But You Don’t Know How I Am Feeling

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18

Feelings are a tangible real emotion for all people probably even an infant who can’t talk yet using their  crying to express how they feel at a particular time. 

If you are a parent of a small child listen to your children if they try to explain something to you or indicate their feelings because it could even alert you to dangers with teachers, adults in their life, coaches,  or even possibly child sex traffickers depending on what the individual shares. Not saying this to get you to worry but don’t be so mesmerized by things you can’t see beyond for what might be underlying causes of emotions. 

Yes we often don’t know how people feel because none of us are mind readers so be still, pray, stay in the Word of God. 

PRAYER: Lord Jesus help me be alert to any dangers of anyone I might know or be close to and help me listen when someone wants to share how they feel and never make lightly of it. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

WRLWND

They sow the wind and reap the whirlwind. The stalk has no head; it will produce no flour. Were it to yield grain, foreigners would swallow it up.Hosea 8:7

Thanks again to an Idaho motorist for providing my title for today meaning ‘whirlwind’ from their vanity tag. When I saw it I immediately wondered if the individual knew Jesus or just made this a comical play on words as much of secular society and the culture like to joke about sin and its’ ramifications. 

Isaiah 66:15 says “See, the LORD is coming with fire, and his chariots are like a whirlwind; he will bring down his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire.” It is a symbol of God’s power, might, and judgment. You can mock God or ignore His truths but in the end all mankind will know who is Lord. 

Many who mock God and His laws will be crying out for help in the end when they do know the truth. Scripture says in Galatians 6:7 that “God is not mocked. Whatever a man does he will reap.”

Run hard after God my friend. Resist the devil and he will flee it says in James 4:7. 

PRAYER: My heart breaks for those who mock God and trash His truths. You still love them but Father help all mankind come to know Jesus is Lord. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Bible-Notification

“My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart."Proverbs 3:1

For anyone on their phone using social media or other tools you may receive what is called a ‘notification’ hopefully getting you to interrupt what you are doing to look at it such as a Facebook notification. I may look at Amber Alerts or Watch Duty, a fire app, but don’t have to jump right in to social media it can wait if I look at all. 

What if you could get a notification to read your Bible? I know the You Version Bible App has several plans you can sign up for to read devotions with scripture but they are sent as a reminder to not forget. 

What is more important than hiding God’s words in your heart? Satan doesn’t want you to know God’s word so he will try to distract you or make you feel you know enough. Brother and sister you need God’s word in your heart daily in order to know truth from deception. Make it your priority. 

PRAYER: Lord I need you daily and I lean on you to help me get through each and every day. Help me keep my eyes and ears alert to tricks of the enemy. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

You Can Pour A Wall To Hold Back A River But You Can’t Pour One To Make It Rain

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10

My title is  a quote from a documentary I was watching on public TV about the Glen Canyon Dam and Lake Powell and lack of sufficient snow melt having created a huge problem. Made me think that man is not really in control of anything even though the illusion exists he is. The big HE is the one in

control ultimately.

Interesting concept that God gave man the knowledge and intelligence needed to create many things one of which were huge concrete dams to hold back rivers like the Colorado to generate electricity. But dams can fail and skies may not open and produce precipitation. Then what next? 

Never take anything in life for granted. Give thanks for those skills He has blessed you with and your problem solving abilities to figure things out but don’t get so high and mighty you think you are a one man or one woman show. God created all things and He is behind it all. 

PRAYER: Father you alone are almighty and glorious. Thanks for the gifts and abilities you give to all humans to do things and create things. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

SNDHLP

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1 NIV Bible Gateway

Yet another vanity tag gives me an idea for my writing this one means ‘Send Help’ and it would be great in passing a note to someone if you passed them walking and were being harmed but what was the vehicle owner trying to get across by this hidden message? 

Perhaps the verse for today brings enlightenment in that God is always with us and is a sort of flotation device if you feel you are sinking. He is ‘ever present’ meaning always there. Wow! 

What are you dealing with in life where you need help? Reach out in prayer to God as He will send help. 

PRAYER: Lord God help me stay grounded in your word and I know you are always there in all situations. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Oh To Be Rich

 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:19-21

One day I had been out shopping in downtown Boise and stopped at a high end coffee shop attached to a boutique hotel and watching the ‘rich and famous’ checking out and thinking how great it is to live in America and have the opportunities we do where you can literally have the chance to do anything you want. 

Furthermore Romans 12:16 states "Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but associate with the lowly. Do not be conceited.” Before arriving at this coffee shop I passed what the world would call a bum on the street. I smiled and said hi. He did not ask me for anything. 

If you have riches do you share with others or do you only heap up things for yourself? Do you tithe and help others in need and do it cheerfully?The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. This is 2 Corinthians 9:6-7. My friend don’t live like this is all there is. Some day you will die. We all will.  Enjoy life but be thankful and give money away and help others. 

PRAYER: Lord use me to help others not expecting anything in return. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Being Calm, Cool, And Collected

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

Someone trying to get you in a dispute? Best thing is to stay calm and not enter in to this and don’t fall for schemes to blame you for starting a fight. Be still. 

One of the hardest things to do is wait for something. You want to orchestrate things and take matters into your own hands and you feel like screaming. I know it is hard to wait but know God is working in you while you learn to be still. 

Breathe in, breathe out. Give thanks. Pray. Read your Bible. Be still. Now go have a great day. 

PRAYER: Lord help me to learn to trust your ways and not mine. In Jesus’ name. Amen.