Saturday, February 28

Day 55

As You Rise ... Psalms 7-10
Chapter 7 in mp3
Chapter 8 in mp3
Chapter 9 in mp3
Chapter 10 in mp3

You have rebuked the nations; you have made the wicked perish;
you have blotted out their name forever and ever.
...
The nations have sunk in the pit that they made; in the net that they hid, their own foot has been caught. The Lord has made himself known; he has executed judgment; the wicked are snared in the work of their own hands.

When I was in High School it was 'cool' to wear t-shirts with symbols of the Soviet Union. It still is today I suppose.

The sad part of this is that no one ... NO ONE ... in history murdered more people than the Soviets. Upwards of 60 million men, women and children were crushed under the wheels of that monstrosity.

Though that nation has been destroyed, and someday will only be remembered as a byword, men still lust after the same evil. They lay the same nets as the monsters of the past. But, do not expect them to succeed forever. The evil that they seek after will come back upon them. And it is not surprising that those who choose to surround themselves with evil will have that evil destroy them. It is what evil does.

Arise, O Lord! Let not man prevail;
let the nations be judged before you!

Put them in fear, O Lord!
Let the nations know that they are but men!

As You Walk By The Way ...Psalms 11-15
Chapter 11 in mp3
Chapter 12 in mp3
Chapter 13 in mp3
Chapter 14 in mp3
Chapter 15 in mp3

... who does not put out his money at interest ...

What real profit is there in doing good only to get a return? There is no gain towards becoming a better person if we only give to get a tax write-off. Or if you give to get the accolades of praise.

Don't give anything of yourself ... time, money, sweat, blood ... with the understanding you will get it back and more. Give because it the right thing to do.
When You Lie Down ... Acts 18-19
Chapter 18 in mp3
Chapter 19 in mp3

Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?

Who am I really?
Can I face the demons and the evils of this world fully trusting in God?


Who are you really?
Can you face the demons and the evils of this world fully trusting in God?

Just something to meditate and pray on.

Friday, February 27

Day 54

As You Rise ... Job 38-42
Chapter 38 in mp3
Chapter 39 in mp3
Chapter 40 in mp3
Chapter 41 in mp3
Chapter 42 in mp3

And now the LORD answers Job. Eventually God told Job all that happened from the beginning of this story. Or we obviously wouldn't have the first few chapters.

But for now what answer does Job get? ... "I'm God. Period."

It all really boils down to that essence of truth. We are dealing with I AM. Hold up your hand and look at it. The details of all that you see. Everything you have ever done. Holding your children. Striking in anger. All that you are. Only by the will of God are you here. With a simple breath and desire it could all be gone. And by His amazing love our soul will continue for eternity.

No matter the situation you find yourself in ... remember. Remember the love of a Dad who takes the punishment deserved by you. Remember the love of a Dad who, through His infinite will, sustains your life and your eternal soul. Our LORD is the great I AM.
As You Walk By The Way ...Psalms 1-6
Chapter 1 in mp3
Chapter 2 in mp3
Chapter 3 in mp3
Chapter 4 in mp3
Chapter 5 in mp3
Chapter 6 in mp3

Make them bear their guilt, O God;
let them fall by their own counsels;
because of the abundance of their transgressions cast them out,
for they have rebelled against you.

I used to struggle with the above. I used to think that I would be praying AGAINST someone with those words. But, being a Dad I now understand the idea of consequences.

Many people will not change unless they are humbled. I've mentioned before about needing to soften our hearts. And I can think of two ways ... We try to tenderize our own hearts or God will tenderize our hearts with adversity.
When You Lie Down ... Acts 16-17
Chapter 16 in mp3
Chapter 17 in mp3

They received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.

This is an invitation to judge me.

Never read or listen to anything without examination when someone is speaking about the LORD. God wants a personal relationship with you so don't allow someone to stand in between you and Him. I don't believe in a holy interpreter. I believe in the LORD.

So many came before me that had a greater relationship with God than I. Yet I will weight their words and actions against the Word and against what I know to be true about God. I say to do this because I am a man. And I know my heart. They were men as well who had the same heart of flesh. Even Peter was corrected by Paul.

LORD ... give me a discerning heart.

Thursday, February 26

Day 53

As You Rise ... Job 32-34
Chapter 32 in mp3
Chapter 33 in mp3
Chapter 34 in mp3

Remember when you knew everything there was to know?
Back when you were young?

It is not the old who are wise, nor the aged who understand what is right. Therefore I say, ‘Listen to me; let me also declare my opinion.’

Yeah, I was like that. No wait ... I still am. Or else I wouldn't be typing this right now. Listen to me! Let me declare my opinion! That thump you just heard was my heading hitting my desktop.

There is a balance in what you know, or what you feel you are being led to say, versus preaching to hear your own voice. I never want to become the man standing in front of others who loves the sound of his voice. Who is certain their words are golden. Who others declare to be as eloquent as great men of old ... even before the speech has been given.

