Welcome to God's Lemonade Stand

It is my hope that by reading this daily you will grow in your walk with Christ and knowledge of scriptures and be set free from any struggles in your life that are weighing you down. Be blessed to be a blessing.

Thursday, June 30, 2011

BACK OFF MOM

This is written to help moms of adult children but perhaps it can help some of the others of you out there. If you have been a mom you know how easy it is to still 'be a mom' when your children are well beyond childhood, on their own and at times married or engaged. A couple weeks ago out of the clear blue I texted my son and asked if he had lined his cabinets in his new home with shelf liner. Say what? Where did that random 'mom comment' come from? Funny now but when I asked it I was promptly ignored. I am sure he can figure out how to take care of his new kitchen after all he has been on his own for a few years now. What made me say this comment? As a mom of an adult child we have to really make a concerted effort to back off and give God the total control of this grown up person he allowed us to raise. 1 Samuel 1:27-28 says " I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him.  So now I give him to the LORD. For his whole life he will be given over to the LORD.And he worshiped the LORD there."

We may be asked our opinion sometimes but we need to make a great effort to not interfere with their adult life and assume the new role of parent to a successful grown up. Do not try to tell them what to do or try to control their life. Sometimes I think it is a good idea if the adult child ,especially when married ,can live away from mom and dad and totally enjoy their newlywed life without mom and dad feeling like they have to pop in. Sure parents are vitally important but we need to learn when to give our children the space they so greatly need. We all make mistakes. We can love them without smothering them. And our love takes on a different form when they give their love to their new spouse. We take a back seat, as we should.

For those reading this who are unmarried or married but without children I am not trying to make you feel bad. Maybe you will get a laugh or two out of the mega control of some moms. Recently too I scraped my college 'mom' decal off the back window of my car. This was a painfully hard thing to do. When you have been a college mom and proud of the sticker it is hard to let it go. Guess what, when they graduate you graduate too. I have to confess I am thinking of buying another one next time I am in Birmingham. This sticker was my 'umbilical cord' of sorts and sort of made me feel I still had a part in their little world. You sort of have an identity in some 'little club' of sorts. Do not get me wrong this does not mean I lived my life through my child as I did not but we are proud and sort of feel a part and when that part goes we are happy but a new chapter begins and at times is hard to adjust to. When they first go to college you have to let go. Prayer is the only thing you can do. You can not expect your grown child to check in with you every minute of the day and plan what he or she does. I heard of someone once whose parents wanted to make their childs' college schedule and decide what he would major in. We should not do this. You have to trust that how you raised them they will follow suit and become the respectable citizens you want them to be. Proverbs 22:6 says "Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it." The best thing to do after they leave home is get a job, a new hobby, or get involved in volunteer work so you stay busy and above all be on your knees in prayer!

When you are the mom of an infant, toddler, small child, junior or high school student you learn in stages when to let go and give them tiny bits of freedom. This is necessary for them to have healthy release and healthy boundaries. It is never healthy to control anyone. Just as a man is the authority of the house he is not the 'dad' of his wife and the wife is not the 'mom' of her husband. You train a child, discipline them when needed, establish boundaries and pray that when they are old they stay on the path of truth and morality you have taught them.

The stages of separation begin when you first leave the little infant in the care of a baby sitter for the first time. Then it is maybe leaving them in the nursery at church. Next comes a sleep over at a friends. Next is pre-school. Then comes kindergarten for a half day.Finally the child goes to school the entire day where he is totally outside of your influence. You have to have trust and faith. In high school he gets his driver's license and maybe even a car and is really on his own then. In between this there may be an occasional camp they attend. Then comes the stage where they go off to college. And after college sometime, perhaps marriage. Marriage is when the mom REALLY needs to back off as then her child has got a new 'number one' in their life. Even back off when they plan their wedding unless you are asked. I am blessed with a wonderful 'daughter in law to be' and her excellent family. We all get along super. It is an answer to 27 years of prayer. Prayer is important all during the development from womb to birth and on. Instead of worrying try praying. 1 Peter 5:7 says "casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you."

There may be moms out there that feel it is cruel to spank or not let a child have his way. Proverbs 29:15 has something to say about that as it says "The rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother." We have all seen it. A child throws a tantrum and the mom gives in. Back in the early 90's in church a child in front of me, who was about two at the time, during  the time we shake hands with visitors, actually spit on me!! His mom did nothing at all. I heard later the dad wanted to discipline the child but mom sort of let this young lad have his own way. I often wonder if he ended up in juvenile detention somewhere. I hope and pray not.

So we are on a journey. None of us are perfect. It is not an easy thing to keep your mouth shut when it comes to trying to back off 'mommyhood' of an adult child. I for one want a super relationship with my soon to be daughter in law so I ask God  to help me not interfere and pray for them daily. We are so blessed to get to welcome such a wonderful young lady into our family. Her family did a superb job raising her ,it is evident!! And God through our prayers brought them together.

Moms out there of all ages or moms to be, remember that your relationship with God should be first. Then with your husband. Then when children come along do not forget that you are married and only pay attention to the little baby or many men feel neglected. Pray right now that God will help you release your children in appropriate stages and if you mess up apologize. I have had to. I do not mean to butt in but sometimes I accidentally do. We need to rely on God to help us on our journey to be terrific moms at every stage of development and ask him for the power to release and let go of your grown adults. It has to be done. And if you are reading this and not married and want to be ask that God would keep you patient until that part of his plan is fulfilled in your life.  It is possible to have a wonderful new fun relationship with your adult children!

PRAYER: Lord I thank you for the wonderful blessing of being able to be a mom. I love my children. I pray for the ability to be the kind of mom you want me to be and to have the ability with your help to not interfere in the lives of my adult children. Lord I pray today that you will guide what I say and do and help me to have self control and not pester my adult children all the time. Help us to have an awesome relationship. For those reading this without adult children my prayer for them is to guide them as they raise their children to love and serve youand to learn when to let go when necessary. In Jesus Name. Amen.  

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

LISTEN AND SILENT

Listen and silent. These words contain the same letters but have deep meaning for us as we ponder what both words mean. I do not want to say the wrong things but often in a scurry or not thinking the wrong words just seem to pop out of that mouth of mine. Others in the reading audience may have this same issue. So we listen first and try to not react before you think things through or you may have deep regrets over what you have said. Believe me I know. Take time to think what you want to say. I had heard this comparison recently somewhere not sure if over email or on the radio but it struck me as here are two words when you mix the letters up one tells you to 'listen' and then in order to listen and comprehend be 'silent'. Odd isn't it? It is hard to always be slow in answering. Maybe we feel we just have to say something but in certain cases it is best to really wait and not try to get the last word in which may be a painful or hurtful word. Sometimes in listening we may not be all there but want to be. It is frustrating to me when I zone out and I am sure frustrating to those around me. But l march on and ask God to help me with this weak area. There is a time to listen and a time to be silent. Ecclesiastes talks about there being times for  things and in chapter 3:7 it says "a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak." We do not always have to be talking. Listening and comprehending is much better.

Proverbs is full of things on listening and being silent. Proverbs 1:8 for instance says "Listen, my son, to your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching." It is very important for children to listen to their parents and gain from their insight and wisdom. Proverbs 4:1 goes on to say "Listen, my sons, to a father's instruction; pay attention and gain understanding." Proverbs 22:32 continues the theme when it says "Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old." There is much to be said about listening and heeding advice and warning. Being silent and still can be a good thing.

Proverbs 17:28 says "Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent; with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent." Proverbs 10:8 says "The wise in heart accept commands, but a chattering fool comes to ruin." Oh my gosh. Am I a chattering fool sometime? I feel foolish lots of times that is for sure. Proverbs 10:14 says "Wise men store up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool invites ruin." Fools feel they need to keep talking and do not have much to say. I guess we have all been foolish at one time or another if we are truly honest. There is a verse in Proverbs that speaks of turning off the flow. Imagine water constantly running. It has to be turned off to save water so the flow has to cease. So do meaningless words. We do not always have to talk or always have to have the last word.

Proverbs 10:19 says "Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut." Pretty straightforward wouldn't you think?One of my all time favorite verses which I often say should be a verse all newlyweds should memorize is James 1:19 which says "My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry." Why does human nature feel it has to be right and win the battle? Better to give in and save a relationship. Wow I think I just made up a Proverb!  Proverbs 17:27 says ' a man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered." This is where the discipline of self control comes in and the ability to think before we say something about how it might impact the hearer.

