Your face muscle is connected to your heart muscle - Psalm 125-127

Psalms 126:2
Then our mouth was filled with laughter
And our tongue with joyful shouting;
Then they said among the nations,
“The Lord has done great things for them.”

When God does a work in our hearts there ought tobe a change in the expression on our face.   In verse one of th this psalm the writer tells us that the nation shouted for job when they were released from their captivity.   The result of freedom does something to the facial expressions of those set free.   People ought to see the change of our heart through us and on us.  The joy we have should burst forth.   Too many believes attempt to hide what they have.  That ought not to be.   Why would we hide our release from sin?   Why would we hide that God redeemed us?   Why would we hide we are no longer in everlasting captivity?   The only reason may be that we never were released, or that we don't "get it."  We don't really realize what that captivity was like and what it was destined to do to us.   Rejoice today in your freedom.   Even in suffering we are to rejoice in the fact that God will take us through that to perfection (James 1:2-5).  Let you face tell others what God did in your heart.

Does God really want us to burn our books? 2 Chronicles 29-32

What does real repentance look like?   Many of us have sinned, come to the conclusion that our sin affects our fellowship with God and that we have a need to repent.   Confession is obviously a major aspect of true repentance.  In confession we are agreeing with God that the thing we have done, thought or been involved with in some way, is indeed sin.   However, confession is just a step in the process of true repentance.   After Israel confessed their sins and sought hard after God in worship, King Hezekiah and the people do one more aspect in repentance, often over looked by modern believers.  Note the following:

2 Chronicles 31:1

Idols Are Destroyed

Now when all this was finished, all Israel who were present went out to the cities of Judah, broke the pillars in pieces, cut down the Asherim and pulled down the high places and the altars throughout all Judah and Benjamin, as well as in Ephraim and Manasseh, until they had destroyed them all. Then all the sons of Israel returned to their cities, each to his possession.

When they finished confessing and worshiping it compelled them to take radical action in their lives. The rid themselves of the artifacts of sin.   They not only cleansed the heart they purified the room.    We can say all we want with our lips but until we are able to dispose of the tools of our sin in our bedrooms, playrooms and man-caves we will never have true repentance.    Note what the believers in Thessolonica were known for in regard to their faith:

1 Thessalonians 1:9

For they themselves report about us what kind of a reception we had with you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God,

They literally disposed of false idols in their lives.   Note the following in the book of Acts in regard to believers at Ephesus:

Acts 19:19

And many of those who practiced magic brought their books together and began burning them in the sight of everyone; and they counted up the price of them and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.

Confessing with your mouth is one thing ... repenting by destroying the artifacts of your sin is another.  

God's Promise - Deuteronomy 7-9

Deuteronomy 7:12

Promises of God

"Then it shall come about, because you listen to these judgments and keep and do them, that the Lord your God will keep with you His covenant and His lovingkindness which He swore to your forefathers ... 

God made a promise to the nation of Israel to bless them if they "listened" to Him ... they obeyed His Word.  In the subsequent verse to this opening statement God lists all the things He would be doing for them if they remained faithful. He promised them liberty, purity, health and protection. The blessings are what we desire today.   They are tied to one thing according to this passage; faithfulness to God's Word.   It is a very simply formula: IF we obey God's Word we will be blessed.   Yes, we live in a evil world.  Yes, sin affects us all. Yes, it is impossible to be free from sin.  But, God promised the nation He would protect them from the evil around them if they obeyed. We are to pray that in the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 7). We are to experience that as we follow wisdom in Proverbs (Proverbs 2 and 3). God will grant a miraculous life as we practice faith in Him and obedience to Him.  We can't expect to obey Him, however, if we trust in our own ways as the nation did.  They sought their own flesh way of doing things.  They did not see with the eyes of faith. Forbidding themselves of what they saw and felt for something later by faith was foreign to them.   It should not be to us. We must trust in God to give us later what is good for us rather seek what is now for our immediate gratification. We are to live by faith in obedience to God's Word and we will be blessed.  Obedience equals blessing.

Mirror Word - James 1-3

James 1:25

But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does.

Looking in the mirror is a popular venture for a jr. high girl and guy.   They love to see what they see.  Their judgements are often, however, cruel as they disapprove of the new pimple or obvious facial flaw.   One hair out of place can secure a teenage girl in front of a mirror more than a thousand chains.   Self inspection through mirror-work is a part of life ... except when it comes to spiritual mirror-work.   James tells us to look into God's Word, His "perfect" law and law of "liberty".  He tells to not just "look" but to "abide by it" and something will take place ... we will be "blessed."   Standing in front of a mirror for a long time in the morning will not change your bed-head look.  But, standing in front of the mirror and having it inspire you to pick up a comb and brush will not only correct the problem but bring a more blessed day.    So, too, with God's Word.  It is not that we look at it.  It is not that we simply read it (although the simple reading of God's Word gives the Spirit of God the Sword He needs to fight the flesh).   We need to read it and act on it, through faith.  We need to say to God, "I see what you are saying ... by faith I am going to pick up this brush and do something with my hair because I can see in your Word I need to."   If we simply read a verse-a-day-to-keep-the-devil-away, we will find we are lacking.   The key is to "abide" in God's Word and do the necessary mirror work for our lives.  Proper mirror work gives us the ability to deal with those outside our lives (outside the window of our lives).   So, before you do window-work, make sure you do mirror-work with God's Word.  

