* Firsts

At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves. When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the Lord God walking about in the garden. So they hid from the Lord God among the trees. Then the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?”
Genesis 3:7-9

It's getting close to deer season. All the hunters I know are making more frequent trips to the deer lease to get ready for the big day. Their days are already booked on the vacation calendar and bragging about how good their jerky recipe is and their deer sausage. They're waiting for the first week of November, the first cold snap, and dreaming about that first deer. They're even buying new camouflage.

Camouflage is big business. Ask Academy or Pro Bass Shops. Do a Google search for 'camouflage clothing' and in less than half-a-second, you get a return of over 1.2 MILLION hits... funny thing about it is that the camouflage may make us harder to see when we're out hunting, but critters have a keen sense of smell. Let them get a whiff of that human flesh and eyeball you or not, they know you're there.

There are a lot of firsts in the Book of Genesis; after all, it's the book of beginnings. Among them - the first ever, completely organic, hand-stitched, his-and-her camouflage outfits. Want one? Back then, it came at the highest price. Perhaps more so than any other. They paid dearly for it...as has every generation since then - always paying the same high cost. The price never goes down, even though the market is glutted with the sin of disobedience and loss of innocence. And no matter how much we try to cover up and camouflage our sin to try to blend in, sin has its own distinct odor.

There's another first in that same chapter and verse of our text for today. The first recorded game of Hide-N-Seek, and God was IT first. Oh, don't kid yourself. He knew exactly where they were. He knew they'd broken the rules. He knew they cheated and He came looking for them anyway... why? Because He loved us first. And although their first ever, completely organic, hand-stitched, his-and-her camouflage outfits were more than either of them could afford, He paid the price with a first of His own. A great price. He paid dearly...

Prayer:

Father,
         Let us always remember that You came looking for us, and not to kill us, not to condemn us, but to love us, and ultimately to redeem us. Help us to never try to camouflage who or what we are, so that we can walk with clean hands and pure hearts before You, Father. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

* Directionally-Challenged

And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.
Titus 2:12-14 NLT

Let's say I am heading west when I finally realize that the destination I desire is actually east. However, the road I'm on, heading west, is a wide road and has no tolls and I can travel at 75 miles an hour. No hindrances. No roadwork. No detours. No problem...smooth sailing, except I'm going in the wrong direction. Oh, it has lots of exits - opportunities to turn around - but if all I do is exit and fill up and get right back on the same road, I'm not going to make my desired destination. I can say where I want to go and actually make up my mind to go there, but unless I turn around and head in the right direction, I'm not ever going to arrive.

The same is true on our Christian journey. We all want to make it to Heaven, but we don't all want to take the road that gets us there. We're told to repent, but we don't want to make the U-turn. In order to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures, we cannot keep going in the same direction.

What keeps us from turning around? Is it that the road heading east is a narrow road? Is it because there's a price to pay? Is it because at times we're going to have to be still instead of being able to keep moving? Or is it because there are only rest areas instead of exits with all the goodies that go with the exits?

To turn from godless living and sinful pleasures, we cannot keep going in the same direction. Have you read the map?

Prayer:

Father,
           Your Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. Go before us and make the crooked way straight, Father, as You have promised. Make the path plain so we can find our way to You.  Keep us between the lines, O God. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

* Fast and Furious

But the one who plants in response to God, letting God's Spirit do the growth work in him, harvests a crop of real life, eternal life. So let's not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don't give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith.
Galatians 6:8b-10 The Message

I left the house at 6:30 this morning. I got home about 10:30 tonight with several items still to be completed before I can 'lay me down to sleep.' It's been a long day in a week that seems to be twice as long as normal. Sixteen hours away from the house is too much. That means it will be almost a 20-hour day by the time I'm done. I began to read some of the previous Promises because as hectic as this week has been, it becomes too easy to lose sight of where God has been leading me.  Here's what I discovered - I need to ask forgiveness, then repent and turn from this. It wasn't that long ago God was teaching me how to say no. How did I forget?

While re-reading some of the Promises from years back, I discovered this one...

We live in a fast and furious world. This highway sure seems to have a lot of potholes, detours and roadblocks, but there doesn't seem to be any speed limit signs or designated pit stops. We work crazy hours, the A/C is on the fritz, the car's making a weird noise, kids, grandkids, elderly parents, veterinary bills, health issues, funerals... I don't know where the time goes... We get up early and go to bed later than we wanted to and every minute in between seems to clamor for attention from something or somebody.   At this point you might be thinking, This is your Promise for Today? Is this supposed to make me feel better? 

No, those are the facts. Life. Things that are actually happening. For those of you who have been on this journey with me for a while, you know about facts vs. Truth. The best illustration is the story of my life. Facts are: A drunk, drug abuse, and the garbage that goes with it. The TRUTH is: Born-again child of the Most High God, walking in His righteousness - in right standing with the Father, my Redeemer, Deliverer. You see, God's Truth always - ALWAYS - overcomes the facts of life.

Fast and furious world, no time - those are the facts, but the Truth is found in Matthew 11:28-29 NLT, Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

In the midst of our hurry-scurry world, that's our Promise for Today and every day. If we will take the time to spend the first part of our day with Him, He will give us rest and we will be strengthened for the rest of our day.

Be encouraged, Dear Ones. God is a faithful God. Look above the circumstances! Look above the cares and trials of this world to the Author AND the Finisher of our faith. If He started it, He WILL finish it. In a world where there is too much going on, I offer you Truth over the facts of your life. For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11).

