A String of Pearls

Exo 12:42 and Matt 26:31 "A Night of Watching" (February 11)

2012-02-11T00:00:00.000-06:00

Exodus 12:27 God passed over the houses of the people of Israel in Egypt, when he struck the Egyptians but spared our houses.’” And the people bowed their heads and worshiped.

The 10th Plague---what every mother dreads to hear---your son has no life in him. Final breath.

And Pharaoh finally breathes: "Go."

Mass Exodus.

Exodus 12:42 "It was a night of watching by the LORD..."
This same night is kept throughout generations. A Night of Watching.

And I just caught my breath as I read the NT reading for today.
Passover with Jesus.
Breaking of bread with His betrayers:
Judas who did not repent
Peter who repented with bitter tears.
Matt 26:31 "You will ALL fall away."
We all struggle with sin.
What will we do with what we see this day?

Passover. Please do not pass over my house this day.

Exo 9:16 and Matt 25:40 "His Power Pours Out" (February 10)

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What pours out of me?
Life isn't about how hard I try to live the Christian life.
Life is about letting God's Power pour out of me.
Psalm 50:2 - Perfect in Beauty is the God Who pours out.
How can we step aside in our souls?

Plagues continue: death, darkness, locusts, lifeless.
Exodus 9:16 "For this purpose, I have raised you up, to show you my Power..."
God longs and lingers in all of us to reveal His Power.
I'm still stuck on the verse from the other day that we may not have the graceful words of Aaron to say to our family, our friends, but we have God's Power!

What will it take in my life to convince me deep down dark within that life is not by might but by His Power. Not about how strong I am---but how Strong He is in me.

So, go do something to the least of your brothers---you are doing it to Him. Matthew 25:40. And it will be His Power that flows out of you.

Exo 7 and Matt 25:13 "Pure Panic" (February 9)

2012-02-09T09:53:00.001-06:00

What freezes your heart this wintry day? I simply cannot make my heart unthaw. But God can. He is the One Who shows His Power through the plagues. Man is helpless without Him.

Matthew 25:13 Watch therefore, good and faithful servants for you know neither the day nor the hour when the One comes to say "Well Done."

When my son was three, I watched him pretend to be boiling blood in the Party Kitchen with his two-year-old sister. I was horrified. We had just read about this plague in his Children's Bible. Boiling water---but it had turned to blood. Water---an unbelievable commodity. Free. Fresh. Pristine. Pure. Unless...it becomes blood. Now it's Pure Panic.

What panic do I face in my own life this winter season, on my own journey to hear Him say, "Well Done, My Good and Faithful Servant."

Leaning Hard on Him.
Falling Forward toward Him.
Standing Tall in His Power Alone.

Exo 4:15 and Matt 24:29 "I'll Be With Your Mouth" (February 8)

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Do I know God's Word?
Do I know God's Power?
Am I stuck in my own insufficiency?
Am I afraid to speak? Pick her, I cower.

Who has Made Man's Mouth? [Ex 4:11]
An All Sufficient God of Love
Who Says: I'll be with your mouth [Ex 4:15]
So, I'm silenced in a Mystery sent from above.

Until the Stars fall down from heaven [Matt 24:29]
There will be no prejudice to your message
You may not have the grace of others
You have His Power from this passage

Moses trembled when He looked inside
Moses humbled--- and He trusted God
The One Who pours Grace from lips [Ps 45:2]
The One Who opens eyes from slits [Lk 24:45]

Open your mouth wide & I will fill it [Ps 51:10]
I will be with your mouth, God wills it. [Ex 4:15]

Exo 2:25 and Matt 24:8 "God Knows" (February 7)

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What happens when we live for ourselves? A new King in Egypt arises and thinks the people of Israel are too many and too mighty. His mandate: deal shrewdly with them; afflict them with heavy burdens; oppress them to death. make their lives bitter with hard service in mortar and brick; kill the boy babies. Ruthless. Arrogant. Heartless. Villains.

Yet, a beautiful Story of God's Love is being crafted among the reeds by the river bank. The daughter of Pharaoh's heart is being tugged in Exodus 1:10 and she "draws out of the water" an Advocate, a Crying Voice, who will stand on Holy Ground because our God "knows" and "hears" and nothing passes Him by. Exodus 2:25. Moses---who wonders how God could use him.

And in a Burning Bush, God says in Exodus 3:12: "But I will be with you." Isn't that what we need to hear this day? The pains of childbirth are all around---even the earth in Matthew 24:8---that Christ be formed in each one of us. Galatians 4:19.

When we are tempted to live for our own comfort, our own survival.
When we care more about what others think than loving & listening & living.
I AM sent Moses.
I AM sends you to those who will rebuff you this day;
to those who will be distant to you this day;
to those who will pass you over.
God is passing by. God hears. God knows.

Gen 49:2 and Matt 23:23 "Unstable Like Water" (February 6)

2012-02-06T00:00:00.000-06:00

Do we neglect the weightier matters in life by being so driven to do what is the right thing, so driven to say the right words and always be right, so driven to appear righteous when we harbor things in our soul that just are not right. C.S. Lewis said it right: "We are far too easily pleased with ourselves". And I add: We are far too easily swayed by what this world thinks of us. So, we get stuck on the little things---you fill in the blanks for your own crises. Wonder why we are not awestruck at the Justice of God in our mess; the Mercy of God so undeserved by all; the Faithfulness of God when we are not.

Jacob and Joseph end their struggles well. They stand tall among men. Psalm 3:3 ~ He was the Lifter of their heads when family betrayed them both for years on end.

Jacob speaks strong words to his sons in Gen 49:2: Reuben, you are unstable like water...you've lost the blessing. Jacob held that story in his heart for a long time. We forgive but we don't forget, do we?

Joseph speaks strong words to his brothers: You meant what you did to me for evil, but God meant it for good. Genesis 50:20. Joseph didn't forget, either, but he took care of his brothers for seven more decades. His actions spoke louder than words.

As we close the book of Genesis, there's a funeral procession going on. Joseph takes his daddy back to Canaan---a 275-mile funeral procession. They had already waited one month for the embalming process. As the brothers grieved their loss, they had plenty of time to reflect on their lives and think about life without Jacob. Joseph's face was set like a flint to move into their lives to love. Let bygones be bygone. I am not in the place of God. Joseph didn't neglect the Weightier Matters of the Law: Justice, Mercy, and Faithfulness. Matthew 23:23.

Gen 46:2 and Matt 23:6 "Survey Your Future" (February 5)

2012-02-05T00:00:00.000-06:00

Genesis 46:2 God Himself spoke to Jacob: "Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for there I will make you into a great nation. I myself will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also bring you up again, and Joseph's hand shall close your eyes.” The son you've only been able to dream about for two decades is waiting for you, Jacob. And he will call you Israel.

They wept for a good while when they met. Gen 46:29. No pretense here. Lives living faith well. No pharasaical phylacteries, no demands of places of honor at the best seat in the house. Matt 23:5-6.

Joseph looked in the rearview mirror at the Love of his God, so evident in his wilderness. He was fed well in prison; he was clothed with regal garments from ditches to majesty. Joseph looks in the mirror of the Word of God this day and knows that God meant all his suffering for His Good and the good of his family. Let the Faith of your Survey see Hope for your future. Joseph and Israel never lost hold of hope. Let the Faith of your Survey see Hope for your future.

Gen 45:8 and Matt 22:42 "Arranged Circumstances" (February 4)

2012-02-04T00:00:00.000-06:00

It's a simple profound question in our reading today.
What do you think?
We can know the answer to the question
by the way that we live out our lives.

Genesis 45:7-8 God sent me before you
to preserve for you a remnant on earth,
and to keep alive for you many survivors.
So it was not you who sent me here, but God.
Joseph's eyes weep bitterly.
Beautiful tears that embrace his loss.
The brothers' writhe in anguish.
Radical repentance that moves toward their dad.
Jacob's heart becomes numb. Long-held hope for a missing son.

You may feel as though you are a victim of your circumstances.
No, they have been arranged by God.
So, what do you think about the Christ? Matt 22:42
The One Who silenced the Saducees saying:
You don't know the Word and
You don't know God's Power.

Gen 41:51 and Matt 22:14 "Few Are Chosen" (February 2)

2012-02-03T00:00:00.000-06:00

Suddenly, the chief cupbearer remembers Joseph's ability to interpret dreams. He didn't remember that he left Joseph in prison. It's called using people.

Yet, Joseph makes two statements as he names his children---two tenets of faith about the rebuf of family and friends and co-workers: "God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction" and “God has made me forget all my hardship and all my father's house.” ~ Gen 41:51

Joseph spent about a decade of his life out of the limelight, in the darkness of some of his own making. It was a dark, dungeony, dilemma for quite a few years with no hope of release. But something released in Joseph's heart. "For many are called, but few are chosen." Matt 22:14

Joseph heard God calling him in the dark shadows. Do I hear the Whispers? Joseph knew he was a chosen child of God. What makes me free in the forgotten? Free in the Forgotten? What releases my soul to pour out His Love when I've been so "missed" by my own family and friends? Who am I here for---them or me?

The wedding feast is being prepared. I'm invited to dance. Am I worthy to accept the invitation? Beloved, you have been chosen by the One Who is Worthy. The One Who weaves your story today and has not forgotten where you live.

