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.

Sometimes It Is So Difficult To Keep Praising

"I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth."Psalm 34:1

I am not sure what you are dealing with or going through in your life but sometimes it is so hard to feel joyful and keep praising God. Satan wants to emotionally cripple you and get you feeling hopeless or lost and feeling sorry for yourself. 

What challenges are you faced with today? What answer to prayer are you waiting on? Everyone has low moments in life some more drastic than others. 

Run to the ‘throne’ of God not the ‘phone’ of mankind. Your thoughts are troubled and you want set free. Start praising God for your blessings while you are in the ‘waiting room’. Be still Becky, be still readers. 

PRAYER: Father help me keep my eyes on you and let my words be few. You know what I am waiting on. I only need be still. It’s hard. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Hopeless?Become A Hopelifter!

"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

My friend Kathe in Phoenix has a ministry entitled ‘Hopelifters Unlimited’ and I have been pleased to help her ministry by handing out bracelets of hope which is a tape measure made into a wrist bracelet which depicts God being able to do ‘immeasurably more’ according to Ephesians 3:20 my verse today.  

Actually as a new born again Christian I had that verse on a poster in my apartment in Pacific Grove, California. Here it is following me around all these years later. Do you need hope my friend? 

You may not have lost a baby but many other tragic heart jarring events occur to make you want to believe that God in fact can and will do immeasurably  than you could imagine. Hang on. The ride may be bumpy. 

PRAYER: I need you Lord day after day. I chose hope. In Jesus’ name. Amen.