Stay Out Of The Pig Pen

Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. 1 John 3:8

Oh my goodness what has happened to America! Compromise of values, tolerating of obvious sin. Turning the other cheek and getting desensitized to what is blatantly not of the Lord.

The more we tolerate an evil society that can’t tell right from wrong, the closer we are to God’s judgment. If it feels right do it should not be our national Motto. Nor should happiness over holiness.

To stay out of the pig pen keep your mind saturated with truth. That little voice inside of you should be keeping you on the right path.Run from wrong and evil. Don’t lower your standards to be part of the crowd. Be ready to in love answer anyone who would ask how you are able to live a life like this. Only Jesus can give you strength to not run with the world.

PRAYER: Father God I have slipped into the pig pen on occasion but you are there to lift me out and clean me up. I pray for those I know in this worldly pig pen to see God’s light and turn from evil. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Don't Leave Home Without Him!

Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Ephesians 6:13

 Many of you have probably seen the TV commercial for a certain credit card company telling us to “not leave home without it”. Have you ever considered not leaving home without Jesus?

Everything else is so crucial to your day but what about putting on that armor of God before heading out the door to start the day. The armor of course I am referring to is reading the word of God. It is your shield and buckler and lifter of your head when you need strength.

What is more important than your walk with God? Maybe it is time to prioritize your morning and get Jesus back in the place he rightfully belongs.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus I need discipline in my life and more importantly desire for the word. Teach me to do what is right and not let the activities of my day put you on back burner. In  Jesus’ name. Amen.

Flipping Out

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6

Does something ever happen that makes you feel crazy? Conflicts, turmoil, sudden changes in life, relationship issues, work situations? Whatever it is when you start to lean too much on yourself that is not good. 

The verse today says to trust with ALL your heart. Don’t try to figure things out on your own. Seek God’s advice and comfort. He is your friend,counselor, and confidant. 

So when things in life get a little crazy and haywire don’t run to the phone but run to the throne, of God that is! 

PRAYER: Sometimes big time spiritual warfare kicks in and if not careful I can get nuts and succumb to the attacks of Satan. Help me to stand strong in the storms of life that come my way and keep focused on above. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Under The Hood

Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Colossians 3:16

Have you popped your vehicle’s hood lately and checked the oil and other fluid levels? This is something many don’t think of and joke they are waiting for the red light to come on to get their oil changed. Too late then. To keep your vehicle running it needs maintenance and care on a daily basis. 

Likewise believers need to check under their ‘spiritual hood’ daily too. Are you getting fed scripture on a daily basis? Are you listening to worship music to lift your soul? Are you keeping distractions that could pull you away from the Lord away such as bad movies, too much TV, inappropriate reading material? Are you keeping the Sabbath day Holy by attending a place to worship? This is more than what some say is a ‘brick and mortar building’ which they don’t need cause they love God. The point of a ‘building’ is that is where you find fellowship with other believers which is essential to grow and stay on track. 

So is it time for you to do a spiritual check up to make sure your spirit man is in working order? 

PRAYER: Thanks so much for living in a nation where at least for now I can read my Bible freely in public if I so choose. I can worship publicly and not have to go to an underground church. Help me stay tuned up for you Lord and convict me when I start to stray and need to get back into my spiritual garage. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Not On God’s Watch

“This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Once again I will yield to Israel’s plea and do this for them: I will make their people as numerous as sheep, as numerous as the flocks for offerings at Jerusalem during her appointed festivals. So will the ruined cities be filled with flocks of people. Then they will know that I am the Lord.”Ezekiel 36:37-38 

These verses above indicate the Lord would fill the ruined cities with flocks of people, and they would know that He is the Lord. There is much chaos and anti Jewish sentiment in our nation and in the world and now even a couple of our US elected officials are part of the anti Semitic crowd. It is unbelievable. But hey, God is still God and the truth will set people free. 

You need to be praying daily for those who stir up hate, terrorism, anger, lies, bigotry against believers, and further those who seek to disrupt by manipulating others and twisting the truth. There are some in Congress who definitely wreak of anti patriotism and try to get others on their bandwagon. Pray for those confused souls to find the Lord instead of getting angry at them. 

