Prisoner Of Hope

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”Romans 12:12

‘You have to have  hope. You have to hope for something ‘was a line in the faith based movie Redeeming Love  when the ladies in the brothel who were basically sold into sex slavery in cowboy days of 1850 in this fictitious movie were chatting on a ‘break’. The main  character Angel played by Actress Abigail Cowen says “Never look back never look forward “ as her response. For a young woman back then stuck in a gold mining town brothel and controlled by a madam there may not have seemed to be a future. But God. 

This situation would seem hopeless and scary. Today sex trafficking is still going on. The Redeeming Love movie was loosely based on the book of Hosea. In the credits of the film the Redeeming Love Sanctuary was mentioned to help victims of sex trafficking. In our cushy little bubble we may not know junk like this is real and not too far. 

Most my readers are not involved in sex trafficking but we can pray for the victims. Everyone has hope. Nothing is beyond God’s reach. 

PRAYER: Lord comfort the hurting in our world such as the  children from broken homes, the children who are bullied, ladies whose hearts are hurt and so much more. Help your truth win out. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Zip It Up

“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.”James 1:19

Has someone made fun of you or said hurtful things to you and you just want so bad to scream or tell them off? It may be a family member or a friend but still it is best to take it to the Lord and remain calm.That is human nature giving you those emotions and it is not God’s plan. 

Live at peace as much as possible and give difficult people and situations to the Lord. Keep your heart and mind centered on things above. 

Be still and be quiet are the best things to do and pray. 

PRAYER: Father I choose to guard my heart from evil intent that the enemy tries to tempt me to do. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Learn By Your Mistakes Then Move On

 "A wise man learns more from his enemies than a fool from his friends."Proverbs 13:20

Oh my goodness how I wish I could master the art of moving on after mistakes. You mess up you admit your fault then you are to keep looking to Jesus to guide you forward. 

Have you felt beat up by life or even ridiculed? You don’t want to be a fool and you want to be used by God where he has you in life. 

So today just breathe in breathe out and talk to God in prayer. 

PRAYER: Lord help me to stay on the path you have me letting distractions go by the wayside. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Try Being Still

“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:14

 

Most people seem to not know how to simply sit still and do nothing unless it involves their phone or TV. It is a good habit to try to develop calmness and not filling up every moment with activity and noise. 

Clear your mind and your calendar and try to relax. Being still means letting random thoughts that don’t bring glory to God go and filling your mind with good things. 

Our culture seems to want to keep people constantly on the go and you can almost feel bad if you don’t have a job title or project you are working on. You can’t hear God when you constantly are on the go. Just be still. 

PRAYER: Lord Jesus help me learn to just be still not try to run everyone’s life or get in their face. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Don’t Do it!

”Gossip betrays confidence, so avoid a person that talks too much”. Proverbs 20:19

Do you gossip? Hmm. Innocently sharing information you don’t really know is true or not is gossip. Gossip is poison. 

If you have ever been hurt by gossip you know how it hurts. Gossip causes all sorts of problems and does not bring glory to God. If a person shared a confidence with you keep it as that. 

The Navy had or maybe still had a motto ‘loose lips sink ships’ meaning just that if you share info you had no business sharing it could cause war. Let your mouth be still. Sit peacefully. Be quiet. 

PRAYER: Help me not be a participant in idle chatter or be a busy body. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Turn Worry To Worship

 "Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7

In one breath I say Lord help me not judge them in another breath I find myself judging. In one breath I know God is in control but yet in another I stress over so much stuff. 

As hard as it is try praising God when you are tempted to start worrying. Try it right now, shout to God with a voice of triumph. Don’t let the enemy defeat you and make you stress over your problems. Say Lord thank you for what you have purposed for my children and grandchildren will come to pass. 

Stop fighting the battle on a human level. Say positive things out of your mouth, don’t let your words defeat you. Start praising God when you are tempted to be in anguish. 

PRAYER: Thanks God you are working. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Do You Have A Foundation?

“For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 3:11

When the rug is pulled out from under you so to speak who do you turn to or what do you turn to?

Think back to the horrendous day of grief and shock 25 years ago when the unthinkable happened and the World Trade Center came tumbling down and The Pentagon was attacked. A mind numbing event gripped not only the nation but the world as sheer hatred was aimed at America. 

Christ is the only place to turn and the only firm foundation to stand on in times like these. You just ask yourself why God but do not blame Him. All things happen for a reason and some are not easy to hear about or witness. If you have not made Jesus your foundation and asked Him into your heart why not do it now. 

PRAYER: Father your light shines bright through the greatest darkness. You are the only foundation. I pray for evil hearts and lethargic hearts to turn to you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.