"Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor? Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?" -- Romans 11:34-35

We tend to forget that we are not God.  We are not all-knowing, all-powerful, all-present.  We are mortal.  We are the created.  And yet we live sometimes as though we have God all figured out.  Instead of living as creatures that he created in his image, we create God in our own image, and box him up until we need him.  We confuse God with an imaginary genie.  We forget that it is we who owe him, and it is we who should live for him.  Be humble people of God.  Be humble, that you might remember from where you came, and serve the one who gave you breath.

Readings:  2 Chronicles 21:1-23:21; Romans 11:13-36; Psalm 22:1-18; Proverbs 20:7

"A sluggard does not plow in season; so at harvest time he looks but finds nothing." -- Proverbs 20:4

In Ecclesiastes, we read that there is a time for every purpose... but distractions are a challenge.  We have hopes, dreams, and intentions... but the worries of the day keep them as such.  Because we choose not to act on our ideas, they forever remain elusive.  It's startling to see others, reaping rewards for the diligent hard work they put in for years, while we still intend to do something one day.  Whether that for you is getting that degree, starting that business, reading that Bible, or saying what you need to say to that person for healing to occur... when you say "I'm going to do that", you run the risk of not doing it at all.  If you are really going to do that, schedule it.  And then ACT.  If you can act even before scheduling, do so.  You will not reach your goals if you do not place the stones of action before them.  The harvesters will be all around you.  Be one of them.

Readings:  2 Chronicles 19:1-20:37; Romans 10:14-11:12; Psalm 21:1-13; Proverbs 20:4-6

"It is to a man's honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel." -- Proverbs 20:3

Conflict is a curious thing.  We walk a fine line in our relationships between avoiding conflict and being in conflict too much.  Some of us will avoid at all costs.  Others of us seem to look for a fight wherever we can find it.  But a wise person finds their way in the middle.  Careful to select which battles they take on in their life, they assess the cost risk and the benefit potential before entering into a fight.  Conflict can be harmful to relationships if not dealt with adequately and appropriately.  It is important to address points of contention early, otherwise they'll fester into a wound that will be open and vulnerable.  These can infect and destroy the relaitonship.  Remember, pick your fights wisely.  Don't destroy relationships over trivial things.  Let peace reign in your life and your relationships.

Readings:  2 Chronicles 17:1-18:34; Romans 9:22-10:13; Psalm 20:1-9; Proverbs 20:2-3

"May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight. O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer." -- Psalm 19:14

This is a great prayer to have on your lips at all times. Imagine the world if everyone constantly prayed this prayer... it would be kinder, gentler, healthier, and more peaceful. Maybe we can't get the whole world saying this prayer at once, but why don't you and I start and see how our own lives change? Readings: 2 Chronicles 14:1-16:14; Romans 9:1-21; Psalm 19:1-14; Proverbs 20:1

JULY 24th: "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express." -- Romans 8:26

When the pain is too much to bear, when the joy too great to express, or the situation too complex to make any sense of it, you can still pray. When you have no words, you can still pray. Even when you can't construct a thought, you can still pray. And maybe that's where prayer should begin anyway... before we even have a thought. With a posture, a breath, or an "inward groan" that says to God, "I seek you". In that seeking, he finds you. Don't worry as to what to say next. Just be with God, and be yourself. Readings: 2 Chronicles 11:1-13:22; Romans 8:22-39; Psalm 18:37-50; Proverbs 19:27-29

"You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness." -- Romans 8:9-10

In Genesis, we are told that we are created in the image of God.  And yet, who looks most like God?  But we come to learn in the New Testament that God is not flesh, but Spirit.  And if God is a spiritual being, and we are made in his image, then we too must be spiritual beings-- but with choice.  The Spirit of God resides in those who seek him and commune with him.  The Spirit of God is in those who choose to love, give, and live for something beyond themselves.  If you have the Spirit of God in you, you belong to him through Christ.  Your sin need have no hold on you, because in him, through him, and by him, you are forgiven. 

Reading: 2 Chronicles 8:11-10:19; Romans 8:9-21; Psalm 18:16-36; Proverbs 19:26

"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering." -- Romans 8:1-3

The law of the Spirit of life:  Christ/Love (guides relationship).  The law of the Spirit of death: Old Testament/be righteous (guides behavior)... you cannot live up to the Old Testament's law of perfection.  You may try, but it's self-defeating because it requires constant attention to self.  This is not to say that self-awareness and self-improvement have no value, because they do!  The law of Love on the other hand calls for less attention to self and more selfless acts for others.  To grow in Christ is to seek "more of thee and less of me".  If you are constantly navel-gazing, then you cannot be sensitive to the needs of others around you.  Open your eyes, your heart, your mind, and your spirit to God's presence around you.  Live for something beyond yourself and you will find life you never knew!

Readings:  2 Chronicles 6:12-8:10; Romans 7:14-8:8; Psalm 18:1-15; Proverbs 19:24-25