One Matters To God

 

Then Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.John 15:3-7

In God’s kingdom one person matters. I attend a new church plant in my small community in the shadow of Boise, Idaho and each and every time a new person visits is a time of celebration! 

You matter to God. Your problems matter to God. He sent His son Jesus to die for you whether you acknowledge him or not. He loves you with an everlasting love.

One matters to God but if you are that one feeling alone and lost try to get in community with others to share and pray. The devil tries to get you thinking you don’t matter. God is not impressed by titles, status, wealth or anything but he is concerned with the condition of your heart. Where is yours today?

PRAYER: Thank you that I matter to you Lord and you love me with an everlasting love. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Honor Those Brave Warriors

 

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1

Memorial Day is a reverent solemn holiday which should be respected by our nation and used to be. Nowadays merchants use it to get more money during all sorts of sales. As a veteran that has always appalled me to use a day to honor dead service people to hock their goods. 

Honor and respect need to be taught not caught. Take your children to a national cemetery of one is nearby and explain about those heroes who lost their lives in battle defending our precious freedom. 

President Ronald Reagan said “Freedom is only one generation from extinction” and the way many progressive politicians jerk us around not serving us but serving themselves is a farce. Lately some woke professors and teachers have tried to smear the history of these United States and teach that  its’ founders and people were horrible. Stand for the truth or you will fall for anything. God has blessed us so honor those who paid the ultimate price to save America. 

PRAYER: Father forgive us for taking freedom for granted. Forgive us for standing for the American flag which also represents religious liberty. Forgive me when I have not spoken up when people are destroying our history. Help me always show honor. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Divorce Yourself From The World

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 12:2 Bible Gateway 

How much time do you waste daily reading pop ups, social media, theories, celebrity news and so forth? None of that stuff gets you closer to the kingdom. 

So much of the trouble and anxiety we humans bring on ourselves by what we feed into our mind. You have a choice just like Adam and Eve had a choice in the Garden of Eden. Choose fruitful thinking or letting your mind wander into the cesspool of celebrity worship, news media spin, conspiracy theories and so forth. 

Choose today to keep your mind focused and not slipping into things that bring fear such as watching stock market report, or anger when hearing political news. God is in control. It is He who has the final say on everything so don’t waste brain cells theorizing and getting scared just try to relax. 

PRAYER: Oh Lord you are beautiful. You have giving me skills and gifts to use for your glory. When I get tempted by anything the world throws at me help me remember I am in this world but not of this world. Help me guard my heart and help me help others to stay on the road to righteousness. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

#Biblegatewayblogger

Patience Is The Way To Go

 

“Hot tempers cause arguments, but patience brings peace.”Proverbs 15:18

Delays are frustrating. Airline delays, wrecks that block the interstate, a very long train at railroad crossing, slow service at a restaurant, waiting forever at the doctor, and a long check out line at your favorite stores. 

Patience is something that is very crucial to develop to have a peaceful less stressed life. Have you ever heard someone say “Don’t pray for patience” because usually a test of some sort comes along to help you develop it? A training ground of sorts. 

So what’s it going to be? Stuff happens in life and God can see you through it. Trust and obey and be still. 

PRAYER: Many time’s I have gotten impatient which has led to conflict. I want to learn to be still and go with the flow. I know good things happen to those who wait. Give me strength, in Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Get Little And Be Big In God’s Eyes

 

“He must increase, but I must decrease.”John 3:30

Do you like to tell everyone your accomplishments or good things you might have done for someone? What about humility? Shouldn’t you strive to make that a character trait as a believer?

What about where it says “humble yourself under the mighty hand of God that it due time he will exalt you” (1 Peter 5:6) or “let another praise you and not your own lips” (Proverbs 27:2). 

All of us have probably been guilty at one time or another of trying to prove to another our greatness or abilities. There is no need to do that. It doesn’t matter what others think. It only matters what God thinks. Some of the most admired people are those that are humble not having to prove themselves to others. Scripture also tells us to “not think more highly of ourselves as we ought to think..(Romans 12:3). Are you able to sit back and give all praise and glory to God?!

