BAD NEWS......BUT GOD!

There seemingly is a great deal of fear in many parts of the world today. I know here in these United States citizens are concerned about a government that is out of control and no longer listens to them and fears dictatorship on the horizon. "But we have a Constitution, that will never happen" the uninformed will utter. But this fear is real and is frightening many people. Our balance of power and system of checks and balances is no longer valid it seems.

There is a verse in God's word which I love. Psalm 118:11(NLT) says 'The Lord is for me, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?' We know it is not people we are necessarily supposed to be angry with but realize we are in the midst of spiritual warfare. A battle of good versus evil. Satan is having a hey day. He is using people as his pawns to do his evil works and many deceived are falling right smack dab into the enemies trap.

There is so much deception today. People hear something and believe it is true. Only God's word is true, yet today it is being misused and twisted to justify sinful behavior. Hebrews 13:6 also reiterates the same thing as Psalm 118:6 by saying '......what can mere mortals do to me.'

We truly need to not fear and realize God is indeed still on the throne. He is King of kings and Lord of Lords. God has a plan behind all the chaos that is going on. Sometimes He let's humans have their own way and suffer a bit. We choose to not listen, to not acknowledge Him, not keep His word first, well then see what happens. Isaiah 55:8-9(KJV) says 'For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.' God is still God and is still over the entire universe. No king, prince, czar, ruler, dictator, or president controls Him.

Psalm 93:4(NIV) says 'Mightier than the thunder of great waters and mightier than the breakers of the sea, the Lord on high is mighty.' Meditate on that verse for just a moment. There are things we need to do as well. 2 Chronicles 7:14 should be a very familiar scripture to those who have been praying for America to return to its' Christian roots. 'If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.' Are we truly doing this? Are we taking so much for granted and so busy with our daily lives that we even bother?

Hard times may in fact be on the horizon. Just remember who indeed is on the throne. Psalm 95:3(NIV) says 'The Lord is a great God a great King above all gods.' There are those who live in countries where Christians are persecuted and have to read their Bible in secret or risk death. We need to cry out to God and repent and ask Him to bring revival.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus thank you for being in control. I realize when we do not listen to you sometimes we suffer the consequences. Lord I ask that you open the eyes of the blind and end the curse that is overtaking the United States. Bring revival to this great land. Turn evil men and women's hearts to you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Please check out the following website where you can post prayers and read others prayers:

www.presidentialprayerteam.com

HELP! HELP! HELP!

Have you ever frantically cried out to Jesus to save you or a loved one or help you? I know I have. The two incidents that come to mind are when I was in a roll over accident and the car tumbled only once thankfully, and then slid on the roof through the grass in the ditch as I cried out "help me Jesus, help me Jesus" and He did. Another time I was in Hawaii snorkeling alone in Hanauma Bay, as my sister was on business and could not join me that day. When you snorkel you should do three things. Have a buddy, wear a life jacket just in case, and observe rip current warning flags on the shore. I was so busy taking underwater pictures I did not realize I had been carried out beyond the people on shore in the current. Here I was in deep water and no people. I was extremely frightened. I screamed out "Help me Jesus, Help me Jesus" and out of nowhere, I kid you not, a young couple appeared and asked if I was okay. I said I was and without them even touching me I had strength to get to shore. I do not know where they went but I am pretty sure they were angels.

So have you cried out to God to help you or help a family member who is struggling with an issue in their life? Perhaps you have cried out in desperation for a family member to be set free from an addiction. Maybe they are caught up in deceptive lies of the enemy and are so blinded they do not think they need help so you cry out on their behalf. I know in Moms in Prayer International there are moms all over the world crying out for the lives of their children. Even Christian moms do not have perfect kids sometimes and go through struggles. These others moms in these groups help you lift up your child in prayer.

Psalm 54:4(NIV) says 'Surely God is my help. The Lord is the one who sustains me.' Psalm 30:10 says 'Hear Lord and be merciful to me, be my help.'. Psalm 118:7 says 'The Lord is with me. He is my helper. I look in triumph on my enemies.' If you do a word search on your computer you can find many verses where it shows God being your helper. He indeed is the ultimate helper.

What is weighing on your heart today? Go to the Lord in prayer. He will sustain you and help you.

PRAYER: Lord I thank you for the many times in life you have been my help to get me over the hump of a worried and anxious spirit. You have physically helped me as well and for that I give thanks. I know I have no earthly control over situations in my life or that of my family but I can and do pray. I thank you for hearing my prayers and giving me peace and being my helper. In Jesus' name. Amen.

For more information on Moms in Prayer go to www.momsinprayer.org

Click link to worship God in song.

http://youtu.be/MmQzT2upcrY

GOD'S TIMING

Many times we become frustrated with prayer and think God just is not listening. He has a greater plan than we do and knows what he is doing. Perhaps you have been lifting a certain issue up in prayer for a family member or friend and it seems there is no change or breakthrough. God is not finished. His ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts.