My biggest worry in what I type is that I become Elihu. The words may be smooth at times. They may be rough at times. They may form a speech that people can nod their heads to and agree with at times. "Yes that is so well said." Or not.

But, within the words there is no glory given to God. That is my worry in my life as well. That within the pages of my life I don't reflect who God wants me to be. That I become a wall ... rather than an open window.

LORD, humble me. Open me. Help me to pull back who I am and let you come through.
As You Walk By The Way ...Job 35-37
Chapter 35 in mp3
Chapter 36 in mp3
Chapter 37 in mp3

We all have an unjust accuser. It may be a family member, an enemy, or THE Enemy. But, the one I'm thinking of looks back at you from the mirror.

Elihu condemned Job and then wrapped himself with words about God. Don't you find yourself filling both roles in your life at times? You are hurting and you have that whisper in your ear reminding you about your sins. About what you have done wrong. How can a person so flawed NOT be punished by God?

Just remember what Christ said ... You are forgiven. Go and sin no more.

Yes we are flawed. Yes we are fallen. But, as you look in the mirror don't see with the eyes of an accuser. Eyes that are blinded and see only darkly. See with the eyes of Christ.

Who loved you so much as to be beaten beyond recognition for you. Who loved you so much that thorns were jammed upon his head. Who loved you so much that he willingly took nails being driven through his hands and feet. Who loves you so much He stood between you and the punishment.

Can you imagine the love that must be in His eyes as He looks upon you?
When You Lie Down ... Acts 14-15
Chapter 14 in mp3
Chapter 15 in mp3

And with Christ's sacrifice is freedom from the Law. Of course that is actually somewhat harder on us. Because no longer is the Law a written thing on paper for us. It is the Law that God has written upon our hearts.

You can always try and justify breaking the laws on paper. You speed down the road well above the speed limit ... but you didn't hurt anyone. We can always change what is written or argue about the meaning of the word 'is'.

Upon our hearts means one-on-one with God. You know when you are wrong and when you are in the right. No cheating there.

Wednesday, February 25

Day 52

As You Rise ... Job 22-27
Chapter 22 in mp3
Chapter 23 in mp3
Chapter 24 in mp3
Chapter 25 in mp3
Chapter 26 in mp3
Chapter 27 in mp3

As I was listening to these verses one thing came to mind: What a monster I am.
Why are not times of judgment kept by the Almighty, and why do those who know him never see his days?

Some move landmarks; they seize flocks and pasture them. They drive away the donkey of the fatherless; they take the widow's ox for a pledge. They thrust the poor off the road; the poor of the earth all hide themselves.

Behold, like wild donkeys in the desert the poor go out to their toil, seeking game; the wasteland yields food for their children. They gather their fodder in the field, and they glean the vineyard of the wicked man.

They lie all night naked, without clothing, and have no covering in the cold. They are wet with the rain of the mountains and cling to the rock for lack of shelter. There are those who snatch the fatherless child from the breast, and they take a pledge against the poor.

They go about naked, without clothing;
Hungry, they carry the sheaves;
Among the olive rows of the wicked they make oil;
They tread the winepresses, but suffer thirst.

From out of the city the dying groan, and the soul of the wounded cries for help; yet God charges no one with wrong.
In your minds eye do you not see those in this world who are suffering? I see and I am shamed. Because I see and I do not act.

I listened to this as I was driving and I wanted to pull over and weep. Weep for those in pain and weep in anger against myself. I dwell over dollars I want to spend on myself for things I don't need. While I do not spend nearly enough of my own self in service of others.

As I listened it wasn't about "Where is God?" ... it was about "Where am I?"
As You Walk By The Way ...Job 28-31
Chapter 28 in mp3
Chapter 29 in mp3
Chapter 30 in mp3
Chapter 31 in mp3

I don't know if it is sad or telling that Job didn't know that he had somewhat answered his own question of "Where is God?". He probably couldn't see through his own pain to truly listen to the words that the LORD gave him to speak.

Where is God for the fatherless? For the widows? For the poor? For the suffering?
I delivered the poor who cried for help, and the fatherless who had none to help him. The blessing of him who was about to perish came upon me, and I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy.

I was eyes to the blind and feet to the lame. I was a father to the needy, and I searched out the cause of him whom I did not know. I broke the fangs of the unrighteous and made him drop his prey from his teeth.

If I have rejected the cause of my manservant or my maidservant, when they brought a complaint against me, what then shall I do when God rises up? When he makes inquiry, what shall I answer him? Did not he who made me in the womb make him? And did not one fashion us in the womb?

If I have withheld anything that the poor desired, or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail, or have eaten my morsel alone, and the fatherless has not eaten of it (for from my youth the fatherless grew up with me as with a father, and from my mother's womb I guided the widow)

If I have seen anyone perish for lack of clothing, or the needy without covering, if his body has not blessed me, and if he was not warmed with the fleece of my sheep, if I have raised my hand against the fatherless, because I saw my help in the gate.

Then let my shoulder blade fall from my shoulder, and let my arm be broken from its socket. For I was in terror of calamity from God, and I could not have faced his majesty.
Job acted. And why did he act? For the LORD. When the cry goes out "Where is the LORD?" the answer should have those that suffer pointing their fingers at a Christian and saying "The LORD is in you! For I see Him and feel Him!"

And what a list Job has given me. Have I ...

... delivered the poor?
... helped those that had no help?
... made their heart sing for joy?
... become eyes to the blind?
... become feet to the lame?
... been father to the fatherless?
... searched out the cause of him whom I did not know?
... broken the fangs of the unrighteous?

If I do not act what then?

As Mordecai told Esther, “For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?

They have hope in God. Deliverance and justice will come, if not now then in the age to come. But, God has put this before me NOW.

O LORD and Heavenly Father ... help me to be as Job.
When You Lie Down ... Acts 11-13
Chapter 11 in mp3
Chapter 12 in mp3
Chapter 13 in mp3

Get up ... Dress ... Put on sandals ... Wrap your cloak ... Follow me.

Peter was sitting in jail waiting for his death. If God wanted He could have just moved him from the jail and into his friends home. Why not?

As we sit in the darkness of our lives. As we sit in chains beside the people who are against us and who inflict pain beyond measure. As the night comes ... and still we suffer ... and still we pray for deliverance.

We pray that God will 'poof', make it go away.

That would be nice. But, that isn't what builds up a stronger man or woman. Even Peter had to get up to get out of the prison. And as we struggle we need to do likewise.

Get up. Stand and look upon the LORD.

Dress. Get your body, mind, and soul ready for what God will have in store for you.

Put on your sandals. Prepare yourself for the walk. A walk in LORD.

Wrap your cloak. Wrap yourself in the Word of the LORD. In the people that he will bring into your life. Reach out and let them wrap their arms around you.

and Follow Him.

Tuesday, February 24

Day 51

As You Rise ... Job 11-16
Chapter 11 in mp3
Chapter 12 in mp3
Chapter 13 in mp3
Chapter 14 in mp3
Chapter 15 in mp3
Chapter 16 in mp3

Zophar: But the eyes of the wicked will fail; all way of escape will be lost to them, and their hope is to breathe their last.

Job: The tents of robbers are at peace, and those who provoke God are secure.

So who is right?

We see pain and suffering in the world. We experience them.

Job is crying out for an answer. And at times we take the way of his friends ... If you are suffering it is because you deserve it. But, that doesn't have to be true. You may be suffering and there is no wrong being punished in you.

The only way to truly have a hope of knowing what is going on is to struggle with God. To wrestle with Him. To talk and listen. To live. To try.

Wrestle with God and don't let go.
As You Walk By The Way ...Job 17-21
Chapter 17 in mp3
Chapter 18 in mp3
Chapter 19 in mp3
Chapter 20 in mp3
Chapter 21 in mp3

For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another.

And in all of our suffering we have Christ. Who stood upon the earth and bore the pain, felt the temptations, cried the tears, lived the life, and made the sacrifice.

And in our flesh we shall see Him with our own eyes. And have comfort.

For our Redeemer lives!
When You Lie Down ... Acts 9-10
Chapter 9 in mp3
Chapter 10 in mp3

Everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.

As salvation for Job came from looking forward to Christ. From seeing through his pain to Christ standing in heaven as the witness who testified for him on high. Our salvation comes from Christ as well.

Our sins may be forgiven, but we must strive to live a life worthy of His name. How small of a thing it is to live a life of thankfulness. God poured out the gift of salvation for me ... I can not spit upon that. I must live a life that honors it.

And I will fail.

But, I must remind myself daily ... and try daily.

Monday, February 23

Day 50

As You Rise ... Job 1-5
Chapter 1 in mp3
Chapter 2 in mp3
Chapter 3 in mp3
Chapter 4 in mp3
Chapter 5 in mp3

And here we come to one of my favorite books of the Bible: Job.

Let the day perish on which I was born.

And so begins the argument of Job to God. What touches me about Job is that he is so open with God and his friends. He knows he did no wrong and he is confused about justice. About how the LORD deals with the evil men of the world. And how he is being dealt with in his own life.

He cries out in pain. Both emotional and physical pain. He is hurt and confused. Job is like all of us in suffering. Though he certainly suffered more than anyone I have known.

The lessons of Job are not about suffering in silence. It is about the struggle of your own suffering and reaching out to God and others.
As You Walk By The Way ...Job 6-10
Chapter 6 in mp3
Chapter 7 in mp3
Chapter 8 in mp3
Chapter 9 in mp3
Chapter 10 in mp3

If your children have sinned against him, he has delivered them into the hand of their transgression.

I may die tonight driving home. God may feel I deserve to die for sins in my life. Or it just may be the time that He acts to take me out of this world.

How I die, or why, or when does not matter. What matters is how I live my life NOW. Each of us has a life that is essentially one-on-one with God. Each of Job's children had that same life. We the readers know, and Job knew, that why they died was not for their sins against God. The plan they were part of was larger than that. Just as the arc of your life is larger than what you see or what you even know as your life.

Lastly, for those that are grieving it is foolish and cruel to feel righteous anger towards them. And it is stupid to vent that anger in hateful words as Job's friends had done. If those that hurt are angry with God, so be it. It is silly to imagine that we can protect God from someone being angry with Him. God IS. He can certainly handle a relationship with someone in pain.

Your calling is to be His hands and feet in this world. Not the hateful mouth.
When You Lie Down ... Acts 7-8
Chapter 7 in mp3
Chapter 8 in mp3

But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears ...

How true for those that don't want to hear the truth. We stop up our ears. For myself, the way I stop them up is with anger and not letting the other person speak. To fill my ears with noise.

LORD, open me up.
Open my eyes to see the hurt.
Open my ears to listen to those in pain.
Open my heart to feel the pain and suffering of others.

Sunday, February 22

Day 49

As You Rise ... Esther 1-5
Chapter 1 in mp3
Chapter 2 in mp3
Chapter 3 in mp3
Chapter 4 in mp3
Chapter 5 in mp3

An orphan girl didn't know why her parents were taken from her. She was raised by her cousin who loved and treated her as his daughter. Then she was taken from him to be placed into the king's harem. Daily he would walk to the court of the harem just to find out how she was doing.

And from that beginning she became queen.

We may never know what God's plan is. But we have our part. All we can do is live it and look for where He leads us.
As You Walk By The Way ...Esther 6-10
Chapter 6 in mp3
Chapter 7 in mp3
Chapter 8 in mp3
Chapter 9 in mp3
Chapter 10 in mp3

Trust in God.

Esther threw her life on the line to save God's people. God raised her and Mordecai to a place where they could act. But, they were called to act.

When we come to the points of action we must act as well. When there is temptation ... walk, no, run away. When there is pain ... give comfort. When there is a child ... don't exasperate them, rather strengthen them. When there is loss ... give.

Trust in God and Act.
When You Lie Down ... Acts 5-6
Chapter 5 in mp3
Chapter 6 in mp3

... if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail.

And there is our path.

When we do act are we acting for God or for man? I can't tell you how many times I took my own council and then went off before aiming. It isn't "ready ... FIRE ... aim!"

Getting ready and aiming is about getting in a personal relationship with God. About listening to wise council. About listening to the LORD. Once you are primed and your aim is true. Explode your life for God.

Saturday, February 21

Day 48

As You Rise ... Nehemiah 6-10
Chapter 6 in mp3
Chapter 7 in mp3
Chapter 8 in mp3
Chapter 9 in mp3
Chapter 10 in mp3

They read from the book, from the Law of God, clearly, and they gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading.

All of us have access to the original Bible in Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic. And very very few people read and speak Greek, Hebrew, and Aramaic. The only way we understand anything is if the Word is put into the words that we know.

Translations come not only in many languages, but a single language may have word-for-word, idea, and paraphrase translations. Before you get caught up in "The [insert your favorite] translation is the BEST!" arguments understand what you are reading. Beside the listeners in Jerusalem stood Ezra, Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites. Beside you, as you read or listen, stand the men and women who are helping you understand the Word of God.

If Jozabad helps you understand better than Maaseiah. So be it. If you would rather have Shabbethai. Sounds fine to me. As long as they are honest Men of God who are devoted to the Word and to God.

And lastly, do not confuse the helper with the LORD. They are there to help you understand. Understand the difference between their words and the Word of the LORD.
As You Walk By The Way ...Nehemiah 11-13
Chapter 11 in mp3
Chapter 12 in mp3
Chapter 13 in mp3

God had made them rejoice with great joy; the women and children also rejoiced. And the joy of Jerusalem was heard far away.

Ever find yourself really rejoicing in church?

Is your joy even heard outside of the walls?

Let yourself go for God.

Sing out ... raise a voice ... MEAN what you say before God.

Be heard!

Rejoice!
When You Lie Down ... Acts 3-4
Chapter 3 in mp3
Chapter 4 in mp3

... they lifted their voices together to God ...

And as we rejoice, do so together. Not only share our burdens. Not only share what materials we have. Share our voices. Cry out to the LORD as one voice.

Friday, February 20

Day 47

As You Rise ... Ezra 9-10
Chapter 9 in mp3
Chapter 10 in mp3

"But ... but ... I can change them."

There is something romantic about the idea of changing the evil man or woman through love. There are all the romance books about the good man saving the bad girl. Or the good girl saving the bad man.

The reality is that you should make sure you have saved them BEFORE you marry them. Because the usual action once you have committed your lives together is that the influence usually goes the other way. Evil spreads easier than good in a marriage.
As You Walk By The Way ...Nehemiah 1-5
Chapter 1 in mp3
Chapter 2 in mp3
Chapter 3 in mp3
Chapter 4 in mp3
Chapter 5 in mp3

Nehemiah shook out the folds of his garments. You probably go through all the pockets of your pants before putting them in the laundry. I suppose a better example would be to empty your wallet.

LORD, help me to shake out what I have for others. Shake me out and empty me to do your will.
When You Lie Down ... Acts 1-2
Chapter 1 in mp3
Chapter 2 in mp3

And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.

We are never alone for God is with us and within us. Though we may not have the words to speak to God, the Spirit will raise up our prayers for us. Though we may not have the strength, the Spirit will empower us for action. Though we may not have the knowledge, the Spirit will lead us to the truth.

Thursday, February 19

Day 46

As You Rise ... Ezra 1-4
Chapter 1 in mp3
Chapter 2 in mp3
Chapter 3 in mp3
Chapter 4 in mp3

When we build for the LORD we will always be opposed. Opposed by the powers of this earth and the powers of the prince of this earth.

We prepare in sports for the difficult games by pushing our bodies to their limits. By studying and pushing our minds to know what to do. Why not prepare our minds and bodies for the difficult battles of our daily lives?

Strengthen the will of your body by fasting and not giving into your desires. To put your mind over your flesh. Strengthen your mind by studying the word of God and looking for where He would have you work in the world.
As You Walk By The Way ...Ezra 5-8
Chapter 5 in mp3
Chapter 6 in mp3
Chapter 7 in mp3
Chapter 8 in mp3

One way to handle the task is to tell others about it.

Writing this blog hasn't been easy for me. It takes time and drains me mentally and physically at times. Just listening to the Bible and thinking nearly constantly on it take more out of me than I thought.

One thing out of many that keeps me going ... I told others I would do this. And like Ezra I would be ashamed before them if I didn't finish.

Want to hold yourself accountable? Tell someone else what you will do.
When You Lie Down ... John 20-21
Chapter 20 in mp3
Chapter 21 in mp3

"Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

For us to look back upon the cross and Christ for our salvation requires what John has given us: A Witness. The Bible is a witness to the LORD our God.

What a blessing it is today to have it always upon our hands. And available whenever we need it. So use it. Think on it and prepare your heart and mind for the day.

Wednesday, February 18

Day 45

As You Rise ... 2 Chronicles 30-32
Chapter 30 in mp3
Chapter 31 in mp3
Chapter 32 in mp3

So the couriers went from city to city through the country of Ephraim and Manasseh, and as far as Zebulun, but they laughed them to scorn and mocked them.

It takes courage to speak the truth. If you live your life as a Christian today you will be scorned and mocked. A Christian who believes in the Bible and acts it out in their life is a rare thing, and expect to be hated for it.

Be strong. Have courage. And speak the truth.
As You Walk By The Way ...2 Chronicles 33-36
Chapter 33 in mp3
Chapter 34 in mp3
Chapter 35 in mp3
Chapter 36 in mp3

Forgiveness. How much does that word mean to you? There is nothing you can do, nothing outside of cursing the Holy Spirit, that is so bad that God will not reach out to you. Manasseh ... what a monster. A man who burned his own children to false gods. He was a man who not one of us today would have mourned his passing.

And he turned back to God and was forgiven. So don't sit there thinking that what you have done is so bad the no one would want you. That you can't be forgiven. God loves you and will forgive you. Just turn away from your sin and take God's hand.
When You Lie Down ... John 18-19
Chapter 18 in mp3
Chapter 19 in mp3

When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

And this is how far the LORD went to get you to turn back to Him. He reached out all the way to take our sins upon Himself. To take our punishment upon Himself.

For us, all that is left it to accept His sacrifice, to accept that our sins put Him there, to accept that He is God, to ask for forgiveness, and to take hold of His forgiveness and our salvation.

Tuesday, February 17

Day 44

As You Rise ... 2 Chronicles 23-25
Chapter 23 in mp3
Chapter 24 in mp3
Chapter 25 in mp3

... yet not with a whole heart.

Sometimes I find myself coasting. I know enough of what is "right" and "wrong", not just in my heart, but in the eyes of others. So you learn to talk the talk. You spend time speaking on how to live for the LORD and not enough time actually living for the LORD.

This is a real risk for those that lead in the church and those that teach. Mainly because we know more than enough to coast for a very long time. If your car engine is idle and out of gear you may go a ways before problems come upon you. And at the first hill that shows up a coasting life will be very easy to see. Because you will not make it over.

LORD ... engage my life. Help me to look first to you and tap into the power you have for me.
As You Walk By The Way ...2 Chronicles 26-29
Chapter 26 in mp3
Chapter 27 in mp3
Chapter 28 in mp3
Chapter 29 in mp3

I don't like cleaning. Strangely, I do like to vacuum. My wife likes to clean though.

We were going through our house and cleaning out all the drawers with junk in them and under beds and in the storage room and in the closets and on and on. Of course to me the stuff she was going through and throwing away wasn't junk ( yes ... it was ... I just don't like to admit that ). And thinking about it, the reason it really bugged me was because I didn't want her to see all the junk I did keep instead of getting rid of.