Ecclesiastes 5:2 tells us  "Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few."  In verse 3 of this same chapter it says "As a dream comes when there are many cares, so the speech of a fool when there are many words." Words can stir up quarrels and create huge misunderstandings or they can mend, soothe, uplift and heal. So what is your choice today? Do you want to be a babbling brook that is irritating or a soothing spring of life and peace? Think it over. And remember that tongue is hard to tame. It tells us that in James Chapter 3 but why not make it our assignment to work hard at listening and being silent?

PRAYER: Dear Lord today I want the words I say to build up and not tear down. I also want to be able to not always feel like I have to be talking. Help me to not hurt people with my mouth. Help me to use my mouth to bless others. Psalms 19:14 says "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer." That is my prayer today Lord.I want what I say to please you and I want to listen to what others have to say as well. Give me your strength to do this. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

NO EXPIRATION DATE??

 Many people are concerned about when and how they will die. Some people may even be scared by it.Actually it is a classified phobia called 'thanatophobia'.  Maybe you worry you will get killed in a car wreck. Two weeks ago on the way to church an approaching vehicle crossed over the center line and came straight towards us. The good news is I am still here as I swerved and did not get hit head on. Perhaps  you worry about your children dying in accidents especially if they do dangerous things. You may wonder if you will get cancer and die before you are fifty. Maybe you worry you will die in an airplane crash or a roller coaster accident. You might want to try sky diving but be fearful of the consequences if the parachute fails to deploy. The whole point first is to not worry.Philippians 4:6 says "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."

 God knows the time and hour you will die. We are not here to be here forever. Just as  in the movie 'Forever Young' where actor Mel Gibsons' character wanted to be frozen and come back to life after his girlfriend was better after an accident that had left her in a coma.We can not control our destiny. Only God can.There are people today who would like to be frozen so they can stick around a few years. I can not understand myself what a person has in gaining to come back in a whole different world. God has us here for such a time as this and a reason and a season.

Psalm 90:10 says "The length of our days is seventy years--or eighty, if we have the strength; yet their span is but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away." Some are given more than 70 and some much less. Why is this? We are not to question God or his purposes. We are to live here each and every day to the fullest and give the Lord our all. You should live each day as if it were your last.

Are there people in your life you need to forgive? You never know when you will be taken off the earth or they may and you will never get the chance. To those you love,love them with all your being as if each day is the last. Just think how this would change relationships if we truly lived each day as if it was our last one on earth. Be careful of harsh or hurtful words to those you love as you may not get a chance to say you are sorry.
Try as we might there is no fountain of youth to keep us young, vital and here indefinitely. We are all going to 'expire'. Yes you heard me. You do have a shelf life. James 4:13-15 tells us "Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”  It is good to make plans and live every day to the fullest. Do not sit around worried about when you are going to leave this earth or how. Just enjoy your life. As it says in Ecclesiastes 5:18 says ""Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his. Enjoy your life and do good for the kingdom of God while you are here. You are not here by some freak accident. in further study take a few minutes and read Chapter 39 of Psalms.

Lots of things have expiration dates. Medicine, dairy products, luncheon meat and a host of other items.  All we humans will eventually die or as some say "expire'. Wow I am going to expire?? Sounds bizarre doesn't it? Each of us is appointed once to die. Hebrews 9:27 says "Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment."  God knows the time and hour. The very hairs of our head are numbered. Since we do not know when this 'expiration date' is what are we doing in the meantime to make an impact for the kingdom of God? We do in fact have a free will . It is in fact puzzling to this writer and confusing as to in fact if we have a free will then how does God know the day and hour we will die? I am not sure of the answer other than "He is God the Almighty creator of heaven and earth and knows all things." Why do babies die? That I can not begin to  answer either but I do know God has a plan and purpose and all things will work out for his purposes. Most people are familiar with Romans 8:28 which says "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." We do not always know his purposes. They are beyond human understanding at times. We must have faith and believe that God has all our best interests at heart. Do you know you will spend eternity with him in heaven when you die? Joining a  church does not guarantee it. Going to church does not guarantee it. Being a certain denomination is not a guarantee of heavenly admission. Matthew 7:22-23 says "On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’  And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness."

You must ask Jesus to be Lord of your life and you must repent and turn from your wicked ways and desire to follow him. Say "Jesus, I know I am a sinner. I need you in my life. I want to spend eternity in heaven with you. I am sorry for ignoring you and leading a life my own way and not following you.Come in to my life right now and save me. In Jesus Name. Amen."

PRAYER: Dear Lord since I do not know the day nor the hour you will call me home to be with you help me to learn to live each day as if it were my last. Help me treat those people in my life with kindness and Christian love. If there is someone I need to forgive bring their name to mind. If there is something I have done I need forgiveness for bring that to mind. I want to lead a life that pleases you. Guide my steps Lord and show me the way. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Note: I once again have attached a song for you to listen to when you are able. It is older but the message is clear...People Need the Lord!

http://youtu.be/1uZcGaixMhg

Monday, June 27, 2011

DO YOU HAVE A HEART PROBLEM?

This heart problem I refer to is not a physical heart problem but a hard heart against the Lord or a cold heart against goodness and truth. Maybe it is time for a heart check up. I am not talking about a literal heart problem where you are in line for a heart attack but a heart problem where you have a hard heart towards the things of the Lord.

The Bible speaks of the heart having the issues of life. Proverbs 4:23 says "Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life." Jeremiah 17:9 says "The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?"

When you say certain things out of your mouth they are a direct result of what is in your heart. Matthew 15:18 says "But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man 'unclean.'"  Your heart can be pure or it can be wicked. Matthew 15:19 continues and says "For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander." But a heart given to the Lord will flow forth with love, humility, purity, goodness, right thinking, morality, honor, and truth. It can go either way. Your heart can be good or evil.

Deuteronomy 4:9 says "Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them." You have to stay in the word of God to keep your heart right with the Lord. If you gradually forgot the Lord and his word your heart will grow cold.
Proverbs 23:19 says "Listen, my son, and be wise, and keep your heart on the right path." It is a pretty awesome responsibility for parents to insure they bring their children up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord implanting God's truth in their hearts. (See Deuteronomy 6 for further guidance in raising children for the Lord.)

Romans 1:21 is a warning of sorts about what can happen if we do not have God's word hidden in our hearts and follow him daily. It says "For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened." Your thinking can be messed up big time and you can start to have a calloused heart and believe the lies of Satan.

The Bible says "where your heart is there will your treasure be also." Matthew 6:19-24 says "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness! No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon."

For married couples when you fall in love with Jesus first your love for each other will be deeper and greater. Make it your aim to get closer to God and seek to have his heart. Have a humble heart, a forgiving heart, a sympathetic heart, a merciful heart and a contrite heart. Psalm 34:18 says "The LORD is close to the brokenhearted  and saves those who are crushed in spirit." When you feel  at a low point cry out to God. Say "Lord come into my heart Lord Jesus!"

Where is your heart today?Is it pure or is it muddled with the things of this world that can take it away from devotion to our Lord and saviour. You give your heart to your beloved when you fall in love and plan to get married, but equally important is to give your heart to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

PRAYER: Father I want my heart to be totally yours. There have been times when I have let my heart and mind be caught up in the things of this world. I want my heart to be totally yours Lord. Help me resist the attempts of Satan to draw me away from the things of the Lord. In Jesus Name. Amen.

(Enjoy the attached worship song:)

http://youtu.be/Tq62ggQKYJY

Sunday, June 26, 2011

FESS UP

 Romans 14:12 says "So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God. " Everything we do and say the Lord knows. Every careless word we utter. Matthew 12:36 says "But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken." Ouch. Better watch what that mouth of yours spews forth. Every bad action we engage in is also known to God. Nothing is hidden from Him. It is there and the Lord sees it. We try to brush our sins under the carpet but God knows about them all. It says in Scripture in Numbers 32:23 "Be sure your sins will find you out." And they will. As the song goes, 'be careful little mouth what you say..".

Ever try to hide something from someone or get a little sneaky? It just is not a good idea. The best policy is to be open and honest up front at all times. Then you do not have to dig yourself out of a hole or have a breach in trust in a cherished relationship.  When we tell what we call a 'white lie' or a 'half truth' it is still a lie. It is better to be honest and open anyway then you do not lose trust with the person you are close too.

