Beyond The Glitz And Glamour

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood,a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9

Many people are mesmerized by Hollywood Stars. They present a certain persona to the public and the people we see on the silver screen are only acting. Similarly models on TV,magazines, and billboards are portrayed as having it all together. The right hair, the right body, the right makeup, the right purse, and oh yes the right clothes. Media in this generation seems to control so much of who we are. 

We are not to idolize actors,actresses, sports legends, entertainers of any sort. God has gifted them with a talent and some have acknowledged that but they are just people. Do you spend more time reading about stars and trying to fit an image sometimes more than you ever devote to things of the Lord? Life needs balance. There is nothing wrong with attending movies 🎥but remember it is not real. 

Sometimes behind the glitz and glamour there may be really hurting people with issues deeply buried. Some of the stars may be hard to love when all they stand for goes against things you believe in or hold dear. Love them with the love of Jesus and pray for them. 

PRAYER: Lord help me as I seek to be conformed to your image and not a make believe image. Help me see just how temporary things here are. I pray for more wholesome movies with a Christian message to be made. Help our teen girls not succumb to the enemies desire to drag them down. In Jesus' name. Amen.

For information on a wonderful ministry that minsters to those in media check out the following website.www.mastermediaintl.org

Crunch Time....Any Time

          "However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen,    not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows." Matthew 24:36

You have probably heard the term 'crunch time' referring to meeting a deadline of sorts. Made me think about all people being in a crunch time scenario of sorts when it comes to Jesus' return. Many people like to mock those who believe in eternal life and choose to think that here on Earth is all there is or somehow people are reincarnated into something else.

Well my friend eternal life or the fires of hell are real indeed. Jesus doesn't force anyone to believe in Him but he does not wish any to go to hell. When no one knows the day or the hour we all should be living as if this could be it, our 'crunch time' of sorts. No one should want to see anyone be condemned to Hell. We are to pray for our enemies and not gloat and wish them evil. 

How are you preparing in these crunch time days? 

PRAYER: Lord Jesus help my life be a witness so that is anyone doesn't even speak to me they would be able to sense Jesus living inside of me. Help me have boldness to share when asked the reason of hope in me. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Honesty Always The Best Policy

Whoever walks in integrity will be delivered, but he who is crooked in his ways will suddenly fall. Proverbs 28:18

Whew. That is all I can say the day I accidentally without knowing dropped about 6 cards out of my purse onto the pavement at a local coffee shop. I was fortunate an honest person found them. A military ID, VA ID, credit card, debit card were among the cards strewn on the ground next to my tailgate. An honest woman brought them in. I am ever grateful to her as once I noticed later they had disappeared I would have panicked.

How is your honest meter? Most reading this I would venture to say are extremely honest but sometimes things could maybe tempt you to not be so honest. Cheating on taxes is one that comes to mind. Getting too much change back at a restaurant. Not being charged for an item at the store and realizing it when you get home. Stealing office supplies. Keeping someone's mail that does not belong to you.

As a believer we are called to be full of integrity and above reproach. Righteousness is not that really hard to do when you follow God's word. If you are raising children let them see you being honest and not corrupt. Each day ask God to help you be holy as He is Holy. Now go make someone's day better.

PRAYER: Lord if I have ever knowingly or unknowingly been dishonest please forgive me. I choose to keep on the path of integrity. In Jesus' name. Amen.

The Green Light

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6

When I get up each day I  grab my coffee and computer to post my daily devotion then  try to discipline myself to not check everyones status on Facebook before I get in to the word of God. If I do, I often don't even get to my Bible. Every time you get onto Facebook you can see everyone else who is on by their 'green light'. So many people connecting online.

My question is simple? Do you give Jesus the 'green light' in the morning as well? Not saying this to condemn or judge but to make you think just how important being closer to God really is for you. 2017 is here and many may have made weight loss resolutions and even said one about 'reading through the Bible' which is admirable but for actually sitting down and spending time with God praying and reading and studying scripture. Often times your faith background may not have emphasized this which is sad. 

