“See with your eyes.”  Be observant and go into each moment of your life with an expectancy that God has something you need to recognize.  Throughout the Bible there are incidents when, as in Is 44.9, people fail to see or know and as a result, miss what God is saying.  The question God asked Jeremiah in Jer 1.11 is implied throughout the Bible: “What do you see, Jeremiah?”   Why would we ever look without the intent to see what God wanted us to see? This week, do what He says, “see with your eyes.”

“Hear with your ears.”  Another command. Remember 1 Ki 19, where Elijah flees from Jezebel and hides in a cave, v.9.  “What are you doing here, Elijah?”  God asked.  That question re-opened the door to freedom for Elijah, but it required that he first listen with his ears!  God didn’t speak in the spectacular wind, the powerful earthquake…or even the raging fire…but in a still small voice, v.13.  It was in the quietness that God spoke and gave Elijah directions that would change Israel dramatically.  What might you have missed because you were not intent upon “hearing with your ears?”

“Give attention to all I am going to show you.” Pay attention.  The implication is that something is about to be said or done…but in order to see and hear we often have to come to the place where we “cease striving and know that He is God.” Ps 46.10a. Where we will “be still.”  Hard to do, but that is the posture of our heart and mind if we are paying attention.  It is a place of not yielding to or even noticing distractions. It takes time, it requires us to settle into that place of contentedness that God promises, Is 32.18.

In Jn 4.7-42, the Woman at the Well, a despised Samaritan with many issues in her life was not the kind of person a “holy man” would be with; however, Jesus was with her! His disciples were shocked, puzzled when He turned down the food they brought Him.  “My food,” He said, “is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work (His purpose),” Jn 4.34.  Son of God though He was, even Jesus had to see with His eyes, hear with His ears and pay attention to all the Father was showing Him, because He had been sent to earth for a specific purpose.  Sounds like He was doing Ezk 40.4!

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, open my eyes, my ears and mind…open my heart to see other people and circumstances as You do; to hear the cry of the heart in the ones around me.  Even as You open my heart and mind, guard them so that Your hedge of protection is around me to stop the voices that are not Yours.  Teach me to hear and see, YOU, Lord.  Train me to pay attention and maintain my focus on You alone. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

In Eph 4, we are called to walk in humility with gentleness and patience, expressing LOVE to one another, v.1-2.  We are called to diligently preserve our RELATIONSHIP with other believers as well as the Lord, v.3, because we are called to oneness with Christ, as well as the Body of Christ, v.4; and that oneness requires LOVE.

God has gifted each of us with attributes and strengths that others need.  He has allowed weaknesses in all of us as well, so we not only learn to depend upon Him, but are able to receive the help and encouragement He gives us through other believers.  This way of equipping us which He has established draws us together into a oneness and unity of faith as well as a greater knowledge of Jesus, v.11-12.  All of this interdependence and support one for another is built upon that foundation of TRUTH and LOVE.

Notice the significance of this foundation of LOVE in Gal 5.6:  “The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through LOVE.”  “The ONLY thing that counts!”  Wow!   So, if expressing life through LOVE is the ONLY thing that counts, how is TRUTH and LOVE working in your foundation? How is faith working in your circumstances?  Keep in mind—it needs to be “expressed through LOVE!—it’s the ONLY thing that counts!”

Peter writes about the connection between TRUTH and LOVE, “Now that you have been purified by obeying the TRUTH so that you have sincere love for your brothers, LOVE one another deeply, from the heart.” 1 Pet 1.22.  We have a foundation upon which to stand; and it will stand forever!—TRUTH and LOVE! 1 Pet 1.25a.

Later in 1 Pet 4, he tells us to use the attributes and gifts God has given us “to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms,” v.10.   What an expression of LOVE!  And again, nothing could be clearer than Peter’s admonition: “Above ALL, LOVE each other deeply…LOVE covers over a multitude of sins,” v.8.  Above ALL!  LOVE!  How are you doing on that?  Peter continues—as you speak TRUTH or anything else remember, you have the privilege and responsibility to speak as though you were saying the very words of God, v.11; therefore, speak the TRUTH in LOVE.