Do you see where God is moving you and why? Acts 9-10

God moves us where He wants us to be and where He wants us to minister and serve others.   In Acts 9 and 10 we see Peter being used by God to heal and restore to life people important to the church and those who had sought God and fought for God.  Peter could have stayed in Jerusalem and had a great ministry.   But, God choose to move him and use him.   Stationary ministries are ordained by God but, so too, are mobile ministries.   The key in reading about Peter's movements is to understand the great things he accomplished was due to his willingness to move and those he ministered willingness to engage with him.   God is in the process of moving us where he wants us to be.   If Peter had a bent on being "home" he may have missed the great opportunities God had for him to heal and restore life.   We can get so accustom to our surroundings that we fail to realize God uses movement in our life to reach others.   If you are not impacting others it may be that you are not moving when God says to move.   If you aren't coming in contact with opportunities to minister it could be that in your movement you aren't opening your eyes with a vision of service.  God will move us if we are willing.  God will use us if we are looking. 

Are you getting weary chasing "the dream?" Ecclesiastes 1-2

Ecclesiastes 1:8

All things are wearisome;

Man is not able to tell it.

 The eye is not satisfied with seeing,

Nor is the ear filled with hearing.

The problem with sin is that it is never enough.   When you seek after sin and the pleasures for the "eye" and the "ear" you come away only momentarily satisfied.  You get a slight "fix" and then within hours, if not minutes, you need more.  You are empty as you are being filled.  Solomon, in this sweet and glorious adventure of his, shows us all what we have probably already come to know:  Only God can satisfy as we search in grace for Him.  The journey that is intended to find pleasure on the road of pleasure will only result in a loss of time and energy.  Real pleasure is only found in the pursuit of God.   Solomon's father, David, knew that when he penned the final words in Psalms 23.  After telling us to make God our Shepherd (thus following and pursuing Him), David writes, "surely goodness and mercy will follow us all the days of our lives."  His point being the same as what Solomon is teaching us in this book: If we pursue goodness and mercy we will find emptiness.  If we pursue God, goodness and mercy will follow (pursue) us.   We must be careful to not try to find satisfaction in things that God provides, but rather in the God who provides them.  Then, and only then, will we find satisfaction.  

Do I have to go to church ... again? Psalm 122-124

PSALM 122

Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem.

A Song of Ascents, of David.

122:1 - I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.”

This Psalm, apparently, was a song the nation of Israel would sing when they made their way to Jerusalem to worship.  Three times a year the nation was commanded by God to gather for corporate worship and praise. Jerusalem eventually became that place where that worship was conducted and as they make the walk toward the city they would sing this song.   Although we don't think much about a particular city for our world today there are some practical lessons in this first verse we should not miss.  The first is that their was joy struck in the heart when the call for corporate worship was given out.   Our corporate worship today is not in a city but when the Body of Christ meets in some local assembly.  The place, like Jerusalem, is not emphasized today but the attitude should be the same.  When we are called to corporate worship there ought to be a sense of "gladness" and joy as we move on to join other believers in praise and worship.   When the Spirit of God fills you the Joy of The Lord should be natural and should be contagious.   Second, gathering together to worship God should be something we look forward to.  In a world of individualize service and isolated attitudes, being together for the sake of praise and worship to our Redeemer ought to top our list.   It is regretful that most people can find "better" things to do on Sunday when the Body of Christ meets. They seem to think that God will "overlook" their game, day-off, day of work, day to enjoy the family, or day to sleep in and rest, instead of a day and time of getting together to worship.    A third area in this first verse ought to be to remind us that when we get together to worship it ought not to be mandated or burdensome.  If we have made it such, God forgive us.  I think our church leaders and "structure" have made our time together, much of the time, a burden.  We feel like we are forced to work and forced to serve.   This first verse of this Psalm 122 tells us that the writer was glad when they said to him it is time to worship.   There was no looking at the watch wondering when it was done but an eagerness to stop what they were doing and worship together.   May we be so hungry to worship in this manner.    The last aspect of this first verse we consider is that someone is taking the initiative to "call others to worship" with them.   This is a "join us" in worship approach, not watch us in worship approach, or go and worship yourself approach.  We are to encourage one another in worship.  We ought not be afraid to encourage the saints to worship.  If someone is caught in the affairs of this world it is important that we solicit them to go with us rather than ignore their busyness.   Encourage someone to join you in worship.  It is a Biblical imperative.    

