How Can I Look And Act More Like Jesus?

"I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me."Galatians 2:

20

As a believer how do you make yourself look more like the image of Christ? One place to start is to have your thought life line up to heavenly thinking.

Each day don’t saturate yourself with so much of our world’s culture and do nice things for others. Speak kind and act kind. Be a Good Samaritan. 

Basically if you struggle with this ask God to help you love people. 

PRAYER: Father I want to be more like you in what I think, say, and do. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Ambassador

 

"We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God."2 Corinthians 5:20

What exactly do you think of when you hear word ambassador? For me I think of an ambassador in a country who would represent  the United States but if you are a follower of Jesus Christ you are representing Him and the kingdom of God. 

This land is not your home if you have said yes to Jesus. You are  temporary resident. 

Your work is an ambassador for the kingdom of God. 

PRAYER: Today Lord is me in the lives of those I encounter. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Nobody Is Really Excited About Getting Old

 “They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green,” Psalm 92:14

 

Elderly people are shown to be nimble, sickly, needing 24/7 help and so forth. Sure some folks over 65 have issues but the way our culture looks at older members of society is pathetic. Everything is focused on eternal youth that seemingly never fades. What happened to honor and respect? 

Wouldn’t it be cool if advertisers started using older people in ads without them looking like buffoons? Aging is not a curse but should be something of a joy as well but when the culture pigeon holes elderly directing them into senior living to live out the golden years there is way more to life than that. 

Yes as you get old your body may break down if you have not taken care of it or sometimes things just happen and maybe you need care but don’t beat yourself up cause you have wrinkles and spots as it is all part of a new season of life. Younger people out there learn from your elders and be kind and respectful to them as you never know when they won’t have another tomorrow. 

PRAYER: Father help me accept and embrace each stage of life. Forgive me for complaining. Help me lean in to where I am in life and stop looking in mirror. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Be The Bigger Person-Take The High Road

 "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Romans 12:21

It can be easy to complain, judge, argue and so forth but as a dear friend of mine says years ago “take the high road” as it is easy to get into conflict over the dumbest things that don’t really matter. 

Are you in a dispute right now with someone or an issue has been hanging over your head seemingly for years and it is time to say “enough is enough” and move on get healing and restoration? Then make it happen through your prayers. 

It is not fun to have distance in relationships that should be close for whatever reason but God is a God of healing, redemption, and restoration. Pray and let Him work. 

PRAYER: My heart aches Lord when I am in conflict that shouldn’t be happening. Only you can change people and turn things around. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

BTRUE

 "Let your yes be yes, and your no, no; anything beyond this comes from the evil one." Matthew 5:37

Once again I am inspired by a vehicle tag and so here goes. What does it mean to be true? To be honest for one. 

God’s truth is absolute and unchanging although nay sayers, atheists, and doubters call believers naive. It takes faith to believe without seeing but you love God and you look forward to eternity in Heaven so God’s standard is walking and living in truth not according to the ‘world’s idea of truth’ which is skewed and run by the prince of the power of the air Satan. 

My heart aches for those who can’t embrace God and His truths. Is says in scripture to hate evil not to hate evildoers but to pray for the lost, misled, and confused. 

PRAYER: My heart is broken for those people who don’t understand God’s truth and many don’t care to. Prayers go out to have anyone who needs their stopped up ears cleared in order to hear God’s voice either for first time or again. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

D4RKSID

: "For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light." Ephesians 5:8

Now this is a vanity tag that I was curious what kind of a life the driver of the vehicle led. Was thinking of Hollywood movies depicting the dark side and they are not necessarily good. 

There is dark and there is light. There is evil and there is good. There is wrong and there is right. There are lies and deception and then there is truth. 

Which side of life do you identify with? Do you live for Jesus in your day to day actions? Notice I didn’t ask “do you go to church” but are you a follower of Christ in or out of church. Do you lead a life worthy of Him. Pray for anyone you know who may be caught up in the dark side of life thinking it is fun when ultimately it leads to loneliness and separation from the Almighty. 