PRAYER:  Oh Lord!  What weight You put on our words.  Spirit of God, please guard my mind and mouth and teach me to speak how You speak…and I know Your words would be enveloped completely in LOVE.  Forgive me for times I’ve spoken harshly and in judgment, bringing condemnation and hurt instead of releasing Your grace.  Please teach me how to LOVE deeply, from my heart as You love me.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Jesus was clear when He said for us “to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind.  This is the great and first commandment.  The second is like it, ‘…love your neighbor as yourself.’  On these two commandments the whole Law and Prophets depend.” Mt 22.36-40.  LOVE—a priority—no buts or what-ifs—LOVE. 

Odd how we humans generally obey the laws of the land, yet here is God, our Creator, a great God beyond description…and so many of us do not even bother to find out what His laws are or study to understand why they exist.  We so easily forget the blessings of Deuteronomy 28 apply directly to us when we live according to His Word.  What might change in your life if you actually lived out Matthew 22.36-40???

Too often we have a tendency to assume God begins every sentence with “Don’t!”  But look at His desire for you and me in Deut 28.  He prefaces His list of incredible blessings with this:  “ALL these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you will obey (listen to) the Lord your God.” v.2.  ALL!  There is nothing greater than ALL of something! And that is what He has for us!  Not blessings we have to go out and look for, but blessings that will overtake us!  Read Deut 28.1-14 for that list of blessings.  Take each verse and translate it into your life.  You may not have “herds and flocks” to be increased, but you probably have or need a job, or are in the midst of school courses, parenting or doing volunteer work.  Take verses 1-14 as a template and plug each blessing into your life! The rest of the chapter is filled with the consequences of sin, of not pursuing God, NOT “loving Him with all your heart, soul and mind.” 

Like most things, our RELATIONSHIP with God is a growing experience, and as we grow, “blessings will come upon us and yes…they will overtake us!” because that is what God Himself said would happen!  A RELATIONSHIP based on LOVE!  Simple, yet seldom easy; but it is the foundation of our lives as believers.  Is the foundation in your RELATIONSHIP with the Lord LOVE?  Or have you slipped sideways in the stress of life relating out of duty or obligation, losing the sparkle of joy and peace He has for you?

PRAYER:  Father, You are unbelievable!  Yet, ALL of the astounding things I read about You in the Word are true. Forgive me for slipping off my foundation of LOVE…help me recognize when I begin to step off and resort to dutifully fulfilling some list of rules I think will make You happy.  All I really want to do is to LOVE You and please You in everything I do…give You reason to smile.  I do love You so, and I am counting on Your faithfulness and Your precious and powerful Love.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Ezekiel was one who had some pretty tough responsibilities.  He must have had a strong RELATIONSHIP with the Lord to be able to say and do all he did for over twenty years—and a captive in Babylon on top of that!  I wonder…what would you or I have done? God did not have a problem using Ezekiel—He obviously trusted this man to obey…  What about you? or me?

God called Ezekiel to speak to his own people.  At first that may seem easier than going to a foreign land, but God had some strong words for His people.  Israel had gone way off the deep end and because of their sin, there were consequences—that is what Ezekiel was going to be telling his nation.  But God prepared this man of God…He filled Ezekiel up with His Word and Ezekiel said it was “like honey in sweetness.” Ezek 3.3.  But in spite of the familiar territory and people, God clearly explained:  “Israel will not listen to you, because they will not listen to Me…they are impudent and hardhearted.” Ezek 3.7.

