WHO ME? WORRY?

Yesterday, 28 July 2012, was a day when most freedom loving Americans ended up in despair and worry when 5 Supreme Court justices, to include one conservative, decided the government knew more than the private sector and voted to uphold the encroaching 2700 page healthcare takeover bill. It is an oppressive law passed amidst lies, deceit, trickery and bribery. 'We The People' spoke up loud and clear yet were ignored as the government tried to take a major step in controlling our lives by controlling our healthcare. Sad to say many became fearful and worried. I was traveling, and when this decision was flashed over the televisions at the airport, I watched as deplaning passengers saw the news and most appeared in stunned disbelief. Most expected it to be struck down. One friend told me she was really worried. I told her and a gentleman on the plane that God was still in charge and had a plan in all this. Kings are not in charge. Dictators are not in charge. Presidents are not in charge. Judges are not in charge. Tyrants are not in charge. It is God who sits on the throne and gets the final say! Maybe this is what he allowed to happen to get our attention, who knows. If this law is not overturned,and this decision will be fought, doctors will be controlled by the government, insurance by the government, health care will be limited and rationed, taxes will go up to pay or it and on it goes. It is enough to give you an ulcer or headache if you allow it to. This  bill was never about free healthcare but about domination, destruction, and control of the American people and the economy. What happened to limited government? This current situation can get one frightened as we know what happens when governments get too much power. We need to be daily praying and seeking God. God is working behind the  scenes in all this chaos. He is not fretting, but knows we will make it. God knows the big picture. We may be angry, scared, and feel powerless but we are not. We still have prayer and God on our side. The Bible says in Romans 8:31 "If God be for us who can be against us."  Another verse of hope is in Psalm 56:11 which says "I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? I am not afraid of what mere mortals can do to me."  Don't lose hope. Have courage because the end of the story has not happened yet.  Your  worries will get you no where so let them go. In Matthew 6:27 says "which of you by worrying can add a single cubit to his life?" it is useless. Focus on God and His goodness instead. Psalm 27:13 reminds us "I am still confident of this, I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living." PRAYER: Father help me trust in you and not fear a mere man. I know you delight in goodness and not evil so when freedoms you have given me are crushed and I am  oppressed it makes you sad.  Father God help me to be serious about praying for my country and it's leaders. Get rid of the oppressors who want to dominate us. Change their hearts from evil to good. Thank you that I have no fear because you are in fact walking beside me. In Jesus name. Amen. Further study: Psalm 37

STAY AMAZED

Have you ever pondered the different inventions that make life wonderful? The telephone for instance and how nice and how awesome and remarkable it is that a voice can travel over airwaves. Or a color picture on television? We thought Polaroid cameras were neat in my high school days when in one minute we could see an instant picture but how about todays digital photos? How cool is all this? A refrigerator that keeps food cold and a freezer that stores ice cream is another marvel. How about flying on a jet that gets you from Los Angeles to New York City in 5 hours?  Even email is such a wonder.  This list is endless. Do you take those marvels invented by mankind for granted? I hope not. God inspired many talented people to create things we could not even imagine hundreds of years ago. God gives the mind to create and discover. It is truly amazing! But what is more amazing? Inventions are pretty terrific but what about the whole of God's creation? This past week on Saturday night we experienced what was called 'the super moon' and people were in awe of its huge size. God is pretty great isn't he? He is the creator of lots of amazing things. Many scientists try to discount God saying how dinosaurs were here roaming the earth billions of years ago and that we came about as a result of 'The Big Bang Theory'. I saw a humorous bumper sticker in my church parking lot recently which read "The Big Bang Theory: God Spoke and Bang It Happened". Now that puts it in a nutshell I would say. If you are ever in the Cincinnati area I urge you to tour the Creation Museum just across the river in Northern Kentucky. This museum literally brings the Bible and Gods' creation to life before your very eyes. Check out www.creationmuseum.org for information. God is the maker of all things. The earth and the fullness thereof it says in Psalm 24:1. It is wonderful to see mountains, seashore, waterfalls, beautiful flowers, chirping birds, newborn babies, exotic animals and even our cute little pets at home. God sure did a terrific job with all of it, but then why wouldn't He as He is God. Genesis 1:1 says " In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." He did and He said "It is good!" and he was right. Stop today to be amazed at the little things around you. PRAYER: Lord you are good and your creation is amazing. Help me never tke for granted the simple joys of life that are all around us. In Jesus name. Amen!  Click on link for an awesome worship song. http://youtu.be/0xwzItqYmII