PRAYER: Father I am sorry for the times I felt a need to puff myself up. Help me to always think of others as better than myself and resist the urge to boast. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Family...What’s It All About?

Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.1 Timothy 5:8

It is very disheartening to me as a baby boomer to see the downward slide of the family and the brokenness of culture as a result. The enemy has unleashed his barrage of lies and deceit throughout the years and sadly many Christians have become victims. 

Fathers are the ultimate glue that holds the family together yet how many children are raised without one in the home? Crime is high is many areas as a result of fatherless homes. Family now has also been redefined by the culture to mean not just a man and woman and children because Satan is out to destroy the traditional concept of family. 

Extended families like grandparents and uncles and aunts often are not even part of the equation or at times in a broken home situation you have the innocent child growing up bouncing between two homes and sometimes raised by the grandparents. If this is your situation you are very loved by God. He can heal you and redeem you from any situations that you didn’t bring on yourself. Cry out to him. Pray for family unit to stay intact. Pray for grandparents to be loved, respected, and a valuable asset in children’s lives passing on a legacy. Above all let the joy of the Lord be your strength. 

PRAYER: I am thankful for the parents who brought me into this world. I am thankful for children, for grandchildren, for being able to help those hurting from fractured upbringing. Shine your light through me to go out and minister to a hurting world. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Not A Dreamer But Wow

"'In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.Acts 2:17

The dreams I have are far from being like any prophets in the Bible or even today‘s prophets but wow did I have a doozy lately. Doesn’t even make much sense. 

All I know that in this dream I was at some sort of Christian event  and something went wrong inside like a demonic spirit was let loose somehow and people were running like mad trying to get out and many people yanked off crosses and rosaries and tossed them on the ground and others were collecting these. People directly  outside the exits  were hurting those trying to escape. I got out another way and was running with others to the cheers of those on the outside. So bizarre. Woke up praise God. 

Now my point, here in America we have been pretty sheltered as followers of God and being founded as a Christian nation there have been threats to our most precious liberty and freedom. Many have laughed off threats being more loyal to a political party or simply blinded to the truth. Be thankful for this most precious freedom and pray for those being blinded by liberal college professors or politics to knowing the truth. Pray for the souls of those who are facilitating this downfall to be set free. 

PRAYER: Lord I am so grateful how your Holy Spirit speaks to me. Thanks for being able to live in a free country. I pray for those who live under persecution to be set free. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Rest In Peace

 

“Yet if you devote your heart to him and stretch out your hands to him, if you put away the sin that is in your hand and allow no evil to dwell in your tent, then, free of fault, you will lift up your face; you will stand firm and without fear. You will surely forget your trouble, recalling it only as waters gone by. Life will be brighter than noonday, and darkness will become like morning. You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety. You will lie down, with no one to make you afraid, and many will court your favor. But the eyes of the wicked will fail, and escape will elude them; their hope will become a dying gasp.”Job 11:13-20 (NIV)

You probably are very familiar with the term ‘rest in peace’ referring to the deceased not the living. Guess what! You are to ‘Rest In Peace’ here on Earth and not be tense, agitated, a busybody, fearful, seeking fame, anxious, stressed but rest in the comfort of the Lord’s goodness and promises to you found in scripture.

Is the Bible and prayer your first choice each day or your last resort? Is it out on your bedside table or thrown in the closet somewhere? Not trying to guilt but instead to convict you that this world is not going to offer peace or truth although it will try to entice you into its’ worldly culture even doing a number when it comes to ‘church’ convincing you that your childhood ‘religion’ is fine and why do you need anymore. 

Stand firm, stand convicted of good and evil, right versus wrong. Spend less time in worldly pursuits and more in those things that reap eternal rewards. Try prayer walking as you go through your day of course silently unless you are somewhere where it is possible to pray out loud. On vacation? Pray for the city or place you are visiting. Whatever you do remember God wants you to be His peaceful, non combative representative. Go in peace. 

PRAYER: Lord I want to be a Christian in my heart, in my heart, Lord I want to be a Christian in my heart were the words to a familiar children’s song in the fifties. It is so true. I desire more than just that one hour on Sunday. I choose to seek you daily. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Strife...Don't Entertain It!

Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.2 Timothy 2:26

Where does the spirit of strife originate from? That is easy. The devil and his demonic spirits work to destroy marriages, families, governments, churches, because in John 10:10 it says the thief,, meaning Satan, comes to KILL, STEAL, AND DESTROY and indeed he is doing just that but why?

Why don't brothers and sisters in the body of Christ realize these attacks and cry out in prayer against them?The enemy brings a deceptive spirit of division and gets people not wanting to pray, has them angry, divided to the point they are almost powerless to do any spiritual warfare against the dark kingdom fighting against heavenly forces. 

Many today are asleep and buying right into the conflict Satan has set up. Wake up brothers and sisters. This is not about politics and our country but about trying to take captive the body of believers who are sleeping and don't care. Now is the time to wake  up, put on the spiritual armor, and go to battle before it is too late. 

PRAYER: Lord I am ever so grateful for having the knowledge about good and evil and knowing what the devil is up to but sadly many seem to not care. Many are not even interested in taking up the shield and fighting. Reignite the flame in sleeping brothers and sisters and in sleeping churches. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Loving The Unloveable

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

I don’t know about you but I get mighty uncomfortable to be in the presence of a brother or sister in Christ when they speak of hating someone or wishing evil on them.Granted some people make it easy to dislike them but keep in mind God loves them, bad attitude, evil hearts, warts and all. A complaining negative spirit from a believer is a real downer. 

How God do I love a person trying to turn our country into a communist country? How do I love someone who talks about me behind my back? How do I love the person in the car that just cut me off? How do I love people who think abortion is not evil? How do I love the tailgater who is making me nervous driving so close to my vehicle? 

Unconditional love takes a big brave ‘following God’ sort of person. Ugliness is pretty easy to come by but to be Christlike in our actions, speech, and thoughts is a whole different issue. Don’t hide your light under a bushel but be kind, loving, unashamed, and the person everyone loves to be around because of their great attitude. So are you going to try this week to love the unloveable? 

PRAYER: Lord I know I am not perfect and there have been times I have not loved unconditionally. I really want to try to have an undivided heart that serves you and loves those people who come across out paths whether they are like us or not, help me with this okay? In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Downcast?

Why, my soul, are you downcast?Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him,my Savior and my God.Psalm 42:5

Many things can make you downcast. Isolation from Covid is one all are familiar with. Loss of a job. Failing a test. Being rejected by friends or family. 

The enemy of your soul Satan loves those with downcast spirits for if they are unable to pull out of this state of mind he will continually agitate and taunt. Don’t allow this. If you have to speak to a trusted friend or a professional Christian counselor. A problem can even be a simple chemical or hormone imbalance but it could be much deeper. 

God cares and he wants you to be free of whatever burdens your soul. Can you talk to Him today in prayer and share your heart with Him. It will do a world of good. 

PRAYER: My soul boasts in the Lord yet there have been times of sorrow and despair. I seek your face Lord. I trust you will deliver and set me free from darkness plaguing my spirit. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Say It! Speak It! Believe It!

 

And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speak.

2 Corinthians 4:13

Do you catch yourself spewing negative words out of your mouth which demonstrate worry, fear, lack of trust? God wants you to believe and receive not be a doubter and pessimist. It is way easier to be a negative person. 

Who would you rather hang out with a person complaining or criticizing all the time or the person who intentionally is kind and courteous? Not a hard question and a pretty easy answer. 

