February 27- Today Was Plum Crazy

Leviticus 20:22-22:16
Mark 9:1-29
Psalm 43:1-5
Proverbs 10:18

Psalm 43-
⁵ Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again— my Savior and my God!

You ask yourself, "Is God here? Does he care about me?" In the midst of sadness, in the midst of trial, in the midst of pain. "Does God care?"

He does. Sure, he didn't answer the way I hoped. Not the way I wanted. Today was plum crazy!

And yet, on a plum crazy day, I saw God working. Working in the lives of good friends who called us and cared about us. Working through wonderful medical assistants who gave themselves for the sake of ministry and love. Working in the lives of elders and mentors who served with gifts when they didn't have to.

Plum crazy the day was!

Some people look at the day and just see the craziness of it all. A prayer not answered, a pain felt so strongly, a hurt so deep.

Sure, that was there.

But on my plum crazy day, I don't see the craziness as much as I see... well, you know...
I guess I see the fruit.

Thank you.

February 26- Who Is Jesus?

Leviticus 19:1-20:21
Mark 8:11-38
Psalm 42:1-11
Proverbs 10:17

In Mark 8, Jesus asks his Apostles "Who do people say that I am?"

Two thousand years later, and many people still don't know the answer. Isn't it sad that so many could be so close, yet so far away?

A good man? A prophet? Jesus reminds his apostles that he is more than these things. He is the Christ!

The question is, "Who is Jesus to you?" A good man? A prophet? Or something much more?

February 25- Don't Means Don't!

Leviticus 16:29-18:30
Mark 7:24-8:10
Psalm 41:1-13
Proverbs 10:15-16

Leviticus 18 has a list of 1001 forms of sexual immorality. Going down the list, one could say, "Boy. Talk about overkill. Do you really have to give that many details?" Fact is, Leviticus 18 reminds me that PEOPLE ARE DENSE. No, I'm not saying that as a way to slam you (the reader) or those like you. Remember, I'm a people too! My point is simply that if God doesn't spell some of this stuff out, it's liable to end up being tried. How many times have you told your kids not to do something, just to have them try something else very similar? Daddy didn't say I couldn't eat the cookie, just that I couldn’t touch it! Such is the problem with life. People always want to see what they can get away with.

I don’t wanna be one of those people. I know I have been… and I know I can be like this. But God calls us to a deeper standard. Hey, just don’t do it! When God says “Don’t!” he means “Don’t!”

February 24- Heart Disease

Leviticus 15:1-16:28
Mark 7:1-23
Psalm 40:11-17
Proverbs 10:13-14

Mark 7:15- It’s not what goes into your body that defiles you; you are defiled by what comes from your heart

Heart disease evidently runs in my family. My dad had it, and based on the data I've seen so far, I bet I'll have it too. I think about it a lot. I try to keep good oral health, because this impacts heart disease. I'd like to eat better, and really struggle to be consistent. Still, I know if I don't, heart disease is ever lurking. I am pretty concerned about my heart. What I eat, how I brush my teeth, and all of that.

Here's the catch. There is a deeper illness that affects my heart. Another disease, much more real, and much more serious. This disease isn't so much about food or exercise or oral hygiene. This disease is about sin. Sin that eats away at the core of us. Sin that seeks to destroy us.

Sin can consume the heart. It eats at it. So, we decide today what our plan will be. Will we let sin eat away at us from within? Or, will we make sin a top priority, purging it from our lives? I don't know about you, but I want to stop this heart disease before it kills me. Time to seek the great physician and take the necessary steps.

February 23- Jesus Never Let Me Down

Leviticus 14:1-57
Mark 6:30-56
Psalm 40:1-10
Proverbs 10:11-12

We’d have to work for months to earn enough money to buy food for all these people!

I'd be a liar if I said that I wasn't there right now. The Apostles in Mark 6, scrambling to find enough money or food or whatever to feed 5,000. Today we went to the doctor and all of those same fears rose to the surface. How can we afford this? What if the baby isn't doing well? Aren't we too old to be going through this again? And then, Jesus shows up. He takes our limited resources, our tiny faith, and presto change-o.... Jesus makes it all better.

Sure, he didn't feed 5,000 today. No, there weren't 12 basketfulls leftover. But, in a small way, we had confidence because as always, we knew he was right there with us.