Prayer:

Father, 
         Thank You for Your Truth. In these crazy times we live in, help us to keep our focus on You, the Author and Finisher of our faith. In the tough times, Father, when it's hard to see and understand, cover us with Your wings of mercy and grace when we come to You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

* Gold In the Rule

Here is a simple, rule-of-thumb guide for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you, then grab the initiative and do it for them.
Matthew 7:12 The Message

"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" is probably much more familiar to you as The Golden Rule. JFK paraphrased it for Americans in his famous quote, "Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country." And a few decades ago, some smart aleck re-wrote it saying, "Do unto others before they do unto you." Unfortunately, it was a sign of the times.

If we stop navel gazing, demanding that our needs be met, and look to see what we can do to help someone else, then we stop the vicious cycle of me, me, me! It's amazing how it works.  So many times, I hear good people whining, "When is it my turn?" "Who is gonna take care of me?"

We've talked lots about paying it forward and random acts of kindness. Will some people take advantage? Yes, unequivocally yes. They will, but they are not why we do it. We do it because it's the right thing to do - imitating our Father who pours rain on the just and the unjust. While there may be a handful who are greedy with it, there will be so many more who will appreciate what you've done, so you're planting good seed. And the truth of the matter is that they're not taking advantage, if you're offering it up, anyway.

It's a rule-of-thumb guide for all our behavior. What would you like to reap in your life? You don't plant cotton and expect to harvest corn, do you? Are you planting the seeds that will produce the harvest you desire? There's the real Gold in the Rule.

Prayer:

Father,
         Thank You for the gifts You put in our lives. May we always remember how much You love us and then act accordingly. Help us to live each day by Your every Word, imitating You in both Word and deed. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

* Heartily Thankful

    Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. 
    Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.
Colossians 3:14-16 NLT

It's all in how you look at it. First day back to work after vacation...
Will I lament and grumble because I had to go back to work or  -
will I give thanks that I have a position with a boss I respect, and people I like, one that affords me a flexible schedule, and provides a good wage?

It's easy to grumble. What does our text read today? ...you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. Let's choose the path that leads us always back to the Lord our God. Will we choose to be hardly thankful or heartily thankful?

Prayer:

Father,
          We pray Your Word, It is good to give thanks to the Lord, and sing praises to Your name, O Most High. It is good to tell of Your loving-kindness in the morning, and of how faithful You are at night, with harps, and with music of praise. For You have made us glad by what You have done, O Lord. We will sing for joy at the works of Your hands. Give us opportunity to tell of Your excellent greatness, O God. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Sealed With A Kiss *

Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins! But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.

All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all.

Isaiah 53:4-6 NLT

From Matthew 26 - The Message...Jesus told them, "Before the night's over, you're going to fall to pieces because of what happens to me. There is a Scripture that says, I'll strike the shepherd; helter-skelter the sheep will be scattered.  But after I am raised up, I, your Shepherd, will go ahead of you, leading the way to Galilee."

Peter broke in, "Even if everyone else falls to pieces on account of you, I won't."
"Don't be so sure," Jesus said. "This very night, before the rooster crows up the dawn, you will deny me three times."

Peter protested, "Even if I had to die with you, I would never deny you." All the others said the same thing.

Then Jesus went with them to a garden called Gethsemane and told his disciples, "Stay here while I go over there and pray." Taking along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he plunged into an agonizing sorrow. Then he said, "This sorrow is crushing my life out. Stay here and keep vigil with me."

Going a little ahead, he fell on his face, praying, "My Father, if there is any way, get me out of this. But please, not what I want. You, what do you want?"
When he came back to his disciples, he found them sound asleep. He said to Peter, "Can't you stick it out with me a single hour? Stay alert; be in prayer so you don't wander into temptation without even knowing you're in danger. There is a part of you that is eager, ready for anything in God. But there's another part that's as lazy as an old dog sleeping by the fire."

He then left them a second time. Again he prayed, "My Father, if there is no other way than this, drinking this cup to the dregs, I'm ready. Do it your way."
When he came back, he again found them sound asleep. They simply couldn't keep their eyes open. This time he let them sleep on, and went back a third time to pray, going over the same ground one last time.

When he came back the next time, he said, "Are you going to sleep on and make a night of it? My time is up, the Son of Man is about to be handed over to the hands of sinners. Get up! Let's get going! My betrayer is here."

The words were barely out of his mouth when Judas (the one from the Twelve) showed up, and with him a gang from the high priests and religious leaders brandishing swords and clubs. The betrayer had worked out a sign with them: "The one I kiss, that's the one—seize him."

Prayer:

Father,

         Forgive us our sins by the precious Blood shed for our redemption... In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Tell All the Nations *

Let the whole earth sing to the Lord! Each day proclaim the good news that he saves.
1st Chronicles 16:23-35 NLT

Publish His glorious deeds among the nations.
    Tell everyone about the amazing things He does.
Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise!
    He is to be feared above all gods.
The gods of other nations are mere idols,
    but the Lord made the heavens!
Honor and majesty surround Him;
    strength and joy fill His dwelling.

O nations of the world, recognize the Lord,
    recognize that the Lord is glorious and strong.
Give to the Lord the glory He deserves!
    Bring your offering and come into His presence.
Worship the Lord in all His holy splendor.
Let all the earth tremble before Him.
    The world stands firm and cannot be shaken.

Let the heavens be glad, and the earth rejoice!
    Tell all the nations, “The Lord reigns!”

Let the sea and everything in it shout His praise!
    Let the fields and their crops burst out with joy!
Let the trees of the forest rustle with praise,
    for the Lord is coming to judge the earth.

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!
    His faithful love endures forever.

Prayer:

Father,

           We cry out, Save us, O God of our salvation! Gather and rescue us from among the nations, so we can thank Your holy Name and rejoice and praise You. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen