DEVOTIONALS FOR JANUARY

Monday, January 2^nd, 2012 (from January 3^rd, 2005)

“Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man. People were eating, drinking, and being given in marriage up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all.” Luke 17:26-27

As the events of our world have unfolded just prior to my writing this devotion I thought of this scripture. By the time you read this their will most probably be a death toll of over 100,000 from the tsunami that was a result of the earthquake off the coast of Indonesia. (The final death toll reached more than 400,000.)

Jesus spoke these words concerning the events and attitudes just before His return. He spoke of people enjoying the pleasures of the world with no regard for its grief, poverty, or for their spiritual well being.

As I listened to the news commentators speak of the people killed, many were there on the beaches vacationing with no thought of sudden danger or destruction; while others lived there in poverty in huts made only of what they could find.

Jesus’ words were of our pursuit of pleasure instead of the pursuit of His call on our lives. We have been called to share His love with the world. We’ve been called to bring His Kingdom to the earth just like it is in Heaven. We’ve been called to seek and meet the needs of others before seeking our own pleasures and desires.

I’m not saying this is the end but it might be the beginning of the end. For us as believers, the worse thing we can do is forget that the end is coming and so, become like the rest of the world seeking our own pleasure over meeting the needs of others.

Let this be a “wake-up call” for each of us. Jesus is coming again. Read the entire chapter of Luke 17; things are going to get worse instead of better. But the assurance for us in these last days is this, with the worst will come the BEST and His name is JESUS.

Lord, we lift up the broken hearted who lost loved ones during this great tragedy. Give them peace. We also pray for our hearts to be changed to view our life on earth as a task you’ve given us to share your love. Help us to not seek the pleasures of this world and thus be caught in the tsunami of destruction but let us build our hope on the foundation of your Son Jesus so we can withstand the flood.

TODAY’ S SCRIPTURE READING

OLD TESTAMENT                                                  NEW TESTAMENT

GEN. 3:1-4:26                                                            MATT. 2:13-3:6

Tuesday, January 3^rd, 2012 (from January 2^nd, 2001)

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”               John 13:34 (NIV)

One of the things that always amazed me is how much love grows when we allow it. After our first daughter was born we wondered if we could love another child as much. But when the next two were born there was as much love for them as there was for the first. Always different but always equal. The same held true for our grandchildren and the same has held true for our church family and those that God adds to us.

Jesus said there was a new law or commandment He wanted to give us. It is the law of love. This law supersedes all other laws. It is in fact the bases from where God’s Laws are written. Because of His love for us and His desire for our best, He set boundaries (laws) for us to live by. They were set in love knowing that by keeping them we would live an abundant life.

The new command says we are to care enough for each other that we want to protect them from whatever would harm them. We are to care for them too, to lift them up in prayer and to see that no one is left in need.

This year let us love like He loved. It is a NEW COMMAND, and the basis for understanding His other laws. And most important of all, Jesus said it and it’s written in red.

Lord, help us to keep your greatest and new command all year long.

TODAY’ S SCRIPTURE READING

            OLD TESTAMENT                                      NEW TESTAMENT

            GEN. 5:1-7:24                                                MATT. 3:7-4:11

Wednesday, January 4^th, 2012 (from January 5^th, 2005)

Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14

As we begin a new year we need to forget the successes and failures of last year but most especially the failures. Both will destroy us. We will either lose our vision for the future in the dimming light of last year’s glory or we will be drowned in the overwhelming disgrace of last year’s failures. Failures and looking back only come when you quit moving forward in the future.

Look at this list of men who failed but didn’t quit.

The first voice teacher of the famous opera singer Enrico Caruso said Caruso had no voice at all and couldn’t sing.

Eighteen publishers turned down Richard Bach’s 10,000-word story about a soaring seagull before MacMuillian finally published it in 1970. By 1975, “Jonothan Livingston Seagull” had sold more than 7 million copies in the U.S. alone.

Thomas Edison was thrown out of school in the early grades when the teachers decided he couldn’t do the work.

R.H. Macy failed seven times before his store in New York caught on.

