MONDAY MORNING!

"... we may ..."

"In Him and through faith in Him we may approach God with freedom and confidence."
 -- Ephesians 3:12

Isn't that exciting to know? In Christ Jesus and through faith in Christ Jesus we -- you and me -- all believers -- may approach God -- The Creator -- with freedom and confidence.

Nehemiah as cupbearer to King Artaxerxes could not approach the king without being asked. And what about Esther? Even though she was made queen to King Xerxes, she was not allowed to approach the presence of the King unless she was asked by him to be in his presence.

"... any man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned the king had but one law: that he be put to death. The only exception to this is for the king to extend the gold scepter to him and spare his life." -- Esther 4:11 

The one time she was asked to do this she tried to get out of it but Mordecai reminded her,

"... And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?" 

-- Esther 4:14

Well, the gold scepter was extended and Esther was granted safe access to King Xerxes. What we need to see is that we have access to the the god of all creation 24/7. With freedom, because nothing is holding us back -- with boldness, because nothing is holding us back -- with confidence, because nothing is hold us back. No thing real -- nothing abstract thing, no spiritual thing, no rules, no regulations, no fears -- NOTHING, absolutely NOTHING can keep us from approaching God. EXCEPT! (Wasn't expecting that were you?) EXCEPT, YOURSELF. With boldness and with assurance "we may" approach God without any fear of rejection, reprisal, rebuffing, or loss of life. The choice is yours. The choice is mine. The choice is there for all believers.

Bottom Line: May we all understand that nothing is stopping us from approaching God at anytime, any place, for any reason. May we know and realize the boldness, the freedom and the confidence we have in accessing the God of all creation, the King of kings and Lord of lords. May we know that -- "we may." And then, choose to approach.  Amen? Amen!

MONDAY MORNING!

"Search me..."

"Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there  is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." -- Psalm 139:23-24

Psalm 139, a psalm of David. We could devote several weeks of Monday Morning! to just this one psalm.  I have always had a special place in my heart for it. The verses above are the last two of the psalm. Let's look at them briefly.

"Search me...". Have you ever ask the LORD to do that in your own personal life? And not just a quick search but an in-depth search of your true heart.  Involving, indeed invoking and allowing the LORD (That is the LORD God Almighty, the creator and ruler of the universe; the creator of all things great and small, the all knowing, all powerful, all present one true God. Note: Now let that sink in a little.)  to perform an in-depth testing  of your anxious thoughts. All your anxious thoughts. Think about that. David obviously had some or else why invite the LORD to search. And to top off the end of the psalm in the last verse, David, asks the LORD to check him out for offenses. Let me tell you what I think that means.

David was willing for the LORD (Again, The LORD God Almighty.) to see if he had any outrage, any indignities, any aggression, any injustice, any misdeeds, any scandal, any sin, any trespass, any vice, any wickedness -- the list could go on and on. David was opening it all up for the LORD to examine. WOW! Could we or would we be even a little willing to be that candid with the The LORD God Almighty?

Now get this, and after the LORD takes a look see, after He examines David --- David ask Him to "lead me in the way everlasting."  How could David ask that after having the LORD see everything offensive about himself?  I think the key is: Prophetically, David, a man after God's own heart 

(I Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22) was able to see beyond the present to the day that his lineage would produce the Messiah. And, in so doing He saw the One and Only Son of God indeed the Lamb of God who would take away the sin of the world (John 1:29). David got it! David understood it! He was willing to lay it all bare before the LORD unafraid and unashamed for he knew and was able to see The One who would lead him in the way everlasting.

Bottom Line: May we,  like David, be unafraid and unashamed to ask the LORD to search us, to know our heart, to test us, to know all our anxious thoughts, to take a look and see if there is any offensive way in us. And, may we come to know, realize and believe that He, the LORD God Almighty, has made a way through His Only Son, Jesus Christ of Nazareth, for us to be led in the way everlasting. Amen? Amen! -- MG

MONDAY MORNING!

"... the Spirit of counsel and power ..."

The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him ---

the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,

the Spirit of counsel and of power,

the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD ---

and he will delight in the fear of the LORD.

-- Isaiah 11:2-3

Of course this scripture reference from Isaiah has to do with the coming of Messiah.  We see it fulfilled in Jesus' baptism (Matthew 3:16, Mark 1:10, Luke 3:21, John 1:32) and in Luke 4:18 where at the synagogue in Nazareth on a Sabbath day He stood and read the scroll of the prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 61:1-2) and then declared for all to hear that -- "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."

Just some thoughts:

It has been my observation in scripture that the Holy Spirit always, always, always, comes in power. It is so obvious in the life of Jesus as we read through the Four Gospels. It is obvious in Genesis 1:2 -- "... and the Spirit of God was hovering (brooding, moving, fluttering) over the waters."  In my humble thinking -- you cannot move or brood or hover without energy, without power. The Holy Spirit power at the ready to hear and to jump to obedience at the sound of the voice of Creation. It is obvious when we read time and time again of the Spirit of the Lord coming upon people in the book of Judges. 

Concerning Othniel: "The Spirit of the LORD came upon him, so that he became Israel's judge and went to war." -- Judges 3:10

Concerning Jephthah: "Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jephthah." -- Judges 11:29

Concerning Sampson: "and the Spirit of the LORD began to stir him..." -- Judges 13:25

"The Spirit of the LORD came upon him in power ..." -- Judges 14:6 

"Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon him in power." -- Judges 14:19

"...The Spirit of the LORD came upon him in power." -- Judges 15:14

The prophet Joel prophesied the pouring out of the Spirit: " ... I will pour out My Spirit on all people." -- Joel 2:28.  And, Jesus words -- "...but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high." -- Luke 24:49. "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you:" -- Acts 1:8. Lastly, "All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them." -- Acts 2:4

Bottom Line: The same Holy Spirit power that was present at creation, that was present with Othniel, Jephthah, Sampson and others I did not name. The same Holy Spirit that come upon Jesus. The same Holy Spirit that was poured out upon people in the upper room on the first Pentecost after Jesus' crucifixion is the same Holy Spirit that indwells believers today, this hour, this minute, this moment. May you believe it! Amen? Amen! 

MONDAY MORNING!

"If ..."

If (no pun intended) we are honest with ourselves we would probably find that we all use the word, "if", more times than we care to mention or keep up with. It can mean: 1. in the event of; allowing that; on condition that; 2. whether; 3. an exclamation expressing a wish; 4. even though. Here I think we will find it  means -- "on condition that".  In all of scripture where "if" is used we find that 54% of the time that is the meaning. Let's look at the entire verse:

The Spirit of God came upon Azariah son of Obed. He went out to meet Asa and said to him, "Listen to me, Asa and all Judah and Benjamin. The LORD is with you when you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you, but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you."

-- 2 Chronicles 15:1-2

To paraphrase: "on the condition you seek Him, He will be found, but on the condition you forsake Him, He will forsake you." Now, I know the Word here is speaking specifically to King Asa and the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. Nevertheless, I do not want to entertain for even a brief moment the thought or idea of me forsaking God and He forsaking me. 

But, that "if" denotes a choice for King Asa. We read later in 2 Chronicles 16 that King Asa chose not to seek the LORD. In essence, forsaking Him.

In the thirty-ninth year of his reign Asa was afflicted with a disease in his feet. Though his disease was severe, even in his illness he did not seek help from the LORD, but only from the physicians.

-- 2 Chronicles 16:12

What an extremely sad way to end -- not seeking help from the LORD. So hard for me to understand because of knowing that Asa knew better. He was warned! Which brings me to another scripture that I hope we all let rule in our lives.

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

-- Matthew 6:33

Bottom Line: May we come to realize without a doubt that when the LORD is with us we are with Him. May we come to realize that as we seek Him and His righteousness He will never leave us nor forsake us. And, may our "if" always be one of seeking Him so that He will be found by us. Amen? Amen! 

 

  

MONDAY MORNING!