PRAYER:Father help me recognize the light from the darkness the truth from lies. Guard my heart and the heart of those in my family I love. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Coincidences Are God’s Will Remaining Anonymous

"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

Strange title I know and not necessarily Biblically sound but the idea of a screen and script  writer in the movie ‘The Secret Dare To Dream’ in which actor Josh Lucas character utters this phrase and it made me think. You think something’s just happen out of the blue but indeed maybe they are God’s will remaining anonymous. Hmmm. 

I myself don’t think there are coincidences but things happen for a reason the key is to submit to God and stay under His protective umbrella. Sometimes you may want to strike out on your own without praying first. Try to resist the impulse to do that. 

Act in a way always pleasing to the Lord in all you say and do as if he was right beside you. Trust Him with the details of your life and let Him have the steering wheel. 

PRAYER: I need you Lord. I pray you will keep me grounded and stable on the right path and steer me away from danger. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

BLVNHM

Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.John 14:1

I just love vanity tags and the title today is one I saw recently here in Idaho which translates to ‘believe in Him’ meaning Jesus. 

Do you believe in the Father, the Son(Jesus) and The Holy Spirit, three in one? God the Father gave us His only son Jesus and the Holy Spirit lives inside all who believe convicting of right and wrong. 

If you are far from God or perhaps have had bad church or faith experiences don’t quit but keep seeking God and you will find Him. You are living in a world that tries to make its’ own rules editing the truth to confuse you. Stand firm grab a Bible and read the book of John. Ask God to open your mind and heart to His truth. 

PRAYER: I need you Father and I choose to believe in God the Father and pray for any people who may be struggling with their relationship with God. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

No Room For The Cross

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:7 KJV Bible Gateway

 The cross is a symbol yes but a deeper meaning is that it represents being a Christian or identifying with Christ. I often see people wearing them and wonder if they know why. 

You and I are not to judge but also I heard the term ‘seeker friendly’ before referring to churches who didn’t want to appear too churchy in order to draw people in who maybe had a bad experience with mainstream traditional church. Part of this seeker friendly may be that they don’t display a cross as it could be seen as offensive. Just a thought. 

Anyway it seems from the beginning there was no room for Jesus or later the cross He died a horrible death on. Is there room in your heart for the savior? Ask Him to be your Lord today. 

PRAYER: Father help me never be ashamed of the cross of Jesus Christ and to boldly stand for truth wherever I am. In Jesus’ name.Amen. 

Fear Can Disable You

: "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7 KJV Bible Gateway 

Okay I may be fearless when it comes to most adventure but not totally fearless in my emotions. If I told you a couple of my fears you may identify with me or may laugh. 

Do you realize when you are unable to totally surrender your fears to the Lord Satan is jumping for joy. What makes us scared of certain things?

I am writing to myself today too in saying it is necessary in order to have a sound mind to give over whatever is bothering you to the Lord. Period. Relax. Let go and let God. 

PRAYER: Father help me cast my cares on you and let you handle them. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

I Do

, “That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh” (NIV). Genesis 2:24

Today my great niece is getting married. Seems like only yesterday she was this tiny little person and poof people grow up. Today she is marrying the love of her life so it gave me a great opportunity to write on marriage. 

Marriage vows should be taken seriously. This devotion is not to condemn anyone whose marriage ended in divorce as I am not the judge. But what I will say is marriage is instituted by God between man and woman for distinct Holy purposes as it is to represent Christ and the church and is a trinity of sorts with God being the third person. 

My wish for anyone reading this is that they will truly take things seriously and not run for the hills at first sign of trouble. Get Christian counseling and always remember to speak softly and don’t get all upset. I pray for my great niece that Christ will be the head of their home. Is He the head of yours? 

