Evil Spirits Are No Joke

“There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer.” – Deuteronomy 18:10

Today is what the world celebrates as Halloween and one of those times believers have to decide to participate or not. Everyone is convicted in different ways without getting self righteous about it. 

I myself have a real problem with celebrating witchcraft and demonic activity. Witches are real and they put curses on people. Halloween is one of those times believers have to search their hearts and decide how they will handle this party the world seems to throw. 

As a believer you are to be set apart not to the point of acting better than people but just not allowing the culture to shape you into its’ idea of what you do on this day. We are not to have any part in fortune tellers, horoscopes, witchcraft, seances and all those things the culture seems to embrace. I challenge you to be set apart today for the kingdom. 

PRAYER: Father I want to bring glory to you in everything I say and do so help me father to not act better than people but to take a stand and not waiver. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Waiting For Restoration?

And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.Joel 2:25 KJV Bible Gateway

Are you waiting for a relationship or relationships to be restored? The Holy Spirit is the one who moves on peoples hearts to have them humble themselves and do the right thing. 

Many times a root of bitterness and offense can worm its way into the separation and human nature tries to play God. If you know you need to make peace with a friend or family member you have been at odds with the longer the conflict and separation goes on the harder it is to restore it. 

God is a God of restoration. Relationships especially in the family are important. Search your heart and ask yourself whose side do you want to be on. Seek peace. 

PRAYER: Lord Jesus estrangement from a family member or friend hurts help anyone who is a party to a situation search their heart and soul and die to self and seek restoration. In Jess’ name. Amen. 

Forgiveness-Someone Has To Do It

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

Is there someone in your life you need to forgive but you don’t feel like it because you think they are the ones who started whatever it is that has you riled up and well hey they don’t deserve it. Ouch. 

Someone has to decide they are going to be the bridge builder and do the right thing and stop carrying hate or a grudge and reach out and end the stalemate.

Maybe you are in this situation and it takes a humble, wise, and more mature person to stop acting like a baby and just seek forgiveness and tell the person you forgive them. God forgives why can’t you? Stop destroying relationships but seek to be the healer and move on. 

PRAYER: Lord for those people out there who need to forgive touch their hearts and fill them with your Spirit. In Jesus’ name. Amen.  

Stay Out Of The Social Media Ditch

"There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers."Proverbs 6:16-19

In the United States today there is much division mainly along political lines. It is very sad as it has separated friends and family all because of who they voted for or what they choose to believe. As we approach yet another election day by all means vote but don’t believe every social media expert and all the dooms day theories. 

Stay off social media. The only opinion you need is from the Holy Spirit not so called ‘influencers’ of our time. Try to get up and read your Bible first and if at all possible don’t saturate yourself with the morning news feed. 

Ask yourself after reading today’s verse if there is anything you need to tweak in your life. 

PRAYER:Father I want to be a peace maker not one who stirs up trouble. Only you know the truth so I choose to lean in to you. Use me in this confused society to help bring peace. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

You Are Valuable To God

"Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.” Proverbs 12:25

Do you know who it is that tries to make you feel worthless? Satan. Yes the destroyer of joy, peace, happiness and comically seen during Halloween as a funny little red guy with an arrow tail and pitchfork. There is nothing funny about this sinister liar and wrecker of relationships. 

You are very valuable to God no matter if you are a ditch digger, garbage collector, or a college professor. God created you and He does not make junk. 

Now if you have strayed from the path He wanted you to be on you can be forgiven and your life redeemed. Even those incarcerated can be forgiven. 

PRAYER: I need you Lord each and every day as I put one foot in front of the other. Keep me on my knees in prayer instead of stuck in a social media ditch. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Sheep Need A Shepherd

 "I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." 

John 10:11

If you ever have had the opportunity to watch a herd of sheep it is fascinating. Since Biblical times sheep have been used in many illustrations. Below is when I witnessed this here in Idaho when sheep were headed for mountains for the summer. 

Just as sheep need a shepherd to guide them we also as followers of Christ need the good Shepherd to guide us as well. 

Don’t fall into a pit. Follow the Good Shepherd. 

PRAYER: I need to hear your voice each day Lord and thankyou for your Word the Bible to guide me daily. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Low Day? Think Higher!

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."Matthew 11:28

It can be a beautiful sunshiny  day except your heart still may be weighed down with all sorts of emotions. What is the ultimate solution? 

Thinking on things above meaning on heavenly things and not concentrating on stressors in your life would be a good start. Don’t sit around mulling over things you can do nothing about but instead think of joyful things. 

Get outside if you are able and if chilly bundle up. Get some exercise out in nature it always lifts my spirits. Look up to the Heavens and thank God for yet another day to enjoy His creation. 

PRAYER: Help me Father to keep smiling and show love to those around me in Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Lonely?

The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Psalm 34:18

People need human connection. No man is an island. If you want to be a friend show yourself friendly. You never know what people are going through so smile and be nice. 

Get your mind off yourself. I have to tell myself to do that lots because the devil loves inviting himself to my pity parties. Can anyone identify?

Whatever is on your mind think of something you can do to help brighten another persons day. 

PRAYER: Help me Lord as I seek to go forward in life and cast off any stinking thinking and seek your face instead. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Refuse To Sink

 "We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed."2 Corinthians 4:8

How are you feeling today? How is your mindset? I was reading a story about a young man who tried to kill himself by jumping off Golden Gate Bridge in 2000 but a sea lion of all things saved him. He supposedly is a mental health advocate now. He was bi-polar. 

I hope you are not feeling like him and if you are call me let’s talk and pray. Don’t allow yourself to sink in depression but stay anchored to Jesus. 

God is your advocate in all things. If you don’t know him as King of Kings you can. He delights over you and has a great plan for your life. 

PRAYER: Today help me be still and control random negative thinking and to lean into you. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Who Were You Born To Be?

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”Ephesians 2:10

Every person on earth has a purpose. You are not here by accident. Have you figured out your purpose yet? 

Your gift could be encouraging others, being the only ‘light’ in your office. You may be here to speak truth among chaos. You are not a cosmic accident. 

Today first and foremost make time for God. I recommend downloading the You Version Bible App which can get you started. Don’t be ashamed to bring your Bible to a coffee shop. You never know the conversations that may get started. 

PRAYER: Today father use me even if only talking to someone in a store line or smiling at a person as I go about my day. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Trying To Be Still

“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him”.Psalm 37:7

What are you waiting on? You have prayed and you are trying to trust and you know God is at work but you are still trying to not play Holy Spirit Junior and intervene cause it will back fire. 

This is a big issue for so many people and one that I feel God is waiting on us before He acts trying to develop character in us. 

Don’t be overwhelmed when the person or situation you are lifting in prayer seems to take a nose dive because you only need trust. 

PRAYER: I would love to be able to wave a magic wand and fix things but not even God does that. Help me to relax no matter how long it takes. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Broken Hearted?

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
    and saves those who are crushed in spirit.Psalm 34:18 NIV Bible Gateway

Your heart may be broken right now because of many situations in life. Sometimes being misunderstood causes a broken heart. Death of a spouse, medical diagnoses, separation from family, whatever it is heartbreak is real to those going through it. 

When you are heart broken you need to grab hold of things that lift you up. Read the Bible in the Psalms for a start. 

Make a list of things you are grateful for and cast off wrong or stinking thinking which can tend to make you cave to sorrow. See if there is someone you can help or send a card to a friend. Just go and be Jesus to someone. 

PRAYER: I need you Lord when I start to pity myself help me realize that is the enemy trying to get my eyes off of you. I choose to be thankful. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Surrender All

 "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."James 4:7

You have probably seen pictures of prisoners surrendering lifting their arms high in the air. If you church sings the hymn ‘I Surrender  All’ do you put your arms up on the air. If not what keeps you from doing it? 

Surrendering means saying in effect “ok you have me” or “I’m yours” so when you sing that song do you truly mean it? I think I do mean it but sometimes my follow on actions of doubt or worry don’t show it. 

Today decide whatever it is to truly give it over to God. Your hope is in Jesus and He has this. 

PRAYER: I want to truly mean it when I say I surrender so help me Lord to take my eyes off the problem and put them on you, in Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Resisting Satan

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.1Peter 5:7 ESV Bible Gateway

Stay alert and realize Satan does indeed prowl around. Recently I heard  the late Charlie Kirk talking about not building an ‘on ramp’ to Satan in your mind. You have to be careful what you watch, listen to, and think about. 

Christian’s are to be set apart and different. How can a believer influence the world for good if you are dwelling in a slimy sleazy pit.

Churches need to start talking about sin and repentance. A believer is to be different than the world and shine like a light in the darkness. There is plenty of darkness today and when you find yourself in darkness cry out to God. Talk to God to daily and let Him hear your heart. 

PRAYER: I pray for those people who need Christ to be on the throne of their life. I pray for myself to resist the devil and ask that those I love resist him too and give them a desire to read your word. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Click link for Charlie Kirk’s message: 

https://youtu.be/zz6eLZGKHvo

Ezekiel House- Alternative To Halloween

So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone. Ezekiel 37:7 NIV Bible Gateway

In Bible Study Fellowship(BSF) we were studying Ezekiel and the valley of dry bones where there was prophesy and dry bones came together. I exclaimed “now that would be an idea for an alternative to Halloween house” and got a few chuckles. Read Ezekiel 37 for more. 

Halloween is my birthday but for a holiday it is not my favorite for it seems to celebrate evil. I have a hard time justifying the celebration of witches and devils and such but don’t judge those who choose to participate. 

I have seen alternative to Halloween places such as harvest parties or back in Fairborn, Ohio a place I think called Hallelujah House or something like that. They can be used to tell children about Christ. Whatever you decide to do do all things to bring God glory. 

PRAYER:I am grateful for life and all that it brings. I am thankful for times of celebration. I am thankful for this fall season. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Go Prayer Walking Then Believe!

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.1 John 5:14 NIV Bible Gateway 

I had never really prayer walked before moving to Alabama in 1999 and our Moms in Touch group prayer walked the high school we were praying for before the school was in session. It was so powerful. Now not only do I do school prayer walks but some of my favorites have been for several years in the nations’ capitol. My favorite was as I sat silently inside Supreme Court chambers on a tour. 

Boots on the ground so to speak claiming every step for the kingdom of God. Now I pray in coffee shops, greenway trails, around city halls, grocery stores, neighborhoods and so much more. Pray for God to be lifted up and for positive godly people to inhabit those areas. 

Joshua 1:3 proclaims I will give you every place you set your foot and as you walk claim that and believe it. Pray for walls to fall down as in Hebrews 11:30. Where do you want to see change? Go walking. 

PRAYER: Lord I thank you that o know you are working even when I don’t see it. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Have Fun-Be Joyful

"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice."Philippians  4:4

Some days are harder than others to wake up and be joyful, but the only one who gets glory for a grumpy spirit is Satan. 

Make a mental list of all the reasons you have to be joyful. Stop dwelling on negative junk and focus on helping another person. If someone has hurt you let it go before it festers out of control. 

Above all talk to God every day and read your Bible. You have time for social media so make time for God okay. Just saying. 

PRAYER: Lord I thank you for being alive to enjoy the beauty of your creation. I thank you for freedom. I thank you for friends and family. In Jesus’ name.Amen. 

The ‘Age’ Thing

Gray hair is a crown of splendor;

    it is attained in the way of righteousness.Proverbs 16:31 NIV Bible Gateway

Some day you will look at yourself in the mirror and wonder where the years went. You may wonder how you got so old when inside you feel like a high school kid. It’s true!  

What’s the big deal anyway? Each person is given life and for some reason there is a hang up with death and how old people are. Give thanks on your birthday and younger people respect the elders in your life. 

Thank God for every year he has blessed you with and don’t be dreading death unless you don’t know for sure where you will spend eternity. Your days here are fleeting like a vapor it says in James 4:14. Cherish each day and each wrinkle you have. 

PRAYER: Father I thank you for my life and ask that you forgive me for when I complain about my age and instead thank you. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Do You Need To Come Back ‘Home’?

“Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”Matthew 11:28

Weary wanderer is it time to come back ‘home’ meaning to the Father? 

Maybe you are away from church and more importantly from Christian fellowship. Maybe you had a less than stellar experience at the hands of so called believers and you are just tired. 

Today don’t harden your heart. Download the Bible App called You Version and get started seeking God again. Give up hate, anger, or any judgmental attitude blocking you from the church door. You know it is Satan trying to make you stumble not people. 

