Behind Closed Doors

 

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8

Our enemy Satan is very subtle. He works in the shadows to deceive people and plants lie after lie using often unsuspecting human subjects to trick us and take us off course. His mission is to kill, steal, and destroy according to John 10:10. He is not interested in the truth and will try to get even believers caught up and so busy they have little time to study the Bible. It is by reading and the study of God's word we have the weapons to defeat him. 

We can become so interested in doing 'good' that we forget to devour God's word. Sunday worship time is super but it does a person little good if there is no life change and no desire to go beyond that one hour on Sunday. It is the Holy Spirit's job to convict others, not ours, so if you live with a person like this, shhhh,not your job. 

Make sure you are not ignorant of the enemies schemes. Many people get uncomfortable talking about the enemy but he is puny, tricky, and REAL, but God is bigger and more powerful. Run to Him today!

PRAYER: I want to not get caught up in religion and forget to have a relationship with you Lord. I choose to resist the enemy and let him hear me praising you. I will run to you and flee Satan's traps. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

Weeds in Your Garden

But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.

2 Corinthians 11:14

Springlike weather has arrived in most parts of the country. On beautiful  days you may have the  urge to mow, plant flowers or a garden,  play in the sprinkler, cookout, hike, fish, canoe, go to a park,  or take a walk.

I have been anxiously awaiting the arrival of our strawberries in my little garden. Unfortunately weeds cropped up that had to be dealt with or if they did not, could overtake and choke the plants. Some weeds look pretty such as dandelions but they are still unwanted.

Sin is like a pretty weed.  It can look pretty but it is down right nasty and no good. Its’ beauty often times can trick you into believing it is okay. Satan has deceived many people into believing lies  and some are even Christians. The latest thing I think about is making the population believe same sex marriage is okay with God, because it is not. The enemy has deceived many well meaning people.  The devil wants to destroy us.

If you are caught in a  jungle of sin that is choking out the truth of the word of God, stop now and pray and ask God to deliver you and set you free.

PRAYER; Jesus I need you every hour. This world needs you. I choose to pull up weeds of sin and pray. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Born A Sinner

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23 

From the day you entered this world you were born with a sin nature. Satan, is the god of this world, as the Bible calls him in 2 Corinthians 4:4 and he is a liar  getting people to fall into his trap. There may be some people who feel they are not so bad. Perhaps they never committed a murder, raped anyone, aborted a baby in the womb, or a host of other "bad" sins. Self righteousness can creep in and make you think "Hey I'm not so bad". When you do this you start to look down and judge others.

God does not want you to judge. He wants you to take care of your own life and pray for others. This verse above says it all. Every one of us at one time or another has committed sin. Nowhere is there a classification of "good sins" and "bad sins". Sin is sin, period. The world today excuses some sorts of sin and says there is a genetic problem.

Today in order to not be fooled by Satan and taken captive, stay in the word of God, pray and find a good Bible teaching church where you can have fellowship with other believers.

PRAYER: I know I am not perfect and I need you in my life to keep me on the right track in life. Help me be praying for others and not judging them. In Jesus' name. Amen.

WHO HATES WHO ANYWAY?

The word "hate" is being thrown around lots today in political circles and sometimes "religious" circles. If you speak out against something you do not believe in such as homosexuals getting married then you are classified by some as one who hates. If you speak out against the new healthcare law because of how it was rammed down our throats then some say you are hateful and do not care that all people should get medical care. If you think a business owner has the right to hire who he or she wants and yet a transgender or cross dressing individual applies for a job and are not hired them obviously you must hate them.

First of all HATE is a very strong word. People who hold a certain opinion and express it are not people who hate unless they say the word hate. Hate means hate. Webster's describes it as "intense hostility". A person of faith who holds the Bible to be the infallible word of God and simply expresses an opinion is not a hater. We disagree, that is all.

Hatred is often followed by acts of anger and rage. We as believers are on the defensive today all over the world. Some can openly express their religious beliefs and in the United States the First Amendment has guaranteed it. Right now that is not the case when lawmakers refuse to abide by it.

