Psalm 75 is a song.  We usually read it today but it could just as well be sung by Christians and churches everywhere.  Indeed, it was sung by ancient Israel as a worship song to the Lord centuries ago.  This psalm is only ten verses long but there is a curious word that we find in it more than once.  That word is “horns.”  We might think of an animal with horns or a car horn.  Neither one of those interpretations is right in this part of the Bible.  In Psalm 75, “horns” meant strength—specifically human strength.  In verses 4-5 we read, “To the arrogant I say, ‘Boast no more,’ and to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up your horns.  Do not lift your horns against heaven; do not speak so defiantly.’”  The message is do not flaunt your strength before the Lord in pride or arrogance.  We are not to make more of ourselves than we should.  We are not to think we are bigger and stronger than we really are.  When compared to the Lord, the One who created all things and parted the Red Sea, we are incredibly weak and frail.  We are to lean into humility and meekness—not pride, arrogance or our own strength.  We are to lean into the strength of the Lord as we seek to serve and honor Him. 
            Unfortunately, sin has been a reality in the world since the days of Adam and Eve and the early pages of the Bible.  We are sinners—you and me—and we need a Savior.  Our sinful state is one reason we are not to lift up our horns against heaven.  We come before the Lord in humility and repentance—seeking to be remade, redeemed and made new.  The Lord gave a final warning in the last verse of Psalm 75, “I will cut off the horns of all the wicked, but the horns of the righteous will be lifted up” (verse 10).  The strength (horns) and deeds of the righteous will be lifted up and will endure.  This verse seems to be saying that God will multiply the strength of the humble.  He will amplify the strength of those who come to Him in contrition and gentleness. 
            Psalm 75 seems to present us with a choice.  We can be strong in our own eyes or we can be strong in the Lord’s eyes.  We can brag about our power and might or we can lean into God’s ways.  It can be hard to sing praises to God or to give thanks to God if we are consumed with elevating ourselves or pleading our case.  We often miss God if we are focused too narrowly or too tightly upon ourselves.  Only God belongs on the throne of the universe or the throne of your heart or mine. 
            You may remember that Satan’s fall from heaven originated in his pride and his selfish ambition to rise above the throne of God.  The prophet Isaiah recorded Satan’s fall in these words, “You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’  But you are brought down to the realm of the dead, to the depths of the pit” (Isaiah 14:13-15). 
            God does not delight in the proud or puffed up.  But He does delight in those who exalt Him and make much of His glory and ways.  Rather than showing off our horns, or strength, may we come before the Lord with empty hands and an empty heart to receive from the rich, bottomless well of His strength.  May we see ourselves as sheep in need of the Good Shepherd, as orphans in need of the loving Father and as sinners in need of the Savior. God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.  May we daily go to the Lord to draw from His strength and boundless might.  May we pray and live by the words of Psalm 139:23-24, “Search me, 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.”  To those who seek Him and His ways, the Lord makes this promise, “May the Lord give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed” (Psalm 20:4).  We enjoy this success when we allow our desires and plans to take second place to what the Lord has for us.  May our desires and plans increasingly give way to what He has for us.  Have a great Monday!  
 

           Jesus taught the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6:9-13.  Almost in the middle of this model prayer, Jesus said, “Give us this day our daily bread” (Matthew 6:11).  If you have ever thought about memorizing Scripture, this simple verse is a good place to start. While only seven words long, this verse teaches us some important lessons about the faithfulness of God and our need to lean into His faithfulness every day.  At first glance and reading, we might conclude that this verse is a prayer for food—our daily bread.  We might think it is a prayer whereby we ask God to give us the food we need to do the work of the day and to complete the tasks of the day.  Such an initial conclusion or interpretation is not wrong.  Not at all.  But it might be incomplete.  And it might be at risk of selling this verse a little short or underestimating all that this verse has to say to us.  It may be good to zoom out to take a broader look at the truth that Jesus was trying to teach us in these seven words.
            First, this verse reminds us that God is more than able to meet ALL needs—not just the need for food each day.  Every need can be met by the Lord.  Nothing is too great for Him to do.  This verse teaches us the truth that Peter wrote later in the New Testament.  We are to cast all our cares (hunger and all others) on the Lord because He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7).  Our God is able.  His grace is sufficient for us.  This verse is the voice of our Creator and Savior speaking to us and calling us to call upon His name for the daily bread and daily blessings that we need.
            Second, this verse teaches us to trust whatever God grants and supplies to us.  We can note that Jesus’ teaching did not give us a specific kind of bread, or a specific quantity of bread or the times when we would like the bread to be delivered.  Jesus did not get bogged down in the details because there was no need to do so.  Too many details lead to the risk of missing what Jesus was trying to teach us.  God is able to do exceedingly and abundantly more than all we could ever ask or imagine (see Ephesians 3:20).  God does not have to ration bread or just provide a small bite here and there.  His warehouse of daily blessings is infinitely full—much bigger than all the world’s bakeries and bread houses combined.  Even more than all the Amazons of the world.  The Lord even knows what we need before we ask Him to supply that need (Matthew 6:8). 
            Third, we do not have to sweat the deadlines or trials that we face.  God has what we need when we need it.  He is not too late or too early in sending the daily gifts of bread, grace, strength or forgiveness.  Our view of God is often too small.  Our brains can easily lock into one way of seeing God but it never does justice to His power and might.  God spoke the vast universe into existence.  God has ordered and planned history in a way that brings glory to Him.  Surely our daily needs are not too big for Him to satisfy.
            Fourth, this verse from Jesus teaches us to approach the Lord daily—not on occasion or a whim.  Daily.  We may have to wait on an appointment with a doctor or for
a haircut but we never have to wait in line to talk with God or be received by Him.  We can always go boldly and immediately to His throne of grace (see Hebrews 4:16).  You can also return to the Lord’s throne as many times as you like on any day.  God’s throne is more like a buffet than a drive through.  We can delight in His goodness and grace throughout the day.  Some may never pray or even approach God apart from Sundays.  But God is no less accessible the other six days of the week either.  God taught Israel to seek Him daily through the gift of manna.  Manna was not to be gathered in advance (with the exception of the Sabbath) or stored up for future use.  By inviting people to gather their manna, their daily bread, each day at a time, the Lord was teaching Israel a lesson about His goodness and faithfulness.  Memorize the seven words that make up Matthew 6:11. Let these seven simple words capture your mind and heart to see and know God in greater ways!  Have a great Thursday!

          Forgetfulness can be a problem.  Some forms of forgetfulness are little more than an aggravation.  Other forms can be costly or consequential.  In Psalm 106:13, the Bible says, “but soon they forgot what He had done.”  The word “they” speaks of Israel.  The pronoun “He” speaks of the Lord.  Putting these words together, this verse is telling us that Israel forgot the Lord.  And this verse tells us Israel forgot the Lord “soon.”  They had a short memory of the how God had delivered them from slavery and captivity in Egypt and opened the waters of the Red Sea so they could safely pass on dry ground to the other side—safely ahead of the onrushing Egyptian army.
         We would think that such a thing would be remembered forever!  How could anyone forget God parting the waters of the Red Sea or subsequently closing the same water on top of the Egyptians in pursuit?  Yet, Israel did forget.  In this context, we could speak of forgetfulness as living as though God did not exist.  We might call this functional atheism—though professing a belief in God, one can often live as if God did not exist.  Deuteronomy 6:12 issued a warning, “be careful that you do not forget the Lord.”  If you are reading these words, then it is probably fair to say that you do not want to forget the Lord.  But are good intentions enough?  We need to take some actions to ensure that we do not forget the Lord in our days.
         First, be mindful of your blessings.  Intentionally look at all the ways God has blessed you and what specifically He has done for you.   Psalm 103:2 says, “Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all his benefits.”  When we look for blessings, we are more inclined to remember the Lord who is the maker and giver of all blessings.  When we remember God’s blessings, we remember Him.  Second, speak with God.  It is not easy to forget those we speak with every day.  If too much time passes in your conversations with the Lord, your heart can easily grow cold and your mind forgetful toward Him.  Pray as often as you can. Talking with the Lord keeps you connected to and walking with Him.
         Third, keep some favorite Bible verses handy so you can remember the Lord.  You might post these on your refrigerator or the screen of your phone.  You might choose to post these on your social media accounts so you are reminded of the Lord when you read these words. Write them on a calendar or put them on a desk.  Keeping God’s Word visible and before you will help you to remember the God of the Word.  Fourth, be quick to seek God’s forgiveness.  Perhaps nothing leads us to forget about the Lord more than disobedience to Him.  We can get consumed by sin and disobedience to the point that we think little of God anymore if at all.  Israel often had moments in time where the nation slipped into idolatry and false religion.  They forgot about God and chose their ways above His.
         Finally, Psalm 63:6 says, “On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night.”  If you find yourself struggling to fall asleep or even waking frequently through the night, use those occasions to think about the Lord.  Redeem that time.  Do not just roll restlessly in your bed, think about the Lord.  Talk with Him.  God works the night shift. There is never a time when God will push us away if we call upon His Name and choose to remember His many acts of goodness toward us.  A man or woman who remembers the Lord is usually a thankful person.  A grateful heart can remind us of the gift we have in knowing and walking with the Lord at all times and in all ways. Psalm 107:9 promises that God can satisfy the thirsty and fill the hungry with good things.  May we remember Him and return quickly when we have forgotten Him.  Have a great Monday!

