Aging Happens...Poof You’re 50!

Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding?Job 12:12

Why is it in Western society people seem to dread getting older? Somewhere after 35 and before 45 you morph into getting to be older. Seemingly great profit is made in the ‘fountain of youth’ industry as attested in numerous commercials and pop up ads.

Old age is not a thing to dread but one to embrace so why can’t we? We long for the good ole days of dark hair and no spare tire.

God has a purpose for everyone at every age. Young people should respect the wisdom of those older. Older people need to say thanks for the years God has given them and know they are here to be used by Him. By all means take care of the ‘temple’ of God eating right and exercising but don’t go overboard trying to be 30 when you are 80. Jesus loves you just the age you are.

PRAYER: Father I am thankful for the years I have been given. I do not dread death as I know I will pass into heavenly glory but I pray for those who seemingly only live for today and who don’t know you to be introduced to Christ. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Bless Those Who Curse You...Or Disagree With You..Or Try To Start Fights

Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.Luke 6:28

Who is your enemy or said another way who tries to agitate you or start a battle? News media? Political figures? Family member? Friend? Telemarketer?

This age is full of many ways to get people angry at you. The enemy Satan is the real creature to be mad at yet how many can’t see the forest for the trees so to speak and are angry at a person. Instead we are to pray, love, forgive, and press into seeking harmony.

Agitation and anger are tools the devil uses to split families, divide churches, tear apart nations, and create discord in general. Spiritual warfare not human warfare yet how many think a person is their true enemy? Make an effort to live in harmony and continue to pray and demonstrate love no matter what.

PRAYER: I am thankful I am able to show kindness even when humanly they don’t deserve it. Help me keep silent when angry so I don’t regret my words or actions. Give me supernatural ability to pray for those trying to divide and destroy. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

The Big Dance

However, as it is written: "What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived"- the things God has prepared for those who love him-1 Corinthians 2:9

My title today is not referring to the NCAA Sweet 16 of basketball but to Heaven. There indeed is ‘the biggest dance’ of all. A celebration of unimaginable proportion awaits us.

Most humans are so tied to this earthly domain like it is all there is and dread the thought of death but for the believer who knows and follows Christ it is a time of celebration. Those still on earth mourn the passing of family and friends but it indeed is a celebration when the believer gets to his or her real home.

Are you ready for the biggest dance of all? Yes there is dancing in heaven and rejoicing and singing and praising and it is not to be feared. Our life here is only a mere vapor compared to eternity. Don’t try to figure it out just live for Jesus and walk in peace and joy looking forward to what is to come when your final breath is taken.

PRAYER: I pray for those I know who may not have accepted you as Lord or really who could care less to grow deeper in their knowledge of you. I pray for those who are lost or who reject you for them to come to know you as savior. I pray for evil men and women to repent and turn form wickedness as Heaven is for those who love you and have turned from evil to good. Thank you Lord for the wonderful place that awaits believers. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

NOTE: Idea for title from book The Jesus Prom by Pastor Jon Weece. 

That Funeral Verse About Living

The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:1-4

This verse is often printed on little programs at funerals but in my humble opinion it has way more to do with living than dying. It is a chapter in Psalms that indeed brings great comfort and probably helps  mourners but hear me out on using it for living and being alive! 

Take time right now and get your Bible and read the entire chapter. It is not long. Sometimes it is the only thing in the Bible most people are familiar with other than John 3:16. We need to move way beyond both of those to knowing how to use the Bible to have on your armor for battle daily. The devil has done a great job making ‘church goers’ and some believers think they are fine without reading it but you are NOT.

God leads you, guides you, comforts you, takes away fear. He does that NOW while you are living on this Earth. Don’t short change yourself by missing out on all the wonderful words of life found in the Bible. Start in Psalms and Proverbs. Ask God to reveal truth in his word. The more you read it the more you become like Him in the way you think. Go beyond that ‘funeral verse’. 