Christians need to stand up and be heard in the public square. There is a saying that "evil triumphs when good men do nothing."(Sir Edmund Burke) Deceptive spirits are causing people to believe lies. Scripture is being changed to suit the needs of the time. The Bible is not to be changed. Hebrews 13:8(NIV) says 'Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, yes and forever."

1 Peter 5:8(ASV) says 'Be sober, be watchful: your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.' Whose voice are you listening to?

PRAYER: Lord Jesus help me be protected from deceptive spirits that try to get me to believe the lies of the enemy. Lord Jesus help me be diligent to show myself approved as a workmen that does not need to be ashamed rightly dividing the word of truth as it says in 2 Timothy 2:15(NIV). Lord help me to show your true love to all I meet. In Jesus' name. Amen.

LESS THAN HONEST

 

Lately in our news we have heard the terms thrown around "less than honest", "not 100% truthful" or "misspoke " in regards to the public not being told the whole truth in regards to the new healthcare law. These terms sugarcoat the sin of lying. A lie, is a lie, is a lie. You can say to make it sound better " less than honest" but it is still a lie. Satan is the original liar and Father of lies it says in John 8:44.

Lying or being "less than honest" seems to have been made acceptable in our modern world. It is not more acceptable to God. You can be forgiven for being a liar if you sincerely repent and turn from this sin. Yes folks "being less than honest" is in fact a sin.

The Bible has much to say about lying. The first place most people run into it is in the Ten Commandments in Exodus Chapter 20 verse 16. In Proverbs 6:16-19 (NIV) it says 'There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness we who pours out lies, and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.'

Revelation 21:8(ASV) is pretty clear when it says 'But for the fearful, and unbelieving, and abominable, and murderers, and fornicators, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, their part shall be in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone; which is the second death.' A lake of fire. Ouch. No my friend, lying is wrong. If this is your habit ask God to help you purge it from your life.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus I want to be truthful in all areas of my life. I do not want to stretch the truth, tell "white lies" or any thing that is not true. The truth is what you want. I clearly know from your word what happens to those who make it a practice to lie and I ask you to forgive me of any time I have been "less than truthful" which is lying. Help our leaders who take an oath on the Bible start to take it seriously. In Jesus' name. Amen.

COBWEBS

When do you think of cobwebs? Perhaps for those who celebrate

Halloween that is when. Maybe if you walk in an abandoned building and

walk into one. It could be when you are in a room of your home, not

just an attic, but say your living room and look up and there is that

web. Maybe it was not noticed when you did housecleaning or perhaps

you have not had sufficient time to really clean or just plain did

not see it.

These cobwebs gave me an idea for a devotion. Some people use the

expression "they must have cobwebs in their brain" when someone messes

up. In our walk with Christ maybe cobwebs form on our Bible or in our

head because we have not meditated enough on God 's word. The thing about cobwebs is you can knock them down with a broom but alas the next day they are there again. Another illustration of cobwebs would be the traps of sin set by Satan to "capture" us in his web.

If you do not do what is necessary to get rid of sin in your life those cobwebs reappear and sometimes even bigger! You say that one little sin will not hurt anyone. No matter what it is, lying, cheating, stealing, when you are tempted by the enemy and cave in it takes you further away from the Lord. The enemy can deceive you with lies on top of lies so much to the point you might start actually believing them. We are seeing lots of that in today's culture redefining marriage.

Romans 3:23 reminds us 'All have sinned and fallen short of God's glory.' No one is sinless but sin can be alluring and captivating. That is the way Satan likes it. Sin seems harmful but once you are into it, it may be hard to escape the "sinful cobwebs" of life. 