Many people experience the rough waters and storms of life and just feel like throwing up their hands in desperation. Perhaps some of you reading this can identify with that feeling. To continually dwell on a situation you have been praying to change you need to focus on God hearing you and loving you and then try to think about something else. The thought life has to come under control of the Holy Spirit.

Our thoughts can hold us captive almost like being in a jail cell. No way of escaping if we let junk continually drag us down. It is time to get up, get going, and shout out "Jesus you are Lord. Thank you for hearing my prayers for________ and fill in that blank". Then get busy thinking on something else. God is indeed in control.

Isaiah 55:8-9(NIV) says 'For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,”declares the Lord.As the heavens are higher than the earth so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than yours.' A second verse to "fix" your mind on is Philippians 4:8(NIV) which I refer to a good deal in my writings. You may have it memorized by now. It says 'Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.' When you decide to purposely think positive and on "good" things then your life will be much more peaceful. Give your concerns to God and wait for his answer in His time.

PRAYER:Your timing Lord is perfect. It sometimes is hard to wait but I know you hear my prayers and are working in the life of______________. (Fill in blank). You are in control Lord and the worker of miracles and I thank you for that. In Jesus' name. Amen.

HAPPY 237th BIRTHDAY AMERICA!

Today is a day here in these United States we are to celebrate when our nation broke away from tyrannical rule of Great Britain and declared their independence. It has been a wonderful time up until people started misinterpreting the Constitution or Declaration of Independence. Presently there are some judges and leaders who forget that they work for us and have taken it upon themselves to make rules and laws, behind our backs at times, that are corrupt and unconstitutional. Our society is slowly leaving God out of the equation. The term separation of church and state has been misused as well. That was intended to keep the state from the church, not the other way around. Keep praying and do not give up on this great nation!

We in America who love our country love to fly the red, white and blue and listen to patriotic music. Service members love their country so much and freedom so much they are willing to die for it. We love fireworks and celebrations. For many these past few years have been hard as we watch freedoms we had, slowly being taken away by those in government authority intent to dominate us. We call, rally, and write but still we are ignored. What happened to "We The People"? Many are so endeared to a political party they are blind to what is actually happening. God is still on the throne, never forget that.

Psalm 47:8(NIV) says 'God reigns over the nations. God is seated on His holy throne.' When we ignore God and His word we are in danger of judgment. We need to each be familiar with the Constitution and Declaration of Independence. If you have never been able to go to the Nations' Capitol plan a trip there and see all the wonderful monuments to this glorious nation. Visit Arlington National Cemetery as well as the Vietnam Veterans Wall, Korean War Monument, World War II memorial and many others. When you see a former service member with a ball cap on that says World War II or something like that on it be sure to go up and say thanks for putting their lives on the line so we could be free.

Continue to pray for America. A great site to do this is www.presidentialprayerteam.com which this week has streaming broadcast about this special day we are celebrating.Check it out.

Psalm 33:11(NIV) says 'Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.' Freedom indeed can be lost when people become complacent and do not do their part in the democratic process to speak out for liberty. Bible teacher Joyce Meyer says 'If freedom is not protected it will be lost.'

Happy Birthday USA! Let Freedom Ring!!

PRAYER: I thank you Lord for freedom. I thank you that this nation was founded on your laws and on the Holy Bible. We pray for those who do not see dangers of tyranny on the doorstep. Father we need you and we need revival to break out from the church house to the White House. Protect those service members serving us in far off lands and here on our soil. Help us not take our freedom for granted. In Jesus' name. Amen!

Click link for an awesome song to help you celebrate.

http://youtu.be/U_5aoptI5j0

 

HURTING? TRY GOD!!

 

Each Sunday in church I watch as people go forward to the altar during prayer time. I witness people crying and lifting their hands up to Him. Some remain in their seats and pray. The other day a lady and her husband were in an embrace in front of me. The woman was crying and I was silently praying for her. Perhaps something in a song brought back a hurtful memory or she just had tremendous burden.

Burdens do not pick and choose. You may look at someone and think they are the perfect Christian but you have no idea what is going on inside of them. Perhaps a recent death in the family. Maybe a miscarriage or death of a child? Perhaps a child or spouse who is an alcoholic or drug addict. Maybe there is a person who is addicted to pornography. You might be surprised that there may be someone sitting there who just had an abortion. There could be a person struggling with same sex attraction. Maybe their spouse just walked out on them or asked for a divorce. Could've been the person has committed adultery. To think a believer has no problems is naive.

 Psalm 68:19(NASB) says 'Blessed be the Lord who daily bears our burden. The God who is our salvation.' If you have a prayer need and you are just about at the end of your rope just know you can cry out to Jesus.

Matthew 11:28(NIV) says 'Come to me all you who are burdened and heavy laden and I will give you rest.'  Are you carrying a heavy burden and need to talk or pray? Do you feel even your closest friends won't understand? God cares and he wants the devil to stop accusing you and making you feel ineffective or at fault. Satan is referred to as "the accuser of the brethren" in Romans 12:10. Don't allow him to make you feel like there is no hope. There is always hope. Hang on to God!

PRAYER: Lord I need you every minute of the day. I know you are my defense. I know that no matter what I can cry out to you. I thank you for helping me get though the storms of life. In Jesus' name. Amen.

1-800-759-0700 is a 24/7 Prayer Line run by The 700 Club.
1-800-329-0029 is a 24/7 Prayer Line run by Daystar


Click link below to worship of in song. Today I have included two.
http://youtu.be/jrnvSf2dX18
http://youtu.be/2KsfwvpcQhY

GOD IS ABLE....YES HE IS!!!!!

One of my all time favorite Bible verses is Ephesians 3:20. It used to be on a poster hanging in my first apartment in Pacific Grove,California. It says 'Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine according to His power at work in us'.

You may think your situation is impossible, but not to God. He is the Alpha and The Omega. He is the Almighty. He can raise from the dead and heal the blind. What is it that is on your heart that you can not seem to let go? Maybe you feel it is beyond hope. Nothing is beyond hope.

He is able to deliver you from bad habits. He is able to save your soul from hell. He is able to help your family member out of a dark pit of sin they are in. He is able to restore your marriage. He is able to set the prisoner free. He can deliver from alcohol or drug addiction. He is able to turn an evil person into a good one. You need not give up on praying and trust Him. Oh yes, Satan will lie to you and make you think God isn't working. Remember give it to God and let Him do his mighty work and stand back and be amazed.

PRAYER: Lord you area able to do all things and I am thankful for that. When I feel giving up help me to remember you have a big plan and I need to keep trusting you. You are not finished yet. In Jesus' name. Amen.


Click on link and get ready to praise God in song.

http://youtu.be/OCt1_V4Eoq8

TROUBLED?

 What is troubling you today? Many times we may be overwhelmed by problems or potential problems and can not seem to let our wandering thoughts go. This is where it is critical to practice mind discipline. By this I mean focusing your thoughts intentionally on "things above".

The verse I have written about numerous times in my devotions is Philippians 4:8(NIV) which says 'Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if there be anything excellent or praiseworthy, think on those things.' Make no mistake about it. Wrong thinking can mess up your life. Dwelling on fear,worry, and all the "what if's" of life can make you crazy if you let it. It is your choice. Read and do what God's word, The Bible, says to or be miserable and let Satan take control of your thoughts.

Perhaps fear of world problems has a grip on you. Maybe it is a situation with a family member you wonder will it ever end. It could be you are concerned about your job and can not stop worrying about what you will do if you lose it. Maybe an upcoming medical report or procedure has you concerned. There are many things that could occupy your thought life to get your mind off of God and onto constant turmoil.

You can not have peace if you can not give these up. You have to try. Guess what? God can help with that. You have to make up your mind you will put Him first and get into the word of God.It is your "peace and joy" manual of sorts. It is your guidebook for going through life on this earth.

Psalm 32:7(NIV) says 'You are my hiding place. You will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.' Speaking of songs, one of the reasons I frequently include a song with my devotion is because when you are singing praises to God above it is hard to be flustered. Praising God is an awesome prescription for having a good thought life.

Why not begin today to truly let God have your troubles? What is stopping you?

PRAYER: Thank you Lord for being our burden bearer. Nothing I can humanly do will bring peace. Only you Lord bring lasting peace. I cast off the works of darkness that are trying to get me to give up and worry. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Click the following link and lift up your hands and praise God:

http://youtu.be/HzNsEBPB-Z8

GOD, ONLY YOU CAN HELP ME

Are you frustrated over a life situation? Maybe loss of friends?
Perhaps a divorce? Frustration over a situation you can not
understand? Perhaps your side of the story, which caused a problem,
has not been heard and you are misunderstood and criticized. It is at
times no one understands us and we do not know what else to do that we
run to God. He is your one true friend that does not put requirements
on you about how you have to act or be in life. Isn't that great to
know?

Psalm 46:1(KJV) says 'God is our refuge and strength. A very present
help in times of trouble.' Do you allow Him to be that "refuge" or do
you try to orchestrate solutions yourself? Are you able to love and
forgive people with His love? What about those who you need to regain
trust in?

In this brand new year why not allow God to permeate every area of
your life? Give Him your hurts and concerns. 1 Peter 5:7(NIV) should
be a familiar verse by now to faithful readers of this devotion blog.
It simply says 'Cast all your anxiety on Him for He cares for you.'
He does not want you to bear the weight of this world on your

shoulders alone. Run to Him today and let His love set you free.

PRAYER: Lord I thank you that you are only a prayer away. I thank you
for loving me and being there for me when I feel like the world has
run out on me. Your love never fails. Thanks for that. In Jesus' name.
Amen.

Click on the link below and praise God in song:

http://youtu.be/gArr7gyiMBY

DO LOVE JESUS AND DO HATE SIN

If you happen to have children, no matter what their age, there is a prayer that can be prayed for them. Pray that they love the things Jesus loves and hate the things He hates. Jesus loves the sinner but hates the sin. In this world we have many opportunities to fall into sin and the lusts of the flesh and the pride of life. That is why it is essential that if you claim to know the Lord to stay rooted and grounded in the word of God. Pray this same prayer for yourself saying "Lord help my heart be broken by what breaks yours. Convict me of my sin."

Lately many seem to be writing their own rules for sin. A certain part of the Bible rubs you the wrong way then simply ignore it. For instance in the Bible it clearly states marriage is between one man and one woman and yet many, some even in Christian circles, choose to believe otherwise, and do not seek to learn the truth or be set free if they are caught in Satan's deceptive trap.

Others who claim to love the Lord may see nothing wrong with killing innocent babies in the mother's wombs in the name of "choice". What about the babies choice? Isn't it God's creation you are snuffing out? Killing a baby is not health care or a choice. It is murder!

We are told to not lust yet how many regularly attend movies with half naked women which insight lust? We are to use pure speech but once again the type of entertainment you may regularly choose to attend may take the Lord's name in vain or spew forth cursing like you would never repeat or should not repeat.

The thing is, we can not lead a "double agent" life for the Lord. Is what you are doing Holy? Really truly ask yourself that. Do not be so deceived by the lies Satan throws out that you can not clearly see right from wrong and good from evil. Satan is a master at warping minds and deceiving the masses. Would you be ashamed if the Lord were to walk in on your activity? Think about that because guess what? He is with you all the time. Sin is sin, there is no compromise. But there is forgiveness and redemption. There is a saying 'the ground is level at the foot of the cross' meaning no matter how vile the sin God has not classified them into a "sin scale".

Luke 10:27(NIV) reminds us' Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength and with all your mind, and love your neighbor as yourself.' When you love someone you seek to please them and bring joy to them? Does your life bring joy or sorrow to our Lord?

Today if you know you are caught in a trap of deception that Satan has laid out for you stop right now and call out to Jesus. He is there to set you free.

PRAYER: Lord God forgive me for secret sins and those not so secret. Help me to learn to run the race to win and casting off works of darkness. Help me to not think to myself, 'I am not so bad'. Father I choose this day to truly seek to lead a life that pleases you and to not judge others. That is our job. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Click on link below for a powerful song of redemption and freedom.
http://youtu.be/-08YZF87OBQ

DOWN IN THE DUMPS??TRY GOD.

There are probably times when all of us have had a down kind of day. Circumstances in life, illnesses, and various problems can tend to get our focus off positive things and onto gloom and doom. In many cases a person who is unable to escape from this may need to seek professional help. But many times we are just not focused on happy or positive things. Dwelling on the past has got to stop. Give your worries over to the Lord. If you think about it, much of what you worry about you have no control over anyway so why not get in the practice of being a Bible dweller and not a worry pit dweller.

 Probably everyone has had that kind of day. If things are not going like you want in life and you pray you may wonder why God has not heard. All I know is to stay above the pity pits and gloominess a person has to make a purposeful effort to stay focused on the promises in God's word. It is the enemy, Satan, who wants you to feel all alone and hurt. Don't give the devil a foothold in your life. Stay above the gloom by focusing on God. Read the verses below out loud and see if you do not feel better.

Luke 1:37 Nothing is impossible with God.
Romans 8:28 And we know all things work together for good to those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose.
1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your cares on God for He cares for you.
Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength. A very present help in time of trouble.
Psalm 27:10 Even  if my father and mother forsake me, you Lord hold me close.
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.
Psalm 56:4  In God whose word I trust. I will not be afraid what mortal man can do to me.

When you have this feeling coming on you don't just run and sit in front of the TV as it may add to the despair by what you view on it. Try reading some of the verses above out loud and then spending some time talking to God. It is the best cure I know.

PRAYER: Lord thank you for your word that gives me hope,freedom,strength,and guidance. I love your word Lord and I know the times I find myself gloomy I need to fix my eyes and thoughts on the promises in your word. In Jesus name. Amen.

Click on link below to worship the Lord in song.
http://youtu.be/0ZFN8TBfgNU