Gen 39:3 and Matt 21:32 "Is My Hope in a Solution or on a Sovereign Plan?" (February 2)

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Genesis 39:3 Joseph's master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD caused all that he did to succeed in his hands. And even though the LORD was with Joseph, God allowed him to be set up by a deceitful immoral woman. Where was God? He was right there beside Joseph whispering in that prison cell, in Joseph's darkness of soul and spirit and space.
Even the Prison Guard in 39:23 says that he didn't worry about anything in Joseph's charge because the LORD was with Joseph. He may have been behind bars, but His LORD infused a freedom in Joseph. He didn't lose heart and turn away from his Good God, his Silent God. Matt 21:32 Joseph didn't do what a good Pharisee might do: "Even when he sees [sin], he does not change his mind and believe God." Joseph doesn't live in sin, not even after interpreting two dreams with hopes of being released. Joseph's hope did not rest on the solution but on the Sovereign Plan of God.

Gen 36:3 and Matt 21:5 "Behold...Divine Providence" (February 1)

2012-02-01T00:00:00.000-06:00

The LORD was with them.
"Behold your King is coming to you,
Humble and Mounted on a donkey" ~ Matt 21:5

Your King is coming, Joseph.
Your King is coming, Bev.
Your King is coming, my friend.

An arrogant Joseph gives a bad report about his brothers---wonder why.
An arrogant Jacob loves his youngest son more than the others---wonder why.
When we bump against each other's sins,
we set up our family & friends for heartache and horror if we don't repent.

Joseph's dream draws out hatred from his brothers and
They conspire to kill him.
So, what kind of love did they have for their own father
much less their own brother.

Meanwhile, Divine Providence is writing the Story
and Joseph is sold to Potiphar in Egypt.
Divine Providence turns the pages of our own Script
and brings us to the place where we are this very day.

Gen 35:3 and Matt 20:32 "Days of Distress" January 31

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What do you want? Matt 20:21
What do you want God to do for you? Matt 20:32

Jacob asked the question.
The mother of the Sons of Zebedee asked the question.
And I asked the same questions this very day of our Good God.

Gen 33:1 ~ Jacob lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, Esau was coming, and four hundred men with him. What did Jacob want God to do for him? I mean, he placed his most important wife, his most adored son, at the back of the caravan. Why? What kind of move was that? That didn't come from a good place in his heart.

It's a beautiful snapshot seeing Esau run to meet Jacob. God was working in Esau's heart. Esau knew Jacob wouldn't give him the cold shoulder but that Jacob would let Esau stand on his shoulders and move on.

And God was at work in Jacob's heart making him into Israel. Jacob heard that Shechem had violated his daughter, Dinah. And Jacob "held his peace," Gen 34:5, until his sons came back. How could he?

Yet in the very next breath, Jacob is listening to God Who tells him to arise and go back to Bethel. Jacob leads his whole family to put away the idols and Arise and Go Up to Bethel to build "an altar to the God Who answers me in the day of my distress and has been with me wherever I have gone." Gen 35:3That's the kind of God we follow.
A Very Present Help in our Days of Distress
No matter how we live or linger in all of our mess.
A God Who is with me all the places I have gone.
Working while I'm unaware to do me good not harm.

What do you want God to do for you?

Gen 32:26 and Matt 20:15 "LORD, I Come" (January 30)

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Jacob wanted to draw near to God more than he wanted his problems to vanish. What about me? I didn't think I would be where I am today. It's not what the world calls successful. But we have followed God's leading and you just cannot be in a better place than where God has taken you.

Gen 31:5 Your father no longer sees me with favor but God, my Father, has been with me. Jacob returns to his homeland and is met with opposition from his father-in-law. But there is One Who sees all that is happening to us in our lives ~~~ Is [God] allowed to do what [He] chooses with what belongs to us? Matt 20:15

Gen 3:12 I have seen all that has been done to you. I am the God of Bethel where you made a vow to me.

Gen 32:9 Now arise and return that God may do you good. And that "good" may be way different than what this world calls good.

Gen 32:26 "I won't let you go unless you bless me." No earthly blessings. Blessings from Above. So, what does that look like in our lives this day?

     "Am I wrong for wanting the trouble to go away
       More than I want to draw near to God
       More than I want to enjoy Him and
       Reflect Him in this situation I am in.
       Change that! Use this! Satisfy me!
       Bless my doctor with medical wisdom.
       Are those prayers wrong?
       Yes, when they express the deepest passion of my heart.
       No, not when they express desires that are subordinate
       to my passion for God Himself, for His Glory to revealed.
       Pray not to change that, use this, or satisfy me but rather
       LORD, I come."                         The Pressure's Off

Gen 30:2 and Matt 19:20 "Am I in God's Place?" (January 29)

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Jacob cheats his brother; now, Jacob's father-in-law cheats Jacob. Even in the midst of Jacob's mess, it is Divine Providence that leads the empty-handed God-fearing Jacob to a field to meet his wife, Rachel. "What do I still lack?" Matt 19:20. Jacob followed his heart, his emptiness. Tears flow free from Jacob when he meets Rachel. Do you ever ask yourself what your tears are really for? Jacob's tears poured out of his suffering brought on by himself...and his newfound gratitude for the Hand of God leading this 70-year-old man to find a young, beautiful wife. Psalm 32:8 "I will counsel you with My Eye on you." The envy between both of Jacob's wives, Rachel and Leah, is exhausting as they grieve over the good in each other. Wonder why Jacob didn't say---Enough! I'll have no more of this competition by your giving me your maidservants to conceive children for you. No more! So, Leah names her children: "Attached" and "Happy" ~ now her husband will be attached to her; now others will call her happy. Jacob speaks a righteous word: "Am I in God's Place?" Gen 30:2. The God Who withholds. Wonder why Jacob's actions didn't match up to his words? Wonder in my own life why my envy of others doesn't result in tears of repentance? Matt 19:30 "Many who are first will be last, and the last first."

Gen 27:16 and Matt 18:35 "Forgive from your Heart" (January 28)

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Are you frustrated with those who buck the system? Are you distant from those whom you think are flat out wrong? Are you disappointed over the ones God has left in your life? Are you discouraged by the ways people treat you? Your husband? Your children? Your friends? What do we do with what happens to us every day of our life. What stirs deeply in us...and just what is underneath that behavior? Do we shove it down and don't pay attention to the meanness within our heart whether we lash back or let it just linger within or leave it alone. Matt 18:35 - "Forgive your brother from your heart."

Rebekah couldn't forgive...she wanted what she wanted more than what God wanted and she set up her own son. Gen 27:5

Esau couldn't forgive...he wanted what he wanted more than what God allowed when his own mother and brother plotted deception against him. Gen 27:41. Esau hated his brother Jacob for what he did. Sounds unbelievable...but wait, do we harbor a speck of hate/disdain/disgust for anyone?

No matter what the sin of hate or deception or even murder, God is at work in them and in you and me. Giving dreams: 27:16 "Surely the LORD is in this place and I did not know it." God is moving in your own life that maybe you don't even know yet.

Jacob called the place of his dream, Bethel---the place of God. May we find our Bethel this day. Sinners and sojourners, just like Jacob, searching for the Sovereign Still. Actually, He is looking for you in your dilemmas and dreams and day-to-day offenses. He longs to make Himself known to you ~ Isaiah 30:18.

This isn't about changing our behavior. It's about God changing our heart. So, what does it mean to truly forgive from your heart today?

Gen 26:28 and Matt 18:1 "No Favorites" (January 27)

2012-01-27T00:00:00.000-06:00

I see so plainly that the LORD is with you, my friend. But, I don't see it as plainly in my own life. Isn't that why we need each other? To be mirrors of the Reflection of the Image of the One Who is at work always doing us good.
Genesis 25:7 Abraham gave all he had to Isaac. That seems so strange that he would leave out his other children. Do we treat one child "special" and overlook the ones who don't perform up to our expectations. LORD have mercy on me and my favoritism based on performance, even righteousness.

Matt 18:1 "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"

We all want to be special. To be loved. To know that we are deeply cared for. And the Truth is that we are by a Jealous God Who is doing us good in the midst of all we face.

Even Abimilech could see that Isaac was favored not by man, but by God.
Genesis 26:28 "We see plainly that the LORD has been with you."

May we know way down deep where it really counts by faith that the LORD is with us in whatever it is we hold deep in our hearts. May we show no favoritism nor seek it from any man. May we be content with what God has done, is doing, and will do for each of us. Matt 18:20 - I agree with you that our God loose on earth what is already loosed in Heaven for you. He is in our midst. The God of Abraham. The God of Isaac. The One Who shows no favorites. He loves you so!

Gen 24:50 and Matt 17:21 "This Thing" (January 26)

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Wondering if Abraham & Sarah ever met Job face-to-face? They knew about Job because Abraham's brother Nahor was Job's great grandfather.Meanwhile, Abraham is advanced in years and Sarah dies in the land of Canaan, on the far side of where Job lived in Canaan. Did Job know? Did he come to his relatives? Did the family news spread through Canaan? Abraham ~ Come to the funeral of Job's 10 children. And just what would Abraham say to Job? Abraham, "whom the LORD blessed in all things." Honestly, I think Job was the one who was blessed. Job---with his hand over his mouth---became more alive than most people I know.

Genesis 24:50 "This thing is from the LORD..."
Matthew 17:21 "If you have faith like a grain of mustard seed,
you will say to THIS mountain, 'Move from here to there,'
and it will move."

This thing, this mountain in your life, God will lower it ~ Isa 40:4
not to bless you on this Earth, dear one.
but to bless you for all Eternity
and bring Glory to God!
This thing is bigger than this moment.
A Grand Story of the Love of our God.