Do you ever pray for healing for someone and then start doubting and negating your prayer in the process? Stand firm, take authority, use God’s word. Don’t just own a Bible but make a point to study it and memorize scripture. It will serve you well when ministering to those around you. 

PRAYER: Help me be convinced that when I pray you hear me and I trust you are answering prayers on your time table for your purposes. Give me the ability to receive graciously in the way you have planned. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Make A U Turn Now

 

No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him. Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous." 1 John 3:6-7

 

Driving down a street or highway it is not unusual to see a sign that says ‘No U Turn’ but God allows U Turns in your spiritual life. This is called repentance or turning away from sin. 

Perhaps you have allowed your life to drift and have thought you didn’t need church, Christian friends, or a quiet time and your heart becomes hard. Only the Holy Spirit can break through to a person like this. Maybe you have a family member who has gotten far away from God and cares nothing for anything to get closer. 

The Bible talks about training up children in the way they should go. Also it mentions not neglecting fellowship. And the hardened heart is spoken of lots. Continue to run your race staying close to the Lord and not listening to the enemy who is trying his best to snuff out the Word everywhere. 

PRAYER: I pray that my heart never becomes hardened and that the word becomes alive to those who currently are taking a Jesus break. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Take A Break!

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. Psalm 23:1-3

Are you tired and weary these days after lockdowns, separations, elections, family drama, job loss or cutbacks, and so forth. Weariness is real and it is okay to stop and refresh with a nap just like children do.

If you are a young mom or dad you need a rest after all the activity with the little ones. Don’t be a non stop production line scheduling all your free time. 

Go beside God’s still waters. Wind down with a walk in nature. Turn off all noise. Be still and clear your mind of any worries. If you need refreshment go to the cross of Jesus where he alone is your resting place and hope. 

PRAYER: Lord I thank you that I don’t have to go non stop but you provide for rest. I pray for those with stressful jobs such as doctors, police, moms, that they would insure they walk beside still waters and stay at peace. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

What Really Matters

“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35).

Church to some folks can get to be like a club or an obligation whereas the those who truly love God and have found their 'church home' know that being a believer is way more than certain manmade requirements. 

Love the Lord your God outside of the church walls. A sermon series in my church recently speaks of we being the church or in other words take what you learned in a message and apply it to your life and go change the world around you. 

Study scripture, make time for Jesus in the morning to start your day. If you are a parents teach your children to love the Lord. Stay a non conformist to this world and culture because it is passing away with all of its' evil but there awaits a heavenly home for those who have stood the test and followed God. 

PRAYER: I love you Lord and I want those I love in my family and circle of friends to love you as well. Some have been hurt by traditional churches or legalism and have stayed away from being in a church. Let me remember the true measure of a believer is their love for each other. Keep me on the path that leads to you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Sideline Prayer Warriors

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.James 5:16

What is a sideline prayer warrior? This is not someone uninvolved and not caring about prayer but is the college mom or dad, the grandparent, parents of adult children who loves a family member dearly but isn’t right there with them impacting their life. What do you do then? 

You may not know every minute of the day about what your student, adult child, or grandchild is doing but God does. You can be deeply involved being their cheerleader on the sidelines. 

So many needs are out there. Prodigals, family relationships, good friends, new babies, favor with daughter or son  in law and in-laws, exams, job interviews,Christian fellowship, getting them excited about the Lord again if they fell away,  first day of school and so forth. Others join with you to pray in confidence and lift up your and those of your children. Continue to press in with prayer to God not butt into their lives. You will gain respect back when they see your patience and good attitude. 

PRAYER: Let me be an example to my children and my grandchildren.I pray for broken hearts of moms out there who have had children leave their faith and seemingly have zero desire for fellowship with other Christians. Holy Spirit draw them to you. Put Christians in their path to minister to grandchildren as well. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Get To Higher Ground!

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Galatians 5:24

Don’t stay in the pit of despair or valley of doom but run for higher ground meaning a life of Joy following Jesus. The mountain top is where you need to be. Keep looking upward. 