That's all I really want to say. I know Jesus is still there. Call me a moron. Say that I'm backwards. Fact is, you show me your faith or luck or hope or peace. I'll show you mine. My hope is in Jesus Christ. Jesus never let me down, and he won't now. Even if he answers in a way that I don't like. Jesus never let me down.

February 22- Going Home

Leviticus 13:1-59
Mark 6:1-29
Psalm 39:1-13
Proverbs 10:10

Most people can relate to the statement of Jesus is Mark 6.

A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his relatives and his own family.

The hardest place in the world to be a Christian is at home. Going home to do ministry isn't often a wise decision. The fact is, it's hard to live a renewed Christian life at home. At home, people know the old you. They watched you grow, know your mistakes, see your failings, and know your history. Sometimes, its good to just get away. Starting over can be a wise decision. Jesus here understood the difficulty of trying to do one's job at home. He knew that staying home can be hard on the man of God. So, this text goes out to all who have ever tried to do the right thing at home and failed miserably. To those who have desired to live like Jesus, only to have it thrown back at you. For everyone who has lived a Christian life, only to have family treat you as a hypocrite. Take heart. Jesus understood. Home is a hard place to minister.

February 21- When I Sin, Don't Forget Me

Leviticus 11:1-12:8
Mark 5:21-43
Psalm 38:1-22
Proverbs 10:8-9

Psalm 38 is a Psalm of David following his sin against God. The text shows David in need of God, without hope and broken in the Lord's presence. If only we too would come running to God after our sin and confessing that we can't survive without him! How deep can one fall into the pit without God's willingness to save if that heart is broken before God? The problem is, so many choose not to be broken before God. We decide to be disobedient, unfaithful, and irreverent. We choose to rely on self than to turn to God. Like Adam and Eve, we run rather than face the one who is seeking after us. So, this is a Psalm of transformation. This psalmist says, "Maybe I should be turning to God. He alone can save me." Maybe we should be turning to God. He alone can save us.

February 20- Aaron Was Silent

Leviticus 9:7-10:20
Mark 4:26-5:20
Psalm 37:30-40
Proverbs 10:6-7

The story in Leviticus 10 of Nadab and Abihu reminds us of the seriousness of treating God holy. The two boys sin against their God, by not treating holy things as holy. As the text unfolds, we read God's words-

‘I will display my holiness through those who come near me. I will display my glory before all the people.’”

Then the text says that "Aaron was silent." It's a terrible thing to realize that God hasn't been treated with the respect that he deserves. Aaron sees this, and can't say a word. He is humbled by the sin of his boys. This text serves as a reminder. God is holy! We should honor him as such.

February 19- Providing For God's Workers

Leviticus 7:28-9:6
Mark 3:31-4:25
Psalm 37:12-29
Proverbs 10:5

Reading Leviticus 7, we see a theme in verses 28-38 that demonstrate God's provision for those who follow him. The text says that when the Israelites sacrificed their gifts to God, the Lord would provide for the needs of the priests by giving them a portion of that which belonged to him. Thus, God never allowed his workers to go hungry. As long as the priests did their job, and as long as the people came to offer sacrifices, God's workers enjoyed a wealthy life of God providing for their needs.

The story reminds us of trusting in God's provision. When we serve God, he always takes care of our needs. Obedience to God results in continual provision and blessing. That's not to say that hard times will never come. However, when we trust in the Lord, he will share with us from the table of his rich blessings and everlasting kindness.

February 18- Happy?

Leviticus 6:1-7:27
Mark 3:7-30
Psalm 37:1-11
Proverbs 10:3-4

Proverbs 10:3- The Lord will not let the godly go hungry, but he refuses to satisfy the craving of the wicked.

Well, there you have it. If we are living righteously, God's gonna take care of us. Likewise, if we are never satisfied, maybe we aren't living righteously. I've seen this played out too often in my life. I can be ok financially and totally unhappy. Most of the time my own sin and selfishness prevents me from finding that joy. However, I have seen the opposite as well. We've been broke financially, and have been content. We've been confident in these times that God would provide for us. So, yes... this verse makes sense. Now the question is, "How do I feel right now? Content or dissatisfied? Provided for or empty?" The key is to live a righteous life. Righteousness leads to happiness.

February 17- That's My Jesus!