Trusting in shinny things - 2 Chronicles 25-28

Why do we turn to things for deliverance we know won't help us when we see their track record for not helping others?  We see people who are wealthy and have a great life and yet that wealth and good life doesn't deliver them from cancer or difficulty of crime.  We see people turn to their jobs for "identity" and "value" and  yet, their jobs leave them empty and wanting. We see people turn to family for harmony only to discover discontent and division.   Amaziah had a great victory over his enemies. But, when he defeated them they had some "shinny" idols that caught  his eye.  Their attraction enticed him to put them up on his shelf and worship them.   Shinny things do that.  We like to worship the idols of our victories.  Even though God gives us the victory we worship the "trophy".  In this case the idols Amaziah decided to worship didn't even rescue the people he defeated to obtain them.   God ask the same question we all ought to ask, in 2 Chronicles 25:15:

Then the anger of the Lord burned against Amaziah, and He sent him a prophet who said to him, “Why have you sought the gods of the people who have not delivered their own people from your hand?”

When we trust in shinny things, wealthy things, temporal things, chrome things, constructed things, or medical things to deliver us we miss out on the deliverance from the God of the Universe. Only He can deliver.   Seek Him for deliverance not the shinny things that the world holds tightly. 

Don't let the batter get bitter - Hebrews 11-13

Hebrews 12:15

See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled;

Bitterness is a blight on the Body of Christ - The Church of the Living God.   In this small verse the writer of Hebrews gives us insight into what causes the root of bitterness.  It happens when we fall short of God's grace.  But, what does that mean?   We get grace as a gift of God and we find grace through faith.   So, if we fall "short" of the grace of God, it is because we quit expressing our "faith" in Him and turn, rather, to the flesh.    In Acts 8 we studied Simeon, who had a "root of bitterness" spring up because he wanted the power of the Spirit for fleshly reasons.   He didn't act in faith, he acted in the flesh.  In our passage here the writer goes on to explain how Essau became bitter because he sold his birthright when his flesh was hungry and wanted a pot of stew more than a blessing from God.   Bitterness comes into our lives when we fail to have faith in God's perfect will for us and believe in God's perfect care.   But, note what the above verse also says:  "... and by it many be defiled."   It is not that a root of bitterness is so bad for the individual, and it is.   But, that it is contagious.   Those who are bitter also defile the whole batter.   You can't fall short of grace through absent faith and not affect the entire family.   God is wanting us to believe in Him and trust Him and thereby receive His grace.  And, it is only by the grace of God that we avoid becoming bitter.  

What's on your mind?

Have you ever wondered how things pop into your mind or your heart?  There is, undoubtably, much research and money spent on why we think the way we think and what stimulates our minds to think they way it does. I doubt, however, much credit is given to God that He intervenes in our minds to cause us to think something He wants.    When Moses reached 40 years of age he apparently grew tired of the ways of Egypt and wondered out to visit the Israelites, his real family and heritage.  Note what Steven says about this in Acts 7:

Acts 7:23

But when he was approaching the age of forty, it entered his mind to visit his brethren, the sons of Israel.

We should note here that the word translated "mind" in this verse in the NASV is a word "kardia", we get our English word, "cardiac."   Note what Vine says about the word in his excellent notes:

kardia, “the heart” (Eng., “cardiac,” etc.), the chief organ of physical life (“for the life of the flesh is in the blood,” Lev.  17:11 ), occupies the most important place in the human system. By an easy transition the word came to stand for man’s entire mental and moral activity, both the rational and the emotional elements. In other words, the heart is used figuratively for the hidden springs of the personal life.

In this verse, Stephen, by way of the Holy Spirit, gives us great insight into God's activities in daily life.  God places thoughts into our minds, which will move us to places He wants us to be, in order to engage in activities He allows, in order to accomplish great things He previously ordained (see Romans 8;28).  Most human psychologist would bulk at such a claim ... but God knows their thoughts and ordains them :).    In 2 Corinthians 10:5 we are told by Paul to bring all thoughts into obedience to Christ.   As we allow God to direct our paths it begins, by faith, to allow Him to direct our thoughts.    What has He placed in your mind today?  

Wait for it ... Habakkuk

Habakkuk 2:3

“For the vision is yet for the appointed time;

It hastens toward the goal and it will not fail.

Though it tarries, wait for it;

For it will certainly come, it will not delay.