            Most of us would agree that exercise is a good idea and a healthy habit to practice.  There are plenty of ways you can exercise and develop a healthy lifestyle.  The Bible speaks about training—but a different kind of training than physical exercise.  Paul wrote in 1 Timothy 4:7 to “train yourself to be godly.”  Paul was writing to a young man named Timothy—a man who was much like a son to Paul and a man whom Paul was mentoring and discipling in the faith.  The message is to take intentional and regular action to get more of Christ in your mind and life.  Paul wrote in Romans 15:18, “I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me.”  Paul was committed to developing His faith by saturating His heart and mind with Christ.
            David Mathis, in his book Habits of Grace, writes that there are three principles we must remember and practice if we are to train ourselves for godliness.  Those three principles concern hearing God’s voice (the Bible), having God’s ear (praying) and belonging to His body (worshipping and growing with other believers).  These principles do not happen automatically or by accident.  We choose to bring these spiritual disciplines into our lives.  And when we introduce these practices into our lives, we begin to see the good results.  We begin to grow in godliness and soon our walk with Christ produces good and abundant fruit (think of the fruit of the Spirit found in Galatians 5:22-23).
            We lean on God’s grace to develop these disciplines.  The Lord is the God of all grace (1 Peter 5:10).  It is by His grace, that He shows us how to live and how to train ourselves for godliness.  By coming to saving faith in Jesus, Christians believe that the ways of Christ are superior to the ways of the world.  Christ can transform any heart or mind that is open to Him and drawn to Him by the convicting power of the Holy Spirit.  In John 4, Jesus told the Samaritan woman at the well that anyone who drinks the water He offers will never thirst again.  Christ, and Christ alone, can satisfy our deepest hunger, thirst and needs.
            Develop a lifestyle of reading the Bible.  Let God’s voice speak to you through His written Word.  God will always speak to us in ways that conform to His Word.  When we read the Bible, we can be confident that we are ingesting the wisdom and truth of God alone.  Cultivate a life of prayer.  Your prayer life may look like a time where you formally talk with God about your life and the lives of others—times where you praise Him and ask Him to be at work in you, in others or in situations.  But we are also reminded to pray without ceasing and to pray continuously (1 Thessalonians 5:17).  We can pray throughout the day and maintain a dialogue with God like you might maintain with a family member or a close friend.  When we belong to the body of Christ, the church, we have opportunities to worship and grow with other believers who desire the same things.  Scripture teaches us to come together to worship, to study, to serve and to share life with other Christians.  We are not to neglect these paramount things.
            God can supply the grace we need to read His Word regularly, to pray frequently
and to gather with other believers devotedly.  His grace is able to supply all of our needs and that includes training for godliness and living a life that is pleasing to Him.   God can grant to us a passion for His Word, time in prayer and growing alongside other believers who prioritize their spiritual health.  In a world that is increasingly confusing and chaotic, we can thrive when we are pursuing godliness and living for Christ.  John Piper suggests that we should preach the gospel to ourselves every day.  May we always remember what Christ won for us at the cross so we can live boldly and unashamedly for Him each day! Have a great Thursday!

           Psalm 78 is a little past halfway through Psalms. We believe it was written as a musical offering of praise to the Lord.  It reads as a chapter that could have easily been sung in worship to the Lord.  When we read this Psalm, we learn some important lessons about God’s compassion and forgiveness. For example, Psalm 78:38-39 says, “Yet He was merciful; He forgave their iniquities and did not destroy them. Time after time He restrained his anger and did not stir up His full wrath. He remembered that they were but flesh, a passing breeze that does not return.” It is comforting to know that God is gracious, kind and forgiving when we come to Him in contrition and humility.  A few important truths stand out in these two verses for us to see.
            First, we read the word “yet.” God sees and knows our sins, yet He offers us forgiveness when we turn to Him. Our sins do not have the last word. We do not have to remain saddled with the guilt and shame of our sins. God has a solution. God has a
perfect “yet” or way to respond to anything we confess. God is not surprised by our sins. He already knows what we have done. We are already guilty. Yet, the cross has the power to cancel and cover our sins—and not just for a moment but for eternity.  Second, we read “He was merciful” and “He forgave.” Only God has the ability and right to forgive sins. We cannot forgive ourselves. No church can forgive us. We cannot offset our sins
with a pile of good deeds. God is gracious in that he gives us what we have not deserved.  And He is merciful in that He has withheld what we do deserve.  When God forgives, He scatters our sins as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12). The Bible says that “He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us for our iniquities” (Psalm 103:10). If you are guilty or ashamed today, bow your head before the Lord now, confess your sins and ask for His mercy and forgiveness. He will hear you and pardon your sins!
            Third, God restrains His anger today. He would be perfectly justified in condemning us and destroying us here and now for how we have lived. We have chosen our ways above His ways and loved ourselves much more than we have loved Him. But now is the time of God’s grace and favor. Now is the time when the Lord beckons us to come to Him and accept His free grace.  God unleashed His wrath and anger at the cross—Christ took that penalty in our place and for us. He gave His life so we might be free from the penalty and burden of sin now and, more importantly, for eternity.
            Fourth, God remembers that we are “but flesh.” He knows our weaknesses and limitations. He knows our failures and frailties. He remembers we are flesh and that our flesh is weak. Jesus said to His disciples, when they fell asleep in the Garden of
Gethsemane, “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Psalm 103:14 says, “for He knows how we are formed, He remembers that we are dust.” God sees us as we are—sinful, failures and brokenness. Yet, He does love us and has done everything necessary and imaginable to redeem us from sin and set us free. When others frustrate us, we should remember that they are “but flesh,” just as we are “but flesh” too. One day this flesh will give way to spirit and God will make all things new. But for now, He remembers we are “but flesh.” We can be thankful that God’s love for us is never conditional upon anything we have done or not done or anything we may be or fail to be. God’s love is anchored in His unchanging character and grace.  And for that, we rejoice.  Have a great Monday—and spend some time in the encouraging words of Psalm 78!

           Isaiah is one of the major prophets.  His words spread over sixty-six chapters.  He is the prophet who foretells us of Jesus’ birth through a virgin, the names of Jesus that we remember and honor at Christmas and Jesus’ suffering at the cross for our forgiveness and redemption.  Isaiah gives us many promises about God and His ways that we can cherish today.  One such promise is Isaiah 12:2 which says, “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid.  The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.”  A few important truths stand out about God for us to apply to our lives today.
            First, Isaiah used the word “behold.”  That’s a powerful word that serves as a revelation.  It grabs our attention.  Isaiah seemed to convey a sense of urgency that he wants his hearers and readers to take note of what is about to follow.  Any time we find the word “behold” in the Bible we need to pay attention to what follows.  It is a powerful introduction.  In Isaiah 12, “behold” serves to grab our attention and to sit us down so we can take in what is going to come next. 
            Second, Isaiah wrote, “God is.”  That is a present tense declaration.  God is.  God’s existence, power and influence do not run out or wane.  We could insert a number of words or phrases after the declaration “God is.”  You may remember at the burning bush that God revealed His name to be “I AM.”  God is Lord over all time and existence.  We can trust anything and everything to Him.  In John’s gospel, Jesus invoked the name “I AM” seven different times in declaring His identity (for example...I AM...the light of the world, the bread of life, the good shepherd).  It is a joy to wake up each morning and simply declare that God is.
            Third, Isaiah continued by saying “God is my salvation.”  The prophet personalized salvation by using the personal pronoun “my.”  God is the one who saves.  He saves us from sin, death and an eternity apart from Him.  God is the answer to my (or your) questions.  God is the one who delivers us from situations and moments that overwhelm or frighten us.  God does for us what we are powerless to do ourselves.  God does what human institutions cannot accomplish.  He alone is “my salvation.”
            Fourth, Isaiah follows up this declaration by stating two outcomes.  Isaiah said, “I will trust.” We can trust God.  We can trust our future to Him.  We can trust every heartbeat to Him.  In those times where we cannot see ahead or around the corner, we can confidently say “I will trust.”  Much of the Christian life is about trusting God and entrusting ourselves to Him.  Jesus bids us to lay up treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:19-21).  The gift of “trust” is a treasure.  We may not have many people or things where we can place full trust but we have the Lord.  The second outcome is we will “not be afraid.”  We do not fear the things that might ordinarily cause us fear.  We do not have to fear death or disease—they will not ultimately claim us.  We do not have to fear the words or innuendoes of others—God is our shield and defender.  Isaiah’s statement “not be afraid” is broad and inclusive of almost anything we might imagine or experience that would create fear within us.  It has been said that we “faith” our fears.  That sentence sounds awkward and might not well pass a grammar test or screening but it is really good theology.  We can “faith” our fears because the Lord invites us not to be afraid.  God reminded Israel at the shoreline of the Red Sea just to stand still; they did not have to do anything because the Lord would fight for them and deliver them.  We can rest and remain in Him today—and throughout our lives.  He is good.  All fears are defeated by His power and promises.  Peter (1 Peter 5:7) invites us to cast all our cares upon Him—and that includes the fears we might face or harbor. 
            The simple verses in the Bible pack great power for our faith.  The message of Isaiah 12:2, though written centuries ago in a place far, far away, is a bedrock promise for us today.  We can return to it daily (or even hourly) as needed.  We can recite and remember these promises that are for our good.  Perhaps you could commit this verse to memory and say it to yourself when you are in need of peace and God’s many assurances.  Faith comes by hearing the Word of God.  Let yourself hear these words from Isaiah.  Have a great Monday!

