Day 30: Let Him Shield Your Heart

When we look around this world at all of the atrocities of life, it is sometimes hard to believe in God. As we experience death in our lives, financial ruin, divorce, depression, relationship traumas and so much more, it's hard to think that this good God that Christians sing about is real. How do you convince a mother who lost their child that God truly is "working everything for her good" like it says in Romans 8? This God walk that we are forging through is not an easy one. And, even if you read through the Bible, you see story after story of people's pain and trails. And the question of the day then becomes, "What is the point?' Why serve a God who allows such madness? And today the answer came to me in the form of the Proverbs. You see, in Proverbs 30:5 it says "Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him." It's not that God allows bad things to happen to those who don't trust Him. That's not it. But what I think is the gift that He gives is in the word "shield".

Shield is about protection. We imagine that it means physical protection, but what I realized when I read this was that the shield that is being referred to here is not a physical one but a spiritual and emotional one. You see, the difference between Christians and the rest of the world is supposed to be the heart of the matter. Trials will come. If they killed Jesus, how much more would the world and evil forces strive to make us suffer and doubt God. But the scripture says that those who TRUST God will be protected from their sufferings and shielded from their doubts.

Today, you may be besieged with doubts--wondering what God is doing, where He is in the midst of your storm--but when you get quiet and rest in trust, he'll send you that peace that surpasses understanding to guard and shield your heart and mind. As the floodgates of trials and tribulations pour open in your world, allow God to use the purity of His Word to filter out the impurities from those experiences and build in your a new hope and a renewed joy. Trust in Him. He will do it. You just have to let Him.

Be encouraged.
Blessings,
MinD

Day 29: The Honor of Humility, The Gift of Grace

A man's pride will bring him low, But the humble in spirit will retain honor. Proverbs 29:23

There is a scripture in James that I often reflect on. It says, "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up." (James 4:10) It's one of those verses that often sticks in my heart as I reflect on the idea that humbling is something that we do for ourselves and not this thing that God does for us. So I appreciate today's proverb that preaches along this same vein--humility brings honor. It's not just okay to say that we want to be humble, but it's necessary to understand that intention and action must accompany this desire. Walking in humility means putting aside your sense of entitlement and clothing yourself with the understanding that there is nothing that we deserve. While God has made promises to us, His words are ones of grace and not earned blessings. While He hears and understands our cries of "why me", the Lord wants to see our heart changed to "why not me". We may not want to hear this, but when we chose Jesus, we elected to join Him in His suffering (that's what it says in Philippians 3:10 ..."that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death"). If we are sincere, we decide that we love Him more than our creature comforts, we love Him more than what makes sense to us, we love Him more than even our own reputations. The tears you've been crying because your whole world has gone south and you feel like you don't "deserve" it are signs of grief mixed with pride. No one deserves heartache any more or less than the next person. The grace of God lets us know that Jesus came to heal the brokenhearted so that we don't have to live in that space of grief continually. He gave us a gift that is irreplaceable. Thus, as you approach this new week, do so with the cloak of humility surrounding you. Approach others with the thought that we all are in this together with none of us more or less deserving of grace than the next; and watch as people respond with awe and love--honoring the gift you've given them through your humbled spirit.

Be encouraged!
Blessings,
MinD

Day 26: Who's Fanning Your Flame?

You have to appreciate the nuances and poetry of the proverbs. The metaphors that are used are poignant and truly gives one pause. This was the case with today's reading in Proverbs 26. Verse 20 reads, "Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; And where there is no talebearer, strife ceases." As I read, I could only seem to think of the hard time I have sometimes when trying to build and sustain a fire in my fireplace. In winter months, one of my great pleasures is to light a fire on a cold night and let that heat my soul. But tending to a fire is no small task. It requires that someone fan and feed the flames occasionally. I can think back on many a night where I fell asleep only to be awakened by a cool rush of wind because no log had been added to sustain the fire. When we liken that to our spiritual walk, the fire being talked about here is one of strife and discord. The only way that strife and discord can continue to burn in our lives is if someone is tending to that fire. The question becomes, who is fanning your flames? Who in your life brings lies and drama without Truth and peace? Who brings junk and no joy? Who is constantly talking about things that don't edify or build you up? As you read those words, someone's face came to mind. And, though it may be difficult to cut the apron strings of that relationship, the Lord sent this little prayer point today to remind you that you have the option. Today, you can choose to let the negative fires of discord and strife die in your life and foster the winds of peace and life. Be encouraged to make a choice that honors Him and protects you.

