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Today and always…. (devo reflection)

Isaiah 55:1 “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.”
The verses I have pulled today are reminders: 1. God’s invitation is for all, not just the wealthy or those seen as worthy. We are all invited to come and be spiritually filled, without money and without cost. 2. We will find the Lord whenever we seek Him with our whole hearts (Jer 29:13). He wants us to seek  Him and to know Him.
Isaiah 55:6 Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near.
3. His ways are not our ways. His thoughts are not our thoughts. When God gets indignant about all the same things I do, I should be concerned and look more deeply into whether I am creating Him and His reactions in my own image. 4. When I align my life with Him, joy and peace will be abundant. This is one I struggle with, especially since joy and peace sometimes seem in very short supply. However, that’s my cue to keep working to align my life, my goals, my efforts with His.
Isaiah 55:8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.
Lord, Thank You for showing up with me, today and always, for always revealing a little more of who You are and who You are to me. Help me to know You more, to know You better. Help me not to worship a dim imitation that I have created in my own image. Help me to align my life with You and You alone. Draw me closer. Amen.
Isaiah 55:12 You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.
Have a blessed day.
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He knows our hearts…. (devo reflection)

Job 35:13 “Indeed, God does not listen to their empty plea; the Almighty pays no attention to it.”

Elihu, bless him, is STILL talking. He still doesn’t truly understand Job’s misery nor his plea to God for understanding. But that doesn’t stop Elihu from continuing to wax eloquent on Job’s flaws, faults, and general unworthiness before God.

Job 35:14 “How much less, then, will He listen when you say that you do not see Him, that your case is before Him and you must wait for Him….”

I am reminded of (and thankful for) Jeremiah 17:10 here: “I the LORD search the heart and test the mind….” God knows Job’s heart. God KNOWS Job’s heart. It doesn’t matter what Elihu and all the others say, no matter how misguided, God knows the truth in Job’s heart. And so it is with us. He knows our hearts as well.

Job 35:15 “…and further, that His anger never punishes and He does not take the least notice of wickedness.”

Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the reminder of how dangerous, how damaging my misconceptions and my actions and words based on those misconceptions can be. Help me to live a life of compassion and love, LORD. Draw me closer. Help me to shine Your light. Amen.

Job 35:16 “So Job opens his mouth with empty talk; without knowledge he multiplies words.”

Have a blessed day.

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Choices and consequences…. (devo reflection)

1 Chron 5:1 The sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel (he was the firstborn, but when he defiled his father’s marriage bed, his rights as firstborn were given to the sons of Joseph son of Israel; so he could not be listed in the genealogical record in accordance with his birthright….)
We are now into chapter 5 of genealogical records. Names and connections are becoming a bit of a blur. But Jer 29:11 keeps coming to my mind: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future.”
1 Chron 5:11 The Gadites lived next to them in Bashan, as far as Salekah….
Each one of these people, had they chosen to put God first, to focus on Him, to live for Him and obey Him, had access to the promise of Jer 29:11. But not everyone chose to put Him first, to focus on Him, to obey Him. And He allows us all that choice. But He doesn’t spare anyone from the consequences of their choice.
1 Chron 5:17 All these were entered in the genealogical records during the reigns of Jothan king of Judah and Jeroboam king of Israel.
Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the reminder that You have plans for me, plans of hope and a future, if I choose to follow You. Help me to choose You every minute of every day. Draw me closer to You. Amen.
1 Chron 5:23 The people of the half-tribe if Manasseh were numerous; they settled in the land from Bashan to Baal Hermon, that is, to Senir (Mount Hermon).
Have a blessed day.

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If I seek Him…. (devo reflection)