         David is thought to be the author of Psalm 27. Some suggest that he might have written this Psalm when he was on the run from Saul and trying to escape Saul’s threats and violent anger. He began Psalm 27 with a declaration of fearlessness. He wrote, “The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?” David was not fearless because of his power or cleverness. He was fearless because of the Lord and his solemn trust in the Lord. In a word, David knew the Lord. Often in the Psalms, David wrote of God being his refuge and strength (see Psalm 7:1 and 7:10). Turning to the Lord is the right choice when we find ourselves in a struggle or facing a situation that could easily overwhelm us.
          In many situations in life, we can live in fear or confidence. We can fear others. We can fear what we cannot control. We can fear situations. We can fear the unknown. But in all four of these examples, the Lord is still greater than any of them. The Lord is without equal or counterpart. We would do well to remember that the Lord is the LORD in anything we might face or encounter. David had this confidence when he wrote, “Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me” (Psalm 27:10). Imagine that confidence—though even my own flesh and blood turn from me, the LORD will still receive me and keep watch over me.
         Our highest confidence is never in ourselves, others or situations. Any one of these can fail or change rapidly. Our confidence is always in the Lord. He does not change. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). This high degree of confidence allows us to do what David wrote at the end of Psalm 27. “Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD” (Psalm 27:14). Our waiting on the Lord is not in vain or a waste of time. God will provide and grant answers in His perfect timing and ways.
         How do we build confidence in the Lord? First, we trust Him with our lives. We trust Him as our Savior and Lord—the One who has done everything necessary for us to be forgiven and made right in our relationship with Him. Coming to know the Lord personally is a crucial first step. Second, we read His Word. We make Bible reading a daily part of our lives. We discover promises we can commit to memory. We see ways that God has performed in the past. We find His ways and answers to a host of situations we may well face in life. Third, we remember where God has worked in the past. We remember His blessings. We remember what He has done for us. The Lord’s faithfulness in the past is a wonderful prologue to His faithfulness in the present and the future.
         Fourth, we cast our cares upon the Lord. We routinely cast on Him, as we are invited to do, the cares that weigh us down and burden us. We hand these things to Him to manage and direct. God invites us to come boldly before His throne because our access to Him has been won and secured for us through His Son Jesus. Listen to the stories of Christians whom you admire and trust—stories of how and when they have cast their cares and burdens on the Lord.
          In life, we really have three strategies we can employ. The first strategy is we can live a pessimistic and defeated life where we live indifferently and apathetically about most things. We can resign ourselves to just floating along with whatever comes our way. The second strategy is that we can live with self-confidence. We can pride ourselves on being self-made and self-sufficient. We can convince ourselves that we can handle anything that happens. That works until it doesn’t. Inevitably, we learn just how limited we are and that the lies we have told ourselves do not work. Life can be a cruel teacher. The third strategy, and the best strategy, is to be confident in Christ. He is our victor and Savior. Confidence in Christ is never misplaced. We remain convinced that He is able and that He will get us to where He wants us to be. We learn to be confident in Christ when we can say that this is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it! Have a great Thursday!

          In the Bible, David is famous for many moments and achievements.  One of his most memorable moments came before he was king over Israel.  That moment was his battle with Goliath the Philistine giant.  Goliath was nine feet and nine inches tall—almost the size of a basketball goal.  Can you imagine how much money he would make playing basketball today!  No one in Israel wanted to fight this giant.  1 Samuel 17:11 says that “Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified.”  The Bible says that for forty days, morning and evening, Goliath came to the frontlines to taunt Saul and Israel and to take an imposing stand of defiance.  No one rose up to fight him—probably because no one had a death wish.  But also, there is no mention of Israel ever praying to the LORD about Goliath and what to do.  In human strength alone, a lot of giants and enemies look imposing and threatening.
            But then David chose to fight Goliath.  He said, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him” (1 Samuel 17:32).  So, David approached Goliath with only a sling and five smooth stones chosen from a stream bed.  When Saul tried to talk David out of fighting this battle, he responded with a powerful statement of faith.  He said, “The LORD who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine” (1 Samuel 17:37).  This faith statement offers some important truths that might speak to us when we face life’s battles and giants today. 
            First, David spoke of the LORD.  No battle can be faithfully fought and righteously won apart from the Lord’s help.  Simply, we need the Lord.  Left to ourselves, we will probably choose the wrong ways and things.  We may still fight battles, but we may likely fight them in ways that are earthly, sinful and carnal.  Winning at all costs or any cost is not a strategy that honors God or brings good things to us.  We first begin by inviting the Lord to be Lord over the battles and giants that we face.  Commit the battle to the Lord.  David said, “for the battle is the LORD’s” (1 Samuel 17:47b). 
            Second, David remembered God’s faithfulness in past times.  He could recall times when God had rescued him from lions and bears and other ordeals.  When we face battles today, we want to remember the goodness of God and the faithfulness of God in the past.  Our memories serve as good prologues and encouragements for today’s battles.  The memories of where and how God has worked can calm our raging pulse, soothe our rapid breathing and steady a racing mind.  Take a deep breath and remember who God is and what He has done for you.
            Third, David was confident in the Lord in the present.  He declared that God “will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.”  He did not waver.  He did not worry.  We can be confident that God works all things together for our good and His glory (consider Romans 8:28).  God is our rock and refuge.  A quick look at many of the Psalms remind us of God’s majesty and might.  There are no battles or giants too great for the Lord to defeat and prevail over. 
            And finally, David was forward looking.  He eagerly anticipated this battle and how God would work through it to deliver both him and Israel.  He did not postpone it or try to talk Goliath into some alternative to settle things.  We can always look forward to what God has in store for us.  We can always anticipate blessings and God-sightings of where our Lord has faithfully provided and been at work.  We can wake up in the midst of battles and trials and gladly look to where God might be at work and what He is doing next.  We can also stay dedicated to whatever work that God has given us to do.  We can do what God has called us to do and be what God has called us to be while we look forward to what He does next.  Have a great Monday!    

             I’m currently reading in 1 Samuel each day.  There is a tragic story found in I Samuel 4.  To summarize the setting, Israel is defeated in battle by the Philistines.  And subsequently, the Philistines capture the Ark of God.  Eli, the high priest at the time, and his sons, Hophni and Phineas (also priests) die in the aftermath of this military defeat.  In 1 Samuel 4:22 the Bible says, “The glory has departed from Israel, for the Ark of God has been captured.”  Such a sobering summary and painful verdict to hear.  Now, the Ark was not Noah’s Ark.  This Ark represented the presence of God with Israel.  It had been taken into battle by Israel and treated as a sort of “good luck charm.”  It was misused and dishonored by what Israel did.  Though the Ark symbolized God’s presence, it did not guarantee that His favor would rest upon Israel at any time and anywhere and for any reason.  And God permitted Israel to suffer a devastating battlefield defeat.  It was a costly and painful lesson. 
            The expression “the glory of the Lord has departed” is haunting.  We live for the glory of God.  Indeed, the chief goal of humanity is to know the Lord and to bring Him glory forever.  But, let’s be honest, there are times when we fail to glorify God.  There are times when His glory is far from our minds and hearts.  We fail to bring glory to God when we sin and choose our ways above His ways.  We need a Savior, Jesus, because we have sinned and made light of God’s ways and Word.  We have disobeyed Him.  We fail to bring glory to God when we are indifferent toward His Word—by failing to read His Word and being hearers only rather than hearers and doers of His Word. 
            We rob God of His glory when we fail to worship Him.  We can easily find ourselves awash in a host of other things that compete for our time and attention, so we aren’t worshipping God weekly with other believers and individually each day.  We can put distance between the Lord and ourselves.  One of Satan’s most effective tactics is to keep us busy and tied down with many things—and they may be good things.  But these things just enable us to slip away from the Lord slowly and gradually.  We can rob God of His glory when we fail to express our thanksgiving and gratitude to Him.  Psalm 136:1 says, “Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good.”  Psalm 100:4a says, “Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise.”  God delights in hearing our thankfulness and gratitude expressed to Him.  We can be grateful for the host of simple things we enjoy every day—sleep, rest, water, friends, family, food and freedom to worship.
            We can rob God of His glory when we live impulsively and selfishly.  We can live in jealousy.  We can speak badly of others behind their backs.  We can peddle and pass along half-truths, rumors and resentment.  We can easily turn our whims and wishes into what we think is God’s ways and will.  God is not glorified by any of this.  His glory quickly departs from such places and times.  If we find ourselves having robbed God of His glory, it is time to repent and to do so immediately.  We should confess our wickedness to God and ask for His grace.  We should pray that His Holy Spirit would guide us not to do such things again and that we would possess the wisdom to hear and understand that guidance. 
            Sadly, much of the Old Testament is the story of Israel stubbornly and consistently defying and disobeying God.  And Israel failed to learn from their defeats and losses.  Psalm 90:12 says, “Teach us to number our days so that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”  We must realize that life is brief—like a vapor or a morning fog.  And the days graciously given to us are to be lived for HIS glory.  May we make it our ambition to bring glory to Him and to live in conscious awareness of what our words, motivations and actions are doing.  Are we bringing glory to Him or to ourselves?  Repent from the times where you have robbed God of His glory.  Remember what it means to live for Him and His glory.  And return quickly to those times.  Have a great Thursday!

