What Do You Need To Leave Behind To Follow God?

 

And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? Luke 9:23-25

Have you ever taken stock of your life when you call yourself a Christian to see what you would say to someone to ‘prove’ it? It’s not about good works or going to church or even being baptized but is a heart condition.

When you love someone you want to to do great things for them and can’t get enough of being with them. If you are a true follower of the Lord you want to shine for Him and know more about Him not just say you are a Christian giving no thought about what it entails. Is there any thing you need to do or not do to draw closer to God? 

PRAYER: I yearn to be closer Father and would rather be a doorkeeper in your house than a King elsewhere. I want to press in and stop making excuses for why I only give you five minutes, if that, a day. I will not allow the enemy to distract me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Are You Consumed By Fear?

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

Many things can scare you? A dark room, flying, people who drive too fast, death, mountain lions, bears,  disease, pandemic, bankruptcy, and on it goes add to the list. Fear is a lack of trust and peace. 

Today there are fears of a pandemic, fear of vaccinations, fear of government overreach, fear of death, fear of tyranny, fear of job loss.Do you believe God is truly your Father and cares for you similar to an earthly father who takes care of His children? God has things under control so why can’t you give it up and trust Him? He will not leave you and He is way bigger than any dreaded fear Satan tries to plant in your head. 

Are you able to surrender your fears to Him and then leave them at the ‘foot of the cross’ so to speak? The enemy wants you to continue pacing the floor and imagining doomsday scenarios but refuse those thoughts in Jesus name and tell the little weasel who is protecting you. 

PRAYER: I think about things I have been worried about or feared and I trust you fir divine protection and deliverance out of the enemies hand. Your love for me is so great and I thank you for your protection and peace. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Good Samaritan? Who Me?

Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So, too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 

—Luke 10:30-34

Pretty much everyone knows the story of the Good Samaritan from the Bible but did you know Samaritan didn’t mean ‘helper’ but were people despised by most. 

The verse above indicates that so called ‘church people’ passed by the person who needed help but the one man everyone avoided and stayed away from was the one to offer help. 

How about you? Do you pass by opportunities to legitimately give help if you can? Safety of course in our day is an issue but when you pass a homeless man on the curb bundled up or a person asleep on a park bench that looks down and out what is your first response? Search your heart and be kind of the Holy Spirit is speaking to you. You never know who might really be an angel from God. 

PRAYER: Jesus I thank you for goodness and grace and prosperity more than most of the world. Thank you for opportunities to help someone worse off than me. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

There Are Still Good Things

Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable,whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is any praise—dwell on these things.Philippians 4:8 HCSB Bible Gateway

You may have been in a rut lately over world news or the state of our nation and can not bring yourself to feel good about anything. Or you may have family issues that you are saddened about and a sense of hopelessness washes over you. 

Take heart my friend, you prayed right? Then don’t let Satan make you start doubting and second guessing things. Trust and obey. Of course if you get away from reading the word and spend too much time in ‘the world’ your faith may take a nose dive and the enemy rejoices. 

Dwell on things that are uplifting and edifying and keep rejoicing in the Lord no matter what and give thanks! Keep bad news off, who needs it? 

PRAYER: Many time’s Lord I have heard a news headline and my spirit just sinks as I start wondering where God is or pray and pray and nothing changes. Help me not stop trusting and believing kind of like Noah waiting for the rain. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

#Biblegatewayblogger

Click link for a beautiful old hymn:

https://youtu.be/KB4KcleYiWM

Chill Pill

He says, "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."Psalm 46:10

 

Ever start to fret over stuff that hasn’t even occurred yet? Well it won’t do anything other than turning  you into an angry nervous wreck. As you may have heard, try taking a chill pill or in other words, relax. 

How much does worry, being upset, trying to manipulate a situation really help?Much is said about worry in scripture and it may do lots of good to do a word study and commit a few of the verses to memory. 

What in your life has you upset right now? Have you tried to pray and give it to God and leave it at the foot of the cross? Truly it is time to be still and trust God. 

PRAYER: Thank you Lord for helping me be still when Satan is taunting me to get frazzled and agitated. I seek your perfect peace no matter what is going on. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

On A Mission

"For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”Mark 8:38 Bible Gateway

Do you realize if you call yourself a follower of Jesus then each and every day you are on a mission, in other words you are a missionary wherever God has you planted.