There is hope. You can turn and repent of your sins and run to God. Get involved in a good church that preaches the word. If friends are dragging you away from the truth find new friends and pray for the old ones. Start reading your Bible. Go to a good Christian counselor if you need help or a trusted Godly friend. Above all pray! Your life can be restored, renewed, and set free to serve Jesus with an undivided heart. Maybe it is a family member who needs to escape Satan's web of deceit. Keep praying for them and do not lose hope. (See Luke 18:1).

Let me end with 2 Timothy 2:22(NIRV) which says "Run away from evil things young people long for. Try hard to do what is right. Have faith, love, and peace. Do these things together with those who call on the Lord with a pure heart.'

PRAYER: Lord I thank you for being my help not only in good times but also in times when I have been caught in a web of sin. I need you 24/7 and I know you care an can set  me free from the lies of the enemy. Give me your strength to persevere. In Jesus' name. Amen.

DECEPTION CHOKES THE WORD

This past week as I worked out in our field picking green beans something struck me. No it was not lightening. Ha. There were these beautiful vines with a purple flower on the end but they were wrapping themselves around the beans and our sweet corn thus choking it. It made it hard to walk getting twisted up in them. Occasionally one of them would prick my hand with its' hidden thorns.

Isn't that how Satan operates deceiving the masses with things that look fun and pretty but in the end draw us away from Jesus and choke the Word? We can be lured into a trap that makes it hard to get out. Satan is a great deceiver. Satan likes to "trip" us up and he has fun doing it to believers who have not really picked up the Bible much to study it. It is all fine and good to go to church one hour on Sunday but that alone does not equip you to recognize the attacks on your life by the enemy.

Jesus can deliver you from the darkness and help you walk into His marvelous light! Colossians 2:8 is a great verse to pray for yourself and over your family.'See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.' Where the word "you" appears insert a name of who you are praying for.

When you have time read Matthew 13:1-23 about weeds choking out God's word. The more you know the truth in the word the less you will have a chance being led astray by the subtle tricks of the enemy.

PRAYER: Today as I hear your voice through the word of God I choose to stay on the path that leads me to you. I know it is important to spend time with you daily. Help me Lord to make you a priority each and every day. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Click link and worship the Lord in song and praise His name. Happy Thursday!

http://youtu.be/hSQL5wQpTnI

BACK TO SCHOOL

 It is that time of year in many parts of the country and perhaps the world. Children of all ages prepare for school. It is exciting for children to see friends again and meet new teachers.

We as Christians should be going to "spiritual school" every day and by that I mean reading and studying God's word. Don't make it a chore or obligation that you think is required to get into heaven, as it is not. Do it because you want to be closer to Christ. There is no way possible you can learn about the character of Christ unless you get into the Bible. Someone once said the word Bible could be turned into an acronym meaning " Basic Instruction Before Leaving Earth". Pretty good example of what it truly is!

I can imagine Satan loves it when the different denominations try to claim they are the "one" or the best. He probably also loves when a church goer identifies themselves by their particular denomination and not just say "I am a Christian". Another good one that keeps some away from the truth is when they are captivated by a denomination just because they were raised that way and may not even be growing in Christ but simply punching their weekly ticket for attendance. Christians are those who have asked Jesus into their hearts and follow His commands not just a person who goes to some particular church.

In John 14:6(NIV) it says 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'

Just as students in classrooms around the world strive to please their parents and learn what they need to succeed in life and in their future, by being "spiritually" trained we prepare ourselves to face hardships that will come on Earth and help us become more like Him. 2 Timothy 2:15(KJV) tells us to 'Study to show thyself approved unto God,a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of Truth.'

There are many false religions and counterfeits out there to attempt to lure believers away from the truth. There are many dead churches too.

If you have a loved one that has learned the truth as a child but perhaps strayed from the path he or she was taught, you can gain comfort from several verses one of which is Proverbs 22:6(NIV) which many may be familiar with. It says 'Train a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it.' There are deceptive spirits out there. Also in 2 Timothy 3:15(KJV) says 'And that from a child thou has known the Holy Scriptures which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Jesus Christ.'

2 Timothy 3:5-7(NKJV) gives us a warning. 'Having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts,always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.'