President Harry S. Truman went broke in the men’s clothing store he started.

Jesus’ ministry lasted only about three years and seemingly ended in tragedy and disgrace.

You and I must say of last year, forgetting those things that are behind, whether good or bad; this is a new year. The future for the Kingdom of God has never been brighter and we are part of His eternal plan. After all, the last example of men who didn’t quit is the one we follow ever day.

Let us forge ahead in the New Year with this in our hearts and on our lips:

“With Jesus as my guide I will not fail because I will not quit.”

Lord, we will forge ahead looking to you as our guide and our reward and we will not look back and we will not quit.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE READING

OLD TESTAMENT                                      NEW TESTAMENT

GEN. 8:1-10:32                                              MATT. 4:12-25



Thursday, January 5^th, 2012 (from January 6^th,2005)

My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you.           Psalms 63:5

I found this little story the other day and I thought you might like it.

A few weeks ago, I took my children to a restaurant. My six-year-old son asked if he could say grace. As we bowed our heads he said, "God is good. God is great. Thank you for the food, and I would even thank you more if mom gets us ice cream for dessert. And Liberty and Justice for all! Amen."

Along with laughter from the other customers nearby I heard a woman remark, "That’s what’s wrong with this country. Kids today don’t even know how to pray. Asking God for ice cream! Why, I never!"

Hearing this, my son burst into tears and asked me, "Did I do it wrong? Is God mad at me?" As I held him and assured him that he had done a terrific job and God was certainly not mad at him, an elderly gentleman approached the table. He winked at my son and said, "I happen to know that God thought that was a great prayer." "Really?" my son asked. "Cross my heart."

Then in a theatrical whisper he added (indicating the woman whose remark had started this whole thing), "Too bad she never asks God for ice cream. A little ice cream is good for the soul sometimes."

Naturally, I bought my kid’s ice cream at the end of the meal. My son stared at his for a moment and then did something I will remember the rest of my life. He picked up his sundae and without a word walked over and placed it in front of the woman.

With a big smile he told her, "Here, this is for you. Ice cream is good for the soul sometimes and my soul is good already."

How’s your soul?

Lord, satisfy our souls in such a way that we can give away the sweetness of your nature in us to others.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE READING

OLD TESTAMENT                                      NEW TESTAMENT

GEN. 11:1-13:4                                              MATT. 5:1-26

Friday, January 6^th, 2012 (from January 7^th, 2005)

We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. Rom 6:4

This is the time for resolutions and most people make at least one whether publicly or privately. I have heard many people say, “After the holidays, I’m going on a diet.” I asked one person last Sunday how they were doing and their response was, “Not as good as I will be doing in month. I’m going to lose at least twenty pounds.” (Isn’t it amazing, that when most of the world is looking for their next meal, we as Americans are making promises about skipping ours)?

As for me, I’ve talked of joining a gym and working out. The only thing that concerns me is that I never liked that even when I was young. I wonder what makes me think I will probably like it now at my age. I’m considering just walking.

Most of us are all looking for something new for this next year. Something that will make us feel better about ourselves and, hopefully, make others feel better about us, too.

It is so wonderful to know that because of Christ, we are already able to live a new life no longer connected to the things in our old one. But for those living in regrets it is like someone living with a dead and decaying body. It stinks!!

Jesus was buried and rose again so this would not and should not ever happen. That is probably why when we begin to act like we did before Jesus changed us, we are worse than before---because we have dug up something dead and buried in our past. Kind of a gruesome thought, but so is digging up the past.

Your sins were buried with Christ. You have been made new. This is not a resolution that you may or may not keep after becoming a Christian. This is a life or death action. You are new, because your past is dead. Anyone who rises up their past, even if you are living there in regrets, is living out something worse than a Stephen King horror story.

So live the new life. Live the good life. It’s already been bought and paid for. Stay out of the graveyard of your past, that’s gruesome.

