QT 30 Jul 2020, Hos 6:6-7, Put God first

Hosea 6:6–7 (ESV) —

6 For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice,

the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.

7 But like Adam they transgressed the covenant;

there they dealt faithlessly with me.

NOTE: Verse 7 indicates that Adam was under a covenant, the Adamic covenant. This is different from the Edenic covenant (the covenant of innocence). Differences and descriptions can be found at http://www.messianicassociation.org/ezine17-af.covenants.htm. Verse 6 references the Mosaic covenant, but what was lost was the purpose behind the rules. The covenants were not intended to be a rule system for access to God, but rather a protection from the impact of the world. Actually, there are quite a few reasons for the Mosaic covenant and they can be found at http://lighthouseclass.org/dev/images/pdf/mbs006_the_law_of_moses.pdf.

The principle behind verses 6 and 7 is still true today. Our heart is what most important to God. Our works and even our behavior if done out of rote reasons is not what God desires. A good example is our giving. Ten percent is a good thing to do, but for those who make much more than the average, ten percent is essentially a burnt offering with no love. For those who rely on tithing, the Jewish tithe (https://www.ariel.org/FAQRetrieve.aspx?ID=64296&Q=) amounted to an average of 23 percent per year, not the ten percent we like to point to. Also, the NT does endorse tithing. The NT principle is expressed 2 Corinthians 9:7 (ESV) — Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

So, what is the point? Our heart needs to be tuned to God first. Our heart needs to be changed. The word of God can transform our heart and mind. I was reminded of a great verse the other day, James 4:4 (ESV) — You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Let's be friends of God, not friends with this world. Put God first.

PRAYER: Father, forgive us for loving the world. We need to love you first and foremost. May we make you THE priority of our life.

QT 29 Jul 2020, Hos 6:1-2, We need repentance before we can experience healing

Hosea 6:1–2 (ESV) —

1 “Come, let us return to the Lord;

for he has torn us, that he may heal us;

he has struck us down, and he will bind us up.

2 After two days he will revive us;

on the third day he will raise us up,

that we may live before him.

NOTE: I believe this verse is literal and refers to the period at the end of the tribulation period, an actual 3 days at the very end.

I wonder if it has a double meaning and is also prophetic where one day equals one thousand years. In which case, it takes two thousand years from the rejection of Christ to Israel's repentance. And then one thousand years of healing in the millennial kingdom. There are a lot of problems with this view. One, Israel's rejection and judgment started in 722BC with the destruction of the Northern Kingdom by Assyria. But it could refer to both Israel and Judah (the two kingdoms). Will the tribulation start in 2023 or 2026 (2000 years after the crucifixion minus 7 for the tribulation) or 2073 (2000 years after the destruction of the temple minus 7 for the tribulation length)? Each data is a significant event in Jewish history. The year 2026 is only 6 years away.

But all that is speculation. The real point of the passage is that repentance and healing is available to those who turn to God and repent of their sins. There is still hope for the lost. There is still redemption. There is still peace available to all who call upon the Lord from a pure heart.

PRAYER: Father, may we turn from our wickedness and sin. May we embrace the love you showed to us on the cross where your son died for our sins. May we experience the life-changing power of the risen Christ entering into our hearts. May your Holy Spirit work through us and in others to bring them to salvation.

QT 28 Jul 2020, Hos 5:15, A day of wrath is coming upon the world

Hosea 5:15 (ESV) — 15 I will return again to my place,

until they acknowledge their guilt and seek my face,

and in their distress earnestly seek me.

NOTE: There is a time still coming, at the very end of the 7-year tribulation period where Israel will acknowledge her sin and call on the name of Jesus. And He will come in his glory and with the church, and he will slay the enemies of Israel and rescue her. And she, once again, will be restored to the land and  to the blessings God has promised her. We have a promise that we will not have to live through that wrath to come. We, who have believed in the Lord Jesus, will be rescued from that awful time period. We will be raptured. We will go to the place Jesus has prepared to wait for the end of the tribulation. And then we will serve Jesus during his millennial reign on earth.

PRAYER: Father, in the midst of this mess on the earth, I do look forward to that day. I think it will be much different than even "politicized-Christians" can understand. We worry about the wrong things. We are weighted down in rebellion and selfishness. We have a lot of growing still needed. I wonder how that change will occur. I pray for your mercy. We need your mercy.

QT 27 Jul 2020, Hos 5:1, Judgment is coming

Hosea 5:1 (ESV) —

1 Hear this, O priests!

Pay attention, O house of Israel!

Give ear, O house of the king!

For the judgment is for you;

for you have been a snare at Mizpah

and a net spread upon Tabor.

NOTE: God called out judgment on the entire nation of Israel, from one end to the other. All groups: the priests, the people, and the King were guilty. They were to be judged. The king's job is to execute justice. The priests job is to teach and discern truth. The people's job is to seek God and obey his commands. Everyone failed. And so judgment was decreed and later executed.

My world and more specifically my nation have also failed. The evil is great. The sin is great. The disregard of law is rampant. Sexual sin, the destruction of the family and marriage weighs heavy on us. We have chosen teachers from universities who have filled our minds with useless garbage. The teachers in our churches have mixed God's word with the worldview of the culture. The body fails to live differently. Judgment is coming for my nation.

PRAYER: Lord, open our eyes to our sin and need for you. I pray that as believers we would live differently and that we would speak up for the gospel. Let us not be ashamed. Come Lord Jesus, come.

QT 24 Jul 2020, Hos 4:19, There is only one definition of God and it is revealed in the bible

Hosea 4:15 (ESV) —

15 Though you play the whore, O Israel,

let not Judah become guilty.

Enter not into Gilgal,

nor go up to Beth-aven,

and swear not, “As the Lord lives.”

NOTE: People have attached God's name to all kinds of falsities. They bring up the "Lord," but their beliefs are completely contrary to God's teaching about himself and his commands on how to live life. The have actually fashioned idols of 'God' according to what they think God is like or should be like rather than what the bible reveals is the only true God. If it does not match the bible, it is an idol.

PRAYER: Father, expose our human beliefs about you. Let us not be ashamed of the bible. It reveals you. If we can't accept it, we can't accept knowing you.

QT 23 Jul 2020, Hos 4:13, God over comfort

Hosea 4:13 (ESV) —

13 They sacrifice on the tops of the mountains

and burn offerings on the hills,

under oak, poplar, and terebinth,

because their shade is good.

Therefore your daughters play the whore,

and your brides commit adultery.

NOTE: This verse is interesting, because their religious observance (to idols) was partly based on comfort. Other pleasures of the flesh included temple prostitutes and wine (lots of wine). They liked idolatry because it fed their flesh and made them feel good. We are just as guilty. Most people choose a church based on their feelings of comfort. Maybe those feelings are not fleshly, but some are. The color of a carpet or the number of times hymns are sung is getting pretty close, especially when we demand these things. A believer should not demand service fits his or her desire. Our focus needs to be on Jesus and our relationship to him. We need to hear the word, but even more importantly, we need to obey the word. That is our greatest failing in the church today. We don't apply the word of God.

PRAYER: Open our eyes Lord to our shallowness. Help us to see the weakness of our faith and our need for a deeper relationship with you. Help us to see the need to apply the word and not to fool ourselves.

QT 22 Jul 2020, Hos 4:1;4:6, We have lost our most important weapon, the word of God

Hosea 4:1 (ESV) —

1 Hear the word of the Lord, O children of Israel,

for the Lord has a controversy with the inhabitants of the land.

There is no faithfulness or steadfast love,

and no knowledge of God in the land;

Hosea 4:6 (ESV) —

6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge;

because you have rejected knowledge,

I reject you from being a priest to me.

And since you have forgotten the law of your God,

I also will forget your children.

NOTE: Israel's problem, like our problem today, is that there is no knowledge of God in the land. We have replaced biblical truth with an empty worldview that has the power to cancel (remove) anyone from any position if they do not agree with the narrative. It is incredible powerful and frightening. And, it is amazing that we have allowed it to happen. We have failed to teach God's word rightly. We have failed to teach morality. It has been slowly chipped away, beginning with creation, and then to absolute moral law, and then sexual design, and then marriage, and now unity of a people. The failure is that people chose not to believe. But the failure of the church body is also not to believe biblical truth and even worse, not to live out that truth. We too have failed. Lack of knowledge is a failure, but lack of obedience to the knowledge is a deception and a failure.

PRAYER: Father, as a teacher of your word, this hurts. I am part of the problem. I have not taught your word fully or strongly encouraged people to obey the word enough. I can say I have done those things, but have I really? Am I obeying your word in my own life? Help me to see where I am a hypocrite. Forgive me for my part in our societal failure.

QT 21 Jul 2020, Hos 3:1-5, Are we in love with God?

Hosea 3:1–5 (ESV) —

1 And the Lord said to me, “Go again, love a woman who is loved by another man and is an adulteress, even as the Lord loves the children of Israel, though they turn to other gods and love cakes of raisins.” 2 So I bought her for fifteen shekels of silver and a homer and a lethech of barley. 3 And I said to her, “You must dwell as mine for many days. You shall not play the whore, or belong to another man; so will I also be to you.” 4 For the children of Israel shall dwell many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or pillar, without ephod or household gods. 5 Afterward the children of Israel shall return and seek the Lord their God, and David their king, and they shall come in fear to the Lord and to his goodness in the latter days.

NOTE: Apparently, Gomer left Hosea and then sold herself into slavery. Hosea buys his wife back and takes her into his house. The story is an ugly story. It is very painful to consider. I will assume that Gomer was remorseful. I'm sure being a slave was not a good experience. And it was hard for Hosea as well. He must have asked questions like, "does she love me?" and "will she run away again?" and "how can I forgive her?" These are the feelings of God toward a people he had called special and yet did not treat him special. Even today, in the church, with the Holy Spirit abiding in us, do we treat our relationship with God as special? Is it special? Do we yearn to meet with God in the morning? Do we yearn to hear his voice? Are we in love with our savior? Or do we go through the motions and act in a religious manner without any heart for our savior?

PRAYER: Father, I do look forward to these mornings. I yearn to hear you speak. I am excited about what you will say. But I also forget during the day and I get caught up in the things that are not important. I forget to trust. I forget that you earnestly love me and are working in my life. I see someone I love do stupid things and I forget your love. Forgive me for my lack of trust. Forgive for not pursuing you in prayer more.

QT 20 July 2020, Hosea 2:23, Our real purpose is not politics, it's God's people

Hosea 2:23 (ESV) —

23 and I will sow her for myself in the land.

And I will have mercy on No Mercy,

and I will say to Not My People, ‘You are my people’;

and he shall say, ‘You are my God.’ ”

NOTE: God is not finished with Israel. This passage is specific to Israel, and especially the northern 10 tribes. There is coming a time when Israel  will resume its former glory and relationship with God. In the book of Hosea, it is not the church that God is speaking to, but to the 10 tribes of the northern kingdom. A lot of things will change. For church saints, OT saints, and tribulation saints, we will have new bodies. For those in the old bodies, the earth will be restored such that lifespans increase and the tree of life will be available for those who believe. We, believers, will serve as judge and rulers of the towns. Jesus will rule physically on the earth. Death will be defeated. I look forward to those days. This is a very present hope in the midst of a very pained world today.

PRAYER: Father, I pray that I and other believers would stop focusing on politics and wearing masks and lying media, but that our focus would be on loving others and sharing our faith in Jesus Christ who died for our sins and rose again to give each person victory over the grave.

QT 16 Jul 2020, Hos 2:7-9, Seeking God the right way

Hosea 2:7–9 (ESV) —

7 She shall pursue her lovers

but not overtake them,

and she shall seek them

but shall not find them.

