Today’s reading followed the lives of a couple of bad kings. You know they are bad when it says, 21:19 “In the course of time, at the end of two years, his bowels came out because of the disease, and he died in great agony. His people made no fire in his honor, like the fires made for his fathers.” This is so sad and yet again a life wasted that knew better. We choose the path we tread but the results and consequences of our choice are determined by God and the eventual calamity of sin.
May today be filled with good choices and God honoring life!

I have been perplexed by why it seems more and more these days people of the church are doing what Elijah described in 18:21″And Elijah came near to all the people and said, ‘How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.’ And the people did not answer him a word.” Elijah was dealing with a people who knew God and knew His ways and what His commands were. They knew they were to be lovers of God with all their hearts and yet they had backed away from their commitment to the Lord and loved the gods around them more. Maybe it was because it was more popular. Maybe it was because their political leaders were pushing it. I am sure there were many reasons, but God had not changed and His desire for His people had not changed. It is the same today. God’s people are to put away the things of this earth. Drunkenness, ungodly speech, anger, gossip, divisiveness, seem to be where so many have decided was okay as long as they go to church or do the church thing every other week. God must just want to throw up! We are just playing games when the end result is eternal. I know I am way too heavy for some, but my heart has been broken as I have seen some who I have known to at one time be super devoted in their relationship with Jesus standing on a fence with one foot in the world and one in the church. Really not sure what to say next other than, I want to be holy, set apart, a woman whose heart is so devoted to her Master that He and only He is seen in me. I want to know how to love my brothers and sisters in Christ in such a way that they long again to be running toward God with all of their might. I am praying today for them and for all who have allowed their love for their Master to take a back seat to their love for the things of this world. He longs for us all to return!

Do you serve God with a whole heart? In our day of mediocrity where doing just enough to get by is the norm, it is very difficult for people to pour themselves into serving someone or something else with their whole heart. Maybe it is because we have been burned by others including the church and we equate God with the church. Bad mistake on our part. God isn’t the church, religious organizations or what we see on television. He is Creator of everything and He holds everything together. In our reading today when the kings trusted God will all their heart and served Him they saw God defeat armies twice the size their armies were. They saw even through trials and tribulations that God took care of them. No the journey wasn’t without challenges, but they prevailed with God’s help. Last night as I was preparing for bed I got a text from someone I care deeply for. They said, “please pray, ugly things going on.” For the next couple of hours I prayed. The song God kept reminding me of as I prayed was Learning to Lean. The words go:
Learning to lean,
Learning to lean, I’m learning to lean on Jesus.
Finding more power than I ever dreamed,
I’m learning to lean on Jesus.
I believe that is what it looks like to have a whole heart dependency on Jesus. Trusting Him to hold you up and rescue you when hard times come. Most of the kings in today’s reading found leaning on God to be their salvation. When they turned to trust other men their kingdom fell. What a great reminder to all of us. (I got a call later on last night that though rocky things worked out. My advice to my friend was Lean on Jesus!) Maybe that is the advice you need today as well. I know I do.

I have just finished a 3 day marathon paint party where a friend and I painted the home of someone who needed our help. Our work day started at 6:00 AM and finished about 10:00 each evening. As I drove home this afternoon I thought, “I feel like when I come home from a mission trip leaving it all on the field.” All I want to do is crawl in a hot bath and go to bed and the sun has not even set yet. Lol

How many of you feel the same way? You have poured your life out this week for the sake of others and you just feel worn out and wearied. It is a good feeling in some ways because you have given your all, but there is a need for rest and renewal.
So how do you renew when time and money is limited?

• Eat a good meal. Fueling back up on something filling will boost your energy
• Turn off your electronic devices. Give yourself a much needed break. You can return call later.
• Take a hot bath or shower washing away the sweat and grime, but also the things you maybe have worried or been concerned about. Let the water relax you.
• Put on fresh comfy clothes that smell good and make you feel peaceful.
• Spend a few minutes thanking God for all He has allowed you to accomplish and for those who have helped you.
• Take a nap or go to bed. Rest is the be source of renewal.

When the Prophet Elijah was worn out after seeing God do miraculous acts and then being chased by the king and his less than lovely bride, he found himself worn out and weary. He ran to a quiet brook and there the ravens fed him and he closed his weary eyes. When he woke he ate again and slept more. When he finally awoke he was ready to hear God’s voice and join in the ministry again. I tell people sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is take a nap. I am sure that is why God reminded us to keep the Sabbath, He knew we would need the down time to find new energy. It was also a great reminder who is God and who isn’t. Our frailty is a great opportunity to rest in The Lord.

So I guess I will run now. I have just finished a great meal and … well,,, my bath and bed await.

In a crazy way I see Solomon and his wisdom being like so many in our world.
2:10 “And whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I kept my heart from no pleasure, for my heart found pleasure in all my toil, and this was my reward for all my toil.”

Solomon is saying I work hard therefore I deserve to indulge in any pleasure I want. Another way to say it, “I am grown and I can do what I want.”  Solomon came to the conclusion that this was senseless or in his words vanity. Hard work is good, but pleasure will never fill the void that our world longs for. That alone is filled by understanding that this world is not all there is. This is merely the beginning of eternity and what we do here prepares us for forever. Putting up treasure here without planning for what will come after death is vain.