PRAYER: I love your word, all of it. Even the begats are there for a purpose. Help me cast of a spirit of laziness or complacency when it comes to getting up and having a quiet time daily. I choose to resist the enemy by using and applying the truth in scripture. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Firebreak

For sin burns like a fire. It burns thistles and thorns. It sets the woods on fire, and they go up in smoke. The land is burned up by the anger of the Lord, and the people are like wood for the fire. No man shows pity on his brother. Isaiah 9:18-19

Forest fires are pretty common place this time of year in our Western States. Fire fighters often employ firebreaks to ward off the flames barreling in and taking over. These breaks allow them time to deal with the tremendous power of the fire. This is a dangerous job as can be attested by the Granite Mountain Hot Shots of Arizona depicted in the 2017 Hollywood film, “Only The Brave”.

Sin can consume us like a raging inferno if we don’t set up our own ‘firebreaks’ in the spiritual realm to deal with junk that comes our way. It is easy to allow worry, fear, grief, anger, and bitterness to control and consume us. The enemy attacks and wants to cripple believers and make them powerless to take control and rise up against the flames raging.

Do not allow the enemy to throw more fuel on the fire but stop him in his tracks. Quote scripture out loud to him. Pray. Start praising God for all his goodness as the enemy hates praise and thanksgiving. Know that this too shall pass and you do not have to allow sin to defeat you.

PRAYER: I have the power in your name to defeat the attacks of the enemy. I know most battles are waged in the mind and I ask Father that you help me keep my mind filled to overflowing with what is good. Help me to put out the fires with the word of God. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

 Note: Idea for title from Family Research Council 

Beyond Facebook

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

It is the year 2019 and life in the Western World is saturated with social media. You can’t get away from it. If you are like my husband and a few other friends, you are smart and don’t engage in it to begin with but if you are there already you may have found it can be a source of great pain. Get a life or get a job some may say and leave it alone. 

Pain such as what Facebook can cause,  is usually reserved for bickering teenage girls having a quarrel but now adults,  who should know better,  get involved. You are unfriended, blocked, put on restriction and a host of other things. Meanness occurs when politics enter the picture and the Facebook world heads south. 

First Pray. Next limit your time and don’t stalk Facebook. Thirdly, give yourself social media vacations. Get outside, get involved in a project, study your Bible. It is crucial you learn to control your thoughts as if this is your weak area Satan can try to take advantage of it and torture you. Don’t go there and do not allow it. Pray for those who may have hurt you intentionally or unintentionally. Find ways to spread love on Facebook. Avoid divisive subjects that stir hatred. Now go and let the joy of the Lord be your strength. 

PRAYER: Father as my sister and friend Kim often say “Facebook is not real” and it is not yet it can still be cruel, hurtful and painful at times. Help anyone dealing with issues to let the Lord have first place in your life beyond the computer, cell phone, or TV. Ask God to break strongholds where hurt has entered. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Bad Choices Equal Separation From God

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.Romans 12:21

Have you ever heard that you are either for God or against Him, no in between,  and if you don’t stand for something you will fall for anything? Both statements are worth examining more and both are very true. 

When you have a choice to do right or wrong your spirit man knows what is right. You may justify some action you are about to do as okay or not that bad but if it borderlines on whether it is sinful or not, perhaps you better step aside and run far and fast the other way. 

Today’s world is full of sinful behavior being accepted as normal and when Christians speak up they do so not to spread hate but to share truth. Today’s millennials are being thrown a pack of lies trying to get them desensitized to right and wrong. I heard from a good Christian teen that certain things or lifestyles were not hurting anyone. That is not the point. The point is the more we accept sin as truth the more the devil wins in lying and deceiving many and some within the church sad to say. Remember brother and sister that “kindness leads to repentance”(Romans 2:4).

PRAYER: Father God many fought and died for this great land to keep us free. We were founded on the Bible yet many try to push that part of history away. Thank you that the truth will always win out. I pray for those I know who are tricked and believing the lies of the enemy that they awaken from their stupor. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Thinking More Highly Of Yourself

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.Romans 12:3

Many places in scripture it speaks of being humble but in this ‘selfie’ obsessed age we are living in humility is apparently the last thing on many people’s minds.

When you do something good scripture reminds us to not tell everyone or you lose your reward.(Matthew 6:2) Also it says to think of others as better than yourselves. (Philippians 2:3)

Young people especially are captivated by selfie worship. You can’t hardly go anywhere without seeing someone snapping a picture of themselves. What caused this to happen? Look no further than 2 Timothy 3:1-2 which says “But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy.” Sound a little like today’s culture? Christian parents guide those young people away from self on onto others. Maybe some of you fall prey to this as well. Look to others  and away from yourself. And resist the urge to tout your own glory. 