Blessings,
MinD

Day 25: Choose Your Weapons Wisely

I often find when speaking to fellow adult Christians that we sound like children in some ways when it comes to how we deal with conflict. Our sense of entitlement to lash out supersedes any desire to be a good witness. Our spiritual reasoning goes out the window when we feel we've been wronged. We operate with that "he hit me first" type of mentality that says it's o.k. to gain vengeance when the recipient of said response is "deserving". Somehow it makes us feel better if the person is mean or rude or annoying or simply just so different from us, but the truth is we know better than that. Being a Christian, an ambassador for Christ, means we've made a conscious decision not to live tit for tat. Specifically, we are called to take the higher road and not even boast about it. Proverbs 25:21 tells us, "If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;". Instead of getting someone who got you, this Christian journey is about getting them with a different tool than the one they used on you--repaying evil with kindness and stinginess with generosity. It's easier said than done in the heat of the moment. But it's possible when you have the Holy Spirit guiding your every move. When you've decided to place no other god before The God (not even self-righteous indignation) then you allow God to get the glory. It's as simple as that.

I know you know this. I'm not saying anything earth-shattering or ground-breaking. It's the A-B-C's of The Golden Rule (Do unto others...), but sometimes you need a reminder. So today, as you encounter people along your way, tests will come but be encouraged to choose to use joy and peace as your weapons of choice even when they "hit you first" with evil and disruption.

Blessings,
MinD

Day 24: Preach, Life. Preach!

³⁰ One day I walked by the field of an old lazybones, and then passed the vineyard of a lout; ³¹ They were overgrown with weeds, thick with thistles, all the fences broken down. ³² I took a long look and pondered what I saw; the fields preached me a sermon and I listened: ³³ "A nap here, a nap there, a day off here, a day off there, sit back, take it easy—do you know what comes next? ³⁴ Just this: You can look forward to a dirt-poor life, with poverty as your permanent houseguest!" --Proverbs 24:30-34 (MSG)

The story of this lazy man caught my eye in today’s reading of the proverbs. The immediate question that came to mind was, “What sermon does my life preach?” The author of Proverbs describes this man whose overgrown vineyard was evidence of where he had not been attentive through the years. It further helped him to understand his future in permanent poverty. So what about us? What about you? What's overgrown in your life? What area of your life have you allowed to govern itself—not really paying close attention to how it develops? What part of your world sends the message to onlookers that God is a part of your life and what witness do other parts send? Or is it a consistent message across the board?

As we self-evaluate and prepare to finish this year strong, it is important that we are honest with ourselves about where we truly are, how far we have to go, and what role we play in that process. Perhaps we’ve become “lazybones” who need a little prodding so we understand that our vineyard needs attention. Perhaps we’ve simply been content to let things fester—relationships go down a slow spiral, businesses lose face, weight gain leading to one ailment after another. No matter where you are now, you simply need to understand that it’s never too late. Sometimes before a good harvest must come a good pruning and weeding season. Sometimes others will do the work for us while most of the time it’s work we must do ourselves.

Today, be encouraged to do the work so your life will begin to preach the message that both you and God will be proud of.

Blessings,

MinD

Day 23: Don't Waste Your Breath

I have a teenage friend who knows just about everything there is to know...or so she thinks. Talking to them can be frustrating at times because you can't tell them anything. I'm sure I was like that at their age (and much like that even today). "Stubborn" is a characteristic that I've been marked with, and so I recognize it so easily in others. Stubbornness aside, I do not like to debate. So, as I have interacted with my teenage friend, I have to admit that I've found them to be a good example of using wisdom in knowing when to argue and when to simply let it go. You see, knowing that a conversation will likely be an uphill battle with them, I rarely spend a lot of energy trying to convince them. You know what I'm talking about. We've all got a few people in our lives who simply like to debate and like to push our buttons while doing it. At the end of the conversation, you leave worse for the wear and on the border of having a stroke. It's simply not worth it! So it's nice to affirm that that tiny piece of wisdom is not just made up in my brain but also something that was written into the Bible. Proverbs 23:9 says, "Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, For he will despise the wisdom of your words." Stop allowing your blood pressure to skyrocket as you must make your point. Sometimes we have to allow people to make their own mistakes (even our children). Sometimes people need to come to the same conclusions we have through a journey of their own trials and tribulations. Even sharing the Gospel should never become a battle of wills. The New Testament phrases it sweetly telling us not to "throw our pearls before swine" (Matt 7:6)--not to put what is most precious to us in the mud to be stomped on by others. We present the Gospel. We present what's important to us. Then we let it go and leave the rest up to God.