GIVE IT UP AND LET IT GO

Have you ever had a situation where a friend hurt you? Perhaps you had a misunderstanding and tried to get back into this persons life but they wanted nothing to do with you. They say they forgave you but do not want to ever hang out with you any more. You are supposed to 'shake the dust from your feet'  but it takes practice cause rejection hurts.   Maybe it was not a friend but a family member or spouse? That kind hurts worse sometimes.  What do you do? Do you keep stoking the argument that is brewing by debating back and forth or do you just simply let it go and move on? I  know what God would do. As hard as it is he would choose to move on, let it go and not try to win the battle so to speak. What good will it do? You need to pray for the person and try to let it go and go on with your life and your day.you may feel rejection but God still loves you.   Misunderstandings occur for  the stupidest reasons sometimes and once some words are 'out there' they can not be taken back and thus the conflicts begin. Oh Satan loves this human stuff of ours we get ourselves into. If only we could wind back the tape so to speak and start over. We sure do learn from our mistakes. If only the person would just hug you and forgive and move on like God wants them to. There is that big 'if only'. The Bible says in Romans 12:21 "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." As much as you may feel angry or hurt it is best to remember you are to love even those who do not love you. It is hard when someone snubs you, talks about you, makes fun of you, blocks you on Facebook or is just plain rude and ugly. Human nature wants to just tell them off. That is not the 'God way' to handle things. Relationship issues are a touchy thing. Luke 6:35 is a good verse to try to memorize for when hard times come and you feel so angry. It says "But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked." It is a process to be able to let hurt go. But love has to do that. Continuing to go on and on and debate things or reason them out in your head will get you nowhere. Maybe some of the folks who hurt you do not even realize it due to their selfish nature or they just do not care. Still you have to forgive and move on. Colossians 3:13 reminds us "Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." So there you have it. Do not nurse a hurt or a grudge but let it go and love people with the love of Jesus. Sometimes that is the only way. PRAYER: Father I know in the past I have nursed hurts and it got me no where. Certainly it did not get me closer to you. I truly want to love those who are unlovable so help me through you do this. In Jesus Name. Amen. Note: Once again I have added a praise song to help you get your morning started off right. Click on link below. http://youtu.be/hjrpfgJs6Tw   For a complete list of devotions go to www.godslemonadestand.blogspot.com

YOU NEED MORE THAN CHURCH. YOU NEED JESUS!

Do you go to church on a regular basis? Good for you! Do you think that is all that is required to get into heaven once your time on Earth is up? Do you go simply because it is expected of you? Do you feel any different when church is over or are you glad to be done for another week? Is your life any different as a result of you being in church? Do you go only because relatives expect it? Whatever the reason the saying goes "going into church will not make you into a Christian anymore than going into a garage makes you into a car."

 I guess the point is, do you want to go or do you just do it because it is the right thing to do? Perhaps your heart needs to be changed. Do you know what church is for? When you go to a Bible believing church you should come out 'spiritually fed' with more of a hunger to know Jesus even better. If not, maybe ask yourself if you have ever really committed your life to the Lord or maybe the problem is you need a church where people are growing in Christ and not just stagnating.

Matthew 5:6 says "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for  righteousness for they shall be filled." Psalm 107:9 says " He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things." In Proverbs 21:21 it says "He who pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor."

Hebrews 10:25 says " Let us not forsake the habit of assembling together as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the day approaching."

So my friend, where is your heart at? Are you a church goer or a Jesus lover?

PRAYER: Dear Lord it is my desire to know you better by going to your 'house' to worship but also by desiring the word of God. I give you my heart today Lord. Mold me into the creature you want me to be. In Jesus name. Amen!

Click on link for an awesome praise song:
http://youtu.be/PWDU8rBBIJs