Do this. Pray and ask God to give you a true hunger and thirst for the word of God. Purpose in your heart to not allow other distractions to cause you to eliminate reading your Bible. Just as I have suggested at other times, get a notebook and a pen and as you read joy down things you are learning. Don't know where to begin? Today read the book of Psalms with whatever the corresponding date on calendar is. Don't allow other things to be more important than God. If you live with someone who is a church goer but not a Bible reader, do not nag them. Allow the Holy spirit to work in their heart to bring conviction. Now go and praise the name of Jesus!

PRAYER: Lord I want to give you the 'green light' each and every day. I know Satan will try to distract me and get me to do other things and help me to purpose in my heart that 2017 will be different. I will be more disciplined and can do it through you who gives me strength. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

The Christmas Letter

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
Often times the infamous Christmas letter is loaded with oodles of wonderful news about family members. Their successes, their grandchildren, their trips, their job promotions, their awards. But what about those out there not fitting in the category of sending 'good tidings of great joy?'

There are real pain, problems, and issues friends and family face they often hide. A prodigal son. A pregnant unmarried daughter. A child in jail. A son or daughter on drugs. A divorce in the family. Loss of custody of children. A child who walks away from their faith. A child who is in an alternate lifestyle. A son or daughter involved in a cult. I have heard numerous stories and know of several cases.

The good news is God is a God of redemption, love, second chances, and restoration. No one is beyond His reach. It is often the low moments of life that bring people to know Him. Whatever you are believing for keep on praying, believing and never quit. Don't ever point the finger at people or condemn them as you never know when something might touch your family. The key is to pray and to continue praying.

PRAYER: Father God I lift up those people out there today who may be reading this who have friends or family far from you. I pray you touch the hearts of those who have wandered away. Draw them back close to you and set them free. In Jesus' name. Amen.

The Party's Over

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8

After Christmas and New Years do you ever feel a great sense of let down? Maybe you are too busy to have time to enter this slump period but for many it is a real thing. It does not have to be.

Focus on joy and the words of the word 'joy' which are Jesus first, others second, yourself last. When you can truly adopt the mindset of others behind first place and serving then you have little time to slump into a pity party for yourself. Kindness and giving do not have to end with the end of Christmas but should continue all the time.

Get beyond your Facebook, your mobile device, your TV set and other things that keep you from engaging one to one with others. Find ways to help people or be present in their lives. Write a real letter to a friend far away. Call your mom. Send a card to someone. Pay for the car behind you in the drive through then keep it a secret from others. Treat a friend to something unexpected. You get the idea. Let Christmas not be over. Share Jesus love around the clock and around the globe.

PRAYER: I am thankful for being able to share your love with others. I choose to not allow the enemy to get me into a pity party mode but instead to stay focused on things above. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Putting Away Christmas

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. John 3:16-17

Yesterday I wrote about putting Jesus away in the attic and why we should not do that. Christmas is more than a tree, decorations, parties, gifts, lights, merriment, food, cookies, and oh yes toy soldiers and Santa Claus. It should never be put away. Every year at this time many of you are busy taking down the tree and carting boxes up to your attic or in storage somewhere.

When you get wrapped up in this time of year for the wrong reasons there can be a huge letdown emotionally when it is all over. The time where we are to celebrate the gift of the Christ child turns into a fiasco and far from the original intent.  Jesus should have a place of prominence all year round and the focus on December 25 should be Him, period.

God so loved this world that He gave us Jesus. Jesus came that we may have life and have it abundantly. He does not force himself on anyone. Just as when he walked the earth in his 33 years and many rejected and mocked him, so too today this happens. Speak up when people ask you the reason for the hope you have within you. Jesus is the way and only way!

PRAYER: I am grateful for Christmas time and love to have family and friends around but help me never forget what this day means and help me to let this feeling live in me the other 364 days. In Jesus' name. Amen.