Because of this impossible responsibility, God further encouraged Ezekiel, “Behold, I have made your face strong against their faces and your forehead strong against their foreheads.  Like adamant stone, harder than flint, I have made your forehead; do not be afraid of them, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they are a rebellious house….receive into your heart all My words that I speak to you, and hear with your ears.  And go, get to the captives…speak to them and tell them…” Ezek 3.8-11. Ezekiel had things to say and do and he walked in the all God entrusted to him, strengthened to do it because of his RELATIONSHIP with God.

Has God given you impossible responsibilities to fulfill? Though difficult, it is also an opportunity to trust in God, leaning on Him, not your own understanding.  It is a chance to watch God work through you in ways you cannot imagine!  Like Ezekiel, depend upon God to thoroughly prepare you to walk in these responsibilities.  The prerequisite?—a true RELATIONSHIP with Him!

God explained to Ezekiel that Israel’s response did not reflect on their personal RELATIONSHIP.  And like Ezekiel, our responsibility is to do what God calls us to do too—in spite of weaknesses, the past, regrets or successes in life.  When it comes to the bottom line of life, it always centers back down on this RELATIONSHIP—what have we done with all God has given us?  How have we responded to Him?  We just need to do what He calls us to do!  That’s all!

PRAYER:  Lord God, as I read through Ezekiel 3 and other passages I shake in my boots, yet I also long to serve You, to hear Your voice, to have the courage to say “Here I am” every time You speak.  Father, today, this week, I choose to rearrange my priorities, my perspective on life.  I choose to cease striving and trying to be someone I am not.  Here I am, Lord…I want to draw near, hear Your voice.  I choose to stop and pay attention to You, Holy Spirit, as You teach me and guide me in the way that I should go.  Open my ears, Lord…please.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

When the religious leaders caught the woman in the act of adultery, Jn 8.3-4, they challenged Jesus, standing on their knowledge of the Law.  What they did not realize was that Jesus had come to “give life and give it more abundantly,’ Jn 10.10.  They had no idea who they were challenging.  They had no concept of the power of God’s love.  They were so focused on the letter of the law that there was no room for love.  Remember, “God IS love,” 1 Jn 4.8.

Without love, there is no grace or mercy and that is the very reason Jesus came to earth!  To destroy the power of sin and open the way for mercy and grace to be released to mankind through God’s love.  In a nutshell, Grace is God giving us something we do not deserve, in an eternal light—that is everlasting life.  Mercy is God withholding from us what we deserve, and what we deserve is eternal death.  God is love, and Jesus came to release it to the fullest!

In this accusatory and potentially destructive scene in Jerusalem, we see religious law and judgment in stark contrast to God’s love, grace and mercy.  No…Jesus does not overlook the woman’s sin, He explicitly said, “go and sin no more.” Jn 8.11.  But what a contrast.  The religious leaders were ready to stone her to death.  Jesus was ready to give her Life!

Why would anyone ever pick religion over a RELATIONSHIP with a God of Love, Mercy and Grace?  A God who gives what we do not deserve and withholds the judgment we do deserve! 

What is there in your RELATIONSHIP with the Lord that prevents you from walking fully in the grace and mercy His love has released so freely to you? That keeps you at bay, afraid that if you are found out you will be ruined?  What is it that shuts down your ability (or maybe your willingness) to receive all He died to give you?  Yes, He definitely says, “sin no more,” but His love, grace and acceptance decreases and ends our natural desire for sin.

Think about the woman caught in the act of blatant sin…about Christ’s Love…His demonstration of acceptance rather than condemnation.  The protection and refuge His Love establishes.  Why would you let religion with its condemnation, fear and judgment hold any sway in your life?

PRAYER:  Oh Lord…I am so sorry.  No matter how I try, there are things I just don’t seem to be able to shake.  My fear of exposure, doubts that rise up from time to time about how real Your grace or mercy really is…at least for me.  I am so sorry to  not always trust You 100%. I want to, there is just so much of my flesh still alive and well in me.  Help me Lord to yield to Your love and grace…to accept the mercy You died to pour out upon me. How amazing to think of how much You really do love me and care for me. Help me to walk more fully in the truth and reality of this RELATIONSHIP we have. I am so grateful, more than I can say.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

This woman had no defense and by the law, deserved death.  She was probably on the ground in a heap trying to cover her naked body—what an utterly horrific moment.  The men did not care one iota about her.  They were consumed with discrediting and destroying Jesus no matter who got hurt, or killed, in the process.