Job 42:5 and Matt 16:15 "I Hear You but Now I See You" (January 25)

2012-01-25T00:00:00.000-06:00

What invites, intrigues, disrupts, disturbs, beckons, bemoans us all into His Presence? Suffering. It welcomed Job into the Secret Council

He leaves a Shining Wake
On Earth there is not His Like
Our GOD Who sees all we take
The LORD who sends the strike.

The KING over all sons of pride
The MIGHTY God on High
The COUNSELOR Who doesn't hide
The SOVEREIGN Still, oh my~

The PRINCE whose purpose sails
The HOLY ONE gracing every ill
The SPIRIT hovering will prevail
The ROCK of Job & John & all!

I utter things I do not know
too Wonderful for me,
I've heard you with my ears bent low
but now my eyes speak loudly ~

Job 42:5-6 "I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear,
but now my eye sees you...therefore, I despise myself
and repent in dust and ashes."

Matthew 16:15 "Who do you say that I am?"

You are the LIVING GOD of Job and John and me
Who doubled Job's animals & added ten voices
Beside graveyards marked by sorrow not glee
Yes, the GOD ALIVE who stoops low to all our choices.

Job 40:4 and Matt 15:28 "No More" (January 24)

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Is the goal of my life blessings from above?
Jesus restores their soul when He sees their faith
and the blessings flow.
He restores their soul before
He restores their blessings.
Restore my soul, oh God! Stir our faith!

Matt 15:28 ~ O woman of great faith:
Be it done for you as you desire.
And her daughter was healed instantly.
This precious daughter who was severely oppressed.
No more!

This righteous man of God called Job,
humbled by the words of the LORD of all.
No more!

Job 40:2 “Shall a faultfinder contend with the Almighty?

He who argues with God, let him answer it.”
Then Job answered the LORD and said:
“Behold, I am of small account; what shall I answer you?
I lay my hand on my mouth...
I will proceed no further.”
No more!

Oh God! Fan the fledgling flame of our faith!

Job 37:22 and Matt 15:8 "Terrible Beauty" (January 23)

2012-01-23T00:00:00.000-06:00

We all search for Life-giving words that heal and help.

We don't want people to suffer.
We want to explain what God is doing.
No words weigh in to pour out Terrible Beauty.

Job 37:22 "A Terrible Beauty streams from God."
Out of the north comes Golden Splendor;
God is clothed with Awesome Majesty.

Job's young inexperienced Friend with ravishing rhetoric
hurls words right on target in so many ways.
But does Elihu draw out of Job the man God intends?
No. Diction drives gaping distance.

Maybe Job's friends should have just sat in Silence
rather than delivering a Discourse over 30 plus chapters.
Maybe the Silence of A Heart that Deeply Cares
is really the best medicine we offer.
I don't want your words, I want your heart for me.

Matt 15:8 "This people honor Me with their lips
but their hearts are far from Me."

     "Silence is often more eloquent than speech
       And tears more effective than Theology."
                                      Eugene Peterson

Job 34:6 and Matt 14:36 "Found Wanting" (January 22)

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Someone asked me today:

"What do you think God is doing in your life?"
My answer: I don't really know
but this I know...
He is doing me good.
In the midst of Sickness, Trials, Loss, Betrayal.
And maybe He is attaching me tighter to Himself,
Kind of like Eternal Velcro,
Detaching me from this world.
He is so committed to my Holiness.

Job 34:6 Was Job's wound incurable?
What happens when we are found wanting?
Yes, it's impossible for God to do evil
And Yes, God is at work among us
This Very Present Hour
and we may have no idea what He is up to.
Isn't He looking for our faith?
Bring me those who are sick
And I will heal them...
they need only touch the Hem of my Garment
Matt 14:36
I cannot touch a hem without Faith
that God is going to be Present and
work a work of faith with Power.

Job 32:2 and Matt 14:17 "A Silent Savior" (January 21)

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We've all heard about Him with our own ears,

Open our Eyes that we may See a Silent Savior
in the midst of this Screaming World.

Job 32:2-3 ~
Elihu burned with anger at Job because Job justified himself.
Elihu burned with anger at Job's friends because they had no answer.
Why would he be so angry at someone who just lost his 10 children?
What did he not understand about Love?

I keep going back to the verse that says Jesus reveals things in the NT that were hidden since the foundation of the world. Job just did not know things about God that we do. But, here's a man who wrestled with the God He worshipped and adored. It's okay to question, to wrestle. It's where we go with it, isn't it? No place for demandingness in our hearts. Five Loaves and Two Fish. Matt 14:17. Our depravity, our nothingness is what we have to offer Him.

John's head on a platter
Our hearts on an altar
Five loaves in a child's hand
Two fish washed up from the sand
No formulas, No words
Job operates on what he's heard
One day Job's eyes will see
Oh My God will you that for me

Job 30:36 and Matt 13:35 "What Do I Carry on my Shoulder?" (January 20)

2012-01-20T00:00:00.000-06:00

There are just some things about life I do not know.
There were just some things Jobs didn't understand either.
But we know so much more than Job knew at that time.

Sitting beside the sea
Jesus spoke in parables
Uttering what had been hidden
Since the Foundation of the World.
Matt 13:35.

Job 30:1
Job says:
"They laugh at me, men who are younger than I."
They think they know --- don't they.
But do they pass by 10 graves every day?
Job is just a byword to them.
But,
Suffering invited Job into the Presence of the Almighty.
Job 15::8 - the Secret Council of God.
Where Job wrestles and demands an answer
from his Silent God

Job 30:35 - "Here is my signature!
Let the Almighty Answer Me!
Do you hear anger?
Do you hear demandingness?
Do you hear a repentant heart?
"Oh, that I had the indictment
written by my adversary!"

Things have been written since the
world's foundation where Job once lived ...
and we must answer what stirs in our own hearts.
What do I carry on my own shoulder? Job 30:36

Job 30:17 and Matt 13:15 "This Present Hour" (January 19)

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Maybe the best thing we can do on our weary, well-worn,weighted journey
is to put our hand over our mouth and stop talking long enough to really hear.

The disciples ask: Why does God speak in parables? Matt 13:10
And Job asks: Just where is Wisdom? Job 28:1

Close your eyes. Close your ears.
And your heart grows dull.
Do you understand what you hear
Do you see yet never grow full.
                                        Matt 13:15

Job walks by ten graves
And longs for prime days of old
When he lived like a king among slaves
When the aged stood & tongues stuck cold
                                    Job 30: 1, 17

Either we live in the past or the Present or the future.
The enemy of our soul hopes the choice is the past or the future.

     In the whole of world history,
     there is always only one really significant hour,
     the Present.                     Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Matt 12:50 and Job 27:6 "Hold Fast" (January 18)

2012-01-18T00:00:00.000-06:00

The mother and brothers of Jesus stood at the door of where He was teaching and asked for Him. Jesus' reply: Matt 12: 49-50 Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” No special treatment. No hierarchy in God's Kingdom. No big people and little people. We are all his brothers and sisters and mothers. Not in the world in which I live! ... where I am not recognized nor sought after ... but in God's Kingdom His Pursuit of me is relentless, inexpressible, incessant.

Job isn't recognized anymore by his friends or his community. Job's reply: Job 27:2 “As God lives, Who has taken away my right, and the Almighty, who has made my soul bitter, as long as my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils, my lips will not speak falsehood, and my tongue will not utter deceit."

Job 27:6 "Hold fast, my Righteousness." Hold fast, my Friend. As long as breath is in us. What is our hope when God cuts us off? This we know, the Almighty is always doing us good, even in suffering. Hold fast!

Job 23:10 and Matt 12:20 "Bruised Reeds" (January 17)

2012-01-17T00:14:00.001-06:00

My God isn't going to let me break.
Matt 12:20 "a bruised reed he will not break,
and a smoldering wick he will not quench"

Job 21:4 and Matt 11:6 "Not Offended by God" (January 16)

2012-01-16T00:00:00.000-06:00

I was a young mom with three toddlers and secondary infertility. I had one miscarriage after another. My friend, Elisabeth Elliot, wrote me a letter when she heard of my loss. In her own beautiful cursive hand, she gave me the words of Jesus to John: Blessed is the one who is not offended by God and what He chooses to do in your life.

Matt 11:3 “Are You the one who is to come, or shall we lookfor another?”

Matt 11:5-6 And Jesus answers: “Go and tell John what you hear and see: The blind receive their sight and the lamewalk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and thepoor have good news preached to them. And blessed is the one who is not offended byme.” Jesus moved with Intent andPurpose, a Bigger Story. Jesuspurposefully did not heal John who was beheaded. Jesus did not heal Job either nor raise uphis 10 children from the dead. Theinvitation always stood: Come toMe. Not for what Jesus can do for youbut for Who He is.

The invitation stands today:

Matt 11:28 “Come to Me,all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Oh, to live theChristian life as it is intended to be lived.

Job 21:4 “Is my complaint against man?” Job 21:15 “Whatprofit do we get if we pray to him?” Job’scomplaint was against God…isn’t our complaint really against what God isallowing or preventing in our lives?

What is the intent of my heart? Is it to know my God better and draw near toHim and make His Gospel known OR is it to be delivered from what is happening in my life that I don’t like? Blessed is the one who is not offended byGod.

Job 19:25 and Matt 10:28 "Endure to the End for My Redeemer Lives" (January 15)

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Matt 10:28 ~ “Endure to the End…
“Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.”

