Happiness in doing the hard thing

DAILY BIBLE READING:

Nehemiah 3:15–5:13 
1 Corinthians 7:25-40 
Psalm 32:1-11 
Proverbs 21:5-7

TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

Psalm 32:1-2 (CSB) "How joyful is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered! How joyful is a person whom the Lord does not charge with iniquity and in whose spirit is no deceit!"

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

Psalm 32 is a ruggedly transparent Psalm. And because this is the case, it is incredibly beneficial to us!

Verses 1 and 2 (our Verses for Today) talk about the happiness that is to be enjoyed by someone who is forgiven. The clear implication is that a grievous sin has been committed.

When we read verses 3-5, we hear words filled with emotion. The Psalmist informs us of what it is like to live with unconfessed, unresolved sin. He knows that what he has done is wrong but he hasn't yet made it right. And it is eating him up on the inside. He is guilt ridden. His conscience is lighting up the dashboard of his heart and mind warning him that the problem needs to be remedied.

Verse 5, however, tells us how it was resolved. "Then I acknowledged my sin to you, and did not conceal my iniquity; I said, 'I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,' and you forgave the guilt of my sin."

It has been said, "Confession is good for the soul."

We know this all too well. We understand what it is like to wrestle with the pangs of guilt. We also know what it is like for the weight to be lifted when we confess our sin.

Once again, we realize that God's ways are best. When He tells us not to disobey His commands, it is for our own good. And when He calls us to confess our wrongdoing to make it right (1 John 1:9), it is also for our good.

So, friend, is there anything that you need to make right with God? With someone else? Why not commit today to resolve that issue so that you can join in with the Psalmist as you get your joy back...

"Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you righteous ones; shout for joy, all you upright in heart." (Psalm 32:11)

I want my joy back!

DAILY BIBLE READING:

Ezra 8:21–9:15 
1 Corinthians 5:1-13 
Psalm 31:1-8 
Proverbs 21:1-2

TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

Proverbs 21:2 (CSB) "All a person's ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs hearts."

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

All too often the average Christian can shake their head in affirmation with the lyrics of an old Keith Green song:

"My eyes are dry, My faith is old, My heart is hard, My prayers are cold. And I know how I ought to be, Alive to You and dead to me."

All too often, we could easily lament our spiritual declension. However, we typically don't. We typically go on about our business assuming that things are alright between us and God. 

Yet, there is no compelling desire to remain in unbroken prayer with the Lord. There is no joy within us that causes us to "sing and make melody to the Lord in our hearts" (Ephesians 5:19). There remains shattered relationships that we don't seek to mend. Our Bibles collect dust throughout the week. We get very little out of the worship services at our local church.

And we wonder what's wrong. 

Or, worse yet, we assume that this is what the Christian life is supposed to look like and we don't assume that something is wrong.

Well, it's quite possible that if this is our experience, we need to do a little soul searching. To be even more specific, we need to invite the Holy Spirit to do some soul searching in us.

Because, more than likely, there are hidden sins in the corners of our minds and hearts that are blocking us from experiencing the power and joy of God's presence. Satan wants for nothing more than for those unconfessed, un-dealt-with sins to remain unresolved.

But, we desperately need help in this. We simply lack the ability to do a personal, deep, soul-cleaning.

Proverbs 21:2 (CSB) "All a person's ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs hearts."

Do you desire for more of God? Do you want more joy than you presently have? Do you want God to have free reign in you so that He can do God-things through you?

Essentially, do you want revival?

Then, don't assume that simply because your ways seem right to you that everything is OK. Ask the Lord to search your heart and listen to what He will say.

Hints:
- Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart and reveal any area that needs attention / confession.

- Spend reflective time in God's Word constantly comparing yourself to the standard in Scripture. (Consider journaling your journey.)

- Ask a close friend(s) to help you on this journey by pointing out areas of concern that they have noticed. Give them permission to ask you some tough questions that will make you very uncomfortable but will work toward a deep, soul-cleaning. Be ready to confess (agree with God that it is sin) and repent (turn from the sin with the intention to not do it again) of anything that comes up.

- You may also need to spend some time with a Christian counselor who has the skill to ask probing questions and help you deal with what gets brought up.