Today, be encouraged to practice letting go. Don't spin your wheels in conversations that are going nowhere.

Blessings,
MinD

Day 22 (Yesterday): He's Got Your Back

In this season of economic hardships, there is a growing number if people who fall under the poverty line. Whether out of work or simply trying to make it by on minimum wage, there are so many families who have virtually fallen out of the shrinking middle class. But even for those who have physical means, there are a growing number of folks who are poor and afflicted in spirit. The enemy has stolen their peace, killed their joy, and destroyed their spirit with the slightest of effort (i.e. without even having to try hard). Perhaps that is you. You feel as though 'if it's not one thing it's another' and you spend restless nights trying to figure out how to keep your family from falling deeper and deeper into strife and stress. And, while your joy has been gone for a while now, you feel like you're facing the last straw now that your peace is wavering. Well there is is hope. The Bible tells us in Proverbs 22:23 that 'the Lord will plead their (the poor and afflicted) cause, And plunder the soul of those who plunder them.'

While I can't guarantee that your circumstances will change outwardly, I can reassure you that God has your back. When you are feeling "poor and afflicted", He has taken up for you and has already won the fight on your behalf. It's a fixed fight. When you realize that then you can hold tight to that 'peace that surpasses all understanding' that is promised by God.

Be encouraged in the understanding that God's got your back.

Blessings,
MinD

Day 21: Five Minutes...You're On

The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.  

~ Proverbs 21:1 ~

Today I am reminded of a saying that I once wrote about. It was a phrase that one of my supervisors once told me a few years ago that I find great comfort and encouragement in when I reflect on it. She said, "It's five minutes until change." As long as we wait for life to change and for things to work out in our favor, it seems as though change takes a long time. However, change and blessings come in the instant of an eye. It simply takes one right decision, one nod from the right person, provision from the right direction and your life can change in a moment; and sometimes it's good to be reminded of that fact. As you wait and wish for life to happen around you, realize that it's all in God's hand. And, while it may take a lot of energy and pleading and prodding from us as humans to make change, when we leave it in God's hands then we allow Him to make His wishes come true. Proverbs says that God can turn the head of even the king to accomplish what He wishes. That means that you and I can stop trying to do the work. Stop beating your head against the walls trying to convince other people of who you are or what you are capable of. Stop trying to make life happen. Trust only in God and what He wants to do for you.

Be encouraged to make room for His wishes. They will far exceed anything you can ask or think (Eph 3:20).

Blessings,
MinD

Day 20: Kindness...What A Novel Idea

They say that everyone will get their 15 minutes of fame. In today's media, it seems that so many people are getting more than their fair 15 though they seem to be doing nothing noteworthy. Do you know who I'm talking about? I'm talking about the lovely men and women (and now toddlers) of reality television. Now let me preface this by admitting that I'm a bit of a reality junkie and actually watch many shows. However, I do have a line. You see there are some shows where the people getting all the air-time and exposure are simply a hot mess. They do everything except honor God and manage to get paid to do it.

But as I began to meditate on the life of a reality star, I realized that many of them are here today and gone tomorrow. You see, they can't seem to sustain. They have no staying power--a fact that, in part, could probably be attributed to a simple lack of one character ingredient, lovingkindness. The Bible tells us in Proverbs 20:28 that "Mercy and truth preserve the king, And by lovingkindness he upholds his throne." So many of us are looking for that staying power and can't seem to get it. We try one thing and it seems to fizzle. We try another and just can't get things to flow for us. Our fuses seem to get shorter and shorter as the trials in our lives seem to get longer and longer.