No matter what you may be going through now God loves you and has a wonderful plan for you. There are those who have had painful things happen in life and immediately blame God and run far from Him wanting nothing to do with ‘organized religion’, a ‘brick and mortar’ building, or reading the Bible and prayer. This is scary because when a person who once lived for Christ gets hurt and turns their back on Him Satan loves it and fuels this attitude with pride. 

If this describes you or if you know someone who has many excuses why they don’t need church keep praying for them to not only have a change of heart running back to higher ground but to have an insatiable thirst for being close to the Lord. 

PRAYER: Lord my heart aches for those people who say they love God and believe but don’t want to spend Sunday in worship and even go as far to say doing that wastes their day. Bring these people back to you Lord. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Note: click link and listen to powerful song of worship. 

Are You Christlike?

Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. 1 Peter 2:12

What does it mean to be a Christian to follow the Lord Jesus Christ? To me I believe you have a huge responsibility as you may be the only Christian someone may encounter and if you are not fulfilling the responsibilities it could lead someone astray.

Try to be more intentional as a follower. Don't just do things to 'feed' yourself spiritually but look around you at what opportunities present themselves on a daily basis.Try to be a Christian and not a denomination member. Ponder that for a moment. 

So stay steady now as you endeavor to lead a life where others will be drawn to Christ.

PRAYER: Lord I want to be a good representative for the kingdom and every day help me as I seek to be closer to you. In Jesus’ name. Amen,

The List of Seven

 

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. – Proverbs 6:16-19

This is quite the list of things God hates yet puts it pretty simply for anyone of any intelligence to understand and comprehend. 

There are many commands in the Bible and verses which can guide and shape your moral character if you apply them to your life and practice them regularly. Satan is the one who tries to get you off course and lie to you to trick you. 

Besides living in peace with one another, abiding by the Ten Commandments, and loving your neighbor as yourself insuring that you aren’t doing these 7 things would be a good thing. Read the list and ponder its’ meaning in your daily life and see if Holy Spirit brings conviction in any area. 

PRAYER: I try to live by your words Lord and seek to win others to the kingdom. Many today are lost and aren’t even aware. Convict hearts to turn from evil to good and the power of Satan to the power of God. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Better Is One Day In Your House

 

For a day in your house is better than a thousand. It is better to be a door-keeper in the house of my God, than to be living in the tents of sin.Psalm 84:10

My heart aches for those people who first don't care to go to church. Secondly for those who do go to church but can't wait til the services are over. My heart breaks for those families who do not teach their children about Jesus. Finally for those who have no real hunger for the word of God but instead hunger for a denomination. 

The Holy Spirit is the one who has to draw people to a personal relationship with Christ. No amount of begging or pleading or leaving tracts for people to read will impact until the prayers of many moms and dads and grandmas and grandpas kick in and the light comes on in the darkness of their heart. 

Are you praying for someone special in your life to come to know Jesus or to be brought to church by parents? Are you praying for those in bondage to be set free? Are you praying for the lies of the enemy to dissipate and for the Lord Jesus Christ to be center stage?Keep praying, don't give up as frustrating as it can be. Know that God hears your prayers. 

PRAYER: Lord Jesus I thank you for the moment I truly wanted you in my heart. I pray for families waiting for adult children to come back to you or for grandchildren to be brought to church and taught about Jesus. I pray for friends who are lost and more in love with a denomination than a personal relationship with you. I ask for the veil that blinds many to be lifted. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

Take A Tech Break

 

“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.”  Isaiah 26:3

I am thankful for the time frame I raised my children and grew up in. No non stop tiny screens being clutched like a Defibrillator. You have to take breaks from the screen whether computer,phone, television, or tablet. 

Even though it is the method of getting communication and information out these days you still need to back off and push away and go to a quiet place without bringing devices with you. Just you and God. No Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, just by yourself and God. 