1 Kings 6:11 The word of the LORD came to Solomon….
This chapter is all about building God’s temple, which has me thinking about churches and dwelling places for God. I’ve seen gorgeous, elaborate cathedrals. I’ve seen modern structures, filled with clean lines and modern elements. I’ve seen tiny structures with pews and stained glass, though the cathedrals make them seem almost microscopic.
1 Kings 6:12 “As for this temple you are building, if you follow My decrees, observe My laws, and keep all My commands and obey them, I will fulfill through you the promise I gave to David your father.”
God’s house can come in many shapes and sizes. Since mid-March, God’s house has literally been my own as I tune in via Facebook Live for Sunday services. But I have found Jeremiah 29:13 to be exceptionally true: “You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.” No matter the place—my den, a mountain top, in the middle of the slogging rain, if I seek Him, He is there. Thank You, Jesus.
1 Kings 6:13 “And I will live among the Israelites and will not abandon My people Israel.”
Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for amazingly beautiful houses of worship. And thank You for slogging with us through the muck. Thank You for being there when we seek You. Help us to seek You always, every hour of every day. Draw us closer. Amen.
1 Kings 6:38 In the eleventh year in the month of Bul, the eighth month, the temple was finished in all its details according to its specifications. He had spent seven years building it.
Have a blessed day.

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Many things to ponder…. (devo reflection)

Judges 11:30a And Jephthah made a vow to the LORD….
The commentary on this chapter has given me much to ponder. I interpreted Judges 11:30 as a positive thing. Commentary suggests that Jephthah was bargaining with God instead of honoring Him. In Judges 11:35, I thought he was fulfilling his promise to God, even though it cost him greatly. Commentary suggests that he should have realized that it was a foolish vow and understood that it should not be kept because it was foolish.
Judges 11:30b-31 “If You give the Ammonites into my hands, whatever comes out of the door of my house to meet me when I return in triumph from the Ammonites will be the LORD’s, and I will sacrifice it as a burnt offering.”
So now I’m pondering whether I bargain with God while I’m telling myself that I’m honoring Him. I’m thinking about rash, foolish promises to God and whether it is more faithful to keep them or to say, “Lord, I’m sorry for being rash in my promise and I realize following through is not the right thing to do here.” I have many things to ponder based on this chapter.
Judges 11:34 When Jephthah returned to his home in Mizpah, who should come out to meet him but his daughter…. She was an only child.
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for the ability to read and study and draw closer to You. I feel like I have more questions than answers right now, but I know that if I seek You with my whole heart, I will find You. Always. (Jer 29:13). Draw me closer. Amen.
Judges 11:35 When he saw her, he tore his clothes and cried, “Oh no, my daughter! You have brought me down and I am devastated. I have made a vow to the LORD that I cannot break.”
Have a blessed day.

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Nothing is too hard…. (devo reflection)

Numbers 17:1-2 The LORD said to Moses, “Speak to the Israelites and get twelve staffs from them, one from the leader of each of their ancestral tribes.”
The Lord not only made dead wood bud in this chapter, a feat in and of itself, but he took a staff, dead wood, and made it sprout, bud, blossom, AND produce almonds. He brought forth life from death. This chapter brought to mind Jeremiah 32:17 “Ah, Sovereign LORD, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for You.”
Numbers 17:5 “The staff belonging to the man I choose will sprout, and I will rid myself of this constant grumbling against you by the Israelites.”
“Nothing is too hard for You.” I say it. I see it. But do I really live that belief? When I think about all that I am praying about, praying for, worrying about, do I put the trust in God that I profess? Do I leave my burdens at His feet, in His care, not worrying about the outcome because I know without a doubt that NOTHING is too hard for Him?
Numbers 17:7 Moses placed the staffs before the LORD in the tent of the covenant law.
Precious Savior, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for this reminder of Your sovereignty. You know my heart, Lord. You know that I trust You, that I believe You, that I believe IN You. I don’t know why I struggle so to leave my burdens at Your feet but I KNOW I can trust You with them. “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24). Amen.
Numbers 17:8 The next day Moses entered the tent and saw that Aaron’s staff, which represented the tribe of Levi, had not only sprouted but had budded, blossomed and produced almonds.
Have a blessed day.

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The fickle nature of time…. (devo reflection)

2 Peter 3:8 But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
In just under a month, the hubs and I will celebrate 22 years of marriage. It feels at once like a long time and a blink of the eye. And daily I have kids chomping at the bit, waiting for the 3:05 bell. The day drags for them, but the afternoon and evening fairly fly until they are back in desks once again, waiting on the 3:05 bell. Time is certainly interesting.
Proverbs 16:9 The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.
I am bound by time. Perhaps it stems from decades of school bells, alerting me to the next block, but “What time is it?” is a crucial component in the way that I function. But God doesn’t work that way. Time for Him, with Him, in Him, doesn’t function as it does for me. That clock, which is an ingrained part of my day, doesn’t even exist for Him. It’s totally irrelevant. Jesus, Help me.
Jer 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD….
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for the reminder of the fickle nature of time. Time feels like such a crucial part of my life, Lord, but I’m pretty sure it’s rather irrelevant in Yours. Help me to wait patiently in joyful hope for all that You have in store. Help me to use my time on this earth, no matter how much time that may be, to shine Your light and point others to You. Draw me closer. Amen.
Psalm 90:12 So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.
Have a blessed day.