The fact that God has promised His people Israel in this little book that He would judge their earth should not be a surprise.   God promised them from the beginning, in Deuteronomy 28 and 29 that He would bless them if they obeyed and He would curse them if they disobeyed.   This was known to them all as, the Blessings and the Cursings.  Yet, this judgement spoken about in Habakkuk is somehow strange to them.  They had thought, assuming, that God was not going to keep His word.   The mistakenly had thought that God's delay was God's forgetting.   It is important for us to avoid the same mistake.  Though He "tarries" we should "wait for it."  God is super patience.   He is not quick on the trigger as He wants others to come to Christ.  He wants people to repent.   Whereas we give up on others in a blink of an eye, it sometimes looks like God has closed His eyes.   But, He hasn't.   Wait for it!!   God will complete all His judgements.   We ought not to act as though God has turned a blind eye toward us.  Wait for it!!!   He will complete His judgement on those who disobey.  

Your life will be exposed - Nahum

Nahum 3:5-6

“Behold, I am against you,” declares the Lord of hosts;

“And I will lift up your skirts over your face,

And show to the nations your nakedness

And to the kingdoms your disgrace.

"I will throw filth on you

And make you vile,

And set you up as a spectacle.

If you have ever been exposed for something you did wrong you know the theme of these two verses in Nahum.  Nahum is telling the Ninevites that God is going to expose them for their sin.  I remember when I was just a little boy I went into a store with an older friend as we walked home from school and we shoplifted a Twinkie.  I was scared to death when I got home my mom and dad would find out.  My face exposed me.   My mom instantly knew something was wrong.  I started to cry and confessed within minutes.   I ended up going back to the store and not just paying for it but also cleaning parts of the store as my punishment.    My conscious sent a message to my face to give me away.   The Ninevites were not such a conscious driven people, however.   So, God says He is going to expose their sin.  There are so many people who think they are getting away with sin and with mistreatment of others.  They think they are their own island.   But, God will expose them.  God will always expose them.   We ought to make sure we realize that about our own sin and not worry too much about those we think are getting "away with it."  God always knows and always acts.    

Leaders who become intoxicated with themseleves can't govern - Proverbs 31

Proverbs 31:5

For they will drink and forget what is decreed,

And pervert the rights of all the afflicted.

In this proverb the writer (King Lemuel) is telling his son the results of what can happen to leadership when they forget their way or lose their bearings.   In the immediate context it is about a leader who get's drunk and forgets what he/she previously "decreed" and then ends up perverting justice.   It is talking primarily about alcohol.   However, it applies to being "intoxicated" with anything that caused you to lose your bearings.   The thought may come immediately to the king who tossed Daniel into the lion's den.   Or, the three Hebrew boys being tossed into the firey-furnace by that king.  Here Daniel and his three friends had been faithful and wise servants to the king.   But, because the king because "drunk" on his own power and his own ego he perverted justice and tried to kill the very ones who had saved his life and his kingdom.   Pilate was so drunk with power and fear he refused to save Christ (although God used his "drunk" state to accomplish His end).   Too many leaders get intoxicated on power, prestige, position, pennies, that they lose sight of their responsibility to be just and right in their leadership.   Drinking to the point of being drunk will do it.  But, it is not only the bottle that steers the leader to make foolish decisions.   We are not to forget the decrees that will guide us to treat others justly.   Don't get so intoxicated by the world and what is shinny that you forget the acts of mercy and justice (Micah 6:8).  

Deliver us from Evil - Psalm 120-121

Psalms 121:7

The Lord will protect you from all evil;

He will keep your soul.

Rest in this thought and this wonderful truth!  For those who walk with God, Psalm 121 may be one of the shortest but most powerful Psalms we can red and believe in.   To know that God will protect us from evil is a thought to place our faith upon.   We know so little in life.  We think we know a lot.  But, we don't.   But, God has given us this chapter in His beloved Word to give us rest and assurance that He will protect us.  In Matthew 6:13, in the Lord's Prayer, we are told to pray, "deliver us from evil."   The reason we can pray in that manner is that God has already promised to "protect us from all evil" in this Psalm.   In Proverbs 2:12 we are told that if we seek after wisdom as we would seek gold and riches that God will "deliver us from evil."   So, our obedience to God's Word and the pursuit of it is God's method to deliver us.   As we obey God's Word He will keep us from evil.   So, we have a promise, a prayer and a principle all driven by the character and person of God, who will protect every believer from evil.   Use them in your fight of faith today.  

Don't move forward if God says, "Stay put!" - Deuteronomy 1-3

Deuteronomy 1:42

And the Lord said to me, ‘Say to them, “Do not go up nor fight, for I am not among you; otherwise you will be defeated before your enemies.”’

