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.

Monday, April 30, 2018

Do You Love The Word?


Whoever despises the word and counsel [of God] brings destruction upon himself, But he who [reverently] fears and respects the commandment [of God] will be rewarded. 
Proverbs 13:13

I love reading the Bible. I am no scholar by any means but daily it guides me in life and encourages me. It is a light to me in a dark world. Your enemy Satan would do anything to keep you from reading the word and teaching it to your children because through it your learn to defeat him and his schemes. 

Why is it so many seem to either go to church but never pick up the word or don’t go at all and have no desire for the word? They may be good decent people but are either puzzled as to where to start or to them it is boring and they would rather feed their mind on morning shows. The Holy Spirit has to draw them to it. So if you need more of Jesus pray for the Holy Spirit to give you that yearning. And if you are praying for family members to seek Him keep on and don’t quit. 

Don’t be guilty of rejecting God’s word. He loves you. He is knocking on your hearts door you need only to answer the call. Find a church home and keep the Sabbath day Holy as it says in the Ten Commandments. Seek Him and you find Him. The more you avoid Jesus the more Satan can captivate and mislead you. Don’t let him. 

PRAYER: Lord I love you but it always was not that way. I remember when I ignored your word and thought church was enough. Forgive me. Draw those people to you who seem complacent and say they hate church. Help them be guided by truth. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Sunday, April 29, 2018

God Is Bigger

It is God who arms me with strength  and keeps my way secure. Psalm 18:32

What is looming over you like a giant mountain? Problems, situations, fears can abound and really drag you down if you let them. Stop and say out loud “My God is way bigger than this problem!” and then believe it and live it. Don’t start entertaining doubt, doom, and gloom.

Don’t ‘nurse’ scenarios and ‘what if’s’ in your mind. That is a sure fire way to stay defeated. Start speaking positive and staying hopeful and defeat the enemy at his game of trying to defeat you. You can be joyful even when life throws punches at you. Don’t feed your mind on negative stuff like news and gossip of others.

Every day get up and say “This is the day the Lord has made and I WILL rejoice and be GLAD in it” then do it!

PRAYER: Lord God I know you are with me even when it does not appear so. I choose to stay positive in a negative fearful world. Your ways are great and good. I love you Lord. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Friday, April 27, 2018

Love Regardless

Whoever hits you on the cheek, offer him the other also; and whoever takes away your coat, do not withhold your shirt from him either. Give to everyone who asks of you, and whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back. Treat others the same way you want them to treat you. Luke 29:31
I have been part of a small group at my church called Freedom and two principles we discussed were the Tree of Life versus the Tree of Good and Evil. When you have ugly less than kind Christ centered moments you are living in the Tree of Good and Evil. When you are forgiving, Christ centered, and loving you are in the Tree of Life. 
Human nature tends to lean towards the mean selfish side of wanting to be right and have your own way. If you deal with people like this whether in your family, at work, or in public try to remember to stay in the Tree of Life and turn the other cheek. When someone hurts you the Tree of good and evil side of you wants to strike back. Resist that urge and stay calm. 

How many squabbles could be avoided if you could stay peaceful through conflict and hurt? Why is it necessary to be right? Why is it necessary to get the final word? Be cool, calm, and collected and love and forgive. 

PRAYER: Father God I love you and I love your word and want to stay joyful and content even when I am being kicked under the table so to speak. Let your love shine through me to others and even to those who have wronged me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Thursday, April 26, 2018

Raging Mockery


Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults; whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse. Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you; rebuke the wise and they will love you. Proverbs 9:7-8
Today these United States are torn mainly by political divide and a media who seemingly is one sided stoking the fire. You may be tempted to chime in on social media but it will do no good as supposed friends and associates who don’t agree will engage you in a battle of mockery. It can get ugly. It is no way to witness to others that is for sure.
Stay peaceful. Keep opinions to yourself. Pray. Show love. Reach across the great divide to sow goodness. It is the enemy who wants to have this mockery and hatred continue. The evil demonic spirits rejoice when division occurs. They love false witnesses and spreading dissent. Your job is to continue in prayer, love, and be still. 
God has this so let Him handle it. 
PRAYER: Oh Lord I thank you for freedom. I thank you for truth. I thank you for the word of God. Help me learn to not feed my mind with things that get me angry and upset. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Wednesday, April 25, 2018