The Bible tells us to pray for our enemies. Also pray for the blinders of  Satanic deception to be lifted off thousands some of which may be friends or family. God is love and where there is a spirit of anger and division that is not from God but from the pit of hell. Do not engage in arguments with others either directly or on social media but stay peaceful and pray. God is on the throne and He is staying there. 

PRAYER: Father God I thank you for placing me just where I am in the world. I pray for those who are gifted at interacting with those who try to commit Jihad and destroy America and take over the world. I pray for the spirit of love and truth to increase more and more as believers shine the light of Jesus wherever their journey takes them. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Blessed Is The Man

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers. Psalm 1:1

Did you know that as you run your race to win you have to keep looking to the cross and avoid the pull of this world to drag you into the lusts of this world? As this verse indicates it is essential you don’t follow the path of the wicked.

The Holy Spirit living inside of you convicts of sin and can let you know when you need to run far and fast away from something. Some of you may know others who have strayed from the truth as they listened to captivating voices sent by the evil one to try to destroy them. When you don’t study and read God’s word it can be very easy to follow enticing voices and be convinced they are right.

Is your delight in the law of the Lord and the scriptures or are you more delighted in the captivating voices and lies of the world? In order to recognize the truth you have to stay in the word. Where are your loyalties in life? Worldliness or Godliness?

PRAYER: Lord I love your word and I want to try on the path you have for me never turning to the right or left. Help me recognize evil and run from it. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

When There Are No Words

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Philippians 1:21-24

Life has twists and turns. When you are going full steam ahead and there is a sudden horrible bump in the road such as loss of a child, spouse, girlfriend, boyfriend, or something so unexpected it throws you for  a loop where do you turn?

When the tragedy comes in the form of death of a newlywed spouse where are the words? All I can say is stuff happens and God has a way of redeeming and setting things on the right course. “Yeah that is all fine and good Lord but why did you take my child away?” “I can’t stand it Lord, we were only married two years, why oh why?”
“How do I raise two small children without a dad?”

Pain and heartbreak is part of life. With the good comes the not so good or at least at the time it is horrible and you want to die yourself. There are no words to really answer questions such as the ones I included today but hold on to God’s rope and He will see you through. Talk to Him in prayer, even cry out and scream if it makes you feel better. If you have a person in your life this has happened to just be there for them and listen. Don’t try to say “well they are in a better place” because that hurts even though we know it is true. Stand firm, keep praying, keep breathing, keep believing in hope and don’t just quit on life. God will get you through this horrible time and can turn those ashes into beauty.

PRAYER: Father I need help in knowing what to say to someone when the unpredicted and unexplainable happens in their life. Comfort those reading who have gone through this valley of the shadow of death and strengthen them to see the light at the end of this very dark tunnel. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

NOTE: In memory of Michael Eisenhour husband of my friend Lenore Appelhans. May God strengthen Lenore and his children and get them through this tragedy. 

God Is The Ruler Yet

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

The old hymn, ‘This Is My Father’s World’  has a verse which says “and oh the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet”. I was pondering what that meant one day while walking.

So much garbage is going on today and the world of politics is allowing stuff we never thought we would see. Free speech is threatened. Security of the nation is threatened. Christian Right of conscience is under attack. Those who ‘hate the infidel’ and the Jewish people are voted into Congress. It makes your head explode if you allow it.

Just as the lyrics to this old hymn state, even though the WRONG seems to blare at us in the face and the voices of mankind have gone crazy, Jesus is Lord and still on the throne. Try to let that comfort you and be your solace as you continue to lift this nation,  the world and our leaders up in prayer.

PRAYER: Father God I love you and I know mean spirited people break your heart. I know your breaks with the sins of mankind. Help me keep on keeping on day to day serving you and speaking the truth in love never fearing mere man. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Fast From Negativity

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. Ephesians 4:29

The focus for the month of January has been starting new habits and even fasting. This fasting could be from food, a favorite coffee beverage, TV, newspapers, or even as simple as a fast from being negative.

Our world could sure use some positive upbeat people spreading good vibes on a daily basis. Why don’t you decide you will be one of those people? Simply stop judging, thinking ugly, being mean and ask The Holy Spirit to make you aware when you become a negative person.

2019 can be a stupendous year if only each of us does our part to bring joy everywhere we venture. Go have fun and spread some positive feelings.