Then she shall say,

‘I will go and return to my first husband,

for it was better for me then than now.’

8 And she did not know

that it was I who gave her

the grain, the wine, and the oil,

and who lavished on her silver and gold,

which they used for Baal.

9 Therefore I will take back

my grain in its time,

and my wine in its season,

and I will take away my wool and my flax,

which were to cover her nakedness.

NOTE: At some point Gomer realizes her foolishness, but her calculations are always centered around self. When one relationship does not work, she simply turns to another (going back to her husband), not because it is the right thing to do but  because it might work better. Ultimately she never understands where life and blessing originate and she never understands where judgment originates. We seek God not because of the things we get or even that it is the "moral" thing to do. We seek God because we were created for him; we are commanded to seek him; and he alone knows what is for our best. We have to give up looking for our "best." We have to stop trying to manipulate life so that we are happy. We need to seek God in faith that His will is best, whatever it might look like to our temporal eyesight.

PRAYER: Father, I want to seek you for your sake. Forgive me for wanting things because I have a relationship with you. I thank you for your gifts, but I want to seek you as my creator, Father, King, and Lord.

QT 15 Jul 2020, Hos 2:5-6, We are all whores when it comes to our spiritual relationships

Hosea 2:5–6 (ESV) —

5 For their mother has played the whore;

she who conceived them has acted shamefully.

For she said, ‘I will go after my lovers,

who give me my bread and my water,

my wool and my flax, my oil and my drink.’

6 Therefore I will hedge up her way with thorns,

and I will build a wall against her,

so that she cannot find her paths.

NOTE: For many, it is easy to throw this back on Gomer. She made woefully bad choices and suffers the consequences of her sin. But this really is not about Gomer and it is very applicable to us. Gomer chose the things of this world instead of what was right. Gomer went away from the relationship with her husband and pursued other interests. Don't we see? This is what we do when we don't pursue a relationship with God but chase after the things of the world to provide us with comfort. We don't meet with God regularly. We don't pray. We don't make him a priority. We don't apply the scriptures specifically to our lives. We love the world more than we love God. We are the same whores as Gomer, just our whoredom is seemingly more acceptable, at least in the world's eyes.

PRAYER: Father, open our eyes and help us to see our own sin. We want to be like Jesus. We want to show the same degree of love for others. We want to put you first in our day. We don't want our love for you to be supplanted by the creation. Forgive us I pray.

QT 14 Jul 2020, Hos 1:4-9 portions, The importance of a real change

Hosea 1:4–9 portions (ESV) — 4 And the Lord said to him, “Call his name Jezreel, for in just a little while … I will put an end to the kingdom of the house of Israel. …

6 She conceived again and bore a daughter. And the Lord said to him, “Call her name No Mercy, for I will no more have mercy on the house of Israel, to forgive them at all. 7…, she conceived and bore a son. 9 And the Lord said, “Call his name Not My People, for you are not my people, and I am not your God.”

NOTE: Three children and three negative names to illustrate God's wrath and Israel's future (note: the passage does not apply to Judah). The three names mean: 1) God scatters, 2) No mercy, and 3) Not my people. Any one of the three names is devastating. To cease to be a nation and thrown out of the land of promise is devastating. To not be given mercy is heart-wrenching. But to lose the relationship with God, the words are indescribable. God's covenant with his people still stands, but this temporary judgment is terrifying. The passage illustrates how serious God takes sin. The warning is also to us. Are we serious about our relationship with God and our attitude toward sin. I see people who show great piety in some areas but are totally lacking in love for God. They are religious (very much so) but they are not saved. They do not have a relationship with Jesus. They have not experienced in their inner heart the deep changing work of the Holy Spirit. My heart breaks for them. They do not really understand the salvation that is  theirs in Jesus.

PRAYER: Father, open the eyes of those who claim to be known by you. Help them to see their self-deception. Help them to know real life and a real relationship with Jesus.