When the nation of Israel was given the opportunity to go into the promise land they didn't do so because they feared the giants in the land and the fortified cities that the giants lived in.  It was a normal fear ... unless, as Moses told them, you have God who keeps a fire over you the entire nation at night for warmth and a cloud over the entire nation by day for covering.  God's presence should have assured them that wherever God told them to go He would be with them and take care of them.   But, they rebelled and didn't have faith in what they saw or what they had experienced by God's mighty hand or what they were promised.  It was, after all, the "promised" land.   Once they heard that they would not be allowed to go into the land because of this remarkable unbelief they now wanted to go.   Now God tells them that they had should not because "I am not among you."   When God is not among us we should not move forward.   We, as believers today, are to be "lead" the Spirit (Romans 8).  That leading means that God goes with us.   But, if God is not leading we are not to go forward or backward.   The nation couldn't get it right.   God said go and they stayed.  God said stay and they wanted to go.  Like little children rebellion at authority these people lacked the faith and obedience needed to follow God.   We are to be sensitive to God's leading in our lives.  If He tells us to go forward no matter what is in our path matters little.   God is with us.  But, if He tells us to stay no matter how strong we think we are we will face defeat without Him.   The leading of the Spirit is an act of faith based upon the the promises of God in His Word.  As we follow those instructions we have God's blessing.  Without those, we are on our own.  Not a good place to be. 

We have a purpose to do good deeds to others - Hebrews 8-10

What is the final purpose of our salvation?  We are united with God through Christ's work and that gives us meaning and purpose.   The final purpose is that we would glorify God.  But how?   In this section of Hebrews we see what Christ did for us by perfecting us through His work on the cross and through His death.   But, not the responsibility He gives to us as a result of that work:

Hebrews 10:24

"... and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, ..."

In Ephesians 2:8-10 we have similar phrase ... 

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

Note the theme here; we have been recreated in Christ to do good works for Christ and to others.   We have the responsibility to love one another and do good deeds to one another and to "stimulate" others to do that.   The word "stimulate" means to come along side someone for the purpose of sharpening them.   In Acts 15 that is exactly what happened between Paul and Barnabas ... it was a sharp disagreement.  We all need prodding to do good deeds.  We don't naturally do them.   We have a responsibility to both do good deeds and stimulate others to do good deeds.   Christ died for that and saves us for that.  He "preordained" that we would do them.   When we become lazy in our Christian life it is because we forgot the purpose of our salvation.   Christ's deed was to obey the Father and give His life for us.  Our deed is to give our life for others sacrificially.     

Do you see the Spirit move in your life? Acts 5-6

You can't read any parts of Acts without see and hearing about the movement of the Holy Spirit in the lives of the apostles, believers, and the Church.   In Acts 5:32 Peter tells the religious leaders that God "gave" the Holy Spirit to all those who called upon God for salvation and obey Him in repentance and faith.   The story about the married couple in the beginning of Acts 5 (Annanis and Sapharia) is an example of the Holy Spirit's work.  The only way Peter would know that they conspired to lie to the church and God was because the Holy Spirit had to tell him.  It was the Spirit of God who unlocked the doors of the prison and set Peter and company free.     The Spirit's work in the lives of believers is paramount to our victory in Christ.   In Romans 8 we are told we are lead the the Spirit.   The Spirit's interaction in our lives is evidence of our salvation.   We can see that has a fear (see the married couple) or freedom (see prison scene).   Yielding to the Spirit is the way we live our life as believers.   He was given to us to comfort us and teach us and guide us and strengthen us: All at the same time of giving glory to God and speaking of Christ not Himself.   Let's embrace His movement in our lives. 

Do Justice and Mercy because that is what God does - Micah

It is important to know the problems Israel (the 10 northern tribes) and Judah (the 2 southern tribes) were going through when Micah prophesied. Along with idol worship and turning to everything but God for salvation their leadership (both king and prophet) had become evil. They were willing to execute justice for a price and sell their position for pleasures. The most famous verse in Micah is 6:8 that reads:

Micah 6:8

He has told you, O man, what is good;

And what does the Lord require of you

But to do justice, to love kindness,

And to walk humbly with your God?

The reason this verse is so important is that in the backdrop of corruption God wanted to instruct His people in not selling their justice for money, or closing their eye to justice but to marry justice and mercy without losing either one.   That puts 6:8 in context.   However, perhaps the most blessed verse in Micah is found here:

Micah 7:8-9

Do not rejoice over me, O my enemy.

Though I fall I will rise;

Though I dwell in darkness, the Lord is a light for me.

I will bear the indignation of the Lord

Because I have sinned against Him,

Until He pleads my case and executes justice for me.

He will bring me out to the light,

And I will see His righteousness.

Notice that God not only tells us to marry mercy and justice for others, He does that for us.   Even though we sin God doesn't "just" forgive.   God "pleads" my case and "executes" justice for me.   In His pleading He shows mercy on my fault.  In His executing justice He maintains justice.  He doesn't just let me slide.  He actually has to have the sin "paid for" to be a just God.  That is what Christ did for us.  He didn't just love us and forgive us.  He loved us and forgives us based upon the act of offering Himself for our sins.   Though I fall, I will rise ... why? ... because "He will bring me out to light" ... how? ... He executes mercy and justice ... the same He wants me to do for others.   