PRAYER: Oh I love to stay as far away from bad news and ugliness as I possibly can and as part of that help me reach out to others with the glow of Jesus on my face and be a positive person. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Picked Last , Chosen First

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9

How many of you remember the days back in elementary school when on the playground it was time to pick teams?  I hated that time. If you were  not popular or super athletic or skilled in what the game was going to be, you may have sat until the comment was made “ok I’ll take her!” Very humbling and also very hurtful.

Life is full of choices of all kinds. You apply for a job and wait to find out if you get it. You may be waiting to get picked for a sorority or fraternity in college and hope to be accepted. This worldly acceptance does not really matter.  I will tell you who does accept you and chooses you and that is the Lord Jesus Christ.

So no matter if you are chosen by man or accepted by man on this earth the big thing is that Jesus loves you. He calls you out from a dark place. If you struggle to feel  like you fit in or are loved,  just know God Loves you. Don’t be so concerned about social media likes because in the end they will not matter. Jesus Loves you and chooses you.

PRAYER: I am glad that if the world rejects me you never do. Help me let that soak in. I am valuable to you and choose to not believe the devils lies otherwise. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Worldly Fears?

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9

Does the situation in our world ever scare you? Just let me remind you who is still on the throne. Sometimes I think God laughs at the way mere mortals try to control and scare people. He wants you to rest in Him and in Him alone. 

Don’t let the giants in life turn you into a fearful coward. Standup and speak truth to your situation in the mighty name of Jesus. One thing I consistently urge readers to do is to put down the newspaper and turn off the constant hum of the TV news. Whose truth is in its pages or on its’ airways anyway, whose opinions? 

The one thing to do in this new year is to make a habit of starting the day with God no matter how creative you have to be with scheduling. Don’t know how or what to do, start reading Psalms and go from there. You can purpose in your heart to be a fearless believer who trusts God in all things, and I do mean ALL things. Prayer doesn’t have to be fancy just talk. Now go shout out the joy and peace of Jesus. 

PRAYER: Lord help me start each day boldly trusting you and not fearful or angry cause I fed my mind with politics and news before you. My time is precious and it is in your hands. Help me not waste it. In Jesus’ name.Amen.

Counting Chickens Before They Hatch

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34

Are you the kind of person that starts to fret and become concerned about something before it even occurs? You make a mountain out of a molehill so to speak. I try not to be and just when I think I have victory in this area a test pops up to see just how much I do trust God with ALL things and cast the unimaginable fears on Him. 

Who causes this? The enemy that is who! Satan, Lucifer, demons, the devil. Worry, speculation, and fret are not a bi products of a thriving peaceful walk with the Lord. 

So what do you do when you are sailing along smooth fighting daily spiritual battles fairly well and the enemy throws you a bunch of nonsense in your mind? Take thoughts captive and talk out loud informing the devil you are confident God is the one to give you the peace you need and cast that future junk that may or may not happen far away and trust God. When tempted to let your mind wander get on your knees and pray. 

PRAYER: God you care for me and for my family and you are with me. Forgive me when I have a worry melt down and take my eyes off you. Help me keep looking up. In a Jesus’ name. Amen.

They Say....Who Is They?

Elijah came near to all the people and said, "How long will you hesitate between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him." But the people did not answer him a word. 1 Kings 18:21

Probably everyone has heard someone say “they say” referring to some random group of expert people and I always wonder who ‘they’ really are. What really matters isn’t what ‘they say’ but what ‘God says’. Think on that for a moment.

It is easy even for Christians to get caught up in concern over public opinion when really all that matters is what God says. The random ‘they group’ like who is that anyway? Maybe you feel you have to dress a certain way or carry a certain backpack or purse. But you really don’t. 

Have the courage to break away from the unspoken voice known as ‘they’ and follow the voice of God and Holy Spirit. The only mold that matters is fitting into the kingdom of God and doing things for His purposes.

PRAYER: I delight in your testimonies. They bring joy and peace to my soul. I find refuge in the presence of other believers who gather to worship you. Give me strength to break the stronghold of ‘they’ and follow you Lord. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Give Jesus A Shout Out!

“If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels." Mark 8:38

It’s time for those of us who love Jesus to say so. Don’t lead a double life being ashamed of Jesus when around people who maybe aren’t excited about a relationship with the Lord. Be consistent and let your love be known. 

So it’s your lunch time in a restaurant. Do you bow your head or coyly do the ‘headache’ prayer where you sort of hold your forehead  looking around while you utter a few ‘holy’ words then chow down? You’re in a group and have the opportunity for a Christian moment but avoid it. Very sad. 

My friend we are to be salt and light in this adulterous and sinful generation we are living in. Darkness disappears when light comes on the scene. Do you choose to be that ‘light’? I hope so. Stand up, stand up for Jesus!

PRAYER: Freedom of religion has been under attack more in the last 10 years than any other time I can think of. People who don’t have convictions or a love for God don’t think anyone else should either. I lift those lost souls up to you now to find you and make you their Saviour. As for me, keep me bold for the kingdom. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Discernment 101

I will not look with approval on anything that is vile. I hate what faithless people do; I will have no part in it. Psalm 101:3

If you are a Christ follower you should be discerning in what you choose to allow into your mind and what and who you allow to influence you. This world is under tremendous spiritual warfare by our enemy Satan who lies so much even believers start to accept the garbage and start living in the dump. This is why it is so critical to not wake up daily and feed your mind on worldly things  coming from the news on TV or the morning newspaper. Often times you can be deceived into believing so many things that are not real.

2019 is a clean slate and a new opportunity to get serious about your walk with God and your quiet time. It is also a time to really set boundaries on feeling you have to listen to news more than you even want to read God’s word. Even your choice of movies shouldn’t be what Hollywood says.

Why not decide now in this the first month of the new year things are going to be different. Purpose in your heart to be set apart for the kingdom of God. To do this you have to look at the ‘world’ in your rear view mirror and press on. 

PRAYER: Lord Jesus I want to truly have the mind of Christ. I don’t want bad junk entering my head and also want a Christian worldview. Give me discernment and courage to do the right thing. In Jesus’ name.Amen. 

Like Father, Like Daughter and Son

So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.Romans 14:12

Have you ever heard anyone say “like father, like son” or “like father, like daughter?” Men have allot of weight and responsibility in the rearing of a successful family. 

An even more important ‘Father’ is your Heavenly Father and hopefully all earthly dads out there reading this have set a Christlike example in your home for raising your son or daughter in the ways of kingdom principles to love and serve Jesus. It’s a huge responsibility dads to be the spiritual leader in your home and just like marriage vows not to be taken lightly. Many problems in society are traced back to having no father figure or an inactive aloof one. 

Dads, are you praying for your children and training them how to use the Bible and exposing them to a dynamic church home where Christian fellowship exists? Some day all of us will have to answer to the Almighty and hopefully dads, you take your job pretty seriously. If you don’t train your children in godliness who will? 

PRAYER: Lord I pray for all dads out there who claim to be Christians and love Jesus first to live for you. Secondly I pray for them to take their responsibility as Christian dads seriously and expose their child to Christian upbringing both in home and in church. Motivate any who need an extra push and convict their hearts. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Hold On, I’m Coming!

"But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” Matthew 24:36

This title is not referring to the sixties rock song, but about we the people, the believers, who endure struggles here on Earth and just wonder when Jesus is coming back. Don’t fear. He has a plan.

Problems in life are going to happen. No one is immune. But just as a physical thunderstorm occurs and afterwards a rainbow, there will be rainbows of hope in your life as well.

When discouragement comes get in the habit of continuing in prayer and yes even praise and know your freedom is around the bend. The floods recede, the fires stop, and many times valuable life lessons are learned as a result. If there were never problems you probably would not seek the Lord as earnestly now would you? Press on He is coming!

PRAYER: I know you have a perfect plan although sometimes many who aren’t believers curse you. Father I pray for hurting hearts of unbelievers and I pray you can use me to bring hope to a hurting world around me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Don’t Think Like That!!

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

Do you have wrong thinking? Often times when a person does not keep their mind active and centered on work, home, and Christ it can drift. Satan is a master of using our minds to trip us up. 

Your thoughts create  what Bible teacher and author Joyce Meyer affectionately call ‘stinking thinking’. This type of thinking can cause you to react in a wrong way or say something you may regret. 

You need to get your mind centered on Christ and keep it renewed daily. Stop dwelling on negative junk that only creates trouble and problems in your thought life. Instead study God’s word, pray, and make a habit of casting down wrong thinking before it destroys you. 