Lord, I will leave the past alone and live in the future tense of the new life you have given me.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE READING

OLD TESTAMENT                                      NEW TESTAMENT

GEN. 13:5-15:21                                            MATT. 5:27-48

WEEKEND SCRIPTURE READING

OLD TESTAMENT                                      NEW TESTAMENT

GEN. 16:1-18:19                                            MATT. 6:1-24

    GEN. 18:20-19:38                                          MATT.6:25-7:14

Monday, January 9^th, 2012

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.       Phil 3:12-14

Several years back I had the opportunity to watch one of the greatest football games I have ever seen. It was for the national title of college football between University of Texas and University of Southern California; it was an exciting game. It went down to the final seconds and you could even say to the final play. The winner was not decided until the very end, thus deciding would be and who would be crowned the National Champions.

Before the game even began, the winning coach was asked what his team would need to do to win and his answer was simple, “Whether we are ahead or behind, keep playing.”

Paul understood the arena of sports. He wrote using it as an illustration on several occasions. In this verse he states basically the same attitude as the winning coach; forgetting the past, (the first half, the last quarter or even the last play) you keep on keeping on until life’s game is completed and you cross the goal line.

The 2006 National Champions became that not because of one man who scored the winning touchdown, on a fourth down with 19 seconds remaining in the game; but because everyone, the blockers, the receivers, the running backs all kept playing till the very end.

So it is with us individually and as part of Christ’s team. We must continue to battle, stay in the game, never give up until the ultimate victory is ours; until Jesus Christ, or Champion is crowned and recognized by the entire world as the only true Champion.

We will continue the fight until the victory is won and you are crowned the Champion.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE READING

GEN. 20:1-22:24                                                                    MATT. 7:15-29

Tuesday, January 10^th, 2006

When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.

Prov 10:19

Here is an interesting fact from an article on the growth of federal regulations posted in the National Review.

The Lord’s Prayer is 66 words, the Gettysburg Address is 286 words, there are 1322 words in the Declaration of Independence, but government regulations pm the sale of cabbage totals 26,911 words.

This may be part of the cause for us, especially as Americans, to be so wordy in our answers to questions. Jesus warned, “Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one” Matt 5:37.

Have you ever noticed how most people will not take just “yes” or “no” for an answer? And then when you begin to add more to the answer, depending on what should or should not be said, the evil one and his thoughts begin to cloud our communication.

I know I’m a wordy person. I know that too often I add too much to a simple answer but this is one of my New Year’s Resolutions. This is hopefully going to be my motto for the coming year and the distant future, at least it is my goal; “less is more.”

I can’t promise it will always be true in my devotionals but hopefully it will be true in my communication. I will not be like the Federal Government who waists 26,911 words to say don’t sell rotten cabbage. Instead, I will aim to be like Jesus and the great men of the past who in a few words affected the design of God and history.

Lord, help us to listen more and say less in order that grace and not evil may abound.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE READING

GEN. 23:1-24:51                                                                    MATT.8:1-17

Wednesday, January 10^th, 2012

Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.              Ps 9:10

Here is a story from Helen Keller’s life. The little girl, blind and deaf, tells about learning her first word.

“It is a moment I shall never forget. I was alone and unable to communicate with anyone. I did not know the names of anything. I did not even know things had names.

Then one day, after my teacher had tried a number of approaches, she held my hand under the water pump on our farm.

As the cool water ran over my hand, and arm, she spelled the word water into my other hand. She spelled it over and over, and suddenly I knew there was a name for things and that I would never be completely alone again.”

God told Moses, that the nations shall put His Name on the Israelites. And that promise is for us as well; if we know Him by name, we will trust Him. And if we trust Him, He will never forsake us.

And when our way and our future seems dark, like I know it did for Helen Keller, we can be assured that not only is there a God, but He has a name; and not only does He have a name but He has a name for us and He will never forsake us.

Never is it too dark or so silent that we can’t have the assurance that we will never be alone again.

Thank you LORD because you have revealed to us your Name and our part in your eternal plan.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE READING

GEN. 24:52-26:16                                                                  MATT. 8:18-34

Thursday, January 12^th, 2012

Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance-- Prov 1:5

There are basically three types of people: those who don’t hear or listen, those who do hear and listen and those who listen but don’t hear.

