Anger, Get It Toned Down

 

For the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. James 1:20

What gets you angry? Neighbors dogs barking. Clerks who are rude to you. Speeding tailgating drivers. Cancelled flights. An opinionated person who shuts everyone else out of conversation. Maybe you have even made people angry as it is naive to think you don’t. 

When some people get angry they unfriend you. Others get angry and write letters, make phone calls or text. Anger causes broken marriages and broken homes. Extreme anger can end in killing someone. 

It is necessary to learn how to let go of your right to be angry. Forgive people even if they have not asked for it. Stay cool instead of popping a cork over noise that keeps you awake at night coming from outside your home. Talk to God and ask Him to give you His perfect peace. 

PRAYER: I need you every minute of every day. When I am tempted to get mad help me reign in my emotions. Use me for the kingdom of Heaven not the devils. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Be Still-So Hard To Do

“Be still, and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10

You have prayed and prayed and prayed some more. You are trying to wait and be still and not spout off and ruin God’s plans. So hard isn’t it? 

Word on a job interview, a medical report, hearing from a prodigal child, and many other things. There is purpose in waiting even though not fun. Look at Sarah and Abraham in the Old Testament waiting for the Promised Child and they got ahead of God and messed things up big time. 

One of my favorite movies ‘Redeeming Love’ has character Michael Hosea played by British actor Tom Lewis,  waiting over 3 years for his wife Angel aka Sarah a former prostitute, played by actress Abigail Cowen, to return to him and the life God had waiting for her. There is purpose and power in waiting. Be strong. 

PRAYER:All we like sheep have gone astray and messed up and tried to do things our own way. Lord I need to stand firm and need your help. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Asleep At The Wheel

 

But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together. 1 Thessalonians 5:11-17 KJV

Many people mock the end times and continue living like life is forever one big party. There will come a time when the Lord returns and even some churches will be caught unaware because they aren’t preparing those who attend.

One day there will be no more tears, pain, heartache, fights, but the Lord will indeed come back with a shout. Many scriptures speak of that. Those who have drifted along thinking being born in the US or being baptized into a certain church is all they need will be shocked. God will say depart from me I never knew you.

Do you want to be left behind for the great tribulation all the while kicking yourself that you poked fun at ‘religious’ people or do you want to get serious about entering his kingdom?

PRAYER: Lord my heart grieves for those who scoff at what they call religious fanatics and yet go on living as they please with no thought of eternity. Prayers for everyone to get serious about sharing Christ. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Be United

 

Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all,who is over all and through all and in all.Ephesians 4:3-6

Many things can create division and angst. Opinionated people, politics, religion.

Satan is the great divider, yet many people fight against each other for the need to be right and don’t get it. Satan and his demons sit there laughing and cheering as our society stumbles in the dark close to losing religious freedom and what we were founded on.

What can you do? Be kind even if you don’t agree. Pray without ceasing regardless of how bad it looks. Know who sits on the throne, and that is God. Pray that hearts that have already bought Satan’s lies can be set free and redeemed.

PRAYER: Holy Father let me be an instrument of peace and unity. Let the Bible not be changed to suit those who want their ears tickled. Keep me running the race to win. Open the eyes of any blinded to the truth. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Lions Not Sheep

 









The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion. Proverbs 28:1

 

Recently I saw a man wearing a shirt that read what my title is today. What I think of is as fierce as a lion and as meek as a sheep. It could apply to your prayer life. 

In scripture in 1 Peter 5:8 there is a verse saying that Satan is roaming around like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. Many a heart broken parent yearns for the day their adult child returns to the joy of their salvation. 

Perhaps you are wavering in your faith and need to run hard after God. 

 When God is taken off the throne and secular humanism replaces it this is what occurs. Your power is prayer, speaking up in love, guarding your heart, and being alert to the tricks of Satan. He is not your friend. 

PRAYER: I want to be used by you Lord to be a mighty prayer warrior. I lift up our nation for a mighty revival. I pray for those whose hearts are hardened and are blinded. Help those I love guard their hearts and minds. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Who Or What Is Your Hope In?

 

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.Romans 12:12

What do you hope for? Who do you hope in? The lottery? Perhaps other people. 

As one of the characters in the 2022 movie ‘Redeeming Love’ said “You have to hope for something”. In the case of that character Lucky,  it was to hope for a rescue from being bought into sex slavery at age 8 and from the life of prostitution. 