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Even my misdirected efforts…. (devo reflection)

Rom 7:15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate, I do.
I try so hard to do the right thing. I want to love, encourage, and uplift others, point them to our precious Savior, remind them that He is with them, that He is making a way in their wilderness, that He loves them fiercely, completely, unconditionally. But I am human and fallible. Sometimes my best intentions just make things worse, more traumatic, for the ones I’m trying to encourage. Jesus, Help me.
Phil 2:13 …for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose.
My default, when I get in that mental space of defeat, is to mentally berate myself, which my inner critic just loves. But I am not who I once was, and I can recognize my intention and my heart and give all of it—my efforts, my intentions, my mistakes and missteps—to my Savior, knowing that He can use ALL things, even my feeble, fallible, earthly efforts, for His glory and for the good of His people. Jesus, Help me.
2 Chron 31:21 In everything that He undertook…he sought his God and worked wholeheartedly. And so he prospered.
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for the reminder that You know my heart and my intentions and that You can use even my misdirected efforts for Your good. I want to bring You glory, Lord. I want to comfort Your people and shine Your light. Help me, Jesus. Draw me closer. Amen.
Jer 29:13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Have a blessed day.

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With perfect clarity…. (devo reflection)

1 Cor 4:5 Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the LORD comes. He will bring to light what is hidden….
Last month I wrote about the title of this blog and the fact that I am, we all are, a work in progress—each day striving to be a little better, a little more godly, than the day before. While I can usually apply that philosophy to my own life, I sometimes have difficulty remembering that all those I come into contact with are works in progress, too. God loves them as He loves me. Just as deeply. Just as fiercely.
1 Cor 13:12 Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely.
Sometimes, especially on those days when I think I’m getting life right, it is easy for me to forget that I’m looking at the underside of God’s masterpiece. My knowledge is both imperfect and incomplete. I can’t judge others because 1. I am not the judge, and 2. I don’t have all the facts. And yet, so often I run ahead in judgement anyway, forgetting that we are all still in progress. God’s not done with us yet.
Rom 14:13 Therefore let us stop judging one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way.
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for the fact that You are not finished with us yet. Help me concentrate on becoming the person You designed me to be. Help me to stop trying to judge others and to instead help them along their path. Draw us all closer to You. Amen. 
Jer 16:17 For My eyes are on all their ways. They are not hidden from My face….
Have a blessed day.

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Willingly and intentionally choosing…. (devo reflection)

Isaiah 65:2 All day long I have held out My hands to an obstinate people, who walk in the wrong path, who follow their own imaginations….
As a parent and a teacher, it is incredibly frustrating to see a child headed down the wrong path. It is especially frustrating when you know those wrong choices can easily lead them to be hurt—physically or emotionally. To try to lead and guide them, to end up being rebuffed for my efforts, to have to help them deal with the fallout of their choices—these are very difficult things.
Jer 7:24 Yet they did not listen or pay attention, but they followed the stubborn inclinations of their own evil hearts. They went backward and not forward.
God is the Creator of the universe. He could have preprogrammed us to obedience, but He doesn’t want automatons. He wants people who willingly and intentionally choose Him, which means He allows us our stubborn disobedience, even if it hurts us, even if it hurts Him. 
Deut 32:15 But Israel soon became fat and unruly; the people… abandoned the God who made them and they rejected the Rock their Savior.
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for loving us enough to let us choose You, even if it takes a while. Thank You for Your goodness and mercy, for Your grace which surpasses all understanding, for Your fierce love. Help me to lay aside my stubbornness and choose You. Always. Draw me closer. Amen.
Psalm 106:25 They grumbled in their tents and did not listen to the voice of the LORD.
Have a blessed day.