WHATEVER!!

The title above is a one word reply often used showing sarcasm or disgust with what someone has said. It actually is rude and shows disrespect. I am sure we have all heard this comment or maybe uttered it ourselves. Ouch! 

Do you consider yourself a kind person? Do you often speak poorly of others when they are not in your presence or judge them? Words are so important whether you are using sarcasm to express disgust or saying something uplifting, it is critical to insure that whatever you utter would be exactly what you would say if Jesus were in your presence. 

Sometimes a person can speak nicer to a family pet than to a human. Do the words you say lift Jesus higher? Something to think about. 

  The following are some scripture verses to perhaps "hide in your heart" to help you get control of your mouth in 2014.

³ 'A fool’s mouth lashes out with pride, but the lips of the wise protect them.' Proverbs 14:3(NIV)

'Sin is not ended by multiplying words,but the prudent holds their tongues.' Proverbs 10:19(NIV) 

'The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even tempered.' Proverbs 17:27(NIV)

'A dream comes when there are many cares, and many words mark the speech of a fool.' Ecclesiastes 5:3(NIV)

'My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.' James 1:19(NIV).

Today why not read each of those verses aloud and ask God to direct the words you say and resist the urge to be hateful, rude, angry, gossipy, or unkind with your tongue.

PRAYER: Each and every day I need your help Lord to watch what comes out of my mouth. Words can build up or tear down and I want mine to glorify you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

DON'T BE A FOOL!

Crazy world we are living in today. What is wrong is being called right and what is right is being called wrong. Speaking up against something in the Bible makes you "hateful". Since when did disagreeing with something imply that we hated a person? The enemy is alive and well on planet Earth my friends, doing some of his best work yet this time trying to distract Christians and have people called evil if they won't tolerate something they know is wrong. Even ministers of the gospel, rabbi's and priests may not publicly have the courage to say what is in God's word is true.

For those unaware this is occurring and think I am crazy, let me tell you, it is happening and many times endorsed by our own government. Very sad day indeed.

In an excerpt from Psalm 14:1(NIV) it says 'the fool says in his heart, there is no God.' Many movements are underway to try to get rid of "religion" or anything that has a cross or Bible verse on it. Philippians 3:18-19(ESV) says 'For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction,their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things." Does that remotely sound like today? It is going to get to a point if a Christian speaks up against evil or something that is wrong in God's eyes they may be arrested for being "hateful and intolerant'.

We know the "end of the story" so it is not necessary to sit around fearful and in a panic. We do need to be studying and equipping ourselves with knowledge of God's word. What if one day it got so bad Bibles were banned? It has happened in other places so why are we any different? Our Constitution is great only when it is obeyed and followed. Do you have enough of God's word stored up in your heart to help you through hard times that may come?

Psalm 119:11(NIV) says 'I have hidden your word in my heart that I may not sin against you.' If you are a parent, even of a newborn, you need to start now getting scripture into their tiny hearts. Every day read a Bible verse. 2 Timothy 3:15(NIV) says 'And how from infancy you have known the Holy scriptures which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.' Young moms and dads out there or grandmas and grandpas, let your children hear the word of God daily. Their life with God is more important than nursery rhymes or Sesame Street.

So do you want to be a fool or have great wisdom? I think the answer is evident. Start today and get serious about getting into the word of God.

PRAYER: Lord I thank you this day for all you have given me. Thank you for the privilege of worship and studying God's word. I pray for those who may be residing in countries where Christian radio, television, and expression is cause for arrest or even death. Lord Jesus use me as a light in the dark world around me and keep me from ever being a fool. In Jesus' name. Amen.

WHO IS THE FOOL NOW?

 Are you a foolish person? Do you know what pleases God but go your own way and do your "own thing"? When I think of a fool the picture of the joker in a deck of cards comes to mind. I do not know about you but I do not want to look like or be like a "joker" or a "fool".

