As with a tree, the source of the strength in the limbs and the sweetness of the fruit is covered with dirt: the root. So it is with the child of God, the flesh can disguise the source of our thoughts and actions: the heart.
Sometimes it is hard to see past the dirt to acknowledge the source. Yet, the results we see are evidences of just that. The tree may suffer a season of lack in cold times or lose a branch or two in stormy days, but as long as the root grows deep it can be refreshed.
It is the long droughts and hot days when no moisture can be found as the heavens have withheld their rains that the root drys and the tree dies. Much like the soul when the connection from above withholds the nurture and refreshing insights of God's word and the spirit dries within.
Lord send your word today to our thirsty souls and revive us again to your service. Help me to know that perhaps I might be that source of a cup of water to another parched traveler. "As cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country." May it find its way past the dirt to the root of my heart. Amen.

Once again I sit this morning in awe of the lessons my dad taught me in "hands on" examples when I was a boy. I'm really not sure that he even considered some of them as such to me, probably more than I ever will realize, but the value of teaching overwhelms me at times. I confess at the time I was not a very willing student and shamefully resented the length and repetition of the class.
Yet, as I see the principles of those days explode in the pages of scripture I marvel at the wisdom of the teacher and acknowledge from whom he must have learned as well. The wisdom of God revealed in the patterns of scripture boggle the mind with detail and wonder. "In the beginning GOD".
I bow in meditation and thanksgiving LORD to thank you for the teaching of thy word to me this day. I am unworthy of your truth to me that reminds me without a sure foundation no house can stand. Indeed, how shall I build a life without YOU upholding me? LORD again pull me from the pit and sure my feet upon the ROCK of my salvation. Let me this day feel the weight of my load lift as you come along beside me. May I hear your still voice call me from my cave of despair to stand in the light of your presence. Renew my strength to the work before me and make me a blessing, not a stumblingblock, to some one else this day. In Jesus Name, Amen.

"Peace on earth"? "And on earth peace"? Which? Both.
These are statements made concerning the affect of the Lord Jesus' birth. Yet, have you noticed that conflict and war have not ceased? Have you noticed that men have not improved in "good will" toward each other? Then the angels must have misunderstood the message or misrepresented to us all; Not so.
The message was true and remains so today. Peace came in the Prince of Peace. The variance and conflict that was to be appeased was not between men, but men and God. God's law had been broken and He offended. Justice demanded the declared penalty and the verdict had been passed. The results were evident in the corruption and death since the days of creation and continues today. For there to ever be fellowship and harmony for any in the presence of God, the payment had to be made. Yet, the babe found in the manger did not pay, but was the price.
The price was paid at Calvary and accepted of God in the place of men by the atonement of the blood, his very life through death, of Jesus. Redemption was accomplished there and declared received in full by the resurrection of the Son of God. Peace for men, not mankind, came in a babe at Bethlehem, but salvation was completed by the man at Calvary. Peace restored and imputed at regeneration, the new birth, by the immediate and sovereign work of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of men (the elect family) that can not be taken or lost by the recipients forever. Not sweet, calm, musing of a baby in rags, but the wonder and awe of a man sent and willing to die for sinners to establish harmony for all time.
Praise God for this unspeakable (more that we could think or ask, more than we can comprehend or tell) gift. Amen.

Takes a fishing license to fish and a hunting license to hunt. The two will not work for the other.
A marriage license means I am committed to one woman for life, not all women when I please.
Baptism publicly says I submit to Christ and am willing to be identified as a member of His Church: ONE, not all religion or systems thereof.

"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:" 1 Peter 3:15 KJV
In this day of relativism of thought and casual knowledge of most subjects, especially scripture, how important a few words in context are!
Peter's admonition is not for us to be always telling reasons 'for' the hope we have, but to be ready to answer, when asked, a reason "of the hope" that is in us.
This does not speak of an opportunity to reason as to how you acquired the hope or as to why you got it or received it. But, this is opportunity for you to express your understanding of the hope that is in you. How is it that Christ dwells within you? How is it that God would be in such as we? Indeed, why would He have to be and why is it that His presence makes hope swell within your heart?
How much of the reason of hope do you understand? Can you answer, if asked? Do you hold the faith in a pure conscience? Or is your trust in externals of ceremony, ritual, seasons, times, days, custom?
How about this? During this time when it seems that many discuss and share this time of the year and relate their understanding of the "REASON FOR THE SEASON": What if we related 'why' the babe came? Why that child was sent to die? Why He lived a perfect life? Why He suffered in silence? Why He allowed Himself to be put such an end? Why were you/I not worthy to, not only would not, but could not do any of these things? And how such unreasonable hope could be resident in you?
Thanks be unto God for the unspeakable gift of eternal life in Jesus Christ my/our LORD! Amen.

