Wish, Hope, Pray, Believe, Trust, Thank God

 

Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord
And whose trust is the Lord.Jeremiah 17:7

Do you ever find yourself wishing for something in your life  instead of being thankful for what you already have?

God bestows blessings on you and you may not even realize it.  Every day the ability to breathe, to get out of bed, to live in a comfortable home, to have friends that care for you and so forth. 

It is easy to look at others and think their life is so wonderful and ideal when in fact you don’t know. Stop wishing and instead believe in transforming power of God in your life to set you free from a dissatisfied spirit. 

PRAYER: Lord your blessings are new every morning. Forgive me when I have not said thanks for just another day of life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Stop The Chattering-Tune In To God

The wise in heart accept commands, but a chattering fool comes to ruin. Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out. Whoever winks maliciously causes grief, and a chattering fool comes to ruin.Proverbs 10:8-10

Do you chatter on the phone, on social media, in person and in chattering often don’t really know if what you are passing on is even factual? This is a big time to start the rumor mill running and a statement catching fire and taken out of context and not a good thing to do. 

Everyone has probably been guilty of talking too much and passing on stuff that sounds true but you don’t really know if it is true. Probably best to leave the ‘fact’ unspoken, and perhaps talk to the savior first for guidance. 

The times today are filled with wrong information everywhere. The internet says so and so is dead and in fact they are very much alive so therein starts the rumor mill. Ask God to give you discretion and also give you love for others so you don’t talk about them and try to not be guilty of setting a forest ablaze with your words. 

PRAYER: Lord help me be kind with my words and think before I spread misinformation. Help those responsible for giving news be truthful and not out to destroy someone. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

March Madness In April

For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. (Psalm 139:13,15)

For fans of college hoops the past month has been a dream for you and now it comes down to four teams. They call it March Madness. I can think of other kinds of madness in March and one would be those trying to fight against pro life laws. It is a March for Life month. 

Life is special. So many are hardened against life and many bogus facts go out not telling the truth. God created life and He doesn’t want it to die in the womb with a heartbeat.I went to my first on site March for Life in the Nation’s Capitol in 2009. The friend I stayed with asked me what I was coming for. I told her and her reply was “I think there are more important things to march for” and after leaving never heard from her again. 

Those with hard hearts need to be prayed for and only the Holy Spirit can change their hardened heart. Keep praying and keep standing for truth.

PRAYER: Lord thank you for the gift of common sense. Also for the gift of life. Your creation is awesome. Help those who don’t understand saving babies be touched by Holy Spirit. This kind of madness does not belong anywhere. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Setbacks Can Be Opportunities

 

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

Imagine you are freely coasting along in life whether during Covid or non Covid times and you get notified you are being laid off. You try to not overreact but your mind is going in a thousand directions. 

During the first few months of Coronavirus many people in the restaurant, fitness, hotel, assembly lines, and other service jobs were told to not come to work. Airlines were having trouble and normally bustling major airports started resembling ghost towns. Churches were not allowed to meet either so that was a huge challenge. 

Have you heard the saying “When God closes a door He opens a window” and many times that is truly the case. If you are going through a furlough, threat of a lay-off or total job loss and just are at wits end , try to hang in there knowing God has this. After it is all said and done and you look back there indeed could be that silver lining and that wonderful door that opened to even greater opportunities. Some may meet spouses during this time or gain ideas for new ways to do things thus using creativity you never knew you had. God will take care of you. Stay energized. Stay motivated. Stay away from negativity of any kind. Surround yourself with positive friends and family. Now go shine and anticipate good things!! 

PRAYER: I am so grateful for life, good health, freedom, and the ability to be able to cheer someone up having a bad day or week or month. Open my eyes to needs around me I can help fill and give me encouraging words for those struggling. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Unsubscribing And Settling Down

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.Psalm 51:10

Our mobile devices can be a blessing as well as a curse. The bombardment of all kinds of mail, some good and some not so good, can make a person weary. You have to break away not only from the device every now and then, yes, to include Candy Crush Saga lovers, but you have to push away the distractions that take time for more important things like human contact. 