PRAYER: Lord help me to remember to put people before my own desires especially in marriage. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Room 4HM

But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, “You are my God.” My times are in your hand; rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from my persecutors!Psalm 31:14-15

Another brilliant vehicle tag crossed my line of sight recently and it is today’s title. Do you have room for the savior? I mean truly have room or do rush around treating everything else like a god? 

You are not an accident on this Earth no matter how you came into being. No matter what you are special to God. He doesn’t make junk. His heart breaks when you put Him on the shelf and forget about Him. 

Is it time for you to maybe reorder priorities in your life and make sure Jesus is at least on top 3? Pray about it. What is Holy Spirit directing you to do? 

PRAYER: Father my heart aches for people who mock God, who mock creation and who simply seem bent on steam rolling over believers. I pray for whoever needs you to get on their knees and cry out to God and he will save them. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

How Are Your Words?

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. James 1:19 NIV Bible Gateway

 

Do you sound angry, mean, argumentative, boastful, unthinking,uncaring? Do you spout off easy to your spouse or others close to you? 

First it is necessary to get to the root of what agitates you then to give it to God and try to calm down. I actually have a very dear  close friend who I am pretty sure stays cool, calm, and collected with her spouse and others in her path. It’s awesome to have that demeanor and not get rattled easily. 

Does your temper flare up at times or do you find yourself being in a defensive posture? Then by all means get on your knees and ask God to help set you free. If you have hurt another with unthought out words humble yourself and go apologize or suffer the consequences of a broken relationship.

PRAYER: I want my heart to truly be in tune with you Lord. Help me love what you love and hate what you hate. Also keep me kingdom ready. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Do You Believe God Is Able?

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us. Ephesians 3:20 NIV Bible Gateway 

Do you really believe God is in control and He is more than able to do the things necessary to run the world? He is the ultimate creator and Master of the entire Universe. 

When you wring your hands in despair picture God relaxing with an iced tea in a lounge chair handling it all just fine. All the fretting you do does not bring you closer to Him but brings you closer to a heart attack or trip to a therapist. 

Get your mind off whatever it is that is bothering you. Put down the laptop and the phone. Stop checking the ‘experts’ on social media. Stop and simply sincerely pray a prayer of surrender to the most high God. He has got whatever it is that has you wrought up. 

PRAYER: Today let me sit in stillness pondering the awesomeness of creation and let you handle the situations and people. Thanks Lord that I don’t have to be in charge because you are way better at it. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Time Wasters

 "So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days."Ephesians 5:15-16

Ever have a day when you couldn’t stop looking at video clips on your phone. You just kept at it and realized you were gaining nothing and wasting precious brain cells and time? It is easy to go off and start mindlessly looking at things and some seem so real and true. 

If this is a problem ask God to help you be a better steward of your time each day. First have you made time for the Word of God ? Many don’t for they think it is a book of fables and fairy tales which breaks my heart it don’t realize the importance of hiding God’s word in their hearts. Even people who used to follow God get sucked into this belief after choosing wrong associations in life that pull them away from kingdom living. 

Each day commit to how much you will allow the tiny screen to control your life. Put it down, silence it, stop letting what it says control your thinking. Run hard after God and let Him get you squared away again on right thinking. 

PRAYER: Today I choose freedom and ask God to give me strength to get away from lies of the enemy and tricks of the devil. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Holding Grudges Can Make You Sick Inside

"Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven". Luke 6:37

Is there someone in your life you are refusing to forgive because of something they did maybe years ago that you can’t seem to forgive, forget, and let go of? You maybe are too interested in getting your way you destroy a beautiful relationship. 

 I hear stories of people who just can’t wipe the slate clean harboring a hurt from years ago. This is one of Satan’s tools he loves is causing family members and friends to not let go of something that is long gone and over. 

If you don’t move on and get help maybe from a counselor then it won’t just hurt the person you harbor this issue over but it could destroy you physically, emotionally and mentally. Let God back into your heart and life and tell Satan he can pack up and leave because healing and restoration is on the way. 

