Genesis 12-13; 1 Chronicles 9; John 4:46-54; James 4:13-17; Psalm 9: Have you ever been treated unfairly? Has there been a time you were working with someone and you felt as though they had taken advantage of you? Have you ever come to the end of a meal and were preparing for dessert and there only be 2 pieces left of something you. really liked and the other person took the bigger piece? Today’s reading includes a story where someone was taken advantage of in a life changing decision and the other person chose the better portion, but unlike us when we feel treated unfairly, this character believed God that He would make what he got the better portion and the greater choice. You may know the story, it is the story of Abraham and Lott his nephew. Both men had traveled many miles together from their homeland. Both had gone though some hard times, but also some times of great blessing because God’s hand was on them. Now they had many flocks and many servants to care for those flocks and the land they were in was just not big enough for all of them and quarreling was breaking out. Abraham came to Lott and determined the best course of action was to split ways and one take one part of land and the other another. Separation would prevent conflict. Lott chose the more lush land of the Jordan valley and Abraham was left with the more desert area. Looking at it from afar it looks like Abraham got the worse end of the deal, but God was with Abraham because Abraham was faithful and God promised him not just the desert land, but all that was north, south, east and west of him. God’s promises came true because Abraham was faithful even when treated unfairly by this nephew.
Some big lessons to learn from this part of the story:
* Choose faithfulness to God no matter what comes your way
* Family is a blessing but when too close conflict can arise
* If and when conflict arises sit down together and talk it out. Even if you get the wrong end of the choices God will honor your faithfulness to Him and bless you.
* Separation sometimes is the only answer to conflict when it comes to possessions. Relationships don’t always have to end just because physical separation occurs..
We will read later in the story that Abraham continued to be close at heart with Lott and saved him several times. Your love for those you find yourself in conflict with does not have to go away. Even in our unfair times God is still at work and will bring good out of bad.

Genesis 9:18-10:32; 1 Chronicles 7; John 4:1-24; James 3:13-18; Psalm 7: I woke this morning thinking about the fields around me being white unto harvest. I prayed Father help me be aware of those in need around me. I am a willing worker, I just need the tools and instructions. As I read our scripture today John 4 Jesus was reminding His disciples of the same thing. Our encounters like His at a well are the very places we are to harvest. It may start with a simple conversation about something we both have in common like His about water. Then we ask questions and build relationships. When the time is right we give Living Water. It may just be a cup full or even a sip, but we share our love for Jesus and how He has changed our lives and can change theirs. The end result is hopefully others are affected. One other thing I noticed in this passage is that Jesus did not just jump up and run off. He stayed a couple of days with the people. True change happens over time with discipleship. Most people do not come to Christ at a first touch. It may take as many as 13 experiences for them to choose to make a life change. You may be the first, the 3rd or the thirteenth. You may not be the one to physically see them pray a prayer of repentance and acceptance, but your touch, your kind word, your conversation all count toward one of those experiences. Trust the Spirit’s leading. Don’t be like the disciples worried about the food. See the possibilities around you for spiritual food. The fields really are ripe around us to be harvested. We just need to be open to the when, where and how of harvesting.

Genesis 9:18-10:32; 1 Chronicles 7; John 4:1-24; James 3:13-18; Psalm 7: If you are in the business world you are often looking for leads for people who are in need of the commodity you are selling. You may cold call and probably feel like this is the lest effective way. Your greater goal is to look for warm calls or people that you know already are searching for the product or the benefits from it. Jesus made a cold call in the scripture today with the woman at the well, but in His eyes it was more warm than the woman knew. When she came to the well Jesus spoke to her asking for water. She was a little blown away first because a man was talking to a woman. Women were not highly regarded. She was also not of His cultural group. He was a Jew, she a Samaritan and Jews by nature thoughts they were much better than Samaritans because the Samaritan people had intermarried with other cultures. Most Jews did not give them the time of day. Last, she knew her own background and had chosen to come to the well in the heat of the day because many of her own people did not love and respect her because she had been married and divorced several times and the man she was currently with was not her husband. Jesus being divine knew this too and yet He initiated contact with her. He did it asking for something they both had in common, water. Through the conversation He reveals to her that He is the Messiah they had been looking for. She was unconvinced until He told her about her own background and how even now she was with a man who was not her husband. His care for her even knowing her background was a game changer. Her response was to go back and tell everyone in town about Him, “A man who knew everything about her” and His willingness to talk to her.
I wonder how many people in our lives are like this precious one looking for someone to accept her even in her sin. I wonder how many are just willing for people of faith to reach down to those who do not feel worthy? I wonder is God is not reminding us through this story that cold calls on those who desperately need Him are really warm candidates because their need is great and our message of salvation will meet their greatest need. They won’t be won by slick sales pitches, but by true concern and care for them. Ask the Father to give you eyes to see who He would have you share with today.