What kind of enthusiasm do you have for that role? Would you rather not have to ‘preach’ to people and just go on about life? Your life is supposed to be like preaching wherever you are as you represent Christ.

Have you ever been timid about letting others know you are a believer and even more serious, a follower? Or have you met someone who had maybe a Christian bumper sticker or big cross around their neck and started to identify with Christ and how happy you were to see there was another believer and this person changed the subject? It is very weird and uncomfortable because maybe the person was just churched and didn’t want to get into ‘serious conversation’. Anyway today’s verse mentions not being ‘ashamed’ or you could say not be shy about talking about the Lord. Now go shine the light!

PRAYER: Lord I can remember in days past doing what I call the ‘headache’ prayer in a restaurant almost like being ashamed to let people see me pray. Forgive me. I want to go forth with courage to help make a difference in my world. In Jesus’ name. Amen. #Biblegatewayblogger

Think Better, Feel Better

 

 "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you" (Psalm 119:11).

It matters what you think about and during the unusual lockdown circumstances of Covid and the isolation it is essential to train your mind to stay uplifted and not let it wander off somewhere on a tangent. 

Positive thinking uplifts the soul. Laughter is the best medicine it says in Proverbs 17:22. Putting on some praise and worship music is another good thing. You have to discipline yourself unto godliness. 

You are in a constant battle between good and evil right and wrong Jesus and the devil. Break out in prayer and just cry out to the Lord. Don't let the enemy defeat you and get you cowering in a fetal position. These troubles of today will not last forever. God is at work. Keep your mind out of the gutter and filled with praises to the most high God.

PRAYER: Jesus I thank you for your word the Bible and forgive me when I take it for granted and just go into my day without even opening it. Shame on me. Use me Lord to help others stay uplifted and encouraged. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

Sheep Without A Shepherd

 

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. Psalm 23:1(ESV)

Imagine, if you will, a herd of sheep wandering  in a field with no shepherd to guide them. They would wander aimlessly maybe falling into a ravine or getting tangled in weeds. The shepherd is essential to guide them. 

Jesus is your shepherd. The shepherd knows his sheep and cares for them.Don’t you believe your shepherd is guiding you and helping you not fall into a pit? 

Sheep need that shepherd and you need your shepherd Jesus. You may think you can do life alone with just a Sunday service once a week but your life needs to be saturated with the love of Jesus and you need to lean on Him as your constant shepherd.

PRAYER: Sometimes I have strayed off the path without my shepherd and get hopelessly messed up. Lord I then you keep calling me home. I am ever grateful. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Click link for a powerful song of worship:

https://youtu.be/B0oZ6BZlQWk

Zooming My Life Away

“Where can I go from Your Spirit?

Or where can I flee from Your presence?

If I ascend into heaven, You are there;

If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.If I take the wings of the morning,

And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,

Even there Your hand shall lead me,

And Your right hand shall hold me.”Psalm 139:7-10

I love the country song ‘Driving My Life Away’ and thought it was humorous in the past few months how you like me may have been zooming your life away.

No human contact, no gatherings, no real intimate time with friends or family. So what do you do, you zoom! Oh it is a wonderful tool to communicate and see others beautiful faces just like FaceTime for seeing our grandchildren. Did we ever think our day would be through a phone or computer line.

One good thing God doesn’t need to Zoom to communicate with you. He is here in your midst. Never forget that. Take comfort in knowing Jesus is a prayer away.

PRAYER: Father I am thankful for technology but will be even more grateful due the eradication of this disease keeping people isolated. Thank you for ways I have to communicate in the meantime. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Click link for powerful worship song:

Resolutions With An Eternal Impact

And he said to [them] all, If any [man] will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.Luke 9:23

Here you are into the 2nd month of the new year and how are those New Year's resolutions going?Do any of them have eternal impact by this I mean do they help draw you closer to God? 

Each year many churches have 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting at beginning of the year. It is an excellent opportunity to get more serious about your spiritual life and walk with the Lord. Is God a vital part of all you do or just a passing thought or a quick dinner prayer? Ponder that. 