Taking a Spiritual Bath

DAILY BIBLE READING:

2 Chronicles 14:1–16:14 
Romans 9:1-24 
Psalm 19:1-14 
Proverbs 20:1

BIBLE VERSE(S) FOR TODAY:

Psalm 19:12-14 (CSB)

12 "Who perceives his unintentional sins? Cleanse me from my hidden faults." 

13 "Moreover, keep your servant from willful sins; do not let them rule me. Then I will be blameless and cleansed from blatant rebellion." 

14 "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, Lord, my rock and my Redeemer."

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

The Christian life is one of compliance and of joy. 

It is compliance because God has made His standard clear and we are called to obey.

It is joy because we realize that as we obey our Lord, our consciences will be clear and we are free to enjoy fellowship with our God.

But, sin stands in the way. There is a hidden part of us that wars against us. It's called "the flesh." And it regularly calls us to stray from the path of holiness that God has called us to walk upon.

So, it must also be the regularly duty of the serious Jesus-follower to take a spiritual bath. We need to get cleaned up after we sin and so confession and repentance are necessary.

Our Verses for Today lead us in that discipline. In fact, they provide us with the words of a prayer that we could offer up regularly.

First, our spiritual cleansing begins with an acknowledgement that we have probably committed sins without even knowing it. Maybe we are unaware of some command God has given or we weren't paying attention to what we did. So, we ask for forgiveness for our unintended sins:

Psalm 19:12 "Who perceives his unintentional sins? Cleanse me from my hidden faults."

Second, we acknowledge that there are certainly things we have done (or left undone) that violated God's commands. Or, maybe we did a good thing but with the wrong motive or attitude. So, we confess these sins specifically and ask that God would keep us from doing them in the future. 

Psalm 19:13 "Moreover, keep your servant from willful sins; do not let them rule me. Then I will be blameless and cleansed from blatant rebellion." 

Finally, we ask that the Lord would give us what we need to not only comply with God's commands with our actions, but also with our words and the private thoughts of our heart. We don't just ask for forgiveness - we crave to live in holiness.

Psalm 19:14 "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, Lord, my rock and my Redeemer."

So, the question remains, friend: Are you serious about following Jesus? Have you genuinely given your life, all of it, to Him and is it your desire to live for him in the moments of your days?

Then, you've got to take daily, spiritual baths. Consider using Psalm 19:12-14 to do that.

Humbling ourselves before God

DAILY BIBLE READING:

1 Kings 22:1-53 
Acts 13:16-41 
Psalm 138:1-8 
Proverbs 17:17-18

BIBLE VERSE(S) FOR TODAY:

Psalm 138:6 (CSB) "Though the Lord is exalted, he takes note of the humble; but he knows the haughty from a distance."

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

Our Verse for Today reminds us of a couple of very important truths:

The Lord is exalted. Bringing other Scriptural truths to bear upon this verse, we recognize that God is above all else. There is none like Him. He is the ruler of Creation and the posture most fitting (and enjoyable) for us is kneeling and bowing before Him.

As the most high and exalted over Creation, we are surprised to read the next part of the verse.

He enjoys those who are humble. Yet, He "knows the haughty from a distance" which means there is no relationship with them.

God is attracted to humility. The attribute of thinking of others more than we do ourselves was evidenced even by His own Son (see Philippians 2:3-11).

So, humble yourself before God today. Recognize your dependence upon Him. Demonstrate that dependence by spending time listening to Him in your Bible reading. Further demonstrate it by offering up prayers throughout the day anytime you have a decision to make, a need to be met, or a moment to share. Recognize that He wants you to enjoy Him but you cannot do that when you have unconfessed sin in your heart so be quick to confess and repent of (turn from) any sin that you are aware of.

Friend, most certainly there is more of God to enjoy than you are presently experiencing. So, take the steps to increase your happiness by submitting to God and deepening your relationship with the One you were made to worship.

God is happy

DAILY BIBLE READING:

2 Samuel 18:1–19:10 
John 20:1-31 
Psalm 119:153-176 
Proverbs 16:14-15

BIBLE VERSE(S) FOR TODAY:

Proverbs 16:15 "When a king’s face lights up, there is life; his favor is like a cloud with spring rain."