Righteous Living

Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice. Surely the righteous will never be shaken; they will be remembered forever. Psalm 112:5-6
A righteous person is highly thought of and will be remembered long after he or she departs this earth. One known for giving, sharing, honesty, integrity, good morale character and one who is sold out to God. Do you feel this description fits you or needs some tweaking perhaps? 
Each day you have choices to make. Choices to do right or wrong. Choices to be kind or mean. Choices to share or be stingy. Choices to love unconditionally or judge. Where do you fit in? Just asking so you will ponder this for a while. 
Righteous people are not self righteous, where that be would proving to everyone how good you are, but instead are right standing with God. He is first. They strive to be like Him and are not ashamed to identify with Him. Today start living the kind of life where others can see Jesus in you. Don’t be ashamed of Him. Don’t deny Him. Someday then you will hear “well done my good and faithful servant!”.
PRAYER: Oh Lord you are beautiful. Your face is all I seek. Forgive me when I put the Today Show before my time alone with you. Draw me to your side and never let me go. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Tuesday, April 24, 2018

Awestruck!

Let  all the earth fear the LORD; let all the people of the world revere him. Psalm 33:8

What makes you awestruck? A beautiful sunset. Last year’s total eclipse. A newborn baby. Gazing at the purple mountain majesty. Today’s verse indicates that perhaps we should be awestruck by God His majesty and power. Are you? It also says to “fear Him” and this is not in the sense of being frightened but fear as in respect. 

Maybe you don’t give a passing thought of how awesome God is. Stop for a moment from whatever is you are doing and think of His creation. Next think of his mighty power. There is truly nothing like our God. The church I attend has many worship songs before the sermon begins and many lift their hands in the air in praise to our Almighty God. It is a wonderful thing to truly lift up your arms in praise to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

If you are not in awe of Him do you want to be? Hopefully your answer is yes. Pause from your busyness and meditate on the goodness, power, and glory of God. Give Him praise just for who He is. He is Great and Greatly to be praised.

PRAYER: Your majesty is awesome Lord. I lift your name on high and love to sing your praises. Wake up those I know who have not experienced this type of freedom to truly worship you for who you are. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Monday, April 23, 2018

Death Where Is Your Sting?


Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die;  and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25-26

As I sat in my local Subaru dealer service waiting area, I noticed a picture up on the glass on the cashier cage, of a young man who worked there whose memorial service was that very day. Come to find out he was only 21 and apparently died in an accident. Very tragic. So young. Leaves behind shocked co workers and heart broken parents and family. 

Death is something all of us will face. There is no escape. No one knows how, when , where, or why but no one lives forever although many wish they could. Death is part of life. The thing is, you need to prepare for death and not dread it. For one,  make sure you have asked Jesus into your heart so when you take your final breath you don’t await a terrifying fate for eternity. Heaven and hell are real my friend. 

Grief is normal and makes us ponder eternity. In grief, think of the person you are grieving for and do what you can to help those left behind. The person who died, if a believer, is walking with Jesus free from all the junk here on Earth. Is your name written in the Lamb’s book of life? 

PRAYER: Lord Jesus I pray you will use me to lead others to you. I pray for those I know who are confused about heaven and hell to not let the enemy trick them or get mad at God for the death of a loved one. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

In memory of Danny Storch, Subaru technician, Huntsville, AL.