Never lose hope. When you lose hope sometimes you give up on prayer or worse yet give up on life or freedom. Prisoners hope for forgiveness and release. Parents of prodigals hope for their return. Never stop praying and never stop hoping. 

PRAYER: I am very hopeful Father for many things. I know Lord you are a miracle worker and redeemer. Help me never give up hope even in impossible looking situations. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Focus On Jesus. Period!

 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.John 15:5 NIV 

 

From Redeem TV app I got the idea for today’s title. If you stay focused on Jesus and not your problems you will experience freedom. 

There is much in the world to distract us from being Christlike and doing what deep down what we know is right. There is right and wrong and good and evil but seemingly in our culture today the prince of darkness is trying to call evil good and good evil. 

Stand strong in the face of darkness. If your heart is breaking over the condition of the world and you have great fear over how the world seems to be going after children keep praying. If you have children or grandchildren lift them up daily. Satan is trying to rewrite what is good and normal. This is a battle of God versus the devil. Whose side are you on? 

PRAYER: Lord show me how to stand firm and love well.Bring revival. Protect our children from Satan and his demonic spirits.  In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Can You Let God Be Control? Really?

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts neither are your ways my ways,”declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth so are my ways higher than your way and my thoughts than your thoughts.Isaiah 55:8-9

 Do you say you give things over to God yet go fretting, stewing, and manipulating trying to control the prayer. So silly if you stop and think of it. I do it. Trying to stop. 

What is it you are trusting God for? I have a couple pretty huge things and yet I have to learn to be still. Confess scripture. Stay still. Pray, and pray some more.

Pastor Jamil Gilleylen of Church of the Highlands Woodlawn Campus Birmingham, Alabama says to put your prayer on the Altar and surrender it. He gave an acronym for ALTAR. ALTAR- prayer is altar where striving ends 

*Ask the Lord to take it 

*Let Go of it. 

*Trust God (trust him when I can’t praise Him)

*Accept it is God’s not yours

My children and grandchildren are God’s 

*Release it for His glory.

Ok good assignment let’s all try it. 

PRAYER: I want to stay under your protective umbrella Lord by trusting you to take those prayers I have prayed and work in the lives of who I prayed for. Give me strength to do this. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Get The Word Out

 

"What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops."Matthew 10:27

Shout it from the mountain tops that Jesus is Lord.In these last days everyone who believes in Jesus should not be nit picking each others faith but be bold and courageous to share the good news. 

Often times when alone I know it can be intimidating to speak out especially when challenged. Try prayer walking around schools, city halls, capitols, and so forth. For those who have never prayer walked it is simply walking without drawing attention to yourself and praying quietly.

It is necessary to not just be drifting along but believers need to wake up and grab hold of truth. Try to keep yourself peaceful and not angry. Be gentle, kind, loving, and realize who is on the throne. 

PRAYER: I thank you Lord for opportunities to share whether it be a painted rock with a message of faith or direct contact sharing and praying. Guard my heart so I don’t slip into lethargy. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Who Do You Call On Google Or God?

 

He will call on me, and I will answer him;I will be with him in trouble,I will deliver him and honor him.Psalm 91:15 NIV Bible Gateway

When you ask a question does anyone around respond with the statement “Google It?”Google is a good source that you can even use to look up scripture and other Christian things but it is not God. 

Who do you turn when tragedy strikes? Friends and family yes. Maybe a close neighbor. But you will most certainly cry out to God. Even those who deny His existence often cry out. It takes something bad to make people turn to Him. 

Google, or Siri, or Alexa artificial intelligence aren’t real and are quite impersonal. You could say “Hey Alexa play Elevation Worship” and hear wonderful songs to uplift you but God is the one to talk to. Get on your knees and really cry out to Him. 

PRAYER: Father God I thank you because I know all things work together just give me strength to hang on while you work. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

#Biblegatewayblogger
https://youtu.be/s7jXASBWwwI

Don't Shove Jesus In People's Faces

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.James 1:2-4 NIV Bible Gateway

In my own quiet times I often get these brilliant ideas, or so I think they are, and if not still and patient I might find myself in the role of Holy Spirit Junior to other people trying to orchestrate their lives for them.

God has a plan. He has a timetable. He is doing His work in the lives of those you pray for. His timing is perfect. What He wants is your obedience to pray then to let go and let Him work. Trust Him. 

So how about it. Are you able to relax and rest knowing God is working. 