Too many people are just "religious" and cling to a denomination and not to Jesus. Just because their granddaddy and his granddaddy went to a certain church so do they. Perhaps they just go through the motions and quite frankly feel bored. It is okay to change denominations as there will not be separate churches in heaven. If you are not getting fed the word of God and getting excited about Jesus and growing in Christ where you attend perhaps it is time to change churches. It is not about a denomination but about Christ.

Do you want to be a good spiritual student and get excited about learning His word. If you have not done so already ask Him into your heart today. Then go be a student for Jesus!!

PRAYER: Lord Jesus I want to be a "student" of the word and not be one who has to cram for tests some day. I know Lord you are sad when I treat my Bible like a table decoration but do not use it as a spiritual tool daily. Give me wisdom Lord about what church I should attend and keep me away from those who would not follow the truth. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Click link for a powerful worship song.

http://youtu.be/kGVazfjJPLo

WHO'S AFRAID OF THE BIG BAD WOLF?

Many of us from childhood might remember reading the nursery rhyme about "Little Red Riding Hood" and the villain in this case was the big bad wolf.  Seems like lots of these childhood stories had a bad guy in them and good always won out over evil. 

In life even though it does not seem so at times, good always trumps evil. We are not unaware of Satan's traps and schemes to bring us or our loved ones down. He indeed is a trickster and weaves his evil sinister web in order to trap unsuspecting victims. Don't be fooled. We are all susceptible  to his deceptive tactics. Just because you go to church, attend Bible study, listen to Christian radio, watch Christian television shows, attend retreats and concerts does not mean he can not try to get to you. His mission is destroying your soul and getting you to believe his lies and deny Christ.

In 1Peter 5:8(NIV Reader's Version) we are warned 'Control yourselves. Be on your guard. Your enemy the devil is like a roaring lion. He prowls around looking for someone to chew up and swallow.'  Now that, my friend, is a pretty blunt  and graphic word picture. Other places in scripture he is referred to as an "angel of light". 2 Corinthians 11:14(NIV) says 'And no wonder for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.' For any of you who have ever been to a Harvest party  at Halloween or trick or treated you dress up like someone else. Well this verse says that Satan indeed also does that. If he came to you as his despicable, lying, evil,abhorrent, deceptive mean self he would fool no one.  So therefore he is tricky and gets people on his side by getting them to believe his lies. It says in John 8:43-44(NIV) 'Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.'

We need to be I prayer for those deceived by him. Some are in vey high places of authority. Satan does not like the United States of America as we are founded as a Christian nation and lately he has worked his deception on many to try to destroy this great land. Take heart, keep praying. Don't feel like there is no hope because there is always hope!

Remember the first big lie was in the Garden of Eden when the serpent, Satan, said to Eve in Genesis 3:4(NIV) 'You will not surely die' . So right then and there it all began. The fall of man and sin entered the world. 

We have the power through the word of God to stop Satan in  his tracks by quoting scripture and not believing his lies. You may know someone who is caught in a trap of Satan who is a believer and may be deceived and walking another way away from the Lord right now. Just keep praying. God is not through with them yet. Revelation 12:11(NIV) tells us what to do. 'They triumphed over him by the blood of the lamb and the word of their testimony. They did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.' 

Who are you praying for today? Know that Satan would love you to give up on prayer.Luke 18:1 tells us to pray and not give up. God is still on the throne and weave victory in Jesus Christ!! 

PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus I know that Satan has no authority over me. I pray for my loved ones that may have believed his lies. I pray for friends who do not know you or who are being led astray by the enemy. Lord Jesus I choose to remember to pray each and every day and put Satan in his rightful place. Jesus is Lord! In Jesus' name. Amen! 