Sunday, April 22, 2018

Friendship With The World

You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. James 4:4

What do I mean when I say “friends of the world”? Basically putting the things of this world and its culture before the things of God. Getting sucked into the world’s way of thinking which has increasingly become more anti Christian. It is a cunning subtle trick of the enemy to deceive you into accepting wrong ideas, thinking, and to develop a harsh cold attitude. You can slowly slip into it if not careful. 

How do you combat this? Find a growing church first and foremost. You can’t expect to be a Lone Ranger when it comes to dealing with spiritual warfare. We need each other and you need corporate worship. Next you need to decide and purpose in your heart you will make daily quiet time a priority. This could be as simple as keeping the morning news and talk shows off and putting Christian music on and reading Psalms. The morning news seeks to make you a friend of the world’s way of thinking so don’t saturate your mind with it. 

The more you read and meditate on God’s word the Bible the easier it will be to recognize evil and tricks of the enemy. You can’t expect to grow strong in the Lord just by being a church member or getting baptized as a baby. You need Jesus 24/7. Let Him in today. Ask Him to steer you away from the world’s ways and to help you recognize wrong. 

PRAYER: This world has many hooks to entice even believers into falling into pits and losing site of Jesus. Help me learn to be in the world but not of the world. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Saturday, April 21, 2018

Don’t Be A Blabber Mouth


Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues.Proverbs 10:19

People who talk too much without checking the facts bring ruination to many things in life. The Navy says ‘Loose lips sink ships’ meaning if a sailor speaks about something and the wrong person hears and repeats it much trouble will be in its wake. In my prayer group Moms in Prayer International we have as part of rules of the group ‘What is prayed in the group stays in the group’, period. No repeating it or discussing it with others. 

You might be in an office environment where your co workers engage in water cooler gossip or around the lunch room table. Don’t slip and fall into the trap of joining in. Get away and do something else. Even in other environments such as barber or beauty shops this bad habit can catch fire. 

Be careful what you say and who you say it to. Not everyone needs to know your business or the business of your extended family. Be one who a confidence can be kept secure with and the kind of person people entrust with the little issues in their life. Don’t pass on things on social media as they might not be true, edifying or more important necessary. Start today to be a person of verbal integrity that others can trust with their secrets.

PRAYER:It is so easy to fall into the trap of talking to much and to too many especially with social media at my finger tips. Help me be a person others trust with their private information and prayers. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Friday, April 20, 2018

Just Do It Already, Ok?

He says, "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." Psalm 46:10
Does anyone else have trouble with waiting on God? You can’t be the Holy Spirit for someone but many of us try. Sometimes a nudge or suggestion does more harm than good. 
I know God hears and answers prayers in His time and His way. We just have to trust and give our anxiety or desire to intervene to God. Satan will tempt you with an impatient spirit so don’t cave in and blow it.

What break through are you trusting God for? Do you believe He is working? Then let Him in His way and stay out of it. Your business is to simply pray.

PRAYER: Your ways are higher than my ways and your thoughts higher than my thoughts. I know you care about me and you have a plan. Give me the ability to be still and let you work. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Thursday, April 19, 2018

Do Your Best And Trust God For The Rest


Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6
Pastor Paul Daugherty of Victory Christian in Tulsa said you can’t drag your children to the cross. You train them right and leave the rest to God. How many parents of adult children reading this may identify with struggles wondering why your children no longer seem to have the same fire in their belly they once did. It is heart breaking but certainly Pastor Daugherty statement stands true.

You pray, believe, trust God and keep silent. Hard,  yes indeed,  but the Holy Spirit has this so let it be. As hard as it is don’t try to run this show on your own. Let it go. Keep praying. Above all do keep your mouth tightly closed.

Cry out to God as He cares and He hears you. Tell Satan to get his lousy stinking hands off your children’s life and pray continuously for Jesus to be alive in their hearts again on a consistent basis. Basically to fall back in love with Him.

PRAYER: There are so many people who feel they can live life without God or Jesus. The enemy may have captivated them or lied to them to get them off the course they were once actively pursuing. If you know people like this keep lifting them up in prayer. Pray God opens their eyes again to His truth. In Jesus’ name. Amen.  


