John 18:37  You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”

In this passage Christ is heading toward the cross. Pilate is trying to figure things out. Christ doesn’t deny being a king~that king that the Magi were searching for in Matthew 2:2. Christ gives His reason for leaving heaven and being born as a human. It was to testify of the truth.

Christ’s reason for being born is the same as mine. I was born to testify to the truth…the truth that will set people free (John 8:32)…the truth that will help to make anyone be a better person by making them more holy (John 17:17). I am reminded of Ephesians 2:10  that says I am God’s workmanship created to do the good works He has for me to do. One of those tasks is to spread the word about the truth. Christ came to earth to pay the price for my wrongdoings! He came to do the same for everyone on this planet! His death that paid the price allows me a life of inward peace on earth even with the turmoil around me and promises me an eternity in heaven.

The last statement of this verse hits me today. “everyone who is on the side of truth listens to me.” This is saying that some didn’t listen to Christ as he shared the truth…those not on the side of truth. I shouldn’t be discouraged if some don’t listen to me as I try to share. After all, unlike Christ, I am an imperfect person who makes mistakes and says or does things out of selfishness (I am sad to admit). Even Christ, sinless and perfect, wasn’t listened to by all.

What I need to focus on is not the results that come from what I share but the reason for why I was born and for why I share about Christ. I should be sharing through my words and my life about the inward peace I enjoy each day and the eternity in heaven that I look forward to because of Christ’s death. That is how I can testify about the truth. Christ did the same. He helped me to discover the truth through His life and words. That was His reason for being alive. That is why I have been given this day to be alive. May I remember why I was born each time I see a manger with a baby in it this season. His reason is my reason. He is MY king.

Lord, open my eyes to the ways I can testify to the truth. Open my eyes to the sin in my life that causes me to not tell or show about Jesus (the truth) and the inward peace that He gives. Create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit in me (Psalm 51:10). Thank you for being such a loving, powerful, approachable, and humble king. I want to be like you so that others can know you and be set free. Oh, the great things you pour out on those who love you! Thank you!

Ecclesiastes 9:17, 10:12

The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded than the shouts of a ruler of fools. Words from a wise man’s mouth are gracious, but a fool is consumed by his own lips.
These passages talk about two opposites…words of the wise and words of fools. Words of the wise are quiet, gracious, and worthy of regard or obedience. On the other hand, the ruler of fools (not just your average “joe fool”) can shout and not be heard. In fact, the fool can be destroyed by his lips.
What impresses me is how the contrast between these is made even more extreme by the words used in the descriptions of the two kinds of people. The wise man is being compared to a king. Usually it would be the king who would be the most likely to be heard. What type of person would want their words to be unheard or devastating instead of quiet, gracious, and followed? I know I choose the second option. It’s easy for me to sit back and make a judgment call on someone else’s verbalizations, but more difficult playing back some of my own comments and conversations for evaluation. What if a tape recorder would play back 30%, 50%, or 75% of what I said just yesterday? Would I see the scale weighing heavier on the unheard and devastating side? As Paul would say, “May it never be!”  I want to speak quiet and gracious words that are worth being considered.
How can I get wise? Foolish seems to come so naturally, of course, because of my sinful nature. Proverbs 2 speaks so plainly about how to get wisdom. It comes from being in close relationship with my wise God most of all. It comes from accepting His words, storing up His commands inside of me (there’s that heart issue again), turning my ear to wisdom and applying my heart to understanding. On top of all of that, I should be calling out for insight, crying out and searching for understanding. All of that takes time, precious time. Proverbs 2:6 plainly and simply states that the Lord gives wisdom.
Lord, help me to use that precious commodity, time, to be with you and to be in your Word. May my words be quiet, gracious, and worth hearing. Give me the sensitivity to the Holy Spirit so that words that would be anything otherwise wouldn’t pass my lips or even be thought of. This is a big prayer, I know, but you said in Ephesians 3:20 that you are able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine so I am looking forward to what that could possibly be in terms of my words. May the words of my mouth be acceptable in Your sight this day…and each day forward.

Esther 6:11b,12a
“This is what is done for the man the king delights to honor!” Afterward Mordecai returned to the king’s gate.
King Xerxes found out what Mordecai had done for him in helping to save his life. He came to the realization that Mordecai had not been recognized for his good works. Xerxes wanted to make an example of Mordecai so that others would be inspired to do as he had done. After Mordecai was honored by the king he returned to his work at the city gates.
I am humbled to think of how God, my King, has blessed me. I am convicted to give Him the thanks for that and to become a better servant of His so that others will want to be better servants, also. I want to be deserving of what He gives to me. I need to share about the promises that God keeps so that others will be inspired to serve Him and thus enjoy His blessings. I have to admit that I’m not sure that I am like Mordecai and really deserve what God honors me and blesses me with. That should make me all the more grateful. Mordecai didn’t let all of the attention go to his head. After all the king did for Mordecai, he returned to the gate – he went back to the work he needed to do.
Lord, may I be like Mordecai, always about doing what You have for me to do. May I be an inspiration to others to serve our God & King. Thank you for honoring me by keeping your promises and by blessing me. You are so good to me!