It is the same with God and the sin in my life. You don't want to deal with it and expose it to God. But your body is God's temple. Unlike your salvation keeping it clean isn't a one shot deal. Cleaning out the mess of your life is a continual process. As the temple in Jerusalem was cleaned and repaired time and time again. So we need to work on our spiritual life. Open up the windows and throw out the trash. That amazing feeling you have standing in your cleaned up room is nothing compared to standing before God with a cleaned up soul.
When You Lie Down ... John 15-17
Chapter 15 in mp3
Chapter 16 in mp3
Chapter 17 in mp3

We have grape vines in our backyard that I need to clean up. Part of that is finding the branches that no longer produce and cutting them from the vine. And another part is finding the ones that do produce and shaping them, by cutting them back, to become healthier.

The LORD is our vine dresser. He cuts away that which doesn't bear fruit and cuts into those that do as well. We may focus on the parts that are cut away and cast into the fire, yet it is what is left that interests me. Being fruitful in the LORD isn't about being left alone. It is about being pruned. To be cut into the shape the is best for us and is most pleasing to God.

This isn't an easy process. Pruning stresses the branch so that it will do what the vine dresser desires. Likewise God will allow many painful events into our lives. Nothing that will break us as simple branches in His faithful hands. But events that will rather shape us to produce the fruit He desires from us.

Monday, February 16

Day 43

As You Rise ... 2 Chronicles 17-19
Chapter 17 in mp3
Chapter 18 in mp3
Chapter 19 in mp3

... and said to the judges, “Consider what you do, for you judge not for man but for the Lord. He is with you in giving judgment. Now then, let the fear of the Lord be upon you. Be careful what you do, for there is no injustice with the Lord our God, or partiality or taking bribes.”

How much more justice would be in our culture today if the law was still based on the above. That those in the jury and those in the robes had the fear of the LORD upon them. There really is no injustice with the LORD and neither should we act unjustly.

Once it was true that men understood truth and justice came only from God and that everyone answers to Him. And all laws had to conform that the justice of God. Then just over 100 years ago that changed. It changed from the justice of God to laws being based on previous decisions and cases. And the wisdom of man and "case law" became the disaster we have today.
As You Walk By The Way ...2 Chronicles 20-22
Chapter 20 in mp3
Chapter 21 in mp3
Chapter 22 in mp3

I wonder when God calls us to labor for the victory and when we are called to stand back and watch His hand work. The easy example is that you don't stand in the street praying: "Oh LORD. Deliver me from the bus rushing down the street to kill me!" The answer is obviously: "MOVE!"

Thinking about this I guess my only idea was to trust in God and go out to battle. If His hand works a miracle ... stand and be amazed. If He calls you to fight ... fight with all that you have.
When You Lie Down ... John 13-14
Chapter 13 in mp3
Chapter 14 in mp3

By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.

Love each other as you love your family. For your children are of your blood and you love them. Your parents are of your blood and you love them. And you brothers and sisters are of your blood and you love them (sometimes).

But, as Christians we are family by the Blood of Christ. A blood that is deeper and stronger than the flesh of which we are made.

Sunday, February 15

Day 42

As You Rise ... 2 Chronicles 7-12
Chapter 7 in mp3
Chapter 8 in mp3
Chapter 9 in mp3
Chapter 10 in mp3
Chapter 11 in mp3
Chapter 12 in mp3

If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin.

It isn't much to ask of us. If you want God to hear and forgive ... humble yourself, pray, seek God, and STOP DOING WRONG.

I just had a talk today with a coworker about the people that humble themselves, pray, and seek God. And that is it. They just continue to sin and continue to do wrong.

I know a family councilor who is now working as a middle school teacher. All because he could give good advise. The people would understand and agree that it was good advise. Then they would go home and keep on doing the same sin over and over.

Stop means stop.
As You Walk By The Way ...2 Chronicles 13-16
Chapter 13 in mp3
Chapter 14 in mp3
Chapter 15 in mp3
Chapter 16 in mp3

And when the men of Judah shouted, God defeated Jeroboam ...

God is on our side and who can stand against us? .... No ... that isn't right .... How about: We are on God's side and who can stand against Him?

It isn't right for me to think that God is for me. Rather I need to seek what God wants. And then stand for that. God is on the side of the poor, the weak, the abused, the honest, the prisoner, of Truth, and of His Word.

I just need to seek out where He would have me stand.
When You Lie Down ... John 11-12
Chapter 11 in mp3
Chapter 12 in mp3

So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well, because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus.

And again we see people who would rather see the man than the miracle. I know I have talked about this before, but it deserves to be pointed out in our lives. I myself find myself struggling at times when someone mentions a miracle in their life.

What do I do with the man who goes to the doctor and who is then surprised to see the cancer gone?

What do I do with the pound of meat the feeds dozens?

What do I do with the whispers of God to brings me to the right place at the right time to act?

Should we continue in the way of the world and deny the truth that is rightfully Gods? No. Praise God and believe. Be reborn with the faith of a child.