"For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God." 1 Corinthians 1:18 KJV
Just what is it about the cross that is passed off by some as nonsense and others as an offense? To some the preaching of the cross, (not preaching in general), insults the religious mind and to others is not worth a passing thought as unintelligible.
Beyond the facts of the betrayal, the trial, the blasphemy, the lies, the insults, the torture, the beating, the whip, the spit, the nails, the pole, the thieves, the forsaking of all, all of which might, and do, provoke sympathy and even anger from some; there lies another aspect to the declaration of the cross that flies in the face of man.
It it the "WHY" of the cross. Why did Christ Jesus suffer and endure it all? To set the example and show a way, a point of truth, or a manner of life that was acceptable with God? To show that forgiveness was possible and attainable by men? God help! NO! He did so because it was required and needed, not himself, but for me and you.
We could not do so and would not do so. Our inherent sin and existence forbid any hope of such. Our sin and eternal need of salvation insults the mind of the religious. They think that they can some way obey and live above it. The intellectual think themselves above it from birth and dismiss the thought of such punishment as foolishness, especially on their part. And the idea that someone, anyone, would stoop to such a low estate for those that hate them is completely confounding! Foolishness indeed!.
Yet, to those of us that are saved, (not being saved), the message is the power and wonder of God! It strips us of any boast of self in mind, might, or right. It leaves us in the dust of humanity faced with the reality of our helplessness without His complete work. It leaves us with no praise on our lips for our own righteousness, but glory for only God and Christ.
One should notice that this preaching is not what produces the perishing or the secure position of some, but finds the response of these. It is not preaching of the manger, ministry, or man that so much stirs such response, but the truth of the cause and cure that cuts to the heart and causes some to stumble and others to mock. But, to us which are called, (not being called), this truth thrills the heart with hope and the power of God. To the believer it directs our focus and tunes our lips with praise. Amen.

"In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit." Ephesians 2:22 KJV
This morning's thought as I read is that we, as children of God, house the greatest power and privilege on earth within this fleshly vessel we call our body. Within the context of that thought, this day is not for me. It is not about how I feel or think as much as who lives here.
My purpose this day is to manifest Christ in every aspect and opportunity. Regardless of the moment or situation, my awareness of self should be to promote Christ in it. It is not about whether I feel good or not. It is not about whether I get to do what I wanted and planned or not. It is not about whether this a work day or day off. It is not about the appointments I made or opportunities that come. It is all about whether I remember and others see who lives in me!
Lord God, make me a vessel of honor today to pour out Jesus to thirsty souls that come my way. Start by filling me to the overflow with your presence and power and move me enough to let it flow out and not sit stagnant. In Jesus Name, Amen.

"A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished." Proverbs 27:12 KJV
A wealth of information in this simple statement, yet even in the reading of it is the evidence of the principle. Do I take the time to consider the implications of this or just think, "Interesting, next"?
Do we learn anything from what we are told and experience? Do we alter our thinking in any way to change today from what we were taught yesterday? Do I temper my plans for tomorrow with, "If the Lord wills" or just blaze ahead in my own determination? The outcome declares the wisdom or foolishness of my/our actions of the day. "The day will declare it".
Do you see what's coming or are you oblivious to reality? And don't use the Lord as an excuse for ignorance on your part. "Lord, what would you have me do this day? Please lead me in the way you have marked and forgive me of my resistance and swerving. Amen."

The Bible talks about "landmarks" that have been established of old and are not to be removed or messed with. They were set to mark the boundaries of property given to God's people in the promised land. They are lessons to point out that God is the one that set the boundaries of our habitations. Scripture says that He does so with nations and with the seas that come to the shore and no farther. Should it be any wonder that He has established some limits for our lives?
Yet, one of the most fascinating aspects of the word "landmark" is that it defines {all the territory within the bounds}. Herein shines an incredible reality. So often we look at God's principles and laws as limitations to our lives, something to hinder us in our growth or enjoyment of this life. But, they are actually for us to take stock of all that God has given us within our grasp. Within the bounds the land is ours to posses. We are free to walk abroad and travel hill and valley, drink from the streams and eat from the trees, and harvest the fields that are ours by His blessing.
We spend our days among folks that hate their jobs, feel they are ignored or not appreciated. They are dissatisfied with their spouses and burdened by their children. They think themselves under paid and short of time to play. In fact, wasting too much time standing at the fence looking at someone else's land and not appreciating their own. Jealous and covetous of others and ungrateful for the expanse and bounty of what they have and will not posses.
God help us to know that your limits are for our good and do not bind us, but free us to move and have being in a land you have given and a harvest ready to be reaped. May we see the land before us and know it is the kingdom of heaven at hand. Go in and posses the land! "And as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." Amen.

I kind of posted a few rambling thoughts along this line a while back, but I continue to observe this mentality, or so it seems. It would appear that Christianity has been reduced to a list of things to do. Perhaps a form of mind control adapted to a life that we think we manipulate to suit us if we tint it with a little religion.
Now, don't get me wrong, there are dos and don'ts in life. Yet, my old nature is no more adapt or capable of complying with God's way than before being born again. Therein lies one of the check marks in some minds. Well, let's see, need to do what is right. 1. Hear the gospel 2. Believe the gospel 3. Obey the gospel 4. Repent 5. Be baptized 6. Born again 7. Part of the family of God. 8. Ready to go to work and be a Christian.
Problem with that list is it is all out of wack. Until one is born again they can not do anything on the list. And only God has the power to give life and He does so to whomsoever He will. Then as a child of God you are dependent on His strength to get anything done in His service.
And yet, I see those that, so it seems, present the thinking: 1. Child of God 2. Christian 3. Need to be married 4. Find a spouse that acts like I think is right 5. Have kids 6. Maintain a code of ethics of some religious origin 7. Never falter.
Again, the problem with that list is no room for mistakes and life. And they come and it happens. You get sidetracked and forget to check the sheet or don't feel to have reached the mark and quit. Christianity is Christ lived in you and through you. Oh yes, it is you doing, but you following, praying, seeking, and thanking Him every day for what He has blessed you to do and the forgiveness for what you failed to do. It's not me working for Him, but Him working in me. It's not what's on the list for today, but "Lord what would thou have me do today?" Amen.