Hatred And Unforgiveness

For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.Matthew 6:14-15

Only the Holy Spirit can restore a relationship and when name calling and hatred is festering humanly it seems like a wedge has been drawn that can’t be pulled out mainly cause human pride has reared its’ ugly head. 

Unkind words, name calling, labeling a person are not really in God’s book of terms of endearment. Where did you as a human get a right to put one of God’s creatures down? So you say “but they sinned” and I say “So do you”. 

If you are living in a situation now where people are too stubborn to make up and say they are sorry perhaps it is time to break the ice that is if you want freedom from the ugliness and bitterness. Saying you are sorry is taking the high road then hey ask God to transform you from the inside out. 

PRAYER: No one made me the judge so help me not judge. I ask Lord you bring conviction on individual hearts. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Hang On

 

But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.'"Isaiah 40:31

What are you going through my friend? You may notice if you have followed me very long I have a recurring theme of pressing on and not giving up. Each of us have different issues. 

Different stages of life take different adjustments and not all people are alike The emotions you feel can be there because of a host of factors. 

Today what do you need to keep you going? Perhaps read the Psalms, take a walk, pray, but I encourage you to stay away from social media which at times exasperates issues. Live as if cell phones have not been invented and go enjoy your life. Keep praying God is there. 

PRAYER: Help me Lord as I seek to draw closer to you and further away from worry. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

My Heavy Heart

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." John 10:10

What has you burdened my friend? It could be a host of things and just because you are a follower of Christ does not make you immune to things. 

People can have strong beliefs and opinions  and these strong beliefs, whether scripture based or not,  can create tension amongst family members or friends  who don’t see eye to eye or don’t understand how you can possibly believe or think the way you do. One of the biggest areas is in politics. This past few years has caused immense family bickering and division all because someone does not believe like you and you are convinced you are right and they are wrong so you sort of ignore them and make believe you aren’t family or never had them for a friend. 

The only one winning is Satan. This is right out of his playbook. He comes to kill, steal, and destroy and destruction is what he has been up to lately causing so much heartache in families. If you are caught up in a dispute like this get on your knees and pray. If you are separated from a loved one due to politics keep praying for understanding and restoration. Just cause people don’t think like you doesn’t make them bad and certainly when it is family it is worth fighting for. 

PRAYER: Father help those people struggling to reconcile with loved ones because of political disagreements. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Have You Prayed? Then Lay It Down.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.Proverbs 3:5-6

I don’t know what is troubling you today my friend but know this God does care that is all I can say. I have to remind myself too. 

When negative messages start playing in your head or things you think are real but are just conjured up mainly due to Satan playing with you run hard for Jesus. When self pity rears it’s ugly head remember you prayed so lay it down and leave it God heard you. 

All I can say is don’t allow Satan to make you believe lies and keep praying for whatever or whoever and believe for breakthrough. 

PRAYER: Today Lord I need your peace. I struggle with trust sometimes so please help me. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Love, Food, And Prayer

"So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."Matthew 6:31-33

I was watching something can’t recall what now and in referring to those less fortunate said a persons basics needs were love, food, and prayer. Ponder that for a moment. 

Feeling loved is very important. Many people don’t know that feeling. Having food in your belly is important for thriving. And of course praying to God each day and knowing others are praying for you 

Live beyond yourself is what the key is. When you are having a bad day there is someone somewhere who doesn’t know where their next meal is coming from or maybe doesn’t have a family who loves them. 

PRAYER:Thanks for the home I live in and the bed I sleep on and the food I eat daily. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

There Will Be An End Someday

 "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."Romans 6:23

Death is not something to fear. You may wonder about it and try to imagine what it will be like but don’t waste your energy and instead stay focused on preparing for your next chapter of life called ‘eternal life’. Yes there is more than just now. 

Maybe you wish you could go back and correct some of the dumb things you did in your past. Perhaps you wish you could do more to get ready. You may know people and maybe you are one of them who just don’t get the whole eternal life thing and just don’t want to think about it or talk about it but my friend no one escapes death. And there is a Heaven and there is a Hell. End of story. 

Is your heart right with God? Do you get up focused on this world and what it entails or do you ponder the kingdom? Many say they don’t need church to be a Christian and yes that is a true statement but a believer should crave the fellowship a church home offers and seek one where God’s word and truth are front and center. Don’t let this culture shape your heart but seek a God shaped heart. 

PRAYER: My heart yearns for being able to help captives be set free. I pray Lord you will remove blinders off those I know and love to seek after you or better yet to run hard after you. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Broken Hearted?

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
And saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18

Is your heart broken today? Hearts break for many reasons. Rejection and loss make for a perfect breeding ground for heartbreak. 

Time is the greatest mender of broken hearts but it is the waiting that is hard. Cry out to God and talk to Him. Keep praying. Satan does not want you to talk to God he wants you festering in confusion and anger. Don’t let it happen. 

If you have a broken heart today let God hear from you. Don’t shut God out when you need Him the most. Don’t run to social media, run to God. 

PRAYER: Father help me lean in to you in my times of heartache and heartbreak. I trust you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.