Don’t Get Worldly

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. - Romans 12:2 

Today’s verse was one of the first I memorized as a ‘baby Christian’ and it holds so much truth. 

In order to be set apart for Christ you have to be different than the world not putting on an air of being better than others but simply changing your thinking to live up with kingdom thinking. 

It is easy to conform or try to fit in with a dark world but it is  more courageous to set yourself apart for serving the Lord so maybe someone may ask you what it is about you that is different. Being a Christian is not boring it is freeing and life changing. Want to know more? Private message me. 

PRAYER: Lord I am not perfect but I turn to you for help in not getting conformed to the world around me which doesn’t pay tribute to you. Help me keep my focus on the cross. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

 

What’s In A Name?

“Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth.”Phillipians 2:9-10

Kate Spade, Michael Kors, Hugo Boss, Gloria Vanderbilt and many other fashion type names are highly sought after by those wanting to impress others or just have high quality products. But why? Humans are so funny. Name dropping seems to try to prove things to others or maybe make a person feel more important. 

There is only one name that should matter and that is the name of Jesus Christ not a high end name to impress. Things in this world are so fleeting so why does it even matter what brands of things you choose to wear? 

Granted I am an outdoors person and there are even name brands in that industry associated with high quality products. My point is to buy things because of quality not because of a name. The most important name is Jesus. 

PRAYER: Lord Jesus you are the only name that matters under heaven and here on Earth. At your name people will bow down. Help me buy things because of quality not to impress others. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Just Rest

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:28-29

Just how do you rest? What exactly does that mean? Napping? Sitting under a shade tree? Just being still wherever you are without a constant hum of noise to medicate you. 

Try this. Get your Bible and go somewhere like a park on a bench in the shade away from the playground. Sit and just write in a journal your thoughts. Talk to God like you are talking to a friend or family member and share your heart. 

Maybe you have not been in church in a while and you feel sort of disconnected. A church is not the anecdote but is a great place to connect for fellowship and growth. And not just any church but one that teaches truth from the Bible. A church is a place where the lonely, list, disenfranchised, and hurting go to have their souls lifted up. As you rest today talk to God about your next steps and ask Him to direct you. Come home my friend. 

PRAYER: My heart cries out to you Lord for so many things. My heart hurts from words and actions done to me either knowingly or unknowingly. I give you any pain and I ask you to forgive those who have beaten me down with words or actions. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Hospital Church

“On hearing this, Jesus said, ‘It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.'”Matthew 9:12

Church should be a hospital  for the hurting not a courtroom for the guilty. Yes all have sinned but you come to the foot of the cross to repent and to be made whole and receive healing. You want your brokenness healed and redeemed. 

God can and will deliver you from any dark situation in your life. You may feel your life isn’t ‘dark’ but there is still something missing and not right. 

Come to Him and He will give you rest. Trust Him with your daily needs. Talk to Him about your concerns your heartaches. And give it time. Your Father has not forgotten you and He is working. 

PRAYER: Father God many times my heart aches so bad and I want to take matters into my own hands but I can’t. Help me Lord wait on you. Help me stop looking at social media for affirmation. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Love God, Love People. Period.

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’Mark 12:30-31

A simple formula for a fulfilled life is to live God first and then love people. Instead of waking up and dwelling on your own problems or diving into the social media cesspool find a way to look beyond yourself and try shining Jesus on people you encounter. 

The devil would like to keep you disabled living in self pity and putting others down who you don’t think measure up to God’s standard but that is not what you are called to do brother and sister. You are called to help others and be a beacon of truth in this dark world. 

It’s not about the church you go to but it is about your heart and your desire to be more Christlike daily to everyone. How are you doing my friend? Let God judge you just love and let Him work. 

PRAYER: Take my heart Father and transform it to be like you. Deliver me from my self and help me trust you with ALL that I need. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

I’d Rather Be Flying

"Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails."Proverbs 19:21

You have no doubt seen bumper stickers that say things like my title today. It’s a way to sort of say I am bored and this is what I would rather do right now. 

For me it indeed is flying not as pilot but as a passenger. I just love going places. Is there something you would like to be doing right now? Today’s verse indicates we can have all sorts of things we want to do but it is purpose of God that prevails. Further Philippians 4:12 states "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want" . 

Pretty straightforward wouldn’t you say? I was thinking maybe it is because of all our stuff that we get confused and bored and I wonder if pioneers or cowboys got that way or they were too busy surviving. So friend be thankful for today and live in the moment. 

PRAYER: I need you Lord and I need peace to stay grounded and to focus on above. In Jesus’ name.Amen. 

The Social Media Monster

“Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”Colossians 4:6

I admire those people who can live life beyond and without the crutch of social media. I try to not look at it too much as it can be a big time waster and mind blower. 

The ‘monster’ is reaching out to grab you, your children, and your grandchildren. Everyone puts their best foot forward and posts pictures only of the best. Why do you and I think we need this medium to be happy or fulfilled? What does it add to life? It is a distraction to real life. 

Once in the clutches of this monster it is hard to get freedom but ask yourself why it is important if the world knows everything. It can be dangerous too, for children, but yet how many grandparents or parents continue posting pictures of children? Be careful my friend. If you have to use social media use it to bring glory to God in a world that has gone crazy and is super divided. Use it to bring together not divide. 

PRAYER: Father give me wisdom when I feel I gave to use social media. Help the younger generation who was raised in this computer world to be protected from the distraction and harm it can bring. Also heal fractures caused by this medium and heal families hurt by it. In Jesus’ name. Amen.