           In Luke 22, Jesus gathered His disciples for the Passover meal—what Christians would come to know as the Last Supper.  We know that Peter denied Jesus three times after the meal and before the cross.  Jesus warned His fisherman-turned-disciple that he was vulnerable to Satan’s tactics and temptations.  The Bible says, “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers” (Luke 22:31-32).  Peter responded to Jesus by insisting that he was ready and willing for anything—come what may—including even prison and death.  Yet, just hours later, Peter folded under pressure and denied even knowing Jesus.  Our mouths often write checks that our actions cannot cash. 
            But before the denials, Jesus issued two more warnings to Peter (and the other disciples).  Jesus said, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation” (Luke 22:40b).  And again, “’Why are you sleeping?’ he asked them. ‘Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation’” (Luke 22:46).  We learn some important lessons about faith and times of testing from Peter and his Maundy Thursday experiences.  First, we should always assume that Satan is working against us.  He is the enemy of God and God’s people in Christ.  The Bible warns, “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8).  He prowls, roars and seeks to devour.  Vivid language that shows us just how stark, severe and sustained the enemy’s attacks can be.  Each day, we should be mindful of Satan’s schemes and ways.  We do not live in fear of Satan because greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4).  But we want to be on watch, on sentry duty, for Satan’s attacks and schemes that are launched against us.  May we be forewarned so we are forearmed for these attacks by the evil one.
            Second, we need to expect times of testing.  NO one has a perfect and battle-free life.  No one!  So, we need to expect times of adversity and testing to come.  We can commit those times to the Lord and trust Him to provide.  We can intensify our prayers and invite others to pray for us too.  We can dig deeper into the Bible for truths and promises to sustain us.  Twice, Jesus commanded His disciples to pray through this time of great testing for Him and them.  If Jesus prayed in His Garden of Gethsemane, then how much more do we need to pray too.  We cannot predict the exact moment when a temptation may come but can be confident that such times will come.
            Third, stay humble during times of temptation.  Do not rely on your strength or wits to sustain you.  Lean into the Lord.  Ephesians 6:11 says, “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.”  The armor of God works best when it is put on in totality.  Each day as you wake up you can mentally put the armor of God on your life—from your head to your feet.  Paul emphasized humility in the face of temptation, “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!” (1 Corinthians 10:12).  We are not to think that we are invulnerable and untouchable enough that we can stand alone.  We need the Lord and the power He has provided to us.
            And fourth, pray diligently and daily in advance.  We can often find ourselves praying only when times of testing have come upon us.  A better strategy is to pray consistently so we are prepared when those times come.  We are smarter and better if we build our faith daily and steadily rather than trying to scramble when a crisis hits.  A doctor studies and prepares to practice medicine rather than running to Google or WebMD for answers when a patient is in crisis.  Likewise, we are to build our faith daily so that we are prepared for temptations, tests and trials when they inevitably come.  Jesus compared this daily faith building to two builders in Matthew 7.  One builder was haphazard and lazy and built his house on the wrong foundation only to see it collapse when the storms came.  But the second builder was much wiser.  Jesus said, “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock” (Matthew 7:24-25). 
            On this Maundy Thursday, remember and meditate on the events that are coming into full focus—the Last Supper, Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, the betrayal by Judas, the arrest of Jesus and Peter’s denials.  The weight of a sin-stained and sin-weary world rested on Jesus.  May we remember the burden Jesus bore for us.  Have a thoughtful and reflective Thursday!  The cross is coming!

             Palm Sunday is a significant day in the life of Christians.  This day is the beginning of Holy Week—a walk through the last days of Jesus’ life before the cross on Good Friday.  Of course, Good Friday is preceded by Maundy Thursday.  The names of these three days are important and teach us some important truths about these days.  The names of these can be faith-building opportunities in us.  For example, Palm Sunday reminds us that many people in the crowd that welcomed Jesus to Jerusalem placed branches on the road upon which Jesus traveled.  These branches were a way of honoring Jesus.  This practice was often performed to honor dignitaries or royalty as they entered a city.  The crowd that lined the street into Jerusalem wisely and properly honored Jesus as King.  Christ is the King of kings.  Their actions teach us today the importance of declaring Christ as our King—today and always. 
            Jesus is the only one worthy to sit on the throne of the universe and the only one who should sit upon the throne of your heart or mine.  Reading the story of Jesus’ Palm Sunday entrance into Jerusalem should cause us to examine our hearts to see if the throne belongs to Christ or something lesser than him.  We can easily enthrone our feelings, opinions, ideas and biases while thinking we have put Christ on the throne.  It can be easy to confuse our thoughts and ways with His.  But His thoughts and ways are not yours or mine by nature.  Coming to Christ, when we are drawn by the Holy Spirit, means we are trading our ways for His.
            Maundy Thursday reminds us of a great mandate or dictum.  We are commanded or mandated by Christ to remember the cross and His death.  We often use the Lord’s Supper as a way to do this.  The bread and cup remind us of Jesus’ body and blood—broken and shed for us.  In addition, we remember the cross when we read the Bible or pray.  Worship takes us to the cross to remember the tremendous price that was paid for our salvation. Maundy Thursday also shows us that we need a Savior to die for us and to give us His righteousness.  Apart from this gracious gift, we are hopelessly lost and dead in our sins.
            Good Friday may seem like a misnomer given what happened on that day.  Let’s be clear and honest, WE are responsible for the death of Jesus.  Our sins led to His cross.  We can blame the Romans or the religious leaders of Israel but the suspects most responsible for Jesus’ death on the cross are the people we see in the mirror—YOU and ME.  That’s had to believe and accept.  It hurts.  But the good we received on that Friday came from Jesus doing everything He needed to do to save us and set us right with the Father.  Jesus died the death we should have died and paid a debt we should have paid.  We received forgiveness and new life and a new heart while He gave His life on the cross.  It is GOOD that Jesus did this for us. 
            As you work your way through the days of Holy Week, let the names themselves remind you of what they mean and the blessings we receive from these days.  Isaiah the prophet wrote hundreds of years before Jesus died, “Surely, he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted.  But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.  We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:4-6).  May the Lord give us eyes to see, ears to hear and hearts to receive what He has done.  Have a good Monday!      
 
         

           The Bible teaches us that Joshua was Moses’ successor as the leader of Israel.  Joshua took the mantle of authority from Moses to lead Israel into the Promised Land.  God made it clear that He would be “with Joshua.”  We read in Joshua 1:5, “No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.”  This promise from God had to be a comfort to this new leader with responsibilities for an entire nation and a campaign to take the land that God had chosen for Israel to settle.  Joshua would never face any foe without the assurance of God’s presence and power.  The only exception would be when Israel disobeyed God or tried to do things its own way. 
            A little later in Joshua 6:27 we read, “So the LORD was with Joshua, and his fame spread throughout the land.”  Again, the presence and favor of the Lord rested upon Joshua.  Joshua’s fame spread because of the Lord’s power and presence.  God elevated the stature of Joshua so others would know the Lord’s favor rested upon this man.  The presence of God with us today is an incredible promise and blessing that we dare not take for granted or overlook.  Jesus reminded His disciples (and us) that He would remain with us always—even to the end of the age (see Matthew 28:20).  God’s presence with us means at least four good things as we live each day.
            First, we realize we are not alone.  God abides with us.  He knows us.  He knows our thoughts, feelings, fears and frustrations.  We do not carry the weight and burdens of life by ourselves.  His presence sustains us—just as He sustained Joshua during the days of conquest and settling new land.  When God draws us or leads us to serve Him, we can be comforted by his promise not to abandon or forsake us.  Psalm 23 reminds us that even in the valley of the shadow of death, the Lord remains with us and sustains us.  In a difficult moment during any day, we can pause to remind ourselves that God is with us.
            Second, we have what we need.  God reminded Paul that His grace would be sufficient for everything that Paul faced or feared.  As you read these words, you can likely look around and see evidence of God providing for your needs.  You have food and shelter. You have friends and family.  You have His Word to read and remember.  You have forgiveness and new life in Christ if you have surrendered yourself to Him.  When Israel wandered in the wilderness (because of its disobedience), God provided manna for Israel. God does not leave His people stranded and adrift.  He meets our needs.
            Third, God will fulfill His plans for us.  God can get us to the finish line of life.  God will help us grow into His ways and will.  God famously said to Jeremiah, “’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’” (Jeremiah 29:11).  God has neither created nor saved us to leave us roaming through life aimlessly and without purpose.  He has made us to serve Him and to declare His greatness and glory.  If we are willing to submit to Him, He will accomplish the plans He has for us.
            And fourth, God uses us to declare His saving power and glory to others.  We can be witnesses for Christ each day.  We can boldly share with others what He has done for us. We can speak about Jesus and His power to forgive and turn old lives into new ones. When we remember that God is with us, we can be strong in speaking for Him and standing for Him each day.  God gave Paul the words to speak in Acts.  God can give us words to speak that make a difference in the lives of others if we trust Him enough to be His voices.  We can influence others by speaking about how God has provided for us and changed us by His loving grace and power.  The early chapters of Joshua stand as a compelling testimony of what God was able to do through one man completely devoted to Him.  Imagine what God could do through you or me when we desire His glory more than our own.  Remember to trust the presence of God each day!  Have a great Thursday!  

        Moses was denied entry into the Promised Land by God.  This denial came because of Moses’ disobedience at Meribah when he hit a rock instead of speaking to it, as God had instructed him.  We might be tempted to think of such a thing as being trivial or inconsequential.  God did not and does not.  There is no such thing as minor league disobedience.  God described Moses’ disobedience in this way, “This is because both of you broke faith with me in the presence of the Israelites at the waters of Meribah Kadesh in the Desert of Zin and because you did not uphold my holiness among the Israelites. Therefore, you will see the land only from a distance; you will not enter the land I am giving to the people of Israel” (Deuteronomy 32:51-52).
         It has been said that sin will take you further than you want to go, cost you more than you want to pay and keep you longer than you had planned to stay.  Moses learned this lesson.  As we approach Good Friday in less than two weeks, it can be helpful to remember the importance of obedience and walking faithfully with the Lord each day.  The cross reminds us of the consequences of our disobedience.  We are forgiven only because of the cross where Jesus paid the price for our sins and suffered the justice of God that was intended for us.  Disobedience does not occur in a vacuum.  Any time we may be inclined to think of our disobedience as being a trivial matter, we should remember the cross where our sins were judged and executed.
         To practice obedience, we need several important truths to keep in mind.  First, we need to know God’s Word so we can keep it.  It is easier to sin or to make light of our sins when we do not know God’s Word.  We can easily settle for “white lies,” “everybody does it,” or “nobody’s perfect.”  These common excuses are our attempt to water down our disobedience to make it a bit more palatable.  Make Bible reading an everyday priority. Second, be quick to confess your sins to the Lord and acknowledge where you have fallen short.  There are times where we speak, act or think wrongly.  Rather than forgetting or dismissing those times, confess them to the Lord and receive His healing grace. Repentance and confession make us more sensitive to sin and less tolerant of it in our lives.
         Third, spend some time with the Lord each day thanking Him and praising Him for the blessings of your life.  When we recognize just how incredibly good and generous that God has been to us, we tend to resist the temptations of the enemy more eagerly and successfully.  Satan often tries to convince us that his way leads to what we want or need and that God’s ways are designed to do nothing more than frustrate us and hold us back from the things we really need or want the most.  But God is good, faithful, gracious and patient.  The more we learn about the heart and character of God, the better we will become at rejecting sin and embracing Him and His ways.
         And fourth, ask God to open your eyes and ears to the traps and snares that the enemy places before you.  Satan’s temptations can be subtle and sly.  We can easily find our way of escape blocked because he has done such an enticing job to draw us into sin and doing things his way.  We need discernment.  We need the armor of God.  Put on the helmet of salvation...let God rule your mind and take every thought captive to Christ.  Put on the breastplate of righteousness...let serving the Lord be the light of your days.  Secure the belt of truth...know God’s Word and ways.  Let His ways fill your heart.  Wear the shoes of the gospel of peace so you can flee Satan’s temptations.  Take up the shield of faith and trust God when the enemy is tempting you. Hold on to the truth that God’s ways are better—always and forever.  And take up the sword of the Spirit—resist Satan the same way Jesus did by knowing and quoting Scripture to the enemy.
         Disobedience is a big deal.  It is not a joking matter.  God will grant us the grace and help we need to live the way He calls us to live.  Remember the words of Deuteronomy 32:27, “The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. He will drive out your enemies before you, saying, ‘Destroy them!’”  Have a great Monday!

