"Let not my heart be drawn to what is evil, to take part in wicked deeds with men who are evildoers; let me not eat of their delicacies." -- Psalm 141:4

Consider the mistakes you've made in your life-- big ones, little ones, and those in between.  Now consider those mistakes that were more than mere oversights or accidents, but were intentional-- that were sin.  Now think how complicated life can get when we sin.  We hurt others, relationships are broken, we are led to hiding, lying, and isolating ourselves.  We feel shame and guilt.  It just gets in the way of the good things we're trying to do.  God hasn't created us for that kind of life.  Pray that he keep you on a path free of sin.  It's not worth it.  It makes life way more messy than it needs to be.

Today's readings:  Zechariah 2:1-3:10; Revelation 13:1b-18; Psalm 141:1-10; Proverbs 30:18-20

"I know that the Lord secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy." -- Psalm 140:12

In reading this text, I am struck by two thoughts.  First, there should be none that are needy to the point of death.  We have enough resources to ensure that no one needs ever to starve to death because they can't buy food, and no one ever needs to freeze to death because they can't find clothing or shelter.  And yet, starvation and homelessness are still very real and unnecessary problems.  This is our work to do on behalf of God.

Second, the injustice the poor face today is starkly seen in the lack of societal voice and influence.  When politicians write laws to please their large campaign donors and lobbyists, the poor will never find political justice.  There's something systemically wrong and unjust in world politics today.  However, in Christ, money has no pull.  Our currency and influence in this context is faith, hope, and love.  'And the greatest of these is love' (1 Cor 13).  Remember to use the power God gives you faithfully.

Readings for today:  Zechariah 1:1-21; Revelation 12:1-13:1a; Psalm 140:1-13; Proverbs 30:17

"Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." -- Psalm 139:23-24

It would be good to read this whole Psalm (Psalm 139) over again today.  As you do, consider it in its whole form.  Attributed to David, what does this Psalm say about him (the writer)?  It paints a beautiful picture of God's omniscience and omnipresence... but there is more here than just being aware of God's power and abilities.  This writer longs for God as he understands him.  He seeks the way of God above all else.  Do you seek the way of God above all else in your life?  Take time to pray to God today using the words of this Psalm.

Today's Readings:  Haggai 1:1-2:23; Revelation 11:1-19; Psalm 139:1-24; Proverbs 30:15-16

"The Lord your God is with you, his is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." -- Zephaniah 3:17

How is it that with so many billions of people on this earth, we can sometimes feel utterly alone?  We move through space and time with so many others, and have people around us so much of the time, but even when we are by ourselves, we are not alone.  The beginning of this verse says "The Lord your God is with you"... when we walk with that knowledge, we can be assured and emboldened, for he is "mighty to save".  The trick is to remember that we walk in God's presence and it's on us to awaken to it.  Look around and identify where you see God today.

"The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights." -- Habakkuk 3:19

When we live with a sense of purpose that is understood as calling, there is little we can't do.  When we strive to fill our own desires, we invariably come up empty.  But when we throw our energy into the work that is born of divine spark, we have endurance we otherwise wouldn't, strength that we've not known before, and confidence unlike any we can muster alone.  It's the closest we can get to experiencing what it's like to have supernatural powers.  What do you live for that is born out of an understanding of who God has made you to be and what God has called you to do?

"Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, 'Who is the Lord?' Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God." -- Proverbs 30:8-9

Of all the readings, this is the one I didn't want to post, but the one that challenges me the most.  In our culture, while we recognize the evils of poverty and destitution, and we fight against it, we don't complain too much about wealth (with the exception perhaps of corporate greed).  Honestly, the writer of this Proverb doesn't represent my personal prayer, though maybe that shows the work I have yet to do.  Mine is more like, "Keep falsehood and lies far from me and do not give me poverty, Lord.  Instead, go ahead and test me with wealth--  I'm sure I can handle it."  God has yet to answer my prayer, but a day has not gone by that God hasn't provided me food to eat.  Maybe I need to change my prayer to the one in this Proverb, adding "thank you" to the beginning of it.

Today's readings:  Nahum 1:1-3:19; Revelation 8:1-13; Psalm 136:1-26; Proverbs 30:7-9

"The idols of the nations are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. They have mouths, but cannot speak; eyes, but cannot see; they have ears, but cannot hear, nor is there breath in their mouths. Those who make them wil be like them, and so will all who put their trust in them." -- Psalm 135:15-18

As we find ourselves caught these days in a "global debt crisis", it's fascinating to see how fragile the monetary system really is.  When one country has a problem, there is contagion and it is felt by the world. There is deep concern that the euro may not make it, and the dollar may soar in value... what power we've given to something that really has no value in and of itself.  I can take a dollar bill and trade it for something of value to me (food for instance), but I can't eat that dollar bill.  It won't keep me warm.  I suppose I can put it on my wall and admire the art of it, but beyond that, it's really just a piece of paper that symbolizes value.  Let's keep perspective and be careful not to worship at the altar of the "almighty" dollar.

Today's Readings:  Micah 5:1-7:20; Revelation 7:1-17; Psalm 135:1-21; Proverbs 30:5-6