What we know is that as Christians we are called to exhibit the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22) and kindness is a part thereof. And while we watch those who are the most negative or least benevolent in our lives get this or that earthly reward, what we can rest in is that our eternal reward is much greater and that our ultimate staying power far exceeds theirs.As we are tested in life, it is up to us to decide to make the wise decision to choose kindness over being rushed or rude. It is up to us to look beyond our schedules and schemes to find God's ultimate plan for our continued success. It's so simple (and certainly not a novel idea) that I'm almost ashamed to write about this but I feel as though someone out there needs a reminder about the extreme power of kindness.

Be encouraged as those tests come think on that old saying, "you catch more bees with honey," and make kindness a priority in your walk.

Blessings,
MinD

Day 19: Return Home

I admit it. I've been pouting this evening...

Oh don't look at me in that tone of voice...It's not like I'm alone. So many of us are struggling. We are in places where we are waiting until 11:59pm minute to see God produce "just in the nick of time" miracles in our lives. And sometimes when we don't see our miracles once our countdown has run out (since we put God on a timer), we assume that He isn't in the business of answering prayers. Tonight, I was about to go down that road with God. I was about to ask, in my best self-entitled voice, the age old question of "Why?" (It's amazing that I would have the gall to think that God owes me an explanation. He surely does not.) However, what I realized was that it wasn't that He wasn't going to answer, it was that I had asked amiss to begin with. How often do we get to that point? We've asked God for this or that and He doesn't deliver like Santa Claus on Christmas morning so we slip into a space of doubt in God or depression around our dreams.

What I love about God is that He meets us where we are. As I was about to slide into that pouty place I read Proverbs 19:23 which says that "The fear of the Lord leads to life, And he who has it will abide in satisfaction; He will not be visited with evil." Oh how wonderful it would be to abide in satisfaction--what a glorious thought that you live there. But, just like our earthly homes, there are times when we walk out of the doors and have been presented with the opportunity to simply go back home when we're ready. When we make the intentional decision to focus on what God wants more than what we want, we open the door. When we face new days with room for God to change our prayers and our hearts, we step over the threshold. When we praise Him despite what we do or do not get and worship Him just because He's God, we take a seat and "abide".

I don't know about you, but I think I've decided to turn my pout into praise this evening, open the door, step over the threshold and abide in the satisfaction of the Lord. Be encouraged to do the same...

Blessings,
MinD

Day 18: Time To Unpack

“Stuck”…It’s a four-letter word in spirit though made up of five. It’s so easy in life to hit moments when we you simply feel stuck. What’s more, getting “unstuck” can feel daunting and impossible. Beyond simply understanding that "nothing is impossible with Christ" (Luke 1:37), you must take steps to begin to wiggle out of that stuck position. This means you have to actively decide to unlock vision, unchain dreams and unpack the gifts that you’ve managed to stifle inside. There’s something in your heart, a passion that may even be accompanied by a skill set, that seems to be encased in a blanket of slumber (and reeking of moth balls). Do you remember it is there? Do you remember what it felt like to use that gift? Do you remember what it felt like to fly high on your dreams and let that flight catapult you into the next phase of your life? If you answered “no” to any of the above, perhaps it is time to rekindle your fire. Perhaps it is time to unpack the gift and give it the air it needs to breathe and grow wings. We’re told in Proverbs that “A man’s gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.” (Pr 18:16).

Begin today by telling someone about that gift and putting it on display. Be encouraged to unpack and stay a while knowing that a room will be made for you soon.

Blessings,

MinD

Day 17: Hold Your Peace

Have you noticed as we are reading that in this book on wisdom, one common theme seems to repeat itself over and over again? The final words of Proverbs 17 are a perfect example and spark the memory that this is not the first time we hear Solomon reference our talking aparatus. It poignantly reads:

Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; 

when he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive. (vs. 28)

It's enough to prompt a search of the chapters up to this point and determine that there are 69 references to mouth, lips and tongues in the chapters 1 through 17 and 112 references in all of Proverbs. Here is this book that is all about directing Christians in ways to make decisions--a book that serves as an ode to wisdom and understanding--and one of the repeated concepts is about the mouth. It thus becomes easy to draw the conclusion that God is sincerely interested in what it is that we have to say. Someone reading this is like me and needs this point to be driven home. We need our hearts to be sensitive to what is about to come from our lips. We need our minds to match our mouths and not have the disconnect that sometimes occurs when we speak before we think.