I’ve feared the wrong people in my lifetime.
There are some people that look down upon us because of our troubles.

Job 18:3 ~ “Why are we so stupid in your sight?”

Things are not as they seem. Enter the “counsel of God” in your suffering.

Job 19:25 ~ “For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the Last,
He will Stand upon the Earth.”

“Scripture interprets Scripture.” Martin Luther, Sola Scriptura

Job 16:3 and Matt 14:20 "Spirit Words or Windy Words" (January 14)

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Was God speaking through Job's friends.

Matthew 14:16 "Be wise as serpents and innocent as doves."

Matthew 14:20 "It is not you who speak, but the Spirit of the Father speaking through you."
Think about your conversations today, yesterday. Did they touch deep places in you?
Did the words find a resting place in your heart, a safety net,

Job 16:3 "Shall windy words have an end?"
Job's pain was not "assuaged." Job found no resting place in community.
His eyes poured out tears to the God He wrestled to find.

I have a friend, many friends, who have "no idea" how they come across.
Listen to their words. Are they Spirit words to you or just windy words?

All I can deal with is my own stuff because you see...
I've never really seen my face before and
sometimes I miss hearing the words I'm saying too.

Am I more concerned about that other person
than how I come across or how I can be fulfilled
in my relationship with you.
Or, do I de-personalize people for my own means?
Am I really there for other people?
That's Love ...
and Spirit Words will come.

Job 12:9 and Matt 9:22 "All Is Well" (January 13)

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What makes us well with our soul?

Matt 9:22 "Woman, your faith has made you well."

Job 12:5 So what do we do with "contempt for misfortune"?
Our comfortable society doesn't want you to suffer.
If misfortune befalls, we are labeled, diagnosed, frowned upon.

Job 12:9 "The Hand of the LORD has done this."
Why is it so hard for us to reconcile, wrestle, embrace that?
Why does religion want to paint a Good God Who allows no harm?

God is using our suffering to draw us to Himself.
When I prepare my case before Him, Job 13:8,
Oh, my arrogance.

Job 11:5 "Oh, that God would speak."
Oh my! Oh my! Oh my!
That God would speak. I tremble.

Our flesh does not want to suffer.
Our society does not want us in trouble.
I have no answers. No solutions for life.

But I have faith. We live by faith not sight,
that makes my weary sin-sick soul well.
It is well. Yes, as Julian wrote, all manner is well.
Yes, as I just glanced up at the red light, and oh my!
A bumper sticker on the car ahead of me reads:
"All is well with my soul." A providential stop.

Job 10:21 and Matt 9:2 "Land of Darkness & Deep Shadows" (January 12)

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Jesus Christ saw faith and healed hearts then bodies. The health of our soul always trumps the health of our bodies. "Take heart, your sins are forgiven." (Matt 9:2) Take heart Job and Bev and every blogger here. He came to call sinners. That's us. What beautiful faith in Job pushing through his suffering. Even his friend alludes that Job has small beginnings (whoever called thousands of sheep and donkeys and ten children SMALL?) and his latter days would be great. Prophetic. Meaningless to Job at the moment. Job has not forgotten about God. His flesh just doesn't want to face all that suffering. I can't wrap my brain around losing all ten of my children on the same day. Job says in 9:28 that he has become afraid of his suffering. Wouldn't he be tempted with---what next? It is a "land of darkness and deep shadows" for Job. Even though he knows so much about God, Job recognizes that God passes him by and Job sees him not (Job 9:11). And the same for me. May we not miss you, Our Good God, passing us by this day in our suffering be it great or small.

Job 6:25 and Matt 8:34 "Upright Words" (January 11)

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Job 6:25 How forceful are upright words!
But what does reproof from you reprove?

Matthew 8:34 When they heard the
words of Jesus, they asked him
"please leave our region."

The words spoken by Job's friends
fell on "despairing wind" searching for God,
there was no Life in the words.

The words spoken by Jesus
fell on empty hearts
not seeking anything but
their own.

God, change our hearts
that Upright Words flow
and land on lives You love.

Job 3:13 and Matt 8:2 "Rendezvous with Rest" (January 10)

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Matthew 8:2 If God wills, He will heal.
God didn't heal Job in these chapters.

Job says in Job 3:13 that if he was dead,
then he would be at rest.

Is there no way to find rest
in the midst of harrowing circumstances?

All I know is this...
my circumstances are worse than ever...
and I cannot stop talking about what
My Beautiful God is doing inside of me.
I believe there is a Rest I know not.

Job 15:8 and Matthew 7:14 "Don't Fill the Gaps with Words" (January 9)

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Suffering gives way to the "Secret Councils of God." Job 15:8

Job's friends sat on the ground with him for 7 days and 7 nights.
Never spoke a word to him.
Could we do that?
Our culture is so driven to just explain away how I'm supposed to be living.

Job fell on the ground and worshipped, Job 1:20,
when the news hit that his 10 children were dead.
All of his multitude of cattle and oxen and donkeys and sheep were gone.

Matthew 7:14
"The gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life,
and those who find it are few.

     "When God tears great gaps,
       we should not try to fill them with human words.
       They should remain open.
       Our only comfort is in the God of the Resurrection."
                                                     Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Gen 21:17 and Matt 6:33 "What Troubles You?" (January 8)

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The following three stories in today's reading have a common thread that yanks on my heart to not grow weary: They didn't give up, break down, lose faith, nor stay in the lane of treasuring earth. They called on God in their darkest hour. Matt 6:20 says: Lay up for yourselves, treasures in heaven not on earth. Seek first His Kingdom and God will add those things that concern you day in and day out according to His Good Plan A. God's Love is not measured by our achievements or assignments but freely given while we are in plenty or in want.

#1 Genesis 20:17 * How do I respond when I'm caught like Abraham laying up treasures on earth, loving life here too much? In Genesis 20, Abraham stretches the truth to identfy Sarah as his sister, leaving out the part that she was also his wife. But when confronted, Abraham calls on The Name of God and God healed Abimelech's household.

#2 Genesis 21:12 * Whoa! Wait! The elderly Sarah gives birth and holds her miracle baby Isaac but the child of her dreams wasn't enough. She wants God to send Hagar and son into the wilderness and the Almighty agrees. Wonder what Sarah's glaring green-like emerald eyes wanted more than the birth of this child? God would take care of Hagar and her son by leaving them in their wilderness. Yet Hagar lifted her voice and called on That Name. Gen 21:17 "What troubles you, Hagar?" Fear Not. I hear your voice."

# 3 Genesis 22:13 * Abraham says I am going to worship...with a knife to slaughter his son. Yet behind Abraham's back, where he cannot see, is a ram caught in the thicket. The LORD Will Provide.

What Troubles You?

Gen 18:14 and Matt 6:1 "Beware of Controlling" (January 7)

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Matthew 6:1 says “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven." Creeping thoughts lull in our heads all the time about how people are perceiving us. What do we do with them? When God prompts, hold the thought, and ask yourself: Am I more concerned about what Christ thinks of me than what this person does at this very moment? Sometimes, I size up the situation, just like Sarah did in Genesis 18, and think I have to spin it a certain way to feel better about it or cast the light in another direction off of me. Beware, Bev!

Genesis 18:14 Is Anything Too Hard for God? God told Sarah the exact time he would return and give her a child. She didn't have to wait and wonder if she really heard right. He was coming back same time, one year later. She could wait for that day. So what was the problem? She sized up her infertility as being too big of a problem under her control. Live to control our circumstances and we will laugh in the face of God and say: Really? And even deny that we said "really!" when God asks about it. God is fully committed to each of us to make us more like Him this day than we were yesterday. Beware of your own righteousness!

Gen 16:13 and Matt 5:48 "A God of Seeing" (January 6)

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Gen 16:8 "Where have you come from and where are you going?"
It's a question we all need to ask ourselves.
The angel asks the question of Hagar in the wilderness
even though the angel probably knew.
The angel's reply ~ Return and Repent.
And Hagar calls on the Name of the LORD Who spoke to her,
"You are a God of seeing." Gen 16:13
A God Who sees all the affliction, betrayal, aloneness, confusion, and trials.

"Walk before Me and be blameless." Gen 17:1
"Be perfect as your Heavenly Father was perfect." Mat 5:48
No one, not one, can be blameless perfect.
So, fall forward on the God Who Sees.

And lift up your eyes to the stars tonight.
Same stars that guided Abraham in the darkest of night.
Every day's end, he sat under the stars
that were a Promise to him of what God would do.
And He gazed and he waited.
And he remembered the God Who Sees.

Gen 13:10 and Matt 5:6 "Lift Up My Eyes" (January 5)

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Abraham lifted up his eyes and called on the name of the LORD.
Lot lifted up his eyes and called on the earth to be good to him~Gen 13:10

Abraham decided to give Lot his choice of land and pleads for no strife.
Lot chooses the best valley for himself not caring about neighboring Sodom.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness not resources,
for they shall be satisfied ~ Matt 5:6.
God longs to restore our souls; man wants God to restore the blessings.

And God speaks the same words relevant for this day
that He breathed a couple thousand years ago.
"Fear not, I am Your Shield and your Reward shall be very great." ~ Gen 15:1

We see one of the very first prayers in the Bible...Abraham calling upon His Name
to boast in His God not in riches or resources or even relationships.

Gen 11:4 and Matt 4:16 "A Name For Ourselves" (January 4)

2012-01-04T00:00:00.000-06:00

The people of Babel said:
"Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower.
Let us make a name for ourselves"... Gen 11:4
Isn't that what our celebrity society values?
City lights. Big names.
What about those of us who have no place in the sun.
God never intended that our identity would come from
lights and names and strength and games.