During the last 3 months of house confinement due to the pandemic hopefully you took the time to do things like house projects, organizing, getting rid of stuff, and the all important family time. This time of purging and recreating life in a new mode for now could also include purging files both paper and electronic. Somehow it gives a person a sense of freedom to be able to break away from unnecessary clutter of any type. 

As life slowly returns to normal, maybe with a few changes for now, just ponder what things you have gained from this time and how you might do some things differently. Even though an email from a group may contain valuable info it is not mandatory you read and engage every one of them. Settle down, unsubscribe, kick back and give thanks. 

PRAYER:Father thanks for my life. Thanks for the things I have learned during this highly unorthodox time. I want to be a blessing to others so use me Lord to help another break away from things dragging them down. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

To God Be The Glory Great Things He WILL Do

For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6
There is a great hymn where the lyrics say “to God be the Glory great things he has done” and even better yet,  great things are in store and great things He WILL still be doing! Standby. Work in progress.

You pray, you wait, you get frustrated. “Why isn’t God helping in this situation” and you get mad at God. God is still working in and his ways are not your ways. His plans are not your ways. 

He is still shaping, molding, perfecting even when it seems like nothing is changing. Stand firm, keep the faith, and know Great things are coming!

PRAYERS:Many times I get antsy and wonder if change will ever come on things I have been praying about. Help me Lord as I seek to totally turn off negative voices and know your plan is being perfected even when I don’t see evidence of it right away. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Busy Bee...Why??

And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. 1 John 2:17

Somehow saying you are busy equates to self importance. Stay with me I am not meaning to beat up on anyone but particularly in the U.S this busyness sort of is a status symbol or determining your worth. It is almost as if it is embarrassing to admit you have down time. Why? What possesses us to be on a nonstop treadmill to prove success?

The common response you get from many people when asked the question “how have you been” is to answer, “busy” as once again maybe to imply or prove to others you are somehow more valuable if you are constantly doing things. Stop for a minute and think about your schedule and maybe schedule into it some downtime such as reading a book, taking a walk, or maybe even a nap!

Do all things to the glory of God and God wants His children to have peace and not always be striving. This could be why many city dwellers like to take a drive to the countryside to listen to cows moo or birds chirp. Next time someone asks you how you have been why not answer something like “enjoying life” and see the response you get. Now go have a day filled with joy and gladness.

PRAYER: Father you give me so much time each day and it is up to me how I choose to manage this time. Give me the ability to say “no” sometimes to non stop activity and just be still and maybe enjoy a hobby or a friends time. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

The F Word

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Your speech needs to be gracious as if seasoned with salt. Colossians 4:6(NIV). Made you look! I am doing a new respectful use of the F word by thinking of all the wonderful clean uplifting F words. Don't wait for society to think of them. The real F word has become slang and almost accepted in society. It should not be said by anyone as it is so crass, crude, and vulgar. But society has stooped to desensitizing the populace little by little to the point that sometimes we forget what is wrong and right and bad or good. Cursing becomes normal. Let's start a new normal. The good "F words" are faith, freedom, fun, fearless, forgiveness, first, and  friend. We have "faith" in God and trust that He is watching over us and hears our prayers.  "Freedom" is a gift from God and only Satan or his demonic powers try to keep us in bondage.  "Fun" is the word to describe what a life lived for Christ is. Once again our enemy the devil will try to make you feel like the life lived for Christ is boring and you can't do anything.  "Fearless" meaning we have no reason to fear what is around the bend as God is in control and He wants you to cast your cares on Him.  "Forgiveness" is what Christ does for us. If you sincerely repent of your sins he offers forgiveness. We too are to forgive others and not hold grudges. "First" is what God should be in your life. "Friends" are so important. Jesus is our best friend or should be. When our youngest son was just a wee little boy he would always tell us he loved us "one less than God". From the mouth of babes. The Bible uses another F word for the time Jesus died on the cross His last words in John 19:30 were "It is finished! " Now we who are alive wait for His return. Is Jesus your friend? Do you have faith? Are you free in Christ? Do you realize God will forgive your sins? Do you realize you have nothing to fear? Do you know a life lived for Jesus is fun!? If you do not know Him why not ask Him into your heart today? He is your Friend that sticks closer than a brother.  PRAYER: Thank you Lord for providing all good things. Thank you Father for forgiving me when I mess up. I choose this day to not enjoy the sins of this world but to have fun in the body of Christ. In you I put my trust. In Jesus name. Amen.  NOTE: This devotion in a longer form appeared first on September 16, 2013.