Leviticus 4:1-5:19
Mark 2:13-3:6
Psalm 36:1-12
Proverbs 10:1-2

Mark 2 has a few little stories which all seem to say "Jesus isn't what you'd expect." Boy, do I believe that! From a baby in a plastic nativity scene to a statue in a church, my view of Jesus was once so two dimensional. Now, at the age of 33, Jesus means so much more. And yet, those older and wiser always tell me "Just wait." I can't imagine what he will mean to me some day! When that trumpet sounds! When the king of kings comes riding in! Wow... just to think "That's my Jesus!" What a moment of awakening that will be!

February 16- I'd Never Write A Book Like This!

Leviticus 1:1-3:17
Mark 1:29-2:12
Psalm 35:17-28
Proverbs 9:13-18

Psalm 35:17- How long, O Lord, will you look on and do nothing?

Just as a thought... If you were writing a book about yourself, would you tell everyone reading the book about all of the best arguments against you?

My name is Chris and I'm lazy. I'm a poor husband and an unthoughtful father. Honestly, my wife thinks very little of me.

No! You'd never do that! Why? Who wants that level of honesty spoken about themselves? And yet, here God allows scripture to be published that directly attacks him. The Psalmist says "How long are you gonna not answer my prayers God?" As if the world isn't against God enough already! We all have our own struggles with God. The last thing we need is he himself telling us that people are discontent with him and the speed in which he answers prayers. Yet, right there in Psalm 35, God gives us a great argument that people use.

Now, I have to say that I'm a big fan of scripture, and this point is so clearly proven here. God is all about telling it like it is! Need a reason to reject God? Hey... everyone else did when they killed him! Don't have the strength to be free from sin? Neither did the first people who ever lived? Boy, God's honesty really puts him in an interesting situation. And yet, for those with eyes to see, salvation is found in these words. With those who have ears to hear, God is the best thing that ever happened to them. Jesus told John's disciples "blessed is the man who doesn't fall away on account of me." I guess what I'm saying is that "Yes... one could read the Bible and think less of God. One could use the knowledge of scripture to destroy lives and lose faith." However, in the great honesty of scripture is found an amazing truth. God really does love those people. I'd never write a book like the Bible. I wouldn't be honest enough. But God is the way, the truth, and the life. Blessed is he who doesn't fall away on account of that truth.

February 15- When Did You Forget?

Exodus 39:1-40:38
Mark 1:1-28
Psalm 35:1-16
Proverbs 9:11-12

I'm reading Exodus 39 about the wardrobe of the High Priest. As I read, it says that a stone is placed in his chest piece, representing the twelve sons of Israel. Maybe (just maybe) this was to remind the High Priest that it was all about the people. The people were to be close to the heart of the High Priest. They should have mattered to him, been precious to him, and been right there in the forefront of his mind as he sacrificed for them. And yet, we see time and time again, these men forget their purpose and act in ways that hurt the people they are to be serving. Don't you wanna grab a priest and say "When did you forget about the people?" Don't you wanna do that to church leaders today too? Churches often are so messed up, so backwards. I just wanna grab the leadership and say "When did you forget?"

God calls us back to remember. It's not just about God. It's not just about yourself. It's also about the people. The funny thing is, people tend to see themselves and God on the same page. I want what God wants, thus me serving him is also me getting my way. But, when we realize that God's passion is the people, the tables turn. The desires of the people might not be our desires. The people might see a need that I don't. So, God calls us to love the people. Love the Lord and love your neighbor. When you serve one of these, you serve me. Hey, maybe when we stand up for them, we are standing up for him! Maybe his will has more to do with them than it does with us! So, we try not to forget. Keep the people close to your heart. Don't forget the people.

February 14th- Great Com-Mission

Exodus 37:1-38:31
Matthew 28:1-20
Psalm 34:11-22
Proverbs 9:9-10

As the story of Jesus comes to an end, Christ wraps up his time with the apostles by giving them a mission or commission to follow. As I read those words again for the billionth time (seems like it), I think about all that this text has been to me. Once it was a proof text to show me how one is saved. At some point, I saw this as the church's great failure, being a commandment that so few are willing to follow. Another time in life, this verse become a system to help me understand how disciples were made. Today, I read the verse and try to approach it with no bias, with no ulterior motive, and with open eyes. Do you know what I see? Mission. A mission held, a mission failed, a mission given, a mission lived, a mission worth dying for, a mission accomplished, a mission still moving, a great mission! So, today we live for the mission! We live for the mission because he lived for it and died for it, and gave up so much for it. Live for the mission!