God says, you truly live and make a name
by every word that comes out of His Mouth... Matt 4:4
"Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand." Matt 4:17

Those who dwell in darkness
have seen a Great Light... Matt 4:16
Dark places still seep through for all of us
and we indeed want to make a name for ourselves.
Repent.

God is making us fishers of men not self promoters.
Not names. Not gain. Not games. Not pain.
Not for us but for Your Glory, oh God,

Genesis 8:21 and Matt 3:2 "Bankrupt & Blind" (January 3)

2012-01-02T22:29:00.002-06:00

Frederick Buechner

Am I half alive?

Gen 4:7 and Matt 2:2 "The Morning Star" (January 2)

2012-01-02T07:29:00.002-06:00

The LORD said to Cain in Gen 4:6,
“Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen?"

Socrates once said that "the unexamined life is simply not worth living."

Do I allow my God to shine His Light in my darkness?
Why am I so angry? Why am I so jealous?
Why is my face fallen, my heart limp?

"If you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door.
Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it.” Gen 4:7

God doesn't intend for me to go on a witchhunt after my sin.
Hebrews 4 says: His Word divides and discerns the intentions of my heart.

The Wise Men in Matt 2:2 knew in their hearts
A King was born for their darkness.

His Star was in the sky shining the path straight to Him.
This Wondrous Babe will reveal the thoughts of our hearts.
Thank you God for Hope for our sin.
And thank you for placing Good deep within us, good intentions
to seek you, The Morning Star, with all of our hearts.

Gen 1:2 and Matt 1:23 ~ Rejoice When Rivers Run Dry" (January 1)

2012-01-01T09:35:00.000-06:00

Empty Earth.
Empty Hearts.

Gen 1:2b ~ ..."the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters."
Rejoice. The rivers run dry but soon will be filled.

Matt 1:23b ~ "what is conceived is from the Holy Spirit."
Rejoice. The River of Life courses through 42 generations.
"Immanuel, which means God with us."

God was moving in my turbulent waters
before the rivers were filled.

God was moving over my darkness
before the light revealed the earth.

We were in his heart before the Foundations.
Written in the Book of Life, we're told.

With one Word,
The Living Word spoke in Genesis.
The Living Word became flesh in Matthew.

The Living Word came not for curious followers
He came to find committed followers. Find me, Oh Living Word.
This Written Word is written to lead us to Him Who is Holy.
May we find Him in ways we never dreamed this 2012.

Tears of joy this new year morn.
The Light of the World still hovers and hangs and hunts and humbles.
He stoops this Sunday into my darkness.
Would you do Your Work in us this year, this present hour?
May I rejoice when my rivers run dry.

Rev 22:7 "Shalom: Everything As It Should Be" (December 31)

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"Shalom! Everything as it should be." 66LL

"Behold! I am coming soon." Rev 22:7

"Demand nothing now.
Endure everything now.
He has come.
He is coming right now.
He will come again, soon.
Wait. Persevere. Hope.
Your destiny, eternal bliss, your every dream forever satisfied." 66LL

So grateful to have walked through 2011 with women like you
who are "gripped" by a very Good God, "The Sovereign-Strong".
Things are not as they seem for each of us as we have faced reality,
our children pursuing other goals, illness stretching us beyond belief,
even our own "addictive attractions" to relief from all the pain.
You have wrestled well with The Living Word.
He is here now in each of our lives and
we will keep falling forward on His Goodness and Grace.

You've made this place a safe haven for me and many.
God bless every page of being caught up in Him.
My prayer for you on the last day of this year:
May The Sovereign Strong fulfill every thought, every desire
you have for righteousness
that He may be glorified in you. 2 Thes 1:11-12

"Nothing will change you more deeply or sustain you with more hope than hearing God speak to you in the Bible." 66LL. He did, He truly did! He spoke! May we listen long.

"As the biblical ax breaks the frozen sea within us and releases the warm current that flows from our God-invaded center, we become the persons we were meant to be." 66LL

Come, Lord Jesus! Today. ~ Rev 22:20

Rev 21:4-5 "My Thinking Is Upside Down" (December 30)

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Rev 21:4 ~ "He will wipe every tear from their eyes.
There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain."

In the midst of overwhelming pain, these are welcomed words.
My flesh does not want to suffer.

But I am reminded of the words of Acts 21:13 that Paul penned:
I am ready for [anything] for His Name.

Your thinking is upside down.
If I could just see into the Invisible Hands that control my life.

All pain, all sorrow, all mourning is arranged, allowed, assigned.
Rev 21:5 ~ "He will make everything new."

I must live fully alive in this present hour longing for His Return.
"You will not sing til you shudder." 66LL

"Woe is me! A person of unclean lips." Isaiah 6:5
You will not stand strong til you fall helpless before God. 66LL

Rev 20:10 ""Taken Up Into My Life" (December 29)

2011-12-29T01:23:00.001-06:00

Rev 20:10
John was in his mid-80's when God showed him this Invisible World that no one sees. Wonder if he freaked out? Doesn't seem like it. John was a prisoner on the Island of Patmos, condemned to die for refusing to acknowledge Caesar as his lord. A "seditious atheist" shipped off to sea to scorch in the sun. And look what he witnesses to shine on to us. Oh my! "Things are not as they seem. Evil, though widespread, is not winning. Faithfulness, though costly, is not futile. Affliction, though continuing, will end. The Lion's Roar will soon be heard. Until then, reign with the Lamb. Live to love, not control."66LL. Oh, that so speaks to me. God is arranging my history and yours according to His Plan. The Deceiver will be hurled into the lake of fire. No more deception. It's over. We'll kneel before The Great White Throne. Will our names be found in the Book of Life? Oh, yes they will. Oh, yes, praise God! May our eyes see beyond what is visible to us this day. May we peer into that which is Invisible. Larry touched something in me deeply when he wrote about the words of Kierkegaard, "to be taken up into my life." "For all that I've learned and have yet to learn [may it] be taken up into my life by the Holy Spirit...I want to love well no matter how tired I am. I want to love more like your Son whether I'm crying or I'm fighting another battle." 66LL

Rev 19:7 "Wishing Forward" (December 28)

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We groan inwardly (in this world) and wait eagerly (for the next world) ~ Romans 8:23~ and One Day, the Marriage Supper of the Lamb will appear like lightning. On that Fine Day, we will rejoice and exult and give Him The Glory. "The Bride has made herself ready...blessed are those who are invited to the Marriage Supper of The Lamb." Rev 19:7-9. So, how do we make ourselves ready for this day? Live a life of repentance and longing. Groan inwardly/ Wait eagerly. "Wishing Forward" ~ Wonder what that looks like today? What is my next step of faith?

READ THE BIBLE CHRONOLOGICALLY IN 2012

2011-12-27T00:26:00.003-06:00

We invite you to Read Through the Bible chronologically with us in 2012. Every day, we will offer a 15-minute ESV selection from the Old Testament and the New Testament and ask you to ponder what lingers with you as your read God's Word. You may choose your own version but we will read chronologically from the OT and NT simultaneously. Each day, you will have an opportunity to comment on one thing that lingers, that stirs inside of you as you read chronologically. And you may comment on other's comments too (a new feature for us---if I can figure that one out). Irenaeus wrote: "The Glory of God is man fully alive." We are asking God to awaken our hearts in 2012 to His Whispers, His Words. May we wrestle well with The Living Word and become more alive in Him than ever before. Sign up right here on this post if you would like to join a few beautiful yet broken friends longing for a better place than where we are. Longing to draw near to a very Good God. We would so love for you to make a commitment and join us. Leave a comment ...

Rev. 18:17 "Laid To Waste" (December 27)

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Rev 18:17 ~ "In a single hour, all this great wealth has been laid to waste." Not laid to rest but to waste. Steve Jobs amassed millions in his short lifetime. All laid to waste for him. Gone to his children and their children. Have I worked too hard to "hold on" to things that will be laid to waste? Wondering this day what I need to let go of?

Rev 17:8 "Surprised & Staggered" (December 26)

2011-12-26T01:32:00.001-06:00

There are stories in the Bible that disrupt my thinking.

Rev 17:8^{~ "}The dwellers on earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world will marvel to see the beast." That verse unnerves me. So disturbs me to know that there are names not in that book.

All I can deal with is myself. And pray that God use me to draw out of those in my life the men and women that God wants them to be. Again, I must deal with my own failures, my own lack of love.

But as I read a quote from Larry yesterday on another blog, am I staggered at my God's Response to me over how I treat Him and His world? Surprised and staggered not by my sin but by His Response to me. He is stirring up Hope in me in the midst of my battle.

I think I'm more of a mess than ever. But, there is Something going on inside of me that I cannot explain. Courage standing up to my Fears, my Aloneness, my Anger.

As I crawl under the Christmas covers to end a difficult day, there is a glimmer on the horizon of tomorrows that I am going to be okay because it is a Good God Who penned my name in That Book and promises me His Power to find Him in all of this mess and help me draw near to Him.

Rev 16:15 "Stay Awake" (December 25)

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Rev 16:9 ~ They did not repent and give Him Glory.

Rev 16:15 ~ "Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeping his garments on, that he may not go about naked and be seen exposed!” ... And they assembled at the place called Armageddon. I stood on that hill one year ago witnessing the past Bethlehem days, the present moment of Jerusalem journeys, and the future battle that will be fought at that spot. Only one place in the world where you can stand in the past, the present, and the future.

