"Blessed are they who maintain justice, who constantly do what is right." -- Psalm 106:3

Today in the United States, it is election day.  We pray today that the leaders that are chosen to lead our nation submit to the leadership of Jesus Christ and that they govern in a way that is guided and directed by faith.  And by doing so, they will be doing what is right in the eyes of God.  Take time today to pray for the United States and for the world, that we might all work toward justice and peace together.

Readings:  Ezekiel 18:1-19:14; Hebrews 9:1-10; Psalm 106:32-48; Proverbs 27:10

"Stone is heavy and sand a burden, but provocation by a fool is heavier than both." -- Proverbs 27:3

We all have our "buttons"... those sensitive spots that when they are poked or prodded evoke a response in us that causes us to snap just a little bit.  That button might be pushed during the day while we're at work, and that evening we find ourselves still "snappy"...  Often, the phrase or action that triggers our response and "pushes our button" is done with no malicious intent.  But for whatever reason, to nobody's benefit, we react.   What we have just allowed to occur is a robbery of our well-being.  So how do we stop it?  First, recognize that we react so strongly because we feel attacked.  So step back and consider if you're really being attacked or not.  If not, seek to understand what the person is trying to communicate and walk in their shoes for a bit.  Second, if they are attacking you, determine what they are attacking-- is it something substantial like a belief, an action, something said?  Or is it something frivilous and based on ignorance (the color of your hair, the fact that you're a Steelers fan, or that you like to watch reality tv)?  If the latter, don't surrender your well-being and emotion to the fool.  Let the fool make noise, but don't make noise back.  They just want commotion.  Be gentle in spirit, and smile and change the subject.

Readings:  Ezekiel 12:1-14:11; Hebrews 7:1-17; Psalm 105:37-45; Proverbs 27:3

"Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth." -- Proverbs 27:1

I remember the days of my youth when I lived with an expectation that I would be rich, successful, and happy all of my life.  I didn't know what I was going to do with my life, but I was sure it would make lots of money... man, was I in for a surprise!  There is an ancient saying that says "don't count your chickens before they hatch..."  We have that tendency it seems.

Too often, we try to jump ahead of what's in front of us.  We get anxious and impatient, and so we take a short cut, or forgo a process that by its design, gets us to where we want to be.  And worse, we miss the moment.  As we live this day, consider that it is a day that we have never lived before.  Stop looking ahead, or you'll miss the gift God gives you in the now.  It's not what you're going to do about tomorrow... it's about what you're going to do with today.

Readings:  Ezekiel 10:1-11:25; Hebrews 6:1-20; Psalm 105:16-36; Proverbs 27:1-2

"This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Disaster! An unheard-of disaster is coming. The end has come! The end has come!" -- Ezekiel 7:5-6

When does the end come?  The question has lingered throughout history.  Ezekiel's vision was for Israel, but it wasn't the end for Israel.  Each generation has claimed the message for their time-- that they are the last.  And even still now, we cry out the end is near... global terror, global warming, increased population... wars and rumors of wars... is this the end?  And let's not forget the Mayan's and their calendar and December 2012... it's almost here... and what about Sandy?

The truth is, the end comes for each of us.  Whether all at once, or one at a time, we all go.  So the question isn't "is this the generation that will see the end?"  For the answer is already "yes".  Just as every generation of those which have passed saw the end.  The question shouldn't be about how and when  we will die, but instead, more about how and when we will live.

Readings:  Ezekiel 7:1-9:11; Hebrews 5:1-14; Psalm 105:1-15; Proverbs 26:28

"If a man digs a pit, he will fall into it; if a man rolls a stone, it will roll back on him." -- Proverbs 26:27

I love these ancient proverbs that speak to even our contemporary human condition.  They are the "you get what you ask for" proverbs... sayings that are such common sense you'd think we would have learned by now given we've been at it for thousands of years.  But we still dig pits, and we still take on more than we can handle. 

To flourish in this life and to live successfully, it's important that we not only recognize our abilities and all the things we can do... but to recognize our limitations as well.  When we can stretch, but not break, that seems to be the sweet spot of growth.  Besides, what would you dig a pit for anyway?  Here's a new one:  "don't bite off more than you can chew."

Readings:  Ezekiel 3:16-6:14; Hebrews 4:1-16; Psalm 104:24-35; Proverbs 26:27

"He said to me, 'Son of man, stand up on your feet and I will speak to you.' As he spoke, the Spirit came into me and raised me to my feet, and I heard him speaking to me." --Ezekiel 2:1-2

The prophet Ezekiel signals a change.  Israel is beaten down, dejected, and even their collective memory is fading.  But Ezekiel's vision has the Lord conveying a message of promise and hope... and he says, "Stand up!" 

There are days when we just feel that life doesn't cut us a break.  We feel that fate is against us and we're all alone, and everyone else in the universe is loving life, and having a good time... everyone except for us.  We are stuck in a pit of worry, anxiety, despair, etc.  We feel weak and broken.  But God has a word for us too... and he begins with "stand up". 

Try this exercise... next time you're outside with some space around you, lie down on the ground and look to the horizon.  Your view is limited by the low vantage point of your position.  But take it in... consider closely what you can see.  Then stand up and look at the horizon again.  Do you see the difference?  Just by being verticle, you can see further ahead and further all around you.  When you're looking for a sign of hope for your life and your situation, you have to place yourself in such a position that you can see beyond the end of your immediate circumstance.  The landscape of our life changes.  We may spend time in the desert, but God has better in mind for us.

Readings:  Ezekiel 1:1-3:15; Hebrews 3:1-19; Psalm 104:1-23; Proverbs 26:24-26

"Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits-- who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit..." -- Psalm 103:1-4a

Take a moment to just worship today:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jYLTn4fKYQ


Readings:  Lamentation 4:1-5:22; Hebrews 2:1-18; Psalm 103:1-22; Proverbs 26:23