Why not purposely draw closer to God and pursue less of this world. Are you able? Do you want to? Can your senses discern good and evil(Hebrews 5:14)? Go after endeavors with kingdom purposes in mind. Run away from evil and run to the cross. 

PRAYER: I pray Lord for Holy Spirit conviction of good and evil. Draw those persons caught in sin out of the darkness and into the marvelous light. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Click link for a powerful song of praise: 

https://youtu.be/atOolWSTwmc

Pitcher In Hand Or Cup In Hand?

 

Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Psalm 100:2

Are you serving or want to be served? Are you the one who wants to receive all the time with little desire to give? 

God loves cheerful givers who give from their heart and that could be giving money without acknowledgement or volunteering your time and resources. See a need and meet it. 

Are there needs you can meet around you or maybe at your church or in your community? Never do it to be noticed but rather because you desire to help and fill someone’s cup. Get your ‘pitcher’ full of

‘water’ and go be a servant. One final verse to ponder on is “better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere;

I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.”Psalm 86:10 Biblegateway NIV

PRAYER: My heart yearns for you Lord. I want to be used by you for kingdom work as your servant and be joyful. Open doors for me to see needs. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Click link for a song of praise:

https://youtu.be/ndVRcqziKWA

Note: Today’s title idea came from Creflo Dollar sermon. 

#Biblegatewayblogger

Look Up, Fret Not, God Is At Work!

 

"I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you."Genesis 28:15

These are divided times we are living in. Politics, censorship, tyranny, hatred, misinformation, Covid 19 all are playing a part in the division but more so this is right out of the enemies playbook. Friends unfriend and block family and friends just because they don’t think like them. 

If you and I really did what the Bible says and that is ‘love thy neighbor as thyself’ things would go much better. Imagine trying to beat someone over the head with the Bible, you certainly won’t win them to Christ but by praying, being friends, and chilling out and giving it to God much can be done. 

Stop paying so much attention to the ‘experts’ on the internet and instead get off social media and get into the word of God. It will transform you the more you read it. Give up the ‘Right’ to hate others who disagree with you and instead love one another with a pure heart set apart for Christ.

PRAYER: Every day is a day to give thanks and know that you Lord are with me and go before me. I thank you I can trust in your ability to guard me during times of turmoil. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Unconditional Love...Just What It Says

 

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered,it keeps no record of wrongs.Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Can you love someone when they don’t love you back? Love gives and doesn’t expect things in return. 

Can you only love people when they are kind to you and desire your friendship or can you look beyond hurts, insults, rejection, and love regardless. 

Have you ever caught yourself acting self seeking knowing that is not love. Love should be in your heart even when you are ignored or talked down to. Love forgives and forgets and moves on. Unconditional love doesn’t seek revenge but overlooks an offense. So what do you say. 

PRAYER: I know it is important to love others even if they don’t reciprocate so help me show Christlike love to those I disagree with or those who have hurt me knowingly or unknowingly. I know Satan wants the opposite and I choose to glorify God. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Love Connections With God

 

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second most important commandment is this: ‘Love your neighbor as you love yourself.’ There is no other commandment more important than these two.  Mark 12:30-31Bible Gateway

If you don't already know Hallmark and TV commercials from candy manufacturers, florists, jewelry stores and the like will certainly remind you. Today is Valentines' Day. My younger son years ago used to call this day 'Singles' Awareness Day' . 

Let's focus on God's love from the Bible right now. Most believers are familiar with 1 Corinthians 13 which I like to refer to as the 'love chapter' in the Bible. If you want to see if you are measuring up with your spouse or a friend or in general go read that chapter now. Even if you don't celebrate this 'Hallmark holiday' you can still do nice things for those around you and little surprises. 

Love should be unconditional, respectful, put others first, not hold grudges, learn when to turn the other cheek, joyful, thankful, and for sure not in a match of comparison to others. True love should be able to love the unlovely. Think about people you may have talked about saying "I can't stand them' or "I hate them". Guess what God loves them unconditionally. Is your heart capable of loving those you would rather not?

PRAYER: Lord I thank you for your unconditional love for we humans for even when we ignore you or don't give you any time you are always loving us with perfect love. Thank you Father and help me learn to love the unlovely because you do!In Jesus' Name. Amen. 