February 13- Blinded By A Lie

Exodus 35:10-36:38
Matthew 27:32-66
Psalm 34:1-10
Proverbs 9:7-8

So, evidently when Jesus was crucified, "the curtain of the temple was torn in two, the earth shook and the rocks split, the tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life and appeared to many people." Just as a thought... this should have been proof enough. Was he God or wasn't he God? You might could have debated that. But, when you start seeing the dead rise and the temple curtain ripped, that should be some type of evidence (speaking sarcastically).

Here's what kills me though. In Matthew 27:62-63, the chief priest and Pharisees want to prevent "the deceiver's followers" from "stealing the body!" Boy, are these guys thick or what? You can't be serious. After all that, they still think he's a con man. The fact is, some people will never see enough proof. Some people just can't be convinced. Talk about sad!

I guess the natural question to ask is "How to we prevent ourselves from being blinded like these people were?" A good friend of mine showed me a verse the other day in Psalm 115. The verse says-

³ Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him. ⁴ But their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. ⁵ They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but they cannot see; ⁶ they have ears, but cannot hear, noses, but they cannot smell; ⁷ they have hands, but cannot feel, feet, but they cannot walk; nor can they utter a sound with their throats. ⁸ Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them.

My friend's observation was that people tend to be like the things they worship. That's what this verse says. If we worship idols, then we will be like them. Idols can't make wise decisions. Idols can't think straight. Idols can't see. Those who worship them, do what they do.

The people stood in the presence of God, and didn't see what others could see so clearly. Why? Because they didn't know God. They were wicked. What about us? Will we be blinded to the truth, or will we see with our eyes and be aware of our surroundings? It all depends on what (or who) you worship.

February 12- I Am Barabbas

Exodus 34:1-35:9
Matthew 27:15-31
Psalm 33:12-22
Proverbs 9:1-6

As Jesus stands on trial before the crowd, it is determined by Pilate that the audience should be forced to choose between Jesus the Christ and Barabbas the Notorious. Who should be freed and who should be killed? The Messiah or The Monster? The Son of God or The Scoundrel? The destiny of mankind hung upon the vote of the crowd that day. Sadly, the crowd voted correctly.

Sadly, Jesus had to die. Regrettably, the Christ paid for the sins of all mankind. The road to the cross was a bloodied and painful path that my savior was forced to endure.

Correctly, Jesus gave himself up for their cause. Rightfully, the Messiah lived an innocent life and died, while the guilty were set free.

I am Barabbas. No matter how much I want to be Jesus, I know who I really am. I deserved death that day, I committed the crime, I was worthy of the punishment... and I was set free. Two men stand on the chopping block. One was a good man. The other was a criminal. Which one am I more like? Well, the free man of course. I am more like Barabbas. That is why I choose to live like Christ!

February 11- Why Do People Choose Evil?

Exodus 32:1-33:23
Matthew 26:69-27:14
Psalm 33:1-11
Proverbs 8:33-36

Reading Exodus 32 and 33, I just want to laugh and cry. Moses goes up to the mountain to receive the law, and while he is there, the Israelites are breaking it. The law never made it down the mountain! The law was broken before it was ever even given! Why is it that people choose evil? Why are human beings so quick to disobey their God? This text reminds me that it doesn't matter what experiences we have, what signs we've seen, and what slavery we've been freed from, it is always an easy departure from God back into idolatry! The people quickly mix their Egyptian pagan worship with their Jewish monism together, to form a new religion of idolatry. How did they get there? Bad advice. Misguided faith. Selfish intentions. We should seek God, that we will not also fall to these things. The point is, it is very natural to choose rebellion against God. So you've had the experiences, seen the signs, and been freed from slavery? Don't stop seeking God! You too are just a heartbeat away from breaking God's law. The key is to turn to God. He will help you know if you're following bad advice, a misguided faith, or selfish intentions. Draw near to the mountain of the Lord! Moses drew near to God and was freed from wickedness.

February 10- Nothing Against Jesus

Exodus 30:11-31:18
Matthew 26:47-68
Psalm 32:1-11
Proverbs 8:27-32

Matthew 26- 59The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death. 60But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward.

