August 15
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“Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it.  Do not say to your neighbor, ‘Go, and come back, and tomorrow I will give it,’ when you have it with you.”  (Proverbs 3:27-28, NASB)

As disciples of Jesus, we should aspire to maintain “short accounts” with everyone.  We should not put-off for tomorrow the things that can be done today: The praise that will encourage; the return of a kindness; the helping hand.

Each day, God gives us numerous opportunities to bless the lives of those around us.  Seize as many of these opportunities as strength will allow.  – Luther

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August 13
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“Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies.  Your righteousness is like the highest mountains, your justice like the great deep.  You, Lord, preserve both people and animals.”  (Psalm 36:5-6, NIV)

When we take the time to look around us, it is easy to be impressed by God’s virtuosity. The twinkling stars and other heavenly bodies mystify and fascinate us as much today as they did in David’s time.  On earth, the plants of the earth purify the air we breath, delight our eyes with their buds and flowers, and nourish our bodies as food.  We also have a common Creator with all of the animals, whether wild or domesticated — and He preserves it all.

Beware of becoming a “practical atheist” through inattention to all that is around us.  Look up; look around — and believe.  – Luther

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August 12
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“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’  Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”  (Matthew 7:21-23, NIV)

Prophecy and miracle-working in the name of Jesus — though impressive — will not get us through the “pearly gates.”  Jesus makes a clear distinction between (for lack of a better term) “exceptional religious performance” and righteous living in the day-to-day.

The Lord doesn’t care whether you or I ever perform miracles, prophesy like an Old Testament seer, or put demons to flight.  (Any of that is 100 percent God and 0 percent us, anyway.)  What impresses God is our obedience to Him in even the smallest and most ordinary of things.

God is not seeking rock stars, but He is seeking men and women who are “rock solid” in their commitment and in their obedience to His will.  – Luther

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