Psalm 73:26: My heart and flesh may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Inwardly, in his soul, David said he felt exhausted. His physical body, his muscles, became exhausted, too. In either case, (or when both happen simultaneously) God was the support David needed and his possession (in a spiritual sense) forever. He felt God’s presence, care and love always and knew that it would be there without end.

This reminds me that feeling inwardly or outwardly exhausted is normal, part of being human. How I handle the “down” times, where I put my focus, is what makes the difference. David put his mind on the fact that God was his support inwardly and would continue to be so for eternity. He turned his eyes upward in order to handle the down times. The exhaustion of my body can be greatly minimized when I handle the inner exhaustion ~that which I feel deep in my soul~ by realizing and remembering that God is giving me what I need for today and that the same will happen every day and forevermore. Lamentations 3:24 says “The Lord is my portion (my spiritual possession) therefore I will wait for Him.” Isaiah 40:31 says “Those who wait upon the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.” Because I get exhausted, I need to wait and hope in the Lord for renewed strength. Then, up I’ll go! The cycle will never end here on earth. God is my portion FOREVER. He’ll never leave me.

Thank you God for the days and eternity I have in front of me. I praise you for being my strength by giving me strength ~forever and for today. Thank you for that promise. I wait and hope in you today. Let me soar, let me run ~for you.

I Chronicles 22:11 “Now, my son, the LORD be with you, and may you have success and build the house of the LORD your God, as he said you would.

David had gotten an idea of something he wanted to do for the Lord. God let David know that He wanted Solomon to do it instead. Solomon was called to build the temple. David set aside his desires and commissioned Solomon to do the task God had for him.

It’s obvious that David’s desire to please the Lord took precedence over his thoughts about what he wanted to do. What I see in chapters 22 and 23 is that rather than washing his hands of the temple project, David did many things to be supportive of Solomon’s God-given task. He gave material, emotional and spiritual backing. I don’t think I can even begin to fathom fully how much David offered to Solomon in the form of building materials, but he had saved things up for the temple and handed them over for Solomon to use. David spoke to Solomon, commissioning him to do that which the Lord had said…to build the temple. At this time, David also offered prayer/wise words to Solomon. He prayed that the Lord would give direction and understanding so that Solomon would keep God’s laws. David goes on to explain how that would play out. The keeping of God’s laws would give Solomon success. David also offered words of encouragement and wisdom-be strong and courageous not afraid or discouraged.

These verses challenge me to be a support to those to whom God has given a task. Just as David wasn’t called to do everything, neither am I. I need to do the tasks God has for me and then support others in the things God has for them to do. That means relationships with others is crucial. It is through spending time with people, talking of the deeper and more meaningful things in their lives that I can be a spiritual, emotional, and material support to others who have something to do for God.

Help me to clearly know where you are leading me so that my time is used for your glory and honor. Thank you for making my life so meaningful by giving me the chance to have a part in things that are eternal. You are so good!

Ephesians 2:4  Or do you show contempt for the riches of His kindness, tolerance, and patience not realizing that God’s kindness leads you toward repentance?

A good question is posed to the Roman believers after a couple of paragraphs talking about the actions and futures of godless people. These paragraphs are followed by a warning to those who choose to be judgmental of such men and women. Then comes the practical application question. Glossing over the question that verse 4 poses is so much easier than contemplating the honest and true answer that lies in my heart.

The question…Do I think little to nothing of the abundance of His kindness, toleration, and patience in dealing with MY wrongs? Do I take that grace He shows me for granted? How often do I want to sit around and think about my wrongs, being humble enough in spirit to confess them? God, in His abundant kindness, tolerance and patience works in me (and ultimately through me) by waiting for my heart and mind to get in tune with His. He realizes my rebellion and pride. He knows my emotional make-up and “parents” me. My hope is that I respond to this kind of guidance so that strong discipline is not required. I want to be a fast learner! He doesn’t show kindness, tolerance and patience with me so that I can be happy everyday. They are all shown so that I will be led to repentance. It is God’s desire for me to be totally in step with Him. It’s no coincidence that He is showing me…modeling for me…the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22) that should be seen in me. That list of fruit includes patience, kindness, goodness, and gentleness. May I not take God’s patience, goodness and kindness for granted. May I allow those attributes in God to bring me to a place of humility and submission to Him. May I turn the other direction from those things I do today that are contrary to His desires for me.

Lord, thank you for this practical application question. Please help me to see the sin in my life to which you are responding with kindness, tolerance, and patience. Soften my heart toward repentance. Please help me to exhibit these same qualities to those who I feel have wronged me. Thanks for you patience. It causes to love you even more!

Luke 12:48b

From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted much, much will be asked.

There are strings attached when God gives much to a person or entrusts a person with much. When that is the case, more is demanded. There is more that is asked.