"...and would not listen"

 "This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. In your hearts do not think evil of each other." -- Zechariah 7:9-10

Administer (execute, bring about) 
--- true (assured) justice (a verdict to restore order)

Show (grant, practice, provide) 
--- mercy and compassion to one another

Do not oppress (defraud, deceive, violate) 
--- the widow (one without a husband, her covering)
--- the fatherless (one without parents, the orphan)
--- the alien (a guest traveling in your country)
--- the poor (the afflicted, lowly, needy)

In your hearts do not think (contrive, imagine, plot) 
--- evil (calamity, harm, trouble) of each other

Just reading that scripture kind of spelled out and expanded should make us consider a lot of things differently. The words were spoken to God's people while they were in exile and captivity in Babylon. They could be spoken to us today as well. In verse 12 the word of the LORD through Zechariah says, "They made their hearts as hard as flint and would not listen ..." May that never be us.

 Bottom Line: Even in these words spoken to a rebellious people may we pay attention. May we not turn our backs on these words. May we not stop up our ears to these words. And, may we not harden our hearts to these words. Amen? Amen.
 

MONDAY MORNING!

"Be joyful always ..."

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." -- I Thessalonians 5:16-18

I want to say, "Wow. Really Paul?  Really?" But then I remember what he wrote to Timothy: "All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."

So, now I am saying, "Okay, God, show me." And He does. 

I begin to see that the "joyful" comes from what He has deposited inside of me and is not dependent upon my outward circumstances or situation. I begin to see that prayer is part of my communication with "the creator of all things." I begin to see that giving thanks is from a grateful heart remembering the perfect sacrifice of love for me on the cross. And, I begin to see that all of this --- being joyful, praying, being thankful --- is His will -- His choice -- for me in being connected to His one and only Son, Jesus Christ.

My prayer right now? "Father, I want (I will -- I choose) to know You more. I want (I will -- I choose) to be joyful always. I want (I will -- I choose) to pray continually. I want (I will -- I choose) to give thanks in all circumstances. I want (I will - I choose) Your will for me in Christ Jesus. Amen"

Bottom Line: May we realize God's will -- His choice -- for us in Christ Jesus. May we be joyful always. May we be praying continually. And, may we give thanks in all circumstances. Amen? Amen.

 

MONDAY MORNING!

"... keep in step..."

 "But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. ... But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on His own; He will speak only what He hears, and He will tell you what is yet to come." -- John 16:7 & 13

"Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." -- Galatians 5:25

One of the many purposes of the Holy Spirit being sent is to keep us in step with Father. If I should want to go one way and the Spirit wants me to go another way --- I am not in step with the Spirit.

Spirit: "Go encourage that person over there."

Me: "No, I am not in a place to do that."

Spirit: "Go pray for that person over there."

Me: "No, I'm not good at that."

Spirit: "Go this way not that."

Me: "Really? But I want to go that way not this way."

Keeping in step with the Spirit requires paying attention -- yes. But, it also requires obedience.

Keeping in step with the Spirit requires having hearing ears -- yes. But, it also requires  obedience.

Keeping in step with the Spirit requires seeing -- yes. But, it also requires obedience.

Keeping in step with the Spirit requires not talking -- yes. But, it also requires obedience. 

He, the Holy Spirit, will gently nudge, quietly speak, lovingly show and mindfully still our lips   --- all of which will keep us in step with Him and Father --- if only we obey.

Bottom Line: May we know, may we learn, may we accept that truly living by the Spirit is being in lock step with Him in all matters, on all occasions, for every situation and circumstance. May we come to know His gentle nudge, His quite voice, His loving sight, His mindful closing of our lips --- and obey Him. Amen? Amen.

MONDAY MORNING!

Salvation

"Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls." -- I Peter 1:8-9

In simple terms "salvation" means: safe keeping, deliverance from difficulty.

Moses speaks of salvation in Exodus 15:2 -- "The LORD is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise Him, my father's God, and I will exalt him.

David speaks of salvation in I Chronicles 16:23 --  " Sing to the LORD, all the earth; proclaim His salvation day after day." And, in Psalm 51:12 -- "Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me."

Isaiah speaks of salvation in Isaiah 25:9 --- in that day they will say, "Surely this is our God; we trusted in Him; let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation."  And, of "everlasting salvation" in Isaiah 45:17 -- "But Israel will be saved by the LORD, with an everlasting salvation; you will never be put to shame or disgrace, to ages everlasting."

