Choose Holiness

"But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy.'"1Peter 1:15-16

What does it mean to be Holy?
The first thing that comes to mind is to be set apart for God.

The culture seems to use the word ‘holy’ as a descriptive adjective like Holy Moley and so forth. The more I think about what holiness is it seems very irreverent to use Holy in any other way but to describe our creator. I especially hate to hear the word holy used with a swear word.

So folks what do you say. Can you choose to be holy in all manner of living this includes your life in front of others or in private.

PRAYER: I want to do things to emulate you Lord so help me stay on that path. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

God Is A God Of Restoration

 

Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Galatians 6:1 KJV Bible Gateway

 

Messed up? God wants people saved. Sometimes it seems like people shoot their wounded. You hear something you pass it on and get a gossip fire going.

 

A lack of judgment doesn’t mean God can redeem and set people free. Those people who had been overwhelmed and overtaken by temptation. The Lord loves them and wants to use them in kingdom work. Stop judging and condemning. (Matthew 7).

 

You can repent, be healed and restored. Put your mouth on neutral and instead of chattering about an issue pray for the people. All of us have messed up someway.

 

PRAYER: Father help me break strongholds in my life that are keeping me from wholeheartedly worship you. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

 

Have You Fallen?

Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.Revelation 2:5

Consider how far you have fallen. Have you fallen? Only you can answer that. Have you disengaged with your life with Jesus thus allowing darker forces to penetrate your soul?

Maybe you say “I’m a good person” but really you need more than just being ‘good’ to be in Heaven upon your death. I am not trying to invoke fear but to attempt to get you to think.

Has something become more important than Jesus thus becoming an idol in your life? Do you need to ‘crucify’ your flesh with its’ earthly passions and run back to your first love?

PRAYER: I need you Lord and I know lots of people who need you but their pride gets in the way of repentance. Help me not be haughty or high minded but to seek to do your will. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Offense Is So Prevalent Today

 

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—having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people. 2 Timothy 3:1-5 NIV Bible Gateway 

These five verses pack a huge punch and are sort of telling what is going on in culture right now.When in fact instead of being mad at people it is Satan who is the provoker and who is to blame. 

If you have never had anyone take offense at you then consider yourself blessed. It is caused by misunderstandings, human nature, a contentious spirit, or deep hurt inside someone.

Sometimes the offended person stews over what it is and has a hard time dying to self and moving on giving forgiveness to the one who hurt them. If you are offended you are allowing a root of bitterness to grow inside of you. Stop now and root it out before it infects other parts of your life. 

PRAYER: Lord I thank you for your mercy and grace which you freely extend to all no matter how messed up a person is. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Enough Already. Just Forgive-OK?

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32

You are confused, hurt, bewildered, a tad angry and simply don’t get it. What happened that made a friend or family member turn on you and practically disown you? 

Don’t try to win the fight because there shouldn’t be a fight in the first place. Sometimes people have an internal battle going on you know nothing about and they are taking the rage of that out on you. 

All I recommend you do is to not push them but continue to press into prayer. You can not instantly make someone like you. Maybe you are puzzled by why they are so livid in the first place. Just keep praying. Don’t let Satan win. 

PRAYER: Father God my heart aches for those people with internal pain that take their pain out in others. I pray for those who have been hurt to give their hurts to you. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Do You Feel Defeated

 

Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.Hebrews 10:35-36

I don’t know about you but since Covid tested us and reared its’ ugly head there has been much confusion and hurt in many lives. Add on top of that election anxiety and you have a rocket getting ready to take off. 

The enemy is the weasel who wants to keep you down in the dumps, blue, sad, hurt, and a host of other emotions. It is necessary to try to keep God first place not your feelings. Try to get a grip on the thoughts you allow to enter your brain.

So many things pull us in many ways. Misunderstandings where the enemy keeps you wanting your way not God’s way. Maybe there is something you need to totally let God have and stop ‘driving‘ yourself. Relax, pray, and trust. 