Do you see them ... all around you? Proverbs 29-30

Proverbs 29:7

The righteous is concerned for the rights of the poor,

The wicked does not understand such concern.

It is so easy to go through the day and not recognize the injustice in the world around  you.   We get so caught up in our own little worlds that we don't take the time to look out the window of our lives to see the way others are treated.   This proverb is telling us that when God saves us through Christ and declares us righteous by His work on the cross something not only changes in our hearts but in our view of the world around us.   Someone who has been declared righteous by God has not only a new vision of the world but a new obligation to act in the world on the behalf of others.  In this case, the rights of the poor.   They may be poor financially, or poor socially, or poor in looks, or poor in athleticism, or poor in any number of ways.   The righteous person should have a hunger for them and their right treatment.   People who are not righteous don't have an understanding of such things.  They are of those who inflict pain on the financial poor and prey on them.  They bully those who are poor in social ineptness.   They make fun of those who are poor athletically.   They suppress those who are poor in attractiveness.  One of the ways we know that we have be declared righteous is our view of the world around us and especially the view of the poor.   Do we see them?  Do we act on their behalf?

What is the barometer of our soul? Psalm 119

What we "long" for tells us what is in our heart.  Our longings are the barometer to our soul.   Christ told us not to "seek" what is on earth but what was "in heaven" (Matthew 6).   We only have to watch what happens when we are denied our longing to see the focus of our heart.    In this Psalm on God's Word, the writer uses the word "longing" or "longed" at least four times that I saw in this reading.   The first instance is below:

Psalms 119:20

My soul is crushed with longing

After Your ordinances at all times.

You can also find the word in 119:82, 123 and 132.   In verse twenty we see that the writer's longing is so strong for God's Word that his soul feels crushed.   As I write this devotional it is the morning after a bitter loss in a soccer game with my high school boy's team.   We not only lost the game we lost, to injury, a key player (a captain and a senior).   After the game many of the boys wept.  Some struck the game in pain.   But, it was a game.   Their hearts were crushed for their teammate and the score.   Oh, to have that same crushing feeling in pain for the Word.  To be so hungry that we are in pain when we don't read it, can't read it, fail to read it.   Our souls are not often crushed in such a manner.   What does our soul long for if not His Word?   Silver? Power? Possessions? Position? Pleasure? Ease? Comfort?   Our longings are a barometer for our souls. 

God gets the final vote in this election - 2 Chronicles 21-24

God is in control of the political scene of every country He allows to rule the earth.   As we enter the final days of another political season it is nice to remember that God is in complete control.  Yet, we don't always see His hand the way we think or the way we want.   Read the following and see how God worked in the lives of just one King of Israel and Judah:

2 Chronicles 22:7

Now the destruction of Ahaziah was from God, in that he went to Joram. For when he came, he went out with Jehoram against Jehu the son of Nimshi, whom the Lord had anointed to cut off the house of Ahab.

We may not recognize the names as strong political figures today, but in their day, these were the shakers and movers.   These were the men who ruled to large kingdoms.   God caused one to join forces with the other for the sole purpose of destroying one.   The alliances God allows to form on the face of the earth may scare some of us.  The way some leaders align themselves with others for political gain may scare some of us or bother some of us.   But, rejoice in this fact: God does nothing by accident and every move is calculated by His sovereign rule.   Nothing we see is by chance.   We may not like the candidate or believe he is what is best to govern the people, but God is in ultimate control and uses one for the destruction of the other.   Do not fear - we may vote for leaders but it is God who selects the leader.  

Where does follower-ship come from? 2 Chronicles 17-20

What happens when we are put into leadership positions and we decide, or make a commitment to serve The Lord?   God sends people to support that work and that leadership ... He provides follower-ship!!!  Note in 17:16-19 we read of all the men in the army and who "volunteered" and were "appointed" in King Jehoshaphat's kingdom.   Since he was willing to put God first (17:3-4) God was willing to provide him someone to lead.   Note the same about King David, whom Jehoshaphat is compared to.  When David was being chased by Saul, not a real time of "positional leadership", he too was provided men to follow and protect and fight for him (2 Chronicles 12).  When Peter preached his first message 3,000 souls were saved to the church for Peter to lead.  His next message netted 5,000 more followers of Christ.   God always provides followers.   Christ had 12 and one of them was a misfit ... so, it is not the number of followers, but rather that followers are added to leadership by God.  In Christ's prayer before His crucifixion He thanks His Father for giving Him the 11 and praises the Father that He didn't lose any of the ones the Father "gave" Him, except Judas (John 17:6).  God will provide Godly leadership with follower-ship.  It may be a handful or it may be a nation-ful.   But, whoever follows is there because God added them.   