Am I truly awake this Christmas morn? There are ways I am more awake than ever. Awake to see the control I wield on my life. Awake to see what pierces my heart and yours. Awake to sin but alive to God. My eyes sometimes see things that people gloss over. What will I do with that? Repent and give Him Glory

Dead to sin. Alive to God. No other way this Christmas Day. Awake, o my soul, and learn from the past, live in the present, and long for the future. Groan inward. Hope forward.

Rev 15:3 "King of The Nations" (December 24, 2011)

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Rev 15:3-4
The Song of the Lamb:

Great and amazing are your Deeds
O LORD God the Almighty
Just and True are Your Ways
O King of The Nations
Who will not fear, O LORD
and Glorify Your Name?
For You Alone are Holy.

We fall on our knees
This Day before You
King of This Nation,
King of My Heart

Rev 14:15 "Swung on A Sickle" (December 23)

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THIS HOUR
Rev 14:15-16 Judgment is coming and it's so hard for me to comprehend where I sit overwhelmed with life today. I'm trying to deal with this hour---Christmas, cancer, cancellations, current circumstances---not with Eternity. Can I find the Eternal One in this present hour?

THAT HOUR
Rev 14:15-16 "Put in your sickle, and reap, for the hour to reap has come, for the harvest of the earth is fully ripe.” So He who sat on the cloud swung his sickle across the earth, and the earth was reaped. I know I'll be swung on the sickle and so will you. Will those we dearly love be sideswiped?

Praying for all our Christmas guests. Fall on our knees and hear the angels sing this present hour, Hosanna~

Rev 13:10 "A Call for the Endurance and Faith of The Saints" (December 22)

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Rev 13:7 ~
The Beast was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them.
Oh my, oh my! We do live in a war for our very souls.

Rev 13:9-10 ~ If anyone has an ear, let him hear:
If anyone is to be taken captive, to captivity he goes...
Here is a call for the Endurance and Faith of the saints.

Rev 12:14 "Nourished In The Wilderness For A Time, And Times, and a Half" (December 21)

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We all know there will be suffering on Earth but how much do we have to go through and can we embrace it? Have I really read Revelations before---never out loud. A woman who just gave birth flees into the wilderness with empty arms---where she has a place prepared by God for 1,260 days. Four years! God prepared nourishment for her body but she must struggle with aloneness and safety and horror and meaning. The loss of her husband and children. So hard to understand this picture but the scene that follows in Revelations 12 touches deep places within:

My Accuser,
The Deceiver of the Whole World,
The Great Dragon,
That Ancient Serpent,
The One We Call Both Satan and The Devil...
WAIT, there is no place for him in Heaven
and he is thrown down to the earth with his angels.
NOW,
The Salvation and Power and Kingdom of Our God
The Authority of Our Christ has come and
The One Who Accuses Me Day and Night
before our God----HE HAS BEEN THROWN DOWN.

We have conquered him by
The Blood of The Lamb and by
The Word of our Testimony
so keep on keeping on, o my soul.
WE ARE STILL HERE AND WE HAVE WON!
Yet we must face our defeated Tormenter,
Who knows his time on earth is s-h-o-r-t.

REJOICE this day if you dwell in heavenly places.
BEWARE this day for The Dragon sees
the Woman Who Gave Birth, the one who trusts
and The Serpent pursues her in her wilderness.
But even The Earth comes to the help of the woman.
Furious!---The Dragon goes after her children on Earth
back on the sands of the sea.

So much of this text is beyond me.
But there is something to be said about God's Provision.
If a Good God steps in to bring us childless to a wilderness
to protect us there----will we trust Him in this?
Will we trust Him in how much we have to suffer?

Rev 11:18 "Both Small & Great" (December 20)

2011-12-19T23:57:00.000-06:00

They fell on their faces and worshipped God saying:

Rev 11:17 ~ We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty,
Who Is and Who Was
for you have taken your great power
andbegun to reign.

Rev 11:18 ~ It is the Time for rewarding your servants
all those both Small and Great
who Fear Your Name.

We live in such a celebrity society.
Thousands upon Thousands know about the death today
of Miss Venzuela who lost her battle with cancer.
Only a handful know about the death of my friend
who Slipped into God's Very Presence last week
fighting cancer to the very last day.
Both Small and Great will be rewarded
Not just The Beautiful, The Popular, The Successful.
His Eye is on you. Nothing escapes His Gaze.

Rev 10:7 "Meet You Inside The Eastern Gate" (December 19)

2011-12-19T00:44:00.004-06:00

Rev. 10:7 In the days of the trumpet call, the Mystery of God will be fulfilled.

Rev 10:9 Take and eat the little scroll, sweet as honey to taste but bitter to hold.
You must prophesy about peoples and nations and languages and kings.

Today, the ruler of North Korea died.
All good and bad kings must pass the Eastern Gate that never closes,
Where no night falls. Isaiah 60:11.
And they will be conquered forevermore.

So, keep your lamps all trimmed and burning
For the Bridegroom watch and wait.
He’ll be with us at That Meeting
Just inside the Eastern Gate.

When the trumpet calls for me, for you,
Linger near that Eastern Gate.
I'll Meet You in That Mystery Morning.
Just Inside the Eastern Gate.
(Based on the hymn, I'll Meet You in the Morning)

Rev 9:16 "200 Million Mounted Troops Won't Change My Mind" (December 18)

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Rev 9:1 ~ A star falls and he is given the Key to the shaft of the bottomless pit. Oh my, oh my! Horror unleashed.
Rev 9:16 ~ And the number of mounted troops was twice ten thousand times ten thousand---200 million! So frightening as I sit in my own temptations this day. A third of mankind killed by troops on horses with heads like famished fire-filled lions. Is this enough to convince anyone of God's Power and Plan? But the rest of mankind did not repent of worshiping idols which cannot see or walk. What am I doing on automatic pilot, coasting. What am I doing? Whom do I worship this day? Idols of my own making---wanting to be somebody, wanting to make an impact, wanting to say something of value, wanting to be used by God...do I want Him More?

Rev 8:10 "Wormwood, A Bitter Pill to Swallow" (December 17)

2011-12-16T22:04:00.001-06:00

Revelation 8:3 The prayers of all the saints

are on the Golden Altar before The Throne.

Are my prayers there in the offering?

Revelation 8:10 When the third angel blew his trumpet,

a great star named Wormwood fell from heaven.

I wonder if this is why C.S. Lewis,

in his epistolary novel The Screwtape Letters,

named the junior demon Wormwood (Screwtape's nephew).

Wormwood's mission was to deter The Patient from Eternity with God.

Eternal damnation. Am I listening this day to the tempter of my soul?

Revelation 8:13 Woe, Woe, Woe

to those who dwell on the earth, at the blasts that are about to blow!

Do I hear what God hears?

If it matters so much to read the Word of God, am I really listening back?

Rev 7:17 "Every Tear Wiped Away on That Day" (December 16)

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Revelation 7:9 Behold, a great multitude that no one could number,from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, withpalm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice... "Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen."

Revelation 7:17 For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their Shepherd, and He will guide them to springs of Living Water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.

This world was not meant to meet every need, every longing we have. One day, God will guide us to Springs of Living Water where every tear will be wiped away. But in this life, real tears fall, even this day. We will stand on that day before the Throne, before the Lamb. What will we say?

Rev 6:9 "No Hiding ~ Deal with your Dreams" (December 15)

2011-12-15T00:00:00.000-06:00

Revelation 6:9 ~ The souls of those who were slain for the Word of God and for the Witness they had borne. And they cry out: "O Sovereign LORD, holy and true, how long before you will judge those who dwell on earth?"

Rev 6:13 One day the full moon will become like blood and the stars of the sky will fall to the earth and the sky will vanish like a scroll being rolled up and every mountain and island will be removed. And some will hide themselves in caves and among the rocks. Who can stand in that Great Day of wrath. We will not hide that day so let's not hide this day either. Let's confront what deters and disrupts and disturbs us. Let's deal with the innermost dreams of our heart.

Rev 5:5 "The Lion Has Roared" (December 14)

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*The Lion Has Roared* Revelation 5:5 ~ "Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered..."

*The Golden Bowls are Full* Revelation 5:8 ~ And the elders fell before Him holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. Will The Mighty One hear from me this day prayers of dependence, prayers of worship.

*The Sovereign One Bends His Ear * Revelation 4:12 ~ Will the Sovereign One hear "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing."

Rev 4:11 "Grasped By God" (December 13)

2011-12-13T00:00:00.000-06:00

Rev 4:1 "There was a door standing open...Come up here... ."
At once, I was in the Spirit.
There they were, casting their crowns down, honoring
"Holy, Holy, Holy is the LORD God Almighty
Who Was and Is and is to Come!"
Rev 4:11 ~ "Worthy are you, our Lord and God,
to receive Glory and Honor and Power,
forYou created all things,
and by your Will they existed and were created."

We can't package it not even in a sermon.
At once, the Spirit descends.
Bonhoeffer wrote: The success of the sermon
is utterly dependent on the God Who breaks through
and grasps us, or we cannot be grasped.
Am I grasped in the clutch of His Hand
this circumstance, this Word, this moment?

Rev 3:2 "Wake Up!" (December 12)

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Sardis, I know your works.

You have the reputationof being alive but you are dead

WAKE UP! ~ Rev. 3:2

Philadelphia, I have set before you an Open Door

which no man is able to shut.

