You Need Community

 "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone?" Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

 

There is a TV show my husband and I found when we first moved to Idaho in 2020 entitled ‘Alone’ where survival experts are placed alone in the wilderness with only a few items to help them and the one who makes it longer than others wins a huge cash prize.Total isolation except for wild animals or fish.  Problem is many people ‘tap out’ due to social isolation. As one female contestant put it “I need community” so she called in to be picked up. 

It is okay to be alone sometimes. Every one needs their space and their time for solitude and thinking but to be dropped off in the remote wilderness is pretty extreme for anyone. Could you do it? 

God meant for us to have community even as a body of believers joining together on Sunday for fellowship or during the week for studying the Bible. If you don’t have a church home there are many outstanding body of believers throughout the United States. Start here www.associationofrelatedchurches.comto find a body of believers near you. 

PRAYER: Many lonely people just yearn for a smile, an invite, or a hello. Help me be aware of those around me hurting and needing community. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Pray Beyond Yourself

"I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for all people." 1 Timothy 2:1

Some people don’t believe in prayer and then others pray but then start to try to figure things out on their own. 

Where are you at? Believe receive or doubt do without. I have been involved in an awesome prayer ministry since 1996 called Moms in Prayer where we weekly pray for children and schools. Also my former church in Alabama has an awesome prayer App called Pray First, it’s free and is wonderful. 

I urge you if you don’t have a prayer life a serious one where you talk in regular English to God like He is right there with you and let Him hear your heart start one today, on your knees if you can.  Study the word prayer in the Bible. I have added a screen shot of what the prayer app looks like. Check it out. 

PRAYER:  Lord I give you my heart and my burdens. I know you don’t want me to carry them, in Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Got Faith?

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.Hebrews 11:1

Once again a personalized license plate gave me my devotion idea. It said ‘GTFTH’ and could have been meaning Get Faith but similar to the ‘Got Milk’ ad campaign several years ago I am asking my readers do you have faith to get you through your today and your tomorrows? 

How is your faith meter? Are you trusting and believing God for a seemingly impossible answer to prayer a parting of the Red Sea moment perhaps? Even within the Christian community there may be mockers who laugh at your faith. 

Hang on brother and sister as God has not abandoned you and He hears your prayers. 

PRAYER: I need you Lord every hour of every day. There may be many who have caved in to following culture so help anyone like that hear the voice of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

What Seeds Are You Planting In Your Heart?

And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.Matthew 13:22

Social media seeds?News flash seeds? Gossip seeds? ‘Trending’ seeds? Do you need to pull some bad weeds that have choked out the word of God seeds and  start growing fruitful things in your heart? 

Your heart sort of controls everything besides keeping you alive by constantly beating and pumping blood. It is the ‘nerve’ center so to speak and regulates your life in every area. Proverbs 4:23 speaks of guarding your heart because everything flows through it. 

Do you need a spiritual heart check up? 

PRAYER: Lord I thank you for watching over me and I thank you for helping me be vigilant in guarding my heart. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Loneliness Can Bury You

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

In August 2020 in the midst of the Covid pandemic isolation my husband and I moved from Southern Tennessee to Southern Idaho. It was not an easy move in that even though we had prayed and had peace about it there was still an ache at least in my heart. My mother heart ached as we moved further away from our oldest son Matt who could just get on I65 South from Louisville and get off at our exit on the Alabama Tennessee state line in 6 hours. On the other hand we would be gaining the ability to see our one granddaughter more than once a year we hoped. 

Anyway loneliness is an epidemic for many like shut ins and those who have lost mobility or the ability to drive or walk. I make friends pretty easy for as some say “you never met a stranger” but for others it can be painful and heart wrenching. 

Do you know of anyone you could bring cheer to with a phone call, card, or visit? Use that mouth God gave you to smile at people because smiles can bring great joy to many. Remember you are never truly alone as God is with you. 

PRAYER: Lord I thank you for my car, shoes, a phone, and friends. Help me bring joy to another. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Look At What Man Can Do-Babel On!

Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth.” Genesis 11:5

 

Ever since Bible times man has tried to exalt himself and prove he is pretty sufficient without God.  You and I both know how that worked out. 

When an urban free climber recently scaled Taipei 101 skyscraper live on Netflix commentators were talking about the great tower and man’s accomplishment constructing it, once again I failed to hear God acknowledged who gave man the skills to build this structure Taipei 101 as it is called. I kept hoping even I would hear the man who accomplished this feat give glory to God for his abilities. 

Brothers and sisters don’t forget to give God the praise and glory for the abilities you possess and the good things He has blessed you with. Pray for those who don’t get it to come to know Him as Lord. 