Saturday, February 14

Day 41

As You Rise ... 1 Chronicles 25-29
Chapter 25 in mp3
Chapter 26 in mp3
Chapter 27 in mp3
Chapter 28 in mp3
Chapter 29 in mp3

... direct their hearts toward you.

When I pray with my sons at night this is one thing I tend to always cover. That tomorrow they will listen to God as He speaks to their hearts.

Snips and snails, and puppy-dogs' tails are what little boys are made of. We, men and boys, tend to be creatures of action. Of running and feeling the moment. Not of listening to the pull of the Spirit upon us in the moment.

So I'll continue to pray with my sons for us to listen when God speaks.
As You Walk By The Way ...2 Chronicles 1-6
Chapter 1 in mp3
Chapter 2 in mp3
Chapter 3 in mp3
Chapter 4 in mp3
Chapter 5 in mp3
Chapter 6 in mp3

We may want to be great. To have wealth and power. To be liked and loved. To do great things that will be remembered.

But, none of that can happen without ability and action. An athlete wouldn't dream of doing well by putting on 15 pounds of fat and sitting on the couch all day every day. Likewise we can't just do nothing and then ask God to fulfill our desires.

Solomon asked for the ability to do the task set out for him. For the tasks in your life what abilities do you need from God? Then ask for them and follow it up by using them.
When You Lie Down ... John 9-10
Chapter 9 in mp3
Chapter 10 in mp3

How did he open your eyes?

"I don't believe ... I don't believe ... I don't believe ... I can't believe ..."

Ever been faced with a miracle? Do you sit there afterwords with your eyes closed and fingers in your ears crying "I don't believe".

Do not be so insistent on your own strength that you will deny God's power. God works in your life and in the life of others. In ways that make you sit back and be amazed. In ways that are foolishness to the world.

Friday, February 13

Day 40

As You Rise ... 1 Chronicles 13-18
Chapter 13 in mp3
Chapter 14 in mp3
Chapter 15 in mp3
Chapter 16 in mp3
Chapter 17 in mp3
Chapter 18 in mp3

And as the ark of the covenant of the Lord came to the city of David, Michal the daughter of Saul looked out of the window and saw King David dancing and rejoicing, and she despised him in her heart.

I suppose it comes down to which you find more important. Your status with your neighbors. Or God. Most people will quickly answer "God", but by our fruit you can tell where our heart is.

Which do you find more embarrassing:
  • Talking to friends about God or Talking to friends about someone you hate?
  • Helping the beautiful woman at the store or Helping the homeless man in the parking lot get food?
  • Talking yourself up to someone important or Talking to the person no one at school likes?
To me the best word for what society does to us is brain washing. Over and over it tells us that hating, lust, and power are important. And God, the helpless, and the hated are not. But God flips that on its ear.

By looking at your own works you can know that is more important to you. What is it?
As You Walk By The Way ...1 Chronicles 19-24
Chapter 19 in mp3
Chapter 20 in mp3
Chapter 21 in mp3
Chapter 22 in mp3
Chapter 23 in mp3
Chapter 24 in mp3

You shall not build a house to my name, because you have shed so much blood before me on the earth.

Going to a Christian collage that was supported by a pacifist denomination was how I was first introduced to Christian pacifists. For myself, I was raised by a Christian dad who was also a veteran. I was taught early on that sometimes violence is needed to protect others and keep peace. The above verses are where I found my own understanding between the calling of a warrior and the calling of a pacifist.

God called David. All that David did was for the LORD. Including the blood he shed. And today some are still called to be warriors. To serve as soldiers and police officers. But, the calling of David was not the calling of Solomon.

God called Solomon. And Solomon could build the temple of the LORD where David could not. Today some are still called to the building of the Church in a way that a warrior can not.

Do not confuse the two men. God did not call only Davids to His work. And God did not call only Solomons to His work. They are two very different Men of God.

The question for you is so find what God has called you to be.
When You Lie Down ... John 7-8
Chapter 7 in mp3
Chapter 8 in mp3

Let him who is without sin ...

Christ knows our hearts.

Ever notice how Christ doesn't answer the actual questions that are asked by those trying to trap Him? And it isn't because He was being tricky in not getting "caught". Rather notice how He answers the real problem that is in the heart of the people talking to him.

Everyone that came to Christ to question him had a personal agenda. And Christ directly spoke to that agenda. The rich man wanting to know if he was following the law was told to sell everything. The authorities on taxes were told about the giant chasm between God and Caesar. And the men wanting to point out the sin in others had their own sin placed in front of them.

Only one man standing there had the right to judge the woman and that was Christ. At that time He wasn't on earth as the judge. He was there as the living sacrifice for her sins. But soon He will return to judge.

So like the adulterer ... Go and sin no more.

Thursday, February 12

Day 39

As You Rise ... 1 Chronicles 4-7
Chapter 4 in mp3
Chapter 5 in mp3
Chapter 6 in mp3
Chapter 7 in mp3

They ministered with song before the tabernacle of the tent ...