Luke 18:7 says "For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open." When there are these famous people who have extra marital affairs that go on for years and all of a sudden their infidelity is front page news it is obvious that it can not be hidden. Wrong will come out in the open eventually. The truth always wins and the truth will always set you free.

Exodus 20:16 is one of the Ten Commandments and it clearly says "Thou shalt not lie!'. Seems like we should pass that one on to a few of our government leaders these days, not mentioning any names of course. God does not like a lying tongue. Proverbs 26:28 says "A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering mouth works ruin." In fact in scripture it is one of the 7 things he says God HATES. Proverbs 6:16-19 says "There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers." There you have it. Pretty cut and dried I would say.

So how are you on the truth meter? Luke 16:10 says "Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much". If we are to be Christlike in all areas of life that includes being truthful and honest. Lies are never a good thing. Proverbs 11:3 says "Honesty guides good people; dishonesty destroys treacherous people." Proverbs 12:22 says "The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy." Strive to be the honorable person the Lord wants you to be and make it a point in all areas of life to be truthful and full of integrity.


PRAYER: Father it is my desire to please you in what I say and do. I never want to bring dishonor to the body of Christ or my family. Help me if ever tempted to lie to say "satan get behind me". Help me to be truthful in every area of my life. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Saturday, June 25, 2011

GOD CAN DELIVER FROM DARKNESS

There may be a huge problem you are dealing with in life and you feel there is no way out. You doubt, question and fear for the future. Instead try exercising faith, trust and holding onto God's promises. God has the power to deliver. Say it is a problem with your  child who has maybe taken the wrong path in his life.The promise in Jeremiah 31:16 which says "But now this is what the LORD says: "Do not weep any longer, for I will reward you," says the LORD. "Your children will come back to you from the distant land of the enemy." The promises of God are throughout the Bible and give us hope when we feel all else is lost. You may feel no one cares and a dark cloud is hanging over you. Psalm 126:5 says "Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy."

Satan is real and it is he who causes you to despair and be in a pit you feel there is no escaping from. That is why it is vitally important to stay in the word of God each and every day. If you are puzzled and do not know what to read just simply pick up the Bible and read a chapter in Psalms or Proverbs. As I have mentioned in previous devotions since there are 31 days in a normal month and 31 chapters in Proverbs, try reading whatever chapter in Proverbs corresponds to the day of the week it is. Religion is not what you are after but you need to seek a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. Many find 'religion' boring but Jesus is anything but boring.

Colossians 1:13 says "For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son." In Moms in Touch prayer ministry we often pray this verse in the form of a prayer and add a persons name to it. The verse is Acts 26:18 which says "to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.' The word of God is powerful. Have faith and be steadfast and keep believing. Believe and receive or doubt and do without.

You may think you are beyond hope or someone you know is beyond hope. You are never beyond hope with the promises of God in the Bible. Satan will try to get us to believe a lie. First and foremost say to yourself "I am made in the image of Christ. I want to be Christlike. Is what I am doing Christlike?" Ask God to help transform you into the image of Jesus and to do things that please him.

You have to continually maintain an attitude of praise and never start digging yourself into a pity party hole that is hard to escape from. God is not a God of pity parties but of victory parties! Those kind are much more fun to attend and have a better outcome.

Romans 12:1-2 says "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." Do you truly want to be conformed to the image of Christ? He can and will help you!

God is our marvelous light and he delivers from the dominion of darkness. When I think of darkness I think of depression or evil. When I think of light I imagine happiness and peacefulness. Where do you want to be today? Do not allow the enemy to trick you and defeat you. Stand strong in the power of the Lord.

PRAYER: Father I come against any evil forces trying to drag me into a pit of gloom and despair. Father I know what is right and wrong and what pleases you and makes you sad. It is my desire to lead a life pleasing to you and to cast off works of darkness that may be in my life. Father open my eyes so I am not deceived by the enemy. Give me the desire to get into the Bible daily to know the truth which will set me free.In Jesus Name, amen!


http://youtu.be/A9Ya7ryNob4

Friday, June 24, 2011

END OF YOUR ROPE...BEGINNING OF GOD

Have you ever been in a situation where you just about could not take it any longer? Maybe you haven't, but you hear of people overwhelmed with life who just wish it was all over. Nothing is so bad that God can not be your 'lifeline'. Lots of things in life can bring stress and pressure but God is always there and things will always get better. The sun will shine again and time will heal wounds. The enemy Satan brings a spirit of discouragement, doubt, anger and a host of other negative emotions because his goal is to kill, steal, and destroy.

Imagine the rope you feel you are dangling from and picture that God is on the other side up at the top of the mountain hanging on to the rope ready to rescue you. God is up at the top of the cliff and he is saying "hang on child, I have got you. Do not give up. I am here".

So whatever it is you may be going through keep that word in mind, 'through', that means it will be over you are going to go beyond it. Isaiah 43:2 says "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;  And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you."

The Lord your God is with you wherever you go. You only need trust and believe. He can and will save you if you only cry out to him. Joshua 1:9 says "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

PRAYER: Father there may be those who are struggling and feel hopeless. I pray today you will bring peace, hope, and comfort to them. Help them know that this too shall pass. Bring a spirit of peace into their lives and help them trust in you.

http://youtu.be/A9Ya7ryNob4

Thursday, June 23, 2011

SIN THAT EASILY BESETS...SAY WHAT??

What does 'beset' mean? It means to trouble or attack. This is in the King James version which lots of us stray from but others feel is the 'only version' we should use. We all have sinned. Starting from when we were born we had a sin nature. But we do not have to continue a life of sin. When you think of sin what comes to mind? Perhaps 'Sin City', otherwise known as Las Vegas. Maybe murdering someone? What about stealing? Having sexual relations outside of the bond of marriage? Cheating is a sin too. Homosexuality is a sin that today is being widely accepted as an 'alternate lifestyle'. But what about lying, gluttony, gossip, hate, desiring what others have, adultery, and drunkenness which are among the 'sin list' too. The Bible says "let he who's without sin cast the first stone". (See John 8:7). No one is perfect but we should strive to be Christlike in all we do.  Hey I am not that bad you may say but why not attempt to do as  much as possible to walk the path of holiness.

Hebrews 12:1 says "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." In the King James version it says 'besets' for the word entangles. Do you have sins entangling or besetting you? Do you find it hard to stop sinning? Now mentioned above was  the sin of drunkenness for instance. You may enjoy an alcoholic beverage but not be a drunk but the big 'if ' is will the drinking cause you to eventually become addicted and end up with the problem of alcoholism which can cause tremendous problems. My theory on this one is if you do not need to have a drink then don't. Be set apart and different. 1 Peter 1:14-16 says "As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do;  for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”  You go to social functions that you may think require you to imbibe in wine and such but why not be different and just ask for a glass of iced tea, water, or a coke? It is not the drinking that is the sin it is not being able to stop and it leading to a life of addiction and heartbreak and broken families as a result of an alcohol problem. No one thinks it will happen to them.

Ephesians 4:22 says "You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires". Certain things may not be 'that bad' but ask yourself if they are drawing you closer to the Lord or further away from him. 1 Corinthians 9:24 says "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize." Are you running the race to try to get the prize of a life with Jesus in heaven? In Romans 13:12 it says "The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light."

Do not keep justifying your sin as 'not that bad' or really this is okay so do not be such a prude. Pray and ask God to show you if the life you are leading and the activities you participate in truly please him.  Seek to be on the path that leads to eternal life.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus today I ask you show me if there is anything in my life that is leading me away from you. Father I ask you too to set my feet on the right path and give me the ability to say no to those things that draw me further away from your kingdom. I know father there are many fine activities in this world to enjoy and many things that only bring shame to the kingdom of God. Make me have the desire to do only things that please you and bring me closer to a true love relationship with you Lord. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

GOSSIP...WHO ME??

Who hasn't gossiped? If you say you have not then that is a lie or half truth which is also a lie. Hmmm. Gossip is not good. It separates friends and family and hurts relationships. It is like poison. Why good does it do? Absolutely none.  Seems women tend to be drawn to finding out details and that is why magazines like 'People' are so popular with the fairer sex.Why do we feel compelled to know things? For some reason the female gender loves to find out things about people. But why does it matter? What good will it do and how will it improve your life to find out details of some celebrities life or even juice tidbits about a friend? If someone wants you to know something they will tell you and if a friend shares something in confidence do not feel you have the right to share it even with a  prayer chain. Prayer chains can get into gossip too as we speculate why 'so and so' is sick and add details to the request. I saw this happen once several years ago and decided because of that I did not want to be on a prayer chain. Now I pray for my friends when they ask and I pray with my Moms in Touch group. I love the policy in Moms in Touch which is "What is prayed in the group stays in the group' so hopefully if everyone is honorable this will alleviate things getting out beyond the circle of ladies who is privy to the prayer.

