Recognizing My Need

Nehemiah 1:5 GW I said, "LORD God of heaven, great and awe-inspiring God, you faithfully keep your promise and show mercy to those who love you and obey your commandments. 

Nehemiah was hurting because Jerusalem was unprotected. He knew the solution lay not with the conquerors or himself, but with God.

Yet, Nehemiah didn't demand God act. Nehemiah came with a humble, receptive attitude, recognizing God's greatness, both his own and his nation's failings, as well as his helplessness without God.

Nehemiah wasn't praying elegant prayers, but prayed from his heart.

If we truly seek God's mercy and blessings, we must come as did Nehemiah--honestly, fervently, recognizing who God is, our need, and our helplessness without Him.

Jesus, help me recognize my need of You and bow. Amen.

Hap-hazard Faith

Ezra 7:9-10 GW He had left Babylon on the first day of the first month, and on the first day of the fifth month, he arrived in Jerusalem, since his God was good to him.  Ezra was determined to study the LORD'S Teachings, live by them, and teach their rules and regulations in Israel.

Cause and effect. Our commitment to honor God translates into God honoring our commitment with protection, provision and inner if not outer peace.

Am I determined to study God's Word on a regular bases and share Him with others? Or is my faith and my relationship rather hap-hazard and selfish, only seeking God in times of need?

Cause and effect. If I want God's blessings I need to determine to continually honor Him through study, communication and witness.

Jesus, help my faith be centered on You, not me. Amen.

Respond with Love--Not Anger

Galatians 6:1-2 GW Brothers, if a man is overtaken in a fault, you the spiritual ones restore such a one in the spirit of meekness, considering yourself, lest you also be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so you will fulfill the law of Christ. 

Too many times the Christian community gets a black eye because of the harshness of words and actions. So-called Christians actually write horrible, angry, hatemail to those with whom they disagree.

But that sort if hate does not come from God. Murdering an abortionist to protect the unborn only puts the person responsible in the same class as the abortionist.

God gave us emotions not to hate, but to pray for and show compassionate even on those who deserve it the least. Jesus doesn't let evil go unpunished. We just need to be sure our words and actions are above reproach and in line with God's principles---not our emotions.

That starts with a close relationship with Jesus and a grounding in His Word. When in doubt pray, read, listen and wait for wisdom. Remember Jesus died even for those who disagree with you.

Can I Discern Truth From Falsehood?
Galatians 1:8,17- 18 GW Whoever tells you good news that is different from the Good News we gave you should be condemned to hell, even if he is one of us or an angel from heaven. ...I didn't even go to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was. Instead, I went to Arabia and then came back to Damascus. Then, three years later I went to Jerusalem ...

How can we recognize a false gospel unless we are well acquainted with God's Word and have a close relationship with Jesus? If we don't constantly study God's Word, if we aren't allowing God--not some stand in substitute be that pastor, parent, president, or some charsmatic guru--to speak to us through His Word, we'll be easy prey for those who seek to pervert, discount or add to the simple but profound message of salvation through the cross. Everything we hear needs to be checked against God's Word as a whole, not passages pulled out of context to prove a point.

Galatians 2:16 GW Yet, we know that people don't receive God's approval because of their own efforts to live according to a set of standards, but only by believing in Jesus Christ. So we also believed in Jesus Christ in order to receive God's approval by faith in Christ and not because of our own efforts. People won't receive God's approval because of their own efforts to live according to a set of standards.

Do I know Jesus on a personal level? Am I reading, studying and memorizing His Word? Am I living for Him? Finally, am I insulating myself from false doctrines by knowing God's truth?

Help me, Jesus, to "Study earnestly to present myself approved to God, a workman that does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth." 11Timothy 2:15 Mkjv

"The Secret" Cannot Save
Zachariah 10:2 GW The idols speak lies. The fortunetellers see false visions. They speak about false dreams. They give useless comfort. That is why people wander around like sheep. They are troubled because there is no shepherd.

Too many so-called Shepherds, no longer preach a salvation message of sin and the need for a sacrificial Savior. They preach about man's potential for goodnes and "Can't we all just get along?"

We can't because, without Christ, our efforts are doomed to failure. He is love. He changes us from selfish, self-seeking creatures to ministers of compassion and grace.

No medium, mumble-jumbo, magic, secret or medium can give us hope or satisfaction. No religion will change our hearts toward good.

Too often we seek those who tell us what we want to hear, instead of seeking the only one who offers life--Jesus Christ.

Whose House am I Building
Zachariah 5:4 Mkjv I will bring it forth, says the LORD of hosts; and it shall enter into the house of the thief, and into the house of him who swears falsely by My name. And it shall remain in the midst of his house, and shall devour it, and its timber and its stones.

The Israelites, instesd of honoring God and seeking to build a place of worship, thought first of themselves. They built their own homes and sought to reestablish themselves as God's people without God.

It didn't work. Without God there is no foundations for right and wrong, no reason to be honest, to be truthful, to be a person of integrity.

Without God, like the israelites, we fail at all levels---physically, morally, practically. What turned around? A willingness to repent and start again with reordered priorities---God first.

Do I fail because I'm building my house instead of His, putting ME as first priority?