PRAYER: Father God I have been guilty of putting self on throne at times or boasting  so forgive me. Help me learn to reach out to others and get my mind off of me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Why Don’t I Have A Special Skill Set?

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters. Colossians 3:23

When you start comparing yourself with others you are in for trouble. It leads to discontentment, jealousy, and a host of other things. 

Everyone in life is on a different journey. You may look at someone super talented in a certain area and have wondered why you got shafted in the creative area. But maybe someone is looking at you wondering why they couldn’t be like you. You get the point. Discontentment and comparison is from the pit of hell. 

My good friend Henny gave me a sign which is hanging in my kitchen that simply says ‘Be Yourself. Everyone Else Is Taken.’ No matter what you do don’t be beating yourself up and do what you do good and for the glory of God. Now go shine for Jesus no matter what your skill set! 

PRAYER: Lord I thank you for the gifts and talents you have given me. Help me not be lazy in practicing to get better at things. Forgive me when I have acted less than content and complained. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Running Away From Problems

So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.1 Corinthians 10:13

Have you ever had a time in your life you wish you could be frozen like Mel Gibson in the movie ‘Forever Young’ and come back years later and maybe things will be better? When I have had pity parties I ponder it. Of course I won’t do it but sometimes the enemy plays with our minds making us feel like we are of little worth and if ugly words by family or friends are spoken to you that is the nail in the coffin so to speak.

Sometimes you have to be the bigger person and move on from conflict. You know a person who hurt you should apologize but they never do and you can’t just keep up an argument indefinitely. The devil is the great divider and he stokes the fire for the conflicts to continue. Don’t let it happen.

Fighting is from the enemy. It is easy to argue. No matter how hard it is you must forgive and move on. Don’t keep mulling over hurts or you will never have victory.
Choose to be the bigger person and maybe even ask God to show you if you may have been wrong or contributed to this. Underlying all this is don’t let Satan have victory. Seek peace and pursue it.

PRAYER: I hate disagreements especially with people close to me. I know Satan is the one who wants to destroy relationship and wreck life in general. I choose to stand firm and not cave in to self pity or bitterness and to seek unconditional love. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Your Thought Life

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

I don’t know about you, but my thought life is always in need of discipline and a check up. For those people whose mind is occupied with a job all day it is probably easier but for those of you with more free time to ponder it can get you into trouble. 

You have to consciously be on guard of thoughts you think. You can’t assume anything. Also you need to die to expectations or your feelings could be hurt. Trying to be a mind reader can end up disastrous as well. Your mind can start to go places it shouldn’t and cause you to react in ways you would regret later. You have to let go of hurt and those who have hurt you as well. Hard to do. 

Once your mind is tamed the tongue has to get on board as well. It is easy to think things and then open your mouth and regret words you say to someone or a text or email you send. Patience, peace, and prayer are the overriding keys in the pursuit of right thinking. 

PRAYER: Father I thank you for my mind and the awesome power of the brain and the tongue. Help me to use them for your glory and help me as I seek to break strongholds of debilitating thinking and have victory in that area. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Loneliness In The Digital Age

Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Ecclesiastes 4:11

Yesterday I wrote about a city like New York needing to sleep and not be constantly going. There is another side to this frantic pace and busyness and that is fear of being alone and needing people. A big huge city can be super impersonal so people by nature aren’t solitary and need the presence of others. 

The loneliness epidemic is even greater in this age of social media. Friends are on texts, Facebook, Instagram, but anything ‘real’ beyond that? Make tech time less and real connection time more. If you do sit on a park bench say hi to people who pass. Smile. That alone may make someone’s day. 

No man is an island or in other words connection is important. That is why small groups are so important at huge churches. People need people. Who do you think might need a hug today, a phone call, a letter? 

PRAYER: Lord Jesus I think mostly of elderly people when I think of loneliness. Those who maybe feel alone or left behind. Especially in prisons and nursing homes. Give me courage Lord to be able to reach out to someone who may feel left out. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

The City Should Sleep

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Isaiah 26:3

New York City prides itself in being ‘the city that never sleeps’ but maybe it should. What is so great about a 24/7rat race pace and a non stop party atmosphere? 

