Why Are We Tempted To Lie, Sneak, Or Cheat?

 “DO NOT LIE TO EACH OTHER, SINCE YOU HAVE TAKEN OFF YOUR OLD SELF WITH ITS PRACTICES.”COLOSSIANS 3:9

In the beginning with Adam and Eve sin entered into an otherwise perfect world. Satan deceived Eve into thinking the fruit God told her to not eat was okay so after coaxing she ate some then gave some to Adam. Busted! 

So all the lying, cheating, manipulating, stealing originated with the fall of man in the Garden. Wow mind blowing but yet not. There were rules God gave them they chose to not listen got tempted and the rest is history. 

All mankind is born with a sin nature and has to be taught and trained by in truth and righteousness and naturally the ‘natural carnal’ man tends to sneak around and commit sin. Satan is called the prince of darkness and 2 Corinthians 4:4 speaks of the god of this world(Satan) blinding minds of unbelievers and really messing them up. So my friend stand firm with your spiritual armor on and run to defeat deception of the devil. 

PRAYER: Father we are in a world that seeks to destroy truth and manipulate the minds of people to even include believers. Help me be alert to the devil’s schemes and to pray against them. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

It’s Not Worth It

"Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you" Ephesians4:32

Relationships are important especially those in the family. Fractures can occur over many things and God wants restoration. 

If you have been divorced God will forgive but if you are married God wants you to lean in and make marriage work. Perhaps you are dealing with a case of family estrangement and your heart aches so bad. Maybe you had a stupid fight over something dumb like accidentally throwing a treasured memento away. 

Decide first that you will love God. Give Him the person or situation that has caused division and anger. If you need to go ask forgiveness and then stop dwelling in the pit. God desires truth, healing, and restoration and he can bring restoration to what otherwise might look hopeless. Only Satan wants to keep you depressed and angry. Let it go and move on and pray on! 

PRAYER: Lord God forgive me when I have acted foolishly or hurt someone and help me forgive those who have hurt me or hurled insults at me. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Worship Through It

  “O come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD our Maker” (KJV) Psalm 95:6

I saw this phrase on a man’s tee shirt one day and thought how neat that could be if we could take our problems and worship ‘through them’ instead of being in anguish. 

To worship means different things to different people. You may have heard someone say they worship the ground someone walks on meaning almost idolizing a person, but worship in the sense of a believers life is to praise and honor through songs and prayers to the Lord most high. 

Some churches call church itself their worship service but in more non denominational churches worship is a time of lifting hands in the air and singing praises and giving thanks to God for all He has done. It is separate from the actual message delivered by the pastor. If you are having a gloomy day the best thing to do is to focus on God and maybe play some praise and worship songs. Now go give praise to God in all things. He is in control. 

PRAYER: Father to your name be honor and glory and power forever more. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Note- click link for a worship song from Highlands worship in Birmingham, AL.https://youtu.be/tejMgeDWIpg?is=hcZg4-4bD3ho5tM-

 

Laid Back Luxury Living

A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man." Proverbs 6:10-11

Welcome to 2026 and where I live used to be the wild untamed west and to survive you had to have or develop basic skills. Cooking, quilting, building, wood chopping, making barrels, building homes etc etc. Now I don't think ‘Shop’ or ‘Home ec’ are even courses in any US high school at least of what I am aware of. Your fitness center wasn’t heading to the gym but daily hard work and chores.  

It took hard back breaking work to create these United States of America and unless a parent or grandparent has passed on basic life skills years from now they will disappear. Stop as we approach the 250th birthday of America and really ponder our blessings and all that those before us did. Genius’s like Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, the Wright Brothers to name a few. 

Be thankful each day and try to learn a skill that was used in the early days. At one time I made baskets but now my supplies are in the attic. Perhaps time to get them down. Maybe learn knitting or men learn to fix things and if you need help I know people like my husband willing to lend a hand. Don’t take your laid back luxury living for granted. Regardless if you are in a river or ocean front condo you are blessed. 

PRAYER: Lord Jesus help me not be a slothful person but work hard and help others. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

What Sin Has You Entangled?

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Romans 3:23 NIV Bible Gateway 

The strategic  attack of the enemy to trip you up and make you feel self righteous as you are not a sinner like so and so is. Watch out my friend there is no one righteous no not one it says in Romans 3:10. 

So what sin are you entangled in? Be honest and search your heart. If you are a believer and know His word and know the truth only truth sets you free. 

Maybe you only sin a little bit like a lie, half truth, judging another, gossiping. Yep those may not seem like the granddaddy of all sins but they are separating you from God. Stop what you are doing and pray for God to forgive you of your sins and stop pointing out other people’s as that is Holy Spirits job. 

PRAYER: I thank you Lord for forgiveness and for washing me whiter than snow when I come to you sincerely and repent. Guard my mouth and silence my tongue as those two things get me into the most trouble. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Dust Bunnies Beware

“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” Hebrews 13:2

For many of us the thought of having people just drop by unannounced makes you concerned of what they are going to think of your messy house if it is one of those type days. Guess what. People are not coming to judge you or grade you or do a photo shoot for House Beautiful magazine. 

Your home is the place you need to feel comfortable and be able to make others feel welcome too. The days of dropping over for a cup of coffee or just to chat are pretty much behind us which is sad. You can tell allot about people by their homes too although once again your job is not to judge but to be a friend and guest. 

Don’t stress over perfection and don’t compare your living space to another’s. Be thankful for your home and keep it comfortable and clean for your spouse for this honors God. Each person is gifted in different ways so keep that in mind and tell those dust bunnies to beware cause company is coming!! 

PRAYER: Father help me to relax in the environment you have provided for me and to keep it neat and orderly. But help me not run and hide if the doorbell rings for that rare drop in visitor. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Hey Daddy

 Praise the Lord.Blessed are those who fear the Lord,who find great delight in his commands.Their children will be mighty in the land;the generation of the upright will be blessed.Psalm 112:1-2

Father’s Day is not a happy day for many people as their father was in name only and not a true daddy or papa. Others were raised by grandpas or a guardian. Some lost their fathers when they were too young to even have a memory of it so Hallmark cards does a good job at trying to inflict pain when not just the right sentiment can be found. 

I hope your relationship with your dad was good. Dads have a huge responsibility to be the leaders of the home and to train up their children to be righteous, holy, good citizens, and so forth. When the dad is missing, many are incarcerated, it causes a deep wound that may take a lifetime to heal or recover from. 

Whatever your situation is or your relationship with your dad one thing is true without him there would be no you. If you are needing to restore a relationship with your dad pray about it. Pray for Fathers maybe who have father wounds from their dads. Dads your job is immense never think it is just about a paycheck. 

PRAYER: Thanks Lord that I was born. Help every person appreciate their life no matter what situation brought them to be born. Heal dads with wounds and help restore relationships. In Jesus’ name. Amen.