PRAYER: My mind is so important and I don’t want it cluttered with worldly thinking and wrong junk. Give me strength to renew it daily with prayer and the Bible. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Morning Person?

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.Mark 1:35

Jesus got up early in morning. Can you get up early in the morning? Some people are not ‘morning people’ but to get up to spend time with the Lord it might be a nice way to start 2019.

The first part of the year some churches are having 21 Days of Prayer. Our church has it and weekdays it begins at 6 ending at 7 allowing those attending to get on to work or wherever they need to be. It is a time of corporate prayer and worship and I can tell you from experience it may have been early but was a tremendous boost to my prayer life. 

Your church may not have an event planned like this but why not try the discipline of early morning prayer this month and maybe it might become a habit. 

PRAYER: Lord here I am. I am tired but I know I need to make you come first each and every day. Give me strength to get up and get going and not flip on TV before I flip open your word. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Stiff Neck??Hard Heart??

God is wise in heart and mighty in strength. Who has hardened himself against Him and prospered? Job 9:4

I often think when I write about certain subjects some of those needing a breakthrough aren’t even reading. You can’t force a person to obey the Lord. As Bible teacher often says “you can’t be Holy Spirit junior” and isn’t that the truth? 

People who have stiffened their necks, so to speak,  and have ‘hard hearts’ are difficult to reach but not impossible according to the word of God(Mark 9:23). It is the enemy who wants people to give up and just accept it and stop praying. Don’t do that friend! 

Beware also that you yourself don’t get tripped up and end up with your own hard heart(Hebrews 3:13). Jesus is the best spiritual chiropractor ever. Go to him daily. 

PRAYER: Father God Thank you for the opportunity I have in America to freely worship you. I have no excuse for allowing my heart to turn hard or neck stiff. Break any possible strongholds that could interfere with my love for you and do the same in the lives of friends or family who have lost their passion for you and their spiritual fire is all but snuffed out. In Jesus’ name. Amen.  

The Bible’s Truth Is Not Negotiable

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8

There are many ‘churches’ who choose to not pay attention to what the word of God says and have changed it to fit today’s culture almost like a slap in the face to the Almighty  seemingly thinking he is not in touch with today’s modern culture. Marriage for instance, non negotiable, man and woman. Ouch Becky did you really say that. No God did. Given a biological gender at birth by God therefore no way out to be another gender. Sanctity of human life God created to not be sucked out by abortionists. 

The enemy of our souls, Satan, has deceived many people. We are not to follow television, Hollywood, the music industry and advertising trying to figure out what is right and wrong. At your fingertips hopefully you have a copy of the Holy word of God. Just as today’s verse says, “it is the same” and has not changed to fit the modern culture. That my friend is a trick from the pit of hell. 

Pray for those who are living a lifestyle contrary to God’s word and pray for those churches out there who are misleading their flocks by accepting something contrary to truth found in the word. Remember our battle is NOT against flesh and blood but against Satan. I may have some readers who are caught up in churches who have deceived many and tricked  them into believing lies and my prayer for them is to pray and seek the truth. We are to love all people no matter what even those who are straying and confused or believing these lies. The battle is the Lords. 

PRAYER: Oh Lord the devil is no joke and he is a puny liar who has confused many people into believing contrary to the word of God. I pray for those denominations that teach lies to their congregations. I  pray for healing for those caught up in being someone other than  who God created them to be. I pray for soft hearts for those who judge people living alternate lifestyles. I pray for love to win out and the truth to set men free. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Faulty Thought Processes

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

If you don’t want to have your home burn down you might have to occasionally insure wiring is inspected. Many house fires are due to faulty wiring. Many problems in your spiritual walk could be due to faulty thinking. 

If you constantly rehash the negative in your mind you will never escape from this. You have to purposely get away from stuff that causes negativity such as anger, worry, or fear. Think about your own life and what you could do to insure your thought processes are not cluttered with what Bible teacher Joyce Meyer affectionately calls ‘stinking thinking’! Don’t use the excuse “I am just a worrier” cause I don’t think that is the solution to peace. 

Don’t let your brains wiring get you caught up in wrong thought processes. It is a spiritual discipline only you are responsible for and can choose to do or to not do. What is your choice for 2019? 