Some Bible verses dealing with gossip follow. 1 Timothy 5 :13 says "at the same time they also learn to be idle, as they go around from house to house; and not merely idle, but also gossips and busybodies, talking about things not proper to mention.' The tongue should be used to bless others and give praise but not to condemn and judge. James 3:11 says "Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?" Proverbs 21:23 says "He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity." Are you careful what you say and think before you say it? Do you ask yourself "is what I plan to say going to help or hurt someone?"  Proverbs 18:7-8 says "A fool’s mouth is his undoing,and his lips are a snare to his soul. The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man’s inmost parts." Words can be a painful 'slam dunk' in someones life who receives them. If you are the victim of a gossip it can hurt you and ruin your life. You have heard it said "If you do not have anything good to say then don't say it at all?" Well this is excellent advice we need to all heed.

Romans 1:29-30 says "They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents". What good does it to do talk about others and make speculations that do not matter? Why are we drawn to thinking we have to add our 'two cents' to something? Better to keep the little hole in our faces closed so we do not get ourselves into trouble that takes years sometimes to recover from.  Proverbs 11:13 says "A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret." Are you a trustworthy friend? If not ask God to help you develop self control over your mouth. Proverbs 20:19 says "A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid a man who talks too much." Self control is an area we all need to work on. It can involve a lot of aspects of life such as dieting, exercise and the like but self control of the words we use is vitally important. Words can for sure get us into a bunch of trouble if used in the wrong way. We know lying is bad, swearing is bad, angry words are bad but gossip is a big no no. If you are guilty of this sin ask God to give you the strength to not meddle in others affairs and gain self control over thinking you need to know juicy tidbits about celebrities. If this is a weakness then force yourself to turn off shows that simply spread more gossip. Your mission today is to work on saying only pleasant things that edify others.

Ephesians 4:29 is a good verse to end with. It says "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."

PRAYER: Father today I need your help and strength to not say things or meddle in things that do not concern me. Help me Lord to  not get involved in office gossip or even church gossip. Father give me self control to get away from conversations when others are trying to belittle other people through words. Father I want what I say to only bring glory to those who listen. Help me in this journey. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

KNOCK KNOCK LORD...IT'S ME

Matthew 7:22 says "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?"  We somehow think that doing certain things is enough to 'get by ' with God. The passion for Christ is just not there. It might have been at one time but we are stagnant and just simply coast through our day barely giving God even a minute of our time. Maybe at one time you were 'on fire' for God but something happened. Perhaps you went off to college where professors seem to do a good job of putting down 'Christianity' and making you doubt what you know to be true and right. So you get intellectual, forget God and chose another path and broke your parents hearts.

Do you 'talk' to God on a regular basis? Do you feel if you started praying again he would not listen as you had not been doing it all along? Well I have news for you. God is waiting for you to call on Him. He misses time with you and wants you to 'call on him' in prayer. Prayer is simply talking to God. It does not have to be a bunch of thees and thous but simply say 'hey God it's me..sorry I have neglected my time with you but I'm back. I want to make time in my day for you." Something like that. You can do the talking. He will hear you. Many who have gotten intellectualized feel that all religions will get you to God and even try to say this country was founded on religious tolerance and mess up the whole meaning the founding fathers had. The word of God was extremely important in the founding of this nation. It was the backbone for all laws. Somehow Satan has come in and muddled minds and tricked people into believing a lie. But your eyes may have been opened again and you are back.

John 14:15-16 says "If you love me, obey me; and I will ask the Father and he will give you another Comforter, and he will never leave you." God wants you to desire time with him. We give time to so much other stuff in our day that does not really matter. Now God is knocking on your hearts door. It says in scripture in Revelation 3:20 "Behold I stand at the door and knock, If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me." Many things come in and drag us away from God and we start believing lies as being truth and feel like the Bible is just not that important anymore and put it away somewhere where you can not even find it. That Bible needs to be out next to you on a coffee table and read daily as it is the 'armor of God' to protect you from Satan's onslaught during the day. And Satan will come and deceive you and drag you away from being closer to God. You have to recognize this and say " In Jesus name I resist you devil. Get out of my life. I choose from this day forward to give Jesus first place in my life again and not listen to your lies that have been dragging me down hill away from the Lord."

Do you love God, obey God, honor God and keep his commandments? Do not just be a 'Christian in name only' or a CINO. Be a committed Christian who does not hide out somewhere afraid for others to find out. You can not really love God without obeying him and being committed to spending time with him.We spend hours of time getting ready for work and  maybe just grab our Bible and read a verse before going out into the day.Make yourself sit down, turn off the TV, and honor God by giving him dedicated time in prayer and the word.

So 'knock knock God it is me' is a good way to come back to him and say "Lord I am hear again. Sorry I went away. I am sorry I put you on the shelf and went my own way. I am sorry I sought my own pleasures on the Sabbath day. I know what your word says about spending time with you and I have been rebellious and done my own thing. I knew better Lord but my heart got hard and I listened to other voices placed there by Satan. I know Lord that the devil does not want me to go to church and spend time in the word and I ask your forgiveness as I have listened more to Satan than to you. I have let the world try to shape me into its' mold and make me feel I did not need you on a daily basis. It is time right now today Lord for me to toss off things that hinder me being close to you. I am ashamed that I have not spent time with you. I know how I was raised and I lost my first love and went and did my own thing. Shame on me. Please forgive me Lord. I resist the enemy I in Jesus Name he has to flee.I know Lord you are waiting for me to come back to you with my whole heart. Forgive me Lord and help me Lord to be faithful. Help me not cave in to the pleasures of the world that have been dragging me away from you. I know better.  I am here now Lord running back to you and asking you to guide me as I run back to you with my whole heart!"

Romans 12:1-2 says "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."

So what is stopping you? Deep down inside you know being estranged from the Lord and barely giving him more than a dinner time prayer is not the way to go.You know and have been taught what you need to do to grow in Christ but you got 'too big for your britches' so to speak and just thought God seemed like a waste of time. It is time to take inventory of your life and ask yourself sincerely are you truly on the path God wants you to be or do you need to restructure your day and activities and give God a place of prominence he deserves again in your life.

PRAYER: Lord today I come to you asking you to forgive me for neglecting you. I know what the Bible says. I know I can not grow strong in the Lord unless I am committed to daily getting into the Bible. I know if I want to stay in shape physically I can not do it by 'wishing' I were toned and muscular but I have to spend time working out. Help me Lord to get my 'spiritual muscles' back in shape too. Help me Lord to resist Satan's attacks to pull my in the wrong direction. Help me stop doing my own thing on Sundays before I spend time going to a church where God's word is preached. Help me stop lying to myself and making excuses but get started now on the road to 'spiritual recovery'. In Jesus Name. Amen.

NOTE: Once again when you are able go somewhere where you can turn up your speakers and listen to the following Matthew West praise song I have attached. It should truly bless you. Enjoy this day God has given and go make a difference in someones life.

http://youtu.be/OHUppFNjy5E

Monday, June 20, 2011

DID YOU GO TO CHURCH YESTERDAY?

I hear  that some do not want to go to church because they feel they  can go to church 'in nature' . Do these people really go out on Sunday and sit on rock with their Bible and use nature as a catalyst to talk to Jesus? The commandment to love the Lord your God should include being in his house to worship. Sure there are phony churches out there or ones that are too strict or too legalistic but there are also many churches 'on fire' for the Lord and you just have to search and find them. Satan does not want you in church as the farther you are away from God and his people the more  he has a chance to capture your heart for his kingdom as opposed to God. If you say you are a Christian you should want to have fellowship with believers and honor Sunday as a special day. It is not a day to do what you want. You can enjoy Sunday but why not start out first by going to his house to worship? You can not walk with the Lord and with Satan too. You can either be hot or cold, if you are lukewarm he will spit you out of his mouth.(See Revelation 3:16).