PRAYER: Father I cry out to you Holy, Holy, Holy. This world and its’ problems is not my home. Help me shine your light and stop dwelling on my problems. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Watch Your Words

 

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.Ephesians 4:29 NIV Bible gateway 

Have you been hurt by someone else’s words? It may be a spouse, a friend, a relative. Words can cut like a hot knife through butter.

Many places in scripture there are verses about the dangers of wrong words. If you claim to represent Christ does your speech represent Him as well? Ponder that. 

Words can cause deep wounds that sometimes take years to heal and recover from. If you have hurt someone go ask forgiveness. It will take humility as our pride and selfishness gets in the way. If you have been hurt learn to forgive. Take the high road. 

PRAYER: Father I want to ask you to show me where I need to get better when it comes your things I say or text. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Hope Is All Over The Bible

 

..and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.Romans 5:5 NAS Bible Gateway

I was asked or challenged I guess you could say to show someone where it mentioned hope in the Bible. Hope is found in several verses. It is a key concept in the Bible. 

Hope is not just wishful thinking but it is according to scripture about what God has promised. It is the assurance of God’s promises. 

The following are four verses where hope is mentioned:

1. Romans 12:12 - "Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer."
2. Romans 15:13 - "Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost."
3. Psalm 130:5 - "I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope."
4. Jeremiah 29:11 - "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."

Satan of course does not want a believer to have hope but to instead have doubt and despair. My friend always hold on to hope “calling those things as not as though they were” as it says in Romans 4:17.

PRAYER: Today I am grateful for having the word of God to give me hope and sustain me daily. My heart breaks for any who have lost hope. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Yadda Yadda Yadda

 

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29 NIV Bible Gateway

Who can you trust? How many of you have been guilty of sitting and gossiping about a common friend? I was at a coffee shop, big surprise, and three ladies were going on and on about someone.

It is tempting to have foot and mouth disease as I will call it where we run somewhere to meet up with people and then end up talking bad about them. Be the bigger person and change the subject.

Make an effort to only let good things come from your lips. Maybe your mom used to say “if you have nothing good to say don’t say anything” ouch.

PRAYER: Father help me not be guilty of passing on gossip or rumors. Help my mouth be used to bring you glory and encourage others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Pray, Trust, Wait

 

“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

Ok so you have prayed and supposedly given your concern to the Lord. Now you are to trust He is working and just be still and wait. Got it? 

Oh my goodness sounds so easy but how many times do you catch yourself almost hyperventilating over an issue? I know how easy it is to try to help God hurry things up but my friend that is impossible. God is working just be still and try to think about something else. 

Chill and be still. Put on praise music. Focus on some other issues that need prayer or people on your prayer list. Don’t try to manipulate answers and just wait. 

PRAYER: Father I want to be able to sit at your feet and really guard my heart from fear or worry. I know the enemy loves it when people pray then worry. Help me break that stronghold. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Why Does It Matter?

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”Ephesians 6:12

There is something nowadays called FOMO which stands for ‘fear of missing out’ relating primarily to social media addiction. It can almost be an obsession to want to know what everyone is doing. In the big scheme of things it does not change anything or really matter. 

If you want to do something that does matter try praying for unity, peace, freedom, false testimony to cease, and lying tongues to be uncovered and set free. 

Our battle on earth is not against humans but is a spiritual battle God versus the devil. Don’t take your aggression out on people or strangers but on the devil who does an outstanding job making people mad at each other. Now go be set free and lift up the name of Jesus. 

PRAYER: Lord help me to continue to press on to resist the devil and he has to flee(James 4:7). Help my focus be on things above( Philippians 4:8) and help me stay on the path you have ordained for me. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Why Does It Matter?