Jesus talked often about having ears to ear but not hearing. This has been a problem since the beginning of time. Genesis 2:15 and 3:2 both told what was and was not permissible for both Adam and Eve. Pretty much everything is ok except eating from the tree in the middle of the garden. So what part didn’t they hear? The part they didn’t choose to listen to. In this case as is so often is the case with each of us, the important part.

We have continued the pattern. When my wife accuses me of not being able to hear as good any longer, the truth is that my determining of sounds has not diminished but my hearing has become more selective. I hear what I choose to hear and choose my response based on what I hear.

Then, this is where the real problems begin for us as believers; we speak without listening, hearing or discerning what was truly said. We speak out of our own determination and again, we end up saying more than we should (i.e. our “yeses” being “yes,” and our “no’s,” “no”).

There is an old poem by E. H. Richards that should be the theme for us as followers of Jesus Christ as we choose to listen more---and say less.

A wise old owl

            Sat on an oak

The more he sat

            The less he spoke.

The less he spoke the more he heard.

Why aren’t we like that wise old bird?

Lord, help us to be more like the creatures of your lesser creation and less like those of your greater creation; being wise by hearing more and saying less.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE READING

GEN. 26:17-27:46 MATT. 9:1-1

Friday, January 13^th, 2012

It's like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.    Mark 13:34

In one of Jesus’ final parables He tells of the master who leaves each of His servants with an assigned task. It is very clear that the servants represent each of us. This very simply deducts into an easy understanding that each of us have a task to fulfill in His Kingdom purpose until He returns.

This is where the problem lies. Too often we have people just watching others and not seeing what their prepared task is. It seems that they hope just by watching they will magically become prepared for the task God has prepared for them to fulfill.

There is an old Turkish proverb that goes, “If skills could be acquired just by watching, every dog would be a butcher.”

I know this is true with our little dog. If all it took to prepare meat was watching my wife or I cook, he could go to work for any restaurant in San Antonio. The problem is that even though that is part of his desires, it is not part of the task he was born to.

When we are re-born, we are re-born to a “God task” that must be sought after. We need to be aware of the task He has called us to and not just be watchers of others not ever really finding that task.

Paul said in Acts 20:24, “But my life is worth nothing unless I use it for doing the task assigned me by the Lord Jesus.”

Let us not live a life of looking at what others are doing hoping to become that, but instead find our task, prepare and do it before the Master’s return.

Lord, show us the task you have for each of us in fulfilling your Kingdom purpose.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE READING

GEN. 28:1-29:35                                                                    MATT. 9:18-38

WEEKEND SCRIPTURE READING

GEN. 30:1-31:16                                                        MATT. 10:1-25

GEN. 31:17-32:12                                                      MATT. 10:26-11:6

Wednesday January 18^th, 2012

Monday, January 16^th, 2012

Though He gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet He will be with you to teach you-with your own eyes you will see your Teacher. Isa 30:20

A young woman came to her mother expressing the hardships in her life and a desire to give up. Her mother then used this illustration to help her through this adverse time.

She began to boil three pots of water. In one she placed some carrots, in another an egg and in the third and final pan, coffee. After about twenty minutes she took them off the stove and removed the carrots and put them in a bowl. She then did the same with the egg and also dipped the coffee out with a ladle and placed it in a cup.

She then asked her daughter to observe all three. The daughter found that the heat had caused the carrots to become soft, and when she removed the shell on the egg she found it had been hard boiled on the inside. The coffee she found to be rich in taste and aroma.

Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity... boiling water. Each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The outside of the egg remained unchanged by the boiling water, but its insides became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the color, appearance and taste of the water.

“Which are you?” she asked her daughter. “When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?”

Now too the question comes to us. When adversity comes do we seem strong and unyielding like the carrot but become soft and weak afterwards. Are we like the egg that seems unchanged on the outside but have become hard on the inside because of adversity. Or, do we become like the coffee and change our surroundings, even in the heat of adversity, to give new flavor to the circumstances.