PRAYER: Father I love to have pure good thoughts. I don’t like stress, worry, fear, hate, or any of those negative things and if any of them present in my life beak that choke hold now. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Good Roots

“They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit." Jeremiah 17:8

In a few months spring will be upon us and many will plant flowers and vegetables. Right now you can look around you and see trees and grass and some is flourishing but some may look sickly. I have seen a few trees that look like they could topple at any moment due to bad root system. 

In our spiritual life your ‘roots’ are crucial too. You need to put fertilizer on plants and you need to fertilize your spiritual roots with a daily dose of reading scripture. Is there anything you know of in your daily life that may be a contributing factor to your spiritual roots drying up? 

Why not continue in the month of January purposing in your heart to grow closer to the Lord and the more you do for the kingdom the stronger your roots will become. 

PRAYER: I want to get closer to you in 2019 and get rid of anything that poisons my spiritual life. Help me recognize evil and search for truth in the word daily. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Urgent Email??Urgent Scriptures!

But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents,ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God. 2 Timothy 3:1-4

Do you ever receive a message on email that begs your attention right now by saying it is urgent? Many are scams and time wasters yet the ‘tyranny of the urgent’ beckons many. I will tell you what is really urgent in this day and time we are living in and that is being lovers of God instead of lovers of self. 

What is needed is a love revolution and spiritual awakening of mass proportion. Even some churches are not preaching the truth but help contribute to moral decline. There are so many angry people. Politics and the media have created much of it and I feel on purpose to contribute to the breakdown of a Christian moral society. 

2019 is a time for starting over, a new slate so to speak. But ‘mind renewal’ is important and many don’t even recognize the fact that Satan has taken them captive. Believers, we need to be on our knees and maybe do some fasting and prayer as well. Don’t be mad at people but pray for them. This is a war against Satan not a human being. Now go and  do what really truly is of urgency. Prayer. 

PRAYER: Father often times I slide into complacency and forget to really have a good time in the word. Give me and those close to me discernment to recognize the lies of this culture and world.  Help me above all to remember to love even the unlovable. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Like Nothing You Have Seen Before!

Rather, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no heart has imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9

About this time of year new major motion picture releases come out of Hollywood with catchy advertising to attempt to make potential viewers feel like they can’t miss it because it is so outstanding. I always wonder by whose standards?

In the verse for today it talks about the thing that is really outstanding and just around the bend for believers. No one can imagine what Heaven will be like. Not movie directors, screen writers, authors, artists, no one!

Why not start this new year on the right foot thinking about Heaven? Don’t get caught up in worldly pursuits that are of no value or anger towards politicians or a government, but start by singing praises to the One Most High, the Lord God Almighty. My suggestion is to pray and fast and for anyone you know caught up in hate and anger just continue to pray for them to think on things above glory of what Heaven will be like.

PRAYER:Father God I look forward to the day I enter the heavenly kingdom. If people think the earth is beautiful just wait. You are awesome and powerful. Thank you for what you have prepared for those who love you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Battefield Faith

Although we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 2 Corinthians 10:3-4

Do you realize you are  living on an active battlefield? Not one with tanks, airplanes, grenades,  IED’s, and land mines but one where Satan is roaming around getting many deceived and thrown off course. Even people who love the Lord are often times infected by this distortion of the truth and start to believe lies. Satan uses many things to help him do his job.

If you are a Christ follower you should be discerning in what you choose to allow into your mind and what and who you allow to influence you. This world is under tremendous spiritual warfare by our enemy Satan who lies so much even believers start to trust his puny fabricated lies and start living in the dump. This is why it is so critical to not wake up daily and feed your mind on worldly garbage coming from the news on TV or the morning newspaper. Often times you can be deceived into believing so many things that are not real.

2019 is a clean slate and a new opportunity to get serious about your walk with God and your quiet time. It is also a time to really set boundaries on feeling you have to listen to news more than you even want to read God’s word. Christians will be persecuted as we stand up to the lies and the moral free fall going on around us. Right is being called wrong. God help us. The culture is not our friend. We are to be spiritually minded but too many people are worldly minded. Brother and sister I urge you please to not trust a political party, a news network, a newspaper, an education system but to trust in the living God. The only way you will be able to combat the enemy and know the truth is to GET INTO THE WORD OF GOD. Are you ready?

