How To ‘Hear’ God

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2

Does God talk to you? He does to me through the word of God. Pick it up sometime. Almost everyone has a copy somewhere and if you don’t let me know I will send you a Bible. Start reading in Psalms. 

You have to get in a daily habit of picking up God’s word and ‘hiding’ it in your heart. It is powerful  because The Holy Spirit can bring conviction of right and wrong, good and evil but only through regular time in scripture. 

Even when you don’t feel like it get up and get on your knees and cry out to God. Don’t allow the devil to make you into a spiritual basket case. Stand firm and stay strong. 

PRAYER: Today Lord help me to make someone’s day better. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Get A Grip

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.Hebrews 10:23

Many things in life can be stressors. None of us are Superman or Superwoman and we have to live one day at a time breathing in, breathing out. 

You can push yourself to the limit and let your mind imagine wrong things so it is essential, yes vital, to relax let go and let God take control not as your co pilot but as The Pilot, numero uno. 

How are you doing today? Have you asked Jesus to take control of your life? Leave the judging and everything else  to Him and be at peace. 

PRAYER: Father thank you for all the blessings in my life. Help me use them to bless those around me. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Note- I got inspired on this devotion ft watching the 20/20 Special recently on The Life Of Dolly Parton. 

Being Misunderstood Or Judged Hurts

"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."1 Peter 5:7

If anyone has never been misunderstood or judged for something then you are in the minority. You only answer to one person that being Jesus your Lord and savior. Make sure your heart is right with Him.  You don’t have to prove anything to anyone. Talk to God. 

It really hurts when a family member falls into the category of judging you or thinking you are judgmental. The enemy Satan seeks to destroy relationships with friends and family so be on your guard and recognize it as such. Only the Holy Spirit can change a persons heart and mind. No amount of begging, pleading, or trying to prove yourself works. 

My friend stop where you are and ask God to reveal anything in your life that needs attention. Don’t compare yourself to others and fall into Satan’s trap. Have you heard the phrase “you are so Heavenly minded you are no earthly good?”Try to stay away from behavior that makes you seem super Holy. Only God is Holy. 

PRAYER: Father help me be still. Help me stay off social media. Help me to continue to pray and not lose heart. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Start With Jesus

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” – Lamentations 3:22-23

Did you start your day with Jesus today? For 21 days beginning 2 August I made it a point to set my alarm for 5 am MST to join Church of the Highlands(Alabama) live for their bi annual 21 Days of Prayer. It helped establish the habit of making Christ a first priority. 

It is very easy to let your day get away with you and realize whoops I forgot to pray and have a quiet time. If honest everyone can admit that happening. I have the You Version Bible App which is a great tool to get you going each day. It is free in the App Store. 

Do you need to get a prayer and Bible reading habit going? Also another good tool is Day Alone With God I learned living back in Arizona where you simply make a day or a morning and go somewhere safe without your cell phone and talk to God. I have gotten out of habit of this since leaving Alabama/Tennessee 6 years ago and need to start it up again. Anyway just make sure to get your priorities right. Now go enjoy your day. 

PRAYER: Today Lord help me pause to think of all my blessings and to trust you with my prayers. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Note: To watch archived 21 Days of Prayer go to www.churchofthehighlands.com/21days

Be Still Mouth

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

Do you have issues with your mouth maybe butting in, lying, gossip, repeating confidential information, anger, trying to get the last word and on the list goes? If you can get your mouth under control your life would be easier and kinder. The mouth would also refer to  texting because that is the modern way of talking. 

Words can wound people, tear marriages and friendships apart, break up families. It is essential to think before you speak or text. You can look up many verses in the Bible referring to the words you speak or your tongue. 

If you have been victimized by someone’s words try to forgive and move on. Ask God to help you control your mouth if it is a problem. Above all use your words to spread joy, hope, and kindness. 

PRAYER: Father forgive me when I have hurt others with things I say either intentionally or unintentionally. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Alone With Your Thoughts

 "Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth."Colossians 3:2

Jumping to conclusions, assumptions, speculating,  wrong thinking, judgments can all surface when you are alone with your thoughts. There is a TV reality show called ‘Alone’ where ten survival experts are dropped off on various remote locations usually in Artic and have to survive with limited things they are allowed to bring. 

This time of aloneness is a huge challenge as there are no other people, no cell phones, no electricity and they are allowed to bring one photo with them. That’s it. Could you do it? Find food, boil water, build a shelter and so forth. One of biggest challenges is loneliness. That is what causes some contestants to ‘tap out’ and go home. The winner is awarded $500,000. 

What do you do to keep your mind not wandering where it shouldn’t be? In order to have and maintain healthy relationships it is essential to keep your mind from bouncing all over the place. Try even a day of aloneness for practice. No cheating. Talk to God. Keep focused on above. 

PRAYER: Lord help me practice the discipline of a controlled and a peaceful mind, learning to let go of stinking thinking. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Release Wrong Thinking

 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.Philippians 4:8 NIV Bible Gateway 

It is pretty easy to start thinking wrong. You have control of your mind so turn off the wrong thinking faucet that keeps dripping unhealthy unproductive thoughts and start thinking about God.

Today’s verse says it in a nutshell. Think on things ‘above’ or in other words what the Almighty would be pleased with. Turn off sources of hate and anger in your life that may be causing you to get in a negative hateful mode. 

Use caution on social media. It is not the Bible and many people can spew all kinds of lies and filth on it that have no business in your thought life. 

PRAYER: I need your help every day Lord to get up and get going and put you at the head not the tail. Forgive me for times I neglect talking to you in prayer. In Jesus’ name. Amen.