If you are looking to better understand what is going on in your life, perhaps it is time to hold your peace. Perhaps it is time to listen twice as much as you speak. Perhaps perception will come when peace proves powerful over what you will and will not say.

Be encouraged today to hold your peace...

Blessings,
MinD

Day 16: The Price Of Peace (Don't let 'em try you!)

What price would you pay for peace in your life? Does it seem like turmoil and trials have taken over the space where peace and freedom used to reside? There is an opportunity that presents itself each and every time we are presented with confrontation. Sometimes our desire to be right can even overshadow our desire to be godly. Our buttons get pushed and we are pushed to the limits. As a petulant teenager, one of my siblings used to say that someone "tried" them when adults confronted them about a fight they may have been in. And the truth is that so many of us are "tried" day in and day out even as adults, and we allow anger and pride to rule how we choose to respond in those situations. But today's word is brief and to the point: Proverbs 16:32 gives us instruction in wisdom that seems to speak directly to that very thing. It says, "He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city."

I appreciate that God associates power and might with the ability to respond beyond our angry places. Having temperance over emotions can serve as the biggest tool you have and make you mightier than even those who conquer cities. It seems hard to imagine that the simple idea of self-control empowers us to truly act in accordance with God's will. But it does. When we make decisions to not allow ourselves to be "tried" in a court of our emotions, we present our spirits with the sentence for freedom and peace. And that, right there, is priceless.

Be encouraged to choose temperance in the face of confrontation today...

Blessings,
MinD

Day 15: There Is A Point

There are times in our lives where situations and circumstances we face have us wondering "what's the point?" Despite our good deeds and sacrifices (though minimal they may be), sickness still comes, death still happens, evil still runs rampant over the earth... It's almost enough to make one throw in the towel. But it is at moments like these when the ultimate inspiration shines through in God'd Word saying:

"The way of life winds upward for the wise, That he may turn away from hell below." Proverbs 15:24

The point of our journey towards wisdom and understanding is simple and to the point: it brings us closer to God and His goodness and further from those very evils that confound us. Today/yesterday, things happened in your life to make you pause, but don't allow that pause to make you skip a beat completely. Keep pressing forward knowing that the upward move of this walk is enough to keep you going.

Be encouraged,
MinD

Day 12: What You Talkin' 'Bout?

When you Google the question "How many words does the average person speak in a day?" the answer isn't too surprising. Most experts say that women speak about 20,000 words in a given day and men only 7,000. Without getting caught up on the disparity between male or female tongues, hearing that statistic prompts the next thought in my mind: "How many of those words are meaningful?" If I think back on my day, all of the "hello's" and random "did you know's" don't amount to much. At the end of the day, I have 20,000 chances to say what is the question I have been asking myself. Gary Coleman's famous line from the 1970's TV show Different Strokes rings in my ears: "Whatchootalkin' 'bout, Willis?!" Are these 20,000 ways that I've changed someone's life for the better? Or at least 500? Are these 20,000 ways where God got the glory? Or did He at least get a tithe of my words (i.e. 10%)? Or are these 19,990 empty epithets and passing thoughts? We tweet and update our statuses on a daily basis--a whole lot of words but are we saying anything? Proverbs 12 gives us pause saying:

          14a - Wise words bring many benefits...
          19a - Truthful words stand the test of time...

Both have to do with the words that we choose to use each and every day. Both have to do with the weight of words in our life. As you think of how you will spend tomorrow's seven or twenty thousand word "allotment", won't you consider that the ultimate test of your words is if they bring benefits? Who will be impacted for the good? The ultimate test of your words is if they stand the test of time. Will you speak life into someone's existence and hold your tongue on nay-saying? God being The Truth spoke approximately 774, 746 words (the Bible) that stand the test of time. Every Word He utters into your spirit, every assurance and every promise is "yeah and Amen" (2 Corinthians 1:20). You can bank on it! And while we may not be God, we have an opportunity each and everyday to use the breath He breathed into us wisely. Tomorrow, as you speak, remember to make at least a few of your words bankable.