I know the feeling of having to go to church somewhere new the first time. It is uncomfortable. Especially if you are in a smaller church where everyone knows each other you feel like you stick out like a soar thumb. My suggestion is to find a non denominational church where they tend to have less man made rules to determine how close you are to God and where the music is alive and spirit of worship is evident. Sometimes for those who have not been in church for awhile it is more comfortable to go in to a less formal church than it is where everyone is in a suit or tie. Regardless, God does not care how we dress. Some 'church people' care and some get mad if you sit in 'their pew' at church but God does not care. He does not have assigned seating. If you live in a smaller community sometimes it is harder to find a non denominational church and you may have to drive to find one. Now I am not being critical of denominational churches but for those who are stragglers and not in church sometimes going in a less formal atmosphere is just what they need. Go somewhere where it is not about a denomination but more about being a Christian.

It is crucial if you are a believer and want to stay on fire for the Lord to make it a priority in your life. If you do not, your fire will soon go out and Sundays will become a day to sleep in and go to Sunday Brunch somewhere and that is all. It is the enemy who is trying to make you distracted and keep you filled with excuses about why you choose to not attend. Satan would love to snuff out your spiritual fervor.

First, attending church is one of the Ten Commandments. It should be something you choose to do and not feel like you have to go. Check your heart. Do you love the Lord with all your heart? Pray and ask God to give you more of a desire to get in his word. We all know if you do not stay in the word it is easy to start doing things against the word of God and becoming 'spiritually deaf' as Joyce Meyer calls it.

I know through Moms in Touch prayer ministry that  one of our biggest prayers has been that our children desire fellowship and want to be in Bible study and church. 3 John 4 is a Bible verse that I 'happened' to see on a license plate one day when I was with my family at a restaurant in Birmingham. This verse says "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth." It breaks a parents heart when they find out their children do not think church is important anymore after raising them to love the Lord and his word. You can not force them to go and you can not orchestrate it. It has to be a conviction and desire in their hearts or it will not happen. The Holy Spirit living inside of them has to speak to their hearts and give them the desire to make Sunday a special day set aside to worship God. Some have jobs that prevent them from worshipping on Sunday but there are other times to attend as well.Some I know have even started 'home churches' if they can not find a church that preaches God's word in their area.

John 14:21 says "Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.” The command to attend church is there and many believers choose to believe the worlds' lies and be enticed by worlds' pleasures and ignore it. In Exodus 20:8 says "Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy." 1 John 2:15 says "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him." Are other things more important to you than worshipping the Lord? Do you not know that Sunday was a day set aside to spend time in worshipping the Lord? The things of the world will entice us and draw us away from God and his people. I challenge you if you do other things on Sunday to find yourself a good non denominational church that is in your community or drive to find one and get plugged in and see if your Sunday does not turn out to be better and you may even find you have more time that day for other things.

Sure you can still be a Christian and not go to church but it is hard to desire the Lord and stay in love with Jesus if we ignore this special day and do our own thing. Now granted there are many folks out there who simply 'punch a ticket' on Sunday and think that is all they need to do who will be surprised on the day of their death. The most important thing is to have your heart right with the Lord. Yes you can be a Christian and not in church but why not seek a body of believers who love Jesus and make a commitment to be a part of them each week? Small group Bible studies are good too to grow in Christ during the week.

2 Timothy 3:15 says "and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus." You know deep down in your heart what is the right thing to do. All the excuses in the book are really lies from the enemy who does not want you to be in church and hearing the word of God. If you still choose to stay home why not at least open the Bible to the book of John and read one chapter followed by reading one chapter of Proverbs. Pray for God to open your heart and mind to what he would have you learn and pray for him to give you a desire to be back in fellowship with a body of believers.

Isaiah 58:13-14 says "If you turn back your foot from the Sabbath, from doing your pleasure on my holy day, and call the Sabbath a delight and the holy day of the Lord honorable; if you honor it, not going your own ways, or seeking your own pleasure, or talking idly; then you shall take delight in the Lord, and I will make you ride on the heights of the earth; I will feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken."

PRAYER: Lord God help me desire you more than gold. I know it is not your desire I sleep in on Sunday. Help me desire to worship in a church with other believers. Guide me to one who loves you. Forgive me Lord for the times I have not desired to have fellowship and have done my own thing on Sunday. Help me make it a priority to get to know you better. In Jesus name. Amen.

NOTE: for those of you searching for a church home I found this nifty Internet tool below. Use it and then listen to the song I attached as well. Be blessed.

http://www.flockfinder.com/



http://youtu.be/JiD0_Krgbo4

Sunday, June 19, 2011

THANK GOODNESS FOR DADS

Congratulations and Happy Father's Day to all dads out there. Some of our dads are still alive yet many have passed on.  My dad is no longer with me. Seems like  moms get all the attention on their 'special day' but dad needs to get lots of credit and recognition too on his day today! The main chief bread winner, in most cases, unless you are single and struggling. The dad is the one who helps play ball with little boys, has tea parties with their daughters, works hard to insure the children and wife are provided for or he should.  Sure we have 'bad dads', so to speak, or dads who did not live up to the 50's sitcom 'Father Knows Best' or 'Ozzie and Harriet' scenario but all in all the dad is unappreciated and forgotten at times and should not be. They earn the money for family vacations, braces, sports teams, cheer leading and band uniforms, college tuition, music lessons, food and shelter, cars to drive, and much more. They fix cars, bikes, furniture, broken sinks and things like that too. One of hardest things for a dad to do is 'give away' their baby girl to her future husband. The husband then is the top man in her life.

There are those who have not had good relationships with their fathers so it is hard to feel this is a day to celebrate.  If you have been hurt by your dad either emotionally or physically God can restore you.  But for those blessed with a good 'dad relationship' even if your dad is your 'adopted dad' then you have much to be thankful for. Do not harbor bitterness at something from the past you can do nothing about. If you are in a strained relationship with a dad pray for him even if you do not feel like it. Then there are those dads who are the good dads who make up for the moms who ran out of a child's life.

Philippians 3:1 says "No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead'. If you have been neglected, hurt or any other thing try to let it go. Seek professional help if you need it. For those with a great father relationship be thankful because not everyone has been blessed with that. My husband has been a great dad to our two boys and my dad was a super dad to me when I was growing up. I am thankful for what he taught me and how he helped me. Dads are so important in the life of their children. No one is faulting single parents but studies have shown how a two parent family with the dad actively involved is so vital to every aspect of a child's development. Single parents out there your job is harder as you fill both those roles but God can help you. Call on him.

Exodus 20:12 says to "Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you." We should show honor and respect to our earthly fathers. Remember God placed dads in authority children to raise them. The dad is supposed to be not only the leader of the family and the head of the house but the spiritual leader as well. This is a big responsibility not to be taken lightly. If you are a dad are you doing your part? Pray and ask God for wisdom to lead and guide the children God has entrusted to you and to help shape them into the image of Godliness in all they say and do. Ephesians 6:4 tells fathers the following and I will end with this "Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord." That is the main job of a dad is for the children to come to know the Lord as well as be respectable citizens and respectful to those around them. The Lord is there to help you. After all He is our heavenly Father and he is always there and will listen to your prayers.

PRAYER: Lord I thank you for my earthly father who did so much for me and guided me. Lord help me to never forget all the things you do as my heavenly Father. You are my Abba father or daddy.  We are the work of your hands father God and we thank you for giving us life. In Jesus name. Amen.

http://youtu.be/ReyopJalSDs

Saturday, June 18, 2011

PATIENCE NOW!!

Slow down now. What is the hurry. Things can backfire if you try to rush them and orchestrate them and not wait on God's Timing. Boy it is hard to wait. We anticipate something and want it to happen now. But God has a plan and a time for everything. If we try to do things our own way and put them in our hands and out of God's things could backfire in big way. Think of Sarah and Abraham not being patient and trusting God for a child. Whew. You know the outcome there. Chaos resulted ever since then.

 Some scenarios for waiting in our human world are at the bank, the post office, the DMV, the doctors office, gas station, airports, or waiting to see if you made it into a certain school or club or did you pass the audition and get a part in the school play. Times of waiting also include medical test results, getting into college or waiting to see if you got a certain job.

What does God's word have to say about patience? We know we need it to get through life. Like tonight I had to wait over 30 minutes for my bag to come at the airport upon my return. Nothing you could do by getting mad. Psalm 40:1 says "I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry." Do not be in such a hurry all the time. It is easier said than done.
Tonight I am asking patience from my readers since it is nearly midnight and I am just now getting my Saturday blog out. Stay tuned for more on patience later. Be patient with me. As the saying goes "Be patient with me God is not finished with me yet'. Have a blessed Sunday.
 