PRAYER: Jesus thank you for my life. Thank you for my voice and vocal cords and ability to make sounds. Use me to bring glory to you and not myself. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Healing Relationships

“Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!”‭‭Psalm‬ ‭133‬:‭1‬

Brokenness comes in many forms and to many families for various reasons. Hurting hearts of moms wanting to reconcile with estranged children is something I hear lots of today. Or divorce situations where a dad is cut off from his children too.

God never intended for broken homes to occur in the first place but they do because people do their own thing and are self centered going their own way. When this breakage occurs it leaves broken hearts in its’ wake.

Brokenness hurts so many people. God wants restoration, forgiveness and healing.

PRAYER: I ask Father that you help heal hurt people and bring reconciliation and forgiveness. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Let He Who Is Without Sin….

 "Let him who is without sin among you be the first to cast a stone at her."John 8:7

You can be quick to point the finger at someone’s else’s ‘sin’ without considering sin in your own life. The verse for today was when the woman who was caught in the act of adultery Jesus said the above which is my title. 

Don’t be Holy Spirit junior to people whether to their face of behind their back dropping texts and so forth telling a person how bad they are and what their ‘fate’ is until you examine your own life and ask forgiveness for sins you have committed. 

Each day examine your own life and don’t be casting blame unless you have cleaned up your own life. Just saying. 

PRAYER: Father help anyone who has hurt someone by telling them they are hell bound or whatever else be convicted to look at their own life first. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Is There A World Changer Inside Of You?

 "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:2

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see our world needs a miracle and many are lost and hopelessly taking wrong paths that lead away from Heaven being their final home. What can believers do? Pray of course but also to share the love of Jesus with others in a non condemning way. 

You can be a world changer just by praying and standing up in love for truth. Do you want to change the world? It doesn’t take fame to change the world but little by little letting others know of Jesus love and squishing the lies of the prince of darkness Satan. 

Lies have seeped into society thanks to Satan and believers have to be salt and light to help people come to know the truth that is found only in Jesus. Are you prepared? 

PRAYER: Father help me speak up in love when the enemy tries to deceive and destroy those around me. Prepare hearts to hear the truth. Bring revival. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Jesus Freak? Religious?

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6

 

Do you hunger and thirst for Jesus? Do you hide your light under a bushel or do you shine for the Lord? Going into a church won’t make you into a Christian any more than going into McDonalds will make you a hamburger. Ponder that. 

Jesus has been the focal point of my life since 19 March 1975 when I became born again or rededicated my life to the Lord. I had a few rough patches when I temporarily fell away but praise God friends were always praying. 

No one comes to the Father except through Jesus. It isn’t a denomination or baptism or reading your Bible every day but the condition of your heart. Only the Holy Spirit can draw you to Jesus. If you want to know more drop me a note. 

PRAYER: Lord I thank you for people who have prayed for me through the years, for a maternal grandma that made sure I went to Vacation Bible school on summer vacation. Thanks for saving me from my sins past, present, and future. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Gossip Makes You Smarter-Say What??

 "A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret." Proverbs 11:13

An advertisement at Boise Airport for Us Magazine said today’s title. Many people love gossip magazines and they don’t make you smarter but fill your head with mind numbing things sometimes not even truthful. Why are these magazines so popular and if you read them how do you stop?

Catchy thing for the magazine to say it will make you smarter actually depends on what you are trying to study and capture in your brain. If you choose to consume celebrity gossip ask yourself why. It certainly doesn’t improve your IQ. 

Try to switch out your reading with a good Christian devotion book or better yet the Bible. Many businesses have a Choice Books rack which carry Christian books. I have seen them at VA Canteen, grocery stores, and airports to name a few. Grab yourself a good book and get busy reading and getting smarter that way. 

PRAYER: Lord give me discipline 

 to not indulge in celebrity gossip magazines because it dies not build me up. Guard my heart. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Are You Giving The Enemy A Seat At Your Table?

 Above all else, guard your heart for everything you do flows from it.Proverbs 4:23

 Louie Giglio has a book with this similar title and the enemy being of course Satan. Are you allowing Satan and his little demons to invade your thought life? 

Your mind can be in constant turmoil if you in fact forget to surrender everything to the Lord. Believe me this is a battle in my own life and I know many who deal with this. 

Think on things above not being constantly bombarded by worrisome thoughts that do no good. It takes discipline to master your thought life that is why it is critical to stay in the Word. 

PRAYER: Father thank you for giving me strength to combat attacks from the devil who tries to steal peace. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

My Heart Overwhelms Me

I cried unto thee, O Lord: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living.Psalm 142:5

Are you feeling overwhelmed by something? I can easily say give it to God but being a person whose heart does ache at times that is easier said than done. 

Whatever it is know that the enemy knows what your weak areas are but God is greater and loves you so much and you need to simply say “God I need you to help me.“

Hang on to hope and to God. Get up and think of something to praise God for. 