Be encouraged to speak life.

Blessings,
MinD

Day 11: Influence Now

I was listening to a preacher doing a series on boldness and he was speaking specifically about prayer today. He asked a poignant question: "What would be changed in the world if the prayers you prayed last week were answered?" For most of us, that answer would be pretty self-centered and/or would affect someone who we knew directly. His point was that we need to be bolder in our prayers. So it seemed like further confirmation as I was re-reading today's proverb to see the following:

"By the blessing of the influence of the 

upright and God's favor [because of them] 

the city is exalted..."

Proverbs 11:11a (AMP)

For years, I've heard people preach about Christians being the salt of the earth and talking about the scripture that challenges us to "flavor" up the world around us (Matthew 5:13). But, even in that, I know that I have thought small. Today, my prayer changed to a bolder prayer in which I want hundreds and thousands of lives to be influenced because of little 'ole me! I want to look back on my life and see that my impact was for cities upon cities and not just my own family and friends. I want to hear God say "well done." I want to see that God's glory extended beyond the four walls I call home to the four ends of the earth. I have taken very seriously the idea that we are to BE the church and that Acts 1:8 calls us to affect people on various levels of life--from those nearest to us and like us to those farthest away and different. But that starts with each day. That starts with even changing my prayers. Today, what are YOU praying for that will influence the world when God answers it? I challenge you to make a shift in your thinking. You are your brother's keeper...even if that brother is around the world.

Selah...and be encouraged!
Blessings,
MinD

Day 10: Waiting For Whirlwinds To Stop

I don't know about you, but this season of my life has passed me by like a whirlwind...one thing happens after the other. So many parts of my world have felt like they're in the air, whizzing by my face with no hope of slowing down. I feel as though I haven't been allowed the moment to even catch my breath despite all of the air around me. In some ways, the control I'd like to assert on my life has been taken out of my hands and my trust in God tested to the hilt. I'm like so many of you who wear many hats (and more than one at any given moment); and the weight of the hats seems tremendous as we juggle all of the other parts of life. It can be overwhelming, to say the least. But even while the wind is whipping, the Lord has sent a reminder of what His protection looks like. His Word says:

"When the whirlwind passes by, the wicked is no more, but the righteous has an everlasting foundation."

Proverbs 10:25

Can you imagine that the Lord has us in a supernatural bubble. Though we can feel all the wind, it doesn't have the power to truly take us out. Though it feels like it may destroy us at any moment, God assures us that our foundation will be in tact once all of the winds still. And so all that's left to say at that point is...Praise God for his peace that persists in the mean time. May it guard your heart and mind while you stand with diligence and righteousness through the whirlwinds of your life.

Be encouraged,
MinD

Day 9: Fool for Free

The image of a court jester/fool came into my mind as I was reading Proverbs 9.6:

"Forsake foolishness and live, and go in the way of understanding."

Back in medieval times, there was a job that a person could have whose whole intention was to be a fool--to make people laugh and be entertained. And the thing you could say about a jester is that at least he was paid to be a fool. As I read verse 6 of this chapter, I thought to myself how many of us serve as fools for free? How many of us engage in the same nonsense over and over again that seems to make others happy but lead to nothing but our frustration and discouragement. How many of us spend the majority of our day swimming in the part of the cup that is half empty and forgetting about the part that is half full? How many of us make a conscious decision daily to put life on hold because of foolishness? We walk through life being tricked and deceived by the enemy and his imps into believing that we are less than what God says we are. We have labeled ourselves "fool" in the Spirit instead of embracing how "fearfully and wonderfully" He made us (according to Psalm 139.14).

The proverb puts foolishness in direct contradiction to life. It says "forsake foolishness and live" almost as if it could be implied that to embrace foolishness equates to death. In Christ, we have the power to LIVE and not die. We have the power to swim in the optimistic, hopeful side of life and not in the depths of despair we create for ourselves through foolishness. Be it through the relationships you keep (because at least you know their mess) or the jobs that you trudge through (because at least it pays the bills even if it tears me down spiritually and emotionally) or the habits you maintain (because at least it makes you happy for a moment though it depresses you in the long run), you may have been holding onto foolishness and death. Today is the time to make the decision for understanding and life. Take inventory of your relationships, jobs, habits and the like and start signing some eviction papers to those things that have taken up residence that only bring you down. Don't be a fool.

