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. 

Get Bad Junk Out Of Mind

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."Phillipians  4:8

Ever have a day when you wake up in a fog and can’t seem to shake it? Probably if people depend on you when you get like this it is important to press through it not dwelling on what got you there. 

If you are physically able get out and go for a walk. Take today’s scripture and meditate on it. Try smiling at people. Make a list of things you are thankful for. 

Today is the day to embrace life and God’s goodness to you. Wherever you are stop and say ‘this is the day the Lord has made we will rejoice and be glad in it.” 

PRAYER: Father you have a plan for my life and I trust you. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Your Environment Will Disciple You

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

Today’s title came from a quote from Pastor Creflo Dollar during his online ‘Grace Gang’ broadcast on 9 June 26. I loved the concept so decided to use it for building today’s devotion. When you think of being discipled as a believer you perhaps think of a group similar to the Navigators building truth into you. The Navigators were my disciples back in 1975-76. 

Do you follow the culture more or do you follow Christ more? Give an honest answer because if this world is discipling you then you are headed for a cliff. 

Romans 12:2 has been a favorite of mine since rededicating my life to Christ in 1975 and it says “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” The world can shape you or Christ can. Which is your choice? 

PRAYER: Lord I need you each and every day to help my focus stay on you and to stop scrolling and thinking like the world. Help me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.