One thing I like to do is sing. Play the mountain dulcimer and sing. I'm not that good and at times my daughter asks me not to. But, I really enjoy it.

God has given us a great gift in playing music and singing. It is a blessing to Him and to us. So if you are at home don't just listen to the music ... sing out loud. Sing with joy.
As You Walk By The Way ...1 Chronicles 8-12
Chapter 8 in mp3
Chapter 9 in mp3
Chapter 10 in mp3
Chapter 11 in mp3
Chapter 12 in mp3

The chapters above list "mighty men" and men that were in "charge of the utensils of service". Not all of us are called to the front lines of the spiritual battle. But, we all are called.javascript:void(0)

In what God has placed before you ... you must do. If it is as the leader of many, lead well. If it is as the worker behind the scenes, work well. If it is as the man seeking out the poor, seek and help. If God has given you wealth, share with generosity.

You are called. So listen and do.
When You Lie Down ... John 6
Chapter 6 in mp3

After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him.

Much of what God does and calls for us to do is hard. We try to understand and many times it is impossible to do so.

There have been two plane crashes close together. In one everyone lived. In the other everyone died. Many people point to the hand of God in the first. And many point that there must be no god because of the second. How can a god not save everyone? Why is there suffering?

The sad part is that they are pointing to their own idols not God. Their desire is an idol that will "save" everyone from tragedy. Life is life. God did not promise that we would stay in the womb for eternity. Constantly fed, warm, and cared for with nothing happening in our lives. He gave us life, not slavery.

He calls us to love Him. He calls us to love others.

In life there is joy, pain, hate, love, blood, and comfort. Expect that and live. If God grants us joy and love ... embrace it and be thankful. If tragedy comes ... endure and help.

Wednesday, February 11

Day 38

As You Rise ... 2 Kings 24-25
Chapter 24 in mp3
Chapter 25 in mp3

So Judah was taken into exile out of its land.

There is always a consequence to your actions. No matter how far out they may be. You will eventually have to deal with your problems. I doubt many great grand fathers thought about how their personal sins would lead their decedents away from God.

I'm sure it started small. They just kept the high places. They still worshiped God, but why not talk to some "lesser" god about the small issues? It wouldn't be that big an issue would it?

We sacrifice truth as well. We look at sexual sins and shrug our shoulders. We look at greed and turn our cheek while holding out our hand for the offering.

But, don't fool yourself. God sees. And God will act.
As You Walk By The Way ...1 Chronicles 1-3
Chapter 1 in mp3
Chapter 2 in mp3
Chapter 3 in mp3

That is a lot of names. I just wanted to be honest about what first came to me as I listened to these chapters.

My wife asked me why verses like these are in the Bible. I can't really say why because I don't know. One idea I did have ... God did fulfill His promise to Abraham. He did have a lot of kids.
When You Lie Down ... John 5
Chapter 5 in mp3

They asked him, “Who is the man who said to you, ‘Take up your bed and walk’?

"Don't confuse me with your facts and logic! I have an agenda and you are upsetting it!" ... Not that anyone actually says this, but we do act that way.

When Christ healed him others were more interested in the bed roll then the healed man. How sad that we can live in the same way. We don't see the eternal soul in front of us. We just see someone we don't like. We don't see the naked and sick. We just see the new toy we can buy with our own money.

LORD ... Open my eyes! Let me see the healing and not the bed roll.

Tuesday, February 10

Day 37

As You Rise ... 2 Kings 15-18
Chapter 15 in mp3
Chapter 16 in mp3
Chapter 17 in mp3
Chapter 18 in mp3

He removed the high places and broke the pillars and cut down the Asherah.

The first thing that came to me when I heard the above ... Finally!

Then I looked at my life. Sadly, I am not Hezekiah. It will take effort and pain ... but I hope to someday be able to say that I did in my life as he did in his.

LORD, make me as Hezekiah. Help me to remove my high places from my life.
As You Walk By The Way ... 2 Kings 19-23
Chapter 19 in mp3
Chapter 20 in mp3
Chapter 21 in mp3
Chapter 22 in mp3
Chapter 23 in mp3

There was a question at church the other day about how we should engage a culture that is so far from God or should we separate ourselves from the culture.

Hezekiah did more than all those before or after him for the Lord. Yet, his people were still carried off to exile. It doesn't matter how far our own culture has fallen. We may or may not be able to turn it back to the Lord. We are still called to act.

And our calling by God is to be the salt of the earth. To be that which preserves.
When You Lie Down ... John 3-4
Chapter 3 in mp3
Chapter 4 in mp3

And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.

Throw open my life.

That is the phrase I like to think about. I can't hide anything from God anyway. But, to throw open my life to Him is so hard. To expose who I truly am to Christ and for Christ.

It is like the times when you clean up your office and just end up putting the mess into a box and stuffing it on a shelf. You may have organized the mess, but it is still there. You haven't really dealt with it. If you really want to clean up you need to throw out the junk and take care of the problems. To deal with my sins I need to go through them and hand them over to God.