PRAYER: God and the devil, two choices that are pretty clear modern culture being run by minions of the enemies court are tricking many. I pray for those I am close to to have their minds opened to the truth and to run with God not the enemy and stay way far away from his camps which are all around. Help me recognize evil. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Time Wasters

The plans of the diligent lead to profit  as surely as haste leads to poverty. Proverbs 21:5

Here we are in 2019 and already many of your resolutions may be broken. Clean closets, clear clutter, exercise daily, lose weight, study Bible daily, you get the idea. One excellent resolution might be stop wasting time.

Deleting email, staying on social media, watching TV all are huge time wasters. If only you and I gave that much time to our savior. Many of us treat him like a good luck charm and aren’t really doing much of anything to keep the mind saturated with Christian thinking.

What can be done?

First the stronghold of time wasting has to be broken. Take inventory and get truthful with yourself about stuff you do that is of no value. Purpose in your heart that you are going to get serious about wasting precious time allotted to you by God.

PRAYER: I only have so many hours in my day and only so much time until I leave this Earth. Give me the desire to not waste valuable time and use what I have in a manner that brings glory to you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Return To Sender

Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns." Matthew 16:33

Many times if you get misdirected snail mail you can write on outside of it “return to sender” thus indicating it does not belong to you. You need to do the same things with the lies Satan places in your head that make you succumb to fear, self pity, speaking before you think, and just wrong thinking in general. 

Satan’s job is to kill, steal, destroy, divide, deceive. There is nothing good in the little puny liar. He may try to appear as an angel of light at times to really get you off course. It is imperative you are versed in scripture to know how to put him in his place. Pray for family members or friends who have been sucked into his lies masquerading as political correctness, a new world order, or cultural shift on morality. 

In 2019 start getting in the habit of knowing where to go in God’s words to fight the lies and deception of Satan and talk out loud to him, cover your family with the blood of Jesus and know he has no power over you. 

PRAYER: I thank you that your promises are throughout scripture. When culture shifts due to the lies of Satan your word and truth does not shift. Satan has no authority over me and can take his lousy stinking hands off my family too. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Sorry To See You Go

How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man. Proverbs 6:9-11

Time wasters are everywhere and one of the biggest of 2018 was wading through unnecessary email and paper junk mail. Conveniently online you can quickly click ‘unsubscribe’ and you will receive a message “sorry to see you go”.  It is a message I love to see more and more.

The more you get rid of unnecessary distractions in your life the more time you will have to spend on what really matters. Clutter keeps you from what is important and can be a major distraction in your life and even put you in stupor like behavior if not careful.

As you are charting your course for 2019 why not seriously look at the junk mail you get electronically and and in paper format and throw it out before it buries you and takes away your peace.

PRAYER: New years are all about new starts and deciding to do new things or go in a different direction. Lord give me strength to get control of all kinds of clutter especially junk mail. Help me use wisdom and discernment in what to keep and what to trash and delete. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Here We Go Again...Another Brand New Year

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. Isaiah 43:18-19

I love the start of a new year and a fresh beginning but it seems like it was only yesterday we just celebrated 2018. Where does the time go?

As you enter the first day of 2019 I urge you to start with prayer. Get away to pray somewhere this week and ponder the year ahead of you. Yes write some resolutions down but make some of those spiritual ones. Press on with those prayer concerns that you may have been praying for some time now.

Maybe even make a list of things to work on like finishing a project, thinking before you speak, listen better, praying more. A fresh start is always a good thing. Don’t let your mind start to dwell on negative. Stay positive and focused on above. You can do it!!

PRAYER: Ah 2019 has arrived. Our time is in your hands Lord. Help me not waste the days you give me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

This was to be posted 1 Jan 19. My apologies.

Britches Too Big?

Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth; an outsider, and not your own lips. Proverbs 27:2

Humility is something each of us should strive for. Tooting your own horn never is a way to win close friends. 

It is God who has gifted each of us with skills, talents, gifts, and abilities and even the gift of giving where you may like to bless others not  ever expecting anything in return. 

Famous wealthy people put their pants on the same way you do just more expensive pants. Those people with the more expensive britches should remember who gave them the ability to buy them and not get puffed up. Do you need to work on letting your virtues speak for themselves? 

PRAYER: Father God I certainly don’t want to be a braggart and boaster. If I boast have it only be of what you have done for me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.