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

To understand our Verse for Today, we have to use our informed imaginations and put ourselves in the time period in which it was written.

Kings were not simply figureheads like what we see in present-day England. They were the ultimate authority. Their rule was sovereign. They did whatever they pleased with plenty of power to enforce compliance. There was no Congress or Supreme Court to create a balance of powers. All power resided in the king and whatever he said or did (right or wrong) could not be stopped.

With this kind of unchecked authority, you can imagine how terrifying it would be to live in a kingdom with a wicked-hearted king. He could enslave some of his people, confiscate their property, and even order someone's death with no recourse. The people of the kingdom would comply with his every word - but they would be motivated by fear.

However, there have always been those kingdoms in history who were ruled by monarchs who were capable of enjoying life. They laughed and smiled. And when their citizens saw those reactions, it was "like a cloud with spring rain." They knew that at least while the king was smiling, he would tend to make decisions that they would find pleasant.

Kings that were upset or discouraged tended to make decisions that hurt their people. Kings that were happy tended to make decisions that blessed their people.

Well, friend, when you look Heavenward and, in your minds eye, see your King of kings, what do you see? If your mind is informed by Scripture, you will see King Jesus smiling on His throne. (If you doubt this, purchase the excellent book, "Happiness," written by Randy Alcorn and jump to Section 2: "The Happiness of God." The author does an incredible job of presenting Scripture after Scripture that demonstrates that God is incredibly happy.)

So, as Jesus smiles while He reigns on His throne, we can find in His expression much comfort and peace for our hearts. He is happy because His will is being carried out. He is happy because He has glorified the Father. He is happy because He is drawing people to Himself. He is happy because no matter what happens to us, He is working it out for our ultimate good. He is happy because Heaven awaits all of those who have or will trust in Him.

On and on we can go. Our God is a happy God. Jesus, our King, is smiling on His throne. Just realizing that one truth can inject so much peace and hope into our minds and hearts. So, reflect on that thought today.

Proverbs 16:15 "When a king’s face lights up, there is life; his favor is like a cloud with spring rain."

Fear is a pathway to joy

DAILY BIBLE READING:

Ruth 2:1–4:22 
John 4:43-54 
Psalm 105:16-36 
Proverbs 14:26-27

BIBLE VERSE(S) FOR TODAY:

Proverbs 14:26-27 (CSB) "In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence and his children have a refuge. The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, turning people away from the snares of death."

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

In my Bible reading this morning, I came across a phrase that is used often in Scripture: "the fear of the Lord."

Proverbs 14:26-27 (CSB) "In the fear of the Lord one has strong confidence and his children have a refuge. The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, turning people away from the snares of death."

Because so many people misunderstand that phrase, they find it utterly distasteful and maybe even abhorrent. They don't want to serve a God that they should fear.

Yet, when we properly understand that phrase, we realize that God is calling us to satisfy our desire for joy. Yes, you understood that correctly - fear is a pathway to joy.

Let me illustrate...

This summer, my family and a group of 7 others from Westside Baptist Church will make our way to Denver where we will work alongside some church planters at Calvary Denver. When our week of service is complete, my family has plans to head to the Grand Canyon.

Back in 1997, Kim visited the Grand Canyon with a female co-worker when work sent them out to Phoenix. Neither my sons nor I have experienced it yet. For the past 20 years, Kim has periodically told me about that trip. That 'hole in the ground' made such an impact on her that she still gets a far-off look in her eyes when she tells me about it.

What was so special about it? The colors. The vastness. But also the fear.

You see, people typically don't like to view the Grand Canyon from the parking lot. They like to step up to the railing. As they look over the railing, they see that they are standing on the edge of a cliff. That metal barrier is the only thing protecting them from falling hundreds of feet to their death. Their heart is racing, they are captivated by the beauty, they are afraid ... and they love it! That's part of the experience!

That's how God wants us to enjoy Him. To come to a greater awareness of His beauty. To understand Him more fully and enjoy His presence. But, also to understand that His power is infinite, we are frail, and we are at His mercy. Basking in His love but also in His holiness and infinite power, there is fear ... but we love it!

