Live Unoffended

 “Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.”Proverbs 19:11

Have you been offended by what someone did or had someone take offense at you? It is hurtful and not part of God’s plan to be closer to Him. It happens in friendships, marriages, neighborhoods, and even in churches. 

It is better to choose to be at peace and if someone has hurt you to let it go before it festers. Satan is the great divider and he chooses to divide all the groups I mentioned above. Offense has crippled churches and left them ineffective for fighting the schemes of the devil.  

Would you rather hold a grudge or would you rather be at peace? Your choice. 

PRAYER: I need you Lord in my life to guide my steps and help me guard wrong thinking as well. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

God Gives Second Chances

"He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor punished us according to our iniquities. For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him." Psalm 103:10-12

Do you have a person who doesn’t trust you because of something you did on the past and therefore they are afraid to share things with you? It hurts but that is the way humans are you mess up and that’s it no second chances. 

Aren’t you glad God forgives and redeems and gives second, third, and fourth chances? People will be people because they are human and fearful but God hears you and knows your heart and can break chains in your life that have caused this kind of mistrust. 

Maybe you are the one who has lost your trust if so ask God to restore it and continue to build a stable healthy relationship with whoever was the person you were keeping at arms length. If a person close to you doesn’t trust you keep praying for an open door to healing. 

PRAYER: Father God forgive me when I have done stupid stuff in the past and I know you have forgiven me so help those I freaked out to forgive me too. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Being Still Is So Hard

“The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul that seeks him”. Lamentations 3:25

Not sure if you have that issue but being still and being able to wait are very difficult. It may be waiting for an invite, a job offer, a pay raise, a sign from God. 

Do you need to learn the skill of stillness and trying to relax and pray? Are you giving up your right to be in control and trusting God to work in areas you have prayed for? 

Today get involved in helping others. Make a meal for a shut in. Visit a friend in the hospital. Send cards to help bring joy. Be still because good things do come to those who wait. 

PRAYER: Lord you hear me when I call to you. Instead of fretting teach me to trust. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Who Do You Need To Forgive?

"Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."Ephesians 4:32

Is there a grudge you are bearing causing bitterness or a misunderstanding that caused you to cut someone off? Are you waiting for someone to ask for forgiveness? Maybe you are the person who needs to mend fences so to speak and reach out to a family member or friend you are not speaking to. 

The enemy loves it when people argue and try to get their own way. And he loves it even more when people try to insert themselves into the Holy Spirit’s roll. My friend have you been estranged from someone you were formerly close to? Don’t you realize God wants you to be free and wants you to heal your fractured relationship? 

Stop for a moment and get on your knees if you are able and pray to God for courage to do what is right. 

PRAYER: Lord guard my heart and open my eyes to anyone I need to reach out to. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Self Control-Just Try It

“Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city” Proverbs 16:32

Wow the fruit of the Spirit of self control is a tricky one to master at least for me.  It encompasses your mouth, your feelings, your money, your actions and so much more. For the purposes of this devotion I will deal with words or what you say. 

Thinking things through before you blurt something out is a good practice to get into. Like before you share something ask yourself why it is necessary to share it and do you have the facts straight. When you just spill your guts without thinking it can have serious consequences. 

The 24 hour rule is a good one to practice especially before you open your mouth and regret it. This applies to texting too and social media posts. Ask yourself what you are trying to achieve before speaking and maybe you won’t say what you were going to. 

PRAYER: Lord the tongue is so hard to master. Give me strength to get it under control. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Be Carriers

"Then he said to them all: 'Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.'"Luke 9:23

I heard a sermon recently where the minister talked about being carriers of the good news of Jesus. Usually if you hear the word carrier you might think of a disease carrier. 

Do you carry Jesus words with you and share with others? Also do you ‘carry’ yourself in a manner worthy of the Gospel? 

Be a carrier for Christ and let the joy of the Lord spill out to others. 

PRAYER: Lord help me to always carry myself in a manner worthy of you and carry your words to others. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled

 "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me". John 14:1

What is bothering you? Have you gone to the Lord and shared your heart? 

You are not to worry about anything(See Philippians 4:6-7) but to pray about everything no matter how little or trivial you think it might be. 

The enemy can cause you to stay fixated on some issue or person and you may not be able to break free because you constantly mull over things you can’t fix. You truly have to purpose in your heart to not be troubled. Period. Let things go and wait on God. 

PRAYER: Lord I need you in my life to guide my every step. I don’t want to try to orchestrate my own life so help me stay on track. In Jesus’ name. Amen.