Your Mind Is Your Control Center

 "We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."2 Corinthians 10:5

One day I woke up super obsessed with unnatural fear of something I care not to share but after I snapped out of it realized what was happening. The enemy was punching my buttons trying to get me disabled with unnatural unhealthy fear so that would be all I could think about. 

Have you been there with something where you can’t seem to shake it? At that point recognize it is not a fruit of the Spirit and ask God to intervene and help you think right thoughts.

Fear is crippling. You have to gain control of it and one of best ways is to start the day with God. There are many fine Apps out there to have a quiet time with or simply pick up a good old fashioned paper Bible and read Psalms and Proverbs for a start. Go enjoy your day. Shake off the chains holding you down. 

PRAYER: Father I need you daily in this battle between good and evil right versus wrong. Guide me. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Keep Your Focus On Him

"Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things."Colossians 3:2

If you can make it a point to keep your focus on ‘above’ meaning Jesus then you won’t be entertaining negativity in your life or at least you shouldn’t. 

Examples are things like you start to judge or condemn. Stop it now that is not your job. Try to replace ugly judging thoughts with prayers for a person. Every body has some defect in their life and how would you like if people were saying bad stuff about you?

Next do you need to forgive somebody for something you did or said? Then go make it happen as relationships are more important than trying to play Holy Spirit Junior. Don’t be so prideful you can’t humble yourself to go take care of the matter. Only the devil likes hatred and division. 

PRAYER: Lord thanks for helping me keep my eyes on the cross. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

The Less Said The Better

The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit." Proverbs 18:21

Your mouth is the vehicle by which you communicate and sometimes wanting to say everything you are thinking can be a disaster and bring you to ruin. The thing is to try to be still and wait and it is so hard.

You can think things but you don’t always have to open your mouth. If you feel like saying something to someone think it through and better to maybe talk to God instead. 

Whatever you are dealing with in a relationship with someone God knows your heart and He knows your pain.  Being still is the key. Praying for those who have hurt you is another important thing to do. Your story is still being written. 

PRAYER: Father I thank you for the ability to speak but help me be still and wait on your timing this includes speaking through texts too. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

How Can I Look And Act More Like Jesus?

"I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me."Galatians 2:

20

As a believer how do you make yourself look more like the image of Christ? One place to start is to have your thought life line up to heavenly thinking.

Each day don’t saturate yourself with so much of our world’s culture and do nice things for others. Speak kind and act kind. Be a Good Samaritan. 

Basically if you struggle with this ask God to help you love people. 

PRAYER: Father I want to be more like you in what I think, say, and do. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Ambassador

 

"We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God."2 Corinthians 5:20

What exactly do you think of when you hear word ambassador? For me I think of an ambassador in a country who would represent  the United States but if you are a follower of Jesus Christ you are representing Him and the kingdom of God. 

This land is not your home if you have said yes to Jesus. You are  temporary resident. 

Your work is an ambassador for the kingdom of God. 

PRAYER: Today Lord is me in the lives of those I encounter. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Nobody Is Really Excited About Getting Old

 “They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green,” Psalm 92:14

 

Elderly people are shown to be nimble, sickly, needing 24/7 help and so forth. Sure some folks over 65 have issues but the way our culture looks at older members of society is pathetic. Everything is focused on eternal youth that seemingly never fades. What happened to honor and respect? 

Wouldn’t it be cool if advertisers started using older people in ads without them looking like buffoons? Aging is not a curse but should be something of a joy as well but when the culture pigeon holes elderly directing them into senior living to live out the golden years there is way more to life than that. 

Yes as you get old your body may break down if you have not taken care of it or sometimes things just happen and maybe you need care but don’t beat yourself up cause you have wrinkles and spots as it is all part of a new season of life. Younger people out there learn from your elders and be kind and respectful to them as you never know when they won’t have another tomorrow. 

PRAYER: Father help me accept and embrace each stage of life. Forgive me for complaining. Help me lean in to where I am in life and stop looking in mirror. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Be The Bigger Person-Take The High Road

 "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Romans 12:21

It can be easy to complain, judge, argue and so forth but as a dear friend of mine says years ago “take the high road” as it is easy to get into conflict over the dumbest things that don’t really matter. 

Are you in a dispute right now with someone or an issue has been hanging over your head seemingly for years and it is time to say “enough is enough” and move on get healing and restoration? Then make it happen through your prayers. 

It is not fun to have distance in relationships that should be close for whatever reason but God is a God of healing, redemption, and restoration. Pray and let Him work. 

PRAYER: My heart aches Lord when I am in conflict that shouldn’t be happening. Only you can change people and turn things around. In Jesus’ name. Amen.