So, friend, "the fear of the Lord" should never cause us to get a bitter taste in our mouth. It is a call to enjoy our God. Why not ask Him to help you develop a little bit more "fear of the Lord" today?

The joy of being kind

DAILY BIBLE READING:

Judges 17:1–18:31 
John 3:1-21 
Psalm 104:1-23 
Proverbs 14:20-21

BIBLE VERSE(S) FOR TODAY:

Proverbs 14:20-21 "A poor person is hated even by his neighbor, but there are many who love the rich. The one who despises his neighbor sins, but whoever shows kindness to the poor will be happy."

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

The book of Proverbs is a wealth of knowledge. It is a compilation of wise saying and observations that are generally true. They aren't necessary true all of the time but they are definitely true most of the time.

In our Verses for Today, we come across Proverbs 14:20 where we are told what we know to be true - people tend to avoid ("hate" / "despise") the poor and try to stay in the company of those who are wealthy.

Why is this? Personal interest. When we are around the poor, we suspect that it will require us to give what is ours and receive nothing in return. When we are around the rich, we suspect that it will require nothing of us but some of their wealth may rub off on us.

Well, Proverbs 14:21 tells us what we need to hear if we are behaving like verse 20.

First of all, if we despise our neighbor (look down on and refuse to consider helping the poor who we see throughout the day), then it is sin. It's not just bad manners. It's an offense against a holy God. It is also a sin against a person created in the image of God.

Secondly, when we give to those who need help in spite of the fact that we think we will get nothing in return, we will get something in return. People who give to those in need realize that there is a joy attached to helping someone else. It feels wonderful to help someone in need. If you don't believe me, just try it today. 

Finally, rarely does the wealth of the rich slip out of their hands into yours. On top of this, it is utterly self-centered to try to befriend someone who is wealthy simply because of what you can get out of them.

So, today, see those around you as people of value. Don't base your judgment of their worth upon what you perceive to be in their bank account. Access their worth based upon the fact that they were created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27). And if they have a need that you can meet and you believe God would have you to meet that need, then do it and receive joy in return.

The source of happiness

DAILY BIBLE READING:

Joshua 11:1-12:24
Luke 17:11-37
Psalm 84:1-12
Proverbs 13:5-6

BIBLE VERSE(S) FOR TODAY:

Psalm 84:10-12 (CSB) "Better a day in your courts than a thousand anywhere else. I would rather stand at the threshold of the house of my God than live in the tents of wicked people. For the Lord God is a sun and shield. The Lord grants favor and honor; he does not withhold the good from those who live with integrity. Happy is the person who trusts in you, Lord of Armies!"

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

The verses that I have chosen for today are incredible! To keep our focus on them, I will only add two very short insights:

1. The Psalmist acknowledges over and over in this Psalm that our craving for happiness can be met in the Lord. (Christianity is not merely a religion, it is a relationship.)

2. Regardless of what "bad" things happen to us and around us, if we recognize that our God is good and that our craving for happiness can be met in Him, then we are in a much better position to deal with the trials that come our way.

Why our marriages matter

DAILY BIBLE READING:

Deuteronomy 11:1-12:32
Luke 8:22-39
Psalm 70:1-5
Proverbs 12:4

BIBLE VERSE(S) FOR TODAY:

Proverbs 12:4 (CSB) "A wife of noble character is her husband's crown, but a wife who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones."

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

The verse for today is from a guy's perspective. If Proverbs had been written by a woman, it would have said, "A husband of noble character is his wife's crown, but a husband who causes shame is like rottenness in her bones."

I suspect that you realize that many marriages end in divorce and many that remain intact feel like their spouses are "rottenness to (their) bones."

That is so sad especially in light of the fact that Ephesians 5:22-33 tells us that our marriages illustrate the Gospel to a lost world. Our marriages should reveal how Jesus sacrificially loves us and we trust and respect Him so much that we gladly follow his leadership.

A marriage that has any "rottenness" in it is doing harm to the Gospel!

As a follower of Jesus, we don't have the luxury of coasting in our marriage. It takes work. It takes sacrifice. It takes humility. It takes communication (talking AND listening). It takes God's Word. It takes the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. 