Sabbath rest is important and rest in general is crucial. Vacation is important. Getting away alone with God. Having a DAWG day or ‘day alone with God’ scheduled on your calendar where you go to a park or somewhere quiet and reflect on all God has done for you.

When you develop the habit of resting and recharging your life will be so much better. When you do this rest, don’t do it in front of the television, but get a good Christian book, the Bible, or something to help you take your mind off the world for a while and put it on the Savior. Now just go and get some rest and recharge your life for Christ.

PRAYER: Father it is so easy to not ever want to stop going. Help me slow down. Help those in your Christian service who lead churches get their own day of rest as well. Help me not be distracted by things that don’t really matter. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

God's Park Bench

He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters. Psalm 23:2

Americans in general are a hurried, frazzled bunch of people. The ‘busy badge of honor’ which I wrote about earlier in the year, seems to be the thing to do, sad to say. It is almost as if guilt comes on you if you choose to not have a plan for the day. 

Park benches are there to sit on not just to rest if you pull a muscle on a jog. Sitting and relaxing and pondering. These are really good things for the soul. Don’t be afraid to not ‘hyper schedule’ your day. Those who work full time have the challenge of scheduling rest but you who do not make it happen! 

‘God’s park bench’ is found in Psalm 23. Commonly used at funerals for whatever reason I am not certain, I feel it is more about living today. You may know it but get your Bible out and read it out loud. This rest does not mean become lethargic and lazy because the Bible has things to say about that too, but is simply a time set aside to refresh and renew and recharge that spiritual battery. Now go find a park bench. 

PRAYER: Sometimes I feel guilty of I am not constantly busy as if to prove I have worth and value. Help me Lord know my value and worth is found in you and you alone. Give me strength to say no to things that will cause me to not get needed rest. Help me break strongholds of busyness in my life and make time for getting my strength from you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Note: Idea for my Title, credit from page 72 of ‘Jesus Prom’ by Pastor Jon Weece, Southland Christian Church, Lexington, KY

Daddy Where Are You?

Children, obey your parents in the LORD, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother"-which is the first commandment with a promise- “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth." Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the LORD. Ephesians 6:1-4

Mother’s are very important to a child’s upbringing but in a different way and just as vital are fathers. The missing father epidemic has wreaked havoc with children who often end up growing up super messed up, often incarcerated, not knowing how to be a real dad themselves. 

Dr James Dobson has often said how dad’s were the key to a stable family.  The new seemingly hip trend of the single parent family is not cool and neither is the one of girls not having a female mother to identify with or boys a male father. Society may say all is well but it truly messes up children. 

In recent years men were made to feel  unimportant as the women’s movement charged foreword saying in effect “move over men we don’t need you” but God designed males and females with certain roles and when you mess with the divine plan chaos exists. Women were never meant to be the male figure. So Satan has had a glorious time these last few years destroying God’s design for the family and for the male and female role in general. This Father’s day celebrate your dad. Forgive your birth father if he hurt or abandoned you. If you are a dad be a dad. And remember the most important job is to be a spiritual leader and example in your home. Happy Father’s Day! 

PRAYER: I am thankful for my dad and the hard work he did so I could enjoy life, be educated, take vacations. Many men need to know they are appreciated so I pray this Father’s day is a time if healing for many. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Total Transformation

That, however, is not the way of life you learned when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 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; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:20-24

Total body workout. Ab blaster. Thigh Master. Total Gym. Vibrating waste belt. Mini trampoline. Kettle balls.   There have been numerous fitness fads or quick fixes through my lifetime. All promising the buyer, if he or she uses it, to transform your flabby overweight body to look like a picture of health. 

You should indeed want to keep the temple of God, which is your body,  in good shape and not consume garbage that will make it sickly and fat,  but more importantly is taking care of your inner man, your spirit and soul. Many people can run to the gym, and like I said it is good to exercise, but have you done any spiritual fitness these days? 

Start each day with spiritual exercising. Make it a habit to ‘lift’ you Bible and read it. Don’t just do it to check off a block or it will probably  mean nothing. Get a good devotion book or home study to help with this. (My friend Erica Wiggenhorn has a new study being released entitled Unexplainable Jesus by Moody Press out last week.) You can’t be ‘strong’ in the Lord by just checking off an hour block on Sunday. Get total transformation today!