Yesterday's devotion dealt with not being foolish. There are so many scriptures relating to this. Foolish people are easily deceived by Satan. Someone who knows the truth but compromises their values because they have let Satan infiltrate their mind could be classified as foolish. The enemy loves foolish people as they are easily led astray.

Psalms 14:1(KJV) says 'The fool says in his heart, there is no God. They are corrupt. They have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.'
At one time or another we have all probably acted in a foolish fashion. The thing is, we recognize our error and turn from it asking God to help us be wise. Being wise in our own eyes without the Lord's help is utterly foolish.

Do not be foolish. Make time for God and the reading of the Bible each day. Don't just wait till Easter or Christmas to "get religion" but make it your lifestyle. Psalm 10:4(NIV) says 'In his pride the wicked man does not seek him, in all his thoughts there is no room for God.'

Do you have time for God? Would you rather be considered wise or foolish amongst your family and peers? I know my answer and I for one need God to help me daily lead a life pleasing to Him. Do not let your life be controlled by the "lies" of Satan but walk in wisdom letting Jesus be your Lord and savior.
PRAYER: Today Lord I seek your face. I thank you for helping me to stay on the path of wisdom and not the path of a foolish person. Help me remember to pray daily and read your word to get rid of any possibility of a foolish spirit residing inside of me. You are my Lord and I choose daily to hear your voice and walk with you.In Jesus' name. Amen.

TODAY DON'T BE A FOOL!

Easter has come and gone for another year. It is probably by far my favorite Christian holiday. It is a grand and glorious time of Jesus coming back to life just as he promised He would.

The holiday trailing Easter,unfortunately, has to be April Fool's Day but what better way to transition into talking about how foolish people are for not trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus loves you so very much and that is no fooling! He does not want you to be foolish.

Many places in scripture it speaks of man being foolish or a fool for going against God. Here are just a sampling of some of them.

Proverbs 12:15(NIV) The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.

Matthew 7:28(NIV) But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.

Luke 12:20(NLT) But God said to him, "You fool you will die this very night then who will get all the things you worked for?"

Psalm 14:1The fool says in their heart, there is no God, they are corrupt, they have done abominable works. There is none that does good.
 

Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
 

Titus 3:3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.
 

There are something like 65 verses referring to fools. Do you want to be thought of as a fool or a wise and obedient child of God? Fools are often stubborn and deceived by lies from the pit of hell to try to get them to stray from God's side to Satan's side. Which side are you leaning towards today?

PRAYER: Lord I do not want to be a fool for straying from the path of truth and righteousness. I know Satan will "bait" many traps to try to capture me. Help me be wise, not foolish, to his schemes. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Click on link and worship the Lord:
http://youtu.be/kVuK_eos8dM

NO FOOLING. JESUS IS LORD!

Welcome to April Fool's Day! The wonderful day we can pull little pranks on people and then say "April Fools"! Not sure how this day came to be celebrated but you have to be prepared for all sorts of jokers on this day. For me, when I was in the Army, I was notified by a clerk in the generals office at Ft Campbell, Kentucky that I was on the promotion list on April 1!! Now I did not see this in writing and I guess I did not have much confidence in myself as I said, "not funny, April Fools right?" Well it was  not until 6 hours later til I called my branch in Washington DC that I confirmed, in fact, I would go up one rank.  Not a good day to not have 'official paperwork' to look at.

We can joke all we want in life but there is no fooling around with God. When you do not accept Him as Saviour and follow Him it will be no joke where you spend eternity. Eternal life is not something to joke around about.


Do you know if you were to die right now where you would spend eternity? No one knows when they will take their last breath. You know there is a saying that "there are no atheists in foxholes" meaning in times of war when your life could be snuffed out at any moment not too many want to gamble with the 'here after'.  The Freedom from Religion group and Atheists can try to say God does not exit or try to shut Him out of our lives but God is not going anywhere. It is HIS world after all.