PRAYER: I need you Lord. I ask you to help me cast off wrong thoughts. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Words Can Hurt

"The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing."Proverbs 12:18

Are you the victim of hurtful words from family or friends whether deemed justified or not? Or maybe you have been the one to use careless words to hurt another? 

Try to get up daily finding the good in things not the bad. It is easy to pick things apart but so much better to find redeeming qualities in people. You may not agree with everyone but love them anyway and try to be kind. 

Maybe you hurt someone so say you are sorry. Perhaps you have been hurt extend grace even if person never asks for it. No one is perfect and words can definitely sting. Sometimes you have to let them go. 

PRAYER: Help me father to seek peace in a storm. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Concentrate On God’s Goodness

"For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations."Psalm 100:5

Do you have fifteen minutes to focus on good? Try this. For fifteen minutes daily focus on the greatness of God and all his goodness to you. Don’t let your mind wander during this time. Put on some praise or worship music to help you stay focused. 

Negativity is all around us daily so turn the tables on Satan and say enough is enough let me tell you how good God is. Keep the news off if you can, stay off social media and just bask in the goodness of the Almighty. 

If you can continue this practice you will find yourself much more peaceful at the end of your week. It will take less to get you flustered and disturbed because you know who is in control. 

PRAYER: I need you Lord and thankyou for your protection for me and my family. Thanks for working even when I don’t see immediate results. I trust you. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Forgiveness Can You Do It?

“And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” Mark 11:25

Is there someone you need to forgive or some situation you need to totally surrender to God? To be set free you have to forgive and let things go. 

During the Christmas season you may have experienced let down or rejection. Why this occurs on the saviors birthday is odd in a way because on the one hand  you can be joyous but on the other you are hurt by family division and wondering when the pain will go away. 

Avoid forming offense in your mind as it is a high wall that almost can’t be penetrated. Decide to stay joyful no matter what. Purpose in your mind you will love others regardless of how you feel. You can’t read another’s mind so you really don’t know in fact that a person wants nothing to do with you. That is what enemy wants you to think. Keep praying for healing and reconciliation. 

PRAYER: I know of people hurting during the Christmas season more than any other time. It seems to shine a spotlight on separations. I pray for healing and restoration for anyone going through hard times. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

No Comment

The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out folly.Proverbs 15:2

Are you the kind of person that has to have an opinion or comment about everything? If you are you might find you end up not very well respected or even to the point others may form the opinion you are judgmental. You don’t want to be and you want to stop but don’t know how it is almost as if it is a learned behavior. 

Remember first and foremost God loves everyone no matter if they wear Gucci or rags from a shelter. Next all people have value. You are not the one who is to be judging your job is to love like God loves. That doesn’t mean you don’t have an opinion you just don’t air it. 

Do the best you can with love no matter if someone is of your same political persuasion or moral code. Let the Holy Spirit do the changing and you do the loving. 

PRAYER: Lord help me not judge others. I need your help. In Jesus’ name. Amen 

Feeling Rejected?

God does not see the same way people see. People look at the outside of a person, but the Lord looks at the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7

When you were a child were you rejected by friends selecting teams, having parties and so forth or maybe you are from a dysfunctional home where you felt unwanted. Perhaps foster care situations. Whatever it is rejection stinks.

God never rejects you. He is your best friend. Sometimes we can reject Him by putting Him last place in our lives but He still hangs around waiting.

Whatever you are going through that hurt you talk to God. He really does care.

PRAYER: I need you Lord. When friends or family turn their backs on me you are always there. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Your Uniform

Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear—1 Peter 3:3

If you are employed your job you may or may not have prescribed uniform but if nothing else at least a dress code. Just as with children who are on sports teams or in scouts the uniform instills pride in the wearer. 

What type of ‘uniform’ are you wearing? By this I mean can others see Christ in you or are you frowning or scowling or angry. Remember each day besides putting on your spiritual armor(see Ephesians 6) you dress to represent Christ. 

If someone sees you could they tell you love Jesus!? 

PRAYER: Oh Father I need your help daily to walk and talk like you. Help me especially show that within my own home. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Seek First

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.Matthew 6:33 NIV Bible gateway

Do you seek first God’s kingdom and take delight in doing so or basically do you just get up and hardly give a thought to God’s kingdom and your purpose in it. 

God has a special purpose for every person. The enemy will come and try to snatch that idea and purpose out of your heart and leave you in despair. Even when you are struggling with issues in life God is still working and He is still working in you. 

Purpose in 2026 here already two weeks into it to make seeking God your first and foremost purpose. Don’t seek first social media but seek first the living active word of God. 

PRAYER: Father guard my heart and help me stay intentional about seeking you first. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Get Planted

 "Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled."Matthew 5:6

Have you made New Year’s resolutions yet? Perhaps one of them is to get planted in a church home where you can grow and serve and be dedicated to things of the Lord.