He is with us, teaching us and allowing us to see by Christ’s example that we can become like the Teacher.

Lord help us to learn from this little analogy from the kitchen that we can use adversity to change situations instead of being changed by adversity.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE READING

GEN. 32:13-34:31                                                                  MATT. 11:7-30

Tuesday, January 17^th, 2012

And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.           Acts 13:52

In an effort to help a friend lose weight, a lady was told that she should switch to low-fat foods, including skim milk. When she said her family would drink only whole milk, it was suggested that she keep their regular milk container and refill it with skim milk. This worked for quite a while, until her daughter asked one morning whether the milk was okay.

“Sure, it's fine,” she answered, fearing she had been found out. “But why do you ask?”

The daughter explained, “Well, according to the expiration date, this milk expired two years ago!”

Often we try to hide behind the fact that we were filled with the Holy Spirit years ago, but the expiration date on our life is very visible. We need to be filled daily with the Holy Spirit just like the disciples were. In Acts 2:4 we are told that all of the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit but in Acts 13:52 we are told it happened again.

Scripture seems to suggest that it should be a daily, if not constant event in our life. Much like the milk container, we have the same container, and we should be filled with His Spirit every day. But we need to have a new stamp put on our lives that reveals we have been refilled with that power.

Let’s not have people looking at us and wondering if the date has expired on the fullness of God in our lives. Today, let’s be filled with joy and the Holy Spirit and let Him stamp the new date on our lives.

Today Lord, our pray is simple. Fill us with the Holy Spirit.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE READING

GEN. 35:1-36:43                                                                    MATT. 12:1-21

Wednesday, January 18th, 2012

Your boasting is not good. Don't you know that a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough? Get rid of the old yeast that you may be a new batch without yeast-- as you really are…. 1 Cor 5:6 & 7

In Old Testament times, bread was the main stay of life. The average diet consisted of bread, olives, cheese, fruit, and vegetables. Bread was mixed with water, and the dough was placed on flat stones that had been heated. If the bread was to be leavened, a piece of dough from the previous day (the leaven) was put into the new dough and the whole lump left by the fire until the yeast from the old dough had permeated the new. Leaven bread had a short term of usability because of the yeast. Therefore, unleavened bread lasted longer even though it was not as desirable to eat.

In today’s scripture, Paul is telling us that to boast about yesterday is like adding yesterday’s leaven to the new batch of God’s sustenance (bread) in our lives today. God does not want us to live our lives based only on our past accomplishments and His past blessings (bread from yesterday) but to be ready to accomplish new things for His sake and in His power today.

Our life needs to be food to those around us: A new batch of unleavened nourishment that nourishes those we meet. It does not become stale with the leaven of the past but is fresh for the day.

So we need to let our lives take on a new freshness today so others can taste of our lives and see that God is good. Prepare today with a new “loaf of life” without the leaven of yesterday.

Lord, take us like dough and make us into what you want to use to nurture others that we meet today.

TODAY’S SCRITPURE READING

GEN. 37:1-38:30                                                                    MATT.12:22-45

Thursday, January 19^th, 2012

and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.                                                                                                                                 Eph 4:24

For most of married life I have heard Sharon say she has to go put on her face before leaving the house. I know this means she will put on some make-up to feel more beautiful or more presentable before going out the door to face the world. She would even say, “Just so I want scare anyone.”

As for me, less is more both for her, our daughters and most women I know. And by this I mean make-up.

I often wonder though, if we don’t all, men and women, have a tendency to put on a face as we go out into the world; and in this case a face not made up by make-up so we will look more presentable but to keep who we really are from showing.

Maybe something happens that causes our Christ likeness or even our image in Christ to change. We come to a place where it seems that who we use to be is no longer who we are and who we have become is not who we want to be. Like Paul, we do the things we didn’t want to do and the things we wanted to do, never get done. (See Paul’s words in Romans 7:15-19.)

Because of Calvary we have a chance to put on a new self not with make-up but with a complete spiritually surgical face-lift. We don’t have to be the same we can be separated from our old ways and the world. We have a chance to be who and what God has always intended us to be.