You may have little power yet you have kept my word.

HOLD FAST! Rev 3:8

Laodicea - You are neither hot or cold.

Those whom I love, I discipline.

SO BE ZEALOUS! Rev 3:15

Behold, I stand at your door and knock this day.

If you hear Me, Welcome the Divine One in.

This verse is translated in progressive tense meaning:

This is for you this moment.

"In the whole of World History, there is always only one

really significant hour---the present." Dietrich Bonhoeffer

"

Rev 2:4 "Abandoned Love" (December 11)

2011-12-11T01:06:00.001-06:00

Ephesus,
I see your works and your patient endurance
But I have this against you,
Revelations 2:4
You have abandoned the love you had at first.
Remember therefore from where you have fallen
Repent, and do the works you did at first.

Rev 1:17 "Flame of Fire" (December 10)

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Some say John was 70-years-old --- it was 70AD ---
When he wrote the Book of Revelations.
Some say it was 92AD
and the man who had seen so much was 92-year-olds.
Held captive of sorts on the Isle of Patmos.
GUILTY of preaching the Gospel.
Some say waiting wearily.

John says: John 1:17 ~ When I saw God\\\
I fell at His Feet as though dead*****
But HE *laid* his RIGHT HAND on me,
Sayinhg: "~Fear not~, I AM
The First & the Last,
I AM the Living One.

His Eyes as a ^Flame of Fire^
"May represent his Knowledge
of the secrets of ALL hearts,
and of the most distant events."
Matthew Henry

A severe depression hit me in 2006.
Doesn't matter what caused it as much as
the tsunami that overflowed
the banks of my soul.
Doesn't matter what it appeared
that people did to my family as much as
the tornado of thoughts and actions
that I must repent of.
I was about half dead,
not functioning well physically. My Fault.
God brought this very story to mind
as I lay helpless for weeks ...
John was old, weary, weak, captive.
God laid His Right Hand on John's shoulders
I don't espouse to know a whole lot about such Mystery.

But this I know:
My God raised me back up from the dead, the lifeless.
He knows the Secrets of my heart
The most distant events of my past that haunt
The most distant events of my future that terrify.
Fear Not
The Flaming Fire, The Living One is white hot here.
And this isn't about Works Righteousness.
No, it's all about His Righteousness.

Jude 1:1 "Called and Kept" (December 9)

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Jude 1:1,2 ~ To those who are called and kept...
May Mercy, Peace, and Love be multiplied to you.

Keep yourself in the Love of God.

Jude 1:24 ~ Now to Him Who is able
to keep you from stumbling and
to present you blameless before
The Presence of His Glory with Great Joy.
To the Only God, our Savior
Be Glory, Majesty, Dominion, Authority
Before all time and now and Forever. Amen

3 John 1:5 "Health of My Soul Trumps Body" (December 8)

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3 John 1:2 ~ I pray that all may go well with you
and that you may be in good health,
as it goes well with your soul.
The health of my soul trumps the health of my body.
May it go well with all of us
but may we be far more concerned about
what stirs within. For His Glory!

2 John 1:5 "Nothing New Under the Sun---LOVE!" (December 7)

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2 John 1:5 ~ This is not a new command for you and for me.
This command has been around since the very beginning.
Love One Another.
You know where you've been today.
You don't know what your face looked like.
Listen to your world saying:
This is not a new command, Love One Another!
So what would it look like to love this morning.

I John 5:9 "God's Testimony Trumps It All" (December 6)

2011-12-06T00:00:00.000-06:00

I John 5:9 The testimony of God is greater than the testimony of men And this is the testimony---God gave us Life.
God's Testimony trumps it all.
We can have Confidence toward Him that He Hears Us.

I John 5:15 We will have the requests
That we have asked of Him that are His Will.

I John 5:19 The whole world lies in the power of the evil one.

But...
I John 5:20 The Son of God gives us Understanding so that
We may Know Him Who Is True. Amen!
No matter what health scares I face today
No matter what harsh words fall on my ears,
God's Testimony means Life for me...
will I find Life this day?

I John 4:18 "The Health of My Soul" (December 5)

2011-12-05T21:13:00.001-06:00

Dealing with immense fear
as I face deeper places in my heart
where I have no control.

My oncologist called and wants to see me right away.
Tomorrow!

Falling Forward on a very Good God!
What stirs in my heart concerns me way more than
what sits in my body.

Nothing, no Nothing trumps the Health of My Soul.
Sorrows like sea billows roll.
Teach me to say,
All manner is well with my soul.
The Health of My Soul.

I John 4:18 "There is no fear in love,
butperfect love casts out fear."

I John 3:19 "Reassure Your Heart Before Him" (December 4)

2011-12-04T00:00:00.000-06:00

I John 3:17 ~ If you have stuff
and see your brother in need and close your heart against him,
how is that Love?

Love in Deed and Truth not in word or talk.

We can tell someone that we love them but if we
Keep our distance,
Show our disdain,
Rehearse how they bother us,
Refuse to enjoy just who they are,
Then there is something stronger in me than the Love of God.

One disrespectful word spoken to me yesterday tied me in knots.
And now the table is turned.
And my heart condemns me this morning, yes it does,
Verse 19 says: Know that we are of the Truth and
Reassure your heart before Him.
God is greater than my heart, and He knows everything.
He knows my good intentions, my unnoticed deeds,
He knows why I am so upset in the relationship that sours.
I am going to Him to reassure my Heart!
God is Greater!

I John 2:15 "We Have An Advocate" (December 3)

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1 John 2 ~ But if anyone does sin, we have an Advocate with the Father,
Jesus Christ the Righteous.

I John 2:15 ~ Do not love the world or the things in the world..
The *desires of the eyes* and *pride in possessions*---
it's not from the Father but is from the world.

So, what do I love more than the Love of my God?
Oh Righteous One, visit us this day.
Be my Advocate for I am weak but you are Strong.
Be my Strong Voice for my helpless ways.
Be my Strong Arm for my weary days.

I John 1:10 "His Word Is In Us" (December 2)

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I John 1:1, 10 ~

They saw Him with their eyes.

They touched Him with their hands.

The Word of Life.

His Word is in us.

The God of Light.

In Him there is no darkness.

Forgiveness and Freedom.

Am I reaching repentance? Am I free?

2 Peter 3:11 "Will God Find You in Peace?" (December 1)

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2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise---He's waiting for you to reach repentance.

2 Peter 3:11 What sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness? Will you be found by your God waiting in peace? Or will He find you frantic for holiness, doggedly determined to do ministry at all cost. What does it mean to wait in peace today? To grow in the Grace and Knowledge of our LORD.

2 Peter 2:9 "God Rescues Us" (November 30)

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2 Peter 2:9 ~ The Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment.

What a promise to bank on...just when I think I can't face another conflict! The LORD knows how to rescue me.

2 Peter 1 "Divine Nature or Human Nature" (November 29)

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His Divine Power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness,
through the knowledge of himwho called us to his own glory and excellence,
by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises,
so that through them you may become partakers of the Divine Nature.

What stirs in us is what matters as we face the highlights and horrors.
Not what happens to us but in us...what do they surface?
Compulsions at the center of our being that reveal what?
Divine Nature or Human Nature?
When we face what is beneath our compulsions,
we find His Promises to Partake in that Divine Nature.

I Peter 5:5 "Suffer & God Himself Will Restore You" (November 28)

2011-11-27T21:51:00.001-06:00

I Peter 5:5-6 ~ God gives grace to the humble. So, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, becausehe cares for you.

I Peter 5:9-10 ~ The same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. After you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace,who has called you, will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

Suffer well, Stand tall, in the True Grace of God.

I Peter 4:12 "No Surprise ~ Suffer Well" (November 27)

2011-11-27T02:18:00.001-06:00

I Peter 4:1-2 Arm yourselves with the same way of thinking as this----
Live for the rest of your time no longer for human passions
but for the will of God.
I've spent my past days living in sensuality, passions, lawless idolatry, etc...no more...

I Peter 4:7-8 Be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a mulititude of sins.

I Peter 4:10 Use your gifts to serve. Good stewards of God's varied grace. By the Strength that God supplies so that in EVERYTHING God may be glorified.

I Peter 4:12 And don't be surprised at the fiery trials that come upon you to test you as though scomething strange were happening to you. Rejoice and Be Glad when His Glory is revealed. For the Spirit of Glory AND the Spirit of God rests upon you when you suffer well.

I Peter 4:19 Suffer according to God's Will. Entrust your soul to a Faithful Creator while doing good.

I Peter 3:4 "A Gentle and Quiet Spirit" (November 26)

2011-11-26T00:27:00.001-06:00

I Peter 3:3 ~ Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning bethe hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious. That Kind of Beauty is what the LORD seeks not the beauty of this obsessed celebrity society in which we live. I feel like I'm one of those throw-away people that doesn't count, but not in God's Eyes. Adorn yourself with the Beauty of a Gentle and Quiet Spirit. So, how do I do that today? And, of course, the Luther quote comes to mind: Throw away the "how" questions for you are just trying to build your strategy.

I Peter 2:2 "What Do I Long For" (November 25)

2011-11-25T00:44:00.002-06:00

I Peter 2:2 ~ Long for the pure spiritual milk so that you may grow...really grow up in Him.