PRAYER: I need your perfect peace and love Lord Jesus. I pray for anyone who needs to forgive and forget and move on. Open their eyes and hearts to restoration. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Rise Up, Look Up

 "I will lift up my eyes to the hills from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth."Psalm 121:1-2

What has you down in the dumps? It is time to rise up and look up to Jesus. Every time you get in a situation causing you a low sad moodiness it is likely the enemy Satan ‘pushing your buttons’ so to speak even though he is not all knowing like God, he never the less has you pegged. 

Your journey may be tough right now but God knows and He has not abandoned you. Don’t cave to the world’s way making fun of you for believing in God. 

Stand firm, look straight ahead. Believe God is working all things for your good. (See Romans 8:28). 

PRAYER: As I seek your face Lord give me strength to stop looking behind me. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

No Situation Is Too Bad For God Not To Heal

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

Ok so with my title alone naysayers may wonder why God doesn’t heal everyone. I can’t give you a good answer although I do know that if you are a believer he uses you in incredible ways throughout your life and your life helps others. 

The ultimate destination is Heaven. No one stays here on Earth forever you are born, you die and how you live on Earth depends on where you go to after death. I didn’t make that up. 

Have you asked Jesus to ‘take the wheel’ so to speak and have you surrendered your life to Him and asked Him to be Lord of your life? It’s not a denomination, a ceremony, or anything else other than saying ‘I believe’ then letting him be in control not you. Are you ready for life insurance and death assurance? 

PRAYER: In my weakness you are strong Lord. I pray for those people who have yet to commit their lives to the Lord or are too intellectual and try to reason all this and disprove it. Open the eyes of the blind and save them before it is too late. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Spiritual Warfare

"The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."2 Corinthians 10:4-5

 

Were you aware that your enemy Satan  wants to thwart your plans and give you a wrong mindset? Those days when you get up feeling hopeless you need to get out your ‘sword of the Spirit’, the word of God quote a few scriptures out loud and put Satan in his tiny little place. 

Lies from the pit of hell are his specialty and spiritual warfare is your specialty or should be. Whatever you are going through my friend hang in there. Satan lies and tries to get you to stop praying. Don’t! 

Today remember you are in a battle against demonic forces trying to disable you and your family. Stand in the gap even when you are made fun of. Don’t quit. 

PRAYER:My heart is heavy over brokenness in families so Lord I pray for restoration. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Follow God Not A Person

 “And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.” Isaiah 30:21

 

When you go to a church or read a particular book you may be mesmerized by the story of how the individual up front speaking or promoting a book got there. Never are you to elevate them above the Almighty God. 

There are so many good preachers out there and authors who have been given profound understanding and wisdom to do what they do. Never are you to treat them as if they were God. They are simply His messengers. 

You can be a messenger too whether you are famous or just a normal person going about day to day activities. You still have a story that made you who you are today. You have struggles that have wounded you and perhaps you are holding God’s rope not wanting to lose your grip and fall into the pit and you feel like you are about to lose your grip. Hang on my friend. Your story is still being written and God is still in control if you will step aside and let Him be. 

PRAYER: Lord there are many good teachers you have gifted Lord and forgive me if I ever worshipped them more than you. Keep your messengers humble as they share the good news. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

FAM4EVR

Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.Genesis 2:24

Personalized vehicle tags are fun to figure out. This week I saw a van with a tag which is my title. Basically family is forever. The family has always been under fire because it is the backbone of a healthy society. 

Keeping the family unit together and making Christ the third person in your marriage is important. Too many may take vows, I think that is still done, then with the first calamity  or ‘feeling’ may go seek a divorce. 

Stand firm, pray, read your Bible daily it is not a book of fables and fairy tales. If only everyone took it to heart more than they listen to Satan and dissenting voices. Now go purpose to stay til death do you part. 

PRAYER: Lord I need you daily. I pray for anyone who is confused about what marriage is to not take it lightly. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

I Can’t Do This-But God.

