social media world we live in, it is easy to spiral into depression even when we don’t invite attention by being counterculture. We are called to spread the Gospel and it is at its core offensive. The Gospel tells us we are deprived and that the only way is through God’s gift. Are we willing to rejoice that we are counted worthy to suffer dishonor for His name?

Prayer: Father God you are worthy of all praise. I thank you that I have the opportunity to be your light. I ask that you help me to get over my fears and inadequacies that I can shine brightly for you and point the world to the one who saves.

You are Worthy

Reading: Isaiah 48-49 and Acts 4

Scripture: Acts 4:29 ESV, And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness,

Thoughts: Here in the United States, we have been insulated from most of the persecution and hate towards Christ and His Church. We have the freedom to speak without fear of prosecution by the government. Yet here in the last few months, there has been a tremendous increase in attempts and attacks on people of faith. There is a war coming, Peter and John after having all the threats and things happen to them they turned around and asked God for more boldness to continue to share the gospel. We get a negative comment about a post, and we shrink away from the fight. Be bold and seek more boldness so that the world will know who God is and what His Son did on the cross.

Prayer: Father God, you are worthy to have your name problems from the rooftops and the street corners. You give us the strength and ability to do so. I ask that you help me overcome my own fears and inadequacies in proclaiming your glory. Help me to be the light you have called me to be. To you be all the glory and honor.

But what I do have

Reading: Isaiah 46-47, Acts 3, and Psalm 35

Scripture: Acts 3:6, But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!”

Thoughts: As an American, even when I was at my poorest, I had access to food, clean water and so sort of roof over my head. We are one of the richest nations in the world, we live in such opulence that we must rent extra space to store our stuff, and we throw our leftover food, or there is food in our homes that spoils because it was unused. Peter and John were dependent on fellow believers to provide them with what they needed. But just like the widow who gave her last pennies, or the widow who provided Elisha with a pancake with the last of their flour and oil, they gave all they had. What do we have? Some of us have the financial abilities to give and share, and others may only be able to serve and give what God has given to them. Yet we are all called to give and share God’s love and the Gospel. What are you going to do with what you have?

Prayer: All mighty God, Prince of peace, I thank you that you do own the cattle on a thousand hills. I thank you for giving us access to your storehouses and your power. You have granted us the authority to raise and to tear down. I ask that you help me to steward the blessings that you have given me well that I can glorify you with that which you have given me. I ask for the wisdom to walk in your way. I ask that you help me get out of my own way so that I may serve you better.

I know you!!

Reading: Isaiah 44-45 and Acts 2

Scripture: Isaiah 45:4, For the sake of my servant Jacob, and Israel my chosen, I call you by your name, I name you, though you do not know me.

Thoughts: Today, this passage resonated with me like Jeremiah 1:5, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born, I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” The idea that an all-powerful God knows me, formed me, and named me even when I didn’t want anything to do with him. Isaiah was talking about Cyrus the leader of a nation before he was born. Cyrus was a leader who was pivotal in restoring Jerusalem and the Temple after Babylon took Israel out of the promised land. If God can call out an unbeliever and use them to bring back his temple, how much more can we do if we are seeking God’s will?

Prayer: Lord God, ruler of all creation, maker of all things, I thank you that you allow us to be a part of your plan. I thank you for my family. I thank you for the blessings you pour out on us. I ask that you help me to steward them well. Help me to be the light you need me to be. Open my eyes to the next steps you have for me that I can continue to walk in your ways. Lead me and guide me, help me to overcome the anger, and hurt in my life that I can be a kind loving father and emulate you.