My Spiritual Temperature
Zachariah 1:3 GW Tell the people, 'This is what the LORD of Armies says: Return to me, declares the LORD of Armies, and I will return to you, says the LORD of Armies.'

Wonder where God is in your life? Why isn't He blessing? Check your spiritual temperature. Have you grown cold? When was the last time you regularly read God's Word or sought His guidance? When was the last time you prayed, talked to God as your friend, praising and worshipping as well as making demands? How often do you fellowship with God's people?

God speaks to and blesses those who honor Him with their time and heart. Do I?

Zachariah 4:6 Mkjv Then he answered and spoke to me, saying, This is the Word of the LORD to Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the LORD of hosts.

My Focus
Haggai 1:9 GW "You expected a lot, but you received a little. When you bring something home, I blow it away. Why?" declares the LORD of Armies. "It's because my house lies in ruins while each of you is busy working on your own house. ...

We believe things are bad economically and in other ways because of the government. But government is only a reflection of a people who have turned their back on their Savior/Creator.

Israel did the same. God did not bless until they returned to putting God at the center of their personal and national focus of worship.

God cannot bless disobedience. Am I lacking because other things are more important than my relationship to Jesus?

Victim Mentality
II Corinthians 13:11 ASV Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfected; be comforted; be of the same mind; live in peace: and the God of love and peace shall be with you.

Attitude is important. We may not be able to control everything that happens to or around us. But we can choose how we will respond.

Do we respond as victims with "poor me" and complaints or do we allow God's to give us peace and grace to handle, forgive and move on?

Teachable Heart
Psalm 119:26-27 GW I told you what I have done, and you answered me. Teach me your laws. Help me understand your guiding principles so that I may reflect on your miracles.

How often do we not hear God's voice, not because He isn't speaking, but because we refuse to listen. We let the "noise" of our daily life drown out His still, small voice. We let our schedule get too filled with activities to take time to read God's Word, time to let God speak through His Word. We're so rushed that when we send up emergency, often self-serving, petitions, we don't listen or wait for the answer and when we do, we tend to think our way is better.

Why should God try to speak to those who shut Him out?

He speaks and guides those who have a quiet, teachable heart. Do I?

Everyday Faith

Psalm 95:1-2 KJV O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.

Sunday. The day we can choose to worship God, to sing and praise and honor Him. It is a day we can be an example to family, kids and friends that we're serious about our faith.

But as much as we can enjoy growing in our walk on Sunday, no one will want what we have if our Sunday faith doesn't translate into Monday's schedule, problems and conflicts.

Do I live for Christ, honoring Him with my words and actions, not just on "The Lord's Day" but every day He created?

Halloween
Jeremiah 17:14 Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed, save me, and I shall be saved; for You are my praise. Mkjv

God is our ultimate healer. As we come to Him, honor and serve Him He will heal mentally, physically and spiritually. How much better to seek His light than the darkness so often evident on this night.

Rules Not Always About Restrictions
Psalm 119:18 Mkjv Open my eyes, so that I may behold wonderful things out of Your law.

We often think of "law" in terms of restricting rules. But if we think in terms of principles, we may be able to see beyond our natural tendency to rebel.

God's Word lays out His principles, not to restrict, but to free us to be all He created us to be. For example, sexual restraint and God's guidance can keep us from diseases that cripple and kill, and provide protection from toxic relationships.

But we need to be open to what God has for us, willing to be open to following His way to inner peace and security rather than the way of the world to destruction.

Open my eyes and my heart, Jesus, that I may see beyond my rebellious heart to Your love shown within Your principles. Amen.

Faith or Fear?
II Corinthians 10:5b GW ...We take every thought captive so that it is obedient to Christ. .

Ezra 3:3 GW So they rebuilt the altar on its original site, though they were afraid of the people in the neighboring regions. They sacrificed burnt offerings on it to the LORD every morning and evening.

When the Jews returned to Israel, they knew their neighbors did not welcome them or their worship. Fear hovered. But they did not allow that very real concern about what other tribes living the land might do to them to keep them from publicly worshipping God, honoring Him and doing whatever was right.

We don't usually have neighbors ready to murder us for worshipping Jesus. But we might suffer discrimination, ridicule, or character assassination. Do we love Jesus enough to know Him, honor Him, study and follow His principles and guidance in public as well as in private--no matter what?

In today's anti-Christian climate, it can be scary to live for You and to share my faith with others. Help me, Jesus, have the courage to let my little light shine for You. Amen.

Psalm 119:15 GW I want to reflect on your guiding principles and study your ways.

True Wealth
II Corinthians 9:10-11 GW God gives seed to the farmer and food to those who need to eat. God will also give you seed and multiply it. In your lives he will increase the things you do that have his approval. God will make you rich enough so that you can always be generous. ...

If we follow Jesus, if we live His principles, He will bless. A little will be more than we expect as He, not we, multiplies what we willingly offer Him in heart, time, money and things.

Help me realize, Lord, that true wealth is knowing You and allowing Your love to overflow my heart toward others. Amen.

Psalm 119:2 GW Blessed are those who obey his written instructions. They wholeheartedly search for him.