PRAYER: I need to know that anxiety and stress are tools the enemy uses to make me frustrated. I refuse to doubt my prayers are being answered. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

#Biblegatewayblogger

Don't Be In A Daze

Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8-11 NIV Bible Gateway

Are you ever walking around in a fog because of all the things in the news? It is enough to make your head explode if you didn’t have faith and Jesus. 

You are to stay on your guard and stay in the Word of God. The prince of darkness is trying to do a con job on those asleep or on in a daze or too afraid to speak up for righteousness. 

You are not called to hate but to love but to also recognize that Satan can appear as an Angel of light and trick and delude many. Stay on guard my friend. 

PRAYER: Today is the day you made Lord and I thank you and help me be alert to traps of the enemy. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Pray First Remember?

 

"Evening and morning and at noon. I will pray, and cry aloud, And He shall hear my voice." — Psalm 55:17 I was in my front yard one day and glanced over at the driveway and lo and behold even with a sign at edge of my yard saying “Be Courteous Pick Up After Your Dog” there was this pile on my driveway.  Wow here I am in my Pray First tee shirt so what is the answer to how to handle this? Put an announcement on our HOA page sort of to remind dog owners in the hood to be kind and pick up after their dogs? Nah bad choice Becky that will escalate tensions and not make me a very good witness.  The mouth and the finger( texts) can be a source of angst if you don’t control them. Kindness is how to handle most issues. Stop, breathe, pray, repeat. Do all things as a representative of Jesus Christ.  PRAYER: I am very grateful for the gift of friendship. Help me be the kind of friend people want to be around. Help me choose my battles and be still. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

God Is Only Getting Started

 

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.Colossians 3:2

Are you at your wits end because things you have prayed for seemingly have stalled? You want to let go but are having such a difficult time. 

Proverbs 3:5-6 says to “Trust in the Lord with ALL your heart and lean not to your own understanding. In ALL your ways acknowledge him and He will direct your path.” Think what that verse is saying. Meditate on it a while.  

No matter how tough it gets hang on my friend. God is working. “Have a fear free Thursday!”! Quote from Dino, Church of the Highlands). 

PRAYER: Lord I thank you for caring more about my prayers than I do. You have reasons and seasons and I need only be patient. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Have You Hit The Snooze Button On Your Spiritual Life?

 

A little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the hands to rest—
 and poverty will come on you like a thief
and scarcity like an armed man.Proverbs 24:33-34 NIV Bible Gateway

I am so tired I think I will just hit snooze and sleep a wee bit longer. You keep doing this and you may miss a flight, be late for work, or miss an important interview. Sleeping in sounds so good. 

Are you snoozing through your life with Christ? Do you find that you don’t need to be in a building to love and worship God yet staying home or going elsewhere do you actually ‘have worship’? Ponder that for a moment. Probably the answer is no that Jesus is on the back burner of your life and doesn’t really have a vital place in your heart. 

Do you want to stop snoozing? Cry out to God and ask him to restore the love you may have once had for Him. Issues on life may have made you mad at God but He is still waiting for you to draw near to Him again. Come home. 

PRAYER: Father forgive me when I thought I could do life on my own without you. Forgive my anger. Forgive my excuses. Draw those to you who are needing to be able to resist the devil. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Click link below for powerful song of worship.

Bethel Music - Goodness of God (Live) (Lyrics) youtu.be

I Be Cool Man!

 

He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock. and gave me a firm place to stand. Psalm 40:2

As I sat recently outside in the sunshine at a coffee shop writing I watched people going up and down the street with big hats, sunglasses, riding bikes, one lady pushing a stroller with a small dog and all of them looking 'together'.. But how many of those ‘together’ people really have a deep void and ache in their life that only Jesus can fill? 

Probably many of us have been guilty of trying to look ‘cool’ my goodness that is how social media thrives. Putting forth a best perfect image maybe making others feel inadequate. Look at Hollywood and Los Angeles and all the celebrities vying for the eye of the camera but many perplexed by paparazzi chasing them. 

Where are you at my friend? Do you have days you feel not good enough because you are trying to fit an image? If so why does it matter in the big scheme of things? ‘Be yourself everyone else is taken’ is a sign I have in my lady cave aka laundry room. Let’s try to ask God to help us strive for His image and only His. 