Are You Still Sucking Your Thumb?

Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation. 1 Peter 2:2

Do you ever see a toddler still sucking their thumb or even a young elementary school child? This habit started as an infant and was allowed to continue until, the child is growing up still sticking his or her thumb in their mouth for security. Unless this gets under control the child remains a child in many ways.

Many adults who are Christians may be still 'sticking their spiritual thumbs' in their mouths. In other words maybe you know the "now I lay me down to sleep prayer", hear Psalm 23 routinely read at funerals, know John 3:16 but that is about the extent of it. To grow up in Christ and become mature and not keep sucking your thumb you have to dig deeper and go beyond the basics. It is not the rabbi, priest, or pastors job to spoon feed you but when you leave church you have to do your part to get off the pacifier.

First make sure you have asked Jesus to be Lord and savior. When I became born again in 1975 I craved reading the word. It became my life blood so to speak. Prior to this I had gone to church and done all the right things but was not excited about Jesus. So how about it? Time to mature in Christ? Start reading the book of John in New Testament and see how your life changes. 

PRAYER: I choose to go beyond just the basic Bible knowledge of my childhood years. I love your word Lord and I want to feed myself and not need a baby bottle or my thumb anymore. I will not allow Satan to make me complacent about things of the Spirit. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Rejected? Snubbed? Move On!

But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. Matthew 5:44

Bible teacher Joyce Meyer has said "not everyone is going to like you". No matter how much a person may know the scripture about loving like Christ loves and should know better, in some cases, there will be those who turn ktheir back on you. They may unfriend you on Facebook, never acknowledge emails or texts, and you can't figure out what you have done to cause this immense separation. They simply refuse to be your friend. It could sadly be politics that does it, which has happened allot since 2009. Regardless we are commanded to love, forgive, and be kind, so why don't we? 

      Do we have a 'right' to dislike or hate someone? Not really according to the Bible. That includes murderers and rapists and a host of degenerates. We are to love, show kindness, pray, forgive. I once heard a story about a woman who witnessed in prison to her daughters killer. Now that would be a tall order. Most people I know who have dealt with tragedies are pretty angry at the person responsible for stealing away their loved one but true freedom comes in forgiveness. Remember what Jesus uttered as He was being crucified hanging between two thieves on their own crosses. In the account in Luke 23:33-34 it says "When  they came to the place called The Skull, there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left. But Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots, dividing up His garments among themselves."

If you are dealing with anger, hate, and and a lack of love for someone Jesus can set you free from that if you truly want to be. You know deep down hate and dislike is not the solution. If you are on the receiving end of the dislike just let it go and forgive. 

PRAYER: Lord if I say I love you but then hate others I am lying. Help me not be two faced. Even those hard to love help me try to love them through you with your power inside of me. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Trust. Don't Freak Out!

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6

Recently  I got the idea for this title and subsequent devotion when a praying friend said she was trying to trust God and not freak out when it came to waiting for a certain medical test result to come back. Waiting on news such as this can humanly make us conjure up all sorts of scenarios that don't necessarily tend to bring peace and comfort. Even if they do turn out bad in earthly terms does not mean the outcome is going to be bad. God has ways of using things to turn situations around. 