QT 13 Jul 2020, Hos 1:2, Loving the Creator not the works

Hosea 1:2 (ESV) — 2 When the Lord first spoke through Hosea, the Lord said to Hosea, “Go, take to yourself a wife of whoredom and have children of whoredom, for the land commits great whoredom by forsaking the Lord.”

NOTE: I can only imagine (and that quite poorly at that) the pain involved in marrying a woman who gives herself to whoredom and then has children of whoredom. How very painful to exist in that type of marriage relationship. To commit to love and then to not be loved, but for her love to be given to many others. All of this is a very true situation, but the intent was to illustrate God the Father's pain as Israel played the harlot to idols and disobeyed his commands. The very things that were intended to save them, destroyed them. Today, we are throwing off the foundations of God's moral law faster than anything. The definition of sex and marriage, established in the very beginning of creation are tossed on the garbage heap. People laugh at those who argue for its applicability and consider the defenders of God, stupid and not part of the elite (those who in their great intelligence have escaped such myths). Oh, what a sad planet we have. It is now living in hatred and sexual sin, and it is so very lost.

PRAYER: Father, forgive us for our foolish love of the things of creation and not the creator. You have given us so much. You are worthy of our love. Open our eyes to our foolishness.

QT 10 Jul 2020, 2 Tim 1:15, How will we truly respond if threatened with persecution?

2 Timothy 1:15 (ESV) — 15 You are aware that all who are in Asia turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes.

NOTE: Paul was likely arrested in Troas, Asia. That is why his parchments and books were left behind. I doubt those materials made it to him before his execution. Also, it appears that everyone deserted him in Troas. Persecution does that to people. It is hard to willingly face prison and torture. It is easy in the moment to say 'I would never do that,' but I can only hope for the courage to stand up in that day. I will not be so arrogant as to say that I would surely stand. I certainly have held my tongue in much less dangerous situations. I hope I do the right thing.

PRAYER: Father, I pray for the courage to stand up for truth when it is not comfortable. Give me an understanding of when those situations occur. I'm more sure I won't deny you, but less sure I won't shrink back. Help me to see and understand the appropriate responses as circumstances dictate. Help me to answer, seasoned with salt, and with gentleness and respect.

QT 9 Jul 2020, 2 Tim 1:12b-14, In the midst (fill in the blank), He is still there

2 Timothy 1:12b–14 (ESV) — 12b …. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me. 13 Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 14 By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.

NOTE: There is a lot I don't understand, like, why God chose me or how God overlooks me and sees Christ in me. But I do know that Jesus has changed my life immeasurably. I am different man today and will be a different man tomorrow -- I will continue to grow and change. I know I have a future hope. I know he is coming back. I know I have a place in heaven. And incredibly, I know I am loved. Maybe that is the lesson of these days, no matter how insecure the world, no matter how lost -- my savior loves me completely. I can rest secure no matter what happens. All the pain does not measure up to the peace and security and future we have in Christ.

PRAYER: Thank you Jesus for loving me. Thank you for changing me. Thank you that you remain the same no matter how much the world is in upheaval. I pray I would not be ashamed to share my security in you.

QT 8 July 2020, 2 Tim 1:8-9, Do not shrink back

2 Timothy 1:8–9 (ESV) — 8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, 9 who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,

NOTE: In Paul's day, the fire in Rome had resulted in intense scrutiny of church leaders (like Paul), and their friends. A day may come and certainly seems close, when people will call us out for our faith. This is not the time to retreat or hide or try to save our lives by being quiet. Dozeman writes:

"Jesus warned that at His second coming He will be ashamed of (i.e., refuse to own as His disciples) those who draw back from following Him out of fear of human opinion (Mk. 8:38 par Lk. 9:26). On the other hand, the author of Hebrews stated that God is “not ashamed” to be called the God of the OT saints (He. 11:16), and Christ “is not ashamed to call [those who suffer for Him] brethren” (2:11)"

(Dozeman, T. B. (1979–1988). Shame; Ashamed. In G. W. Bromiley (Ed.), The International Standard Bible
Encyclopedia, Revised (Vol. 4, p. 448). Wm. B. Eerdmans.)