Since we have been re-created spiritually let us not act like someone “putting on a face” but instead let us be what we are, “New Creations”.

Today we put on the image of Christ and not just our face. We will take on His true nature in all we say and do.

TODAY’S SCRITPURE READING

GEN. 39:1-41:16                                                                    MATT. 12:46-13:23

Friday, January 20^th, 2006

…that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 2 Cor 5:19

When we get to this time every year, there are all of these “two for one sales”. The Christmas decorations and the ornaments are on sale “two for one.” Many of the clothes are on sale and even at the fireworks stands you see, “buy one get one free”. In fact, the other day, on my way to call a basketball game, I saw a fireworks stand that had advertised, “Buy one, and get five free.” I’m sure at this stand you are probably paying ten times the price for the one so they can still make money off the five they give away.

But in today’s scripture, Paul shows us something better than a “two for one sale.”   The types of sales you see this time of year have one thing in common; you have to buy something to get something else. But Paul is talking about a “two for one” give a-way. The price is already paid and you get to enjoy the “two for one” for free.

He has reconciled the world to Himself through Christ AND is willing to not count men’s sins against them ever again. To know you are “OK” with God and He has forgiven what you’ve done in your past, is enough to make you forget about all the other sales and bargains you will ever find…EVER.

Why don’t you just stop now and thank God for the best “two for one” give a-way you’ve ever heard of?

Thank you Lord, for the greatest bargain ever, Christ paid the price and we get the rewards.

TODAY’S SCRITPURE READING

GEN. 41:17-42:17                                                                  MATT. 13:24-46

WEEKEND SCRIPTURE READING

GEN. 42:18-43:34                                                                  MATT. 13:47-14:12

GEN. 44:1-45:28                                                                    MATT. 14:13-36

Monday, January 23^rd, 2012

Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.                                                3 John 2

Here is a little story I have read several times but enjoyed it each time. It tells a great truth.

Last week I took my children to a restaurant. My six-year-old son asked if he could say grace. As we bowed our heads, he said, “God is good. God is great. Thank you for the food, and I would even thank you more if mom gets us ice cream for dessert. And liberty and justice for all! Amen!”

Along with laughter from the other customers nearby, I heard a woman remark, “That's what's wrong with this country. Kids today don't even know how to pray. Asking God for ice cream! Why, I never!”

Hearing this, my son burst into tears and asked me, “Did I do it wrong? Is God mad at me?” As I held him and assured him that he had done a terrific job and God was certainly not mad at him, an elderly gentleman approached the table. He winked at my son and said, “I happen to know that God thought that was a great prayer.”

“Really?” my son asked.

The man replied, “Cross my heart.”

Then in a theatrical whisper the gentleman added (indicating the woman whose remark had started this whole thing), “Too bad she never asks God for ice cream. A little ice cream is good for the soul sometimes.”

Naturally, I bought my kids ice cream at the end of the meal. My son stared at his for a moment and then did something I will remember the rest of my life.

He picked up his sundae and without a word walked over and placed it in front of the woman. With a big smile he told her, “Here, this is for you. Ice cream is good for the soul sometimes, and my soul is already good.”

I don’t know how good ice cream may be for our bodies but I agree that some times it is good for our soul. And kindness like that of the little boy is always good for our souls.

Be in good health today and do a kindness for a total stranger. It will be good for your soul.

Lord, thank you for the health of our souls and the kindness you cause us to show through the fruit of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE READING

GENESIS 46:1-47:31 MATT. 15:1-28

Tuesday, January 24^th, 2012

Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Gal 6:2

John was walking home from school one day when he noticed the boy ahead of him had tripped and dropped all of the books he was carrying, along with two sweaters, a baseball bat, a glove and a small tape recorder.

John knelt down and helped the boy pick up the scattered articles. Since they were going the same way, he helped to carry part of the burden. As they walked John discovered the boy's name was Bill that he loved video games, baseball and history, and that he was having lots of trouble with his other subjects and that he had just broken up with his girlfriend.