So what do you do if you lose your job, find out you have cancer, or end up getting sued by someone? Human nature says to get scared and worry. Those two reactions are not on God's agenda of things to entertain. As hard as it is, the first thing to do is to talk to God in prayer. Confess your fear and ask Him to help you trust Him no matter what. Don't start feeding your mind with worse case scenarios. Get into the word of God which should be a daily habit anyway and search scriptures to bring you peace. God is a God of comfort and He will see you through.

Just like the word 'through' we know this is not a permanent thing. God will in fact be watching over the situation for His purposes. 

PRAYER: Lord God no one likes to get bad news that devastates their life but if we only hang on we can maybe see the bigger purposes in all that is going on. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Whew!

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

We have all lost things in our lives. If you haven't you are a rare creature. I had been on a roll and had not misplaced anything in a while and felt like maybe I had passed the 'peace test'. But then it happened. I looked at my wrist as I was entering a local eating establishment  and my Fitbit was missing. I tried to stay calm. Much better than in the past. I left quickly and retraced my steps. I prayed and had prayer sisters pray. Searched my car. Returned to the coffee shop and it had been turned in. Oh happy day! Honest people. 

Life requires us to maintain cool emotions. Both my sons are in career fields that require calmness and cool thinking. Maybe your job requires you to stay cool and collected as well. Getting all flustered about losing objects does not bring them back any quicker. Sometimes it is necessary to resolve that no matter what, you will move on. Do not let it wreck your day or your life. Don't let missing things tear you apart. I know this is easier said than done especially when looking for keys, passports, birth certificate, adoption papers, car titles and other things like those. But still, fretting does not do one thing to help you or get the object back.

To help maintain a life of calmness and be able to function well at work and at play give your care to God. Fuming does not help but only creates more tension and stress. Ask God to help you. He is only a prayer away.

PRAYER: First of all thank you for helping me find most things I have lost. Thank you for honest people that turn things in that do not belong to them. Help me stay cool when I should misplace things in the future. In Jesus' name. Amen.

SPOON FED?

Are you a spiritual baby? By this I mean do you show up at church on Sunday without even your heavenly "instruction" manual , the Bible, and expect the preacher, priest, or rabbi to "spoon feed" you or are you capable of doing it yourself? Do you require a bottle and baby food or can you eat meat? Something to ponder. If we expect to grow up and become mature we learn to feed ourselves. Why should it be any different with "spiritual food"? Do you want to remain in a high chair or booster seat all your life? Of course not.

In 1 Corinthians 3:2(NIV) we are told the following 'I gave you milk not solid food for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed you are still not ready.' Are you spiritually mature or still sucking a baby bottle? We have to grow up beyond John 3:16 and Psalm 23 which almost all people exposed to church are familiar with. The enemy does his very best to try to get you to stay spiritual babes as then you do not grow into spiritual maturity and have no power to really defeat the onslaught of things that will come your way. If Satan can make you think you really do not need to read a Bible or study it then he has done his job. Remember it says in John 10:10 that he comes to "kill, steal, and destroy." Take a moment and read John Chapter 10.

To be mature you need training and food to grow to stay healthy. In our spiritual walk that training is not just church once a week but it is taking time to study the Bible on your own and also in a small group. Do you desire to grow more Christlike or do you just want to stay ignorant of what God has in store for you in the word of God? It is called the truth and is the way to Eternal Life.

Today I urge you to make an effort to become mature in Christ. Do you desire to be spiritually mature and have the "meat" of His word or are you satisfied being mediocre and being a babe in Christ? My prayer is all of those who read this grow up strengthened by the power that is in the word.

PRAYER: Dear Lord thank you that I have access to a Bible. I often do not give it the priority I should. I know Lord I need more of you in my life. I am aware the enemy tries to throw me off course and wants me to be spiritually starved. I choose to grow up in Christ. In Jesus' name.Amen.

Click on link and worship in song.

http://youtu.be/y3GmSupatEs

Note:If you missed yesterdays' devotion and would like to read it you can access any past devotions at www.godslemonadestand.blogspot.com.