Wednesday, April 18, 2018

Don’t Be ‘Mule Headed’

"Yet they did not obey or incline their ear, but walked in their own counsels and in the stubbornness of their evil heart, and went backward and not forward.” Jeremiah 7:24

You’ve probably heard the phrase not to be bull headed which without much thought I guess means stubborn but an even better example is not to be ‘mule headed’ as a mule is truly a stubborn set in their way animal not wanting to budge.

You know you need to have a soft forgiving heart yet you want your way and maybe refuse to be forgiving to someone. Would God do that? Answer, of course not. Hard headed people are on path to self destruction if they can’t start letting Jesus and the Holy Spirit change them.

Many places in God’s word refer to a hard heart or stubbornness separating a person from God. Self is what causes it. It is essential to die to self in order to not be ‘mule headed’. Which would you rather be known as? A kind servant of God or a stubborn old mule? Think about it.

PRAYER: I lift up those people who have stubborn hearts some of which I know. Satan likes stubbornness as it keeps people from total submission to God. Break any stronghold in me that would ever cause this. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Tuesday, April 17, 2018

Your Sins WILL Find You Out


"But if you fail to do this, you will be sinning against the LORD; and you may be sure that your sin will find you out.” Numbers 32:23

In the recent Hollywood movie ‘Chappaquiddick’ about the July 18, 1969 bridge  accident and death involving the late Senator Ted Kennedy and campaign worker Mary Jo Kopechne, much cover up went on to protect Mr. Kennedy who was a rising political figure. One line in the movie said to come clean and give ‘their’ version of the truth. Don’t want to spoil it but wanted to use this movie about  not being able to be totally truthful for my devotion today. No matter what you do wrong it is always best to fess up ASAP and to tell the whole truth. Don’t run and hide as it never works in the end. 

Sin is like a cancer. It eats into you and it is worse when you lie or run away to try to hide what you did. God knows what you did. God forgives sin. Remember Jesus died a horrible death on the cross in order to save us from our sins. This does not give you license to sin anyway but God offers grace and forgiveness. 

The enemy loves to get you tempted to do wrong and it is necessary to recognize this and run far and fast. There is no one that has not sinned. Some sin is worse and has horrendous consequences and others are what people call little. All sin is wrong. Where are you today? Is something grinding on your conscience you need to confess. Be sure the truth will set you free.(John 8).

PRAYER: When I do wrong and displease you I am convicted of it instantly. Satan would have me lie and sneak and not be truthful but your way is total cleansing and coming clean from the start. I choose the right path. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Monday, April 16, 2018

Do You Need A Makeover?

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. Romans 12:1-2
Is there something in your life you would like to change? Do you feel you try to be too much like the world? When you do this are you content? Do you feel when someone meets you that you reflect Jesus love on them? 
Perhaps it is time for a makeover of sorts. By this I don’t mean go to a beauty spa but spend some time in God’s word transforming the inner man. You could start in Galatians in the New Testament and the proceed to read Ephesians, Philippians, and finally Colossians. There is a wealth of verses to help set you on the right path found in those four tiny books. 
It is not the outward appearance or fitting in that matters but it is getting transformed from the inside out and get your mind set on things above. Once you make a habit of doing that you will experience the best makeover ever. Give it a try!
PRAYER: Lord I love your word. I pray for those people I know who need the discipline and desire to read it daily. I pray against any strongholds that get in the way of me reading  it as well. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Sunday, April 15, 2018

Kindness



Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32

You probably have people in your life where opinions on things in life differ. No one needs to prove themselves right or wrong but we are to still be kind whether the person is a friend, family member,  or even a complete stranger. The devil loves separation and he probably loves Facebook squabbles over Political issues. 

Division is a major tool of satan. We are in spiritual warfare against demonic forces. The enemy hates kindness, forgiveness, love, and dropping a need to be right. As a believer it is your job to love and keep loving. When tempted to say an unkind word don’t speak. Say only that which builds up, not tears down. 