PRAYER: Father help me to remember to rise daily thanksful and content because there are many hurting insecure people around me. Often times I feel insecure. Guard my heart to not cave in to the worlds image and help me strive for a Christ like persona. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Your Retaining Wall

 

And I myself will be a wall of fire around it,’ declares the LORD, ‘and I will be its glory within.’ Zechariah 2:5

Have you seen construction projects mostly on hillsides or a mountain where it is necessary to build a restraining wall so the whole side of the mountain doesn’t cave in? 

In your life do you have a retaining wall to keep you from falling or caving? A retaining wall is strong and firm and a protection of sorts. Who do you suppose would be the best retaining wall from the wiles of Satan? Jesus of course. 

What you need to do if you don’t already is make a time alone with the Lord a priority and not a last resort. Do not be ashamed to stand up for the truth when someone makes fun of you, calls you names, or just doesn’t understand. God’s way is the way. This earth and all the fun and parties will one day cease. Are you prepared to meet Jesus? 

PRAYER: Father my heart aches for those I know without a spiritual retaining wall. Help me keep mine from crumbling by daily feeding my spirit with your word. When someone asks for my reason of hope ket me not cower but be bold. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

What Defines Your Life?

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me.Galatians 2:20 NIV Bible Gateway

Is it a Career, groups you are in, sexual orientation, church you go to, lifestyle you lead, politics? Who is your identity truly in? 

The world is so mixed up today telling people they can be whoever they feel like. A woman when you are a biological male, a boy when you were born a girl. Satan is behind this dividing families, cultures, and the world and playing God saying you don’t have to be the sex you were born with. Oh really? Small children are being indoctrinated to these lies. Only God can set us free. 

May I challenge you if you are a believer to let Jesus be your identity. No name on earth is greater than His.

PRAYER: I pray for protection especially for children who seem to be the victim these days of indoctrination and lying. Help parents recognize evil and protect their children. Give me a bold voice to speak up and above all keep resisting Satan. He can’t have our children. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

King Of Kings

“They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.” Revelation 17:14

Here in America when you hear the word King you may think of Great Britain. I am referring to the King, no not Elvis, but Jesus Christ. Is Jesus your King and the Lord of your life?

Here in what the world calls ‘the West’ meaning the United States as a whole, we have many freedoms for which I am thankful. One freedom is the ability to have free unfettered speech and freedom of religion. Never take this for granted. 

As many people go about doing their own thing not concerned with what they call ‘a religious’ life, you who believe and follow Christ can lift them in prayer. Even some Christian’s seemingly don’t want to go too deep with the savior. A verse says “be not ashamed of me in this adulterous and sinful generation or the Son of man will be ashamed of you when He comes back in glory.”(Mark 8:38)Now go out and share the love of Christ. 

PRAYER:Your word is truth Lord. Give me courage to speak truth in love. I pray for those who may have cut Christianity out of their life and are C.I.N.O. or ‘Christian in name only’. Wake those up to truth and let not Satan capture them as they flounder around without your guidance. In Jesus’ name. 

Don’t Give Crumbs To God

So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. Revelation 3:16

Are you giving God your leftovers or crumbs or are you all in? Saying this is not meant to bring guilt but to make you think. 

Do you desire fellowship with other believers? If not why not? Are you allowing the worlds’ truth to shout louder than the Holy Bible? 

You need to be intentional about trying to get closer to God. Are you doing what you can to help your children and or grandchildren know and find Jesus? 

PRAYER: Thank you father for freedom. I do not take it for granted as mere men have tried to squish our God given freedom and rights so I stand strong praying for those whose life does not have time for you or who want to remove God from society. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Do You Have Any Gods Before The God?

You should have no other gods before me. Exodus 20:3

It is a confusing world you are living in. The world has gone crazy. Screaming out at us look at me. It could be possible you have allowed another god to take first place in your heart making excuses why you still love God but don’t really need Christian fellowship. 

Recent God’s in society are the Barbie craze, transgender issues, fun over church, child trafficking, public broadcasting and so forth. You might love a certain sport that captivates your every free moment. 

Who is your spiritual authority? Is it the news media who here in Idaho bashed a Christian evangelist who recently held a worship event at the Capitol calling him the dreaded title of Christian nationalist and dangerous. The whole thing of church and state was messed up by those who hated God in government kept repeating a lie and eventually brainwashed the masses. Anyway ask yourself who is on the throne.