 

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”Ephesians 6:12

There is something nowadays called FOMO which stands for ‘fear of missing out’ relating primarily to social media addiction. It can almost be an obsession to want to know what everyone is doing. In the big scheme of things it does not change anything or really matter. 

If you want to do something that does matter try praying for unity, peace, freedom, false testimony to cease, and lying tongues to be uncovered and set free. 

Our battle on earth is not against humans but is a spiritual battle God versus the devil. Don’t take your aggression out on people or strangers but on the devil who does an outstanding job making people mad at each other. Now go be set free and lift up the name of Jesus. 

PRAYER: Lord help me show love to all people even those who I do nto exaclty agree with on everything. In Jesus' name Amen. 

Joyful Heart Or Crushed Spirit?

“A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” Proverbs 17:22 ESV

Recently I wrote about Joy and I like this one church in my area that has a sign on building that says “How is your joy meter” and that is a good question. 

What exactly causes a crushed spirit? It could be many things. Perhaps dwelling on negative things you can do anything about. 

Maybe it is wrong or stinking thinking. Being ignore or shunned. Many times in our new culture it can be caused by social media. 

Try to get away from what is pulling you down, and if able go outside without your cellular device and just praise God and talk to Him. Comparison often is a joy robber. Don’t try to emulate everyone you think is happy and successful. Emulate a Christ follower and you should have joy. 

PRAYER: I love you Lord and I often let situations I can not control make my heart heavy. Help me to continually break strongholds and pray. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Don't Starve Yourself

 

I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread. He is ever lending generously, and his children become a blessing. Turn away from evil and do good; so shall you dwell forever.Psalm 37:25-27

It is necessary to feed yourself to stay alive and healthy but did you know feeding yourself spiritually is even more important? Many people say they ‘believe‘ or that they are a certain denomination but that is all fine and good but do you ‘feed’ your mind daily with the truth from God's Word? If you don’t know how download the You Version Bible App.

Do you concern yourself with physical starvation or going hungry? Perhaps it is more essential to hide God’s word in your heart.

In Amos 8:11 KJV it reads Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD. Imagine that. No Gideons Bibles in hotel bedside tables. No way to buy a Bible. Perhaps a government that took Bibles away. Whatever and whenever focus on hiding God’s words in your heart to help yourself and others.

PRAYER: Father I love the word. Many people hate truth and want to change your word to fit with their needs. Help me stand strong in the face of trials that may come. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

What Causes You To Lose Joy Of Lord?

 

Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Philippians 4:4 NLT Bible Gateway

I was listening to Pastor Alan Jackson recently where he spoke of things that we in the Western world take for granted. Most of us should be very joyful.

Thank God for grocery stores, for drive thru’s , for clean water, for your Bible, and thank the Lord for laundry to fold and furniture to dust. You get the point. If you enjoy modern conveniences thank the Lord you were not born in the mid 1800’s.

Joy comes from deep within your soul. The devil would love to rob you of it by getting your focus on yourself and your problems and not keep your mind in an attitude of gratitude. Think of others before yourself and wake up daily and say thanks.

PRAYER: Thanks again Lord for Joy down in my heart and soul. Help me bubble it over to those I encounter daily. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

#BG2

Hee Haw Hee Haw-God’s Donkeys

 

“Then the LORD opened the donkey’s mouth, and it said to Balaam, ‘What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times?'”Numbers 22:28

The donkey is not a star animal. They  don’t  run in the Kentucky Derby or Preakness and are a simple working animal but a very special one in God’s Kingdom. 

Donkeys symbolize humility, service, and obedience. They are the animals of the common people. A donkey carried the pregnant Mary mother of Jesus to the stable. Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. He was humble and showed that by his mode of transportation. 

Perhaps we humans need to learn from the lowly donkey. A simple yet valuable animal in God’s kingdom that He had a distinct purpose and destiny for. 

PRAYER: Father help me stay humble and not ever try to put on a fake front. Show me how to stay humble and patient. In Jesus’ name. Amen.