Genesis 1, 1 Chronicles 1, John 1:1-18, James 1: 1-11, Psalm 1: This new plan is going to take me a little bit to get used to reading from so many places. God captured my heart this morning though as I read Genesis 1. As my mind pondered what it must have been like when there was nothing, no light, no substance no form or shape of any kind and them from that nothing God spoke and He created all. It peaked my interest that before the sun and moon where even formed God had already created light. When I read how Jesus was there at the beginning and He is Light that sure explains a lot! The Light and Life of all! Can you see in your mind’s eye the rich soil of the newly created earth and the first sprouts of all created plant life? The first olive tree, the first blade of grass, the first tomato vine each started from His words. Then to create various animals some with thick hair, others with sleek skin and snubbed noses. Did He smile when He created skunks? His greatest creation He saved to take on His image, Man. God gave man His image and His characteristics then He gave man dominion over all created things expecting man to care for it as He would. And so life as we know it began. Father to son, Father to son… down through the generations. To the first born great responsibilities fall to care for the family and carry on its name. Thus 1 Chronicles lists the sons from Adam to Abraham and each of their sons. God has given responsibility to those He created. Trials come and reveal what each man is made of and where he must rely even more heavily on God (James 1) because the truth is we are the created living to glorify the Creator in all we do. Life from nothing! We serve an awe inspiring God!

Hebrews 9-13: Angels are messengers sent from heaven to convey a message. In the Christmas story we see angels bring a couple of messages, one to Mary and one to the shepherds. In both situations the message was being conveyed that the Child to be born would be the Savior.
In our reading today we are reminded that angelic messengers are still making appearances and at times we are unaware.
13:2 “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”
I thought you guys might enjoy hearing a story where I think just that happened in my life. When Les was in seminary we lived half of the week in New Orleans at the Seminary and the weekends we spent at our church field in Florence Mississippi. We made that trek faithfully for almost 2 years. One week Les went before the children and me and I was to come later. The little brown car we owned at the time had been super faithful but this week we had a problem. I had no idea what to do. I just knew it had to be seen about. I took it to the car dealership and waited with the children as they diagnosed the problem. I knew our finances were very limited to about $246 in the bank. As the morning wore on my anxiety grew. A bald headed man in his mid 40s came and sat down beside me. We small talked and he knew me anxiety when the repair man came in and told me the repairs would be almost $400. All of the blood drained from my face, but I knew it had to be fixed. (it was the alternator) I told the repairman to go ahead and fix it. Then I called Les and tried to figure out how we would move money to be able to afford it. Two hours later the car was repaired and I went to the window to pay the bill. When I asked the lady the total she said, $246 I said “Are you sure?” She said yes. I said that the repairman had quoted a much higher price and she said, “It was that amount but there was a man who came and paid the balance.” I asked who he was and she said she did not know him but he was a baldheaded gentleman in his mid 40s. For the second time that day the blood drained from my face as I thought about my company for the morning. He had just disappeared from the room where we had been. I don’t know who he was, but that day his message to me was don’t worry, God will take care of you. He is about a good work in you and your husband. It is going to be okay. I weep even as I write this because this message has been profound through out our life and ministry.
Had I seen an angel? I would not swear to it, but if I did mine looks like he is in his mid 40s and is baldheaded at least in that moment and he dilivid a message of hope for this young pastor’s wife that I hold on to even today.

1 Peter 1-4: God has had me in 1 Peter a lot this year. I studied it for 6 weeks this spring. It is so rich in truth! A verse that I have had to live this year is found in chapter 1.
1: 6 “In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
If you don’t mind I will break it down for you as it has been revealed to me. It begins with a great reminder that our trials are just for a little while. As we have gone through the trauma of job loss, financial stress due to that and just the normal struggles of life it has been GREAT to remember it is only for a little while. Our trials have been financial and job related, but your trials may have been health, marriage, relationships strained, loss of a loved one. Not sure where you are, but this should be a great reminder that this too shall pass.
The next part of the verse brought great comfort to me as well because in many ways it was my WHY for the trials that had come my way. It reminded me that these trials proved the genuineness of my faith to me and others. As we struggled to keep our head above the water of financial debt and anxiety over lack of finances coming in instead of turning to how we were going to fix it, we turned to God and would bring our requests and supplications to Him with Thanksgiving. He in turn provided DAILY MANNA. I still can’t get that out of my head and believe God wants me to write something on that maybe even in a book form. Daily manna can look very different to each person. To us it was a big ole fried fish one day brought to us by a precious lady in my bible study. Another day it was a gift card sent by a friend from another state. It came the very day Les said “I wish we could go on a date night.” I began to cry the moment I opened the card. God just knew.
The end result of all of the trial is to draw me closer into relationship with the Father and it will pay off in the end. If you are in the throws of a various trial, hold on my friend. Draw closer to the Father and know that this will result in something good. I don’t know what nor do I know when it will come, but even if it doesn’t “work out” like you want it will prove the genuine of your faith.