It would be like knowing you are going to Universal or Disney in 3 months and yet spending all of your money today on things that will not be of use then. Solomon was wise but he like many today did not understand that God is above time. He is eternal! What we see now is just a snippet of what is to come.

A true word to the wise, Matthew 6:19-21 “19-21 “Don’t hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or—worse!—stolen by burglars. Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it’s safe from moth and rust and burglars.

It’s obvious, isn’t it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being.” What a great reminder to our world and to us today!

Don’t you just love it when you walk into a place and there is a pleasing smell?  The smell of watermelon may make you think of a warm summer day or family reunion. This time of year honeysuckle is a wonderful aroma or maybe you are like me and enjoy the sweet smell of gardenia.

Proverbs 27:9 “Oil and perfume make the heart glad,
and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel.”

Though these smells bring glad memories, the sweetness of a friend who gives wise counsel is even better. Last year this time I was walking through one of the hardest times of my life. Some sweet friends invited me to a lake house for some rest and renewal. Those days were pivotal in my spiritual and emotional well being.

This morning I find myself watching the sunrise in the same lake house but in a much better place mentally, physically and spiritually. The comfort of friendship and these ladies counsel has been great encouragement to me.

Do you know someone in need of encouragement today? Don’t let this moment pass without being the sweet aroma of Christ to her. Maybe you can even tuck a sweet smelling candle in a gift bag for her as well. If you are the one in need, don’t isolate yourself. Take the initiative to spend time with someone you trust and who can speak the wisdom of God’s word into you. Even if you don’t address what you are struggling with, just being with a friend and having fellowship will brighten your day.

I don’t know about you, but I like spice! I like salt on my chips! Have you ever tried low salt or no salt chips or pretzels? They crunch but are not much on taste. I am like that in life too. I want spice in life, fun and adventure even if all I am doing is cleaning house, working, going to the grocery or to church. I believe God wants His children to add a little spice to life.

John 10:10 says, “The thief comes to steal kill and destroy. I have come that you might have life and have it more abundantly.”

More abundantly! Did you see that. With spice!

Colossians 4:6  “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”

I think God really likes the idea of spice too! Not the physical kind, but the kind that goes beyond what we see.
So if we are to live life with spice what would that look like?

• Smile: It makes people wonder what you are up to. The peace of Jesus makes you want to smile!

• Speak words of kindness, grace, and love to those around you. Even hard truth can be spoken in love so that people know you truly care.

• Practice spontaneity! When God puts something on your heart do it. When you feel prompted to call or text someone, do it then, don’t wait. When you think, “we should have lunch”. Call then and invite or set a date. When you sense someone has a need that you can help meet, do it. Immediate obedience brings great joy. Delayed obedience can result in you missing the moment to bless or be blessed.

• Create! You may be saying “Hold on here sister I am not the creative type.” I know what you mean, but what I am talking about is more simple. Plant a few flowers and make your own small garden. Rearrange your furniture and give your room a fresh look. Paint an old piece of furniture and give it a new look. If you really are creative arrange flowers for a friend or your home. Paint a picture of something you love. Sit outside and draw or make something with your hands. The possibilities are endless.

Probably the most important thing you can do to add a little spice is turn off the television, computer, phone or whatever your electronic device of choice is and see what God is doing around you.

Initiate conversations with children, friends, or even the people you see in your normal pattern of life. You will be amazed that how many people just want to be seen, and since you will be smiling maybe you can share your smile and your Spice of Life with them. Don’t be like the saltless type, be the sweet taste of Heaven to those you come in contact with today.

I got chill bumps as I read this morning about how the Spirit of God filled the temple at its completion. I can’t imagine how awing it must have been once they gave thanksgiving and praise to God through music, word, and sacrifices to see the cloud fill the temple. I can see even now every head bowed, ever knee bowed and most with their faces to the ground in honor of the One who filled the temple.
What blew me away as well is how Solomon addressed who made the temple. 6:4 And he said, “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who with his hand has fulfilled what he promised” 15 “who have kept with your servant David my father what you declared to him. You spoke with your mouth, and with your hand have fulfilled it this day” Whose hand had fulfilled it? That is right, though David had saved and prepared and Solomon had hired out and done the physical work, he never lost sight of whose hand fulfilled the work. How often do we take credit for what God has done? When God does a major work in the church and we think it is because of a great program, planning or even execution. Yes all of these things are important, but God is at work. In our homes the same is true. It is God who builds a holy home and holds it together. I look at my children today and give glory to God because I know I would have messed them up if it had been up to me. I give Him glory and honor and praise.
I think that is why I have had holy chill bumps today just soaking in His presence not just at the dedication of the temple, but in my life this morning as well, and my response is the same as their, true Praise to the Most High God! Join me won’t you?

“Silence is golden” Have you heard that said a few times? I am sure every parent of a talkative child has thought it. lol Proverbs 17 puts it this way. “27 Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.
28 Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.”
It is not just the lack of noise that is valuable, but the lack of words that are not wise. Have you ever wished you could take something back that you said in anger? Maybe you have wished you could grab back words that were not mean or ugly just not kind or uplifting. If we tell the truth we have all said things we thought later, my mouth spoke before my mind thought. God has much to say in his word about the power of the tongue and how if you can tame it you can tame your whole body. (James) I still wrestle with this on a daily basis, but starting my day in the word and trying to live it helps a lot with the filter of my mouth. 🙂