Zechariah prophesied of the salvation of Jerusalem coming riding on "the foal of a donkey" in Zechariah 9:9 -- "Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey."

Peter states in Acts 4:12 -- Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." 

Moses never saw the One, David never saw the One, Isaiah never saw the One, Zechariah never saw the One, Peter did see the One but encourages those who have not seen Him -- the One -- to love Him, believe in Him and in so doing be filled with inexpressible and glorious joy in receiving the salvation of our souls.

Bottom Line: Can you say with inexpressible and glorious joy that even though you have not seen Him -- the One -- that you love Him and believe Him and have received the salvation of your soul? May all come to know the salvation -- safe keeping -- of their souls. Amen? Amen.  
  

MONDAY MORNING!

There is life in death.

"I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds." John 12:24

For many years I planted a small garden in my back yard. Tomatoes, beans, squash, turnips. For the last couple of years I have helped my dad plant a small garden -- mostly green beans and purple hull peas. All that is required is sun, soil, water, and the seeds. I would till the soil, add some fertilizer, form the rows, plant the seeds, water and then depended on God for the sunshine. After a week you could begin seeing little green sprigs breaking the ground. There is life in death. There is life in the burying of a seed and it produces an abundance of fruit and other seed. We ate the fruit of the garden all summer and into the fall.

We recently celebrated resurrection Sunday. Remembering that Jesus' death produced a life that no one had known before.  His death became the beginning of a new life and an everlasting life for all who believe.

For God so loved the world the He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." -- John 3:16

Our life in Christ is a new beginning for us here on earth. There is life in us dying to our old ways. We become a new creation in Him (II Corinthians 5:17).  So, I ask us all -- What we we doing with this new life? Are we reproducing? Are we new? Yes, indeed! But are we letting our new life bring forth "many seeds". Are we helping others who do not know to see the new life in Him? Are we living our new life for all to see? Are we taking our new life seriously enough to share it with others? Are we telling them that there is life everlasting through Him?

Bottom Line: Jesus' death brought life and continues to bring forth life. Even life everlasting. May our new life in Him continue to produce "many seeds" of new life. May we share our new life in Him with others so they to may have everlasting life. Amen? Amen.

 

MONDAY MORNING!

"He's Alive!"

"He is not here; He has risen, just as He said." -- Matthew 28:6
"He has risen! He is not here." -- Mark 16:6
"He is not here; He has risen!" -- Luke 24:6

I want to declare to you today something you should already know -- JESUS IS ALIVE! He is as much alive today as when they first discovered the empty tomb. And since He is alive -- He is alive in us! Romans 6:11 states, "count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus."

I am ashamed to admit it but there are times in my life that I have lived my life (even if only a very very brief moment of it) as if my Savior were not alive.  Times of trial and tribulation and discouragement and disillusionment. Isn't that awful. I mean really awful.  I was living as if I was under my circumstance and not above them as His Word declares. I am thankful that in those times it was only for a moment. And then my thinking became clear again and I declared at the top of my lungs -- "No! My Lord and Savior is alive! HE'S ALIVE! HE'S ALIVE! And He is right here with me every step of the way. Always. Always. Always."

Indeed, He is alive and seated at the right hand of the Father in the heavenly realms. And, we are seated with Him. (Ephesians 1:20 & 2:6) Did you get that? We are seated with Him. Hallelujah! Thank you, Father! Thank you, Father!

Bottom Line: He is alive! And He is with us. May we get a hold of that in our body, mind, and spirit and may we never forget. Amen? Amen.


 

MONDAY MORNING!

"Worship the LORD with gladness"

Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs. Know that the LORD is God. It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the LORD is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations. -- Psalm 100

The Bible does not tell us that everything in our life has to be perfect (fine and dandy or hunky-dory) in order for us to give praise to God, our Lord, our Maker. We are to worship the Lord with gladness regardless of the condition of things around us. We are to come before Him with joyful songs. We need to realize who He is everyday! He is our Maker. We need to realize who we are to Him --- His sheep.  He cares for us. He has vested interest in us.