#Biblegatewayblogger

Pray Your Way Through The Day

Devote yourselves to prayer, be watchful and thankful. Colossians 4:2

Pain and sorrow encompass our world but so does joy and laughter. One thing you need to do is intentionally think uplifting good thoughts regardless of what is happening around you. 

You don’t have to go far to realize there are hurting people all over. Do you have an action plan in mind for reaching out to bring comfort? When you go beyond yourself you start to feel better. Whether a person has brought the pain upon themselves is not the point. Learn compassion and be still. 

Learn to be thankful even in your sorrow. Rejection, loneliness, misunderstanding, death, pandemic isolation, job loss, prodigal child all can create immense emotional hurt. Just keep talking to God throughout the day and be sincere in sharing your heart. Don’t get mad at God but realize He does care for you. Trust faith not feelings. 

PRAYER: I love you Lord and I need you more than air and water. When family and friends reject me or don’t understand me you are always there. Give me self control to not spout off to humans but to be still and let you work. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

What Is Hindering You?

 

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us” Hebrews 12:1

What is keeping you from going all in for Christ and living victoriously for the kingdom every day? Doubt, anger, fear, mistrust, complacency, stumbling blocks in your life. 

Satan is not your cheerleader. He is not in the crowd cheering you on but instead the mastermind behind evil and  discouragement that keep you from being all in for Christ. Don’t allow the enemy to steal your joy friend because of external circumstances but press on and say hey Satan you are a loser and I am a winner. 

Today tune out wrong voices and tune into God’s word and the things that make for edification and not destruction. You are a winner when you are a follower of Christ and He is still working so get ready! 

PRAYER: Oh Lord I want to seek your face early in the morning before cares of the world start screaming at me. I choose to not allow the enemy to throw accusations, fears, and roadblocks at me. He can not have America either. Help use me Lord to build up your kingdom. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Have You Praised God Today?

 

Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and forevermore!

3 From the rising of the sun to its’ setting, the name of the Lord-is to be praised! Psalm 113:2-3

 

Praising God is a good habit to develop. It gets your mind off your own problems and let’s you get an opportunity to lift up the name of Jesus. 
 

Demons shudder when they hear you praising. Praise and worship helps drive out evil. It is hard to pity your plight in life when you lift Jesus’ higher. 

He is before all things and because of Him all things exist. He holds the future in His hands. He is mighty to be praised.

 

PRAYER: Great are you Lord. Your creation speaks of your glory. Your ways are higher than our ways. I want to bring you glory in what I say and do. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Where Are You Dwelling?

Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.Colossians 3:16

What is going on in your life today? What is troubling you? What goes over in your mind? 

If you want to have victory in your Christian life you have to discipline your mind and fill your mind with uplifting positive thoughts. Being isolated during this pandemic has been a challenge for many.

Many things you think are not even true. Whatever it is or whoever it is you are dealing with today God is your ever present help in time of trouble(Psalm 46:1). Let positive Christ centered thoughts rule you and stop dwelling some place that is only going to keep you in emotional torment. Stop over thinking things. Give control of your thought life to God and try to memorize today’s scripture. 

PRAYER: Lord my mind is your creation but what I choose to dwell on is mine so help me focus on good uplifting things and let go of things I can do nothing about and instead pray. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Click link for a powerful uplifting song: 

https://youtu.be/yjUNiFmHvBc

I Need Your Help Lord

 

Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.Proverbs 19:11

Ever hear the phrase “an idle mind is the devil’s workshop”. It is actually Proverbs 16:27 which I will use today as well because just think how wasted brain cells day dreaming or throwing a pity party can you lead you into wrong thinking. 

You have to make yourself stop ‘going there’ so to speak and start reaching higher heights with your thoughts. Philippians 4:8 reminds us to think on ‘things above’. 

Wrong thinking is from the enemy. It can lead to a person doing something they later regret. Stop and be still and combat negative thinking with praise. When storm clouds envelope your thought life send them a beautiful rainbow to move them away. 