While “Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger as though He did not hear.” v.6b, these men pressed their point.  Then Jesus stood. “He who is without sin among you, let him cast the first stone.” v.7, and He resumed writing on the ground.  What did He write?  No one knows, but since v.9 says:  “those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone with the woman”—one can make a fairly good assumption that what He wrote  exposed these men to some un-confessed sin in their life which they did not want revealed.

Remember, Jesus had said, “he who is without sin, let him cast the first stone”?  Well, of all people over all of time, Jesus has been the ONLY one without sin.  The ONLY one who had the right to stone this woman who had been caught in sin, yet He says, “Has no one condemned you?” and then adds, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more,” v.10-11.

Earlier Jesus had said, “God did not send His Son (Me) into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” Jn 3.17.  This woman, in an impossible situation, desperately needed saving.  The Law dictated death.  The religious leaders did not care; but there stood Jesus and the situation was not impossible for Him.  Did He take her sin lightly?  No.  But He didn’t take HER lightly either.  Soon He would be the sacrifice for her sin, and impossible situations deserving death would, through a RELATIONSHIP with Him, turn into  Life and that more abundantly! Jn 10.10, for those who trusted and believed Him.  Hallelujah!

PRAYER:  Jesus, You certainly came as Light into my world.  I don’t always see the darkness and sin still present in my life. I want to “sin no more” but, I need Your help.  Show me.  Teach me and draw me closer and closer to You.  Thank you, Lord,  for not casting the first stone at me.  I certainly deserved it.  Thank you for reaching down in Your amazing love and grace and not condemning me.  Thank you for utterly washing away my sin, for overcoming Satan’s plan to destroy my life.  Please, Lord, strengthen me so I can go and “sin no more.”  Thank You, Spirit of God for choosing to dwell in me and with me forever.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Sitting at His feet implies stillness, no conversation, no doing—just listening and being.  Does your time with the Lord ever look like that?  Of course He wants to hear you, listen to your praises, concerns, hopes and requests… but He also wants you to be still…to just sit with Him. He does not want you just to listen to what He says, but take what He says to heart, believe it, letting it sink in and impact your life.  Is that a part of your RELATIONSHIP with God?

In the Old Testament, God interacted with people by speaking through leaders like Moses and Joshua, prophets like Samuel, Isaiah and Hosea and kings like David, Hezekiah and Jehoshaphat.  But God was always there for any individual who sought Him. 

He called Nehemiah, a captive servant, to rebuild Jerusalem.  He used a little maid in captivity to exhort Namaan, a Syrian army commander so he would be healed.  He used Joseph, a prisoner, to provide for two nations in the midst of famine.  He used Miriam, a young girl to rescue baby Moses and three Hebrew lads to demonstrate His power in Babylon’s fiery furnace. 

Centuries before Jesus, David wrote:  “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry.” Ps 34.15.  Read Psalm 34 this week—half of the verses illustrate the reality that God sees the individual—it’s just the way He is.  And now, because of what Jesus did on the cross…the sin that separated mankind from God has been dealt with.  Through Christ, a continuous one-on-one RELATIONSHIP is possible once and for all.  We just need to look to Him like David did:  “I sought the Lord and He heard me…This poor man cried out and the Lord heard him….Those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing….The righteous cry out and the Lord hears….The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart…the Lord redeems the soul of His servants and none of those who trust in Him shall be condemned,” from Ps 34. 

How is any of that possible?  First of all, because He loves us, but also, because when we choose to sit at His feet and receive the truth of what He has said in the Bible, we discover a rich RELATIONSHIP waiting for us and anyone who seeks the Lord!