Do we truly realize that with every breath we take, with every fill up of our lungs that we are taking in the breath of life that He gave us? That alone should be the reason we "shout for joy"! That alone should be the reason we "worship with gladness"! That alone should be the reason we "come before Him with joyful songs"! That alone should be the reason we "know He is God"! That alone should be the reason we "enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise"! That alone should be the reason we "give thanks to Him and praise His name"!

Bottom Line: May we today and every day --- "worship the LORD with gladness" for the breath of life we breath. Amen? Amen. 

MONDAY MORNING!

"I AM"

Moses said to God, "Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they ask me, 'What is His name?' Then what shall I tell them? God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.'"
-- Exodus 3:13-14

The more literal translation to "I AM WHO I AM" is: I WILL BE WHAT I WILL BE. God was actually saying to Moses and the Israelites that He would be whatever they needed Him to be at any given time in any given situation. And, for us, as true believers, as Christians -- our Father is I AM. God, our Father, wants us to know that every single day of our existence here and for eternity He is -- I AM.

My Father, WILL BE WHAT HE WILL BE, in each and every situation and circumstance of my life. I really believe that! If I need a deliverer my Father, I AM is there! If I need provision, my Father, I AM is there! If I need a front guard or a rear guard or a side guard, my Father, I AM is there!

Consider the following:

No one will ever love you more than, I AM

No one will be more faithful to you than, I AM

No one will ever deposit more in you than, I AM

No one will ever establish a name more worthy within you and before you than, I AM

I AM -- is your Friend

I AM -- is your Advocate

I AM -- is your Sword

I AM -- is your Refuge

I AM -- is your Security

I AM -- is your Hope

I AM -- is your Promise

I AM -- is your Purpose

I AM -- is your Source for everything

I AM -- is your ALL in ALL

I AM -- is your connection to  Glorious Eternity

Bottom Line: May we not forget the love of, I AM. May we not forget the faithfulness of, I  AM. May we not forget the Word of, I AM deposited in us. And, may we never forget that His name is -- I AM. Amen? Amen.

 

MONDAY MORNING!

". . . where two or three ..."

"For where two or three come together in My name, there am I with them." -- Matthew 18:20

One of my favorite scriptures that is committed to memory. It is about you, as an individual, and a couple of other people. Just think -- you and one or two others coming together in the name of Jesus and He is there with you. So, why not take advantage of that -- its scriptural.  You are over at some friends for lunch or dinner -- take time to gather in His name and see what happens. You are out in the grocery store and run into someone -- take time to gather in His name and see what happens. You are in your office setting with others -- why not take time, if and should the opportunity arises, to gather in His name and see what happens.

I once had an employee come to me concerned about some things happening with her husband. He was struggling with pressures at work and had taken off in his truck and she did not know where he was. I was careful -- I asked if we could step outside (in broad open daylight) and let me pray with her concerning his situation. We did. I prayed in the name of Jesus knowing He was with us. Within an hour she had heard from her husband and all was well with him.

Coming together in His name is powerful. Coming together in His name brings results. Coming together in His name causing things to move and shake. So, I encourage you to everyday find someone to come together with in His name.  It may be your spouse.  It may be a friend or another believer you have just met. It may be your mom or dad. And remember it does not matter where the coming together takes place -- just know He is there with you.

Bottom Line: May we daily take the time and the opportunity to come together with someone in His name. May we know the power of coming together in His name. And, may we always have a testimony of what happens when we come together in His name. Amen? Amen. 

MONDAY MORNING!

I do not pretend ...

"If He snatches away, who can stop Him? Who can say to Him, 'What are you doing?'" -- Job 9:12 

I do not pretend to understand the ways of the Lord.  Well --- to be perfectly honest --- maybe sometimes I try. Isaiah 55:8-9 tells us we don't: "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts."

His way of doing things are different than mine. My way of thinking is different than His. Yet, we are encouraged to continue on a path or road of Christ-likeness. Christ was always obedient to Father. He listened and He obeyed. He did what Father showed Him to do. Just look at John 5:19 and John 8:28.