It is necessary for your mental well being to have an occasional break. Go outdoors and enjoy sunshine. Write a snail mail letter to a friend or family member and not an email. Make a list of things you are thankful for. Just relax and enjoy God’s presence and talk to Him in prayer. 

PRAYER: Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere and I praise you Lord for freedom, for ability to choose, for friends and family, and for my Bible which many times I neglect. Help guard my heart against the lures of this present culture trying to get me sucked in to things to distract me from God. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Rest My Friend

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and  the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ. Philippians 4:6-7

Do you feel tense, anxious, frustrated maybe due to post Covid or lockdown stress? Often time’s jumping back into life as it was may get your head spinning. 

Whatever is going on in your life right now don’t shove Bible reading and prayer to the back burner. Satan has used this past year to try to divide families, get people fighting over vaccines, and all sorts of stuff. Don’t permit Satan to destroy your peace. 

Stop what you are doing and stop overthinking everything. Sit if you can for a moment and just put your palms face up and relax. Talk to God. Give him your anxious thoughts, your fears, your doubts and leave them with Him. Take a few deep breaths and just say a big thank you to God. 

PRAYER: I indeed have much to be grateful about and refuse to allow the pettiness of life’s issues get me wound tight. I will stand firm with my armor of God on and not allow the enemy to destroy me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Showing Respect

 

Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Romans 12:10

On a recent visit to or Nations Capital I was pondering respect and honor and what exactly they mean. 

First a young twenty something girl wearing a tee shirt that said ‘Be Grateful’ and apologized for not cleaning her spot at a food counter better. I told her she is to be commended as it was rare to be concerned. Next I spoke with another twenty something on the way to visit her grandma and that made me smile. Guy sitting next to me on flight was also headed to see his grandpa. How wonderful that is! 

When it comes to honor I think of the war veteran who often tines is missing a limb due to combat. These heroes wounded or not need to be thanked. Freedom is a gift from God and thank goodness we have heroes who gave the ultimate gift to us. 

Stop your busy life got a few moments and ponder what it means to be honorable and respectful. Then go honor and respect someone. 

PRAYER: I am thankful for parents who taught me how to show respect and honor to others. I pray for parents today to not take it for granted to be kind and to teach their children these attributes early. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Be Kind To Yo Momma

 

• For You formed my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother's womb. For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.Psalm 139:13

This is the day set aside to honor moms all over the world. Some will be hurting today having their moms not with them anymore. Some will hurt due to divorce and custody battles. Some will hurt because their relationship with their moms was less than stellar. Some will regret lost motherhood after having an abortion. 

The culture has tried hard to redefine the definition of a mom but basically a female  gives birth and in most cases raises the child. Many scenarios took over and have a child care provider raising the children, a grandparent, a dad, a sibling and so forth. 

Hopefully if you are a mom reading this you will have a glorious day. Some moms have broken relationships with their children so it will be a time of pain and heartbreak for them. Be thankful for the moms in your life who gave you birth or those moms who adopted. A Moms nurturing  of a child is so very crucial to its'  development. Moms out there hopefully are raising their children to love the Lord so the culture does not try to get them to love something else. My prayers go to those I know who were unable to give birth as the deep pain they must feel at times. The Lord can and will use all situations to His glory. Keep putting Him first no matter how you feel. 

PRAYER: Thank Lord for my mom. My goal is to be the kind of mom I was taught by lessons in my childhood. I pray for those who hurt today due to not having their moms with them, or losing a baby that brings up the memory of lost motherhood. Bring comfort as only you can. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

NOTE: Organizations to help you on your journey in motherhood to keep prayer first and foremost. 

Mothers of PreSchoolers(MOPS) MOPS.org

Moms in Prayer International (MIPI) Momsinprayer.org

Survive And Thrive My Friends

 

God is a very present help in time of trouble. Psalm 46:1 Bible gateway

It is no understatement to say that this past year of lockdown has been harrowing, challenging, fearful, tense, and lonely. 
Man was never meant to live life in isolation. 