Be encouraged to choose life.

Blessings,
MinD

Day 8: Obedience Is Not Enough (fix your face)

I'm one of those people who often wear my emotions on my face. It's not that my expression says what I'm thinking as much as I've been told that my eyes truly do serve as windows to my soul and tell all. As a result, I find myself having to tell myself to "fix my face" and adjust my attitude to reflect good and not otherwise. There are things that I've heard the Lord say to me that I've done or embraced somewhat begrudgingly. My obedience is often tainted by my "I'll do it but I don't have to like it" kind of air to it. Perhaps it's just me, but I've willingly moved forward in what God has said but can say that it hasn't always been with the joy that I would hope things of the Lord would bring to a person's heart.

So conviction poured over me as I read Proverbs 8 over and over again today. With various phrases and verses jumping out, there was one that seemed to resonate the loudest. Verse 33 links blessings to "Hear instruction and be wise, and do not disdain it." As I meditated further on it, I realized that my attitude in in this faith walk has been a lot like the children of Israel who were delivered from bondage but who blocked their own blessings by grumbling. The end result for them was 40 years in the desert until all of the grumblers had died--never seeing the promise made manifest in their lives.

In a day and time when much of what we preach and/or hear preached is about claiming your promises, it's difficult to imagine that maybe, just maybe, you could grumble your way out of it. We think that if we do it, if we follow God, then that's enough. It's almost like we arrogantly think that God should be happy with whatever offering of obedience that we give him. But what I'm further convicted about is that obedience is not enough. At the end of the day, God desires for our hearts to line up with His and not just our actions. This means that we are to consciously decide to approach the wisdom, understanding and instruction that He provides us without disdain (disdain: contempt, scorn, haughtiness, arrogance, superiority). It may be hard to do, but in the end it really boils down to one thing--fix your face. (I know I'll be fixing mine.)

Be encouraged to approach God with the right attitude.

Blessings,
MinD

Day 7: Understand?

Years ago (sometime circa 1980ish), there was an episode of The Cosby Show that had a line that seemed to stick in my mind. Cliff (the husband) was chastising one of his children as he did on so many occasions in a silly way and whatever child was looking at him with that same blank look that they all seemed to do and he slowly and with emphasis said, "Do you understand the wooords that are coming out of my mouth?" You see whatever it was that he was saying was obviously something he had had to repeat. As a parent, he was none too pleased about this need for repetition and was at the point where he wanted to be express about his direction and ensure that he was getting through to whichever child that it was. It was just one of those lines that stuck in my mind and is one that I've repeated with silliness when trying to communicate a thought to friends. "Do you understand the wooords that are coming out of my mouth?"

As I began to read chapter 7, I was struck at how it began: "My son, keep my words, and treasure my commands within you. Keep my commands and live, and my law as the apple of your eye." (Prov 7:1-2) For a while there, I thought that I was reading the wrong chapter because I could have sworn that this was how what I read yesterday began. And when I looked back again, I noticed that it wasn't just familiar because of yesterday but because of the past 5 days. With each chapter from chapter 2 through 6 beginning with some similar version of "my son pay attention to my commands". But what rang even more true in this particular chapter was how it began to close in verse 24. Solomon says, "Now therefore, listen to me, my children; Pay attention to the words of my mouth..." Who knew that good ole Heathcliff was a preaching man?! For just like that frustrated father on television, God reiterates to us the necessity to keep his commands and pay attention to his law and make them the center of our hearts.

Today, as you examine your heart, where are God's laws/commands? Are you in touch with what he has commanded of you? Are you moving in obedience? Today's word to you and I is simply about obedience. This is not to condemn you but to simply remind you that obedience is so very important to God--important enough for him to repeat himself a minimum of 6 chapters in a row. The Bible tells us that "obedience is better than sacrifice" (I Sam 15:22). Today is your new opportunity to pay attention and move in the right direction. If tomorrow didn't flow quite right, today push reset and remind yourself of what HE said and then "just do it".

Be encouraged and encourage someone else!

Blessings,
MinD