This is a serious time and we need to be prepared to defend the gospel and our faith. Paul was within weeks of dying -- he knew the cost of identifying with Christ, but still he warns Timothy, his son in the Lord, not to deny our faith. This time of suffering feels like it is coming soon. Already, we are so restricted in what we can say or share in the work environment. At some point, it will spill into our personal lives as well. We can't withdraw. We must stand up for truth no matter the cost. We must make up our minds what to say.

PRAYER: Father, help me to think through the questions I may be asked. Help me to be prepared to answer, seasoned with salt, gentle, and with respect. By your grace, may I not shrink back.

QT 7 July 2020, 2 Tim 1:3-7, Our new birth reminds us of God's love in a time of increasing suffering

2 Timothy 1:3–7 (ESV) — 3 I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. 4 As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy. 5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. 6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, 7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

NOTE: This letter to Timothy (when read fully) reveals a Paul deserted by friends because of Nero's war against Christian sect leaders. Paul's first defense did not go well. Paul recognizes that he is already (pre-determined) to be a sacrifice for Nero's burning down of the city. Also, Paul suggest the end is coming soon. The last days are approaching. His race and fight is over. And so he wants to encourage his spiritual son Timothy because everything is going to get much harder to live as a Christian. How does he encourage him? He reminds him of the special-ness of his conversion and Paul's joy in seeing his faith. I think it is good to remember those days. God reached out to me in college, during the "I found it" campaign and through the ministry of the Navigators. Tom F., Bill M., and others made me feel special. I learned that love can be found in dedicated believers. I watched as the word of God transformed me from the inside out. I felt the power of the resurrected life. No matter what happens in the days ahead, for those who have experienced the new birth, there is no fear. We are His. We have a glorious future.

PRAYER: I am yours. I am purchased by your blood. I am part of your family. And you have promised me to never leave or forsake me. I am loved unconditionally and eternally. Thank you for all that you have done for me. I am an unworthy son.

QT 6 Jul 2020, Ps 66;16-19, Does God answer our prayers? Does he even hear them?

Psalm 66:16–19 (ESV) —

16 Come and hear, all you who fear God,

and I will tell what he has done for my soul.

17 I cried to him with my mouth,

and high praise was on my tongue.

18 If I had cherished iniquity in my heart,

the Lord would not have listened.

19 But truly God has listened;

he has attended to the voice of my prayer.

NOTE: God answers prayer, or does he? God does not even listen to the person who cherishes iniquity in their heart. God turns a deaf ear to those who cherish iniquity. What does that mean since we are all sinners? The word cherish, ra'ah /raw-aw/, and the word listen, shama /shaw-mah/ have a slight similarity. We cherish (a form of listening -- listen to) other things and the Lord does not listen to our prayers (cherish our prayers). One definition for the Hebrew word cherish means to give attention to. We should be giving attention to God, but instead we are giving attention to iniquity (sin). How do we solve this problem? There are two ways. One, we repent at the beginning of our  prayer time. Two, we ask God to reveal our sins to us. In Ps 139 David asked God to search his heart and reveal if there is any wicked way in him. But deep down, for most of us, we know our sin, we just don't want to admit it or to give it up. And so, our prayers are ineffective. God does not hear or answer our prayers.

PRAYER: Father, forgive me for my own selfishness. Forgive for my feeding of the flesh. I want to see my prayers as effective. I want to hear your voice. I desire that you hear my prayers. I don't want to get in the way. When you do answer, it may not be the way I wanted you to answer, but I will have faith that it is the best way.

QT 3 Jul 2020, Ps 63:1, Seeking God early

Psalm 63:1 (ESV) —

1 O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you;

my soul thirsts for you;

my flesh faints for you,

as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.