THE BATTLEFIELD OF LIFE

 

In life we are in a battle of good versus evil, right versus wrong. Life itself presents many challenges and hardships at times, and the enemy would love for Christians to feel defeated and overwhelmed.

We know we are in a spiritual battle with Satan and his demons. He can deceive even well meaning Christians to get mad at God over things. Ephesians 6:12 says that 'we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities against powers against the rulers of darkness of this world; against spiritual wickedness in high places.'

Life comes with joys and with sorrows. It comes with happiness and sadness. It comes with victories and with defeats. We have to pick up that sword of the Spirit which is the word of God (Ephesians 6:17) to defeat the enemy and win the battles that comes our way. People living in the flesh, or what is know as carnal life, do not recognize the enemies attacks as they are not spiritually discerning. The enemy has deceived many into believing his lies. But remember the enemy is not the person, but our battle is against Satan.

2 Chronicles 20:1-29 basically says that "the battle is not ours but God's". Take a moment and read those verses found in the Old Testament.

When you are in the midst of your battle to not succumb to fear and worry but keep looking up towards the cross of Jesus Christ. It is through Jesus that we have the power to stand strong and be undefeated.

Psalm 95:1-10 is a good passage of scripture to end with. 'You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked. If you make the Most High your dwelling-- even the LORD, who is my refuge-- then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent.'

PRAYER: Lord I do thank you for going to battle for me. I run to you and cry out and you are mighty to save. I need not fear . Strengthen me for the battles ahead. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Click n link for awesome praise song.

http://youtu.be/PWXcRVZWTb8

LOVE OF GOD THROUGH OTHERS

 Last week I was in a coffee shop writing when I looked up and a beautiful child who had Down's Syndrome was in the chair next to me. I said hello and she was very friendly pointing to her mother buying her a drink at the counter. When her mom got ready to sit down the child leaned over and gave me a huge hug. I loved it! Then a few moments later when they got ready to leave she once again hugged me. What a great feeling! Many people may find it strange around certain people who do not seem "perfect" in world's eyes but I might ask who of us is perfect anyway?

The love this little girl showed was the kind of love Jesus shows us. Unconditional, arms wide open, smiling. How many of us could stand to learn a lesson from this little girl? Society seems to want to get rid of imperfect people. Who is to say what a person who appears defective can't contribute vitally to society. Everyone is valuable in God's eyes and we are to love like Jesus loves.

This child was such a blessing. It made my day being hugged like that! Are you able to give "hugs" say in the form of a smile as you pass strangers each day? So many people look so grouchy and unhappy and you would be surprised if you shared the love of Jesus through your smile what a difference it may make in their day.

Mark 12:30-31(NIV) reminds us to 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’There is no commandment greater than these.” Love even those people you find it hard to love. You know who I mean. The person who said something cruel behind your back. Perhaps a co worker who lied about you to get ahead. Maybe even a friend who decided she or he did not like you anymore for whatever reason. God's love is unconditional and so should ours be.

Today why not try to ignore mean people in your life and pray for them. Also try sharing that smile and remembering to love others like Jesus would love.

PRAYER: Father forgive me when I have maybe not been nice to someone who hurt me. Forgive me for not being unconditional with your love inside of me. Today I purpose to start allowing your love to flow through me and mold me and change me. In Jesus' name. Amen.

YOUR RECOGNIZABLE VOICE

Don't you just love automated voice recognition systems which so manycompanies now utilize when you call? Kidding of course about the "loving them" as they may be modern but they annoy so many people. You just want to talk to a person
and then get a machine instead that keeps saying "I don't understand" and you may keep saying "agent please" in great frustration as you desperately attempt to talk to a human.

Or then for those with I Phones that have SIRI capability that is a whole new experience. Mine will say to me on many occasions "I don't understand Becky" and I may try and try again but my northern accent throws them off perhaps or rate of speech. Still it can be a wonderful tool but also very maddening.