All of this and more is required to have the kind of marriage that shows a lost world the Gospel. But, if we do the work as God blesses, we will come to realize that we benefit. We will come to see that our spouse will be "(our) crown." That means that it is a very powerful force within our lives to give us value and joy.

So, NEVER, EVER use the "D" word in your marriage. Divorce is simply not an option for Kim and me. I've told her that if she ever leaves me, I'm going with her.

Instead, do the hard work of marriage building. God will be glorified, the Gospel will be illustrated, and you will get the joy.

Be happy when you are mistreated

DAILY BIBLE READING:

Deuteronomy 2:1-3:29
Luke 6:12-38
Psalm 67:1-7
Proverbs 11:27

BIBLE VERSE(S) FOR TODAY:

Luke 6:22-23 "Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you, insult you, and slander your name as evil because of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy. Take note ​— ​your reward is great in heaven, for this is the way their ancestors used to treat the prophets."

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

We like to be liked, don't we? We like it when others say kind things about us.

But, it can feel like a dagger has been thrust into our spirit when we hear that someone is slandering us. The last thing we feel like doing when we hear such reports is to "rejoice" and "leap for joy." Yet, Jesus has told us to do this.

But, there are a couple of qualifiers:

First, the bad things said about us must be "because of the Son of Man." That simply means that if we are to rejoice when bad things are said about us or done to us, it needs to be because of the seriousness with which we take our life with Jesus. 

Maybe we are slandered for refusing to watch a movie with our friends that has content that the Lord says is wrong.
Maybe we are slandered for leaving the conversation of a group that is telling dirty jokes.
Maybe we are slandered for standing up for the truths of the Bible in an academic setting.

Being treated badly and slandered is a cause for joy ONLY if it is "because of the Son of Man."

Second, our joy comes from the fact that "(our) reward is great in Heaven." In other words, the Lord is taking note and will reward us when we arrive at our heavenly home.

Within the human heart is a longing for justice. Often, we may feel as if life isn't fair. Well, friend, that longing for justice was put in our hearts by God. And justice will be done on the Day of Judgment. When the Lord sees us treated unjustly, He will make it right when we stand before Him. He will reward us for those times that we were unfairly treated.

So, follow Jesus with reckless abandon. If others slander you or mistreat you for your walk with the Lord, an act of injustice. That just means that you will be rewarded all the more when you stand before Jesus.

Luke 6:22-23 "Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you, insult you, and slander your name as evil because of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy. Take note ​— ​your reward is great in heaven, for this is the way their ancestors used to treat the prophets."

How to have a happy heart

TODAY'S BIBLE READING:

Numbers 2:1-3:51
Mark 11:27-12:17
Psalm 47:1-9
Proverbs 10:24-25

BIBLE VERSE(S) FOR TODAY:

Psalm 47:1-2 "Come, everyone! Clap your hands! Shout to God with joyful praise! For the LORD Most High is awesome. He is the great King of all the earth."

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

Life is tough. For some, it can be incredibly tough.

Yet, God does not get glory when His children walk around with discouragement written all over their faces. While we should never plaster fake smiles on our faces, we should strive to think in such a way that smiles come naturally.

In our Bible reading for today, the Psalmist calls us to clap (our) hands and shout to the Lord with joyful praise. In other words, we aren't called to go through some lifeless religious ritual - we are to enjoy Him! This joy is to come from a heart that full to overflowing!

There is much superficiality in Christianity these days. People plaster a smile on their face and speak of how blessed they are. Yet, all the while, their heart is aching and empty.

So, what is the basis for clapping and shouting for joy? How can these actions be filled with genuine substance?

Believe the truth of verse 2: For the LORD Most High is awesome. He is the great King of all the earth."

When we spend time reflecting on the character and works of God and come to the conclusion that He is absolutely wonderful, then the heart attitude will flow naturally. When we reflect on the fact that our Heavenly Father rules as the sovereign King over the earth, a positive attitude and a smile will be the most obvious response.

God doesn't simply want our religious activity. If we go through the motions and there is no joyful heart that drives those actions, then we are no better than the hypocritical Pharisees. God wants us to demonstrate that we are people of joy - but He wants it to come from our heart.

And, as we have seen in our verse for today, a change in action and heart always starts in the mind. We must think on the right things. So, be very careful what you think today:

Philippians 4:8 "And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise."