PRAYER: Lord I thank you for the gift of freedom. Help laws not be passed to give freedom to people who would harm or abuse children. Guard my heart that I not fall into a stupor and believe lies and be led by them. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

What Is Cluttering Your Life?

“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 12:1-2

Are things in your life you need to get rid of in order to move forward with your walk with the Lord? 

Maybe comparing yourself with others. Perhaps desiring what others have. Being able to be still and wait for God to work. Trying to ‘lord over’ or boss people. Stop telling lies.  Knowing when to let go. Giving social media a rest or flush it entirely. Turning off the television. 

You get the idea. Often times many things that seem innocent or good may be creating trouble in getting you closer to the Lord. Give God thanks each day and stay in an attitude of prayer. 

PRAYER: Lord I want to run my race to win and run right over Satan and squish him. I am tired of him and how he has tricked those I love to lose their passion for you. Help me be kind and show others the way to the cross. Help me learn to rest. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

I'm Not Perfect

 

Better is a dinner of vegetables and herbs where love is present Than a fattened ox served with hatred.Proverbs 15:17

So do you experience the Martha and Mary kind of stress(see Luke Chapter 10)when it comes to wanting to invite friends into your home? Maybe this comes from how you were raised or concerns you don’t measure up. 

Your home is the one place people should feel comfortable. I know after moving I had some tours of neighbors homes when invited over where everything was in place almost like a magazine photo shoot. I thought to myself, that’s not me but why let that keep you from having people over? 

Do yourself a favor. Try to set up a time to have some friends come into your home. This is my assignment more than anyone else. Be thankful and blessed to have friends. The menu is not important. Be yourself and be hospitable. 

PRAYER: I am grateful father that my mom taught me to cook but that doesn’t mean I have to be like Food TV or Martha Stewart in order to invite friends over. I pray for anyone struggling with this area. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

God Is Still Working

 

Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.Proverbs 19:21

“It can be easy to become downhearted when we see people attacking God’s cause. The best way to respond is with passionate prayer.”This was a quote from Nicky Gumbel on Classic Bible In One Year day 169 App.

It is very disheartening when even seemingly those following Christ give little or no interest to healing our fractured world but get more into the world and its’ causes. My friend this earth and everything in it is temporary. When you think God must have given up on us don’t worry as He is still working in a mighty way.

I am not sure what you may be dealing with today and how deep your pain is but I do know that God is the comforter and redeemer and so much more. Stand firm, look up, don’t quit.

PRAYER: Father I love you and thanks for watching over me and listening to my prayers even when I stumble on what to say. You know my heart. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Come On Back

 

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 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 12:1-2 NIV Bible Gateway 

Here is a Quote from the Bible app lesson called Come Home by Titania Paige -The journey of coming home to God is a process. Let God’s love and unconditional acceptance strengthen you. No matter what our sin, we never have to clean ourselves up before coming home to Jesus. The cleanup process is His job. Giving Him our hearts is ours. 

That is so true. Satan lies and may make you think what you are doing or feeling is okay but then he is the father of lies. He may make you feel there is no hope for you that you are too far gone. That also is a lie. He may make you feel none of your family or friends care but that too is a lie. 

Nothing separates you from your Father’s love. He gives you free will and you might have made some wrong choices but he redeems also. Come back to Him today. 

PRAYER: Lord I thank you that you are the great redeemer no matter how bad or messy the problem. You come to set people free. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Pity Party Stopped By Smell of Sprinkler Water

 



But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.” Jeremiah 17:8

Many things can snap you out of a funk and back to reality. It was one of those days for me having difficulty pushing ahead and being motivated to do projects needing done and so forth. Then the sprinkler came on and I sat there on my back patio thinking how nice the water smelled. Yes water and rain have a distinct smell. 

I started thinking of the beauty of the natural things in my back yard trying to not focus on gloomy stuff. The enemy wants you to sink into a pit and not be able to get back up. That is where our brothers and sisters in Christ come to the rescue. 

Negativity makes it hard to see the blessings of God. Negativity keeps you upset and tense. Negativity wants to put blame on others. Where are you at today? Is it time for you to smell the rain? 

PRAYER: I know you are with me even when discouragement sweeps over me. I will not let the enemy pull me down. Help me guard my mind and heart. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Numb To Sin

 

“Listen to Me, you who know righteousness,
You people in whose heart is My law:Do not fear the reproach of men,
Nor be afraid of their insults.For the moth will eat them up like a garment,
And the worm will eat them like wool;But My righteousness will be forever,
And My salvation from generation to generation.”Isaiah 51:7-8 NKJV Bible Gateway

Years ago author and psychologist Dr James Dobson talked about being desensitized to sin as the more and more culture says this is normal or that is normal people give up and just go with the flow. 