Good news ahead! If you are a child of God He knows your voice. He isn't going to say "Who is this" when you pray to Him. John 10:14-15(NIV) says 'I am the Good Shepherd. I know my own and my own know me. Just as the Father knows me and I know the Father and I lay down my life for my sheep.' Psalm 91:14(ESV) says 'Behold he holds fast to me in love. I will deliver him, I will protect him for he knows my name.' Jesus "speaks" to us as believers by His word and perhaps through people too.

John 10:27(NKJV) says 'My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.'We are His "sheep" and He is our shepherd. He cares about everyone of his "sheep".Think about parents. Most parents always recognize their child's voice. We are children of God if we have accepted Him into our heart and He knows our voice. He hears your prayers. He loves you with an everlasting love. His heart breaks when you turn away from Him, don't spend time with Him, or act ashamed of knowing Him.

Today as your "hear His voice" through scriptures thank Him for recognizing yours when you call on Him.

PRAYER: Lord forgive me for ever having a "hard heart" when I do not behave like I know I should. I want to listen for your voice and sometimes this requires being still. Help me Lord to be still and to encourage others to do the same. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Click link below for a wonderful praise song.

http://youtu.be/JU4U8_wMdRs

LOVE LIKE YOU MEAN IT

Love is a great big word often thrown around casually without even truly knowing and understanding the true meaning of it. So many people love "conditionally" as is evident by the soaring divorce rates and court battles. Love is more than a feeling.

When you say you love someone, and this includes your friends and family, why not take a peek at 1 Corinthians 13. If you have your Bible handy look it up now. In verse 7 of that chapter it says 'love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things'. Now that is commitment and true love. Love does not think of itself first but puts others first.

Sometimes in life we run into people who you feel like you don't like or prefer to not be around or maybe it is someone you disagree with. Perhaps you judge this person for something they can do nothing about like the color of hair they were born with or a deformity. The point is, if you name the name of Jesus you should love like He loves. His love is "unconditional".

In Matthew 22:36-40(ESV) it says “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

Knowing this why do so many people harbor hate and grudges? Not all people are humanly likable but we need to love like Jesus loved.This goes for your supposed "enemies" or those who have treated you with disrespect or hate. Try praying for them instead even though it is difficult and see if your heart does not feel better.

Go now and love like Jesus!

PRAYER: Lord Jesus I want to show love to everyone. Sometimes it may be hard so please help me have a heart of compassion for others. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Click link below for a praise song by Dove Award winner singer/songwriter Aaron Shust, who by the way will be in concert this Sunday at 7 p.m. at Asbury Church, 138 Gillespie Rd in Madison, Alabama in the Grace Building. It is a free benefit concert. I plan to be there to lift up the name of Jesus through his music.

http://youtu.be/8iSVF2XM7yQ

YOUR NAME ON THE DOOR

What is it you do in life? This is often a question people ask when they meet someone. Seems like status of a great job or a title is where many get their worth. If your answer is "Oh I am just a stay home mom" stop putting yourself down. That job is better than any fancy gold name plate on a office door anytime. That job holds the future for little ones being raised by godly parents. As I used to say "I am raising leaders for the future" and indeed you are!  Now my answer is "I write" and often I feel bad that it is not a big title but in the big scheme of things I am okay with it now. What you do for the kingdom of God will last whether it is raising children to serve the Lord or being a good witness for Christ in the workplace.  

Many people do all they can to get "to the top" as it has prestige and offers many perks. If you are in a career field with prestige first of all be thankful as God has given you the abilities to study hard and get to the top. If you are not in a job like this do not be jealous of those who are. Be thankful and happy just where God has placed you in life. If your job is what the world says is worthy of a "gold name plate" on the door be humble. Do not think of yourself as better.

Matthew 23:12(NIV) says 'For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.'  If you are blessed to be "at the top" just remember how you got there. If you have not do not be jealous of those who have.

Philippians 2:3-4(NIV) says 'Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.'  Romans 12:15(NIV) says 'Rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn'. 