PRAYER: I am grateful to live in a country where currently I am still free to read my Bible in public and post scriptures on social media without getting arrested. Forgive me if I ever take this for granted and forget to ‘exercise’. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Love Don’t Judge

"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? Luke 6:41

Passing judgment on others is pretty easy to do. You can look at a person and form an opinion without even knowing their story so to speak. Bathing attire, drinking, bad behavior, tattoos, piercings, provocative clothing, fitness level or lack of it, political or religious affiliation, sexual orientation,  and the list goes on. Would you like it if people constantly passed judgment on you unfairly? 

God is the one and only judge. Today’s verse puts it to the point. Why do you look at the needle in the haystack so to speak but don’t see the hay? Even when others treat you poorly or what they do seems inherently evil we are still to love them and pray for them. Jesus never hated anyone. His mantle was pure, plain, and simple, and that was love. Remember too if someone was in sin He said “go and sin no more” so there you have it my brothers and sisters. 

Bite your tongue the next time you are tempted to utter ugly words even if you are only thinking those words. If you struggle with this area then ask the Holy Spirit to transform you into a person wholly set apart for kingdom work. 

PRAYER: Love one another seems simple enough but at times I can’t get a grip on the real meaning of this. Love does not mean acceptance of evil behavior but instead it means to pray for all people and pray for Holy Spirit transformation. Help me Father as I seek to show your love and not utter judgment from my lips. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Go The ‘Immeasurably More’ Mile

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us. Ephesians 3:20

This verse is one of my all time favorite Bible verses and packs much wisdom into a few words. God can, does, and will do immeasurably more than you ask or imagine but you as well can do ‘immeasurably more’ as one of His instruments to spread love and joy around your circle of influence. 

Have you gone the ‘immeasurably more’ extra mile for anyone? This could be an unexpected gift. Perhaps a larger than normal tip even if not earned. Inconvenience your schedule to help another person. Thinking of others before yourself. 

Today stop and think how you can be the answer to someone’s prayer just by being kind. It is fun to reach out. Let God use you in serving another. 

PRAYER: Lord Jesus I thank you for how you use me to work your kingdom purposes. Equip me with just what I need to be a servant. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Staying Cool In An ‘Uncool’ World

The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 2 Corinthians 10:4

Man the devil sure is working a number on splitting and dividing here in the United States. Sorry to say many don’t see it as a spiritual battle but a Democrat versus Republican battle or fake news against Donald Trump. 

My friend we are engaged in spiritual warfare. Take off your Republican hat, Democrat hat, socialist hat, hater hat, liberal left wing hat, conservative hat and see this is the enemy trying to spread lies and propaganda to destroy America. Instead of praying for our President many just continue to beat the hate drums believing everything their sources say is true. I suggest that all people see their responsibility is to LOVE and to know the enemy is raging like a lion and Americans better stop and get on their knees to save this great land. 

If you are a Trump hater reading this you are commanded to love. Turn off hate filled news that continues to plant seeds of discontent and rage within you. Instead turn on some praise and worship music. Read the Psalms and Proverbs and realize this is warfare.  Satan has blinded many sad to say. Keep praying. God has a plan. 

PRAYER: Father God I love my country of America. I love truth. I hate when people I love hate and can’t tolerate others who might happen to like our President and think he is doing a good job. Bring revival to the news media and take the blinders off people. Break demon spirits that have a choke hold on some I know. Bring revival to America. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

To God Be The Glory Great Things He WILL Do

For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6
There is a great hymn where the lyrics say “to God be the Glory great things he has done” and even better yet,  great things are in store and great things He WILL still be doing! Standby. Work in progress.

You pray, you wait, you get frustrated. “Why isn’t God helping in this situation” and you get mad at God. God is still working in and his ways are not your ways. His plans are not your ways. 

He is still shaping, molding, perfecting even when it seems like nothing is changing. Stand firm, keep the faith, and know Great things are coming!