"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever". Psalm 73:26 Have you ever felt like you are at the end of your rope and don’t think you can take much more? I am not talking suicide here but basically just exhausted about closed doors in relationships and desiring healing, forgiveness, and moving forward. 

You may be tired today from fighting all the little battles that seem to lead nowhere. I know the feeling I have been there. You want restoration but it seemed stalled out. What to do? 

Keep praying. Many people may misunderstand you and you might even be called a contributor to your own problems as odd as that sounds. You can’t fix people only the Holy Spirit can. You can be nice, be calm, be steady, and keep praying. 

PRAYER: Father guard my thoughts and my words. Help me be more careful what I say when I open my mouth. Show me how to be nice when I am being mistreated. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

LVN4GVN

 “And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”Mark 11:25

I think the owner of the vehicle whose tag had this message displayed was trying to say that they were ‘living forgiven’ or in other words you give your life to Christ and repent of your sins and and you are forgiven.

Are you living forgiven or do you think how on Earth could God possibly forgive me for my past or what I am doing now? He can and He will. It is Satan who tries to keep people trapped in lies and fear as it says he is a liar. 

No matter what you have done or how far you have drifted you can come back. Don’t let Satan keep you in the hog pen of life believing lies. All you have to do is cry out to God and He will set you free. 

PRAYER: Today Lord I want to pray for anyone who needs a fresh start and needs to come back or maybe someone who never had that start. Touch hearts today. Bring healing and restoration. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Check on Amazon for author/pastor Chris Hodges book entitled ‘What Next’ to give you steps to freedom in Christ. Or contact me. 

Click link for hit from the past about forgiveness: https://youtu.be/kdnku7rwzd4

Unsubscribe Me

"Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me. For you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men."Matthew 16:23

Have you had an over ambitious week where you signed up for so many emails that they clog your inbox and you can’t find the important ones meaning a note from a friend or something from a business which requires your attention? 

Satan likes to keep you busy with non important things then you don’t have time for quality time with God and your family and friends. That little box we all carry around can get to be a real nuisance. 

So what to do to correct this. First start unsubscribing from stuff even Christian things because you can’t give quality time to every ministry that you know of it is not possible. Pray and maybe step away from electronics all together. You still have to have a way to retrieve important things that people send. Start today and get your inbox decluttered. 

PRAYER: Father help me prioritize things I get over email and give me time to clean up stuff and get the flow of good info coming and thus freeing up my brain cells. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

What Are You Believing God For?

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you”Matthew 7:7

What are you believing God for my friend? A turn around in a relationship. A family member to come to the Lord? A person you know to be healed. It could be a host of things. 

Your heart may be broken and you don’t see how it can ever be healed but my friend God is a God of miracles if you will stand fast and believe. 

What are you praying and believing God for today? 

PRAYER:Lord keep me still as I wait and prepare hearts of those I have been praying for. In Jesus’ name. Amen

Click link for song: https://youtu.be/QzT26YVEr24?feature=shared

 

It’s All About Jesus-Resurrection Sunday

"He is not here; he has risen, just as he said." Matthew 28:6

 

Welcome to ‘Lilly’ Sunday the day many go to church out of obligation for it being a high Holy day for Christians worldwide. I don’t mean to say that in a mocking or flippant way but too often people come because deep down they know they should be there to celebrate the resurrection. 

It is hard to find anything remotely about Jesus’ resurrection in main stream stores. His brutal bloody death and miracle of His coming back to life 3 days later can’t be candy coated with chocolate bunnies, jelly beans, and decorated eggs. It is what it is. The miracle of prophecy coming true. And today there are many Easter traditions that aren’t wrong but I am not sure how they originated. Go with the flow. 

Get excited today about the miracle of the resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ. Ponder what it means. 

PRAYER: Today Lord I am grateful for the gift of eternal life when we believe in faith. I pray for those people who have trouble wrapping their mind around this biggest event ever. In Jesus’ name. Amen.