The Lord enjoys those who follow Him

TODAY'S BIBLE READING:


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

BIBLE VERSE(S) FOR TODAY:

Psalm 37:23 "The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives." 

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

The joy of God's forgiveness

TODAY'S BIBLE READING:

Exodus 30:11-31:18

Matthew 26:47-68 

Psalm 32:1-11 

Proverbs 8:27-32

BIBLE VERSE(S) FOR TODAY:

Psalm 32:1-2 "Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! Yes, what joy for those whose record the LORD has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty!" 

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

(I've got the flu and so I'm not certain that anything I write would be worth reading. HA. So, I'm taking today off.)

Enjoying God

TODAY'S BIBLE READING:

Exodus 15:19-17:7

Matthew 22:1-33

Psalm 27:1-6

Proverbs 6:20-26

BIBLE VERSE(S) FOR TODAY:

Psalm 27:4 (NLT) "The one thing I ask of the LORD - the thing I seek most - is to live in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, delighting in the LORD’s perfections and meditating in his Temple."

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

The language of the verse for today shows a man who knew and loved his God. Showing up to the Temple wasn't something to check off his 'To Do' list - it was something that he desperately craved. It was the "one thing (he) asked of the LORD." It was "the thing (he) sought most." He realized that the LORD has intended for us to enjoy Him and he was enjoying that truth.

I wonder how many of us are simply trying to live a moral life and to be a "good Christian." And I wonder how many are really, really enjoying the Lord. We say all the time that Christianity is not a religion, it's a relationship - but too often we turn it into a dry, lifeless religion that lacks the joy of knowing God.

So, let's get really practical. How can we develop a relationship with the Lord where we are enjoying Him? Let me give you four points to ponder:

• Spend time listening to Him in His Word. Read your Bible daily. And I'm not talking about 5-10 minutes. Spend at least 30-60 minutes reading and pondering what God is saying. But, don't read it as a lifeless book - instead, read it as God's personal Word to you.

• Spend time speaking with Him in prayer. Don't just rattle off your requests. Share with the Lord exactly what is on your heart. If you feel like you need permission to let it all out in the presence of the Lord, read the book of Psalms. King David and the other psalmists were often incredibly 'real' with God and said things that we might not dare say in our own prayers. But, they were real and that's what relationship is all about. So, be open and honest with the Lord about everything - the good, the bad and the ugly. Rest in His love for you and let Him draw your heart closer to Him.

• Let difficulties cause you to lose your taste for sin. Oftentimes, it takes really painful ordeals in life to bring us to our senses. In the good times, when we aren't keenly aware of our need for God, we may tolerate sin in our life. Yet, when times get tough, God may cause us to see how clearly we need Him and how utterly self-defeating it is to do anything that would keep us from Him. It is in these times that we can learn to despise sin and lose our taste for it.

• Look for God's fingerprints around you. In the crazy, hectic pace of life, we often fail to see God's hands at work in the details. Yet, if we are looking, we will see acts of grace all around us. While we are not so egocentric as to think that God only demonstrates those acts of goodness on our behalf (there are so many other people that He loves, too), we realize that He is mindful enough to include us specifically in the details around us. Thank Him for each of those acts of kindness as you recognize them. (Reread that last sentence until you resolve to do it.) In seeing God at work all around you, you will come to see that He is to be enjoyed in every moment of our days.

There are many other ways that God works to invite us into deeper relationship with Him so that we can enjoy Him. But, from my own experience, these four are the biggies that God has used to help my wife and me enjoy Him more as the years go by.

January 1 - Through the Bible in a Year

Today's Bible Reading:
Genesis 1:1-2:25
Matthew 1:1-2:12
Psalm 1:1-6
Proverbs 1:1-6

Bible verse(s) for the Day:

Psalm 1:1-2 "Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, not sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night."

Some of my reflections on today's reading:
Let's be honest. No, let's be brutally honest! We will start with the sobering news and end with great news.

Far too many folks who profess to be Jesus followers are simply playing games with God and their eternity. They claim that they have "said a prayer" and are on their way to Heaven. Yet, while they may have a striking resemblance to their "Christian" friends, they look nothing like Jesus.