Even though he claimed to be God. Even though everyone was against him. Even though he publicly did and said things that they were constantly attacking him for, they still couldn't find grounds to convict Jesus. This is how you know that you are on the side of wrong! When all efforts and attacks, all accusations and criticisms point towards a person's innocence. Isn't it an interesting point that Jesus made such incredible claims, and still was not ever a lawbreaker? Jesus was who he claimed to be.

February 9- All Alone

Exodus 29:1-30:10
Matthew 26:14-46
Psalm 31:19-24
Proverbs 8:14-26

Matthew 26 strikes me. For the first time (in a long time) I think about the pain Jesus must have felt, being so alone. His disciples aren't unified, one will betray him, one will deny him, those closest will not have the strength to pray with him, and all this under the cloud of sorrow knowing of the certain doom that will come. All alone in a time of need.

I wish I could be there. I wish I could be the only friend of Jesus in his moment of pain. I wish I could stay up all night and pray with Christ about the coming events that are to transpire. But, I wasn't there. And I know, had I been there, he would have still prayed alone. They represent us. In his moment of need, no one cared.

The irony is, when we are in need, he does care. He went through these times, so that he could be there for us when we go through them. His pain translates into help for us. Isn't it ironic? We weren't there for him, so he understands how to help us when we are in need. What an amazing God we have! All alone? He gets it. He cares.

February 8- Love Them = Love Him

Exodus 28:1-43
Matthew 25:31-26:13
Psalm 31:9-18
Proverbs 8:12-13

"I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me."

The question is raised, "Why does it matter how we treat other people?" We don't have to show love. We don't have to demonstrate Christian kindness. We don't have to serve. Why should we do these things? Because, he did. He knew what it was to love the unlovable. He knew what it was to care for those unworthy of his care. So much does he love them, that when we love them, our service to them is service to him. Service to the widow is service to God. Sacrifice for the poor is sacrifice for God. Why do we love them? Because to love them is to love him.

February 7- Satisfied

Exodus 26:1-27:21
Matthew 25:1-30
Psalm 31:1-8
Proverbs 8:1-11

Proverbs 8:10-11 reads, “Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her.” As I read these words, I am taken back to all of the times I chose stuff over God. Money, self worth, friends, hobbies, family, food, possessions, and the list goes on. Guess what I learned in the process (and quite frankly and still learning). Nothing we desire compares to knowing God. These other things are an endless pool that can never be filled. But, to know him is to be truly satisfied.

February 6- How To Cook A Baby Goat

Exodus 23:14-25:40
Matthew 24:29-51
Psalm 30:1-12
Proverbs 7:24-27

I crack up whenever I read Bible verses that seem to be out of place. As I read Exodus 23, I see one of these passages in verse 19. God is speaking about religious festivals and Jewish celebrations, when out of the clear blue he says, "Don't cook a young goat in its mother's milk." Now, that is a strange verse. Why in God's law would he care about how one cooks a baby goat? While the Bible says a lot about food, having a recipe for goat here seems a little strange. However, this text shows us something about God. The Lord isn't cruel. Why should one not cook a goat in its mother's milk? Because that's cruel. This is why it's wrong to torture puppies. Because God isn't cruel. That's why it's wrong to trick the blind. Because, God isn't cruel. Wow, if we just believed this text and lived it in our lives! I can just hear my elementary school friends now "Chris. let's go pick on the retarded kids." I could have responded "Don't cook a young goat in its mother's milk." No. God isn't cruel.

February 5- By His Word

Exodus 21:22-23:13
Matthew 24:1-28
Psalm 29:1-11
Proverbs 7:6-23

Psalm 29 tells us about "The voice of the Lord." I love this Psalm, love this song, and am reminded in reading (singing) it of all that God did with just a spoken word. By his words, God called creation into existence. The Lord spoke and the universe was given its form. The word then became flesh and made its dwelling among us. And while I don't understand all that this phrase "The voice of the Lord" meant to ancient thinkers, I do know what it means to me. I know that it means that God is absolute in his decrees, His word is truth. Powerful are his words to change hearts, lives, and the paths of those who would place their trust in those words. Mighty is God's word! This is why we read. This is why I am blogging. Because God's word is worthy of consideration.

February 4- The Swinging Pendulum of Christianity

Exodus 19:16-21:21
Matthew 23:13-39
Psalm 28:1-9
Proverbs 7:1-5

Matthew 23- 23"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. 24You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.