PRAYERS:Many times I get antsy and wonder if change will ever come on things I have been praying about. Help me Lord as I seek to totally turn off negative voices and know your plan is being perfected even when I don’t see evidence of it right away. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Leave It On The Mainland

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. Isaiah 43:18

Do you ever feel like running away from problems in your life? Running away would not of course solve a thing but at times that may be the way you think the issue will be taken care of.

 It is like going on a vacation to paradise, say one of the Hawaiian islands, and you board the plane and leave the mainland behind. Time to vacation not worry.  

Is there something troubling you that you know you need to ‘leave on the mainland’ and not lug around like overweight suitcases? Your heart and mind can not be truly set free until you are able to fully trust God to handle things in your life. You can’t be dwelling on junk that only serves to disable you for kingdom work. Why not pack your bags of praise and head for a life of freedom in Christ. 

PRAYER: I am grateful for my Bible, Christian music and the musicians and writers who compose it, and for the peace I can have when I allow God to envelope me in His love. Give me strength Lord to break strongholds keeping me from a fuller life in You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

A ‘God’ Job

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.Hebrews 11:1

Recently a friend used my title in referring to waiting for a miracle. In other words sometimes we humans can’t do anything but simply wait in faith believing.

What miracle are you waiting for? Healing? Return of a prodigal child? Restoration of a relationship? Some things truly only God can do. Isn’t that neat though that you don’t have to expend energy conjuring up scenarios to ‘fix’ things?

Trust in the Lord. Don’t try to figure things out. Go about your day and don’t fixate on the issue. Pray and then focus on God and praise Him ahead of time for a positive outcome!

PRAYER:I choose this day to trust you with ________________and know you are working. Thanks ahead of time for the answer. In a Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Who Is Watching You?

Whatever  happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel. Philippians 1:7

Who is in fact watching you? A stranger, a grandchild, a visitor to church, an unsaved friend. You just never know.

What is in your heart should help you with your standard of living and the way you act 24/7. The more you put Christ on the throne of your life the more representative of a Christ centered life style you will be. 

Who in fact are you being watched by? Are you shining for Jesus?

PRAYER: I want to be Christ like around the clock because someone is always watching. Help me not get sucked into needless gossip, bad company, wrong movies, and places I should not be. Let me be a witness wherever life takes me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Taking A Moral Stand Makes You A Narrow Minded Hater.....Say What?

And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 2 Corinthians 4:3-4

What crazy times we are living in when if you take a moral biblical stand you are called a hater by the media, Hollywood, colleges, liberal politicians, and even maybe some of your friends. The truth is not changing. 

How convenient it is to toss the word ‘hate’ around when no one hates anyone. You speak for truth not against the person. When you have strong convictions about right and wrong, good and evil, you stand on them sometimes maybe even against friends or family who may not see things your way. 

We are getting closer and closer to Jesus’ return when marriage is redefined, gender is selected not given by God, and babies are tossed into the garbage can. It is time for all believers to put God above the media and political opinion and be praying for revival in this great land. Pray for those confused souls caught up in the lies as well. 

PRAYER: There is a standard of right versus wrong but demonic forces have crept in and confused many and captivated lost souls to believing lies. I pray for a revival to break out in the media, in the hearts of mean politicians, in the waiting room of Planned Parenthood, in the schools and colleges across this great land. May our churches preach and stand for the truth. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Time To Move On

Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you.Proverbs 4:25

Have you been hurt by someone and seemingly try to get back in their good graces? Have you experienced an unfathomable loss?  Sometimes in life it is time to let things go and truly let God have the situation and not beat it to death driving you further from reconciliation or healing of your heart.

Don’t turn around. Don’t look back. Leave the past in the past and start a new fresh future free from pain and grief. Don’t seek revenge. Don’t be hateful. Stop talking about it and let it be.

God can heal your broken heart. He can help you move on. You may not want to move on but sometimes that is the best course of action. Today just say to yourself “I can and will do this with God’s help!”

PRAYER: Loss or rejection of any kind hurts bad and is hard to let go of. Father I pray you will mend the hearts of those hurting or feeling lonely and confused right now. Heal as only you can. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

At War

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”—Ephesians 6:12, NKJV

Here in the United States we just finished the observation of Memorial Day a day of tribute to those fallen in battle on behalf of a grateful nation. These brave men and women gave their all so we could enjoy freedom. 

