Deuteronomy 2:1-3 ” Then we turned back and set out toward the desert along the route to the Red Sea, as the Lord had directed me. For a long time we made our way around the hill country of Seir. Then the Lord said to me, ‘You have made your way around this hill country long enough; now turn north.’ “

Moses and the Hebrew children were wandering in the desert…for a long time it says they journeyed, when finally the Lord spoke to Moses…”It’s long enough.”  We will all go through seasons in our lives when we walk aimlessly about, asking the Lord, “Am I going in the right direction?”  We will all spend time,  seemingly without clear direction, waiting for the Lord to say,” It’s long enough.”  But it’s during those hard journeys that lessons will be learned…about God and ourselves.  Sometimes we need discipline, or humility…sometimes it’s to get our attention or force us to look at our rebellious  nature.  When you wander around the same hill, the scenery stays the same…use the time to instead change yourself.

Exodus 3:3 ” So Moses thought, ‘I will go over and see this strange sight – why the bush does not burn up.’ “

Moses was not frightened by the extraordinary phenomenon he saw before him.  Neither was he hesitant or doubtful in his mind that this was a  supernatural happening.  It says in the next verse, that God called to Moses from within that burning bush as he got near.  The Lord gives us visions…such wonderful and great concepts that are almost too much for our feeble minds to take in.  But if we approach that vision with boldness and not doubt or fear…God will speak into our hearts…and extraordinary things will happen.

II Chronicles 7:14 ” If my people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

The requirements of the Lord are many in this scripture.  The prerequisites He has laid out are strict, fundamental, but necessary.  If we want to see God moving in this world…we need to fulfill our part in this scripture first.  For it says, “Then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”  We do our part…then He’ll do His.

Ecclesiastes 7:29 ” This only have I found: God made mankind upright, but men have gone in search of many schemes. “

We are the crown of God’s creation…created uniquely and distinct from the rest.  We were created in God’s image…righteous and pure.  But that all changed in the Garden of Eden,  when Adam and Eve decided they knew more than God.  And from then on, mankind has connived, conspired and contrived hair brain schemes…thinking we too know more than God.

Isaiah 9:2 ” The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.”

Here Isaiah is foretelling God’s promise of sending His Son, Jesus, as a great light to all mankind.  As the darkness – the spiritual blindness increases…we as Believers must let the inner light of Jesus shine forth from us… And in doing so, allow  His truth to dispel the dark around us.

House Rules – If you sleep in it…make it.

Joshua 24:15 reads, “But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…”   Maybe you’ve heard the old saying, You’ve made your bed, now sleep in it.  Unfortunately, we all live with the consequences of  bad choices we’ve made in the past, for our days are filled with choices…some good, some not so good… but with the Lord’s guidance,  He can help us make the best choices for us.  Wise and good choices that will have eternal consequences.

Matthew 3:10 ” The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”

Healthy trees produce lots of fruit, so when they don’t, the orchardist looks deeper.  The trees may look perfect from the outside, but hide disease within.  Their roots may be withered and gnarled from lack of water or fertilizer.  We too can look good on the outside, but be stunted within.   We can act very spiritual in Church, say all the right things at Bible Study, and still be very withered inside. The Lord wants us healthy and productive – inside and out,  for just like strong, hardy trees that produce lots of fruit… so should we.

Proverbs 14:9 ” Fools mock at making amends for sin, but goodwill is found among the upright.”

When those of the world get caught doing wrong, they’re sorry…sorry that they got caught.  And the rest of the world will scorn them for doing so.  What’s happened to doing the right thing…to owning up to our mistakes, and with authenticity, making restitution for it?

Matthew 3:2 ” Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is near.”

Repentance is the beginning of your journey with God.  True repentance means taking responsibility for what you’ve done… for owning your sins.  Repentance could also be called an action word…it starts with a heart change, but commands a directional change too – a turning from darkness to light, evil to good,  wicked to righteous.  Repentance is the starting point of that new life you’re looking for.

Luke 11:9 ” Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”

Today marks the 1500 devotional I’ve written over the last 4 1/2 years.  What would have happened if I had not askednot sought…not knocked?  God tells us He will supply all our needs…all we have to do is supply the trust.  And in additional to that, we need to have the insight to realize what we “want” may not be what we need.  As I look back today at how He’s worked in my life with Safetypinlove, I see the plan and purpose He had for me when I first asked, sought, and knocked.