PRAYER: Dear Lord, this week I choose to seek You, to seek after You with a grateful heart.  I choose to pay attention and listen for those things You want me to recognize and understand.  I want to sit and be still, just listening…quiet and waiting upon You.  Spirit of God You who are my Hope and I trust in Your Word, knowing that You will accomplish in me all that is necessary for me to live my life according to the good plans You have for me.  How grateful I am to know that when I seek You, I will find You; when I believe You, nothing is impossible. I want to be one who receives Your Word.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Under Jehoshaphat’s rule, God was exalted and established.  The people were taught, trained and governed by Godly leaders.  So there is no surprise about Jehoshaphat’s response to the threat.  Yes, it was a time of fear, but Judah did not run or hide…they sought God.  How do you respond when fear shakes your life?

Jehoshaphat set the example. He declared God the ruler over all and exalted Him above all nations and rulers.  “If disaster comes upon us, he said, we will stand and cry out to You, knowing You will hear and save.” v.9.  He admitted, “we have no power against this great multitude…nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You,” v. 2.

In this time of fear, all of Judah came together, even children, and in the presence of the people, God gave direction: “Do not be afraid or dismayed because of this great multitude for the battle is not yours, but God’s…You will not need to fight… stand still and see the salvation of the Lord who is with you!  Do not fear or be dismayed…for the Lord is with you.” v. 14-17.  The people responded and fell on their faces to worship.

Then Jehoshaphat said: “Hear me!  BELIEVE in the Lord and you shall be established; BELIEVE His prophets and you shall prosper.”v.20.  Interesting…when you are in a time of fear, do you respond like he did?  Will you begin as Jehoshaphat did in 2 Chr 20.3-4? Then carry on by speaking v. 6-9?  Will you humble yourself as in v. 12?  and gather friends, even children to pray with you like v.13?  Will you receive encouragement from God as written in v.15-17?  and respond in worship because of who He is, as in v.18?  Will you BELIEVE? Will you “Hear the Word! and BELIEVE the Word of God!”?

Did God hear and rescue Judah?  Yes.  The enemy was destroyed, the people were blessed and fear of God came upon all the surrounding nations.  God gave quiet and rest all around, peace—no more fear!  Even if you have a strong RELATIONSHIP with God you will encounter times of fear.  When you do, BELIEVE the Word, because God is the Rewarder of those who BELIEVE and diligently seek Him, Heb 11.6.

PRAYER:  Father, I do believe, but strengthen me when those fearful times come so I will walk courageously before You in spite of what comes against me.  Spirit of God, stir up my heart and soul to seek Your face, to pursue and trust You with the outcomes in my life.  I praise You, Lord for Your love and am so grateful for Your rescuing me over and over again.  Teach me to stand still and watch as You do the battling.  I praise You because You are mighty and strong and You love me!  Amazing!  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

When Ahab asked him to join him in war, Jehoshaphat responded, “Please inquire for the Word of the Lord today,” v. 4.  So, Ahab called his prophets, but Jehoshaphat, knowing they were not of God asked, “Is there not a prophet of the Lord here so we may inquire of God?” v.6.  There was one, but Ahab did not like him because his words were contrary to his plans. This response should have been a red flag for Jehoshaphat.

Ahab’s prophets said Go! he would win the war; but God’s prophet said, “let each one return to his house in peace,” v.16b.  Ahab was not happy and threw him into prison until his victorious return from the war.  But the prophet had one more thing to say, “If you ever return in peace, the Lord has not spoken by me.  Take heed, all you people!” v.27.  Jehoshaphat heard it all, yet he still went to war with Ahab—a huge mistake.

Ahab apparently gave some credence to what God’s prophet said about disaster coming upon his life, v. 18-22,  because he disguised himself, having Jehoshaphat dress in his robes so the enemy would mistake him for Ahab, killing Jehoshaphat instead.  An order had been given to kill Ahab, v.30, and Ahab was not about to let that happen!