As you go through the week ahead practice being kind to those who cut in front of you at the store. To the driver who cuts in front of you on the road. To people who may have been rude or hurt you either knowingly or unknowingly. To the telemarketer who interrupts your supper. Don’t give a victory to the enemy by popping a cork. Stay cool, be kind. 

PRAYER:Not everyone is easy to be kind to but help me Lord with your help to show love and kindness to all those around me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Saturday, April 14, 2018

Money, Money, Money

The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it a wall too high to scale.Proverbs 18:11

The United States Of America is jam packed full of wealthy people. Even the most modest of income levels is great compared to many other places in the world. Somehow when you have money you feel a false sense of security like nothing can harm you. All it takes is a bank failure, lawsuit,  or stock market crash to send your nest egg spiraling into an abyss. 

The Bible speaks many times of money. Not to trust it as it flies away(Proverbs 23:5). Not to hope in it(1 Timothy 6:17). To not boast when you give(Matthew 6:2). To share with others(1 John 3:17). Wants you to be a cheerful giver(2 Corinthians 9:7). And it wants your obedience in tithing (1 Corinthians 16:2). There are many other great verses too. 

Basically your ability to give cheerfully shows the condition of your heart. God does not want us to be selfish. He is one who gave you the ability to get wealth (Deuteronomy 8:18) in the first place so all you have is really His anyway. How is your giving meter? Do you consider yourself able to give or do you always try to acquire more and more and share less and less? Stop and check your heart and ask yourself how much is enough and if you can truly share. Now go share a donation with a Christian ministry. And oh yes, have a nice day. 

PRAYER: Giving makes me happy. I pray for those who find it hard to give or think getting rich is what makes them a success. I realize Lord it is yours anyway. Help me share with those in need. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Friday, April 13, 2018

Superstitious? Don’t Be!


We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5
Many people crave days like Friday the 13th and gruesome horror movies abound.This to me is Satan’s day of fear. Don’t get sucked into it my friend. Who came up with making the number 13 bad anyway?  When I used to sell tickets for a major airline I had a couple people to ask me to not put them in the 13th row. I wanted to say, but didn’t, if the plane goes down ALL rows go down. 
Don’t allow the enemy to get you to buy into the world’s celebrations, lies, and fears. Aren’t you a child of the Almighty God?  Well then don’t be dabbling with fortunes, horoscopes, palm readers, Dungeons and Dragons, Ouija board, or horror films. Run far and fast the other way. There is nothing good to be found in any of it and you glorify darkness if you mess around with it.
There is good and evil. There is light and darkness. There is God and the devil. There is Heaven and Hell. If you keep yourself grounded in the truths of God’s word and not myths and fables of darkness you will be able to know the truth and the truth will set you free.
PRAYER: Father I know the enemy of this world Satan loves days of fear where he tries to captivate many to come his way and seemingly many fall prey to his deceit and some are believers. I pray protection over those reading this today that the enemy will not trick them into believing his cunning lies.In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Thursday, April 12, 2018

There It Goes!


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. Ecclesiastes  5:2

Oh no I did it again. Spoke or emailed without thinking. Geez why is it so hard to just think before the mouth pops open? So much turmoil could be avoided if the mouth could be controlled. Do you find that to be true?

Gossip, meddling, anger, words hastily spoken but not thought out. The list goes on. James chapter 3 mentions the tongue saying no man can tame it. A friend of mine has mentioned the 24 hour rule if only we could implement it. In the movie ‘I Can Only Imagine’ the actor portraying singer Bart Millard was impatient in knowing what the Nashville Record labels thought of he and his band Mercy Me so did not allow his manager to do his job and burst onto the scene saying “I want to know what they think” which all of us know was a huge mistake. (Go see this movie.)

Do you have trouble waiting and often end up saying stuff you regret? Ask God to help you control the impulse to speak and be patient. You and those around you will be better off for it. Trust me.

