Under Heaven

To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven:
Ecclesiastes 3:1 NKJV

This is the well-known chapter that lists all the times we experience -  a time to be born, a time to die, et cetera. I can almost hear Solomon muttering, "Same old, same old. Every day, it's the same old thing."

As we read through this chapter, it seems as though Solomon's frustration with life glares back at us from the page. However, I believe it's all part of God's design to make us want HIM more. He tells us not to love the world and the things of it.

If we were totally satisfied by what we could find on planet Earth, we would never seek a relationship with the Lord, nor would we seek Heaven. We were never meant to be satisfied with only time for every purpose under heaven. Our goal is IN Heaven, not under it.

Prayer:

Father,

          According to Your Word, help us to forget everything that is past and stretch forward to what lies in front of us. Help us to fix our eyes on the goal and push on to secure the prize of Your heavenward call. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Face to Face

[God speaking] Would you condemn me to justify yourself?
Job 40:8b NIV

I'm sure you've noticed the increased antagonism on social platforms and news sites, with people challenging and belligerent in response to situations or people they will never see in real life. Verbally criticizing people with whom they have no relationship and situations in which they have no experience, let alone expertise, and yet exalting themselves. It's so much easier to do when they are not face-to-face. I wonder what they would say or do if they ever did come face-to-face with the subject or object of their inflammable comments.

People do the same thing to God...They blame Him when bad things happen, yet take no responsibility for having sown bad seed in their lives. Sadly, it's not a surprise. Mankind has done that all the way back to Adam who blamed God for the fall (in Genesis 3:12).

It's not a new thing. However, I think mankind has lost the Truth that we will all one day stand face-to-face with a sovereign God to give an accounting, just as Job did in our Scripture passage today. What will our answer be then?

Prayer:

Father,
          Please forgive us for the times we have judged others and especially for those times we have judged You. Help us to daily walk in repentance and humility. Right our wrongs, Father. Please keep the reality of Heaven forefront in our thoughts. We're already one day closer. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Regardless

But neither exile nor homecoming is the main thing. Cheerfully pleasing God is the main thing, and that’s what we aim to do, regardless of our conditions. Sooner or later we’ll all have to face God, regardless of our conditions. We will appear before Christ and take what’s coming to us as a result of our actions, either good or bad.

2 Corinthians 5:9-10 The Message

One day, we will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. We'll be judged for our faithfulness and given or denied rewards determined by how we lived for Christ. Yes, our sins are forgiven, but we will still give an account to Christ for what we've done. 

When we really think about that, will it make a difference in our next choice - good or bad? Do we make excuses - we're tired, we don't feel good, so-and-so made me angry and hurt my feelings? Our Promise for Today tells us two times, regardless of our conditions... Do we want to squander our days on mediocrity?  Do we think that would qualify as cheerfully pleasing God? 

Prayer:

Father,

          Forgive us for all the times we mindlessly make choices in life without consciously - cheerfully - thinking about whether or not our actions would please You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Give It Up

Mockers are proud and haughty; they act with boundless arrogance.

Proverbs 21:24 NLT

Throw out the mocker, and fighting goes, too. Quarrels and insults will disappear.

Proverbs 22:10 NLT

There are those who just like to fight and argue over anything... or nothing. They have an opinion about everything and think they are always right. It seems they thrive on contention. I grew up in a house like that and I could argue with the "best" of them... until I met Jesus.

Now I don't want to. I gave up that fight long ago. Life is an illustrated sermon of Throw out the mocker, and fighting goes, too. The quarrels and insults really DO disappear. It's like the slogan from an old TV commercial - "Try it - you'll like it!"

Prayer:

Father,

          Deliver us from the mouth of the mocker - pride and arrogance, quarrels and insults. Start and finish with us, Father. Cause us to be ever mindful to humble ourselves before You and before others. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

An Understanding

However, there is in humans a Spirit, the breath of the Almighty, that gives them understanding.
Job 32:8 GWT

The breath of the Almighty within humans - within us - what a powerful statement that is!

Consider it was the breath/Spirit of God that blew across the deep in Genesis 1. 

It was God's breath in Ezekiel's vision of the valley of dry bones that resurrected an army.

It is God's Spirit that not only gives us life, but also sustains us.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV reads, All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

THAT Spirit - the breath of the Almighty - is who lives inside of us! As we take in more and more of His Word, we are better able to understand His will and purpose for us in today's world. We have an understanding with the Almighty - a work to do until He comes to take us home. 

Prayer:

Father,

           Thank You for Your Holy Spirit, Your living breath to guide us and sustain us. Renew our souls and reignite our passion for Your Word. Holy Spirit, breathe new life into us. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

What Is That Smell?

Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life. And who is sufficient for these things?
2 Corinthians 2:14-16 NKJV

Do you have a favorite smell or fragrance? One that takes you back to a certain place or time to a sweet memory? Perhaps someone's perfume or cologne, a favorite coffee shop. Maybe your grandmother's kitchen... According to scientific studies, olfactory memories tend to be the strongest because of their first-person connection. 

Smells also get on you. For instance, walk into a sandwich shop and you come out smelling like onions. Spend time somewhere and you pick up the overall scent of the place. 

As Christians, have you ever thought that we spread the fragrance of Christ as we go about our daily lives? I never thought about that. However, we can only spread what we have. If we spend time with Him, in His Word, lovingly in His presence, getting to know Him intimately, we manifest the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. Otherwise, what is that smell?

Prayer:

Father,

           We want to be the aroma of life leading to life. The best fragrance, a favorite. We want You to be in our hearts and all over us. We want to spread You wherever we go. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Today's Offer

We can say with confidence and a clear conscience that we have lived with a God-given holiness and sincerity in all our dealings. We have depended on God’s grace, not on our own human wisdom. That is how we have conducted ourselves before the world, and especially toward you.
2 Corinthians 1:12 NLT

As we daily walk through this life, encountering those who cross our path, how do we interact with them? Are we in a good mood? Do they catch us in a bad mood? Are we tolerant of whatever drama is being played out? What do we have to offer them for their situation?

Have we interacted with God and His Word before setting out on our path? Do we fill up with His presence so that we are able to dispense His grace in all situations? Or do we start our day with a shower and the news of what's going on in the world? What DO we have to offer them for their situation?

Prayer:

Father, 

          Keep us forever mindful that it is Your gift of Grace that has saved us, through the measure of faith You have also gifted to each of us. As we humble ourselves before You, enable us to pour out to others what we can receive only from You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen