TOO BUSY TO CARE

One of the tools in Satan's pathetic war chest is getting Christians too wrapped up in every day worldly activities to have time to care about evil creeping up around them. It is a subtle thing sort of like placing a frog in a pot of cold water and slowly turning up the heat til he is cooked and was totally unaware or unable to save himself.

There is a true battle of good versus evil going on in not only the United States of America but the entire world. Many have chosen to bury their heads in the sand of complacency but this battle is raging on in the meantime. Satan is the chief deceiver who works through earthly subjects to achieve his goal of destroying Christians and anything to do with this Christian nation or right and wrong. We know the end of the story though. Just read the book of Revelation. But still, why would people fall for his puny schemes now?  He comes as an "angel of light" it says in 2 Corinthians 11:14. 

There is no urgency by many to take a stand for truth and righteousness. Some have bought into the world's lies to take their attention totally off the Creator of the universe. Has your love for Christ grown cold? Do you find some people maybe a little fanatical and overboard on some issues? Do you follow God's word on moral issues like marriage and abortion or have you started to believe the lies the media puts out? 

It is essential to stay grounded in the word of God in order to know the truth. It is the truth that will indeed set you free. You can not expect to grow in Christ and ward off lies if you do not stay in the Bible. Simply going to church  one hour per week is not enough. That is what Satan wants you to believe.

I urge you to make a decision today to get into the word and pray daily and ask God to help you recognize the lies of the enemy. Isaiah 5:2(NIV) says 'Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight.'  Proverbs 3:7(NIV) further says 'Be not wise in your own eyes, fear the Lord and shun evil.' 

Start today and decide to walk in the truth and resist the enemies attempts to get you to cave in and believe his lies.

PRAYER: Lord I thank you for your word, the Bible, that at times I do not study enough. Forgive me as I want to be strong and ready for spiritual battle in the days ahead. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Note: have been experiencing connectivity issues at home so that is why this devotion has been 

C AND C

It is easy to be fearful in today's world. Impending financial collapse, end of the world, medical problems, death and many things get our focus off God and onto problems that may or may not even happen. The title here stands for 'Cancer and Christ'.

For anyone who has had the doctor diagnose cancer in yourself or a loved one it strikes fear in your heart. As much as you can say you will trust God and He is in control, that C word is a bad word and likes to rear its' ugly head.

 I remember a couple times in my life or my families life where the 'C word' popped up. It is frightening because the main thing that normally comes to mind is death. First of all, a diagnoses of cancer is not a death sentence but it brings fear to many. When you fear you are in a state of constant worry. Let me ask you, when you worry does that show faith in God?

 The other 'C word' is Christ . Focusing on Christ instead of cancer or other fears will give  you more joy and courage. You will be less fearful of impending doom if you can turn your thoughts to Him. If you wake up daily and have fear in your heart, it will be rather difficult to feel like praising Jesus. Whether you face cancer, a lawsuit, bills, divorce,bankruptcy,  family problems, or a scary medical diagnosis, that is not the end of your life. You have to intentionally  focus on positive things and get your mind off the bad. I once heard the comedian Kevin Nelon in a TV comic sketch saying "harness the good, release the bad. Harness. Release. Harness. Release."  Funny but true if you think about it. Hold on to good things and let go of the bad that drags you down and takes your focus off God and thus robs you of peace.

Staying in the word of God is the first and foremost thing you can do to combat fear. Of course Satan wants you to be afraid and powerless as then he has you in his grip. Wake up each day knowing the Lord has something special for you today. Get your mind off 'self' and onto others and part of the battle is won. Always thinking of self is selfish anyway.

This leads me back to a verse I have referred to numerous times which is Philippians 4:8 which says "Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admiral, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things."

 Are you able to get up each day thanking Him for another day of life? Every day is a gift from God. He loves you no matter what you are going through and wants you to lean on Him. When bad thoughts come into your brain speak out loud "get thee behind me Satan. I refuse to  let fear dominate me as I am a child of God."


PRAYER: Lord today is another day you have blessed me with. If things sometimes make me fearful I know you are ultimately in control. Help me Lord to seek to keep my focus off myself and onto the things of the Lord. In Jesus name. Amen.

MIND TRIP

We think we have it all together and in control of wandering thoughts or concerns of the past then it happens. Our mind starts to go all directions pondering, reasoning, speculating, feeling guilt,  condemning, wondering. Guess what causes that? It is the great destroyer otherwise known as Satan. He wants to get your mind off of Jesus and onto your concerns. We can not let this happen. You have  to gain control of the thoughts that come into head. Romans 12:2 is a superb verse to memorize and it says "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."   Transformation takes a deliberate action of casting off wrong defeating condemning thoughts.   The TV show 'Saturday Night Live' had a sketch several years ago with comic Dana Carvey playing a character called 'Church Lady' who basically blamed everything on Satan by saying "Was it Satan" or "could  it be Satan?" Yes in fact it could be and is because the enemy is the great tormentor, accuser of the brethren, deceiver, destroyer, liar and peace stealer. He can makes mothers feel guilty when their children choose a different path than from which they were raised doubting they were even good mothers.  He can make employees wonder if they chose the right career path when things do not go well. He can put thoughts of hate in your heart towards  those that hurt you. He can make you wonder why your child died when you did everything the Bible said. He can make you dwell on your mistakes of the past. You can not allow this to happen. Capture those wrong thoughts and replace them with God thinking.  John 10:10 says "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."  Satan is that thief and he has not right bothering a child of God and putting garbage into your head. Resist Him!  Another key verse of scripture which is 2 Corinthians 10:5 and  it says "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." Take thoughts captive. Combat the wrong thinking God's thinking which is found in pages of scripture. Proverbs 23:7 reminds us that "how a man thinks in his heart so is he."   What is filling your mind? Is it God's word or the newspaper? God's word or soap operas? God's word or a bad stock report? God's word or movie star magazines? You get the idea. You can not dwell on worldly things too long without starting to have them saturate mind.  Start today to develop the mind of Christ by reading and  knowing his word. PRAYER: Father I purpose this day to start thinking God thoughts are  not the world's thoughts. Forgive me for knowing about world news more than knowing about you. I chooses to discipline myself to start today to read your word and be set free from a mind that is against God. in Jesus name. Amen. Click on link and worship the Lord in song. http://youtu.be/JU4U8_wMdRs