Jesus gave them this answer: "I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himslef; He can do only what He sees His Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does." -- John 5:19

  ". . . I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught Me." -- John 8:28

With those scriptures in mind -- in John 9 we are told of how Jesus heals a man born blind. He spat on the ground, made some mud and then put it on the man's eyes and told him to go wash in the Pool of Siloam. I see no where in that ninth chapter of John where Jesus asked, "Father, what are you doing?" He simply obeyed.

So, how do we see and hear and know what the Father is doing and asking us to do? Through faith in His Son who asked His Father to send the Holy Spirit who would then guide us into all things.

But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you" -- John 14:26

But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you. ... But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on His own; He will speak only what He hears, and He will tell you what is yet to come. -- John 16: 7 & 13

Yes, He speaks, He shows, He directs. The question is: Are we looking, listening and being obedient? Or, are we just thinking or saying, "What are You doing?"

Bottom Line: May we not pretend to always know His ways. May we see, may we hear, and may we obey as the Holy Spirit, the Counselor, the Spirit of truth guides and directs. Amen? Amen. 

MONDAY MORNING!
 
"This is the way ..."

"Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it." -- Isaiah 30:21
 

We are all on a journey here on earth. We are physically walking --- on the earth, in our homes, in our work places, in schools, and out in the public. But, we are also walking a spiritual journey with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ of Nazareth.  I believe that it is through the power of the Holy Spirit that we will be directed in our physical journey and our spiritual journey with Him.  Every new day brings about the opportunity to hear from Him. We just have to listen for Him.  We need to learn to discern His voice above all the other voices clamoring for our attention.

"The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger's voice. -- John 10:3-5

We need to know His voice in the midst of our everyday life circumstances. And, as a "gentle whisper" as Elijah did -- ". . . Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" -- I Kings 19: 11-13

 

Bottom Line:  Whose voice are you choosing to listen to and to follow? May we always have ears to hear His voice behind us saying, "This is the way; walk in it." Amen? Amen.

 
 

MONDAY MORNING!

"Where Are You Standing?"

"I waited patiently for the LORD; He turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand." -- Psalm 40:1-2

Later in this psalm, David, talks about troubles without number surrounding him and his sins overtaking him. Yet, he calls on the LORD to come save him.  He was in a "tight fix" or as some would say -- "between a rock and a hard place" or "stuck with no way out". But, he also knew where he needed to be and that was on a rock -- a solid rock and if you will --- I am thinking -- "The Rock". In the midst of his situation or circumstance he waited for the LORD to come and help place him there -- "on a rock."

So, I ask you -- Where are your feet standing? Are you in a "tight fix"?  Are you "between a rock and a hard place?" Do you feel "stuck with no way out?" --- Then who are you calling on and praying to?

This is what David prayed ---

"Be pleased, O LORD, to save me; O LORD, come quickly to help me." Ps. 40:13

Bottom Line: May we know that whatever we may be facing, whatever we may be going through, whatever may be our situation --- as we call out and patiently wait --- there is always One who will come quickly when we call, pull us out and set our feet on The Solid Rock. Amen? Amen.

MONDAY MORNING!

"We have been given something"

 "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." -- Matthew 5:14-16

We have been given something through Jesus Christ.  We are a light -- a beacon -- something that others point to and see -- and that light is the love of God. It is to be seen. Not hidden. You can see a city on a hill from a long way off. A light shining in a house at night can been seen through the windows. It is meant to shine forth for those within and those outside to know someone is there.

Believe me, people notice you. People see your good deeds. They see your goodness. The love of God shines through you and this is the kicker: They are not praising you when they speak to you about the good deed you may have done for them or someone else. They are praising God even if it seems like they are praising you.  How, you may be thinking? Because even if they are praising and thanking you for the good deed -- now get this -- they are thanking Him  because it is not your light, but His light that He has given you. You are just letting His light shine through you. So you see, the praise and glory always goes to Him because it is about Him.

Bottom Line: May the light -- His light -- that you have been given -- shine so that others may see Him through you and praise the Father in heaven. Amen? Amen. 

MONDAY MORNING!

