When Words Hurt

 “The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing” Proverbs 12:18

Depending on your birth order or your personality harsh words or downright rejection can hurt really bad. I  am second born and feel like I am always wanting peace and harmony. 

If you claim to be a Christ follower it is essential you try to represent Christ even when speaking to others. If you screwed up humble yourself and go apologize. You may say “what I said was true” it still does not give you a license to be downright mean. Jesus certainly would not. 

Kindness leads to repentance it says in Romans 2:4. So you may have been hurt by people who claimed to love Jesus so let them go and pray for them. 

PRAYER: Words can bring joy or sorrow so Father help my words be few and help me be careful what I say or text. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Lead Us Not Into Temptation

Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into Temptation. Luke 11:4

Today’s Bible verse is part of the Lord’s Prayer. Every child should learn this prayer from an early age. It is powerful but especially this part about  forgiving people. 

Is there anyone in your life you need to extend an olive branch to and forgive and if so what is preventing you from doing it? Pride? 

Today stop what you are doing and pray for your enemies or anyone you are holding a grudge against. Harboring stuff in your heart and soul only will make you sick and won’t get you any closer to God. 

PRAYER: I need you Lord each and every day to help me to be kind and loving even if people don’t love back. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

While You Wait

 “The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD,” Lamentations 3:25-26

What are you waiting on? Why is waiting essential in healing and mending hearts? 

I am not sure what you are going through but our secular culture has a challenge awaiting us and that is to set your ‘devices’ aside.! Go for a walk. Call/not text a friend or family member. Learn to let things go and forgive. What does that have to do with waiting? 

Don’t pre occupy yourself with everyone’s life on social media. Stop comparing. Be still and don’t try to play Holy Spirit junior. Pray. Don’t dwell on what you are waiting on. You gave this person or situation to God so be still my friend. Put that Bible on the coffee table where you can easily read it. Sure the Bible on your phone is fine but it will soon lead to rabbit trails keeping you on your device. Give up anger run for truth. Mend those broken relationships. 

PRAYER: Lord my heart aches for people who need you but don’t think they do. Intervene and use me to help shine light. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

You Are Not The Holy Spirit

"Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."Colossians 3:13

Have you experienced problems in your life or had to confront maybe your own self being harsh on someone? First and foremost there is only one Holy Spirit. Period. 

You alone have to be convicted of things you may have done that stepped over boundaries and as hard as it is and as much as your human nature screams at you deep down you know God wants reconciliation and healing. 

You screwed up. You said words to someone you used to be close to that you had no business saying. Maybe you were angry but 

the words and hurt and blame still flowed from your mouth. Maybe now is the time to heal relationships. Humble yourself. Satan does not want you to he wants you to dig your heels in and stand your ground. What’s it gonna be my friend? Can you forgive and can you say I messed up? 

PRAYER: Lord Jesus there are people who need to reach out and be reconciled to those in their life who may have wounded them. I pray for anyone who needs to do this to humble themselves. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Are You Grieving?

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.Matthew 5:4

When you hear the word grief probably automatically you think of physical death but grief can be more. It can be grief over loss of a relationship, grief over being misunderstood and shut out of someone’s life or a prolonged struggle to restore a relationship. 

Let God have your sorrows. He wants you to talk to Him and release your pain to Him. He bore unspeakable pain on the cross for you and me. He died for all of us even those who choose to mock Him and ridicule His followers. 

Continue to pray but find someone you can help with their grief and it helps take focus off your pain. 

PRAYER: I need you Lord. I know you are working in my life and the lives of those I pray for. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Click link for a powerful song of worship:https://youtu.be/1I6fSCCpX_k

Upside Down Kingdom

"From that time on Jesus began to preach, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.'" Matthew 4:17

Do you ever feel you are in a mixed up almost upside down kingdom meaning that you are a believer and you are running your race to win but the world seems topsy  turvy and seemingly doing their own thing ignoring God? 

My recommendation is to try to stay off social media and all the infighting between political issues as getting yourself wound up steals your peace and does not achieve anything. 

Do what you need each day to seek peace and continually pursue your walk with God. Pray for those who are taking a path that leads away from the kingdom of God and pray for revival. 

PRAYER: Help me live in such a way that others will ask for my reason of hope. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Shake Off Self Pity-Get Your Joy Back

"The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."Psalm 34:18

If you don’t keep your mind on Christ you can go a thousand different ways conjuring up scenarios in your mind that will never happen. Plus you will make things all about you, I know as I have done it. 

To get your joy back you have to maintain a clear head. Do that by fasting from social media thinking everyone is better than you. Social media is a killer. 

Self pity also can kill friendships and cause you to guilt people and that is a big no no. Get your mind off of yourself  and think of others. Someone out there really is worse off than you. 

PRAYER: Father you know the things I have lifted up in prayer. Help me to focus on others to get mind off of myself. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Click link for song of worship. https://youtu.be/OP-00EwLdiU

This song was bridal march in my great nieces recent wedding.