I Peter 1:6 "Grace and Peace Multiplied To You" (November 24)

2011-11-23T21:34:00.001-06:00

I Peter 1:6-9 ~ To those of you who are elected by the foreknowledge of God. No matter what your systematic theology, may Grace and Peace be mulitplied to you this Thanksgiving. According to His Mercy, we are all born to a Living Hope through the Resurrection. With tears falling from my eyes, I read and believe and trust that we have an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept for me and for you and for the loved ones surrounding me this night, young ones with disease and things just not right if we didn't have eyes to see. Grieved by trials, even my own disease returning. Current Cancer Diagnosis: Good. Current Prognosis: Unavailable. The testing of the genuineness of our faith. More precious than gold that perishes. May we all be found to result in Praise and
Glory and
Honor at
The Revelation of Him.
So set your hope fully on the Grace that will be brought to you at the Revelation of Christ.

James 5:13 "Pray All You Who are Suffering, Cheerful, Sick, & Sinful" (November 23)

2011-11-22T23:26:00.000-06:00

James 5:9 ~ "The Judge is standingat the door." What is at my center? I can live self-centered being good or being bad. Neither works for righteousness. The Judge is always at hand. So, let your "yes" be yes and your "no" be no so you may not fall under condemnation.

James 5:13 ~
Is anyone suffering? Pray.
Is anyone cheerful. Sing.
Is anyone sick. Call.
Is anyone in sin? Confess.
And pray for one another, that you may be healed.
So much talk of Thanksgiving, giving thanks.
But are we really just trying to change our behavior?
Sin is relational not behavioral. It's deep.
"The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."
So pray all you who are suffering, cheerful, sick and sinful.
Pray this Thanksgiving!

James 4:1 "Your Passions Are At War Within You" (November 22)

2011-11-22T00:01:00.000-06:00

James 3:14 "Bitter Jealousy/ Selfish Ambition" (November 21)

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James 3:14 ~ If you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. The wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits,impartial and sincere.

There is hope for jealousy, ambition, pride, selfishness. There is hope for sin. My hope is not securing God's pleasure by my faith and works. Rather, my hope is to go deeper in my Christian walk and advance God's Kingdom here on earth.

"When your faith leads to a consuming desire to love Me & others at any cost,
When your faith is accompanied by a consistent pattern of good works,
Your life in this world will not be wasted!" 66LL

James 2:1 "No Partiality" (November 20)

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James 2:1, 5 ~ Show no partiality as you hold the faith....make no distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts. God has chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the Kingdom. Love as though your life depended on it because it does (I Cor 14:1).

If you see someone lacking in daily food spiritually/emotionally/physically, don't just say: "Peace to you. Be warmed and filled." Show your faith by your works. ~ James 2:18

James 1:2 "Count It All Joy" (November 19)

2011-11-18T23:55:00.000-06:00

James 1:2 ~Count it ALL JOY
when you encounter trials of all kinds.

Fearless Courage rather than
Mindless Submission.

Mark it down with Sincerity of Heart.
Not a Checklist but a Waitlist
with accounting marks.
Waiting for a Good God to show up.

I think I have life backwards at times---
that Joy is "no" trials.
Wonder if we will not know deep Joy
until we endure through trials?

Hebrews 13:20 "May the God of Peace Equip You" (November 18)

2011-11-17T23:50:00.000-06:00

Nowmay the God of peacewho brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus,equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ,to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. Hebrews 13:20-21

Hebrews 12:1 "Lay Aside Sin that Clings Closely" (November 17)

2011-11-17T00:14:00.000-06:00

Hebrews 12:1-2
We are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses.
Lay Aside every Weight
Lay Aside Sin that Clings so Closely
Run your own Race
Looking to the Author & Finisher.

Hebrews 12:13-14
Lift your drooping hands
Strengthen your weak knees
So that what is lame may be healed.
Strive for peace with Everyone!
.

Hebrews 11:38 "Made Strong Out of Weakness" (November 16)

2011-11-15T21:43:00.001-06:00

You've heard someone say that God will provide something better for you in the midst of your loss, your suffering. What if that "something better" (Hebrews 11:40) is not receiving what was promised by God? God, may we see things this day from Your Perspective. Would you help us to endure, seeing You the Invisible Hand on our life (Hebrews 11:27). Would you help us to hold fast to hope? Would you let us embrace our loss, our suffering and not just shut down our souls.

This chapter was about the destitute, the afflicted, the mistreated of days gone by---people of whom the world was not worthy (Hebrews 11:38). By faith, they conquered kingdoms and were made strong out of weakness (Hebrews 11:34). That's it. That's where I want to live. Make me strong on this day that you brought me into the world. Strength out of my Weakness.

Hebrews 11:1 "Assurance ~ Conviction" (November 15)

2011-11-15T00:01:00.001-06:00

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

By faith we understand creation...
By faith Abraham offered Isaac up to God...
By faith we please God...
By faith in reverent fear Noah constructed an ark...
By faith they and we obey God's call to go not knowing where...
By faith we all live in the land of promise looking forward to A Better Country...
By faith Sarah conceived a child when past the age because
Faithful is God Who has promised...
And these friends in the Bible all died in faith
Not having received the things promised...

Will I walk by faith this moment in time?
Will my faith still speak even when I die? ~ Hebrews 11:4

Hebrews 10:36 "Don't Throw Away Confidence" (November 14)

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DRAW NEAR
Hebrews 10:22 ~ Let us draw near to God
with a true heart in full assurance of faith
with clean hearts from evil consciences.

HOLD FAST
Hebrews 10:23 ~ Let us hold fast
the confession of our hope without wavering,
for He who promised is faithful.

RECALL FORMER DAYS
Hebrews 10:35-36 ~ Let us recall the former days...
Do not throw away your confidence,
which has a great reward.
For you have need of endurance,
so that when you have done the will of God
you may receive what is promised.

Hebrews 10:15 - "The Spirit of God Says NO MORE" (November 13)

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Hebrews 10:15 It is the Holy Spirit that tells us that the Law of God will be written on our minds and hearts. The Holy Spirit whose Words blow every which way we do not know. Come Holy Spirit, blow gentle words on us this day. And the Holy Spirit adds: "I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more."

Hebrews 9:14 "Dead Works" (November 11th)

2011-11-11T23:10:00.000-06:00

Hebrews 9:14 ~ Christ offered Himself ... to purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.

I wonder how many of our works are dead works and we have no idea? Wonder why we are so deceived that we do not recognize that our works are not alive.

Hebrews 8:10 "Put Your Laws Into Our Minds/Hearts" (October 11)

2011-11-11T00:39:00.000-06:00

Hebrews 8:10 ~ This is the new covenant ...

Dear God, Would you do Your Will in us.
Put Your Laws into our minds,

And Write Your Laws on our hearts,

Be our God, this day

We are yours!

Hebrews 7:25 "Interceding For You" (October 10)

2011-11-09T22:44:00.000-06:00

Hebrews 7:25 ~
He is able to save to the uttermost
Those who draw near to God^,
Since he always lives
To make intercession for them.

Saved to the Uttermost...
uttermost parts of my heart
that do not know peace & joy...

Draw Near to Him
in Brokenness & Desperation
He Lives
This Day to Make Intercession

Hebrews 6:18 ~ "Hold Fast to Hope" (October 9)

2011-11-08T20:43:00.000-06:00

Hebrews 6:12 ~ We who have fled for refuge to Jesus, have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.

Hebrews 6:13 ~ We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into^(AF) the inner place where He went as a forerunner on our behalf.

What am I holding fast to this day? Who am I holding on to? What is grasped between my fingers? What do I need to let go of?

Hebrews 5:2 "Go Gently with the Ignorant" (October 8)

2011-11-07T22:51:00.000-06:00

Hebrews 5:2 ~ We can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since each one of us is beset with weakness.

Hebrews 5:8 ~ And just like Jesus, we learn obedience through what we suffer.

These words of God are holy and hallowed through the ages. No Formulas. A Throne of Grace for the humble. We do not profane the Word of God by taking it out of context nor by wielding one verse as the answer. These Words from God are not strategy but salvation; not tragedy but triumph; not answers but The Way. May we all learn this very day, a little more about obedience through what we suffer.

Hebrews 4:16 "Discern My Thoughts" (November 7)

2011-11-07T00:01:00.002-06:00

Hebrews 4:1 ~ The promise of Rest still stands. Will I enter a Rest I know not as the faultlines of my soul move thought by thought?

Hebrews 4:12 ~ It's the Living Word, the Active Word that pierces and divides our souls and spirit and discerns the thoughts and intentions of our heart. What Word from God keeps piercing your heart?

Hebrews 4:16 ~ Our sympathetic Great High Priest awaits our plea with grace and mercy. How can I, this day---with confidence---draw near to the Throne of Grace?

Heb 3:15 "Today" (November 6)

2011-11-06T00:01:00.005-05:00

Hebrews 3:15 ~ "Today, if you hear his voice,do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion." The children of Israel provoked God for forty years while in their wilderness. They were unable to enter His Rest because of their unbelief. What parts of my life hold No Rest for me? My thoughts? My drive? My motivation? My success? My philosophy? My evaluation of my life? Am I finding a deep Rest in a Good God, no matter what life has brought my way. Today is all we have. Enter His Rest---nothing to do with being tired; everything to do with being transformed

Hebrews 2:18 "My Help" (November 5)

2011-11-05T02:08:00.001-05:00

If Christ suffered through temptation,

do we expect not to suffer?

Hebrews 2:18
"Because He Himself has suffered when tempted,
He is able to help those who are being tempted."

Hebrews 2:1 ~ "Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it for 2:4 says that God bears witness through the gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will. Today, if you hear His Voice, pay close attention.