PRAYER: Father I thank you for your patience with me when I do not always do they things that please you. Help me be patient with those in my life Lord and with situations in my life. In Jesus Name. Amen.
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Thursday, June 16, 2011

JUNE IS THE MONTH OF LOVE

JUNE IS THE MONTH OF LOVE

Traditionally you hear of lots of weddings in June. What better time to go over a couple points in the Bible that if followed by both bride and groom would help them be in love forever and not fight and keep each other first, after God of course. Maybe we could call this list the 'Ten Commandments For Maintaining The Tingles Of Love.'

I recall when our youngest son was small he would tell us he loved us 'one less than God'. From the mouth of babes, right? If we could only maintain that innocence and first love aura and excitement! If the word of God is followed on a regular basis, you can! But when self gets in the way and you take God off the throne then chaos is the result.

The following are ten principles for maintaining love.

Put the other person first.
Always speak with respect and kindness.
Remember how you fell in love.
Keep doing special things and planning surprises.
Pray together.
Do not be self centered. Forgive and forget.
Keep laughing.
Keep going on dates.
Maintain a close relationship with the Lord.
Do not try to get your way.

Of course there are many things that could be added to this list. But the point is in a nutshell is to put God first and then the other person.

1 Corinthians 13 is always an excellent chapter in the Bible to review about what real love is. You may not always 'feel' in love but love is still going to be there when you walk with God and follow his ways and his plan for marriage.  Ask yourself, "is how I am acting Christlike?" Honestly answer that. Satan will fill your mind with lies and try to get you to be self centered but resist him. James 4:7 says "submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."  Also remember the tone of your voice when speaking to your beloved and the verse in Proverbs 15:1 says "A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare." 

Enjoy the journey. God said it is not good for man to be alone so He made a helper suitable for Him. ( See Genesis 2:18). Be thankful and celebrate each other and even the differences you may have.



PRAYER: Thanks Lord for your perfect love. Thank you that you want to be our first love. Help me father as I seek to love like you want me to love. The worlds' definition of love is messed up and can mess with our minds. Thank you that you show us the way and direct our paths. In Jesus name, amen!

BUSYNESS AND BUSY BODIES

Neither one of these things is a good trait to possess. Why do we here in the United States always seem to be on a hurried busy treadmill of ceaseless activities? Why do we feel we have to constantly be accomplishing something? What is wrong with just being still and knowing that God is God? Now granted those who are employed sometimes have no choice. It  is not your fault if your boss is on you to constantly produce. You do it or suffer the consequences. But I am talking about the busyness we bring on ourselves in our day to day life. Why not set up your calendar to have time for a 'peace break' every now and then? Parents of small children may find the only peaceful break they get is when they lock themselves in the bathroom for a few minutes. Believe me that time will pass and you will miss it. But I am talking to those of us who seem like we have to be involved in everything that comes along or get our children involved in every activity that comes along. Run to this practice and that practice  is better than watching non stop television all night but why is it necessary to have an activity every minute of the day or night? Pray about your activities and make sure you and your family have time to unwind and enjoy their own time at  home as well.  Psalm 101:2 says "I will be careful to lead a blameless life--when will you come to me? I will walk in my house with blameless heart." To walk with a blameless heart I would think you would have to be structured and calm and have made time for God each day. Just my thoughts on this.

Psalm 46:10 says  “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”  In your busyness and hurry scurry do you make anytime for God? Something to think about. If you don't, what can you change in your schedule of 'important' activities to fit Jesus into your day? He is waiting for you. Isaiah 26:3 is another verse on peace and it says "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you." Try to develop a habit of sitting and being still and taking time in your day to spend time in prayer and Bible reading.

Now to the other 'bad busy' and that is people who stick their noses into others business. Pure and simple we do not need to know everything about everybody. Why is it necessary? Facebook makes all of we who use it a little like busybodies in a sense as we peer into peoples lives to see "what is happening". It can be a fun and useful tool when used in moderation and for the right reasons. But the busybodies here I refer to are more the kind of snoopy people who think they need to know every tidbit of gossip and every thing about everyone or they can not stand themselves. Psalm 131:1 says concerning being nosey "O LORD, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me. " I am not sure that is really refers to necessarily being snoopy but it basically in a nut shell says not to concern yourself with things you do not need to. Being snoopy leads to gossip and we know what the Bible says about that. It is one of the dangers of that little tongue of ours.2 Thessalonians 3:11 says "For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies." 1 Peter 4:15 says "But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler." A meddler meaning sticking your nose where it does not belong. 1 Thessalonians 4:11 says "And to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you". So you can see there is quite a bit in scripture concerning this vital topic. Basically don't be one!

I am not sure where I heard this, but someone said BUSY could be an acronym for 'Being Under Satan's Yoke" and I say, how appropriate. Because if the enemy can keep us distracted with non stop activity, even seemingly good church activities, when do we have time for personal one on one with our Lord and saviour?

If you are over committed or have over committed your children and you see signs of stress ask yourself if what you are doing is really beneficial to getting you closer to the kingdom of God. As I said before with a job it can not be prevented at times but in your own free time you are the one who decides what you do. Make time for friends and relationships and more importantly make time for God. He is waiting. Come to Him and rest in him.

Matthew 11:28 is a good scripture to end with and it says ""Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

PRAYER: Lord I want to sit at your feet and rest. Teach me to not get overly scheduled with so much stuff I do not need to do. Help me Father to always put time with you on my calendar. Forgive me for the times I have been so busy I have squeezed you out of my day and forgotten about you. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

IMPACT YOUR WORLD

 We are not an accident. God put us on this earth to impact the world. Many people feel we are just here by chance and there is no  real meaning. None of us know how much time we are promised. Believe in yourself and know you are no accident and God has you here for 'such a time as this.'  God knew you before you were born and he has a plan for your life.Take about five minutes and open your Bible to Psalm 139 and see how God does really know you inside and out.

What are you doing to make a change in someones' life? Each of us has a way to impact others for the cause of Christ daily. A simple smile may change someones' day who is feeling depressed or worthless. Sending a card to a friend, family member or stranger may help change a life or someones' day. When you get beyond yourself and your own little world you will see how much the Lord has for you to do. He wants us to be salt and light. If you have a salt shaker on your kitchen table but never shake any of its' contents on your food what good is it? Your food is still bland and tasteless. Well we are the salt of the earth and are to shake God's flavor all around us wherever we go. Even if you simply visit a nursing home or take care of an elderly or shut in family member what you do counts and is important in the kingdom of God. Being a stay home mom is also a tremendous impact as you are building into the lives of your children.

Never feel like you do not matter. You may say "well I am not in some big fancy office building with lots of people around". So?? Or I am not on any big committees to have any input that will matter. Poppycock. You are where you are for a reason. Now get out and spread God's love to those in your circle of influence. Do not waste any opportunity to be a light for God.

Jeremiah 29:11 says "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

PRAYER: Father each day I get up and go about my daily business but at times I feel what I do does not matter but I know it really does. Help me Lord to stay in your word, the Bible, to stay encouraged and help me to impact my world around me for you  no matter where I am in life. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Go now and light your world. Enjoy the attached praise song!

http://youtu.be/yiSix6Stilo

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

BAD FRIENDS MEAN BAD NEWS

 Yesterdays devotion was about what happens when friends do not want to be our friends. Today's devotion is more geared to what happens when we hang out with the wrong kind of people. This is especially important as parents of young children who pray for the right kind of friends as we know since one bad friend can change the course of a life. But it is important in all stages of life as the friends we choose can make us or break us. One bad apple can spoil the whole bunch , the saying goes.

Now what about witnessing and winning the lost to Christ you may say? That indeed is crucial but we are not to hang out with people we know purposely are doing things against the law or the Bible. Guilt by association is another well known term I am sure we are all familiar with. But you still need to be kind to all types of people and show them God's love just do not get sucked down into their pit with them.
A companion of fools suffers ruin. (See Proverbs 13:20). Bad company corrupts morals.(See 1 Corinthians 15:33).  Do not hang out with lazy gluttons and those who drink too much or  you may learn their ways. Proverbs 23:21 says "For the heavy drinker and the glutton will come to poverty, And drowsiness will clothe one with rags." We are not to hate these people but we have to be alert to the dangers of being influenced by their lifestyle. You can easily become like who you associate with. "But wait, Jesus hung out with sinners". Be a witness. Talk to the hurting, the prisoner, those who the world would not have anything to do with. They need the love of God. "We all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God."(Romans 3:23).
Romans 5:6-8 says "For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.  For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die.  But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Christ was not afraid of the sinner. He simply said "Go and sin no more." John 8:10-11 says "Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” “No one, sir,” she said.“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin."