PRAYER: Father I pray for any people today who are lost and wandering not knowing where to plant themselves. Help them find a body of believers to help them draw closer. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Fighting Against An Angry Spirit

"Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires."James 1:19-20

Anger is not a fruit of the spirit and almost everyone has experienced it in some form. The thing is to recognize it and keep it under control.

 

You need the Holy Spirit controlling you and you have to learn how to stop arguments and how to walk away from volatile situations.

 

There may be people in your life who like to push your buttons. Be cool. Breathe in, give thanks, breathe out. Now go have a good peace filled day.

 

PRAYER: Father I want to be cool, calm, and collected in every situation not feeling a need to be defensive or offensive. Guard my heart for out of it flows my life. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Go!

And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction.When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

Matthew 9:35-38 ESV Bible Gateway

Like sheep without a shepherd, imagine the word picture of that. Harassed and helpless maybe referring to people. Jesus loved everyone even those who hated him. 

Today missionaries go throughout the world spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ some in very dangerous places hostile to Christians. Many gave their life for the cost of sharing the news Jesus was their savior. 

Here in America we seem pretty safe and secure and God has blessed us but there are those people groups some even who are within our borders who would like to destroy us. Be on your guard. Pray. Don’t stop sharing God’s love no matter what. 

PRAYER: Jesus thanks for all you have done for me so much I take for granted. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

I heard a church planting group speak a few days ago while visiting a church in Indiana. Check out www.zimzamglobal.com 

The Pocket Dial

Let your conversation be always full of grace,seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.Colossians 4:6 NIV Bible Gateway

This past seven days I have pocket dialed at least three people that I know of and how embarrassing it is as these people were called past their bedtime and have to sit and listen to your muffled conversation with a person standing there beside you. It got me to thinking about our words and gossip. 

So as a believer you don’t want to gossip but what exactly is gossip? Maybe just talking about something we have no business sharing. Ouch. 

Be sure to put a guard over your thoughts and mouth so you don’t embarrass yourself. The same thing can happen with texts. 

PRAYER: Father help me watch what I talk about with others so I don’t breach trust and confidence. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

The Pilgrimage

 "But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ."Philippians 3::20

What exactly is a pilgrimage? It is a journey where you are walking, reflecting, and trying to get closer to God. It mostly is seen as a Catholic thing but others can make a pilgrimage for other reasons. It became famous after the rerelease of the movie ‘The Way’ depicting a pilgrimage on Camino de Santiago in France, Spain, and Portugal. 

Recently a friend completed a 500 mile pilgrimage across the Camino de Frances in Spain and look forward to hearing about it as I am contemplating a journey shorter but similar to hers next fall 2026. 

If you went on a pilgrimage what sort of things would you reflect upon. Give that some thought. Are there things in your life you would like to change or do you need to make a U Turn in your life? 

PRAYER: Father thank you for moments of quietness in the chaos of life. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

https://youtu.be/o5VZKWcgw6c

Thanking God For My Country

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Colossians 4:2 NIV Bible Gateway 

As I sit on a fairly peaceful flight between Cincinnati and Boise at 35000 feet gazing at the landscape below I am awestruck with God’s creation as well as the creativity and intelligence He bestowed upon humans. 

I am thankful for freedoms of all kinds. I am thankful for family. I am thankful for friends. I am thankful for my life. I am thankful for good health. 

If you are experiencing heart ache of some sort today lean in to God and remember He loves you. Don’t be envious of the good fortune of others but ask Him to use you just where you are. If you feel angry at something get rid of that as it poisons your soul. Forgive those you have wronged and be kind to your enemies. 

PRAYER: Lord wrap your arms around those who are hurting or beat down by life. Help those people also who have trouble being joyful. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Can God Use You?

"And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?' Then I said, 'Here I am! Send me.'” Isaiah 6:8    The answer of course is yes. No matter what walk of life you are from or how left out or disqualified you feel God has a purpose for you.  God used the late Charlie Kirk greatly in helping win people to the kingdom. His goal wasn’t just a political agenda but more importantly an agenda for God’s kingdom. Literally just before he was assassinated he shared the gospel. What are you doing for God’s kingdom and what ‘seeds’ are you planting.  PRAYER: I need you in my life Lord and I need to keep my focus on you. Help me keep my eyes on you so I don't collapse into the muck and mire of this dark world. In Jesus’ name. Amen.