This text is one of those that I've really had a hard time with. What is the balance between the weightier matters of the law and the lesser matters? While I know this verse has a clearly Jewish meaning, I am challenged by the Christian application. Does one weigh God's Salvation on the same level as Church Decisions? Should we say that Love has the same weight as Christian Worship? This is a very complex question with a multitude of answers. While I won't pretend to have it figured out, I will say that Jesus' response seems to be twofold. 1) Don't neglect the more important 2) Don't neglect the former. May I suggest that too often what we see in this area is a pendulum swing one way or the other. One direction is that Christians forget the weightier and only honor the lesser matters (example: showing zero love or compassion towards the broken out of righteous indignation). The other direction is that Christians honor the weightier yet forget the lesser matters (example: showing Christian love, but acting in rebellion towards the church). Jesus seems to be calling us to a balance here. Christianity is about majoring in the majors, minoring in the minors, and acting like Jesus during that entire process. Difficult? You bet it is.

February 3- Your Face, Lord, I Will Seek

Exodus 17:8-19:15
Matthew 22:34-23:12
Psalm 27:7-14
Proverbs 6:27-35

Psalm 27:7-8- Hear my voice when I call, O LORD; be merciful to me and answer me. My heart says of you, "Seek his face!" Your face, LORD, I will seek.

David was a man after God. Not just a man like God, but a man chasing God. He wanted to know God, to be united with God, and to experience God. David longed for God. Oh, that we might have this same desire. To say to God "I want to see you." There is no other like our God. May we forever seek his face.

February 2- The Rat Race Can Wait

Exodus 15:19-17:7
Matthew 22:1-33
Psalm 27:1-6
Proverbs 6:20-26

Psalm 27
1 The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?

I don't know about you, but I have a lot of concerns right now. Well, the fact is that I always have a lot of concerns. These concerns seem to flow with time back and forth. A concern about money evolves into a concern about health. A concern about the kids transforms into a concern about my wife. Work matters change into calendar matters, which change into time issues, which change into employer issues, which then evolve back into work matters. And you know what? I'm tired. I'm tired (not of work, or kids, or my wife, or money), but I'm tired of the concern. Sure, there are good ways to be concerned. I need to be concerned in a godly way. But I'm sick of the continual roller coaster of worry and dread, anxiety and stress, preoccupation and dismay that so easily entangles us. I'm tired of worrying about what's gonna happen next.

So, I dust off my Bible. Brew a cup of coffee. Sit down in the recliner. And I relax.
I read these words "The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?" and I say a prayer.

The rat race can wait. The world can take a break. The time has come to read and pray.

February 1- Faith In Waiting

Exodus 13:17-15:18
Matthew 21:23-46
Psalm 26:1-12
Proverbs 6:16-19

Exodus 14:13-14 reads "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still." I love this verse! This has to be one of the best examples of what it is to have faith that the Bible has to offer. Faith isn't about us figuring it all out! Faith is about us depending on God to figure it all out! The point of this verse is that we must realize there are times when we can't do it! We can't make it! We can't solve it! We don't have what it takes! So, we trust him. "Just be still and know that I am God." Who'd have thought that faith would look like this? People, standing back and letting God work. Now, that takes some real faith!

January 31- Triumph And Tragedy

Exodus 12:14-13:16
Matthew 20:29-21:22
Psalm 25:16-22
Proverbs 6:12-15

Matthew 21 tells the story of the "Triumphal Entry," and while I enjoy the image of Jesus being honored and praised by the crowds, I can't get over the fact that the crowds turned against him so quickly. Just a week later, the crowds that yelled "Hosanna" were screaming "Crucify!" Days after being brought in on a colt, he was forced to carry his own cross. Jesus' triumph was tarnished through tragedy!

The most obvious question (to me) is always, "If I were there, would I have done that?" Had I been there, would I have betrayed, doubted, and called for his death? And while my heart says "no," I remember one crucial point. Too often, if given the opportunity to do the right thing, I choose to reject my God. You see, these people represent us so well. As Israel was both named "Jacob- deceiver" and "Israel- he who wrestles with God and overcomes," we too find ourselves wrestling with God. Will we deceive or will we overcome? Will we hurt our Lord or will we Honor him? These are the questions that we face today. In a week's time, people can go from saints to sinners. May we learn to live as saints, casting aside the sin that so easily entangles us.