Click on link below for an awesome song of encouragement.

http://youtu.be/FqXZD_z3eCc

MARKETING GIMMICKS

Have you ever heard the saying "if something seems too good to be true
it probably is." Advertising giants prey, it seems, on glowing words
and fancy packaging. It is not always women who get sucked into this
trap as men can fall victim to sleek ads as well. One thing I always
try to remember to ask myself is "Want or need" or in other words do you really need what it is someone is trying to sell. The shopping networks on television have non stop
"too good to be true" ads. It takes determination and self control to resist these sales pitches.

Satan is a good one at throwing things at you too and making you feel like nothing bad will happen or no one is going to find out. He is a trickster and a deceiver. He wraps sin in pretty packages and does not include in these packages what to do in case of an emergency, or in case of a life led astray.

2 Corinthians 11:14(NIV) says 'And no wonder for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.' He lures you then traps you in a web of sin. In order to break free it is necessary to know the word of God and claim its' promises such as in Isaiah 54:17(NKJV) which says 'No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment,You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, And their righteousness is from Me,” Says the Lord.'

Isaiah 5:20(NLT) says 'What sorrow for those who say that evil is good and good is evil, that dark is light and light is dark, that bitter is sweet and sweet is bitter.'

Are you discerning and wise or easily led into sin traps? Start today and make it a practice to start your day with prayer and Bible reading asking God to go before you and make your path straight.

PRAYER: Lord I thank you for convicting me of sin in my life. Forgive me Lord when I have allowed Satan to enter my thoughts. I know my true strength and power to resist is from you and you alone. In Jesus' name. Amen.

SNOW CONES ARE DECEIVING AND OTHER TRICKS

Last week I was  blessed to spend an entire week in Tulsa with my sister and her family and had a wonderful time. One of the things we did was to go to a very popular hang out that had all sorts of flavors of snow cones. I have been extra careful in the past year watching what calories I put in my mouth but somehow these tiny cups of ice with a squirt or two of flavor on top of them hardly seemed like anything. Wow was I surprised when I looked up the calories later in my fitness ap.Yikes, who would've thought they were so many calories!

Sin is kind of like that snow cone. It may look good and appealing and you may feel like it will not harm you or it is only a "little sin" but to God sin is sin. Sinful things can come wrapped in beautiful packages too in order to captivate and lure you off the course God has set for you. 

2 Corinthians 7:14(NIV) says 'And no wonder for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light'. When you celebrate Halloween you are masquerading in a costume as someone or something else. You are hidden. Well Satan hides himself in many foolish pleasures as he is after your very soul. He wants you to be consumed with the world and not God. He tries to trap and ensnare you. You are tempted to lie, cheat, steal, go someplace you would never tell your own mom, or engage in risky behavior. The devil loves it when you do. He is evil and God is good.

Romans 12:2(NIV) is a good memory verse to help you stay in tune with God. 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.' Are you living and walking with Jesus or caught up in things that would bring shame upon his name? Are you trapped in a lifestyle or have done something you think you can never escape from? First of all God is waiting for you to confess your sins to Him. He wants you to be doing things for His kingdom, not Satan's. 1 John 1:9(NIV) says 'If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and purify  us from all unrighteousness.'  Can you do that today? PRAYER: Thank you Lord that I have forgiveness from you. No matter what I did in my past you have forgotten it. Keep me on the right path of life. Convict me of my sins. The devil tries to distract me and I will resist and rebuke him. In Jesus' name. Amen.

STAY OUT OF THE MUD

As a child you may have enjoyed jumping in mud puddles or even running
where there was lots of mud. This may be more of a "boy thing" than
for girls, but making mud pies and playing in the dirt was fun for
those who did it but not the moms who did the laundry. When I hike a
few days after a rain there is often mud you have to avoid or you may
slip and fall, particularly when ascending or descending the trail.
Mud can make a huge mess of things. But then along come the water
hoses to clean everything up. Jesus is like our water hose to clean
off the sinful "mud of life".

Sin is like mud. It may be fun to play around in but after a while you
are covered and unclean and really no one would want you to come sit
on their living room couch. Sin can be fun but it has a sinister side.
Initially the fun may be there even when you know you are unclean and
have to get cleaned up again to go anywhere.