           Anger can be dangerous.  If left unchecked and unattended, it can quickly escalate into something that is out of control and even reckless.  While these are some occasions where anger might be righteous in its expression (for example Jesus’ cleansing the temple or anger today that leads to seeking justice and action about horrible things like child abuse, hunger and human trafficking), quite often human anger is sinful and expressed in sinful ways. The Bible does address anger—on numerous occasions.  One such place is Ephesians 4:26-27.  We read, “’In your anger do not sin:’ Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.”  These two verses provide some excellent practical guidance for us to follow each day.  Let’s take a look at the truth God has for us to see.
            First, we read the words “your anger.”  We have to own the anger we may feel.  We can easily blame others or circumstances.  But anger is the reaction or response that we choose.  We can sin in response to our anger or we can act in ways that are healthy, good and even constructive.  Anger is a choice.  If we say that we react without thinking or that anger comes automatically more often than not, then we might have to explore how and why that happens.  It has been said that we cannot always choose our circumstances, but we can choose how we respond and live in them.  If anger has become a problem for us, then we have to own it and acknowledge it.
            Second, we can choose not to sin when we are angry.  The Bible commands us “do not sin.”  Jesus did not sin when he was angry about the moneychangers in the temple or the many times that Israel’s religious leaders tried to trap him.  Anger is a God-made emotion, so it is not inherently wrong or evil.  It becomes sinful when we respond by saying, thinking or doing things that are wrong.  To redeem anger, turn that energy or emotion into something good.  Let your anger inspire you to serve the Lord or others...to look for solutions and work for better outcomes.  Be on guard that anger does not lead you to lash out verbally or physically in regrettable ways.
            Third, we should be careful not to hold on to anger.  The Bible commands us to get over and to let go of our anger before the sun goes down.  Holding on to anger can give rise to bitterness, vengeance and some really destructive and dark behavior.  Resentment grows in the garden of prolonged anger.  The longer that anger simmers and lingers, the worse it becomes.  We should control our anger and deal with it quickly to prevent Satan from gaining any ground in our hearts. A good benchmark for dealing with anger is before the “sun goes down.”  Do not go to sleep angry so you will not wake up angry and, likely, lose a night of restful sleep too.
            Fourth, we need to realize that anger can often give the enemy a foothold or stronghold in our lives.  Satan gladly takes whatever part of our lives that we want to cede to him.  However, he is not content to take just that.  He looks to expand and weave his way into our hearts, minds and lives.  Greed can lead to stealing.  Anger can lead to violent actions.  Gossip can lead to maligning others.  We should never willingly do things that allow Satan to gain greater influence against us.  Anger can be like an incubator that Satan uses to bring about things that are far worse and longer lasting.  Take the Bible’s directives to heart and deal with anger before it leads you further than you wish to go and costs you more than you wish to pay.  Psalm 37:8 says, “Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil.”  Let Christ be Lord over your emotions and your responses. Choose to deal with anger before it leads to evil.  Have a great Thursday!
  
          
               

           Deuteronomy is the fifth book of the Bible.  The name means “second law.”  The law was expounded and proclaimed to the people one more time before they would enter into the Promised Land that God had chosen to give them.  We can consider it one more reminder that God graciously gave to the people so they would remember both Him and His standards.  God knew that Israel would face two big challenges as they entered the new land.  The first challenge was their memory of Egypt—the idols, false gods and false religion of Egypt.  The second challenge would be the paganism and wickedness of the nations and people that occupied the land that God was giving Israel—the culture, corruption and idolatry of Canaan.  God gave them an important warning that still speaks to us today.  In Deuteronomy 11:16, the Bible says, “Be careful, or you will be enticed to turn away and worship other gods and bow down to them.”  A few important lessons stand out for us to see.  We can be thankful when these reminders pop up for us today.
            First, there is the warning to “be careful.”  We proceed with caution in life because we all have an enemy.  We have an enemy named Satan.  He lives to make war against us.  We fight not against flesh and blood but against Him (Ephesians 6:12).  He presents us with deceptive temptations to yield to Him and to take his word above God’s Word.  Paul gave a similar warning, “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!” (1 Corinthians 10:12).  The best way to guard ourselves against Satan is to be aware that he is real and that he does seek to tempt us and draw us away from the Lord.  We are born with a sin-nature so our natural inclination is to turn away from the Lord.  We are not to live paranoid but we are to live with our eyes and minds wide open so that the enemy does not deceive us.
            Second, the Bible says we can “be enticed to turn away.”  In the Garden of Eden, the serpent enticed Adam and Eve to distrust God and to sample the forbidden fruit.  Satan often presents us with choices that appeal to the natural desires and wishes we already have.  We are born with many normal and healthy desires—attention, love, approval, success, etc.  But Satan tempts us to satisfy those desires in ways that are wrong and sinful.  Satan will often try to cast doubt on God’s Word and character.  He employed that same strategy with the first temptation in the Garden of Eden.  He replayed that strategy in the wilderness when he tempted Jesus three times in the wilderness following our Lord’s baptism.  We must be consciously aware each day of the enemy’s efforts to entice us to turn from the Lord.
            Third, the Bible warns us against “other gods and bowing down to them.”  We might not be inclined to make an idol out of stone or metal and worship it in the backyard or basement.  But we can often make idols out of money, possessions, habits, lifestyles and practically anything that draws us away from the Lord.  An idol is little more than anything we choose to love, serve, follow and lean on more than the Lord.  An idol comes between God and us.  Technology can become an idol and so too can be the things that drain and draw our time away from the Lord.  Time often devoted to temporary and trivial pursuits could be redirected toward time with the Lord.  We face the same challenges today that ancient Israel faced—the tendency to lose sight of the Lord and replace Him with something else.
            One of the first steps toward sin is a dusty Bible.  We want to know and invest in God’s Word consistently and intentionally.  Sunday may be a highlight day for our time in God’s Word but it should not be the only time.  We want to cover the other six days with God’s Word as well.  We take Jesus’ warning in the Garden of Gethsemane to heart and pray faithfully so that we do not fall into temptation.  Israel needed to have some important truths and lessons repeated to them.  We do too.  We never want to lose sight of what God has done for us in Christ and His call for us to love and serve Him through all our days.  Choose the Lord every day and in every situation.  Lean upon Him and let Him be your strength and shield.  Have a great Monday!   
         

          There’s a sober lesson about obedience that we find in Numbers 20.  Most of us would agree that obedience to God is both good and important.  A failure to obey God is called sin.  And sin, or disobedience, has landed us in the mess that we are in when left to ourselves—mired in sin, sin’s penalty and often sin’s consequences.  We can easily find ourselves trying to justify certain behaviors and actions as being almost obedient or at least the “old college try” at doing what God commands.  However, the reality is there is disobedience and everything else.  If we find ourselves trying to explain how “technically” we were obedient, then we already have a problem.  Obedience is clear to see and rather easy to explain. 
            In Numbers 20, Israel was complaining again.  This time they were complaining about a lack of water to drink.  In the middle of their complaining, they again looked back at Egypt with longing and sentimental hearts and eyes.  God spoke to Moses and told him how to secure water for the people.  God said, “Take the staff, and you and your brother Aaron gather the assembly together. Speak to that rock before their eyes and it will pour out its water. You will bring water out of the rock for the community so they and their livestock can drink” (Numbers 20:8).  God was clear in His instructions to Moses—speak to the rock.  Speak!  Consider Moses’ response, “Then Moses raised his arm and struck the rock twice with his staff. Water gushed out, and the community and their livestock drank” (Numbers 20:11).  Moses did not speak to the rock.  He struck it.  And there was a consequence for what he did.  The Bible says, “But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, ‘Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them’” (Numbers 20:11).  Disobedience carries consequences.  We might be inclined to dismiss Moses’ actions as “no big deal.”  Is disobedience to God not a big deal?  Are we that quick to write off our rejection of what God has said? 
            The reason we need a Savior, Jesus, is because we have disobeyed God.  Because of our sins, we deserve the wrath and judgment of God.  But Jesus accepted that punishment in our place.  This story in Numbers tells us some important truths about disobedience.  First, disobedience is not a matter of not knowing what to do.  God has given us His Word.  God has given us His Holy Spirit to guide us.  Even the human conscience bears witness against us when we disobey (or in some cases consider disobeying).  God’s standards are as clear today as they were in Moses’ day when God told him simply what to do at Meribah but Moses disregarded the direction. 
            Second, disobedience is not a matter of “keeping the spirit of the law” but ignoring “the letter of the law.”  We walk an awfully fine line between obedience and disobedience when we have to justify what we have done.  And that line can take us to the wrong place.  More often than not, disobedience is just plain old defiance and choosing our ways above God’s ways. We may try to soothe ourselves by thinking we have kept the spirit of obedience or at least tried to do the right thing.  When we see that we have sinned against God, we need to confess that sin and turn from doing it again.  We want to be sure that we do not “dumb down” our disobedience and try to make excuses for it.  We never want to be at home in our sins and excuses.
            Third, disobedience can often result from misplaced anger or letting our emotions guide our decisions.  Moses was likely angry or frustrated with Israel.  They had been grumbling for a long time.  In the fog of anger, he made a rash and emotional decision to strike the rock at Meribah instead of speaking to it.  Perhaps he was venting.  Maybe he had bottled up his anger for as long as he could.  Still, the decision was wrong because he let the emotion of anger or frustration or aggravation lead him to a bad decision.  We often have to be careful not to let emotional responses like anger or venting override our minds.  Emotions are good, God-given parts of our being.  But emotions have to be guided by our mind and faith.   
            Finally, disobedience is often the failure to trust God enough to listen to Him.  Disobedience can be seen as trying to take matters into our own hands.  The Bible warns us not to add to it or take from Scripture (Revelation 22:18-19).  We obey God’s Word and guidance as they are given to us.  And let’s remember that God never leads us in ways that conflict with Scripture.  If we act contrary to God’s Word, we are disobedient.  Obedience often demands that we trust God when we cannot see the future.  Israel’s grumbling and complaining revealed a memory problem.  They had forgotten how God had orchestrated their Exodus and safely protected them from Pharaoh’s army.  Remember where God has been faithful and good to you in the past.  And let that memory encourage and compel you to trust and to obey God here and now.  Have a great Thursday!           
               