They arrived at Bill's home first and John was invited in for a Coke and to watch some television. The afternoon passed pleasantly with a few laughs and some shared small talk, then John went home. They continued to see each other around school, had lunch together once or twice, and then both graduated from junior high school. They ended up in the same high school where they had brief contacts over the years.

Finally the long-awaited senior year came and three weeks before graduation, Bill asked John if they could talk. Bill reminded him of the day years ago when they had first met. “Did you ever wonder why I was carrying so many things home that day?” asked Bill. “You see, I cleaned out my locker because I didn't want to leave a mess for anyone else. I had stored away some of my mother's sleeping pills and I was going home to commit suicide. But after we spent some time together talking and laughing, I realized that if I had killed myself, I would have missed that time and so many others that might follow. So you see, John, when you picked up those books that day, you did a lot more than that, you saved my life.”

Acts of kindness change lives and sometimes it is for eternity; we are called to help make those changes every day in every thing we say and do. Keep your heart tuned to the heart of Christ and let his nature shape your actions today and you too will be this change maker.

Lord, help us fulfill the law of Christ today.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE READING

GENESIS 48:1-49:33 MATT. 15:29-16:12

Wednesday, January 25^th, 2012

And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.                                                                                                        Heb 13:16

Today would have been my brother’s seventy-ninth birthday. He was my only sibling and was fifteen years older than I. This made him very much an example to me in what could be considered a father role. In fact, in many ways he was a dad to me for most of my life, since our dad died when I was twenty-four. But, this example was not just because of the age difference but because of the example he has showed me all of his life.

This scripture exemplifies my brother. All of my life, every time I would call, he and his wife were doing or planning to do something for others. When he worked for General Motors as an instructor in the Mechanics School, he was always helping neighbors repair their cars in order to help save them the expense of a mechanic’s shop or dealership costs.

When he saw a need, he would find a way to help. He saw their needs as opportunities to share. He didn’t see their needs as their problems, but as his opportunities. I don’t think he or my sister-in-law knows the word “no” when it comes to helping others.

All of his life he lived as the older son and older brother of a dad and brother who were in the ministry but he was a true minister. Because what is ministry any way? It is to not forget to do good and share with others, as the scripture says.

My brother did this and I know it pleases God. And I am pleased to call him my brother.

May we all please God by doing good and sharing with others from the talents, gifts and resources that God has given us. Sometimes just helping someone fix their car can be a great blessing, just ask my brother’s neighbors.

Lord, help us to be pleasing to you today by the good we do and the way we share.

TODAY’S SCRITPURE READING

GENESIS 50:1-EXODUS 2:10                                            MATT. 16:13-17:9

Thursday, January 26^th, 2012

… put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Col 3: 10 &12

I have an unusual attitude about new clothes. Maybe it goes back to my early childhood: Believing as a preachers kid and not having much, I didn’t deserve new stuff. Or! Maybe I’m just weird. (Please don’t answer that).

Anyway, when I get new clothes I won’t wear them for several months so that when people say, “Oh is that new?” I can say, “NO I’ve had these for several months.” Strange right! My family gets really mad at me. They’ll say, “Have you worn that (shirt, pants, shoes, etc) that I got for you yet, or is it still in the closet waiting to get a few months old.”

You, however, are probable like my wife and children, when they get something new they want to wear it home from the store OR at best put it on the minute they get to the house.

Whether you are like me, (which I doubt), like my family, or maybe somewhere in between; as God’s chosen people we need to clothe ourselves in what Paul is talking about right now and ever day instead of leaving this new appearance hanging in the closets of our lives.

I don’t know about you but I think I’ll put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience right now and wear it around the house. I’m even going to keep it own when I leave out the door today. Hey! You know what else, I’m even proud to say, “Yea, it’s new”.

Lord, cause us not to hide or put off wearing the attributes of you as new clothing today.