Are there sins in your life you find that captivate you? There are not
big sins and little sins, there is just sin. Some may have much worse
outcomes for those participating but to God it is sin. In Hebrews
11:26 (NIV) it speaks of there being pleasure in sin for a season.
Romans 3:23(NIV) reminds us ' We have all sinned and fallen short of
the glory of God'.

Do not think just because you asked Jesus to be Lord of your life you
will no longer be tempted to do what is evil in the site of the Lord.
Temptations come. Satan is tricky. He makes things look good and
appealing just like he did with Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden
with the forbidden fruit they were told not to eat. Satan was cunning
and said 'you shall not surely die'. (See Genesis 3:4).

Sin is like sheep in wolves  clothing. It is a trap and a snare. The
devil is a liar, deceiver, and full of evil. Scripture speaks of him
coming as an "angel of light" or in other words you would not really
believe it was him. He will trick many. What we need to do is to
exercise our senses and stay in the word so we can recognize evil when
it rears it's ugly head. Hebrews 5:14(NIV) says 'But solid food is for
the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish
good from evil.'

Satan is kingpin of evil in this world. We are in a battle of good and
evil. Staying close to God and running from evil is the best way to
stay out of it. We are in spiritual warfare for our very souls. Satan
is always trying to get us to follow him into the "mud puddles" of
life. He wants you to saturate yourself with his kind of fun and
forget the Lord and forget God's word which can and does keep you on
the right path when you read, study and follow what is in its' pages.
My challenge to you today is to commit to read God's word every day.
Train yourself in godliness and be able to recognize the attacks of
the enemy and run far and fast the other direction.

PRAYER: Dear Lord I am so grateful to live in a nation where at the
present time we are free to read our Bible and have it out in the open
and not get arrested. We know Satan is working overtime to try to
destroy the godly nation of the United States. Use me Lord as you see
fit in your kingdom work to spread the word and be a light in the
darkness. Help me stay out of the "mud puddles" of life. In Jesus'
name. Amen.

SIN IS SIN, PERIOD!!

I have seen a tactic in our United States government the past couple
years that is similar to what the enemy does with sin and that is to "sugarcoat"
it. Within the power of the executive branch they like to rename unpopular things they know
will be distasteful or a majority of Americans do not want, in order to try
to slide something through that is not good for America. One example I
think of now is calling the Fort Hood deaths at the hands of a terrorist, "work place violence". A war is called an "action" or something more gentle. Destroying the best health care system in the world is
called "The Patient Affordable Health Care Act". Crafty words are used to imply something is not so bad when in fact it is a lie or a disaster waiting to happen. Amnesty is being renamed something like "Pathway to Citizenship". Sort of deceptive wouldn't you say?

 Satan loves to trick us into making sin not look so bad. It all started in the Garden of Eden when God had specifically told Adam and Eve to not eat from the tree in the midst of the garden. (See Genesis 3:3).

Satan also makes alcohol not look so bad but if you read Proverbs 23:31-35(NIV) it says "Do not look at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly! In the end it bites like a snake and poisons like an viper. Your eyes will see strange sights and your mind will imagine confusing things. You will be like one sleeping on the high seas, lying on top of the rigging. "They hit me!" you will say, "but I'm not hurt. They beat me but I did not feel it, when will I wake up so I can find another drink?"' Alcohol consumption is not a sin in and of itself, but this verse illustrates how Satan could use it in his arsenal to get you drunk and doing stupid things, maybe even that lead to violence, death, or the break up of a family.

There may be flashing neon lights outside a strip club but inside sin lurks and is waiting to tear apart families and destroy lives. A loose woman may be pretty to look at and entice you to commit adultery by her smooth talk but that also is a tool the enemy uses to destroy lives.Read Proverbs Chapter 7 to learn more.