             There are two dangerous words that can find their way into our thinking and conversations.  Those words are “if only.”  Those words usually signify some regret or some unfulfilled longing.  If you have punctuated your conversations or thinking with those words, you are not alone.  Many people have done and continue to do so.  Indeed, “if only” thinking has become a way of life for some people.  You may be surprised to know those words can be found in the Bible.  For example, in Numbers 14:2b-3, Israel pondered what would have happened “if only” they had stayed in Egypt instead of leaving in the Exodus. We read, “If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this wilderness! Why is the Lord bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword? Our wives and children will be taken as plunder. Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt?”  Consider the magnitude of that mindset! The people were openly questioning whether slavery, captivity and the harshness of Egypt were preferable to freedom.  It seems striking that with all the promises and power of God surrounding them that the people openly and realistically opined about going back to Egypt.
            We may not think about returning to slavery and captivity in 2026 but “if only” thinking does raise some questions.  First, “if only” thinking can lead us to doubt God’s power and promises.  We can become persuaded that God does not act in ways that are good and gracious.  The enemy would love to plant that seed of discontent in our mind and heart.  Remember the Garden of Eden.  The serpent never really commanded or directed Adam and Eve to eat the forbidden fruit.  He simply raised doubts about God’s character and God’s intentions—leading them to believe that God was somehow denying them better things and blessings.
            Second, “if only” thinking can easily lead to discouragement and despair.  We get ourselves trapped into thinking that just a little more of this or that will make everything perfect.  And it is usually something just beyond our grasp or gain.  We can begin to compare our situations to other people—spawning jealousy and envy in the process.  We can mistakenly convince ourselves that others have life much better or have many more blessings that we do and that God is holding out on us.  We might even convince ourselves that there is no hope or no possibility for things to get better.  We paint and despair our way into a corner.  At the worst end, depression and addictions can start to take hold of us.
            Third, “if only” thinking can devalue God.  We begin to think that everything rests upon us—our skills, intelligence and creativity.  We can make ourselves into lone rangers who neither look to nor trust the help of God or others.  We begin to see others as threats or competitors rather than people who can do and share life with us.  Consider how much better life works when we do not box ourselves into “if only” thinking.  Paul was encouraged by Barnabas and Timothy.  Peter had James and John.  David was blessed by the friendship of Jonathan.  When we open our lives to others, then life becomes better and our vision is much bigger.
            In the example of Israel in Numbers, their “if only” thinking did not lead to good results.  The people were punished by God to roam the wilderness for forty years before gaining access to the land that God had promised them.  Their faulty thinking simply denied them what God had promised and planned for them.  Usually, when we reduce our thinking to ourselves and the small space that we occupy, little good comes from it.  When you are tempted by or drawn to “if only” thinking, remember the encouraging words of Paul in Ephesians 3:20, “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”  Wow!  God is much bigger and better than anything and everything we can imagine!  Trust God and leave “if only” thinking behind!  Have a good Monday!

          Goliath.  The name alone conjures up some fear and anxiousness.  Just the sound of Goliath sounds intimidating and threatening.  This Philistine strongman stood over nine feet tall.  The shaft of his spear weighed about fifteen pounds.  He would have easily defeated anybody at Wrestlemania and would have won the WWE Royal Rumble.  Nobody in Israel’s army wanted to face him on the battlefield. Nobody wanted anything to do with him.  Ever! The Bible says, “Goliath stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, ‘Why do you come out and line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not the servants of Saul? Choose a man and have him come down to me. If he is able to fight and kill me, we will become your subjects; but if I overcome him and kill him, you will become our subjects and serve us.’ Then the Philistine said, ‘This day I defy the armies of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other’” (1 Samuel 17:8-10).  And Goliath continued this taunting and trash-talking every morning and evening for forty, long days.  No one in Israel answered the challenge.
            And then along came David.  He volunteered to fight Goliath.  He was not the most likely choice.  He was young and inexperienced.  No one would have drafted him to fight for the honor of Israel.  But David was surprisingly wise for his years and knew something crucially important.  He knew the battle belonged to the Lord.  He was confident that God would provide for him during that battle with Goliath.  He knew God would sustain him and grant him victory.  David said, “The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine” (1 Samuel 17:37).  David gave the battle to the Lord and trusted God with the outcome.  He was confident because God had taken care of him in the past and he knew God would remain faithful in the battle against Goliath.  It can be a blessing for us to remember where we have experienced the goodness and power of God in the past.  Those memories can often help us remember that God can bless us in the present times as well and the new battles that we face.  Our past encounters with God become sources of strength for the present and future battles that we face. 
            We can experience giants in life too.  There are times when we are staring at a Goliath that seems so big, so opposing and so invincible.  In those times, we remember what David knew to be true.  The battle is the Lord’s.  He will provide.  “David said to the Philistine, ‘You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied’” (1 Samuel 17:45).  We face the pressures and giants of life the same way today. We have an unflinching faith that God will provide.  God will show us the pathway to follow.  God will make a way for us.  The God we love and serve is ABLE.  He is able to forgive our sins, to change our hearts and to give us new life.  He is able to sustain us by the promises we find in the Bible.  He is able to place a hedge of protection over us and against the enemy.
            The blessings that the Lord gives us as we face giants in life are far greater than the usual weapons of this world.  We possess His Word, the presence of the Holy Spirit living within us, His many promises never to forsake us, the power of prayer and the confidence that all things work together for the good of those who know and love the Lord (Romans 8:28).  When David fought Goliath, he was a shepherd boy.  But he was wise enough to know that he had a Shepherd too—the Good Shepherd who is the Lord Himself.  We should follow the example of David and remind ourselves that God will take care of us.  If we are part of God’s family through our faith in God’s Son, we will be taken care of and provided for in those daily battles that we experience.  We can be confident of this.  Keep three words in your mind and heart—God is able.  Have a great Thursday!
               

          Numbers is a book of the Bible that people read infrequently.  You might read it when you are on a mission to read through the Bible in a year.  Or you might read it when you are cross referencing other biblical passages.  Not many people see Numbers as their “go-to” book in the Bible.  But there is a real treat for us to see in Numbers 3.  This chapter concerns the Levites—those men in Israel chosen by God to serve as priests to represent the people to God and to represent God to the people.  The Levites were the priestly tribe and received no allocation of land like the other tribes.  As we read Numbers 3, there is an interesting and compelling repetition of a critical phrase.  We need to pay attention to this phrase because it speaks to us as clearly as it spoke to ancient Israel.  The phrase is “they were responsible for” (see Numbers 3:25, 28, 31, 38).  God had entrusted certain responsibilities to certain people for the good of the nation as a whole.  Every Levite had a role to play for the nation’s good and God’s glory.
            The lesson for us today is this—what has the Lord entrusted to you?  What responsibilities has God entrusted to you?  God may have entrusted some areas of service and ministry to you.  He may have called you to teach, to sing, to care for children, to pray, to give or to do the things others tend to overlook or neglect.  These different things are not to be forgotten or overlooked.  They are by no means inconsequential if the Lord has entrusted them to us.  Later in the Bible, in 1 Corinthians 12, Paul compared the Church to the human body.  He wrote, “Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ” (12:12).  The body, yours and mine, is made up of many different parts—including parts that we cannot see.  These parts each do the job that God assigned to them in His divine design and creation.  No one part has to do the full job of the human body.
            Likewise, the work of Christ gets done when the whole church or family of God does what God has asked it to do.  Everyone serves as he or she has been gifted and equipped. As Paul wrote, “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues” (1 Corinthians 12:27-28). As the Levites did in Numbers, the work of Christ is accomplished when everyone knows and carries the responsibilities that God has placed upon them.
            Take inventory of how you serve the Lord today.  The average Christian has basically three open doors for serving.  First, we can serve in the local church.  Most believers are members of churches where the lion’s share of God’s work is carried out.  To borrow a football analogy, the local church is the offensive line of the gospel—pushing and moving forward so God’s Word, the gospel and the good news of forgiveness can advance. Second, we can serve through the local church.  Most churches have ministries beyond themselves where people can mobilize and activate to serve the state, national or global cause of Christ.  Churches are often portals or pathways for people to serve in broader ways.  Think of a mission trip or disaster relief work in areas hit hard by hurricanes, storms and tragedies (natural or manmade).  Third, the average Christian can serve beyond the church.  Think of volunteering at a school, coaching and shaping a youth sports team or supporting a chronically sick neighbor.  These things are done outside the church and not necessarily through the sponsorship of a church.  But these opportunities are occasions to be the light of Christ in an often dark and bleak world.
            Where has God made you responsible?  What has God placed in your life?  What has God given you that can be used for Him and His glory?  Take some time each day to look at your life and where you can go to serve the Lord.  Be faithful with the occasions that God has given you to serve Him.  The Lord reminds us that if we are faithful in the small and simple ways then we are often entrusted with greater opportunities (Luke 16:10).  Have a great Monday and remember what the Lord has given you to do!  