Jesus was telling a parable to His followers about masters and servants. To take the parable and put it into the context of my life, Jesus is the master and I am the servant. Verse 47 in this chapter speaks of the servant who knows the master’s will and doesn’t do it or who doesn’t get ready for the Master’s return. The master isn’t pleased with the servant when He returns and finds things unprepared or unaccomplished. I know the feeling…how upset I am when I come home to find that my teenager hasn’t done what was required to be done before I got home from work! My will was known but not done.

I know God’s will in many instances (and need to seek it in others) but am not sure that I am always working and focusing only on that in preparation for His return. I believe that Christ will return soon and am convicted about what all He has for me to accomplish in the meantime.  Verse 33 in this chapter talks about being ready for service…ready to do what God desires for me to do. Much has been given to me. I have my needs met each day by my faithful God. I have been entrusted with much. There are my children and those He has put in my life with whom I can have a ministry. The strings are attached. I need to share the material blessings I have been given with others. I need to know what God would have me to do to minister to my children and to those whose lives are being woven into mine. Knowing what God wants me to do is imperative. I want to hear “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21) when Christ returns. What is He asking of me today?

Lord, thank you. All that I have comes from you. Let me be your willing and obedient servant. I desire to do the “much” that You have asked me to do today because I love you for what you have done for me. Thank you for paying the price for my sins.

Joshua 11:9, 15, 23

There is repetition in this chapter that stands out. Without argument Joshua does what God directly told him to do and what God had told Moses to do. No argument, no question, no “tweaking”, no wavering. Joshua just did it. He left nothing undone (v.15).

Joshua had to know what God had commanded before he could just do it. I am challenged again to be in the Word and to be in a close relationship with God so that I know what He wants me to do. I am also challenged then to just do it. No argument, no question, no “tweaking”, no wavering.

Lord, help me to be so close to You today to know what it is You want me to do. Give me a desire to obey you… to just do it. Give me a deep trust in you to know that what you want me to do is the very best thing that I can do.

Deuteronomy 17:7c – You must purge the evil from among you.

Psalm 44:20,21 – If we had spread out our hands to a foreign God, would not God have discovered it since He knows the secrets of the heart?

God has no tolerance for evil.  His word says that it must be consumed/destroyed.

On the early part of Deut.17, Moses talked about people who were choosing to worship something other than God and how God felt they should be handled.  I want to say that I don’t worship anything other than God, but I am not so sure that there isn’t something from the culture that hasn’t captured a part of my heart.  Could it be my desire to appear or dress in a certain way?  Could it be something that I feel I just must own?  If something else has captured my heart, keeping me from having a heart that is purely and fully seeking God, it is hard for me to admit that is a form of idolatry. In all honesty, however, I think that it is.  I need to purge or eliminate that evil from my heart. God knows if it is there ~ He has known it as He knows the secrets of my heart. (Ps 44:21)  I can’t hide it from God. My unwillingness to admit it to God (and myself) does not mean that He doesn’t know about it. I need to face that which I am holding onto as an idol and eliminate the evil so that I can be blameless before the Lord my God. (Deut.18:13) I want to be blameless.

Lord, open my eyes to see any evil that is present in my heart, particularly anything I am holding onto as an idol. You see it. Reveal it to me. I want to be willing to eradicate it from my soul ~ give me the strength to do that, give me the willingness to do that.  I long to be blameless before you.  Help me to do what it takes to eliminate the evil that lies within me.

Mark 16:8

Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.

Women who had been around Jesus ~ following Him, caring for His needs, being helped by Him ~ had plans for their day. They were going to put spices on Jesus lifeless body. As they walked to His tomb they were discussing the details, one being how to move the stone. They arrived at the tomb to witness the miraculous. The most important detail they had worried about wasn’t even an issue. The stone was moved. They saw and heard an angel telling them that Christ had risen. The heavenly plans for their day were now laid out…to share the good news about Christ. Did they do as they were told? No. Trembling, bewildered and afraid they fled and said nothing.

I almost always have at least a mental “to do” list for every day. I must admit that these rarely have many things on them that others would find exciting or desirous of doing for me. I have seen God do some mighty things that I never would have thought could have ever been a part of that day or any day. I am convicted by this passage, however, because I am sad to say that I, like these ladies, choose to say nothing about what God has done. Why is that? Am I so busy thinking of mundane details that I don’t see the day from God’s perspective? Am I afraid that people with think I am strange for talking about the reality of God in my life? Am I bewildered because I don’t know enough about my God to really believe that His hand was able to have brought about such a great thing? Do I sometimes not even recognize His work at all? Do I let myself get so consumed by the mundane that I don’t hear, listen and respond to Him prompting me to tell of the miraculous?

Lord, show me your hand today. Take my mind away from the mundane and let me be aware of the miraculous. Help me to be bold in sharing about what you have done for me…starting with how you were risen that morning, conquering sin and death. John 5:24 says “Whoever hears my word and believes in Him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from the death to life.” Nothing mundane about that! That’s a miracle! Thank you for working that miracle in my life today and for my eternity.