A lie whether it is called "misspeaking" or a "white lie" is still a LIE and we are not to lie. Stealing even an office ink pen, cause "they owe it to me" is still theft of property. Remember it says in
John 10:10 'The thief comes but to kill, steal, and destroy. I came that they might have life and have it more abundantly.'

The Bible says we are all sinners. Romans 3:23(NIV) states 'we all have sinned and fallen short of God's glory.' Don't do things you know are sinful or may lead you down the wrong path. Staying in the word of God and saturating your life with good praise and worship music will lift your spirits and helps you to avoid the pitfalls and traps that Satan sets for us. Do you desire a life pleasing to God? He is waiting for you to call upon Him and He will give you strength for your challenges.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus thank you that you are there for me in the daily struggles of life. I know it breaks your heart when I sin so Lord bring conviction of wrong and evil to my heart. Help me lead a life pleasing unto you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Click on link below and worship God in song:
http://youtu.be/FqXZD_z3eCc

Note: Here in the Huntsville area on Monday February 11 we are blessed to get to have several Christian artists come for the Rockin Worship Road Show. Jeremy Camp, the artist who sang the song I included today, is one of many who will bless us with his praise and worship music.
Check out the link I have included and if close to you go for a night of praise and worship and benefit Compassion International.
http://therockandworshiproadshow.com/

JESUS LOVES SINNERS

 

We are all sinners and our righteousness is like filthy rags.(See Isaiah 64:6). Romans 3:23 reminds us that " All have sinned and fallen short of God's glory." Yes indeed we are all sinners saved by grace it says in Ephesians 2:8.

Here in the year 2012 many commit sin and do not think it is sin. For instance, two men or two women wanting to be married is not part of God's design. He created males and females to fall in love and reproduce but with the opposite sex. Satan has deluded men's minds to believe a lie. God did not intend for a man to be in love with another man or a woman with a woman. Mankind has become blinded and desensitized. Many Christians are caught in this trap of the enemy thinking they were born that way but that is a lie from the pit of hell. Also taking the life of an unborn child in the name of 'women's rights' is just not right. God created all life whether it is convenient or desired and all life is to be respected, not snuffed out at an abortion clinic. (Read Psalm 139). Sexual relations with your girlfriend or boyfriend before marriage is wrong. Looking at pornography is wrong and can have devastating consequences. Stealing is wrong even if it is something as innocent as an ink pen from work. Lying is wrong for Christians. Gossip is not right either. I am sure you can add to the list. The first four mentioned have more dire emotional consequences but all sin is wrong. One is not the 'worst' one. The good news is we can be set free and forgiven!!

God desires holiness. Ask yourself if what you are doing is holy.If God were to come to your home today would He be pleased with the TV shows you are watching or the books on your shelf? Would it be necessary to hide some magazines that were not appropriate for the King of Kings to look at? Perhaps you would have to go search for your Bible to make it look like you read it? Colossians 3:5 tells us to put to death the desires of the earthly nature.

Isaiah 5:20 says "Woe to them who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter." In 2012 we find ourselves under attack from the enemy like never before. Many people coast along through life and do not see any danger. That makes Satan happy as he has them blinded and fooled. Many are not convicted of things happening in this world as being wrong. Another victory for Satan when this occurs.

Do not harden your heart towards God. If you are caught up in a sin and know you are, run to Jesus who can heal, deliver you and set you free. You can be forgiven. Do not allow the enemy to put thoughts in your head that you are okay and God is okay with what you are doing. Do not twist scriptures to justify an unholy life. Jesus can forgive so let Him!!

1 Corinthians 6:11 reminds us "And this is what some of you were, but you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of God."

PRAYER: Lord God I know I am not perfect. Help me be alert to the enemies attacks in my life. keep me from believing a lie of the devil. Help me Lord to order my day so as to spend time with you. I pray for any friends or family members caught up in a lie as well. I want to stay on the path you have planned for me and resist Satan. In Jesus name. Amen.