         Most of us have been guilty of grumbling.  No surprise, but grumbling is found in the Bible too.  Some Bibles refer to it as “murmuring.”  Philippians 2:14 commands us to do everything without grumbling or arguing.  In the Bible, grumbling can reflect a lack of confidence in God’s ability to provide or to work out things for our good and His glory.  One of the most memorable places where we find grumbling is in the camp of Israel not long after the Exodus and freedom from both slavery and Egypt.  We would think that Israel would have been thrilled beyond words to be free—free from bondage, slavery, captivity and the harsh moods and whims of Pharaoh.  But Israel grumbled.  They complained about the journey, the food, water to drink, the likelihood of dying and how much they missed Egyptian ways and culture.  They even grumbled against Moses’ leadership.  The Bible says, “In the desert the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron.  The Israelites said to them, ‘If only we had died by the Lord’s hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death’” (Exodus 16:2-3). 
            The height of grumbling probably came when Israel openly considered just going back to Egypt and the old life they had as slaves (Numbers 14:3-4).  Imagine, grumbling and complaining so much that you are willing to return to slavery!  We live in times where we see a lot of grumbling, discord and division.  We can easily find ourselves complaining about any number of things.  Consistent complaining and gratuitous grumbling can be strategies that the enemy uses to create division and discontent.  Complaining can easily go viral.  Often, just listening to someone else complain can create a desire within us to join in and pile on—no matter the subject.  We often have to pray for endurance and patience not to participate or to allow resentment and bitterness to build up within our hearts.
            We may need a moment to vent or a safe place to get something troubling off our chests.  God can often bless us with friends and colleagues who can listen patiently and allow us to release some discord or disappointment that has built up in us from work, family, marriage, health or finances.  You may be able to serve someone else by being a listening set of ears and a closed mouth.  Allow someone to vent safely with you while refraining from repeating or sharing what you have heard.  Galatians 6:2 says, “Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”  Listening can be a gift we give to others.  We can be a blessing if we allow someone to unload their burdens in a safe and constructive way. 
            But what about the times when we grumble or complain?  How do we respond?  First, ask yourself if the complaining is a legitimate issue or injustice.  Is there a reason to be discontented and disappointed?  Sometimes we can act petty.  Sometimes we may just be looking for attention in an unhealthy way. But occasionally, there can be something that has hurt us or shaken us.  Ask God to help you discern the reason for the complaining. Second, turn to someone you can trust.  Ask someone to join you for lunch, coffee or a walk and share where you are hurting.  Ask a good friend just to give you a chance to vent some burdens or pains you may be carrying.  Select someone you can trust to listen with open ears, an open heart and a closed mouth.  Ask that trusted person to pray for you and to keep in touch with you.  Third, pray about the source of your grumbling.  You can ask God to change the situation or to change yourself or to change yourself through the situation.  God has a limitless number of ways that He can work for good.  Galatians 5 warns us against living in the flesh—that is to do what the world would do in a similar situation—things like revenge, gossip, rumors, creating strife and living selfishly.  Rather, we pray that the Spirit uses our situations to produce good fruit—fruit that comes only from Him—like peace, patience, goodness, self-control and faithfulness.  Take comfort in Galatians 6:9, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”  Never allow grumbling or complaining to deny you the chance to see and enjoy the harvest that may be just around the corner.  Have a great Thursday!

             God is God.  That three-word sentence seems obvious or even redundant.  But God is God.  Some may say this sentence can also seem a little trivial for the beginning of a devotion.  But I assure you that is a profound theological statement.  It is one of the most important truths that we can declare.  Say it to yourself, “God is God.”  This truth was vitally important in the book of Exodus as Israel adjusted to a new life outside of and apart from Egypt.  As you will recall, God led Israel out of both captivity and slavery through the Exodus.  Near the end of the book of Exodus, we find a familiar and often-repeated refrain that reads like this, “as the LORD commanded” (Exodus 40:21b and cited multiple other places in Exodus).  Four simple words...simple words to read and see.  But again, a powerfully important theological truth.  A few lessons stand out for us to see.
            First, the Bible teaches us that God is the LORD.  LORD in all capital letters is God’s holy and self-revealed name.  It is the name that God gave to Moses at the burning bush. LORD means the great “I AM” or “the One who causes all things to be.”  There is but one God who sovereignly reigns over the universe.  There is only one great I AM who has made all things and rules and reigns as He chooses and pleases.  He is eternal and timeless. God reserves the right to make the rules of the universe and even how we are to approach Him. Throughout Exodus, God imparted this truth to Israel through Moses.  It was His grace alone that spared humanity from destruction time after time.  
            Second, the LORD calls us to be faithful in all things—even in the details of life.  Some of the instructions in Exodus may sound like quite ordinary things for us when we read them—even more than once.  But nothing is ordinary where God has chosen to work. Nothing is ordinary where God has given instructions and established His expectations. God is not ordinary.  God is God.  He calls us to obedience and faithfulness in the many ordinary things that we do.  God gave Israel very specific and detailed commands to follow in setting up the Tabernacle and making the priestly garments. God often tests us in some details as a way of providing us with the chance to prove ourselves worthy or great responsibilities and opportunities.  Jesus said in Luke 16:10, “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.”  God increases our ways and places to serve when we are faithful with what He has already entrusted.
            Third, God can be found in the details—even details we might be inclined to miss or overlook.  For example, in Leviticus 11-13, God gave Israel a series of specific directions about clean/unclean food, purification processes and skin diseases.  When we read these chapters, we might feel weighed down by details and the minutiae.  But we have to ask the larger question of why this information has been inspired by the Holy Spirit and included in the Bible?  Are we accountable to such detail-laden commands today?  The good news is Jesus perfectly kept the law of God for us.  We cannot keep the law completely and perfectly, but Jesus did that on our behalf.  His obedience is credited to us as if we did keep the law of God without failure or blemish.  Still, these details are found in Scripture to help us see the sovereignty of God and His Lordship over all creation.  In building Israel as a light to all nations and the nation from which Jesus, the Messiah, would emerge, God left nothing to chance.  He wanted Israel to be so different and distinct that all nations and people would pay attention to the way Israel lived, worshipped and served the LORD.  And even today, we are called to live and to be distinct as followers of Christ.  We are to live in a way that others see Jesus in us and desire to know and follow Him because of us.  Yes, the details do matter...and so do the details God has for how we live each day.  Every occasion or moment of life is a chance to know Christ and to make Him know.  Live gratefully today! Have a great Monday!

           Romans is a magnificent book in the Bible.  It was the favorite book of the reformer Martin Luther and inspired him as he became a leading catalyst in the Protestant Reformation.  In some Bibles, Romans 5 is captioned with this heading, “Peace and Hope.”  Peace and hope are two good Bible words.  We are at peace with God when we have come to faith in His Son Jesus and trusted Jesus alone for our forgiveness and salvation.  We have an undying hope in Christ that we will be raised to new life with Him one day when either we pass away or He returns in glory.  Paul wrote in Romans 5:6, “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.”  A few important truths stand out in that verse that we need to see.
            First, Paul is giving us a theological conclusion.  He began by writing “you see.” He has reached a self-evident conclusion or assessment.  Consider looking over a home improvement project to see what needs to be done.  Your eyes tell you that new paint, new flooring and some new hardware on the drawers and cabinets would transform your kitchen.  Paul’s words that follow in Romans 5:6 unveil the conclusion that he has reached. He has carefully weighed the evidence before him and reached a conclusion that is easy to see.  The words “you see” generally capture our attention.  We anticipate that something very important is about to be said or done.
            Second, Paul spoke about God’s perfect timing by writing “at just the right time.”  God is never late or early.  People can often be one or the other.  But God’s timing is always perfect—not just good but exceptional and perfect.  Perhaps a blessing came into your life at just the right time.  Maybe God sent someone to bless you at the right moment. Maybe God spoke to you in a worship service with words that you needed to hear at that moment.  When it comes to His forgiveness and grace, God’s timing is always right.  Jesus did not come too soon or too late.  If you are reading these words and have business with the Lord, the timing is right and perfect.  God can work in your life at this instant.
            Third, Paul noted our mournful state in life apart from God and His gracious work in us.  We are “powerless.”  He even wrote “still powerless.”  The word “still” seems to highlight or even underscore our hopeless and helpless state.  We are dead in sin.  Nothing that we try to change or forgive our sins is effective.  No matter where we have turned or tried to find our way, we remain powerless.  We possess no power.  Imagine having surgery followed by fasting for ten days and then trying to run fifty miles without stopping. We would be powerless to finish that race.  God came to us in Christ at our moment of deepest weakness and need.  We did not have to clean up ourselves or make ourselves lovable to the Lord.  He came to us and first loved us—even in our powerless state.  Be encouraged by that great truth today!
            Fourth, Christ died for us.  He died for the “ungodly.”  The “ungodly” would be you and me.  He took our place.  Those preceding four words are the gospel.  His death became our life.  His punishment became our peace.  The horror of the cross became our hope.  Christ took the weight, pain and brunt of all the evil things that we have ever done.  His death was the perfect sacrifice and atonement for the sins we have committed.  The justice of God was fully served and satisfied by Jesus’ obedient sacrifice at the cross. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.  His cross is the way to our forgiveness.  His death for our sins is the truth of how God reconciles and forgives us.  His life has been credited to us just as our sins were assigned to Him.  Paul summarized these truths in Romans 5:8, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” There is nothing to be added to or taken from this truth.  It stands as the gospel message. Have a great Thursday!      
 