Before Covid and getting used to the new temporary normal I longed to see family, hug a friend, shake a hand at church, just not speculate or argue over all the divisive subjects of this pandemic. 

When a prisoner is put in isolation it is to punish him. Isolation also breaks the spirit and steals joy. In Genesis it clearly states man was not made to live alone. (. ) Zoom is nice but not like seeing an actual person. As you tear down isolation walls that have been erected in your life stop and give thanks for what you learned during this time. Some lost lives, it was hard for doctors and nurses who at times probably felt helpless. Also give thanks for freedom and never take it for granted again. 

PRAYER: Oh Lord I am thankful for friends and family and the gift of touch. I pray today for broken hearts of people who lost loved ones to this disease. Help me be a peace maker during these time’s of coming back together. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

#Biblegatewayblogger

Are You Unshakeable?

I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Psalm 112:6

How is your day going so far? Have you said thanks to God for all things? Sometimes it is hard to understand the purpose in things going the ‘plan B’ route but God has bigger purposes than our finite minds can grasp. 

So are you easily shaken by false testimony about you, financial problems, a test in school,  sickness, rudeness or disrespect, or a bill you forgot to pay? Many things can stir up emotions. God wants you to remain calm, stay prepared always by feeding yourself your ‘daily bread’ of scripture. 

Delight yourself in God and lean into Him. Fill your thoughts with his goodness to you. God uses moments to shake us to make us stronger and to rely on him more. 

PRAYER: Lord I lift up your name. Thank you for things you use in me to produce more spiritual fruit. Help me know just what to do and give me peace. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Our Country Needs Prayer

 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit [] of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.  I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. Ephesians 1:17-19 Bible Gateway

Today is designated as National Day of Prayer but sadly it is the first time in 70 years it was not allowed in the Capital building in DC. It is a time to pray for the nation, its’ leaders and so forth, 

United States was founded on Christian principles,the Bible, and prayer. Many have come along and tried to skew the truth repeating lies so much they are believed by the general public. Not everyone who lives. america loves the country. Many politicians love foreign nations more than the country that elected them 

Realize this is a battle for the very soul of our godly heritage and it’s people. Many today say hi with the culture the Bible doesn’t apply. My friends this is not a political post but one concerned with truth and freedom. Don’t believe every news source you hear and stay on your knees. 

PRAYER: Lord I thank you that I was born in America gor such a time as this. Help me be gentle and kind to those who oppose freedom or think that everything is okay. Change hearts as only you can. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Click link for song of worship:https://youtu.be/aD-7LcQVNac

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Peace In The Storms of Life

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.John 16:33 KJV Bible Gateway

Many things can disrupt your peace. Wrong thinking, worry, stress, fear, outward circumstances out of your control. But even in the midst of turmoil peace is entirely possible.

It is necessary to invite Jesus into every situation instead of stressing over things that are out of your hands, Satan loves to torment believers so refuse to cave to him. You have to make a decision that you will believe the word of God and not allow the enemy to steal your peace.

Stuff can be going on around you and you can be a witness to those around you by staying still and calm. It is necessary to not dwell on the pandemic but to say out loud "I am at peace and will not allow these current situations affect my joy and peace". Believe it!Claim favor from God and believe it!

PRAYER: Sometimes Lord I just allow concerns and cares of the world to drag me down because I forget about you and what you provide for me. I know you are in control and I need not lose my peace as I trust in you to carry me through. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

Additional Verses: Psalm 29:11; Psalm 91 entire chapter; John 14:27; 1 Peter 3:11. Philippians 4:6-7. Psalm 4:8.

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Just Do It!

 

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.James 1:22-25

How many times have you signed up for something and fail to follow through maybe letting others down? Or you give your word to someone only to change your mind? 

When it comes to daily Bible reading do you make it into a mundane chore, not do it at all, or plan to but it never happens? The enemy will come at you with all sorts of excuses as to why you really don’t need to read the Word of God. You not only need to read it and let it soak in to empower and transform you but it needs to be studied. 