Click on link below and worship the Lord with an awesome uplifting song.

http://youtu.be/ipwEtvWL_3c

WEEDS OF LIFE

As I was running a trail the other day for my daily exercise, I came upon an area that had not been mowed followed by a fence where vines were growing all over it. These vines  were not a flower someone had intentionally planted, but instead were a pesky weed disguised with pretty green leaves to look nice and harmless. If this vine was allowed to grow it would choke out other things that were intended to be there and even be hard to remove from the fence as it twisted itself around it. Even at my home a similar vine started growing up around the air conditioning unit at the side of our home and as I was removing it before it got worse noted it started to grow into the little switch box next to the unit. Good thing I noticed that when I did so we did not have a real problem on our hands.

Sin can be like those weeds. You take control of it now before it takes control of you. It sometimes comes disguised in nice packages, and similar to the vine. If it is  not 'nipped in the bud', will choke out things around it. Sin is very tricky and deceitful. In Hebrews 11:25 it  mentions there being "pleasure in sin for a season."  Las Vegas proudly calls itself 'sin city' because of all the prostitution and gambling that goes on there no doubt. They have nice things in the city but people are drawn to and enticed by the lure of wealth, gambling, lusting, drinking too much, illicit sex among other things not to mention the flashing lights and glamour.

Sin does not have to come packaged with a street full of neon signs but it is every day things like lying, stealing, cheating, gossiping, judging,lack of forgiveness, coveting, gluttony. People seem to fixate on 'major sins' which supposedly are things like murder, adultery, divorce, homosexuality but the Bible says in Romans 3:23 that "we all have sinned and fallen short of God's glory." God does not have a classification for sins only humans do that with their judging of others.

That day I saw those vines I thought about how some people seem to not want to forgive people. I know of a family where  two siblings have not spoken in several years. The sin of not forgiving is rampant there. Neither one has made a move to restore this relationship. Like the weed on the fence if this attitude continues it will choke their relationship. This makes God sad. He is the God of love, grace, mercy and He wants us to be like Him.

Ask yourself today if you have any weeds of sin choking out something in your life. Let me leave you with this verse from Colossians 3:14 which simply says "And over all these virtues put on love ,which binds them all together in perfect unity."

PRAYER: Lord show me if I have anything in my life not pleasing to you. Each day help me not make excuses why I can not open your word and get strength to live the day ahead. Thank you Lord for loving me even when I messed up. In Jesus name. Amen.

CLOUDS AND SIN

Recently on a trip to Cincinnati, the aircraft I was flying in climbed through many layers of white puffy clouds as it reached cruising altitude. Even though it was a clear, sunny day with white clouds scattered throughout the sky, when the jet would 'punch through' these clouds it was deceptive. They looked soft and puffy but would cause the aircraft to shake just slightly in a little rough air. Once through these clouds we once again had a smooth flight for the duration of the journey.

This made me think about how sin is kind of like that cloud. It looks pretty, harmless, may feel good and seem right , but it is very deceiving and tricky. The enemy, Satan,is like that. He tricks you and lies to you to get you into his web of deceit. He sort of wraps sin in a pretty package at times and draws you in. You have to stay grounded in God's word and resist his attacks.

In effect we all are sinners.  Romans 3:23 says "We all have sinned and fallen short of God's glory." Jesus died a horrible death on the cross to pay the penalty for your sin past, present, and future.
Proverbs 14:12 says "There is a way that seems right to a man,but in the end it leads to death."  In Hebrews 11:25 it mentions there being "pleasure in sin for a season". Temptations are out there so beware.1 Peter 5:8 says "Be self controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour."

James 4:7 says "Submit yourselves therefore to God, resist the devil and he will flee from you."

PRAYER: I know the enemy is constantly at work trying to twist the word of God and make us believe lies. He can even captivate well meaning Christians in order to make them justify their sin.  Father keep me always alert to his tricks and schemes so I am not sucked into his web of trickery. In Jesus name. Amen.

Click on link to listen to a wonderful song:
http://youtu.be/Jbe7OruLk8I