Church membership does not save you or guarantee you admission. Baptism alone does not save you. Being a certain denomination does not save you as some denominations claim they are the only way to heaven.  Being a good person will not save you.

John 15:5 says "I am the vine and you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit, for without me you can do nothing."  Pretty clear I would say. But the enemy is out the trying to trick people in to believing they do not need God or they are good enough. Satan is a liar and a deceiver who is out to destroy Christians and he is working hard pretty hard in America to remove God. God is not going anywhere, have no fear. Unless you stay in the word of God you will not know the truth. The word is TRUTH. Do not let them enemy lie to you and try to get you to edit the scriptures to fit the lifestyle you want to live.

Say this prayer if you are not sure Jesus is Lord of your life. " Lord Jesus I need you in my life. I confess my sins to you. Forgive me for when I did not listen to you and went my own way. I want to live for you and serve you. Come into my life today and take control of my life. "  Remember the Bible reminds us there is "none righteous no not one" (Romans 3:10) and in Romans 3:23 that "all have sinned and fallen short of God's glory"? When you ask Jesus to come into your life "old things are passed away and behold all things became new" it says in  2 Corinthians 5:17. Once you do have Jesus living on the inside of you, your life should start to show evidence of the 'fruits of the Spirit' in your life. Galatians 5:22-24 says " But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires."

There is no fooling around with eternal life. Do the right thing and ask Jesus to come into your life today and take the controls.

PRAYER: Father many mock your name and joke about heaven. Many make light of the devil making him into a comic strip character instead of the evil sinister character he actually is. Lord help my eyes stay open always to the truth in your word. Take the blinders off anyone in my family who is being deceived by the enemy as well. In Jesus name. Amen.


Note: Today I am including a song by a Christian band called Rush of Fools since it is April Fools Day. Be blessed!
http://youtu.be/iN_DMuahD5o

PITY THE FOOL AND PRAY FOR HIM

Today in our world many people are anti church, anti religion, anti Christian, and anti God. This includes our own government, sadly, making laws against Christian beliefs. Beware, because you are messing with God and in the end He wins. In Psalm 14:1 it says "The fool says in His heart, there is no God. They are corrupt, their deeds are vile, there is no one who does good."

 Also, many lie, thinking nothing of it trying to trick and deceive people. Once again, the Bible says "God hates a lying tongue". (See Proverbs 6:16-19). No lying is justified, EVER! Believers know that and non believers don't care as to them there is no consequence because obeying the Bible means nothing to them. Proverbs 26:28 says "A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering mouth works ruin."

 The Bible and Jesus is a threat to many. In some foreign countries you can be executed for naming the name of Jesus. Thankfully in the USA it is not like that YET, but beware, we are on a slippery slope and making a mockery of saying "God bless America" after speeches when in fact caring nothing about God or obeying Him. It is a mockery to put your hand on the Bible to take an oath of office then to go against its' teachings. Galatians 6:7 says "Do not be deceived. God can not be mocked. Whatever a man sows that will he reap." That is the law of God.  Job 4:8 says "As I have observed, those who plow evil and those who sow trouble reap it." God is not going to continue to bless a nation that turns its' back on Him. Psalm 33:12 says "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord."

We need to be praying for these 'mere men and women' in power who are making laws opposite what the Bible teaches. Instead of being angry at them, pity them and pray for them. Romans 12:14 says "Bless those who persecute you. Bless and do not curse." As a believer if you know someone is going against GOD'S word, come election time, they should probably not get your vote. It does not matter if you are a life long member of some particular political party. If they take stands against God's word, then you need to speak with your vote. A government which  oppresses it's people is not what our founders envisioned.

It is not mere man that is ultimately in control but it is God. He is on the throne, not a king, a prince, a dictator, or a president. Leaders and rulers  may try to lord over their 'subjects' but God is not pleased. If the times today have you fearful,rejoice!! Jesus is Lord over all!  Psalm 37:25 says "I was young and now I am old, yet I've never seen the righteous forsaken or their seed begging bread." So do not worry.

