November 15

Ezekiel 31-32

The egos of powerful people are often their undoing. They see themselves through carnival mirrors bent to contort their images. God sees things as they really are. You consider yourself a lion among the nations, but you are like a monster in the seas. You thrash about in your rivers, churning the waters with your feet and muddying the streams (32:2).

Stay out of the mud. God is sovereign, and those He chooses live as His children enjoying royal rights and responsibilities. Or one may live in the mud.

Hebrews 12 (cont.)

See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God, and that no root of bitterness springs up to cause trouble and defile many (12:15). Today’s passage reminds us that there are two parts to forgiveness. First is the act of forgiving the person. Second, is the act of cleansing the memory of whatever they did that needed to be forgiven. Many people will say the former, but not deal with the latter. That’s like pulling the heads off the weeds in the garden and leaving the roots. Weed roots grow weeds!

When one forgives but holds onto the offense, that’s bitterness, which is poisonous. Every time they think of that person, they’re not thinking how to pray for them. They’re feeling the offense and getting all worked up. Forgive, and dig out the roots of bitterness before the poison kills the whole garden.

Psalm 113-114

Who is like the LORD our God, the One enthroned on high? (113:5). Nobody! Hallelujah!

Proverbs 27:18-20

As water reflects the face, so the heart reflects the true man. You can change the attitude of your heart, and your behavior will follow. When you decide to know God, and turn to Him for help, the ugly desires of your heart will start to show. Each one, whether it’s lust of the flesh, greed, contentiousness, or boasting, they all have to be put to death.

Hunger for God helps identify our heart’s attitudes, and the Holy Spirit can change them quickly. You have to cooperate, of course, and your face will show the difference. Selfishness turns to caring, deception to honesty, pride to humility, contentiousness to reconciliation. You decide what directs your heart and who you become.

November 14

Ezekiel 29-30

In the Bible, when a nation’s commander took credit for something God did, that nation was doomed. As our nation’s leaders demonstrate a contention spirit, posturing and bickering about who did what, pray one of them will give God the glory. When you see one who tries to steal God’s glory, pray for God’s mercy. Pray that He punishes their arrogance, restores them to Himself, and has mercy on the nation.

Hebrews 12

Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with endurance the race set out for us (12:1). If we’re not careful Bible readers, we might think that willpower is the secret to living for Jesus. Jesus is the secret to living in Jesus. I’m inviting you to receive the faith of Jesus right now. Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you with His faith (yours won’t cut it). The heroes of the faith kept their eyes on a better day. They hungered for God, received his word, accepted His facts as their faith. They believed Him.

Psalm 112

Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in His commandments. The promises of Psalms 112 may be taken literally. Read them all, delight in God’s word, and know that all the promises of God are “Yes” in Christ. And so, through Him, our “Amen” is spoken to the glory of God (2 Corinthians 1:20 BSB). You are blessed, your children will be mighty, you will prosper not needing to borrow but generously lending, you will not fear bad news, your horn will be lifted high (your strength will be obvious!), and the wicked who oppose you will find agonizing frustration.

Proverbs 27:17

As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. If your friends make you dull, level up.

November 13

Ezekiel 27-28

Your heart has grown proud because of your wealth (28:5). Many biblical scholars believe that today’s reading about the King of Tyre metaphorically describes Satan. All the pieces are there–ancient creation, proud heart claiming divinity, beauty, access to God, place in Eden, and a spectacular fall. It is a sad reality that many people to whom God gives great wisdom, He also gives great wealth, but they turn to pride. Some of the most prideful people I’ve met were also the wealthiest and most unhappy. Pride is a disastrous vice and the root cause of all sin. I’m not God; neither are you.

Hebrews 11 (cont.)

He was looking ahead to his great reward (11:26). Moses rejected the immense wealth and privilege of bug-worshiping Egyptians for the poverty and shame of God-worshiping Israelites. You may have the same opportunity. Moses believed God’s reward beat Pharoah’s, and his choice led him to the desert where God developed his faith.

Is God developing your faith in a dry place? You do not know the future, but you know by faith that a better day lies ahead. Applying Hebrews 11:26 to oneself requires meditation and time–it is the Lord who reveals such mysteries and sets new things in motion. Living in faith is not wishing for a better day; faith is confidence in God that follows hunger for God. Be still and know that I am God (Psalms 46:10).

Psalm 111

Everything He does reveals His glory and majesty. Ask the Holy Spirit to bring to mind His great deeds. You may think of creation started, seas parted, or disease thwarted (smile). Now, focus. Holy Spirit, show the reader your great deeds done in their life. Show the reader your mighty hand (v. 4). We worship your holiness and magnificence, you are Lord Almighty, El Shaddai!

Proverbs 27:15-16

Like trying to grasp oil. Contentiousness is a common sin in our nation. It slithers in and strikes without regard to spiritual condition, even Christ’s followers have succumbed to an argumentative spirit. It works against a humble spirit that God rewards. It is anti-submission, pro-disruption, and powerfully selfish. The proverb talks about a contentious wife, and I’ve seen her destroy many marriages. I’ve seen the principle applies equally to contentious men who refuse to be led by wiser heads.

Restraining that person is like trying to hold onto a handful of oil. You do not have to try it to know it’s impossible. Contentiousness yields loneliness, and God does not want that for you. To find peace, we must battle the contentious spirit. If it’s in you, renounce it, ask God to heal the raw emotions that let it take hold. (I’ve found that contentiousness hangs onto feelings of inferiority that stem from damaging lies). Take authority. Tell it to leave. If it’s plaguing a loved one, ask if they’re hungry for God’s peace and gently work with them until the Holy Spirit heals the wound and the unclean spirit slides out. (I’ve described the basic process that brings inner healing. Contact me if you’d like to know more.)