PRAYER: I want so badly to get an 'A' in the area of waiting and not saying stuff I shouldn’t but it is a work in progress. Give me self control over this Lord. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Wednesday, April 11, 2018

Right And Wrong

"For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." Genesis 3:5

There is the phrase “a little white lie”. A lie is a lie. Then there are money mistakes where a waitress gives you back too much money, so you have a dilemma. Or do you? Or in my case, a former church I no longer attended sent me a link to free wonderful resources but in order to access it I had to check the block that “yes I was affiliated with them” which would have been wrong. I was so tempted but in the end did the right thing. 

In order to have a clear conscience as a believer you have to do the right thing. Deep inside we all know what the right thing is. Temptations come to cheat or do wrong like who is ever going to know but you will know and God knows. Be sure your sins will find you out I so very true. 

When you are tempted to lie, cheat, steal(yes even office supplies) stop right there and realize you are a child of the King and are not going to fall for schemes of the enemy to trip you up. Run to the cross and embrace the truth. 

PRAYER: I need you every day and I need your word every day. Thanks for reminding me Lord that you want me to run fast and far from evil and wrong. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Tuesday, April 10, 2018

Time Sure Flies


But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 2 Peter 3:8
You have all heard the expression ‘time flies’ meaning seemingly one month it is Christmas and poof then Easter. You watch your children as infants and before you it they are graduating. Where does time go? 
Time is nothing to God. He created time. He is not impatient and He does not want us to be. Sometimes you may have prayed for the salvation, healing,  or deliverance of a loved one and just feel your prayers are not getting through. God’s ways are not our ways so keep that in mind. He has a bigger purpose in mind. 
What are you waiting for today? What are you trusting God for? If the answer does not meet your human expectations do you plan to turn your back on the Almighty? Let Him work and be still. Hard yes but remember what happened when Abraham did not wait for the promised child to Sarah in her old age. He blew it big time! Waiting, trusting, and believing are all part of life. So be still and know He is working. 
PRAYER: I am ever so grateful for how you work and you know what is best for me and for those I pray for. Help me to shut out wrong voices in my head and run my race to win, never doubting. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Monday, April 9, 2018

A Helper’s High

And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. Luke 6:31

I have been reading an awesome book I got after being in the studio audience at The Huckabee Show a month or so ago. It is entitled Angels on Earth by Laura Schroff. On page 121 of the book they talk about the ‘helper’s high’ or feeling you get when you help people. I can attest to that feeling  after helping with cleanup in the aftermath of the April 27, 2011 tornados that ripped through nearby with F4/5 winds. It feels good to reach out.

The helper high can be to the less fortunate of any sort. But when you do good deeds don’t shout it from the roof top but just do it and feel good as a result. Many opportunities to help are all around everywhere. Samaritans Purse Ministry  has a way a person can be notified of disasters and sign up to volunteer. It could be as simple as helping a friend or helping serve at your church.

Helping others takes your mind off yourself. The enemy likes you to think about yourself and in this selfie obsessed world it is not hard to do. Reach out and go on a local mission trip or just keep your ears and eyes open to need. You are the hands and feet of Jesus so go reach out why don’t you.

PRAYER: You have blessed me Lord so I can bless others. Many people have all sorts of needs and perhaps I can help meet some of them. This does not mean money necessarily but the gift of time. Help me not shut my ears to the cries of others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Sunday, April 8, 2018

Ha, Ha, Ha!


A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones.
 Proverbs 17:22
 A good belly laugh does a person and a soul good. I am talking about just sheer laughter, clean humor where you can be set free from living in a pit. Sometimes things funny just happen or you see a hilarious You Tube video and burst out laughing. All of us need that. No one wants to be around a grumpy person so find someway to bring laughter into your life.