Are you seeking to be closer to the Lord or to fit in with modern culture whose rules often negate what is found in the Bible? It is easy to get sucked into sin and mesmerized by what you see day after day as being normal on TV and in movies. At a recent worship event at the Idaho State Capitol the believers gathered there were called Dangerous by the Boise nees media whereas the real danger were those screaming and yelling and even attacking one person who was there to simply worship. 

Remember you are in a battle between righteousness and evil that  the prince of darkness, Satan, is real and is not a joke. His ‘carrot’ of sin he dangles  in front of those who are sucked in and captivated looks good and seems right but its’ ways lead to death and separation from God. Pray for those you know being led astray and also pray for yourself to stay strong as the flesh is weak. 

PRAYER:I am grateful for the Bible which many who want to do things their way are trying to change to allow unrighteousness. Help me stand strong so I am not sucked in and give me strength to help explain to others how to run from evil and why God’s ways are right.In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Love Others…Just Try It!

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. I Corinthians 13:6-7 NIV Bible Gateway

Who hasn’t had a difficult boss, co worker, ‘friend’, or neighbor in their life? Often these ‘tests’ are like proving grounds for learning unconditional love. 

Maybe you have done something or said something that  created an unintentional breach in a relationship. What is done is done so work towards letting mistakes go and trying to not repeat them. Be nice and show kindnesses. 

Don’t always think it is the other person’s fault or personality causing issues but look at your own self and ask God to tweak anything in your life maybe that is like sandpaper as well. 

PRAYER: Love is the center of the universe. Satan hates when I love instead of hate and when I forgive instead of holding a grudge. Keep me on the path of truth. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

#BG2 #Biblegatewayblogger

Pursue Peace, Not Social Media

 

Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. 1 Peter 3:10-11 ESV

A baby boomer friend and I were chatting one day talking about anyone 35 and under having no clue what life is like or was like prior to screens emerging and captivating nearly every waking moment. I know the devices we carry seem essential but that is only because society has been shaped that way. 

What is your typical day like? I am guilty of it too thinking I had to pick up what I laughingly call ‘People Magazine’ on steroids. Is your life any better after grazing and getting everyone’s vacation and personal info?

I challenge you today to wake up and use your device for devotions or on your Bible App but then really try to put it down for a while. The other day I failed to look at messages but life went on. Give yourself a refreshing break and turn to God not social media. Your life will be more peaceful. 

PRAYER: Lord help me to guard my heart and my mind by guarding my precious free time and not dive into social media. Teach me to be still. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Who Is On The Throne?

Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.Proverbs 19:21

Who or what is ruling your life? If you find yourself consumed too much with worry and doubt perhaps you are allowing the prince of darkness to be in control. 

I pondered that one day and sure enough if you think on Spiritual Warfare, it is God versus the devil and who are you allowing to win the battles in your life? Do you cave into negative thinking, overthinking, second guessing yourself, fear, and worry then undoubtedly you must be giving Satan the keys to your life. Don’t do that friend! 

Christian’s have to help each other stay on track and prayer is so vital. Call a friend and pray over the phone or ask if you can go to their house. Think about others and not just issues in your own life you supposedly surrendered to God. Today it is time to tell Satan to sit down and shut up because God has your heart and is working in your life. 

PRAYER:Search my heart oh God and convict me of anything that is not of you. Protect me and those I love from the schemes of the enemy. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Spiritual Drought

“I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. Psalm 40:1-2

For many of you it has been a very hot summer and in some areas even a drought may be in progress. A drought occurs when no rainfall occurs and things dry up. 

Is there a drought in your spiritual life? Maybe you have struggled thinking you had to plug in to a denominational church like you grew up with but really it is just a formality and perhaps you feel dried up and not really excited spiritually. 

The way to end a spiritual drought is to ask God to fill you with the Holy Spirit and then get into the word. Download the You Version Bible app which has many good studies and growth tools on it. The key is to seek God first and foremost not making him an afterthought. 

PRAYER:Lord I know I need to put you first in my life so I don’t lose the desire to grow spiritually. Help me get rid of any distractions which cause me to stumble. In Jesus’ name. Amen.