Yes, we live by grace. In fact, if we are completely honest with ourselves and others, we desperately need regular doses of grace. Every day, we find ourselves falling at the foot of the cross asking once again for forgiveness for a sinful action, oversight, word, thought, attitude, or motive.

Yet, too often, it seems as if people who claim to be Jesus-followers are presuming upon God's grace. They assume that God is going to forgive them of any sin and fault. So, they live for themselves. They don't read God's Word and pursue holiness. They settle for simply trying to be good. And they measure their goodness based not upon the Bible but upon how their peers are living. They tolerate sin in their life because, after all, "no one is perfect." So, they continue tolerating sin and periodically offer up trite prayers in their attempt to clear the decks.

This sort of attitude angered the Apostle Paul:

"What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?" (Romans 6:1-2).

Did you notice Paul's statement, "By no means!"? The word he used in Greek was about as harsh a word as you can use without cursing.

So, what are we to do? 

Pursue holiness! 

"Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord." (Hebrews 12:14).

How do we become holy, more like Jesus? The answer to that question is the same as this question: "How can I be happy/blessed?" Apply Psalm 6:1-2!

Psalm 1:1-2 "Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, not sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night."

Absolutely refuse to engage in sin in any form! Even if the sin seems trivial, don't do it! When you sin, and we will(!), immediately drop to your knees, ask for forgiveness and cleansing and receive it.

Notice in verse 1 that there is a progression (or really a regression): first, the man is walking with sinners, then he slows down to stand with them, then he slows down even more to sit with them. Further, notice that he begins with personally engaging in sin and eventually develops a calloused heart with which he scoffs at those striving to pursue holiness. 

Everything about sin moves us, slowly but surely, away from Jesus and our journey toward holiness.

I've counseled enough people and know from my own sinful heart that sin, whatever it is (big or small), is a poison. It appeals to our sin nature and the first dose often feels great. But, eventually it doesn't satisfy like it once did and we may soon realize that it is seeking to destroy us. In reality, it is insane that we keep going after sin to satisfy the longing inside of us that can only be satisfied with Jesus.

Instead of engaging in harmful sin, what must we do? We develop an appetite for God's Word, we read it, and we find joy in reflecting on it and complying with it (Psalm 6:2).

Friend, God's Word is not intended to steal your fun. It is intended to warn us of what will steal our joy and our fellowship with God. God wants us to be blessed! He wants us to be happy in Him, regardless of what is going on in our life. 

But, in order to get that joy, we've got to despise sin and love God's Word. We've got to reject sin and pursue holiness (progressively becoming more like Jesus). 

Will you make that your aim today as you depend upon the Lord for the strength to do so?

When God humbles us it's a good thing

As I read the final chapters of the Biblical book of Job, I can't help but feel sorry for Job. From chapters 38-41, God hammers away with question after question. His intention is to remind Job that he is small man on a small planet that would appear to be an insignificant speck in the incredibly massive universe.

But, my sympathy is misplaced. When I come to understand what God is doing to Job (and what God desires to do with us), I realize that God is actually doing an incredibly loving thing.

Let me illustrate the point: Have you ever stood before a majestic mountain or a massive, cascading waterfall or something of the sort and just stood in awe? You felt so small in front of something so massive - so amazing - but your humility actually added to the joy. Because you were OK with feeling small, you were free to enjoy the greatness of what was before you.

Here's one more question: Have you ever had the previous experience with someone who was completely unimpressed? They diminished what you held in such high regard. They arrogantly treated what was so valuable as if it was common.

Here's another question: Who enjoyed the experience more? You who were humbled by it or the one who arrogantly was unmoved by the experience? The answer is obvious. We are most free to experience joy when we are humbled in the presence of something much greater than ourselves.

This is what God was doing with Job. Apparently, through all of his horrible experiences, Job had grown self-righteous and arrogant even to the point of questioning God's intentions and character. In that condition, He was not free to enjoy his God. So, to increase Job's joy, God pounded away at him with question after question with the intention of humbling him.

Application: Don't resist God's workings in your life to remind you of how frail and impotent you are in the grand scheme of things. It is only when we are humbled that we are free to really enjoy our incredible God.