Sure there are sad times in life like funerals, bad medical diagnosis, job loss, betrayal by a friend or worse yet a spouse, pain in your body, but through all this don’t lose the ability to find something to laugh about. Don’t let your spirit dry up but kick Satan in the you know what and get up and get going and find something fun or funny to do.

Don’t allow life to get you down but get out, get going, find a friend to help, then find a good clean joke book or tune in to the Christian comedy of someone like Chonda Pierce who had good reason to stop laughing after losing her much too young husband David at had 54 to a brain tumor. Find ways to make others happy and above all smile. Laughter is indeed the best medicine.

PRAYER: Lord I  thank you for the gift of laughter. You created it. You want life to be fun. Help me cultivate a happy spirit even in the midst of trying times. In Jesus’ name. Amen.


Saturday, April 7, 2018

Free Thinkers


For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate." 1 Corinthians 1:19
I was blocked on Facebook by a college sorority sister years ago who was afraid her children would see my page and says she was teaching them to be ‘free thinkers’. What is that exactly? The absence of guidance by a parent maybe. I am not sure. But most of the time free thinking does not include God or Jesus.

Often times when a person becomes too intellectual they can find a way through science or philosophy to kick God under the bus. It breaks my heart as these are lost souls trying to find their own way through their own efforts.  Every one needs discipline and especially children need guidance to make the right choices in life. It is beyond me why some are so against God. Reminds me of the time of Jesus’ crucifixion when the crowds yelled ‘crucify Him’ and he had done nothing.

Perhaps you know free thinkers or maybe you know people just not too excited about Jesus. All you can do is pray and let Holy Spirit work.

PRAYER: Father so many need you but don’t know it. I pray for those I know who only have a head knowledge of you and seemingly want nothing more. I ask that you take captive wrong thinking in those I know. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Friday, April 6, 2018

I Don’t Belong There


When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her." John 8:7
In the recent Hollywood movie about the life of Bart Millard lead singer of the Christian band Mercy Me, and  the story behind the mega hit cross over song ‘I Can Only Imagine’, Bart’s dad played by actor Dennis Quaid, when asked to accompany Bart to hear him sing in church his response was ‘I don’t belong there’. Bart’s father had been angry and abusive most of his life. 
This response is probably not uncommon for people who feel like they are not ‘good enough’ for church. Who is good enough? No one. Church is for broken, hurting, shattered, lonely people and if you have been hurt at a church or judged then you have not found the right church that teaches forgiveness and grace. 
Church is not about religion but should be about relationship with the savior Jesus Christ and how through Him we have forgiveness and can be redeemed and set free. No one is beyond help. It is not about dressing up, punching your attendance card, and ritual but is about the love of Christ who died so you might have life. You may not be good enough for some churches but you are always good enough for Jesus. 
PRAYER: I am very thankful for what you did so I could have life. I know many who are trapped in dead churches or who simply follow ritual. I pray for those people to come alive and be courageous enough to find a church filled with love and grace. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Thursday, April 5, 2018

Wet Clean Up In Aisle One

Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out. Acts 3:19
You may be old enough to remember the first store announcement I can recall and that was K Mart Blue Light Special in such and such aisle. Now you hear a myriad of store announcements in addition to music. One of the most common I used for today’s title. A wet clean up indicates someone dropped something and it is all over the aisle an embarrassing moment for the customer but hey accidents happening is all part of life. No one is immune. 
Sometimes an accident may even happen for a reason or it could be simply just an ‘accident’ thus the name. In the big scheme of things there are no real accidents in life and God can redeem stuff too. God can restore, renew, redeem, and revive. Sometimes these mess ups have a way of pointing you to the Savior Jesus. 
Where are you at today? Have you messed up someway and need a clean up? Jesus can give you that clean up and indeed make all things new. Just ask Him into your heart today. 
PRAYER: Oh Lord how I love your words of life in the Bible. I ask you to guide my going in and my coming out and direct my paths. Thank you for being able to use my mess ups for your glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Wednesday, April 4, 2018

Watch Out!!!