Ephesians 5-6, Titus 1-3: Last night we attended the Gaither Homecoming and were blessed beyond measure by the beautiful Christmas and Spiritual Songs. One of the songs that blessed me beyond measure but I wasn’t expecting was Let There Be Peace on Earth sung by a gentleman with a resounding bass voice. Here are the words he sang.
“Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin with me
Let there be peace on earth
The peace that was meant to be
With God as our father
Brothers all are we
Let me walk with my brother
In perfect harmony
Let peace begin with me
Let this be the moment now
With every step I take
Let this be my solemn vow
To take each moment
And live each moment
To take each moment
And live each moment
To take each moment
And live each moment
In peace eternally
Let there be peace on earth
Let there be peace on earth
Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin With me”
As I listened I began to pray these words. Our city has been in conflict over a shooting at a local mall. Another friend’s community was rocked yesterday by a shooting at a school and yet another friend’s community was shaken by a man going into a senior adult living facility and taking the life of his loved one. I am not speaking to what happened in any of these cases just to say that I can’t control anyone or anything that goes on around me, but I can let peace being in me by learning to rest on the Father trusting Him and walking in His ways, not just by myself, but with my brothers all around me. I can live each moment and take each moment to live ETERNALLY not just myself but sharing that good new with others.
The scriptures today urged us to walk in the Light of our calling. It addressed husband and wife relationships, children and even employer relationships. Then it told us to put on the FULL armor of God. Oh friend. That is the only way we truly can have peace on earth and it can begin with us as we walk each step each day. Don’t hear this just as a Christmas Carol, but as a command from the Father to walk in the light as He is in the Light and have fellowship with one another. Let Him be your Peace this Christmas season.

Ephesians 1-4: Anybody out there going to be in a situation with difficult people this Christmas season? Anybody a little anxious about how things will go and how everyone will act? Today’s passage is a great reminder that you can’t do anything about the way others act or respond, but you can do something about the way you do. Here is what Paul said to the believers in Ephesus.
4:1 “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
Great reminders to do what you do in light of Whose you are! Choose humility instead of pride
Choose gentleness in your voice instead of frustration
Choose to be patient and kind in your responses
Choose to love them in spite of their words or actions remembering all God has loved you through.
Choose to keep unity of the Spirit if they are believers even if you don’t agree on everything.
Choose the bond of peace by holding your tongue. It is impossible to take back words spoken.
Choose to keep your eyes on Jesus and remember it is His Birthday!

Philemon, Colossians: We are getting ready in January to do a 28 day detoxing the body, mind and soul. As I read the scripture in Colossians it reminded me so much of some of the things I have written for the devotion book. One of the major ones is that in order to get the spiritual toxins out of your life you must leave the old life behind. Colossians 3 lists many of those 3:5 “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6On account of these the wrath of God is coming. 7In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. 8But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. 9Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices.”
I love how it says “put to death”. When you put them to death they can’t come back and be a part of your life. One of the greatest struggles we have as believer is allowing many of the dead things in our lives to come back to life. At the moment you feel tempted to be angry, or say something you should not or watch something that would feed your fleshly desires, put it to death again. Keep it in the grave. If you entertain it even for a short time it gives it life again and it begins to grow in your heart again. Instead replace that dead with what you want to live and characterize your life.
3:12 “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
Feed what you desire to grow!

Romans 13-16: Yesterday we were walking the mountainside palace of Herod the Great. It is a place where about 200 Jewish men, women and children took their own lives rather than become slaves to Rome. The Romans had broken down their defense wall and the next day would prepare to come in and take them. Their leaders determined to burn the mountain top palace and kill everyone themselves to prevent Rome from getting anything or anyone. As we walked the mountainside there were students and travelers everywhere. One young man was singing an old John Denver song. As he walked past me. I joined in his song and he smiled as we sang together. I thought then about the lyrics to another old song “Music is a universal language and love is the key.” I thought then how if we as people would learn to love each other like the Father wanted us to how many wars and needless deaths would be done away with. If we love each other we would worship the Lord together or at least not kill each other over religion. This place is a memorial stone to the huge number of people who have died in the name of religion.
Romans 13:8 “Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.”
13:10 “Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.”
Amen and amen. Love is the only thing that will bring peace to the Middle East and to the city where you live. To quote another old song, “What the world needs now is love sweet love.” Not a selfish love or a self seeking one, but one that considers someone else above your own self. Philippians 2 says that there was One who loved us so much that He left His throne in Heaven to die for us. May we reflect His love today.