PRAYER: When situations or wrong thinking or loneliness overwhelm me Lord I choose to praise you. It’s hard but I know it is necessary. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Click link for a wonderful song of praise:https://youtu.be/0YUGwUgBvTU

Leaving The 99

 

“What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them gets lost, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountain and go in search of the one that is lost?”Matthew 18:12 AMP Bible Gateway

Recently I was watching an episode of the old TV series Wagon Train where a pioneer woman was kidnapped out of her covered wagon at night by Indians who wanted to use her as a bargaining tool for an Indian who needed to see a doctor. A priest made negotiations with the Indians the next morning taking the sick Indian to camp and having a doctor come who later told him he had leprosy.

Towards the end of the episode amongst prejudice, fear of leprosy, and anger, the Priest decided to go back to the Indian reservation and stay with the Indian only to be asked by the cowboys “but what about your parish Father?” He answered “I have a new parish” meaning the one single Indian with leprosy was his ‘new parish’ which he would minister to. It was quite a moving episode that taught friendship, sacrifice, and love.

Jesus too cares even about one person who is lost and without a savior. Everyone is worthy to Him even those who hung Him on the cross. There was no hatred, prejudice, anger but only pity on those who were lost spiritually. Where are you today friend?

PRAYER: I am blessed so much and know even when I feel alone God is with me. I thank you and ask you to comfort others who feel all alone. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Click link for a praise song to go with this devotion:

https://youtu.be/6xx0d3R2LoU

#Biblegatewayblogger

Shush...Simmer Down Now

 

Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to get angry James 1:19, NLT

Are there times in your life you know you should have let things go and not try to argue your point and win? I tell myself just ‘shush’ and be still. 

Learning when to speak and when to be silent is a discipline everyone needs to be trained in. Lots of fights could have been prevented had this verse been applied.

Ok pause, think, slow down and ask yourself how important what you are about to utter is. Simmer down too if someone says something ugly or hurtful to you to alleviate a fight. Now go enjoy a fun filled day. 

PRAYER: Thank you Father for the gift of words and speaking. Help me as I choose if what I say will be of edifying value and give me discipline to be still. In Jesus’ name. Amen

Man-made Propaganda Versus God’s Word

See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ. Colossians 2:8

How much time do you spend in God’s word on a daily basis compared to the time you troll ‘causes’ on the internet and social media? Where you spend your time speaks volumes for where your heart,priorities, and focus are. 

Not every ‘authority’ on the internet is true and much of what is put out these days may be used by the enemy to get you all stirred up inside. Do you want a stirred up life or a peaceful life? The choice is yours. 

I am not implying all you see online is untrue but to use discernment and realize you need to be renewed daily for more than five minutes with scripture so you are able to recognize and defeat the enemy. Facebook or His book? 

PRAYER: Lord help me be strong in you whether at home or in public. I choose to make you a true priority regardless of what others say or do? I lift up those struggling with doubts and fears to put their hope in you. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Be Kind Ok?

 

Your own soul is nourished when you are kind, but you destroy yourself when you are cruel. Proverbs 11:17

“What the world needs now is love sweet love” were lyrics to a song on the 60’s but it is so true as hate or a false narrative of hate has permeated almost every facet of society. 

Turning the other cheek, not trying to be right all the time, forgiving even the those who hate you, and taking a step back from news media and social media would do all of us good. 

As a believer you are here on this Earth at this time to make a difference in the lives of people put in your path. You have to stay strong, don’t cave to the culture, stay in the Word, and keep praying. Kindness wins in the end. 

PRAYER: Every day is a new wonderful day full of blessings I often neglect to say thank you for. Forgive me for letting problems of this world dominate my thinking and instead I choose to keep my armor of God on to stay protected from things Satan sends to bring me grief. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Say No More

 



Can a corrupt throne be allied with you—a throne that brings on misery by its decrees?The wicked band together against the righteous and condemn the innocent to death.But the Lord has become my fortress,and my God the rock in whom I take refuge.He will repay them for their sins and destroy them for their wickedness; the Lord our God will destroy them. Psalm 94:20-23

Spiritual blindness has infected America. No longer do many people see evil and corruption for what they are. The Holy Spirit is the one who has to bring conviction of right and wrong and many are infected by hatred which is making Satan jump up and down with glee. 