“For among my people are found wicked men: they lay wait, as he that sets snares: they set a trap, they catch men. As a cage is full of birds, so are their houses full of deceit: therefore they are become great and waxen rich." Jeremiah 5:26-27

There are good people and there are evil people. The evil people are being captivated by satan whether they know it or believe it. Just as the Bible gives us truth and the way to live life, satan and his demonic forces are cunning and lay wait to attack similar to what it says in 1 Peter 5:8 “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” 

If you tell a lie long enough people start to believe it. Sin when it becomes common place and part of the fabric of everyday life causes you to become desensitized to it. This is why it is so vital to stay immersed in God’s word. This way you will be able to recognize deceiving lying spirits working through people. 

My prayer for those close to me is for God to break their hearts by what breaks yours. This is a good prayer for anyone. Go and live a life pleasing to God and be careful out there. 

PRAYER: Father I thank you for your love for me. I thank you for the word. I thank you for conviction of right and wrong. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Tuesday, April 3, 2018

Infected?

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:21
Do you have an infection or know anyone who does? Not a medical physical type of infection but an infection inside your spirit. This occurs when false god’s are worshipped and untruths are perpetuated and the victim gets infected when they believe the evil being spread and become influenced by it.
The way to get inoculated against being infected by the teachings of this world is to take your prescription daily that being reading God’s word. The Bible does not do much good as a coffee table decoration gathering dust. It has to be used, not just looked at and admired. It can’t help you unless you read it and get it in your heart.
It is your choice. Saturate your mind daily with the world and its ways and lies or get on the path to health God has for all by staying on your knees in prayer and reading His word daily. Do you give more time to the morning news or to God? Just a question to ponder. Have a blessed day.
PRAYER: Oh Lord you’re beautiful. Daily I seek your face. Forgive me for the times I have allowed the world’s ways and untruths to get into me and make me stumble. I choose truth. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Monday, April 2, 2018

The Drifter

We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. Hebrews 2:1

When you hear the word drifter what comes to mind? A person without roots perhaps going from town to town never settling anyone place with no real root system. A tumble weed of sorts being tossed to and fro in the dessert winds. 

As a believer you need to insure you do not become a spiritual drifter unsure of anything in life and wandering aimlessly around. The world can throw lots of confusing choices at you but if you are not grounded in God’s word it is easy to drift off into false teaching, wrong activities, polluted thinking. Don’t let yourself become a victim. 

The moment you start having a day when you just don’t ‘feel’ God is around don’t escape into the world’s form of life believing lies and becoming hardened in your heart. Pick up God’s word and let it get down deep into your soul. Turn on some uplifting praise and worship music. Get excited about Jesus. Run fast and far from your drifter lifestyle into the arms of your Heavenly Father. 

PRAYER: Oh Lord You are beautiful. Your face is all I seek. When I become tempted to drift away pull me back and crush the stronghold of wrong thoughts and actions. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 


Sunday, April 1, 2018

No Fooling....Jesus Is Alive!

For  what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that  he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures. 1 Corinthians 15:3-4
Happy Resurrection Day everyone. Kind of odd it has to fall on the secular holiday April Fools Day but we can deal with that by saying only those who don’t believe in the resurrection story are being foolish. Don’t mess with eternity.

This indeed is a day to celebrate. There is some Christian meaning to eggs and bunnies I have heard but don’t let that become your focus. The focal point is to rejoice that after being in a tomb three days Jesus rose from the dead as He said and is living today and someday He will appear again. In the meantime we are to share His story of love, redemption, and hope with others.

I hope you have a blessed day. For many this is the only day besides Christmas they attend church as if by compulsion. Pray for those people to come under strong conviction of their need for Him daily.

PRAYER: Oh what a glorious day back over 2018 years ago when the tomb was found empty. We thank you for what you have done and celebrate your resurrection today and everyday. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Click link for a powerful Easter song:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBqoQJRNepo&sns=em