"God Directs"

"Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight." ... Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me." -- Psalm 119:35 & 133

"This is what the LORD says --- your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: "I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go." -- Isaiah 48:17

"I know, O LORD, that a man's life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps." -- Jeremiah 10:23

"May the Lord direct your hearts into God's love and Christ's perseverance." -- 2 Thessalonians 3:5

I use to not like asking for directions. I would almost rather stay lost until the last possible moment when at last I would finally (at my wife's consistent and constant insistence I will add) stop and ask how to get from here to there.

Since our birth someone has been giving us directions. "Don't touch that it's hot! Don't run out in the street! Don't stay out late. You are doing a good job of cleaning your room -- keep it up." Coaches give directions to their staff and to their players and you better bet they follow if they want to continue to be part of the team. Directions are necessary in life. They help keep us going down the right path.

However, as we get older, a lot of times we do not want people giving us directions or helping us to make decisions. -- "I am grown now! I can direct myself! Not anybody going to tell me what to do!" But that is contrary to His Word -- Again, Jeremiah 10:23 -- "I know, O LORD, that a man's life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps."

 The thing is -- we all need direction in our life right up to the day we die.

Bottom Line: Who is directing your life? You and you alone? May we decide that we need direction in our life. May we know that His Word is always available to help direct us. Always. Amen? Amen.

MONDAY MORNING!

"His Word"

"For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edge sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." -- Hebrews 4:12

"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." -- James 1:22

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God." -- Colossians 3:16

"I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You. ... I meditate on Your precepts and consider Your ways." -- Psalm 119:11 & 15

 Question? --- How many of us really spend adequate time in His Word? We read newspapers, magazines, novels -- and for quite a few that is now mostly online. But His Word is online now in any format, language or translation you want.  All at the touch of a few clicks, pushes or swipes.

For me personally, I have read through the Bible several times. I study His Word in preparing for sharing on Sunday mornings, connect group meetings, teaching on the mission field, etc. But, I even find within myself a lacking of really meditating on His Word as I should. The LORD, in speaking to Joshua as he was coming into his leadership role, had this to say to him: "Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful." -- Joshua 1:8

My Webster Dictionary states that "meditate" means ---  to engage in contemplation or reflection. The Hebrew word actually means "to murmur". So, to meditate on His word is more than thinking about it or contemplating it, or reflecting on it.  It is actually saying it over and over and over again until it is in your inmost being. You keep bringing it up over and over again. Just take this small example: Say, "The LORD is my Shepherd." -- Now say it over and over and over and over and over and over. Say it again and again by putting different emphasis on each word.  Believe me -- it will begin to get down in you as never before.

Bottom Line: May we choose to really spend quality time in His Word. May we choose to really spend time meditating on His Word. Amen? Amen. 

MONDAY MORNING

"God Forgives"

". . . Forgive my hidden faults. Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless, innocent of great transgression. -- Psalm 19:12-13

"Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners --- of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display His unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on Him and receive eternal life." -- I Timothy 1:15-16

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. -- I John 1:9

How many are thankful that God forgives? My hand is up first! How many are grateful that He sent His One and Only Son to die for our sin? Yep, my hand is up first again!  Just think of this: When we ask, as believers, for God to forgive us -- Guess what? He forgives us! Amen?
Now does that mean we are okay to keep on sinning? Listen to this: "What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?" -- Romans 6:1-2 

Are we ever going to be perfect and not sin?  Not in this world we have now and not in this temporary earthen jar we call our body. But we can be thankful for a loving God that always forgives. Have you ever washed a bunch of dirty dishes? They may have food caked on them, some greasy, some just really sticky and messy. But you take warm water, dish liquid and a little scrubbing and they are all clean --- just to get messed up again. That's us -- we get messed up again and again but guess what? God is in the dish cleaning business (if I may put it that way). He is --- "The Mr. Clean".  No matter how big the mess --- He is faithful to forgive every time we ask.

For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us." -- Psalm 103:11-12

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Can you hear me praising God? -- I said -- HALLELUJAH! 

Bottom Line: May we come to know that we have a loving Father who always forgives whenever we ask.  Amen? Amen!