TODAY’S SCRITPURE READING

EXODUS 2:11-3:22                                                              MATT. 17:10-27

Friday, January 27^th, 2012

Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body,                                                                                           Heb 10:19 & 20

We have some friends who had strict requirements of their children before entering their bedroom. This is probably a good policy in order to give them some privacy and even times of marriage intimacy.

This was never the case at our house. In fact, my wife wanted to leave our door open just in case they needed us but was afraid to come in. To this day, seldom will she close our bedroom door, even with company in the house, just in case they need something?

Because of this, our children and grandchildren to this day will come into our bedroom any time day or night. Even though this is not a holy place, in our case it is not even much of a private one.

In the Old Testament the High Priest were the only ones allowed to enter the Holy Place where the intimate presence of God was housed. But the High Priest when he entered in would have a rope tied around his leg so if he died he could be pulled out. They wore bells on the bottom of their robes so that the other priests outside could pull him out if they no longer heard the jingle of the bells because he had not survived the presence of the Lord.

Today, we can enter that place with confidence. When Christ died the curtain was torn and we have been given the right, the pleasure and the assurance that we can enter that Holy Place, talking to God face to face. No ropes, No bells, No fear.

Through Jesus Christ, our great High Priest he has unlocked and opened wide the door for us. With that assurance, and that open door, before you go about your day, you’ve got the right to enter in, so go on in and spend some time with you Heavenly Father.

Thank you Lord Jesus, for opening up the door of intimacy with our Heavenly Father through your death at Calvary.

TODAY’S SCRITPURE READING

EXODUS 4:1-5:21                                                                MATT. 18:1-22

WEEKEND SCRIPTURE READING

EXODUS 5:22-7:24                                                              MATT. 18:23-19:12

EXODUS 7:25-9:35                                                              MATT. 19:13-30

Monday, January 30^th, 2012

If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. Gal 6:3

Several years back, after a basketball game I had officiated with two other gentlemen, we were having a discussion with one of the coaches from the home school. We had some problems with some of the fans during the game and had to have the home school administrator come and correct them.

In our conversation, I suppose to impress the coach, one of my co-officials was telling him about his role in his job outside of officiating. He told the coach that he was over a 35 million dollar industry and that all the people working there were answerable to him. He stated that if they ever questioned him on anything-he fired them on the spot.

I remember thinking as he spoke, “I’m not impressed with what you do but this sure makes me question what type of boss you are?” It would seem to me that most of the time questions are to get answers not to show contempt. And those who have a little or a lot of responsibility need to be ready and willing to answer questions.

G. Arthur Keough wrote, “Greatness is not standing above our fellows and ordering them around -- it is standing with them and helping them to be all they can be.”

We are to be like Christ who, even though God, thought it of no great importance to lessen Himself to become a man, feel our temptation and carry our redemption to the cross.

Is humility in our speech, our actions and most of all, our attitude toward others? If not, it should be if He truly lives in each of us.

Lord, teach us your humility.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE READING

OLD TESTAMENT NEW TESTAMENT

EXODUS 10:1-12:13 MATT 20:1-28

Tuesday, January 31^st,2012

For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him? 1 Cor 2:11

There is a gentlemen's club, where the man at the reception desk who collects the member's hats, coats, umbrellas, and gloves has a reputation for an infallible memory. In thirty years, he is reputed never to have given the wrong coat, hat, gloves or umbrella to any member when they leave the club. One day, a member decided to test it out. As he left the club and was handed his coat, he asked the concierge, “How do you know this is my coat?”

“I don't, sir,” came the reply.

“Well, why did you give it to me?”

“Because, sir, you gave it to me.”

We don’t actually know the thoughts of others, we just respond to what they say. We don’t know the ideas of others, we just respond to their shared plans. Thoughts are hidden from us but never from God.

Just like the Concierge who never forgot who handed him their objects of clothing, it wasn’t that he knew more about them than what he was given but he didn’t forget what was entrusted to him.

Therein is a lesson for each of us. Never try to read more into something than what we are told. (And never forget what has been entrusted to us as valuable, from where it came and when and to him it needs to be returned?)

Lord, help us to be as trustworthy and dependable with others as you are with us.