            In Matthew 10, we find the story of Jesus sending out the Twelve.  The Twelve refers to the original disciples that He called to follow Him.  And these disciples were a collection of characters—called twelve ordinary men by John MacArthur and others.  Among the Twelve, we find fishermen, a tax collector, a zealot, brothers and a future betrayer of Jesus.  In sending out the Twelve, Jesus gave them authority “to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness” (Matthew 10:1).  Both Mark and Luke have this same story, and while add some differing details, but the core remains the same.  Near the end of this story in Matthew 10, Jesus told His disciples, “whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven” (Matthew 10:32). 
            The key word seems to be “acknowledge.”  Some translations use the word “confess.”  The idea seems to be that Jesus calls us to confess or to identify a public allegiance to Him as Lord. This identification is not a matter of buying a billboard, commercial time on television or standing in a public place screaming until one’s voice gives out.  It seems to be speaking and living in ways that make it clear we have a single Lord whom we follow and His name is Jesus.  I believe it was President Lincoln who once famously said that he worried more about whether he was on God’s side and less about God being on his side.  It can be easy to think that Christ reflexively blesses our thoughts and actions and stands beside us as we say, think or do these things.  We can reduce Christ to our personal rubber stamp.  But, it might be much more important to examine what we think, say or believe to see if these matters line up with Christ.  We need to check our words, opinions and actions against the standard of Scripture and the heart of Christ.
            To acknowledge Jesus means we are allowing His words and spirit to saturate our minds and souls.  We are marinating our words and actions in His truth.  At times, it may be best to remain silent when everyone else is quick to form and express opinions.  At times, it may be best to dissent when it seems like the crowd or the majority is forming in one direction.  We need to remember that crowds and majorities can be curious things—for example, Jesus was crucified with the majority of the assembled crowd giving their consent and calling for His murder. 
            Remember, a lonely voice is not a bad one.  It was John the Baptist who was the voice in the wilderness calling others to repent and come to the Lord.  To acknowledge Jesus may require you to be a single voice, a single servant or the only one who pauses for a moment to wait for some discernment to catch up with the words and actions you hear and see.  Acknowledging Jesus will not always be easy—it will usually be hard because it can be counter to the enemy (Satan) and the kingdoms of this world.  The enemy’s ways are grounded in force, aggression, selfishness, brutality and power.  Jesus gave away power at the cross and willingly yielded to the Father’s will that the cross was THE way to life, hope and reconciliation.  Think of how you acknowledge Jesus today and every day. Where will you be a servant?  Where will you take the last place in line? Where will you speak words that are marinated in His love, truth and grace?  Where will you choose silence and refuse to join the raging chorus around you?  Where will you stand alone when others may be fleeing or running the opposite way?  The gospel comforts the afflicted.  But it also afflicts the comfortable.  Maybe you need comfort today.  Maybe it is the providence of God to afflict you and thus gain your attention.  Remember Jesus’ promise that your acknowledgment of Him means that He acknowledges you.
            In your circumstances and direction, acknowledge Christ today.  Be His.  Be teachable and pliable.  Be willing to listen and learn.  Be willing to be corrected.  Be willing to wear His yoke.  To acknowledge Jesus is so much, much more than screaming loudly and joining a crowd that is mindlessly moving in mass in one direction.  Jesus walked to the cross alone.  Be willing to walk today down whatever roads He may lead you.  Have a wonderful Monday!  Be a light for Christ today!      
 
               

           All four gospels present the crucifixion of Jesus.  But each one adds some detail or texture to the story.  Luke presents an interesting observation about Peter’s behavior following Jesus’ arrest and prior to His crucifixion.  It is an observation that is easy to miss or overlook when we read Luke 22. But it is a behavior that has some significant relevance for us even today.  In Luke 22:54 we read, “Then seizing him, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance.”  Peter “followed at a distance.”  This is the same Peter who earlier pledged his undying love and loyalty to Jesus.”  Peter said, his own words, “Lord I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.” But in the moment of testing, at the hour when we had a chance to back up his talk with action, the best Peter could do was follow at a distance. I suppose he forgot all his big-talk, big-promises and willingness to walk with Jesus straight to prison or even the cross. Peter struck out on three pitches.  
            Following at a distance makes distant disciples.  On the same night, Peter would go on to deny Jesus three different and separate times.  So much for undying love and loyalty. So much for following Jesus all the way to prison and death.  Peter’s behavior teaches us a lesson—it can be easy to drift away from the Lord.  It can be easy to slip and slide away from the Lord much like we lose our footing on icy surfaces.  There can be seasons in life when we have drifted away from the Lord.  Maybe you are in the middle of such a season. Maybe something has turned your mind and heart away from the Lord.  Maybe you remember such a season.  Maybe someone you know and love is struggling with such a season of life—drifting and turning from the Lord.    
            The stress and demands of a job can turn us away from our faith.  Getting too caught up in hobbies or travel can turn us away from the Lord.  Loving money or possessions can capture our hearts and minds and turn us around.  A lack of Bible study, prayer and worship can turn us away from the Lord.  We begin to fill our minds with other things while our Bibles gather dust.  We find ourselves talking to almost anyone besides the Lord.  Anger, bitterness, resentment and grudges can lead us to drift away from the Lord. Whereas we once would not miss a chance to worship with other believers on Sunday, we now can’t seem to find the time or motivation to join with others in worship.
            Drifting away from the Lord rarely happens all at once.  It is a slow regression.  It can be like an undetected spiritual cancer that is slowly spreading and metastasizing and claiming more and more of our heart and mind.  It may be difficult to diagnose the cause as one particular thing—rather it is just the steady accumulation of many things that grab our spiritual eyes and ears and turn us from the Lord.  It is a slow grind that weakens and wearies us.    
            The good news is the Lord welcomes us back.  Like the father in the story of the prodigal son, God looks for us, runs to us, welcomes us and rejoices when we return to Him.  You can come back to the Lord today.  Admit you have drifted.  Ask for His forgiveness.  Return to the things you once did—read your Bible, pray, worship, get back in church.  Do it NOW!  There is a way today to stop this dangerous drifting.  The Lord says in Malachi 3:7, “return to me and I will return to you.”  Jesus told the church in Ephesus, “You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first.”  The Bible is one grand invitation to come to the Lord.  Some come to the Lord for the first time and receive salvation.  Some return to the Lord from a season of wandering and roaming.  Some come back to the Lord because they, like Peter, have followed the Lord but only at a distance.  The good news is this: the Lord is more ready to receive us, renew us and show us His love than we are to seek Him.  He loves us before we ever love Him.  We come to Him only in response to His finding us and choosing us to be His own.  If you are following at a distance today, it is time to come home.  Have a great Thursday! 
 

          The book of Exodus is about an historic departure.  Exodus tells the story of how God delivered Israel out of Egypt and slavery.  And this amazing deliverance happened during the night (12:31).  The Bible says, “Because the LORD kept vigil that night to bring them out of Egypt” (12:42a).  One theme that leads up to the Exodus is the hardening of Pharaoh’s heart.  About six times, the Bible says that God hardened Pharaoh’s heart directly—so that He might demonstrate His power and glory for Egypt to see.  About ten times, the Bible says that Pharaoh hardened his own heart—the natural consequence of a life lived in defiance of God.  Consider these words—a hardened heart.
         There may not be words anywhere in Scripture more unsettling than these three words—a hardened heart.  Is your heart hardened toward the Lord and the things of the Lord?  Is your heart hardened by sin, defiance and selfishness? We may not clearly and perfectly understand how Pharaoh hardened his heart and God hardened it too.  But we can say that God allows humans, including Pharaoh, to choose and abide in sin and evil.  God does not program us, or any human, to do all things obediently, well and righteously.  God allows us to have the choices of our hearts—even those choices that may be sinful and rebellious. 
         But see the one big theme that develops in the middle of Pharaoh’s hardened heart—God’s will and purpose are neither thwarted nor delayed.  God still accomplished His purpose of delivering Israel from the slavery of Egypt.  Why?  Because, as Exodus says, “I am the LORD” (12:12c).  God is God.  And His plans are not defeated by the stubbornness of a human heart. Only God can change a hardened heart.  Only God can soften the callouses and scars of years of sin, vanity and pride. Paul put it this way, “It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.  For Scripture says to Pharaoh, ‘I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.’  Therefore, God has mercy on whom He wants to have mercy, and He hardens whom He wants to harden” (Romans 9:16-18).
         Hearts are still hardened toward the Lord today—often by the accumulation of isolated and single acts and events along a lifetime.  Occasionally, loses in life can embitter and harden hearts—deaths, defeats, ruined dreams.  There is no medicine or vaccine that can protect our hearts from being hardened.  Only the grace of God can soften and heal hearts and transform them from death to life.  Give thanks today for the healing power of God’s abundant grace.  Give thanks that He can change the most wayward and defiant heart into one that loves and seeks Him.  Psalm 51:7 says, “cleanse me with hyssop and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.”  If your heart is hardened or calloused today—by choice or by the circumstances you have faced.  Call upon the Lord to heal and change you.  And God alone will have mercy on you according to His unfailing love.  Have a great Monday!