Make sin your friend and invite a prick in the eye - Numbers 33-36

If we fail to rid sin in our lives we will pay the consequences.  This is the truth that God told Moses about the nation of Israel and their tolerance for sin in their midst.  Note the following:

Numbers 33:55

But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you, then it shall come about that those whom you let remain of them will become as pricks in your eyes and as thorns in your sides, and they will trouble you in the land in which you live.

When we engage in relationships with the world we take the chance of falling into their sin and having their sin affect us.   God has sanctified us and wants us to be pure.  However, we can't do that by allowing sin to camp at our door.   The nation of Israel will eventually fall into sin and be disciplined by God.   It starts out very simple - they allow sin to live next door.   Our ability to stat pure for God is founded in our ability to stay away from the things that will draw us into sin.  We get to comfortable and cozy with sin.   We are no longer offended by it and no longer run from it, but rather allow it to sit in our lives and befriend us.   That is the first step to falling into sin and stepping away from God.   Rid sin today.   Paul called it the "mortification of sin" in our lives (Romans 6).   We must kill sin and be kind to it.  

Is it right to skip church to help my neighbor? Acts 3-4

Acts 3:1-2

1 Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the ninth hour, the hour of prayer. And a man who had been lame from his mother’s womb was being carried along, whom they used to set down every day at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, in order to beg alms of those who were entering the temple.

Peter and John are on their way to worship. Prayer is going to be a grave essential in that worship. But, in this passage we have a great lesson for us.  On their way to worship they "notice" a man who is being "carried along."  They could have continued on their path and used the excuses that they were going to "pray" instead of stopping to "serve" God through healing this man. But, they don't.   They don't use worship as an excuse to stop service.  They use service as an additional expression of their worship. As far as we know they never got to the temple to worship and pray.  Because they were sensitive to an opportunity to use Jesus Name for good they moved into another direction.   They were so locked in to their "drive to attend church" as they were their "desire to worship and serve God."  We get so caught up in our "Form" of worship that we fail to recognized opportunities that become the "Function" of worship.   Years ago I lived close enough to church to walk.  As I did so I walked right past my neighbor who had sewer line problems and was out desperately digging a trench, by himself, with a lone shovel.   I continued on my walk to church ... I had to lead the youth group in worship.   He eventually finished his job and all was well.  He never expected me to stop; he wouldn't think that I would.   Maybe that's the issue.   I missed an opportunity to worship God through reaching out to the lost in a time of need.   Let's not be so quick to worship and forget the weightier matters like mercy and justice and humility.   

An odd place to worship - in the belly of a fish? Jonah

When Jonah was tossed into the sea and swallowed by the fish, God put him in the exact place where he could ... worship! Worship? Yes, Worship!!! Read chapter two of Jonah and you will read a marvelous prayer of worship. Jonah lifts up and acknowledges his own sin and God majesty. He acknowledges his dependance on God and God's desire to meet that need. That is worship. The belly of the well might seem like a strange worship center. It doesn't have glass stain windows, a praise team, a pulpit, coffee in the back, or a visitor's center. But, it was a worship center for Jonah. Jonah didn't want to worship God earlier from his home. Or, on his way in obedience to Ninevah.   So, God put him in the exact place he could find his worship heart and voice.   Sometimes we leave God no choice.  We attempt to live without Him and run from Him only to find ourselves in a strange place and a sudden "need" to fear God and worship.  The prodigal son did so from a pig pen (Luke 15).   David did from broken bones and broken heart (Psalm 51).   Peter had to hear a cock crow three times before he found the place to come to God in repentance and worship.   The belly of the fish was a bad place to be. But, Jonah finally did the right thing from that bad place.   Wherever you find yourself is a good place to worship.   However, if you don't do in the comfort of your own surroundings you WILL find yourself in an uncomfortable place to find the voice of praise and worship.  

Do you hear God's Word? Does He hear your Prayers? Proverbs 28

Proverbs 28:9

He who turns away his ear from listening to the law,

Even his prayer is an abomination.