NOTE: Psalm 63 verse 1 is a very famous and well-loved verse. Constable and older translations (such as the KJV and AV) translated shakar (the word used for earnestly) as to seek early. It could mean that, and if we eagerly or earnestly sought God, it should be from the start of the day. I can imagine David waking up in the morning and the very first thing of the day is, what will God say to me today? I can't say I think that exactly, but I do look forward to my quiet time. It is not a burden.

Right now, the house is quiet, the sun is streaming in the window onto my back, and the ceiling fans pushes cold air down on me. It is very peaceful. God's word is familiar and yet very comforting. I have started reading a book at night before I go to bed. It is one of the few physical books I have bought in the last decade. I literally have thousands on my devices, and from older days, over 500 on shelves. But this new leather book is small and contains passages of scripture for each day, not more really than a page's worth. I have been reading those verses so that the last thing at night is God's word. When I wake up, and clean up, and grab my coffee, I then find a quiet place to hear and respond to God's word. So, do I eagerly look forward to meeting with God in the morning? After 40 years of walking with God, I think I can say yes.  What is God saying then this morning? He has given me a love for him and his word. And it is truly wonderful.

PRAYER: Father, my soul does thirst for you. Maybe that is why I can be frustrated with others who should know better and yet refuse to put you first in the morning. Others, who refuse to make application to your word. You have been very good to me over the years, and the years have had their share of pain. I would not want to go through the pain again, and I don't know what the future holds, but I would make you my savior over and over again. I am an unworthy son that is loved so exceedingly.

QT 2 Jul 2020, Ps 62:3-4, The world needs Jesus

Psalm 62:3–4 (ESV) —

3 How long will all of you attack a man

to batter him,

like a leaning wall, a tottering fence?

4 They only plan to thrust him down from his high position.

They take pleasure in falsehood.

They bless with their mouths,

but inwardly they curse. Selah

NOTE: This verse has always been a reminder to me that leadership is a lonely place. I think it is important, even essential to have a friend. I think a relationship with God is a real game-changer. I know as I have faced adversity over this past year, it is my relationship with God that has got me through it and given me peace. Today's work environment is a strange place. There is very limited freedom to express any view which is counter to the prevailing cultural opinion of the day. And the ability to share the gospel is even more severely restricted. But it still is possible to be a witness for Jesus Christ in words and actions. We can still care. We can still pray privately. We can still give thanks to God for the things he has given in our personal life. And each of those things can make an impact on a lost world.

PRAYER: Father, the world is in chaos, but one thing always remains and one thing answers every need of men and women -- we need Jesus. A changed heart that is filled with the goodness of God and a redeemed life are our greatest needs. How I look forward to the day when Jesus reigns in the millennial kingdom! We need you Lord Jesus. Come Lord Jesus.

QT 1 Jul 2020, Ps 61:2, Our true rock is Jesus

Psalm 61:2 (ESV) —

2 from the end of the earth I call to you

when my heart is faint.

Lead me to the rock

that is higher than I,

NOTE: Verse 2a "From the end of the earth I call to you" - It doesn't matter where we are or even how far away we feel from God, we are loved with a steadfast love that does not change. With Jesus' death, our sins were taken away and we have his righteousness. He hears us; He loves us; He is always ready to help us. Verse 2b "when my heart is faint" - Fear causes us to faint. Worry increases the fear and vice-a-versa. Everything seems so difficult in those times. We want to give up and forget life. God is still there, although his presence is not always felt. He does not change. Verse 2c "Lead me to the rock that is higher than I" - There were a number of rock refuges for David in the wilderness, but I think that in this case (and in the context given by verse 3) he is referring to God. God is our rock. He is immovable. He is firm. He protects. He gives us peace.

PRAYER: In this day, we need your protection. The world is slowly unraveling due to self-generated anger, sin, disease, and lies. We need to  stand up for the truth that is real truth, Jesus. He died to give us a future and a hope that is real and eternal. May we not shrink back in this day and age.