There may be some reading this now starting to get angry. Search your heart and answer the following questions. Is Jesus truly Lord of your life? Do you love Jesus or just love church? Have you made Jesus Lord of your life so that nothing else matters but Him? 

Our country is very divided right now because the truth is being snuffed out and Satan started to do his great divide. Mind you God is on the throne but a house divided against itself can not stand. This relatively young nation has been attacked from within to attempt to destroy freedom and establish tyranny. Do not despair friends and keep praying. Pray for those who Satan has trapped and deceived who are being hateful and unkind. Keep looking to the cross and staying in scripture. God is not mocked. 

PRAYER: Oh lord let freedom ring. We the people have a voice and the freedom to speak yet we are being silenced by many trying to squelch the truth and getting by with it due to corruption. I pray for the fear of God to permeate Washington DC. Set those free who are bound and captivated by demonic spirits. Bring more and more into your kingdom. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Click link and worship the Lord with this powerful song: https://youtu.be/VAZd3EWu8tg

Choose To Refocus

May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14 NIV Bible Gateway

When the going gets tough the tough get going was a phrase I heard years ago. When it gets tough you have to kick into that ‘pioneer spirit’ mode or have the spirit of people who grew this nation with blood, sweat, and tears. 

At times your thought process has to be disciplined to not languish over something or live in the past but has to be refocused on things in life that build up and motivate. To stay focused and faithful during very difficult moments will help build you up in the spirit. Not allowing wrong thinking from the courts of hell. 

Number one, stay off the internet. In other words don’t troll and believe every thing you see as fact. Know that false spirits are out and about to trick believers. Continue having a dedicated quiet time first thing in the morning, and designate a certain place to do this. Don’t clutter your mind with mindless tv shows or movies. Make daily sincere prayer a priority. 

PRAYER: I want to be closer to you Lord and not wait for an angel to come down and appear but do it because I want to. I need disciplined study time in the Bible and less time online. I choose to be faithful. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

#Biblegatewayblogger

Click link for a powerful song to get you closer to God: https://youtu.be/MKT5BCmvmq0

Joy In Suffering...For Real?

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.James 1:2-3

United States citizens at least in my lifetime have not had too much suffering at the hands of tyrants, dictators, or persecutors and let me add news media but when evil is allowed to get into control and God is taken off the throne, the populace groans and freedoms teeter in the balance. 

It is true that when you experience suffering your faith does grow stronger as a result. No one likes to suffer. Tell someone suffering “hey this is good for you in the big scheme of things” and you might get slapped in face. 

Many of our brothers and sisters in the world have been killed for being bold for Christ. Will it ever come to that in America? You say “no” but is that because you may be blinded to dangers and liars who try to gain control and usurp the Constitution. Once again this is not about politics but about our wonderful country and the blessings we have because of abiding and following Christ. When morality slips, deceivers get voted into office, and Christians lose rights it is time to speak up. 

PRAYER: Oh Lord this past election season has been brutal and hateful and much disrespect has been shown to the incumbent President. Media controlled what people could say or hear as in controlling the narrative. I know that saddens you to see our sweet land of liberty being held captive by those wanting us to lose our rights. I ask for a spiritual awakening like none other. I ask for all people to recognize this is spiritual warfare and to put on their armor daily. Guide my heart and words and help me be a light in the confusion. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Bitter?

 

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Ephesians 4:31 NIV

Step back a moment . Read today’s verse over and reflect on its’ meaning. 

Are you angry or bitter towards anyone? Is there someone in your life you need to forgive and be kind to. Malice means the intention or desire to do evil. Even the despicable characters you may be able to think of say  in politics or maybe your job. Can you and will you forgive them take it a step further and pray for them? 

You get hurt, you feel unjustly used or lied to. Your character or reputation has been smeared.  You and others were victims of corruption and deception by those in high powerful places. Your choice is to pray for them asking God to heal them of the wretched disease of malice. Don’t catch yourself stooping to a lower level. Take the high road. God will be happy. 

PRAYER: It hurts to be wronged or lied to or struck down by deception. I know you Fsther are not pleased with troublemakers and those who intentionally lean towards being evil. Set people free as more than likely they are functioning with a demonic spirit. Show me how to love and pray. In Jesus’ name. Amen.