Some people openly reject God's Word.   They simply say it is a collection of old sayings by normal men written a thousand years ago with about that much pertinence.   They deny their inspiration and certainly are oppose to their authoritative nature.   They have truly "turned their ears" from hearing the Word.   Their are others who aren't as bold or brazen, but they ignore God's Word.  It is a book on the shelf or an heirloom handed down from a faithful grandmother ... to be cherished but not chastening.    They simply believe the Word is a good collection of sayings that, in their day, were inspirational.   The authority of God's Word is never question and, perhaps, even acknowledged in debate.  However, the Word has as much practical authority in their day-to-day lives as the owners manual to their car ... in a glove box and only used when a bulb burns out.   The above proverb gives us an amazing insight into how these types of attitudes affect our prayer life.  It destroys our prayer life.   When we fail to honor God's Word to us we should not expect Him to honor our words to Him.   But, it goes farther than just to tell us our prayers are not heard.  Solomon tell us our prayers are an abomination to Him when we reject God's Word.   An Abomination!!!   The next time you have a "bulb" go out in your life and you turn to the "Owner" and ask Him for help, you may want to remember you've rejected the "Manual" and He isn't listening.  Read and honor HIs Word and He will ear and respond to yours.  

Where do you go for security? Psalm 117-118

Psalms 118:8-9

It is better to take refuge in the Lord

Than to trust in man.

It is better to take refuge in the Lord

Than to trust in princes.

In Proverbs 29 we read that the "fear of man" is a snare ... traps us and holds us captive. In this passage of Psalm 118 we read something similar. Instead of taking refuge (looking for a place of safety) we are to find it in our relationship with the God of the universe. Even though we have wickedness around us and everyone has forsaken us, we need to find our peace and refuge in Him. Think of Joseph as he as in that pit ... calling out to his brothers for deliverance I would imagine. Yet, refuge didn't come from his brothers but rather in the truth that what God had intended for him was far better. God meant it for good (Genesis 50:20). When we turn our eyes to trust in men we fail. Yesterday in our reading in 2 Chronicles we read about King Asa and his finding refuge in a wicked king.  When the prophet came to him to warn him of this mistake in leadership and follower-ship of God he tossed the prophet into prison.   God struck him and his leadership as a result.   God wants to be our refuge and demands to be our refuge and deserves to be our refuge.   We seek our jobs as the ultimate safety net when in reality the loss of a job actually deepens our faith walk with God.   We trust in bank accounts but the fall of the finance world strengthens our trust in God to care for us.  Why did Christ tell us to no worry about clothes and shelter and to seek our "daily" food.   That kind of dependance is lost in our world today of cupboards, long term contracts and large investments.   God wants us to daily seek His help.   Why? See above ...  It is better!

God might not want offense but He doesn't prevent defense - 2 Chronicles 11-16

The division of the kingdom of Israel into two kingdoms (Israel and Judah) is a great study in leadership, team building, conflict management, labor relations and much more. God's Word, in this story, has given us a plethora of insight into human behavior in the midst of conflict. Rehoboam wanted to go up against the rebel Jeroboam and fight him. But, because they were actually brothers, God comes to Rehoboam and instructs him to "not" attack his brother. Brothers should not fight brothers, seems to be the lesson in that section. However, note 2 Chronicles 11:5 and see what Rehoboam's response is:

2 Chronicles 11:5

Rehoboam lived in Jerusalem and built cities for defense in Judah.

God may have told him "not" to attack his brother but God didn't prevent him from protecting himself against his brother. Just because we don't attack and fight our brother doesn't mean he will also listen to God and cease from attacking us. We see a similar line of defense in the story of Joseph and his brothers. Joseph had been tossed in a pit by his brothers and sold into slavery. Although he rose to the second most powerful man in the land he still didn't trust his brothers. When they came to ask for food and didn't recognize him, he wasn't unkind, but he was in a defensive and protective mode. He actually kept one of the brothers in prison to see and test and verify the hearts of his other brothers ... would they leave this brother in captivity as they had left him? God does not expect us to fight our brothers, but the scripture says, "as much as in you live at peace with all men" (This is a quote from Romans 12:18. Romans 12 is the most important chapter of how to handle conflict in your life.) Sometimes we can live at peace with all men because they don't want peace they want war (Psalm 120:7). Preparing defense is wisdom from God not fear of man. God expects us to defend ourselves and prepare that defense. Faith is not walking aimlessly through this world ... it is walking prudently through this world.

Give an informed response, not a quick judgment - Numbers 29-32

We all, from time-to-time, jump to conclusions.  We tend to not take in enough information and make a judgment prior to adequate data.   In this story in chapter 32 of Moses and the 2 1/2 tribes we have a perfect picture of speaking before proper analyzing.   The leaders of these families came to Moses and asked to camp on the opposite side of the Jordan River.   Before Moses had heard them out He immediately starts to compare them to the generation prior, that God condemned to death in the wilderness.    Moses jumped to judgement before he asked enough questions.  He attempted to "condemn" rather than "clarify."   If you see his words after they ask, the sentences are filled more with exclamation points and periods than it is question marks.   He was so busy condemning he failed to listen.  They did have a plan and they weren't like their fathers.   But, Moses, as the leader was in full leadership mode rather than a listening and evaluation mode.   We can all jump to conclusions.  We ought to spend more time listening than condemning.   It makes for richer and balanced responses.