 Psalm 16:8 says "I have set the Lord always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken." Psalm 34:17 says " The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them, he delivers them from all their troubles".

PRAYER: Thank you Lord because I know you are Lord over all mankind and all creation. I know you are always behind the scenes working things out. Help me relax, keep praying, and trust you. In Jesus name. Amen.

 For further reading take a coffee break and read the entire chapter of Psalm 37. There is hope in Jesus alone and no man.

FOOLS MOCK SIN

Bad movies won't hurt me, alcohol won't hurt me, porn won't hurt me, gossip won't hurt me,sleeping around won't hurt me. Are you sure about this? Where did you get your information? You can not continue to dabble in certain things and not suffer consequences. Things go in your mind that can never be erased. Only deliverance from a mighty God will cure you. You can not call yourself a Christian and lead a double life.

The world puts many stumbling blocks in a believers path. Just because you say you are a Christian does not mean you are not going to be tempted to do what displeases God. We continually need to be asking God to give us strength to turn away from sin.

 There are Christians caught up in pornography and I have heard a couple give testimonies about their struggle with this. There are believers caught up in the sin of homosexuality some of which want free, but others who have believed a lie of the enemy that they were born that way. Exodus International is the ministry helping these who are in this struggle. There are Christians who lie and cheat and can not seem to stop. There are believers who gamble their families money away in the lottery or in casino's thinking it is just a recreational activity when it is poor use of God's money as there is no way to get rich quick.There are many who think nothing is wrong with speeding when there are traffic laws they are to obey.  There are believers who go to strip bars with the boys thinking it is harmless. Others cheat on their spouse thinking they will never be found out. The list could go on.

This is making a mockery of sin and it is foolish. Are you a fool? Proverbs 4:19 says "But the way of the wicked is like total darkness. They have no idea what they are stumbling over." If you are a believer who clearly knows the word of God then you know the truth and you know the lies of Satan. Satan comes to steal, kill, and destroy it says in John 10:10. Do not allow this to happen. Say "Get thee behind me Satan!" (See Luke 4:8).

Child of God are you straying from the Lord? Are you walking a path with Satan and enjoying the pleasures he deceives you with and tells you won't hurt you? Remember the serpent how he lied to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden? He continues to lie to believers today and to get them off course. We who know the word of God should not be a fool and get sucked into Satan's schemes to tear us down. 

Hosea 7:13 says "What sorrow awaits those who have deserted me! Let them die, for they have rebelled against me. I wanted to redeem them, but they have told lies about me."  Are you rebelling against God? Do you know what is right but continue to do what is wrong?  Psalm 14:1 says "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that does good." Don't be a fool! Psalm 10:4 says "In his pride the wicked does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God." Is there room for God in your heart?

Your minds can be deceived if you do not stay connected to Jesus and the truth by reading His word, the Bible daily.  2 Corinthians 11:3 says "But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent's cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ." Satan is a great deceiver who will convince you your sin is perfectly okay. But you know better. In John 8:44 it says "You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. 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." Do you choose God or do you choose the kingdom of darkness and Satan? You can not have it both ways.

Do not be a fool. Turn back to God. If you are caught up in something you know is wrong God can help you and set you free. Do not give up on yourself or on God. Psalm 53:1 says "Only the fool says there is no God." God is alive and he can and will help you through your struggles. You can resist the enemy and he has to flee. Run to God today and stop your foolishness before it is too late.

PRAYER: Lord I want to be like you and be set free from struggles in my life. Help me to recognize sin and run from it. Help me to resist Satan and his tricks to take me down the wrong path of life and consequently to destroy me. I am a child of God and I want to live for you so give me your strength. I pray for those in my family or friends who may be deceived and not realize it. Set them free as well and help them recognize the error of their ways and the way Satan has lied to them. In Jesus Name. Amen.