The way you combat lies of the devil is to quote scripture to him. When you get down, depressed, feel like a failure, those aren’t emotions from God. Study scripture on how to have joy and how to know you can break any stronghold with God’s help. No ‘just do it’ ok? 

PRAYER: Jesus I want to truly let you be Lord of my life not just one hour on Sunday. Thank you for the Bible and forgive me for sometimes not even picking it up. Give me an insatiable thirst for your word. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Hey I’m God...I Have This!

 



I called upon the Lord from my distress; the Lord answered me and set me in an open place. The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can people do to me?Psalm 118:5-6

Please stop thinking you have to watch the news all the time. Recently  I was told it was ignorant to not stay informed but whose slant on news do you trust anyway? 

I want to stay peaceful, prayerful, and patient. That is difficult to do with a steady stream of ‘breaking news’.  Why is it necessary to know everything? Are you able to achieve peace in your soul when the main thing you feed yourself with is worldy news? 

Might I suggest to back away from news updates and start doing prayer updates. When you are tempted to want to tune in to the stuff around you so you fit in with intelliegient society stop and take a breath. Prayer, not fear, should be your lifeline. God is in control, do you believe that? Even though things may seem bleak now you have to trust Him. I challenge you to not be drawn to constant news shows. Start opening your Bible and diving into the word. Today read Galatians and then Ephesians to start with. The more you read and soak in the promises of scripture the less you will feel a need to get scared of the future. 

PRAYER: I am thankful Lord that in you I can have peace. Help me learn to trust more and fret less. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

At War

The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5 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 10:4-5 NIV Bible Gateway

Spiritual war doesn’t involve the weapons you may typically think of in battle but it is prayer, the Bible, worship music, and anything to drive out the devil and welcome an infilling of the Holy Spirit. 

The verse today mentions taking captive every thought to the obedience of Christ and that only happens when you are in tune with God and discipline your mind to not dwell on things from the past or the enemy trying to accuse, confuse, and lie to you. 

Speak to the devil and tell him you belong to God and greater is He that is in you the man he that is in this world(1 John 4:4). Strongholds may attempt to bring you down but stand strong on the truth in God’s word and know you are strong because of God working in you. 

PRAYER: Every breath I breathe I thank Jesus because of how he has worked in my life. I pray for the attraction to things of this world to die and for more of a peace and a hunger for the Lord. Lift up those I know who are bowed down, defeated, angry at God and set them free. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Read Ephesians chapter 6.

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Unity Versus Division

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they might have life and have it to the full. John 10:10

 If ever there were a time of severe polarization in the U.S. it is now. A controversial election coupled with cancelled culture which many deny, and the powers to be have done a nifty job causing arguments about politics, race, history, the election, and now Covid, immunizations, and mask mandates. When I attempted to write on this last year I had some very close to me who misunderstood my intent which was to attempt to smooth things over in this turmoil swirling around us not take sides.  

I am not here to promote one side or the other but my job as a devotion writer and not an opinion editor, is to write in hopes those who have been in the middle of a debate, even among Christians, might somehow come to common ground and be understanding and forgiving. 

We are to love one another regardless of who you voted for for President. People are mad and say ugly words and block on social media. Even the social media giants tried to skew thinking by only allowing one side to be heard. What we need to do is pray for revival. I suggest, like I have numerous times,  to not engage in controversies that do nothing but divide. Have your own personal revival. Lean in to God. Turn off distractions put down the paper, turn off the radio and just experience time alone reflecting on God’s goodness. 

PRAYER: Father heal our land. Like people did worldwide during the Unite 714 prayer of March 2020 to March 2021 was to daily pray for unity. The enemy does not like unity one single bit. I lift up whoever just wants to start a fight. Soften their hearts. Heal our world from this disease thrust upon us in January 2020. In Jesus’ name. Amen.