What Sin Has You Entangled?

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Romans 3:23 NIV Bible Gateway 

The strategic  attack of the enemy to trip you up and make you feel self righteous as you are not a sinner like so and so is. Watch out my friend there is no one righteous no not one it says in Romans 3:10. 

So what sin are you entangled in? Be honest and search your heart. If you are a believer and know His word and know the truth only truth sets you free. 

Maybe you only sin a little bit like a lie, half truth, judging another, gossiping. Yep those may not seem like the granddaddy of all sins but they are separating you from God. Stop what you are doing and pray for God to forgive you of your sins and stop pointing out other people’s as that is Holy Spirits job. 

PRAYER: I thank you Lord for forgiveness and for washing me whiter than snow when I come to you sincerely and repent. Guard my mouth and silence my tongue as those two things get me into the most trouble. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Dust Bunnies Beware

“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” Hebrews 13:2

For many of us the thought of having people just drop by unannounced makes you concerned of what they are going to think of your messy house if it is one of those type days. Guess what. People are not coming to judge you or grade you or do a photo shoot for House Beautiful magazine. 

Your home is the place you need to feel comfortable and be able to make others feel welcome too. The days of dropping over for a cup of coffee or just to chat are pretty much behind us which is sad. You can tell allot about people by their homes too although once again your job is not to judge but to be a friend and guest. 

Don’t stress over perfection and don’t compare your living space to another’s. Be thankful for your home and keep it comfortable and clean for your spouse for this honors God. Each person is gifted in different ways so keep that in mind and tell those dust bunnies to beware cause company is coming!! 

PRAYER: Father help me to relax in the environment you have provided for me and to keep it neat and orderly. But help me not run and hide if the doorbell rings for that rare drop in visitor. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Hey Daddy

 Praise the Lord.Blessed are those who fear the Lord,who find great delight in his commands.Their children will be mighty in the land;the generation of the upright will be blessed.Psalm 112:1-2

Father’s Day is not a happy day for many people as their father was in name only and not a true daddy or papa. Others were raised by grandpas or a guardian. Some lost their fathers when they were too young to even have a memory of it so Hallmark cards does a good job at trying to inflict pain when not just the right sentiment can be found. 

I hope your relationship with your dad was good. Dads have a huge responsibility to be the leaders of the home and to train up their children to be righteous, holy, good citizens, and so forth. When the dad is missing, many are incarcerated, it causes a deep wound that may take a lifetime to heal or recover from. 

Whatever your situation is or your relationship with your dad one thing is true without him there would be no you. If you are needing to restore a relationship with your dad pray about it. Pray for Fathers maybe who have father wounds from their dads. Dads your job is immense never think it is just about a paycheck. 

PRAYER: Thanks Lord that I was born. Help every person appreciate their life no matter what situation brought them to be born. Heal dads with wounds and help restore relationships. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Don’t Get Worldly

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. - Romans 12:2 

Today’s verse was one of the first I memorized as a ‘baby Christian’ and it holds so much truth. 

In order to be set apart for Christ you have to be different than the world not putting on an air of being better than others but simply changing your thinking to live up with kingdom thinking. 

It is easy to conform or try to fit in with a dark world but it is  more courageous to set yourself apart for serving the Lord so maybe someone may ask you what it is about you that is different. Being a Christian is not boring it is freeing and life changing. Want to know more? Private message me. 

PRAYER: Lord I am not perfect but I turn to you for help in not getting conformed to the world around me which doesn’t pay tribute to you. Help me keep my focus on the cross. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

 

What’s In A Name?

“Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth.”Phillipians 2:9-10

Kate Spade, Michael Kors, Hugo Boss, Gloria Vanderbilt and many other fashion type names are highly sought after by those wanting to impress others or just have high quality products. But why? Humans are so funny. Name dropping seems to try to prove things to others or maybe make a person feel more important. 

There is only one name that should matter and that is the name of Jesus Christ not a high end name to impress. Things in this world are so fleeting so why does it even matter what brands of things you choose to wear? 

Granted I am an outdoors person and there are even name brands in that industry associated with high quality products. My point is to buy things because of quality not because of a name. The most important name is Jesus. 

PRAYER: Lord Jesus you are the only name that matters under heaven and here on Earth. At your name people will bow down. Help me buy things because of quality not to impress others. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

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.