Remember our purpose as Christians here on this earth is to humbly serve him and reach others for Christ. Let me leave you with your Christian job description found in Colossians 3:23(NIV) which says 'Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.' Now go serve Him whether you have a name on your door or not!

PRAYER: Lord I thank you for where you have me in my life. I thank you and am content just where I am. Forgive me if I have ever been jealous of others or ever been discontent. I know you have a plan for my life. In Jesus' name.Amen.

WORRY! WHO ME? NO WAY!

How many of us say we have the "worry monster" thing beat then you catch
yourself wondering what someone thinks of you or second guess a
decision you make or start fearing something? I know I have then I
have to say "Becky. Stop it. You know God is taking care of you so
just pray!"

It is easy to slip into this "worry mode" if we are not careful. Our
enemy, Satan, is waiting to take advantage of our weak points. Do not
let him. Stand up and say to him "Devil I have had enough of your puny
schemes. I am strong in the strength of the Lord and according to Isaiah 54:17(NIV) 'no
weapon formed against me shall prosper.' So Devil you can leave me alone right now!" Wacky you say? Not really.

We have God's word as our authority. God is greater than the devil. The enemy is out to torture us and to try to get us off track for the Lord. He knows where we are vulnerable and will keep attacking because he knows how we react. Why not surprise the devil and quote scripture to him?

When you are tempted to start worrying cry out to God and start reading scripture. Start praising the name of Jesus. The enemy has to flee at the sound of His name. We have to get serious about walking with the Lord and taking authority over bad junk in our lives or that of a family member. Worrying does not bring you closer to God but trusting Him does.

The Bible is not there to be a coffee table ornament but it is to be used and studied. If the enemy can get us too busy to use it or make us think Sunday is enough then we remain in the same rut with the same issues hanging over our heads. Now is the time to get powerful and serious about walking with the Lord. Start reading in the book of John in the Old Testament for starters. 

1 Peter 5:7(NIV) tells us to 'cast our cares on Him for He cares for us'. Can you "cast" that worry away? You say, "I am just a worrier". Now is the time to stop saying that and pick up the "sword of the spirit" and instead know that Jesus can help you. Worry is not from God. It is not a fruit of the spirit mentioned in Galatians 5:22-23. We can overcome this and be filled with peace instead. Would you like that? Cry out to God. Do not allow worry to become a stronghold in your life.

PRAYER: Today Lord I choose peace over worry. I know worrying does not change a situation but only keeps me tied up in "knots" and I know also that Satan loves to see children of God all weak and worried. Now is the time I choose to be strong and trust in you. I know you have a plan greater than I can imagine and I need to trust in you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Click link below to start your week off praising Jesus.

http://youtu.be/HzNsEBPB-Z8

A SIMPLE SMILE

Look around you! Is there anyone you see who could use a smile? Often all it takes is a smile to lift someone's spirit. Go about your day and note the looks on people's faces. Maybe some are legitimately "down" but others just are seemingly sad. It takes very little effort to smile at someone. Such a small gesture could truly brighten a person's day.

Why do we go around frowning anyway? Do you yourself feel joyful? Psalm 28:7(NIV) says 'The Lord is my strength and my shield my heart trusts in Him and He helps me. My heart leaps for joy and with my song I praise Him.'

If we are to try to emulate Christ I am pretty certain He is full of joy. The enemy of our souls, Satan, is the author of all things bad and he is a joy stealer and a counterfeit. He will lie to you to make you think certain wrong things are right and fill you with false happiness. Only though Jesus and truth is their real joy. Psalm 16:11(NIV) says 'You make known to me the path of life and you will fill me with joy in your presence.with eternal pleasures at your right hand.'

So do you feel joy in your soul and can you share that through your smile with those around you?

PRAYER: Today Lord I thank you for another day of life. I thank you for all the blessings in my life. I thank you for joy only you can give. I choose to walk in joy today. In Jesus' name. Amen.