Right now we are ‘at war’ with spiritual forces who don’t like Christianity, freedom, capitalism, and all the things that have made this young country the shining light it is. Enemies have even infiltrated government leadership positions because too many were lethargic and not keeping up with what it takes to maintain liberty. 

Do not fret my dear sisters and brothers because God is greater than the devil. But He wants his people to snap out of their politically correct stupor and party loyalty and get on their knees and cry out to Him. Don’t take what we have for granted or it could easily be lost. 

PRAYER: Lord Jesus there are some mean spirited haters in power and in the media who try to shape our thoughts by their commentary and disdain for Christians and the Bible. Lord we lift these lost souls up to you and ask that you turn their hearts from evil and let them truly find you as their Saviour. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Loving Jesus Versus Loving Religion

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.1 Corinthians 1:18

Sometimes people, some of whom may be close to you, may not understand your passion and zeal for the Lord and label you ‘religious’ a word far from what Jesus lovers are. Or they ask what church you are a ‘member’ of as if that is the key to salvation.  

I once heard a cute saying that “Going into a church does not make you into a Christian any more than going into McDonalds makes you into a hamburger.” Only the Holy Spirit can transform a life and make a person desire to go deeper with God. A denomination won’t. A ritual won’t. Sunday school class won’t. Arguing your point won’t.

Be still. Pray. Trust. Don’t act self righteous. Allow the Holy Spirit to work after you have given it over to the Lord in prayer.

PRAYER: Lord I cry out to you for those I know who don’t understand what it means to truly be in love with you. Sitting in church isn’t the answer. Help those I know who are set in their ways and haven’t really given their hearts to you have an encounter with the Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Graduation....Oh The Places You’ll Go!

“Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the middle of the night or toward daybreak. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”Luke 12:35-40

It is that time of year again the pomp and circumstance melody playing as it ushers in high school and college graduates with eager and joyful parents and relatives ready to celebrate years of accomplishment. 

There is an even bigger graduation ceremony than the ones here on earth being held and that is graduating into the heavenly kingdom if you prepared ahead of time for your grand entrance and hopefully you have. 

So much stock seems to be put on earthly endeavors, accomplishments, and awards when in fact what you need to remember is to impact your world for Christ because  your life is like a vapor. Loving Jesus is pretty important and I hope you do. I hope he is more important to you than life itself. People do need the Lord whether they think so or not so keep lifting up those you are close to to be spiritually awakened. 

PRAYER: Father I thank you for the ultimate graduation day that awaits me someday. I don’t know when that will be but Lord help me always be watchful and thankful. I lift up those I love who don’t think they have a need to fellowship with Christians and think they can do life without you. Awaken them to hear your voice and follow you. In Jesus’ name. Amen! 

Cease Striving

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Psalm 51:10

What kind of posts do you make on social media? Even if they are true posts are they redeeming ones? I am thinking of today’s supercharged political environment.

Even in the hateful ‘left and right’ climate someone may be doing wrong but let God deal with it. Pray for these people as they are lost souls. Being on your knees in prayer is so much more relaxing than using up energy taking the low road of judgment and condemnation.

What would Jesus do may be an overused cliche but it says it all. What in fact would Jesus do?

PRAYER: Father thank you for freedom. Thank you for honest men and women in government and those who put Jesus first in their days. I pray for those leaders who would seek to destroy the fabric of our society and ask that you reveal yourself to them and help them to look to you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Distracted Believer?

And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.Hebrews 10:25

You need to feed your spirit in order to maintain a strong walk with the Lord. If you don’t you can be easily distracted and enticed by things the world will throw at you. Evil and wrong may start to appear right. 

To stay free from distraction find a good church home to fellowship with like minded believers. Sure you can be a Christian and never set foot in a ‘brick and mortar’ building but the fellowship part is one of the keys to growth. You become like the people you hang out with. Bad company indeed does corrupt morals it says in 1 Corinthians 15:33. 

So are you purposely trying to go the way of the world or do you want to grow stronger in Christ? The choice is yours. Are you training your children in righteousness or letting the culture shape them? Decide whose team you are on today. 

PRAYER: Lord I want to stay pure and holy and aware of cultural shifts of sin. I pray for those I may know and am close to who claim to know you but there is no evidence of a desire for growth and fellowship. Block distractions keeping them from desiring you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.