A rule of thumb in selecting friends is to ask yourself, " Do my friends lead me closer to God or away from Him." Now this is not to say you can not befriend unchurched people but if you knowingly hang out with people doing things against the will of God is what I am referring too. If we do not hang out with unchurched friends then how will they ever know of the love of Jesus? Break out of your holy huddle but use caution in doing so. My prayer for my own children, who are now adults, is a simple one. In John 17:15 it says "My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one." We are in the world. We can not live in a bubble. Evil is out there. Be a light in the darkness around you.This friend thing is important in the adult world too as business people can get caught up in schemes to cheat and steal just to make more money so even at work be careful. Witness and be salt but stand up for the truth and for righteousness.

God is always with you and he knows what you are doing. 2 Chronicles 16:9 says "The eyes of the LORD search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. What a fool you have been! From now on you will be at war." He sees your every move. As the children's song goes "Be careful little feet where you go." Hebrews 4:13 says "Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account".

Be a friend to those who need a friend but do not go places or do things you know deep down inside God is not pleased with. Be his witness but be cautious in all you say and do. But do not despair because if your child has fallen in with the wrong crowd God is still there and can restore them. Joel 2:25 says ""I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten--the great locust and the young locust, the other locusts and the locust swarm--my great army that I sent among you." Things may be bad but Sunday is coming! Another promise is Colossians 1:13 which says "For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves". So the key is to watch who you hang out with and what you do but remember God also is the great restorer. Be the light that people want to run to then you won't have to worry so much about doing the wrong thing.

PRAYER: Father I know we are to be salt and light in the world. Today help me choose my activities wisely. Help me share your love for those in my world around me. Father I ask that you guide my steps so I do not wander into places that do not bring glory to God. Help my choices be pleasing unto you Lord. In Jesus Name. Amen.

NOTE:I have selected an appropriate praise song for when you have time to sit with Coffee and worship the Lord. Have a blessed day!

http://youtu.be/CAtReLCJ4-I

Monday, June 13, 2011

FRIENDSHIP: A PRICELESS GIFT

For those of us with true close friends we are indeed blessed. I received a birthday gift from a dear friend a couple years ago and it was simply a nice greeting card and inside was tucked a small card that was pre-printed with the sentiment that said 'I'm So Glad We Are Friends'. This little small note card meant the world to me and I carry it with me today in my purse. If any of you have never had what I call 'friend issues' then be thankful. It hurts to have wronged a friend and ask forgiveness and they shun you. Or it hurts to be back stabbed by one whom you thought was someone you could trust. Maybe there was a friend you had who thinks she has too many 'newer' friends and no need nor no time for you anymore. Perhaps there was a close friend who used to like you but some sort of rift occurred and there is nothing you can do to get this friend back. Friends are indeed a true gift from God. Do not take this special gift for granted.If you have ever been asked to forgive someone and did not do it why didn't you? Close friends should be able to forgive and forget.

 When a small child is new to town and not invited to a girls' slumber party when everyone else in the class is invited that hurts. When you are new to a school and you end up having to stand up at lunch because no one offers you a seat, that hurts. Wounds from the past hurt, but we also learn from them. We learn to not stoop to the level of the person shunning or ridiculing us. We learn to forgive whether the person has directly asked to be forgiven or not. When we hear ugly comments behind our back we learn to 'blow them off'. We learn to nurture the friendships of the people in our lives who do appreciate us for who we are.We  learn to 'shake the dust' from our feet and move on. We learn to not dwell on the hurts and the 'what ifs' of why a person does not like to be around us. We try to focus on the good things in our life and just pray for the people who do not really want anything to do with us.

What does the Bible say about this? It is easy humanly to say "why I will show them and give them a taste of their own medicine!" but on the contrary God wants you to show love. Matthew 5:44 says to us "But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." Sometimes when we have endured things and stood strong we become a better person in the long run. Sure not all personalities will click but I am referring to when a person who used to like you just shuts you out of their life.  You have to choose to let it go or wounds will never heal and bitterness creeps in. Begging someone to like you will not work. Only the Holy Spirit can convict a person that they need to say they are sorry. It is best to move on and let this person go.

There are some people out there that when offended or hurt can not let it go. Even though the Bible tells us to forgive, the human side comes in and says to them "look what they did to you. I would never forgive them." Most of the time voices like that are not from God but planted in there by the enemy, Satan. He is the great divider remember. Satan does not want you to have close friends. He wants to destroy the friendships you do have. In Proverbs 18:19 it says "An offended friend is harder to win back than a fortified city. Arguments separate friends like a gate locked with bars."

There was a comical scene in a goofy movie I saw several years ago called 'Mars Attack' when aliens were attacking everyone after first posing as friends to the earthlings. The humans on earth tried to give what they called the 'international sign of the doughnut' to make friends with the aliens. Wouldn't it be nice if it were that easy to win people over? Proverbs 18:24 says "There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother." What kind of friend are you to those God has placed in your life? Proverbs 17:17 says "A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need." Are you there for your friends when they need you? In Proverbs 17:17 it talks of the value of encouragement when it says "As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend."

Be this kind of friend. Be loyal, be kind, be sincere, be helpful, be faithful, be honest, and be like Jesus.

PRAYER: Father in this world of facebook friends it is easy to not spend quality time with our true friends. Help me Lord to make time to develop the friendships you have given to me. Help me be more than a facebook friend to those close friends you have blessed me with. Help me to make new friends and keep the old as the saying goes..one is silver and the other gold. Thanks for my friends. In Jesus name. Amen.


http://youtu.be/aMnMN08sv4k

Sunday, June 12, 2011

ROADBLOCKS TO JESUS

What is standing in the way of you getting closer to the Lord? Do you feel it is not necessary to get 'too religious' and therefore do not pursue anything more than Easter and Christmas because hey "how could God not let us into heaven"? Do you feel that if you became committed to the Lord all your fun would end and you would be like living in a monastery? Are you afraid friends will not understand? Do you feel you are okay the way you are? You say "There are way too many phony people who call themselves Christians so I want no part of it". Another excuse is that it is a 'crutch'.  Whatever the reason God is pursuing you. Being a church member is not enough or not even mentioned in the Bible. Affiliating with a particular denomination is not the answer. Showing up one day a week in church is really great but we should want more. Just because you are were born in America does not automatically make you a Christian either.

Matthew 11:28 says "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Come to him. He is waiting for you. He is not giving you stars on some sort of chart for being good. We have all probably heard the saying "Christians aren't perfect just forgiven." Basically that is true. No one is perfect except  Jesus. We strive to be like Him. That is the ultimate goal to be Christlike in our actions and thoughts.

1 Corinthians 1:18 says "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God." A lack of spiritual understanding is a real roadblock to knowing Jesus. People who have not asked Jesus into their heart do not really get much out of the Bible because it seems foolish.

So what is stopping you from getting closer to the Lord? Have you asked Jesus to be Lord of your life? Stop right now and pray "Lord Jesus I need you. Come into my heart now and take control. I want to live for you and serve you. Forgive me for my sins and help me now turn away from doing what does not please you." You can pray that simple prayer and then ask God to give you a desire to know Him better through the reading his word, The Bible. Start in the book of John. Also there are 31 days in most months so  you could take one of the 31 chapters of Proverbs and read one daily as well.

Take down the roadblocks and allow Jesus to take the wheel and direct your life.

