Retired Not Expired

"The length of our days is seventy years—or eighty, if we have the strength; yet their span is but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away."Psalm 90:10

So if age is just a number why does the population over 50 years old seek the fountain of youth and dreads thinking about wrinkles, age spots, gout, shingles, neuropathy and so forth. The advertising industry goes nuts with wrinkle creams, belly fat removers, brain supplements and the list goes on. What is so hard about getting older? 

Life is a blessing. Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit so you should want to take care of it. But to obsess over looking 40 when you are 80 probably is not the way to go in my humble opinion. Enjoy your life. Take care of yourself. Stay in shape for your own wellbeing. Try new things. Don’t just curl up in a ball saying you are too old. 

Live life to the fullest. Sure,  as you age some things will happen medically but still keep a mindset you want to be always learning and active as you can. The younger generations need to develop an attitude of courtesy and respect for those who have been around awhile. Don’t be haughty. Know God is not done with you yet. 

PRAYER: Father thank you for each year of life. Help me follow your word and use me to help others. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

It’s Not About Me

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love.Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction,faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.Romans 12:9-13 NIV Bible gateway

It can be easy to become self centered and to think everything is all about you in sort of a narcissistic way without being a true narcissist. Get in a habit of thinking more of others needs than you do your own. 

Stop wallowing in self pity and really truly reach out to another person and help with their needs for a change. This world is structured almost on being self centered especially when it comes to social media and all the selfie culture. 

Start your day with prayer. Jesus first, others second and yourself last what I call the JOY principle. You may think you are the only person with problems. If you are reading this in America your problems are not at all like in the rest of the world. Get up, give thanks, be still and go help another person. 

PRAYER: Lord God give me ears to hear and eyes to see the hurt around me. Keep me from selfishness. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Everyone Needs A Little Jesus

“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”John 14:6

In 2025-26 someone got the idea of making little one inch high replicas of Jesus smiling with arms outstretched so the theory being you could give them to people who ‘needed a little Jesus’. 

I love leaving these in places where I think someone will need a hug from the Almighty. This world certainly won’t give you love or a hug. If you are on social media too long you can run away screaming “get me out of here”. 

Stop what you are doing and look around you. What do you have to be grateful for. Instead of bemoaning your ‘plight’ in life find a way to be joyful and share joy with others. Now go smile! 

PRAYER:Father use me to help bring a little Jesus to someone’s world. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Thank-You For Guardrails

“If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.” Matthew 5:29-30

A great message in church this past Sunday gave me an idea for devotions today. Out here in the west we have many mountains and curvy treacherous roads and guardrails bring comfort and security. The roads that don’t have any frighten me. Guardrails keep you from plunging down a mountain side to your death. 

Guard rails are important in life too. Guard rails such as God’s words in the Bible giving you guidance for how to stay on the path that leads to Heaven. You need to follow guidelines in life to stay on the path and not careen into Satans ditches. 

So how are you today. Do you have guard rails protecting you? 

PRAYER: Lord I choose to stay within your guard rails and not allow the enemy to send me careening off a moral cliff. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

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.