This world offers many distractions in lieu of attending worship services on Saturday or Sunday but your heart has to be changed by The Holy Spirit in order to set your priorities. Many I feel sort of keep putting it off til they are older kind of like their idea maybe of heavenly life insurance. 

First off going into a church won’t make you into a Christian any more than going into McDonalds will make you into a hamburger. Perhaps you are reading this and feel like the church is full of hypocrites. Why don’t you go find out for yourself. You know deep down something is missing. Have family members who need a dynamic church home keep praying not nagging. 

PRAYER: Many are captivated by the world’s entertainment and glitter and sort of forget church. I pray for anyone I know like this to how a powerful encounter with the Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Are You A Whosoever?

"And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that is athirst come; and whosoever will, let him take the Water of Life freely." 

Revelation 22:17

Baby boomers may recall an old hymn called ‘Whosoever Will”. Recently here in Boise I saw a building on a church campus that said ‘The Whosoevers’ and voila a devotion idea was born. 

Basically whosoever could mean you. Do you desire to come to the Lord? Do you desire Christian fellowship? Do you desire to serve the Lord? Well basically then you are a whosoever candidate. 

You don’t need anything special to say yes to Jesus just a desire to go all in for Him. Are you a Whosoever?

PRAYER: Father use me in your kingdom work. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

A Brand New Year- Let Things Go!

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.Isaiah 43:18

 

A new year is a great time to make up your mind to move on in life from issues and problems weighing you down. God  is still working on the prayers you prayed. But it is necessary to stay peaceful and not caught up on the past. 

Whatever you are going through my friend ask God to help you focus on positive and anticipate positive. Don’t keep trying to play Holy Spirit Junior. 

Today whatever is trying to make you fearful or pre-occupied give it to God. Let it go. 

PRAYER: Lord I sound like a broken record but help me trust you and be still. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Follow Him

“Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, ‘If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.’”Mark 8:34

What does it mean to take up your cross daily in today’s modern world? Doing tough things, being sacrificial. Ponder that for a while. 

Are you all in for Jesus or are there things you just can get away from? Where do you spend most of your time? Following Jesus doesn’t mean you have to become a monk but simply to do things to try to draw people to the kingdom of God. 

Can you give up self and your own desires for God’s desires? Think that over and make necessary changes of you are convicted. 

PRAYER: Father I truly want to be on the ‘same sheet of music’ as you so to speak especially going into 2026 with a clean slate. Help me stay focused. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Our Father Who Art In Heaven

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.Revelation 3:20

Let God help you love, forgive, and not seek revenge. He can. In a recent Bonanza episode character Ben Cartwright had befriended a Bannock Indian who later caused all sorts of confusion and trouble between misunderstandings between white man and native Americans. Long story short when Cartwright played by the late Lorne Greene started reciting the Lord’s Prayer his Indian captor couldn’t stand hearing it. 

Yes it is a TV show and for you younger folks who never survived with  only 3 channels it was on in the 60’s and is on re-runs now. It taught values, morals and character. Most of the programs on television back then did. 

Cowboy days there were not TV’s, radios, and other distractions but there were Bibles. In this particular episode it was used quite a bit. It was a very refreshing contrast to today where you have to even be careful what kind of advertising is shown that has low moral standards. Brother and sister the answer is always come to Jesus nothing more nothing less.  

PRAYER: I pray for people who are having a hard time letting go of hate and anger. Soften their hearts to make things right with whoever they are at odds with. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Blessed Again

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights."James 1:17

A tag on a car gave me another title. Yes you are blessed cause you are walking. Yes you are blessed because you can’t walk but have a walker or wheelchair. You get the idea. 

Start 2026 off with a blessing fest or blessing jar. Write one thing a day you consider a blessing and then in 2027 go back and look at the blessings you wrote. 

And while you are at it why not be a blessing to someone else. Hmmm. 

PRAYER: Lord use me to bring joy to someone hurting. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Party On Dude!

“I will say to my soul, ‘Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’”Luke 12:19-20

One of my favorite movies of the 80’s was ‘Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure’ starring the now very famous Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter( currently on Broadway together). It was about two misfits who had to time travel with the help of George Carlin in order to pass a history test at San Dimas High School. I know sounds corny but it was a fun movie.

Their famous phrases were “be excellent to each other” and “party on dude”. Now how on earth will I weave this into a Christian devotion? Our world likes to party so to speak or “eat, drink, and be merry” but life doesn’t work that way. There will be good times and not so good times.  

If you have trusted God as your savior and believe in the infallible word of God you will be saved. Don’t get caught up in the world’s idea of success or right versus wrong or you will be on a slippery slope. Keep your eyes on Jesus and believe in Him and the best party ever is awaiting you in Heaven. 

PRAYER: I need to take not fret when things don’t go my way but to trust in the plan God has for me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.