PRAYER: Lord God I thank you for helping me to remove roadblocks in my life that are keeping me from knowing you better. Forgive me for when I do not want to spend time with you. Give me the desire Lord to make time for you so all the roadblocks come down. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Note: Take the time to enjoy the attached short praise and worship song.

http://youtu.be/wutmEjdbedE

Saturday, June 11, 2011

GOD'S UMBRELLA

When it is raining outside to stay dry and protected from the elements we usually grab for our trusty umbrella. About 26 years ago in a Bible study at the then Williams Air Force Base in Arizona we learned from our leader about staying under God's protective umbrella. Picture if you will God having a huge umbrella. If you are married the next umbrella is slightly smaller than God's and is beneath His then there is the wife whose umbrella is a slight bit smaller than the husbands. After this the children have smaller  umbrellas underneath the mom. Now this does not imply that man is better and greater and more important than his wife. It also does not mean that children are not important. What this illustrated was the submission of authority that works best. We are to stay under God's protection by reading His word , the Bible, and following what it says. By doing this we are protected from evil. Next is the husband who is given authority by God as the head of the home. He is to stay in tune with God and stay under God's umbrella as God will guide him and give him wisdom as he seeks to be the leader God intended him to be. Then the wife is to submit to the husbands' authority and stay under her husbands umbrella. This does not give the man authority to act like her dad or boss her around. But if a decision has to be made the final authority would rest with the man. The man and woman should consult in what they do as they are 'joint heirs' of  the gift of life. 1 Peter 3:7 says "Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers." See right there if you want to have your prayers heard you better be treating the little lady nice. But just like in the Army there can not be all Generals leading the troops but there have to be privates as well. In a home we have to have a head. But everyone is important. The wife who rebels is not pleasing to God just like the husband who is mean to his wife and treats her like a worker bee. The children should obey their parents by staying under their parents 'umbrella' of authority. This same Bible study teacher also reminded women to be respectful and kind and pointed out a scripture about rebellion in 1 Samuel 15:23 it says "For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has rejected you as king."

I believe it was the Travelers Insurance Company that used an umbrella in their logo. Actually it is a good 'word picture' to illustrate protection. I wish I knew who to give credit for in this Bible study lesson back in 1984. The fact is that it makes sense. My husband would occasionally say, "You can stay under my umbrella or do things your own way." Usually if the man is led by the Lord he will have the woman's best interest at heart. Men are not to trample and abuse their wives but love them like Christ loved the church. Ephesians 5:25-27 says "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her  to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word,  and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless." Think of that men, loving your wife that way. Never saying a harsh unkind word to her and loving her so much you would give your life for her. Marriages start off that way but they should finish that way too and they can if the couple puts the Lord firmly and sincerely in the center of the relationship. And wives out there whose husband may not be doing what it says in scripture 1 Peter 3:1 says "Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives". In other words pray and let God do the changing of hearts.

Gods' umbrella is there to protect us from the storms of life. First and foremost you need to stay under it for his guidance and protection. Proverbs 3:5-6 says to us " Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;  in all your ways submit to him,  and he will make your paths straight." Whose umbrella are you standing under?

PRAYER: Thank you for the authority that is set up in your word. Lord for those reading this who may single help them to stay under your umbrella. Enable those of us who are married to stay under the umbrella God intended in  order to have a smooth family life. Help us never 'lord over' those under us. Father I pray for those reading this who may be in abusive relationships that you would give them wisdom and help them seek help if in danger. Father I pray for men who say they are Christian Lord to hunger for the word so that they may truly know how to lead their families now and into the future.Father thank you for your word which gives me direction. In Jesus Name, Amen!

Friday, June 10, 2011

MANY TITLES

All of us in life assume many titles. Lets' see, for me I am a wife, mom, daughter, sister, niece, aunt, cousin, friend, volunteer, soon to be mother in law, veteran, activist, Christian, writer, and on it goes. One of my favorite titles is 'child of God'. We are all His children or at least in the sense He is our creator but not all of us act like very good children. Some times we are bratty and need discipline. Sometimes we act ashamed of our 'daddy'. At times we do not obey and need to go to 'time out'. We do not follow the rules in the Bible that God has given us and can totally go astray. Our earthly parents give us rules to guide us and help raise us to be respectable citizens, or at least that is the way it is supposed to work. Likewise our 'heavenly father' instructs us through his word and those wonderful Ten Commandments. (See Exodus Chapter 20). Our heavenly father is sad when we do not spend time with Him and earthly parents like to occasionally 'hang out' with their children too. Earthly parents like a phone call and God likes us to 'call out' to Him in prayer. Jeremiah 33:3 says "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know."

 An earthly parent is supposed to show unconditional love and have open arms when a child has problems. Often times, being human, earthly parents fail and do not act Christlike. If only we could all be perfect but only God is perfect. In the Bible the story of the Prodigal son in Luke 15:11-32 shows the immense love the earthly father had for his son when he came back home after living a wild life. We should try to emulate this. Better yet be like Christ in all you say and do.

The Bible speaks of us being part of Gods' family or also says sometimes we choose to follow Satan. John 8:44 says "You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies."

1 John 3:1 says "See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him." John 1:12 says "Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God”. So he is our creator but we need to receive him as our saviour to be his child. Have you received Jesus and can you call him Father or 'daddy'? If not why not stop now and pray and ask Jesus to come in to your heart and truly be His child. Then live for Him and try to be more Christlike in what you say and do.

So what different titles do you hold and which one is most valuable to you?  Perhaps you have some of same ones above and could add others like employee, team member, student and others. If you want the title of God's child just say "Jesus come in to my heart today. Forgive me for my sins and be Lord of my life." Then to know Him better carve out some priority time for Him each day. To know Him better this is crucial.

PRAYER: Father I love all the roles I have in life that you have blessed me with. I need your strength to do each one in a manner that brings glory to you. Help me shine your light in every  place I am.  In Jesus name.Amen!

Thursday, June 9, 2011

RICHES ARE FROM GOD


                  


It is not wrong to have money but it is wrong to worship it. It is the blessing of the Lord that makes us rich. These United States were founded up God's word  and we have been blessed more than any nation. Little by little we are forgetting God. Read Deuteronomy chapter 28 which tells what happens when a nation ignores God. It is pretty eye opening.
 
We are not to trust in riches as they make themselves wings and fly away. Proverbs 23:25 says "wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven." Currently we have a government in place trying to convince Americans they are entitled to everything and not to worry the government will do it for you. Doing this makes them be the controllers of you. God did not design us to be sucking on the government baby bottle, so to speak, but he designed us with creativity and the ability to work and earn money. The Bible clearly says ''if a man does not work he should not eat." (See 2 Thessalonians 3:10). It did not say "Go ye therefore to the welfare office and pick up your check." Lazy people will come to ruin. Sitting around thinking the government owes you something is part of reason the United States is in the predicament we are in today.
 
Poverty destroys. Proverbs 10:15 basically indicates poverty ruins. It says "the richest man's wealth is his strong city, the destruction of the poor is their poverty." When a person is dependent on others he loses his ability to be creative. Communist and socialist nations attempt to do this to people and they are not a friend to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Why? Because Jesus sets us free. Without God men can not be set free. You can give a poor person who does not want to work money and most the time they have no spirit to want to work and become lazy. Laziness is not of God. We are to be kind and help the poor but not misinterpret the scriptures to justify government programs that kill the human spirit.
 
Proverbs 6:9-11 says "How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest— 
 and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man." God is the author of good things not the creator of poverty. Satan is a destroyer and he is the one who robs us of creativty and the ability to want to work. There may be some in other countries reading this blog but here in The United States of Ameirca we have a unique country that has been blessed due to putting God first in the founding of it. This nation was never intended to be a dependent land of people who feel entitled to Social Security, entitled to Medicare, entitled to food stamps, entitled to medicaid and entitled to subsidies for this and for that. No wonder we are in trouble financially. God gave us a creative spirit and the enemy has come in and tricked man to feel he deserves things. Satan has blinded many in this great nation.

So what do we do? We first thank the Lord daily for our bountiful blessings he has bestowed upon us. We do not settle for poverty. Our nation is the one who helps third world countries get out of their poverty. We can not become complacent and lazy. Tonight read Deuteronomy 28 and see the blessings and what happens when God is forgotten.  Don't be arrogant and trust in your riches but realize God is in the big picture. He alone has helped this nation of pioneers become what it is. We have to speak up against forces who want to trample on that spirit and make us feel the answer is government, not the Lord. We are in fact to do good and share with those who do not have but we are not supposed to enable someone to keep relying on the government to survive. 

Psalm 33:12 says "blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord. "

PRAYER: Thank you Lord for the blessing of this great nation we live in. Forgive us when we get lazy and try to get things we do not deserve. Father keep the spirit of man in this nation creative and strong. Help man not be dependent on Washington but to stand strong with your help to work hard at what they do. Thank you again for a nation that is free. In Jesus name. Amen.