No matter how great our RELATIONSHIP is with God, each of us is still human, we still miss things; and, we still have choices to make.  Because we do not always see the enemy’s deceitfulness, we make mistakes; but, God does not kick us out or leave us.  However, our unwise choices often have consequences (2 Chr 19.2) that play out in our lives.  What then?  What do you do when those consequences hit?   

If, like Jehoshaphat, you have a solid RELATIONSHIP with God and cry out to Him, the Lord will give you help and divert the enemy’s plans, 2 Chr 18.31.  Then, like Jehoshaphat, you too will find safety in God, unlike Ahab who lost his life in the disaster just like the prophet predicted.  God dealt with Jehoshaphat about his alliance with the evil king, but He also knew his heart—a heart prepared to seek Him.  In time,  Jehoshaphat went throughout the land drawing people back to God once again, calling upon leaders to live in the fear of God…to live faithfully, with a loyal heart… knowing that as they were courageous in God, He would be with them. 2 Chr 19.4,9,11.

PRAYER:  Oh Lord, my heart’s desire truly is to serve You all the days of my life with all of my heart.  I want to see others grasp the truth of Your love for them and desire to be strong on their behalf…to save them…bless them and train them up to live lives of fullness, peace and goodness.  Father, help me to discern truth in the decisions I face, to be wise when dealing with people and choosing the way to go in circumstances that come my way.  How grateful I am that though You are a God of truth and justice, You are also full of grace, mercy and love. Help me as I grow in You.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Earlier He had been saying things like “Let not your heart be troubled,” v.1. “Where I’ll be you will be too,” v.3.  “I am the Way, Truth and Life,” v. 6.  He talked about how He wanted His followers to remain in RELATIONSHIP with Him, to continue interacting with Him, asking questions and doing what He had taught them, v. 11-15.  But how??? He continued—yes He, the Son of God, was leaving but the Spirit of God would soon come and be with them forever, v. 17; Jn 14.16.  I would not be abandoned!

His three years on earth had not been a flash-in-the-pan, a plan was in place—a new beginning filled with hope and a future for all who believed. Mom’s life ended last week, there is no way she can come back; but with Jesus it is a different story. He was not kidding when He said, “I will not leave you orphans!”  Yes, there are seasons of grief, but in Christ Hope mixes with grief, and we know we have not been abandoned!

The disciples’ RELATIONSHIP with Jesus had grown based on love, trust and hope.  They probably expected to be with Him forever, even though their idea of forever had limits.  But what Jesus meant when He spoke of forever was completely different.  He knew even Death could not end this forever-RELATIONSHIP believers had with Him!  Yes, without a dad or mom, I am technically an orphan, but in truth, I am not!  Jesus said, “I will not leave you or forsake you,” Heb 13.5—I am not abandoned!

In many cultures, orphans are cast aside, suffering lack and rejection.  Too many times they are left to fend for themselves.  If taken in, often the family cannot afford to feed them properly or send them to school and they become more like a slave than part of the family.  But with Jesus, we are not forsaken, we become “joint heirs with Christ,” part of the family!  Look at Ro 8.16-17a:  “The Spirit Himself agrees with our spirit that we are God’s children.  Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ…”  No matter what the records show, I am not an orphan, I am fully adopted, accepted, received and loved by God, the Father, because of what God the Son did and in the meantime, God the Spirit is with me…forever!  I am not abandoned!

PRAYER:  Father, as much as dad and mom loved me, they are no longer here for me…but You are.  I know beyond a shadow of a doubt You are with me, never leaving me or casting me aside and that You love me with an everlasting love.  I am speechless when I try to express the gratefulness in my heart for You and Your love for me.  Together forever with You…what more could I want.  You are such an amazing God.  And to think…I will not be abandoned!  I love You so much…In Jesus’ Name, Amen.